50 years ago today marks the beginning of the 1968 riots and unrest in Baltimore City. On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. On April 6, riots broke out in Baltimore. By April 12, 1968, the city had several deaths, many more injured, and an estimate of $8-10 million … Continue reading Baltimore ’68 Riots & Unrest
WJZ’s Unknown Series
The Unknown Series is just what it sounds like: a large series of items that had unclear labels as to what series they should actually belong to. This is a great series to keyword search. If you would like to watch any of the films and videos in the below inventories that have not yet … Continue reading WJZ’s Unknown Series
WJZ’s “PM Magazine” Series
Even though the show was called "Evening Magazine" in Baltimore, MARMIA has a series called "PM Magazine"--it's the same show, the tapes just had a different label. Read more about "Evening Magazine" here. If you would like to watch any of the films and videos in the below inventories that have not yet been digitized, … Continue reading WJZ’s “PM Magazine” Series
This is Baltimore! Help to Save its History
Donate now https://vimeo.com/228746346 The above is a short selection from "This is Baltimore!", a promotional film that was made for the WJZ-TV station in 1959. We need your help to save more historic footage like this! Visit our fundraiser to make a tax-deductible donation. Special thanks to Colorlab in Rockville, Maryland for the in-kind transfer!
WJZ’s “Eyewitness News”
The first "Eyewitness News" format began in 1959 at a local television station in Cleveland (now WKYC-TV), which was a Group W-owned station. It was the United States' first 90-minute local newscast and defined the role of the reporter as a “witness” to news events for its audiences. Following its success, the other Group W … Continue reading WJZ’s “Eyewitness News”
WJZ’s “Evening Magazine”
During the summer of 1976, a San Francisco CBS affiliate station (KPIX) owned by Westinghouse Broadcasting (AKA Group W), premiered a local weeknight television news and entertainment series titled "Evening: The MTWTF Show", eventually christened "Evening Magazine". The show was designed to add a local focus to news. This show was created in reaction to … Continue reading WJZ’s “Evening Magazine”
WJZ’s “People are Talking”
The following post was written by guest blogger, Eli Pousson, of Baltimore Heritage. One of the many unique shows in the WJZ-TV collection recently acquired by MARMIA is "People Are Talking"—a morning program most famously hosted by Oprah Winfrey and Richard Sher. Then 24-year-old Winfrey's popularity as a co-host of the program led her to … Continue reading WJZ’s “People are Talking”
WJZ’s “Square Off”
Next in our highlights from the WJZ-TV Collection, we look at a program that has been airing on Baltimore TV for 30 years. "Square Off", hosted by Richard Sher, started broadcasting on WJZ-TV in 1975. It consists of the host and several guests who debate on either a local or national politic topic. The show … Continue reading WJZ’s “Square Off”
The WJZ-TV Collection Has Been Moved!
We have great news: we were able to complete the physical move of the WJZ-TV Collection from the University of Baltimore's Langsdale Library to MARMIA's storage facility! It took a crew of six on our end, several of the University of Baltimore's staff, two trips in a 26 foot truck, and about 12 hours on … Continue reading The WJZ-TV Collection Has Been Moved!
Baltimore and Beyond
In the last few blog posts, we have focused on highlighting local TV shows that WJZ-TV produced: you could see your teacher recite poetry and your friends dance to a local band, or you could learn about the history of Baltimore's Pennsylvania Avenue and traditions from the Eastern Shore. We hate to admit it, … Continue reading Baltimore and Beyond
