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Retro: New Orleans December 1-7, 1953

K

K.M. Richards

Guest
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

Since I had the schedules for this week pulled for an article on WJMR-TV (coming soon to Clarke Ingram's new website on the history of UHF!) I combined them into a single log, complete with abbreviations, errors, gaps, etc.

The newspaper listed WDSU/6 and WJMR/61 separately, with a single short line for every program entry and no details whatsoever. In other words, what you see is exactly what was listed. A * was supposed to indicate a network program, although as you will see there were some kinnies that were not so designated. (L) meant live from the network, although why that would have mattered to the viewers is beyond me.

WDSU was NBC primary, WJMR was ABC/DuMont primary, with both sharing CBS and WDSU carrying some ABC and DuMont shows anyway, with some shows relegated to running via kinnies late at night. And this was only one month after WJMR first went on the air in the Big Easy.

Have fun deciphering this mess.

----------

Tuesday, December 1, 1953

6:55am
(6) Agriculture News

7:00
(6) Today * (L)

8:55
(6) Today from New Orleans

9:00
(6) Ding Dong School * (L)

9:30
(6) Glamour Girl * (L)

10:00
(6) Hawkins Falls * (L)

10:15
(6) 3 Steps to Heaven * (L)

10:30
(6) Strike It Rich * (L)

11:00
(6) Bride and Groom * (L)

11:15
(6) I'll Buy That *

11:30
(6) Search for Tomrrw * (L)

11:45
(6) The Guiding Light * (L)

Noon
(6) Our House
(61) Test Pattern

12:40pm
(6) News

12:45
(6) Our House

1:15
(6) Garry Moore *

1:30
(6) Ladies Journal

2:00
(6) Lv Stck Exposition * (L)

2:30
(61) Turn To A Friend *

3:00
(6) Welcome Travelers * (L)
(61) Ernie Westmore *

3:30
(6) On Your Account * (L)
(61) Film Oddities

4:00
(6) Love of Life *
(61) Western Theater

4:15
(6) Magic Tree

4:30
(6) Howdy Doody * (L)

5:00
(6) Mrs. Muffin's Bthdy Pty
(61) Capt. Video

5:15
(61) Feature Movie

5:30
(6) Mr. Bingle

5:35
(6) Maggie and Me

5:45
(6) Movie Quick Quiz

6:00
(6) Reporter

6:15
(6) Wrld of Sprts-Weathermn
(61) Pictures

6:30
(6) Dinah Shore * (L)
(61) Musical Varieties

6:45
(6) News Caravan * (L)

7:00
(6) Milton Berle * (L)
(61) Bishop Sheen * (L)

7:30
(61) Service Films

8:00
(6) Fireside Theater * (L)
(61) This Is Show Bus. * (L)

8:30
(6) Circle Theater * (L)
(61) Adventure Theater

9:00
(6) Judge for Yourself * (L)
(61) Danger * (L)

9:30
(6) Favorite Story
(61) Feature Film

10:00
(6) Rod Cameron-City Det.

10:30
(6) Dateline-New Orleans
(61) Sign Off

11:00
(6) News

11:05
(6) Rocky King

11:35
(6) On Your Way

12:05am
(6) Nitecap News and Sports

12:15
(6) Prayer for Peace


Wednesday, December 2, 1953

6:55am
(6) Agriculture News

7:00
(6) Today * (L)

8:55
(6) Today from New Orleans

9:00
(6) Ding Dong School * (L)

9:30
(6) Glamour Girl * (L)

10:00
(6) Hawkins Falls * (L)

10:15
(6) 3 Steps to Heaven * (L)

10:30
(6) Strike It Rich * (L)

11:00
(6) Bride and Groom * (L)

11:15
(6) Ask the Doctor

11:30
(6) Search for Tmrrow * (L)

11:45
(6) The Guiding Light * (L)

Noon
(6) Our House
(61) Test Pattern

12:40pm
(6) News

12:45
(6) Our House

1:15
(6) Garry Moore *

1:45
(6) Arthur Godfrey *

2:00
(6) The Big Payoff

2:30
(6) Kate Smith * (L)
(61) Turn To A Friend *

3:00
(6) Welcome Travelers * (L)
(61) Ernie Westmore *

3:30
(6) On Your Account * (L)
(61) Film Oddities

4:00
(6) Love of Life *
(61) Western Theater

4:15
(6) Bob Nelson Show

4:30
(6) Teen-age Book Review

5:00
(6) Superman
(61) Capt. Video

5:15
(61) Feature Movie

5:30
(6) Mr. Bingle

5:35
(6) Kelner's Korner

5:45
(6) Movie Quick Quiz

6:00
(6) Reporter

6:15
(6) Wrld of Sprts-Wthrman
(61) John Daly * (L)

