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WGN-TV Historical Timeline: 1948
1948
In early February, WGN begins broadcasting test patterns.
March 3 WGN begins a regular schedule of test patterns.
March 5 WGN broadcasts sound and pictures of the Golden Gloves boxing finals live from Chicago Stadium with commentary from Jack Brickhouse.
19 TV stations on air in 13 cities. 80 additional stations authorized, 125 applications on file with FCC. TV sets cost $180.
April 5 WGN airs a two-hour special, "WGN-TV Salute to Chicago." Chicago Tribune estimated 16,000 TV sets saw the broadcast. Chicago Mayor Martin Kennely proclaims the week as "Television Week in Chicago." He urges all residents to "avail themselves of the opportunities afforded during the period to become better aquatinted with this latest contribution to man's progress."
April 5 The first official telecast of WGN (broadcasting from the studio at the Tribune Tower) was a gala 2 hour premiere. The program was relayed by a mobile truck called "The Blue Goose," and the new studios for daily telecasts and the antenna were located atop the Daily News Building at 400 West Madison. Featured performers: Joey Bishop, MC Lee Bennett, Jack Brickhouse, Bob Trendler and the WGN Orchestra.
Colonel McCormick was ill the night of the inaugural broadcast and unable to attend. John Mallow read a written statement:
"The pioneer...felt that in casting off the old he was adventuring toward something more splendid and more spacious. He marked out the trail, not only for himself, but for others. He went among the first, and there was high adventure in his going.
It is this feeling of adventuring that I would communicate to you. In television we have embarked upon another of America's adventures. Come along with us! Let us share the adventure together."
April 6 WGN airs its first full day of programming beginning at 2pm with a 30-minute newsreel the first filmed newscast in Chicago. It is followed by "At Home with Barbara Barkley," televised before a live studio audience at Goldblatt's in the Loop. Test patterns air until 5pm, followed by Two-ton Baker and the Art Nelson puppets, "Sportman's Corner" and the "WGN Scrap Book."
April 11 WGN's Sunday schedule include such shows as "Sunday Night at the Pump Room," "Music Corner," "Minor Options" and "Cross Question," later renamed as "They Stand Accused."
April 16 WGN broadcasts a Sox vs. Cubs game from Comiskey Park.
April 23 WGN airs the first telecast of a Cubs home opener against St. Louis.
May 31 WGN airs Alfred Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps" as part of a movie package; the first steps in creating WGN's expansive film library.
May WGN acquires the first motion picture package - 24 Alexander Korda pictures, through WPIX - the New York Daily News' TV station that was scheduled to go on the air in June of 1948.
May Club Television - a 48 vintage style vaudeville show (doing heavy star traffic). The show could get most of the stars/actors for scale since they were in town doing a play or a show.
May WGN sets up a internship with the Medill School of Journalism
June 16 WGN receives lots of fan mail regarding the program "Club Television."
July 12 WGN News covers the Democratic National Convention
July WGN begins selling 30-second and one-minute spots. One-minute live spots in sports cost $60. One minute film spots cost $50.
August 16 WGN airs "All-Stars on Parade."
August 20 WGN broadcasts the "College All-Star Game" live from Soldier Field. A half million people watch the game on TV.
September 26 "The Original Amateur Hour" debuts. It was the first Dumont show to air on channel 9.
October 12 "The Northerners" music program premieres.
October Phillip Morris purchases four weekly one-minute spots.
October WGN airs Northwestern University football games.
November 2 WGN broadcasts election coverage live from the Chicago Tribune newsroom.
December 6 "Fun for All" debuts, starring Tommy Bartlett and Irv Kupcinet.
December WGN televises the first Bears game when the Bears face the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.
December 31 WGN broadcasts "New Year's Jamboree" with Lee Bennett.
1948At a pre-election press conference, WGN's camera ran out of film and Spencer Allen asked Truman if he would mind stopping for a moment. Other newsmen in the newsroom said to Truman don't worry about them, they're from the Tribune. Truman responded that although the Colonel didn't like him and the Tribune didn't like him, these guys were working stiffs and he would wait just the same.
1948Covering Presidential Conventions since they went on the air in 1948. Jack Brickhouse, Dorsey Connors covered the conventions.
1948WGN covers wrestling. (Jack Brickhouse initially objected to having to cover wrestling since he thought it was below him as a legitimate journalist, but 9 years later he was still covering the sport and loving it). The matches were sponsored by Tavern Pale Beer and between bouts, they would sponsor beauty contests. Mike Wallace hosted these beauty contests.
1948WGN covers football and is the first to provide live coverage of the "College All-Star Football Game."
1948WGN provides coverage of Cubs and White Sox home games. They also cover the White Sox night games which was the first night coverage anywhere.
1948Live remotes of a warehouse fire on the Chicago River, Harry Truman's first telecast from Chicago, the Chicagoland Music Festival, the All-Star Football Game & an 8-game college football schedule, which includes live remotes from games at Northwestern, Notre Dame, and University of Illinois (U of I).
1948Ike & Maimie get coverage; Mayor Kennelly was learning about the new biz, and a guy with an inflatable plane got some coverage.
1948WGN was affiliated with CBS and the DuMont television network. Regional feeds were commonplace among stations in the Midwest and on the East Coast.
1948Wonder House was hosted by Two Ton Baker and shared the stage with a cast of puppets. Little Bordy (a puppet) was his co-host.
Copyright © 2008, WGN-TV
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