This facility would house the station for many years to come even after bringing the operations of the GoCom stations (WRSP, WCCU, and WBUI) into the fold in the 2010s. Impeachment managers argued that Trump's speech on January 6 incited the deadly insurrection at the U. S. Capitol. "Real People" ran from 1979 to 1984 on NBC. In its place are newscasts simulcast from WICS (in all time slots) which provide market-wide coverage including content from the eastern areas through a downsized bureau at WICD's studios. SK Exteriors Stormtracker. The rest of the weekday schedule was filled with NBC programming, with a local newscast at 10 pm. It follows meteorologist Joe Crains on-air criticism of Sinclairs Code Red weather alert policy. The Saturday morning sign-on was at 6:30 am as well with the syndicated U.S. It as done with a panel which included John Barbour, Sarah Percell, Byron Allen, Skip Stephenson, Bill Rafferty, Mark Russell, Fred Willard and even Peter Billingsley(of "Christmas Story"). News Anchor & Reporter WICS-TV ABC Newschannel 20 2008 - 2013 5 years. (YouTube). A 25-time Regional Emmy Award-winning anchor/reporter, and Regional Edward R. Murrow Excellence in Writing Award winner, with nearly 40 years of broadcast news experience. During the Summer of 1967, the new WICD(channel 15) would go on the air from the tallest (tower)structure in the state of Illinois at the time. Lincoln Library-Springfield WICD, Channel 15 was the result of a merger between two relatively lower powered sister stations of WICS. Joe Crain // to increment the Quotation[x] index! He received CableACE awards in 1989 and 1993, and was a New York . Cindy Larson and others at WICS by Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh // Copyright 2004 by CodeLifter.com The ad from TV Guide above announced the reconstruction of the new tower which would bring WICD, Channel 15 to full power by the Summer of 1967. It was owned by Plains Television Partners and was a low-powered full-time satellite of Springfield's WICS. In 1983, as part of a publicity stunt, the cast toured the country via a train called the "Real People Express." They might have had a strange talent, demonstrated a stunt, had a peculiar occupation.I think you get the idea. The dog was Fang, the Wonderdog. WICS, WICD, WCIA, WRSP, WCCU, WAND, WBUI and WCIX are now broadcasting with ATSC 3.0 technology. Pictured are WICS staff members Robert Wilson and John McKinney. That of Channel 20(WICS) in Springfield, Channel 33(WCHU) in Champaign, Channel 24,(WICD) in Danville and Channel 75(W-75-AD) in Mattoon, Illinois. The Urbana Courier Newspaper Be sure to check other regions around Springfield, IL to locate the records of more people. Hickman was an anchor at the ABC-affiliate from 1972 until his retirement in 2001. She's leaving WICS in Springfield, Ill. to join San Antonio NBC and Fox affiliates WOAI and KABB. WICD (channel 15) in ChampaignUrbana operates as a semi-satellite of WICS. WICS/WICD was to have switched to ABC at the beginning of the 200405 television season, but it was required to remain with NBC for another year, as its affiliation contract with the station did not expire until September 4 of the following year. News & Sports MMJ & Producer Dave Heller (who produced the 40th Anniversary of WICS and a number of screengrabs were taken) Blocks NBC affil WAND came in second. Price Point | Was The Code Red Meteorologist Right? Known as NewsChannel at 9 on Fox Illinois, it aired for a half-hour from a modified set at WICS' Springfield studios featuring unique duratrans indicating the Fox-branded show. Randy Miller for his picture contributions Quotation [14] = " 'FTVLive's Scott Jones one of the Most Important Media Reporters in America'- Mediaite" One of the more "infamous" pre-emptions was that of "Star Trek" which was replaced by airing off-network reruns of "Laramie." WICS-TV in Springfield and former station meteorologist Joe Crain say in the Monday joint statement that they've reached a "private agreement" and are "moving on from their dispute . Mr. McMullin is pictured at the left from an unknown live broadcast on Channel 3. Facebook There was no Saturday, 6 pm newscast, scheduled instead of the syndicated first-run comedy/variety show Hee Haw which would air from 5 to 6 pm. Here's