NATIONAL TV DINNER DAY
Fast Facts
- CELEBRATION
- A nostalgic holiday that celebrates the prepackaged frozen meal known as the TV Dinner
- CELEBRATED
- Each year on September 10
- FACT
- 10 million TV Dinners were sold in the first year they were available
- VIBE
- Nostalgic, Fun, Family
NATIONAL TV DINNER DAY
National TV Dinner Day is observed annually on September 10th. This nostalgic holiday celebrates the prepackaged frozen meal that saved mom time in the kitchen and filled our stomachs with dinner
#NationalTVDinnerDay
In 1953, C.A. Swanson & Sons changed the prepackaged meal business forever by introducing the TV Dinner and revolutionizing frozen food. When Swanson's first sold TV dinners, they priced them at 98 cents. In the first year, production estimates reached 5,000 dinners. To their surprise, Swanson far exceeded that amount. In the first year, they sold more than 10 million of them.
The first Swanson TV Dinner consisted of a Thanksgiving meal of turkey, cornbread dressing, peas, and sweet potatoes. The originally package tray was made of aluminum and had compartments separating each food item. At home, the cook heated the dinner in the oven for 25 minutes. Today, nearly all frozen food trays can be cooked in the microwave or a conventional oven.
Evolution of the TV Dinner
1953
Swanson introduces the first TV Dinner. The frozen meal was a prepackaged turkey dinner.
1960
Swanson added desserts to a new four-compartment tray.
1964
Night Hawk name originated from the Night Hawk steak houses that operated in Austin, Texas, from 1939 through 1994. The original diners were open all night, catering to the late-night crowd. The restaurants produced the first frozen Night Hawk TV dinner in 1964.
1969
The first TV breakfasts were marketed. Great Starts Breakfasts and breakfast sandwiches followed later.
1973
Swanson markets the first Hungry-Man dinners. The meals included larger portions of its regular dinner products.
1986
Microwave-oven safe trays debut on the market.
1986
The Smithsonian Institute inducted the original Swanson TV Dinner tray into the Museum of American History.
In 1962, Swanson stopped using the name TV Dinner. However, in the United States, the term remains synonymous with any prepackaged dinner purchased frozen from a store and heated at home. Much has changed since the original TV Dinner. They also remain a popular choice for a fast and convenient meal, fun to eat in front of the TV!
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL TV DINNER DAY
Head to the store and pick up a TV Dinner for your family. With so many options to choose from, everyone can have something different! Let the entire family enjoy their dinner in the living room, too! Use #NationalTVDinnerDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL TV DINNER DAY HISTORY
While we were unable to identify the origins of this food holiday, we continue to research the source.
TV Dinners FAQ
Are there shelf-stable TV dinners?
Yes. Shelf-stable TV dinners do not need refrigeration. You can heat them in a microwave, an oven or eaten at room temperature.
Are TV dinners a healthy choice?
While many TV dinners are portion-controlled, they also contain high amounts of fat, sodium, and calories. However, you can choose lighter TV dinners with lower in fat and calories. To find TV dinners lower in sodium, you will need to look at the package label or look for those labeled "low sodium."
