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An early test pattern was all viewers saw in the beginning |
When viewers turned on their first television
sets in Nashville, tuning in the Channel 4, all they saw in the very beginning was a "Test Pattern." Cameras in
the studio were focused on a tripod holding a cardboard posterboard with this visual. Later, after 'real' programs began airing
during the day, the "test pattern" was still the first thing one saw when the station signed on in the morning,
and the last thing when it signed off each night.
Jud Colllins anchored the local news on WSM-TV, Channel 4, in its early years.
He was aruguably one of Nashville's most popular television personalities, also hosting other station programs including the
"Noon" Show. He later moved to Nashville's ABC affiliate, WNGE-TV, Channel 2, and anchored the nightly local news
there.
Photo courtesy WSMV |
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Jud Collins at Channel 4 in 1950 |
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Jud Collins at a WSM-TV reunion |
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Nashville television had two popular clowns over the
years. Bozo the Clown was on Channel 8 (now Channel 2), and Happy A. Clown was a fixture on Channel 4. Both enjoyed success
and starred on their own shows, aimed primarily, of course, at children.
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TV Program Guide from 1965 |
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Jud Collins started at WSM radio, and when National Life put Nashville's first television station
on the air in September, 1950, also began working at Channel 4. He anchored the news, hosted the 'Noon Show' and was
easily WSM-TV's most recognizable personality for many years. In the 1970's, he moved over to Channel 2, WNGE-TV, the local
ABC affiliate, anchoring their nightly newscasts for several years. Nevertheless, he is still remembered primarily as the
face of WSM television for the better part of three decades.
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Nashville's television stations
combined their own local programs with network shows. As you can see in the newspaper TV guide listings to the left, network
game shows, soap operas and the World Series teamed up with Romper Room and other home-grown programs to entertain us.
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The Channel 5 News Team in the 1970's |
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