wcia 3 champaign, wicd 15 champaign, wand 17 decatur, wics 20 Springfield, week 25 peoria, whoi 19 peoria, wmbd 31 peoria, wyyz 43 Bloomington, wbln, wtvh, wirl, wrau, wtvp, wdan, classic tv, central Illinois tv, radio, automation,
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 If you're watching on your mobile phone, the mobile phone view has been replaced by the desktop view throughout this site.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.
I was preparing for a live shot on WICD, NewsChannel 15 from the Danville McDonald's on North Vermilion. The year was 2006. (19 years ago!)
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
For this posting of Featured Videos, we go back to the late 1970s to the late 1980s with quite a variety of different TV genres.
I begin with a collection of Saturday morning TV shows, commercials, and promos from 1978 and the NBC kids' shows at the time. You might notice the use of the NBC "N" logo, which is very similar (if not an outright copy) of the Nebraska Public TV logo.
If you went to a movie at this time of year in 1978, you probably would have seen "Animal House." It was released in late July. By the next Fall, the TV networks would have three different frat house sitcoms ready to air. By far the best one is shown here, which was produced by the film's original production team, with even a few of the same actors. Check out "Delta House," the pilot from 1979, on ABC.
The era featured in the collection of videos shown now through August 23 was also known as the Disco era! So it was appropriate to include "Dance Fever," the syndicated dance contest series that got its share of abuse from non-disco fans.
For the first time, I include "The Fall Guy" with Lee Majors as a Featured Video. It was a great example of a Glen Larson-produced action, comedy, drama series that he produced along with "Alias Smith and Jones," "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century," "Sheriff Lobo," "Magnum P.I.," and "Knight Rider," among others.
Next, it's a remembrance of Loni Anderson in an episode of "WKRP in Cincinnati."
I never actually watched any episode of "Gimme a Break" as it aired on NBC in the early 1980s. Still, it is one of the popular shows of the era and has been seen in syndication for years after its original network airing. So, I include it here, along with a listing of future co-stars of the series.
From 1987, the late Bert Convy hosted a TV party game show that Burt Reynolds and Convy developed in the mid-1980s. Burt Reynolds, at the time, was married to Loni Anderson, so I make another connection to her after her passing earlier this month.
The Classic Radio videos/audio features two of the "superstar" jocks from WLS Radio, from 1979 and 1985. John Landecker, now on WGN Radio, and Fred Winston are featured in some great personality radio from that era, particularly during the final days of WLS as a listenable radio station. See more about WLS Radio by clicking here for "Legendary Radio Stations."
Saturday Morning TV (1978) NBC
This video includes a selection of NBC Saturday morning kid shows, with many commercials and other video artifacts from 1977 to 1978. The shows include "I Am the Greatest: The Adventures of Muhammad Ali," "Hong Kong Phooey," "The Go-Go Glovetroters," "The Space Sentinels," "The Space Sentinels," "Think Pink Panther," "Baggy Pants and the Nitwits," "The Land of the Lost," " and "Thunder."
These programs would have been seen across Mid-Illinois on WICS, WEEK, WGEM-TV, WTWO-TV, and KSD-TV.
A screen grab from an NBC promo for the Saturday morning kids' lineup of shows.
(YouTube screen grab)
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Delta House (1979) ABC
After the popularity of the theatrical film "Animal House," it was only a matter of time before TV networks picked up on the idea and produced its series as a weekly installment. At least, this TV sequel was made by the original film's production company. Meanwhile, CBS ("Co-Ed Fever") and NBC ("Brothers and Sisters") had their own "copycat" college frat series all premiering during the same TV season.
In the ABC series, Faber College was once again the setting and the infamous Delta House. Dean Vernon Wormer returned, played once again by John Vernon. Stephen Furst was cast again as Kent "Flounder" Dorfman, Bruce McGill was Daniel Simpson Day, and James Widdoes was Robert Hoover. Other cast members were added, such as Josh Mostel, Peter Fox, Gary Cookson, Richard Seer, Susanna Dalton, Peter Kastner, and Michelle Pfeiffer.
Here are two of the original film cast members who appeared in the TV version "Delta House." Bruce McGill was Daniel Simpson Day, and Stephen Furst was Kent "Flounder" Dorfman.
