Broadcast Pioneers member Marc Howard
WPVI-TV, Philadelphia
December 18, 1978

By the time of this 1978 Action News Promo, Action News was number one in the ratings. WPVI-TV's anchor at 6 pm and 11 pm was Jim Gardner. The weather guy was Jim O'Brien. Broadcast Pioneers member Marc Howard joined the Action News team the year before in 1977 and this spot was pushing Marc Howard.

Keep in mind that Jim Gardner joined the Action News staff as the 5:30 pm news anchor. When Larry Kane left to go to New York City, Jim was elevated to the anchor job for the 6 pm and 11 pm newscasts. That left an opening for the 5:30 pm news co-anchor. That position was offered to Marc Howard who accepted. Marc co-anchored the early news and was a street reporter for the 11 pm news.

On this promo, Jim O'Brien asked, "Would you have the story for our show?" O'Brien was referring to the 5:30 pm news co-anchored by Marc Howard and Jim O'Brien. That's what he meant by "our show." By the way, Broadcast Pioneers member Marc Howard said that this was the very first promo for the station that featured himself.

Jim Gardner & Jim O'Brien
WPVI-TV, Philadelphia
December 18, 1978

It was recorded on Monday, December 18, 1978 by New York Communications, owned by Broadcast Pioneers member Mike Davis, who was the genius behind this and other Action News Promos. It is available in both the Real Video format and the Windows Media format.

Watch with the Real Player!
Watch with the Windows Media Player!

From the official archives of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia
Video and stills originally donated by Broadcast Pioneers member Joe Pellegrino
and used with the permission of New York Communications and member Mike Davis
© 2010, Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia
All Rights Reserved

The e-mail address of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com