What were the first 24-7 local broadcast stations in America?

[sctvman]

I wanted to know what were the first stations in America to go 24 hours a day and 7 days a week? I think the big market stations including WBBM-TV (Chicago), WCBS-TV (New York) and WGN-TV (Chicago) went 24/7 in the early 1980s, but I could be wrong. Also, CBS introducted "CBS Overnight News" in 1982 that made most CBS stations to air 24 hours a day (mostly on weeknights).

 

[wditto]

the first in the gulf coast tv guige was wtvy tv dothan but i cant remember the year it was quite a few years back

 

[pqgeorge]

Well, not maybe 24/7, but rather 24/5. Here in the Boston area, we got our first 24 hour station when WCVB-TV began "5 Avell Night" in the fall of 1972. Part of the reason for WCVB-TV to go 24 hours was in their original license grant after beating WHDH-TV for the Channel 5 license on 3/19/72, to provide the largest amount of local programming possible. This was the first step in that station's quest for excellence (which they did quite well!).

In New York, WCBS-TV (Channel 2) and WNEW-TV (Channel 5) were running all night movies in the early 1970's. However, only WCBS-TV continued with all night programming through the late 1970's. Eventually, all major Boston and NYC stations went 24/7 by the mid 80's.

Funny thing about WCBS-TV (Channel 2)..... they would go through a complete sign-off including "Give Us This Day" at 5:45 AM. Then... they would go to the WCBS-TV "bullseye" test-pattern. And then...... they would sign-on at 5:56 AM, with another episode of "Give Us This Day" followed by "Sunrise Semester". Figure that out! We had WCBS-TV available overnights here in Massachusetts on cable.

 

[hammondo]

WGN-TV had a SPONSORED overnight movie on both Fri and Saturday night in the mid-60's. They were the first 24 hour station in Chicago.

 

[larnov]

I remember Channel 6 in Miami (WCIX)?? Used to have an overnight movie hodted by Big wilson in the late 70s and maybe into the early 80s.
I lived in Central Fl. and we had Chanel 6 on our Cable Lineup. This was before The Cable system added CNN and ESPN.

 

[Madmansam]

I have heard of many TV Stations that were 24/6, since in the early days , it was common for even 24 Hour TV Stations to sign off on Late Sundays/Early Mondays. In the early 1970's, I recall that KNTV Channel 11 in San Jose was 24/7. KEMO Channel 20 in San Francisco was 21/7 around 1975 (They signed off at 9:AM and returned to the air around Noon).

 

[chrish]

Remember visiting NYC often in the early sixties staying up all night watching
all night movies on PIX Penthouse on WPIX-TV channel 11

 

[mleach]

around the DC & Baltimore areas, during the 70s WTTG channel 5 I am pretty sure was 24 hours most of the week. I know they were during the weekends. Mainly old movies and old TV shows like Dragnet and Private Secretary.
The other stations there I dont think they went around the clock until at least around 1980/1981.

In Baltimore WJZ channel 13, they more/less followed the same path as WTTG though more into old movies than anything. Actually the first time I ever saw the Beatles film "Help" was late one night back in 1977 on WJZ.

Somewhat on this subject is Washington's PBS station WETA channel 26. To this day I keep hearing this story about how they would sign off at night back in the 70s only to pop back on the air some 30 minutes ( or an hour depending on who tells the story ) only to show soft porn flicks. WETA? Soft porn? Yeah right !! I know this is an urban legend but if I had $5.00 each time I would hear this "story" I could oay off my pick up truck.

 

[ixnay]

Here in the Boston area, we got our first 24 hour station when WCVB-TV began "5 Avell Night" in the fall of 1972.

"Avell"... a perfectly crumlent word.

ixnay

 

[pqgeorge]

Here in the Boston area, we got our first 24 hour station when WCVB-TV began "5 Avell Night" in the fall of 1972.

"Avell"... a perfectly crumlent word.

ixnay

Thanks! Yes, I am creative, aren't I though? Seriously, just a slight mis-stroke on the keyboard! Of course it's "5 All Night!".

 

[fortmill]

In Charlotte the first to do 24/6 programing was Ted Turner's independent WRET/36 (now WCNC/NBC). This was back in the early 70's and the all night movies were one of the features which prompted cable systems across both states to make WRET a regional superstation. In Columbia, SC, WNOK/19/CBS (now WLTX) started the ball rolling about the same time. They showed mostly off-network syndicated sitcoms and action programming.

 

[ixnay]

Here in the Boston area, we got our first 24 hour station when WCVB-TV began "5 Avell Night" in the fall of 1972.

"Avell"... a perfectly crumlent word.

ixnay

Thanks! Yes, I am creative, aren't I though? Seriously, just a slight mis-stroke on the keyboard! Of course it's "5 All Night!".

I thought it was, even before I pointed it out. Don't feel bad, I occasionally typo on this and other mb's too. (R-I needs an "embarrased" smiley.)

ixnay

 

[bpatrick]

In Charlotte the first to do 24/6 programing was Ted Turner's independent WRET/36 (now WCNC/NBC). This was back in the early 70's and the all night movies were one of the features which prompted cable systems across both states to make WRET a regional superstation. In Columbia, SC, WNOK/19/CBS (now WLTX) started the ball rolling about the same time. They showed mostly off-network syndicated sitcoms and action programming.

WFMY Greensboro started in the early '80s, showing movies and off-network
reruns.