WABC-TV
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| WABC-TV | |
|---|---|
 |
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| New York, New York | |
| Branding | ABC7/Channel 7 Eyewitness News |
| Slogan | Number One in New York |
| Channels | 7 (VHF) analog, 45 (UHF) digital |
| Affiliations | ABC |
| Owner | Disney/ABC |
| Founded | August 10, 1948 |
| Call letters meaning | W American Broadcasting Company |
| Former callsigns | WJZ-TV (1948-1953) |
| Former affiliations | None |
| Transmitter Power | 123 kW/405 m (analog) 399 kW/308.7 m (digital) |
| Website | www.7online.com |
WABC-TV, channel 7, is the flagship station of the Walt Disney Company-owned American Broadcasting Company, located in New York City. WABC-TV is best known in broadcasting circles for its highly successful version of the Eyewitness News format, and for its morning show Live with Regis and Kelly, syndicated nationally by corporate cousin Buena Vista Distribution.
In the few areas of the eastern United States where ABC programming is not available over-the-air, WABC-TV is seen via satellite through Dish Network and DirecTV, which also distributes the station's signal to Latin America.
Contents |
[edit] History
The station signed on August 10, 1948 as WJZ-TV, the first of three television stations signed-on by the American Broadcasting Company during that same year, with WENR-TV (now WLS-TV) in Chicago and WXYZ-TV in Detroit being the other two. Channel 7's call letters came from its sister radio station, WJZ (770 kHz., now WABC). In its early years, WJZ-TV was programmed like an independent station, as the ABC television network was still, for the most part, in the planning stages; the ABC-owned stations did air common programming during this period. The call letters were changed to WABC-TV on March 1, 1953, after ABC merged its operations with United Paramount Theaters, a firm which was broken-off from former parent company Paramount Pictures by decree of the U.S. government.
On September 11, 2001, the transmitter facilities of WABC-TV, as well as eight other local television stations and several radio stations, were destroyed when two hijacked airplanes crashed into and destroyed the World Trade Center towers. In the immediate aftermath, WABC-TV fed its signal to several UHF stations that were still broadcasting (notably WNYE-TV), before establishing temporary facilities in Alpine, New Jersey. The station eventually established transmission facilities at the Empire State Building.
[edit] News operations
WABC-TV is best known for popularizing the Eyewitness News format, in which reporters present their stories directly to the viewers. News director Al Primo brought the format to WABC-TV from KYW-TV in Philadelphia, but added a twist -- chatter among the anchors, known as "happy talk." Primo used the "Tar Sequence" cue from the musical score from the 1967 film Cool Hand Luke, composed by Lalo Schifrin, as the theme music. The score included a telegraphic-like melody appropriate for a newscast. It was quickly adopted by three of ABC's other large market owned-and-operated stations, WLS-TV in Chicago, KABC-TV in Los Angeles, and KGO-TV in San Francisco.
The format quickly rejuvenated a station that had long been an also-ran to WCBS-TV and WNBC-TV. Within a year, channel 7 had shot to first place in the ratings for the first time in its history, displacing longtime leader WCBS-TV. It spent most of the decade going back and forth with WCBS-TV for first place. For a time in the 1980s, it fell into last place, but still fought with WNBC-TV for second place. In 1985, the station lured WLS-TV's news director, Bill Applegate, from Chicago to New York. Applegate had taken WLS from last to first in just two years, and ABC hoped he could work the same magic at WABC. Their hopes were rewarded in 1987, when WABC surged to first place. It has been the ratings leader in New York since then.
In 1984, it started using News Series 2000, an updated version of the original Schifrin theme by Frank Gari that had been originally commissioned by WLS. The original Cool Hand Luke scores returned for a time from 1986-1988. In 1993, Schifrin raised his royalties for using his theme and its variations to a level that effectively priced it out of the local news market (though Australia's Nine Network still uses cuts from that theme). Gari was commissioned by WABC to compose a new music package called "Eyewitness News." This package, based slightly on Cool Hand Luke, has been updated several times. WABC currently uses the "Series 4" version, which was specifically updated for the station. In December 2006, WABC launched HD newscasts, but they were not promoted on-air or at the station website. [1] In 2007, WABC will debut another specially-updated version of Gari's Eyewitness News.
For eighteen years, Roger Grimsby was the face of Eyewitness News. He was known for his opening tagline, "Good Evening, I'm Roger Grimsby, here now the news" and his closing line, "Hoping your news is good news, I'm Roger Grimsby." His April 16, 1986 firing by Applegate drew considerable fire, and he was quickly hired by rival WNBC. His most famous partner at the anchor desk was Bill Beutel, who had previously worked at WABC from 1962 to 1968 before spending two years as the network's London bureau chief. Beutel stepped down from the anchor desk in 2001, two years before his retirement, which concluded the longest tenure for a main anchor in New York television history.
