Earliest 24/7 stations?

[Bob1370]

We had an earlier topic dealing with the stations with the shortest daily broadcast schedules of the modern era (excluding the 1941-47 period, when even the big New York stations, WCBS, WNBT and WABD, were only on the air in the late afternoons and evenings and didn't always broadcast seven days a week).

But what were the first stations to go to a round-the-clock, 24 hour a day, seven day a week schedule? Nowadays most stations in the top 100 markets never sign off except for antenna and tower repairs (they never even close down for transmitter fixes, since they all keep alternate main transmitters on line and switch back and forth between them--if one needs a tuneup, the alternate is cycled on without missing a beat). But there was a time stations didn't do this consistently. Who was first? I'm guessing a big-market network O&O like WNBC, WABC or WCBS, or maybe a NYC or LA indie like WNEW or KTTV before they became Fox network flagships, or WPIX or KTLA. Would I be right?

 

[Corky Marlowe]

I wouldn't be surprised if WGN was one of the first, either.

 

[wbhist]

In New York City, in terms of total 24/7 programming, WNEW-TV attempted such a strategy for a few months during the fall of 1972, before going back to the pattern of signing off around 3 A.M. or so. But the first station to actually make it stick there was WOR-TV in 1979, followed several months later by WPIX.

As far as transmission is concerned (that is, not cutting the carrier), WCBS-TV led the way, beginning on Feb. 26-27, 1963 when, in celebrating the 12th anniversary of The Late Show, they inaugurated a second edition of The Late Late Show after the first, and signed off after 5 A.M.; thus the "down time" gave many a night owl the opportunity to have a gander of the iconic WCBS test pattern and accompanying 400 Hz sine wave tone. (On weekends, there were as many as four Late Late Shows every late night/early morning before the "Give Us This Day" sermon and the sign-off.)

Apparently, some time before WCBS's 1963 milestone, KTTV in Los Angeles also had "all night movies" pushing them closer to 24/7 operation; this was from an article in Time magazine's May 3, 1963 issue titled "For Unsleepy People." (It also apparently preceded Times Mirror's sale of KTTV to Metromedia's Metropolitan Broadcasting Television division.)

 

[LKellerIII]

In New York City, in terms of total 24/7 programming, WNEW-TV attempted such a strategy for a few months during the fall of 1972, before going back to the pattern of signing off around 3 A.M. or so. But the first station to actually make it stick there was WOR-TV in 1979, followed several months later by WPIX.

As far as transmission is concerned (that is, not cutting the carrier), WCBS-TV led the way, beginning on Feb. 26-27, 1963 when, in celebrating the 12th anniversary of The Late Show, they inaugurated a second edition of The Late Late Show after the first, and signed off after 5 A.M.; thus the "down time" gave many a night owl the opportunity to have a gander of the iconic WCBS test pattern and accompanying 400 Hz sine wave tone. (On weekends, there were as many as four Late Late Shows every late night/early morning before the "Give Us This Day" sermon and the sign-off.)

Apparently, some time before WCBS's 1963 milestone, KTTV in Los Angeles also had "all night movies" pushing them closer to 24/7 operation; this was from an article in Time magazine's May 3, 1963 issue titled "For Unsleepy People." (It also apparently preceded Times Mirror's sale of KTTV to Metromedia's Metropolitan Broadcasting Television division.)

KNXT Los Angeles (now KCBS-TV) also had the Late Late Show as far back as the mid 1960s, so they too didn't sign off until 4:30 or 5:00 AM.

The first all night station I can remember in the SF Bay Area was KNTV out of San Jose, which ran movies all night sponsored by the eccentric but strangely entertaining car dealer Jay Brown of Spartan Dodge. This was about 1973. For awhile, car sales hit the skids...I don't remember if it was a recession or the second gas crisis in the late 70s. Brown had to pull his sponsorship for awhile, and I guess KNTV couldn't get another sponsor, so the station went dark for the late night hours until Brown returned.

