WPTV and WSM to become ABC affiliation in the 80s

[DucNguyen0131]

December 29, 1987

Only two weeks after the original Japanese release, Capcom U.S.A., Inc. would release Mega Man on the Nintendo Disk System. It proves to be popular, becoming the fast-rising Disk System video game title ever made.

Capcom U.S.A. believes that they would help them save most of the players who could build the game.

The game requires all battery backup saving as usual, as all of the Disk System video game titles.

Most players believe there are three save game slots found for the game. Any of the save slots would be erased.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

January 6-10, 1988

The Winter Consumer Electronics Show is out! New Nintendo licensees is on! Acclaim Entertainment is recently released Wizards & Warriors, while they had to publish Rambo: First Blood Part II for the NES, and a new Disk System game Topple Zip, which cost $39.95.

Bandai will have Aerobics, for use with the Family Fun Fitness, and the Dragon Power, for the Nintendo Disk System. Capcom USA will have Mega Man for the Nintendo Disk System, plus GunSmoke, Bionic Commando, Speed Rumbler and 1943, all new for the Nintendo Disk System.

Sony Interactive Entertainment is getting a new Nintendo Disk System title Final Fantasy, a project by Square, the Japanese developer, plus new titles from upstart Silicon Video Software on the Nintendo Cassette System, Stash, Genius and My Dysfunctional Life. Data East has one due out Karnov. Another one was Dr. Chaos and Ultima, which came from FCI. Upstart GameTek will have five titles on the Nintendo Disk System, Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune, Hollywood Squares, The Price is Right and Password.

Jaleco USA will be a new license with two games City Connection and Bases Loaded. Konami will have Contra and Jackal, both for the Nintendo Disk System. LJN Toys introduced two Disk System titles T&C Surfing and Skateboarding and Major League Baseball. Mindscape appears have two Disk System titles Bad Street Brawler and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Sunsoft is demonstrating two Disk System titles Xenophobe and Freedom Force, as well as two Cassette System titles, originally by animator Don Bluth, Dragon's Lair and Space Ace.

Taito America will have Renegade for the NES, and Bubble Bobble for the Famicom Disk System. Tecmo would have new titles Tecmo Baseball, Tecmo Football and Star Force II for the Nintendo Disk System. Tengen, the Atari Games subsidiary is giving them two new Disk System games Gauntlet and The Living Daylights, and two NES games Star Wars and R.B.I. Baseball. Newcomer Tradewest would bring Double Dragon to the Famicom Disk System, as well as Super Dodge Ball and John Elway's Quarterback, also Disk System video game titles.

Ultra Software Corporation, the subsidiary of Konami is now a licensee in its own right with Metal Gear, and Skate or Die for the Nintendo Disk System, and Vic Tokai would have four Disk System titles, Aigina's Prophecy and Chesterfield, plus Terra Cresta and Golgo 13. Nintendo of America qould demonstrate the new Action Set with Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt, plus the new titles Ice Hockey for the Disk System, Dragon Warrior for the NES, R.C. Pro Am for the Nintendo Disk System and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, also a Disk System game, and the company saw success with the most anticipated Disk System game Metroid. Nintendo also has the Compact Disk System for the NES, and the new QuadSystem.

For Sega, we have something on the Winter CES 1988, and we have Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars, After Burner and Global Defense for the Master System Disk Drive, plus Cassette System games like Dragon's Lair and the Odyssey Video game Solar Jungle.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

January 11, 1988

Details for the Japanese Famicom Compact Disk System is underway! It was exactly like it was in the Cassette System, except with CD-ROM replacing the VHS cassette. Again, Sony developed the product.

It was expected to be out in late first quarter of 1988 in Japan, and will be planned for Q3 1988 in US and 1989 in Europe.

This paved the way for the creation of the Super Famicom with its own CD-ROM addon.

The QuadSystem combo cart is underway, also the same time the Compact Disk System was to come out.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

January 14, 1988

Sun Corporation of America has listed an April 1988 release listing of the Cassette System adaptations of the hit titles Dragon's Lair and Space Ace, both titles originally conceived by animator Don Bluth.

Sunsoft says they would release Xenophobe on the Nintendo Disk System. Programming is underway sooner from Sunsoft's Japanese branch.

Both three of them were licensed games. Although Freedom Force is original, Xenophobe is licensed from Bally/Midway and Dragon's Lair and Space Ace were both licensed from Sullivan Bluth Studios.

Both Dragon's Lair and Space Ace were two of the top-selling laserdisc arcade video games ever made.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

January 19, 1988

As this month reveals the Taito title Renegade and the Data East game Karnov, and Sega is doing Penguin Land, Silicon Video Software proposes more large-size movie titles. One of the titles, My Dysfunctional Life came out in the March of 1988.

