History of WGME-TV in Timeline

WGME-TV is a CBS-affiliated television station located in Portland, Maine, owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group. It shares studios with Fox affiliate WPFO, which is effectively owned by Sinclair through a local marketing agreement and ownership of Cunningham Broadcasting stock. WGME-TV's studios are located on Northport Drive in Portland, with its transmitter on Brown Hill in Raymond. It also operates regional studios in Lewiston–Auburn and Augusta, Maine.

May 16, 1954: First Broadcast as WGAN-TV

On May 16, 1954, WGAN-TV, owned by Guy Gannett Communications, began its first broadcast. It was associated with WGAN (AM 560) and the Portland Press-Herald newspaper.

1959: Transmission Tower Built

In 1959, a 1,619-foot-tall transmission tower was built near Route 121 in Raymond.

1960: Record Surpassed

In 1960, KFVS-TV's tower in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, surpassed the Raymond transmission tower's record as the world's tallest architectural structure.

1967: WGAN-FM Added

In 1967, WGAN-FM at 102.9 was added to Guy Gannett Communications' radio offerings.

1981: Kim Block Started at WGME

Kim Block started as lead anchor at WGME in 1981.

1983: Radio Stations Sold

In 1983, the radio stations were sold to Taylor Communications of Maine, with the WGAN call letters remaining with them.

January 1, 1984: WGAN-TV Becomes WGME-TV

On January 1, 1984, WGAN-TV became WGME-TV, with the slogan "We're Gannett of Maine."

1989: WCSH Overtakes WGME in Ratings

Since 1989, WCSH overtook WGME and has dominated in the ratings.

1996: Dave Eid Joins WGME

Since 1996, Dave Eid has been with WGME as sports anchor and director.

1998: Guy Gannett Communications Put Up For Sale

In 1998, Guy Gannett Communications put itself up for sale due to the impending expiration of the family trust and a favorable market for broadcasting properties. This action ended 110 years of the company's history as a publisher.

1999: Tallest Architectural Structure

In 1999, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the transmission tower built in 1959 was the world's tallest architectural structure at the time.

2002: Tallest Structure in Maine Surpassed

In 2002, the construction of WMTW's tower surpassed the Raymond transmission tower as the tallest structure in Maine.

January 19, 2006: Doug Rafferty Stroke

On January 19, 2006, Doug Rafferty suffered a stroke during a live cut-in of a syndicated program, leading to reduced reporting hours.

February 5, 2007: Fox 23 News at 10 Premiere

On February 5, 2007, WGME began producing a 10 p.m. newscast on Fox affiliate WPFO called Fox 23 News at 10, marking the first prime-time broadcast in the market.

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2010: Newscast Expansion

During 2010, WGME expanded the 10 p.m. newscast to an hour and began a two-hour-long morning program on WPFO named Good Day Maine, due to a revenue-share agreement with WPFO.

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December 31, 2010: Retransmission Consent Agreement Expiration

On December 31, 2010, the retransmission consent agreement between WGME owner Sinclair Broadcast Group and Time Warner Cable expired, leading to a dispute over terms.

January 14, 2011: Retransmission Agreement Extended

On January 14, 2011, Sinclair Broadcast Group and Time Warner Cable extended their retransmission agreement while negotiations continued.

February 2011: Retransmission Dispute Resolved

In February 2011, Sinclair Broadcast Group and Time Warner Cable finalized an agreement to resolve their retransmission dispute.

December 18, 2011: HD Broadcasting Begins

On December 18, 2011, WGME began broadcasting in 720p high definition (HD) with a new set designed by Devlin Design Group.

2012: Doug Rafferty Retirement

During 2012, Doug Rafferty retired from his behind-the-scene technical job at WGME to become the Public Relations and Education Head at the Maine State Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

February 28, 2013: New Weather Graphics

On February 28, 2013, WGME's weather department introduced new graphics to its Weather Central forecasting system, as part of a package from Sinclair Broadcasting.

April 2013: Newscast Name Change

As of April 2013, WGME's newscasts were referred to as CBS 13 News.

October 2013: Good Day Maine Shortened

By October 2013, Good Day Maine was shortened to one hour.

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October 31, 2013: Sinclair Buys WPFO Assets

On October 31, 2013, Sinclair Broadcasting bought all non-license assets of WPFO Fox 23 for $13.6 million.

November 20, 2013: WPFO Licensing Assets Sold

On November 20, 2013, the licensing assets of WPFO were sold to Cunningham Broadcasting for $3.4 million.

February 2014: WPFO Newscast Name Change

As of February 2014, newscasts on WPFO were referred to as FOX 23 News.

September 15, 2014: Fox 23 News @ 6:30 pm Premieres

On September 15, 2014, WPFO-TV premiered the WGME-produced Fox 23 News @ 6:30 pm featuring the combined (6 pm and 11 pm) anchor team and a new format.

January 8, 2016: American Sports Network Announcement

On January 8, 2016, Sinclair announced that American Sports Network would begin on January 16 as a dedicated digital-multicast network in 10 cities, including Portland on WGME.

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