+ Philco Radio Time was an historic marker in the history of Broadcast Radio. Premiering on October 16th 1946 to great fanfare, Philco launched an all-out campaign to promote the new series. Bing Crosby had ended a ten-year association with Kraft Foods in 1945, the better to provide him more independence in producing any further Radio programs. The sweetener that sealed the deal with Philco was their agreement to allow Crosby to pre-record his programs; initially via E.T. and later via magnetic tape transcription. Philco was of course no novice in Radio promotion by any measure. Philco's extensive campaign throughout the run of Philco Radio Time not only built on Philco's previous prestige production, Radio Hall of Fame, but also promoted all of Philco's newest developments in both Radio and early affordable Television. The Billboard trade magazine reported that Philco's production budget for Philco RadioTime was $2,000,000, with another $500,000 devoted to Print promotion of the series and Philco's product line. Put in context, the same budget in today's dollars would be in excess of $25 million; a very generous budget to be sure. And indeed, a glance at the the Print ads Philco commisioned to promote Philco Radio Time (sidebar left) underscores the extraordinary good taste and exceptional quality of the campaign. Even more ironic, Philco Radio Time not only promoted Philco's Radio and Television lines but--from October 1947 forward--was also implicitly promoting Bing Crosby Enterprises' Ampex line of broadcast quality magnetic tape recorders and equipment. Clearly none of the parties to the various promotions had any reason to complain. On the talent side of the production ABC, Philco and Crosby pulled out all the stops for the era. Philco Radio Time's music directors were Skitch Henderson and John Scott Trotter. Bill Morrow and Murdo McKenzie handled production of both the initial electrical transcription (E.T.) disc recordings as well as the later Ampex tape-transcribed recordings. Regular cast members throughout the series were songstress Lina Romay, The Charioteers, The Rhythmaires, and Gail Robbins. From about the tape-transcribed programs forward, songbirds Dinah Shore and Peggy Lee and jazz violinist Joe Venuti became series regulars as well. Bing and Philco's announcer of choice, Ken Carpenter, also complimented every broadcast as both a comedic foil for Crosby and Philco's spokesman. All told, a solid supporting ensemble to Bing Crosby throughout the series. Click here to read more about Philco Radio Time