Life After the Black Sox - A Collaborative TL (with a Twist that Is)

[stratonapba]

LOOKING BACK ON THE HUDDLE FOR 1976 FOR PRO FOOTBALL

THE WORLD FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Expanding to 28 Teams: Despite the WFL and NFL will expand to 28 Teams the league added 4 new franchises in Indianapolis, IN (Checkers), Dallas, TX (Wranglers), Winnipeg, MB (Blue Bombers) and Omaha, NE (Interstaters), The WFL will not expand again until 1984.

In Addition: FOX and ABC has claimed the rights to the World Football League to air all Sunday Games however the WFL Championship will rotate networks with ABC broadcasting the 1976 WFL Championship Game later this summer and the New FOX Network will get the rights to the 1977 WFL Championship Game however TVS will continue to broadcast Thursday Night WFL Games as part of a Nationwide Syndicated Package with Merle Harmon and Alex Hawkins calling the action.

The Rookie Draft: The Winnipeg Blue Bombers got their first pick to get Mike Haynes (CB) from Arizona State, The San Diego Destroyers went for Pick #2 to draft Nebraska DB Jim Burrow however the Omaha Interstaters chose Jackie Slater (T) as their 3rd Selection, The Orlando Thunder got CB Gary Fencik and the Oklahoma City Outlaws got DE Carl Hairston from Maryland State to round out the First 5.

FINAL STANDINGS

Eastern Conference
Atlantic: Philadelphia Bell (12-4), Buffalo Stampeders (10-6), Ottawa Canadians (8-8), New York Knights (8-8), Boston Breakers (3-13)
North: Cincinnati Kings (12-4), Chicago Winds (9-7), Detroit Wheels (7-9), Indianapolis Checkers (6-10), Milwaukee Coopers (5-11)
Southeast: Birmingham Vulcans (9-7), Orlando Thunder (9-7), Memphis Pharoahs (8-8), Norfolk Neptunes (3-13)

Western Conference
Southwest: San Antonio Defenders (10-6), Phoenix Firebirds (10-6), Oklahoma City Outlaws (7-9), Mexico City Diablos (5-11), Dallas Wranglers (5-11)
Central: Kansas City Jazz (11-5), Omaha Interstaters (9-7), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-9), Iowa Barnstormers (6-10)
Pacific: Oakland Condors (14-2), Vancouver Seahawks (11-5), San Diego Destroyers (9-7), Los Angeles Express (9-7), Honolulu Hawaiians (2-14)

PLAYOFFS

Eastern Wildcard: Buffalo def. Chicago 27-10
Western Wildcard: Vancouver def. Phoenix 34-14
Eastern Semi-final: Buffalo def. Cincinnati 34-14, Birmingham def. Philadelphia 32-21
Western Semi-final: Oakland def. Vancouver 28-17, Kansas City def. San Antonio 10-6
Eastern Final: Buffalo def. Birmingham 14-0
Western Final: Oakland def. Kansas City 28-10
WFL Championship (at The Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, CA): Buffalo def. Oakland 31-14
WFL All-Star Game (at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, PA): West def. East 34-17

LEAGUE LEADERS
Passing Yards: Roger Staubach (Oakland) 4,372
Passing TD's: Roger Staubach (Oakland) 36
Passing Rating: Roger Staubach (Oakland) 104.6
Rushing Yards: Walter Payton (Phoenix) 1,710
Receiving Yards: Tom Campana (Kansas City) 1,897
Total Points: Dave Cutler (Cincinnati) 145
Tackles: Willie Buchanon (Boston) 132
Sacks: Verlon Biggs (Kansas City) & Gary Johnson (Vancouver) 15
Interceptions: Steve Freeman (Iowa) 9

In Other News: APBA issued the first ever World Football League Card Set with players from the 1976 Season for APBA Pro Football

THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Expanding to 28: Just Like What Happened to WFL in the Spring, The NFL decided to expand 4 teams of their own for Fall for a total of 28

- First the AFC Central expanded to Cincinnati, OH as the Cincinnati Bengals will enter the league as a result Cincinnati will have 2 Pro Football Teams (One in the Spring and the Other in the Fall), the Baltimore Colts moved to the AFC Central to join with the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers
- The AFC West added a Team in Portland, OR as the Portland Lumberjacks make their debut in the NFL
- And in the NFC West, Two New Teams are in with the addition of a team in Sacramento, CA (Sacramento Redwoods) and a team in Las Vegas, NV (Rattlers)

The Rookie Draft: The Washington Red Wolves went for DE Lee Roy Selmon from Oklahoma as the #1 Pick, The Toronto Mounties get LB Harry Carson as the 2nd pick in the draft followed by the Seattle Kings DT Gary Dunn, The San Francisco 49ers drafted LB Mike Hegman and NY Giants getting QB Jim Zorn from Cal Poly, Meanwhile the Sacramento Redwoods chose T Jackie Slater as Pick #9 from Jackson State while the Cincinnati Bengals got QB Richard Todd from Alabama as the 14th Pick in the Draft and the Denver Broncos chose Steve Largent (WR) from Tulsa as the 28th Pick to end Round #1.

