August 26, 1939: Lights, Camera, Baseball - MLB’s First TV Broadcast

On August 26, 1939, Major League Baseball made history with its first-ever televised game, bringing the sport from the ballpark directly into living rooms. This landmark broadcast featured a doubleheader between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York. The game was aired on NBC’s experimental station W2XBS, which would eventually become WNBC.

The broadcast was called by the legendary Red Barber, a prominent figure in sports broadcasting. He announced the game without the benefit of a monitor, relying solely on his view from the press box. This early television broadcast was quite primitive by today’s standards. Only two cameras were used to capture the game: one positioned behind home plate in the second tier of seating, providing a wide-angle view of the field, and another near the visitors’ dugout along the third-base side, focusing on close-up action.

The doubleheader provided plenty of excitement for this historic broadcast. In the first game, the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers 5-2. The Dodgers, determined to bounce back, won the second game 6-1. These games weren’t just about the action on the field but also about pioneering a new way for fans to experience baseball.

At the time, television was still a novelty, with few households owning a set. There were only about 400 television sets in use in the New York area. Yet, the broadcast demonstrated the potential of television to bring the excitement and drama of live sports directly to viewers’ homes. It was a glimpse into the future, showing how sports broadcasting could enhance the way fans engage with their favorite teams.

Despite the limited technology, with no instant replays or multiple camera angles, the broadcast was a significant success. It showcased the possibilities of television as a medium for sports, laying the groundwork for future innovations. Baseball owners, initially skeptical about televising games for fear it would decrease stadium attendance, began to see the value of television in promoting the game and reaching a broader audience.

August 26, 1939, remains a significant date in the history of Major League Baseball and television, marking the beginning of a new era where fans could enjoy the thrill of the game from the comfort of their homes. This historic broadcast was not just a moment in baseball history but a milestone in the evolution of media, foreshadowing the multi-billion-dollar industry that sports broadcasting would become.

What started as a simple experiment in 1939 laid the foundation for the dynamic, immersive sports broadcasts that fans enjoy today, connecting millions of people worldwide to the excitement of live sports. The first televised Major League Baseball game serves as a testament to the innovative spirit and the enduring appeal of America’s pastime.