January 2: This Day in TV History

[Stanislav]

Just a few random TV related events that happened on January 2. Discuss or comment as you please……

1925: Larry “Bozo the Clown” Harmon is born (as Lawrence Weiss) in Toledo, Ohio.

1940: Televangelist Jim Bakker (The PTL Club) is born in Muskegon, Michigan.

1946: Actress Lynne Adams (The Guiding Light) is born in New York City. She is the older sister of actress Brooke Adams.

1952: Actress Wendy Phillips (Falcon Crest, Touched By An Angel, Promised Land) is born in Brooklyn, New York.

1956: KPAR-TV (channel 12, now KTXS) signs on in Sweetwater, Texas.

1961: Say When!! debuts on NBC.

1961: The Rose Bowl matchup between Minnesota and Washington is broadcast by NBC. The game itself (a 17-7 Huskies victory) did not gather nearly as much press and notoriety as the halftime show, in which students from nearby Caltech pulled off The Great Rose Bowl Hoax, considered to be one of the greatest college pranks of all time.

1963: Actor Dick Powell dies in West Los Angeles of lymphatic cancer, aged 58. His death comes just one day after his final appearance on The Dick Powell Show is broadcast.

1970: WSMW (channel 27, later WKLL-TV, now WUNI) launches in Worcester, Massachusetts.

1990: Actor Alan Hale, Jr. (Gilligan’s Island) dies of cancer in Los Angeles, aged 70.

1995: Baltimore’s second major network swap in 14 years takes place as WMAR-TV (channel 2) switches from NBC to ABC, WJZ-TV (channel 13) moves from ABC to CBS, and WBAL-TV (channel 11) reunites with NBC after 14 years as a CBS affiliate. On the same day, more “network musical chairs” up the coast in Boston, where WBZ-TV (channel 4) jumps to CBS after 47 years as an NBC outlet, and NBC takes root on former CBS affiliate WHDH-TV (channel 7).

1995: Cybill debuts on CBS.

2008: An interim agreement between Worldwide Pants Incorporated and the Writers Guild of America allows The Late Show with David Letterman and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson to return with their full writing staffs, in spite of the ongoing WGA strike.

(Just a little featurette I hope to do as time permits. It’s an entirely random selection based on a quick Net search, and is not meant to be comprehensive. So, don’t post nasty messages about “you forgot THIS” or “how could you not mention THAT?” Do so, and I’ll just take my keyboard and go home…..)

 

[mleach]

1995: Baltimore’s second major network swap in 14 years takes place as WMAR-TV (channel 2) switches from NBC to ABC, WJZ-TV (channel 13) moves from ABC to CBS, and WBAL-TV (channel 11) reunites with NBC after 14 years as a CBS affiliate. On the same day, more “network musical chairs” up the coast in Boston, where WBZ-TV (channel 4) jumps to CBS after 47 years as an NBC outlet, and NBC takes root on former CBS affiliate WHDH-TV (channel 7).

I remember the Baltimore network switch of 1995. Two things I remember....both involving WJZ. The morning of the switch ( or perhaps it was the day before ), WJZ's Marty Bass made some comment about how WJZ was seriously considering hooking up with FOX and letting CBS go to WBFF 45. Ah..with CBS and Westinghouse joining together how would this had been possible? How did Marty Bass come up with this? Was CBS/Westinghouse looking to dump WJZ and Sinclair was looking at WJZ? Or Marty Bass had no idea what he was talking about? If the latter is true..that wouldn't be the first time.

Also I remember someone at WJZ ( maybe it was Don Scott ? ), calling up folks in DENVER to "warn" them about the upcoming network switch in that market. The funny thing was the people in Denver WJZ talked to either (A) had no idea what was going on or (B)..they really could not have cared less.

 

[azumanga]

1970: WSMW (channel 27, later WKLL-TV, now WUNI) launches in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Actually, the station was "WHLL", before it became WUNI.

 

[RicoGregg]

1963: Actor Dick Powell dies in West Los Angeles of lymphatic cancer, aged 58. His death comes just one day after his final appearance on The Dick Powell Show is broadcast.