While banter between anchors is still part of the 5 a.m. and Noon weekday broadcasts, the modern-day Eyewitness News has abandoned much of the chattiness of their predecessors. WABC's news department is respected for its straight-forward presentation (especially during breaking news). For the last decade, it has waged a spirited battle for first place with WNBC, but for most of the time has held onto the lead, helped in part by lead-ins from highly-rated talk and entertainment shows -- since December 1986 it has been The Oprah Winfrey Show, whose strong ratings helps the 5 p.m. newscast.
WABC-TV cooperates with sister station WPVI-TV in Philadelphia -- popularizer of the Action News format -- in the production and broadcast of statewide New Jersey political debates. When the two stations broadcast a statewide office debate, such as for Governor or U.S. Senate, they will pool resources and have anchors or reporters from both stations participate in the debate. Additionally, the two stations cooperate in coverage of news from New Jersey.
Eyewitness News airs four and half hours daily, three hours on Saturdays and four hours on Sunday. The newscasts are replayed on one of WABC's digital channels, which is available over-the-air. Also available is a local weather and news channel. WABC-TV's website has a link for live streaming video of "Eyewitness News Now", which offers live local and national weather updated from AccuWeather. Local news headlines and updates are also provided. The format of "Eyewitness News Now" is similar to NBC Weather Plus.
[edit] High Definition
In early December 2006 WABC began broadcasting in the High Definition format. The station, which has delivered HD pictures from its news helicopter since early last year, began broadcasting in 720-line-progressive scan (720p) HD from its news studio with the late newscast on Dec. 2, 2006. It is now providing high-definition pictures from its studio, newsroom, news desk and weather center, while remotes from the field remain in standard-definition. WABC has also installed a high-definition camera atop the Millennium Building to provide a "great panoramic view" of the city skyline and the George Washington Bridge, says president and general manager Dave Davis. In early 2007 Eyewitness News will be re-branded with the HD branding like it's sister station KABC in LA, alongside the debut of brand new graphics and an updated version of the Eyewitness News music package.
[edit] Eyewitness News HD Broadcasts
[edit] Weekdays
- Eyewitness News This Morning - 5-7 a.m.
- Eyewitness News at Noon - Noon-12:30 p.m.
- Eyewitness News at 5PM - 5-6 p.m.
- Eyewitness News at 6PM - 6-6:30 p.m.
- Eyewitness News at 11PM - 11-11:35 p.m.
[edit] Weekends
- Eyewitness News Saturday Morning - 6-8 a.m.
- Eyewitness News Sunday Morning - 6-8 and 9-10 a.m.
- Eyewitness News at 6PM - 6-6:30 p.m.
- Eyewitness News at 11PM - 11-11:35 p.m.
[edit] Other Programs
- Tiempo - Sundays 5-5:30 a.m.
- Eyewitness News UpClose with Diana Williams - Sundays 11:30 a.m.-Noon
- Like it Is - Sundays Noon-1 p.m.
[edit] Anchors
- Sade Baderinwa - weeknights 5 PM
- Sandra Bookman - weekends 6 and 11 PM
- Michelle Charlesworth - weekends, Eyewitness News This Morning
- Liz Cho - weeknights 6 and 11 PM
- Phil Lipof - weekends, Eyewitness News This Morning
- Bill Ritter - weeknights 6 and 11 PM
- Lori Stokes - weekdays, Eyewitness News This Morning and Noon
- Joe Torres - weekends 6 and 11 PM
- Diana Williams - weeknights 5 PM/host Up Close with Diana Williams
Weather Anchors:
- Bill Evans - weekday morning meteorologist
- Lee Goldberg - weekday evening meteorologist
- Heidi Jones - weekend evening meteorologist
- Jeff Smith - weekend morning meteorologist
Sports Anchors:
