When Was Football First Televised? The History of NFL on TV
The first televised football game was a groundbreaking moment in sports history. On October 22, 1939, experimental television station W2XBS in New York City broadcast the NFL game between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Philadelphia Eagles. This historic broadcast, witnessed by an estimated 1,000 viewers, marked the beginning of a transformative relationship between football and television. While picture quality was poor due to cloudy weather and lack of stadium lights, this event forever altered the American sports and entertainment landscape.
The Early Years of Televised Football
In the mid-20th century, the NFL’s popularity exploded, largely due to the power of television. Today, NFL games command multi-billion dollar broadcasting contracts, showcasing their status as a premier entertainment property. However, this symbiotic relationship wasn’t without its challenges. The league faced several antitrust lawsuits concerning its methods of televising games.
Initially, professional football lagged behind baseball and boxing in popularity. Founded in 1920, the NFL struggled financially in its early years. Many teams folded due to poor attendance, prompting the league to relocate franchises to major cities. However, it was the advent of television that truly revolutionized the sport.
In 1947, the NFL allowed teams to sell local broadcasting rights. Early broadcasts were met with mixed results. While offering fans the convenience of watching from home, some teams experienced a decline in ticket sales. This led to the implementation of “blackout” rules in 1951, preventing games from being broadcast in a team’s home territory to protect gate revenue. These rules would later become the subject of legal scrutiny.
The 1958 NFL Championship Game: A Turning Point
The 1958 NFL Championship Game between the Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants proved to be a pivotal moment for televised football. This thrilling overtime victory by the Colts, witnessed by an estimated 40 million viewers, is often credited with catapulting the NFL into the national spotlight.
The Rise of National Television Contracts and Legal Battles
As television’s influence grew, so did revenue disparities between large and small market teams. To address this, the NFL decided to pool broadcasting rights and share revenue equally. In 1961, the league signed an exclusive contract with CBS, a move that sparked further legal challenges. This decision, along with the emergence of the rival American Football League (AFL), led to the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, granting antitrust exemption to league-wide broadcasting agreements.
The AFL’s strategic decision to also pool its broadcasting rights and partner with ABC intensified the competition. The NFL’s subsequent deal with CBS marked a turning point, with television revenue surpassing gate receipts for the first time. This solidified the crucial role of national television in professional football’s financial success.
The USFL Challenge and Beyond
The United States Football League (USFL) emerged in the 1980s, challenging the NFL’s dominance and leading to further antitrust litigation. The USFL’s lawsuit ultimately failed, but it highlighted the ongoing legal and competitive landscape of football broadcasting.
The Future of Football on Television
From local broadcasts to national network deals and the rise of streaming services, the way we watch football has continued to evolve. The NFL’s early foray into television, though initially met with challenges, laid the foundation for the sport’s phenomenal growth and enduring popularity.
