Today in Broadcast History

It was March 3rd when Detroit was first introduced to radio station WWJ.. When Vancouver’s CKWX AM 1130 published its last Top 40 Survey, relinquishing the field to CFUN 1410. When Andy Griffith first introduced the character 'Matlock' on NBC-TV, and four years later the same network aired the 100th episode of 'Alf.' And when ‘Nova’ began its 44 year (so far) run on PBS. Details and many more milestones for March 3rd INSIDE.

Howard Stern (pictured) started broadcasting at WWDC Washington DC, where he developed his ‘shock jock’ format. The Beatles’ next smash hit ‘Let it Be’ was previewed via film on CBS-TV’s Ed Sullivan Show. ‘The Barry Manilow Special’ aired on ABC-TV, attracting a viewership of 37 million. The Supreme Court of Canada allowed its proceedings to be televised for the first time; a hearing on taxation. And U2 began a five-night weeklong run on CBS’ Late Show With David Letterman. Details and many more milestones for March 2nd INSIDE.

IT WAS MARCH 21st .. when Portland radio station KGW began broadcasting…. When Shirley Booth (pictured) made her TV acting debut in “The Hostess with the Mostest” on Playhouse 90 on CBS…. When CBS-TV’s Ed Sullivan Show starred Gary Lewis & the Playboys singing “This Diamond Ring”…. and when on the CBS-TV prime time soap “Dallas,” JR was shot. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

A former favorite AM signal from Eastern Washington KHQ Spokane began broadcasting at 590 KHz. The first basketball game to be televised was seen on only a handful of New York TV sets almost a decade before the so-called TV era began. Some 125 million people were tuned in for the much anticipated finale of the TV series ‘M*A*S*H’ on CBS. And the iconic ABC radio broadcaster Paul Harvey (pictured) signed off for the final time, dying at age 90. Details and many more milestones for Feb. 28th INSIDE.

The first CNR radio station, CNRO was opened in Ottawa. The CNR network would eventually evolve into the CBC. ‘The Rolling Stones’ rise to fame was underway as they appeared for the 2nd time on the BBC-TV’s ‘Top of the Pops’ (pictured). The Supremes (with Diana Ross) were the mystery guests on CBS-TV’s ‘What’s My Line?’ And ABC aired Part One of their “The Beach Boys: An American Family” TV movie. Details and many more Milestones for Feb 27th INSIDE.

Future TV stars Jackie Gleason, William Frawley and Tony Randall were born on this date. The 100th episode of the original hit TV series ‘Macgyver’ aired on ABC. Drew Lachey was declared winner of ABC’s ‘Dancing With the Stars.’ And the CHUM group announced their intention to acquire Vancouver radio station ‘The Beat.’ Details and many MORE broadcast milestones INSIDE.

The US Federal Radio Commission issued the very first television license to an experimental laboratory in Washington D.C. Still before WWII, in TV’s infancy, the first hockey game was televised in New York City, 12 years ahead of Canada’s first hockey telecast. Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca (pictured) starred in the first ever ‘Your Show of Shows,’ which became a Saturday night sensation for NBC-TV. A Led Zeppelin concert at the Paris Theatre in France was broadcast live on UK television. And Frank Sinatra’s guest appearance as a retired detective gave CBS-TV’s ‘Magnum PI’ its highest rating ever. Details and many more milestones for Feb. 25th INSIDE.

The Voice of America shortwave radio service signed on as a US propaganda tool during WWII and the Cold War. Kay Starr, Bert Lahr and The Mills Brothers were the guests on NBC-TV’s hourlong ‘Perry Como Show.’ Talk show host Larry King was stricken with a major heart attack, and underwent quintuple by-pass surgery. ‘The Second Barry Manilow Special’ aired on ABC-TV with guest star Ray Charles. And radio/TV headliners Dinah Shore, John Daly, Don Knotts, Dennis Weaver and Vancouver deejay Rick Honey (pictured) passed away. Details and many more milestones for the date INSIDE.

It was Feb 23rd when The Beatles made their third appearance in as many weeks on CBS-TV’s Ed Sullivan Show, When The Fifth Dimension guested on ABC-TV’s action series ‘It Takes a Thief.’ When the first Juno Awards were handed out, celebrating the best in Canadian music. (The first year they were ‘The Gold Leaf Awards.) And when 65 million Americans tuned in to NBC-TV for the Spielberg movie ‘Schindler’s List’ with minimal commercials. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

One of the oldest three-letter call signs in the US, radio station WOR went on the air from studios in Newark N.J. The first presidential address on radio from the White House was delivered by Calvin Coolidge. Vancouver’s CKLG AM 730 dropped its experiment in talk radio and returned to contemporary hit music. And Sportscaster Al Michaels (pictured) was at the mike as the USA scored its ‘Miracle on Ice,’ upsetting the USSR, enroute to Olympic hockey Gold. Bernie Pascall called the game live to Canada. ALL the milestones for Feb. 22nd INSIDE.