History of WDRB in Timeline

WDRB is a Fox-affiliated television station located in Louisville, Kentucky. Owned by Block Communications, it shares studios with WBKI, a CW/MyNetworkTV affiliate, in downtown Louisville. WDRB's transmission tower is situated in Floyd County, Indiana. As a local television station, it serves the Louisville metropolitan area with Fox network programming and likely local news and content.

1953: First Construction Permit Issued

In 1953, the first construction permit for channel 41 in Louisville was issued to Robert Rounsaville, owner of WLOU.

1955: WQXI-TV Fails

In 1955, the construction of WQXL-TV was dependent on the success of Atlanta's WQXI-TV, which failed and left the air.

1963: Permit Sold to Producers, Inc.

In 1963, the permit for channel 41 was sold to Producers, Inc., of Evansville, Indiana.

July 7, 1965: Construction Permit Filed

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, the construction permit for channel 41 was granted to Consolidated Broadcasting Company.

February 1971: WDRB Goes on Air

In February 1971, WDRB went on the air as the first independent station in the Louisville market.

February 28, 1971: WDRB-TV Signs On

On February 28, 1971, WDRB-TV signed on the air, becoming the first independent station in the Louisville market. Programming included children's shows, news updates, and Fright Night.

1977: Station Sold to Minneapolis Star & Tribune Company

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

1980: Station Moved to Muhammad Ali Boulevard

In 1980, WDRB moved from Butchertown to its present location on Muhammad Ali Boulevard.

1981: Application to Shift to Channel 21 Denied

In 1981, WDRB-TV's application for a shift to channel 21 was denied.

1983: Station Sold to Block Communications

In 1983, Cowles sold WDRB to Block Communications for $10 million, and the channel 21 application was dropped.

1985: Broadcast Rights for University of Louisville's Cardinals Won

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

October 9, 1986: WDRB 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 the network's launch.

March 12, 1990: News Department Launched

On March 12, 1990, WDRB launched its news department with the debut of The News at 10.

1990: Local Newscasts Begin

In 1990, WDRB began producing local newscasts, initially starting with one newscast at 10 p.m.

1990: Rights to Louisville Athletics Regained

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

1992: Dual Affiliates in the Market

In 1992, WGRB (channel 34) also affiliated with the Fox network, creating two 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: Program Retitled and Expanded

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

1997: WDRB Becomes Sole Fox Station

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

October 5, 1998: Morning and Midday Newscasts Premiered

On October 5, 1998, WDRB premiered Fox in the Morning and Fox First News.

September 2001: Hour-Long 4 PM Newscast Debut

In September 2001, an hour-long 4 PM newscast debuted on WDRB.

2001: Block Acquired WFTE

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

2002: Weekly Editorials Launched

In 2002, WDRB launched weekly editorials by general manager Bill Lamb.

2003: Morning Newscast Retooled

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 the Kentucky Derby Festival's Thunder Over Louisville in high definition.

April 2008: Second HD Telecast of Thunder Over Louisville

In April 2008, WDRB broadcast a second HD telecast of Thunder Over Louisville as part of a new agreement.

June 12, 2009: Analog Signal Discontinued

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

May 2011: Rebranding with 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 PM

In 2011, WDRB added evening newscasts at 6:30 PM to their schedule.

2012: 7 PM Newscast for WBKI-TV

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

May 2013: Construction of Additional Space

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 "Breaking News" Overuse

In June 2013, WDRB debuted a promo criticizing the overuse of the term "breaking news" by other news stations, stating it has been overused as a "marketing ploy".

2013: Weekend Morning News Added

In 2013, WDRB added weekend morning news to their schedule.

May 5, 2014: Expanded Facility Opens

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

2014: Evening Newscast at 6 PM

In 2014, WDRB added evening newscasts at 6 PM to their schedule.

September 21, 2015: Midday Newscast Expanded

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

2015: End of the 7 PM Newscast for WBKI-TV

The 7 PM newscast for WBKI-TV was discontinued in 2015.

July 2018: Reference to Schnatter's Ouster

The November 2019 interview with John Schnatter references his July 2018 ouster over use of a racial slur.

November 2019: Sweeps Interview with John Schnatter

In November 2019, WDRB gained national attention for a sweeps interview with John Schnatter, who claimed quality control of Papa John's Pizza had declined and warned of a 'day of reckoning' for Mark Shapiro.