Mike Ahern hosts the show, which is from the archive of Dave Smith. Classic footage is seen. (Ken Owen)
Mike Ahern hosts a special edition broadcast of WISH-TV Channel 8 to celebrate the station’s 20th anniversary. The program looks back at some of the most important reporters, programs, and stories covered by the television station in its 20 year history of serving the city of Indianapolis.
00:00 – A log sheet is shown with the following information
Title: “WISH-TV 20 Years”
Length: 27:20
Recording Date: 6/28/1974 (June 28th, 1974)
Playback Date: 6/30/1974 (June 30th, 1974)
Director: Waggoner
00:09 – Broadcast begins; WISH-TV jingle plays
00:25 – WISH-TV title sequence
01:38 – Introduction by Mike Ahern; Ahern explains the history of WISH-TV from its days as a radio station to now, in 1974.
03:05 – Package story about the history of WISH
04:15 – First official broadcast July 1st, 1954
05:10 – Early years of the station
05:44 – Clip from The Chapel Door, a popular program on WISH-TV
06:39 – Kay Field profile & Clip (Channel 8 “Weather Girl”)
07:50 – Became part of Corinthian Broadcasting Corp.
08:23 – Package story about use of video tape recording machine; became one of the first stations in the nation to order a video tape machine
08:47 – “Rhythm Carnival” Introduction
09:02 – “Rhythm Carnival” clip w/ Dick Summer; features “Runaround Sue” by Dion DiMucci
10:11 – Popular events covered by WISH-TV (Indy 500 Festival Parade in 1957, Indiana State Fair, Debbie Drake exercise broadcasts)
10:53 – Debbie Drake exercise broadcast clip
12:21 – Popular program introduction
12:30 – Montage of former popular programs on CBS (Route 66, The Defenders, Perry Mason, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Garry Moore Show, The Real McCoys, Rawhide, I Love Lucy)
12:41 – Richard Hickox replaces Vince Leonard on the CBS newscasts; growth in newsroom staff
13:25 – Richard Hickox newscast clip from 1961 (tax measure bill passed, milk sale prices bill passed, income equality bills passed, festival boosters)
14:30 – Additional Richard Hickox newscast clip from 1961 (unemployment payments bill, immigration assistance programs for Cuban refugees, economic news, weather report)
16:45 – Additional montage of former popular programs and staff members on WISH-TV
18:50 – Archival Selwin clip
19:13 – Selwin profile and history on Channel 8
19:27 – Additional clip from Selwin
20:43 – History of Channel 8’s move to Meridian Street location to accommodate for the growing staff
22:45 – Clip of the WISH-TV dedication broadcast for the new location in August in 1965
23:50 – Intro to WISH-TV coverage of devastating tornados in 1965
24:00 – Package of Stan Wood and Bob Glen’s coverage of the aftermath of these tornados
25:35 – Bob Glenn profile & additional important figures (Stan Wood & Jim Wilson)
26:05 – WISH-TV’s growth and introduction of college talent show broadcast
26:25 – Archival footage of college competition at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
27:22 – Outro from Mike Ahern & beginning of a photo montage
27:55 – Photo montage continues
28:55 – Outro
29:05 – Richard G. Lugar, Mayor of Indianapolis, declares July 1st as “WISH-TV Day” in Indianapolis
29:37 – WISH-TV jingle/End