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"Big
13"
A historical
TV web site
dedicated to
WTVT,
Channel 13
Tampa, Florida
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From 1955 to 1994, WTVT was Tampa Bay's CBS Television Affiliate.
Serving
the community with talented personalities, a top-notch production
team,
and Florida's most professional news, sports, and weather,
Channel 13 is one of most distinguished television stations in the country
with a wonderful history.
This site covers WTVT's 39 years of CBS affiliation,
before
"Big 13" became "Fox 13."
See behind-the-scenes & historical
photos and read about those who worked there.
Created & Managed by Mike Clark,
WTVT Employee 1972-1977
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"Big 13" is maintained by a former employee of
WTVT.
This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the current owners
of WTVT. |
FOX 13 has its own history page!
Included are classic promos and rare videos
PLUS the WTVT 50th Anniversary Tribute
produced by the BIG 13 site for the 2005 Employee Reunion.
CLICK HERE to visit the Fox 13 History Page
A Major Television Event!!
BIG 13 WEBMASTER, MIKE CLARK, (seen as a youngster in his
WTVT portrait) WILL
BE GUESTING ON THE TAMPA NATIVES SHOW THIS THURSDAY, MAY 17,
STARTING AT 6:30PM. THE TOPIC? BIG 13, OF COURSE, BUT
THERE'S MORE!
MIKE IS SHOWING A PREVIOUSLY UN-AIRED INTERVIEW WITH MARY ELLEN.
AND THERE'S A SPECIAL LIVE INTERVIEW VIA TELEPHONE WITH WFLA'S
"UNCLE BRUCE" RODRICK FROM HIS HOME IN MINNESOTA.
SUBSCRIBERS TO BRIGHTHOUSE CABLE IN TAMPA CAN WATCH THE PROGRAM
LIVE AT 6:30 ON CHANNEL 950.
VERIZON CUSTOMERS CAN WATCH ON CHANNEL 30.
COMCAST USERS CAN WATCH ON CHANNEL 20
IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN TAMPA YOU CAN WATCH ON THE INTERNET!
GOT TO
http://www.tampanativesshow.com
ON THE HOMEPAGE YOU'LL SEE A "WATCH US" LINK TO THE SHOW.
YOU CAN ALSO CALL IN LIVE WITH QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
JOIN THE FUN THURSDAY, MAY 17th AT 6:30PM!
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CONGRATULATIONS
DUANE MARTIN! |
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WTVT uber-engineer Duane Martin
retired this month after 41 years of service to the station.
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Duane helped Channel 13 usher in the age of ENG back in 1975
with the design and construction of ENG-1, the first Tampa Bay
area newsvan equipped for live video (via microwave)
capabilities.
In March of 1976 Duane was
running camera in a helicopter hovering 500 feet over Tampa as
Hugh Smith made the historic live announcement that WTVT could
cover the news live...anywhere...anytime!
Duane was always on the cutting edge and part of WTVT's
expansion into satellite news coverage...but that's just a small
part of his enormous impact at the station. Here's some
comments from WTVT veterans Lloyd Sower and Jule McGee: |
I've worked with Duane for more than 25 years. He is one
of the most capable and versatile people I have ever worked
with. He is a technical genius. During one hurricane, we were in
Naples. The roof of our satellite truck developed a severe leak
and flooded the main electronics panel. All of the lights were
either flashing or out. All of the meters were pegged. I was
sure that it was the end for us. But Duane found the truck's
schematics and was able to rewire or bypass damaged components.
He had us back on the air in 90 minutes.
Beneath his battle-hardened exterior is a soft , personable
side. He cared a lot about his co-workers and the station he
served with such distinction for so long. We're going to miss
him. -- LLOYD SOWERS
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*
*
*
Duane
Martin
will be missed in Tampa Bay broadcast community. I know of no
other remote field engineer with the smarts and skills of Duane.
He was also a cunning and a very competitive newsperson which is
rare for a news photographer and engineer. He was our area's
first ENG photographer and live truck operator.
Any major news event we covered in Tampa area in the last 40
years had Duane's finger prints all over it. When the Sunshine
Skyway fell, his feeds of that accident were seen around the
world. I also will remember when WFLA TV lost
AC power after a main electric feed line was cut, Martin took
our satellite truck and big generator, provided power and got
them back on the air.
Hopefully he can now be free to enjoy some of his other
great loves. Like our oceans, wild rivers, peaceful lakes and
meandering trout streams.
Thank you Duane -- you always cast a
tall shadow! – JULE McGEE
Duane Martin (in red sweater) surrounded by WTVT veterans in
2008.
(Standing) Mak Makinen, Howard Shapiro, Jule McGee, Mike Clark
(Sitting) Duane Martin, Jim Benedict |
ONLY THE BIG 13 SITE:
A Mary Ellen Adventure!
See Mary Ellen and The Pirate in this exclusive 16mm digital transfer.
CLICK HERE
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