broadcastarchive-umd:

citizenscreen:

“Father Knows Best“ premiered October 3, 1954.

The series began August 25, 1949, on NBC Radio. Only Robert Young remained of the radio cast when the series moved to CBS Television.

Originally sponsored by Lorillard’s Kent cigarettes in its first season, Scott Paper Company became the primary sponsor when the series moved to NBC in the fall of 1955, remaining as sponsor even after it moved back to CBS in September 1958, with Lever Brothers as an alternate sponsor from 1957 through 1960.

A total of 203 episodes were produced, running until September 17, 1960, and appearing on all three of the television networks of the time, including prime-time repeats from September 1960 through April 1963. (Wikipedia)