| Hosts | |
| John Charles Daly (1951–1953) Walter Cronkite (1954) | |
| Announcers | |
| Art Hannes Bill Hamilton Bob Sherry Bob Dixon | |
| Broadcast (CBS Primetime) | |
     | |
| Packager | |
| Mark Goodson/Bill Todman Productions | |
| Distributor | |
| CBS Television Productions | |
It's News To Me was a precursor to Liar's Club and somewhat a derivative of What's My Line?
Gameplay[]
Each typical episode contained two contestant rounds, followed by a newsmaker round, and occasionally followed by an additional contestant round.
Contestant Round[]
Each round was a bluffing game where contestants attempted to determine if answers that was given by one of the panelists was true or false.
The contestant was given a starting amount at the beginning of the game. The contestant and panelists were then shown (an) item(s) including props, drawings, photographs, or motion picture/newsreel footage. Sometimes a dramatic performance (example: Goodson-Todman staffer Frank Wayne appeared giving part of a speech) was presented. A panelist chosen by the emcee would then supply a story that would tie the item to a news event, past or present. The contestant would then decide if the panelist's story was true or false. The contestant earned money for a correct decision and money was deducted for an incorrect decision. Play continued until all four panelists had played and the contestant kept whatever money they won at the end.
Payoffs[]
- Daly Version – Contestants started with $20 and each decision was worth $5, for a maximum of $40.
- Cronkite Version – Contestants started with $30 and each decision was worth $10, for a maximum of $70.
Eyewitness/Newsmaker Round[]
In this round, eyewitnesses or participants involved with news events in the past or present would play a game similar to I've Got a Secret. The panelists would question the guest to determine the identity of the news event, taking turns in 15-second intervals. If the panel failed to identify the event within three minutes (later reduced to two), the newsmaker would receive $100. If the panel identified the news event, the guest received $50. In the original special, the guest received $20 for each minute that passed, for a maximum of $60.
Panelists[]
Anna Lee
Nina Foch
Quincy Howe
Robin Chandler
John Henry Faulk
Mel Allen
Quentin Reynolds
Sponsors[]
Alcoa Corporation (f/k/a Aluminum Company of America)
BP p.l.c. (f/k/a American Oil Company, later Amoco Corporation, then BP Amoco PLC)
Studio[]
Mansfield Theater, New York City, NY
Rating[]
YouTube Videos[]
Daly Version[]
July 20, 1952 show