W2XAB - CBS, New York

W2XAB began transmission in 1931 using equipment furnished by RCA. Their inaugural broadcast was on July 21, 1931. The camera was a 60 line flying spot scanner, and the receivers operated in the 2-3 mHz band, where reception was possible over long distances. In 1937 the station began broadcasting electronic TV on channel 3. In 1941 the call sign was changed to WCBW, and after the war, it became WCBS. Click for program schedules.

The transmitter and the Supervisor's desk.

The W2XAB studio, showing the photocells and a microphone. The scanner is in a separate room behind the hole in the middle of the photocells.

The camera, with a subject in front of it.

In 1939, W2XAB switched from mechanical to electronic broadcasting. A transmitter and antenna were put on the Chrysler Building in Manhattan, while the studios were located in the Grand Central building.

First U.S. broadcast of a jazz group on W2XAB (1939)

 

From Radio & Television Magazine, April, 1940

From Radio & Television Magazine, April, 1940       Program schedule for Jan. 29, 1942

From Radio & Television, July 1941