FINAL STANDINGS

AFC East: Philadelphia Eagles (11-5), New York Giants (10-6), Dallas Texans (9-7), Montreal Beavers (7-9), Washington Red Wolves (4-12)
AFC Central: New Orleans Saints (10-6), Cleveland Browns (10-6), Baltimore Colts (10-6), Pittsburgh Steelers (6-10), Cincinnati Bengals (4-12)
AFC West: San Francisco 49ers (12-4), Los Angeles Rams (10-6), Portland Lumberjacks (7-9), Seattle Kings (6-10)
NFC East: Miami Dolphins (10-6), Toronto Mounties (9-7), Boston Patriots (9-7), Brooklyn Bulls (8-8), Atlanta Falcons (4-12)
NFC Central: Green Bay Packers (13-3), Detroit Lions (9-7), Houston Oilers (7-9), Chicago Bears (5-11)
NFC West: Denver Broncos (11-5), St. Louis Steamers (10-6), Sacramento Redwoods (5-11), Los Angeles Chargers (4-12), Las Vegas Rattlers (4-12)

PLAYOFFS

AFC Wildcard: NY Giants def. Cleveland 21-17
NFC Wildcard: St. Louis def. Toronto 28-10
AFC Semi-Final: San Francisco def. NY Giants 27-6, Philadelphia def. New Orleans 17-6
NFC Semi-Final: St. Louis def. Green Bay 41-7, Denver def. Miami 33-21
AFC Championship: San Francisco def. Philadelphia 30-21
NFC Championship: St. Louis def. Denver 34-24
NFL Championship (at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, CA): San Francisco def. St. Louis 31-10
NFL All-Star Game (at The Kingdome in Seattle, WA): NFC def. AFC 20-10

LEAGUE LEADERS

Passing Yards: Ken Anderson (Brooklyn) 4,511
Passing TD's: Ken Stabler (St. Louis) 34
Passing Rating: Terry Bradshaw (Green Bay) 98.6
Rushing Yards: Chuck Foreman (NY Giants) 1,607
Receiving Yards: Otis Taylor (Green Bay) 1,922
Total Points: John Otto (Detroit) 155
Tackles: Dave Elmendorf (San Francisco) 121
Sacks: Curley Culp (St. Louis) & Fred Dryer (Denver) 15
Interceptions: Jim Duncan (Dallas) & Dave Elmendorf (San Francisco) 7

 

[stratonapba]

NOW, LET'S SEE WHO WON THE 3RD QUARTER OF THE NASCAR CUP SERIES IN 1976

Nashville 420 - James Hylton
Purolator 500 - Buddy Baker
Talladega 500 - Donnie Allison
Champion Spark Plug 400 - Dave Marcis
Volunteer 500 - DK Ulrich
Southern 500 - David Pearson
Capital City 500 - Richard Petty
Delaware 500 - Dave Marcis

HOWEVER BARBARA PETERSON WON THE CROWN OF MISS USA BACK IN MAY, BUT WILL SHE WIN MISS UNIVERSE FOR 1976, GIVING THE USA IT'S FIRST MISS UNIVERSE IN 9 YEARS?

The Answer, 72 Contestants including Barbara competed in Lee Theatre in Hong Kong Island when it aired on CBS with an Audio Stereo Simulcast on Rhythm Radio on July 10th, 1976 but in Hong Kong it's July 11, 1976 and it aired on TVB (Television Broadcasts Limited) as they will select the 25th anniversary Miss Universe.

However all 72 contestants were introduced, I Have Some Bad News, Miss USA didn't make the Top 12 as Barbara Peterson became the First Miss USA Title to fail to advance to the Semi-Finals of the Pageant but for the Good News, Hong Kong's Rowena Lam made it to the Top 12, along with all of the UK that made the top 12, Pauline Davies from England, Carol Grant from Scotland and Sian Adey-Jones from Wales.

But In The End, Rowena Lam (Hong Kong) and Pauline Davies (England) finished in the Semi-Finals and then the Top 5 was decided and Scotland's Carol Grant and Wales' Sian Adrey-Jones made it thru and in the end it was Israel's Rina Messinger winning Miss Universe however Wales finished 2nd Runner-Up and Scotland finished 3rd Runner-Up

Final Note: Some People who worked behind the Scenes in the 1976 Miss Universe Pageant will later produce a special episode of Almost Anything Goes from Hong Kong which will air on ABC-TV in the United States including Debbie Ng (who would work as a Variety Group Manager for the Special), Peter Lam and Musical Director Joseph Choo.

And Speaking of Almost Anything Goes: ABC aired It's First Season in 1975 with the Finals Being won by the Boulder City (NV) Superstars on August 28, 1975, The Second Season Championship was won by the Chambersburg (PA) Raiders on April 17, 1976 and on April 24, 1976, The Super Final took place as the Boulder City Superstars won beating out the Chambersburg Raiders and a Team of Celebrities from Hollywood, CA which will be called the Tinseltowners, However Almost Anything Goes will be renewed for a 3rd Season on ABC however they will have a Special Holiday Episode to air in December pitting the 1976 National Final Runners Up, The Fort Stockton Comanches (from Ft. Stockton, TX) against a team professional sports stars from the Netherlands and Civilian Contestants from Belgium, Great Britain and Italy.

And Then In September 11, 1976, Miss America 1977 took place however a Few Members of the Selection Comittee had returned from last year consisting of Sports Illustrated's Frank Deford and Ironside's Don Galloway to select to Miss America however Bert Parks hosted this live telecast on NBC as the Opening Number Song "It's Time" being played after Glenn Osser and the Miss America Orchestra starts it up following the drumroll which is sung by all 50 Contestants in the Miss America Chorale along with guest vocalists Debbie Ward (Miss Louisiana 1973), Michelle Pasarelli (Miss Rhode Island 1972) and John Lamont (who did performed on the Dinah Shore) as well as Bert Parks and Phylis George as well as Members of the 1976 Miss America USO Troupe.

However the Pageant itself is won by Dorothy Benham from Minnesota.

Up Next: #1's on Rhythm Radio Countdown along with American Country Countdown and American Top 40 for the Next 13 Weeks of 1976.

