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, Jimmy Kimmel, Nexstar Media Group, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Television News
Announcing...
I’m now associated with a new radio consulting company called “Open-Source Radio Group.” Their website states: “At Open-Source Radio Group, we believe in the power of open, flexible radio formats that give stations the freedom to create unique sounds without constraints. Our professionally programmed music formats are tailored to local markets, blending familiarity and innovation to connect with listeners.”
My association focused on developing a mass appeal format for radio listeners whom contemporary music formats have left behind. “Doug Quick’s Golden Classics” is available to small-market, low-power, and large-to-medium-market radio stations with HD channels and offers stations ultimate program flexibility, with 100% of the commercial time going to the station. Each format is available in three service tiers. It offers a station an automation-ready, custom, personality-driven format with music from the mid-60s, 70s, and early 80s. For more information, click on the logos above.
So, what does Doug Quick's Golden Classics sound like? Click on the Video above for a sample!
This is a one-hour sample of "Golden Classics" with complete songs, and only the commercials are edited out. The call letters and the radio station are for demonstration purposes only and do not exist.
Featured Videos
TV Music, Music, Music...
The Featured Videos and Classic Radio Audio are part of an epic collection! My thanks to all of the associated YouTube contributors for posting over the years!
The Museum will turn the spotlight on contemporary music from the 1950s through the mid-1970s as featured on television variety, music, and comedy shows.
There are classic, legendary performances from super performers and supergroups of rock, and even a couple of controversial appearances. There are at least a couple of first-time TV appearances, plus a superstar concert video that was one of the first high-definition videos ever!
Then, in the Classic Radio section, we find out what your favorite Top 40 stations sounded like when we watched these TV appearances with several radio airchecks from the late 1950s through the 1960s! I’ll include a central Illinois native and a U of I graduate at a Los Angeles Top 40 station in 1958!
This collection of Music on TV has been an incredible project for me, taking many hours of research. Still, it’s also been fun watching hours of music performances and reading some great background stories of each one, then trying to filter through many others to come up with just this collection!
It’ll be another three-week presentation at Central Illinois’ On-Line Broadcast Museum posted here through June 13th.
Classic Television
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
The Steve Allen Show (1956) NBC
From July 1, 1956, the Hudson Theater in New York City attracted 40 million viewers and beat Ed Sullivan in the ratings that night. Elvis called this “the most ridiculous performance in my career.”
This is from the Sunday night prime-time show, the ‘Steve Allen Show.’ It gave his new primetime show a quick ratings boost opposite the Ed Sullivan Show, which was a steep mountain to climb. “The Steve Allen Show” got a 20.2 share of the audience compared to a 14.8 for “The Ed Sullivan Show” that night. Elvis had already gotten much attention with his performance on “The Milton Berle Show” and “The Dorsey Brothers Show” earlier in the year. Allen’s booking of Elvis brought widespread negative reviews from the TV critics of the time. One critic, Charles Mercer, told Allen, “I can’t for the life of me see why you want to have such an untalented guy on your program.” All these years later, we all know who Elvis is; virtually no one knows who Charles Mercer is.
Photo with Elvis, a hound dog (actually a Bassett Hound) on "The Steve Allen Show" 1956.
(Photo from Elvis History Blog)
The listings for "The Steve Allen Show" from July 1, 1956, indicate the broadcast aired on WEEK-TV, Channel 43, in Peoria. It did not air on WICS, Springfield. It probably did, though, on KSD-TV in St. Louis and WMAQ-TV in Chicago.
(Bloomington Pantagraph)
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
The Ed Sullivan Show (1956) CBS
The September 9, 1956, performance was Elvis Presley’s first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. Elvis filmed the performance in Los Angeles, where he was shooting his film “Love Me Tender.” Ed Sullivan was not available for the show while recovering from a car accident. Film actor Charles Laughton filled in as host for Sullivan during the broadcast.
It would have been broadcast on CBS stations WCIA, WTVH, KHQA, WTHI-TV, and KWK-TV.
Elvis on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on September 9, 1956, with his backup singing group, "The Jordanaires."
(YouTube screen grab)
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Ozzie and Harriet (1958) ABC
“The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” was one of the longest-running live-action shows on television. Audiences fell in love with this family and watched the sons, Rick and David, grow from active adolescents to college graduates, and then into families of their own.
