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When did local morning newscasts start?
- Thread starter dustintv
- Start date
T
Tom_Desmond
Guest
> With all of these retro listings, I notice that it wasn't
> until the late 80s/early 90s that local stations didn't have
> their own morning newscast. Why didn't they have them
> before? What caused them to take off?
I believe that WCVB/5 in Boston was running a 6 AM local newscast in the late seventies -- at least, I once read an article on the station claiming that they did. It was probably the first such early morning newscast in the country.
As for why more stations didn't offer such newscasts in the past -- historically, they weren't profitable because people listened to the radio in the morning instead of watching TV. However, in the last fifteen years or so, that has changed markedly, with early morning TV viewing up dramatically. I don't know if this is a result of changing work schedules or a response to more appealing programming being offered on TV during these hours.
> until the late 80s/early 90s that local stations didn't have
> their own morning newscast. Why didn't they have them
> before? What caused them to take off?
I believe that WCVB/5 in Boston was running a 6 AM local newscast in the late seventies -- at least, I once read an article on the station claiming that they did. It was probably the first such early morning newscast in the country.
As for why more stations didn't offer such newscasts in the past -- historically, they weren't profitable because people listened to the radio in the morning instead of watching TV. However, in the last fifteen years or so, that has changed markedly, with early morning TV viewing up dramatically. I don't know if this is a result of changing work schedules or a response to more appealing programming being offered on TV during these hours.
>
> I believe that WCVB/5 in Boston was running a 6 AM local
> newscast in the late seventies -- at least, I once read an
> article on the station claiming that they did. It was
> probably the first such early morning newscast in the
> country.
Now I'm confused. What were the "Today in [insert state or area]" programs aired by NBC affiliates after the Today show in the 1970s? Were they more talk shows than newscasts? I was surprised to learn that even KOAI in the little Northern Arizona college town of Flagstaff had "Today in the Northland," according to listings from 1974. I'm sorry if this is obvious, but I know almost nothing about local TV from that era, so any insight would be greatly appreciated!
> I believe that WCVB/5 in Boston was running a 6 AM local
> newscast in the late seventies -- at least, I once read an
> article on the station claiming that they did. It was
> probably the first such early morning newscast in the
> country.
Now I'm confused. What were the "Today in [insert state or area]" programs aired by NBC affiliates after the Today show in the 1970s? Were they more talk shows than newscasts? I was surprised to learn that even KOAI in the little Northern Arizona college town of Flagstaff had "Today in the Northland," according to listings from 1974. I'm sorry if this is obvious, but I know almost nothing about local TV from that era, so any insight would be greatly appreciated!
> With all of these retro listings, I notice that it wasn't
> until the late 80s/early 90s that local stations didn't have
> their own morning newscast. Why didn't they have them
> before? What caused them to take off?
---------
In 1980, many ABC affiliates aired five-minute newscasts a couple times during Good Morning America - just look at the SW Ontario schedules from November 1980 that I posted recently here. In the 1970s stations in both Canada and the United States aired local morning programming in the mid-morning - and in some cases they still do, such as WKBW's "AM Buffalo". WEWS had "Morning Exchange", CKCO had "Morning Magazine", CFTO had "Toronto Today", WXYZ had (I think) "Kelly and Company", and CFPL had "Morning Break".
Into the 1980s, as stations shifted their local focus more towards news, stations shifted their morning local programming to an earlier time and changed to news. In 1983, London's CFPL replaced "Morning Break", which had aired at 10 AM, with "FYI Morning Edition", which aired at 7:30 AM.<P ID="signature">______________
From WNBC-TV New York this is Liiiiive at Fiiiiive!</P>
> until the late 80s/early 90s that local stations didn't have
> their own morning newscast. Why didn't they have them
> before? What caused them to take off?