 

[stratonapba]

AND NOW THE #1 SONGS ON AMERICAN TOP 40, AMERICAN COUNTRY COUNTDOWN AND THE RHYTHM RADIO COUNTDOWN

July 3, 1976
AT40 (Fourth of July #1's of All-Time): "Silly Love Songs" by Wings
ACC (Songs of the American West): "Arizona Cowboy (Too Lee Roll'Um)" byy Rex Allen
RRC (All-Time Non #1 Songs in the Rhythm Radio Charts): "Jungle Boogie" by Kool & The Gang)

July 10, 1976 (Courtesy of @Duc4AlternateHistory)
AT40: "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" by Alice Cooper
ACC: "El Paso City" by Marty Robbins (3rd Week)
RRC: "The All-American Disco Melody" by the 1976 Miss USA Delegates (5th Week)

July 17, 1976
AT40: "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" by Alice Cooper (2nd Week)
ACC: "The Door is Always Open" by Dave & Sugar
RRC: "Afternoon Delight" by The Starland Vocal Band

July 24, 1976
AT40: "Afternoon Delight" by The Starland Vocal Band
ACC: "Teddy Bear" by Red Sovine
RRC: "Afternoon Delight" by The Starland Vocal Band (2nd Week)

July 31, 1976
AT40: "Kiss and Say Goodbye" by The Manhattans
ACC: "Teddy Bear" by Red Sovine (2nd Week)
RRC: "Afternoon Delight" by The Starland Vocal Band (3rd Week)

August 7, 1976
AT40: "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John & Kiki Dee (Sonny Melendrez guest hosts)
ACC: "Teddy Bear" by Red Sovine (3rd Week)
RRC: "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John & Kiki Dee

August 14, 1976
AT40: "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John & Kiki Dee (2nd Week)
ACC: "Say It Again" by Don Williams
RRC: "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John & Kiki Dee (2nd Week)

August 21, 1976
AT40: "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John & Kiki Dee (3rd Week)
ACC: "Say It Again" by Don Williams (2nd Week)
RRC: "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John & Kiki Dee (3rd Week)

August 28, 1976
AT40: "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John & Kiki Dee (4th Week)
ACC: "Bring It On Home To Me" by Mickey Gilley
RRC: "You Should Be Dancing" by The Bee Gees

September 4, 1976
AT40: "You Should Be Dancing" by The Bee Gees
ACC: "Stand By My Woman Man" by Ronnie Milsap
RRC: "You Should Be Dancing" by The Bee Gees (2nd Week)

September 11, 1976
AT40: "Shake Your Booty" by K.C. & the Sunshine Band
ACC: "I Don't Want to Have to Marry You" by Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius
RRC: "Shake Your Booty" by K.C. & the Sunshine Band

September 18, 1976
AT40: "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry
ACC: "I Don't Want to Have to Marry You" by Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius (2nd Week)
RRC: "A Fifth of Beethoven" by Walter Murphy

September 25, 1976
AT40: "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" by England Dan & John Ford Coley

ACC: "Here's Some Love" by Tanya Tucker

RRC: "A Fifth of Beethoven" by Walter Murphy (2nd Week)

However with @Duc4AlternateHistory having contributions so far for #1's on Rhythm Radio, American Country Countdown and AT40 we need someone else to take the job contributing #1's for the last 13 weeks.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

ACC song listings for the next 13 weeks (last of 1976):
AT40: I'd Really Love to See You Tonight by England Dan & John Ford Corey (2nd Week)
ACC: Here's Some Love by Tanya Tucker (2nd Week)
RRC: A Fifth of Beethoven by Walter Murphy (3rd Week)

AT40: Enjoy Yourself by The Jacksons
ACC: Billy the Kid by Charlie Daniels
RRC: Just to Be Close to You by the Commodores (3rd Week)

-

Another TV-related events:
October 4, 1976: Stumpers and 50 Grand Slam debuted on NBC, while expanding The Doctors to a one-hour show (ITTL, it remains all the way, even to the present day)

July 7, 1980: The Hearst Corporation completes its acquisition of WSM, Inc., operating WSM-AM-FM-TV in Nashville, and also bought Boston Broadcasters, owners and licensee of WCVB-TV in Boston for $125 million.

October 6, 1980: WTVJ and General Electric's WKOA (formerly WCKT) swapped frequencies, with WTVJ going to channel 7 and WKOA going to channel 4.

January 5, 1981: Corinthian Broadcasting's WVEC announces affiliation switch from ABC to CBS.

March 16, 1981: Outgoing CBS affiliate WTKR in Norfolk announces switch to the top-rated ABC.

September 7, 1981: WVEC and WTKR swaps network affiliations, with WVEC going to CBS due to a groupwide affiliation deal with Corinthian Broadcasting, and WTKR going to the number-one ABC.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

Well ultimately on December 11, 1976, Gambit got the axe on CBS, replacing it two days later with Double Dare, a new Goodson-Todman game show.

 

[stratonapba]

Well ultimately on December 11, 1976, Gambit got the axe on CBS, replacing it two days later with Double Dare, a new Goodson-Todman game show.

And Also Double Dare is the 3rd Game Show Hosting Job for Trebek and Johnny Olsen is the Announcer

However the This Show ran until April 29, 1977 however the Theme Music will later be used for another new game show on NBC in 1978.

Executive Producer: Jay Wolpert
Producer: Jonathan Goodson
Taped at: CBS Television City (Hollywood, CA)

 

[stratonapba]

And Now Let's Recap the 1976-1977 NHL Season

Return of a National TV Contract: After Spending One Season without a National Television Contract in the United States after NBC Lost the Rights after the 1974-1975 NHL Season, FOX Television secured the rights to the NHL on Friday Nights prior to this future FOX O&O's aired a syndicated game of the week telecast on Friday Nights as the NHL Network and stations like WNEW in New York, NY (1), KTTV in Los Angeles, CA (1), WFLD in Chicago, IL (1), WTTG in Washington, DC (1), WXIX in Cincinnati, OH, WTCN in Minneapolis, MN (1), WKBD in Detroit (1), WSBK in Boston, MA (1) along with WBFF in Baltimore, WUTV in Buffalo, NY, KRIV in Houston, TX, KTVU in San Francisco, CA (1), WCIX in Miami, FL (1), WTAF in Philadelphia, PA and KDNL in St. Louis, MO all are future affiliates of the FOX Television Network.

