CBS Evening News

The CBS Evening News from 1948 to 1962 was a significant era in modern television history, marking the beginning of a new news broadcast era that fundamentally changed the way Americans viewed and consumed news. The show, a major news production of the CBS network, offered a fresh and influential mode of presenting the news to the American public. It played a crucial role in establishing the standard for evening news broadcasts that would become a hallmark of American journalism.

The show was telecast every evening, thus garnering the title "CBS Evening News." It served as a platform for reporting the day's events and presenting news stories from across the country and around the world. The program utilized diverse sources and correspondents to capture a broad spectrum of news stories, drawing Americans into the public sphere, sparking national discourses, and shaping a sense of collective national and global consciousness.

During this time, CBS Evening News was not just focused on reporting the news. It was a pioneer in investigative journalism. Segments of the show were committed to in-depth coverage of major issues, including domestic politics, international relations, social issues, and significant events or developments. The show offered a blend of reports, interviews, discussions, and occasional commentaries to present a comprehensive and analytical approach to news coverage.

One of the forefront figures of CBS Evening News was Douglas Edwards, the first anchor of the program, whose calm demeanor and authoritative voice became familiar to millions of households across America. Noted for his objectivity and professionalism, Edwards guided the audience through events of the day, utilizing the groundbreaking technique of telling stories not only through words but also visual representation.

The broadcast evolved over the years, incorporating new technologies of the time. From being initially black-and-white in its early years, technological advancements allowed the CBS Evening News to make the historic transition to color in the mid-1960s, offering the audience an enhanced viewing experience.

In 1962, the legendary Walter Cronkite took over as the anchor, ushering in the 'Cronkite Era.' Cronkite's authoritative and trustworthy presence fundamentally changed the dynamic of the newsroom, set the tone of the broadcast, and became the reference point for many other news programs. The anchorman was renowned for his calm demeanor and measured style that reassured viewers during a time when the world was witnessing some of the era's most momentous and shocking events. His famous sign-off line, "And that's the way it is," remains a distinct recollection from those years.

During the 1948-1962 time frame, the CBS Evening News covered monumental events spanning from the Cold War, the Korean War, the discovery of the Salk vaccine which conquered polio, the launch of Sputnik and the ensuing space race, to the nascent civil rights movement. These events helped the CBS Evening News form an essential connection between Americans and their rapidly changing world, while also setting the premise for objective and influential journalism.

As the pioneers of half-hour news programming, which later became the industry standard, CBS Evening News greatly contributed to legitimizing television journalism, particularly in legitimize television as a credible source of news. The show's insistence on maintaining high journalistic standards, rather than simply competing for ratings, endowed credibility to the medium of television journalism.

Overall, the CBS Evening News from 1948 to 1962 was not merely a news program, but a cultural phenomenon that created a blueprint for news broadcasting. It served as a conduit for millions of Americans to make sense of their changing world and played a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of television journalism. The show's profound influence extends beyond its era, reaching into the present day where its principles and practices continue to guide the production of news. As such, the early years of the CBS Evening News is a legacy in American journalism that continues to resonate.