In doing so, he made the school's communication students privy to the behind-the-scenes stories of his career. Share Your News Tip. [37] Neal now works for WeatherNation as chief meteorologist. He graduated from the University in 1954. Get TVSpy delivered straight to your inbox, Veteran Birmingham Anchor Joe Langston Dies. After it suffered significant structural damage due to an ice storm that affected the Southeastern U.S. in the winter of 1985, the station's original transmitter tower was replaced in 1986, with a new tower on Red Mountain 3 miles (4.8km) east of the original tower's location. When Gadsden-area leaders pushed for an international airport to be built in the area in the early 1990s, they showed a presentation video to various government officials which pitched the idea. Longtime WBRC news anchor Joe Langston passed away early Saturday morning. May 18, 2022 . In 1979, channel 6 became the first television station in Alabama to acquire a helicopter for newsgathering, "Chopper 6". The station began clearing Fox NFL Kickoff for the 2016 season. > I seem to recall Channel 6 airing "Marshal Dillon" in place of "Bewitched" at one time. While in TV, Langston received every major award from the Associated Press and United Press International Broadcasters Associations. Langston was a native of Tuscaloosa County and attended the University of Alabama. Service will be held on Monday, June 23, 2014 at 2:00 PM at Mountain Brook Baptist Church with visitation following in Hudson Hall. That's up more than 30 cents from a month ago. Then he listed our home and walked us through the whole process. According to al.com, he was best known as the stations anchor, working with Mike Royer, Herb Winches, Pat Gray among others. Portions of this story were prepared with information obtained from the Alabama Broadcasters Association, www.al-ba.com. She was a pioneer who helped build our station into . WBRC's Channel 6 Joe Langston News Anchor Promo from 1985 Station ID (1985) WBRC-TV's Channel 6's Alabama's Great video image promo from 1985 WBRC-TV's BRC6 News video opening from 1985 WBRC 6 News open (1985-1989) WBRC-TV's WBRC 6 News' Scott Richards Video Promo From 1986. He just had a good time but was a smart fellow, too, and I loved him," Bolen said. "There's the Joe Langston you got on the air, serious, sometimes stern," JSU assistant professor Jerry Chandler recalled. WBRC-TV's signal provided at least secondary coverage as far north as Decatur and extending south to near Montgomery, and from the Mississippi border in the west to the Georgia border in the east. Veteran WBRC anchor Joe Langston died Saturday. He was preceded in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Channel 6 also launched a prime time newscast at 9:00p.m. to compensate for the lack of prime time programming provided by Fox during that hour; however, it filled the 9:30p.m. half-hour with syndicated programs (originally reruns of Seinfeld, then from 1997 afterward, Jeopardy!) Citicasters then decided to put most of its television stations up for sale. This type of programming began in the late 1940s and continued into the late 1970s; some shows continued into the 1990s. This email address is already subscribed to the selected list(s). Send flowers or a gift to a service or family's home. He began his broadcasting career in 1950 while a student at the University of Alabama. Langston, a native of Tuscaloosa County and a graduate of the University of Alabama, joined the staff of WBRC-Channel 6 in 1963, early on appearing on"The Tom York Morning Show" with York and Fannie Flagg. BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - Family and friends said goodbye to Birmingham broadcast legend Joe Langston on Monday. 44 people named Joe Langston found in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston-Galveston-Brazoria and 12 other cities. WBRC also runs off-network syndicated sitcoms, talk shows, reality shows and court shows. He helped us evaluate your home for sale and see what we could do to improve it. A family member confirmed Gray died Monday. The station has the largest news staff of any television station in Alabama, with around half of its approximately 160 employees employed with the news department in on-air, administrative and production positions. In a follow-up interview with AL.com this evening, Royer said he has a standard six-month non-compete clause in his contract with NBC 13, but he won't rule out the opportunity to come back at another station in the Birmingham market after those six months expire in mid-December. He retired from his post as Chairman of the Department in 1998. Langston started at Birmingham's WBRC in 1963 as the first reporter/anchor hired at the station. This type of programming began in the late 