United Network
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television broadcasting |
| Predecessor | Overmyer Network (initial name) |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Founder | Daniel H. Overmyer |
| Defunct | 1967-06-01 |
| Fate | Ceased operations; declared bankruptcy |
| Headquarters | Toledo, Ohio , United States |
Key people | Daniel H. Overmyer (founder), Oliver Treyz (president) |
| Products | Television network programming, including The Las Vegas Show |
The United Network (often referred to simply as United; initially known before its debut as the Overmyer Network or ON) represented a short-lived endeavor to establish a fourth television network in the United States, operating exclusively during May 1967. The network was created by Daniel H. Overmyer, a businessman from Toledo, Ohio who owned a warehouse chain and television stations. Just weeks prior to its launch, majority ownership was transferred to a consortium of 14 investors, prompting the rebranding to United Network.
Although president Oliver Treyz had expansive aspirations, United's programming slate consisted solely of The Las Vegas Show, a late-night talk show featuring comedian Bill Dana. The program was broadcast in most major U.S. markets, frequently airing on stations primarily affiliated with the Big Three networks. However, severe financial setbacks, unfortunate timing, and insufficient advertising revenue compelled the network to discontinue operations after only one month.
Formation
By 1965, Daniel H. Overmyer, inheriting his family’s warehouse business, controlled nearly 260 properties across 55 cities. In 1966, he launched WDHO-TV in Toledo, Ohio, owned the weekly publication Toledo Monitor, established Progress National Bank, and obtained construction permits for six additional ultra high frequency (UHF) television stations nationwide.
The Overmyer Network was unveiled on July 12, 1966, with former ABC executive Oliver Treyz appointed as network president. Overmyer intended his UHF stations to function as owned-and-operated outlets for the network. New York’s WPIX-TV, under Tribune Broadcasting ownership, was designated the flagship station. On the West Coast, KHJ-TV in Los Angeles—owned by RKO General—was selected as the leading affiliate; had KHJ-TV declined, the then-unlaunched KBSA (channel 46) would have filled that role. The network’s abbreviation "ON" and slogan "Turn ON" marked what was regarded as the first serious attempt at launching a fourth national network since ABC’s restructuring in 1953.
Treyz envisioned ON delivering up to eight hours of evening content daily. This included a prime time schedule featuring diverse genres each night, two hours of newscasts sourced from United Press International (UPI), and a late-night talk show broadcast live from Las Vegas. Additional offerings were planned such as Tales from the Great Book, an animated Bible series, regional games from the Continental Football League, and professional soccer matches. Mobile production facilities for the late-night program were provided by Lewron Television.
By July 1966, 35 stations had committed to affiliate; this number expanded to 100 by October, with 75 agreeing to air the late-night show. By December, affiliate commitments reached 123 stations, including 24 out of the top 25 markets nationwide. Many of these affiliates were existing CBS outlets; following ON’s focus on its late-night program, CBS opted not to launch its own late-night show.
Ownership and name change
In late 1966, Overmyer encountered substantial financial challenges largely stemming from overexpansion within his warehouse operations. Construction projects were temporarily halted after his primary contractor experienced financial distress and owed shareholders $18 million; Overmyer personally guaranteed between $5 and $6 million of that debt. Additionally, he maintained an extensive financial development team for the warehouse division that incurred monthly travel costs of $80,000. Consequently, progress on other UHF stations was delayed—with only San Francisco’s KEMO-TV and Cincinnati’s WSCO-TV showing significant advancement. Overmyer sold an 80 percent controlling interest in these incomplete station permits to American Viscose Corporation in exchange for a $3 million loan.
On March 5, 1967, Overmyer announced transferring majority ownership (80 percent) of the network to a syndicate comprised of 14 investors led by three stockholders from Mutual Broadcasting System: Jack McGlothlin, Willard Garvey, and James Nichols. No financial exchange occurred during this transfer. By mid-February 1967, Overmyer had expressed doubts about the network’s viability and acknowledged that the original April 3 launch date would not be met. He proposed merging with Mutual to fund production of a new late-night show until advertising income improved; although Mutual declined this proposal, McGlothlin, Garvey, and Nichols proceeded to form their syndicate.
Following this transaction, the Overmyer Network was renamed United Network with a revised launch date set for May 1, 1967. The agreement included contract terms such as a $60,000 rider and termination rights for United. Industry observers described this development as "a rescue mission... [that] saved the fourth television network from death in the womb." Overmyer stepped down from all executive roles and relinquished his board membership within the network.
