WPIX-TV News

WPIX is the CW affiliate for New York, owned by Tribune Broadcasting. It is not, however, Tribune’s flagship station – that honor goes to the venerable WGN in Chicago. The call letters are a reference to the New York Daily News, which referred to itself as the “Picture Paper” and uses a stylized camera in its logo. WPIX has arguably been the most distinctive of New York’s independent/small network stations. Its 1970s and 1980s presentation was perhaps the most professional in its market, but mention must be made of the station’s distinctive programming – editorials, burning logs, network news (with network newscasters!), and Ralph Kramden.

WPIX became 11 Alive in 1977. This was not simply a slogan or catchphrase – 11 Alive was the actual station name, and was incorporated into the station logo and nearly all presentation elements with the exception of news and editorials. 11 Alive was arguably one of the first major television brands outside of the venerable television networks. The campaign did not originate at WPIX. WXIA in Atlanta adopted the 11 Alive name a year before, and continues to use the name to this day, although the two stations are very different, as WXIA has always been a major network affiliate. Regardless, the 11 Alive period continues to be fondly remembered by New Yorkers.

1970s

1980s

1990s

The “Circle 11” was phased out – again – starting around 1994. The new black/gold logo featured similar bold number styling to the circle 11, but dropped the circle and gave the top a slight angle to make the number more obvious. 

2000s

The bigger addition came the next year when WPIX became a charter affiliate of The WB, which Tribune partly owned. A WB logo was affixed to the new 11, and WPIX became “The WB11”. The logo got another facelift in 2000, enlarging the WB.

CW11