Meanwhile, the parents, Ozzie and Harriet, remained a significant part of the family as their sons left the nest. The concept began on the radio during the 1940s, and continued on television from 1952 through 1966. The show also made the youngest son a recording star. It only stands to reason, as Ozzie was a real-life big-band leader in the late 30s and early 1940s, with Harriet becoming his girl vocalist. Don’t discount Ozzie, though; he also went to law school and was a non-practicing lawyer in real life. That certainly helped him manage the business side of shaping a ten-year contract with ABC Television, producing a radio show, and later a TV show for years.
Rick Nelson on "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" in 1958 singing "Lonesome Town."
(YouTube screen grab)
The home video versions of “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” did not include the weekly song presentation by Rick and his backup band because music rights had become an issue. The network versions of the show introduced Rick and a song, and many of them became hits overnight.
This video is Rick doing “Lonesome Town,” which reached number 7 on the charts in October/November of 1958. This would have aired on ABC, but across Mid-Illinois, it aired on WCIA, WTVH, WDAN-TV, and KTVI. WCIA aired the show via kinescope, as requested by the advertising agency representing it, to reach a wider audience across central Illinois. WTVP aired replacement syndicated programming during the 1950s. It wasn’t until sometime much later in the series run that “Ozzie and Harriet” aired on WTVP.
WCIA Fall Promo 1981
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Dick Clark’s Beech-Nut Show (1959)
This video is from Dick Clark’s saturday night music variety Show, similar to “American Bandstand.” Still, it was more of a traditional variety show, with Dick sometimes talking with audience members and making comments about the stars. This segment is from 1959 and features Paul Anka with “Melodie D’Amour” and “Put Your Head on My Shoulder.” The latter hit went to number two on the charts, where it stayed for three weeks in September/October 1959. It was sponsored by Beech-Nut chewing gum. It aired on ABC stations WTVP, WTVH, and KTVI.
Dick Clark introducing Paul Anka on "The Dick Clark Beech-Nut Show" on ABC in 1959.
(YouTube screen grab)
WCIA Fall Promo 1981
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
American Bandstand (1963)
“South Street” by the Orlons, " The best part is the introduction of the stage crew of ‘American Bandstand’ by Dick Clark. From Bandstand’s Best YouTube Channel. This aired on ABC and on WTVP, WTVH, and KTVI.
WCIA Fall Promo 1981
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
The Ed Sullivan Show (1964) CBS “I Want to Hold Your Hand”
The Beatles’ first appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” was on February 9, 1964. The audio operator at the show didn’t have John Lennon’s mic up enough to hear John’s part of the song. I remember watching this with my dad on that evening in February. All of my classmates appeared to watch it as well, as many were singing “I Want to Hold Your Hand” the next day!
Just how significant was the Beatles' arrival from London? Johnny Carson discussed their arrival on his show a couple of days before. Watch the video by clicking on the "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" segment here. The sweatshirt and other "Beatles" clothing shown would now be worth much more than their original price!
Two Beatles appeared on "The Tonight Show" that was guest-hosted by Joe Garagiola and Tallulah Bankhead. See/hear pictures and audio by clicking here.
Paul would appear in 1984 with Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show." That video is here.
The Beatles from their February 9, 1964 performance of "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" on 'The Ed Sullivan Show."
(YouTube screen grab)
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
The Ed Sullivan Show (1964) CBS "I Saw You Standing There" in color
From the DRMPLX YouTube Channel, this is a beautifully colorized version of the next song in the February 9th broadcast, looking as if it were produced yesterday!
“The Ed Sullivan Show” was broadcast in black and white across Mid-Illinois on WCIA, WMBD-TV, KHQA, WTHI-TV, and KMOX-TV.
The Beatles from their February 9, 1964 performance of "I Saw Her Standing There" on 'The Ed Sullivan Show."
(YouTube screen grab)
The TV listings from February 9, 1964 showing the Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and what wasn't watched on the other channels that night!
(Bloomington Pantagraph)
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
The Ed Sullivan Show (1964) CBS Complete Live Performance
The Beatles 2nd appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show at The Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, on February 16, 1964.
“This Boy,” “All My Lovin’,” “I Saw Her Standing There,” “From Me to You,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand.”
These performances of The Beatles were seen across Mid-Illinois on WCIA, WMBD-TV, WTHI-TV, KHQA, and KMOX-TV
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2026) CBS The Final Show
This segment is from the final show of "The Late Show" with Stephen Colbert. It features Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, and Stephen Colbert performing the final song, "Hello, Goodbye," originally recorded by The Beatles. Little did Paul McCartney know in 1964 that he would return to the same theater, "The Ed Sullivan Theater," in New York, 62 years later to close out a long-running TV talk/variety/music show and to turn the lights out on the same theater where the US watched the Beatles for the first time. A sad event, but an incredible closing to this nighttime tradition.
