The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

The people television viewers see on a daily basis are the talent in front of the camera. However, the hardest working individuals are often the people behind the lens that viewers never see. One of these hard working individuals is Broadcast Pioneers member Steve Sacks.

Steve grew up in West Mount Airy where he lived in Connie Mack’s old house on Cliveden Street. Later, Frank Sinatra married Ava Gardner in his house on Springer Street and Steve was there. Steve attended Chestnut Hill Academy, PMC Prep and graduated from Germantown High School. Steve attained his collgiate education from Pennsylvania Military College (now Widener University) and Temple University. Steve’s Military career was in the U.S. Army, serving in places such as Fort Knox, Fort Mead, and Erie Ordnance Depot.

Steve got interested in broadcasting through his father, a music publisher and manager of Eddie Fisher. Other influences were his Uncle Manie Sacks (RCA, RCA Victor & NBC Executive) and Herman Rush (President of Columbia Pictures Television). Both Manie & Herman are in the Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame.

Steve’s first step in the door was working in the Mail Room of WRCV-TV (now KYW-TV) in the Summer of 1956. In January 1961, Steve was in Accounts Receivable for the business office at WFIL. Duties include deliver the paychecks to the whole building (including Dick Clark and Bandstand Staff) and calling deadbeats to pay for their commercials that ran. Next, Steve went to Triangle Film Division where he was to censor and time/cue movies and cartoons for WFIL-TV and 5 other Triangle O&O stations. Steve would receive a list every month from the National Legion of Decency rating movies on their moral values.

The job Steve was most excited about started in April of 1964 when he became part of the WFIL-TV Production Crew. Some of Steve’s critical responsibilities included: building and striking sets, studio and remote camera, lighting, stage managing, and mike/prop placement on talent and set. Being part of the crew was rewarding and exciting because Steve met the most interesting people such as every U.S. President from Nixon to Obama and Athletes from Chuck Bednerik to Mohammed Ali. Steve worked in local programs including Captain Noah, AM Philadelphia, and The Kimmel Center Opening.

Steve currently lives in Upper Roxborough with his wife Peggy. He enjoys playing golf and is a skilled marksman. Steve has served on our Board of Directors since 2014 and he has produced many of the web interviews we have done in our "Pioneers of Philadelphia Broadcasting" series.

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