Eyewitness News Creator, Al Primo, dies at 87

Al Primo was a television news executive in the United States who is credited with inventing the Eyewitness News format. More than a hundred cities have used the Eyewitness News brand to identify their own highlighted local newscasts, while others have adopted Primo’s concept under various titles for their own formats.

This Article Contents

Al Primo, who is credited with creating the Eyewitness News format, passes away at age 87.

Al Primo, who is credited with developing the “Eyewitness News” format, has passed away. Age-wise, he was 87. In the 1960s, Primo served as the news director at KYW-TV. He created the Eyewitness News format at this point.

Tom Snyder and Marciarose Shestack served as the inaugural anchors. By allowing reporters to share their personal experiences from the field, the format permanently altered how local news was presented. Primo had a part in the creation of network news as well. Primo passed away at the age of 87, yet his influence endures.

Al Primo Age, Family, Early Life

Al Primo was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 3, 1935. He holds an American nationality. His zodiac sign is Cancer. His ethnicity is not known.

al primo family

On Al Primo’s parents, there is currently no information known.

Al Primo Wife, What about his Children?

Juliet, Al Primo’s daughter, survived him. The identity of his wife remains unknown.

Al Primo Career, What was his profession?

Primo got his start in the industry in 1953 as a mail boy at WDTV in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He worked as a news writer, cameraman, reporter, and anchorman as the station changed owners, call letters, dial positions (from channel 3 to channel 2), and owners (from the DuMont Television Network to Westinghouse Broadcasting). Primo was appointed KDKA associate TV news director in February 1963. In 1964, Primo transferred from Cleveland, Ohio’s KDKA-TV to KYW-TV where he was appointed news director.

When Jim Axel, the previous anchor, departed while Primo was in Cleveland, Tom Snyder was hired.  Primo relocated to Philadelphia in 1965 after Westinghouse traded its Cleveland station for NBC’s WRCV in Philadelphia. The Eyewitness News format was introduced by Primo in Philadelphia, but Westinghouse’s television stations had been using the moniker for a few years prior for their local newscasts. In fact, KYW itself had originally used the name in 1959 while it was situated in Cleveland, Ohio.

Roger Grimsby and Bill Beutel, a renowned anchor team at WABC-TV who had 16 years of excellent ratings before Grimsby was fired in 1986, were put together by Primo. In May 1972, Primo was appointed vice president in charge of news for ABC-owned and -operated stations.

The Reasoner Report, a half-hour news magazine that debuted on ABC in February 1973, was hosted by seasoned journalist Harry Reasoner. Primo was hired to take Ernest Leiser’s position after he departed The Reasoner Report to become executive producer of the ABC Evening News, which Reasoner also hosted. After the network canceled The Reasoner Report in May 1975, Primo departed the organization to serve as a consultant.

How much is Al Primo Net Worth?

Al Primo’s net worth has not yet been investigated in detail.

Also Read: Junior Welterweight, Luis Quinones, dies at 25

Which school and college did he go to?

Al Primo graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1958 after attending North Catholic Boys School and Perry High School. 

Is he available on any kind of social media platform?

We did a quick search for the social media presence of Al Primo but weren’t able to find him on any social media platforms.

Physical Appearance of Al Primo’s Height, Weight

HeightNot Available
Hair ColorNot Available
Eye colorNot Available
WeightNot Available
Body typeFit
Sexual orientationStraight

Interesting facts about Al Primo’s should be knows

NationalityAmerican
EthnicityNot Available
Zodiac signCancer
Relationship StatusMarried

close