THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS! I REMEMBER WAKING UP TO THIS AND MARVELING AT THIS AND THE MEDITATION THAT FOLLOWED AND "HIGH FLIGHT"! PLEASE POST THE OTHER VIDEOS!!! YOU BROUGHT BACK A HUGE PART OF MY CHILDHOOD. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! (-:
They always played this at Shankweiler's Drive-In, before the first feature. Opening in 1934, it's the oldest operating drive-in in America, found in Orefield, Pa, just outside of Allentown. The first one opened in Camden, New Jersey, in 1933.
For several years, starting in the mid-1980's, WJLA - Washington's ABC affiliate - used to sign on and sign off with a recorded version of Ray Charles singing America the Beautiful, that was accompanied by daytime and nighttime helicopter shots of many of the city's monuments and public buildings, and it was simply breathtaking.
I recognize this particular rendition; there's a WNEW sign-off video on here that uses this same one, sandwiched in between some cool little 70's tune.
The Flag Evolution "SSB" was produced in 1971 by Saxton Graphic Associates, Ltd., a New York graphics firm. Their copyright notice was shown at the end following the final shot of the flag on the moon. Alas, most stations, including WTOP/WDVM/WUSA, WRAL, WTAF/WTXF, WAVE et al., cut off that notice, but WNEW-TV in New York (to 1978) and WITI in Milwaukee showed the copyright at the end.
As CBS Washington, D.C. Affiliate WUSA-TV signed on the air, they aired the same "Flag Evolution" film as The Star Spangled Banner plays. This was used on then CBS Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville, North Carolina Affiliate WRAL-TV (Now an NBC Affiliate), NBC Louisville, Kentucky Affiliate WAVE 3, Milwaukee Fox Affiliate WITI Fox 6, and MPB Misissippi Public Broadcasting's Statewide Network of PBS Stations for its sign-offs and sign-ons. WUSA-TV is now owned by its parent company Tegna.
+XzTS Actually, before WUSA, it was called WDVM (the D for the District of Columbia, V for Virginia, and M for Maryland); prior to that, it was called WTOP; before that, from its initial sign on in 1949 until 1954, it was originally known as WOIC. The only constant the station has had since its first sign-on is its affiliation with CBS.
Thank you, eyeonTV. I remember this fondly. I always enjoyed the local TV stations' sign-offs and sigh-on's-- something that is literally out of date now in this 24/7 world of on-air TV. Do you also have the video of Massinet's 'Meditation' played on Channel 9 of the rolling surf and the crashing waves with the sun on the horizon? Always wondered what happened to that, and when it came out. Looks like something from 1966 or so.
By this time, I'm sure they'd have color bars. Way back when it was WTOP-TV, they had the exact same "CBS style" test pattern used at one time or another by WCBS-TV in New York (albeit with the same font layout in WTOP's case), WBBM-TV in Chicago, etc. I'm wondering what the station used in WDVM-TV days.
I barely remember sign-ons, since I was more of a night owl myself, but I did remember the meditations and that Insight program they always had on channel 9, or was it channel 5?
Actually, from 1971 until 1978 or thereabouts WNEW used the original, unfutzed Flag Evolution "SSB" as on here. (And also after the station became Fox 5 WNYW in 1986.)
Yes, though it took some time to get to that point. It was originally known as WOIC-TV owned by Bamberger Broadcasting, which also owned WOR Radio/TV in New York and part of the Mutual Radio Network. Bamberger sold the station to CBS and The Washington Post in 1950, and the Post took full control four years later when CBS had to divest its share after acquiring WBBM-TV in Chicago. In 1977, the FCC ruled that newspapers could no longer own broadcast properties in the same market, so rather than run the risk of being rejected for a waiver (WJLA - then known as WMAL-TV - had to be sold when its owner, the Washington Star, was turned down for such a waiver), the Post and the Detroit News sold off their radio stations to other owners, and agreed to swap their TV stations. WTOP became WDVM (and later WUSA), while WWJ-TV became WDIV. Channel 9's new owner, the Evening News Association, eventually merged with Gannett, which wound up splitting into two companies (newspapers remained Gannett, while the broadcasting arm became Tegna) just a few years ago. One more oddity. When the Capital Centre arena opened in 1973, it had the world's first-ever scoreboard with video display screens, called TeleScreen. For the first couple of years it was open, they played the Flag Evolution version of the Star Spangled Banner on the TeleScreen before most NHL and NBA games.
