ABC and color (was Re: WMUR)

[Peter Q. George]

Bill Paley was a shrewd businessman, that was true. 
He was obviously still sore after his CBS Color System
(a truly impractical mechanical color system) was
ditched after the FCC rescinded its' decision denoting
CBS Color as THE system.  But he also eventually knew
that NTSC/NBC color was here to stay.  The
Philadelphia KYW/WCAU situation was one of the
benchmarks for CBS making the switch to full-color. 
They say...."If you can't beat 'em, join 'em".  Wise
choice.  Leonard Goldenson over at ABC saw the writing
on the wall as well that color was integral for his
network's future  success.  ABC was always the
perennial third place finisher, year in, year out. 
Eventually, they would have the last laugh within the
next 10 years.

    
--- Kevin Vahey <kvahey@comcast.net> wrote:

> We have to remember why ABC and CBS were late to the
> color conversion
> game. In the case of ABC it was money as the network
> was not doing
> well in the early 60's. They did buy an old NBC
> color truck to do NBA
> games and they were still using the TK 41's as late
> as 1970.
> 
> Money wasn't an issue with CBS but Paley just did
> not want to deal
> with RCA. CBS did buy RCA gear for WCAU in Philly
> only because they
> were forced into it when KYW set us shop in full
> color.
> 
> Finally in 1965 Phillips (Norelco) developed color
> equipment that was
> as good if not better than RCA and CBS became their
> biggest customer.
> They also made the mistake of buying Marconi color
> gear for studios in
> NY.
> 
> ABC then heavily bought both GE and Norelco gear
> also trying to avoid RCA.
> 
> The Boston stations were heavily RCA as Channels 5,
> 4 and 56 went with Camden.
> 
> 7 and 38 went with GE and 2 with Marconi as did WXPO
> later.
> 
> Norelco did not hit Boston until WCVB arrived in 72.
> 
> 9 went with IVC finally.
> 


Peter Q. George (K1XRB)
Whitman, Massachusetts
                           "Scanning the bands since 1967"
radiojunkie1@yahoo.com
radiojunkie3@yahoo.com
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