Houston Station Sign-Off

[Ptarmigan]

I notice most TV stations in Houston do not sign-off, with the exception of channel 11 and 14, which they do on weekends or early Monday morning. I remember channel 8 use to sign-off on early Monday mornings, which they do not do. The last time I have seen channel 2 sign off was last year on a weekday. As for channel

[editor]

I notice most TV stations in Houston do not sign-off, with the exception of channel 11 and 14, which they do on weekends or early Monday morning. I remember channel 8 use to sign-off on early Monday mornings, which they do not do. The last time I have seen channel 2 sign off was last year on a weekday. As for channel

[Ptarmigan]

Here is a recent video of KHOU signing off.

[stan the man]

This was the last time I recall seeing a signoff (not including YouTube viewings):

KPRC (Ch.2/NBC): around 2000

KUHT (Ch.8/PBS): Christmas 2007 (tried to record it but it was too late as KUHT went 24/7)

KHOU (Ch.11/CBS): last April

KTRK (Ch.13/ABC): never (the sign-on placeholder actually kicks off World News Now but I have never seen a REAL sign-off from this station)

KTXH (Ch. 20/MY): around 1999

KRIV (Ch. 26/Fox): around 1999

KHCW (Ch. 39/CW): around 1999

I would also like to know what Houston signoffs were like in the 70s and 80s (i.e. any TV Code stations, sermonettes, signoff news, vintage test cards, etc.)

Also, if anyone on HAIF has the guts to post a vintage signoff on YouTube or Dailymotion, it would be appreciated.

[editor]

if anyone on HAIF has the guts to post a vintage signoff

Wha?

[houstonmacbro]

I guess since the advent of cable and 24-hour programming I haven't really noticed it. I remember the old test patterns though. Do they still exist.

[ricco67]

In the 80's Ch. 13's (it might have been ch. 11) was a terrific musical version of the Lord's Prayer and I THINK it was followed by the National Anthem.

[Absinthe_1900]

It was CH.11, and went back to the 1960s.

[ricco67]

It was CH.11, and went back to the 1960s.

So it was ch. 11 that had the musical version of the Lords prayer and THAT version of it went back to the 60's? Doubtful, that version of the lord's prayer seems like it was made sometime in the late 70s at the earliest.

[Absinthe_1900]

No, it was running in the late 1960s when Ch 11 signed off after the Late Show (the movie they ran after the 10:00 pm news) I remember it from when I was a kid. back then Ch.11 signed off at 12:00 to 12:30 am.

The same version ran for many years. Musical version with nature scenes

Back in the early 70s when Ch 26 was KVRL they had a version with a person reciting the Lords Prayer, while an American Indian followed the narration in sign language.

[Ptarmigan]

Here is a sign off from KTRK, well more of a station and legal identification. They do it before World News Now on weekdays and before 5:00 AM on weekends.

[Ptarmigan]

This was the last time I recall seeing a signoff (not including YouTube viewings):

KPRC (Ch.2/NBC): around 2000

KUHT (Ch.8/PBS): Christmas 2007 (tried to record it but it was too late as KUHT went 24/7)

KHOU (Ch.11/CBS): last April

KTRK (Ch.13/ABC): never (the sign-on placeholder actually kicks off World News Now but I have never seen a REAL sign-off from this station)

KTXH (Ch. 20/MY): around 1999

KRIV (Ch. 26/Fox): around 1999

KHCW (Ch. 39/CW): around 1999

I would also like to know what Houston signoffs were like in the 70s and 80s (i.e. any TV Code stations, sermonettes, signoff news, vintage test cards, etc.)

Also, if anyone on HAIF has the guts to post a vintage signoff on YouTube or Dailymotion, it would be appreciated.

Here are the stations I have seen sign off.

KPRC-Signed off once in September of 2007, which had a color and bars than static.

KUHT-Sometimes in 2007.

KHOU-I have not seen them sign on TV, only on You Tube. Still sign off as of today, only for 20 to 30 minutes on early Saturday and Sunday morning. There are two YouTube videos of it floating around.