WCIA Fall Promo 1981
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
The T.A.M.I Show (1964) Theatrical Film
This is a unique video, as it was not produced for television but for theatrical release by American International Pictures, drawn from two separate concerts held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on October 28 and 29, 1964. By the way, T.A.M.I can either stand for Teenage Awards Music International or Teen Age Music International.
The talent lineup includes The Barbarians, Beach Boys, Chuck Berry, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Lesley Gore, Jan and Dean, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, The Miracles, Rolling Stones, and The Supremes. It was hosted by Jan and Dean and released in theaters on December 29, 1964, at the end of the Christmas/New Year’s vacation for high school and college students out of school on break.
If you look really closely, one of the dancers would go on to succeed as an actor. Teri Garr is a blonde-haired dancer in the group. Three years later, she was a guest star on “Star Trek!” I should also note that Toni Basil assisted the choreographer.
This production has an interesting history, too. It’s so long that I can’t include it here, but you can find more information about it on Wikipedia.
It was, though, an early version of high-definition television called “Electronovision,” shot at 25 frames per second and 819 lines of video; it was converted to a kinescope recording, which enhanced its resolution for movie-screen enlargement.
This all-star lineup appeared in the 1964 "T.A.M.I. Show," shown in theaters. It was recorded live over two different performances at Santa Monica, CA.
(YouTube screen grab)
WCIA Fall Promo 1981
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Hollywood Palace (1964) ABC with Dean Martin and The Rolling Stones
In this video, The Rolling Stones are introduced for their first US TV appearance by Dean Martin on June 13, 1964, who continued to insult them throughout the introduction and wrap. In this segment, the Stones perform “I Just Want to Make Love to You.”
During the show, he mocked the group, calling them “delinquent” and saying they were going to perform with the Beatles and participate in a “hair-pulling contest.” I always liked "Deano," but in this case, he was being a jerk.
His son, Dean “Dino,” would end up in a rock group with Desi Arnaz Jr. and their friend Billy Hinsche. Desi Arnaz Jr. is the only surviving member.
This performance on "The Hollywood Palace" in 1964 was the first time the Stones were seen on US TV.
Dean Martin was NOT a fan.
(Bloomington Pantagraph)
"Hollywood Palace" and this installment with the Rolling Stones were seen across Mid-Illinois on WTVP, WTVH, and KTVI.
WCIA Fall Promo 1981
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
The Ed Sullivan Show (1967) CBS “Let’s Spend the Night (Some Time) Together.”
This video is from the January 15, 1967, “Ed Sullivan Show,” in which the producers told the band to change the lyrics of the popular song from “Let’s Spend the Night Together” to “Let’s Spend Some Time Together.”
Ed Sullivan felt the lyrics were too suggestive for television and threatened to ban the Stones from future appearances unless they complied. Despite that, both Mick Jagger and Bill Wyman made their feelings known each time the lyrics were sung.
There were also times when the original lyrics were sung. Sullivan followed through with his threat to ban the group from ever appearing on the show again.
Top: The Rolling Stones on "The Ed Sullivan Show" when they were told to change the lyrics of "Let's Spend the Night Together" to "Let's Spend Some Time Together." Both Mick Jagger and Bill Wyman expressed their displeasure by rolling their eyes each time they sang the title of the song. Right: Mick in the middle of an "eye roll."
(YouTube screen grab)
This "Ed Sullivan Show" would have been seen on WCIA, WMBD-TV, WTHI-TV, KHQA, and KMOX-TV.
WCIA Fall Promo 1981
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Shindig (1964-66) compilation of segments
Whereas “Hullabaloo” was rather stiff and proper, more parent-friendly, “Shindig” was ABC’s rock music program and a much cooler show for fans. I was always an ABC fan, so it drew me in much more than “Hullabaloo.” The acts here on this collection include the Byrds with "Turn, Turn, Turn," and “When You’re Gone,” Donovan with “Catch the Wind,” and “That’s the Time,” the Turtles with “Let Me Be,” and “It Ain’t Me Babe,” and " the Beau Brummels with “Laugh, Laugh,” the Mama’s and the Papa’s with “California Dreamin,” Bobby Sherman with the milk commercial, the Yardbirds with “For Your Love,” and The Gentry’s with “Keep on Dancin’.”