Not to get political, but it was and still is a part of our history--dark part yes, but to not allow the confederate flag is like revising history--as if the thing never even existed at all.
I'm a very unpatriotic person, for the most part, but you know what? This strays into "solitary manly year while saluting the giant waving flag behind me and flying a bald eagle" territory. God bless the USA! (Or what it was. Or what people tend to think it was. Whatever.)
WUSA 9 CBS WASHINGTON, DC is The parent Station of TEGNA-The Company Formerly Known as GANNETT.
I do not live in DC, but the first time I saw this I fell in love with it. This is probably the best sign-on I have seen.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS! I REMEMBER WAKING UP TO THIS AND MARVELING AT THIS AND THE MEDITATION THAT FOLLOWED AND "HIGH FLIGHT"! PLEASE POST THE OTHER VIDEOS!!! YOU BROUGHT BACK A HUGE PART OF MY CHILDHOOD. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! (-:
Thanks for adding this. I've been looking for this for years
They always played this at Shankweiler's Drive-In, before the first feature. Opening in 1934, it's the oldest operating drive-in in America, found in Orefield, Pa, just outside of Allentown. The first one opened in Camden, New Jersey, in 1933.
Yes it is Mike, he was the voice of the station just under 20 years!
Nice Sign On, Fitting for what was once the top station in the area.
For several years, starting in the mid-1980's, WJLA - Washington's ABC affiliate - used to sign on and sign off with a recorded version of Ray Charles singing America the Beautiful, that was accompanied by daytime and nighttime helicopter shots of many of the city's monuments and public buildings, and it was simply breathtaking.
I hate that version of AtB!
I think he's over at WABC-TV (Ch. 7) in New York.
I recognize this particular rendition; there's a WNEW sign-off video on here that uses this same one, sandwiched in between some cool little 70's tune.
The Flag Evolution "SSB" was produced in 1971 by Saxton Graphic Associates, Ltd., a New York graphics firm. Their copyright notice was shown at the end following the final shot of the flag on the moon. Alas, most stations, including WTOP/WDVM/WUSA, WRAL, WTAF/WTXF, WAVE et al., cut off that notice, but WNEW-TV in New York (to 1978) and WITI in Milwaukee showed the copyright at the end.
As CBS Washington, D.C. Affiliate WUSA-TV signed on the air, they aired the same "Flag Evolution" film as The Star Spangled Banner plays. This was used on then CBS Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville, North Carolina Affiliate WRAL-TV (Now an NBC Affiliate), NBC Louisville, Kentucky Affiliate WAVE 3, Milwaukee Fox Affiliate WITI Fox 6, and MPB Misissippi Public Broadcasting's Statewide Network of PBS Stations for its sign-offs and sign-ons. WUSA-TV is now owned by its parent company Tegna.
I used to watch channel 9 all the time, just for two game shows: The Price is Right, and my personal favorite, which was "Wheel of Fortune." :-)
Thanks.
WUSA was once well known for its top-notch news.
That's Mike Lewis welcoming you to W*USA 9's broadcasting day.
This is my favorite SSB clip-I think it's been used since 1971.
KARE -TV had the WUSA call letters until 1986 when WDVM changed call letters to the current call letter used today.
Before it was WUSA9, it was WTOP9
+XzTS Actually, before WUSA, it was called WDVM (the D for the District of Columbia, V for Virginia, and M for Maryland); prior to that, it was called WTOP; before that, from its initial sign on in 1949 until 1954, it was originally known as WOIC. The only constant the station has had since its first sign-on is its affiliation with CBS.