KTRK-Never seen them sign-off, except with the station id and legal information. I am sure they have signed off in the past. I do not know when the last time they did that.

KTXH-Last time I saw them sign off was in 2000 and went static.

KRIV-Signed off once in October of 2006, in which it went static.

KHCW-Last time I saw them sign off was in 2000 and went static.

I would like to see vintage sign off from Houston TV stations. I am sure someone has recordings of sign offs.

Edited June 22, 2008 by Ptarmigan

[Ptarmigan]

Here is a recent video of KTRK signing off. Well, it is more of a station and legal stuff. They also play the American Anthem.

[Ptarmigan]

Here is a KTRK-TV sign-off, well not really, SSB (Star Spangled Banner), and Meditations, which is a sermonette from 2001.

[Heights2Bastrop]

I don't think they sign off with a prayer any longer. Something to do with 'separation of Church and Station' I believe.

[Retama]

In the old days Channel 13 used to post the FBI's Most Wanted list prior to sign-off. That's where I first learned about Katherine Boudain and Bernardine Dohrn (wife of Bill Ayers, Obama's friend).

[LTAWACS]

I'm either in the garage or in bed at those times.

[ddavenport]

Did any of the Houston stations subscribe to the TV Code?

[Ptarmigan]

In the old days Channel 13 used to post the FBI's Most Wanted list prior to sign-off. That's where I first learned about Katherine Boudain and Bernardine Dohrn (wife of Bill Ayers, Obama's friend).

When was the last time did Channel 13 signed off for the night. I don't remember seeing them signing off? I have seen Channel 2, 8, 11, 20, and 26 signing off though, but only once a week.

I don't think they sign off with a prayer any longer. Something to do with 'separation of Church and Station' I believe.

I am sure they still do that, but you have to stay up really late.

[dbigtex56]

Did any of the Houston stations subscribe to the TV Code?

I was only dimly aware of the TV Code, but am reasonably sure that all of them did after reading this article from The Museum of Broadcast Communications website. Interesting stuff.

And welcome to HAIF, ddavenport.

[Absinthe_1900]

In the old days Channel 13 used to post the FBI's Most Wanted list prior to sign-off. That's where I first learned about Katherine Boudain and Bernardine Dohrn (wife of Bill Ayers, Obama's friend).

When I was a kid, I remember Ch.13 had Ray Conaway doing Conaway Comments just before Wanted By The FBI, this was back when they showed Laurel & Hardy shorts very late at night.

[djrage]

I'd like to see one of KTRK's sign on or off from the late 70's/early 80s. I used to wake up early Saturday mornings just to watch it before the saturday morning cartoons came on when I was a kid... with Charlie Harrison doing VO.

[Ptarmigan]

I'd like to see one of KTRK's sign on or off from the late 70's/early 80s. I used to wake up early Saturday mornings just to watch it before the saturday morning cartoons came on when I was a kid... with Charlie Harrison doing VO.

I never saw KTRK sign off at night. I too would like to see a video of KTRK signing off.

[RedScare]

When was the last time did Channel 13 signed off for the night. I don't remember seeing them signing off? I have seen Channel 2, 8, 11, 20, and 26 signing off though, but only once a week.

I am sure they still do that, but you have to stay up really late.

I saw Ch 13 sign off just last week, though it was only for about 15 minutes. I saw no prayer, but they did play the national anthem.

EDIT: Actually, it appears they sign off for only 6 minutes.

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/feature?sectio...&id=5755252

Edited November 19, 2008 by RedScare

[RedScare]

OK, at 3:15 am, Channel 13 put up a logo screen while the announcer goes through the station ID spiel. At 3:16, the station signed off with the National Anthem. Immediately after the anthem played, they went to an ABC pest control commercial, then joined ABC News Now already in progress.

That is the extent of ABC13's signoff. Now you do not have to stay up for it.

