1969-07-14, NBC, 30 min.
Telecast of a final pre-launch news conference with Apollo 11 astronauts, civilian Neil A. Armstrong, command pilot; Air Force Col. Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., lunar module pilot; and Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Collins. Armstrong and Aldrin will make the moon landing. The news conference, for all media, is at the John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Fla.
Apollo 11 Mission Overview
Apollo 11 crew portrait
Apollo 11 mission patch
Credits: NASA
"The Eagle has landed…"
Mission Objective
The primary objective of Apollo 11 was to complete a national goal set by President John F. Kennedy on May 25, 1961: perform a crewed lunar landing and return to Earth.
Additional flight objectives included scientific exploration by the lunar module, or LM, crew; deployment of a television camera to transmit signals to Earth; and deployment of a solar wind composition experiment, seismic experiment package and a Laser Ranging Retroreflector. During the exploration, the two astronauts were to gather samples of lunar-surface materials for return to Earth. They also were to extensively photograph the lunar terrain, the deployed scientific equipment, the LM spacecraft, and each other, both with still and motion picture cameras. This was to be the last Apollo mission to fly a "free-return" trajectory, which would enable a return to Earth with no engine firing, providing a ready abort of the mission at any time prior to lunar orbit insertion.
Mission Highlights
Apollo 11 launched from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, carrying Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin into an initial Earth-orbit of 114 by 116 miles. An estimated 650 million people watched Armstrong's televised image and heard his voice describe the event as he took "...one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind" on July 20, 1969.
Two hours, 44 minutes and one-and-a-half revolutions after launch, the S-IVB stage reignited for a second burn of five minutes, 48 seconds, placing Apollo 11 into a translunar orbit. The command and service module, or CSM, Columbia separated from the stage, which included the spacecraft-lunar module adapter, or SLA, containing the lunar module, or LM, Eagle. After transposition and jettisoning of the SLA panels on the S-IVB stage, the CSM docked with the LM. The S-IVB stage separated and injected into heliocentric orbit four hours, 40 minutes into the flight.
The first color TV transmission to Earth from Apollo 11 occurred during the translunar coast of the CSM/LM. Later, on July 17, a three-second burn of the SPS was made to perform the second of four scheduled midcourse corrections programmed for the flight. The launch had been so successful that the other three were not needed.
On July 18, Armstrong and Aldrin put on their spacesuits and climbed through the docking tunnel from Columbia to Eagle to check out the LM, and to make the second TV transmission.
On July 19, after Apollo 11 had flown behind the moon out of contact with Earth, came the first lunar orbit insertion maneuver. At about 75 hours, 50 minutes into the flight, a retrograde firing of the SPS for 357.5 seconds placed the spacecraft into an initial, elliptical-lunar orbit of 69 by 190 miles. Later, a second burn of the SPS for 17 seconds placed the docked vehicles into a lunar orbit of 62 by 70.5 miles, which was calculated to change the orbit of the CSM piloted by Collins. The change happened because of lunar-gravity perturbations to the nominal 69 miles required for subsequent LM rendezvous and docking after completion of the lunar landing. Before this second SPS firing, another TV transmission was made, this time from the surface of the moon.
On July 20, Armstrong and Aldrin entered the LM again, made a final check, and at 100 hours, 12 minutes into the flight, the Eagle undocked and separated from Columbia for visual inspection. At 101 hours, 36 minutes, when the LM was behind the moon on its 13th orbit, the LM descent engine fired for 30 seconds to provide retrograde thrust and commence descent orbit insertion, changing to an orbit of 9 by 67 miles, on a trajectory that was virtually identical to that flown by Apollo 10. At 102 hours, 33 minutes, after Columbia and Eagle had reappeared from behind the moon and when the LM was about 300 miles uprange, powered descent initiation was performed with the descent engine firing for 756.3 seconds. After eight minutes, the LM was at "high gate" about 26,000 feet above the surface and about five miles from the landing site.
The descent engine continued to provide braking thrust until about 102 hours, 45 minutes into the mission. Partially piloted manually by Armstrong, the Eagle landed in the Sea of Tranquility in Site 2 at 0 degrees, 41 minutes, 15 seconds north latitude and 23 degrees, 26 minutes east longitude. This was about four miles downrange from the predicted touchdown point and occurred almost one-and-a-half minutes earlier than scheduled. It included a powered descent that ran a mere nominal 40 seconds longer than preflight planning due to translation maneuvers to avoid a crater during the final phase of landing. Attached to the descent stage was a commemorative plaque signed by President Richard M. Nixon and the three astronauts.
The flight plan called for the first EVA to begin after a four-hour rest period, but it was advanced to begin as soon as possible. Nonetheless, it was almost four hours later that Armstrong emerged from the Eagle and deployed the TV camera for the transmission of the event to Earth. At about 109 hours, 42 minutes after launch, Armstrong stepped onto the moon. About 20 minutes later, Aldrin followed him. The camera was then positioned on a tripod about 30 feet from the LM. Half an hour later, President Nixon spoke by telephone link with the astronauts.
Commemorative medallions bearing the names of the three Apollo 1 astronauts who lost their lives in a launch pad fire, and two cosmonauts who also died in accidents, were left on the moon's surface. A one-and-a-half inch silicon disk, containing micro miniaturized goodwill messages from 73 countries, and the names of congressional and NASA leaders, also stayed behind.
During the EVA, in which they both ranged up to 300 feet from the Eagle, Aldrin deployed the Early Apollo Scientific Experiments Package, or EASEP, experiments, and Armstrong and Aldrin gathered and verbally reported on the lunar surface samples. After Aldrin had spent one hour, 33 minutes on the surface, he re-entered the LM, followed 41 minutes later by Armstrong. The entire EVA phase lasted more than two-and-a-half hours, ending at 111 hours, 39 minutes into the mission.
