Classic CBS Radio Stagers and Sounders

During the 1970s and into the mid-1980s, the CBS Radio owned-and-operated news stations had a superior style and sound: tight and cohesive production, lively presenters, excellent engineering and outstanding "audio logos" from a company called Identitones. This compilation contains a few stagers and sounders from the heyday of the CBS Radio local news format.

In partnership with CBS Laboratories, CBS Radio developed a unique system to advise affiliates of news bulletins. When activated from network headquarters, CBS NetAlert transmitted coded information over the network lines to each station to communicate anything from the start of a special feed to a national emergency. The system had the capability to override local programming for a special report from CBS News. A NetAlert receiver is seen toward the end of this video.

All rights are acknowledged.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• WCBS
• WEEI
• WBBM
• WCCO
• Douglas
• Edwards

[Harlan346]

I recall the "chirp" net alert. Does anyone else besides me notice that the CBS Radio news opener sounds just like the old Dinah Shore Chevy Show on TV song. It went "See the USA in your Chevrolet." I recall that the CBS news logo opener was introduced about this same time. Anyone else recall the similarity?

[VintageTelevision]

@Harlan346

The top-of-the-hour sounder is based on a 1960s vocal: "C-B-S Radio" are the words.

[lebaron1982]

I LOVE the news sounder...do they even use it anymore???

[VintageTelevision]

If you mean the top-of-the-hour CBS News sounder, yes -- although, it is an "updated" version of the classic that is heard in this clip.

[dinfg6]

@icom1020 Well I know KCBS has a cut that sounded like the WCBS version in this clip but with Al-Hart as the VO. But KCBS did not use more than just the headlines in the ID jingle. you have look at KCBS 1993 in the Bay Area Museum site to hear it for yourself.

[meanstreet81]

I swear if I owned my own radio station, I would do anything in my power to get the rights for the sounder at :48 for the top-of-the-hour news! But it probably will not happen....well its whatever.

[funtyrone]

it's very rarely used on a non-all-news format, i have a check of WCBS-FM (oldies), using this sounder. plus, i think another oldies or top40 station up in mississippi, (hatisburg, or natchez), used it in the early to mid 90's.

[jjkaraokepro]

I know that net alert sound. It always plays before the severe weather report on our local radio station.

[kct1975]

Wow! The CBS News Sounder brings back memories! I clearly remember sitting ay the beach with my parents in the '80's listening to the local pop station in Ocean City MD, and hearing the CBS News Sounder. To me, it that it was 12 PM, lunchtime, and my mom would be breaking out the sandwiches for lunch!

[zippyjetbernstein]

The third one which comes approx. :46 seconds in is my favorite and should have been kept. It's the "Headlines Stager." Thanks for sharing.

[fromthesidelines]

1:08- "Set your time to WCBS. Four tones will follow; the final loudest tone marks tthe exact time...". "It's - o'clock".

[PGMEagle]

I remember on TV in the mid 70's when there was that bong right when Captian Kangerroo came on

[musicmandon1]

I liked those sounders before I knew that's what they were called. Found that out in college. NBC had neat ones around the same time for the top of the hour, and for Monitor on weekends.

One thing--I think_ CBS Net Alert was in use as early as the JFK Assassination, although sounders weren't being used yet.

[altfactor]

If CBS radio was still using the Netalert system on September 11th, 2001, the network probably punched-in "15" at some point that morning.