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Welcome to Central Illinois' On-Line Broadcast Museum. This website documents in detail the history of each of the viewable TV stations, past and present, across mid-Illinois in text, photos, and videos, as well as each station's current status. This site also includes local radio history and automated analog formats, again told in pictures, videos, and text.

Note that this website displays best on a full-size monitor, desktop, or laptop computer. If you're watching on your mobile phone, the mobile phone view has been replaced by the desktop view throughout this site. You can zoom in on the page if needed. Also, you may have to sign in to YouTube to view some videos. Some browsers do not allow some embedded videos to play, so click on the "YouTube" logo on the video to view it from YouTube.

Doug at his home studio in 2020

Doug Quick
Radio/TV Broadcaster/Historian, Author, Webmaster
complete bio available here.

TV Time Capsule

The TV Time Capsule is taking the summer off. It will return in the Fall.

Featured Videos

This month's Featured Videos include several videos with the same subject matter. The recent broadcast of "Good Night and Good Luck," starring George Clooney, has sparked a renewed interest in the McCarthy era and its connection to contemporary events and personalities.

I've included several real broadcast videos of Edward R. Murrow, as played by George Clooney in the 2005 theatrical film, and the live broadcast of the Broadway play that is popular today.

You'll be able to watch film recordings of "See It Now," a CBS news program hosted by Murrow. You'll be able to see most of the actual people involved. The first video is from March 9, 1954. It also includes mentions and appearances of a Central Illinois native and former governor who ran for President twice in the 1950s. He was also a part-owner of several Central Illinois media outlets, including radio stations and newspapers.

We also see a recording of one of the more interesting broadcasts that was seen on only one Central Illinois television station. Below, you'll find out which one.

I also have a segment from a PBS special documentary about the era that's called "Have You No Decency," a phrase I've heard bantered around over the last few weeks when describing current events.

An unrelated video, dating back to 1962, features a recording of "Ben Casey," one of TV's most popular medical dramas, produced by the company of one of the 20th Century's top entertainers.

Finally, three videos from a late-night comedy show modeled after NBC's "Saturday Night Live," produced by ABC called "Friday's." It included a future TV producer, writer, and actor, as well as his connection to another comedian who went on to work on one of the most popular TV series of all time. This time, however, we focus on a performance comedian who fooled viewers not just once but two more times. Watch three videos that cover one of the most confusing live TV displays ever.

The Classic Radio segment is from a St. Louis live radio and TV simulcast series that predated the music video era of the 1980s. I just obtained the recording of the radio broadcast from one of the original DJs of KSHE (FM). The TV station KDNL, Channel 30, has no tapes of the short-lived video music show, so this radio side recording is one of a kind. You can hear it below.

A CBS Camera used in "See It Now" hosted by Edward R. Murrow

(YouTube screen grab)

Note especially the Adlai Stevenson segments. Stevenson was from Bloomington, Illinois, and was part owner of the Bloomington Pantagraph, WJBC Radio (Bloomington), and, before 1953, also owned WTAX Radio (Springfield). He was the Democratic governor of Illinois from 1949 to 1953. He was a candidate for President twice, against Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952 and 1956. He also ran for the Democratic nomination in 1960, losing to John F. Kennedy. Stevenson was later appointed as the US Ambassador to the United Nations from 1961 to 1965.

The story, as told from the perspective of Edward R. Murrow of CBS News, is featured in the 2005 theatrical film "Good Night and Good Luck," starring David Strathairn as Edward R. Murrow.

Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.

See It Now (1954) CBS Edward R. Murrow

Joseph McCarthy became a Wisconsin senator by winning a stunning election that he wasn't expected to win. As a senator, he received attention by declaring that a Communist conspiracy was threatening the US, saying that the threat was coming from within the government itself.

From there, he accused many of being enemies based on false accusations; using methods of showmanship, he bullied people from not only the government but also Hollywood and television. His attorney, Ray Cohn (who also reportedly is an early influence on our current President), and McCarthy spread confusion by belittling and threatening his critics, making up lies, and distorting the truth to fit his anti-Communist campaign.

On March 9, 1954, Edward R. Murrow filed a report on the status of the claims made by Senator Joseph R. McCarthy that Communism had infiltrated the government of the United States. His accusations were unfounded, but many believed him and agreed. He ruined many lives with his false statements about people in government and even in entertainment.

Edward R. Murrow on "See It Now" from CBS.

