Today (U.S. TV program) debuted, it was seen live only in the Eastern and Central time zones, broadcasting for three hours each morning but seen for only two hours in each time zone. Since 1958, "Today" has been tape-delayed for the five other U.S. time zones (Central, Mountain, Pacific, Alaska and Hawaii–Aleutian). Partly to accommodate host Dave Garroway's declining health, the program ceased live broadcasts in the summer of 1958, opting instead to broadcast an edition taped the previous afternoon. The experiment, which drew criticism from many sides, ended when John Chancellor replaced Garroway in July 1961. "Today" was a two-hour program for many
The Standard Hour series. A tradition of more than 30 years began with the first broadcast on the NBC Pacific Network, on October 24, 1926. "Though it was heard only on a partial network," wrote radio historian John Dunning, ""The Standard Hour" was a major musical series that spanned the entire length of network broadcasting." A 1943 brochure shows that the programs were carried on KPO in San Francisco, KFI in Los Angeles, KMJ in Fresno, KGW in Portland, Oregon, KOMO in Seattle, Washington, and KHQ in Spokane, Washington. The Sunday-evening series was ultimately heard in Hawaii and Alaska. The theme music for