Launch
Renamed as the United Network, the new broadcasting service began operations on May 1, 1967, debuting The Las Vegas Show across 106 stations. The program, hosted by comedian Bill Dana from the Hotel Hacienda, aimed to attract a younger demographic compared to NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Its premiere occurred two weeks following ABC's introduction of The Joey Bishop Show. Dana was contracted for 13 weeks with a reported weekly salary of $8,000. The emphasis on Las Vegas and adjustments in distribution postponed the launch of the UPI newsfeed until September 11, 1967. Earlier that year, UPI had merged its television news division with ITN to establish UPITN, positioning United as a prospective early client.
Within industry circles, Las Vegas was mockingly referred to as "Ollie's Follies." According to Variety, United functioned as a syndication service akin to Sports Network, but utilized AT&T Bell System transmission lines for scheduled content. The network’s affiliate roster was deemed "inconsistent" and later described as "erratic." Because most affiliates were existing Big Three stations, The Las Vegas Show was often broadcast on tape delay; some NBC affiliates postponed it to late afternoon slots or aired it following Tonight. Broadcast times varied significantly on outlets such as WPIX and WGN-TV. The network failed to secure clearance in key markets like San Francisco, awaiting KEMO-TV's sign-on.
Although initial ratings in New York and Los Angeles were promising, they declined sharply throughout May 1967. By the third week, Las Vegas had dropped to last place in New York and reportedly captured only a fraction of a national rating point. Dana later recalled that certain surveys indicated an average audience of approximately 2.6 million viewers—a respectable number considering the inconsistent airtimes and competition from Tonight, Joey Bishop, and The Merv Griffin Show.
Financial distress
Despite considerable early enthusiasm, the United Network swiftly encountered substantial financial losses. The cost of AT&T transmission lines reached $400,000 monthly and totaled $7 million annually (adjusted equivalent: $ ), with United obligated to pay for eight hours despite utilizing just two. Due to prevailing toll tariff regulations, United was prohibited from subleasing unused transmission hours, limiting potential revenue streams and attracting criticism. Soon after launch, founder Overmyer sold his 20 percent ownership back to the syndicate for $240,000 in cash plus a $115,000 promissory note. Within a fortnight, several syndicate members withdrew their backing, intensifying pressure on remaining shareholders. Efforts to obtain funding from H. L. Hunt and Howard Hughes were unsuccessful, as was a proposed merger with Mutual Broadcasting.
Launching at the close of the traditional television season further constrained advertising income; nevertheless, advertisers such as Colgate-Palmolive, General Mills, and General Foods participated. In a final attempt to generate revenue, network president Oliver Treyz offered airtime on The Las Vegas Show at $6,000 per minute—approximately one-third of NBC's Tonight Show rates—with reports suggesting rates were subsequently discounted by up to two-thirds. Delays in payments prompted Lewron to threaten discontinuation of services. Industry analysts began reporting on United's precarious financial position, describing its outlook as "uncertain" or "faltering," with some labeling Las Vegas both "innovative yet struggling."
Closure
On June 1, 1967, the board of directors at United resolved to halt all operations, compelling its affiliate stations to urgently source alternative programming, often with minimal advance warning. After broadcasting 23 episodes, The Las Vegas Show was abruptly discontinued; production personnel were only notified following the taping from the previous evening. The network suffered financial setbacks amounting to $2.2 million against an initial capital investment of $10 million. Executive producer David Sontag estimated that an infusion of approximately $8 million more would have been necessary to sustain production.
A formal communication was dispatched to 107 affiliate stations stating:
United officially declared bankruptcy on June 22, 1967, carrying liabilities totaling $690,000 owed to creditors such as Chase Manhattan Bank, Texas Bank and Trust, Overmyer Network and Productions, and Bill Dana. Treyz exited the company by the end of that month. Managing director James Nichols conveyed intentions to resume operations within a two-month timeframe through restructuring efforts. Nichols named Robert Pauley, previously affiliated with ABC Radio, as the prospective president. Minority shareholder Willard Garvey proposed establishing Detinu, Inc.—“United” spelled in reverse—to create a fourth national television network.
By September 1967, Nichols revealed plans for a relaunch featuring seven hours per week of news and public affairs content broadcast during off-peak AT&T transmission periods to minimize costs. However, Pauley severed his connection with United’s investors the following month and went on to found Independent Broadcasting Co., aiming to supply news programming including Pathé News; this initiative ultimately did not succeed. Pauley later assumed the presidency of Mutual Broadcasting. His original concept eventually came to fruition in 1973 with Television News Inc., supported by Joseph Coors.
In January 1968, Pete Barbutti indicated that revival prospects for either United or The Las Vegas Show were slim since ownership preferred to pursue a tax write-off.