Brown had a gimmick - little 2 minute conversational interludes every station break where he didn't try to sell you cars, he just talked about something that was on his mind. He called his viewers "Night People."

At the end of the last movie, Brown would appear in his final segment to say goodbye, acting tired - with his sleeves rolled up and beard stubble on his chin. You were supposed to think that Jay was your good buddy that was staying up all night with you...like nobody had ever heard of videotape.

I was a bit of an insomniac in the 1970s.

 

[radioman148]

WBBM-TV had the Late Late Show in the 60s and WBKB in Chicago was on all night in the 60s from what I remember.

 

[anotherguyTN]

If stations were pushing sign off time to 4 or 5 AM, what was the point of even signing off, especially if they were going to be back on at 6 or 7 AM?

I hate to say it, but if it weren't for infomercials to fill the extreme late night/early morning hours, some stations (including cable) would probably sign off overnight even now. That might actually be an improvement. I'd rather see test patterns or dead air than infomercials. :

 

[radioman148]

If stations were pushing sign off time to 4 or 5 AM, what was the point of even signing off, especially if they were going to be back on at 6 or 7 AM?

I hate to say it, but if it weren't for infomercials to fill the extreme late night/early morning hours, some stations (including cable) would probably sign off overnight even now. That might actually be an improvement. I'd rather see test patterns or dead air than infomercials. :

.

Or old reruns. Anything would be better than infomercials

 

[Prais]

Anotherguy and radioman said;
I'd rather see test patterns or dead air than infomercials.
Or old reruns. Anything would be better than infomercials
_____
Obviously, you are not tv management. reruns cost something and infomercials MAKE money - even at 4am. WE are NOT in business to do anything but make all the money we can!!

 

[radioman148]

Anotherguy and radioman said;
I'd rather see test patterns or dead air than infomercials.
Or old reruns. Anything would be better than infomercials
_____
Obviously, you are not tv management. reruns cost something and infomercials MAKE money - even at 4am. WE are NOT in business to do anything but make all the money we can!!

I understand why they're there, but that doesn't mean I'll watch em.

 

[LKellerIII]

Anotherguy and radioman said;
I'd rather see test patterns or dead air than infomercials.
Or old reruns. Anything would be better than infomercials
_____
Obviously, you are not tv management. reruns cost something and infomercials MAKE money - even at 4am. WE are NOT in business to do anything but make all the money we can!!

I understand why they're there, but that doesn't mean I'll watch em.

I don't watch them either, and it always amazes me that some people will actually watch a 30 minute sales pitch for any product, but obviously they bring in a lot of money for the products, or they would have died out years ago. I work with a woman who claims that she can't afford to retire until she kicks her addiction to infomercials and the Home Shopping networks.

Here's an amusing blog I just read this morning about infomercials for exercise equipment:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/parenting/detail?entry_id=44630&tsp=1

 

[mleach]

Around the Washington and Baltimore region throughout the 70s ( perhaps the late 60s ) really the only two station that were on the air around the clock were WTTG and WJZ though I think at least one day per week they did sign off at night. Actually for many years during the 70's WJZ would show the Beatles flick "Help" every New Years Eve..just after Dick Clark.

Not sure when the other stations stayed on all night but I would like to say it wasn't until the 80s when that happened.

Now with WDCA channel 20...this gets..well interesting. Very very interesting actually. The story( OK rumor ) goes that back in 1976 WDCA would sign off at 2am and resume regular programming at 6am. However at around 3am WDCA would sign on in "secret" and stay on the air until around 5am. What was the prupose? WDCA would be showing "adult entertainment" during those hours. Such high quality programming like a rather drunk Stu Kerr showing up at WDCA's doorstep one nightwith a bottle of Jack Daniels in hand wearing a black cat costume slurring "..its official boys..me Stu Kerr..really is an ugly hairy p****!!" And I am not going tobegin about the guy who was Captain 20 chasing nude women on the set. OK did anything of this really happened? Ah NO it didn't !! What happened was as I recall some small Maryland newspaper ran one of those letters to the editor in their paper from someone claimming to have seen such stuff and they published the letter anyway without checking the facts. But despite that, as in the case of those poor souls who claim to have seen the suicide of Chris Chubbuck on "live on nationwide TV", they are still those who to this day who SWEAR to have seen such stuff on WDCA late at night in those days. Even though WDCA, Stu Kerr, Dick Dyszel ( Captain 20 ) have all claimed over the years that all of this was pure bullshi*.

