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September 27, 2024
Today in Texas History
On this day in 1948, WBAP-Fort Worth became the first television station in Texas-and indeed in the whole South-to go on the air, carrying a speech by President Harry Truman.
The station grew out of Fort Worth's first radio station, also called WBAP, established in 1922 by Amon Carter, owner of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. By 1950, six TV stations were operating in Texas, including three in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
In the early 1950s, stations in San Antonio and Fort Worth began broadcasting live programs by use of coaxial cable. In 1953, four major television networks served Texas: the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), National Broadcasting Company (NBC), and Dumont. In that year, network broadcasting was made possible across the state via Bell Telephone System facilities.
The station grew out of Fort Worth's first radio station, also called WBAP, established in 1922 by Amon Carter, owner of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. By 1950, six TV stations were operating in Texas, including three in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
In the early 1950s, stations in San Antonio and Fort Worth began broadcasting live programs by use of coaxial cable. In 1953, four major television networks served Texas: the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), National Broadcasting Company (NBC), and Dumont. In that year, network broadcasting was made possible across the state via Bell Telephone System facilities.