September 2, 1963…CBS Leads Television News To Half Hour
September 2, 1963…CBS Leads Television News To Half Hour
It was 51 years ago today that television news went from fifteen minutes to thirty minutes and Walter Cronkite lead the way. One week later on September 9, NBC’s ‘Huntley Brinkley Report’ followed. It would take till 1967 for ABC to join in.
Before I get too far along, I want to give you some new information on just where this broadcast took place. It was done from the CBS Newsroom which was on the 29th floor of The Graybar Building, which adjoins Grand Central Terminal.
As you will see in the CBS News video from last year, there is a segment that describes the mad dashes from the newsroom to the studio via the Grand Central cat walks. Up until a few weeks before the September 2 half hour kick off, Cronkite had done the news from Studio 42 in Grand Central and the dash was from the newsroom in the Graybar Building to the studio.
The set we see here, which is the same one we saw in all the famous Kennedy Assassination video of Cronkite, is the redone Graybar newsroom. Interestingly, the Greybar newsroom also had a “fishbowl” office which was across from, and to Walter’s right. This exact same setup was recreated at the CBS Broadcast Center news studio when it moved in late 1964…complete with the famous “fishbowl” office. It was actually the producer’s office and had big glass windows…during the broadcast, the staff would gather there to watch. Afterward, they would gather there with Walter to critique the show. More in this soon. Enjoy and share! – Bobby Ellerbee
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/evening-news-marks-golden-anniversary-of-30-minute-broadcast/
“Evening News” marks golden anniversary of 30-minute broadcast
On Sept. 2, 1963, the “CBS Evening News” revolutionized journalism when it doubled in length — just in time for some of the most momentous stories in U.S. history
Cronkite would spin in his grave to see news today.
I think the highest catwalk in Grand Central crosses at what must be the 6th floor. I’d guess the trip from Studio 42 to the Graybar Building newsroom on the 29th floor also includes a lengthy elevator ride . . . .
I thought ABC waited until 1967 to expand to a half hour.