Mysteries in the Archives

1963: John F Kennedy's Funeral (1x6)

Air date: Aug 07, 2009

From the announcement of President Kennedy's assassination in Dallas to his burial in Washington, D.C. four days later, the three television networks devoted their entire air time to coverage of the tragedy. During these days of national mourning, no advertisements were aired. For the first time in the history of television, the three networks – ABC, CBS and NBC – worked together to coordinate hour upon hour of live coverage for millions of viewers. Was it during these mournful, late November days in 1963 that American television won its place as the dominant newsmedia?