- Scott Clark - sports director/weeknight sports anchor
- Marvell Scott - weekend evening sports anchor
- Jenna Wolfe - weekend morning sports anchor
[edit] Reporters
- Jay Adlersberg (health and science)
- Sandra Bookman
- Lisa Colagrossi
- Lauren Glassberg
- Jim Hoffer (investigative)
- Anthony Johnson
- Sandy Kenyon (entertainment)
- Phil Lipof
- Jen Maxfield
- Art McFarland
- Jeff Pegues
- Tappy Phillips
- Nina Pineda
- Kemberly Richardson
- Ken Rosato
- Jeff Rossen
- Stacey Sager
- Joel Siegel (movie reviews)
- Emily Smith
- Jeff Smith
- Marcus Solis
- Carolina Tarazona
- Joe Torres
- Lucy Yang
- Toni Yates
- Sarah Wallace (investigative)
- Patrica Wu
[edit] Former personalities
- Roz Abrams - anchor (1986-2003)
- Ernie Anastos - anchor (1978-1989; now at WNYW)
- Tex Antoine - meteorologist (1966-1976; deceased)
- Eddie Arruza - reporter (1994-1997; now with WTTW in Chicago)
- Jerry Azar - sports anchor/reporter (1983-1985)
- Steve Bartelstein - sports/news anchor (1999-2007)
- Bill Beutel - anchor (1962-1968 and 1970-2003; deceased)
- Maxine Black - reporter (1980-1984)
- Bill Bonds - anchor (1975-1976)
- Jim Bouton - sports anchor (1970-1972)
- Ellen Burstein - investigative reporter (1975-1978)
- Ann Butler - reporter (1982-1985)
- Sam Champion - meteorologist (1988-2006; now at Good Morning America)
- Spencer Christian - meteorologist/sports anchor (1977-1986; now at KGO-TV in San Francisco)
- Bertha Coombs - reporter (1990-1997; now with CNBC)
- Victoria Corderi - anchor/reporter (1992-1994; now with NBC News)
- Howard Cosell - sports anchor (1961-1974; deceased)
- Penny Crone - reporter (1977-1978)
- Pat Dawson - political reporter (1989-1996; now with NBC News)
- Jay DeDapper - politcal correspondent (1992-1998; now with WNBC)
- Tom Dunn - reporter/anchor (1968-1970; deceased)
- Tracy Egan - anchor/reporter (1978-1986; now at WTEN-TV in Albany, New York)
- Tom Ellis - anchor (1975-1978; now at NECN in Boston)
- Cheryl Fiandaca - reporter (1995-2003)
- Andy Field - reporter (1992-2000,2006; now at ABC News & FieldVision Productions)
- Storm Field - meterorologist (1976-1990)
- Ira Joe Fisher - meterorologist (1983-1985; now at CBS's The Early Show, weekends)
- Carlos Granda - reporter (1993-1995) Now on KABC in Los Angeles
- Roger Grimsby - anchor (1968-1986; deceased)
- Mark Haines - anchor/reporter (1985-1987; now at CNBC)
- Robb Hanrahan - anchor (1996-2003; now at WFOR-TV in Miami)
- Steve Hartman - reporter (1991-1994; now at CBS News)
- Edye Hill (Tarbox) - reporter/anchor (1992-1995; now at Fox News Channel)
- Magee Hickey - reporter (1983-1985); now at WCBS-TV)
- Chauncey Howell - reporter (1986-1991)
- Greg Hurst - anchor (1989-1998; now at KHOU-TV in Houston)
- Carol Iovanna - reporter (1985-1990; now at Fox News Channel)
- Doug Johnson - anchor/reporter (1968-2001)
- John Johnson - reporter/anchor (1972-1995)
- Veronica Johnson - meteorologist (1992-1997; now with WRC-TV in Washington, DC)
- Larry Kane - anchor (1977-1978)
- Katie Kelly - entertainment critic (1983-1987)
- Milton Lewis - reporter (1966-1985)
- Judy Licht - entertainment correspondent (1981-1983 and 1996-2000)
- Nancy Loo - reporter/anchor (1994-2001; now at WFLD-TV in Chicago)
- Dorothy Lucey - reporter (1983-1987; now at KTTV in Los Angeles)
- Felipe Luciano - anchor/reporter (1982)
- Joan Lunden - reporter (1975-1980)
- Sal Marchiano - sports anchor (1970-1979, now at WPIX)
- John Marler - anchor/reporter (1985-1990)
- Harry Martin - anchor/reporter (1989-1997; now at WWOR)
- Doris McMillian - reporter (1980-1984)
- Corey McPherrin - sports anchor (1984-1991; now at WFLD-TV in Chicago)
- Larry Mendte - reporter/anchor (1984-1988; now at KYW-TV in Philadelphia)
- George Michael - sports anchor (1979); now at WRC-TV in Washington, D.C.)