However FOX adds the National Hockey League on Friday Nights along with Regional World Football League Coverage on Thursday Nights and Saturday Afternoon Regional Coverage as well as NASCAR Cup Series Racing in which they will have a New Title Sponsor for 1979 and the NHL is one step closer to biggest expansion of the 1980's which could begin after the 1979-1980 season is over.

(1) = OTL WOR in New York, NY (along with WNEW in New York, NY), KHJ in Los Angeles, CA, WSNS in Chicago, IL, WDCA in Washington, DC, WGPR in Detroit, MI, WSBK in Boston, MA, KQED in San Francisco, CA, WPBT in Miami, FL aired the NHL Network IOTL however despite the presence of the Minnesota North Stars there is no NHL Network affiliate in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Area however WXIX in Cincinnati, OH, WBFF in Baltimore, MD, WUTV in Buffalo, NY and KRIV in Houston, TX are a part of the NHL Network IOTL.

The NHL Draft: The Boston Bruins chose Gordie Roberts (LD) as it's Top Draft Choice, LD Doug Wilson is taken by the Detroit Red Wings as Pick #2 then Stan Smyl (RW) went to Atlanta as pick #3.

FINAL STANDINGS

Western Conference: Pittsburgh Penguins (103 Points), Chicago Blackhawks (103 Points), Cleveland Barons (99 Points), Los Angeles Kings (89 Points), St. Louis Blues (80 Points), Minnesota North Stars (74 Points), Vancouver Canucks (59 Points), Colorado Avalanche (51 Points), Atlanta Flames (51 Points)
Eastern Conference: Philadelphia Flyers (108 Points), New York Rangers (106 Points), Montreal Canadiens (86 Points), Detroit Red Wings (81 Points), Toronto Maple Leafs (81 Points), Boston Bruins (78 Points), Buffalo Sabres (75 Points), New York Islanders (69 Points), Washington Capitals (47 Points)

PLAYOFFS

Quarterfinals: Philadelphia def. Detroit 4-3, NY Rangers def. Montreal 4-3, Pittsburgh def. LA Kings 4-1, Cleveland def. Chicago 4-3
Semi-Finals: Philadelphia def. Cleveland 4-1, NY Rangers def. Pittsburgh 4-2
Stanley Cup: Philadelphia def. NY Rangers 4-3

LEAGUE LEADERS

Points - Blaine Stoughton (Pittsburgh) 105
Goals - Jean Pronovost (Los Angeles) 60
Assists - Bobby Clarke (Pittsburgh) 70
Goals Against Average - Don McLeod (Philadelphia) 2.03
Save Percentage - Rogie Vachon (NY Islanders) .920
Wins - Billy Smith (Detroit) 36

WORLD HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

FINAL STANDINGS

West: Winnipeg Jets (93 Points), Houston Aeros (83 Points), Edmonton Oilers (82 Points), Phoenix Roadrunners (63 Points)
East: Indianapolis Racers (94 Points), Quebec Nordiquez (94 Points), San Diego Mariners (94 Points), Birmingham Bulls (89 Points), Minnesota Fighting Saints (75 Points), Calgary Cowboys (71 Points), New England Whalers (70 Points), Cincinnati Stingers (72 Points)

PLAYOFFS

Quarterfinals: Indianapolis def. Minneapolis 4-3, Winnipeg def. Edmonton 4-1, Quebec def. Houston 4-1, Birmingham def. San Diego 4-1
Semi-Finals: Indianapolis def. Winnipeg 4-3, Birmingham def. Quebec 4-3
AVCO World Trophy: Indianapolis def. Quebec 4-3

LEAGUE LEADERS

Points - Gene Peacosh (Quebec) 95
Goals - Tim Sheehy (Winnipeg) 43
Assists - Tom Songin (Calgary) 8
Goals Against Average - Jerome Mrazek (Winnipeg) & Gilles Gratton (Quebec) 2.69
Save Percentage - Gilles Gratton (Quebec) .910
Wins - Michel Larocque (San Diego) 31

 

[DucNguyen0131]

Once the WHA and NHL got merged, it was pretty amazing.
KTVD (1976-83)/KDVR (1983-present) is one of the home stations of the Colorado Avalanche when it was on FOX.

 

[stratonapba]

AFTER THE 1976-1977 NHL SEASON

WHA: 3 Teams have dropped from the WHA the victims are the Calgary Cowboys, The Phoenix Roadrunners and the San Diego Mariners however these teams may be placed for expansion for the 1980's.

WINNERS OF THE FINAL 8 RACES OF THE NASCAR CUP SERIES SEASON

Old Dominion 500 - Dick Brooks
Wilkes 400 - David Pearson
National 500 - James Hylton
American 500 - Richard Petty
Dixie 500 - David Pearson
Texas 500 - Cecil Gordon
Phoenix 500 - Richard Petty
Los Angeles Times 500 - Dave Marcis
1976 Cup Series Champion: David Pearson

#1's on The 3 Radio Countdown Shows

October 2, 1976
AT40 (The 40 Biggest Hits of The Beatles Era): "Hey Jude" by The Beatles
ACC (Top 40 Male Singers of All Time): "Anytime" by Eddy Arnold (along with a Medley of #1 Songs by Eddie Arnold)
RRC (Top 40 Best Choir Drill Performances of 1976): "I Think I Love You" by the Pasadena Eagle Escort (LV: Tammy Haden who was Miss Choir Drill USA That Year)

October 9, 1976
AT40: I'd Really Love to See You Tonight by England Dan & John Ford Corey (3rd Week)
ACC: Here's Some Love by Tanya Tucker (3rd Week)
RRC: A Fifth of Beethoven by Walter Murphy (4th Week)

October 16, 1976
AT40: "Enjoy Yourself" by The Jacksons
ACC: "Billy the Kid" by Charlie Daniels
RRC: "Just to Be Close to You" by the Commodores (1st Week)

