# Progressive Broadcasting System

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American radio network (1950–1951)

Not to be confused with [Public Broadcasting Service](/source/Public_Broadcasting_Service).

PBS network logo.

The **Progressive Broadcasting System** (commonly referred to as **PBS**; sometimes known as **Progressive**) was an American commercial [radio network](/source/Radio_network) of 1950-51 founded by [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles) entrepreneur and transcribed program producer [Larry Finley](/source/Larry_Finley). "Catering to smaller radio stations,"[1] the company had hoped to affiliate with around 1,000 radio stations in the United States which did not already have affiliation agreements with the top four national radio networks of the era: [NBC](/source/NBC), [CBS](/source/CBS), [ABC](/source/American_Broadcasting_Company), & [Mutual](/source/Mutual_Broadcasting_System), or even a somewhat smaller national network, [Liberty](/source/Liberty_Broadcasting_System).

[The Evening Review](/source/The_Review_(East_Liverpool)), a newspaper from East Liverpool, Ohio announced the company's formation on November 20th, 1950. Broadcasts began November 26, 1950.[2] Two hundred stations were needed for the network to break even. However, only "about 100 stations" joined, and the network folded at the end of its schedule on January 31, 1951.[3]

And, before it ceased operations, PBS was recognized by some as an attempt at a fifth major radio network after Mutual alongside Liberty.

## Organization

After "nearly two years of planning and organization", PBS had capitalization of $1,500,000 and was incorporated in California.[4]

Executives of the network included Miller McClintock, chairman and chief executive;[5] Larry Finley, president; Donald Withycomb, executive vice president; Edgar H. Twalmley, vice president in charge of the eastern division; Robert B. White, vice president in charge of the central division;[4] B.B. Robinson, vice president in charge of finance;[6] Kolin Hagar, eastern district manager;[7] and Nat Linden, chief of production.[8]

## Operation

PBS planned to offer programming for 10 hours of the day on as many as 350 radio stations. At a press conference August 10, 1950, network President [Larry Finley](/source/Larry_Finley) told reporters, "Advertising will be local, except for the night programs, and there will be no network option time."[9] The network's flagship station was [KGFJ](/source/KYPA) in Hollywood.[9]

### Programming

Billing its offerings as "The world's greatest daytime network radio programming",[10] PBS made programming ("aimed primarily at the housewife"[4]) available to affiliates from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.[11] Programs offered were much like those of other networks, "including an array of soap operas, quiz shows, children's features, variety shows and audience participation programs".[9]

Following is the program lineup with which PBS launched its operation.[9]

Program Star Length Days Grand Motel (soap opera) Marc Lawrence 15 minutes Monday - Friday This Is Mine (soap opera) Barbara Britton 15 minutes Betty Carr, Detective (soap opera) Hope Emerson 15 minutes Cindy (soap opera) Jeanne Cagney 15 minutes Taylored Lady (fashion news) Estelle Taylor 30 minutes Mary Grove At Home (home economics) Mary Grove 15 minutes My Secret Desire (audience participation) Ann Dvorak 30 minutes Mel Tormé Time (music) Mel Tormé 30 minutes Our Best to You Tom Hanlon 30 minutes Hart of Hollywood (studio tours) Maurice Hart 30 minutes Great American Quiz Hal Sawyer 30 minutes Bar None Ranch Cottonseed Clark 30 minutes Movietown News Charlotte Rogers 15 minutes Uncle Remus (children's stories) Jimmy Scribner 15 minutes World of Sports Lou Nova 15 minutes Young Ideas Harry Von Zell 30 minutes Saturday The Old Skipper Captain Hix 15 minutes Club Time Bob McLaughlin 3 hours Mindy Carson Show Mindy Carson 15 minutes Vic Damone Show Vic Damone 30 minutes Hugh Said It Hugh Herbert 30 minutes Sunday Progressive Music Stan Kenton 30 minutes Connie Haines Entertains Connie Haines 1 hour Mel Torme Time (Sunday Version) Mel Tormé 1 hour Frankie Laine Show Frankie Laine 2 hours Page Pages You Page Cavanaugh 30 minutes

On December 15, 1950, President [Harry S. Truman](/source/Harry_S._Truman) proclaimed "the existence of a state of national emergency".[11] Afterward, PBS officials sent a letter to approximately 60 agencies and departments of the federal government saying that "its program lines [would be] kept open until 11 p.m. and offering those evening hours to the government for any messages or programs which PBS can take to its member stations in support of defense and emergency activities."[11]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Network of Small Stations Planned"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3165826/janesville_daily_gazette/). Janesville Daily Gazette. August 11, 1950. p. 1. Retrieved September 5, 2015 – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["(WLIO ad)"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3165770/the_evening_review/). The Evening Review. November 20, 1950. p. 21. Retrieved September 5, 2015 – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["New Radio Network Suspends Operations"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3165983/the_plain_speaker/). The Plain Speaker. February 1, 1951. p. 14. Retrieved September 5, 2015 – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bc100950_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bc100950_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-bc100950_4-2) ["PBS Opening"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/50-OCR/1950-10-09-BC-OCR-Page-0028.pdf) (PDF). Broadcasting. October 9, 1950. p. 28. Retrieved September 7, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Personals . . "](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/51-OCR/1951-01-15-BC-OCR-Page-0071.pdf) (PDF). Broadcasting. January 15, 1951. p. 71. Retrieved September 7, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Name Robinson"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/50-OCR/1950-12-18-BC-OCR-Page-0078.pdf) (PDF). Broadcasting. December 18, 1950. p. 78. Retrieved September 7, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Allied Arts"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/50-OCR/1950-11-06-BC-OCR-Page-0071.pdf) (PDF). Broadcasting. November 6, 1950. p. 71. Retrieved September 7, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Air-casters"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/50-OCR/1950-12-11-BC-OCR-Page-0056.pdf) (PDF). Broadcasting. December 11, 1950. p. 56. Retrieved September 7, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-now_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-now_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-now_9-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-now_9-3) Coville, Gary (November 2011). "Now You Hear It . . . . Now You Don't". *Radiogram*. **36** (9): 8–13.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["PBS ad"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/50-OCR/1950-10-09-BC-OCR-Page-0019.pdf) (PDF). Broadcasting. October 9, 1950. p. 19. Retrieved September 7, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bc122550_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bc122550_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-bc122550_11-2) ["PBS Defense Plan"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/50-OCR/1950-12-25-BC-OCR-Page-0028.pdf) (PDF). Broadcasting. December 28, 1950. p. 28. Retrieved September 6, 2015.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Progressive Broadcasting System](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_Broadcasting_System) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_Broadcasting_System?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.