...here's one I'm kinda surprised nobody's mentioned yet -- pro wrestling and roller derby on prime-time network TV. Between 1949 and 1955, all four networks had at least one prime-time wrestling hour, and ABC carried roller derby three nights a week at one point...
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TV events that used to be big
- Thread starter nomadcowatbk
- Start date
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FreddyE1977
Guest
Has anyone mentioned the nightly network evening newscast?
Those ratings are absolutely imploding if you haven't noticed.
Cronkite used to be nightly appointment viewing for my grandparents.
Those ratings are absolutely imploding if you haven't noticed.
Cronkite used to be nightly appointment viewing for my grandparents.
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flashback
Guest
Ultimajock said:
and NBC carried wwf wrestling on its network in the 80`s .one friday night they ran an hour of a live event that i was at because it was part of the evolution of events in that years wrestlemania.and they had their saturday night main event shows from time to time.
FreddyE1977 said:
There were no 24/7 cable news networks in those days, of course. But a number of people posting here have said that the 3 network news programs still get much higher ratings than the cable networks combined. So they won't be going away anytime soon.
Dean Martin's Roasts where a big thing in my house during the '70s. My childhood mind didn't understand most of the jokes but it sure was fun. Same thing with the occasional variety show. Like the Bob Hope specials I even seem to recall a Shields and Yarnell (remember them?) special or show.
firepoint525 said:Thanks to E/I requirements! :nomadcowatbk said:
And also the Parents' Television Council too (particularly coming after the violence depicted on cartoons like Bugs Bunny).
johnnya2k6 said:
CBS did carry Miss America one time, in 1977.
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searadiofreak
Guest
Lkeller said:
Yes, agreed. The most important reason why isn't due to ratings, though. It is important for the big 3 networks to maintain a "news" image. This intangible is important when big breaking news happens, not only for the prestige of the networks, but for the ability to follow-up with prime-time coverage. This exposure is still critical for the big 3, even in 2011.
trusty said:
on the networks
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searadiofreak
Guest
Very true about the nominating conventions. Cable is probably most responsible for changing this. Even cable is backing off a bit, only highlighting important moments. But up 'till about '76, the big three were there for almost every event. A different time, for sure.
The conventions have become almost superfluous since the
nominees are known going in, thanks to the primary system.
It's not like the days when the chair of a state delegation would
verbally cast that state's votes in front of the whole country, and
if a candidate did not get the required number of votes there'd be
horse trading going on on the floor and behind the scenes. Also,
the running mate is usually known by the time the convention begins,
so the conventions have basically come down to putting together the
party platform and hearing the nominee (and maybe a couple of other
party spokespeople--remember this is how Barack Obama leaped into
the public consciousness) speak (which we've already
heard a million times on network-news soundbites and Sunday-morning
interview shows).
nominees are known going in, thanks to the primary system.
It's not like the days when the chair of a state delegation would
verbally cast that state's votes in front of the whole country, and
if a candidate did not get the required number of votes there'd be
horse trading going on on the floor and behind the scenes. Also,
the running mate is usually known by the time the convention begins,
so the conventions have basically come down to putting together the
party platform and hearing the nominee (and maybe a couple of other
party spokespeople--remember this is how Barack Obama leaped into
the public consciousness) speak (which we've already
heard a million times on network-news soundbites and Sunday-morning
interview shows).
The last real drama I specifically remember during a convention was the GOP convention in '76, when Reagan mounted a fairly serious challenge to Gerald Ford. And, yes, keynote and other speeches are chances for future candidates to make their national debuts...besides Obama, there was Bill Clinton back in 1988.
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