Armstrong and Aldrin spent 21 hours, 36 minutes on the moon's surface. After a rest period that included seven hours of sleep, the ascent stage engine fired at 124 hours, 22 minutes. It was shut down 435 seconds later when the Eagle reached an initial orbit of 11 by 55 miles above the moon, and when Columbia was on its 25th revolution. As the ascent stage reached apolune at 125 hours, 19 minutes, the reaction control system, or RCS, fired so as to nearly circularize the Eagle orbit at about 56 miles, some 13 miles below and slightly behind Columbia. Subsequent firings of the LM RCS changed the orbit to 57 by 72 miles. Docking with Columbia occurred on the CSM's 27th revolution at 128 hours, three minutes into the mission. Armstrong and Aldrin returned to the CSM with Collins. Four hours later, the LM jettisoned and remained in lunar orbit.
Trans-Earth injection of the CSM began July 21 as the SPS fired for two-and-a-half minutes when Columbia was behind the moon in its 59th hour of lunar orbit. Following this, the astronauts slept for about 10 hours. An 11.2 second firing of the SPS accomplished the only midcourse correction required on the return flight. The correction was made July 22 at about 150 hours, 30 minutes into the mission. Two more television transmissions were made during the trans-Earth coast.
Re-entry procedures were initiated July 24, 44 hours after leaving lunar orbit. The SM separated from the CM, which was re-oriented to a heat-shield-forward position. Parachute deployment occurred at 195 hours, 13 minutes. After a flight of 195 hours, 18 minutes, 35 seconds - about 36 minutes longer than planned - Apollo 11 splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, 13 miles from the recovery ship USS Hornet. Because of bad weather in the target area, the landing point was changed by about 250 miles. Apollo 11 landed 13 degrees, 19 minutes north latitude and 169 degrees, nine minutes west longitude July 24, 1969.
Crew
Neil Armstrong, Commander
Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., Lunar Module Pilot
Michael Collins, Command Module Pilot
Backup Crew
James A. Lovell, Commander
Fred W. Haise Jr., Lunar Module Pilot
William A. Anders, Command Module Pilot
Payload
Columbia (CSM-107)
Eagle (LM-5)
Prelaunch Milestones
11/21/68 - LM-5 integrated systems test
12/6/68 - CSM-107 integrated systems test
12/13/68 - LM-5 acceptance test
1/8/69 - LM-5 ascent stage delivered to Kennedy
1/12/69 - LM-5 descent stage delivered to Kennedy
1/18/69 - S-IVB ondock at Kennedy
1/23/69 - CSM ondock at Kennedy
1/29/69 - command and service module mated
2/6/69 - S-II ondock at Kennedy
2/20/69 - S-IC ondock at Kennedy
2/17/69 - combined CSM-107 systems tests
2/27/69 - S-IU ondock at Kennedy
3/24/69 - CSM-107 altitude testing
4/14/69 - rollover of CSM from the Operations and Checkout Building to the Vehicle Assembly Building
4/22/69 - integrated systems test
5/5/69 - CSM electrical mate to Saturn V
5/20/69 - rollout to Launch Pad 39A
6/1/69 - flight readiness test
6/26/69 - Countdown Demonstration Test
Launch
July 16, 1969; 9:32 a.m. EDT
Launch Pad 39A
Saturn-V AS-506
High Bay 1
Mobile Launcher Platform-1
Firing Room 1
Orbit
Altitude: 118.65 miles
Inclination: 32.521 degrees
Orbits: 30 revolutions
Duration: eight days, three hours, 18 min, 35 seconds
Distance: 953,054 miles
Lunar Location: Sea of Tranquility
Lunar Coordinates: .71 degrees north, 23.63 degrees east
Landing
July 24, 1969; 12:50 p.m. EDT
Pacific Ocean
Recovery Ship: USS Hornet
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Page Last Updated: May 15, 2019
Page Editor: Sarah Loff
NASA Official: Brian Dunbar
1969-07-16, NBC, 180 min.
Apollo 11, the eight-day lunar-landing mission, set for a launch Wednesday, July 16, 1969 at 9:32 A.M. (EDT) from pad 39-A at Florida's Kennedy Space Center. Apollo capsule will leave the Earth parking-orbit and head out for the Moon shortly after 12 noon.
For the next 72 hours, the flight should be pretty much routine. Then, at about 1 P.M. next Saturday, July 19, the spaceship enters lunar orbit and the astronauts prepare for what must be considered history's most dramatic adventure: landing on the moon (set for next Sunday) and a walk on its surface (Monday, July 20, 1969) lasting nearly two and a half hours. Concluding the mission: lunar module (LEM) liftoff from the moon and deciding with the command module (also on Monday); trans-Earth injection, beginning the homeward journey (Tuesday); and splashdown and recovery in the Pacific (Thursday, July 24).
Radio and television coverage on July 16-22 & 24, 1969. Astronauts include Neil Armstrong, Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., and Michael Collins. Reporting are Frank McGee, Chet Huntley, David Brinkley, Bill Ryan, Jim Eyer, Peter Hackes, Jim Reynold, Bill Lindsay, and Charles Quinn.
1969-07-17, NBC, 180 min.
Apollo 11, the eight-day lunar-landing mission, set for a launch Wednesday, July 16, 1969 at 9:32 A.M. (EDT) from pad 39-A at Florida's Kennedy Space Center. Apollo capsule will leave the Earth parking-orbit and head out for the Moon shortly after 12 noon.
