In January 1936, Crosby moved from CBS Radio to NBC working as the master of ceremonies for the Kraft Music Hall.

In June 1945, with the ensuing accompaniment of much legal wrangling, Bing Crosby terminated his nearly ten-year association with the Kraft Foods Company, leaving himself free to choose another sponsor.

He declined other offers in favour of a deal with the Philco Corporation of America which, apart from the financial considerations involved, afforded the appealing convenience of pre-recording his broadcasts.

[5] Philco Radio Time premiered on Wednesday October 16, 1946 on the newly formed American Broadcasting Company.

Fibber McGee and Molly again topped the Hooper ratings with 30.2 but they had to share the position with The Pepsodent Show starring Bob Hope.

The first season of Philco Radio Time was recorded onto 16-inch diameter lacquer-coated aluminum disks.

The actual broadcast was an edited version of the live performance shipped to radio stations on two discs with detailed instructions on when and how to play them.

[8] The audience share for the season was 16.8 which enabled the programme to scrape into twentieth place in the Hooper ratings.

The Fred Allen Show was in top place with 28.7 and the Kraft Music Hall (with Al Jolson as host) reached eleventh position with 21.4.

[11] Finally, the Ampex tape recorders facilitated the first use of canned laughter in radio broadcasting, according to audio engineer John T.

[5] On show number 93, broadcast February 16, 1949, comedian Bob Burns was getting excessive laughter from some improvised lines.