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THE VOYAGE BEGINS

And so the TV Titanic was launched.  And it made news as we were one of the last UHF stations to be built in the nation.  Because our fearless leader Frank ordered no rehearsals our first news show which I christened “NEWS & MORE” (which nobody liked at first).  However, my choice was limited because Philly TV and local AC radio had taken most of the cliches’: Evening New, Today’s News, Tomorrow’s News Today, Action News, Headline News, NewsPlus.  I wrestled with our slogan for days - but to every doubter within a month it was familiar to a surprising number of new viewers.  The radio stations were worried.  And the other local station in Wildwood was mortified because they had very few viewers before us.

Our sales team really had their fingers on the pulse of our market penetration and they were amazed.  Many outside the industry think the business is about programs - the reality is that it’s about sponsors first and programming is the hook (whether it quality or not).  However, Nora our “street reporter” made a promise on the first show that they echoed,  “WWAC news was not going to be schlock TV…it’s going to something you’ll be glad you watch!”:  And her prophecy was going to come true.

My first few weeks were a blur.  My day started with an hour plus drive to work.  Then after sitting at my desk a line started forming outside my door.  I put our more fires than Smokey the Bear those first few days.  I became the sounding board for our very enthusiastic crew (and executive staff too).  And I actually surprised myself.  I never realized what I was capable of doing and solving until this job.  At 3:PM during my  busy day I was part of the “More” that followed the news each night.  .I hosted “Atlantic City Tonight” which predated the very successful network show  “Entertainment Tonight” by years.  In the early days of gambling in Atlantic City the casinos were tightly regulated and one of the requirements of getting their many licenses and approvals was that they must have daily major entertainment - their model was the Los Vegas strip of neon and ballyhoo of countless shows and stars that came to the desert.  Atlantic City, famous for producing big name acts on the Steel Pier and the 500 Club.  Many more big names got their start at the World’s Playground.  And WWAC was going to take advantage of this well of stars that was literally overflowing.  (Plus, it did help that our weather person was married to a Casino Vice President who could make a call that would open a door to tape a guest at their hotel suite or send a stretch limo to bring them for a studio chat.

This advantage would ensure 50 programs with a major star every night and it was indeed the time of my life as Lynn and I shared the spotlight.  The format was simple.  We would interview a star or a local celeb and the news would shoot us some video of an event or interesting public interest subject (and there was an unending supply). Dave our production manager produced these segments and “borrowed” our one news crews each day between their stories.  (Even today I marvel at how this all got done with our barebones crew.  The fact was that each of the 20 people that reported to me work far beyond their job description and gave much more than what they were paid to do.  But they were young, hardy and like most who go into “show biz” willing to do what it takes to achieve their dreams and many did great after they moved on to bigger markets and better jobs.  And as for me - my dream of  “being of being recognized and having fans was about to come true.   Tune in again as the voyage takes us to some very surprising stops along the TV way

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