Category: Today in TV History
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7 Years Ago Today “Avengers: Endgame” Was Released & Becomes Highest-Grossing Film in History
Seven years ago today, on July 22, 2019, Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame achieved a monumental milestone, becoming the world’s highest-grossing film by surpassing James Cameron’s Avatar. The superhero epic, which concluded an 11-year saga known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) Infinity Saga, grossed an astonishing $2.9 billion at the global box office, cementing its…
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35 Years Ago Today in TV History: Johnny Carson Announced the End of an Era with Final Season of ‘The Tonight Show’
On April 22, 1991, NBC announced that Johnny Carson had signed a new one-year contract to continue hosting “The Tonight Show,” extending his run through September 1992. At the same time, the network revealed that Carson had made clear his intention to step down after that period, marking what would likely be the conclusion of…
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34 Years Ago: “Murphy Brown” Celebrates 100th Episode Milestone
This week marks the 34th anniversary of the 100th episode of the iconic American sitcom Murphy Brown, which aired in April, 1992. The episode, titled “Birth 101,” was a pivotal moment for the series, encapsulating its bold storytelling and cultural impact. As we reflect on this milestone, let’s revisit the history of Murphy Brown, a…
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33 Years Ago Today: “Walker, Texas Ranger” Debuts on CBS, Kicking Off a Legendary Action Series
33 Years ago today on April 21, 1993, CBS introduced audiences to Walker, Texas Ranger, an action-packed television series starring martial arts legend Chuck Norris as the titular Cordell Walker, a modern-day Texas Ranger with a knack for delivering justice with his fists and a strong moral code. Thirty-two years later, the show remains a…
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37 Years Ago Today: HDTV Was Born & Changed The Future of TV
On April 20, 1989, researchers at the David Sarnoff Research Center in West Windsor, New Jersey, announced the successful testing of an advanced transmission system for high-definition television. The demonstration marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of home entertainment, proving that superior picture quality could reach viewers without disrupting the millions of conventional television…
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78 Years Ago Today in TV History: ABC Television Network Debuts, Ushering in a New Era of Broadcasting
On April 19, 1948, the American Broadcasting Company launched its television network, marking a pivotal moment in the history of American media. The debut occurred through the network’s first primary affiliate, WFIL-TV in Philadelphia, which later became known as WPVI-TV. That evening, viewers tuned in to the satirical program On the Corner, hosted by Henry…
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32 Years Ago Today in History: Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Makes Broadway History with Its Enchanting Stage Premiere
Thirty-two years ago today, on April 18, 1994, the stage adaptation of Disney’s animated musical Beauty and the Beast officially opened at the Palace Theatre in New York City. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and a book by Linda Woolverton, the production represented the entertainment company’s bold first…
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15 Years Ago Today: Marvel’s Thor First Premiered, Expanding The Marvel Cinematic Universe
Fifteen years ago today, on April 17, 2011, the Marvel Cinematic Universe expanded its ambitious slate of interconnected superhero films with the world premiere of Thor at Event Cinemas on George Street in Sydney, Australia. The event marked the first time the franchise ventured beyond Earth-bound stories into the realms of Norse mythology and cosmic…
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45 Years Ago Today: Buck Rogers in the 25th Century Signed Off NBC in 1981, Leaving a Sci-Fi Legacy
Today marks the 45th anniversary of the final episode of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, which aired on April 16, 1981, concluding its two-season run on NBC. The campy sci-fi series, starring Gil Gerard as astronaut Buck Rogers and Erin Gray as Colonel Wilma Deering, wrapped with “The Dorian Secret,” drawing 8.2 million viewers,…
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32 Years Ago Today: Turner Classic Movies Channel First Launched
Thirty-two years ago today, on April 14, 1994, a new cable television channel dedicated entirely to classic films made its debut, forever changing the landscape of home viewing for movie enthusiasts across the United States. Turner Classic Movies, known widely as TCM, launched at precisely 6 p.m. Eastern Time with a high-profile ceremony hosted by…