From YouTube, but paraphrased: Shindig! was an American musical variety series which aired on ABC from September 16, 1964, to January 8, 1966. The show was hosted by Jimmy O’Neill, a disc jockey in Los Angeles at the time, who also created it with his wife, Sharon Sheeley, British producer Jack Good, and production executive Art Stolnitz. ABC rejected the original pilot, and David Sontag, then ABC's Executive Producer, redeveloped and completely redesigned the show. A new pilot, starring Sam Cooke and a new cast of artists, was shot. That pilot aired as the premiere episode.
"Shindig! was conceived as a short-notice replacement for Hootenanny, a series that had specialized in folk revival music. The folk revival had fizzled in 1964 as a result of the British Invasion, which damaged the ratings for Hootenanny and prompted that show’s cancellation.
"Shindig! focused on a wider variety of popular music than its predecessor and first aired for a half-hour every Wednesday evening, but was expanded to an hour in January 1965. In the fall of 1965, the show split into two half-hour telecasts on Thursday and Saturday nights.
"Shindig!'s premiere episode was actually the second pilot, and featured Sam Cooke, The Everly Brothers, and The Righteous Brothers. Later shows were taped in Britain with The Beatles as the guests. The series featured other “British invasion” bands and performers, including The Who, The Rolling Stones, and Cilla Black. Shindig! continued to broadcast episodes from London throughout its run.
“Many other popular performers of the day played on Shindig! including Tina Turner, Lesley Gore, Bo Diddley, Sonny and Cher, The Beach Boys, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, The Supremes, and The Ronettes. Shindig!'s success prompted NBC to air a similar series, Hullabaloo, starting in January 1965, and prompted other producers to launch syndicated rock music shows like “Shivaree” and “Hollywood a Go-Go.” “Shindig!” is one of the few rock music shows of the era with all episodes available to watch.”
Shindig was seen on ABC stations in black and white across Mid-Illinois, WTVP(later WAND), WTVH(Later WIRL-TV), and KTVI.
The Turtles were seen on ABC's "Shindig" in the mid-1960s.
(YouTube screen grab)
WCIA Fall Promo 1981
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Hullabaloo (1965) NBC hosted by Gary and Jerry Lewis
This is from the September 20, 1965, edition of “Hullabaloo” hosted by Gary Lewis and his father, Jerry Lewis. I can’t go any further without saying that they both look rather awkward together, as it looks like Jerry used some of his “clout” to appear with his son and basically take over the show, diminishing his son’s efforts to host.
Son Gary and Father Jerry Lewis on "Hullabaloo in 1965.
(YouTube screen grab)
There was no reason for Jerry’s participation other than, possibly, an NBC executive thinking it would help give the show some cred with adults. This was a sign of trouble ahead for their relationship.
Songs from Gary Lewis and the Playboys included “Everyone Loves a Clown.” Being a former accordion player, Ok I admit it, I identified with this group that included an accordion player.
Others included Joannie Summers with “Losing You,” Barry McGuire with “Eve of Destruction,” and Paul Revere and the Raiders with “Oo Poo Pah Doo.” There is also a medley of popular songs of the day, with all of the guests participating.
"Everybody Loves a Clown" sung by Gary Lewis and the Playboys, including an accordion player! The young girls were used as props. They'd be around 60 years old now!
(YouTube screen grab)
Rock/Pop fans from the era might remember “The Happy Together Tour” when it came to Danville, Illinois, around 1988 or so. Gary Lewis was one of the acts, along with Lesley Gore (one of the stars of “The T.A.M.I.Show” shown above) and The Turtles (as "Flo and Eddie") on Shindig (both shown above), in this set of Featured Videos. I got to co-host the Danville show and introduce some of the acts.
“Hullabaloo” was seen in color, except for the inserts from other episodes produced in the UK, which were in black and white and sent via satellite (a new concept at the time), over Mid-Illinois on WICS, WCHU, WICD, WEEK, WGEM-TV, WTWO-TV, and KSD-TV.
WCIA Fall Promo 1981
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
The Hollywood Palace (1966) Host Arthur Godfrey with The Mama's and the Papa's
The Mama's and the Papa's on "The Hollywood Place" in 1966 singing "California Dreamin'."
(YouTube screen grab)
This video was taken from the January 29, 1966, edition of “The Hollywood Palace” as Arthur Godfrey, of all people, introduced the Mama’s and the Papa’s with “California Dreamin'.”
“The Hollywood Palace” was seen on Saturday nights on ABC stations, including WTVP (later WAND), WTVH (later WIRL-TV), and KTVI.
