This study aimed to establish standards of excellence for a television series of literacy programs; to describe the planning, production, and broadcast of one series, Operation Alphabet; and to measure the performance against the standards. A series of 100 1/2-hour programs, operation Alphabet was aimed at achieving the third grade reading level. Created in Philadelphia and shown successfully there in 1961, it was made available to television stations throughout the country. In 1962 NAPSAE was given copyright and booking rights; it issued supplemental materials in book form and instructions for procedures. In New York City, the series was given over three stations (commercial, educational, and high frequency) at three times each day. Individual tests were created by the State Department of Education and distributed by branch libraries; certificates of completion were offered. When the performance was compared with standards of excellence, it was considered that all but three of 36 were met adequately with but few gaps. Three were not met: provision for widespread publicity and recruitment; frequent and varied repetition of the content of the program; and the response of society to the new literates. It was recommended that there must be adequate lead time and funding, use of leaders of the subculture, and followup procedures. Public apathy must be overcome. (EB)