After Powell passed away, his widow June Allyson took over as host of The Dick Powell Show.

Dick Powell was a seasoned, well-respected actor who had an excellent movie career. In my opinion, his best performance came in a supporting role in 1952's The Bad and the Beautiful, a great Hollywood morality tale that starred Kirk Douglas and Lana Turner. The woman who played Powell's wife in the film, Gloria Grahame, had about 8 minutes of total camera time and made every frame count: She won Best Supporting Actress. And it was well-deserved. Her character is critical to what ultimately happens towards the end. Just goes to show that there really are no small roles.

 

[KML0224]

Just a few random TV related events that happened on January 2. Discuss or comment as you please……

1995: Baltimore’s second major network swap in 14 years takes place as WMAR-TV (channel 2) switches from NBC to ABC, WJZ-TV (channel 13) moves from ABC to CBS, and WBAL-TV (channel 11) reunites with NBC after 14 years as a CBS affiliate. On the same day, more “network musical chairs” up the coast in Boston, where WBZ-TV (channel 4) jumps to CBS after 47 years as an NBC outlet, and NBC takes root on former CBS affiliate WHDH-TV (channel 7).

Around the same time in Philadelphia, if not the same day, KYW-TV channel 3 switched from NBC to CBS and WCAU-TV switched from CBS to NBC. Like in Baltimore and Boston, the station switching to CBS was a Westinghouse station.

 

[fybush]

Just a few random TV related events that happened on January 2. Discuss or comment as you please……

1995: Baltimore’s second major network swap in 14 years takes place as WMAR-TV (channel 2) switches from NBC to ABC, WJZ-TV (channel 13) moves from ABC to CBS, and WBAL-TV (channel 11) reunites with NBC after 14 years as a CBS affiliate. On the same day, more “network musical chairs” up the coast in Boston, where WBZ-TV (channel 4) jumps to CBS after 47 years as an NBC outlet, and NBC takes root on former CBS affiliate WHDH-TV (channel 7).

Around the same time in Philadelphia, if not the same day, KYW-TV channel 3 switched from NBC to CBS and WCAU-TV switched from CBS to NBC. Like in Baltimore and Boston, the station switching to CBS was a Westinghouse station.

The Philadelphia move didn't happen at the same time as the others, because of the complications involved in selling WCAU to NBC. I think Sept. 10, 1995 was the magic date for that change.

 

[wbhist]

And who could forget the big Boston swap of 1995, when WBZ-TV (Ch. 4) switched from NBC to CBS (prior to Westinghouse's purchase of the network) and WHDH-TV (Channel 7) became an NBC affiliate?

 

[Tim L]

Something to think about:If The NBC/Westinghouse Cleveland swap had NOT been reversed in 1965, you might very well have had WKYC Channel 3 in Cleveland move from NBC to CBS..and WOIO 19 to NBC by 1995 or so..

 

[Tim from Springfield IL]

Just a few random TV related events that happened on January 2. Discuss or comment as you please……

1995: Baltimore’s second major network swap in 14 years takes place as WMAR-TV (channel 2) switches from NBC to ABC, WJZ-TV (channel 13) moves from ABC to CBS, and WBAL-TV (channel 11) reunites with NBC after 14 years as a CBS affiliate. On the same day, more “network musical chairs” up the coast in Boston, where WBZ-TV (channel 4) jumps to CBS after 47 years as an NBC outlet, and NBC takes root on former CBS affiliate WHDH-TV (channel 7).

Around the same time in Philadelphia, if not the same day, KYW-TV channel 3 switched from NBC to CBS and WCAU-TV switched from CBS to NBC. Like in Baltimore and Boston, the station switching to CBS was a Westinghouse station.

The Philadelphia move didn't happen at the same time as the others, because of the complications involved in selling WCAU to NBC. I think Sept. 10, 1995 was the magic date for that change.