October 23, 1976
AT40: "Enjoy Yourself" by The Jacksons (2nd Week)
ACC: "Billy the Kid" by Charlie Daniels (2nd Week)
RRC: "Just to Be Close to You" by the Commodores (2nd Week)

October 30, 1976
AT40: "Enjoy Yourself" by The Jacksons (3rd Week)
ACC: "Billy the Kid" by Charlie Daniels (3rd Week)
RRC: "Just to Be Close to You" by the Commodores (3rd Week)

November 6, 1976
AT40: "Rock 'n Me" by Steve Miller Band
ACC: "Somebody Somewhere" by Loretta Lynn
RRC: "Just to Be Close to You" by the Commodores (4th Week)

November 13, 1976
AT40: "Disco Duck" by Rick Dees
ACC: "Somebody Somewhere" by Loretta Lynn (2nd Week)
RRC: "Just to Be Close to You" by the Commodores (5th Week)

November 20, 1976
AT40: "Tonight's The Night" by Rod Stewart
ACC: "Somebody Somewhere" by Loretta Lynn (3rd Week)
RRC: "Disco Duck" by Rick Dees

November 27, 1976
AT40: "Tonight's The Night" by Rod Stewart (2nd Week)
ACC: "Good Woman Blues" by Mel Tillis
RRC: "The Rubberband Man" by Spinners

December 4, 1976
AT40: "Tonight's The Night" by Rod Stewart (3rd Week)
ACC: "Good Woman Blues" by Mel Tillis (2nd Week)
RRC: "The Rubberband Man" by Spinners (2nd Week)

December 11, 1976
AT40: "The Rubberband Man" by Spinners
ACC: "Thinkin' On a Rendezvous" by Johnny Duncan
RRC: "The Rubberband Man" by Spinners (3rd Week)

December 18, 1976
AT40: "The Rubberband Man" by Spinners (2nd Week)
ACC: "Thinkin' On a Rendezvous" by Johnny Duncan (2nd Week)
RRC: "The Rubberband Man" by Spinners (4th Week)

December 25, 1976 & January 1, 1977
AT40 (Top 100 Songs of 1976): "Silly Love Songs" by Wings

ACC (Top 100 Songs of 1976): "I'll Get Over You" by Crystal Gayle

RRC (Top 100 Songs of 1976): "Love Hangover" by Diana Ross

 

[stratonapba]

And Now a Preview of the 1977 NASCAR Cup Series Season

The Driver Roster

#1 Donnie Allison - Hawaiian Tropic Chevrolet
#2 Bobby Isaac - Cam 2 Motor Oil Chevrolet (Time for a Comeback, Bobby Isaac who was dead IOTL heads to Roger Penske ITTL, Great News!)
#3 Richard Childress - Kansas Jack Chevroet
#4 Gary Myers - Gary Myers Chevrolet
#5 Neil Bonnett - Pocahontas Group Dodge
#7 Dean Dalton - Dalton Racing Chevrolet
#8 Ed Negre - 10,000 RPM Speed Equipment Dodge
#9 Bill Elliott - Dahlonega Ford
#11 Cale Yarborough - Holly Farms Chevrolet
#12 Bobby Allison - 1st National City Travelers Checks Matador
#14 Coo Coo Marlin - Cunningham-Kelley Chevrolet
#15 Buddy Baker - Norris Industries Ford
#16 David Sisco - Sisco Engineering Chevrolet
#18 Joe Frasson - Frasson Racing Chevrolet
#19 Henley Gray - Belden Asphalt Chevrolet
#21 David Pearson - Purolator Mercury
#22 Ricky Rudd - Al Rudd Auto Parts Chevrolet
#24 Cecil Gordon - Cecil Gordon Chevrolet
#25 Ferrel Harris - Robertson Racing Chevrolet
#27 Sam Hommers - M.C. Anderson Chevrolet
#30 Tighe Scott - Scottie's Fashions Chevrolet
#32 Bobby Wawak - Encyclopedia Britannica Chevrolet
#33 Earl Brooks - Handy's Transportation Chevrolet
#40 DK Ulrich - Red Fox Lounge Chevrolet
#41 Grant Adcox - Adcox-Kirby Chevrolet
#42 Marty Robbins - Robbins Racing Dodge
#43 Richard Petty - STP Dodge
#45 Baxter Price - Tire King Chevrolet
#47 Bruce Hill - Bruce Hill Chevrolet
#48 James Hylton - Hylton Engineering Chevrolet
#49 G.C. Spencer - Lady & Son Auction Dodge
#52 Jimmy "Smut" Means - Posey's Auto Parts Chevrolet
#54 Lennie Pond - Ronnie Elder Chevrolet
#57 Dick May - McClure Motors Ford
#61 Joe Mihalic - Mihalic Racing Chevrolet
#64 Tommy Gale/Elmo Langley - Sunny King Ford
#67 Buddy Arrington - Sub-Tropic Dodge
#68 Janet Guthrie - Kelly Girl Chevrolet
#70 JD McDuffie - McDuffie Racing Cherolet
#71 Dave Marcis - K&K Insurance Dodge
#72 Benny Parsons - 1st National City Chavelers Checks Chevrolet
#75 Butch Hartman - Hartman Autocar Chevrolet
#79 Frank Warren - Native Tan/KPRO-AM 1440 Radio Dodge (ITTL Note: KPRO in Riverside, CA is an affiliate of Rhythm Radio)
#88 Darrell Waltrip - Gatorade Chevrolet
#90 Dick Brooks - Truxmore Ford
#91 Terry Bivins/Harold Miller - Bartow Pacing Chevrolet
#92 Skip Manning - 1st National City Travelers Checks Chevrolet
#98 Ralph Jones - Jones Automotive Ford

