Places where American Bandstand was pre-empted

[retrothoughts]

As I think everybody knows, WFAA Dallas/Ft. Worth pre-empted
"Bandstand" (why was the most frequent question asked on Mike
Shapiro's "Inside Television" on the same station, and he never gave
a satisfactory answer), but rival KXAS had no problem with "Soul Train."
"Bandstand" aired in the Central time zone from 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
on Saturdays, but with it absent in the Metroplex, KXAS aired "Soul
Train" from 12-1, immediately following NBC's Saturday-morning kids' block.

Somebody mentioned "Bandstand" being pre-empted on WLCY/WTSP Tampa/
St. Petersburg. Not when my parents lived there from 1973-76, and "Bandstand"
on Channel 10 and "Soul Train" on WTOG/44 usually either went head-to-head,
or the second half of "Bandstand" was up against the first half of "Soul Train."

Same thing in Orlando, where "Bandstand" was on WFTV and "Soul Train" on
WESH; they usually went head-to-head or overlapped.

1976 or '77 would be when WLCY/WTSP Channel 10 began bumping "Bandstand". WTOG-44 would drop "Soul Train" sometime thereafter, only to have that particular show resurface during the 1990's until the end of its run on WTTA-38.

Also, when I lived in Chattanooga, TN during the late 1960's/early '70s, there were stretches when WTVC-9 bumped "Bandstand" on Saturdays for a different kind of music--Southern [country] gospel, with a made-for-Chattanooga version of the Knoxville-based "Mulls' Singing Convention", packaged back-to-back with a devotional show called "Know Your Bible". "Bandstand" resurfaced on Channel 9 by about 1972 or so.

 

[pqgeorge]

An earlier poster mentioned that AB was pre-empted in Boston for years. I don't remember what WNAC aired in its place, but when WCVB took over the affilliation, they pre-empted it for a local bowling show that ran for years (originating on WCVB's predecessor on channel 5, the first WHDH-TV) and which was very popular. Depending on where you lived in the Boston area, you could still get Bandstand if you could pick up WTEV New Bedford or WMUR Manchester.
And yes, Bandstand was frequently shortened or pre-empted in the fall for ABC's college football. It was eventually a factor in Clark deciding, by 1987, to leave ABC and take Bandstand to syndication.

"American Bandstand" , was originally aired between 1957 through 1961 on Boston's original Channel 5/WHDH-TV, during that station's own ABC affiliation period. When ABC moved to WNAC-TV (Channel 7) in 1961, "American Bandstand" didn't return to the air in Boston until 1966 when WIHS-TV/Channel 38 (now WSBK) cherry-picked many of the ABC shows that WNAC-TV opted not to air. "American Bandstand" was one of those shows. WNAC-TV was not a one of the "star-performers" of the ABC network during their 10+ years with the network. In 1972, WCVB-TV, Boston's new Channel 5 with ABC opted not to air "Bandstand". However, WCVB did air some of the Bandstand "Wide World Specials" on late nights during the 70's on ABC. Channel 38 did air Bandstand again in the mid 70's, as did Channel 27 (WSMW-TV) in Worcester in the early 80's and on the new Channel 66 (WVJV) during the show's last year on OTA TV.

So, as you can see, downtown Boston viewers had an on-again, off-again relationship with Bandstand since 1957. Fortunately, most viewers had good-enough signals from other markets who carried Bandstand from the get-go, namely WMUR-TV (Channel 9/Manchester, NH), WMTW-TV (Channel 8/Mt. Washington) and WTEV (Channel 6/New Bedford).

 

[bpatrick]

As I think everybody knows, WFAA Dallas/Ft. Worth pre-empted
"Bandstand" (why was the most frequent question asked on Mike
Shapiro's "Inside Television" on the same station, and he never gave
a satisfactory answer), but rival KXAS had no problem with "Soul Train."
"Bandstand" aired in the Central time zone from 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
on Saturdays, but with it absent in the Metroplex, KXAS aired "Soul
Train" from 12-1, immediately following NBC's Saturday-morning kids' block.

Somebody mentioned "Bandstand" being pre-empted on WLCY/WTSP Tampa/
St. Petersburg. Not when my parents lived there from 1973-76, and "Bandstand"
on Channel 10 and "Soul Train" on WTOG/44 usually either went head-to-head,
or the second half of "Bandstand" was up against the first half of "Soul Train."

