Progressive Broadcasting System


The Progressive Broadcasting System was an American commercial radio network of 1950-51. "Catering to smaller radio stations," 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, CBS, ABC, & Mutual; or a somewhat smaller national network, Liberty.
The Evening Review, a newspaper from East Liverpool, Ohio announced the company's formation on November 20th, 1950. Broadcasts began November 26, 1950. 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.

Organization

After "nearly two years of planning and organization", PBS had capitalization of $1,500,000 and was incorporated in California.
Executives of the network included Miller McClintock, chairman and chief executive; 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; B.B. Robinson, vice president in charge of finance; Kolin Hagar, eastern district manager; and Nat Linden, chief of production.

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 told reporters, "Advertising will be local, except for the night programs, and there will be no network option time." The network's flagship station was KGFJ in Hollywood.

Programming

Billing its offerings as "The world's greatest daytime network radio programming", PBS made programming available to affiliates from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. 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".
Following is the program lineup with which PBS launched its operation.
ProgramStarLengthDays
Grand Motel Marc Lawrence15 minutesMonday - Friday
This Is Mine Barbara Britton15 minutesMonday - Friday
Betty Carr, Detective Hope Emerson15 minutesMonday - Friday
Cindy Jeanne Cagney15 minutesMonday - Friday
Taylored Lady Estelle Taylor30 minutesMonday - Friday
Mary Grove At Home Mary Grove15 minutesMonday - Friday
My Secret Desire Ann Dvorak30 minutesMonday - Friday
Mel Tormé Time Mel Tormé30 minutesMonday - Friday
Our Best to YouTom Hanlon30 minutesMonday - Friday
Hart of Hollywood Maurice Hart30 minutesMonday - Friday
Great American QuizHal Sawyer30 minutesMonday - Friday
Bar None RanchCottonseed Clark30 minutesMonday - Friday
Movietown NewsCharlotte Rogers15 minutesMonday - Friday
Uncle Remus Jimmy Scribner15 minutesMonday - Friday
World of SportsLou Nova15 minutesMonday - Friday
Young IdeasHarry Von Zell30 minutes Saturday
The Old SkipperCaptain Hix15 minutes Saturday
Club TimeBob McLaughlin3 hours Saturday
Mindy Carson ShowMindy Carson15 minutes Saturday
Vic Damone ShowVic Damone30 minutes Saturday
Hugh Said ItHugh Herbert30 minutes Sunday
Progressive MusicStan Kenton30 minutes Sunday
Connie Haines EntertainsConnie Haines1 hour Sunday
Mel Torme Time Mel Tormé1 hour Sunday
Frankie Laine ShowFrankie Laine2 hours Sunday
Page Pages YouPage Cavanaugh30 minutes Sunday

On December 15, 1950, President Harry S. Truman proclaimed "the existence of a state of national emergency". Afterward, PBS officials sent a letter to approximately 60 agencies and departments of the federal government saying that "its program lines 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."