6:30
(6) Eddie Fisher Show * (L)
(61) Doug Edwards * (L)

6:45
(6) News Caravan * (L)

7:00
(6) I Married Joan * (L)
(61) Dr. I.Q. *

7:30
(6) Files of Jeff. Jones
(61) Facts Forum *

8:00
(6) Theater * (L)
(61) Jean Carroll *

8:30
(61) Family Theater

9:00
(6) Boxing Bouts * (L)

9:30
(61) Wrestling Matches * (L)

9:45
(6) Sports Spot * (L)

10:00
(6) This is Your Life *

10:30
(6) Leavitt's Sports Parade

10:45
(6) This Week in Sports

11:00
(6) News
(61) Sign Off

11:05
(6) Two for the Money *

11:35
(6) My Little Margie *

12:05am
(6) Nitecap News & Sports

12:15
(6) Prayer for Peace


Thursday, December 3, 1953

6:55am
(6) Agriculture News

7:00
(6) Today * (L)

8:55
(6) Today from New Orleans

9:00
(6) Ding Dong School * (L)

9:30
(6) Glamour Girl * (L)

10:00
(6) Hawkins Falls * (L)

10:15
(6) Steps to Heaven * (L)

10:30
(6) Strike It Rich * (L)

11:00
(6) Homemakers Holiday

11:30
(6) S'rch for Tomorrow * (L)

11:45
(6) The Guiding Light * (L)

Noon
(6) Our House
(61) Test Pattern

12:40pm
(6) News

12:45
(6) Our House

1:15
(6) Garry Moore *

1:30
(6) Ladies Journal

2:00
(6) Kate Smith * (L)

2:30
(61) Turn To A Friend *

3:00
(6) Welcome Travelers * (L)
(61) Ernie Westmore *

3:30
(6) On Your Account * (L)
(61) Film Oddities

4:00
(6) Love of Life *
(61) Western Theater

4:15
(6) Garry Moore *

4:30
(6) Howdy Doody * (L)

5:00
(6) Mrs. Muffin's Srprs Prty
(61) Capt. Video

5:15
(61) Feature Movie

5:30
(6) Mr. Bingle

5:35
(6) Maggie and Me

5:45
(6) Movie Quick Quiz

6:00
(6) Reporter

6:15
(6) Outdoors in La.-Wthrmn
(61) John Daly * (L)

6:30
(6) Dinah Shore * (L)
(61) Musical Varieties

6:45
(6) News Caravan * (L)
(61) Jane Froman * (L)

7:00
(6) Groucho Marx *
(61) Quick as a Flash * (L)

7:30
(6) NORD Playhouse
(61) Ramah of Jungle

7:45
(6) Remember When

8:00
(6) Dragnet * (L)
(61) Film Classic

8:30
(6) Theater * (L)

9:00
(6) March of Medicine * (L)

9:30
(6) Bish. Fulton Sheen * (L)
(61) Place the Face * (L)

10:00
(6) Heart of the City
(61) US Industry Film

10:30
(6) Mirror Theater
(61) Sign Off

11:00
(6) News

11:05
(6) Godfrey & His Friends *

11:35
(6) Godfrey's Talent Scouts *

12:05am
(6) Dollar a Second

12:35
(6) Nitcap News-Sprts Rslts

12:45
(6) Prayer for Peace


Friday, December 4, 1953

6:55am
(6) Agriculture News

7:00
(6) Today * (L)

8:55
(6) Today from New Orleans

9:00
(6) Ding Dong School * (L)

9:30
(6) Glamour Girl * (L)

10:00
(6) Hawkins Falls * (L)

10:15
(6) 3 Steps to Heaven * (L)

10:30
(6) Strike It Rich * (L)

11:00
(6) Bride and Groom * (L)

11:15
(6) Ask The Doctor

11:30
(6) S'rch for Tomorrow * (L)

11:45
(6) The Guiding Light * (L)

