Newton Minow and the "Vast Wasteland" speech

From May 2011: Stephen Battaglio, author of David Susskind: A Televised Life, discusses former FCC chairman Newton Minow's famous "vast wasteland" speech on the state of network television, which he delivered on May 9, 1961 at that year's convention of the National Association of Broadcasters. Battaglio interviewed Minow for his Susskind biography; topics this segment include how Minow's speech ultimately changed the landscape in television by giving viewers shows such as Mr. Novak, East Side/West Side, The Defenders, and Star Trek---all of which spoke about the human condition, while also providing entertainment. NOTE: At the time we recorded this interview, Steve Battaglio was business editor for TV Guide magazine. He is currently business editor for the Los Angeles Times.

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