Were color broadcasts available in the 1950s other than Bonanza?
Bonanza didn't actually start until late 1959 so it only aired the first half of the first season aired during the 50s. It was the first western to have all of its episodes produced in color.
For the most part 1950s TV and even into the early 60s was black and white. Color film was more expensive to use and very few people had color tvs in the 50s.
The final 39 episode season of The Lone Ranger from 1956 to 1957 was also filmed in color by the producers, but was broadcast in black and white by ABC.
It wasn't until 1966 that all TV series switched exclusively to color.
I found a link to an article that says color tvs were first sold in 1953, but most Americans didn't own color sets until the late 60s. This article was written in 2003 on the 50th anniversary of the availability of the first color TV sets. The article mentions that most shows were broadcast in black and white, but there were some sporting events and live special events that were broadcast in color.
The first nationwide color broadcast was on January 1st, 1954, the Tournament of Roses Parade.
http://old.post-gazette.com/tv/20031231colortv1231p3.asp I don't know what they have to say. It makes no difference anyway. Whatever it is, I'm against it.
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