WIS-TV Newscast Intro 1978

[blueboy962000]

Alan Taylor was later at WBTV in Charlotte for many years.

[joebradio]

Those who are familiar with Columbia market know that WIS was THE TV STATION. They were competeing at the time (until the 80's) with two weak UHF stations. I think there was a time when one didn't do news, or only had a 6 o' clock show. At the time, they didn't need network affiliation to build audience, their own brand was what carried them. Even now, I think WIS is far ahead of their competitiors ratings wise, but cable and satellite has evened the playing field a bit.

[DennisDegan]

Because they didn't use NBC's promo graphics package. Why they chose to do this was probably the choice of the promo director at the time.

[DennisDegan]

I remember Toby Jenkins as well and wonder where he is now. And how about Dave Rogers? In addition to his duties as WIS announcer, Dave was also the voice of Darlington Speedway. I have a 2" tape of a weekend newscast with Charlotte Sotille as the anchor from 1976. I have it on 1" tape now. I'll put it up on YouTube if I can get it transferred. It was nice seeing this old clip from a distant past.

[snlgriggs]

I worked at WIS-TV from 1973 to 1981 and plan to "You Tube" clips from my extensive WIS-TV airchecks and out-takes in the very near future. I remember working with you Dennis.

Steve Griggs (WDSU-TV, New Orleans)

[mrbigjelly]

What is on your tape from 76 if you dont mind me asking. And Dave is doing fine. Still in the Cayce area. Thank You for your time.

Brian Rogers

[DennisDegan]

In 1975-76, I also worked at WIS-TV, in video maintenance. Today, I'm at NBC in New York, working for the Today Show. Nearly all the equipment shown in this clip was in place when I worked at the station. WIS was so much better than other stations in the market that it was claimed a test pattern would garner higher ratings than other stations would get while they were airing regular programming.

[NatalieJonathan]

I worked at WIS in the late 70s as a Director, and shot-produced this opening. During this period, I was learning a lot from WIS legends like producer-director Toby Jenkins. Anything done correctly can probably be linked to him. The reel tape machines were common, along with 16mm film. Hilarious to imagine now. Yes, that's Carl Stephens on the voiceover. Carl came to WIS as program director in the 70s, then returned to Ala. He was a nice man. Robert Dicks, Burlingame, CA

[rnrstar82]

I wish I was around in the 70's I was born in 82 and lived in Cola in the late 80's.

[nakamichiguy]

I love all that old broadcast equipment. The big switchers with all those blinking lights, the huge tape machines and those big RCA cameras. TV gear is so small now, and editing is done on the computer. Looks great, I love using it, but some of the romance is gone I'm afraid.

[BirminghamRewound]

Talk about deja vu! WSFA-12/Montgomery, Ala. (sister station to WIS-TV) used that same logo style in the '70s AND that same music under the ID. And the voice on the ID sounds like Carl Stephens, a longtime fixture on WSFA.

The old Cosmos stations were such class operations.

[wmbrown6]

Did WSFA use the 28 and 18 height Vidifont overlay typeface (Vidifont was another generic term for CG, in the vein of Chyron) as was used by WIS during this period?

[ProductionX]

Hmmm, I wonder if WTOL in Toledo had a similar look too at that time? I know their logo looked closely similar to WIS's.

[siu79]

Wow, old reel-to-reel video tape machines in master control. A classic.

[saturnday]

For many years, WIS did not have an announcer in the news opening. But this clip showing a young Susan Aude in her wheelchair. She was an anchor for WIS for over a quarter century until she retired early this year. She was paralized in an accident while in college and anchored the news from her wheelchair.