Sign-off of the NBC Television Network's owned-and-operated station in Los Angeles. This was edited from a 30-minute video clip that includes that night's NewsCenter 4 sign-off report and numerous commercials, promos and PSA spots. All that can be viewed in its entirety on this page. The clip starts with the closing of the sign-off report and several quick program promos. Following that is a program copyright statement and the NAB's Seal of Good Practice. Then it's KNBC's sermonette Let Us Pray, delivered by an off-screen Unitarian minister, followed by a beautiful film of the United States Navy Hymn. Then it's the sign-off announcement, delivered by Donald Rickles (not the famous comedian), and concluding with a extra-long America The Beautiful film, performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

My "hats-off" to Joseph Goria of Los Angeles and Don Denton of Covina CA for contributing this wonderful KNBC-TV sign-off. This is Mr. Goria's all-time favorite TV station sign-off. And it's definitely one of the Webmaster's as well!

Sign-off clip of the ABC Television Network's owned-and-operated L.A. station, and among the oldest video clips of a TV station sign-off currently known to exist. After the sign-off announcement, we are treated to the wonderful U.S. Air Force "High Flight" film, with a recitation of the poem of that name composed by the late John Gillespe Magee, Jr.. Sadly, several seconds of this poem is missing on this clip, probably because of a big glitch in the video. Following that is the Star-Spangled Banner clip, also produced by the USAF. This clip is referred to by sign-offs connoiseurs as the "Moog SSB" because the SSB is played on a Moog synthesizer. At least two TV stations in my area ran this clip in the early to mid-1980s.

Preceded by a KABC-TV editorial opinion delivered by then station VP/General Manager John Severino on the dangers of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). After the sign-off announcement rendered by announcer Dean Webber, we are treated to the wonderful U.S. Air Force "High Flight" film, with a recitation of the poem of that name composed by the late John Gillespe Magee, Jr. (for more on Mr. Magee and "High Flight", visit this site). Following that is the same "Moog SSB" featured in the 1978 KABC-TV sign-off above. Unfortunately, this recording is marred somewhat by a monster-sized video glitch toward the end of the SSB sequence.

My hats-off to Terrance Tucker of Pocoima, CA for unearthing this clip (and the 1984 KCET and 1986 KCOP clips posted below) and donating a copy of it for me to post here!

Sign-off clip of the O&O station of the CBS Television Network in Los Angeles. A very brief clip, featuring various video of nature scenes. This clip does not have the Star-Spangled Banner at the end (or any other patriotic piece), so I'm assuming that this is not a complete recording.

Slickly-produced sign-off clip of L.A.'s PBS affilliate. Features a few shots of Los Angeles at night, then a brief montage of KCET-PBS programming clips, and ends with a haunting close-up of the moon being overtaken by some dark-looking clouds.

Preceded by a commercial for the Eldorado Restaurants of Gardena, CA, and a KTTV promo for the Rose Parade Countdown on New Year's Day, 1985 (which would suggest that this recording was made late in December). The KTTV sign-on features areial and ground video of its long-time former home, Metromedia Square on Sunset Blvd., and video of the inner workings of the KTTV facilities. The SSB is performed at Metromedia Square by the Los Angeles Police Band. Two years later, newspaper mogul Rupert Murdoch purchased the Metromedia stations, including KTTV, to form the Fox Television Network. KTTV vacated Metromedia Square in 1996 and relocated to its current studios in West Los Angeles. In 2003, Metromedia Square was demolished to make way for a new middle school building.

A rather unusual sign-off clip, which has images of rockets superimposed over the KWHY-TV 22 ID card, then followed by a brief "America The Beautiful" segment with historical images. KWHY-TV carried the Pay-TV fare of SelecTV in the evening hours, hence the announcement at the start of this clip. This southern California-based Pay TV network (no relation to the current SelecTV based in Australia) operated from 1976 to 1991.

A brief sign-off announcement with a static station ID graphic. It is preceded by program promos for News 13 and the sitcom Gimme A Break , starring the late Nell Carter. Concludes with an awesome SSB clip produced by the United States Navy, then followed by color bars.

KCET Channel 28, Los Angeles CA Sign-Off from 2 April 2006

Early Sunday-morning sign-off clip featuring aerial video of the L.A. skyline at night. It is preceded by two promos for KCET local programs and an Asian Getaway promotion. In the original video there were several PBS program promos, but for the sake of brevity, I cut these out.

A 5 AM sign-on clip that followed an airing of an informercial. It is preceded by a promo for a KTLA special, When Disaster Strikes, and is followed by a promo for an upcoming L.A. Clippers NBA game versus the Sacramento Kings.

(A great big "THANK YOU" to Joseph Goria of Los Angeles for contributing the 1981 KNBC-TV sign-off clip and the 2006 KCET and KTLA clips above. Joseph has a website that's devoted to the early-1990s Disney animated series Tale Spin. You can visit him at www.socalspinner.com)