Sony Interactive Entertainment is developing more Nintendo technologies that was due out later that year.

Nintendo had to release the Nintendo Keyboard Adapter, a localized version of the Family BASIC for the Nintendo Entertainment System, due out this year.

Sega announces the Mega Drive, which was out this year, as well as backward compatibility support from Sega Mark III, SG-1000 and SC-1000, along with a new keyboard adapter and a new 16-bit graphic refresh.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

January 21, 1988

It is reported that LBS Communications, Inc. signed an agreement with Mark Goodson Productions for new incarnations for both Family Feud and Beat the Clock, designed for a fall 1988 clearance.

Both of the NBC O&Os saw clearance on both of these shows, and among others were Taft and Cox.

Both of them were originated by Mark Goodson Productions. Beat the Clock first introduced in the early 50s, while Family Feud arrived in the mid 70s.

Both programs were designed so it was suited well more for the audience membership and the focus group members.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

January 25, 1988

Syndicator MGM/UA Television (which had butterflied away its Turner purchase in 1986) is unveiling a television version of the Computer Entertainer magazine show that was to debut in the fall of 1988 in first-run syndication.

Computer Entertainer: The Television Show is a low budget partner to the magazine, and showcased many new and upcoming video games.

This series was produced by Saban Entertainment and Four Star International, with MGM/UA Television distributing the series.

It is expected that Computer Entertainer: The Television Show would be the first video game magazine-based television series.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

January 29, 1988

Nintendo says they had to work on the Super Famicom, a new 16-bit game console due out in order to take some time to study. Nintendo and Sony had been in the process of developing Famicom Compact Disk System, to be released and packed with Super Mario Bros. 3.

Sega thought they would work on a new 16-bit game console the Sega Mega Drive.

The NEC PC Engine is already out, and it was expected to be released next year as the TurboGrafx-16 in the US.

Atari is near underway for the Atari 10400, the new VHS-based game console, with cartridge and floppy ports, modeled on the Atari ST.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

February 2, 1988

NEC announced that a genuine VHS and CD-ROM adapter for the NEC PC Engine was in the works. Hudson Soft was in the process of developing both VHS and CD-ROM adapters, and make use of important technology.

NEC signed a deal with Hasbro to localize their titles to the NEC PC Engine VHS adapter.

Both of these titles were expected to be out later this year.

The Atari 10400 was demonstrated with a US price of $200, which is the most cheaper price to go along with the Nintendo Entertainment System, and it will soon ship with the Hasbro-producing titles Night Trap and Sewer Shark. Atari had a Chicago office led by programmer D. Scott Williamson to create a Hasbro-esque FMV game.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

February 5, 1988

MGM/UA's Computer Entertainer: The Television Show is gaining clearance with Fox Television Stations the first to come out of the group, along with TVX Broadcast Group and Cox Broadcasting.

It will be 26 weeks as a Saturday program, and send in recordings of themselves, explaining tips and codes for games.

It showcased new and upcoming video games for NES, Sega Master System, Atari 7800 and Intellivision, as well as the Commodore 64, Amiga, IBM PC and Atari ST systems.

Among the stations who had clearance was WTTV-TV in Indianapolis, which Cox is about to buy and merge with channel 59 in Indianapolis.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

February 9, 1988

Fox affiliate KSTU in Salt Lake City is the one who gets clearance of the new television program Computer Entertainer: The Television Show, the new MGM/UA syndicated show viewers could play.

Atari says it's waiting for the three initial Hasbro-produced titles was in post-production, and Atari 10400 would get Summer CES 1988 coverage.

Another game show effort of 1988 was The Gong Show, developed as a primetime effort for NBC, whereas The Newlywed Game would air on ABC daytime.

Fox says they declared wait on the game show Wipeout to premiere next month, the first for a daytime game show, pairing up with a revival of Gambit, after experimenting success with The Late Show and its weekend primetime lineup.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

February 12, 1988

The new state-of-the-art VHS based Atari 10400, developed by the engineering team at Hasbro is being demonstrated, previously at the Winter CES 1988, now got the rights to do a live-action project.

The newest live-action project based out of Atari's Chicago office, led by Steve Ryno, and programmer D. Scott Williamson, had signed up Deidre Hall, star of Our House, and used-to-be star of Days of Our Lives for the leading role.

The yet-to-be-named project, based out of Chicago offices, was an interactive movie that is about a grandmother who is alerted by a dysfunctional family, and your grandmother is about to be played, and the ending varies.

