The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

People have many ways to receive the news. Mostly on the internet, via computer, mobile phone, newspapers, radio, television or tablet. However, since the early days of television, there were local newscasts. Most of the time it was a person behind a desk, reading the news off a sheet of paper. One person would bring news broadcasting to the next level. That person was Larry Pollock.

Born in 1933, Pollock grew up in Bronx, New York. After attending City College of New York, Larry would start his career at ABC in 1956. His duties include manager of research for ABC Radio. He also served as the director of advertising and research for New York’s ABC affiliate WABC. After working 12 years for a smaller media company in Albany, New York, Pollock became vice president and general manager of WKBW-TV, Buffalo. That smaller media company was known as Capital Cities. They later purchased ABC.

In 1975, Pollock’s talents were brought to Philadelphia and WPVI-TV. It was here that the formula for Action News was born. The station’s current president and general manager, Bernie Prazenica claims “Larry knew ultimately that people connect with people, and if you put the right people in the right places, it would work.” Larry brought on board a group of people that would ultimately become household names. People like Jim Gardner, Dave Roberts, Lisa Thomas Laury, and Jim O’Brien. Not only did WPVI have the number one newscast, but they also created the blueprint for other cities with the Action News name.

In 1991, Larry was promoted to be President of the ABC/Capital Cities television group of stations that included WPVI here in Philadelphia. He retired in 2000.

Larry Pollock might’ve had a huge work ethic, but he found time to give back to the community; in particular, the Jewish community. The two biggest organizations Larry spent the most time with was the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and the Abramson Center for Jewish Life. In addition, Larry was a board member of the Main Line Reform Temple.

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