WCIA Fall Promo 1981
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
The Smothers Brothers Show (1968) CBS
This video features The Association, one of the great soft rock groups of the late 1960s. This is from the January 14, 1968 edition of “The Smothers Brothers Show.” If you’re watching the complete show (minus commercials) and want to hear “Everything That Touches You,” skip to 18:30, then to 51:47 for “Birthday Morning.” Other guests include Patty Duke, Don Rickles, Pat Paulson, and, of course, the Smothers Brothers.
This show would air on all three networks during its run from February 5, 1967, through May 26, 1975. It began on CBS, where the segment above is from, then moved to ABC during the summer of 1970, and finally to NBC during the first half of 1975.
The Association sings "Birthday Morning" and "Everything That Touches You" in 1968 on "The Smothers Brothers Show."
(YouTube screen grab)
The "The Smothers Brothers Show" episode would have aired on WCIA, WMBD-TV, WTHI-TV, KHQA, and KMOX-TV.
WCIA Fall Promo 1981
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
This is Tom Jones (1969) ABC with CSN&Y
This unlikely video pairs Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young with Tom Jones with one of my favorite songs, “Long Time Gone” from 1969. In this excerpt from his ABC variety/music show, Tom really puts it on! It really looked like the group, and Tom were really enjoying this production.
This was the series that introduced The Ace Trucking Company. This comedy troupe included Bill Saluga (as Raymond J. Johnson Jr.), Fred Willard, George Memmoli, Patti Deutsch, and Michael Mislove.
“This is Tom Jones” was more contemporary, featuring many popular rock and pop performers, including C.S.N.& Y. It aired on ABC from February 7, 1969, through January 13, 1971.
Tom Jones performing "Long Time Gone" with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young in 1969.
(YouTube screen grab)
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
This is Tom Jones (1970) ABC with Wilson Pickett
This video segment features Tom Jones with Wilson Pickett doing a medley of "Barefootin’, “Midnight Hour,” and “Hey Jude” from a 1970 edition of “This is Tom Jones.” This was also seen on WAND, WIRL-TV, WJJY, and KTVI.
Wilson Pickett is the guest of "This is Tom Jones" in 1970 with "Barfootin'," "Midnight Hour," and "Hey Jude."
(YouTube screen grab)
WCIA Fall Promo 1981
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Midnight Special (1975) NBC with Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart, in a 1975 appearance recorded live in the UK for "Midnight Special."
(YouTube screen grab)
This segment with Rod Stewart and Faces was broadcast on Friday, April 25, 1975, and was recorded live from the Gaumont State Theatre, Kilburn, London, UK, on December 23, 1974. It also features Ron Wood on guitar, just a couple of months before he joined The Rolling Stones.
It’s also interesting that Keith Richards was listed as a musical guest on this installment of “The Midnight Special.”
I feature this to honor Sir Rod for his recent comments to King Charles. Also, on a local note, it's been reported that in February 2024, Irving Azoff's Iconic Artists Group acquired Stewart's song catalog for close to $100M. Irving Azoff is a Danville, Illinois native.
“The Midnight Special” was produced by Burt Sugarman and aired after “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” on NBC.
The live weekly concert series would have aired after midnight across Mid-Illinois, but at this time only on WEEK-TV and KSD-TV. WICS/WICD, being rather conservative in their approach to everything, chose to air a classic late-night movie instead. Some might remember that WICS didn’t air “Saturday Night” when it premiered in the Fall of 1975. It was aired on WICD, assuming U of I students would watch.
WCIA Fall Promo 1981
Click on the image to watch the video directly from YouTube.
Classic Radio
Click on the image to watch the video from YouTube
WRLL, 1690AM, Berwyn-Chicago, IL (recreated 1958) countdown
WRLL was licensed to Berwyn, IL, and programmed oldies, featuring former WLS/WCFL DJ Larry Lujack, former WLS DJ Tommy Edwards, and former WCFL DJs Scotty Brink and Tom Murphy.
This audio/video is a recreation of a March 26, 1958, countdown show. It’s a great example of what the younger demo was listening to in the late 1950s.
Despite being 3 years old, going on 4, I remember my dad listening to this music. My parents were young when I was born, and I also remember these songs playing on a jukebox at Brook’s Drive-In in Taylorville, where they hung out, and I sat in a restaurant high chair.
KFWB, 980AM, Los Angeles (1958) B. Mitchell Reed and Bill Ballance
The only link between this air check and central Illinois is the DJ Bill Ballance. He was born in 1918 in Peoria, IL, and attended the University of Illinois before enlisting in the Marine Corps. He worked in Top 40 radio in Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, and San Diego. By the early 1970s, he was an early “shock jock.” From the early to the late 1970s, he was on KGBS Radio in Los Angeles. By 1978, he was in San Diego at KFMB-AM (owned by WCIA Champaign; Midwest Television also owned KFMB AM/FM/TV). His shows targeted a primarily female audience.
