Back in the 1950s, watching television (see entry under 1940s—TV and Radio in volume 3) was replacing listening to the radio (see entry under 1920s—TV and Radio in volume 2) and going to the movies as the most popular of all leisure activities. TV stations were sprouting up across the country, and TV programming was expanding. This cultural shift to TV viewing established a market for a weekly magazine that offered its readers a handy, easy-to-use program schedule guide. That magazine became the aptly titled TV Guide.

Prior to going national in 1953, TV Guide existed as a regional publication. Today, these editions are called "pre-nationals".

Desi Arnaz Jr. is immortalized on the first cover of TV Guide in April 1953. AP/Wide World Photos. Reproduced by permission.