---------
In 1980, many ABC affiliates aired five-minute newscasts a couple times during Good Morning America - just look at the SW Ontario schedules from November 1980 that I posted recently here. In the 1970s stations in both Canada and the United States aired local morning programming in the mid-morning - and in some cases they still do, such as WKBW's "AM Buffalo". WEWS had "Morning Exchange", CKCO had "Morning Magazine", CFTO had "Toronto Today", WXYZ had (I think) "Kelly and Company", and CFPL had "Morning Break".
Into the 1980s, as stations shifted their local focus more towards news, stations shifted their morning local programming to an earlier time and changed to news. In 1983, London's CFPL replaced "Morning Break", which had aired at 10 AM, with "FYI Morning Edition", which aired at 7:30 AM.<P ID="signature">______________
From WNBC-TV New York this is Liiiiive at Fiiiiive!</P>
M
mwebster
Guest
Many NBC affiliates began broadcasting local news inserts at 7:25 and 8:25 during the Today Show starting in 1952.
Some CBS affiliates had morning news inserts in the CBS Morning News at 7:25 and/or 7:55 starting the mid 60's. (With Captain Kangaroo aired from 8-9 am).
For a time during the mid 50's, CBS had a Morning Show with local insert avails. This was replaced in the late 50's with a 15 minute morning network newscast, which some affiliates covered with a local newscast (Captain Kangaroo at this point was :45 minutes).
ABC started AM America in the mid 70's, replaced a couple of years later with Good Morning, America: Both programs at openings for local news inserts at :25 past the hour.
Before all three networks had morning shows, most affiliates did local kids' programs in the open time periods.
Originally, many stations did not sign on much before 7 am. Those that did sign on earlier generally did instructional programs, farm reports or public service programming (to meet programming quotas when no one was watching).
After CNN came on in 1980, local stations started doing pre-7 am local newscasts. CNN demonstrated a lot of people were awake before 7 am and they would watch TV, if available.
> With all of these retro listings, I notice that it wasn't
> until the late 80s/early 90s that local stations didn't have
> their own morning newscast. Why didn't they have them
> before? What caused them to take off?
>
Some CBS affiliates had morning news inserts in the CBS Morning News at 7:25 and/or 7:55 starting the mid 60's. (With Captain Kangaroo aired from 8-9 am).
For a time during the mid 50's, CBS had a Morning Show with local insert avails. This was replaced in the late 50's with a 15 minute morning network newscast, which some affiliates covered with a local newscast (Captain Kangaroo at this point was :45 minutes).
ABC started AM America in the mid 70's, replaced a couple of years later with Good Morning, America: Both programs at openings for local news inserts at :25 past the hour.
Before all three networks had morning shows, most affiliates did local kids' programs in the open time periods.
Originally, many stations did not sign on much before 7 am. Those that did sign on earlier generally did instructional programs, farm reports or public service programming (to meet programming quotas when no one was watching).
After CNN came on in 1980, local stations started doing pre-7 am local newscasts. CNN demonstrated a lot of people were awake before 7 am and they would watch TV, if available.
> With all of these retro listings, I notice that it wasn't
> until the late 80s/early 90s that local stations didn't have
> their own morning newscast. Why didn't they have them
> before? What caused them to take off?
>
M
mrpariot
Guest
> >
> > I believe that WCVB/5 in Boston was running a 6 AM local
> > newscast in the late seventies -- at least, I once read an
>
> > article on the station claiming that they did. It was
> > probably the first such early morning newscast in the
> > country.
>
> Now I'm confused. What were the "Today in [insert state or
> area]" programs aired by NBC affiliates after the Today show
> in the 1970s? Were they more talk shows than newscasts? I
> was surprised to learn that even KOAI in the little Northern
> Arizona college town of Flagstaff had "Today in the
> Northland," according to listings from 1974. I'm sorry if
> this is obvious, but I know almost nothing about local TV
> from that era, so any insight would be greatly appreciated!
>
One of the earliest morning shows was "AM L.A.", from KTLA in Los Angeles in 1962...anchored by the venerable Stan Chambers. I think it aired at 6:30 or 7am, which was far earlier than some stations were even on the air for the day.
