Yep….I remember as a kid the handful of stations signed off at midnight with a test pattern (I think it was midnight. Obviously, I was already in bed, asleep). But for sure, I remember them coming back on the air at 6am on Saturday morning with cartoons. But first, they played The Star Spangled Banner with an image of a waving flag.
A long time ago, when stations did sign off, a political candidate bought a few minutes of local tv on as many local stations as he could afford (there was no such thing as cable) right before midnight and ran his ad. At the end of the ad he ran the national anthem and then a test pattern. Thinking the broadcast day was done many turned their sets off, not staying up for the advert his opponent had purchased afterwards. (this was in the days of the Fairness Doctrine)
wiatr over 4 years ago
Saturday nights WCAU in Philly would be on until about 4 AM. I stayed up once when I was 18 to see a movie. That’s how I know.
LastRoseOfSummer 1 Premium Member over 4 years ago
Back in the early fifties in Los Angeles, the tv came on at 5 ( with the test pattern) and went off at ten.
dlkrueger33 over 4 years ago
Yep….I remember as a kid the handful of stations signed off at midnight with a test pattern (I think it was midnight. Obviously, I was already in bed, asleep). But for sure, I remember them coming back on the air at 6am on Saturday morning with cartoons. But first, they played The Star Spangled Banner with an image of a waving flag.
MichaelHelwig over 4 years ago
What is that moon phase called?
jpayne4040 over 4 years ago
Yeah. That’s about right.
Barnabus Blackoak over 4 years ago
when was that? One minute after 11:59 pm, duh.
Michael G. over 4 years ago
I discovered the USN’s Blue Angels this way.
Al Nala over 4 years ago
The internet is ALWAYS open…
WCraft Premium Member over 4 years ago
So that is why so many people don’t know the tune of the National Anthem?
cuzinron47 over 4 years ago
That’s just a vicious rumor, next thing you’re gonna tell us is they displayed a test pattern.
Teto85 Premium Member over 4 years ago
A long time ago, when stations did sign off, a political candidate bought a few minutes of local tv on as many local stations as he could afford (there was no such thing as cable) right before midnight and ran his ad. At the end of the ad he ran the national anthem and then a test pattern. Thinking the broadcast day was done many turned their sets off, not staying up for the advert his opponent had purchased afterwards. (this was in the days of the Fairness Doctrine)
cosman over 4 years ago
At morning startup farmers got the commodity quotes from the Grange’s Farm Report.
ajakimber425 over 4 years ago
I remember those days when I was a kid.