(YouTube Screen Grab)
Unfortunately, "Delta House" only lasted just over three months. The absence of John Belushi as Bluto Blutarsky from the original cast, combined with the chemistry of the original movie leads, was found to be less than acceptable to audiences.
This series would have been seen across the region on WAND, WRAU, WBAK-TV and KTVI.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Dance Fever (1980) Syndicated
I never thought I'd ever feature this disco-themed TV game show, "Dance Fever," as a Featured Video, but here it is! It was syndicated to local stations and was also seen on the old ABC Family Channel. The significant difference was that the syndicated version was 30 minutes long, while the ABC Family Channel version was a one-hour dance-a-thon.
Hosted by Deney Terrio from 1979 through 1985. The series was a competition of local disco dancing stars from around the country, judged by a celebrity panel. The series was also parodied and became the target of many jokes and comedians at the time, as the popularity of Disco waned.
Although "Dance Fever" was seen in the Chicago market on WFLD-TV, Channel 32, I wasn't able to find it in any Central Illinois TV listings.
Deney Terrio dances with the two woman dance group called "Motion" in this 1980 installment of "Dance Fever."
(YouTube Screen Grab)
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
The Fall Guy (1982) ABC
Lee Majors starred as Colt Seavers, a Hollywood stuntman who moonlighted picking up bail jumpers. "The Fall Guy" aired on ABC from November 4, 1981, through May 2, 1986. Others in the cast included Douglas Barr as Howie Munson, Heather Thomas as Jody Banks, Jo Ann Plug as Samantha Jack, and Marie Post as Terri Shannon.
This Glen Larson-produced show was another typical action, light-hearted hour-long comedy-drama. The theme song was written by David Somerville, Gail Jensen, and Glen Larson and sung by Lee Majors. The lyrics of the song even made a mention of Major's real-life wife, Farrah Fawcett-Majors. Listen for it.
"The Fall Guy" was seen across mid-Illinois on WAND, WRAU, WBAK, and KTVI.
Almost 20 years earlier, Lee Majors co-starred on "The Big Valley." In 1982, he played a Hollywood stuntman who went after bail jumpers in "The Fall Guy" on ABC.
(YouTube Screen Grab)
WKRP in Cincinnati (1981) CBS "Daydreams"
In memory of Loni Anderson, this video is the tenth episode from the third season of "WKRP in Cincinnati." It was broadcast on January 17, 1981, on CBS and was seen across Mid-Illinois on WCIA, WMBD-TV, WTHI-TV, KHQA, and KMOX-TV.
Loni Anderson (left) with Jan Smithers (Bailey Quarters) during the episode shown above
(YouTube Screen Grab)
In this episode, while Mr. Carlson, the WKRP general manager, conducts a staff meeting, the employees daydream about their own personal fantasies.
The first involves the daydreams of WKRP sales manager, Herb Tarlek, spending some time with secretary/receptionist Jennifer Marlowe, played by Loni Anderson.
I was in radio at the time of this series, and it was a hit among the radio broadcasters of the country. Although it wasn't a realistic portrayal of radio at the time, the station had only two DJs: Uncle Johnny Fever, played by Howard Hesseman, and Venus Flytrap, played by Tim Reid. The jocks never wore headphones. The sales manager had no other salespeople to manage. Additionally, even in those days, AM radio stations may have programmed top 40, but AM stations hardly ever aired a "true" rock format, which had already transitioned to FM stations.
Local radio stations all over the country sent the program their station's bumper stickers, which were displayed on a wall on set. I was with WDNL (D-102) in Danville at the time, and yes, we sent them a bumper sticker which reportedly was posted on set.
The series received ten Emmy Award nominations, with three nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series. It premiered on September 18, 1978, airing for 90 episodes with the final network broadcast on April 21, 1982. After it left the network, it became one of the most popular syndicated sitcoms of the time, airing across Mid-Illinois on WAND. There was a sequel series that went into first-run syndication and starred Gordon Jump as GM Mr. Carlson, Richard Sanders as news director/farm director Les Nessman, and Frank Bonner as Herb Tarlek. Other former stars of the original series made guest appearances on the follow-up series.
