WTAG-TV?

[Donna Halper]

At 12:32 PM 11/20/2009, vzeej5wn@myfairpoint.net wrote:
>Worcester was indeed a thriving radio market for many years.  During 
>the '60s, WORC and WAAB both had Top 40 formats and were hotly 
>competitive; WNEB, the smallest of the bunch, held the CBS 
>affiliation, and was oriented toward older listeners; and WTAG, the 
>kingpin, was with NBC, had a full-service format, and a powerful 
>regional signal that went well up into New Hampshire and 
>Vermont.  It was arguably one of the most prominent stations in New 
>England, which adds to the mystery as to why it would pass in the TV license.

I wonder if it's an urban legend that WTAG actually had a license in 
hand.  I am not saying somebody at WTAG didn't think about it or even 
make some inquiries. But I am going through my files and I am 
checking who is on record (and who is reported) as applying for the 
Herald-Traveler's license.  On 26 March 1963, the NY Times reported 
that a consortium of 15 businessmen, known as Charles River Civic 
Television Inc and led by WCRB's Theodore Jones (the group was 
chaired by Thomas D. Cabot), was trying to get the license.  Another 
group mentioned in newspaper reports (Wall St. Journal, NY Times, 
Christian Science Monitor) as a potential licensee was the Greater 
Boston TV Company, but not much is said about it.  And then, as we 
all know, there was Boston Broadcasters Inc.  But of all the many 
names mentioned in these articles, none are associated with Worcester 
radio stations, as far as I can see.  I'll keep looking.