- Dave Michaels - host of A.M. New York (1974)
- Ed Miller - reporter (1983-1984)
- Tim Minton - investigative reporter (1987-1998; now at WNBC)
- Melinda Nix - reporter (1977-1980)
- Gil Noble - reporter/anchor (1967-1986; now full time host on Like It Is)
- David Novarro - New Jersey correspondent (1981-2000; now at WFLD-TV in Chicago)
- Mike Parker - reporter (1985-1986; now at WBBM-TV in Chicago)
- Charles Perez - reporter/anchor (2004-2006; now at WPLG in Miami)
- Geraldo Rivera - reporter (1970-1977)
- Susan Rosegen - anchor/reporter (1991-1992; now at CNN)
- Sam Ryan - sports reporter (2001-2003; now at CBS Sports)
- Roseanne (Rose Ann) Scamardella - reporter/anchor (1972-1983)
- Rosanna Scotto - reporter (1982-1986; now at WNYW)
- Roger Sharp - anchor/reporter (1972-1984; deceased)
- Tom Snyder - anchor (1982-1984)
- John Slattery - reporter (1979-1984; now at WCBS-TV)
- Lara Spencer - reporter (1995-1999; now the New York-based host of The Insider)
- Will Spens - reporter (1982-1986)
- Marc Stevens - sports reporter/anchor (1989-2000)
- Lee Thomas - entertainment/feature reporter (1994-1997)
- Melba Tolliver - reporter/anchor (1967-1976)
- Kaity Tong - anchor (1981-1991; now at WPIX)
- John Bartholomew Tucker - original host of A.M. New York (1970-1972)
- David Ushery - morning/noon anchor/reporter (1993-2003; now at WNBC)
- Dell Wade - reporter (1967-1976)
- Jane Wallace - reporter (1980-1981)
- Rolonda Watts - anchor/reporter/host of "Eyewitness News Conference" (1985-1993)
- Chee Chee Williams - reporter (1977-1985)
- Joe Witte - meteorologist (1980-1981; now at WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C.)
- Warner Wolf - sports anchor (1976-1980; now at WABC/WEPN radio)
- Myriam Wright - anchor/reporter (1992-1996; now at NECN in Boston)
- Lou Young - reporter (1981-1990; now at WCBS-TV)
[edit] News Directors
- Albert T. Primo (1968-1972)
- Al Ittleson(1972-1974)
- Phil Nye (1974-1976)
- Ron Tindiglia (1976-1979)
- Jim Topping (1979-1981)
- Cliff Abromats (1981-1985)
- William Applegate (1985-1991)
- Henry Florsheim (1991-1995)
- Bart Feder (1995-1999)
- Dan Forman (2000-2002)
- Kenny Plotnik (2002-present)
[edit] Newscast titles
- John Daly with World News (1953-1956)
- John Cameron Swayze & the News (1956-1962)
- The Big News (1962-1965)
- Channel 7 News (1965-1968)
- Eyewitness News (1968-present)
[edit] Staff announcers
- John Causier
- Bill Rice - now announcer for ABC's World News with Charles Gibson
- Scott Vincent
- Wally Parker
- Gilbert Hodges (Broadcast Announcer)
- Allan Jeffreys
[edit] Live with Regis and Kelly
WABC-TV also produces the successful nationally syndicated morning talk show Live with Regis and Kelly, broadcast live at 9 a.m. The program originates in the same studio as Eyewitness News. This situation forces the local news updates during Good Morning America and Live to be produced from the WABC newsroom and also limits the size of the Eyewitness News set (WNBC-TV and WCBS-TV have comparatively large sets).
The show began as a local morning show in 1983, aptly titled The Morning Show (using the circle-7 logo in the actual text for one of the "o"s) and was originally hosted by Regis Philbin and Cyndy Garvey. In 1985, Kathie Lee Johnson (who would marry Frank Gifford a year later) became Philbin's co-host. Buena Vista Television (which is now co-owned with WABC-TV) began syndicating the show in 1988 as Live with Regis and Kathie Lee. Kathie Lee left the show in 2000 and was eventually replaced by current host Kelly Ripa.
The copyright at the end of the broadcast reads "WABC-TV". Live with Regis and Kelly remains a WABC-TV production.
[edit] Office locations
- The original WABC-TV offices were located at 77 West 66th Street, with studios at 7 West 66th Street. There was an underground tunnel that links ABC Studios at 7 West 66th Street to the lobby of the Hotel des Artistes a block north on West 67th Street. There was another studio inside the Hotel des Artistes that was used for Eyewitness News Conference.
- In a part of ABC's expansion program initiated in 1977, ABC built 7 Lincoln Square on the southeast corner of West 67th Street and Columbus Avenue, on a site of an old six-story brownstone. At about the same time, construction was started at 30 West 67th Street, on the site of a former parking lot. Both buildings were completed in June 1979 and WABC-TV moved their offices from 77 West 66th Street to 7 Lincoln Square.
[edit] References
- Fybush, Scott (9-10-2002). 9/11 Plus One. NorthEast Radio Watch.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
| Preceded by WJZ-TV |
WABC-TV 1953-present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