The 1977 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule

January 16 - Winston Western 500 (Riverside International Raceway - Riverside, CA) - FOX
February 20 - Daytona 500 (Daytona International Speedway - Daytona, FL) - FOX
February 27 - Richmond 500 (Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway - Richmond, VA) - FOX
March 13 - Carolina 500 (North Carolina Speedway - Rockingham, NC) - FOX
March 20 - Atlanta 500 (Atlanta International Raceway - Hampton, GA) - ABC
March 27 - Gwyn Staley 400 (North Wilkesboro Speedway - North Wilkesboro, NC) - FOX
April 3 - Rebel 500 (Darlington Raceway - Darlington, SC) - ABC
April 17 - Southeastern 500 (Bristol International Speedway - Bristol, TN) - FOX
April 24 - Virginia 500 (Martinsville Speedway - Ridgeway, VA) - FOX
May 1 - Winston 500 (Alabama International Motor Speedway - Talladega, AL) - CBS
May 15 - Mason-Dixon 500 (Dover Downs International Speedway - Dover, DE) - FOX
May 29 - World 600 (Charlotte Motor Speedway - Concord, NC) - FOX
June 5 - Golden Gate 300 (Sears Point International Raceway - Sonoma, CA) - FOX
June 12 - Riverside 400 (Riverside International Raceway - Riverside, CA) - CBS
June 19 - Cam 2 Motor Oil 400 (Michigan International Speedway - Brooklyn, MI) - CBS
July 4 - Firecracker 400 (Daytona International Speedway - Daytona, FL) - ABC
July 16 - Nashville 420 (Nashville Speedway - Nashville, TN) - Diamond P Syndication (Will be aired on Future TriNet & ATN Stations)
July 31 - Purolator 500 (Pocono Raceway - Long Pond, PA) - Diamond P Syndication (Will be aired on Future TriNet & ATN Stations)
August 7 - Talladega 500 (Alabama International Motor Speedway - Talladega, AL) - CBS
August 21 - Champion Spark Plug 400 (Wisconsin State Fair Park Speedway - West Allis, WI) - FOX
August 28 - Volunteer 400 (Bristol International Speedway - Bristol, TN) - FOX
September 5 - Southern 500 (Darlington Raceway - Darlington, SC) - FOX
September 11 - Capital City 500 (Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway - Richmond, VA) - FOX
September 18 - Delaware 500 (Dover Downs International Speedway - Dover, DE) - FOX
September 25 - Old Dominion 500 (Martinsville Speedway - Ridgeway, VA) - FOX
October 2 - Wilkes 400 (North Wilkesboro Speedway - North Wilkesboro, NC) - FOX
October 9 - National 500 (Charlotte Motor Speedway - Concord, NC) - ABC
October 16 - American 500 (North Carolina Motor Speedway - Rockingham, NC) - FOX
October 23 - Dixie 500 (Atlanta International Raceway - Hampton, GA) - ABC
October 30 - Texas 500 (Texas World Speedway - College Station, TX) - FOX
November 6 - Phoenix 500 (Phoenix International Raceway - Avondale, AZ) - FOX
November 13 - Los Angeles Times 500 (Ontario Motor Speedway - Ontario, CA) - FOX

 

[stratonapba]

Other Game Shows That Happened since July 1976

- ABC Debuted Family Feud with Richard Dawson on July 12, 1976, The Show is Produced by Mark Goodson & Bill Todman

- Although Daytime Let's Make a Deal on ABC has been Cancelled After 5 Seasons in the ABC Television Center in Hollywood, Let's Make a Deal started it's 6th Season on Syndication by taping the whole season at the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas, NV in addition a New Music Package has been made especially for the new season by Stan Worth.

- FOX Television produced it's first Primetime Game Show which offered contestants to win the Biggest Prize in Television History worth $128,000 as a Revival of the $64,000 Question makes it's debut hosted by Mike Darrow called the $128,000 Question

- Name That Tune with Tom Kennedy kicked off Season 3 on Syndication my responding to what happened to FOX on Reviving the $64,000 Question (as the $128,000 Question) as the Mystery Tunes were established so someone can win $100,000 in Cash ($10,000 a year for the Next 10 Years) and is now called the $100,000 Name That Tune but not only that in January 1977, NBC revived Daytime Name That Tune as The $25,000 Name That Tune however contestants can be well on their way to the mystery tune and win a lump sum of $25,000 in cash.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

There's another game show on the air, Shoot for the Stars, for debut on January 3, 1977 on NBC. Another game show, Second Chance came on the air on March 7, 1977 on ABC.

AT40/ACC/RRC charts of the first 13 weeks of 1977:
AT40: "Mannish Boy" by Muddy Watters
ACC: "Thinkin' On a Rendezvous" by Johnny Duncan (3rd Week)
RRC: The Rubberband Man" by Spinners (5th Week)

I believe new applications for channel 17, channel 50 and channel 22 on the air in Durham/Raleigh/Fayetteville. Channel 22, WLFL signed on by Family TV Communications as a Fox affiliate on January 2, 1977, while channel 17 signed on the air as WPTF-TV by Durham Life Insurance Company, on January 3, 1977 as a NBC affiliate and channel 50 signed on as WJEH (for North Carolina governor James Holshouser) by WJEH-TV, Inc., a group led by North Carolina governor James Holshouser as a TriNet affiliate. WRDU would drop NBC to became an ATN affiliate, which was subsequently sold by Triangle Telecasters to Camelia City Telecasters in 1978, who changed its call letters to WRDC.

WPTF-TV-AM-FM was then sold to Outlet Communications in 1991 and then changed call letters to WNCN in 1995.

 

[stratonapba]

In Addition: I'm going to add a Non-Sports ISOT which will be take place for later

September 1, 1980: FOX Television has bought the entire the Cox Television Stations as KTVU in San Francisco-Oakland, CA kept it's FOX affiliation while WFTV in Orlando switched from ABC to FOX, WSB in Atlanta switched from ABC to FOX, WSOC in Charlotte switched from ABC to FOX, WHIO in Dayton switched from CBS to FOX, WPXI in Pittsburgh switched from NBC to FOX.