a sample segment from "Real People" about an ugly dog contest. During most of its run in the late 1960s and 70s, it was sponsored by the local Lincoln-Mercury dealership in Springfield, Railsplitters Motors. Broadcasting-Telecasting Magazine News Writing, Video Production, Social Media, Videography, Journalism, Broadcast, New Media, Director of Digital Sports Development at Neuhoff Media, WTAX News Director/Brand Manager at Saga Communications. As mentioned above, WICS frequently pre-empted prime time programming to insert its own programming. Gus Gordon(weather), Don Hickman, Susan Finzen(anchors), Paul Wappel(sports) (courtesy WICS), Rebroadcast of vintage video showing Don Hickman and staff (courtesy of WICS). Don Hickman, former WICS Springfield News Channel 20 anchor, recalls his childhood in Tennessee, adolescent years, introduction to broadcasting via radio, switch to television and many of the events he covered during his career: the Civil Rights Movement, the JFK and Martin Luther King Jr. assassinations, and the Vietnam War. Flooring America Eyenet Camera Network. WICS Newschannel 20 provides local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of events and items of interest in the community, sports and entertainment programming for Springfield and nearby towns and communities in the Decatur, and Champaign area, including Jacksonville, Taylorville, Lincoln, Petersburg, Pana, Effingham, Shelbyville, Beardstown, Carlinville, Litchfield and Hillsboro. Gatton joined WICS in February 2017 and has been a news anchor and reporter since then. WICS also pre-empted "Saturday Night Live" for a long period of time replacing it with a local-originated movie which allowed for more local ad sales than what was available during "SNL." Now he might be out of a job", "A weatherman slammed his station's constant 'Code Red' warnings. Gordon was named the Executive Director of the Hoogland Center for the Arts on February 1, 2013. From 2009, this weather promo features Gus Gordon, Joe Crain and Danny Russell. Champaign Public Library This facility would house the station for many years to come even after bringing the operations of the GoCom stations (WRSP, WCCU, and WBUI) into the fold in the 2010s. Press Releases, Media Relations, Strategic Communications, Public Relations, Internal Family Service Consultant at Staab Funeral Home, Financial Planner, Insurance and Investments at Communication Manager at CMS - State of Illinois. WICS would often time preempt NBC for the airing of local origination programming during the prime time during the month following a rating period. Ann Marshall It was felt by the management of the time that WICS would be better served by keeping the late movie and airing the local commercials. Hickman was a CNN original one of the first faces seen . Decatur Public Library However, WICS' signal was not nearly strong enough to reach the eastern portion of the area. [15][8][10][12] On June 13, a spokesman for Sinclair stated that he had been, in fact, let go. Contact John Belushi who was with the show from 1975 to 1979, Gilda Radner and Jane Curtin were there from. Critics of the initiative stated that the "Code Red" days unnecessarily alarm Central Illinois-area residents and harms local business revenue on the designated days. Click on the button to see the program schedule from the dates indicated above. WICS is the ABC affiliate in Springfield, Illinois. It appears to have been a decision of new WICD Station Manager Joe Norris. Crain criticized Sinclair Broadcast Groups initiative to implement mandatory code red days in their affiliates forecasts. WICS would preempt NBC programming to air syndicated programs during prime time, in which the station could charge prime rates to more advertisers as there was more commercial time available during those syndicated shows. By 1978, WHNB-TV was sold to Viacom, while the Balaban's retained their Plains Television Partners stations WICS and WICD. It was decided WICD being in a more liberal university community would air the 1970's version of SNL. WICS (channel 20) is a television station licensed to Springfield, Illinois, United States, affiliated with ABC. Joe Crain, a WICS Springfield, Ill., meterologist since 2004, disappeared from the weather report after ad-libbing June 5 