Events and dates significant in the history of WAGA.
Created by waga_administrator on Mar 4, 2009
Last updated: 04/26/11 at 06:26 PM
WAGA-TV Celebrates 60 Years of Broadcasting
News Edge with Tom Haynes began on January 14, 2008.
FOX 5 News at Noon extended to an hour on October 2006.
WAGA-TV Celebrates 50 Years of Broadcasting
Russ Spencer starts work at WAGA-TV
WAGA began programming as a FOX affiliate.
Lisa Rayam became a part of the WAGA family in 1994.
In 1994, New World announced an affiliation agreement with FOX. This deal resulted in most of New World's stations, including WAGA, switching to FOX beginning in September 1994.
In 1993, New World Communications acquired WAGA along with the other SCI stations. WAGA was made the flagship station of New World Communications, based out of Atlanta.
In 1992, WAGA discontinued the airing of "CBS This Morning" and began its own local morning show called, "Good Day Atlanta."
The legendary WAGA commentator Leroy Powell condenses the history of WAGA-TV in Atlanta down to a humorous, informative and inspiring 60 seconds. From, 1991, the legendary WAGA commentator LeRoy Powell condenses the history of WAGA-TV in Atlanta down to a humorous, informative and inspiring 60 seconds. Category: Entertainment Tags: WAGA TV5 Atlanta Television LeRoy Powell Paul Ossmann History 1991
WAGA-TV Celebrates 40 Years of Broadcasting
KKR sold the Storer stations to Gillett Communications. After bankruptcy, Gillett restructured in the early 1990s, selling several stations, and changing its name to SCI.
The station's studios were used on location in the Matlock episode, "The Reporter", broadcast in 1987.
Amanda Davis is welcomed to WAGA in 1986.
In 1985, WAGA, along with the other Storer stations, was sold in a group deal to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., a New York-based private equity firm. Take a look from a promo from the 80s.
On August 19, 1983, Meteorologist Ken Cook filled in for the vacationing Steve Deschler on the "CBS Morning News." And while he actually broadcast the weather from the Channel 5 Studios in Atlanta, he did get to fly to New York to meet with co-hosts Bill Kurtis and Diane Sawyer.
In January 31, 1982, Channel 5 began airing "Sunday Evening" -- a unique news show broadcast on Sundays from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. The show was done on an entirely different news set, in a different studio and with different music to separate it from the daily Eyewitness News shows.
Meteorologist Ken Cook begins his 30-year reign at WAGA.
A University of Georgia graduate, Debbie Norville began her career at WAGA as a reporter in 1979. So after she joined Ken Roberts as co-anchor of the weekend news. Norville resigned in 1981 to work for WMAQ-TV in Chicago. NBC soon lured her away to anchor the morning news segment on the "Today Show." Where she eventually replaced Jan Pauley as co-anchor.
WAGA-TV Celebrates 30 Years of Broadcasting
The original PM Magazine staff began work on the show in September of 1978. Virginia Gunn and John Patrick hosted PM Magazine every weekday evening from 7:30 to 8:00 p.m. until 1984, when it changed its name to PM Atlanta and later Atlanta 7-3-0.
WAGA-TV purchased its first "Live-Eye" Truck in 1975. Built by O.J. Ferrell and modified by the WAGA Engineering staff, the truck was considered to be "State-of-the-Art," and once boasted doing 11 news stories in one day.
Talk show host Donahue visited Channel 5 in the mid 1970s to do a week of shows with a live studio audience. Guest for the week included the controversial and loud family attorney F. Lee Bailey.
The 1974 "Atlanta A.M." was hosted by Paul Shields. The early morning talk show was broadcast every weekday morning "Live" from 1972 to 1974.
In this "Ron Burgundy" styled photo, Anchorman Jim Axel, Anchorman Chuck Moore, Weatherman Guy Sharpe
WAGA-TV Celebrates 20 Years of Broadcasting
WAGA-TV was formally dedicated at 4 p.m. June, 21, 1966. Among the 500 attendees were the mayor of Atlanta, Ivan Allen, Georgia Governor Carl Sanders and CBS News Anchor Walter Cronkite.
Storer Broadcasting broke ground for the new WAGA-TV studios on 1551 Briarcliff Road on February 19, 1965.
The popular children's show, "Mr. Pix" with host Dave Michaels, began production in April of 1961. In 1966, it had the distinction of being the first "Live" color show broadcast from the 1551 Briarcliff Road studios.
Panorama news set in the studio at 1018 Peachtree Street.
WAGA's Panorama News ran from 1960 to 1969.
The first editorial was presented on WAGA-TV at 6:40 p.m. Monday May 23, 1960. This was to be the voice of the station, reflecting the official opinion on issues.
The "Bugs Bunny" show with host "Firechief Bob," played by Bob Underwood was a popular children's show that aired "Live" from the WAGA-TV studios from late 1950s and early 1960s. Sponsored by Atlanta Dairies, the show aired seven days a week as the lead-in to the evening news. Accompanying Firechief Bob on his promotional tours was Henry Hall, who was dressed up as "Bugs Bunny" and also directed the show.
WAGA-TV Celebrates 10 Years of Broadcasting
WAGA-TV purchased two of their first video tape recorders in 1957. The video recorders were the first to be in the Atlanta area. Reporters still shot news footage on film.
Gray Ghost is a syndicated black and white television series which aired from October 10, 1957, to July 3, 1958. It depicts the true story of Major John Singleton Mosby, an Virginia officer in the Confederate Army, whose cunning and stealth earned him the nickname "Gray Ghost".
The Marge and Gower Champion Show, which was based on their actual career experiences, was a short-lived CBS sitcom program airing in 1957.
WAGA-TV's transmitter was moved from 1032 Peachtree Street to 1551 Briarcliff Road in 1955. Shown in the picture is the WAGA-TV Studios at 1018 Peachtree Street, now the center building for Turner Broadcasting.
Inside the engineering shop at 1032 Peachtree Street, engineers work on an audio board that will be used in the "new" building at 1018 Peachtree Street.
The 558 television stories, which had different actors, were introduced by a host. The longest-running was "The Old Ranger" from 1952-1965, played by Stanley Andrews when the series was produced by McGowan Productions, producer of the Sky King television series. Filmaster Productions Incorporated who produced the first several seasons of Gunsmoke for CBS Television took over production of the series in the mid 1960s.
Coaxial cable was extended from New York to Atlanta, making it possible for CBS network programming to be available. Before then, all network programming was only available on a kinescope or delayed film broadcast system.
Afternoon musical entertainment from The Freddie DeLand Trio - pianist, bass and guitar. The program aired at 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday on WAGA Channel 5.
Emcee Bill Packman with guest participants, stunts and prizes. Fun Club aired Monday through Friday at 6:05 p.m.
Duncan Renaldo returned to the role for the popular 156-episode Ziv Television series (1950-1956), notable as one of the first TV series filmed in color. His sidekick, Pancho was played by Leo Carillo.
The sportsman's very own show, Inside Outdoors aired on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
Louise Hayes is the Frigidaire Fun Club receptionist at WAGA.
Locally produced "Blockbuster Quiz" offered new appliances for the 1950s housewife.
This was an introduction letter for Sandy Marks -- receptionist, impressionist and comedy pantomime
The Jon Farmer Show was a locally produced variety show from Atlanta's WAGA-TV studios. Established Atlanta radio personality Jon Farmer was joined by sidekick comedian Sandy Marks, who heckles Farmer, tells jokes and pantomimes with the aid of records. The half-hour Jon Farmer Show aired at 8 p.m. Thursday.
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