Broadcast Wars
Before there were endless cable channels or 24-hour livestreams, there was local TV news — the nightly ritual that shaped how Minnesotans experienced the world. Broadcast Wars, the new documentary from Twin Cities PBS co-created and narrated by Cathy Wurzer, takes viewers back to an era when local television anchors were more than faces on a screen — they were cultural icons and community fixtures.
In the 1960s through the 1980s, stations like KSTP, WCCO, KMSP and KARE weren’t just competing for viewership — they were locked in all-out ratings battles that drove innovation, electrified newsrooms and captivated audiences across Minnesota. Anchors such as Ron Magers, Dave Moore, Marcia Fluer and others became household names, their personalities shaping not just headlines but how viewers saw their own communities.
With compelling archival footage, candid interviews with veteran broadcast journalists, and a deep dive into the newsroom rivalries that defined an era, Broadcast Wars reveals how TV news evolved from a predictable six-o’clock routine into a powerhouse of spectacle, technology, and fierce competition. It also highlights how women and reporters of color pushed past barriers to claim their place on screen, forever changing the industry.
This isn’t just a nostalgia trip — it’s a front-row seat to a television revolution that transformed not only how news was delivered, but how Minnesotans connected to each other and the world
Watch the trailer here, then click on the thumbnail images below to watch all three episodes on PBS.
AWARDS
Alice Smith Prize in Public History (2024). This award is given to public history projects in the Midwest, specifically those that engage the public and promote understanding of the region’s history.