The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

Bob McCone

Broadcast Pioneers member Bob McCone began his television career as an actor in the role of Danny Ryker on the CBS soap opera "Love of Life" in 1977 while still a senior at Temple University. Upon graduation, he moved to New York City and continued full time on the soap until its finale in 1980, all the while performing in numerous TV ads and a few bit parts in feature films.

After five years and acting roles becoming fewer and farther between, Bob decided to hone his stagecraft and pursue a Master's of Arts degree in Theatre and Television at Penn State University. While working on his degree, Bob was also country DJ "Cousin Bob" on the #1 radio station in Central Pennsylvania, WGMR-FM, State College. He was also the producer of the University Concert Committee at Penn State.

After graduation, Bob returned to Philadelphia and acted in several murder mysteries and for the National Park Service performing "Four Little Pages" for the Constitution Summer of 1987, eventually appearing before all the members of Congress, all fifty governors, and live on ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, NPR, and C-SPAN, simultaneously.

Shortly thereafter, Bob began part time work as a master control operator and editor at WGBS-TV, Philadelphia (Philly 57), which eventually became full time for eight years. During that time, an on-camera opportunity presented itself in the form of "Bozo the Clown" which Bob played on-air daily from 1990 to 1994, all the while remaining a full time master control operator. He even edited his own show on occasion as well as put it on the air. After "Bozo" left the airwaves, Bob continued to work in master control at Philly 57 but took a part time job editing news video for WPHL-TV's "Inquirer News Tonight" (PHL17).

In 1995, Bob left 57 and 17 and took a central control position (master control) at WCAU-TV, Philadelphia (NBC10), and though that position was eventually outsourced, Bob's skills have morphed into various technical situations and currently into a Digital Operations Supervisor responsible for all on-air operations and acquiring microwave, satellite, and all other digital and analog video and audio. Bob says, "For the past 18 years, NBC 10 has been a real home for me and my coworkers are like a second family. I can't imagine working anywhere else. And even though I don't appear on TV much anymore, every so often they let me on camera to sing and play my guitar. That's all I need."

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