The RCA TK76 and PM Magazine

The RCA TK76 and PM Magazine

It is no small coincidence that both launched in 1976. PM originally started in San Francisco on KPIX as Evening Magazine and was created to run as a local program in the half hour preceding prime time. A new FCC ‘Prime Time Access’ rule, prohibited stations in the top 50 markets from accepting network programming, other than network news before prime time in order to ‘serve the local market’.

By ’78, The PM format became syndicated by Group W (Westinghouse), and was built to feature local stories shot on location on videotape. Before the TK76 ENG (Electronic News Gathering) camera came along, this would have not been a viable show because it would involve either bringing studio cameras to the field or using film. When the TK76 came along, so did news vans equipped with video tape like the RCA TPR 10. By ’77 RCA had the first helical scan machines ready…the HR 400 and TH 100 in ’78.

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9 Comments

  1. Craig Cannon February 25, 2013

    Used one of the Blue Boys in Reno (KTVN) real hard on the Shoulder. Ours had no Shoulder support. Ouch!

  2. Kevin Vahey December 11, 2012

    Here is a great clip of a TK-76 in the middle of a hockey brawl – https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Q8BW8jHNQlY#t=302s

  3. Kevin Vahey December 11, 2012

    At WBZ-TV the TK-76 was the root of a nasty strike by IBEW. Westinghouse wanted non-union photographers on Evening. Finally a compromise was met where if the TK-76 was being used for tape non-union could operate. However if the camera could go live it must be union. End result all ENG vans were union.

  4. Bob Loudin December 11, 2012

    Sure did beat the Norelco PCP 90… which we lugged all around Boston….

  5. Jeff Freeman December 11, 2012

    Great boat anchors – althogh I wish I had one for display now!

  6. Dave Dillman December 11, 2012

    Well, they were rugged. HL79s made better pictures.

  7. J Gregg Pell December 11, 2012

    I worked PM Magzine in Charlotte with a TK76.

  8. John Gillespie December 11, 2012

    first camera i ever shot with!