Soap series/shows in the '50's

[Steve D.]

Telecolor,

I'm afraid there was next to no color daytime programs in the 50's. Other then Matinee Theater there was a couple of game shows in the late 50's. "Haggis Baggis" & "Truth or Consequences" aired in color on NBC. Some large local stations broadcast live & film color programs during the day.

As an example of color broadcasts in the 50's, here in Los Angeles the week of Jan. 14, 1956, there were only 3 shows total telecast in color. two on NBC and one on CBS. This was before videotape so there may have been some additional color shows on the East coast that were telecast in b&w in L.A. because they were kinescoped for delayed broadcast.

In 1958, after color videotape was introduced, there were, for example, the week of June 7th, in Los Angeles, 19 shows total telecast in color either live, on videotape or film. 18 on NBC or its local affliate and 1 on local station KTLA.

Also in Los Angeles on any given week in 1959 there averaged 16 shows in color. All on NBC or its local affliate.

Source: TV Guide


"I Love Lucy" (in b&w) aired originally on Mondays 9:00-9:30pm on CBS from Oct. 1951 - June 1957.



-Steve