Hi grthumongous,
The reason Channel 1 no longer exists on TV is because during the
pioneering years of television in the 1940's, the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) dedicated Channel 1 to mobile land
services.
Prior to that, between 1938 and 1940, TV was allocated 19 channels
(from 1-19) with frequencies ranging from 44 to 294. Between 1940 and
1948, following a number of redistribution of frequencies, the
frequencies were finally redistributed amongst the channels and the
44-50 Mhz range which was allocated to Channel 1, became allocated to
FM. And the number of channels was reduced from 19 to 13.
After 1948 the FM frequencies were changed from 44-50 Mhz to 88-106
(later 108) Mhz. Channel 1 was then freed to be allocated to mobile
land services. But the Channels were never renumbered.
The following is an excerpt providing a better understanding:
“In 1945, the FCC decided to move the 42-50 Mcs Original FM Radio
Band to 88-106 Mcs (later 88-108 MHz).
Because FM broadcasting would be vacating 42-50 Mcs, TV Channel 1 was
moved down to 44-50 Mcs in the old FM band...”
(...)
“...Although several television stations were scheduled to move to the
new Channel 1, no TV stations ever broadcast on 44 - 50 Mcs.
It could not be used immediately because it was necessary for all
existing FM stations to move out of the 42-50 Mcs spectrum to the
88-106 Mcs FM Band.
When all the FM stations finally did move, the FCC decided to
re-allocate 44 - 50 Mcs to other services. Thus, Channel 1
disappeared.
There was no renumbering of the remaining channels.”
Source: TV Tower: What happened to TV Channel 1?
http://www.tvtower.com/Commercial%20Television%20Frequencies.html
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Some sites providing some historical background:
Discovery.com: The Skinny on…Why There's No Channel 1 on a TV
http://www.discovery.com/area/skinnyon/skinnyon971031/skinnyon.html
Jeff560: What Became of TV Channel 1?
http://members.aol.com/jeff560/tvch1.html
Tech-notes TV: Channel 1
http://www.tech-notes.tv/History&Trivia/Channel%20One/Channel_1.htm
R-VCR: The Lost Channels
http://www.r-vcr.com/~television/TV/Lost.htm
ANARC: Channel 1
http://anarc.org/wtfda/channel1.htm
Why is there no Channel 1?
“WNBC in New York was licensed for channel 1 (50-56 MHz) from July 1,
1941 to Sept. 30, 1946, but that frequency soon began to encroach on
those assigned to the infant FM broadcast band. In May 1948, the
Federal Communications Commission withdrew the license for Channel 1.”
TV Guide.Ca
http://www.tvguide.ca/fallpreview2002/21questions.html
“In the 1940s, the FCC assigned television's Channel 1 to mobile
services (two-way radios in taxicabs, for instance) but did not
re-number the other channel assignments. That is why your TV set has
channels 2 and up, but no channel 1.”
Fun Facts
http://members.fortunecity.com/faran/funfacts.html
Search criteria:
"Why no channel 1"
television no "channel 1"
I hope the information provided is helpful. If you have any questions
regarding my answer please don't hesitate to ask before rating it.
Best regards,
rainbow-ga |
