Anchors Away

Abstract

In March 1967, the American Federation of Television and Radio Actors (AFTRA) called its first nationwide strike. Although almost all programming on the national television networks ceased production, the evening newscasts continued to be broadcast. NBC's Chet Huntley crossed the picket line, calling AFTRA a union “dominated by announcers, entertainers, and singers.” His partner, David Brinkley, refused to work, and CBS’ Walter Cronkite also supported the union. The strike represents a pivotal yet often overlooked moment in broadcast journalism history. It created the perception of tension between Huntley and Brinkley that would play a role in the “CBS Evening News” surpassing the “Huntley-Brinkley Report” as the nation's most highly-rated evening news broadcast in 1967–68.

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Michael J. Socolow

MICHAEL J. SOCOLOW is an assistant professor of American studies and director of the journalism program at Brandeis University. A former CNN assignment editor, his scholarship focuses on the relationship between the national radio networks, local stations, and the federal government in the first two decades of American network radio.