Significance of Cancellation.

The 1958 cancellation of Edward R. Murrow's repected news and documentary television show "See It Now" by CBS showed many the growing importance of profit over public interest in broadcasting.

Financial Costs.

"See It Now" first aired on 18 November 1951. Though the first two shows were without a sponsor, by the third episode ALCOA (Aluminum Company of America) had signed up to pay CBS thirtyfour thousand dollars a week to air its commercials during the show and an additional twenty-three thousand dollars to subsidize production costs; anything above that figure was paid by the network. As "See It Now" garnered positive reviews and respectable ratings, network chief William S. Paley resigned himself to the fact that the show made the network no money.

Controversial Subjects.

But "See It Now" was also controversial. On many occasions Paley had to endure...