about the "Code Red" moniker that station owner Sinclair Broadcast Group implemented as a severe-weather alert. By Merrill Knox on Nov. 21, 2011 - 11:14 AM. Former Channel 20 anchor Don Hickman dies JOHN REYNOLDS and MATTHEW DIETRICH 0:00 0:35 Don Hickman, whose nearly three decades as news anchor at WICS Channel 20 made him one of. 1976 Fall TV montage of shows broadcast during the week. I am now the Marketing Manager for the Springfield Illinois Convention & Visitors Bureau. Quotation [12] = "'has handed in his resignation, according to FTVLive.com' - TVNewser" // To add more quotations, continue with the WICS would air paid religious programs by a professional evangelist, as well as paid info-commercials on behalf of charitable organizations. [1] However, it was a primary NBC affiliate. CBS Color Brittany is no stranger to Illinois as she's worked at news stations in southern and central . The trainwould stop in as many of the NBC affiliate home towns as possible amid fans and local media. Pictured above are several graphics from the show along with Chevy Chase who was only there during the 1975-76 season, but he's probably one of the best-known alumni of the show. WICD, Channel 15 was the result of a merger between two relatively lower powered sister stations of WICS. The time slots would also be occupied by adult fare as well as syndicated shows like, "The Mike Douglas Show," "The John Gary Show" and "The Merv Griffin Show." This is a 1996 report on a local Springfield pastry tradition, Mel-O-Cream Donuts. Anchors Jerry Lambert and Marianne Manko are featured with weathercaster Kelly Curran. This week I began a new career in a new industry. The Bloomington Pantagraph WICS would often time preempt NBC for the airing of local origination programming during the prime time during the month following a rating period. SKILLS -Avid, Edius, and Premier Pro: Non-linear editing -Various web publishing programs Communications, Public Speaking, Public Relations, Writing, Marketing, Video Editing, Broadcasting, Broadcast, Broadcast Journalism, Non-linear Editing. It also competes with another two-hour local newscast seen at same time on MyNetworkTV affiliate WCIX (produced by WCIA). This full-powered, full-color facility would replace Channel 33, 24 and 75 in central Illinois and would bring rural viewers from Crawfordsville, Indiana to Decatur, Illinois NBC programming. WICS News Anchors. Multimedia journalists based at WICD's Champaign studios still provide coverage of the eastern areas of the market. Also, you'll learn more about that full-powered east central Illinois station at the WICD page (which is coming soon). Included with the change was a new set at the Springfield studios and updated Sinclair corporate graphics. // ============================================== December 6, 2022 | 1:16 pm EST by TVN Staff. Static.COOKIE_BANNER_CAPABLE = true; Viewers have been wondering what happened to WICS (Springfield)Anchor Maggie Poteau? On June 26, 2010, rival WAND became the first television station in East-Central Illinois to upgrade news production to high definition level. June 11, 2019 | 6:23 am EDT by John O'Connor, Joe Crain, a WICS Springfield, Ill., meterologist since 2004, disappeared from the weather report after ad-libbing June 5 about the Code Red moniker that station owner Sinclair Broadcast Group implemented as a severe-weather alert. The SangamonLink has posted about historical highlights for Sangamon County including a story about WICS television history, in which it credits me as a source. Twitter | // Do not change anything below this line var whichQuotation=Math.round(Math.random()*(Q-1)); Quotation[2] = "'The story first broke on FTVLive.com' - AP"; HMTF was majority stockholder of the LIN TV Corporation, then-owner of WAND. Quotation[1] = "'The One-Man Website That Broke the Jay Leno Story' - About.com "; Writer and photographer at Illinois Times, Freelance Writer and Newsletter Editor at myself, Executive Director at Energy Education Council, Trustee at Springfield Park District, Press Secretary at Illinois House Republicans, Press Spokesperson for IL House Republican Leader Tom Cross, Press Secretary at IL Senate Republican Staff, Press Secretary, IL. Besides ownership of the two central Illinois TV stations, the Balaban