In the drop-down section at page bottom can be found schedules of Manhattan’s major channels for every year from 1951 to 1979. Fact-checkers, nostalgia buffs, the curious can all browse programmers’ decisions as well as images and ads of many of the shows.
The emphasis here is local rather than expansive. Manhattan’s unique tone during the 50s, 60s, and 70s is the focus rather than national programming, though the two are interwoven to be sure. Some of the syndicated fare, especially short and dated pieces, are not separated. Examples include brief documentary shows, university educational programs promoting reading or science, cartoons imported from cinema introductions and various denominational productions of religious shows. Program types are characterized in the schedules where space permits (ta: talk, ch: children’s, ga: game etc).
Like its sister blog, SyncopatedClock, this one focuses solely on pre-VCR years. Once recording devices became affordable, shift workers, night owls and others weren’t limited to what was broadcast. Primetime movies and series could be taped and theatricals could be rented for late night or noontime viewing.
