Tiffany Network (CBS)
The Columbia Broadcasting System is sometimes called "the Tiffany Network." "Tiffany" stands for Louis Comfort Tiffany and Tiffany's, whose famous store is now at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street.
The term "Tiffany" means "ritzy" or "classy." Perhaps it was coined by Robert D. Wood (below)?
Wikipedia: CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. (CBS) is a major US television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of the company's logo. It has also been called the "Tiffany Network", which alludes to the perceived high quality of CBS programming during the tenure of its founder William S. Paley (1901–90). It can also refer to some of CBS's first demonstrations of color television, which were held in a former Tiffany & Co. building in New York City in 1950, thus earning it the name "Color broadcasting system" back when such a feat was innovative.
The network has its origins in United Independent Broadcasters Inc., a collection of 16 radio stations that was bought by William S. Paley in 1928 and renamed the Columbia Broadcasting System. Under Paley's guidance, CBS would first become one of the largest radio networks in the United States and then one of the big three American broadcast television networks. In 1974, CBS dropped its full name and became known simply as CBS, Inc. The Westinghouse Electric Corporation acquired the network in 1995 and eventually adopted the name of the company it had bought to become CBS Corporation. In 2000, CBS came under the control of Viacom, which coincidentally had begun as a spin-off of CBS in 1971. In late 2005, Viacom split itself and reestablished CBS Corporation with the CBS television network at its core. CBS Corporation and the new Viacom are controlled by Sumner Redstone through National Amusements, the parent of the two companies. For most of its existence, CBS has been the most watched network in the United States, most recently in 2010.
9 November 1950, New York (NY) Times, pg. 51:
C.B.S. TO PRESENT
TV COLOR TO PUBLIC
Demonstrations Open Tuesday
at Old Tiffany Building, Day
R.C.A. Suit Will Begin
The first local public demonstrations of color television will be initiated Tuesday by the Columbia Broadcasting System. Ten color receivers are being installed on the ground floor of the former Tiffany building at 401 Fifth Avenue, near Thirty-seventh Street, where several hundred persons can be accommodated for each presentation.
1 August 1972, New York Times, pg. 71:
In an interview, Mr. Wood (C.B.S. Television president Robert D. Wood - ed.) spoke fondly of reviving the C.B.S. image as "the Tiffany network."
The term "Tiffany" means "ritzy" or "classy." Perhaps it was coined by Robert D. Wood (below)?
Wikipedia: CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. (CBS) is a major US television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of the company's logo. It has also been called the "Tiffany Network", which alludes to the perceived high quality of CBS programming during the tenure of its founder William S. Paley (1901–90). It can also refer to some of CBS's first demonstrations of color television, which were held in a former Tiffany & Co. building in New York City in 1950, thus earning it the name "Color broadcasting system" back when such a feat was innovative.
The network has its origins in United Independent Broadcasters Inc., a collection of 16 radio stations that was bought by William S. Paley in 1928 and renamed the Columbia Broadcasting System. Under Paley's guidance, CBS would first become one of the largest radio networks in the United States and then one of the big three American broadcast television networks. In 1974, CBS dropped its full name and became known simply as CBS, Inc. The Westinghouse Electric Corporation acquired the network in 1995 and eventually adopted the name of the company it had bought to become CBS Corporation. In 2000, CBS came under the control of Viacom, which coincidentally had begun as a spin-off of CBS in 1971. In late 2005, Viacom split itself and reestablished CBS Corporation with the CBS television network at its core. CBS Corporation and the new Viacom are controlled by Sumner Redstone through National Amusements, the parent of the two companies. For most of its existence, CBS has been the most watched network in the United States, most recently in 2010.
9 November 1950, New York (NY) Times, pg. 51:
C.B.S. TO PRESENT
TV COLOR TO PUBLIC
Demonstrations Open Tuesday
at Old Tiffany Building, Day
R.C.A. Suit Will Begin
The first local public demonstrations of color television will be initiated Tuesday by the Columbia Broadcasting System. Ten color receivers are being installed on the ground floor of the former Tiffany building at 401 Fifth Avenue, near Thirty-seventh Street, where several hundred persons can be accommodated for each presentation.
1 August 1972, New York Times, pg. 71:
In an interview, Mr. Wood (C.B.S. Television president Robert D. Wood - ed.) spoke fondly of reviving the C.B.S. image as "the Tiffany network."