WFMZ-TV (channel 67): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Television station in Allentown, Pennsylvania (1954–1955)}} |
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{{Infobox television station |
{{Infobox television station |
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| logo = |
| logo = File:WFMZTV67Logo.jpg |
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| name = WFMZ-TV |
| name = WFMZ-TV |
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| location = [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]] |
| location = [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]] |
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| country = United States |
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| airdate = {{start date|1954|12|4}} |
| airdate = {{start date|1954|12|4}} |
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| ⚫ | |||
| affiliations = [[Independent station (North America)|Independent]] |
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| coordinates = {{coord|40|33|59|N|75|26|03|W}} |
| coordinates = {{coord|40|33|59|N|75|26|03|W}} |
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| owner = Penn-Allen Broadcasting Company, Inc. |
| owner = Penn-Allen Broadcasting Company, Inc. |
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| erp = 79.4 kW |
| erp = 79.4 kW |
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| haat = {{cvt|970|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1955-TV-Factbook/Television-Factbook-1955-20-Spring.pdf|work=Television Factbook|date=Spring 1955|page=182|title=WFMZ-TV|accessdate=January 31, 2021}}</ref> |
| haat = {{cvt|970|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1955-TV-Factbook/Television-Factbook-1955-20-Spring.pdf|work=Television Factbook|date=Spring 1955|page=182|title=WFMZ-TV|accessdate=January 31, 2021}}</ref> |
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| sister_stations = [[WLEV|WFMZ]] |
| sister_stations = [[WLEV|WFMZ (FM)]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
}} |
}} |
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'''WFMZ-TV''' was |
'''WFMZ-TV''', [[ultra high frequency|UHF]] [[analog television|analog]] channel 67, was an [[independent station (North America)|independent]] [[television station]] [[city of license|licensed]] to [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]], United States, which broadcast from December 4, 1954, to April 15, 1955. Owned by the Penn-Allen Broadcasting Company, it was [[sister station|sister]] to [[radio station]] [[WLEV|WFMZ]] (100.7 FM). WFMZ-TV failed due to economic issues inherent in early UHF broadcasting and the availability of [[network affiliate|network-affiliated]] stations from [[Philadelphia]]. |
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Two decades after |
Two decades after WFMZ-TV's short existence, WFMZ radio's new owners started [[WFMZ-TV|another television station]] using the same call letters in 1976, which still operates. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The owners of FM radio outlet |
The owners of FM radio outlet WFMZ received a construction permit for a new channel 67 television station in Allentown on July 16, 1953; the grant came after radio station [[WHOL]] withdrew its competing application for the channel.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1953/BC-1953-07-20.pdf|accessdate=January 31, 2021|title=Four Initial TV Grants Finalized; Two Get CPs In Non-Hearing Cases|work=Broadcasting|date=July 20, 1953|page=52}}</ref> The station's studios, located along [[Pennsylvania Route 145|North 7th Street Pike]] at Grape Street,<ref name="bldg58">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68979290/former-wfmz-building-being-sold-for/|title=Former WFMZ Building Being Sold for $90,000|work=The Morning Call|page=25|date=December 22, 1958|accessdate=January 31, 2021}}</ref> were the third-largest in Pennsylvania.<ref name="reality">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68978183/|work=The Morning Call|date=December 4, 1954|title=TV in Allentown Becomes Reality with WFMZ-TV Opening|accessdate=January 30, 2021|page=23}}</ref> When the {{convert|500|ft|m|adj=on|sp=us}} tower was completed, officials climbed it and smashed a bottle of champagne against the top of the mast, christening it "Miss Ultra High".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68978985/|accessdate=January 30, 2021|work=Philadelphia Inquirer Magazine|page=23|date=September 12, 1954|title=Antenna Antics}}</ref> |
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The station began broadcasting December 4, 1954; it relied on live and local programming as its primary attraction, though it also aired some syndicated shows. The station's local productions included a version of the franchised ''[[Romper Room]]'' children's program, teenage dance program ''Bandstand 67'', and a live |
The station began broadcasting December 4, 1954; it relied on live and local programming as its primary attraction, though it also aired some syndicated shows. The station's local productions included a version of the franchised ''[[Romper Room]]'' children's program, teenage dance program ''Bandstand 67'', and a live ''Saturday Nite Hoedown''.{{r|reality}} However, few watched. Its inability to secure network affiliation was costly at a time when viewers felt they were already well served by network affiliates from Philadelphia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-TV-Digest/60s/Television-Digest-1962-02.pdf#page=40|work=Television Digest|date=February 26, 1962|page=2|title=Prospects of All-Channel-Set Law|accessdate=January 31, 2021}}</ref> Additionally, Penn-Allen was in a dispute over unpaid money from some of its stockholders, who had not invested promised amounts in the firm. As a result, Penn-Allen announced the "temporary" suspension of operations of WFMZ-TV, to take place on April 15, 1955; it hoped to return the station to the air when the disputes were settled.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68979153/wfmz-tv-suspending-temporarily-on/|accessdate=January 31, 2021|page=5|title=WFMZ-TV Suspending 'Temporarily' on Friday|work=The Morning Call|date=April 12, 1955}}</ref> |