[Ptarmigan]

OK, at 3:15 am, Channel 13 put up a logo screen while the announcer goes through the station ID spiel. At 3:16, the station signed off with the National Anthem. Immediately after the anthem played, they went to an ABC pest control commercial, then joined ABC News Now already in progress.

That is the extent of ABC13's signoff. Now you do not have to stay up for it.

I don't consider that a signoff. Well, okay sort of. More of a station ID and legal stuff. As for why they play the Anthem, they just choose too.

[scrubba]

Sign off???????????????????????????????? What............. Man you must have done some bad drugs in the 60's man. When I came to Houston in the early 70's , I was thrilled at the fact that 24hr T V was a reality! Well, at least Wednesday thru Saturday. Channel 11 if I remember correctly had some guty sitting in a wing back chair and he would have call ins , contests , heck all kinds of worthless trivia to share . Hell, it was a hoot! The "bumper music was Whatever gets ya through tha night . man , what I would give to relive those times too............

Ed Shaver,scrubba

[Ptarmigan]

Sign off???????????????????????????????? What............. Man you must have done some bad drugs in the 60's man. When I came to Houston in the early 70's , I was thrilled at the fact that 24hr T V was a reality! Well, at least Wednesday thru Saturday. Channel 11 if I remember correctly had some guty sitting in a wing back chair and he would have call ins , contests , heck all kinds of worthless trivia to share . Hell, it was a hoot! The "bumper music was Whatever gets ya through tha night . man , what I would give to relive those times too............

Ed Shaver,scrubba

I don't mind 24 hour TV, but there are too many infomercials. I used to remember they would air movies or syndicated shows back than. Now, it's infomercial land.

[Absinthe_1900]

Channel 11 if I remember correctly had some guty sitting in a wing back chair and he would have call ins , contests , heck all kinds of worthless trivia to share . Hell, it was a hoot! The "bumper music was Whatever gets ya through tha night . man , what I would give to relive those times too............

Ed Shaver,scrubba

That was Roger Grey on ch. 26.

[cottonmather0]

I'm not watching it if it's not in HD.

[RedScare]

I've never seen a station signoff in HD.

[Ptarmigan]

Here is KPRC-TV signing off.

[ChannelTwoNews]

Here is KPRC-TV signing off.

That was quick! I only uploaded it the day before.

I recall seeing some lengthy legal spiel-esque piece from KHOU (early 90s) like what KTRK does nightly these days, so I'll upload that when I find it.

[Ptarmigan]

If KTRK signed off, did it go static or did they use a test pattern? Same goes with any Houston television station that signed off in the 1970s to early 1990s. When I was a kid, the only station I remember seeing signing off was KUHT and they did it early enough for me to see. They would play the American anthem and go all static. 

[Ptarmigan]

No, it was running in the late 1960s when Ch 11 signed off after the Late Show (the movie they ran after the 10:00 pm news) I remember it from when I was a kid. back then Ch.11 signed off at 12:00 to 12:30 am.

The same version ran for many years. Musical version with nature scenes

Back in the early 70s when Ch 26 was KVRL they had a version with a person reciting the Lords Prayer, while an American Indian followed the narration in sign language.

Are you talking about this one? This one is from a Tulsa station in the 1970s.

[ChannelTwoNews]

If KTRK signed off, did it go static or did they use a test pattern? Same goes with any Houston television station that signed off in the 1970s to early 1990s. When I was a kid, the only station I remember seeing signing off was KUHT and they did it early enough for me to see. They would play the American anthem and go all static. 

The maybe two times I've seen that happen this decade on 13, it was static.

[Ptarmigan]

The maybe two times I've seen that happen this decade on 13, it was static.

I didn't know that KTRK signed-off outright in this decade. I figured that would be common in the 1970s and 1980s. If 13 went static, it probably happened in 2000 on a weekend. I did see 13 do their so-called sign off and they went to World News Now. The only station that signs off is 11 and they do it on Saturdays and Sundays around 4:00 AM. It's for 20 minutes.

[Absinthe_1900]

Are you talking about this one? This one is from a Tulsa station in the 1970s.

