History of WFSB in Timeline
WFSB is a CBS-affiliated television station serving the Hartford–New Haven market. Licensed to Hartford, Connecticut, and owned by Gray Media, the station operates from studios in Rocky Hill and utilizes a transmitter on Talcott Mountain in Avon, Connecticut. Its primary function is broadcasting CBS programming and local content to viewers in the designated market area.
3 hours ago : Remembering Jose Olavarria and Adrian Lodynsky, Connecticut residents who recently passed away.
This week Connecticut mourns the loss of Jose Olavarria (1972-2025) of Rocky Hill and Adrian Lodynsky (1957-2025) of Bethany. Their obituaries detail their lives and legacies.
September 23, 1957: WFSB (as WTIC-TV) signed on the air
On September 23, 1957, WFSB, originally named WTIC-TV, began broadcasting, owned by Travelers Insurance Company along with WTIC radio. As Connecticut's second VHF station, it covered Connecticut, western Massachusetts, and eastern Long Island. During its first year, the station operated as an independent, broadcasting movies, syndicated programs, and three daily newscasts.
November 16, 1958: WTIC-TV becomes CBS affiliate
On November 16, 1958, WTIC-TV became a CBS affiliate after CBS decided to air its programming on a VHF station due to low ratings on its UHF station, WHCT-TV. This switch led to WTIC-TV rising to the top of the ratings.
1962: WTIC Stations moved to Broadcast House
In 1962, the WTIC stations relocated to Broadcast House, a new state-of-the-art facility located in the Constitution Plaza development in Downtown Hartford.
1972: Travelers Insurance decided to exit broadcasting
In late 1972, Travelers Insurance made the decision to exit the broadcasting industry.
January 15, 1973: Travelers Insurance announces exit from broadcasting
On January 15, 1973, Travelers Insurance announced its decision to exit broadcasting during an employee meeting held in Studio A. The WTIC radio stations were spun off to 1080 Corporation, while WTIC-TV was sold to The Washington Post Company.
March 8, 1974: WTIC-TV call letters changed to WFSB
On March 8, 1974, The Washington Post Company finalized the purchase of WTIC-TV and changed its call letters to WFSB in honor of Frederick Sessions Beebe, the broadcasting division president. The WTIC call letters could not be retained due to FCC regulations.
1976: NY Giants games shown on Channel 3
In 1976, WTIC-TV played a role in a low point for the New York Giants as the team awaited the opening of Giants Stadium, with home games being played at the Yale Bowl. Because the station was outside the NFL's blackout radius, New York fans would travel to the Hartford–New Haven area to watch Giants home games on channel 3.
1984: WTIC call letters return to Connecticut television
In 1984, the WTIC call letters returned to Connecticut television when Arch Communications launched a new independent station on channel 61.
June 1997: Post-Newsweek traded WFSB to Meredith Corporation
In June 1997, Post-Newsweek traded WFSB to the Meredith Corporation in exchange for WCPX-TV (now WKMG-TV) in Orlando, Florida. Post-Newsweek maintained its base in Hartford until 2000.
1999: WFSB aired UConn's NCAA championship victory
In 1999, WFSB aired one of the UConn Huskies men's basketball team's NCAA championship victories.
2000: Post-Newsweek relocated to Detroit
In 2000, Post-Newsweek Group relocated from Hartford to Detroit, the location of its then-largest station, WDIV-TV.
2003: Meredith launches WSHM-LP in Springfield
In 2003, Meredith launched WSHM-LP in Springfield as a CBS affiliate to benefit from the revenue of two separate stations and avoid preempting Patriots games.
2004: WFSB aired UConn's NCAA championship victory
In 2004, WFSB aired one of the UConn Huskies men's basketball team's NCAA championship victories.
2005: WFSB announces plans for a new studio in Rocky Hill
In 2005, WFSB announced plans to construct a new studio at an office park in suburban Rocky Hill. The new studio would feature a modern design with a glass façade and lobby.
2007: WFSB's new studio opens in Rocky Hill
In 2007, WFSB's new, modern studio in Rocky Hill officially opened.
December 1, 2008: WFSB launches Connecticut Sports Network
On December 1, 2008, WFSB partnered with CPTV to launch the Connecticut Sports Network, covering 41 high school championships and 20 small colleges.
June 12, 2009: WFSB shuts down analog signal
On June 12, 2009, WFSB shut down its analog signal on VHF channel 3 as part of the federally mandated transition to digital television, while its digital signal remained on UHF channel 33. WFSB participated in the "analog nightlight" program, keeping the analog signal operational until June 26.
May 2011: CT '25 ratings exceed national shows
During the May 2011 sweeps, WFSB's Sunday morning news program, CT '25 with Eric Parker (then known as Face the State), achieved higher ratings than national Sunday shows like NBC's Meet the Press and ABC's This Week.
2011: WFSB aired UConn's NCAA championship victory
In 2011, WFSB aired one of the UConn Huskies men's basketball team's NCAA championship victories.
January 13, 2012: WFSB simulcasts newscasts on radio
On January 13, 2012, WFSB began simulcasting its weekday noon and 6 p.m. newscasts on radio stations WLIS (1420 AM) in Old Saybrook and WMRD (1150 AM) in Middletown.
February 28, 2012: WFSB partners with The Bulletin
On February 28, 2012, WFSB partnered with The Bulletin, a newspaper based in Norwich, Connecticut, to share news footage, stories, and local forecasts.
2014: WFSB aired UConn's NCAA championship victory
In 2014, WFSB aired one of the UConn Huskies men's basketball team's NCAA championship victories.
March 20, 2015: WFSB adds Escape and Laff networks
On March 20, 2015, WFSB announced a multi-station affiliation agreement to add Katz Broadcasting's Escape (now Ion Mystery) on DT2 and Laff on DT3.
May 3, 2021: Gray Television announces intent to purchase Meredith Local Media
On May 3, 2021, Gray Television announced its plan to acquire the Meredith Local Media division for $2.7 billion, which included WFSB.
2022: WFSB discontinues WFSB Fairfield County
In 2022, Gray discontinued the "WFSB Fairfield County" feed on WFSB-DT4 and Optimum systems after the last two shows requiring alternate programming, Dr. Oz and Live, left WFSB's schedule.
February 2023: Gray splits WSHM from WFSB's channel
In February 2023, Gray Television split WSHM off to its own channel 33, separating it from WFSB's virtual channel number.
April 3, 2023: WWAX rebrands to The Wax
On April 3, 2023, WWAX rebranded to The Wax, airing additional newscasts and sports programming that are not available on WFSB.
2023: WFSB aired UConn's NCAA championship victory
In 2023, WFSB aired the UConn Huskies men's basketball team's NCAA championship victory.
2023: WFSB and WWAX agreement with UConn
In 2023, WFSB and WWAX entered into an agreement with the University of Connecticut, where WFSB airs one college football game per season featuring UConn, while WWAX airs live soccer and volleyball.
2025: WWAX to air spring training games
In 2025, WWAX reached an agreement with the Boston Red Sox to air four spring training games.
Mentioned in this timeline
Basketball is a team sport played on a rectangular court...
CBS is a major American commercial broadcast television and radio...
College football is a popular amateur sport in the United...
The National Broadcasting Company NBC is a major American commercial...
Connecticut is a state located in the New England region...
Football is a family of team sports centered around kicking...
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