For the next 72 hours, the flight should be pretty much routine. Then, at about 1 P.M. next Saturday, July 19, the spaceship enters lunar orbit and the astronauts prepare for what must be considered history's most dramatic adventure: landing on the moon (set for next Sunday) and a walk on its surface (Monday, July 20, 1969) lasting nearly two and a half hours. Concluding the mission: lunar module (LEM) liftoff from the moon and deciding with the command module (also on Monday); trans-Earth injection, beginning the homeward journey (Tuesday); and splashdown and recovery in the Pacific (Thursday, July 24).
Radio and television coverage on July 16-22 & 24, 1969. Astronauts include Neil Armstrong, Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., and Michael Collins. Reporting are Frank McGee, Chet Huntley, David Brinkley, Bill Ryan, Jim Eyer, Peter Hackes, Jim Reynold, Bill Lindsay, and Charles Quinn.
1969-07-17, SYN, 90 min.
July 7, 1969-July 14, 1972 (SYNDICATED). During the three-year run of his American talk show, David Frost taped the show (approximately 750 programs) each week, Monday through Thursdays. The series was syndicated by Westinghouse.
Guest: Stand-up comedian Jackie Kahane only.
1969-07-18, NBC, 180 min.
Apollo 11, the eight-day lunar-landing mission, set for a launch Wednesday, July 16, 1969 at 9:32 A.M. (EDT) from pad 39-A at Florida's Kennedy Space Center. Apollo capsule will leave the Earth parking-orbit and head out for the Moon shortly after 12 noon.
For the next 72 hours, the flight should be pretty much routine. Then, at about 1 P.M. next Saturday, July 19, the spaceship enters lunar orbit and the astronauts prepare for what must be considered history's most dramatic adventure: landing on the moon (set for next Sunday) and a walk on its surface (Monday, July 20, 1969) lasting nearly two and a half hours. Concluding the mission: lunar module (LEM) liftoff from the moon and deciding with the command module (also on Monday); trans-Earth injection, beginning the homeward journey (Tuesday); and splashdown and recovery in the Pacific (Thursday, July 24).
Radio and television coverage on July 16-22 & 24, 1969. Astronauts include Neil Armstrong, Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., and Michael Collins. Reporting are Frank McGee, Chet Huntley, David Brinkley, Bill Ryan, Jim Eyer, Peter Hackes, Jim Reynold, Bill Lindsay, and Charles Quinn.
1969-07-19, WABC, 52 min.
July 2, 1955-September 4, 1971; 1971-1982 (Syndicated). This was the "Western Show" broadcast. "The Lawrence Welk Show" presented middle-of-the-road music for almost three decades. Numbers were performed by the members of Welk's television family. That large group included the Lennon Sisters (Dianne, Peggy, Kathy and Janet), Alice Lon, Norma Zimmer, Tanya Falan, Arthur Duncan, Joe Feeney, Guy Hovis, Jim Roberts, Ralna English, Larry Hooper, Jerry Burke and former Mouseketeer Bobby Burgess.
1969-07-19, NBC, 180 min.
Apollo 11, the eight-day lunar-landing mission, set for a launch Wednesday, July 16, 1969 at 9:32 A.M. (EDT) from pad 39-A at Florida's Kennedy Space Center. Apollo capsule will leave the Earth parking-orbit and head out for the Moon shortly after 12 noon.
For the next 72 hours, the flight should be pretty much routine. Then, at about 1 P.M. next Saturday, July 19, the spaceship enters lunar orbit and the astronauts prepare for what must be considered history's most dramatic adventure: landing on the moon (set for next Sunday) and a walk on its surface (Monday, July 20, 1969) lasting nearly two and a half hours. Concluding the mission: lunar module (LEM) liftoff from the moon and deciding with the command module (also on Monday); trans-Earth injection, beginning the homeward journey (Tuesday); and splashdown and recovery in the Pacific (Thursday, July 24).
Radio and television coverage on July 16-22 & 24, 1969. Astronauts include Neil Armstrong, Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., and Michael Collins. Reporting are Frank McGee, Chet Huntley, David Brinkley, Bill Ryan, Jim Eyer, Peter Hackes, Jim Reynold, Bill Lindsay, and Charles Quinn.
1969-07-19, CBS, min.
Heywood Hale Broun reports on Softball teams in America. A game where the pitcher 45 feet away from home plate pitches a ball over 100 MPH. Bombers team profiled. Report from Clearwater, Florida.
1969-07-20, NBC, 180 min.
Apollo 11, the eight-day lunar-landing mission, set for a launch Wednesday, July 16, 1969 at 9:32 A.M. (EDT) from pad 39-A at Florida's Kennedy Space Center. Apollo capsule will leave the Earth parking-orbit and head out for the Moon shortly after 12 noon.
For the next 72 hours, the flight should be pretty much routine. Then, at about 1 P.M. next Saturday, July 19, the spaceship enters lunar orbit and the astronauts prepare for what must be considered history's most dramatic adventure: landing on the moon (set for next Sunday) and a walk on its surface (Monday, July 20, 1969) lasting nearly two and a half hours. Concluding the mission: lunar module (LEM) liftoff from the moon and deciding with the command module (also on Monday); trans-Earth injection, beginning the homeward journey (Tuesday); and splashdown and recovery in the Pacific (Thursday, July 24).
Radio and television coverage on July 16-22 & 24, 1969. Astronauts include Neil Armstrong, Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., and Michael Collins. Reporting are Frank McGee, Chet Huntley, David Brinkley, Bill Ryan, Jim Eyer, Peter Hackes, Jim Reynold, Bill Lindsay, and Charles Quinn.
1969-07-21, NBC, 180 min.