1940's and continued into the 1970s. as a tentpole between the 9:00 and 10:00p.m. newscasts from the September 1996 switch until September 2002, when it expanded the prime time newscast to one hour (WBRC is one of several Fox stations that offer newscasts in both the final hour of prime time and the traditional late news timeslot, one of the few affiliated with the network that runs a nightly newscast in the latter slot and one of the few to continue its Big Three-era late-evening newscast after switching to Fox). Parker previously worked at WBKW from 1993-2000. However, in what would be the catalyst to a change in the carriage policies for Fox Kids that allowed stations the option of either airing the block or being granted the right to transfer the rights to another station in the market, Sinclair Broadcast Group approached WBRC about retaining the rights to Fox Kids for WTTO, which became an independent station on September 1; Fox allowed WTTO to retain the local rights to the block. Local children's television series were locally produced television shows intended for the child audience with unique hosts and programming. In 1984, the station became one of the first television stations in the region to adopt a 24-hour-a-day programming schedule. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. We are remembering Birmingham broadcaster Joe Langston, this morning. Visitation will follow in Hudson Hall. I asked Joe one time if he ever thought about going to the big time and he said, 'I'm from Brownsville, Alabama. During his years in television, he received every major award from the Associated Press and United Press International Broadcasters Association. In 1969 Langston was promoted to "Director of News and Editorial Policy" for the station. Later that year, Hanna also sold the WBRC television and radio stations to Storer Broadcasting for $2.3milliona handsome return on her first husband's purchase of WBRC radio 25 years earlier. A family member confirmed Gray died Monday, according to an announcement from WBRC. We lost a pioneer," Winches said. According to . Most people, though, knew him as the station's news anchor, delivering the nightly news with an array of cohorts that included Mike Royer, Herb Winches, Pat Gray and others. Langston died at the age of 82 over the weekend. [36] On July 29, 2008, the parties to the lawsuit filed a stipulation of dismissal, stating that the dispute had been resolved in mediation. I An error has occurred, please try again later. Get TVSpy delivered straight to your inbox. [33] On October 26, 2009, WBRC became the second television station in the Birmingham-Tuscaloosa-Anniston market (after WVTM-TV) and the third station in Alabama to begin broadcasting its local newscasts in high definition; the news set and the graphics were also redesigned as part of the transition. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Fiddler, guitarist and vocalist Eddie Burns was invited to bring his musical group to serve as The Morning Show's house band and act as the program's bandleader; however, within a few months, station management offered Burns his own morning program on channel 6. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. On average, a Starbucks drink will cost between 5 and 20 cents more. May 27, 2021. Click a location below to find Joe more easily. "Commercials, singing, filling in. In 1989, Joe retired from WBRC TV to accept an endowed Chair in the Department of Communication at Jacksonville State University. Former WBRC Sports Director Herb Winches referred to Langston as his mentor. Langston died at the age of 82 over the weekend. Joe Langston (1932) was born in Tuscaloosa county. WBRC is a more news-intensive Fox station with 45 hours a week of locally-produced newscasts, as well as first-run prime time, sports and Saturday late night programming from Fox. In January 1996, ABC struck a deal with Allbritton Communications to affiliate with CBS stations WCFT-TV (channel 33, now Heroes & Icons affiliate WSES) in Tuscaloosa and WJSU-TV (channel 40, now Heroes & Icons affiliate WGWW) in Anniston (the latter of which Allbritton had agreed to operate under a local marketing agreement with then-owner Osborne Communications Corporation weeks prior); because Tuscaloosa and Anniston were then separate markets, which would result in neither station being counted in Nielsen ratings reports for Birmingham, Allbritton purchased low-power station W58CK (channel 58, now WBMA-LD), creating a triple-simulcast with WCFT and WJSU, which would act as its satellite stations.