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After the station failed, Penn-Allen Broadcasting Company made a push at the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) to allow the station to serve as a trial outlet for one of several competing [[subscription television]] systems, an idea that met opposition from fellow Lehigh Valley UHF outlet [[WLEV-TV]], the [[National Association of Broadcasters]] and [[CBS]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68979222/wfmz-tv-hits-objections-to/|accessdate=January 31, 2021|work=The Morning Call|page=4|date=September 17, 1955|title=WFMZ-TV Hits Objections To Pay-as-You-See Plan: 'Not in Public Interest'}}</ref> As a result, the FCC rejected the idea in March 1956, stating that it wanted to study the "whole question" of subscription television.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68979237/fcc-rejection-kills-wfmz-tv-pay-see/|accessdate=January 31, 2021|work=The Morning Call|date=March 9, 1956|title=FCC Rejection Kills WFMZ-TV Pay-See Plans|page=5}}</ref> The FCC's denial did not deter Kohn, who testified in front of a [[United States Senate]] committee in April 1956, advocating for a subscription television authorization in order to allow WFMZ-TV as a whole to return to service.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68978766/|date=April 24, 1956|work=The Morning Call|title=WFMZ Urges Senate Unit Support Subscription TV|page=8|accessdate=January 31, 2021}}</ref> As late as 1958, Kohn was still advocating for such demonstrations and called their opponents the "same interests who choked off FM and UHF".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1958/1958-01-27-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=January 27, 1958|title=Harris Prods Pay TV Decision|pages=70–77|accessdate=January 31, 2021}}</ref> The construction permit was not canceled until November 1964.{{r|mackplans}} |
After the station failed, Penn-Allen Broadcasting Company made a push at the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) to allow the station to serve as a trial outlet for one of several competing [[subscription television]] systems, an idea that met opposition from fellow Lehigh Valley UHF outlet [[WLEV-TV]], the [[National Association of Broadcasters]] and [[CBS]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68979222/wfmz-tv-hits-objections-to/|accessdate=January 31, 2021|work=The Morning Call|page=4|date=September 17, 1955|title=WFMZ-TV Hits Objections To Pay-as-You-See Plan: 'Not in Public Interest'}}</ref> As a result, the FCC rejected the idea in March 1956, stating that it wanted to study the "whole question" of subscription television.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68979237/fcc-rejection-kills-wfmz-tv-pay-see/|accessdate=January 31, 2021|work=The Morning Call|date=March 9, 1956|title=FCC Rejection Kills WFMZ-TV Pay-See Plans|page=5}}</ref> The FCC's denial did not deter Kohn, who testified in front of a [[United States Senate]] committee in April 1956, advocating for a subscription television authorization in order to allow WFMZ-TV as a whole to return to service.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68978766/|date=April 24, 1956|work=The Morning Call|title=WFMZ Urges Senate Unit Support Subscription TV|page=8|accessdate=January 31, 2021}}</ref> As late as 1958, Kohn was still advocating for such demonstrations and called their opponents the "same interests who choked off FM and UHF".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1958/1958-01-27-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=January 27, 1958|title=Harris Prods Pay TV Decision|pages=70–77|accessdate=January 31, 2021}}</ref> The construction permit was not canceled until November 1964.{{r|mackplans}} |
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[[Category:Mass media in Allentown, Pennsylvania]] |
[[Category:Mass media in Allentown, Pennsylvania]] |
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[[Category:Defunct mass media in Pennsylvania]] |
[[Category:Defunct mass media in Pennsylvania|FMZ-TV (channel 67)]] |
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[[Category:Defunct television stations in the United States]] |
[[Category:Defunct television stations in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1954]] |
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1954]] |
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Latest revision as of 03:46, 18 February 2023
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|---|---|
| Channels | |
| Programming | |
| Affiliations | Independent |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Penn-Allen Broadcasting Company, Inc. |
| WFMZ (FM) | |
| History | |
First air date | December 4, 1954 |
Last air date | April 15, 1955 (132 days) |
| Technical information | |
| ERP | 79.4 kW |
| HAAT | 970 ft (300 m)[1] |
| Transmitter coordinates | 40°33′59″N 75°26′03″W / 40.56639°N 75.43417°W |
WFMZ-TV, UHF analog channel 67, was an independent television station licensed to Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States, which broadcast from December 4, 1954, to April 15, 1955. Owned by the Penn-Allen Broadcasting Company, it was sister to radio station WFMZ (100.7 FM). WFMZ-TV failed due to economic issues inherent in early UHF broadcasting and the availability of network-affiliated stations from Philadelphia.
Two decades after WFMZ-TV's short existence, WFMZ radio's new owners started another television station using the same call letters in 1976, which still operates.
