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[@WRALdirector80s]

I was one of the directors at WFMY during this transition period. Jack Hilliard directed the 6PM and I directed the 11PM newscast. For me, this was the best time at WFMY. Tom Sattizahn (Magid) did a great job. Station was now under control of Harte Hanks Communication. The GM was Mark Conrad. Larry Perret served as EP, fresh from Colorado. Bruce MacCallum from Colorado as well. They did base the look on Gannett's successful format at KBTV (now KUSA). The newscast finally had life!

[@WRALdirector80s]

Jay Wilkinson did a great job lighting the set and working out the logistics for other pieces of the new set. In 1981 I left WFMY for WRAL. Within 6 months, WRAL totally revamped their newscast to reflect newsroom activity.

[@CheekLife]

Hey Jim what years were you at WFMY? The way you described the station while you were there is exactly how it seems now...while the station was once the top rated in the triad in its prime its now in the bottom after getting a new GM back in '11 who had so called experience but I've not noticed any significant changes that would help the station in the long run.

[@fr.jimwatersfranciscanprie7187]

hello.. just found this again. was there from 73-93. At one time we had really high standards .once Magid came in we were screwed. Then with Gannett they gave us lists of words to use and not use.. rules that if you interviewed a white .. you had to have a minority. place was destroyed.. hated it by the time I left on disability.

[@JimmySand9]

I said it before, but it bears repeating. WFMY had a really Gannettish look at the time, though they wouldn't be owned by them for another 5 or so years. Lower 3rds with the anchors signature, lots of live reports, and red, white, and blue out the wazoo. All hallmarks of Gannett stations in the early to mid 80's.

[@mikma]

MIKMA WAS HERE

[@ZoneCountry]

RIP, Frank Magid.