Noon
(6) Our House
(61) Test Pattern

12:40pm
(6) News

12:45
(6) Our House

1:15
(6) Garry Moore *

1:30
(6) The Ruggles

2:00
(6) The Big Payoff * (L)

2:30
(6) Kate Smith * (L)
(61) Turn To A Friend *

3:00
(6) Welcome Travelers * (L)
(61) Ernie Westmore *

3:30
(6) On Your Account * (L)
(61) Film Oddities

4:00
(6) Love of Life *
(61) Western Theater

4:15
(6) Bob Nelson Show

4:30
(6) Howdy Doody * (L)

5:00
(6) Cisco Kid
(61) Capt. Video

5:15
(61) Feature Movie

5:30
(6) Mr. Bingle

5:35
(6) Kelner's Korner

5:45
(6) Movie Quick Quiz

6:00
(6) Reporter

6:15
(6) Wrld of Sprts-Wtherman
(61) John Daly & News * (L)

6:30
(6) Eddie Fisher Show * (L)
(61) D. Edwards - News * (L)

6:45
(6) News Caravan * (L)

7:00
(6) Trouble With Father *
(61) Friday Nite Movie

7:30
(6) Life of Riley * (L)

8:00
(6) Big Story * (L)

8:30
(6) TV Soundstage * (L)

9:00
(6) Cavalcade of Sprts * (L)

9:45
(6) New Orleans Story

10:00
(6) Boston Blackie

10:30
(6) Do You Know Why
(61) Sign Off

10:35
(6) Ask Leavitt

10:45
(6) Greatest Fights of Cntry

11:00
(6) News

11:05
(6) Man Against Crime *

11:35
(6) Jewelers Showcase

12:05am
(6) Nitecap News-Sprts Rslts

12:15
(6) Prayer for Peace


Saturday, December 5, 1953

8:55am
(6) Morning Prayer

9:00
(6) Super Circus

9:30
(6) Space Cadet

10:00
(6) Capt. Midnight

10:30
(6) Smilin' Ed McConnell *

11:00
(6) Big Top * (L)

Noon
(6) Johnny Jupiter
(61) Test Pattern

12:30pm
(6)Press Box Review *(L)

12:45
(6) Notre Dame-SMU * (L)

3:45
(6) Scoreboard * (L)

4:00
(6) Fair Grounds Races

4:30
(6) TV Playhousw

5:00
(6) Roy Rogers *

5:30
(6) Lone Ranger
(61) America Speaks

6:00
(6) Range Rider
(61) Notre D. Ftbll Highlights

6:30
(6) Ethel & Albert Shw * (L)
(61) Beat the Clock * (L)

7:00
(6) I Bonino * (L)
(61) Sat. Nite Movie

7:30
(6) Orig. Amateur Hr. * (L)

8:00
(6) Show of Shows * (L)

8:30
(61) My Favorite Hsbnd * (L)

9:00
(61) Medallion Theater * (L)

9:30
(6) Liberace
(61) Late Film Show

10:00
(6) International Wrestling

10:30
(61) Sign Off

11:00
(6) Theater *

Midnight
(6) Feature Movie

1:00am
(6) Nitecap Nws-Spts Reslts

1:10
(6) Prayer for Peace


Sunday, December 6, 1953

9:00am
(61) Test Pattern

9:30
(6) Test Pattern & Tone

9:50
(6) Morning Prayer

9:55
(6) World News

10:00
(6) Christopher Program

10:15
(6) Adventure Story

10:30
(6) United Nation News

10:45
(6) Spotlight on Tomorrow

11:00
(6) Christ Church Cathedral

Noon
(6) Real Estate Show

12:30pm
(6) Wild Bill Hickok

12:45
(61) Bill Stern * (L)

1:00
(6) Prof. Football Game (L)
(61) Prof. Ftbll Game * (L)

3:45
(6) Football Roundup

3:55
(6) Mr. Bingle

4:00
(6) Kit Carson
(61) Western Movie

4:30
(6) Victory at Sea

5:00
(6) Tulane Close-up

5:30
(6) Teen Magazine
(61) George Jessel *

6:00
(6) Winchll & Mahoney * (L)
(61) Pub. Serv. Film

6:30
(6) Louis Prima Show
(61) Pvt. Secretary *

6:45
(6) News

7:00
(6) Comedy Hour * (L)
(61) Toast of the Town * (L)

8:00
(6) Television Playh'se * (L)
(61) Theater *

8:30
(61) Juke Box Jury * (L)

