What was the first TV show?

The first television show is a topic of some debate, as the definition of a “television show” can vary. However, here are a few early examples that are often cited:

Early Television Experiments
“The Queen’s Messenger” (1928): This is often considered the first drama produced specifically for television. It was broadcast by the American inventor Charles Francis Jenkins, one of the pioneers of early television technology. The show featured two actors and was shown to an audience on a tiny, experimental screen.

BBC Broadcasts (1930): In the United Kingdom, the BBC began experimenting with television broadcasts in the late 1920s and early 1930s. One of the first programs was “The Man with the Flower in His Mouth,” a play by Luigi Pirandello, which was broadcast on July 14, 1930.

“Felix the Cat” (1928-1930): Before regular programming, experimental broadcasts often featured simple images or films. The cartoon character Felix the Cat was used as a test pattern on early television broadcasts in the United States around 1928.

Regularly Scheduled Programs
“The Television Ghost” (1931): One of the earliest regular television series, this program was produced by W2XAB (later known as WCBS-TV) in New York. It featured ghost stories narrated by an actor playing the role of the deceased.

“The Television Orchestra” (1931): Another early show broadcast by W2XAB, featuring musical performances.