The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

Hugh J. Gannon was a Philadelphia broadcaster for over two decades. In 1968, Hugh went with WCAU-TV, Channel 10 as a sportscaster. During 1971, he won an award for his reporting on the closing of Connie Mack Stadium.

In the late part of the 70s, Gannon became Sports Director for the new Prism cable channel and then was rehired at Channel 10, then an owned and operated CBS station, as a weekend sportscaster.

At the same time, he did the TV gig, he broadcast sports on WPEN's morning program. He left WCAU-TV in 1989 and went to Philadelphia Park where he called the daily horse races. He did this for five years.

Hugh Gannon is from Philadelphia and grew up in the Fishtown section of the city. He was graduated from West Catholic High School for Boys and continued his studies at LaSalle University. He taught some journalism courses at the school.

He worked for radio stations in Hammonton, NJ and at the shore at a Wildwood station. He did DJ and newscasting work at those stations. Then he move to WCAU Radio (now WPHT radio) before starting his Channel 10 career.

Hugh Gannon loved college hoops and enjoyed a good game of golf. He was married to his wife, Nianna. The couple had four sons; Francis, David, Chris and Stuart. He passed away on Friday, November 24, 2006. He was 70 years old. Hugh Gannon was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia's Hall of Fame on Friday, November 20, 2009.

Alan Hirsch, a visitor to our website e-mailed:

Hugh Gannon also broadcast the Flyers' games on radio during at least the 68-69 and 69-70 seasons.

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