Big 13 WTVT Historical Web Site

"Big 13"

A historical
TV web site
dedicated to
WTVT,
Channel 13
Tampa, Florida

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

"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

ATTENTION CURRENT
and FORMER WTVT EMPLOYEES!

Current and former WTVT employees (and their spouses/companions/friends) are invited to our employee reunion luncheon being held Saturday, March 28th, at the Crowne-Plaza in Tampa.
We’ll be sharing stories, showing videos and hearing from some surprise guests.

Our festivities are being co-chaired and hosted by Frank Robertson and Kathy Fountain. Event producer is Mike Clark, who runs the BIG 13 web site and served as co-chair of the 2005 reunion.

Hard to believe we’re 10 years past the 50th in 2005! Back then, we didn’t have Facebook and Eventbrite to organize the reunion. Well, what a difference a decade makes. On Facebook,
The BIG 13 TV Group will be your main source for reunion information and Eventbrite will be processing tickets.

Prices for the 2015 event (includes lunch, ballroom and extras) are being held to 2005 levels: $50 per person (regular menu) or $55 person (deluxe menu).

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD. Not everyone is on Facebook and we want to make sure as many employees and alums are notified.

You can help us by making your reservations and getting tickets ASAP.

That will help us determine how many plan to attend. In case you purchase tickets and are later unable to attend, full refunds can be made up to a week prior to the reunion.

Tickets are being processed by Eventbrite (nominal fee for using their service). Follow the Eventbrite link below and you’ll see all the reunion information plus menu selections.

BIG 13/WTVT EMPLOYEE REUNION TICKETS

That's right! 2015 is WTVT's 60th Anniversary and the planners behind the 2005 event are joined by
former WTVT anchors Frank Robertson and Kathy Fountain to host the BIG 13/WTVT 60th Anniversary Employee Reunion.
Current and former Channel 13 employees (and their family/guests) are invited but first visit the BIG 13 TV GROUP on Facebook
and join to receive the latest news about the event, which for now is targeted for March 28, 2015.
Here's the link to the BIG 13 TV Group BIG 13 TV GROUP

SEE YOU IN 2015!!

RARE FIND!
A 1964 PULSE NEWSCAST!

Channel 13 legends Hugh Smith, 'Salty Sol' Fleishman,
Ray Dantzler and Paul Reynolds appear in this
fascinating time capsule courtesy
fuzzymemories.tv

Visitors Since November, 2001
We passed 10,000 hits in October, 2002,
20,000 hits in June, 2003
30,000 hits in January, 2004,
40,000 hits by September, 2004,
and 50,000 hits in March, 2005.
Thanks to all those who have spread the word!

Wayne Fariss WTVT's First Anchor	Dick John News Dir. 1956-58	History of WTVT News from the 50's to the 90's	John Evans First Tallahassee Bureau Chief	Ray Blush Anchor, News Dir. & Producer/Host of Project 13
Larry Elliston "Down Home Florida" Producer/Host	Scott Shuster First Anchor of Pulse Plus!	Crawford Rice Anchor/News Director/ General Manager	Hugh Smith Reporter/Anchor/ News Director	Jule McGee Veteran Reporter/ Cinematographer
John Ferrugia Project 13 Reporter	Don Harris Host of Pulse Extra and later NBC Reporter	Jim West Reporter/News Director on the Satellite Era	Jim West Reporter/News Director on the Co-Anchors	Jim West Reporter/News Director on a Spy In The Newsroom