Same thing in Orlando, where "Bandstand" was on WFTV and "Soul Train" on
WESH; they usually went head-to-head or overlapped.

1976 or '77 would be when WLCY/WTSP Channel 10 began bumping "Bandstand". WTOG-44 would drop "Soul Train" sometime thereafter, only to have that particular show resurface during the 1990's until the end of its run on WTTA-38.

Also, when I lived in Chattanooga, TN during the late 1960's/early '70s, there were stretches when WTVC-9 bumped "Bandstand" on Saturdays for a different kind of music--Southern [country] gospel, with a made-for-Chattanooga version of the Knoxville-based "Mulls' Singing Convention", packaged back-to-back with a devotional show called "Know Your Bible". "Bandstand" resurfaced on Channel 9 by about 1972 or so.

Something that seems to pop up everytime I do an Atlanta retro for a Saturday. "Mull's Singing Convention" and "Know Your Bible" aired on Channel 9 from 12-1:30 on Saturdays for years. Actually, I think they ran a little longer than 1972, but by the end of the '70s 9 was carrying the "ABC Weekend Special" and "Bandstand." In Atlanta, when "Bandstand" moved to WSB, they were prone to carry only the second half-hour (1-1:30) because of a local program, "Dialogue," a carryover from the NBC days that was on at 12:30 (WXIA had always carried "Bandstand" in its entirety).

 

[jwgreek8606]

I think Birmingham preempted it force reaon

 

[Charles1]

I think Birmingham preempted it force reaon

I never remember WBRC-6 not carrying Bandstand from the early 70's on.

 

[therealjm12]

Back in the Philly Days of A. B. (late 50's early 60's) ABC did not have that many full time affiliates. Many stations shared ABC programing with their primary affiliation , NBC or CBS. In New York State, for example, there were only three full time ABC affiliates -WABC- NYC, WAST- Albany .& WKBW -Buffalo. American Bandstand aired for an hour & half weekdays 4:00 -5:30 Eastern. The program would run for the entire time on primary ABC stations. In some markets that did not have a full time ABC station, another station might run the 4:30 -5:00. segment. This segment would have the special guest appearances: Fabian, Dion, Chubby Checker, etc. The only other station in New York I could find that aired the weekday show was WKTV Utica -Dick Clark's hometown. WKTV was a NBC primary and an ABC secondary. They ran the 4:30 -5:00 segment only. By 1962, Rochester had their own full time ABC affiliate WOKR 13 and soon after Syracuse had WNYS 9. Not much later Dick Clark packed up Bandstand and caught the last train for the Coast, with the Father, Son, & Holy Ghost.

 

[only1moore]

I think WBBJ carried AB in the 70's, but I was working by then and didn't see it much, or ended up watching rasslin'. I knew it was fake and stupid, but it was hilarious.

Also weren't there times that ABC pre-empted or shortened AB for college football?

Yes, WBBJ/Jackson and KAIT/Jonesboro, Arkansas carried AB throughout their ABC run while WHBQ was in their wrestling phase. BTW WBBJ aired the syndicated Memphis Wrestling broadcasts after AB on Saturdays.

 

[only1moore]

Milwaukee's then-ABC affiliate WITI stopped carrying AMERICAN BANDSTAND in early 1963, in favor of movies and syndicated reruns. The daily show was picked up by independent WUHF-TV (Channel 18), which prompted the station to sign on earlier than its standard 4PM. The following year, WUHF continued running the weekly Saturday BANDSTAND, meaning that the station now extended its broadcast day to 12 noon on Saturdays. 18 stayed with the weekly version for several years, even after a change of call letters (to WVTV) and management.

Well, by the 1970s WITI did carry AB until March 1977 when WISN returned to ABC and in turn carried the show until 1986 when AB became a half-hour and WISN dropped it from the schedule. When it went to syndication in 1987, WTMJ aired it on Saturday mornings at 10:30AM.

Interestingly, WTAE/Pittsburgh (sister station to WISN, KMBC, WMUR, and WCVB) also had a on again/off again relationship with AB during their run.