Based on clips I've seen on YouTube (some posted below), Sept. 10, 1995 was also the date of the big Miami affiliation switch (which included WTVJ moving from channel 4 to channel 6 with NBC, and Ch. 4 becoming WFOR with CBS):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZRMl1Ehvk0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1vPd7VPWiA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoUudCUIyoM&feature=related

 

[therealjm12]

I am a former South Florida resident and all this channel switching has me totally confused. Now let me get this straight, WTVJ, CBS, the home of Ralph Renick (for about a hundred years)moved to Channel 6 several years ago. Another company (NBC?)took over channel 4 and it became NBC. Because CBS had such a bad signal WPEC Ch. 12 switched networks from ABC to CBS for the northern counties and Palm Beach. Which, of course, WTVX lost their CBS affiliation. WCIX the former ch 6, and a GREAT indie, moved up to UHF. In the 90's another massive switch happened when the NBC station moved to ch 6 and CBS went back to ch 4.
So my questions are, Why did this all happen, what happened to WCIX, and now that CBS is back on the big signal ch 4 (Til February) what happened to WPEC and their CBS affiliation???? Man, I am getting a headache. It's just another reason why I moved back to upstate N. Y. I'll take the snow- just leave my TV alone.

 

[azumanga]

Of all the affiliation changes, Miami and Palm Beach was the most-complex.

In 1989:

* WTVJ ch.4 flipped from CBS to NBC. (Station was already owned by NBC, under license for General Electric, its parent.)
* WCIX ch.6, after being purchased by CBS, flipped from Fox to CBS. (WCIX was a charter Fox affiliate.)
* WSVN ch.7 flipped from NBC to Fox.

*WPEC ch.12 flipped from ABC to CBS. (Still is today.)
*WPBF ch.25 signed on as an ABC affiliate. (Still is today.)
*WTVX ch.34 lost its CBS affiliation and became independent. (Later UPN, now CW.)

In 1995:

WTVJ and WCIX's owners swapped channels -- only. Their news staff, programming and affilaitions moved as well. WTVJ ch.4 became WTVJ ch.6, while WCIX ch.6 became WFOR ch.4.

 

[wbhist]

Of all the affiliation changes, Miami and Palm Beach was the most-complex.

In 1989:

* WTVJ ch.4 flipped from CBS to NBC. (Station was already owned by NBC, under license for General Electric, its parent.)

Sounds like the only case, in the late 1987 to early 1989 interim, of a TV station affiliated with one network (CBS) and owned by another (NBC). Anyone know of other such (or similar) cases?

 

[LKellerIII]

Of all the affiliation changes, Miami and Palm Beach was the most-complex.

In 1989:

* WTVJ ch.4 flipped from CBS to NBC. (Station was already owned by NBC, under license for General Electric, its parent.)

Sounds like the only case, in the late 1987 to early 1989 interim, of a TV station affiliated with one network (CBS) and owned by another (NBC). Anyone know of other such (or similar) cases?

News Corp owned at least one other network affiliate that I know of - KSBW 8 in Monterey/Salinas, CA - an NBC affiliate. The Fox station in that market (not owned by Murdoch & Co) was KCBA 35. I don't know whether or not News Corp's ownership of KSBW preceded the establishment of the Fox network or not.

 

[Tim from Springfield IL]

1968: Actor Cuba Gooding, Jr. is born in Bronx, NY. In addition to his many movie roles, his early roles included guest appearances on TV series including Hill Street Blues and MacGyver, plus performing as a breakdancer with singer Lionel Richie at the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

 

[bpatrick]

Of all the affiliation changes, Miami and Palm Beach was the most-complex.

In 1989:

* WTVJ ch.4 flipped from CBS to NBC. (Station was already owned by NBC, under license for General Electric, its parent.)

Sounds like the only case, in the late 1987 to early 1989 interim, of a TV station affiliated with one network (CBS) and owned by another (NBC). Anyone know of other such (or similar) cases?

Not for that period, but in 1994 Fox bought WBRC Birmingham, then an ABC affiliate. Because the station's contract with ABC didn't expire until 1996, Fox found itself owning an ABC affiliate for two years. (Likewise, WGHP High Point, NC, didn't switch from ABC to Fox until September 1995, even though Fox already owned it.)