I post this in memory of Loni Anderson, who passed away just a few days before her 80th birthday earlier this month.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Gimme a Break (1981) NBC
"Gimme a Break" premiered on NBC on October 29, 1981, airing through May 12, 1987. The sitcom starred Nell Carter as Nell Harper, Dolph Sweet as Chief Carl Kanisky, Kari Michaelson as Katie Kanisky, and Lauri Hendler as Julie Kanisky Maxwell. The cast would see many additions and subtractions over its run, with other cast members including John Hoyt, Jane Dulo, Joey Lawrence, Telma Hopkins, Jonathan Silverman, Matthew Lawrence, Paul Sand, and Rosie O'Donnell.
"Gimme a Break" was seen across central Illinois on WICS, WEEK, WGEM-TV, WTWO-TV, and KSDK.
"Gimme A Break" cast members, Lauri Hendler and Kari Michaelson, with the star of the series, Neill Carter.
(YouTube screen grab)
Click on either image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Win, Lose or Draw (1987) NBC
"Win, Lose or Draw" was hosted by Bert Convy, in my opinion, one of the best modern-day game show hosts ever. In this series, he initially teamed up with Burt Reynolds to create the game. Even though the game resembled what would become "Pictionary" later, it was initially played by Burt Reynolds and friends years before, as early as 1978, long before the board game was created.
The interesting thing about this show was that it was part of NBC's daytime game show schedule, even though it was recorded at CBS Television City in Hollywood. The pilot show was recorded on November 2, 1986, and included Loni Anderson (Mrs. Burt Reynolds at the time), Betty White, Burt Reynolds, and Tony Danza.
Bert Convy on "Win, Lose or Draw" from 1987.
(YouTube screen grab)
Classic Radio
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
WLS (1979) John Landecker
This recording is a combination aircheck and a complete air recording with music, commercials, and jock banter featuring John "Records" Landecker. It was recorded from "The Rock of Chicago" high atop the downtown Burger King on December 17, 1979.
There's much great music here, and some great stuff from Mr. Landecker, who had just moved from the evening shift to the afternoon drive. Enjoy!
John Landecker from back in the day, 1979 or so at WLS.
(WLS File Photo, Doug Quick Collection)
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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.
Latest TV
Headlines
WAND announces the sale of the station and 2 other Block Communications Stations to Grey Media for $80 million.
2025-0801 WAND announces that Gray Media has purchased WAND, Channel 17, Decatur, Illinois, and two other stations that Block Communications owned. The other stations are WDRB in Louisville, KY, and WLIO in Lima, OH. The purchase price is reported to be $80 million.
Grey Media owns TV stations in 113 markets and owns Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios.
2025-0709 As expected, the FCC has approved the sale of the Midwest Sinclair stations WICS, Channel 20, Springfield, IL, WICD, Channel 15, Champaign, KHQA-TV, Channel 7, Hannibal, MO, and KTVO-TV, Channel 3, Kirksville, MO/Ottumwa, IA The group is now owned by Rincon (Todd Parkin, a former Sinclair executive) and was granted a waiver allowing one owner to exceed the maximum allowable top-four rated stations in the market. The official date of the transfer was July 9, 2025.
Despite the sale occurring over a month ago, Sinclair is still listed as the copyright owner on the website of WICS.
Grey Media and Sinclair Swap Assets in Peoria
2025-0402 This story was reported in April of 2025, but so far, nothing has occurred yet.
The story appeared in the Radio+Television Business Report on April 2, 2025. In it, it stated that the two broadcast companies would act on an option agreement from August of 2016 that allowed Sinclair to purchase WSJY-TV in Elkhart, Indiana, from Gray Media. The purchase price was a mere $50,000, while Sinclair is agreeing to turn over WHOI-TV (Channel 19) Peoria to Gray TV (who also owns WEEK-TV) within a second option agreement both companies had also from August of 2016. In August of 2016, WEEK-TV was owned by Quincy Media, which scooped up ABC when it was pulled from WHOI-TV. ABC has been on a WEEK-TV subchannel ever since..
The story reported that the plan was to have WHOI-TV, on Channel 19, which right now is home to "ROAR," "Charge!," Comet TV," and "Stadium" becoming a full-fledged ABC affiliate once again on its main channel at 19.1. But, as I said earlier, so far there's no sign of any activity since April of 2025.
