Magnavox had remote control options for some of their more expensive 1965-69 console astrosonic theatre models like the imperial series, that included the radio.
The earliest remote control I know of was a short-range RF unit using a pulse dial code for Philco's model 39-116RX. This is not a rare model, so Im not sure why they did not develop this further. The sound coming at you beats a chair-side model.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siWbRMSYBcc