1946 in radio

The year 1946 saw a number of significant events in radio broadcasting history.

Events

• 1 September – Kringkastingsorkestret (the Norwegian Radio Orchestra) is founded.
• 5 September – In Berlin RIAS (Rundfunk im amerikanischen Sektor – "Broadcasting in the American Sector") begins mediumwave transmissions. The station, established by the US occupation authorities, had begun its activities earlier in the year, on 7 February, as the wire-broadcasting service DIAS (Drahtfunk im amerikanischen Sektor).
• 29 September – The BBC Third Programme is launched.
• 3 November – In Italy, RAI reorganizes its stations into two new national networks, the Rete Rossa and the Rete Azzurra.

Debuts

• 21 January – The Fat Man (radio) debuts on ABC.
• 2 February – Twenty Questions debuts on Mutual.
• 30 March – Academy Award Theater debuts on CBS.
• 7 October – The BBC Light Programme in the U.K. transmits the first episode of the daily magazine programme Woman's Hour (initially presented by Alan Ivimey), which will still be running more than 65 years later, and of the daily adventure serial Dick Barton – Special Agent.
• 16 October – Philco Radio Time starring Bing Crosby makes its debut on the ABC network, with Bob Hope appearing as Bing's first guest; the show is recorded using large wax transcription disks.^[1] In 1947, the Crosby show will introduce taped broadcasting to primetime network radio.^[1]
• 27 November – WBET Brockton, Massachusetts signs on the air with a high school football game on 990 kilocycles. WBET would later take over fellow Brockton station WBKA's license and frequency of 1450 kilocycles.

Births

• 10 June – Ed Blaylock, voice actor and radio announcer.
• 18 September – Ray Didinger American sportswriter, author, film writer, radio co-host, television sports commentator, and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Writer's Honor Roll).
• 15 December – Rodney Bingenheimer, entertainment personality and radio disc jockey on KROQ-FM in Los Angeles.
• 21 December – Tom Keith, Public radio sound effects man for A Prairie Home Companion (died 2011)

Deaths

• 13 June – Edward Bowes, 71, American radio personality

Notes