The Channel 6 Action News Thread

[Action Newsroom 1277]

1 hour ago, MD TV said:

A new 11-minute video about the infamous 1996 theme change

A great video. I don't hate the new theme; I think it's very well made in its own right. The original however is too iconic and intrinsically linked to the city and Delaware Valley to drop, so I totally get the viewers' utter hated of it (I more than likely would've despised it too if I were older then), and I appreciate that the station recognized a mistake was made and quickly rectified it.

[24994J 5568]

I still think the '96 theme, especially the final version we hear at the end, would make a great breaking or election theme, co-existing with the legendary original version.

[HanSolo 154]

Props to turning that one weekend of a different version of the theme into a fun little play on true crime shows. That was a fun way to present it.

 

I do remember hearing it when it debuted and kind of doing a “huh?” type expression…and then moved on with my life. Honestly, it never would have entered my mind to go to the effort of calling to complain about theme music. Clearly, I am part of a very different group of people.

 

I get change can be a little noticeable. Heck the first day WPVI was using the newsroom for their weekend shows a few weeks back, my oft’ oblivious kid did that same kind of “huh?” expression, proceeded to look up that they’re building a new set and promptly moved on with life. Might as well say, I’m also someone who didn’t  care a lick that the weather “clouds” with messages finally went away.

 

In and of itself, I don’t get the angst over the theme. Life moves on, it was just a different recording of the same tune. But I get they got swamped and decided not to go back down that road again. And now are goofing on it.

[Flyer78 66]

6 hours ago, 24994J said:

I still think the '96 theme, especially the final version we hear at the end, would make a great breaking or election theme, co-existing with the legendary original version.

 

The "final remix" sounds great, but I do wonder how much of that is 2024 post-production capabilities... But to your point, so what, it does sound great (and better than the "bootleg" theme). 

 

So the question remains: will it debut (in parts) with the new set (no.).

 

 

[susquvalleywgal 517]

1 hour ago, Flyer78 said:

 

The "final remix" sounds great, but I do wonder how much of that is 2024 post-production capabilities... But to your point, so what, it does sound great (and better than the "bootleg" theme). 

 

So the question remains: will it debut (in parts) with the new set (no.).

 

 

 

What a great video.  The finished product sounds very good and polished even 28 years later.  I would say keep the new long theme for the end of the newscasts.  

 

It's not that bad Philly.  I know change is hard.  But it's 2024.  You have a new set coming soon.  It's okay to change, just a little. 

 

-- Matt 

[Mrknowitall526 115]

I came here to post about this   It was fun to watch, BUT, totally not worthy of getting a push alert about it on my phone!

[HanSolo 154]

2 hours ago, susquvalleywgal said:

 

 I would say keep the new long theme for the end of the newscasts.  

 

With the sponsorship plugs, and pushing to the timing limit, there’s not much need for a long theme. They’re most often talking over the lyrics now, and frequently have only a few seconds before the inevitable close-of-show billboard. 

[ekt8750 50]

15 hours ago, Flyer78 said:

 

The "final remix" sounds great, but I do wonder how much of that is 2024 post-production capabilities... But to your point, so what, it does sound great (and better than the "bootleg" theme). 

 

So the question remains: will it debut (in parts) with the new set (no.).

 

 

 

Not much. He was still working off 1996 era masters. If you take a listen to any high quality versions of its contemporaries of that period it sounds pretty much the same. 

 

Knowing what we know now, it makes perfect sense that what debuted in '96 was an unbaked recording that had no business being aired. I always thought to myself that it sounded like it was recorded from the nosebleeds of a cheap concert hall with poor acoustics. Now that we finally got what the finished product was supposed to sound like, I really love it. I doubt 6 would ever entertain using it in any capacity though but it's nice to have out there.

[312newswannabe 11]

I wish Chicagoans revolted the same way when WLS get rid of their iconic News Series 2000 theme. 

[wofchristian 45]

11 hours ago, 312newswannabe said:

I wish Chicagoans revolted the same way when WLS get rid of their iconic News Series 2000 theme. 

It’s doesn’t have the same recognition MCTYW does. WLS had numerous themes before News Series 2000 in the 90s, and they were only number 1 in the market for a few newscasts by just a hair against WGN.
 

