Hidden Secrets From Behind the Scenes of Bonanza

15. Bonanza was saved to sell color TVs

In its earliest seasons, Bonanza had a tough time finding its footing. Ratings were low and many people predicted that NBC would cancel the show. However, Bonanza was one of the first shows to air in color. NBC's parent company, Radio Corporation of America, was a major manufacturer of color TV sets and was the primary sponsor of the show's initial two seasons.

After it received a new time slot, Bonanza exploded in popularity and was a major factor in many households' decisions to buy color TVs.