The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

Len Stevens
Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Luncheon
Wednesday, January 16, 2002

Broadcast Pioneers member Leonard Stevens has had a wonderful career in advertising and in directing tower managing companies. However, Len is probably best known as the founder of WPHL-TV, Channel 17 in Philadelphia. The station came on the air on Friday, September 17, 1965 and has been active in the Philadelphia television market ever since.

The original Channel 17 in Philadelphia, WPCA, owned by evangelist Percy Crawford came on the air several years before, but because few sets were capable of receiving the station, it finally went dark. Stevens was part of the organization that purchased the station's license. The call was changed to WPHL and the rest, as they say, is history.

Len Stevens showed up at our meeting on Wednesday, January 16, 2002. The luncheon was held at Williamson's Restaurant in Bala Cynwyd, a suburb of Philadelphia. Afterwards, we recorded this webcast.

PIONEERS IN BROADCASTING host, Ed Sciaky, had a surprise for Len. It was a "cameo appearance" by the first person ever heard on WPHL. Do you know who that was? View the webcast and find out.

Watch the Webcast!

Please note! The Webcast is in two parts. It will automatically go from one part to the other. On dial-up connections, it may take a few seconds to load.

The e-mail address of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com