WPIX is the CW affiliate for New York, owned by Tribune Broadcasting. It is not, however, Tribune's flagship station - that honor goes to the venerable WGN in Chicago. The call letters are a reference to the New York Daily News, which referred to itself as the "Picture Paper" and uses a stylized camera in its logo.
WPIX has arguably been the most distinctive of New York's independent/small network stations. Its 1970s and 1980s presentation was perhaps the most professional in its market, but mention must be made of the station's distinctive programming - editorials, burning logs, network news (with network newscasters!), and Ralph Kramden.
11 Alive
WPIX became 11 Alive in 1977. This was not simply a slogan or catchphrase - 11 Alive was the actual station name, and was incorporated into the station logo and nearly all presentation elements with the exception of news and editorials. 11 Alive was arguably one of the first major television brands outside of the venerable television networks.
The campaign did not originate at WPIX. WXIA in Atlanta adopted the 11 Alive name a year before, and continues to use the name to this day, although the two stations are very different, as WXIA has always been a major network affiliate. Regardless, the 11 Alive period continues to be fondly remembered by New Yorkers.
Action News1978
For most of the 1980s WPIX featured a unique dual news format. Since it was a "superstation" - an independent that was carried on out-of-city cable systems, the news format was split into two: "Action News" and "Independent Network News". Action News was the "New York" feed of the news; INN was the "network" feed, fed out not only nationally on cable but to independent stations across the country. The music and titles differed for both, but the set was the same - the "11" logo was replaced by the INN logo for the national feed. After several format changes, INN was discontinued in 1990.
Eight O'Clock Movie1978
A great 1970s "big letters" sequence for WPIX's 8pm movie, with a voiceover promo for Action News. The promo cuts off before it's done, so they just slap an Action News "NEXT" slide to get the message across!
Giants vs. Steelers1978
The practice of disgusing promos as station ids is not new, WPIX does this in this 70s-vintage clip. The "11 Alive" logo here is very 1970s!
11 Alive Mark II
The 11 Alive logo was modernized in 1982. The new, sleeker design was accompanied by idents and presentation elements from the Moving Image Company. The slick, filmed look of the new idents is in stark contrast to the primitive video effects used previously - and still looks very nice today. However, the overall look didn't last too long - new, videotaped graphics were adopted in fall of 1983.
11 Alive Ident1982
Used in the early 1980s. WPIX updated their logo slightly to make it far, far less dated. A good example of early 80s animation with a great backing tune that dates back to the 1970s.
Action News1983
A later version of the titles. Not much change, but now the sports and weather anchors get to deliver teases.
Action News1983
The Action News closing theme, again "Move Closer"... but not the vocal version that WPVI uses!
Coming Up Next...1983
A couple of standard, generic "next" captions... but oh, what a caption it is, with state-of-the-art DVE effects and that wonderful jingle...
The Independent News1984
WPIX branded both local and national news under the new name of "INN: The Independent News" Gone is "Move Closer" and that wonderful set, sadly...
Circle 11
In 1984, WPIX reintroduced its classic 1969 "circle 11" logo, which was dropped from full-time use in 1977. The logo was initially incorporated into the third, and final, "11 Alive" logo, although this coincided with the gradual phasing out of that brand - announcers began referring to the station as "Channel 11", and presentation from 1985 onward began to feature the logo by itself. With slick new idents introduced in 1986, "11 Alive" was finally dead at WPIX.
The 1980s rendition of the logo is tweaked from the original - the numbers are spaced farther apart and the circle is of a different width. Despite the similarity, the logo predates the World Trade Center by three years. The similarity was, however, noted - most memorably in the "Henry Tillman's Big Idea" campaign. In these promos, the fictional WPIX promotions director is tasked with finding a Big Idea for the station's new logo, but the idea keeps eluding him - despite the fact that the WTC towers are featured prominently in each ad. One ad even goes so far as to include a farcical musical "dream sequence" with dancing Twin Towers in top hat and cane - unthinkable now for obvious reasons!
Private Benjamin Promo1985
WPIX was airing "Private Benjamin", the short-lived sitcom based on the Goldie Hawn movie, as part of its sitcom lineup around 1985-86. Ralph Lowenstein sells us in this promo that focuses more on Eileen Brennan's character rather than the title role.
WPIX Ident1986
WPIX returned to its classic "circle 11" logo in 1985, and introduced this stunning CGI ident in 1986. For anyone curious, yes, this logo is supposed to represent the World Trade Center towers. WPIX played on this when it reintroduced the logo, in a series of spots called "Henry Tillman's Big Idea", in which a fictional promotions director was searching for the key to rebrand Channel 11, but could never quite find it - despite the fact that the Twin Towers are prominently featured. The Tillman promos are rare and sought after by many collectors.
Emergency Broadcasting System1986
In the 1970s and 1980s, all stations were required to run regular tests of the Emergency Broadcasting System. This is WPIX's slide, dating back to the 1970s, as evidenced by the "11 Alive" logo.
Networking
The "Circle 11" was phased out - again - starting around 1994. The new black/gold logo featured similar bold number styling to the circle 11, but dropped the circle and gave the top a slight angle to make the number more obvious. The bigger addition came the next year when WPIX became a charter affiliate of The WB, which Tribune partly owned. A WB logo was affixed to the new 11, and WPIX became "The WB11". The logo got another facelift in 2000, enlarging the WB.
WB11 News at Ten1999
The 1999 open to "The WB11 News At Ten", with great aerial shots of New York and WPIX's fantastic custom theme from Non-Stop Music.
WB11 Morning News & Promo2004
Morning News open with John Muller, Lynne White, Linda Church, Emily Frances and Marysol Castro. WB11 Morning News runs from 5:30am to 9am Mon-Fri .
2nd clip - Promo for tomorrows programme
WB11 News at Ten2004
Opening with Peter Thorne and Mary Murphy
WB 11 News at Ten runs from 10pm-11pm nightly.
WB11 News at Ten2005
WPIX got a beautiful set and a flashy graphics update to start 2005. Thankfully, the great theme and talent stays in place...
CW11
