Month: June 2017

1974

JVC launches the first portable colour VTR (Video Tape Recorder) machine.

1973

As it unfolds during the summer, the Senate Watergate hearing quickly becomes the most popular program on daytime television. The Big Three networks follow PBS’ lead in carrying the hearing live and quickly see it outdraw the usual selection of soap opera fare.

1973

US producers sell nearly $200 million dollars worth of programming overseas, more than the rest of the world combined.

1973

Ninety-six countries now have regular television service.

1973

Ninety-six countries now have regular television service.

1973

The US begins marketing giant screen projection colour TV’s.

1973

The US begins marketing giant screen projection colour TV’s.

1972

September – Hockey fans all over Canada are glued to their television sets to watch the “Summit Series” – a hockey tournament between Canada and the Soviet Union. With 34 seconds left in the final game, Paul Henderson scores the dramatic winning goal and Team Canada defeats the Soviet Union 6 – 5 clinching the series. The whole country celebrates.

1972

The first HBO programming is transmitted to 365 Service Electric subscribers in Pennsylvania. “Home Box Office” goes on to become the first successful pay cable service in the US.

1972

The Munich Olympics are broadcast live, drawing an estimated 450 million viewers worldwide. When Israeli athletes are kidnapped by Palestinian terrorists during the games, coverage of the games cuts back and forth between shots of the terrorists and footage of Olympic events.