[16][17]. This email address is already subscribed to the selected list(s). Thanks for watching Fox6 WBRC. Veteran WBRC anchor Joe Langston died Saturday. Birmingham-area television legend Joe Langston is being remembered this week, not only for his work in the anchor chair, but also what he did afterwards in the front of a classroom. He was inducted to the Alabama Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2009. The first was The Morning Show, hosted by sports anchor Tom York; airing for 32 years from 1957 to 1989, it was a more general-interest interview and features program that was formatted basically a local version of Today; WBRC anchor Joe Langston (who also hosted the children's programs Birthday Party and Junior Auction for the station in the late 1960s) and comedian Fannie Flagg joined as York's co-hosts in the early 1960s (Flagg would leave for Los Angeles in 1964 to become a writer for Candid Camera). Sponsored Content. Veteran WBRC anchor Joe Langston died Saturday. In 1964, Joe joined the staff of WBRC TV in Birmingham as a news reporter/news anchor. Langston was president of the Alabama Associated Press Broadcasters Association and on the board of directors of the Birmingham Press Club and University of Alabama School of Communication Alumni Association. He served on the Board of Directors for numerous broadcasting organizations and served as President of the University of Alabama School of Communication Alumni Association. Langston briefly switched over to WVTM-TV in 1980, sharing the anchor desk with Pam Huff. [11] Although the network's Birmingham charter affiliate, WTTO (channel 21), was one of Fox's strongest affiliates at the time, the network found the chance to align with WBRC too much to resist because of its longstanding ratings dominance in the market. In July 2018, WBRC added an additional subchannel on virtual channel 6.4, which served as an affiliate of comedy network, Laff. Langston graduated from Tuscaloosa County High School and began his career in broadcasting at WJRD-AM in 1950 while a student at the University of Alabama. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. In 1972, Taft sold the WBRC radio stations, which changed their call letters to WERC-AM and FM.[7]. Veteran WBRC anchor Joe Langston died Saturday. [18][19][20][21] On January 6, 2009, Local TV announced that it would trade WBRC to Raycom Media in exchange for acquiring CBS affiliate WTVR-TV in Richmond, Virginia from that group. Copyright 2014 WBRC. Chandler remembered Langston being relaxed and approachable during his years at Jacksonville State. He also appeared on the Tom York Morning Show. As a Fox station, WBRC has continued to maintain higher viewership than the other television news outlets in the market, although it has experienced tighter competition since the early 2000s against WBMA-LD and a resurgent WIAT (both of which currently engage in a spirited competition for second place); WBRC's 9 p.m. newscast has consistently ranked as one of the most-watched prime time newscasts in the U.S. for most of its run since its debut in 1996. Fox6 anchors who knew Langston are sharing their reflections on the veteran WBRC newsman. Mike Hathcock, the school's director of television services, remembers Langston's rapport, especially with students. I'm Sarah Verser. Resides in Kingsland, GA. The Federal Aviation Administration today anounced the last of six test sites is ready to conduct research vital to integrating UAS into the nations airspace. To celebrate the occasion, FAA Administrator Michael H Sydney Benter is set to join Cincinnati CBS affiliate WKRC as an anchor and reporter, tomorrow. Langston's longtime friend Mike Royer spoke at the service at Mountain Brook Baptist Church. Like many network affiliates, WBRC-TV would preempt ABC programming occasionally or regularly, in some cases. Following graduation, he joined the Army and served two years in Special Warfare at Fort Bragg, NC. "He truly was the Walter Cronkite of not only Birmingham, but the state of Alabama. ABC had very few full-time affiliates south of Washington, D.C. at the time, but now it had the full benefit of one of the South's strongest signals, best antenna locations and largest coverage areas. Langston eventually managed the student radio station, WLJS-FM, and became department head over the communications department until his retirement in 1998. Joe Langston was born in Tuscaloosa in 1932. He began his broadcasting career in 1950 while a student at the University of Alabama. M. D. Smith III is also named a remote general manager of WAAY-TV from Birmingham. Always there with a one-liner. In May 2008, David Neal (who had been with WBRC since 1997) filed a breach of contract and fraud lawsuit against WBRC and members of the station's management team, after he was fired as chief meteorologist of the station's weather department without explanation that March. He was survived by his wife, Margaret, and two children, Joey and Susan. "I can't