History of WOOD-TV in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 17, 2026

WOOD-TV is an NBC-affiliated television station serving West Michigan, licensed to Grand Rapids. Owned by Nexstar Media Group, it operates alongside WOTV (ABC/CW) and WXSP-CD (MyNetworkTV). The three stations share studios in Grand Rapids, with WOOD-TV's transmitter located near Middleville. As a local news provider and NBC affiliate, WOOD-TV delivers network programming and local content to viewers in the West Michigan region.

August 15, 1949: WOOD-TV Signs On Air as WLAV-TV

On August 15, 1949, WLAV-TV signed on the air, broadcasting on VHF channel 7. It was the fourth television station in Michigan and the first outside of Detroit.

July 1, 1972: Call Letters Changed to WOTV

On July 1, 1972, the station's call letters were changed to WOTV after WOOD radio was sold, due to FCC rules at the time.

1975: First West Michigan Station to Use Electronic News Gathering

In 1975, WOOD-TV became the first station in West Michigan to use electronic news gathering.

1983: First Area Station to Introduce Television Helicopter

In 1983, WOOD-TV introduced the area's first television helicopter to assist in news coverage.

1984: Weekday Morning Newscast Premiered

In 1984, WOOD-TV's weekday morning newscast premiered, airing for a half-hour at 6:30 AM.

1990: WOTV Shuttered News Department

In 1990, after taking over WOTV's operations, that station shuttered its separate news department due to weak viewership.

June 1, 1992: Station Reclaims WOOD-TV Callsign

On June 1, 1992, the station reclaimed its original WOOD-TV callsign with WOOD radio's permission, after the FCC callsign rule was repealed.

1992: WOOD-TV Launched Separate News Department for WOTV

In 1992, WOOD-TV launched a separate news department for WOTV, but it made no impact in the ratings.

1995: Morning Newscast Expanded to Two Hours

In 1995, WOOD-TV's weekday morning newscast was expanded to a two-hour format, and the weekday noon and weekend 6 p.m. newscasts expanded to an hour.

August 14, 1999: WOOD-TV Broadcasts High Definition Digital Signal

On August 14, 1999, WOOD-TV became the first station in the market to broadcast a high definition digital signal on VHF channel 7.

August 2003: WOTV's News Operation Shut Down Permanently

In August 2003, LIN TV shut down WOTV's news operation permanently, and the station began simulcasting some of WOOD-TV's newscasts.

October 21, 2007: WOOD-TV Begins Nightly Prime Time Newscast on WXSP-CD

On October 21, 2007, WOOD-TV began offering a nightly prime time newscast at 10 p.m. on WXSP-CD.

June 12, 2009: WOOD-TV Shut Down Analog Signal

On June 12, 2009, WOOD-TV shut down its analog signal on VHF channel 8 as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television.

October 5, 2009: eightWest Premiered

On October 5, 2009, the entertainment and lifestyle magazine show eightWest premiered on WOOD-TV, airing weekday mornings at 11 a.m.

September 2011: WOOD-TV Broadcasts from ArtPrize

Starting in September 2011, WOOD-TV began broadcasting all of its newscasts during ArtPrize from a temporary studio built inside the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

October 22, 2011: WOOD-TV Broadcasts Newscasts in High Definition

On October 22, 2011, WOOD-TV began broadcasting local newscasts in high definition.

March 21, 2014: Media General to Acquire LIN

On March 21, 2014, it was announced that Media General would acquire LIN Broadcasting, bringing WOOD-TV under common ownership with WLNS-TV in Lansing.

January 27, 2016: Media General to be acquired by Nexstar Broadcasting Group

On January 27, 2016, Media General announced it would be acquired by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, creating Nexstar Media Group which would own 171 stations, including WOOD-TV.

September 20, 2016: WOOD-TV Begins 7 p.m. Newscast

On September 20, 2016, WOOD-TV began a half-hour newscast at 7 p.m., becoming the first station in Grand Rapids to do so; as a result, Access Hollywood moved from WOOD-TV to sister station WOTV.

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January 17, 2017: Nexstar Acquisition of Media General Completed

On January 17, 2017, the acquisition of Media General by Nexstar Broadcasting Group was completed, making WOOD-TV part of Nexstar Media Group.

2017: Media Arts Center Launched

In 2017, WOOD-TV partnered with the Grand Rapids Art Museum to launch the Media Arts Center, a year-round streetside studio, and also opened a streetside studio in downtown Kalamazoo.

December 3, 2018: Nexstar Announces Acquisition of Tribune Media

On December 3, 2018, Nexstar announced its plan to acquire Tribune Media, owners of WXMI, for $6.4 billion, leading to potential ownership conflicts in the Grand Rapids market.

March 20, 2019: Nexstar to Keep WOOD-TV/WOTV and Sell WXMI

On March 20, 2019, Nexstar announced it would retain the WOOD-TV/WOTV duopoly and WXSP-CD, and would sell WXMI to E. W. Scripps Company as part of a larger deal.

September 19, 2019: Sale of WXMI to Scripps Completed

On September 19, 2019, the sale of WXMI to the E. W. Scripps Company was completed.

July 2022: WOOD-TV Inadvertently Publishes Test Results

In July 2022, WOOD-TV inadvertently published test results related to the state's primary election, leading to conspiracy theories about election fraud.

June 13, 2023: Memo Urging Reporters to Curb Pride Month Coverage

On June 13, 2023, WOOD-TV assistant news director Amy Fox sent a memo urging reporters to curb coverage of Pride Month events, sparking social media backlash. The news director and Fox were ultimately fired.