KCRA in Sacramento launched its 5am, 2-hour newsblock in 1991...a full four years before any other station in town even got on the air at 6am.
> > I believe that WCVB/5 in Boston was running a 6 AM local
> > newscast in the late seventies -- at least, I once read an
>
> > article on the station claiming that they did. It was
> > probably the first such early morning newscast in the
> > country.
>
> Now I'm confused. What were the "Today in [insert state or
> area]" programs aired by NBC affiliates after the Today show
> in the 1970s? Were they more talk shows than newscasts? I
> was surprised to learn that even KOAI in the little Northern
> Arizona college town of Flagstaff had "Today in the
> Northland," according to listings from 1974. I'm sorry if
> this is obvious, but I know almost nothing about local TV
> from that era, so any insight would be greatly appreciated!
>
One of the earliest morning shows was "AM L.A.", from KTLA in Los Angeles in 1962...anchored by the venerable Stan Chambers. I think it aired at 6:30 or 7am, which was far earlier than some stations were even on the air for the day.
KCRA in Sacramento launched its 5am, 2-hour newsblock in 1991...a full four years before any other station in town even got on the air at 6am.
> >
> > I believe that WCVB/5 in Boston was running a 6 AM local
> > newscast in the late seventies -- at least, I once read an
>
> > article on the station claiming that they did. It was
> > probably the first such early morning newscast in the
> > country.
>
> Now I'm confused. What were the "Today in [insert state or
> area]" programs aired by NBC affiliates after the Today show
> in the 1970s? Were they more talk shows than newscasts? I
> was surprised to learn that even KOAI in the little Northern
> Arizona college town of Flagstaff had "Today in the
> Northland," according to listings from 1974. I'm sorry if
> this is obvious, but I know almost nothing about local TV
> from that era, so any insight would be greatly appreciated!
>
I believe that WCVB's was the first morning newscast--and the
first hour-long one as well.
As to the "Today In..." question, those shows tended to be
more talk than news. Today In Georgia, which lasted some
26 years on then-NBC affiliate WSB/2 Atlanta, had everything
from celebrity guests to a physical-fitness expert who came
on a couple of times a week. (The show lasted from 1952 to
1978.)
I know that WRAL/5 Raleigh carried the CBS Morning News when
it was an ABC affiliate. The reason: in the late '60s/early
'70s WTVD/11 (CBS/NBC) carried the Today show, even after
WRDU/28 came on the air in 1968. Since ABC had no morning
programming, WRAL simply picked up the CBS program WTVD
pre-empted (WTVD carried Captain Kangaroo at 9 AM).
In 1971, when WTVD became CBS exclusively, it picked up the
CBS Morning News and WRDU, the Today show. WRAL then started
its own 7 AM local newscast, anchored by a Triangle legend,
Charlie Gaddy. This continued into the A.M. America/Good
Morning America era, and I don't recall WRAL carrying the
full two hours of GMA until around 1980. Today, WRAL (CBS),
WTVD (ABC), and WNCN/17 (NBC) all have two-hour newscasts
beginning at 5 AM, followed by their respective network shows
at 7.
In Greensboro, WFMY/2's Good Morning Show was a local copy
of Today, even though WFMY is a CBS affiliate and has never
carried Today. After the retirement of longtime host Lee
Kinard, the show became a straight newscast (three hours,
5-8 AM, with The Early Show from 8-10).
> > I believe that WCVB/5 in Boston was running a 6 AM local
> > newscast in the late seventies -- at least, I once read an
>
> > article on the station claiming that they did. It was
> > probably the first such early morning newscast in the
> > country.
>
> Now I'm confused. What were the "Today in [insert state or
> area]" programs aired by NBC affiliates after the Today show
> in the 1970s? Were they more talk shows than newscasts? I
> was surprised to learn that even KOAI in the little Northern
> Arizona college town of Flagstaff had "Today in the
> Northland," according to listings from 1974. I'm sorry if
> this is obvious, but I know almost nothing about local TV
> from that era, so any insight would be greatly appreciated!
