How Much Did a Television Cost in the 1950s?

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The televisions of the 1950s ranged in price from $129 to $1,295. Televisions were grouped into four different categories: black and white console, black and white tabletop, color console and color tabletop.

Ten different companies made televisions during the 1950s, and five of them released more than one model. RCA put out four models throughout the decade, covering all categories, with the exception of black and white console televisions. The least expensive RCA model was the 17-inch black and white tabletop in 1954 for $189, and the most expensive RCA was the 15-inch RCA color console in 1954 for $1,000.