• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

WNAC FOX 64 Pine St Rehoboth

S

Skynet74

The year was 1988. The Month was August. My first day on the job as a Master Control tech. Morton Downey Jr. walks in with his lovely girlfriend. I think her name was Lori. It was a nice surprise to see the Loud Mouth drop by to visit. As we near the 17th Anniversary of my first day at WNAC... I'm wondering. What the hell ever happened to that place?

Nothing would crack me up more than pulling into the Parking Lot and looking at the sign that said "BOZO PARKING". I had always thought that was for management. But I quickly learned that the station actually taped Bozo in the basement.

It was a cool little station. Literally! The Master Control Room was as cold as Ice. I ended up leaving because I didn't like the job..... and I ran out of sweaters! :) But it was still a good memory while it lasted.

Does anyone know what I would see in that building today if I happened to drive down there and walk in right now? I'm curious.


John<P ID="signature">______________
Awsome Voiceovers for your station.
JohnChartier.com
206-600-2629
</P>
 
Don't know about the inside but here is the outside:

http://gallery.bostonradio.org/2004-05/providence/100-01787-med.html


> The year was 1988. The Month was August. My first day on the
> job as a Master Control tech. Morton Downey Jr. walks in
> with his lovely girlfriend. I think her name was Lori. It
> was a nice surprise to see the Loud Mouth drop by to visit.
> As we near the 17th Anniversary of my first day at WNAC...
> I'm wondering. What the hell ever happened to that place?
>
> Nothing would crack me up more than pulling into the
> Parking Lot and looking at the sign that said "BOZO
> PARKING". I had always thought that was for management. But
> I quickly learned that the station actually taped Bozo in
> the basement.
>
> It was a cool little station. Literally! The Master Control
> Room was as cold as Ice. I ended up leaving because I didn't
> like the job..... and I ran out of sweaters! :) But it was
> still a good memory while it lasted.
>
> Does anyone know what I would see in that building today if
> I happened to drive down there and walk in right now? I'm
> curious.
>
>
> John
>
 
> Does anyone know what I would see in that building today if
> I happened to drive down there and walk in right now? I'm
> curious.

Check your email.
 
> Don't know about the inside but here is the outside:
>
http://g> allery.bostonradio.org/2004-05/providence/100-01787-med.html

This does not appear to be the original WNET (16) building. Probably
a replacement build sometime after about 1970. The original was
two stories with a lot of exposed steel structure attached at one
side. I have no idea what THAT was for. Until sometime in the
70's the big block-leters "WNET" were still attached to the
upper level.

I also recall that, when the station came back from the dead
(it was on for only 1-2 years in the early to mid-50's), the
tubular steel tower was rotted out and had to be replaced.
Anyone have better records or memories on these?

I have it in my head that it came back as 64 sometime around
1976-1978. Again, from memory, George Costa took his pension
(maintenance supervisor) from WTEV (6) and went over there
either as CE or to consult on whatever salvage/rebuilding was
done.
<P ID="signature">______________
Appoint a special prosecutor NOW! For any imagined offense by anybody. The trial lawyers need the work; they multiply like rats!</P>
 
> I have it in my head that it came back as 64 sometime around 1976-1978. Again, from memory,
---------------------

I actually believe that Channel 64 first went on the air in the mid 80's. It was either 1984 or 1985 to be exact.



John<P ID="signature">______________
Awsome Voiceovers for your station.
JohnChartier.com
206-600-2629
</P>
 
On or around September 16, 1984, the same week as WTIC-TV (FOX) channel 61 of Hartford, CT.
 
> On or around September 16, 1984, the same week as WTIC-TV
> (FOX) channel 61 of Hartford, CT.
>

Actually, according to "The UHF Morgue" (http://www.geocities.com/radiojunkie1/wnet.html), the present-day ch.64 signed on as WSTG in 1981, after being dark on ch.16 since the 1950s. However, it was only on the air a few hours a day, mainly to keep the license alive -- programming consisted mainly of PD movies and leftover material from WTEV / WLNE ch.6. They planned on being a subscription Tv operation, but that plan was scrapped when its popularity decreased due to cable.

It was indeed in September 1984 when ch.64 started full-time TV service.
 
It was indeed in September 1984 when ch.64 started full-time TV service.
----------------


That was pretty good timing. The FOX Network started in 1986. So that gave Channel 64 a couple of years to establish itself before signing on with FOX. Upon signing with Fox is when the station really began to thrive. It makes you wonder where Channel 64 would have ended up if the FOX Network never came along. I guess 64 would have ultimately became a WB affiliate..... without nearly the amount of success that it enjoys now.

I still think FOX is long overdue for a Late Night Talk Show. They had Joan Rivers and Ross Schaffer when the Network first began. I think it's time to try again.


John<P ID="signature">______________
Awsome Voiceovers for your station.
JohnChartier.com
206-600-2629
</P>
 
> I actually believe that Channel 64 first went on the air
> in the mid 80's. It was either 1984 or 1985 to be exact.

I'll accept anything on the "64" part of it...there's more
further down the board.

My primary reference to the building/tower was as it was
ORIGINALLY built by Judge Harold Arcarro and friends, as
WNET-16 around 1952 or perhaps 1954. Correct that it was
only on the air a matter of months with a terrible signal.
At the time my family lived only about 15-miles from the
transmitter and the picture (using a converter) sucked.
Mostly old movies, though occasionally some network
programming that nobody else wanted.

Arcarro later got involved in WTEV in its very early stages
but was quickly out of it for his own reasons. He also had
diddled with several AM's and FM's around R.I.<P ID="signature">______________
Appoint a special prosecutor NOW! For any imagined offense by anybody. The trial lawyers need the work; they multiply like rats!</P>
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom