History of WRAL-TV in Timeline

WRAL-TV is an NBC-affiliated television station serving the Research Triangle area of North Carolina. Licensed to Raleigh, it's the flagship station of Capitol Broadcasting Company, its owner since the station's founding. The station provides news and entertainment programming to the region.

December 15, 1956: WRAL-TV Begins Broadcasting

On December 15, 1956, WRAL-TV began broadcasting, with one of the first programs aired being the movie Miracle on 34th Street.

Loading Video...

August 1, 1962: WRAL Takes ABC Affiliation Full-Time

On August 1, 1962, WRAL took the ABC affiliation full-time, which was unusual for a two-station market at the time, as ABC was the smallest of the three major networks.

January 3, 1967: WRAL Continues Carrying Huntley-Brinkley Report

On January 3, 1967, WRAL continued to carry The Huntley-Brinkley Report until ABC's evening newscasts expanded to 30 minutes.

1972: Jesse Helms Elected to United States Senate

In 1972, Jesse Helms was elected to the United States Senate.

1981: Football Friday Debuts

In 1981, Football Friday debuted, hosted by Tom Suiter each Friday evening following the 11 p.m. news, covering high school football games in numerous counties.

1981: Time for Uncle Paul Ends

In 1981, Time for Uncle Paul, starring Paul Montgomery, voluntarily ended after station management suggested a change to an educational format.

March 1985: Capital Cities Communications Purchases ABC

In March 1985, Capital Cities Communications, the owner of WTVD, purchased ABC, resulting in WTVD becoming an owned-and-operated station of that network.

August 4, 1985: CBS Affiliation Moves to WRAL-TV

On August 4, 1985, the CBS affiliation moved to WRAL-TV, making it one of the few stations to have been a primary affiliate of all the "Big Three" networks.

December 1989: WRAL Knocked Off Air by Ice Storm

In December 1989, a severe ice storm caused the collapse of WRAL's transmitter tower, knocking the station off the air. WRAL made a deal with WKFT-TV to return to the air in only three hours.

October 25, 1990: New WRAL Tower Activated

On October 25, 1990, WRAL's new, stronger tower was activated, and WKFT reverted to broadcasting its own programming.

January 1993: WRAL Aired The Young and the Restless at 4 p.m.

In January 1993, WRAL aired The Young and the Restless at 4 p.m. as a lead-in to its 5 p.m. newscast.

Loading Video...

February 1, 2006: WRAL to Stream Programming Live Online

On February 1, 2006, WRAL announced that it would begin to stream all of its programming live on the internet.

2006: WRAL and UNC-TV Co-Produce Parade of Sail Tall Ship Show

In 2006, WRAL and UNC-TV co-produced the Parade of Sail Tall Ship Show in Beaufort.

December 3, 2007: WRAL Streams Live Video to Mobile Phones

On December 3, 2007, WRAL became the first local television station to stream live video to mobile phones.

December 18, 2008: Tom Suiter Retires

On December 18, 2008, long time sports anchor Tom Suiter retired and was replaced by Jeff Gravely.

2009: WRAL and UNC-TV Co-Produce Gubernatorial Inauguration

In 2009, WRAL and UNC-TV co-produced programming, such as the Gubernatorial Inauguration.

January 15, 2016: WRAL-TV Announces Switch to NBC

On January 15, 2016, WRAL-TV announced it would switch to NBC on February 29, 2016, due to disagreements over reverse compensation with CBS.

February 29, 2016: WRAL Affiliates With NBC

On February 29, 2016, WRAL-TV affiliated with NBC, ending a 30-year affiliation with CBS, which went to Goldsboro-licensed WNCN on that date.

2016: WRAL Aired Super Bowl, Stanley Cup and Olympics

In 2016, WRAL-TV aired CBS's coverage of Super Bowl 50, the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals, and the 2016 Summer Olympics, making it the only television station in the United States to air all three events from different networks in the same year.