 

[LKellerIII]

Around the Washington and Baltimore region throughout the 70s ( perhaps the late 60s ) really the only two station that were on the air around the clock were WTTG and WJZ though I think at least one day per week they did sign off at night. Actually for many years during the 70's WJZ would show the Beatles flick "Help" every New Years Eve..just after Dick Clark.

Not sure when the other stations stayed on all night but I would like to say it wasn't until the 80s when that happened.

Now with WDCA channel 20...this gets..well interesting. Very very interesting actually. The story( OK rumor ) goes that back in 1976 WDCA would sign off at 2am and resume regular programming at 6am. However at around 3am WDCA would sign on in "secret" and stay on the air until around 5am. What was the prupose? WDCA would be showing "adult entertainment" during those hours. Such high quality programming like a rather drunk Stu Kerr showing up at WDCA's doorstep one nightwith a bottle of Jack Daniels in hand wearing a black cat costume slurring "..its official boys..me Stu Kerr..really is an ugly hairy p****!!" And I am not going tobegin about the guy who was Captain 20 chasing nude women on the set. OK did anything of this really happened? Ah NO it didn't !! What happened was as I recall some small Maryland newspaper ran one of those letters to the editor in their paper from someone claimming to have seen such stuff and they published the letter anyway without checking the facts. But despite that, as in the case of those poor souls who claim to have seen the suicide of Chris Chubbuck on "live on nationwide TV", they are still those who to this day who SWEAR to have seen such stuff on WDCA late at night in those days. Even though WDCA, Stu Kerr, Dick Dyszel ( Captain 20 ) have all claimed over the years that all of this was pure bullshi*.

The source of the porn-on-TV story may be an event that actually happened...though its possible it's also an urban legend. I remember hearing a story in the 70s or 80s about a TV station that was off the air late at night. I don't remember what city...perhaps LA. One or more people working graveyard at the station decided to put on a porn film in studio for..uh...personal entertainment, but somehow it got out over the air. Supposedly, a few insomniacs surfed by the station and got an unexpected movie treat for a few minutes.

 

[rwells2265]

24/7; Infomercials

I don't watch them either, and it always amazes me that some people will actually watch a 30 minute sales pitch for any product, but obviously they bring in a lot of money for the products, or they would have died out years ago. I work with a woman who claims that she can't afford to retire until she kicks her addiction to infomercials and the Home Shopping networks.

The 'success rate' of infomercials only prove that there's no greater truth than that one line spoken by P.T. Barnum.

I have the choice of whether or not to watch, that's a given. One has the right to watch -- and to pour their money down those ratholes.

What I have a problem with is that I'm paying out the arse for satellite or cable ... in effect, PAYING for what seems like 90% of what I surf at 2:00 a.m. being paid programming. I'd drop it, but my wife likes watching the crap that passes for programming these days (fortunately, the 'non-paid' type).

*********

As for 24/7 stations ... one of the first, if not the first, in the South to go to a round-the-clock schedule was, oddly enough, WTVY-4 (CBS) in Dothan, Ala. Early '70s, I believe.

And in Birmingham, Ala., in the '60s and '70s, WBRC-6 was about as close to a 24/7 as one could get while still signing off. It wasn't unusual for their broadcast day to end as late as 2:30 a.m., and pick up again at 4:30.

--Russell

 

[Mike Stroud]

Re: 24/7; Infomercials

I don't watch them either, and it always amazes me that some people will actually watch a 30 minute sales pitch for any product, but obviously they bring in a lot of money for the products, or they would have died out years ago. I work with a woman who claims that she can't afford to retire until she kicks her addiction to infomercials and the Home Shopping networks.

