October 11, 1950
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued the first license to broadcast television in color to CBS.
Washington, D.C., United States | Federal Communications Commission
On October 11, 1950, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made a significant advancement in the history of television by granting the first license to broadcast television in color to the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS). This event marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of television technology and the entertainment industry.
Television in the 1940s: Prior to the 1950s, television broadcasts were exclusively in black and white. The post-World War II era saw rapid advancements in technology and a surge in television’s popularity as a medium for entertainment and information.
Development of Color Television: The quest for color television began in the late 1940s. Various companies, including CBS and RCA, were in a race to develop a viable color broadcasting system. CBS developed a mechanical color television system, while RCA focused on an electronic system.
FCC’s Role: The FCC, responsible for regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable, played a crucial role in determining which color television system would be adopted.
CBS’s System: CBS’s color system, known as the field-sequential color system, was based on a mechanical process that involved a spinning color wheel. This system was not compatible with existing black-and-white television sets, which posed a significant limitation.
RCA’s Competition: RCA’s electronic system, which eventually became the NTSC standard, was compatible with black-and-white sets, but it was not yet ready for implementation at the time.
FCC’s Decision: Despite the compatibility issues, the FCC approved CBS’s color system on October 11, 1950, due to its technical feasibility at that time. This decision was controversial and faced opposition from RCA and other industry stakeholders.
Limited Adoption: The CBS color broadcasts began in 1951, but the system’s incompatibility with existing black-and-white televisions limited its adoption. Few consumers were willing to invest in new sets that could receive CBS’s color broadcasts.
RCA’s Victory: By 1953, RCA’s electronic color system, which was compatible with black-and-white televisions, was ready for deployment. The FCC reversed its decision, adopting RCA’s system as the standard for color broadcasting in the United States.
Long-term Impact: The adoption of RCA’s system paved the way for the widespread adoption of color television in the 1960s. This transition significantly enhanced the viewing experience and transformed television into a more vibrant and engaging medium.
The FCC’s initial decision to grant CBS the first license to broadcast in color, despite its eventual reversal, highlights the complexities and challenges of technological innovation and standardization. It underscores the importance of compatibility and consumer readiness in the adoption of new technologies. The eventual success of color television set the stage for future advancements in broadcasting, influencing how content is produced and consumed to this day.
Source: en.wikipedia.org