The NTA Film Network was an early American television network founded by Ely Landau in 1956 that operated on a part-time basis, broadcasting films and several first-run television programs from major Hollywood studios. Despite attracting more than 100 affiliate stations and securing the financial support of Twentieth Century-Fox (which purchased a 50% share of NTA in November 1956), the network proved unprofitable and was discontinued by 1961. The NTA Film Network's flagship station WNTA-TV is now WNET, one of the flagship stations of the Public Broadcasting Service.
In October 1956, the NTA Film Network was launched with more than 100 affiliate stations.[4] It was a syndication service that distributed films and television programs to independent television stations and stations affiliated with NBC, CBS or ABC. The network's flagship station was WNTA-TV Channel 13 in New York.[5] Trade papers called the NTA Film Network a new television network.[6]
Unlike the Big Three television networks, the local stations in the NTA Film Network were not connected via coaxial cable or microwave relay. Instead, NTA Film Network programs were mailed to each station, a method used by other television syndicators in the 1950s and 1960s. However, many local stations agreed to broadcast NTA Film Network programs simultaneously. Landau's claim to network status was based on the simultaneous airing of the programs.[7]
In November 1956, Twentieth Century-Fox announced its 50% purchase of the NTA Film Network and its plans to produce original content for the network.[4] The film network grew to 128 stations.[8] In September 1957, the network purchased KMGM-TV (now KMSP-TV) in Minneapolis.[9]
Later affiliates included KOOK-TV in Billings, Montana (c. 1958–1959),[11]KONO-TV in San Antonio (c. 1958–1959),[12][13]WISH-TV in Indianapolis (c. 1958–1959)[14] and KTVU in San Francisco (c. 1959–1960).[15] The network purchased KMGM-TV in Minneapolis in September 1957.[9]
Programs
The NTA Film Network aired both films and television series. Among its 1956–1957 offerings were 52 Twentieth Century-Fox films.[5]Premiere Performance, a prime-time block of Twentieth Century-Fox films, aired from 1957 to 1959. Other film blocks included TV Hour of Stars[16] and The Big Night (both 1958–1959).[17]
In October 1956, the NTA Film Network also announced provisional plans to telecast live sporting and special events (using network relays) by the 1959–1960 television season.[25]
Friday night NTA Film Network schedule for the 1958–1959 television season
Up to 17 television stations followed this schedule for the 1958–1959 television season; other affiliates aired the programs out of pattern.[26]
End of network
In January 1959, Ely Landau was succeeded by Charles C. Barry, who assumed the role of president of network operations. Landau continued to chair National Telefilm Associates.[27] Despite Twentieth Century-Fox's 50% ownership, the film network never developed into a major commercial television network on a par with the "Big Three" television networks. Several modern television historians regard the NTA Film Network as a syndication service rather than a major television network.[28][29]
By 1961, WNTA-TV was losing money, and the network's flagship station was sold to the Educational Broadcasting Corporation that November. WNTA-TV became WNDT (later WNET), flagship station of the National Educational Television network, a forerunner of PBS.[30] NTA network operations did not continue without a flagship station, although parent company National Telefilm Associates continued syndication services. Four television series (Probe, Tintin, The Fair Adventure and A Day with Doodles) were syndicated by NTA between 1962 and 1966.[23]
^"Friday TV Schedule". The Daily Inter Lake. Kalispell, MT. December 26, 1958. p. 3.
^"How to Marry a Millionaire Tonight at 9:30 PM KONO-TV Channel 12 NTA Film Network". San Antonio Express and News. San Antonio, TX. March 14, 1959. p. 23.
^"Details, Previews of Tonight's TV". San Antonio Express and News. San Antonio, TX. January 10, 1959. p. 21.
^"Complete TV Programs for the Week". Logansport Pharos-Tribune. Logansport, IN. October 5, 1958. p. 21.
^"What's on TV: Wednesday". The Daily Review. Hayward, CA. January 19, 1960. p. 17.
^"TV Hour of Stars Top daytime drama". Tucson Daily Citizen. Tucson, AZ. November 10, 1958. p. 20.
^Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable Shows, 1946–Present. New York: Ballantine. pp. 642–643, 847–848. ISBN978-0-345-49773-4.
^ abcErickson, Hal (1989). Syndicated Television: The First Forty Years, 1947-1987. Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Company. pp. 17–181. ISBN0-7864-1198-8.
^Broadcasting. Vol. 66. Cahners Pub. Co. 1964. p. 74. {{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
^"New 'Network' Planning Debut". The Progress-Index. Petersburg, VA. October 30, 1956. p. 5.
^Kleiner, Dick (May 3, 1958). "Thin Man Mystery Show May Add Baby to Cast". The Lima News. p. 19.