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Popular Television Shows

Many who grew up in Athens in the 1950s saw television for the first time through a window in Parker Brothers Store. Curiosity and interest was accelerated when WDBJ-TV, Channel 7 in Roanoke Virginia, signed on the air in 1955. With a strong signal in Athens, Fred and Frank Parker tuned a set they had for sale to the station for passersby to see in the evening. It was quite the attraction! Many of the first sets in Athens were sold by the Parkers and E. H. Jennings. Blaine Jennings started repairing sets and made home visits with his tube tester and various replacement parts.

Position
Title
Network
9
The Dick Van Dyke Show
CBS
9
Wanted: Dead or Alive
CBS
9
December Bride
CBS
10
The George Gobel Show
NBC
10
Fireside Theatre
NBC
10
Combat
ABC
10
The Virginian (tie)
NBC
10
General Electric Theater
CBS
10
Fireside Theatre
NBC
10
The Doris Day Show
CBS
10
Saturday Night at the Movies
NBC
10
My Favorite Martian
CBS
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