Al Primo, Father of "Eyewitness News" - 1982

News director turned news consultant Al Primo appeared on CNN's "Take Two" program in 1982 to discuss his company's "image makeover" of local newscasts. WBZ-TV in Boston is used as an example.

Al Primo is considered the originator of the "Eyewitness News" format that was developed at WABC-TV in 1968 and later adopted in many other television markets.

All rights are acknowledged.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Al
• Primo
• Eyewitness
• News
• WBZ-TV

[Piteriko]

Thanks to Mr. Primo. He is great man.

[pooka5472]

@hkfreak Brad Holbrook and Susan Burke.

[hkfreak]

I mean, who lead their news team between the start of May 22 and when they relaunched September 13?

[pooka5472]

Well, despite the valiant efforts of the NEWSE7EN team to leverage WNEV's news ratings, there was still residue left over from the corporate fiascoes that occurred while the station was named WNAC and owned by RKO General, and that residue hindered the ratings.

[hkfreak]

What happened with WNEV's newscast between 5/22 and 9/13?

[pooka5472]

Unfortunately, however, the NEWSE7EN "dream team" sunk like a lead zeppelin.

[mrmatchgame]

Looks like the same night they shot the footage for "WBZ-TV Today's 4 news promos 1982," after the newscast

[newscenter5]

Great stuff!

That second clip is from a big night in the history Boston TV. Sept. 13, 1982, the same night channel 7 WNEV launched Tom Ellis/Robin Young and the new NEWSE7EN... it came after a summer of hype of "news wars" and this was 'BZ's answer. A good look, even all these years later!! keep 'em coming vintage... especially any more 'CVB... !! and thanks!

[DerrickLee2006]

I do remember WATE-TV 6 in Knoxville using the titles. It was in 1969 or 1970 when they adopted the titles.

Before that, WATE's newscasts were called "Dateline News".

[brithgob]

Westinghouse seemed to be attempting in the "new" open to cross-promote its Satellite NewsChannel -- CNN's competitor!

(Love the theme, though.)