Boxing from St. Nicholas Arena
Encyclopedia
Boxing from St. Nicholas Arena was an American sports program originally broadcast
on NBC
from 1946
to 1948
, and later on the now-defunct DuMont Television Network
from 1954
to 1956
.
.
This regularly scheduled program, which aired boxing matches from St. Nicholas Arena in New York City
on Monday nights, is notable for being the final program to air on DuMont. The last network-aired program was broadcast on August 6, 1956, though a few remaining programs were seen locally on New York's WABD
afterward.
With limited finances, DuMont aired many sports programs throughout its history. Boxing, wrestling
, basketball
, and football
were always network mainstays, even during prime time
, as they were cheaper than most scripted programs and filled large programming blocks
that would otherwise have gone unfilled. Most of DuMont's regular series were cancelled on April 1, 1955, and the last non-sports program, the game show What's the Story
, left the airwaves on September 23, 1955, leaving only a few cheaply-produced sports programs on the schedule.
However, by August 1956
, even DuMont's sports programs, including Boxing from St. Nicholas Arena, were axed.
.
Broadcast
Broadcast or Broadcasting may refer to:* Broadcasting, the transmission of audio and video signals* Broadcast, an individual television program or radio program* Broadcast , an English electronic music band...
on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
from 1946
1946 in television
The year 1946 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1946.-Events:*February 4 – RCA demonstrates an all-electronic color television system.*February 18 – The first Washington, D.C...
to 1948
1948 in television
The year 1948 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1948.-Events:*March 20 – Renowned Italian conductor Arturo Toscanini makes his television debut, conducting the NBC Symphony Orchestra in an all-Wagner program.*June 21 – The first network...
, and later on the now-defunct DuMont Television Network
DuMont Television Network
The DuMont Television Network, also known as the DuMont Network, DuMont, Du Mont, or Dumont was one of the world's pioneer commercial television networks, rivalling NBC for the distinction of being first overall. It began operation in the United States in 1946. It was owned by DuMont...
from 1954
1954 in television
The year 1954 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1954.-Events:*January 1 – NBC broadcasts the Rose Parade in NTSC color on 21 stations.*January 3 – RAI launched in Italy....
to 1956
1956 in television
The year 1956 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1956.-Events:*January 28 – Elvis Presley makes his national television debut on CBS on Stage Show, the first of six appearances on the series....
.
Broadcast history
The DuMont version was hosted by Chris SchenkelChris Schenkel
Christopher Eugene "Chris" Schenkel was an American sportscaster. Over the course of five decades he called play-by-play for numerous sports on television and radio, becoming known for his smooth delivery and baritone voice.-Early life and career:Schenkel began his broadcasting career at radio...
.
This regularly scheduled program, which aired boxing matches from St. Nicholas Arena in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on Monday nights, is notable for being the final program to air on DuMont. The last network-aired program was broadcast on August 6, 1956, though a few remaining programs were seen locally on New York's WABD
WNYW
WNYW, virtual channel 5 , is the flagship television station of the News Corporation-owned Fox Broadcasting Company, located in New York City. The station's transmitter is atop the Empire State Building and its studio facilities are located in the Yorkville section of Manhattan...
afterward.
With limited finances, DuMont aired many sports programs throughout its history. Boxing, wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, and football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
were always network mainstays, even during prime time
Prime time
Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast programming during the middle of the evening for television programing.The term prime time is often defined in terms of a fixed time period—for example, from 19:00 to 22:00 or 20:00 to 23:00 Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast...
, as they were cheaper than most scripted programs and filled large programming blocks
Block programming
Block programming or television block is a strategy of broadcast programming and radio programmers. Block programming occurs when the television network schedules similar television programs back-to-back. The concept is to provide similar programming to keep the viewers. Radio stations use it...
that would otherwise have gone unfilled. Most of DuMont's regular series were cancelled on April 1, 1955, and the last non-sports program, the game show What's the Story
What's the Story
What's the Story was an American television game show broadcast on the DuMont Television Network from July 25, 1951 to September 23, 1955 and aired in eleven different timeslots....
, left the airwaves on September 23, 1955, leaving only a few cheaply-produced sports programs on the schedule.
However, by August 1956
1956 in television
The year 1956 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1956.-Events:*January 28 – Elvis Presley makes his national television debut on CBS on Stage Show, the first of six appearances on the series....
, even DuMont's sports programs, including Boxing from St. Nicholas Arena, were axed.
Episode status
A few episodes of the DuMont version, including the final program on August 6, 1956, survive at the UCLA Film and Television ArchiveUCLA Film and Television Archive
The UCLA Film and Television Archive is an internationally renowned visual arts organization focused on the preservation, study, and appreciation of film and television, based at the University of California, Los Angeles. It holds more than 220,000 film and television titles and 27 million feet of...
.
See also
- List of programs broadcast by the DuMont Television Network
- List of surviving DuMont Television Network broadcasts