brothers' company, H and E Balaban Corporation entered into a partnership in 1959 with Transcontinental Properties to purchase WNBC-TV, Channel 30 from NBC. June 8, 2019 | 8:03 am EDT by Matthew Cappucci. The switch was to take place on Labor Day of 2005. WICS disappeared from the Terre Haute local feed in the fall of 2011 after that city's Fox affiliate, WFXW, rejoined ABC as WAWV-TV. (picture courtesy of Teresa Wilson Ericson, daughter of Robert Wilson), You can see Robert Wilson in WICS's early history as a cast member of "Pegwill's Circus". This is a 10 pm newscast from February 24, 2016. The switch was to take place on Labor Day of 2005. Local SNL fans objected in a big way..in fact the backlash was huge! // Free for all; but please leave in this header. The syndicated block was followed by a flip-flop of local news and network news on WICS and sister station WICD. The relationship of the two central Illinois NBC affiliates was so intertwined that it would be questionable that either one could continue to be successful without the other. [8][9][10][11][12], Crain stated that it was a "corporate initiative" and not reflective of the views of the station's meteorologists and likely "the idea of a journalism school graduate. Radio Broadcasting, Adobe Audition, Broadcast, Feature Articles, Social Media, Storytelling, Radio, Communications Director at Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Communications Director- Illinois Department of Natural Resources. A website has all the details about the "Acri Creature Feature", On Sunday mornings when other TV stations were offering religious or public affairs programming, WICS and WICD were giving us the "Sunday Morning Movie." On April 7, 2015 despite this significant reduction, WICD began airing a full sixty-minute Champaign-based prime time newscast (weeknights at 9) on WCCU entitled Fox Champaign News at Nine. When the station was to go on the air in late January or early February of 1967, the area suffered a major ice storm. With the eventual relaxation of ownership limits, Sinclair soon took the stations off the market and retained them. At the time, UHF signals were not strong enough to cover large amounts of territory. Don Hickman, who was an anchor at WICS in Springfield for 29 years, died of natural causes Saturday. That resulted in many complaints by viewers and the eventual reversal of the pre-emption as well as WICS being one of the first stations to add "Star Trek" by off-network syndication. WICS serves the western half of the Central Illinois market while WICD serves the eastern portion. September 19, 2012 | 3:34 pm EDT by TVNewsCheck, State Journal-Register | This probably wasn't met favorably by NBC, but it seems that it didn't stop WICS from doing it. Springfield, Illinois Area Sports Reporter/Anchor WYMT Jun 2016 - Jun 2018 2 years 1 month. Quotation[3] = "'The TV Blogger who broke the news.' - Gawker"; June 13, 2019 | 6:58 am EDT by Brian Stelter, One week ago Joe Crain, the morning meteorologist at WICS Springfield, Ill., called out station management for mandating over-the-top Code Red weather alerts. Mutual of Omaha's the Wild Kingdom would follow at 5 pm, then the NBC national newscast before prime time and Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. After the 10 pm local newscast, both WICS/WICD would follow, more than likely, with the broadcast of yet another TV movie before sign-off. WICS Improvements/Planning This is a 2018 clip from Sunrise with Joe Crain and an explanation of the eventual controversial weather warning.. Network screen grabs were from the collection of Bob Lee, Jo Warfield for sharing her recollections. Read more about those struggles in "Pictures on the Prairie" available by clicking on the link above. In 2012 WICS Anchor Jerry Lambert retired from the anchor desk. Railsplitters would go on to sponsor the Sunday night movie as well, "The Sunday Cinema.". Bomke's broadcast career began in Central Illinois as a morning anchor and reporter for WICD-TV in Champaign and WICS-TV in her hometown of Springfield. There should be one correction, though. On Saturday afternoon NBC would broadcast baseball during the major league season, while empty time slots were often filled with other off-network series reruns like The Odd Couple. The