The 'success rate' of infomercials only prove that there's no greater truth than that one line spoken by P.T. Barnum.

I have the choice of whether or not to watch, that's a given. One has the right to watch -- and to pour their money down those ratholes.

What I have a problem with is that I'm paying out the arse for satellite or cable ... in effect, PAYING for what seems like 90% of what I surf at 2:00 a.m. being paid programming. I'd drop it, but my wife likes watching the crap that passes for programming these days (fortunately, the 'non-paid' type).

Amen and amen! The only compelling reason I have to watch cable these days is Atlanta Braves baseball (on both the CSS feed of Atlanta's WPCH and Fox Sports South) or Monday Night Football and some Saturday college football on ESPN. Whereas you, Russell W., have a missus to please, I got a mother who pays the bills (and is a fan of channels like History and Food Network), so that's the way it is, Walter Cronkite ...

 

[bpatrick]

I remember WBRC's abnormally-early (for the time)
sign-on time; I think that by the time I left Birmingham
in '73 they were signing off after ABC's "Wide World Of
Entertainment," which they delayed from 10:30 PM (CT)
to midnight; that would have put them off the air at 1:30
AM.

WFAA was on 24 hours Monday-Saturday when I lived
in Dallas in the late '70s; they signed off on Sunday nights
for transmitter work; likewise, WFMY started 24-hour broadcasting
around '79 or '80, but also went off on Sunday nights. Both are
24/7 now, however.

 

[oburn]

in gulf coast tv guide the first station 24/7 was wtvy tv dothan alabama

 

[mbayus]

Leave us not forget WDTV Pittsburgh. Swing Shift Theatre.

 

[Ultimajock]

WBBM-TV had the Late Late Show in the 60s and WBKB in Chicago was on all night in the 60s from what I remember.

...in fact, during the 1970s and early 1980s, the microwave distributor of WVTV/18 Milwaukee to cable companies throughout the Upper Midwest would flip that same signal over to WBBM-TV when WVTV signed off for the night...

 

[Ultimajock]

Around the Washington and Baltimore region throughout the 70s ( perhaps the late 60s ) really the only two station that were on the air around the clock were WTTG and WJZ though I think at least one day per week they did sign off at night.
Now with WDCA channel 20...this gets..well interesting. Very very interesting actually. The story( OK rumor ) goes that back in 1976 WDCA would sign off at 2am and resume regular programming at 6am. However at around 3am WDCA would sign on in "secret" and stay on the air until around 5am. What was the prupose? WDCA would be showing "adult entertainment" during those hours. Such high quality programming like a rather drunk Stu Kerr showing up at WDCA's doorstep one nightwith a bottle of Jack Daniels in hand wearing a black cat costume slurring "..its official boys..me Stu Kerr..really is an ugly hairy p****!!" And I am not going tobegin about the guy who was Captain 20 chasing nude women on the set. OK did anything of this really happened? Ah NO it didn't !! What happened was as I recall some small Maryland newspaper ran one of those letters to the editor in their paper from someone claimming to have seen such stuff and they published the letter anyway without checking the facts. But despite that, as in the case of those poor souls who claim to have seen the suicide of Chris Chubbuck on "live on nationwide TV", they are still those who to this day who SWEAR to have seen such stuff on WDCA late at night in those days. Even though WDCA, Stu Kerr, Dick Dyszel ( Captain 20 ) have all claimed over the years that all of this was pure bullshi*.

...on the other hand, CITY-TV/79 Toronto did run soft-core Baby Blue Movies late Friday nights for years in the '70s and '80s...

 

[azumanga]

during the 1970s and early 1980s, the microwave distributor of WVTV/18 Milwaukee to cable companies throughout the Upper Midwest would flip that same signal over to WBBM-TV when WVTV signed off for the night...

I recall similar plans for out-of-market cable viewers in relation to NYC's WCBS, which replaced WPIX, after that station signed off for the evening. Same for Miami's WKID, filling in for WCIX.