Color Television was disappointing when first introduced?

[Steve Hoffman]

Also, the brains at RCA didn't realize that in order for people to want to buy a color TV, there must be a programming reason as well as other reasons. In other words, when they wisely started showing BONANZA in color, the show was so popular that people wanted to watch it in color. When RCA and Disney decided to do the "Walt Disney Presents" show in color in 1961 they changed the name to "The Wonderful World Of Color" and rubbed it in with every episode and commercial that black & white wasn't cutting it anymore. THAT is when color TV sales started really talking off if you look at the graphs.

Too bad RCA didn't think of that about 5 years earlier.

[Steve D.]

Originally Posted by Steve Hoffman

Also, the brains at RCA didn't realize that in order for people to want to buy a color TV, there must be a programming reason as well as other reasons. In other words, when they wisely started showing BONANZA in color, the show was so popular that people wanted to watch it in color. When RCA and Disney decided to do the "Walt Disney Presents" show in color in 1961 they changed the name to "The Wonderful World Of Color" and rubbed it in with every episode and commercial that black & white wasn't cutting it anymore. THAT is when color TV sales started really talking off if you look at the graphs.

Too bad RCA didn't think of that about 5 years earlier.

Steve,

I agree. Bonanza and Disney were a turning point for color. And the NBC Peacock at the start of each show didn't hurt a bit. Although it wouldn't be until 1967 that color sets outsold b&w.

-Steve D.

[Steve Hoffman]

Steve,

That's about the time I was saving my allowance money to get one of those silly GE PortaColor sets. I wanted color TV, dammit! We didn't get a color set until November 6, 1968; a Zenith with Space Command. The first thing we watched on it was Mannix.

That date sure stuck in my mind; it was an important one in my young life I guess..... (Ya think?)