Wire Service focuses on three reporters for the fictional Trans Globe
wire service, which was similar to (and obviously inspired by) real-life news wire services such as the
Associated Press and
United Press International. It was the first hour-long, weekly scheduled dramatic series with continuing characters to last a full season on network television. However, the three reporters functioned independently of each other, meaning that the series was essentially three different ones sharing a time slot and title. This program was aired at 9 p.m. (Eastern Time) Thursdays from September 1956 to February 1957, when it was moved to Mondays at 8:30. It was not renewed for a second season, and the last
prime time broadcast under this title was in September 1957. However, when a gap developed in the ABC schedule in February 1959, the episodes starring Dane Clark (only) were then rebroadcast under the title
Deadline for Action. The last of these repeat episodes was broadcast on September 13, 1959. The series sometimes delved into topics that were controversial for its era. They included profiteering,
nuclear testing, and
prison reform. ==Cast==