I remember a version of this sign on when I lived in New Jersey in the early 1970s, when WPVI was WFIL-TV. I still remember the voiceover intoning "This is Philadelphia.." It stuck in my head when I went to a convention in Philadelphia in 2013 and as I got off the plane I said "This is Philadelphia." A great way to show one of the great cities of our nation that's so historic. To this day, it's still the key city in the busily growing three state area of the Delaware Valley. It's a shame they changed the video years later. This is a true gem that shows some sights of a great city.
Wow, does this bring back memories...Love the old cars zipping up and down the Schuylkill and City Line Ave. If I'm not mistaken, on weekdays the first program of the day was an adult reading class known as "Operation Alphabet" at 6 AM.
The teacher used a fat magic marker to draw letters? I think I remember the dry squeak of the magic marker of the sheet of paper. Then he'd flip a page to a clean sheet.
This sign off most of the film was recorded in 1964 during the winter and early spring that year.and was first used shortly after ch 6 moved to City Line Avenue. The original voiceover for the sign off accompanying this film was done by Jim McCann in 1964 and was used until channel 6 became WPVI TV in 1971 at which time Paul Norton recorded a new voiceover for this film that you heard here. Channel 6 used this sign off and sign on film for at least 25 years until 1989 or 1990 when it finally changed it to reflect the ABC Capital Cities ownership.
Yes, I used to watch Operation Alphabet every morning at 6 am. In 1961, the show was recorded with Dr. Alexander Shevlin as teacher. It ran until the beginning of the eighties.
PhilaVideo Do you know if any video footage of that old Operation Alphabet show exists, either on RUclips or elsewhere? I remember seeing that show when I was a kid. Fond memories!
the old Channel 6 building was torn down in 2009 when they moved to a new state-of-the-art facility. its very sad,another part of Philadelphia's glorious past is gone,such is progress i guess.
Wow I didn't know that... I moved out of the area two years before that and no one told me this. When my family mentions them I always picture them in that round building at that location .
Just like NYC my old hometown. Even Long Island City in Queens and the Financial District on Wall Street and near the Brooklyn Bridge does not look the same as it did back in 1961.
Why do you think Ch. 6-TV, Phila., Penna. used "America, Beautiful" music for its "sign-offs"/"sign-ons" instead, "Star-Sp'ngld B'nnr" music back when?
Ah yes! These were the days before the local stations all became 24/7. And one of the previous posters took the words right out of my mouth because Operation Alphabet was the first program of the day on Channel 6.
thats for sure, Captin Noah, Captin Kangaroo and black and white TV, what were they, 3, 6, 10, 12, 17, Wee Willie Weber, 29, the "new" channel and 48. 29 started to carry the Flyers games at some point, I think I was a Sophmore that year.
Actually, llnd incarnation, Ch. 17 under WPHL call letters/starting with 1971 M.L.B. season it aired Phils games ⚾️ lst time succeeding, ironically, cross-town Ch. 6, which had aired club's games since 1959 season
My brother and I used to get up early just to watch Operation Alphabet in the early seventies. I don't know why we used to do that. I loved to watch this show. The guy was soooooooo meticulous with the letters he was writing. It was hypnotizing. I wonder if there is any footage out there of the show. I would love to see it again.
"Operation Alphabet" was Ch. 6-TV's equivalent in Phila., Penna. what "Sunrise/Summer Semester" was to WCBS-TV (Ch. 2), N.Y. City, N.Y./no. CBS-TV Network affiliates back when
1:06-1:11. 1968 ABC-TV Network I.D. slide's shown. Speaking, ABC in 1968, in July, that yr. "alphabet" network launched new Mon.-Fri. daytime serialized drama series called "l Life To Live". It would run on ABC till Jan., 2012. Also in 1968 that same "alphabet" n'twrk ushered in era, prime time series pr'dcd by late Aaron Spelling w/debut "Mod Squad". ABC would air "Mod Squad" for 5 seasons (1968-1969 thru 1972-1973)
Also in September, 1968 ABC launched new Irwin Allen/XXth (20th) Century Fox-packaged prime time drama series "Land, Giants". It would run for just couple, seasons on "alphabet" network (ABC, 1968-1969/1969-1970)
I remember a version of this sign on when I lived in New Jersey in the early 1970s, when WPVI was WFIL-TV. I still remember the voiceover intoning "This is Philadelphia.." It stuck in my head when I went to a convention in Philadelphia in 2013 and as I got off the plane I said "This is Philadelphia." A great way to show one of the great cities of our nation that's so historic. To this day, it's still the key city in the busily growing three state area of the Delaware Valley.
It's a shame they changed the video years later. This is a true gem that shows some sights of a great city.
Wow, does this bring back memories...Love the old cars zipping up and down the Schuylkill and City Line Ave. If I'm not mistaken, on weekdays the first program of the day was an adult reading class known as "Operation Alphabet" at 6 AM.
The teacher used a fat magic marker to draw letters? I think I remember the dry squeak of the magic marker of the sheet of paper. Then he'd flip a page to a clean sheet.
This sign off most of the film was recorded in 1964 during the winter and early spring that year.and was first used shortly after ch 6 moved to City Line Avenue.