Apollo 11, the eight-day lunar-landing mission, set for a launch Wednesday, July 16, 1969 at 9:32 A.M. (EDT) from pad 39-A at Florida's Kennedy Space Center. Apollo capsule will leave the Earth parking-orbit and head out for the Moon shortly after 12 noon.
For the next 72 hours, the flight should be pretty much routine. Then, at about 1 P.M. next Saturday, July 19, the spaceship enters lunar orbit and the astronauts prepare for what must be considered history's most dramatic adventure: landing on the moon (set for next Sunday) and a walk on its surface (Monday, July 20, 1969) lasting nearly two and a half hours. Concluding the mission: lunar module (LEM) liftoff from the moon and deciding with the command module (also on Monday); trans-Earth injection, beginning the homeward journey (Tuesday); and splashdown and recovery in the Pacific (Thursday, July 24).
Radio and television coverage on July 16-22 & 24, 1969. Astronauts include Neil Armstrong, Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., and Michael Collins. Reporting are Frank McGee, Chet Huntley, David Brinkley, Bill Ryan, Jim Eyer, Peter Hackes, Jim Reynold, Bill Lindsay, and Charles Quinn.
1969-07-22, NBC, 180 min.
Apollo 11, the eight-day lunar-landing mission, set for a launch Wednesday, July 16, 1969 at 9:32 A.M. (EDT) from pad 39-A at Florida's Kennedy Space Center. Apollo capsule will leave the Earth parking-orbit and head out for the Moon shortly after 12 noon.
For the next 72 hours, the flight should be pretty much routine. Then, at about 1 P.M. next Saturday, July 19, the spaceship enters lunar orbit and the astronauts prepare for what must be considered history's most dramatic adventure: landing on the moon (set for next Sunday) and a walk on its surface (Monday, July 20, 1969) lasting nearly two and a half hours. Concluding the mission: lunar module (LEM) liftoff from the moon and deciding with the command module (also on Monday); trans-Earth injection, beginning the homeward journey (Tuesday); and splashdown and recovery in the Pacific (Thursday, July 24).
Radio and television coverage on July 16-22 & 24, 1969. Astronauts include Neil Armstrong, Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., and Michael Collins. Reporting are Frank McGee, Chet Huntley, David Brinkley, Bill Ryan, Jim Eyer, Peter Hackes, Jim Reynold, Bill Lindsay, and Charles Quinn.
1969-07-24, NBC, 180 min.
Apollo 11, the eight-day lunar-landing mission, set for a launch Wednesday, July 16, 1969 at 9:32 A.M. (EDT) from pad 39-A at Florida's Kennedy Space Center. Apollo capsule will leave the Earth parking-orbit and head out for the Moon shortly after 12 noon.
For the next 72 hours, the flight should be pretty much routine. Then, at about 1 P.M. next Saturday, July 19, the spaceship enters lunar orbit and the astronauts prepare for what must be considered history's most dramatic adventure: landing on the moon (set for next Sunday) and a walk on its surface (Monday, July 20, 1969) lasting nearly two and a half hours. Concluding the mission: lunar module (LEM) liftoff from the moon and deciding with the command module (also on Monday); trans-Earth injection, beginning the homeward journey (Tuesday); and splashdown and recovery in the Pacific (Thursday, July 24).
Radio and television coverage on July 16-22 & 24, 1969. Astronauts include Neil Armstrong, Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., and Michael Collins. Reporting are Frank McGee, Chet Huntley, David Brinkley, Bill Ryan, Jim Eyer, Peter Hackes, Jim Reynold, Bill Lindsay, and Charles Quinn.
1969-07-26, WABC, 52 min.
July 2, 1955-September 4, 1971; 1971-1982 (Syndicated). This program is a repeat of the "Million Record Sellers" broadcast. "The Lawrence Welk Show" presented middle-of-the-road music for almost three decades. Numbers were performed by the members of Welk's television family. That large group included the Lennon Sisters (Dianne, Peggy, Kathy and Janet), Alice Lon, Norma Zimmer, Tanya Falan, Arthur Duncan, Joe Feeney, Guy Hovis, Jim Roberts, Ralna English, Larry Hooper, Jerry Burke and former Mouseketeer Bobby Burgess.
1969-07-26, NBC, min.
Live coverage of the Apollo 11 splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Astronaut Buzz Aldrin speaks at the Apollo 11 "Splashdown 45" event aboard The USS Hornet in Alameda, California.
1969-07-27, WCBS, 52 min.
June 20, 1948-June 6, 1971. Television's longest-running variety show ran on Sunday nights for twenty-three years. Its host, Ed Sullivan.
The Clara Ward Singers perform, "Born Free," and "City Called Heaven."
1969-07-27, CBS, min.
June 20, 1948 - May 30, 1971
ED SULLIVAN SHOW, THE, (TOAST OF THE TOWN)
Television's longest running variety series. Originally, titled, TOAST OF THE TOWN, the name of the series changed on September 18, 1955 to THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. Most remembered for introducing many stand-up comedians, and musical acts, including The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, The Beatles.
Most of the 1,087 broadcasts, encompassing 10,000 performers, have been archived. The major exceptions are the first half-year of shows circa 1948 of which a few kinescope excerpts survive.
The ED SULLIVAN SHOW was a spectacular show-case that for twenty-three years entertained the American family. In its prime, more than thirty million viewers, young and old, tuned in at the same time to view popular culture.
Host: Ed Sullivan Guest: Henny Youngman.
1969-07-27, CBS, min.
