Sunday Ratings Leaders
Some Sunday afternoon shows had audiences comparable in size to the primetime leaders. The leading Sunday afternoon shows according to the April 15 national Hooper ratings were:
The Shadow- Crime drama airing on WOR at 5:00 PM. This was the Mutual Network's biggest show. The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad sponsored. It premiered in 1931.
One Man's Family- A serial airing on WEAF at 3:30 PM. Standard Brands was the sponsor. It was broadcast from San Francisco and premiered nationally in 1933.
Carmen Cavallaro (aka "World Parade")- Music show airing on WEAF at 3:00 PM PM and sponsored by Schaeffer Pen. Pianist and orchestra leader Cavallaro, a pioneer in the "easy listening" format, took over as host in December 1945.
John Charles Thomas- Music show airing on NBC at 2:30 PM. Sponsored by Westinghouse. This show premiered in 1943 but Thomas, an operatic baritone who mixed classical and popular songs, had been a radio staple since the Twenties.
The Great Gildersleeve was included in primetime ratings although it aired at 6:30 PM on WEAF. It frequently made the top 15 in the national Hoopers. It was a sit com about a pompous blowhard raising his orphaned niece and nephew. Parkay sponsored. The show was a spin-off from "Fibber McGee and Molly" and premiered in 1941. The character had been softened considerably for the series.