May 28, 1993: FOX won the rights to Broadcast Major League Baseball coverage for the 1994 Major League Baseball Season

August 11, 1993: The Day after the Last Miss Teen USA Telecast on CBS, FOX has secured the Rights to the Miss Universe Organization Pageants beginning with the 1994 Miss USA Pageant from South Padre Island, TX which will air on February 11, 1994 however FOX will get the rights to the 1994 Miss Universe Pageant on May 21, 1994 from Pasay, Philippines and the 1994 Miss Teen USA Pageant which will air from Biloxi, MS on August 16, 1994.

December 18, 1993: FOX won bids to Broadcast the National Football League beginning with the 1994 National Football League Season

However to @Duc4AlternateHistory: On Your Previous Post WITI in Milwaukee, WI will still switch to FOX but the big switch will now take place on February 7, 1994 instead of September 4, 1994 so as a Result those CBS affiliates that previously aired the Miss USA Pageant will be joining FOX and that includes WITI in Milwaukee, WAGA in Atlanta, WJBK in Detroit, WJW in Cleveland, WTVT in Tampa, KDFW in Dallas and KTBC in Austin will be airing their First Miss USA Pageant as FOX Affiliates on February 11, 1994 so as a Result FOX will get ready to be a part of the Miss Universe Organization since 1994 and continues to this day.

However by the 1995, The Pageant Network Shuffle will occur so here's what we will see
FOX gets Miss Universe (Including Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, However it did happened IOTL starting in 2015)
ABC gets Miss America (Just like IOTL but it will happen 2 years early ITTL)
NBC gets Miss World (Including Miss World America starting in 1996, So ABC will get the Rights to Miss World as well as the Miss World America Pageant starting in 1992 as Guyrex gets the Rights to the Miss World Contest for the United States)

And There will be a lot more to come when we get to the 1990's so stay tuned!

Up Next: A Look Back at the First 8 Races of the 1977 NASCAR Cup Season by crowning our winners!

 

[DucNguyen0131]

I believe in 1994, SF Broadcasting bought out first Burnham Broadcasting, then McGraw-Hill Broadcasting and Chronicle Publishing Co., which owned a total of 11 stations. Among them obtained by Burnham included WALA-TV in Mobile/Pensacola (NBC), WLUK-TV in Green Bay (NBC), WVUE in New Orleans (ABC) and KHON in Honolulu (NBC) among them obtained by McGraw-Hill included KMGH-TV in Denver (CBS), KERO-TV in Bakersfield (CBS), WRTV in Indianapolis (ABC) and KGTV in San Diego (ABC), and the Chronicle outings include WOWT (NBC), KRON (NBC) and KAKE (ABC).

Group W chose to sign a deal with NBC rather than OTL's CBS, meaning that there was a three-way affiliation swap. I'll change my mind, so Cox Enterprises choses to purchase CBS rather than Westinghouse for $1.6 billion.

The WLUK deal was first acquired on July 29, 1994, followed on August 25 by the remaining three Burnham stations, on September 2 by the McGraw-Hill stations and on September 9 by the Chronicle stations.

New World Communications, instead of purchasing Argyle, purchased Anchor Media rather than OTL's River City Broadcasting in 1992. This means that WSYX in Columbus, WLOS in Asheville-Greenville-Spartanburg and KOVR in Sacramento would switch to FOX.

This has been a non-sports example.

 

[stratonapba]

Alternative Plan for Group W: Since FOX can merge with COX, Group W can merge with CBS so WBZ in Boston and WJZ in Baltimore could join the CBS affiliation stable along with KDKA in Pittsburgh and KPIX in San Francisco and let WCBS in New York, KNXT in Los Angeles, WBBM in Chicago, WCAU in Philadelphia and KMOX in St. Louis to air Evening Magazine and KYW in Philadelphia to be sold to NBC and become the NBC O&O in Philadelphia.

And Also: WNYW will become WFOX in New York and KTTV will become KFOX in Los Angeles and KTVU (despite FOX has absorbed Cox in 1980) will become KSFX in San Francisco and could be moved to Channel 5 so KPIX will become KCBS in San Francisco while KNXT will become KCBH in Los Angeles.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

Alternative Plan for Group W: Since FOX can merge with COX, Group W can merge with CBS so WBZ in Boston and WJZ in Baltimore could join the CBS affiliation stable along with KDKA in Pittsburgh and KPIX in San Francisco and let WCBS in New York, KNXT in Los Angeles, WBBM in Chicago, WCAU in Philadelphia and KMOX in St. Louis to air Evening Magazine and KYW in Philadelphia to be sold to NBC and become the NBC O&O in Philadelphia.

And Also: WNYW will become WFOX in New York and KTTV will become KFOX in Los Angeles and KTVU (despite FOX has absorbed Cox in 1980) will become KSFX in San Francisco and could be moved to Channel 5 so KPIX will become KCBS in San Francisco while KNXT will become KCBH in Los Angeles.

I believe since the FOX/COX merger and the CBS/Group W transaction could led up to WNEP-TV in Scranton, P.A. being sold by NEP Communications to Hearst Corporation in 1985 (owners of WTAE, WBAL, WISN, WSM-TV and WCVB) instead of OTL's The New York Times Company for $500 million.

Also of note, on November 6, 1995, WCVB-TV debuted a new graphics package, designed by LoConte-Goldman Design, and featured "Image News" by Gari Media Group. The same package was later applied to sister stations WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh, WISN in Milwaukee WBAL-TV in Baltimore, WSM-TV in Nashville and WNEP in Scranton, although since WNEP did not use the "Image News" package, they opted to keep Cliff Schwartz's "Move Closer to Your World-esque Theme" instead, and WSM-TV continued to carry "Let the Children Play" by the Miracles as the closing theme for the newscasts.

