BANGOR, Maine
(NEWS CENTER) -- The first television broadcasts came from our studios on Mount Hope Avenue on September 12, 1954. At that time The call letters for Channel 2 were WTWO. Early in the summer of 1958 William Rines would take over and rename the station WLBZ-2
Shows like "Howdy Doody" were on the air and the legendary Eddie Driscoll's first show "Toby Time" starring a puppet named Toby. Eddie Driscoll went on to produce a number of shows over the decades,
"Mason Mutt", "Coffee Time", "My Backyard," "Grover Swale", "Uncle Gory", "Chef Eduardo", and "Weird".
"Aunt Edna's Lollipop Shop" was the first live children's program, Al and Aileen Rawley were local entertainers too who brought their talent to viewers over the airwaves.
News was also a big part of the identity of WLBZ-2. The anchor teams have changed over the years, but some familiar faces remain in the news family. Bill Green and Don Carrigan started their careers on-air in Bangor in the 1970's.
There have been big changes in technology over the years. Studio cameras of the 1950's were tube cameras that broadcast in Black and White. Our new camera's are High Definition cameras that are controlled remotely with a joystick. Weather was delivered in front of a chalkboard where maps were drawn. Now we use green screen technology and sophisticated weather animation, live radar, and computer modeling. We use to shoot on film, then videotape in various formats, and finally SD cards.
Editing, was done by splicing film, then tape to tape editing machines, and now it's all on laptops using editing software.
We use to need trucks with 40 feet tall masts or satellite dishes to do live broadcasts. Now we can do it with a live remote unit that fits in a backpack.
Other big changes inlclude the arrival of the internet and social media, creating a news cycle where information can be shared instantaneously. We deliver content on-air, online, and on mobile devices. News staffers now produce stories for broadcast, update facebook and twitter pages throughout the day, and publish stories for the station's websites.
In addition to keeping people informed and entertained we continue to champion a number of public service campaigns including Coats for Kids, Buddy to Buddy, Feed Maine, 2 Those Who Care, and Teens Who Care.
One thing that hasn't changed is our commitment to the communities we serve Something we've been doing for 60 years and hope to do for another 60.
