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Apparently, it was created in 1970 as a response to the "Eyewitness News" format used by KYW. "At the time, WFIL-TV was said to be #4 in a three-station market," LOL.

The "Action News" format was used in several different locales. It was like the Top 40 radio format in that. Some third party invented that formula, down to the musical notes that went with the call sign, and sold it to many stations across the US. Like Top 40 radio, it was very popular because it did the job well. Even the theme song "Move Closer to Your World" was a product packaged and sold to various cities. Time has moved on (as it will) and now only WPVI in Philly and WNET in Scranton use it (according to Wikipedia). It's even been used by TV stations in foreign countries.

The trademark is now owned by some corporate conglomerate.

-- Mal