>
I believe that WCVB's was the first morning newscast--and the
first hour-long one as well.
As to the "Today In..." question, those shows tended to be
more talk than news. Today In Georgia, which lasted some
26 years on then-NBC affiliate WSB/2 Atlanta, had everything
from celebrity guests to a physical-fitness expert who came
on a couple of times a week. (The show lasted from 1952 to
1978.)
I know that WRAL/5 Raleigh carried the CBS Morning News when
it was an ABC affiliate. The reason: in the late '60s/early
'70s WTVD/11 (CBS/NBC) carried the Today show, even after
WRDU/28 came on the air in 1968. Since ABC had no morning
programming, WRAL simply picked up the CBS program WTVD
pre-empted (WTVD carried Captain Kangaroo at 9 AM).
In 1971, when WTVD became CBS exclusively, it picked up the
CBS Morning News and WRDU, the Today show. WRAL then started
its own 7 AM local newscast, anchored by a Triangle legend,
Charlie Gaddy. This continued into the A.M. America/Good
Morning America era, and I don't recall WRAL carrying the
full two hours of GMA until around 1980. Today, WRAL (CBS),
WTVD (ABC), and WNCN/17 (NBC) all have two-hour newscasts
beginning at 5 AM, followed by their respective network shows
at 7.
In Greensboro, WFMY/2's Good Morning Show was a local copy
of Today, even though WFMY is a CBS affiliate and has never
carried Today. After the retirement of longtime host Lee
Kinard, the show became a straight newscast (three hours,
5-8 AM, with The Early Show from 8-10).
> KCRA in Sacramento launched its 5am, 2-hour newsblock in
> 1991...a full four years before any other station in town
> even got on the air at 6am.
KTRK-13-Houston had a half-hour 7:00am newscast that ran for years dating back to mid-60s (longtime anchor Dave Ward was the original anchor). They continued to run that half-hour until the early-1990s, prempting the first half-hour of "Good Morning America."
They also ran "Good Morning Houston" at 9:00am, after GMA, until the early-90s as well. This was, essentially, a re-vamped "Dialing For Dollars" program which had aired on KTRK since the early-60s.
> 1991...a full four years before any other station in town
> even got on the air at 6am.
KTRK-13-Houston had a half-hour 7:00am newscast that ran for years dating back to mid-60s (longtime anchor Dave Ward was the original anchor). They continued to run that half-hour until the early-1990s, prempting the first half-hour of "Good Morning America."
They also ran "Good Morning Houston" at 9:00am, after GMA, until the early-90s as well. This was, essentially, a re-vamped "Dialing For Dollars" program which had aired on KTRK since the early-60s.
W
wxctintern
Guest
I remember in the 1990s the Big 3 Network Affiliates in Hartford/New Haven aired morning newscasts from 6AM-7AM. That's WFSB/3 CBS, WVIT/30 NBC, and WTNH/8 ABC. Then for a short time WVIT cut its morning news to 626AM-7AM. Then a couple years later WFSB and WVIT expanded their news to air 530AM-7AM. WTNH then did 5AM-7AM. WFSB and WVIT followed about a year later. When they revamped the CBS Morning SHow in the late 1990s WFSB added local news 7AM-8AM, featuring cut-ins from the CBS Early Show at :15 and :45 past the hour. This past February WTNH's began simulcasting the 6AM-7AM portion of the morning news on sister station "UPN 9" WCTX/59. Then the local news airs exclusivly on UPN 9 7AM-8AM.
Our FOX/WB Station (They're co-owned by Tribune) doesn't have morning news. FOX 61 has a 10PM newscast that airs 10PM-11PM Mon-Friday. About 20 mins of that is simulcast on WB20. They then have a weather/sports update for the other 10 mins on WB20. Saturdays and Sundays FOX 61's 10PM news airs until 1030 and is simulcast in its entirety on WB20. When FOX programming runs past 10PM, 99% of the time the news airs live on WB20 and on tape of FOX 61.