And when did the KUTV/KSL switch in Salt Lake City take place?

 

[Tim-In-Houston]

In 1995:

WTVJ and WCIX's owners swapped channels -- only. Their news staff, programming and affilaitions moved as well. WTVJ ch.4 became WTVJ ch.6, while WCIX ch.6 became WFOR ch.4.

What precipitated the signal switch in Miami was CBS' problem in Philadelphia (ownership of the two tv stations once the Westinghouse/CBS merger finalized). Because WCAU-Philly was the stronger station ratings-wise, CBS and NBC worked out a deal whereby NBC would get WCAU in exchange for their stronger signal (Channel 4) in Miami and the outright sale of Denver's KCNC-4.

what happened to WPEC and their CBS affiliation

WPEC is still the CBS affiliate for the West Palm Beach market, though every couple years rumors pop up that CBS will end its affiliation with the station. So far that hasn't happened.


@wbhist: I think KTVI-2-St. Louis (also a New World station along with WBRC) stayed with ABC, until the contract was up, after the sale to Fox.

 

[easttxtv]

1913: Anna Lee (General Hospital) is born (as Joan Boniface Winnifrith) in Ightham, Kent, England.

1930: Julius LaRosa (Arthur Godfrey Time, Arthur Godfrey and His Friends, The Honeymooners, Laverne & Shirley, Another World) is born in Brooklyn, New York.

1947: Jack Hanna (Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures, numerous guest appearances) is born (as John Bushnell Hanna) in Knoxville, Tennessee.

1961: Gabrielle Carteris (Another World, Beverly Hills 90210, The Surreal Life (1st season)) is born (as Gabrielle Anne Carteris) in Scottsdale, Arizona.

1967: Tia Carrere (Airwolf, General Hospital) is born (as Althea Rae Duhinio Janairo) in Honolulu, Hawaii.

1971: Taye Diggs (Guiding Light, Ally McBeal, Kevin Hill, Will & Grace, Private Practice) is born (as Scott Leo Diggs) in Newark, New Jersey.

1971: Renee Elise Goldsberry (Ally McBeal, One Life to Live) is born in San Jose, California.

1973: Will Kirby (Big Brother (U.S. 2nd season; show winner); Young and the Restless) is born in Florence, Italy.

1983: Kate Bosworth (Young Americans) is born (as Catherine Ann Bosworth) in Los Angeles.

 

[bpatrick]

1962: Bill Leyden becomes one of the few game-show hosts to
go directly from a canceled show ("It Could Be You") to a new
one ("Your First Impression"). (Alex Trebek would go directly from
"Wizard Of Odds" to "High Rollers" in 1974.) The format of "Your
First Impression" has Dennis James, comedy writer George Kirgo
(not to be confused with George Kirby), and a guest panelist trying
to identify which of five celebrities answered a fill-in-the-blank question
a certain way; on one show, a celebrity was asked "I wish that I ___________,"
and answered "had been a PT-boat captain". That celebrity was
Richard Nixon. "Your First Impression" is also the first show produced
by Stefan Hatos and Monty Hall.

 

[Sammi Brie]

In 1995:

WTVJ and WCIX's owners swapped channels -- only. Their news staff, programming and affilaitions moved as well. WTVJ ch.4 became WTVJ ch.6, while WCIX ch.6 became WFOR ch.4.

What precipitated the signal switch in Miami was CBS' problem in Philadelphia (ownership of the two tv stations once the Westinghouse/CBS merger finalized). Because WCAU-Philly was the stronger station ratings-wise, CBS and NBC worked out a deal whereby NBC would get WCAU in exchange for their stronger signal (Channel 4) in Miami and the outright sale of Denver's KCNC-4.

And KUTV-2 Salt Lake City.

There is one other example of this, though it's not as lengthy; in 1995, ABC bought WTVG and WJRT (one NBC, one ABC) in case of disaster in Detroit following the switch. WTVG was an ABC-owned NBC affiliate for two months while NBC looked for a new affiliate (WNWO).

Of course, ABC just announced plans to give them back as a gift of sorts...to their former owners.