KYW News 3 - 1994 - 6pm

"KYW News 3" launched in 1994. Gone are the fancy live-action opens, dramatically lit set, long-form "issue tonight" reports and the unknown main anchors. Replacing it is a simple graphical look, a no-frills blue set similar to those in use at the other Group W stations, a more traditional news format, and most importantly, known anchors. Larry Kane was brought in to solo anchor the 11pm news, while Stephanie Stahl of WCAU replaced Jennifer Ward at 6pm.

This was a "back to basics" relaunch of KYW's newscasts after the major changes implemented in 1991. If the set and presentation may look a little bland - and to me, they did - it is because KYW was back to a more traditional newscast style. Bells and whistles would come later.

This was the format in use when KYW switched from NBC to CBS. The only change that occurred then was a modification to the lower thirds and a talent adjustment - Bruce Hamilton was replaced by Don Clark of Pittsburgh - who is more famous there as Don Cannon. Of course, the name was taken by the famous area radio jock and morning man at WOGL.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• KYW
• News
• 6pm
• 1994
• Stephanie
• Stahl
• Bruce
• Hamilton

[hparrish]

Just want to add that this was a period of rebuilding in the KYW news department. It was DECIMATED by the decisions of the early '90s. We brought back the noon news and were the FIRST to launch a weekend morning newscast. We steadied the product and challenged/sometimes beating WCAU at 6pm and began gaining at 11pm. Some steam was lost shortly after the affiliation switch as CBS was lagging behind NBC. While the product may look "bland" we made big strides getting KYW back into the news game.

[HulkieD]

The comment was kind of harsh, now that I look back at it, so I modified that and the 1997 clip. Nothing was meant to denigrate the staff there, and I should be choosing my terminology more carefully. (To be honest, I thought the look adopted by 10 after the switch was blander...)

[HulkieD]

Also, it does put the look in more proper perspective now that you mention it. The changes made in 1991 were so drastic and devastating that it makes complete sense that News 3 looked the way it did. Start from square one - trusted anchor, simple set, simpler format.

I think the reason I don't have more of KYW before 1999 was more because of the changes in 1991 - mostly the axing of all but two hours of news on weekdays - and less the look of the newscasts.

[ndnewbus]

This is as early as I can remember for 3. I liked it. 6 has always been my favorite, but after this point I have not really liked 10 at all.

[tecwiz859]

I, too was a big fan of 6's format & personalities in the mid-90s (I worked right across the street from them and was an occasional "honker" on City Line during the evening drive home), but admit to really liking this package, which mirrored KYW-AM's format. I also liked the WBBM package used by 10 in the mid-80s.

[darkridedan]

As bland as it may look, I have an affection for this time period. I watched News3 Saturday Morning which came on before and after TNBC. The product seemed more trustworthy than the early '90's adjustments. Channel 3 had always been my #2 station, but removing noon and 5:30pm news, lost me for a while until the News3 period. I think they should have updated the look with the Big Switch, but they finally came around.

[hparrish]

Thanks for the adjustment - was just a little background so anyone interested gets an insight about the reasons behind the look, etc. Your assessments are generally spot on!