Our FOX/WB Station (They're co-owned by Tribune) doesn't have morning news. FOX 61 has a 10PM newscast that airs 10PM-11PM Mon-Friday. About 20 mins of that is simulcast on WB20. They then have a weather/sports update for the other 10 mins on WB20. Saturdays and Sundays FOX 61's 10PM news airs until 1030 and is simulcast in its entirety on WB20. When FOX programming runs past 10PM, 99% of the time the news airs live on WB20 and on tape of FOX 61.
J
Joseph_Gallant
Guest
Boston was a pionering market as regards early-morning (prior to 7 A.M.) local television newscasts.
WBZ-4 launched "Daily Almanac" in the late 1950's, weekday mornings at 6:45 A.M. It was a blend of farm and market reports, a few minutes of news (anchored by Boston TV legend Jack Chase) and a weather report (from Don Kent, another Boston TV legend). For about fifteen years (maybe a little more), they were alone in broadcasting TV news prior to 7 A.M.
In September of 1973, WCVB-5 premiered an hour-long local newscast from 6 to 7 A.M., which was one of the first hour-long early-morning TV newscasts (if not the very first) in the country, and probably the first hour-long one between 6 and 7 A.M.. In the 1980's, WCVB expanded their early-morning news first to 90 minutes (5:30-7 A.M.) and eventually, to two full hours (5-7 A.M.). WCVB was the first station anywhere in the country to have a 90-minute and then a two-hour early-morning newscast.
What WCVB still calls their "Eye-Opener" changed the dynamics of local television prior to 7 A.M. all over the country.
WBZ-4 launched "Daily Almanac" in the late 1950's, weekday mornings at 6:45 A.M. It was a blend of farm and market reports, a few minutes of news (anchored by Boston TV legend Jack Chase) and a weather report (from Don Kent, another Boston TV legend). For about fifteen years (maybe a little more), they were alone in broadcasting TV news prior to 7 A.M.
In September of 1973, WCVB-5 premiered an hour-long local newscast from 6 to 7 A.M., which was one of the first hour-long early-morning TV newscasts (if not the very first) in the country, and probably the first hour-long one between 6 and 7 A.M.. In the 1980's, WCVB expanded their early-morning news first to 90 minutes (5:30-7 A.M.) and eventually, to two full hours (5-7 A.M.). WCVB was the first station anywhere in the country to have a 90-minute and then a two-hour early-morning newscast.
What WCVB still calls their "Eye-Opener" changed the dynamics of local television prior to 7 A.M. all over the country.
H
HomerJay
Guest
A gradual but steady trend towards making mornings more "productive"---be it earlier commutes, more people paying attention to news and business headlines, etc.--helped create that audience for news that CNN exploited quite well.
Radio also used to be a more common source of news in the morning. I remember full-service WIP (Philadelphia) with 10 minute newscasts at the top and bottom of every hour. Two anchors, reporters (imagine a music station today with its own City Hall reporter). I always felt I was up to date when I listened to them, but as full service gave way to "newscasts" that consist of about three headlines off the wire, a "hot spots" traffic update and a one-day forecast, I found the expansion of TV news in the morning filled the void perfectly. (Of course, I was in high school at the time....a news junkie even then.)
The audience needed to reach critical mass, and that seemed to happen on the whole in the late '80s. Now, I can't imagine starting my day--even weekends--without checking in on the morning news.
> Many NBC affiliates began broadcasting local news inserts at
> 7:25 and 8:25 during the Today Show starting in 1952.
> Some CBS affiliates had morning news inserts in the CBS
> Morning News at 7:25 and/or 7:55 starting the mid 60's.
> (With Captain Kangaroo aired from 8-9 am).
> For a time during the mid 50's, CBS had a Morning Show with
> local insert avails. This was replaced in the late 50's
> with a 15 minute morning network newscast, which some
> affiliates covered with a local newscast (Captain Kangaroo
> at this point was :45 minutes).
