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The Man Who Created "Eyewitness News" Highlighted In New Doc
His name was Al Primo and he was responsible for creating what we now know as "Eyewitness News." Anyone who grew up in this area is well aware of the format, when it reigned supreme for years on WKBW-TV from Buffalo with Irv Weinstein at the helm.
But it was one man who originally came up with the concept, and now he's the subject of a new documentary about how he did it. Primo literally changed the way TV news was done, putting reporters on the streets, hiring diverse staff to better reflect communities and giving it that pacing that made the newscasts that used it #1 in their markets.
(I can actually see a bit of the old CityPulse in some of the things he created, including hiring people from different races and ethnicities, something that wasn't done up until then in staid old Toronto.)
The best part, though, is that the documentary, featuring people like Geraldo Rivera and others that were made stars by Primo, is online and is free to watch. It's about 58 minutes long and features a ton of vintage and fascinating footage for TV history buffs.
You can see it here.
New Documentary Traces The Popularity Of Local TV News To One Man, Al Primo
- ED1
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Re: The Man Who Created "Eyewitness News" Highlighted In New Doc
The Philadelphia Enquirer explored how the Eyewitness News format (and the Action News format) had harmed the black community in the region as well as across America.
This article came out in 2022. In 2023, KYW-TV shed the “Eyewitness News” brand and went with “CBS News Philadelphia”. The rebrand was part of a corporate strategy, but the clip below shows that the station felt it was an opportune time to get away from the mixed legacy of the old format.
Last edited by ED1 (May 10, 2024 10:20 am)
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Re: The Man Who Created "Eyewitness News" Highlighted In New Doc
It's well worth pointing out that the format could have created as many problems as it solved. How ironic, then, that Eyewitness News was credited with giving more career opportunities to women, Blacks and other racial minorities, who otherwise would have never have had the chance to be on TV.
Yes, there was more concentration on crime and fires (WKBW was notorious for its "Cheektowaga blaze" coverage) but it also brought the talents of many into the spotlight.
It's definitely a mixed legacy. But that doesn't make the documentary any less fascinating.
Although I really do appreciate seeing the other perspective, so thanks for the link.
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Re: The Man Who Created "Eyewitness News" Highlighted In New Doc
Oh definitely, I plan to watch the documentary as well.
Also, while KYW dropped "Eyewitness News", "Action News" lives on at WPVI-TV 6ABC in Philadelphia. They are the runaway market leader there also. As well, they have kept their iconic news music and show openings (tweaked for HD and whatever corporate graphics were given). Perhaps Action News has redeemed itself over the years to its viewers.
Their iconic news opens...
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Re: The Man Who Created "Eyewitness News" Highlighted In New Doc
"I'm Irv Weinstein, a Buffalo woman has been shot and wounded in Rome.
Pope also shot.
Film at 11.
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Re: The Man Who Created "Eyewitness News" Highlighted In New Doc
ED1 wrote:
The Philadelphia Enquirer explored how the Eyewitness News format (and the Action News format) had harmed the black community in the region as well as across America.
This article came out in 2022. In 2023, KYW-TV shed the “Eyewitness News” brand and went with “CBS News Philadelphia”. The rebrand was part of a corporate strategy, but the clip below shows that the station felt it was an opportune time to get away from the mixed legacy of the old format.
The woman who wrote that article is featured in the documentary, so at least they do acknowledge the drawbacks of the format.
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