December 17, 1953
The FCC reverses its 1951 decision and approves the RCA/NTSC colour system. This comes after RCA demonstrates its “compatible” 525-line system, which can still be received on existing black-and-white sets, and after Allen DuMont’s testimony that large sets using CBS’s mechanical color system would have to have seven foot disks spinning at 360 miles-per hour. NBC broadcasts the NBC chimes image at 5:31 pm using NTSC standards, and follows with a live program at 6:30 pm. The FCC authorizes colour broadcasts to begin in January 1954.