> ABC started AM America in the mid 70's, replaced a couple of
> years later with Good Morning, America: Both programs at
> openings for local news inserts at :25 past the hour.
> Before all three networks had morning shows, most affiliates
> did local kids' programs in the open time periods.
> Originally, many stations did not sign on much before 7 am.
> Those that did sign on earlier generally did instructional
> programs, farm reports or public service programming (to
> meet programming quotas when no one was watching).
> After CNN came on in 1980, local stations started doing
> pre-7 am local newscasts. CNN demonstrated a lot of people
> were awake before 7 am and they would watch TV, if
> available.
>
Radio also used to be a more common source of news in the morning. I remember full-service WIP (Philadelphia) with 10 minute newscasts at the top and bottom of every hour. Two anchors, reporters (imagine a music station today with its own City Hall reporter). I always felt I was up to date when I listened to them, but as full service gave way to "newscasts" that consist of about three headlines off the wire, a "hot spots" traffic update and a one-day forecast, I found the expansion of TV news in the morning filled the void perfectly. (Of course, I was in high school at the time....a news junkie even then.)
The audience needed to reach critical mass, and that seemed to happen on the whole in the late '80s. Now, I can't imagine starting my day--even weekends--without checking in on the morning news.
> Many NBC affiliates began broadcasting local news inserts at
> 7:25 and 8:25 during the Today Show starting in 1952.
> Some CBS affiliates had morning news inserts in the CBS
> Morning News at 7:25 and/or 7:55 starting the mid 60's.
> (With Captain Kangaroo aired from 8-9 am).
> For a time during the mid 50's, CBS had a Morning Show with
> local insert avails. This was replaced in the late 50's
> with a 15 minute morning network newscast, which some
> affiliates covered with a local newscast (Captain Kangaroo
> at this point was :45 minutes).
> ABC started AM America in the mid 70's, replaced a couple of
> years later with Good Morning, America: Both programs at
> openings for local news inserts at :25 past the hour.
> Before all three networks had morning shows, most affiliates
> did local kids' programs in the open time periods.
> Originally, many stations did not sign on much before 7 am.
> Those that did sign on earlier generally did instructional
> programs, farm reports or public service programming (to
> meet programming quotas when no one was watching).
> After CNN came on in 1980, local stations started doing
> pre-7 am local newscasts. CNN demonstrated a lot of people
> were awake before 7 am and they would watch TV, if
> available.
>
I recall that in 1982 or 1983, WBNS Channel 10 was the first station to air local news at 6:30 a.m. in the Columbus market. WCMH Channel 4 later had a early morning newscast. I don't remember WTVN Channel 6 (which bacame WSYX in 1987) having an early morning newscast during the 1980's.
By the early 1990's, both WBNS and WCMH started their early morning newscasts at 6:00 a.m, then 5:30 a.m. in the mid 1990's and then 5:00 a.m. in the late 1990's. I believe it wasn't until sometime in the mid to late 1990's before WSYX had early morning newscasts.
Today, WBNS newscasts runs from 5:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., WCMH and WSYX newscasts runs from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., and WSYX continues their newscasts on WTTE 28 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
By the early 1990's, both WBNS and WCMH started their early morning newscasts at 6:00 a.m, then 5:30 a.m. in the mid 1990's and then 5:00 a.m. in the late 1990's. I believe it wasn't until sometime in the mid to late 1990's before WSYX had early morning newscasts.
Today, WBNS newscasts runs from 5:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., WCMH and WSYX newscasts runs from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., and WSYX continues their newscasts on WTTE 28 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
By, at least, the late 1950's, WLW-T, Channel 5, in Cincinnati carried a live local news and weather program that led up to NBC's Today Show. The program originated from the station's Comex studio across the street from its main studios at Ninth & Elm Streets. Large picture windows faced Elm Street and passers-by could look in and watch. Howard Chamberlain was the host. He read news and introduced what guests might be there. Tony Sands did the weather. WLW-T was one of the first stations in the Midwest to have their own weather radar. There were a couple of interesting aspects to this show in this location. There was only one camera and it was black & white. WLW-T had local color as far back as 1956, but this was in its main studios and for remotes of sporting events. Although there was no color, viewers could see the weather gauges actually move, such as when the wind was blowing, etc. or a look at the radar screen to see approaching storms. However, when the camera had to move from the news area to the weather area and vice-versa, slides had to be put up as the camera was been moved back and forth. From time to time, you could also hear some kind of radio receiver, like a police monitor, in the background.
