WBZ-TV was part of the fabled Group W station group (including KDKA Pittsburgh, KPIX San Francisco, WJZ in Baltimore, and KYW in Philadelphia). As such it had the beloved Westinghouse "look" for the logos and the station id, with its distinctive font and logos. For many years, WBZ was Boston's NBC affiliate and a strong number one or two in the ratings, competing with WCVB, but the station is in turmoil these days. This is partly because of the resurgence of rival WHDH (a flashy station owned by Ed Ansin's Sunbeam Television... which also owns WSVN in Miami), and partly because of a disastrous affiliation switch following Group W's partnership with and subsequent acquisition of CBS. The station has long dropped the Westinghouse look and identifies itself today as "CBS 4".
Eyewitness News1980s
Eyewitness News Early 80s ("Fourzilla"): WBZ had magnificent music from Edd Kalehoff, and talented newscasters in Jack Williams and Liz Walker. Unfortunately, they also made the decision to have their open feature their logo rising out of boiling water like a Japanese monster movie...
Eyewitness News1980s
A new, nicer set, and new titles NOT featuring cheap model "4"s rising out of boiling water...
Live on 41980s
An entertainment-type news program hosted by Joyce Kulhawik. Joyce is not only still at the station today, but is also featured on a movie review program produced by Viacom/CBS, "Hot Ticket". Nice Quantel effects here.
Eyewitness News1986
The 1986 open to Eyewitness News. Kalehoff's music has been dropped for a theme composed by Frank Gari, which has yet to be identified.
Eyewitness News1986
The late 1980s open to Eyewitness News, with the same music, but fancier CG effects.
WBZ 4 News2002
The absolutely breathtaking open to WBZ 4 News, introduced in 2000. The fantastic dreamy, wistful music is by Michael Whalen. A must-download.
WBZ 4 News2003
A revamp for WBZ... getting rid of the wonderful open, "4" logo, and above all, the music. In its place is a gaudy blue and orange color scheme that is way too bright, on top of an empty bridge, set to dischordant music from Groove Addicts(who have ended up turning out some excellent packages). And why is the CBS eye lodged in the middle of the 4?!
CBS4 Live @ 52003
WBZ finally fell to the "Viacom Mandate" and changed over to "CBS 4". This obviously meant they had to change the graphics. Unfortuantely, instead of a total rethink and a change of music and open, they simply updated it with the new CBS 4 logo.
CBS4 Live @ 112005
Launched in January 2005 with the old theme they BWZ switched to the theme used by KCBS in June/July and also voiceovers from Howard Parker to Brian James, who announces for WFOR in Florida.