Other Atari 10400 titles in development were Night Trap, Sewer Shark and Citizen X, which was developed by Hasbro.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

February 15, 1988

It is reported that WOFL-TV in Orlando and KCPQ in Seattle are the latest ones were in desire of picking up the newest syndicated game Computer Entertainer: The Television Show, from MGM/UA Television.

Saban Productions and Four Star International are producing the series in association with MGM/UA Television, a unit of MGM/UA Entertainment Co.

It will be based on the Computer Entertainer magazine, which details on the latest updates on video games.

Two of the stations gained national attention for airing this program, so they could reach a viewer increase on both programs.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

February 18, 1988

There are new game shows in development for the 1988-89 season. These are Columbia Pictures Television's Winfall, produced by Merv Griffin Enterprises and it was set to be hosted by Clint Holmes (the first MGE show to be distributed by CPT) and NBC's The Gong Show.

Fox is experimenting success with The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers and its successful weekend primetime lineup, venturing into the first daytime game show Wipeout, to be debuted in the March of 1988. Host will be Peter Tomarken (formerly of ABC's Bargain Hunters) and co-host was Anna Rapagna. Rob Dames and Bob Fraser are producing for Paramount Network Television.

Fox also had another show Money in the Blank, with host Henry Polic II (formerly of ABC's Double Talk), which also premiered after Wipeout, with Johnny Gilbert serving as announcer, and Bob Stewart producing.

The young network also appeals to the game show audience, cited Jamie Kellner, executive of the Fox Broadcasting Company and hopes to succeed what the late night show and the weekend primetime lineup is doing.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

February 22, 1988

CBS announced that they would pick up a new hour-long program The Howard Stern Show for a new late night entry, with the intention of moving up CBS Late Night to follow Stern. This came after a deal by the upstart Fox Broadcasting Company was aborted.

The show was planned on to be taped at the WCBS-TV studios in New York City. It was based on the radio show of the same name.

CBS hoped that Stern would compete with The Tonight Show, and the best way possible to compete is that they would make a bigger audience.

It is reported that Stern would succeeded while most CBS late efforts have been failed. (This butterflies OTL's Pat Sajak Show, as well as the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike away). Fox is planning on to launch Monday nights for the fall of 1988 with Angels '88 and City Court.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

February 25, 1988

The Federal Communications Commission had approved two transactions in Indianapolis, which are Cox Broadcasting's acquisition of WTTV-TV in Indianapolis, and Tri-State Christian Television's acquisition of WPDS.

WTTV would soon to become a Fox Broadcasting Company affiliate once Cox took control of the station.

Cox also owns newly-acquired stations like WFTV in Orlando, as well as Evening News Association-inherited stations like WDVM in Washington, D.C.

Cox is one of the majority investors who held Entertainment Tonight, along with Paramount Pictures and Taft Broadcasting.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

February 29, 1988

A week after receiving FCC approval, Cox Broadcasting (owners of 5 ABC, 4 CBS, 3 independent and 1 NBC affiliate) is preparing on finalize the order on acquiring WTTV in Indianapolis, the top independent.

WTTV merged its stronger programming with WPDS in Indianapolis, and becoming a charter Fox affiliate.

Meanwhile, Tri-State Christian Television's deal with WPDS is finalized, with WPDS becoming a Christian station.

WTTV is the nation's one and only independent. The new owners, Cox Broadcasting had hopes to expand its news operation with a morning newscast.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

March 3, 1988

Work is underway in post-production on the first Silicon Video Software title, to be published for the Nintendo Cassette System by Sony Interactive Entertainment, to be shipped in the summer of 1988.

Thus the subsequent 1988 Writers Guild of America strike was butterflied away, allowing for new shows to be premiered.

Fox was considering a new project Cops, to be debuted first on the O&Os, followed by a successful network run.

Silicon Video Software is an authorized Nintendo developer license, and decided that Silicon Video Software would develop full-scale video titles.

 

[stratonapba]

March 7, 1988: FOX had started up with Not One but Two New Game Shows as Money in the Blank hosted by Henry Polic II and Wipeout hosted by Peter Tomarken makes it debut however prior to the premiere of Wipeout co-host Anna Rapagna has resigned giving the Game Board to have Video Screens instead of Trilons and a New Theme Music for that show was used composed by Otis Connor Productions (in which they are known for composing a Custom News Music Package for KOB in Albuquerque, NM which was first used a year ago however WROC in Rochester, NY will be using it IOTL in 1992, More on that when we get there.) however Peter Tomarken is also hosting a Syndicated Game Show called Press Your Luck which is entering Season 4 which is running the CBS O&O's.

 

[DucNguyen0131]

OK. Let's get the rapidly growing Fox network grow.