History of WCCO-TV in Timeline
WCCO-TV, known as CBS Minnesota, is a CBS-owned television station serving the Twin Cities area. Licensed to Minneapolis, it operates from studios downtown and transmits from Shoreview. It's a key media outlet in the region, providing news and entertainment as part of the CBS network.
1925: Radio Station WRHM Signed On
In 1925, radio station WRHM signed on the air, marking the origin of what would become WCCO-TV.
1934: Twin Cities Newspapers Purchased WRHM
In 1934, Twin Cities Newspapers purchased radio station WRHM and changed its call letters to WTCN.
July 1, 1949: WTCN-TV Launched
On July 1, 1949, WTCN-TV was launched, becoming Minnesota's second television station and broadcasting from the Radio City Theater in downtown Minneapolis.
1952: Twin Cities Newspapers Sold Broadcast Holdings
In 1952, Twin Cities Newspapers sold off its broadcast holdings, with channel 4 going to the Murphy and McNally families.
1953: New WTCN-TV Picked up ABC Affiliation
In 1953, a new station using the WTCN-TV calls (now KARE-TV) picked up the ABC affiliation.
1954: CBS Sold Minority Ownership Stake
In 1954, CBS was forced to sell its minority ownership stake in the WCCO stations.
1955: WCCO Began Telecasting Color Programs
In 1955, WCCO began telecasting color programs.
1959: WCCO Acquired Videotape Machine
In 1959, WCCO became the first station in the Midwest to have a videotape machine, costing $50,000.
1961: WTCN-TV Became an Independent Station
In 1961, WTCN-TV became an independent station.
1961: WCCO Became Unofficial Home Station of Minnesota Vikings
In 1961, with the establishment of the Minnesota Vikings, WCCO became the 'unofficial' home station of the team.
July 23, 1962: WCCO-TV Involved in First Live International Broadcast
On July 23, 1962, WCCO-TV was involved in the world's first live international broadcast via the Telstar satellite, providing the feed for ABC, CBS, and NBC, originating from the Black Hills showing Mount Rushmore.
1982: KCMT and KNMT Switched to CBS
In 1982, both KCMT and KNMT switched to CBS affiliations.
September 1983: WCCO Relocated Operations
In September 1983, WCCO relocated its operations from South 9th Street to South 11th Street and Nicollet Mall.
1987: Central Minnesota Television Sold Stations to Midwest Radio and Television
In 1987, Central Minnesota Television sold both stations to Midwest Radio and Television, and they became semi-satellites of WCCO-TV.
1987: WCCO-TV Operated a Second Satellite Station
In 1987, WCCO-TV began operating a second satellite station, KCCO-TV, in Alexandria.
1989: WCCO II Evolved into Midwest Sports Channel
By 1989, WCCO II had evolved into the Midwest Sports Channel, focusing on regional sporting events.
1992: WCCO Provided Coverage of Super Bowl XXVI and Final Four
In 1992, WCCO provided coverage of Super Bowl XXVI and that year's Final Four.
1992: The Network Gained Full Ownership of WCCO-TV
In 1992, the network gained full ownership of WCCO-TV, acquiring Midwest Communications.
1993: Most Games Moved to WFTC
In 1993, most Vikings games were moved to WFTC.
1997: Midwest Sports Channel Became FSN Affiliate
The Midwest Sports Channel had been an FSN affiliate since 1997.
1998: WCCO Aired Vikings Games
Since 1998, WCCO airs at least two Vikings games each season when the Vikings host an AFC team.
2000: Midwest Sports Channel Sold to Fox Entertainment Group
In 2000, Midwest Sports Channel was sold to Fox Entertainment Group and became part of Fox Sports Net, becoming Fox Sports North.
2000: Viacom Bought CBS
In 2000, Viacom bought CBS, and WCCO became part of the Viacom Television Stations Group.
2002: WCCO-TV Ended KCCO/KCCW's Local Operations
In 2002, WCCO-TV ended KCCO/KCCW's local operations and shut down the Alexandria studio, converting the two stations into full-time satellites.
2006: Viacom Television Stations Group Renamed
In 2006, Viacom Television Stations Group was renamed CBS Television Stations when Viacom split into two companies.
May 28, 2009: WCCO Began Broadcasting Local Newscasts in High-Definition
On May 28, 2009, WCCO began broadcasting local newscasts in high-definition.
June 12, 2009: WCCO-TV Ended Regular Programming on Analog Signal
On June 12, 2009, WCCO-TV ended regular programming on its analog signal, transitioning to digital broadcasts.
2014: WCCO Aired Games Moved from KMSP-TV
Since 2014, with the institution of the new 'cross-flex' rules, WCCO airs any games that are moved from KMSP-TV.
December 22, 2017: Selective TV Added WCCO to Lineup
On December 22, 2017, Selective TV, Inc. announced a deal to add WCCO to its lineup after KCCO shutdown.
2017: WCCO-TV Discontinued Operation of KCCO-TV
In 2017, WCCO-TV discontinued operation of its second satellite station, KCCO-TV.
August 13, 2019: National Amusements Announced Recombination of Viacom and CBS
On August 13, 2019, National Amusements announced that Viacom and CBS Corporation would recombine their assets, forming ViacomCBS.
December 4, 2019: Sale Completed Resulting in CBS Television Stations Becoming Subsidiaries of ViacomCBS
On December 4, 2019, the sale was completed, resulting in CBS Television Stations, including WCCO-TV, becoming subsidiaries of ViacomCBS.
February 16, 2022: ViacomCBS Changed Name to Paramount Global
On February 16, 2022, ViacomCBS changed its name to Paramount Global.
September 5, 2022: WCCO Premiered The 4 Newscast
On September 5, 2022, WCCO premiered an hour-long 4 pm newscast called The 4.
August 14, 2023: Wendy McMahon Named CBS News and Stations President
On August 14, 2023, Wendy McMahon, a former creative services director at WCCO-TV, was named CBS News and Stations president.
2023: WCCO Aired Minnesota Golden Gophers Football Games
Since 2023, WCCO has aired select Minnesota Golden Gophers football games as a part of a new deal between CBS and the Big Ten Conference.
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