History of WDAY-TV in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: June 21, 2025

WDAY-TV is a television station located in Fargo, North Dakota, affiliated with ABC. It is the flagship television property of Forum Communications Company, which also owns The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. The station's studios are situated on South 8th Street in downtown Fargo, and its transmitter is located near Amenia. WDAY-TV serves the Fargo area with ABC programming and local news coverage.

1922: WDAY Radio Signed On

In 1922, WDAY radio signed on, a year before the U.S. government moved the K-W boundary from the state borders between 102 and 104 degrees West longitude to the Mississippi River.

May 28, 1953: WDAY-TV Begins Test Broadcasts

On May 28, 1953, WDAY-TV began test broadcasts as the second television station in North Dakota and the first in Fargo.

June 1, 1953: WDAY-TV Officially Starts Daily Schedule

On June 1, 1953, WDAY-TV officially started its daily broadcast schedule, becoming the first television station in Fargo and eastern North Dakota.

1954: WDAY-TV Loses CBS Affiliation

In 1954, WDAY-TV lost its CBS affiliation to KXJB-TV (channel 4).

1955: WDAY-TV Loses DuMont Affiliation

In 1955, WDAY-TV lost its DuMont network affiliation as the network was winding up operations.

1959: WDAY-TV Loses ABC Affiliation

In 1959, WDAY-TV lost its ABC affiliation when KXGO-TV (channel 11, now KVLY-TV) signed on.

1967: WDAY-TV Signs On WDAZ-TV

In 1967, WDAY-TV signed on WDAZ-TV as a semi-satellite for the northern portion of the market to improve coverage in the northern Grand Forks area.

1983: WDAY-TV Becomes ABC Affiliate

In 1983, WDAY-TV swapped affiliations with KTHI-TV (channel 11) and became an ABC affiliate.

1998: WDAY-TV and WDAZ-TV Begin Operating Cable-Only WB Affiliate

In 1998, WDAY-TV and WDAZ-TV began operating cable-only WB affiliate "WBFG".

June 12, 2009: WDAY-TV Shuts Down Analog Signal

On June 12, 2009, WDAY-TV shut down its analog signal, transitioning to digital broadcasts.

2011: WDAY Takes Over WDAZ's Weekend News

In 2011, WDAY took over WDAZ's weekend news.

February 22, 2012: WDAY-TV began broadcasting its local newscasts in high definition

On February 22, 2012, WDAY-TV began broadcasting its local newscasts in high definition.

2013: WDAY'Z Xtra Launched

In 2013, WDAY'Z Xtra launched on digital subchannel 6.3 in the Fargo area and 8.3 in the Grand Forks area.

July 2014: WDAY Takes Over WDAZ's 5 p.m. Weekday Newscast

In July 2014, WDAY took over WDAZ's 5 p.m. weekday newscast, resulting in backlash from viewers.

2014: KBMY and KMCY Began Airing Some of WDAY's Newscasts

In 2014, KBMY and KMCY began airing some of WDAY's newscasts.

2014: WDAY X (as WDAY Xtra) became available in HD

In 2014, WDAY X (as WDAY Xtra) became available in HD.

August 2016: WDAY-TV Launches WDAY Xtra News at 9

In August 2016, WDAY-TV launched a half-hour prime time newscast on its second and third subchannels called WDAY Xtra News at 9. It is simulcast on WDAZ's subchannels in Grand Forks, as well as KBMY/KMCY's subchannels in the Bismarck–Minot market.

September 12, 2016: WDAY/WDAZ Replaced The CW Plus Successor of "WBFG" with the Justice Network

On September 12, 2016, WDAY/WDAZ replaced The CW Plus successor of "WBFG" with the Justice Network (which moved from 6.4) on new digital broadcast subchannels WDAY 6.2 and WDAZ 8.2, and WDAY'Z Xtra (which launched in 2013) on digital subchannel 6.3 in the Fargo area and 8.3 in the Grand Forks area.

2016: MyNetworkTV programming began airing in prime time

In 2016, MyNetworkTV programming began airing in prime time, although on KBMY and KMCY only (in Bismarck and Minot respectively) but not on WDAY or WDAZ.

September 11, 2017: WDAY-TV Launched a 4 p.m. Weekday Newscast

On September 11, 2017, WDAY-TV launched a 4 p.m. weekday newscast that is simulcast on sister station WDAZ, becoming the first afternoon newscast ever to air in the market.

2017: WDAY-DT4 Returns to Air as Ion Television Affiliate

In 2017, WDAY-DT4 returned to the air as an affiliate of Ion Television.

November 30, 2018: WDAY-TV Announces Merger of News Department with WDAZ

On November 30, 2018, WDAY-TV announced that WDAZ would merge its news department with that of WDAY-TV, resulting in the cancellation of WDAZ's separate 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts, effective December 21.

September 5, 2021: WDAY-TV Launched a Sunday Morning Newscast

On September 5, 2021, WDAY-TV launched a Sunday morning newscast that is simulcast on sister stations WDAZ and KBMY/KMCY, becoming the first Sunday morning newscast to air in the market.