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

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

Tony Zappone's new book, John F. Kennedy - An Amazing Day for a President and a Kid with His Camera, is being published in book form and download formats.

If you've already read Tony's incredible story here on BIG13, now's the chance for you to own a high-quality hard copy of his JFK photos. There are additional, NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED photos taken by Tony on November 18, 1963. You'll learn even more behind-the-scenes details of the President's visit.

Photos appear in high definition.

NOW AVAILABLE FOR ORDER!
Go to jfktampa.com

JFK in TAMPA
EXCLUSIVELY ON BIG 13

On the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's
historic visit to Tampa, BIG 13
is proud, since 2002, to present the story in
first-person narrative with photos.
Tony Zappone's incredible story leads the pack
along with reminiscences by WFLA's Arch Deal
and others who were there with JFK
on November 18, 1963.
To see "JFK in Tampa," CLICK HERE

The Story Behind THE 1970's PULSE SET

HERB SCHMOLL HAD NEVER DESIGNED A TELEVISION NEWS SET...
BUT HIS FIRST ASSIGNMENT WAS A HOME RUN FOR WTVT.
CLICK HERE

Congratulations for Three WTVT Retirees


Meteorologist Andy Johnson is one of "Roy's Boys" and joined the station in 1979. Andy is only one of a handful of television meteorologists to be designated a Certified Consulting Meteorologist. He also holds the A.M.S. certification as a broadcast meteorologist. Tuesday, January 29th was declared "Andy Johnson Day" by the City of Tampa!	'Mak' Makinen joined the station on April 1, 1964. He started in the photography department ...eventually becoming chief photographer in the late 60's. As ENG became a force at WTVT Mak built and maintained the various trucks.	Shirley Gastmann started in the 70s handling maintenance on ENG camera and recorder field units. After a stint for Sony, she returned to WTVT and became an expert on live vehicle maintenance and upkeep. She helped build several live vehicles in the early years and later maintained trucks up to her retirement. (photo courtesy Stephanie Ottjepka)

BIG 13 salutes these colleagues who spent their
professional careers serving the viewers of WTVT. Well done!

ONLY THE BIG 13 SITE:
A Mary Ellen Adventure!

See Mary Ellen and The Pirate in this exclusive 16mm digital transfer.
CLICK HERE

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