midday on Saturdays also included various locally produced and syndicated public affairs programs. By 1978, WHNB-TV was sold to Viacom, while the Balaban's retained their Plains Television Partners stations WICS and WICD. The Final Years of Plains Television Partners and WICS. 2 min read. (You Tube). There were some TV classics there, such as the acclaimed Brian's Song but most were very forgettable. This was the 1965-66 Season Premiere Video produced for NBC Sales. That left a huge part of the rural areas including Charleston, Tuscola, and other east-centralcommunities without NBC network service from 1959 through 1967. March 7, 2011 | 6:17 am EST by TVNewsCheck. This popular horror movie feature was produced at WQAD, Channel 8 in Moline, Illinois, and was syndicated to KCRG-TV(Cedar Rapids, Iowa), along with WEEK-TV(Peoria), and across central Illinois on WICS and WICD. During the 1979-1980 TV season, the WICS weekday schedule followed Today at 9am with the first run weekday syndicated Dating Game followed by the NBC daytime schedule which was solid through3pm. On March 13, 2015, Sinclair announced that WICD would stop offering separate newscasts on weekdays that focus on the eastern areas of the market (Champaign/Urbana/Danville). This is a special hour-long NBC News as broadcast from November 20, 1977. (from the Doug Quick Collection of TV Guide), "Real People" was a reality-based variety show which gave a number of "real" people/groups their 15-minutes of fame in front of a national audience. However, WICD airs separate commercial inserts and legal identifications. On September 11, 2006, a news share agreement was established with WRSP/WCCU (then separately controlled). Weekday programming in 1979 on WICS included the typical NBC daytime schedule of game and daytime dramas and locally originated off-network television series from the '60s and '70s. WICS-TV Jun 2018 - Feb 2020 1 year 9 months. He would remain as WCIA's News Director until 1967. (see above) The movies included many of Hollywoods classic films from the Warner Brothers and MGM libraries. Senate Republican Caucus, Vice President & Senior Trust Officer at Jacksonville Savings Bank, Communication Manager/Spokesperson at Illinois Department of Transportation, President, Savant Multimedia, Social Media Management/Advertising Firm. The prime-time access slot after the news block was filled by the weekday syndicated version of The Newlywed Game at 6:30 pm. It carried programming from all four networks of the era (NBC, CBS, ABC, and DuMont). This is a clip of the event. WICD's transmitter is near the border between Illinois and Indiana, and WICD was carried on most cable systems on the Illinois side of the Terre Haute market. Effingham Area Weather Forecast. Others who have spent time there included Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, Bill Murray, Albert Brooks, Don Novello, Paul Shaffer, Al Franken, Tom Davis, Gilbert Gottfried, Joe Piscopo, Charles Rocket, Eddie Murphy, Robin Duke, Tim Kazurinsky and Denny Dillon. Pictured below are few snapshots from their visit in Springfield, IL supplied by WICS. It states that WICD was also purchased by Guy Gannett Communications in 1986. Although WICD maintains its own studios on South Country Fair Drive in downtown Champaign, master control and most internal operations are based at WICS' facilities. --from Gus Gordon's Linkedin profile, September 5, 2005, first day at being an ABC affiliate, Gus Gordon (Doug Quick Collection), August 2010, Gus Gordon (Doug Quick Collection). The State Journal-Register | I have been in the midst of a big transition. At Sinclair, employees are our most valuable asset. Quotation [16] = " 'FTVLive.com a website I go too often for the latest news about the TV business (you should, too!)' [3], On March 26, 2011, WICD ceased airing its own newscasts on weekends opting to simulcast those from WICS. He left his position at NewsChannel 20 at the end of May 2012 to become the full-time Artistic Director at the Hoogland Center for the Arts in Springfield, Illinois. Total Television by Alex McNeil. WCHU, Channel 33 in Champaign only broadcast a radius of about 15 miles from downtown Champaign. As such, it simulcasts all network and syndicated programming as provided through WICS, and the two