Overmyer Network
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| Type | Broadcast television network |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Availability | Defunct |
| Founded | by Daniel H. Overmyer |
| Launch date | May 1, 1967 |
| Dissolved | June 1, 1967 |
The Overmyer Network was the product of a failed attempt to create a fourth national television network in the United States. Self-made millionaire Daniel H. Overmyer built five UHF stations from 1965-67, including Toledo's WDHO (now WNWO-TV), which signed on the air on May 3, 1966. A social conservative ("I'm against smut," he declared), Overmyer began to produce his own programs, and decided to create a nationwide hookup, enticing existing stations with a 50-50 profit split with potential affiliates (something that the established network's affiliates had been trying to get from ABC, CBS and NBC for years). The ON was scheduled to debut in the fall of 1967 with anywhere from 75 to 125 affiliates with an 8 hour broadcasting day.[1]
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[edit] From ON to UN
Before the network even went on the air, Overmyer was forced to sell a majority share to investors, although he remained the largest shareholder. Rechristened The United Network, which used a cartoon speaking balloon with an upper-case U as the network's logo, the net hit the air on May 1, 1967 with The Las Vegas Show on 106 stations.[2] Hosted by Bill Dana from the Hotel Hacienda in Las Vegas, the two-hour late-night show featured regulars Ann Elder, Pete Barbutti, Danny Meahan, Joanne Worley, Cully Richards and Jack Sheldon.[3]
The network itself, except for a few independent stations in the larger markets, was mostly made up of CBS stations who aired The Las Vegas Show at 11:30 local time, tape delayed from the 11:00 start seen on United-only east coast stations. The network called WPIX-New York City and KHJ-Los Angeles their flagship stations, even though neither were owned by Overmyer/United. Additionally, the WPIX broadcast was often delayed until the weekend due to their commitment to New York Yankees baseball.[4] The network also lacked clearance in some large cities, including San Francisco (which was waiting for KEMO to be approved by the FCC) and Cleveland
[edit] The end
Despite the hype, initially good reviews and high-caliber guest stars, the network quickly started to bleed money; the transmission lines leased from the Bell System, which was the main carrier for television network transmissions at the time, proved to be too expensive, and both show and network disappeared after the June 1 (some sources say June 3 or June 5) broadcast.[5] At the time of their bankruptcy declaration, they had accrued a nearly $700,000 debt.[2] The average viewership for The Las Vegas Show was 2.6 million[5]
Additional programming announced but never aired included Tales from the Great Book, an animated Bible series, plus regional coverage of the Continental Football League.[6]
No new national commercial networks would be created until October 9, 1986, when FOX began transmissions and Channel America began putting together its slate of low-power television (LPTV) stations.
[edit] Overmyer / United affiliates
| Station | City |
|---|---|
| WPIX 11 | New York City |
| WPHL-TV 17 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (O&O) |
| KEMO 20 | San Francisco, California (O&O; did not sign on until 1968) |
| WKBD 50 | Detroit, Michigan |
| WBMO-TV 36 | Atlanta, Georgia (O&O; did not sign on under Overmyer until 1969) |
| KLOC-TV 19 | Modesto-Sacramento, California |
| WDHO 24 | Toledo, Ohio (O&O; network flagship) |
| KTNT-TV 11 | Seattle-Tacoma, Washington |
| KZAZ 11 | Tucson, Arizona[7] |
- CBS-affiliated stations that aired The Las Vegas Show: WHDH-Boston,[8] WISN-Milwaukee,[9] KAUZ-Wichita Falls,[10] WBAY-Green Bay,[9] KOLO-Reno,[11] KSL-Salt Lake,[12] WSEE-Erie,[13] WBEN-Buffalo,[13] WHEC-Rochester (NY),[14] WHEN-Syracuse,[15] KXLF-Butte,[16] WSPA-Spartanburg,[17] WDBJ-Roanoke,[18] KFDM-Beaumont,[19] KZTV-Corpus Christi,[19] KCMO-Kansas City, WTVR-Richmond (VA),[20] KODE-Joplin,[21] WAGA-Atlanta,[22] WKRG-Mobile,[23] KDAL-Duluth,[24] KENS-San Antonio[25]
- NBC-affiliated stations that aired The Las Vegas Show: KPRC-Houston,[26] KOB-Albuquerque,[27] WIIC-Pittsburgh[28]
- ABC-affiliated stations that aired The Las Vegas Show: WLWI-Indianapolis[29]
- Markets that did not air The Las Vegas Show: San Francisco, Lincoln, Omaha, Cleveland, Fort Wayne,[30] Columbus (OH),[30] Dayton[30]
[edit] References
- ^ San Mateo Times, 5 Dec 1966
- ^ a b "Fledgling United Network to Resume Broadcasts", Long Beach Independent (via AP), 3 Jul 1967
- ^ "New late show to debut tonight", Rick Dubrow, Monessen Valley Independent (via UPI), 1 May 1967
- ^ Bridgeport Telegram, 1 May 1967
- ^ a b "Dana Clarifying Downfall of The Las Vegas Show", Bob Thomas, Nashua Telegraph (via AP), 7 June 1967
- ^ "New TV Chain Gets Continental League", Fresno Bee (via AP), 23 Nov 1966
- ^ Tucson Daily Citizen, 1 May 1967
- ^ Nashua Telegraph, 1 May 1967
- ^ a b Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, 1 May 1967
- ^ Lawton Constiution, 1 May 1967
- ^ Reno Evening Gazette, 1 May 1967
- ^ Ogden Standard-Examiner, 1 May 1967
- ^ a b Warren (Pa.) Times-Mirror, 1 May 1967
- ^ Syracuse Herald Journal, 1 May 1967
- ^ Syracuse Herald Journal, 1 May 1967
- ^ Kalispell Daily Interlake, 1 May 1967
- ^ Gastonia Gazette, 30 Apr 1967
- ^ Charleston (WV) Sunday Gazette Mail, 30 Apr 1967
- ^ a b Port Arthur News, 30 Apr 1967
- ^ Petersburg Progress-Index, 20 May 1967
- ^ Northwest Arkansas Times, 20 May 1967
- ^ Anniston Star, 20 May 1967
- ^ Panama City News, 6 June 1967
- ^ Winnipeg Free Press, 10 June 1967
- ^ San Antonio Light, 1 May 1967
- ^ Victoria Advocate, 30 Apr 1967
- ^ Albuquerque Tribune, 1 May 1967
- ^ Clearfield Progress, 20 May 1967
- ^ Anderson Herald, 20 May 1967
- ^ a b c Lima News, 1 May 1967