Lewron Television initiated legal action against United and Overmyer for $117,000 in unpaid rental fees; Overmyer was implicated due to his previous minority stake. Initially held accountable for up to $53,683 via summary judgment, this ruling was overturned on appeal. The litigation against United concluded on May 8, 1972, with the network owing $13,326.86.
Legacy
Fred Thrower, president of WPIX, described United as "a valiant attempt" but criticized the unrealistic expectation of achieving success within a five-week period due to inadequate ongoing support. Bill Dana attributed the downfall to ineffective management and insufficient funding, characterizing it as "the operation was a success, but the patient died." Following the closure, Overmyer expressed remorse yet reaffirmed his conviction that a fourth network—and potentially additional ones—would be necessary in the future. Media commentators such as Jack Gould and Joan Crosby interpreted United’s collapse as proof that expanding commercial television networks was impractical; industry insiders dismissed it as a "promotion stunt" and labeled it "fraud." Homer Brickey linked the failure primarily to Overmyer’s financial difficulties, while historian Hal Erickson observed that United’s demise rendered The Las Vegas Show the first series canceled due to its network’s shutdown.
Affiliate stations
A two-page spread in the April 3, 1967 edition of Broadcasting magazine detailed the intended affiliates for United Network, following an earlier roster of 123 stations from December 1966 associated with the Overmyer Network. Due to delayed station launches, some markets featured alternate affiliates; for instance, Overmyer's KEMO-TV in San Francisco did not begin broadcasting until April 1968, which meant The Las Vegas Show was not aired there.
... [Table continues with similar entries across US markets] ...| Station | Channel | Primary affiliation | City of license | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHNT-TV | 19 | CBS | Huntsville, AL | |
| WKRG-TV | 5 | CBS | Mobile, AL | |
| WCOV-TV | 20 | CBS | Montgomery, AL | Alternative affiliate WKAB-TV (ABC) was also included |
| KPHO-TV | 5 | Independent | Phoenix, AZ | |
| KZAZ-TV | 11 | Independent | Tucson, AZ | |
| KBAK-TV | 29 | CBS | Bakersfield, CA | |
| KHJ-TV | 9 | Independent | Los Angeles, CA | |
| KLOC-TV | 19 | Independent | Modesto, CA | |
| KFMB-TV | 8 | CBS | San Diego, CA | Alternative KGTV (ABC) was announced |
| KICU-TV | 43 | Independent | Visalia, CA | |
| KKTV | 11 | CBS | Colorado Springs, CO | |
| KWGN-TV | 2 | Independent | Denver, CO | |
| KREX-TV (including satellites) | 5 | CBS | Grand Junction, CO | |
| WTIC-TV | 3 | CBS | Hartford, CT | |
| WTTG | 5 | Independent | Washington, D.C. | |
| WTVX | 34 | CBS | Fort Pierce, FL | |
| WJXT | 4 | CBS | Jacksonville, FL | |
| WTVJ | 4 | CBS | Miami, FL | |
| WDBO-TV | 6 | CBS | Orlando, FL | |
| WLCY-TV | 10 | ABC | Tampa–St. Petersburg, FL | Alternative WTVT announced |
| WAGA-TV | 5 | CBS | Atlanta, GA | Alternative WBMO-TV announced |
| WRBL | 3 | CBS | Columbus, GA | |
| WCIA | 3 | CBS | Champaign, IL | |
| WGN-TV | 9 | Independent | Chicago, IL | |
| WMBD-TV | 31 | CBS | Peoria, IL | |
| WREX-TV | 13 | ABC | Rockford, IL | |
| WHBF-TV | 4 | CBS | Rock Island, IL | |
| WLWI | 13 | ABC | Indianapolis, IN | Alternative WTTV announced |
| WNDU-TV | 16 | NBC | South Bend, IN | |
| WTHI-TV | 10 | CBS | Terre Haute, IN | |
| KTVC | 6 | CBS | Ensign, KS | |
| KLOE-TV | 10 | CBS | Goodland, KS | |
| KAYS-TV | 7 | CBS | Hays, KS, with KTVH in Hutchinson-Wichita area |
Certain stations listed as affiliates ultimately did not broadcast the program due to issues such as scheduling conflicts or delays in commencing operations. Among these non-participating stations were KRNT-TV (Des Moines), WWTV (Cadillac), KTTS-TV (Springfield), among others.
Several stations named in the December 1966 list were absent by April 1967 without substitutes and therefore did not join the network. Moreover, some potential affiliates entered negotiations but never completed contractual agreements.
This affiliate lineup showcased United's approach of collaborating predominantly with established local outlets—mainly CBS affiliates—to broaden its market penetration despite its short-lived existence.
Bibliography
External links
- Overmyer - A Man And His Network featured on UHFHistory.com