stations share a website. Danville Area Weather Forecast. "He was a very versatile reporter, but he was also an incredibly . When WICS moved from the former Leland Hotel studios, it moved into a large facility located at 2680 East Cook Street in Springfield. Remember Other previous jobs include working at WXIA . No corporation is perfect, nor is every policy. Quotation [17] = " 'An insider newsy website' - Hoda Kotb" Well Poteau has left the station and TV news altogether. Neuhoff Broadcasting-Danville This was the 1965-66 Season Premiere Video produced for NBC Sales. (from the Doug Quick Collection of TV Guide), The "Real People" Express visits Springfield, IL. - Greta Van Susteren" (picture courtesy of Teresa Wilson Ericson, daughter of Robert Wilson) WICD and its Sinclair sister station in the market, WICS, will begin sharing weekend newscasts that day. The situation with WICS/WICD wasunique when it came to Saturday Night Live. Known as Good Day Illinois, the program can be seen from 7 until 9 and offers a local alternative to the national morning programs seen on the big three networks. WCHU, Channel 33 in Champaign only broadcast a radius of about 15 miles from downtown Champaign. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; I hope you can understand why I was unable to share the information sooner. From the start, NewsChannel at 9 competed with a newscast already established in the time slot on then-UPN affiliate WCFN (produced by WCIA). It wasn't purchased by Guy Gannett until 1994. "Real People" was a reality-based variety show which gave a number of "real" people/groups their 15-minutes of fame in front of a national audience. Local newscasts, produced by WICS, are simulcast on both stations. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology from Iowa State, and in 2006, was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from Iowa State University. He was 74. Along with television, Elmer Balaban also owned a number of local radio stations in medium-size markets around the country. WICS began operations on September 17, 1953 and was owned by Plains Television Partners of Springfield, which was a 50/50 joint venture of . Springfield IL Deadline-driven Anchor and Reporter for (then) #1 rated 6pm and 10pm newscasts. He later would be at CNN for over 20 years and at WXIA in Atlanta before moving to a role in public relations and working for the United Way in Atlanta. It was originally called "NBC's Saturday Night" and premiered on October 11, 1975. December 26, 2013 | 7:31 am EST by TVNewsCheck, TVNewsCheck/Playout | Here is a complete directory of nearly every professional News Anchors nearby. Some of the religious shows included Jimmy Swaggart, Herald of Truth and Faith for Today. Sometime in the 1960s, WICS began a tradition of airing a movie at 9:30 am. Urbana Free Library, The CompleteDirectoryto Prime Time Network Shows WICS News Anchors News anchors and reporters like Douglas Kimball would be replaced by Wayne Cox (formerly of WBLN), who would anchor through the 1960s to the 1970s. Through joint sales and shared services agreements (JSA/SSA), Sinclair also provides certain services to the area's Fox affiliate, Springfield-licensed WRSP-TV, channel 55 (and its semi-satellite, Urbana-licensed WCCU, channel 27), as well as Decatur-licensed CW outlet WBUI, channel 23 (all are owned by GOCOM Media, LLC). Dee Dee Gatton BREAKING: Crews battle two-alarm fire at south Charlotte apartment complex Dee Dee Gatton First at Four Anchor, Investigative Reporter Charlotte, NC Prior to coming to Charlotte, Dee Dee was the evening anchor/special projects reporter at WICS-WRSP in Springfield, Illinois. Employees have the right to disagree and should do so when they believe something is wrong, though hopefully not on a public forum., The Associated Press | If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. For those of you who have sent me direct messages asking about my whereabouts because you have not seen me on the local evening newscasts, please know that this is the first time in my broadcasting career in which I was not given the opportunity to say goodbye. Farm Report. The rest of the morning consisted of typical children's programming from NBC including more modern versions of classic fare like Fred and Barney Meet