 

[rwells2265]

I think Birmingham preempted it force reaon

In Birmingham, "Bandstand" initially had a spotty carriage situation -- to my knowledge, the afternoon version never aired, either on 6 or 13.  This continued to be the case after 6 flipped to a full ABC in 1961.  I *think* 6 preempted AB as of 1965, when WBMG-42 signed on, as they picked up AB. In any case, 6 was airing it before the end of the 1960s. 

In the 1970s, 6 DID clear "Bandstand" -- and in the '70s, with "Soul Train" afterward at 12:30.  But curiously, for a time in 1977-78, 6 bumped AB for "Soul Train", carrying IT at 11:30 ... and Dick Clark was on the air at 12:30 a.m. in the wee hours on Sunday. 

--Russell

 

[firepoint525]

By 1962, Rochester had their own full time ABC affiliate WOKR 13 and soon after Syracuse had WNYS 9. Not much later Dick Clark packed up Bandstand and caught the last train for the Coast, with the Father, Son, & Holy Ghost.

Always wondered how Clark managed to keep the show in Philly much longer on American Dreams, a show that HE produced, or at least executive-produced.

 

[retrothoughts]

By 1962, Rochester had their own full time ABC affiliate WOKR 13 and soon after Syracuse had WNYS 9. Not much later Dick Clark packed up Bandstand and caught the last train for the Coast, with the Father, Son, & Holy Ghost.

Always wondered how Clark managed to keep the show in Philly much longer on American Dreams, a show that HE produced, or at least executive-produced.

Two words...creative license.

 

[firepoint525]

By 1962, Rochester had their own full time ABC affiliate WOKR 13 and soon after Syracuse had WNYS 9. Not much later Dick Clark packed up Bandstand and caught the last train for the Coast, with the Father, Son, & Holy Ghost.

Always wondered how Clark managed to keep the show in Philly much longer on American Dreams, a show that HE produced, or at least executive-produced.

Two words...creative license.

Same way he was able to have "Rick Nelson" (portrayed by Brad Paisley) appear on the show.

 

[blackgold]

Believe it or not, WKRC Cincinnati used to pre-empt 'New Year's Rockin' Eve' back in the late '80s or early '90s. They considered it too controversial and replaced it with a very tame local New Year "celebration."

No, I'm not making this up.

This is the same station that preempted Alice Cooper's appearance on ABC back in the '70s.

I'll bet you they replaced it with an old Guy Lombardo or Lawrence Welk New Year's Eve show.

 

[blackgold]

It certainly was pre-empted in Boston in the 70s and 80s.

 

[Limp73]

Dayton only had TWO TV stations in the 50s and early 60s (WLWD (NBC now WDTN) and WHIO-TV(CBS).) Neither one was a full time ABC affilliate....Both stations aired some ABC programming here and there. I do not remember "AB" being aired on either one though the Saturday night "Beech-Nut Dick Clark Show" was aired in the late 50s. WHIO-TV aired the kinescoped version on Saturday afternoons and WLWD later aired it from the ABC network live feed. As for a fulltime ABC affilliate,that probably didn't happen until the mid 60s when WKEF came on the air as Dayton's first UHF and aired kinescopes of "AB" on late Saturday afternoon. Eventually WKEF finally took the fulltime ABC affilliation in the 70s.

In Columbus,WTVN-TV (now WSYX) aired ABC programming but only aired the first half hour of AB in the early 60s when it was still a weekday show. The second half hour was pre-empted by "Casper Capers" a local live children's show.

 

[bpatrick]

Believe it or not, WKRC Cincinnati used to pre-empt 'New Year's Rockin' Eve' back in the late '80s or early '90s. They considered it too controversial and replaced it with a very tame local New Year "celebration."

No, I'm not making this up.

This is the same station that preempted Alice Cooper's appearance on ABC back in the '70s.

I'll bet you they replaced it with an old Guy Lombardo or Lawrence Welk New Year's Eve show.

IIRC, the Alice Cooper appearance was on "In Concert." I don't know about the '80s and beyond, but I know that the first New Year's Rockin' Eve aired on Sunday, December 31, 1972--on NBC, and I think it was called "Three Dog Night's New Year's Rockin' Eve." That night, ABC had the Sugar Bowl starting at 9 (ET), and many of its affiliates, which carried Lawrence Welk anyway, carried his one and only New Year's Eve show separate from his regular show (I feel certain CBS had Guy Lombardo).
The next year, New Year's Eve fell on Monday; NBC had "The Tonight Show" as usual, so "New Year's Rockin' Eve" switched to ABC, which was doing the hodgepodge "Wide World Of Entertainment" format at the time. I think that's when it was first called "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve."