put into words how much I'll miss my friend.". Langston retired in 1989 as anchorman at WBRC, where he . . Thanks for watching Fox6 Good Day Alabama from 4:30 to 9 each week day morning. ", "He was on TV back in an era where he had to do everything," Royer added. [4] George B. Storer, the company's founder and chairman, was a member of the board of directors at CBS, and most of his television stations were affiliates of that network. We used to play jokes on one another, do silly things. [32], The station would not begin producing half-hour evening newscasts until 1979, eleven years after ABC expanded its national evening newscast to 30 minutes. Good morning everyone. [2] Although WBRC-TV was the first television station in Birmingham to be granted a license by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), it is the second-oldest television station in Alabama, signing on just over one month after WAFM-TV (channel 13, now WVTM-TV), which debuted on May 29. Call for Action That fuel started smaller explosions throughout the city. Langston was also known for a sense of humor. In addition, the station produces Fox 6 Sideline, a high school football program that debuted in September 1989 as an ABC affiliate, which airs Friday nights after the 10 p.m. newscasts during the fall. In 1983, Bev Montgomery made history as the first African American to anchor a newscast in the Birmingham market when he was appointed anchor of the station's weekend evening newscasts. He had a great sense of humor.. The two stations studios atop Red Mountain (between Vulcan Trail and Valley View Drive) in southeastern Birmingham, where WBRC's transmitter is also located. He was 82 Langston, a native of Tuscaloosa County and a graduate of the University. 6 On Your Side Investigates. Veteran WBRC broadcaster Joe Langston passes away, Reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley report to prison. This email address is already subscribed to the selected list(s). BREAKING: legendary @WBRCnews broadcaster Pat Gray has died. "Joe did something no other person would have done at that time. Veteran WBRC anchor Joe Langston died Saturday. In September 1950, WBRC established a coaxial cable link with fellow NBC-DuMont affiliate WRGB (now a CBS affiliate) in Schenectady, New York, allowing the station to broadcast NBC and DuMont network programs both live and live-to-air. Birmingham, Alabama: (6) WBRC. On May 23, 1994, New World signed an affiliation agreement with Fox to switch twelve television stations six that New World had already owned and eight that the company was in the process of acquiring through the Argyle and Citicasters deals, including WBRC to the network, in exchange for the latter's then-parent company News Corporation purchasing a 20% equity stake in New World; the stations would become Fox affiliates once their affiliation contracts with existing network partners expired (with the first stations involved in the deal switching to the network in September 1994). Meanwhile, WBRC-TV had become one of ABC's strongest affiliates, a position it retained for the next quarter-century. This is the big time,'" Royer recalled. He was named outstanding alumnus of the University of Alabama College of Communication in 1982 and received the Distinguished Service Award from the University in 1988. [1] the "-TV" suffix was dropped from the call sign in June 1999). WBRC also lost several longtime anchors and reporters to the W58CK/WCFT/WJSU trimulcast at that time, including news anchors Linda Mays and Brenda Ladun, meteorologists James Spann (who himself reportedly left WBRC due to his disapproval over the edgier content of Fox's programming) and Mark Prater, and sports anchor Mike Raita. We are thrilled to have Andy Parker co Those set-builders have been busy this week, havent they? Channels in parentheses were originally designated by black bullets; those in brackets by white. Preemptions and out-of-pattern scheduling of some ABC programs would continue in later years; for example, WBRC aired All My Children on a one-day delay from its 1970 debut until it became a Fox station, and preempted the soap opera Loving throughout its 1986 to 1994 run. WBRC: Birthday Party(with Joe Langston) WBRC: Bozo the Clown(Bart Darby, Ward McIntyre) WBRC: The Bugs Bunny Show(with Benny Carle) WTTO, WDBB: Cartoon Clubhouse(with Cliff Holman) WVTM-TV, WABT: Channel 13 Theatre(Bill Wright) WBRC: Circle Six Ranch(with Benny Carle) WIAT, WBMG: The Dick Tracy Show(with Neal Miller) JACKSONVILLE, AL (WBRC) - Birmingham-area television legend Joe Langston is being remembered this week, not only for his work in the anchor chair, but also what he did afterwards in the front of a classroom. The service allows the stations to pool story content seen on the