In 1975, he syndicated program segments from his controversial KGBS 1020AM Los Angeles “Feminine Forum” radio show to WWTO (105.7 FM) in Peoria. He also appeared on sponsored remote broadcasts in Peoria, as advertised on WWTO. Read more about Bill Ballance by clicking on the History of WWTO.
KXOK, 630AM, St. Louis (1961) Jack Elliot
This is from February 3, 1961, and includes newsman Robert R. Lynn with Jack Elliot. Jack was listed as program director at KXOK at the time so he may have been filling in for Ray Otis. It’s funny that, even after all these years, at 5 or 6 years old, I’m able to sing along with KXOK station jingles and even some commercial jingles! KXOK was well on its way to crushing the competition, WIL-AM, which was owned by The Balaban Brothers, Elmer and Harry.
Since KXOK established a direct line to the Beatles through George Harrison’s sister, who lived just across the Mississippi River in Illinois, the station would play new releases first, before anyone else, including WIL Radio. So WIL decided not to play any Bealtes records! They lost audience in droves, which destroyed the old radio consultant theory that “it’s not what you don’t play, it’s what you do play” that matters!
The Balabans also owned WICS, Channel 20 in Springfield; WCHU, Channel 33 in Champaign; and WICD, Channel 24 in Danville, at the time.
WLS, 890AM, Chicago (1960s) Compilation of “The Lost 60s.”
This is a collection of announcers, radio jingles, and music from the 1960s.
WLS, 890AM, Chicago (1967) Art Roberts
This aircheck is from April 1967. It includes a commercial for a clothing store with a location in Champaign. No doubt, WLS had a big impact on the Twin Cities(Champaign-Urbana, IL), which had no full-time contemporary music radio station at the time.
KXOK, 630AM, St. Louis (1968) Johnny Rabbitt
The aircheck above was recorded on Saturday, June 27, 1968, and features Johnny Rabbitt and his alter ego, Bruno J. Grunion. This aircheck is presented as it was created. It contains outdated cultural depictions.
TV Time Capsule
On this rerun from May of 2025, you'll find all the TV listings from the Central Illinois Edition of TV Guide. What I've tried to do is find a sample of at least one of the shows listed on that page just above the video. In many cases, I found the EXACT SAME SHOW that was listed and seen on that day!
In May of 2026 enjoy this rerun of the "TV Time Capsule" from Central Illinois' On-Line Broadcast Museum!
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The Radio Hall of Fame Announces its Class of 2026
2026-0522
The Radio Hall of Fame inductees for 2026 were announced earlier this week. They include at couple of former WLS DJs probably familier to Top 40 radio listeners in the 70s and 80s.
The group includes:
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Boomer Esiason: WFAN-AM/FM, New York City
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Dennis Green: COO, Sun & Fun Media/Key Networks
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Shotgun Tom Kelly: SiriusXM's '60s on 6
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Helen Little: WLTW-FM, New York City
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Bob Pittman: Chairman and CEO, iHeartMedia, Inc.
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Rickey Smiley: Urban One/Reach Media
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Charlie Van Dyke: Major-market Top 40 radio DJ, former WLS
and station voice for WICS
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Fred Winston: Chicago Top 40 radio, WLS
Congratulations to them all from Central Illinois' On-Line Broadcast Museum.
ABC Accuses the FCC of Trying to Limit Free Speech
2026-0512
ABC, owned by The Walt Disney Company, has strongly opposed efforts by the FCC and the Trump administration to regulate broadcast content. In a formal petition, ABC argued that the Commission’s actions could overturn long-standing laws and discourage important protected speech, both regarding ‘The View’ and, more broadly, other programming.
for June 4, 2026 Information
From the Protect My Public Media Team, 2026-0519
Nearly one year ago, Congress voted to eliminate federal funding for public media, leaving more than 1,500 local public media stations without the support they relied on to serve every community, every day, for free.
Since then, local stations have continued serving with resolve. But many are being forced to scale back local programming and outreach services, postpone critical infrastructure updates, or fight to stay on the air.
That’s why we’re rising together for Protect My Public Media Day.
On Thursday, June 4, local public media stations, partners, and advocates are uniting for Protect My Public Media Day, a national moment to protect the future of local, noncommercial service.
Sign Up for Protect My Public Media Day
After you sign up, you’ll receive simple tools and step-by-step guidance as June 4 approaches.
