History's Best Selling TV Shows of 1955

Hats off to 1955! Few tv commanded as much fanfare and nationwide excitement as The Honeymooners. Alongside sensationally popular hits like Alfred Hitchcock Presents and essential classics, consumers eagerly embraced the mid-century craze and suburban optimism. Pioneering outfits from industry leaders like Jackie Gleason and Alfred Hitchcock set the standard for quality, producing celebrated items that became sensational mainstays in post-war American homes. Browse our definitive retrospective below to rediscover the genuine articles of the era.

1. The Honeymooners

   Released in 1955 by Jackie Gleason, CBS

   On October 1, 1955, American television history was made as 'The Honeymooners' premiered as a standalone, half-hour sitcom on CBS. While the characters had been beloved fixtures in a recurring sketch on Jackie Gleason's variety shows for years, this date marked their official debut in the format that would immortalize them. In the heart of television's Golden Age, a time dominated by idealized suburban families, the premiere offered a starkly different and more realistic vision of American life. The anticipation was immense, as viewers were finally getting a full series dedicated to the Kramdens and the Nortons. This premiere launched the iconic 'Classic 39' episodes, which, despite running for only a single season, would become one of the most revered and influential bodies of work in television history.

2. Alfred Hitchcock Presents

   Released in 1955 by Alfred Hitchcock, CBS, NBC

   On October 2, 1955, television viewers were formally introduced to the 'Master of Suspense' in their own living rooms. The premiere of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' on CBS marked a pivotal moment, bringing cinematic-level thriller storytelling to the small screen. In an era dominated by wholesome family sitcoms and Westerns, Hitchcock's anthology series was a darkly comedic and macabre departure. His celebrity as a world-renowned film director lent immediate prestige to the program. The first episode, 'Revenge,' starring Vera Miles, set the tone for what would become a television institution: a self-contained story of mystery and suspense, bookended by the droll, unmistakable presence of Hitchcock himself.