Television · 1942
Wartime Cutbacks and Civil Defense on Air
As World War II intensifies, television production halts for civilian markets, and broadcasting is repurposed for military and civil defense needs. Stations in the United States and occupied Europe air instructional programs, war bond drives, and limited troop entertainment.
- WNBT / USA / Educational
WNBT Air Raid Warden Training
NBC station WNBT in New York begins broadcasting official instructional television courses to train thousands of local air raid wardens.
- Fernsehsender Paris / France
Fernsehsender Paris Begins Transmissions
German authorities establish television broadcasts from the Eiffel Tower to screen programming for wounded soldiers in military hospitals.
- FCC / USA / Regulation
FCC Reduces Required Broadcast Hours
The Federal Communications Commission lowers the required minimum operating schedule for commercial TV stations to just four hours per week.
- War Production Board / USA
War Production Board Set Freeze
The United States government halts the manufacturing of civilian television sets and broadcast equipment to divert electronics factories toward war radar production.
- W6XYZ / USA / Station Launch
W6XYZ Los Angeles Inauguration
Klaus Landsberg launches experimental television station W6XYZ on the Paramount Pictures lot in Los Angeles, laying the groundwork for west coast TV.
- WCBW (CBS) / USA / Live Broadcast
WCBW Red Cross and Defense Specials
CBS flagship station WCBW produces live broadcasts teaching first aid, blood donation awareness, and home-front defense procedures.
- W2XWV / USA / Variety Broadcast
DuMont W2XWV Wartime Broadcasts
Allen B. DuMont's experimental station W2XWV in New York continues live weekly broadcasts featuring local talent to entertain service members.
- W9XBK / USA / Special Broadcast
W9XBK Chicago War Bond Rallies
Chicago experimental station W9XBK broadcasts live war bond sales drives and civil defense training for the Midwestern public.
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