This year’s theme, Locally Rooted. Rising Together., reflects the spirit of the day: locally grounded service, collective action, and shared commitment to protecting the future of local public media stations.
Here’s how you can rise with us on June 4:
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Take action: Contact your Members of Congress and urge them to restore federal funding for local public media stations.
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Share your story: Record a short video message or submit a brief testimonial about what your local public media station means to you, how it has shaped your life or how it strengthens your community.
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Spread the word: Post on social media and encourage others to rise in support of their local public media stations.
Whether your local station helped you learn as a child, supported your children’s learning, kept you informed during an emergency, connected you to local stories, performances and sports, or shared information you could not find anywhere else, your experience helps demonstrate the value of local stations.
June 4 is our chance to rise together and show lawmakers that local public media stations are worth protecting. Sign up now to be part of Protect My Public Media Day on June 4.
Nexstar Makes a Claim That They Hope Will Clear a Path
to the Merger
Updated 2026-0522
Nexstar is fighting back against the filings of DirecTV and the attorneys general of several states hoping to end the merger of Nexstar and Tegna that amounts to over $6 billion.
Nexstar is now asking for an expedited appeal with the 9th Circuit Court saying that the preliminary injunction filed by a federal judge is damaging the company's future health.
Nexstar is accusing the US District Court's ruling is an overreach. Nexstar claims that their need to increase their station holdings well beyond what the FCC rules permit is causing "unrecoverable harm" to both companies. and their future operations.
Previous Information:
The merger would bring the total number of stations owned by one company to a number previously deemed illegal under FCC rules and regulations. The merger, according to the California Attorney General Rob Bonta, “is illegal and will give Nexstar and Tegna the ability to control and raise prices, fire journalists, and dominate the media landscape.” He went on to describe the merger as “a rotten deal for consumers, for workers, for affordability and for our local news.”
Nexstar currently owns/operates the TV stations WICA and WCIX (Champaign, IL) WMBD-TV and WYZZ (Peoria-Bloomington, IL) WTVO and WQRF (Rockford), WHBF-TV and KLJB(Quad Cities), WTTV, WTTK, and WXIN(Indianapolis), KPLR-TV and KTVI (St. Louis, MO).
Tegna currently owns/operates the TV stations WQAD (Quad Cities), KSDK-TV (St. Louis) and WTHR, WALV-CD (Indianapolis).
FCC Plans to Auction FM Radio Construction Permits to
Perspective Radio Owners
2026-0512
The Federal Communications Commission plans to auction FM radio construction permits beginning in February 2027.
“Auction 114 would make available for bidding construction permits for vacant FM radio channels,” it said in the announcement.
It will offer 132 CPs, including 99 not previously offered; 33 of them were offered at auction before but unsold.
Most are Class A or Class C; there is a Class B1 in Illinois. That is for 96.9FM licensed to Mattoon, IL. Save your money, though, the bidding begins at $25,000.
What Comes After the Late Show?
2026-0522
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has now ended after 11 years, with its last episode occurring on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
On the final show's last moments it was Paul McCartney with Stephen Colbert singing the Beatles classic, "Hello, Goodbye." See the video to the left under the Ed Sullivan Show Bealtes appearances. But that wasn't all. For more detals visit USA Today via the MSNow website.
Although it was the top-rated late-night show, CBS canceled it, citing a "challenging backdrop in late night." Most believe it was because of political pressure related to a Paramount merger.
It will be replaced by reruns of the syndicated “Comics Unleashed,” with Byron Allen taking over the 10:35 pm (CT). time slot on CBS.
The time slot is paid for by Byron Allen's Production company who will sell the commercial time in the shows. It's undetermined how local affiliates will respond with the most certain drop in ratings for the time slot, in their quest to sell local commercial time during the time slot.
WICS and WICD are reported to Change Owners Again
2026-0331
Springfield based Illinois Times reported the proposed sale of WICS, Channel 20, Springfield and WICD, Channel 15, Champaign. This sale follows an earlier sale of the stations just over a year ago to Rincon Broadcasting (president Todd Parkin) which purchased the station duo among other TV stations previously owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Others in original sale included ones in Hannibal, MO-Quincy IL (KHQA), Kirksville, MO-Ottumwa, IA (KTVO). That sale to Rincon was reported to total $29.5 million.
