I bet that it was easier, in the early days of T.V. when there was a commercial at the beginning of a show, one in the middle ( for a 1/2 hour show ) and one at the end. And when a play was presented ( all three major networks showed plays once a week ) they didn’t break for commercials, usually.
My TV viewing started with Howdy Doody and, appropriately enough, the 1952 Presidential conventions. We watched both avidly. That’s when I became a Republican in a Democratic household. I Like Ike.