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WICD, Channel 15, Champaign, Illinois History

Part 7: WICD(DT) The Sinclair Years with ABC (2005-present)

The network switch from NBC to ABC in September of 2005, ended up being a good thing for WICS/WICD.  NBC was entering a period of less than desirable ratings for the former “must see network.”  The runs of most of the top shows had either ended or just had ended, or the shows had “jumped the shark” and were entering the final days of popularity.  Meanwhile, ABC premiered “Desperate Housewives,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Lost” and other shows which would take ABC to the top of the ratings race.

Add to the upturn in ratings success of ABC, WICS/WICD also had some winners in syndication which would enhance the ABC affiliation.  “Live with Regis and Kelly” was a ABC/Disney produced show which would be used to promote the ABC schedule from time to time.  Also, “Dr. Phil” was picked up by the stations for the Fall of 2006 and gave a strong lead in to the afternoon lineup of “Judge Judy.”  "Seinfeld" still has a pretty good hold on the audience, and shows very little sign of wearing out.

Sinclair also made an agreement to include “The Tube” music video channel to the 15.1 sub-channel of the digital signal.  This had to bring some credibility to a few of the 18-34’s who would perhaps tune in to watch videos of the hits of the last 20 years.  The airing of “The Tube” would continue until December 31, 2005, when the contract was not renewed.  Speculation by some, although it’s not entirely clear why “The Tube” was dropped, says that the FCC had mandated that sub-channels be included in EAS notification and that a certain number of hours of children’s programs for every sub-channel station which were part of the digital signal.  Since most of the sub-channels were just passed through the master control from satellite feeds, it would be an expensive process to what would be the construction of separate control rooms for each of the channels, plus the programming of perhaps more programming for children.  So, rather to take on the expense of additional facilities to satisfy the alleged FCC requirements, many stations have chose to just eliminate the use of their sub-carriers completely.  The possible exception, would be for stations which maintain a 24/7 weather channel, in which compliance for the EAS notification would be much easier, as the station would simply simulcast severe weather reports on both their main channel and the sub-carrier.

2005 was also the year of the production of a separate news product for the local FOX affiliates, WRSP/WCCU.  An agreement was entered into during the month of September of 2005 for WICS to control a 9PM newscast, which would be microwaved to WRSP in Springfield and fed to their sister station simultaneously in Champaign, WCCU.  The main anchor, Julie Staley, and weekend anchor Ashely Glass would anchor the newscast combining news items from both WICS and WICD into one newscast.  Sports was also included, although it would originate from WICD.  Weather was handled by both weathercasters at WICS, Gus Gordon for the WRSP side of the market, and Doug Quick at WICD for the east side of the market at WCCU.  Weekends were handled by Joe Crain for WICS and for WICD, the late Keith Page and Danny Russell.

The Summer of 2007 saw the anchor desk change once again, with the departure of Kent Ninomiya.   That left Erin Murphy at 5PM and Jennifer Copeland at 6 and 10, with Doug as Weather Anchor and Josh Samuels as Sports Anchor.  Other show anchors during this time include Sara Vincent and Matt Coldagelli as anchors for Sunise This Morning with Jill Noelle as Weather Anchor.  Erin Murphy anchors the 11am newscast with Jill Noelle as Weather Anchor



Actual screen pics from the segment of the "The View" in which Meredith, Star, Joy and Elisabeth welcomed the new ABC affiliates, WICS and WICD.  By the next year, the show would go through two cast changes with Meredith going to NBC and Star Jones' contract not being renewed.  Meredith was replaced by Rosie O'Donnell, which breathed new life, as well as controversy, into the show.

Here's the way the ABC/NewsChannel 15 set looked on the air the first day as an ABC affiliate.  Pictured is Doug Quick, Aubrey Mika, Jim Neidelman and weekend Sports Anchor Josh Samuals. The smaller picture at the right are the anchors and Sports Director Andrew Miller at the desk.










At left is the new ABC/NewsChannel 15 logo.  At right is Doug Quick, Aubrey Mika and Jim Niedelman on the set from October of 2005.  Note the new set design.  New paint, logos and an expanded Weather Center.