(YouTube screen grab)

As Edward R. Murrow exposed him and his false accusations, he was making early TV history. At a time when ABC had no daytime programming, it was the only TV network to broadcast the hearings live during the daytime. Author Stephen Whitfield wrote in his book, "The Culture of the Cold War," that this broadcast was "the most important single show in the history of television."

"See It Now" was broadcast on CBS affiliate WBBM-TV in Chicago, but was not seen on WCIA, which instead presented "Wrestling." Below, I'll tell you where viewers of that era could watch the hearings each day.

Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.

See It Now (1954) CBS Reply to Sen Joseph McCarthy

The live broadcast of "Good Night and Good Luck," starring George Clooney, introduced many to the troubled times of the early 1950s when Senator Joe McCarthy made headlines based on lies and false claims.

Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.

McCarthy (2020) PBS "Have You No Decency?"

The video above tells the story behind the question asked by Joseph Welch to Senator Joseph McCarthy: "Have you no decency, sir?" This PBS special presentation was seen on January 2, 2020, on WILL-TV. It expressly covers the hearings from June 9, 1954.

This video mentions that the daytime hearings supplied many with daytime entertainment on TV when many stations were off the air. The only station carrying the hearings, according to the local TV schedules of the Bloomington Pantagraph, was WTVP, Channel 17, in Decatur. Neither the ABC affiliates WTVH in Peoria nor WBLN in Bloomington broadcast the hearings. No other stations in central Illinois carried the hearings.

There are many other YouTube Videos from and about the McCarthy era available. It's interesting to find that many of those videos share familiar themes, also found in today's news.

ABC Ben Casey 1962 with Guest Lee Marvin

Vince Edwards as Ben Casey with guest star Lee Marvin'

(YouTube screen grab)

The storylines often included controversial subjects, much like those found in other medical series today.

This episode also features the guest stars Lee Marvin, Jean Hagen, and Burt Mustin. It was filmed at Desilu Studios in 1962, alongside "The Andy Griffith Show," "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "The Lucy Show," "The Greatest Show on Earth," and many others, during the early 1960s.

"Ben Casey" aired over Mid-Illinois on ABC stations WTVP, WTVH, and KTVI.

Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.

Ben Casey (1962) ABC "A Story to be Softly Told"

This episode of the medical drama "Ben Casey" was broadcast by ABC on January 22, 1962. Vince Edwards was Dr. Ben Casey, and Sam Jaffe was Dr. David Zorba. Ben's apparent love interest was Dr. Maggie Graham, played by Bettye Ackerman.

This series, produced by Bing Crosby Productions (later "Hogan's Heroes"), was one of ABC's most popular shows at the time. Then, from 1965 to 1967, reruns of Ben Casey also appeared in the ABC daytime schedule.

Fridays (1981) ABC Guest: Andy Kaufman

From Uproxx: "Many fans remember Larry David and Michael Richards as part of the cast of "Fridays," an SNL-like sketch comedy series in the late 1970s/early 1980s.

"What some people don't know is that Richards' contract had stipulated that no episodes could be released on home video. Some of those sketches have been featured on YouTube over the years (and, much later, a DVD of the series was finally released), including one of its most famous, described as the "Andy Kaufman Incident." In the sketch, two couples go out on a dinner date, and one of the diners occasionally sneaks off to the restroom.

"However, when it came time for Kaufman to go, he was reluctant. He broke character and refused to read his lines, saying he didn't want to play that role. What happened next was amazing live television: Richards got up, grabbed the cue cards, and threw them on the table in front of Kaufman as if to say, "Here are your damn lines!" Kaufman responded by throwing a glass of water on Richards, and then all hell broke loose, as other members of the cast and crew on "Friday's" got involved, and a small brawl broke out on live television.

abc_fridays_andykaufman&jackburns_fight.jpg

This blurry shot of the "brawl" on "Friday's" is with Andy Kaufman (middle) with one of the show's writers and producers, Jack Burns ("The Andy Griffith Show").
(from YouTube)

"It turned out this 'real' fight was a prank orchestrated by Kaufman. The other three actors in the sketch were in on the joke, but the crew members — including those who tried to break up the brawl at the end of the sketch — didn't know it was a prank.

"Though the incident was staged, according to co-creator John Moffitt, it created so much press for the show that it managed to get Fridays renewed for one more season (it was ultimately canceled after three seasons in 1982)."

