This was the ultimate talent competition. The contestants who competed on this program went on to become household names in music, movies, and television.''''BROADCAST SCHEDULE''1948 - 1949: DuMont''1949 - 1954: NBC''1955 - 1957: ABC''1957 - 1958: NBC''1959 - 1970: CBS''''A direct descendant of radio's "Major Bowes Original Amateur Hour" (1934-1946), hosted by Major Edward Bowes until his death. After a one-year hiatus, Ted Mack, who had directed Bowes' auditions, revived the show (which lasted into 1952) and brought the concept to the DuMont Television Network.moreless