WQAY-TV was named for a radio station of the same call letters. I read a few years ago that the radio staion was supposed to be WOAK (denoting Oak Hill), but the application was mistakenly interpreted (if that's the right word) as WOAY when it was really WOAY. Historical note- WOAY Radio was the 1st media outlet to report the death of Hank Williams (1-1-53). I live in Fairmont, which is well out of the WOAY-TV viewing area. WOAY has been an ABC affiliate for decades, but once upon a time it was CBS, with a secondary ABC affiliation. Thanks so much for these WOAY-TV videos.
Great video...I wish somebody had the sign off at 2am. I don't think they do that anymore. Or some of the old fabulous football Friday clips with mark Martin.
From 1994: OAK HILL, W.Va. (AP) - George Strange, a West Virginia television broadcaster, died March 8. He was 57. Strange began his West Virginia broadcasting career in 1974 at WCHS-TV in Charleston. He moved to WOAY-TV in Oak Hill as news director and anchor in 1979 and had been an anchor since 1986. Strange is survived by wife and two sons.
I think i saw that actual broadcast as it was first shown, having grown up mostly in Webster County and channel 4 was the clearest station we received. We picked up 3 and 13 in Huntington, 8 in Charleston....5 in Clarksburg as well as 12 and channel 9 in Grandview, WV
I remember when P.O.J. did the weather, an older fellow. I think he picked his nose on live tv at times. This was in the 70's before the fire. After the fire, he never came back.
![Beckley West Virginia [So much to see]](/img/1.gif)
I directed the newscasts on WJHL TV, Johnson City, when George was the 11pm anchor there (before he moved to WOAY). Great, fun, guy to work with.
WQAY-TV was named for a radio station of the same call letters. I read a few years ago that the radio staion was supposed to be WOAK (denoting Oak Hill), but the application was mistakenly interpreted (if that's the right word) as WOAY when it was really WOAY. Historical note- WOAY Radio was the 1st media outlet to report the death of Hank Williams (1-1-53). I live in Fairmont, which is well out of the WOAY-TV viewing area. WOAY has been an ABC affiliate for decades, but once upon a time it was CBS, with a secondary ABC affiliation. Thanks so much for these WOAY-TV videos.
I had the privilege of playing "Taps" for George Strange when he passed. He was such a nice man and I grew up watching him on the news.
when did he die?
Glad you like the clips. Unfortunately, I have uploaded everything I have....
Great video...I wish somebody had the sign off at 2am. I don't think they do that anymore. Or some of the old fabulous football Friday clips with mark Martin.
This broadcast was on the day Star Wars celebrated it's 10th anniversary.
From 1994:
OAK HILL, W.Va. (AP) - George Strange, a West Virginia television broadcaster, died March 8. He was 57.
Strange began his West Virginia broadcasting career in 1974 at WCHS-TV in Charleston. He moved to WOAY-TV in Oak Hill as news director and anchor in 1979 and had been an anchor since 1986.
Strange is survived by wife and two sons.
I think i saw that actual broadcast as it was first shown, having grown up mostly in Webster County and channel 4 was the clearest station we received. We picked up 3 and 13 in Huntington, 8 in Charleston....5 in Clarksburg as well as 12 and channel 9 in Grandview, WV
I remember when P.O.J. did the weather, an older fellow. I think he picked his nose on live tv at times. This was in the 70's before the fire. After the fire, he never came back.
What is the name of this theme song used during the intro of the woay newscast.
“News 88” by Tuesday Productions. WLKY-TV in Louisville and several other stations used it.
they still have the SAME SET! probably painted in 1988
And I belive George Strange died in the early 90s.