The one ch 26 ran was different, this site has a copy of the original one I saw back when 26 was KVRL / KDOG :

http://www.macfilms.com/mixed%20ads%20181-190.htm

MIXED ADS 189

10) PSA: The Lord’s Prayer: Shows an elderly American Indian man performing the Lord’s Prayer in Native American sign language——performed by Chief Shatka Bear-Step, voice-over by Walt Conley, contributed by the Appaloosa Horse Club.

[Ptarmigan]

Here is a video of 1965 KRPC-AM 950 radio signing off.

Edited January 26, 2010 by Ptarmigan

[Ptarmigan]

Here is screen cap of KTRK from 1980 at late night.

http://www.qsl.net/w...ages/801016.jpg

http://www.qsl.net/wa5iyx/tvdximg.htm

 

I am guessing it was station ID or might be what they displayed when they signed off.

Edited January 27, 2010 by Ptarmigan

[Absinthe_1900]

Are you talking about this one? This one is from a Tulsa station in the 1970s.

This is the one 26 ran in the very early 70s.

http://www.jfredmacdonald.com/aifg/playaifg152.htm

[Ptarmigan]

 Here is a video of KTRK signing off from 1983.

http://www.dailymoti...1990_shortfilms

Edited December 13, 2010 by Ptarmigan

[TV2EBoogaloo]

for a long time I believe 11 in Houston would sign off with the national anthem music and a video of Air Force jets flying I believe with an in cockpit view from one planes towards others in formation

[Blue Dogs]

Anyone got any Fox 26 sign-offs ?

[Purpledevil]

Quite a few stations used color bars while they were off the air, with a single test tone. Some, like KPRC, pasted the legal ID (KPRC-TV 2 HOUSTON, TEXAS) over the color bars. When I was a kid, I'd stay up all night (at least as long as I could manage at that age) and watch them go off the air. Channel 8 was always the first off. Once I got my first remote controlled set, I could jump from channel to channel and play music with the varying test tones.

Never underestimate the power of insomnia, lol.

[ChannelTwoNews]

Quite a few stations used color bars while they were off the air, with a single test tone. Some, like KPRC, pasted the legal ID (KPRC-TV 2 HOUSTON, TEXAS) over the color bars. When I was a kid, I'd stay up all night (at least as long as I could manage at that age) and watch them go off the air. Channel 8 was always the first off. Once I got my first remote controlled set, I could jump from channel to channel and play music with the varying test tones.

Never underestimate the power of insomnia, lol.

 

You're not alone.

 

I used to stay up to watch those sequences when I was a kid because I thought it was weirdly fascinating in a way. I'd figure out a way to see if I could catch them on a Sunday night and it was generally successful. I'll admit to trying to play a "tune" with the different tone frequencies as well... It amused me at least

 

What's crazy was it wasn't really that long ago that stations were still signing off at least regularly. Even 13 would do it maybe once or twice a year. The last of the full-power stations to drop the sequences, KETH, only did so maybe a year or two back. Seems weird not seeing them leave at 1 AM Monday mornings anymore.

[Blue Dogs]

ChannelTwoNews, I looked at the Ch. 13 signoff video on Daily Motion, I'm not sure if this was from 1983, when I saw the date of the video saying 1990.

[FilioScotia]

No station doesn't sign off now a days.

 

 

If you mean "no station signs off nowadays", you're almost right. Many TV and radio stations will sign off at midnight on a Sunday every few months so their engineers can do routine maintenance on the transmitter, and that requires turning the transmitter off. However, it is also true that many stations have two transmitters - a primary and a backup - which allows them to always have one of them up and operating. 

 

Periodic and regularly scheduled preventive maintenance is absolutely necessary to keep high power transmitters and the associated electrical equipment operating smoothly. 

Edited November 13, 2015 by FilioScotia

[PasadenaTexan]

I had sought repeatedly every now and then, to find  the recording of the channel 11 End of Broadcasting Day. I mainly remember a male singer with a great voice. I never thought to check in here with y'all. I used love staying up late enough just to listen to that wonderful song.