WTAJ to host Pa. Lottery

TV stations that want to carry the Pennsylvania Lottery drawings go through a bidding process to be chosen.

Spokeswoman Veronica Anderson said proposals are submitted to the Lottery's advertising agency, MARC USA of Pittsburgh.

"They select the stations based on the overall value to the Lottery," Anderson said. "[Stations] agree to advertise our promotions, and that helps them draw in more viewers. It benefits us because it enables us to get our message out. We also advertise on other stations, but you will see more and different promotions on the stations that are selected."

There is no exchange of money from either partner to broadcast the drawings, Anderson said.

Locally, WTAJ-TV10 recently was chosen to air the live 6:59 p.m. nightly drawings and the 10:59 p.m. Powerball drawings on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It is a two-year contract.

This marks the first time WTAJ has been selected as the local station to carry the results, said Phil Dubrow, general manager.

WJAC-TV6 Johnstown had carried the results locally for many years.

"We are overjoyed to be the official home of the Pennsylvania Lottery," Dubrow said.

WTAJ is one of six stations throughout different areas of the state that carry the Lottery drawings.

The Pennsylvania Lottery has broadcast a live, televised drawing show since March 1977. An estimated 700,000 households watch the nightly drawing, which is conducted at WHP-TV studios in Harrisburg.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.