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How to Find a TV Program

In 1948, only one American in 10 had seen a television, according to Time magazine. Television arrived in the American market between 1948 and 1949 along with "TV Guide," according to TV History. After World War II television has inspired awe and has become a favorite past time, offering consumers an escape from everyday stress, information, news and a powerful purchasing gateway. As television programs become old, the nostalgia they invoke and their entertainment value persists. Several companies and education institutions archive TV programs. As a result, several resources provide a method to find a TV program.

Instructions

    • 1

      Call the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Film and Television Archive division. The department archives television shows from 20th Century Fox, Orion, Republic and a number of other broadcast companies. The department archives programs from as early as the mid-1950s. Call the department at 310-206-5392 and ask for information about the show that interests you.

    • 2

      Call the broadcasting company that produces the TV program you're interested in. If you know who produces the show, contact the broadcasting company's inquiry line. Ask for a current programming listing.

    • 3

      Go to an entertainment or media store. Retail locations like Borders Books & Music, Barnes&Noble or f.y.e. offer television program collections. You can also order a collection if your store does not have it in stock. Visit the store and speak with a mass media specialist to find out about the show you are looking for.

    • 4

      Research TIME Magazine's "The 100 Best TV Shows of all-time." The listing offers programs from several eras of television programming history.

    • 5

      Go to the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) online and search for the show. The IMDb is one of the largest online databases for film and television. Click the "TV" link on the upper navigation menu. Click the "Change" link next to "Enter ZIP Code for local listings." Enter your zip code and click the "Go" button. Review the TV program listing or click the "See full listings" link to see a full listing for your area.

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