The original voiceover for the sign off accompanying this film was done by Jim McCann in 1964 and was used until channel 6 became WPVI TV in 1971 at which time Paul Norton recorded a new voiceover for this film that you heard here.
Channel 6 used this sign off and sign on film for at least 25 years until 1989 or 1990 when it finally changed it to reflect the ABC Capital Cities ownership.
Most of this was filmed in 1964 with some clips added later in the 1960s
Yes, I used to watch Operation Alphabet every morning at 6 am. In 1961, the show was recorded with Dr. Alexander Shevlin as teacher. It ran until the beginning of the eighties.
PhilaVideo Do you know if any video footage of that old Operation Alphabet show exists, either on RUclips or elsewhere? I remember seeing that show when I was a kid. Fond memories!
I recall on mornings when I woke up a little too early for a time back in the early to mid 70s when I was 6, I saw this program on tv on CH6 then.
the old Channel 6 building was torn down in 2009 when they moved to a new state-of-the-art facility. its very sad,another part of Philadelphia's glorious past is gone,such is progress i guess.
Wow I didn't know that... I moved out of the area two years before that and no one told me this.
When my family mentions them I always picture them in that round building at that location .
Just like NYC my old hometown. Even Long Island City in Queens and the Financial District on Wall Street and near the Brooklyn Bridge does not look the same as it did back in 1961.
Really Love this Sign-on THE BEST
Me too!
Not only that, WPVI played our TRUE national anthem.
AdamStabelli555 wrote:
This video makes me proud to be from Philly.
its called america the beautiful
@@neptune8thplanetSo, it is
@neptune8thplanet "America, Beautiful"'s this cntry.'s un-official lllrd national anthem behind "Star-Spangled Banner"/"God Bless America"
"S.S.B."'s this cntry.'s official No. I national anthem. And l like hearing, specifically non-Stanza l variants, it
Why do you think Ch. 6-TV, Phila., Penna. used "America, Beautiful" music for its "sign-offs"/"sign-ons" instead, "Star-Sp'ngld B'nnr" music back when?
I Lived in A Small Surburb Outside Of Philadelphia And Used To Wach WPVI Alot
I did not watch Operation Alphabet because i was NOT BORN during those times. But Still Nostalgic
I used to wake up every morning and watched Operation Alphabet on Channel 6 when I was not enough to go to school yet
WOW brings back memories
Ah yes! These were the days before the local stations all became 24/7. And one of the previous posters took the words right out of my mouth because Operation Alphabet was the first program of the day on Channel 6.
nice work with the sync.
Really? I didn't know that. All I knew was that it aired on WFIL in the 60s and all.
Although I'm almost a day late, happy 25th anniversary to this video!
I Remember this Sign-On
thats for sure, Captin Noah, Captin Kangaroo and black and white TV, what were they, 3, 6, 10, 12, 17, Wee Willie Weber, 29, the "new" channel and 48. 29 started to carry the Flyers games at some point, I think I was a Sophmore that year.
Actually, llnd incarnation, Ch. 17 under WPHL call letters/starting with 1971 M.L.B. season it aired Phils games ⚾️ lst time succeeding, ironically, cross-town Ch. 6, which had aired club's games since 1959 season
My brother and I used to get up early just to watch Operation Alphabet in the early seventies. I don't know why we used to do that. I loved to watch this show. The guy was soooooooo meticulous with the letters he was writing. It was hypnotizing. I wonder if there is any footage out there of the show. I would love to see it again.
sam smutt I remember that show. I was so little but I do remember it.
OMG I have been searching for OA for years! It was awesome!
I feel the same way! This show was genius!
"Operation Alphabet" was Ch. 6-TV's equivalent in Phila., Penna. what "Sunrise/Summer Semester" was to WCBS-TV (Ch. 2), N.Y. City, N.Y./no. CBS-TV Network affiliates back when
I remember this
I remember watching Operation Alb
1:06-1:11. 1968 ABC-TV Network I.D. slide's shown. Speaking, ABC in 1968, in July, that yr. "alphabet" network launched new Mon.-Fri. daytime serialized drama series called "l Life To Live". It would run on ABC till Jan., 2012. Also in 1968 that same "alphabet" n'twrk ushered in era, prime time series pr'dcd by late Aaron Spelling w/debut "Mod Squad". ABC would air "Mod Squad" for 5 seasons (1968-1969 thru 1972-1973)
Also in September, 1968 ABC launched new Irwin Allen/XXth (20th) Century Fox-packaged prime time drama series "Land, Giants". It would run for just couple, seasons on "alphabet" network (ABC, 1968-1969/1969-1970)
I wanted to put a like in this but the ratings have been disabled.
I remember this before Operation Alphabet
Might your growing up have been in the 1960's when Channel 6 was still WFIL?
It's amazing how TV programs have gone down in quality since the big corperations like FOX and WB have taken over.....
I Remember Operation Alphabet
What did the 1991 sign on look like? does it even exist?
Try searching RUclips. I uploaded it on here.
Pretty short but 6abc finally realized it had to change the sequence to reflect the new ownership