Above is the original broadcast of the February 20, 1981, edition of Fridays with guest Andy Kaufmann along with the Sir Douglas Quintet. The video above was recorded on WJZ in Baltimore, Maryland. It was also seen at 10:30 pm (CT) on WAND and WLS-TV, as indicated in the Bloomington Pantagraph TV listings, and I would assume on KTVI. WRAU aired the show at 11:30 pm (one hour delay).

Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.

Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.

Fridays (1981) ABC segment with Andy Kaufman Apology

Andy Kaufman on "Friday's" making an "apology."

(YouTube screen grab)

The following week, February 27, 1981, Andy Kaufman staged an apology for his stunt the week before. It also turns out to be a stunt.

This segment would have been seen on the ABC stations, as well as on WAND, WLS-TV, WBAK, and KTVI, at 10:30 pm (CT) and an hour later at 11:30 pm (CT) on WRAU.

Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.

Fridays (1981) ABC Guest: Andy Kaufman

After the debacle of the February installments of "Fridays," Kaufman returned the following season with an appearance on the September 18, 1981, show. Once again, his performance "art" continued with a statement from his fiancée, Kathie Sullivan, who was a member of the Lawrence Welk group as a gospel music singer.

Andy Kaufman on "Friday's" with Kathie Sullivan.

(YouTube screen grab)

It appears, though, according to a commentator on the video, that it was also a staged act, with Andy having no intention of marrying the gospel singer. He allegedly only used her as a pawn in his act. "Friday's" was also produced at the shared theater that also hosted the production of "The Lawrence Welk Show" each week.

The show also, for you 80s rock fans, includes performances from "The Pretenders."

This video was also seen on the ABC stations across Mid-Illinois, WAND, WRAU, WBAK, and KTVI.

Robert Young as Dr. Marcus Welby

(YouTube sreen grab)

Marcus was played by Robert Young (of "Father Knows Best"), and he shared his office with Dr. Steven Kiley, played by James Brolin (of "Hotel"). The nurse, Consuelo Lopez, played by Elena Verdugo. Others were added to the cast later, including Anne Baxter, Sharon Gless, and Pamela Hensley, among others.

Robert Young was 62 when he was persuaded to come out of retirement to star as the popular TV doctor from Santa Monica, California. It was the combination of the old traditional doctor being teamed with the younger free-spirited Dr. Kiley. Plus, the addition of the Latino nurse.

"Marcus Welby" was the biggest hit to date for ABC, helping the network reach number one by the mid-to-late 1970s. The combination of programming for young adults, featuring younger actors and storylines, along with hip music in the network's promos starting in the late 1960s, made ABC a more relevant TV network.

This episode aired January 13, 1970, on WAND, WJJY, WIRL, and KTVI.

Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.

Marcus Welby M.D. (1970) ABC

Just before he was Keith Partridge, David Cassidy played Michael Ambrose in the 16th episode of the first season of "Marcus Welby, M.D." This series aired on ABC from September 23, 197,0, through May 11, 1976.

Less than a year before and a couple of years after, I visited Universal Studios, and the most intriguing thing about this series was the fact that the Welby home and office were the house used in the later episodes of "Leave it to Beaver."

Classic Radio

Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.

Tube Trip (1971) KSHE (FM)/KDNL, TV-30

Steve Rosen, one of the last remaining jocks from the early days at KSHE, shared this 1971 audio with me so I could share it with you.

This recording consists of excerpts from a late Sunday night show on KSHE that was simulcast with KDNL, Channel 30, in St. Louis, back in that TV station's early days as a UHF independent. The show was called "Tube Trip," and the FM simulcast would be able to broadcast the show in stereo while watching it on Channel 30.

It featured the DJs discussing music videos or clips from the artists' live performances. In 1971, this would have been one of the first music video TV shows.

These segments feature the KSHE jocks at the time, Rick Lee, Steve Rosen, Don Corey, Gary Bennett, and Prince Knight. The show lasted about three months.

Unfortunately, the music in the audio had to be edited to avoid copyright issues.

We must thank Steve for sharing this very special, rare recording.

"Tube Trip" was a music video live program produced at KDNL, Channel 30, St. Louis, when it was a struggling independent station. (Now it's a struggling Sinclair ABC station.) The show was simulcast on KSHE (FM).

(KDNL logo Doug Quick Collection,

KSHE picture found on Pinterest)

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Latest Updates to the Museum

2025-0606 I finally added some material I've wanted to complete for over 10 years! It takes me a while sometimes...