9:00
(6) Letters to Loretta * (L)

9:30
(6) Orient Express
(61) What's My Line * (L)

10:00
(6) Ozzie & Harriet *
(61) To Be Announced

10:30
(6) Theater *
(61) The Christophers

11:00
(6) Theater
(61) To Be Announced

11:15
(61) Sign Off

11:30
(6) Feature Movie

12:30am
(6) Nitecap News-Sprts Rslts

12:40
(6) Prayer for Peace


Monday, December 7, 1953

6:55am
(6) Agriculture News

7:00
(6) Today * (L)

8:55
(6) Today from New Orleans

9:00
(6) Ding Dong School * (L)

9:30
(6) Glamour Girl * (L)

10:00
(6) Hawkins Falls * (L)

10:15
(6) 3 Steps to Heaven * (L)

10:30
(6) Strike It Rich * (L)

11:00
(6) Bride and Groom * (L)

11:15
(6) I'll Buy That *

11:30
(6) Srch for Tomorrow * (L)

11:45
(6) The Guiding Light * (L)

Noon
(6) Our House
(61) Test Pattern

12:40pm
(6) News

12:45
(6) Our House

1:15
(6) Garry Moore *

1:45
(6) Arthur Godfrey *

2:00
(6) The Big Payoff * (L)

2:30
(6) Kate Smith * (L)
(61) Turn To A Friend *

3:00
(6) Welcome Travelers * (L)
(61) Ernie Westmore *

3:30
(6) On Your Account * (L)
(61) Film Oddities

4:00
(6) Love of Life *
(61) Western Theater

4:15
(6) Bob Nelson Show

4:30
(6) Howdy Doody * (L)

5:00
(6) Cowboy Theater
(61) Capt. Video

5:15
(61) Feature Movie

5:30
(6) Mr. Bingle

5:35
(6) Kelner's Korner

5:45
(6) Movie Quick Quiz

6:00
(6) Reporter
(61) Weather & Sports

6:15
(6) World of Sprts-Wthrman
(61) John Daly & News * (L)

6:30
(6) Dance Party * (L)
(61) Doug Edwards-Nws * (L)

6:45
(6) News Caravan * (L)

7:00
(6) Name That Tune * (L)
(61) To Be Announced

7:30
(6) Howard Barlow * (L)
(61) Notre Dame Ftbl. Hilts *

8:00
(6) Around the Town
(61) Col. Flack *

8:30
(6) R Mntgomry Prsnts * (L)
(61) Red Buttons * (L)

9:00
(61) Feature Film

9:30
(6) Theater

10:00
(6) I Love Lucy *

10:30
(6) Do You Know Why?
(61) Sign Off

10:35
(6) Harmony Hall

11:00
(6) News

11:05
(6) Studio One *

12:05am
(6) Nitecap Nws-Sprts Rslts

12:15
(6) Prayer for Peace
 
Could you imagine in 1953, New Orleans had only one VHF TV station? And I wonder why a UHF signed on before New Orleans' three other VHFs, WWL 4, WVUE 8 and WYES 12? According to Wikipedia, WDSU was on the air by 1948, yet no other VHF stations were on the air five years later?

I also noticed that WJMR 61 ran both the ABC Evening News with John Daly and the CBS Evening News with "Doug" Edwards. (I guess in later years, he'd switch to using his full first name "Douglas.") It was rare for TV stations, even those affiliated with multiple networks, to run more than one network evening news show. In fact, many stations that were only affiliated with ABC didn't run the ABC Evening News. They found it better for the ratings to run some syndicated program in its place.
 
Could you imagine in 1953, New Orleans had only one VHF TV station? And I wonder why a UHF signed on before New Orleans' three other VHFs, WWL 4, WVUE 8 and WYES 12? According to Wikipedia, WDSU was on the air by 1948, yet no other VHF stations were on the air five years later?

The other commercial VHF allocation, for channel 4, was tied up in comparative hearings due to multiple applicants. Supreme Broadcasting (wisely, it turns out) figured those hearings would keep it from coming on the air for many years, and decided to get whatever jump on the competition they could by being the sole applicant for channel 61.

Oh, and if you would take the time to read the article in its entirety, WVUE is a direct descendant of WJMR, so including it on that list is disingenuous. Channel 8 was a non-commercial educational reserved allocation and very few of those actually made it on the air before the 1960s (WVUE did not start off on that channel).
 
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