1969 in television - Definition and Overview

See also: 1968 in television, other events of 1969, 1970 in television and the list of 'years in television'.

Events

• March 9 - After a long series of conflicts between the network and the stars of the show over network censorship, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour is canceled by CBS.
• June 3 - The science fiction television series Star Trek airs its final new episode after being canceled by NBC. The show premiered on September 8, 1966.
• June 8 - After the CBS cancels the program, the last Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour airs.
• July 20 - A live transmission from the moon is viewed by 720 million people around the world when Neil Armstrong walks in the moon.
• October 5 - Sazae-san premieres as a kids' comedy on Fuji Television. The show is still airing as of 2004.
• November 15 - Color introduced to BBC1 and ITV in the UK.
• Der Kommissar (1969-1976) premieres on German and Austrian television.
• Tiny Tim gets married on Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show.

Debuts

• June - Hee Haw premieres (1969-1993).
• September 8 - Where the Heart Is premieres on CBS daytime (1969-1973).
• September 29 - Bright Promise, the latter of the soap operas created by Frank and Doris Hursley, debuts on NBC daytime (1969-1972).
• September 29 - Love, American Style debuts on ABC (1969-1974).
• October 5 - Monty Python's Flying Circus premieres on BBC1 (1969-1974).
• November 10 - The National Educational Television (the predecessor to the Public Broadcasting Service) in the United States debuts the children's television program Sesame Street (1969-present).
• November 16 - The first episode of The Clangers (a British stop motion animated television program for children) is broadcast by the BBC (1969-1972).
• Marcus Welby, M.D. premieres (1969-1976).
• Room 222 premieres (1969-1974).
• The Benny Hill Show premieres on Thames Television (1969-1989) (UK).
• The Brady Bunch premieres (1969-1974).
• The Johnny Cash Show premieres (1969-1971).

Television shows

• Meet the Press (1947-present)
• Candid Camera (1948-present)
• The Ed Sullivan Show (1948-1971)
• Truth or Consequences (1950-1988)
• Love of Life (1951-1980)
• Search for Tomorrow (1951-1986)
• American Bandstand (1952-1989)
• The Guiding Light (1952-present)
• The Honeymooners (1952-1970)
• The Today Show (1952-present)
• Panorama (UK) (1953-present)
• The Good Old Days (UK) (1953-1983)
• Face the Nation (1954-present)
• The Secret Storm (1954-1974)
• The Tonight Show (1954-present)
• Captain Kangaroo (1955-1984)
• Dixon of Dock Green (UK) (1955-1976)
• Gunsmoke (1955-1975)
• The Lawrence Welk Show (1955-1982)
• This Is Your Life (UK) (1955-2003)
• As the World Turns (1956-present)
• Opportunity Knocks (UK) (1956-1978)
• The Edge of Night (1956-1984)
• What the Papers Say (UK) (1956-present)
• The Sky at Night (UK) (1957-present)
• Blue Peter (UK) (1958-present)
• Grandstand (UK) (1958-present)
• Bonanza (1959-1973)
• Coronation Street (UK) (1960-present)
• My Three Sons (1960-1972)
• The Mike Douglas Show (1961-1981)
• Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (1961-1969) ends on September 7 to resume on September 14 as The Wonderful World of Disney (1969-1979)
• The Beverly Hillbillies (1962-1971)
• The Late Late Show (Ireland) (1962-present)
• Z-Cars (UK) (1962-1978)
• Doctor Who (UK) (1963-1989, 1996, 2005-present)
• General Hospital (1963-present)
• Petticoat Junction (1963-1970)
• The Doctors (1963-1982)
• Another World (1964-1999)
• Bewitched (1964-1972)
• Crossroads (UK) (1964-1988, 2001-2003)
• Daniel Boone (1964-1970)
• Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (1964-1970)
• Jeopardy! (1964-1975, 1984-present)
• The Wednesday Play (UK) (1964-1970)
• Top of the Pops (UK) (1964-present)
• Days of Our Lives (1965-present)
• Get Smart (1965-1970)
• Green Acres (1965-1971)
• Hogan's Heroes (1965-1971)
• I Dream of Jeannie (1965-1970)
• The Dean Martin Show (1965-1974)
• World of Sport (UK) (1965-1985)
• Dark Shadows (1966-1971)
• Family Affair (1966-1971)
• Play School (1966-present)
• That Girl (1966-1971)
• The Newlywed Game (1966-1974)
• Ironside (1967-1975)
• Love Is a Many Splendored Thing (1967-1973)
• Mannix (1967-1975)
• The Carol Burnett Show (1967-1978)
• The Flying Nun (1967-1970)
• 60 Minutes (1968-present)
• Hawaii Five-O (1968-1980)
• Here's Lucy (1968-1974)
• Julia (1968-1971)
• Laugh-In (1968-1973)
• Magpie (UK) (1968-1980)
• Mayberry R.F.D. (1968-1971)
• One Life to Live (1968-present)
• The Mod Squad (1968-1973)

Ending this year

• The Avengers (UK) (1961-1969).
• Match Game (1962-1969, 1973-1984, 1990-1991, 1998-1999).
• Peyton Place (1964-1969).
• Star Trek (1966-1969).
• The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1967-1969).

Changes of Network Affiliation

• Get Smart moves from NBC to CBS.

Births

• January 14 - Jason Bateman, actor.
• August 19 - Matthew Perry, actor, Friends.