The Dumont Network (and TVs, too)

 By Bruce Shawkey


The DuMont Television Network was one of America's pioneer commercial television networks, rivaling NBC and CBS for the distinction of being first overall in the United States. It was owned by Allen B. DuMont Laboratories, a television equipment and television set manufacturer and broadcasting company.

Lesser known, perhaps, is the company made television sets, as seen in the ad above from a 1947 issue of Fortune magazine.

Here is a photo of one of their TV models, called the "Dumont 180."



A more quirky model is the dual screen model, called the Duoscopic. Its inventor envisioned an end to arguments over what to watch.


As radio was still much more popular than television, the dial also included FM from 88 to 108 megahertz, plus a few channels used for weather and aviation. The lower left drawer held a phonograph. It was an all-in-one entertainment center.


DuMont pioneered both television manufacture and broadcasting. DuMont Laboratories were responsible for many early technical innovations, including the first consumer-oriented electronic television set in 1938.

Here's a partial list of thr programs Dumont aired:

Colonel Humphrey Flack (1953–1954) - a.k.a. The Fabulous Fraud

Easy Aces (Dec 1949–June 1950)

It's a Business (March–May 1952)

Marge and Jeff (1953–1954)

Mary Kay and Johnny (1947–1948)

Off the Record (October 1948)

The Ernie Kovacs Show (Apr 1954–Apr 1955) - moved from CBS

The Family Genius (Sept 1949)

The Goldbergs (Apr–Oct 1954) - moved from CBS

The Growing Paynes (1948–1949)

The Laytons (Aug–Oct 1948)

The Morey Amsterdam Show (1949–1950) 

The DuMont Television Network operated as an existing fourth network alongside ABC, CBS, and NBC, but an inability to find solid financial ground, a weaker affiliate base, and internal competition from co-owner Paramount Pictures all contributed to DuMont's closure.

The DuMont Television Network ceased operations on August 6, 1956. While it stopped most network operations in 1955, the final broadcast took place on August 6, 1956, with the last program being "Boxing from St. Nicholas Arena".




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