Grey Media becomes a major owner of TV stations
In and around the region
2025-0809 As reported over the last few months, Byron Allen's Allen Media Group, Inc. was seeking a buyer of several stations across the Midwest, including those just outside the Central Illinois market.
It was announced on August 8th that Allen Meida has sold ten local TV stations to Grey Media for $171 million. Those stations include WTHI-TV in Terre Haute, IN, and WLFI-TV in Lafayette, IN. Both Indiana stations are CBS affiliates. The other stations include two other Illinois stations. They are WSIL(3), ABC in the Harrisburg-Carbondale market, and WREX(13), NBC in Rockford, IL.
Note that Gray has also agreed to purchase WAND (17), NBC, Decatur, and its translators throughout Central Illinois in Effingham, Jacksonville, and Danville, IL.
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.
The Cara Williams Show (1964) CBS Pilot
Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1968) CBS
Jackie Gleason Show (1969) CBS
Baretta (1976) ABC Robert Blake
Diff'rent Strokes (1978) NBC Pilot
Classic Radio
KXOK Documentary "The Glory Days of Radio in St. Louis"
The Red Skelton Hour (1965) CBS
The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau: Whales (1968) ABC
CBS News with Walter Cronkite (1970) CBS
Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour (1971) CBS
Classic Radio
WWTO (1973) Drake-Chenault Solid Gold
WLRW (1974) Drake-Chenault Solid Gold
The Ed Sullivan Show (1964) CBS The Beatles
The Hollywood Palace (1965) ABC
The Jack Benny Hour (1966) NBC
The Dick Cavett Show (1971) ABC Guest: John Lennon
Classic Radio
WLS, 890AM, Chicago (1963) Dick Biondi Show
KSHE, 94.7FM, St. Louis (1974)
Johnny Staccato (1959) NBC Pilot Show
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1960) NBC
The Untouchables (1961) ABC "The Loophole"
The Untouchables (1994) Syndicated Pilot Part 1
The Untouchables (1994) Syndicated Pilot Part 2
Danny Kaye Show (1964) Hillbilly Sketch
The Ed Sullivan Show (1964) CBS The Beach Boys
Donna Reed Show (1965) ABC "The Tree"
Classic Radio
See It Now (1954) CBS Edward R. Murrow
See It Now (1954) CBS Reply to Sen Joseph McCarthy
McCarthy (2020) PBS "Have You No Decency?"
Ben Casey (1962) ABC "A Story to be Softly Told"
Fridays (1981) ABC Guest: Andy Kaufman
Fridays (1981) ABC segment with Andy Kaufman Apology
Fridays (1981) ABC Guest: Andy Kaufman with Kathie Sullivan
Classic Radio
Tube Trip (1971) KSHE (FM)/KDNL, TV-30
______________________________________
Sunday nights Nov 1959-Jan 1960
Sunday Showcase (1959) NBC Jimmy Durante
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1960) NBC
The Loretta Young Show (1960) NBC
______________________________________
Here Comes the Brides-Open (1968) ABC Co-Star Bobby Sherman
Bobby Sherman Special (1971) ABC
Bosom Buddies/Mama's Family Intros (1984) ABC/NBC
Classic Radio
Night Time America (1982) WDNL Danville, IL
TM Stereo Rock (1975) WHBF-FM Quad Cities
The Dating Game (1967) ABC Host: Jim Lange
Love American Style (1969) ABC Ted Bessell, John Beck
The Gong Show (1977) NBC Host: Chuck Barris
Vegas (1978) ABC Robert Urich
Classic Radio
WDNL(FM) (1991) Aircheck with Doug Quick
Saturday Morning TV (1978) NBC
WKRP in Cincinnati (1981) CBS "Daydreams"
Classic Radio
WLS AM/FM (1985) Fred Winston
Next Regular Update August 23
Central Illinois On-Line Broadcast Museum and dougquick.com supports the work of the St. Louis Media History Foundation.
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Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
WLS AM/FM (1985) Fred Winston
On this recording, Fred Winston was filling in for Larry Lujack on the morning show. You'll also hear Catherine Johns, Jeff Hendricks, and Les Grobstein. This recording was of personality radio at its best!
Fred Winston filling in for Larry Lujack in 1985 on WLS AM/FM.
(YouTube Screen Grab)