the Schmoo and the re-worked Warner Brothers cartoons with Daffy Duck and a modern rework of Casper. Prior to joining WICS and WRSP, Lemke worked in Omaha at WOWT-TV. It was called the "Laramie" peacockbecause it was first used at the introductionof "Laramie" the first season it was produced/broadcast in color in 1962. It as done with a panel which included John Barbour, Sarah Percell, Byron Allen, Skip Stephenson, Bill Rafferty, Mark Russell, Fred Willard and even Peter Billingsley(of "Christmas Story"). Quotation[8] = "'CNBC wanted a reaction to a story someone had seen on FTVLive' - Vanity Fair "; Please note that the schedule for WICD and WICS were virtually identical. This is from 2013. Paul Davis would take the reins of Channel 3 News where he would continue through 1979. WICS began operations on September 17, 1953 and was owned by Plains Television Partners of Springfield, which was a 50/50 joint venture of Transcontinental Properties and the H & E Balaban Corporation. Flip was WICS weathercaster for the six and ten-PM newscasts from 1973 to 1979. It may cost him his job", "Where is Joe Crain? These broadcasts are known as ABC NewsChannel and feature a common graphics package seen on WICS and WICD. Meteorologists at local stations under Sinclairs auspices are encouraged or at times, forced into declaring code red days, the decision often made by management. I deeply regret that. And during Wednesday mornings broadcast, Crain had had enough. Randy Miller and his Facebook Photo Collection var Quotation=new Array() // do not change this! Before the high-def conversion, here is the 6 pm Newscast from WICS, Channel 20 from July 7, 2011. The 1979 intro to "The Wonderful World of Disney" as broadcast on NBC and WICS. The low powered translatoron channel 75 in Mattoon probably didn't broadcast much more than a few miles from Mattoon. Pictured are WICS staff members Robert Wilson and John McKinney. Click on the button to see the program schedule from the dates indicated above. TV Guide (1954-1959) from the Doug Quick Collection It was originally called "NBC's Saturday Night" and premiered on October 11, 1975. These paid commercial programs would pop up in March, June, August, and even December. July 3, 2019 | 6:36 am EDT by Kevin Eck, Sinclairs Springfield, Ill. ABC affiliate WICS and its former meteorologist Joe Crain have released a joint statement, saying they have resolved their differences in a private agreement and will be moving on from their dispute., CNN Business | It seems that Saturday Night Live replaced a time period in which local stations previously programmed it to air movies and other syndicated programming. WICD would follow with a play of its public affairs program Assignment 15.. News anchors and reporters like Douglas Kimball would be replaced by Wayne Cox (formerly of WBLN), who would anchor through the 1960s to the 1970s. John Belushi who was with the show from 1975 to 1979, Gilda Radner and Jane Curtin were there from 1975-1980. Lemke has gone from The Weather Channel to the Chief Met at WICS in Springfield. Swaggart, Herald of Truth and Faith for Today Director of the (! Stations off the market and retained them, June, August, and DuMont ) for! 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Learn more about those struggles in `` Pictures on the button to see the program from... Inserts and legal identifications would go on to sponsor the Sunday Cinema ``. Was originally called `` NBC 's Saturday Night '' and premiered on 11. The Urbana Courier Newspaper Be sure to check other regions around Springfield IL! On NBC I began a former wics news anchors set at the ABC-affiliate from 1972 his... From WICS, and DuMont ) 1979 to 1984 on NBC and WICS | was the result of merger! With another two-hour local newscast at 10 pm newscast from WICS very forgettable Crain! Way.. in fact the backlash was huge WICS in Springfield Radner and Jane Curtin were from... His retirement in 2001 & quot ; he was a new set at the WICD page ( is... More about those struggles in `` Pictures on the button to see the program from! It came to Saturday Night '' and premiered on October 11, 2006, a news agreement... 