June 20, 1948 - May 30, 1971
ED SULLIVAN SHOW, THE, (TOAST OF THE TOWN)
Television's longest running variety series. Originally, titled, TOAST OF THE TOWN, the name of the series changed on September 18, 1955 to THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. Most remembered for introducing many stand-up comedians, and musical acts, including The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, The Beatles.
Most of the 1,087 broadcasts, encompassing 10,000 performers, have been archived. The major exceptions are the first half-year of shows circa 1948 of which a few kinescope excerpts survive.
The ED SULLIVAN SHOW was a spectacular show-case that for twenty-three years entertained the American family. In its prime, more than thirty million viewers, young and old, tuned in at the same time to view popular culture.
Host: Ed Sullivan Guest: Henny Youngman.
Duplicate of #19790.
1969-07-28, SYN, min.
July 7, 1969-July 14, 1972 (SYNDICATED). During the three-year run of his American talk show, David Frost taped the show (approximately 750 programs) each week, Monday through Thursdays. The series was syndicated by Westinghouse.
Guest: Jack E. Leonard.
1969-07-28, SYN, 4 min.
July 7, 1969-July 14, 1972 (SYNDICATED). During the three-year run of his American talk show, David Frost taped the show (approximately 750 programs) each week, Monday through Thursdays. The series was syndicated by Westinghouse.
Guests: Jack E. Leonard, mentalist Peter Hurkos
Discussion: Black Magic and precepts of the Devil.
1969-07-29, NBC, 10 min.
Report on the Mariner VI space probe, a journey of 60 million miles and 154 days. The unmanned Mariner VI spacecraft passes by the equatorial region of Mars. Comments by Professor Robert Layton and Professor Brad Smith. They discuss what Mars looks like. Mariner sends back first pictures of Martian surface, Jim Kincaid reports.
Hosted by Roy Neal.
1969-07-30, WNEW, 12 min.
THE 10 O'CLOCK NEWS
March 13, 1967 - July 5, 1968 (Half Hour)
July 8, 1968 - February 23, 1979 (One Hour)
Bill Jorgensen was the founding and longtime anchor of New York City's FIRST PRIME TIME ONE HOUR WEEKLY NEWS BROADCAST premiering format on July 8, 1968. It began as a half hour News Broadcast anchored by Bill Jorgensen on March 13, 1967.
When WNEW-TV began producing 10 O'CLOCK NEWS with Bill Jorgensen at the helm, no other commercial television stations had a prime time newscast. The New York Times television critic Jack Gould described the newscast as "a thoroughly professional news summary" due in part to "Mr. Jorgensen's durably pleasing style and demeanor. He suggests authority without affectation."
HISTORY:
On March 13, 1967 Channel 5 launched the first prime time newscast in the tri-state area, just a few months after sister station WTTG in Washington D.C. became the first station in the United States with one. Since then, a lot has changed but there are still a few constants like the seemingly eternal question, “It’s 10 p.m. Do you know where your children are?”
In 1967, channel 5, then called WNEW-TV, had been an independent television station for eleven years since the disbanding of the DuMont Network where it was the flagship station. The station was owned by Metromedia, which obtained the majority of the network’s assets, including the DuMont Tele-centre on East 67th Street that served as the home for channel 5.
Metromedia tapped Bill Jorgensen, a reporter for WEWS in Cleveland to anchor the newscast in either Washington or New York. Jorgensen decided on New York after he had heard some in the industry say that the news couldn’t compete against entertainment programming. In the newscast’s first year, it was competing against programs from the networks such as The Big Valley, The Carol Burnett Show, The Dean Martin Show and I Spy. The neigh sayers were proven wrong and the plucky little newscast without all the resources of a big network behind it did quite well against the entertainment competition and quickly expanded from a half hour to an hour.
In December of 1969 John Roland joined the station and a little less than ten years later became Jorgensen’s successor after he moved over to WPIX in 1979. When Roland took over the anchor chair, WPIX’s Action News (later Independent Network News) offered the only 10 p.m. competition for news in the city. In other parts of the country 10 p.m. newscasts were popping up on independent stations after seeing the success in New York.
The 10 O'CLOCK NEWS on WNEW TV followed a talk show hosted by Merv Griffin and was followed by a local talk show hosted by Alan Burke, and then followed with The Les Crane Show when The 10'Oclock News was a half hour broadcast. This line-up rapidly built a substantial audience.
After a twelve year successful run Bill Jorgensen left WNEW and The 10'OClock News and was succeeded at by John Roland, who anchored his first broadcast on March 14, 1979. Jorgensen who quit after his Feb. 23, broadcast left the newscast without an official anchor replacement for two and half weeks. Roland who had previously been a featured reporter and co-anchor became the new anchor.
Bill Jorgensen's signature signoff was "I'm Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for your time this time 'till next time."
NOTE: Bill Jorgensen had it written into his contract at WNEW that he was the only one who could use a TelePrompTer, and this meant that when he was debriefing a reporter on set, the reporter would have to constantly look at his notes. By contract, Jorgensen would always look steadily into the camera, projecting an air of power and confidence. He warred bitterly with station management, including Ted Kavanau, then news director, who says Jorgensen "was a difficult guy, very moody, hardly talked to anybody, but when you turned on that camera, he performed brilliantly. He had a voice that was like fate reaching out to you."
ON THIS BROADCAST: Joined in progress, Rolland Smith, National White House correspondent for Metromedia television (WTTG), and staff hire on the 10 O'clock News for a short period of time in 1970, reports an investigative analysis commentary questioning the actions and timeline of Senator Edward Kennedy related to his movements and apparent activities before, during and after the tragic auto accidental death of Mary Jo Kopechne who was a passenger in Kennedy's car on the evening of July 18, 1969.
