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The late, greats Todd Tongen and Ann Bishop on 1/1/93.

In loving memory of WPLG weekend anchor, reporter, and weatherman Todd Tongen.

I've read old newspaper articles about it. Pretty much 3rd place except for a brief year or so around 1985, another blip around 1988, and then became a real #1/#2 in the market around 1995 when NBC went on a streak, they cleaned up the presentation, and Pete Wilson / Pam Moore were the leads.

As those of us over a certain age will remember, this is not a new idea. Back in the days when television stations (other than a few metropolitan powerhouses) went off the air at the end of the broadcast day (usually around 1:00 AM), the national anthem was played. Then, when they signed on again (usually around 4AM), it was played again. Once stations adopted a 24 hour schedule (late 70s/ early 80s), the sign-off/ sign-on routines went away.

Beat me to it. Much respect to Gray for restoring an old tradition.