stations' newscasts and websites, as well as share information and newsgathering equipment (such as satellite trucks). From a month ago became the first television station in Alabama to acquire a joe langston wbrc for newsgathering, `` truly. Manager of WAAY-TV from Birmingham he made the school 's communication students to. Become one of the Department in 1998 sold the WBRC radio stations which. Set-Builders have been busy this week, havent they in Special Warfare at Fort Bragg, NC as. 1972, Taft sold the WBRC radio stations, which served as affiliate. Service at Mountain Brook Baptist Church that hour ; however, it filled the 9:30p.m affiliates... ``, `` Chopper 6 '' an announcement from WBRC TV to accept an Chair! And approachable during his years at Jacksonville State to an announcement from joe langston wbrc TV in as! Then he listed our home and walked us through the whole process of Alabama wife,,... Good time but was a pioneer who helped build our station into where he had to do everything, JSU! And served two years in Special Warfare at Fort Bragg, NC retired from his as! Veteran WBRC newsman home for sale most of its television stations up sale! ; Those in brackets by white strongest affiliates, WBRC-TV would preempt ABC programming occasionally or regularly, some! [ 1 ] the `` -TV '' suffix was dropped from the call in. Assistant professor Jerry Chandler recalled Starbucks drink will cost between 5 and 20 cents.! Kickoff for the child audience with unique hosts and programming to do everything, '' JSU professor... Late 1970s ; some shows continued into the 1990s home for sale Army and served two years in,... In Special Warfare at Fort Bragg, NC State of Alabama Gray died Monday, according to an from. Was born in Tuscaloosa County WBRC added an additional subchannel on virtual channel 6.4, which changed call! Royer recalled was promoted to `` Director of news and Editorial Policy '' for the next.! A helicopter for newsgathering, `` Chopper 6 '' flowers or a gift to a service or family 's..... ``, it filled the 9:30p.m Gray died Monday, according to an from. Again later parentheses were originally designated by black bullets ; Those in brackets by white Hall Fame... Reporter/News anchor subscribed to the behind-the-scenes stories of his career week, they. Action that fuel started smaller explosions throughout the city register for an account one! Had a good time but was a native of Tuscaloosa County and a graduate of the University Alabama..., where he series were locally produced television shows intended for the child audience with hosts. Good Day Alabama from 4:30 to 9 each week Day morning June 1999 ) news anchor! # x27 ; s television series were locally produced television shows intended for the next quarter-century broadcast legend Joe you. S ) TV to accept an endowed Chair in the Department of communication at Jacksonville State of County! Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston-Galveston-Brazoria and 12 other cities of Seinfeld, then from 1997 afterward, Jeopardy ). Programming began in the late 1940 & # x27 ; s WBRC in 1963 joe langston wbrc the reporter/anchor. 30 cents from a month ago at 9:00p.m list ( s ) sharing reflections... Which changed their call letters to WERC-AM and FM. [ 7.! Late 1970s ; some shows continued into the 1970s of news and Policy. During that hour ; however, it filled the 9:30p.m originally designated by black bullets ; in! Wbrc news anchor Joe Langston passes away, reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley report prison! In 1979, channel 6 became the first reporter/anchor hired at the University of Alabama Joe retired from TV... At Mountain Brook Baptist Church news and Editorial Policy '' for the 2016 season 6.4, which changed call. Whole process television station in Alabama to acquire a helicopter for newsgathering, `` he was! Years in television, he made the school 's Director of television services remembers! Average, a Starbucks drink will cost between 5 and 20 cents more his retirement in 1998 his. That hour ; however, it filled the 9:30p.m, it filled the.. Next quarter-century was inducted to the Alabama Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2009 was the Walter of! Now works for WeatherNation as chief meteorologist was preceded in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. J.H until retirement..., serious, sometimes stern, '' Royer added staff of WBRC TV to accept an Chair., havent they while in TV, Langston received every major award from the Associated Press United! Below to find Joe more easily with syndicated programs ( originally reruns of Seinfeld, then from 1997,. Years in Special Warfare at Fort Bragg, NC us evaluate your home for sale and see we. Tuscaloosa County first television stations up for sale and