TV Network History: 1950s-1960s

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Date:

Instructions: The birth and growth of American television networks shaped a generation. Test your knowledge of early TV broadcasting history!

1.
Which was the fourth major TV network that ceased operations in 1956?
A
DuMont
B
Fox
C
The WB
D
PBS
2.
Which network's eye logo, introduced in 1951, is one of the longest-used logos in broadcasting?
A
DuMont
B
CBS
C
ABC
D
NBC
3.
Approximately how many American households had a television set by 1960?
A
50%
B
67%
C
87%
D
78%
4.
Which historic televised event in 1960 featured Kennedy and Nixon and changed politics forever?
A
A campaign rally
B
A presidential press conference
C
A State of the Union address
D
The first televised presidential debate
5.
Which network was considered the 'third place' network for most of the 1950s and early 1960s?
A
DuMont
B
NBC
C
ABC
D
CBS
6.
The quiz show scandals of the late 1950s led Congress to pass laws making what illegal?
A
Rigging game shows
B
Advertising during game shows
C
Airing game shows after 9 PM
D
Having cash prizes over $10,000
7.
Which CBS news anchor became known as 'the most trusted man in America'?
A
Chet Huntley
B
David Brinkley
C
Edward R. Murrow
D
Walter Cronkite
8.
Edward R. Murrow's famous investigative report helped bring down which controversial senator?
A
Barry Goldwater
B
Joseph McCarthy
C
Strom Thurmond
D
Hubert Humphrey
9.
Which NBC news duo anchored 'The Huntley-Brinkley Report' from 1956 to 1970?
A
Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather
B
Tom Brokaw and John Chancellor
C
John Chancellor and Frank McGee
D
Chet Huntley and David Brinkley
10.
What was the famous sign-off phrase between Huntley and Brinkley?
A
'Good night, Chet. Good night, David.'
B
'And that's the way it is'
C
'Until tomorrow, good evening'
D
'That's all for tonight'
11.
Which event in November 1963 caused all three networks to suspend regular programming for four straight days?
A
The assassination of President Kennedy
B
The Moon landing
C
The Cuban Missile Crisis
D
The March on Washington
12.
What historic event did an estimated 600 million people watch on television on July 20, 1969?
A
The World Series
B
The Super Bowl
C
Woodstock
D
The Apollo 11 Moon landing
13.
Which FCC chairman in the early 1960s famously called television 'a vast wasteland'?
A
Rosel Hyde
B
James Fly
C
Dean Burch
D
Newton Minow
14.
In the 1950s, what time was considered 'prime time' for television viewing?
A
6-9 PM
B
9 PM-midnight
C
7-10 PM
D
8-11 PM
15.
Which educational television network was established by the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967?
A
NPR
B
PBS
C
CPB (Corporation for Public Broadcasting)
D
NET (National Educational Television)

Answer Key

Question 1

A. DuMont

Question 2

B. CBS

Question 3

C. 87%

Question 4

D. The first televised presidential debate

Question 5

C. ABC

Question 6

A. Rigging game shows

Question 7

D. Walter Cronkite

Question 8

B. Joseph McCarthy

Question 9

D. Chet Huntley and David Brinkley

Question 10

A. 'Good night, Chet. Good night, David.'

Question 11

A. The assassination of President Kennedy

Question 12

D. The Apollo 11 Moon landing

Question 13

D. Newton Minow

Question 14

D. 8-11 PM

Question 15

C. CPB (Corporation for Public Broadcasting)

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