Yes, it has been around since 1971.
Just color bars is correct! I don't think there was ever a WDVM test pattern. I'll have to see if I can find any WDVM bars anywhere.
And "Flag Evolution" looks in fine shape--it better for a station to after all be called WUSA in Washington.
I meant the music itself; the sign-off I saw was from 1983. It's actually noy on UA-cam anymore.
Thank you, eyeonTV. I remember this fondly. I always enjoyed the local TV stations' sign-offs and sigh-on's-- something that is literally out of date now in this 24/7 world of on-air TV. Do you also have the video of Massinet's 'Meditation' played on Channel 9 of the rolling surf and the crashing waves with the sun on the horizon? Always wondered what happened to that, and when it came out. Looks like something from 1966 or so.
I miss Mike Lewis' voice, especially when doing the intro the 4pm news.
yes I do have that along with High Flight!
By this time, I'm sure they'd have color bars. Way back when it was WTOP-TV, they had the exact same "CBS style" test pattern used at one time or another by WCBS-TV in New York (albeit with the same font layout in WTOP's case), WBBM-TV in Chicago, etc. I'm wondering what the station used in WDVM-TV days.
I barely remember sign-ons, since I was more of a night owl myself, but I did remember the meditations and that Insight program they always had on channel 9, or was it channel 5?
Meditations used to be on Channel 9; and Five used to air "Insight".
I take it WUSA signed off weekends because CBS News Nightwatch airing Monday thru Friday
What was WUSA's test pattern like? (Im guessing color bars)
Color bars
Actually, from 1971 until 1978 or thereabouts WNEW used the original, unfutzed Flag Evolution "SSB" as on here. (And also after the station became Fox 5 WNYW in 1986.)
Witch is now TEGNA
Yes, though it took some time to get to that point.
It was originally known as WOIC-TV owned by Bamberger Broadcasting, which also owned WOR Radio/TV in New York and part of the Mutual Radio Network. Bamberger sold the station to CBS and The Washington Post in 1950, and the Post took full control four years later when CBS had to divest its share after acquiring WBBM-TV in Chicago.
In 1977, the FCC ruled that newspapers could no longer own broadcast properties in the same market, so rather than run the risk of being rejected for a waiver (WJLA - then known as WMAL-TV - had to be sold when its owner, the Washington Star, was turned down for such a waiver), the Post and the Detroit News sold off their radio stations to other owners, and agreed to swap their TV stations.
WTOP became WDVM (and later WUSA), while WWJ-TV became WDIV. Channel 9's new owner, the Evening News Association, eventually merged with Gannett, which wound up splitting into two companies (newspapers remained Gannett, while the broadcasting arm became Tegna) just a few years ago.
One more oddity. When the Capital Centre arena opened in 1973, it had the world's first-ever scoreboard with video display screens, called TeleScreen. For the first couple of years it was open, they played the Flag Evolution version of the Star Spangled Banner on the TeleScreen before most NHL and NBA games.
Liberal Black Man here, I agree with what NEPatriot said.
Not to get political, but it was and still is a part of our history--dark part yes, but to not allow the confederate flag is like revising history--as if the thing never even existed at all.
U S A ! U S A !
wusa 9 CBS is now TEGNA-The Company Formerly Known as GANNETT.
Tegna and Gannett are two different companies.
I wonder whose idea it was to put the confederate flag in that video montage?
I'm a very unpatriotic person, for the most part, but you know what? This strays into "solitary manly year while saluting the giant waving flag behind me and flying a bald eagle" territory. God bless the USA! (Or what it was. Or what people tend to think it was. Whatever.)
Ahh back in 1988 when you would never find football players kneeling or locking arms during the National Anthem. Let's go back to that again.
Yes, let's stop police violence against unarmed / innocent people (of all races) and we can go back to standing for the anthem.
Let's not, Evan.
@@sillygoose635 shut up nobody cares about your opinion
wusa9 cbs owned by tegna media
wusa9 cbs owned by tegna