Baltimore Radio and Television - Paperback

by Gary Helton (Author) (Author)

Beginning with Calman Zamoiski's unlicensed and short-lived "wireless telephone" station in 1921, Baltimore would boast five commercial radio stations within the next 20 years.

Before the 1940s ended, commercial television appeared with the debut of WMAR, Channel 2, in 1947. WMAR was unique in that it had no personnel with television experience and, initially, no studios, broadcasting instead from various remote locations. Over the years, Baltimore radio and television stations served as the launchpad or stopover point of some of the most beloved personalities in the industry. Garry Moore, Arthur Godfrey, and Jim McKay all got their starts here, while Gene Rayburn, Jon Miller, Oprah Winfrey, John Saunders, Nick Charles, Spencer Christian, Bob McAllister, and others passed through en route to national broadcasting prominence. Baltimoreans did not just bond with the people and programs of their local stations. It was a genuine love affair.

Author Biography

More than 200 vintage photographs appear in this book, gathered from museums, the author's collection, local radio and television stations, and more. Since January 2000, Gary Helton has been the manager of public radio station WHFC-FM in Bel Air, Maryland, where he also hosts a morning show. He has authored five previous Images of America books, Dundalk, Sparrows Point, Highlandtown, Highlandtown Revisited, and Baltimore's Streetcars and Buses.