WSNS Channel 44 - Sign-On & ONTV Transition (1985)

Here is a rare and neat video - a sign-on for WSNS Channel 44 followed by the transition to ONTV's scrambled signal. Includes:

Color Bars, Tone & "WSNS-TV Transmitter Maintenance Until 5:57 A.M." text message for about 65 seconds.

WSNS Channel 44 Sign-On

National Anthem along with scenes of Chicago (Marina City Towers, Soldier Field)

Metro Focus community calendar notice

(Looks like there was a cut in recording here. What time did OnTV programming start in 1985? Regular programming couldn't have ended that soon before OnTV started, could it?)

ONTV WSNS Chicago 44 Logo

"WSNS now concludes its series of unscrambled Public Service programs. Please stay tuned for ONTV - the best value in home entertainment."

Scenes from ONTV movie offerings (can someone ID all of these? Maybe we can get a better idea on the date if we can. All I recognize for sure is D.C. Cab with Mr. T. Another one might be Terms of Endearment, but I'm not positive.

"Stay tuned for ONTV's scheduled programming, starting in two minutes."

Scrambled OnTV signal with funky disco/jazz music - "The Chicago Theme (Love Loop)" by Hubert Laws.

"You are now viewing our transition from the commercial mode to the scrambled mode. ONTV's regularly scheduled programming will begin shortly."

This aired on local Chicago TV in April 1985.

Add To

You must login to add videos to your playlists.