Dialing for Dollars

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Dialing for Dollars was a television and radio program format that allowed attentive viewers and listeners to win money and prizes if they knew the correct answer to a question posed by the program host.

At WRAL-TV, Dialing for Dollars programming was hosted primarily by Bob DeBardelaben, who went on to fame as the primary weather anchor on the Action News 5 broadcasts.

The Dialing for Dollars game was often conducted during a movie. During periodic commercial breaks, the host would appear to provide the day’s winning information and then make phone calls to random numbers in the region. If the person answering the phone was watching the program and knew the correct answer—the prize was won.

DeBardelaben gained early popularity as the Dialing for Dollars host, appearing in the studio with a telephone and large prize wheel. He hosted the program until 1976, when he moved into WRAL’s weather department full time.

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Highlights for Dialing for Dollars

Bob DeBardelaben with Dialing for Dollars winner

Before his days as the Biggest Name in Weather, Bob DeBardelaben hosted the Dialing for Dollars programming on WRAL-TV. Here he is handing out a check to one of the contest winners. Note the game wheel in background showing the count and amount.
Bob DeBardelaben

Bob DeBardelaben hosting “Dialing for Dollars”
First Dialing for Dollars winner

Mrs. J.T. Bailey of Apex poses with her check for $150 that she won as the first winner of Dialing for Dollars. This took place August 17, 1966.

Dialing for Dollars

Highlights for Dialing for Dollars

Bob DeBardelaben with Dialing for Dollars winner

Bob DeBardelaben

First Dialing for Dollars winner