question about 6:00 PM News on WABC, WCBS, and WNBC

[BugsyPal]

Originally Posted by sross1800

Just curious, I was looking at some old television schedules in New York City, and I was wondering when did WABC, WCBS, and WNBC reduce their 6:00 PM newscasts to a half-hour and then ABC World News Tonight, CBS Evening News, and NBC Nightly News at 6:30 PM?
Thanks!
Sean

Back when was a kid Channel 7 (ABC) had the 4:30 movie which ran from that time until 6PM. Remember it because on days when couldn't go outside and or otherwise was stuck indoors Mom usually had command of the set from 4PM onwards until dinner (we kids at least got to see Bugs Bunny after school).


Anyway the 4:30 Movie was cancelled in 1981 and was replaced by People's Court and Eyewitness news that began at 5PM. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_4:30_Movie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WABC-TV#Beginning_to_1999


Thus ushered in an era when from 5PM until 7PM or 8PM was solid local, national and whatever news.


You can see from the 1978-79 network television schedule primetime did not begin until 8PM


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978%E...ision_schedule


Same for 1979-1980: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978%E...ision_schedule


And so on until really pretty much today.


However by the middle of 1980's the major networks were loosing viewers to both the rise of cable/satellite television, and the rise of VCR. Enter "syndication" in particular Wheel of Fortune.


WOF was not only a huge ratings hit; but since it ran at 7:30PM it gave WCBS stations a huge jump in primetime ratings. This is because then as now viewers tend to follow a strong lead in program and watch whatever comes on next. Suddenly what had been a dead time slot mostly filled with news or whatever (7PM until 8PM) became "gold in them dar hills".


WABC, WNBC and others soon launched "Primetime begins at 730 or 7PM", that is they were putting strong (mostly all syndicated) shows on in those time slots in efforts to get viewers to stick around for the real stuff that began at 8PM.


Answer to OP's query can be found here:


"Last fall, ABC's affiliates persuaded the network to move ''World News Tonight'' with Peter Jennings to 6:30 P.M. so that the entire hour from 7 to 8 P.M. would be clear for local programs. WABC in New York is running ''Jeopardy,'' the second-highest-rated syndicated program, and ''Hollywood Squares'' in that time slot." https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/11/a...o-you-ask.html


That article was printed in 1987, so change occurred in 1986. Nearly if not all the major network stations followed and is why you have local news at 6PM followed by national/world at 630PM.

[Aeran]

Originally Posted by ICS67

If my memory serves correctly, in the early 1970s WNBC/Channel 4 expanded their newscast to two hours, beginning at 5:00 PM and featuring as anchors Chuck Scarborough and Carl Stokes (former mayor of Cleveland).

I vaguely remember Live at Five with Sue Simmons and oh, I forget his name but he had a great dry sense of humor.

[BugsyPal]

Originally Posted by Aeran

I vaguely remember Live at Five with Sue Simmons and oh, I forget his name but he had a great dry sense of humor.

There were a bunch of co-anchors with Sue Simmons, including Matt Lauer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_a...WNBC_TV_series)

[Aflyguy]

Memories. I remember rushing home to watch The Planet of the Apes, Godzilla, The Doberman Gang (remember that one?) and a bunch of others on Ch 7's "4:30 Movie". Relish the intro and that music, man!:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2es-lfRSDOI


And while we're at it (not really related to the topic here), remember these movie promos on network TV? Something about the music and those graphics that harken back to a safer, more comforting time. Ahhh take me back!



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qvjvXeWKv4

[BugsyPal]

Originally Posted by Aflyguy

Memories. I remember rushing home to watch The Planet of the Apes, Godzilla, The Doberman Gang (remember that one?) and a bunch of others on Ch 7's "4:30 Movie". Relish the intro and that music, man!:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2es-lfRSDOI


And while we're at it (not really related to the topic here), remember these movie promos on network TV? Something about the music and those graphics that harken back to a safer, more comforting time. Ahhh take me back!



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qvjvXeWKv4

Yes, that's it!


Loved that 4:30 Movie intro! Your clip took me right back!


Speaking of vintage television show openings/closings; this one gave me nightmares as kid.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux3laLkueZk

[Aeran]

I kinda remember the chiller intro (vaguely recall my babysitter watching it late at night). And sort of remember the 4:30 movie intro. But don't remember at all the movie of the week promo.

But I do recall the WOR Million Dollar Movie promo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPTQRmwCOWs

as well as this:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrVwr4W_FCE

[Aeran]

Originally Posted by Aeran

I vaguely remember Live at Five with Sue Simmons and oh, I forget his name but he had a great dry sense of humor.

Jack Cafferty! That was his name. Whew. Hate it when someone's name is on the tip of my tongue but I can't recall.