Early American Television: Ten Milestone Questions

Can you identify DuMont, Ted Mack, Bob Hope and the four Kennedy–Nixon debates? Ten explained American TV trivia questions.

Choose one answer per question. There’s no timer. You can skip a question; unanswered questions count as incorrect.

QUESTION 01Which early TV innovator started a network that challenged NBC, CBS and ABC?

Allen B. Du MontWalter CronkiteDavid SarnoffEd Sullivan

QUESTION 02During which decade did television become a centerpiece of many U.S. homes?

1910s1950s1970s1990s

QUESTION 03Who hosted the televised Original Amateur Hour when the program was revived in January 1948?

Bob HopeMilton BerleTed MackLucille Ball

QUESTION 04Which entertainer made an NBC national television debut on April 9, 1950?

Jack BennyGeorge BurnsBing CrosbyBob Hope

QUESTION 05What type of program was Bob Hope’s Star Spangled Revue appearance?

Variety showLive baseball gameScience lectureEvening newscast

QUESTION 06On what date did the first televised Kennedy–Nixon presidential debate take place?

October 21, 1960September 26, 1960July 4, 1956November 8, 1960

QUESTION 07How many televised Kennedy–Nixon debates were held during the 1960 campaign?

OneTwoFourSix

QUESTION 08Which issue dominated the fourth Kennedy–Nixon debate in October 1960?

Baseball expansionPostal ratesFarm equipment designForeign policy

QUESTION 09What made the third Kennedy–Nixon televised debate technically unusual?

Candidates appeared from different citiesIt had no television camerasIt was transmitted only by radioIt took place on a ship

QUESTION 10Why did broadcasters value programming aimed at children?

It required no camerasIt attracted audiences and advertisersChildren owned most TV stationsSponsors were prohibited

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