Here’s the schedule for WCBW, the CBS station in New York City, for the week starting Sunday, August 31st, 1941, straight from daily television listings printed in The New York Times. As usual, the station was off the air on Sunday. After four weeks without Saturday programming, WCBW this week once again was on the air on Saturday.
It was a normal week for the station. The Monday variety show featured a baritone, two dancers, a singer, two acrobats, tap dancers, and a comedian. On Tuesday, Bob Edge interviewed table tennis player Ruth Aarons (who may have been interviewed the previous week as well) and Ralph D. Palmer, sports editor for United Press Radio.
There was no National Defense show on Friday. Instead, WCBW aired something called Harvest Moon Ball Winners. Unidentified films were aired on Saturday.
Sunday, August 31st, 1941
No Programs ScheduledMonday, September 1st, 1941 [1]
2:00PM – Test Pattern
2:30PM – News Reports
2:45PM – Boys in the Back Room
3:15PM – Children’s Story
3:30-4:30PM – Test Pattern
7:30PM – Test Pattern
8:00PM – News
8:15PM – Joan Edwards, Songs
8:30PM – Variety Show [Men at Work]: Adia Kuznetzoff, Baritone; Jan and Janis, Dancers; Tana, Songs; Reid and Mack, Acrobats; Three Blue Jackets, Tap Dancers; Al Bernie, ComedianTuesday, September 2nd, 1941 [2]
2:00PM – Test Pattern
2:30PM – News
2:45PM – Dancing Lesson
3:15PM – Children’s Story
3:30-4:30PM – Test Pattern
7:30PM – Test Pattern
8:00PM – News
8:15PM – Joan Edwards, Songs
8:30PM – Metropolitan Museum of Art
9-9:30PM – Bob Edge Interviews Ruth Aarans, Ralph D. PalmerWednesday, September 3rd, 1941 [3]
2:00PM – Test Pattern
2:30PM – News Reports
2:45PM – Helen Sioussat Interviews Harper Sibley, Lawrence Phillips, Dr. Floyd Ruch, Bill Slocum, Jr.
3:15PM – Children’s Story
3:30-4:30PM – Test Pattern
7:30PM – Test Pattern
8:00PM – News
8:15PM – Joan Edwards, Songs
8:30-9:30PM – Quiz ProgramThursday, September 4th, 1941 [4]
2:00PM – Test Pattern
2:30PM – News Reports
2:45PM – Metropolitan Museum of Art
3:15PM – Children’s Story
3:30-4:30PM – Test Pattern
7:30PM – Test Pattern
8:00PM – News
8:15PM – Sports-Bob Edge
8:30-9:30PM – Country DanceFriday, September 5th, 1941 [5]
2:00PM – Test Pattern
2:30PM – News Reports
2:45PM – Film
3:15PM – Children’s Story
3:30-4:30PM – Test Pattern
7:30PM – Test Pattern
8:00PM – News
8:15PM – Harvest Moon Ball Winners
9-10PM – Sports–Bob EdgeSaturday, September 6th, 1941 [6]
2:00PM – Test Pattern
2:30-4:30PM – Films
Note: Television listings published in newspapers were based on information provided by stations and were subject to change at the last minute. They may not be an accurate representation of what actually aired.
Works Cited:
2 “Radio Today.” New York Times. 2 Sep. 1941: 34.
3 “Radio Today.” New York Times. 3 Sep. 1941: C44.
4 “Radio Today.” New York Times. 4 Sep. 1941: 42.
5 “Radio Today.” New York Times. 5 Sep. 1941: 40.
6 “Radio Today.” New York Times. 6 Sep. 1941: C30.
The Saturday films on WCBW may have been broadcast not so much for the benefit of set owners (it was Saturday of Labor Day weekend), but for radio and appliance stores in the New York City metropolitan area.
These stores could show operating TV sets receiving actual programs during a busy weekend time for stores.