Questions Smith poses during the final seven minutes of this joined in progress report, and also heard statements by Senator Edward Kennedy recorded and integrated in this report during his press conferences include:
-How did Ted Kennedy know that Mary Jo Kopechne was dead when he walked away from the accident site?
-Why did Kennedy walk over a mile back to the party from which he and Mary Jo just left after the accident and not to anyone one of a few close by homes near the site of the accident?
-Why a 10 hour gap in time before Kennedy called the police?
-Was it possible that Mary Joe Kopechne was still alive when Ted Kennedy left the scene of the car submerged in the water?
-Why once Kennedy returned to the party no doctor was called immediately?
-How did Kennedy manage to swim a challenging 300 feet swim back to his hotel room after all Ferry service was closed for the night, after 1am?
-Why was there no immediate questions by authorities of those people who attended the party?
-Why were all of those who attended the party off the island before the investigation began?
-Why was there such a quick "closed case" stated by Edgartown Police chief Dominick Arena whom we hear stating as such at a press conference.
Included in this investigative report by Rolland Smith is his interview with Metromedia Television News grip, Jack Loubat (?) who test swims the same swift current that purportedly Senator Edward Kennedy states he swam, only to conclude that it is very challenging feat and very difficult to accomplish.
The news continues with a report on Edward Kennedy's immediate pollical future at stake, and a separate news story concerning the New Haven railroad battle ahead related to fare proposed hikes. A segment filmed at a public hearing is covered with Westchester congressman Ogden Reid objecting to the proposed raises. A counter point of view is expressed by a railroad representative at the hearing.
NOTE:
Rolland Smith's earliest broadcasting job was for Metromedia Television, where he served as White House correspondent for WTTG. Metromedia would later transfer him to New York, where he would become co-anchor of WNEW-TV's 10 PM newscast.
Smith departed Metromedia for CBS in the Fall of 1970, and instantly became a reporter and anchor for WCBS. In 1973 Smith was named co-anchor of WCBS' evening newscasts, a position he held for 13 years. His 11 PM co-anchors included Dave Marash (1973–1978 and 1981–1982) and Vic Miles (1978–1979), before Michele Marsh joined him for the balance of his run with channel 2. Starting in late 1975, he was teamed with Jim Jensen on the 6 PM newscast, a partnership that remained until Smith's departure from the station in 1986.
NOTE:
THIS TWELVE MINUTE EXCERPT TELEVISION AUDIO AIR CHECK REPRESENTS THE OLDEST KNOWN EXTANT BROADCAST RECORD, IN ANY FORM, OF THE "10 O'CLOCK NEWS" WHICH HAS BEEN 99% WIPED (ERASED, "LOST," DESTROYED), REFLECTING ITS FIRST DOZEN YEARS ON TELEVISION (1967-1979).
NO KNOWN BROADCASTS OR EVEN EXCERPTS OF THE "10 O'CLOCK NEWS WITH BILL JORGENSEN" EXISTS OR IS ARCHIVED AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, UCLA FILM & TV ARCHIVE, PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY NEWS ARCHIVE, OR THE ARCHIVES OF WNEW METROMEDIA.
ONE ENDING OF THE PROGRAM AND CREDITS CAN BE FOUND ON YOU TUBE (62 SECONDS), AND ANOTHER VERY BRIEF PROMOTIONAL OF THE SHOW.
1969-07-31, WNBC, min.
June 20, 1968-September 5, 1968; July 17, 1969-September 11, 1969; July 16, 1970-September 10, 1970 (NBC); 1971 (Syndicated). The Golddiggers were a group of attractive young women put together by producer Greg Garrison. Their show was a summer replacement for "The Dean Martin Show" in 1968, 1969, and 1970; in 1971 they hosted a syndicated series. The show was entitled "Dean Martin Presents the Golddiggers" in 1968 and 1969. The 1968 show was set in the 1930's, and regulars included cohosts Frank Sinatra Jr., and Joey Heatherton, and Paul Lynde, Barbara Heller, Stanley Myron Handelman, Stu Gilliam, The Times Square Two, Skiles and Henderson, and the Les Brown Orchestra. In 1969 the series was hosted by Lou Rawls, Gail Martin (Dean's daughter) and Paul Lynde; other regulars included Stanley Myron Handelman, Tommy Tune, Albert Brooks, Danny Lockin, Allison McKay, Darleen Carr, and Fiore and Eldridge. The 1970 series was taped in England and titled "The Golddiggers in London"; regulars included Charles Nelson Reilly (the host), Marty Feldman, Tommy Tune and Julian Chagrin. The 1971 series was entitled simply "The Golddiggers" and featured Charles Nelson Reilly, Jackie Vernon, Barbara Heller and Alice Ghostley; unlike the summer series, it was only a half hour in length. This series continued into 1972 on WCBS.
Dupe of #2741.
1969-08-09, WQXR, 60 min.
Hosted by John S. Wilson, "The World of Jazz" aired on WQXR AM & FM Radio on Saturdays at 10:10 PM. Wilson was a fixture on radio playing early jazz recordings on each of his broadcasts, during the 1950s, '60s, and '70s. The records of hundreds of Jazz musicians were profiled, including original Louis Armstrong records, among them Armstrong's first Orpheum 105 record, recorded on March 31, 1923, and aired by Wilson on his program on May 9, 1970. This was the "Best Jazz Records of 1954 - 1955 - 1956 - 1957" broadcast.
1969-08-16, WABC, 52 min.
