1940s: TV and Radio

Radio proved its importance during World War II (1939–45) with almost immediate coverage of events. Between 1941 and 1945, Americans tuned in to listen to breaking news from Europe, hearing about major battles and the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii just moments after the actual events. News reporters such as Edward R. Murrow (1908–1965) and William Shirer (1904–1993) offered insightful commentary and straight, hard news. Their example would influence the news anchors on the new media—television, commonly called TV—for decades. Radio's golden age ended with the war.

The 1940s were the true beginning of the TV era. Although sets had been available as early as the late 1930s, the widespread distribution and sale of TV sets did not really take off until after the war. Broadcasting stations neglected many of their radio stations and poured money into TV after the war. Soon many radio dramas, variety shows, and comedy programs were available on TV and radio was left with mostly music. For children, new shows like Kukla, Fran, and Ollie and The Howdy Doody Show offered laughs. One of the most popular early TV programs was a variety show called Texaco Star Theater, starring comedian Milton Berle (1908–2002), that started in 1948.

As the decade continued, more and more people bought TV sets. Instead of circling around their radios, people would settle in front of their TVs for news and entertainment. As TV became more popular, the government set up regulations to ensure competition between stations, channels, and programs. The 1950s would see the new medium change dramatically with the introduction of color and other technological advances.