History of WDRB in Timeline

WDRB is a Fox-affiliated television station located in Louisville, Kentucky, owned by Block Communications. It shares studio facilities in downtown Louisville with WBKI, a CW/MyNetworkTV affiliate, while its transmitter is situated in Floyd County, Indiana. WDRB provides Fox network programming to the Louisville metropolitan area.

1953: Construction Permit Issued for Channel 41

In 1953, Robert Rounsaville, owner of WLOU, received the first construction permit for channel 41 in Louisville, planning to create the first Black-oriented TV station, WQXL-TV, in the country.

1955: WQXI-TV Fails

In 1955, the construction of WQXL-TV became doubtful after the failure of Atlanta's WQXI-TV, on which it depended.

1963: Permit Sold to Producers, Inc.

In 1963, the construction permit for channel 41 was sold to Producers, Inc. of Evansville, Indiana; however, a station never materialized.

July 7, 1965: Consolidated Broadcasting Files for Construction Permit

On July 7, 1965, Consolidated Broadcasting Company filed for a construction permit for channel 41.

April 20, 1966: Construction Permit Granted

On April 20, 1966, Consolidated Broadcasting Company was granted a construction permit for channel 41.

February 28, 1971: WDRB-TV Signs On

On February 28, 1971, WDRB-TV went on the air as the first independent station in the Louisville market, offering children's programming, news updates, and "Fright Night".

1977: Station Sold to Minneapolis Star & Tribune Company

In 1977, Consolidated Broadcasting Corporation sold WDRB-TV to the Minneapolis Star & Tribune Company for $6.5 million.

1980: Station Moved to Muhammad Ali Boulevard

In 1980, WDRB-TV moved from Butchertown to its current location on Muhammad Ali Boulevard.

1981: Application for Channel Shift Denied

In 1981, WDRB-TV's application for a shift to channel 21 was denied by an administrative law judge, though the FCC review board later overturned the decision.

1983: Station Sold to Block Communications

In 1983, Cowles sold WDRB to Block Communications of Toledo, Ohio, for $10 million.

1985: Acquisition of Louisville Athletics Broadcast Rights

In 1985, WDRB acquired the broadcast rights for the University of Louisville's athletic programs.

October 9, 1986: WDRB-TV Becomes a Fox Affiliate

On October 9, 1986, WDRB-TV became an affiliate of the Fox network.

1986: Fox Network Affiliation

In 1986, WDRB affiliated with the Fox network at its launch, becoming the local Fox affiliate.

March 12, 1990: Launch of WDRB News Department

On March 12, 1990, WDRB launched its news department with the debut of a half-hour 10 p.m. newscast, originally titled The News at 10.

1990: Regained Rights to Louisville Athletics and Transmitter Upgrade

In 1990, WDRB regained rights to Louisville athletics and upgraded its transmitter, improving signal coverage.

1992: Dual Fox Affiliation in Louisville Market

In 1992, Campbellsville-based WGRB also became a Fox affiliate, resulting in two Fox affiliates in the Louisville market.

1994: Local Marketing Agreement with WFTE

In 1994, Block Communications entered into a local marketing agreement to operate WFTE (channel 58).

1995: The News at 10 Retitled Fox News at 10 and Expanded

In 1995, the program was retitled as Fox News at 10 and expanded to one hour.

1997: WDRB Becomes Sole Fox Affiliate

In 1997, WDRB became the sole Fox affiliate in Louisville after WGRB affiliated with The WB.

October 5, 1998: Launch of Fox in the Morning and Fox First News

On October 5, 1998, WDRB premiered the three-hour-long Fox in the Morning and a half-hour midday newscast at 11:30 a.m. originally titled Fox First News.

September 2001: Debut of 4 p.m. Newscast

In September 2001, WDRB debuted an hour-long 4 p.m. newscast.

2001: Bill Lamb Becomes General Manager

In 2001, Bill Lamb became general manager of Block's Louisville stations.

2001: Block Acquires WFTE

In 2001, Block acquired WFTE outright, creating the first television station duopoly in the Louisville market.

2002: Weekly Editorials by Bill Lamb

In 2002, WDRB introduced weekly editorials by general manager Bill Lamb, the first on any Louisville station since the 1980s.

2003: Retooling of Morning Newscast

In 2003, the morning newscast was retooled as a news-oriented program.

April 21, 2007: First HD Telecast of Thunder Over Louisville

On April 21, 2007, WDRB became the first television station in Louisville to televise Thunder Over Louisville in high definition.

April 2008: Second HD Telecast of Thunder Over Louisville

In April 2008, WDRB aired a second HD telecast of Thunder Over Louisville as part of a rotating rights agreement.

June 12, 2009: Analog Signal Discontinued

On June 12, 2009, WDRB discontinued regular programming on its analog signal as part of the digital television transition.

May 2011: Rebranding to WDRB Call Letters

In May 2011, WDRB began phasing out the "Fox 41" branding in favor of branding by the WDRB call letters.

2011: Evening Newscast at 6:30 p.m.

In 2011, WDRB added evening newscasts at 6:30 p.m.

2012: 7 p.m. Newscast for WBKI-TV

From 2012 to 2015, WDRB broadcast a 7 p.m. newscast for WBKI-TV.

May 2013: Construction of Additional Space at Studio Facility Begins

In May 2013, WDRB began construction of an additional 11,000 square feet of space at its Muhammad Ali Boulevard studio facility.

June 2013: Promo Criticizing Overuse of "Breaking News"

In June 2013, WDRB gained notice in the television industry when it debuted a promo criticizing the broad, constant and generalized use of the term "breaking news" by other news stations.

2013: Weekend Morning News Added

In 2013, WDRB added weekend morning news.

May 5, 2014: Opening of Expanded Studio Facility

On May 5, 2014, the $1.7 million expanded facility opened; WBKI-TV relocated its employees into the WDRB facility.

2014: Evening Newscast at 6 p.m.

In 2014, WDRB added an evening newscast at 6 p.m.

September 21, 2015: Expansion of Fox First News

On September 21, 2015, Fox First News expanded to an hour with the addition of a half-hour noon newscast.

2015: End of 7pm Newscast for WBKI-TV

From 2012 to 2015, WDRB broadcast a 7 p.m. newscast for WBKI-TV which ended in 2015.

July 2018: John Schnatter's Ouster

July 2018 saw the controversial ouster of John Schnatter, founder of Papa John's, from the company due to his use of a racial slur on a conference call.

November 2019: Sweeps Interview with John Schnatter

In November 2019, WDRB gained national attention for a sweeps interview with John Schnatter, the founder of Papa John's Pizza, who claimed the quality of the chain had declined.