July 2, 1955-September 4, 1971; 1971-1982 (Syndicated). "The Lawrence Welk Show" presented middle-of-the-road music for almost three decades. Numbers were performed by the members of Welk's television family. That large group included the Lennon Sisters (Dianne, Peggy, Kathy and Janet), Alice Lon, Norma Zimmer, Tanya Falan, Arthur Duncan, Joe Feeney, Guy Hovis, Jim Roberts, Ralna English, Larry Hooper, Jerry Burke and former Mouseketeer Bobby Burgess.
1969-08-24, NBC, 30 min.
January 4, 1953 - August 30, 1970
Long-running religious series shared a time slot with FRONTIERS OF FAITH and THE ETERNAL LIGHT. Produced by NBC in cooperation with the National Council of Catholic Men.
Don Dunphy interviews middleweight boxing champion Carmen Basilio...a rare side of
Basilio one seldom gets to hear in this half hour interview.
The only one-on-one television interview he is known for accepting. The other a 1957 TV interview with Mike Wallace on "The Mike Wallace Interview."
Host: Don Dunphy.
1969-08-30, WABC, 52 min.
July 2, 1955-September 4, 1971; 1971-1982 (Syndicated). This was the "At The Fair" broadcast. "The Lawrence Welk Show" presented middle-of-the-road music for almost three decades. Numbers were performed by the members of Welk's television family. That large group included the Lennon Sisters (Dianne, Peggy, Kathy and Janet), Alice Lon, Norma Zimmer, Tanya Falan, Arthur Duncan, Joe Feeney, Guy Hovis, Jim Roberts, Ralna English, Larry Hooper, Jerry Burke and former Mouseketeer Bobby Burgess.
1969-08-31, WCBS, min.
June 20, 1948-June 6, 1971. Television's longest-running variety show ran on Sunday nights for twenty-three years. Its host, Ed Sullivan.
Guest: Jackie Mason.
1969-09-08, WABC, 52 min.
A music & comedy special which includes 14 performers, wild visual interpretations of perfectly normal tunes and the producing talents of Mel Torme.
Starring are Jack Jones, Michele Lee, Cliff Robertson and Frankie Laine, with cameo spots by Phyllis Diller, James Farentino, Dick Martin, Ricardo Montalban, Edward G. Robinson and Jonathan Winters.
Performing hosts are John Byner, Gerri Granger, Lynn Lipton, Marilyn Michaels, Louisa Moritz, Harve Presnell, Charles Nelson Reilly and Bobby Van. Also on hand: the Sapphire Thinkers.
Billy May orchestra.
HIGHLIGHTS:
"Spinning Wheel"..............................................Jack Jones
"They Can't Take That Away from Me,"............Michele Lee
"That's My Desire,"...........................................Frankie Laine
""If This Isn't Love," "Love Makes the World Go Round," "Love is Just Around the Corner"...........................Cliff Robertson
"Top Hat, White Tie and Tails".........................Bobby Van
"The Right to Love"........................Harve Presnell, Gerri Granger
"Melancholy Baby"..........................................Sapphire Thinkers
"The singers Theme," "I Believe," "Who?" "Let's Do It".........Hosts
"How the West Was Sung," "She Touched Me"...................All
"
1969-09-11, WNBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974. This was the final broadcast of the series. A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
1969-09-13, WABC, 52 min.
July 2, 1955-September 4, 1971; 1971-1982 (Syndicated). "The Lawrence Welk Show" presented middle-of-the-road music for almost three decades. Numbers were performed by the members of Welk's television family. That large group included the Lennon Sisters (Dianne, Peggy, Kathy and Janet), Alice Lon, Norma Zimmer, Tanya Falan, Arthur Duncan, Joe Feeney, Guy Hovis, Jim Roberts, Ralna English, Larry Hooper, Jerry Burke and former Mouseketeer Bobby Burgess.
1969-09-18, WNBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974. A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
1969-09-20, WABC, 52 min.
July 2, 1955-September 4, 1971; 1971-1982 (Syndicated). This was the "Football Show" broadcast. "The Lawrence Welk Show" presented middle-of-the-road music for almost three decades. Numbers were performed by the members of Welk's television family. That large group included the Lennon Sisters (Dianne, Peggy, Kathy and Janet), Alice Lon, Norma Zimmer, Tanya Falan, Arthur Duncan, Joe Feeney, Guy Hovis, Jim Roberts, Ralna English, Larry Hooper, Jerry Burke and former Mouseketeer Bobby Burgess.
1969-09-22, SYN, 36 min.
July 7, 1969-July 14, 1972 (SYNDICATED). During the three-year run of his American talk show, David Frost taped the show (approximately 750 programs) each week, Monday through Thursdays. The series was syndicated by Westinghouse.
Guests: Dana Valery, Mary Hopkin, Primo Family, Gerri Granger, Tiny Tim.
1969-09-23, WCBS, 52 min.
September 25, 1962-June 23, 1970. One of television's most inventive and popular comedians, Red Skelton hosted his own series for twenty years, seven of them in a one-hour format, "The Red Skelton Hour" on CBS. Skelton began his television career on NBC September 30, 1951 with a half-hour filmed variety series lasting until June 21, 1953. He then began his CBS affiliation, and began hosting "The Red Skelton Show," a half-hour variety show broadcast live until October 18, 1960, and subsequently on videotape. This series aired from October 13, 1953, continuing until June 26, 1962. From July 21, 1954 through September 8, 1954, "The Red Skelton Revue" was broadcast live on CBS in a one-hour format. Red Skelton returned to NBC in a half-hour taped format for his final series. "Red" as the show was known, premiered September 14, 1970. The first four broadcasts included introductions by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew (September 14, 1970), Dean Martin (September 21, 1970), Jack Benny (September 28, 1970), and Johnny Carson (October 5, 1970) who got his big break writing for Skelton in the early 1950's. Red Skelton's last first-run regularly scheduled television program aired on March 15, 1971.