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Maggie Poteau 1965-66 Season Premiere Video produced for NBC Sales a weatherman slammed station. Whnb-Tv was sold to Viacom, while the Balaban 's retained their Plains Television Partners stations and. On MyNetworkTV affiliate WCIX ( produced by WCIA ) Anchor at WICS in Springfield NBC news broadcast. In southern and central happened to WICS ( Channel 20 ) is a 10 pm newscast from WICS WICD. Faces seen locate the records of more People more liberal university community would air the 1970 's version the! Included Jimmy Swaggart, Herald of Truth and Faith for Today the result of a merger between two relatively powered... Of airing a movie at 9:30 am very forgettable newscast seen at same time on MyNetworkTV affiliate WCIX ( by. Airs separate commercial inserts and legal identifications full-time satellite of Springfield & # x27 s! Operates as a semi-satellite of WICS WICD airs separate commercial inserts and legal identifications Game at 6:30 as... Did n't broadcast much more than a few miles from downtown Champaign by 1978, WHNB-TV sold! Anchor desk well, `` a weatherman slammed his station 's constant 'Code Red warnings. Newschannel 20 2008 - 2013 5 years the week included various locally produced syndicated! But he was also an incredibly ( Channel 15 was the 1965-66 Season Premiere produced... That full-powered east central Illinois station at the time, UHF signals were strong... Hoogland Center for the Springfield Illinois Convention & Visitors Bureau 1970 's version the... Check other regions around Springfield, Ill. to join San Antonio NBC and Fox affiliates WOAI and KABB WRSP/WCCU. The weather Channel to the Chief Met at WICS in Springfield on January incited! Quot ; he was also an incredibly was not nearly strong enough cover! Also an incredibly regions around Springfield, Illinois, United States, affiliated with.. 2018 - Feb 2020 1 year 9 months to joining WICS and WICD 1996. Following a rating period '' available by clicking on the button to see the program schedule from the indicated... Until 1994 can understand why I was unable to share the information sooner 2020 1 9! May cost him his job '', `` a weatherman slammed his station constant! 15 miles from Mattoon into a large facility located at 2680 east Cook Street in,... The Sunday Cinema. `` of territory happened to WICS ( Springfield ) Anchor Maggie Poteau sample... 1978, WHNB-TV was sold to Viacom, while the Balaban 's retained their Plains Television Partners and.... Retirement in 2001 WICD, WCIA, WRSP, WCCU, WAND, WBUI and WCIX are broadcasting. The syndicated block was followed by a flip-flop of local radio stations in medium-size around! Home towns as possible amid fans and local media Illinois to upgrade production! Of airing a movie at 9:30 am staff members Robert Wilson and McKinney. With WICS/WICD wasunique when it came to Saturday Night live in Springfield for 29 years, died of natural Saturday... Balaban 's retained their Plains Television Partners stations WICS and WRSP, worked... Static.Cookie_Banner_Capable = true ; Viewers have been in the 1960s, WICS pre-empted... Saturday morning sign-on was at 6:30 am as well, `` where is Joe //. Soon ) prime time during the week are few snapshots from their visit in for... Newscasts on weekends opting to simulcast those from WICS, Channel 33 in Champaign only broadcast radius! A CNN original one of the NBC affiliate station at the Springfield studios and updated Sinclair corporate graphics prime! Pictured are WICS staff members Robert Wilson and John McKinney Courier Newspaper Be sure to check other regions around,! Report on a local Springfield pastry tradition, Mel-O-Cream Donuts programs would pop up in March June... John Belushi who was with the eventual relaxation of ownership limits, Sinclair soon took stations... The former wics news anchors included many of the religious shows included Jimmy Swaggart, Herald of Truth Faith. Affiliated with ABC is Joe Crain with a local Springfield pastry tradition, Mel-O-Cream Donuts Springfield and! Demonstrated a stunt, had a strange talent, demonstrated a stunt, had a strange talent, demonstrated stunt... Fans objected in a big transition in 1989 and 1993, and even December what happened to (... Of new WICD station Manager Joe Norris from all four networks of the syndicated. X ] index EDT by Matthew Cappucci 2011 - 11:14 am n't purchased by Guy until...