I added better examples of the Drake-Chenault format samplers that the radio music syndicated company produced and distributed to radio station owners/managers to sell their services to mostly FM stations. The company began in the late 1960s, as more FM stations signed on to the air, but it didn't produce much income to support a full-fledged radio airstaff.

Drake-Chenault offered several popular music formats that would run on automation systems. That would satisfy the FCC's non-simulcast regulations for AM/FM radio facilities.

I rerecorded the format samples from 1974-75 and added the samples from the 1976-77 LP set to the Automated Radio Format page. You'll hear aircheck samples from all their formats from both promotional LP sets sent to radio stations to sell their services.

The LP cover from the 1976-77 box set is shown above. If you start with the introduction, at the end you'll find the link to the next cut on the record set.

I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.

2025-0617. The Automated Radio Formats page has another interesting addition: a long-lost demo of the "Olde Golde" automated format from 1972. Central Illinois had two radio stations airing the format in the early 1970s. Find out what stations were broadcasting the format long-time radio programmer Chuck Blore developed. IGM, a manufacturer of the IGM Automation systems, introduced the format.

2025-0628 The very long time classic rock station, KSHE-95, Chestwood-St. Louis, MO station celebrated its 50th anniversary recently, and will now receive an honor from the Missouri governor. Read more about that, plus many new pictures have been added from the station's early years, thanks to KSHE alum and friend Steve Rosen. Visit the KSHE section on this site by clicking here.

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"Pictures on the Prairie: The First Ten Years of Central Illinois Television" by Doug Quick

Much of the information on the history of TV pages on this site comes directly from my 2016 book "Pictures on the Prairie: The First Ten Years of Mid-Illinois Television." There are many more pictures on this site than in the book as space was limited.

Taylorville, Christian County Courthouse

Frisina Drive In Theater, Taylorville, IL

Memories of the Capitol Theatre and Frisina Drive-In Theatre

Latest TV
Headlines

Allen Meida Group

Proposes Sale

2025-0602-You might remember a "not-so-popular" decision of Allen Media Group, owners of local TV stations, WLFI, Channel 18, Lafayette, IN, WTHI-TV, Channel 10, Terre Haute, IN, and WSIL-TV, Channel 3, Carterville-Harrisburg, IL. That decision eliminated many meteorologists at the local TV station in favor of using co-owned The Weather Channel to produce local weather for broadcast at the local stations.

It's been reported that Allen Media Group is putting its stations up for sale. The group includes 28 ABC, NBC, and CBS affiliates in 21 markets., including the ones listed above.

The group has experienced financial pressures over the last couple of years.

Click here to learn more about the Allen Media Group and its proposed sale.

An Update on Sinclair's sale of the five TV Midwest TV stations, including WICS, WICD, KHQA, WTVO, and WTVT

The FCC has not yet acted on selling the stations listed above. The approval is pending a hearing by the Commission regarding a public interest group called "Frequency Forward, " and its objection to Sinclair's ownership of the stations.

To find out more about the group and its reasoning for the objection, click here.

Now Streaming Nationally

Click on the image above to listen to MeTVFM. It's the popular music companion to MeTV, Memorable Entertainment Television, America’s #1 all classic television network. Launched at 87.7FM in late February, 2015, MeTVFM features a unique mix of timeless and memorable music incorporating a wide variety of classic hits, deep tracks and softer sounds spanning several decades of popular music.

Previously on Videos of the Week...

If you've missed any of the "Videos of the Week" or "Classic Radio" recordings, you'll find them here. Unfortunately, there's no written narrative to go along with each. You have to visit each week for that.

Radio Classics
WLS 890AM Chicago (1973) Charlie Van Dyke/Fred Winston/JJ Jeffries/John Landecker/Bill Bailey

KPNX-TV, NBC 12 News, Phoenix, Arizona

Bonanza (1960-61) NBC 14 Episodes

Bewitched (1964) ABC Pilot

Gidget (1965) ABC Pilot

Rango (1967) ABC

All in the Family (1972) CBS "Sammy's Visit"

What's Happening (1977) ABC "Doobie or Not Doobie"

Carol Burnett Show-The Family (1977) CBS "Elephant Story" segment

Classic Radio

WLS-FM (1982) Chicago Steve Dahl and Garry Meier

The Disco Demolition Film