Compare that to the most recent announcement of the sale being $116.5 million for the Springfield and Champaign stations and many others located in Memphis, TN; Omak-Okanogan, Washington; Milwaukee, Wi; Lincoln, NE; Prosser, WA; Sandpoint, ID; Colville, WA; Cape Girardeau, MO; Grangeville, ID; Pendleton, OR; Spokane, WA; Lewiston, ID; New Bedford, MA; Yuma, AZ; Richland, WA; Yakima, WA; Coeur D’Alene, ID; Tulsa, OK; and Paducah, KY. The sale also includes a number of translator stations that rebroadcast the main stations owned by Rincon to hard to reach areas in the Rockies.
The purchaser is Community News Media LLC. It’s website states that it is “a leading multimedia company providing local news and information through a wide range of print, digital, and radio products...”
The local newspapers owned by Community News Media in our region include the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette, The Iroquois Times-Republic (Watseka, IL), Piatt County (Monticello, IL) Journal-Republican, and Fountain County Neighbor (Covington, IN).
Local radio stations owned by Community News Media include: WDWS (AM-FM), WHMS (FM), Champaign, IL; WKIO (FM), Monticello, IL; WDAN (AM), WDNL (FM), WRHK (FM), Danville, IL, WSOY (AM) and (FM), WDZ (AM), WDZQ (FM).
This purchase of the Rincon TV stations appears to be the first venture into television for the company.
The ownership change is pending FCC approval.
More TV stations could appear soon in the Central Illinois market
2026-0319
In Illinois, filings were made for new TV transmitters including 1 each for Springfield and Champaign.
The applications for both Springfield and Champaign were submitted by the same person/group, whose address is 26 N. Halsted, Chicago.
That is the home of Weigel Broadcasting. Two of the contacts listed in the application are with Weigel Broadcasting.
Weigel is the owner of MeTV, MeTV Toons, Movies!, H&I, StartTV, Story Television, Catchy Comedy, Dabl, West, and MeTV+. I'm assuming it's their intention to place all, or at least some, of those TV networks on each designated channel as digital subchannels.
In Springfield, the application is for Channel 14 with a power of 15kW from a tower/antenna height of 489-feet.
For Champaign the group is seeking Channel 33 with a power of 15kW from an tower/antenna, 450 feet high.
So far there has been confirmation of the approval of the petitions for those new low power TV transmitters.
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.
Cowboy G-Men (1952) Syndicated
Laredo (1966) NBC “Rendezvous at Arillo”
Happy Days (1974-2005) ABC 30th Anniversary Special, Part 1
Happy Days (1974-2005) ABC 30th Anniversary Special, Part 2
Love American Style (1972) ABC “Love and the Television Set”
Classic Radio
Larry Ware Interview with Harry Harrison
WIL Radio (1961) St. Louis with Dan Ingram
WIL Radio (1962) St. Louis with Ron Lundy
WABC Radio (1970) New York with Ron Lundy and Dan Ingram
Fame is the Name of the Game (1966) NBC Pilot
Movin' On (1974) NBC
ABC Sunday Night Movie (1978) “Crash”
CBS Tuesday Night Movies (1979) “Speedtrap”
ABC Sunday Night Movie (1980) “Fighting Back”
ABC Summer Movie (1980) “Make Me an Offer”
CBS Special Movie Presentation (1981) “The Other Victim”
Search for Tomorrow (1953) CBS
Art Linkletter’s House Party (1955) CBS Art Linkletter
The Match Game (1962), NBC Gene Rayburn
The Match Game (1964) NBC Gene Rayburn
You Don’t Say (1963) NBC Tom Kennedy
Art Linkletter’s House Party (1966) CBS Art Linkletter
Temptation (1968) ABC Art James
The Baby Game (1968) ABC Richard Hayes
Classic Radio
The Breakfast Club (ABC Radio and Television) Don McNeil
The Fugitive (1967) ABC The Judgment Parts 1 & 2
The Fugitive (1963) ABC Pilot episodes
The Prisoner (1968) CBS Pilot
Secret Agent (1965) CBSD opening credits for the US version of the UK series
The Outer Limits (1995) Showtime
The Time Tunnel (2002) Unsold Pilot Update
Classic Radio
Next Regular Update Comes June 13th The TV Time Capsule Update will be on June 1
To Be announced....
Central Illinois On-Line Broadcast Museum and dougquick.com supports the work of the St. Louis Media History Foundation.
Visit their website at:
National Academy
of Television Arts
and Sciences
Mid-America Chapter
Silver Circle Award
Winner 2013
Doug Quick, the 2017
Medium market TV
Best TV News Anchor Sliver Dome Award from the Illinois Broadcasters Association
for his work with WCCU-TV
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.