Practically everything I've ever read on the subject
says that WCVB's morning newscast was the first
full-fledged local morning newscast, as opposed to local
versions of the "Today" show or five-minute cut-ins
during "Today."
I do recall, however, WBTV in Charlotte had "The
Morning Report" from 7-7:30 AM, just before the
"CBS Morning News," in 1968 (TV Guide, North
Carolina Edition, November 30-December 6, 1968).
I don't know if this was a full-fledged newscast
(I think it was, but I didn't get WBTV); if it was,
it was at least five years ahead of WCVB.
says that WCVB's morning newscast was the first
full-fledged local morning newscast, as opposed to local
versions of the "Today" show or five-minute cut-ins
during "Today."
I do recall, however, WBTV in Charlotte had "The
Morning Report" from 7-7:30 AM, just before the
"CBS Morning News," in 1968 (TV Guide, North
Carolina Edition, November 30-December 6, 1968).
I don't know if this was a full-fledged newscast
(I think it was, but I didn't get WBTV); if it was,
it was at least five years ahead of WCVB.
In Roanoke, VA WDBJ channel 7 had "Mornin" as far back as the early 70s. Still going strong today. Only thing missing compared to similar programs in other regions is a lack of traffic reports. Actually i don't believe any of the stations in the Roanoke-Lynchburg market ( neither TV nor radio ) does traffic. But interesting I heard recently that the stations in Charlottesville and the two WHSVs ( Harrisonburg and Winchester ) have already started featuring traffic reports on their moring newscasts even though Roanoke-Lynchburg is a much larger market. Actually rumor has it that WHSV may be getting a chopper sometime in 2008.
First station in Baltimore to offer morning news ( talking straight news, not the latest headlines mixed in with Stu Kerr dressed as a janitor or Lorenzo the clown ) was actually WBFF channel 45. They were doing morning news as far back as 1972 just prior to them airing cartoons.
First station in Baltimore to offer morning news ( talking straight news, not the latest headlines mixed in with Stu Kerr dressed as a janitor or Lorenzo the clown ) was actually WBFF channel 45. They were doing morning news as far back as 1972 just prior to them airing cartoons.
I always find it amazing how in Canada stations have avoided local morning news like the plague. CTV continues to insist on having no local morning newscasts (even though it causes some huge ratings differentials in some markets), except on CFCF in Montreal which has a half-hour newscast at 6 AM. CBC O&O stations still did not sign on until 10 AM into the late 1980s, so there wasn't even a network morning program on that network - although CBLT in Toronto signed on earlier to air the two-hour "CBLT Morning" starting at 7 AM, the only TV morning news show of its kind in Toronto at that time. That show was cancelled in 1986 and it wasn't until 1989 that another Toronto station, CITY launched its own morning news show, BreakfastTelevision. Today in Canada radio continues to be the only source of local news in the morning, especially before 7 AM.
More with the original topic, FYI First Edition on CFPL London may have been the first of its kind in Canada, launching in September 1983. Even Toronto's first morning show on CBLT did not launch until 1984. And I think some of the major morning shows out west, namely the ones on BCTV, ITV and CICT, didn't launch until the early 90s.
More with the original topic, FYI First Edition on CFPL London may have been the first of its kind in Canada, launching in September 1983. Even Toronto's first morning show on CBLT did not launch until 1984. And I think some of the major morning shows out west, namely the ones on BCTV, ITV and CICT, didn't launch until the early 90s.
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