Doug Quick and Natalie Bomke at the Vermilion County Labor Day Parade in Danville on the day of the affiliation switch, Labor Day 2005.
Here is Jay Searles and Maira Ansari at the desk for Sunrise This Morning on the day of the affilliation switch.
Imagine the shock, when instead of being followed by "The Today Show" viewers saw "Good Morning America"
"Good Morning America" was converted to Hi-Definition by 2006.
"Daybreak"was one of the 2006-2007 entries, but didn't make it into 2007.  The show did have a cult following, but just not enough to make it a hit for ABC.
Here's one of the series which put ABC over the top during the 2005-2006 season, "Desperate Housewives" generated "water cooler talk" as well as brought attention to the ABC Sunday night lineup.
Another of the hits of the past couple of seaons for ABC was "Grey's Anatomy."  It was at 9PM on Sunday's during it's first season following" Desperate Housewives" before being moved to Thursday night.
"Grey's Anatomy" brought the phrase "Dr. McDreamy" to light during the first season of the series.
Even "The View" was changed over to Hi-Definition during 2006.
"Men in Trees" another of the off beat shows which has been shifted at least once in the ABC schedule to try to snag an audience...so far so good.
"The Nine" didn't catch on....but an interesting premise....
"Brothers and Sisters" was the return of Sally Field to prime time.


Jimmy Kimmel Live during the late night grew in popularity, especially with the 18-34's.  The show is produced in Hollywood.



One of the biggest hits of the 2005-2006 season was "Lost."  It was a mystery which went on and on....perhaps to no solution...we'll see.


The Superbowl 2006 was broadcast in Hi-Definition by ABC and WICD, NewsChannel 15. 
Here are a few scenes from the Rolling Stones performance at half time recorded from the actual digital signal of WICD.

"Good Morning America" continues to see ratings growth during 2006, but lost Charlie Gibson to "ABC's World News Now."  Here he is pictured with Diane Sawyer.  Also with the morning news/entertainment program is Robin Roberts and Sam Champion.
Here's What's on....
Shows currently on ABC during the 2006-2007 season include 20/20, Boston Legal, Brothers and Sisters, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Lost, Men in Trees, Ugly Betty, What about Brian, According to Jim, Big Day, George Lopez, In Case of Emergency, The Knights of Prosperity, America's Funniest Home Videos, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Supernanny and Wife Swap.  Other shows on WICD include: Live with Regis and Kelly, Dr. Phil, Judge Judy, Seinfeld, E.R.(in syndication) and Who Wants to be a Millionaire.
"World News Now" began 2006 with Bob Woodruff and Elizabeth Vargas in January....but by May, a field trip to Iraq, at least for a while, ended the career of Bob Woodruff as he was injured while covering the war for ABC.  Vargas continued for most of the year, but was replaced by Charlie Gibson, who continues to enjoy a ratings upswing for the ABC evening news show.
The evening ABC news program which was previously anchored by the late Peter Jennings went through some anchor changes(see left) until Charles Gibson was transferred from Good Morning America to the evening news show, which went through a name change to "World News with Charles Gibson."




The Sunday weekend news interview show that was previously anchored by David Brinkley, continues to be successful, as it is now hosted by George Stephanopoulos along with George Will, Fareed Zakaria, Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts over the years.






Here Kent Ninomiya is with Doug Quick along with Erin Murphy at the Champaign County Fair in July of 2006.  This is some of the fun stuff that is part of the news.


Erin Murphy is pictured with Kent Ninomiya and Doug Quick and Todd Salen from the Urbana Sweetcorn Festival organizers at the event held in Urbana in August.

"All My Children" continues it's successful run as a mid-day daytime drama.  Traditionally it's aired at Noon weekdays.

"George Lopez Show" is the second longest running sitcom in TV history which stars latin actors.  It premiered in 2002 and continues it's run on ABC and WICD.
"According to Jim" premiered in 2001 and continues a run on ABC, sometimes twice or more per week.  It's also in syndication.

The most violent show on television, "America's Funniest Video's" is a regular on Sunday night, but also shows up as filler during the week from time to time.  The show is now hosted by Tom Bergeron.
"The Desperate Housewives" began it's run on October 3, 2004 on WICD and continues on Sunday nights.  The show skyrocketed in the ratings for ABC and set the network up for ratings success.
"Hope and Faith" aired for three seasons on ABC starting in 2003.  It starred Kelly Ripa(Life with Regis and Kelly), Faith Ford(Murphy Brown) and Ted McGinley(Happy Days and the Love Boat).  There were only a total of 73 episodes produced.


"Who wants to be a Millionaire" ended up in syndication hosted by Merideth Viera.  WICD aired the show at varous times in the weekday schedule, late mornings, later afternoons and even overnights, once Viera moved from "The View" to NBC's "Today Show."