For WPVI, besides the short lived “Action News” theme, they have used MCTYW since 1973, and there are commercials from 1979 showing that MCTYW was already a favorite in Philly. Thats because WPVI has always been the number 1 station in the market by a long shot.

[E. R. 67]

On 9/20/2024 at 7:55 PM, Action Newsroom said:

A great video. I don't hate the new theme; I think it's very well made in its own right. The original however is too iconic and intrinsically linked to the city and Delaware Valley to drop, so I totally get the viewers' utter hated of it (I more than likely would've despised it too if I were older then), and I appreciate that the station recognized a mistake was made and quickly rectified it.

Could it still be re-recorded today? Not as drastically as the 1996 version, of course.

[MediaZone4K 2165]

The remixed theme didn't sound that bad, it was just slightly more serious. It could have been preserved for special report cut ins or braking news. 

 

As the old saying goes, if it ain't broke don't fix it. Some themes are too iconic to switch, Action News is one of them and (Off topic) the Today theme is another. Still hoping NBC brings that back. 

Edited September 23, 2024 by MediaZone4K

[SF1964 63]

Former 6ABC'er Jeff Skversky was on Fox 29's Phantastic Sports Show Monday night.

[MD TV 255]

The new set is live.

[NewsInMotion 1]

WPVI debuted their new set today (September 26th) on Action News at Noon! Very impressive.

Edited September 26, 2024 by NewsInMotion

[HanSolo 154]

Indeed it is. In bits and pieces of glimpses so far (ok, I know it’s early on, just having some fun)

[Action Newsroom 1277]

Here are some pics of the set I was able to grab during the live stream. So far,  incredible.

[ThunderJay27 45]

Here is the full studio tour given by Adam Joseph.

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/M5PHqWgUz5RG6Yxp/?mibextid=oFDknk

[WeatherandTraffic 54]

6 hours ago, Action Newsroom said:

Here are some pics of the set I was able to grab during the live stream. So far,  incredible.

It looks ok, I just hope they don't keep doing the full weather segments in front of that monitor, I prefer the full segments at the green screen or at least zoom in closer and have the meteorologists stand closer as the graphics don't go across the monitors. Overall, I think this is a downgrade from their previous set and it was unneeded for them. 

[HanSolo 154]

Absolutely love the upgrades, especially the use of a screen for the weather. May the green screen remain banished to the nether regions of the studio. In the year of our lord

2024, it’s nice to step beyond the old conventions and upgrade technology.

 

The desk looks nice, the presentation areas are better, the entire theme is fresher and brighter. 

[24994J 5568]

The green screen is still in use.

[HanSolo 154]

22 minutes ago, 24994J said:

The green screen is still in use.

At 4 and 5 only for traffic. The monitor looks great. 

[sfomspphl 490]

Highs: The stand up story area is impressive, nice depth with the cityscape behind. So is the weather center and side 3 shot of the weather anchor next to the desk with the 6 logo and cityscape in the distance

 

Lows: The main center shot of the anchors. That curved monitor is too close and the graphic they chose is too bold, it overpowers the talent. Looks too confined. Weather by a monitor is OK for a moment, but hard to read, need a huge wall or green screen to get the elements big and easy to read. 

[Flyer78 66]

First day, first impressions: I think it looks rather modern and an evolution of their prior set. They definitely are moving more towards more stand-up locations than they ever had before. 

 

New weather center looks massive. Two different touch-screens will be interesting, as it seems they stopped using it on the old set (at least the shows I caught). Also curious if the "office windows" that have the blue 6abc logos will be weather-aware. (The logo is showing rain...)

 

Everything seems to be high-resolution LED, with exception of a couple screens in the weather center. I think their weather graphics need a little tuning, and may look better over time. 

 

I wonder if the "skyline" graphics "behind" the various screens are also LED - different view day/night so far, but if they can use more than two or three set daypart views, that could also be a nice touch. (Of course, they could have done this with their old set and didn't... so I won't get my hopes up.)

 

Wonder why they still have traffic on the chromakey, rather than just use one of the many screens (could be a resolution issue for sure...)

[rear_flank 43]

Here are the weather hits from the noon, 4, 5 and 6 broadcasts

 YouTube