ABC launched its very first television station in New York on August 10, 1948, marking a pivotal moment in broadcast history. Known formally as the American Broadcasting System, ABC now operates as the flagship company of the Disney entertainment division of the Walt Disney Company. For over 75 years, the network has been a major force in both radio and television broadcasting. Below are some interesting tidbits about this iconic company.
Fun Facts
- This coming August 10th, the American Broadcasting Company Television Network will celebrate 76 years in operation.
- WFIL-TV in Philadelphia was the station where ABC first began its television broadcasts.
- The network's inaugural program was a show called On The Corner, with Henry Morgan serving as host.
- Long before making waves in the television world, ABC had already carved out a significant presence in radio, dating back to 1943. The leap into television showcased just how willing and able the company was to evolve with the times.
- The NBC Blue Network was absorbed by ABC as part of its growth.
- As ABC spread into cities like Baltimore, Washington D.C., New York, Chicago, and Detroit, it brought distinctive programming to audiences far and wide, forging connections across the nation and helping to define what television could become.
- ABC Television Network purchased the Duland Riding Academy at 7 West 66 Street in March 1948. This was a landmark acquisition that opened an entirely new chapter for the company, providing a fresh home base from which to fuel its continued expansion and evolution.
- The road wasn't always smooth, but ABC Television Network refused to back down. When the Federal Communications Commission imposed a freeze on applications for new channels in 1948 — a halt that dragged on until 1952 — many major U.S. cities were left with just one channel, or in the case of Denver, none at all. Through it all, ABC's grit and perseverance carried the network forward during those trying years.