6ABC Action News Celebrates 50 Years! One-Hour Special Takes Viewers Down Memory Lane, Thursday, June 18 at 8 P.M. EDT

Philadelphia’s leading news source turns 50! Action News, 6abc’s local news franchise, has been the most-trusted and highest-rated newscast since the mid-1970s. This THURSDAY, JUNE 18 at 8:00 p.m., 6abc will take a look back at the past five decades and discover the DNA of this iconic Philadelphia institution.

In the late ‘60s, WPVI was a non-factor in the booming local TV news business. Needing a strong boost, WPVI debuted Action News in April 1970 as a fast-paced, more regionalized news program with an increased use of video. Instantly a hit and competitive in the ratings, 6abc Action News soon became Philadelphia’s overwhelming favorite TV news brand and most-watched newscast, leading to four straight decades of TV ratings dominance.

“This program will be a great trip down memory lane for any fan of Action News,” says John Morris, vice president of Multiplatform Programming at 6abc. “Everyone here has loved producing this special, and we think our loyal viewers will have a great time looking back with us as they watch the program.”

Bernie Prazenica, president and general manager of 6abc, added, “We are so excited to celebrate the golden anniversary of Action News with our viewers. It’s our viewers who have made Action News No. 1, and this special is a salute for their many years of support.”

The special will feature familiar faces, past and present, including Larry Kane, Dave Roberts, Lisa Thomas-Laury and more. 6abc has also published a coffee table book commemorating its 50th celebration. Released last fall, it is available for purchase on 6abc.com.

About 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia
For over half a century, 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia has been broadcasting to viewers in the Delaware and Lehigh Valleys, an area covering southeastern Pennsylvania, northern and central Delaware and southern New Jersey. As the No. 1 station in Philadelphia for almost 45 years, 6abc Action News delivers local news, information, traffic and weather to more than 3 million homes. Action News captures over half of all Adult 25-54 news viewers on an average day*. In the past year, Action News has won 2,633 out of 2,662 newscasts in Households for a winning percentage of 98.9%.†

*Based on April 2020 Nielsen survey

†Based on May 2019 – April 2020 Nielsen data

Media Contact
Mike Monsell
mike.monsell@abc.com

Media relations

Mike Monsell

6abc WPVI-TV

mike.monsell@abc.com

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6ABC/WPVI-TV Philadelphia to Stream Virtual Town Hall on Combating Racial Injustice and Dealing With Racial Trauma

‘Race, Rage and Healing: Where Do We Go From Here?’ Virtual Town Hall to Stream Sunday, June 7 (12:30 – 1:30 p.m. EDT), at 6abc.com

In the wake of continued national civil unrest due to the George Floyd homicide at the hands of law enforcement, 6abc anchor Sharrie Williams will moderate a town hall, “Race, Rage and Healing: Where Do We Go From Here?,” with prominent community leaders from Philadelphia, SUNDAY, JUNE 7 (12:30-1:30 pm EDT), on 6abc. This hour-long conversation will also be streamed live simultaneously on 6abc.com, 6abc news app, and 6abc connected television apps.

Anchor Gray Hall will field questions from the community with topics including actionable next steps for combating racial injustice, pushing for policy changes in law enforcement, addressing the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on the health and economics in communities of color as well as discussing racial trauma.

Panelists will include (but not be limited to) the following:

Chad Dion Lassiter – executive director, PA Human Relations Commission; and national speaker on race relations and Black Male Violence Prevention
Dr. Erica Wilkins – psychologist and Drexel associate professor researching the residual effects of slavery and sociocultural factors in African Americans in the treatment of post-traumatic stress and grief counseling
Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller – pastor of the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, the largest African American Church in Pennsylvania.
Andrea Custis – president & CEO of the National Urban League Philadelphia
George Burrell – attorney, former politician and local leader in business, civic and political affairs in Philadelphia for 30 years
Retired Detective Crystal Williams-Coleman – Philadelphia Police Department – president of the Guardian Civic League – social justice organization for African American police officers
Lauren Footman – director of Outreach and Equity for the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence

Viewers can submit questions to 6abc.com and the Action News Facebook Page.

*Based on April 2020 Nielsen survey

†Based on May 2019 – April 2020 Nielsen data

Twitter:	https://twitter.com/6abc
Instagram:	https://www.instagram.com/6abcactionnews/
Facebook:	https://www.facebook.com/6abcActionNews/

Contact:
Mike Monsell
mike.monsell@abc.com