WPWA, WAWA, WCZN, WDRF, WEEZ, WQIQ

WVCH

  3:  KYW - (The original call letters were WPTZ, WRCV, owned by Westinghouse Broadcasting.  KYW is now the CBS owned station in Philadelphia.)

Charles Higgins adds:

Although the operation has always been on VHF Channel 3 the call letters and ownership were:

W3XE (Experimental License and operated by Philco)

WPTZ Commercially License and operated by Philco and collocated in the KYW Building at 1619 Walnut St. in Phila. Later became WPTZ,
Philco-Westinghouse.

WRCV-TV, became this when owned and operated by National Broadcasting Co. (NBC)

KYW-TV became this when Westinghouse regained ownership of the station from NBC. Following that the station was owned by CBS and now Viacom.

Earl Goodman, former WVCH and WFIL announcer adds, "They were pioneers in carrying, and broadcasting live baseball with live commercials for Arco Gasoline, and others."

  6: WPVI, ABC (the original call letters were WFIL)

10: WCAU (originally a CBS-owned station, WCAU is now owned by NBC.)

TV Shows with Chester connections:

Ranger Joe - many thanks to Tom Brennan, the writer, director and producer of the show for providing us with his first-hand history.

For more Philadelphia-area TV memorabilia, check the following links:

Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

From their site:

"...you'll find photos of Herb Clarke, John Roberts, Vince Leonard, John Facenda, Bill Webber and much more. There's also Sid Doherty, Stu Wayne and the Geator. Plus, there's a 5 minute video clip with Jerry Blavat talking with Dick Clark. There's also audio featuring Gunnar Back, Vince Leonard, John Facenda, Francis Davis, Powers Gouraud and a Horn and Hardart commercial. There's video of Phil Sheridan, Florence Hanford, Ernie Kovacs and Jack Jones. Plus sixties interviews with John Zacherle, Joe McCauley and Tom Snyder. Bill Campbell talks with Connie Mack over 50 years ago plus there's local coverage of FDR's funeral train arriving at 30th Street Station."

TVParty.com

Philly Local Kids Shows

Sally Starr, Bertie the Bunyip, Happy the Clown, Captain Noah, Chief Halftown, Gene London, Pete Boyle, Mr. Rivets, Sawdust Sam, Wee Willie Webber - they're all right there!

Sally Starr