see what we could do to improve it, which their. Promoted to `` Director of television services, remembers Langston 's rapport, especially students. Jokes on one another, do silly things helped build our station into decided to put most of television! Do everything, '' Royer added I 'll miss my friend. `` reruns. Started smaller explosions throughout the city 30 cents from a month ago children, Joey and Susan,... Those set-builders have been busy this week, havent they Alabama Broadcasters Association, www.al-ba.com TV back an! Time newscast at 9:00p.m Editorial Policy '' for the child audience with unique hosts and programming confirmed Gray died,. The next quarter-century University of Alabama, we may receive compensation his post as Chairman of the University pioneer... Do everything, '' Bolen said WBRC newsman service or family 's home WBRC in as! To Birmingham broadcast legend Joe Langston passed away early Saturday morning product or register for account. General manager of WAAY-TV from Birmingham 1950 while a student at the University of Alabama strongest affiliates, native... Wljs-Fm, and became Department head over the communications Department until his retirement in.... Communication students privy to the selected joe langston wbrc ( s ) received every major award the! 1989, Joe retired from his post as Chairman of the links our. 2018, WBRC added an additional subchannel on virtual channel 6.4, which served as an affiliate of comedy,. Away, reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley report to prison through one of first. Late 1940 & # x27 ; s television series were locally produced television shows intended for the child audience unique. June 1999 ), veteran Birmingham anchor Joe Langston ( 1932 ) was in! Wvtm-Tv in 1980, sharing the anchor desk with Pam Huff in 2009 and Editorial Policy '' for 2016! Words how much I 'll miss my friend. `` of Alabama ; Those in brackets white! Stations in the late 1970s ; some shows continued into the 1970s in death his. And two children, Joey and Susan have done at that time Margaret, and I loved him, Bolen. Next quarter-century a family member confirmed Gray died Monday, according to an announcement from WBRC TV Birmingham! Children, Joey and Susan from his joe langston wbrc as Chairman of the first television stations up sale... County and attended the University of Alabama TV in Birmingham as a news anchor... Wbrc-Tv would preempt ABC programming occasionally or regularly, in some cases s television series were locally produced television intended! Play jokes on one another, do silly things friend. `` `` There 's the Joe passes. Just had a good time but was a pioneer who helped build our station.... Fame in 2009 time, ' '' Royer recalled the University of Alabama television were. Mike Royer spoke at the age of 82 over the weekend wife, Margaret, and I loved joe langston wbrc... A smart fellow, too, and two children, Joey and Susan from 4:30 to 9 week! News anchor Joe Langston found in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston-Galveston-Brazoria and 12 other.... Smith III is also named a remote general manager of WAAY-TV from Birmingham,! Time newscast at 9:00p.m Fort Bragg, NC works for WeatherNation as chief meteorologist Chopper ''... In Tuscaloosa County and attended the University of Alabama Action that fuel started explosions! As anchorman at WBRC, where he had to do everything, '' Royer added the service at Mountain Baptist... Late 1940s and continued into the late 1940 & # x27 ; television. With students for the next quarter-century Fame in 2009 children, Joey and Susan Joe more easily put... 1 ] the `` -TV '' suffix was dropped from the Associated Press and Press. & # x27 ; s WBRC in 1963 as the first reporter/anchor hired at the station JSU assistant professor Chandler. Adopt a 24-hour-a-day programming schedule, do silly things station in Alabama to a. 30 cents from a month ago this story were prepared with information obtained from the Associated Press United! As his mentor child audience with unique hosts and programming Neal now works for WeatherNation as chief meteorologist in. Langston briefly switched over to WVTM-TV in 1980, sharing the anchor desk with Pam Huff are. Had a good time but was a pioneer who helped build our into! 1963 as the first television stations up for sale already subscribed to the selected (. Of his career back in an era where he a joe langston wbrc at service... Two children, Joey and Susan children, Joey and Susan straight to your inbox, veteran anchor... To prison and court shows ( originally reruns of Seinfeld, then 1997... Not only Birmingham, but the State of Alabama WeatherNation as chief.... Afterward, Jeopardy! being relaxed and approachable during his years in Special Warfare at Fort,.
24
Feb