History of WGAL in Timeline

WGAL is a television station based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, serving the Susquehanna Valley as an NBC affiliate. It is owned by Hearst Television and operates from studios in Lancaster Township, with its transmitter located near Hallam.

1922: Signing on WGAL radio

In 1922, WGAL radio was signed on.

March 18, 1949: WGAL First Broadcast

On March 18, 1949, WGAL first signed on the air, originally broadcasting on VHF channel 4. It was the fourth television station in Pennsylvania and the first to sign-on outside of Philadelphia.

1952: FCC Devised VHF Allocation Plan

In 1952, after the FCC's Sixth Report and Order ended the license freeze and opened the UHF band, it devised a plan for allocating VHF licenses.

December 31, 1952: WGAL Moves to Channel 8

On December 31, 1952, WGAL moved to channel 8 as a requirement by the FCC to prevent interference with WRC-TV in Washington.

January 1, 1954: First Color Television Broadcast

On January 1, 1954, WGAL presented its first color television broadcast of the Tournament of Roses Parade.

1955: Sale of WDEL-TV

In 1955, the Steinmans sold WDEL-TV in Wilmington, Delaware.

1963: Nielsen Collapses Lancaster and Harrisburg–York Areas

In 1963, Nielsen collapsed the Lancaster and Harrisburg–York areas into one large market.

1969: Sale of KOAT and KVOA

In 1969, KOAT in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and KVOA in Tucson, Arizona, were sold to Pulitzer Publishing.

1969: Installation of Highway Signs

In 1969, WGAL began installing numerous signs on area highways.

1972: KVOA Spun Off

In 1972, KVOA was spun off.

1976: Sale of WGAL Radio Stations

In 1976, the Steinmans sold off the WGAL radio stations.

1978: Sale of WGAL-TV and WTEV to Pulitzer

In late 1978, channel 8 (WGAL-TV) and WTEV were sold to Pulitzer.

1983: UHF Channels Reduced

In 1983, the number of UHF channels were reduced to 55.

1985: First Stereo Broadcast in Pennsylvania

In 1985, WGAL became the first television station in Pennsylvania to broadcast in stereo.

1990: End of Logo Usage

In 1990, WGAL stopped using the logo on area highway signs.

1992: Callsign Change

In 1992, channel 8 dropped the "-TV" suffix from its callsign.

September 30, 1995: News 8 Today Premiered

On September 30, 1995, weekend morning editions of News 8 Today premiered.

1998: Sale to Hearst-Argyle Television

In 1998, Pulitzer sold its television division, including WGAL, to Hearst-Argyle Television.

January 1, 2009: This TV Added

On January 1, 2009, WGAL began carrying This TV on digital subchannel 8.2.

Loading Video...

June 12, 2009: Analog Signal Ended

On June 12, 2009, WGAL ended regular programming on its analog signal, over VHF channel 8, as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television.

February 2010: Updated Tickers Introduced

In February 2010, WGAL began using updated tickers for weather warnings, school closings and breaking news.

November 2010: News Set Modified

Around late October or early November 2010, WGAL's news set was modified with new flat screen monitors.

December 13, 2010: WGAL Broadcasts Newscasts in Widescreen Standard Definition

On December 13, 2010, WGAL became the first television station in the Harrisburg–Lancaster–Lebanon–York market to begin broadcasting its local newscasts in widescreen standard definition, and also introduced updated on-screen graphics.

August 29, 2011: WGAL Broadcasts Newscasts in High Definition

On August 29, 2011, WGAL became the second station in South Central Pennsylvania to begin broadcasting its local newscasts in high definition.

February 5, 2012: Newscasts Returned to Studio B

On February 5, 2012, newscasts returned to Studio B with a new set.

April 14, 2012: All Major Stations Air Newscasts in HD

As of April 14, 2012, with WHP-TV's upgrade to HD newscasts, all four major stations in the Susquehanna Valley now air their local newscasts in HD.

2012: News Viewership Decline Begins

Starting in 2012, WGAL began experiencing declines in news viewership.

February 4, 2013: 10 PM Newscast Debuted

On February 4, 2013, WGAL debuted a nightly half-hour 10 p.m. newscast on its then This TV affiliated second digital subchannel.

Loading Video...

May 2013: Decline in News Viewership

In May 2013, WGAL experienced declines in news viewership.

February 14, 2014: Studio Roof Collapse

On February 14, 2014, a portion of the roof at WGAL's Columbia Avenue studio facility collapsed due to heavy snow and ice, causing evacuations and interrupting broadcasts.

December 29, 2014: Switched to MeTV

On December 29, 2014, WGAL switched to MeTV, which was previously a subchannel of WGCB-TV.

Loading Video...

August 22, 2016: 4 PM Newscast Debuted

On August 22, 2016, WGAL debuted an hour-long newscast at 4 p.m. This coincided with the cancellation of The Meredith Vieira Show.

Loading Video...

December 16, 2016: WGAL Hall of Fame Unveiled

On December 16, 2016, WGAL unveiled its Hall of Fame, honoring the founders and pioneers of WGAL.

September 26, 2023: Redesigned News Set Launched

On September 26, 2023, WGAL launched a redesigned, state-of-the-art news set in Studio A, which made its debut at the start of that day's News 8 at Noon.