I have no idea what WKRC would have carried on New Year's Eve 1972, since the football game probably ran past midnight and the station did not carry Welk in syndication (it did run "Hee Haw," which didn't have a New Year's Eve special).

 

[Mikedond]

For years, KTRK-TV in Houston preempted "American Bandstand" for its own local Bandstand-like show "The Larry Kane Show."

 

[wbhist]

For years, KTRK-TV in Houston preempted "American Bandstand" for its own local Bandstand-like show "The Larry Kane Show."

Whose host can most unequivocally not be confused with the veteran Philadelphia TV anchor of the same name.

 

[cyberdad]

Milwaukee's then-ABC affiliate WITI stopped carrying AMERICAN BANDSTAND in early 1963, in favor of movies and syndicated reruns. The daily show was picked up by independent WUHF-TV (Channel 18), which prompted the station to sign on earlier than its standard 4PM. The following year, WUHF continued running the weekly Saturday BANDSTAND, meaning that the station now extended its broadcast day to 12 noon on Saturdays. 18 stayed with the weekly version for several years, even after a change of call letters (to WVTV) and management.

Well, by the 1970s WITI did carry AB until March 1977 when WISN returned to ABC and in turn carried the show until 1986 when AB became a half-hour and WISN dropped it from the schedule.

Just guessing here, but.....

In the spring of '77 when I was living in Wisconsin, WISN radio was running an adult-contemporary music format with a "million dollar weekend". During at least one of these, I remember there was a "tribute to A-B", complete with custom-recorded (mentioning Milwaukee/WISN) promos, song intros, etc. voiced by Clark. My guess, if I'm connecting the dots correctly, is that the promo may have had something to do with the TV network switch....or simply getting the then-past-its-prime A-B on the WISN-TV schedule.

 

[bpatrick]

I think Birmingham preempted it force reaon

In Birmingham, "Bandstand" initially had a spotty carriage situation -- to my knowledge, the afternoon version never aired, either on 6 or 13. This continued to be the case after 6 flipped to a full ABC in 1961. I *think* 6 preempted AB as of 1965, when WBMG-42 signed on, as they picked up AB. In any case, 6 was airing it before the end of the 1960s.

In the 1970s, 6 DID clear "Bandstand" -- and in the '70s, with "Soul Train" afterward at 12:30. But curiously, for a time in 1977-78, 6 bumped AB for "Soul Train", carrying IT at 11:30 ... and Dick Clark was on the air at 12:30 a.m. in the wee hours on Sunday.

--Russell

When was this? In the early '70s Ch. 6 carried "Bandstand" in pattern from 11:30 AM-12:30 PM, and WBMG carried "Soul Train" from 1 to 2 PM. In fact, every ABC affiliate I ever got, except for WFAA, carried "Bandstand" in pattern on Saturdays, regardless of the time it came on. (I was long gone from Birmingham and living in Dallas in '77.)

Also, WKRC pre-empted "Bandstand" and ran movies on Saturdays at 12:30, although WLKY Louisville and WTVQ Lexington did carry "Bandstand."

As for the daily version, when we first got ABC (WRAL) in 1962, "Bandstand" was on from 4-4:50 PM, with the 4:50-5 PM slot filled by a teen-oriented newscast, "American Newsstand." WRAL, which had been with NBC, continued to air "Make Room For Daddy" reruns from 4-4:30 and carried only 20 minutes of "Bandstand." In the fall of '62 ABC scheduled "Bandstand" from 4-4:30 to make room for "Discovery" at 4:30; WRAL carried them both in pattern.

This is the same station that held onto two NBC soaps, "Young Dr. Malone" and something called "Our Five Daughters," from 3-4, putting "Queen For A Day" and "Who Do You Trust?" from 1-2. WRAL never did carry "Queen" at 3, but finally started carrying "Trust" at 3:30--after Johnny Carson was long gone, Woody Woodbury had taken over as host, and the ratings were falling into the tank.