Local TV in Detroit

[Deleted User 7620]

One thing I’ve noticed is WDIV is still the one constant dominant news source in town. Maybe it’s because the audience hasn’t changed much due to declining population in Detroit proper and the metro Area not increasing. But I haven’t noticed much change at all. This goes back to WWJ. When they get back into local news, they will have to be serious about it. Don’t try to be at the top of the ratings but be aggressive and be a serious news source, please. Fox 2 is way too liberal and is about to undergo massive changes in a few months with the departure of Huel Perkins and possibly Monica Gayle. WXYZ is a joke and a shell of what it once was. CBS 62 must be something others add not, which is an actual serious news source. Only then will they gain serious traction with an old, stubborn crowd that’s set in their ways.

[Deleted User 15688]

Channel 62 News will never be competitive in Detroit. Too little, Too late for 62.

[Deleted User 7620]

If done right, it can and will succeed. Some are still stuck in their ways around here.

[sfpcc1]

Old 62 had something called Big City News, (that title is kind of funny, like the news report in a low budget. superhero movie.) This was back in the 70's and 80's. I think it came at 7 PM right after The Scene. I have a vague memory of being very low budget. Also someone I knew from middle school was the an anchor at one time. Does anyone else out their have any memories of it?

[Deleted User 15688]

I don't have memories, I have nightmares of Nat Morris and "The Scene" dance line. Can't forget R.J. Watkins. Does anyone remember when Channel 62 was WXON from Walled Lake?

[IIN4MU]

Old 62 had something called Big City News, (that title is kind of funny, like the news report in a low budget. superhero movie.) This was back in the 70's and 80's. I think it came at 7 PM right after The Scene. I have a vague memory of being very low budget. Also someone I knew from middle school was the an anchor at one time. Does anyone else out their have any memories of it?

I don't remember who hosted/anchored it, but I do remember Jerry Blocker was the news director. He was the first African-American television news anchor in Michigan and worked at Channel 4 (then WWJ-TV, now WDIV) before moving over to 62. "Arab Voice of Detroit" was another of 62's groundbreaking programs back then.

[SixPlusOne]

Does anyone remember when Channel 62 was WXON from Walled Lake?

I started working at WXON Channel 62 part-time in 1971 for a time. I ran camera on Saturdays when we taped a few religious programs. Later I ran master control a few times but that was when they had switched to Channel 20. Both assignments were at the Walled Lake studio.

[km1125]

Was it 62 or 20 that was the subscription-based "ON-TV" movie channel back in the 70's (or early 80's?) ?

[Deleted User 15688]

Does anyone remember when Channel 62 was WXON from Walled Lake?

I started working at WXON Channel 62 part-time in 1971 for a time. I ran camera on Saturdays when we taped a few religious programs. Later I ran master control a few times but that was when they had switched to Channel 20. Both assignments were at the Walled Lake studio.

I do remember that WXON was on Decker Road. Just curious is that building still there? Also, I remember WXON did have a show that had been the early stages of music videos in the early 70's.

[Deleted User 15688]

Was it 62 or 20 that was the subscription-based "ON-TV" movie channel back in the 70's (or early 80's?) ?

It was Channel 20 ON-TV from 8pm until 6am. Channel 31 had IT-TV in the evenings 6pm until 6am.

[sfpcc1]

Was it 62 or 20 that was the subscription-based "ON-TV" movie channel back in the 70's (or early 80's?) ?

It was Channel 20 ON-TV from 8pm until 6am. Channel 31 had IT-TV in the evenings 6pm until 6am.

I remember the nightly transition from WXON to On TV back in 1980. You went from the closing credits to Green Acres, to an announcement saying WXON is going off the air, and then an intro to ON TV featuring scenes from The Deer Hunter. It was kind of jarring, We never had ON TV but when cable came in 1982 we and had HBO.

[SixPlusOne]

I do remember that WXON was on Decker Road. Just curious is that building still there?

That building at 100 Decker road survived until a couple of years ago and then it was demolished and replaced with a comfort care place.

[Deleted User 15688]

I do remember that WXON was on Decker Road. Just curious is that building still there?

That building at 100 Decker road survived until a couple of years ago and then it was demolished and replaced with a comfort care place.

Thanks for the info SixPlusOne.

[rugratsonline]

I remember WXON did have a show that had been the early stages of music videos in the early 70's.

The show was "C-Sharp", which aired on the old channel 62 around 1971 (maybe earlier). It was off the air by the time WXON moved to channel 20.

[Deleted User 15688]

I remember WXON did have a show that had been the early stages of music videos in the early 70's.

The show was "C-Sharp", which aired on the old channel 62 around 1971 (maybe earlier). It was off the air by the time WXON moved to channel 20.

Wow! What an incredible memory. Thanks for the info, much appreciated.