History
[edit]The owners of FM radio outlet WFMZ received a construction permit for a new channel 67 television station in Allentown on July 16, 1953; the grant came after radio station WHOL withdrew its competing application for the channel.[2] The station's studios, located along North 7th Street Pike at Grape Street,[3] were the third-largest in Pennsylvania.[4] When the 500-foot (150 m) tower was completed, officials climbed it and smashed a bottle of champagne against the top of the mast, christening it "Miss Ultra High".[5]
The station began broadcasting December 4, 1954; it relied on live and local programming as its primary attraction, though it also aired some syndicated shows. The station's local productions included a version of the franchised Romper Room children's program, teenage dance program Bandstand 67, and a live Saturday Nite Hoedown.[4] However, few watched. Its inability to secure network affiliation was costly at a time when viewers felt they were already well served by network affiliates from Philadelphia.[6] Additionally, Penn-Allen was in a dispute over unpaid money from some of its stockholders, who had not invested promised amounts in the firm. As a result, Penn-Allen announced the "temporary" suspension of operations of WFMZ-TV, to take place on April 15, 1955; it hoped to return the station to the air when the disputes were settled.[7]
After the station failed, Penn-Allen Broadcasting Company made a push at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow the station to serve as a trial outlet for one of several competing subscription television systems, an idea that met opposition from fellow Lehigh Valley UHF outlet WLEV-TV, the National Association of Broadcasters and CBS.[8] As a result, the FCC rejected the idea in March 1956, stating that it wanted to study the "whole question" of subscription television.[9] The FCC's denial did not deter Kohn, who testified in front of a United States Senate committee in April 1956, advocating for a subscription television authorization in order to allow WFMZ-TV as a whole to return to service.[10] As late as 1958, Kohn was still advocating for such demonstrations and called their opponents the "same interests who choked off FM and UHF".[11] The construction permit was not canceled until November 1964.[12]
The channel 67 building was sold in 1958 and converted to other commercial uses.[3][13] However, it almost was returned to its original purpose nearly a decade later. Mack Trucks, which was headquartered in Allentown, filed in March 1967 for a construction permit for a station on channel 69[14]—the FCC UHF table of allotments having been overhauled two years prior—and was granted the permit in mid-July.[15] Mack then expressed interest in the former WFMZ-TV studios.[13] The station, which Mack claimed would have been affiliated with a major network,[12] was eventually tabled in 1968, after Mack determined it could not secure an affiliation.[16][17]
Kohn would buy full ownership of WFMZ radio in 1958;[18] the station was sold two more times in the next decade.[19] More than a decade after Maranatha Broadcasting Company had acquired WFMZ in 1964—and more than 20 years after the first WFMZ-TV closed down—the company filed to build a new WFMZ-TV, pointing out that Allentown had not had a TV station since channel 67's demise.[20] The new station signed on November 25, 1976.[21]
References
[edit]- ^ "WFMZ-TV" (PDF). Television Factbook. Spring 1955. p. 182. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ "Four Initial TV Grants Finalized; Two Get CPs In Non-Hearing Cases" (PDF). Broadcasting. July 20, 1953. p. 52. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ a b "Former WFMZ Building Being Sold for $90,000". The Morning Call. December 22, 1958. p. 25. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ a b "TV in Allentown Becomes Reality with WFMZ-TV Opening". The Morning Call. December 4, 1954. p. 23. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
- ^ "Antenna Antics". Philadelphia Inquirer Magazine. September 12, 1954. p. 23. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
- ^ "Prospects of All-Channel-Set Law" (PDF). Television Digest. February 26, 1962. p. 2. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ "WFMZ-TV Suspending 'Temporarily' on Friday". The Morning Call. April 12, 1955. p. 5. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ "WFMZ-TV Hits Objections To Pay-as-You-See Plan: 'Not in Public Interest'". The Morning Call. September 17, 1955. p. 4. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ "FCC Rejection Kills WFMZ-TV Pay-See Plans". The Morning Call. March 9, 1956. p. 5. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ "WFMZ Urges Senate Unit Support Subscription TV". The Morning Call. April 24, 1956. p. 8. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ "Harris Prods Pay TV Decision" (PDF). Broadcasting. January 27, 1958. pp. 70–77. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ a b "Mack Trucks Announces Plans To Operate TV Station In L.V." The Morning Call. February 8, 1967. p. 6. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ a b "Agreement Near On Mack TV Location". The Morning Call. March 28, 1967. p. 19. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ "For the Record" (PDF). Broadcasting. March 20, 1967. p. 88. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ "For the Record" (PDF). Broadcasting. July 31, 1967. p. 104. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ "Plan to Run TV Station Hits Snag". The Morning Call. December 23, 1967. p. 18. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ "Mack Abandons Television Plans". The Morning Call. August 10, 1968. p. 11. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ "For the Record" (PDF). Broadcasting. June 16, 1958. p. 95. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ "History Cards for WLEV (WFMZ(FM))". Federal Communications Commission. (Guide to reading History Cards)
- ^ "Two L.V. commercial TV licenses are sought". The Morning Call. June 14, 1975. p. 5. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ "TV station in the L.V. goes on air". The Morning Call. November 26, 1976. p. 14. Retrieved January 31, 2021.