A surprise hit show with a unique title, "Ugly Betty."  The second ABC show to feature "ugly" in it's title.  The first was back in the 1960's with "The Ugliest Girl in Town."
Here is a standard definition view of the opening title to "Desperate Housewives."  It's just one of the ABC shows available in Hi-Def (see graphics above).


Here are a series of graphics
taken from the opens of various newscasts with
all of the main anchors.

Aisha Hasnie from the studio doing a report on Winterizing Your Car from December of 2006
Ryann Hubbard with a live report from Urbana.
WICD's Kathy Morris doing a live report from the University of Illinois campus.
Maira Ansari fronting a report on the passing of WICD weatherman Keith Page in November of 2006
Melody Mendez in the studio with a report on the attendence at the IHSA Football Finals at the U of I.
Jennifer Copeland on a NewsChannel 15 news promo.
Jennifer Copeland and Kent Ninomiya at the anchor desk.
Weekend weather with Danny Russell.
Entertainment Tonight aired at 10:35pm weeknights since the network affiliation switch in September of 2005.
"Seinfeld" continues to dominate the schedule at 6:30pm.







At either side are scenes from two WICD newcasts with Doug Quick, Jennifer Copeland and Kent Ninomiya from December of 2006.

Danny Russell and Melody Mendez anchoring the weekends in late 2006.
Emily Carlson with a live report "..coming up."  Emily left during the Summer of 2007.
Melody Mendez teasing a live report from the newsroom.
Josh Samuels from 2005 at the anchor desk with a story on the Cubs.
Bart Barker anchoring with a story on the Illini.




Dr. Phil joined the weekday lineup at 3pm beginning on September 18, 2006.


"Sunrise This Morning" was anchored by Natalie Bomke, Jill Noelle and Matt Coldagelli during most of 2006.  It airs from 5 to 7am.

Jerry Seinfeld (left) from one of the openings to an episode of "Seinfeld" on ABC/NewsChannel 15.


Sometimes controversial, sometimes not....Mark Hyman was the voice of Sinclair with his daily commentaries.










By the Summer of 2007, the anchor desk once again saw changes for the 5, 6 and 10 PM newscasts.  Leaving Erin Murphy, Jennifer Copeland with Doug doing weather and Josh Samuels with sports.  Pictured left is a billboard which pictured the anchors from I-74 on Champaign's north side.




Pictured left is from September of 2007, when Rick Schutt joined Jennifer Copeland, Doug Quick and Josh Samuels(not pictured) as the main anchor team at ABC/NewsChannel 15.
Pictured right is Jennifer Copeland and Rick Schutt.

Ryann Hubbard reporting from the ABC/NewsChannel 15 Newsroom.



Nick Janes reporting from the U of I campus
Checkey Beckford reporting from Danville.
Above is Josh Samuels during a sportscast from the studio.
Left is 11am and 5pm anchor Erin Murphy pictured on a promotional announcement for the station.
Below is Doug Quick during a weathercast.






By Fall of 2007, the anchor lineup on "Sunrise This Morning" was Matt Coldagelli, Sara Vincent, Jill Noelle and Aivana Crystal.

Jill Noelle, Sara Vincent and Matt Coldagelli, the anchors of "Sunrise This Morning" on ABC/NewsChannel 15.  This is from September of 2007.
Above-Jill Noelle during a weathercast during "Sunrise This Morning."
Right-Sara Vincent and a studio guest at the new "Sunrise" set.
Cruisin' Illinois is a 30-minute show which looks as the Harley-Davidson lifestyle in central Illinois.  It's produced by WICS-WICD and sponsored by local Harley dealers.
Dr. Phil's syndicated talk show aired 3pm weekday afternoons on ABC/NewsChannel 15.
ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" continued to draw large audiences to ABC primetime during the fall of 2007.
ABC's "World News with Charles Gibson" celebrated it's first anniversary on top of the ratings during the Summer and Fall of 2007.



In Memory of Keith Page


Even though this takes us through the entire history of WICD, new items will be added as they become available.

I've tried to include a little something from everyone who's had at least some influence at the station, it would be impossible to offer a complete of the personalities and people behind the scenes at WDAN-TV, WICD, WCHU over the last 53+ years.  If you have any material, you feel would enhance the history being told here, feel free to contact me via e-mail at: dougquick@dougquick.com.  If I have left anyone out, I apologize.

All of the images, information, show titles, etc.. is all copyrighted material and is owned by the copyright owners.  The display of all materials here on the WICD sites as well as the other pages on this web site are to illustrate the history of central Illinois broadcasting.


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updated 6/30/2008
web master:  Doug Quick
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