Progressive Broadcasting System

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PBS network logo.

The Progressive Broadcasting System (PBS) was an American commercial radio network of 1950-51. "[C]atering to smaller radio stations", [1] the company had hoped to affiliate with around 1,000 radio stations in the United States which did not already have affiliation agreements with the "Big Four" national radio networks of those days: NBC, CBS, ABC, and Mutual, as well as Liberty, second in size to Mutual.

Contents

Time announced the company's formation on September 4, 1950. Broadcasts began November 26, 1950. [2] Two hundred stations were needed for the network to break even. However, only "about 100 stations" joined, and the network folded at the end of its schedule on January 31, 1951. [3]

Organization

After "nearly two years of planning and organization", PBS had capitalization of $1,500,000 and was incorporated in California. [4]

Executives of the network included Miller McClintock, chairman and chief executive; [5] Larry Finley, president; Donald Withycomb, executive vice president; Edgar H. Twalmley, vice president in charge of the eastern division; Robert B. White, vice president in charge of the central division; [4] B.B. Robinson, vice president in charge of finance; [6] Kolin Hagar, eastern district manager; [7] and Nat Linden, chief of production. [8]

Operation

PBS planned to offer programming for 10 hours of the day on as many as 350 radio stations. At a press conference August 10, 1950, network President Larry Finley told reporters, "Advertising will be local, except for the night programs, and there will be no network option time." [9] The network's flagship station was KGFJ in Hollywood. [9]

Programming

Billing its offerings as "The world's greatest daytime network radio programming", [10] PBS made programming ("aimed primarily at the housewife" [4] ) available to affiliates from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. [11] Programs offered were much like those of other networks, "including an array of soap operas, quiz shows, children's features, variety shows and audience participation programs". [9]

Following is the program lineup with which PBS launched its operation. [9]

ProgramStarLengthDays
Grand Motel (soap opera) Marc Lawrence 15 minutesMonday - Friday
This Is Mine (soap opera) Barbara Britton 15 minutes
Betty Carr, Detective (soap opera) Hope Emerson 15 minutes
Cindy (soap opera) Jeanne Cagney 15 minutes
Taylored Lady (fashion news)Estelle Taylor30 minutes
Mary Grove At Home (home economics)Mary Grove15 minutes
My Secret Desire (audience participation) Ann Dvorak 30 minutes
Mel Tormé Time (music) Mel Tormé 30 minutes
Our Best to YouTom Hanlon30 minutes
Hart of Hollywood (studio tours)Maurice Hart30 minutes
Great American QuizHal Sawyer30 minutes
Bar None Ranch Cottonseed Clark 30 minutes
Movietown NewsCharlotte Rogers15 minutes
Uncle Remus (children's stories)Jimmy Scribner15 minutes
World of Sports Lou Nova 15 minutes
Young Ideas Harry Von Zell 30 minutes    Saturday
The Old SkipperCaptain Hix15 minutes
Club TimeBob McLaughlin3 hours
Mindy Carson Show Mindy Carson 15 minutes
Vic Damone Show Vic Damone 30 minutes
Hugh Said It Hugh Herbert 30 minutes      Sunday
Progressive Music Stan Kenton 30 minutes
Connie Haines Entertains Connie Haines 1 hour
Mel Torme Time (Sunday Version)Mel Tormé1 hour
Frankie Laine Show Frankie Laine 2 hours
Page Pages You Page Cavanaugh 30 minutes

On December 15, 1950, President Harry S. Truman proclaimed "the existence of a state of national emergency". [11] Afterward, PBS officials sent a letter to approximately 60 agencies and departments of the federal government saying that "its program lines [would be] kept open until 11 p.m. and offering those evening hours to the government for any messages or programs which PBS can take to its member stations in support of defense and emergency activities." [11]

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References

  1. "Network of Small Stations Planned". Janesville Daily Gazette. August 11, 1950. p. 1. Retrieved September 5, 2015 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  2. "(WLIO ad)". The Evening Review. November 20, 1950. p. 21. Retrieved September 5, 2015 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  3. "New Radio Network Suspends Operations". The Plain Speaker. February 1, 1951. p. 14. Retrieved September 5, 2015 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  4. 1 2 3 "PBS Opening" (PDF). Broadcasting. October 9, 1950. p. 28. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  5. "Personals . . " (PDF). Broadcasting. January 15, 1951. p. 71. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  6. "Name Robinson" (PDF). Broadcasting. December 18, 1950. p. 78. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  7. "Allied Arts" (PDF). Broadcasting. November 6, 1950. p. 71. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  8. "Air-casters" (PDF). Broadcasting. December 11, 1950. p. 56. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Coville, Gary (November 2011). "Now You Hear It . . . . Now You Don't". Radiogram. 36 (9): 8–13.
  10. "PBS ad" (PDF). Broadcasting. October 9, 1950. p. 19. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 "PBS Defense Plan" (PDF). Broadcasting. December 28, 1950. p. 28. Retrieved September 6, 2015.