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Poster:	HappySwordsman	Date:	May 6, 2019 6:58pm
Forum:	classic_tv	Subject:	Re: What is the earliest surviving TV episode with original commercials intact?

Correct: Television commercials were not allowed on American television until the early 1940s, as prior to that television stations were classified as "experimental" and thus not allowed to air ads. (however, there are a handful examples of ads being delivered on 1930s TV, something the stations weren't supposed to do at the time).

Pretty much nothing survives of American television from prior to 1947. I don't know if any complete episodes survive from 1947, and if so, whether they contain the original commercials. The absolute oldest TV episode I've seen, an episode of "Eye Witness" from February 1948, was telecast without commercial breaks.