• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

What Were DuMont's Strongest Affiliates?

Ha! I was thinking of posting this one! lol

Arguably the strongest of the DuMont stations was WDTV in Pittsburgh, which the network owned. At the time, it was the only VHF station in Pittsburgh (there was a freeze on VHF until the mid-late 50s, though there were a couple UHF stations that few people could get), so in order for the other networks to get their best shows on the station, they had to air DuMont shows on their O&O stations. But DuMont was running out of money, so they were forced to sell the station. Once they sold to Westinghouse, which turned it into KDKA-TV, DuMont no longer had leverage. They went belly-up soon after.
 
I don't know if this has been explored on this board before, but what would have became of television had DuMont managed to stay on the air?

How would their network news have fared up against Cronkite and Huntley-Brinkey?

Would Fox and their alternative programming ever made it to air when it did?

Ah DuMont, the forth network in the golden age of television that never was.
 
Outside of their O&Os, I'd say WGN-TV Chicago.
 
FightingIrish said:
Ha! I was thinking of posting this one! lol

Arguably the strongest of the DuMont stations was WDTV in Pittsburgh, which the network owned. At the time, it was the only VHF station in Pittsburgh (there was a freeze on VHF until the mid-late 50s, though there were a couple UHF stations that few people could get), so in order for the other networks to get their best shows on the station, they had to air DuMont shows on their O&O stations. But DuMont was running out of money, so they were forced to sell the station. Once they sold to Westinghouse, which turned it into KDKA-TV, DuMont no longer had leverage. They went belly-up soon after.
Click to expand...

Yep, absolutely correct. DuMont would not have survived half as long as they did if it were not for the Freeze
and the near-monopoly status of WDTV in what was then the #6 market.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom