On March 25, 1954, the first color television set rolled off RCA’s production line, forever changing how people experienced entertainment. Before this, television was strictly black and white, but color broadcasting opened up a new world of vivid storytelling. Though early models were expensive, the innovation paved the way for the modern TV industry. Discover how this breakthrough shaped the future of your favorite entertainment tool, the television.

The RCA CT-100, the first commercially available color TV, was priced at a hefty $1,000 (equivalent to over $10,000 today). While adoption was slow due to high costs, introducing color broadcasting later that year was a game-changer. It encouraged more households to switch, and by the 1960s, color TV had become the standard, revolutionizing our current vibrant television industry.

Fun Facts:

• RCA, a pioneer in the television industry, introduced the first mass-produced color TV, the CT-100, in 1954. Their innovative spirit and commitment to quality have significantly shaped the evolution of television.
• The first color TV broadcast was the Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, 1954. This event was chosen for its vibrant and colorful nature, and its successful broadcast marked a significant milestone in television history, paving the way for more visually engaging content.
• Early color TVs were expensive, not only due to their novelty but also because of the technical challenges involved in their production. The complex technology required for color broadcasting, such as the need for three separate electron guns in the cathode ray tube, limited their initial adoption.
• By the late 1960s, most television programs were broadcast in color.
• The launch of color television was a milestone in entertainment history, laying the foundation for today’s visually rich media landscape.