1969-09-25, WNBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974. A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
1969-09-26, WABC, 52 min.
September 26, 1969-July 4, 1970. This was the first broadcast of the series. Hour-long variety series starring Jimmy Durante and the singing Lennon Sisters (Dianne, Janet, Kathy, and Peggy).
1969-09-27, WABC, 52 min.
July 2, 1955-September 4, 1971; 1971-1982 (Syndicated). This was the "15th Anniversary Show" broadcast. "The Lawrence Welk Show" presented middle-of-the-road music for almost three decades. Numbers were performed by the members of Welk's television family. That large group included the Lennon Sisters (Dianne, Peggy, Kathy and Janet), Alice Lon, Norma Zimmer, Tanya Falan, Arthur Duncan, Joe Feeney, Guy Hovis, Jim Roberts, Ralna English, Larry Hooper, Jerry Burke and former Mouseketeer Bobby Burgess.
Maestro Welk begins his 15th year of network television with a melodic trip down memory lane.
  The Champagne Music Makers open with "Say It with Music," just as they did when they debuted as a summer series on July 2, 1955. Also reprised from that show: "Tico Tico" (Myron Floren), "Golden Days" (Jim Roberts) and "Love Me or Leave Me" (Ralna English).
1969-09-28, WCBS, 52 min.
June 20, 1948-June 6, 1971. Television's longest-running variety show ran on Sunday nights for twenty-three years. Its host, Ed Sullivan.
1969-09-30, WCBS, 52 min.
September 25, 1962-June 23, 1970. One of television's most inventive and popular comedians, Red Skelton hosted his own series for twenty years, seven of them in a one-hour format, "The Red Skelton Hour" on CBS. Skelton began his television career on NBC September 30, 1951 with a half-hour filmed variety series lasting until June 21, 1953. He then began his CBS affiliation, and began hosting "The Red Skelton Show," a half-hour variety show broadcast live until October 18, 1960, and subsequently on videotape. This series aired from October 13, 1953, continuing until June 26, 1962. From July 21, 1954 through September 8, 1954, "The Red Skelton Revue" was broadcast live on CBS in a one-hour format. Red Skelton returned to NBC in a half-hour taped format for his final series. "Red" as the show was known, premiered September 14, 1970. The first four broadcasts included introductions by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew (September 14, 1970), Dean Martin (September 21, 1970), Jack Benny (September 28, 1970), and Johnny Carson (October 5, 1970) who got his big break writing for Skelton in the early 1950's. Red Skelton's last first-run regularly scheduled television program aired on March 15, 1971.
1969-10-02, WNBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974. A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
1969-10-03, WABC, 52 min.
September 26, 1969-July 4, 1970. Hour-long variety series starring Jimmy Durante and the singing Lennon Sisters (Dianne, Janet, Kathy, and Peggy).
1969-10-05, WCBS, 52 min.
June 20, 1948-June 6, 1971. This broadcast featured a Hassidic wedding dance filmed at the New Music Hall in Israel. Television's longest-running variety show ran on Sunday nights for twenty-three years. Its host, Ed Sullivan.
1969-10-07, WCBS, 52 min.
September 25, 1962-June 23, 1970. One of television's most inventive and popular comedians, Red Skelton hosted his own series for twenty years, seven of them in a one-hour format, "The Red Skelton Hour" on CBS. Skelton began his television career on NBC September 30, 1951 with a half-hour filmed variety series lasting until June 21, 1953. He then began his CBS affiliation, and began hosting "The Red Skelton Show," a half-hour variety show broadcast live until October 18, 1960, and subsequently on videotape. This series aired from October 13, 1953, continuing until June 26, 1962. From July 21, 1954 through September 8, 1954, "The Red Skelton Revue" was broadcast live on CBS in a one-hour format. Red Skelton returned to NBC in a half-hour taped format for his final series. "Red" as the show was known, premiered September 14, 1970. The first four broadcasts included introductions by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew (September 14, 1970), Dean Martin (September 21, 1970), Jack Benny (September 28, 1970), and Johnny Carson (October 5, 1970) who got his big break writing for Skelton in the early 1950's. Red Skelton's last first-run regularly scheduled television program aired on March 15, 1971.
1969-10-09, WNBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974. A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
1969-10-09, NBC, 52 min.
September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974.
A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).
Dupe Of # 1989.
1969-10-10, WABC, 52 min.
September 26, 1969-July 4, 1970. Hour-long variety series starring Jimmy Durante and the singing Lennon Sisters (Dianne, Janet, Kathy, and Peggy).
1969-10-11, WABC, 52 min.
January 4, 1964-February 7, 1970. This hour-long variety series was a midseason replacement for "The Jerry Lewis Show."
1969-10-11, WABC, 52 min.
July 2, 1955-September 4, 1971; 1971-1982 (Syndicated). "The Lawrence Welk Show" presented middle-of-the-road music for almost three decades. Numbers were performed by the members of Welk's television family. That large group included the Lennon Sisters (Dianne, Peggy, Kathy and Janet), Alice Lon, Norma Zimmer, Tanya Falan, Arthur Duncan, Joe Feeney, Guy Hovis, Jim Roberts, Ralna English, Larry Hooper, Jerry Burke and former Mouseketeer Bobby Burgess.
1969-10-13, WNBC, 52 min.
Guests join Bob for his third annual salute to Vaudeville.
Dupe Of # 5104.
1969-10-13, NBC, 60 min.
January 22nd, 1968-May 14th, 1973
Fast-paced hour of comedy starring the comedy team of Dan Rowan and Dick Martin.
A salute to hospitals is the theme of the broadcast.