"College Bowl" began as a radio series, with Allen Ludden (best known for hosting "Password") as host. He continued his hosting duties when the series moved to television. Two four-member teams, each representing a college or university, competed; one was a returning champion. Ludden read a toss-up question (usually difficult) rooted in the liberal arts; subjects ranged from mathematics and science, engineering, literature, law and history to physics, music, philosophy, journalism and much more. Correct answers allowed the team to answer multiple-part bonus questions (which could involve the use of maps, graphs and sound-bites of music and famous speeches); control passed to the other team for any incorrect question. Each game lasted 24 minutes, divided in halves; between halves, a short film promoting the challenging team's university was played.