 

[stratonapba]

RECAPPING THE FIRST SET OF 1977 NASCAR CUP CIRCUIT WITH WINNERS

Winston Western 500 - Cale Yarborough
Daytona 500 - David Pearson
Richmond 500 - Cale Yarborough
Carolina 500 - David Pearson
Atlanta 500 - Dave Marcis
Gwyn Staley 400 - Donnie Allison
Rebel 500 - Buddy Baker
Southeastern 500 - Buddy Arrington

AND ON THE FIRST 13 WEEKS ON AT40-ACC-RRC

January 8, 1977 (Thanks to @Duc4AlternateHistory)
AT40: "Mannish Boy" by Muddy Watters
ACC: "Thinkin' On a Rendezvous" by Johnny Duncan (3rd Week)
RRC: The Rubberband Man" by Spinners (5th Week)

January 15, 1977
AT40: "Nadia's Theme" by Barry DeVorzon & Perry Botkin, Jr. (The Theme from the CBS Daytime Soap Opera, Young and The Restless Hits #1, However it went at #8 on December 18, 1976 but when they switched to the regular countdown on January 8, 1977 it moved to the Top 3)

ACC: "You Never Miss a Real Good Thing" by Crystal Gayle
RRC: "I Wish" by Stevie Wonder

January 22, 1977
AT40: "Nadia's Theme" by Barry DeVorzon & Perry Botkin, Jr. (2nd Week)
ACC: "Let Me Love Be Your Pillow" by Ronnie Milsap
RRC: "Car Wash" by Rose Royce

January 29, 1977
AT40: "Nadia's Theme" by Barry DeVorzon & Perry Botkin, Jr. (3rd Week)
ACC: "Let Me Love Be Your Pillow" by Ronnie Milsap (2nd Week)
RRC: "Car Wash" by Rose Royce (2nd Week)

February 5, 1977
AT40: "Torn Between Two Lovers" by Mary MacGregor
ACC: "Let Me Love Be Your Pillow" by Ronnie Milsap (3rd Week)
RRC: "Car Wash" by Rose Royce (3rd Week)

February 12, 1977
AT40: "Torn Between Two Lovers" by Mary MacGregor (2nd Week)
ACC: "Near You" by George Jones & Tammy Wynette
RRC: "Car Wash" by Rose Royce (4th Week)

February 19, 1977
AT40: "Love Theme From a Star is Born" by Barbara Streisand
ACC: "Moody Blue" by Elvis Presley
RRC: "Enjoy Yourself" by The Jacksons

February 26, 1977
AT40: "Love Theme From a Star is Born" by Barbara Streisand (2nd Week)
ACC: "Heart Healer" by Mel Tillis
RRC: "Enjoy Yourself" by The Jacksons

March 5, 1977
AT40: "Love Theme From a Star is Born" by Barbara Streisand (3rd Week)
ACC: "Heart Healer" by Mel Tillis (2nd Week)
RRC: "Turn The Beat Around" by the Keller High School Indianettes (After Over a Year of Having a High School Choir Drill failing to make it #1, Lead Singer and Captain Janet Richardson and her Keller Indianettes from Keller, TX finally scored their first #1 in the Rhythm Radio Charts also they won some events in Choir Drill Contests in the Dallas Metro area to secure that #1 hit)

March 12, 1977
AT40: "Love Theme From a Star is Born" by Barbara Streisand (4th Week)
ACC: "She's Just an Old Love Turned Memory" by Charlie Pride
RRC: "Turn The Beat Around" by the Keller High School Indianettes (2nd Week)

March 19, 1977
AT40: "Dancing Queen" by Abba
ACC: "Southern Nights" by Glen Campbell
RRC: "Turn The Beat Around" by the Keller High School Indianettes (3rd Week)

March 26, 1977
AT40: "Dancing Queen" by Abba (2nd Week)

ACC: "Southern Nights" by Glen Campbell

RRC: "Dancing Queen" by Abba

 

[DucNguyen0131]

More AT40/ACC/RCC listings of 1977:
AT40: "Dancing Queen" by Abba (3rd Week)
ACC: "Southern Nights" by Glen Campbell (2nd Week)
RRC: "Dancing Queen" by Abba (2nd Week)

AT40: "Career Opportunities" by The Clash
ACC: "Southern Nights" by Glen Campbell (3rd Week)
RRC: "Brick House" by The Commodores

Some non-sporting events:
On September 11, 1978, WHIO and WKEF swap affiliations, with WHIO becoming the ABC outlet, while WKEF bonded with CBS. The swap only lasted two years, due to the FOX/COX merger.

On January 1, 1980, WCBD swaps affiliations with WCIV, with WCIV becoming the ABC outlet and WCBD becoming the NBC outlet. (This didn't happen until August 19, 1996 OTL).

On September 1, 1980, after G.E. purchased WCKT, it was rebranded as WKOA (for the Miami counties Kendall, Olympia Heights and Aventura, also named for sister station KOA-TV in Denver).

On January 2, 1986, Capital Cities spun-off four stations, with WKBW and WTNH going to Allbritton Communications, and WXYZ and WFTS going to Scripps-Howard Broadcasting.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

I believe let's speak of The Love Boat Mermaids now. WTNH had dropped "Move Closer to Your World" in 1991, but for a short-period in 1998-99, we had Score Productions' "ABC News Affiliate Music Package", before "Move Closer to Your World" was reinstated in 1999, this time by TLC.

 

[stratonapba]

I believe let's speak of The Love Boat Mermaids now. WTNH had dropped "Move Closer to Your World" in 1991, but for a short-period in 1998-99, we had Score Productions' "ABC News Affiliate Music Package", before "Move Closer to Your World" was reinstated in 1999, this time by TLC.

Might be a Good Idea, when we get to 1998 but we can find a different vocalist to perform the package like Joy Enriquez or Beth Hart.