History of WRAL-TV in Timeline

WRAL-TV is a television station based in Raleigh, North Carolina, serving the Research Triangle area as an NBC affiliate. It is owned and operated by Capitol Broadcasting Company, which has held ownership since the station's beginning. WRAL-TV functions as the flagship station for Capitol Broadcasting Company.

1938: Capitol Broadcasting Company Licenses WRAL Radio

In 1938, A. J. Fletcher's Capitol Broadcasting Company licensed WRAL Radio (AM 1240, now WPJL).

1953: Farm Program Airs

In 1953, WRAL aired Farm Program from 6 to 6:15 a.m. and Regional and Farm News aired between 12:45 and 12:55 p.m. from Fayetteville, covering agricultural markets and farm news.

December 15, 1956: WRAL-TV Begins Broadcasting

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

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1957: WNAO-TV went dark

At the end of 1957, the Triangle's CBS affiliate, WNAO-TV went dark and the affiliation moved to WTVD.

1960: Jesse Helms Becomes Editorialist on WRAL-TV

In 1960, Jesse Helms began as an editorialist on WRAL-TV's news broadcasts.

1961: Time for Uncle Paul Premieres

In 1961, 'Time for Uncle Paul', starring Paul Montgomery, premiered on WRAL. It was a locally produced children's program.

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

On August 1, 1962, WRAL took the ABC affiliation full-time, sharing ABC with WTVD until that date. This was unusual for a two-station market at the time.

January 3, 1967: WRAL Continues to Carry 'The Huntley-Brinkley Report'

On January 3, 1967, even after taking on the ABC affiliation, WRAL continued to carry 'The Huntley-Brinkley Report' until ABC's own evening newscasts expanded to 30 minutes.

1971: NBC Programming Moved to WRDU-TV

In 1971, NBC programming was moved full-time to WRDU-TV, struggling in the Triangle ratings for over 40 years.

1972: Jesse Helms Elected to the United States Senate

In 1972, Jesse Helms was elected to the United States Senate after being an editorialist on WRAL-TV's news broadcasts since 1960.

1977: ACC Football and Basketball Aired on WRAL

In 1977, ACC football and basketball from Raycom Sports moved from WTVD to WRAL, airing on the station until the end of the syndication package.

1979: First News Helicopter

In 1979, WRAL became the state's first television station to begin using a news helicopter, known as "Sky 5".

1981: 'Football Friday' Debuts

In 1981, 'Football Friday' debuted, hosted by Tom Suiter, covering high school football games throughout Wake and Durham counties.

1981: 'Time for Uncle Paul' Ends

In 1981, 'Time for Uncle Paul', a locally produced children's program, ended after station management suggested a change to an educational format.

1981: NCAA Tournament Aired on CBS

Since 1981, the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament has aired on CBS.

March 1985: Capital Cities Communications Purchases ABC

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

1985: WRAL Becomes Home for NCAA Tournament

In 1985, WRAL became the Triangle's home for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

1986: WRAL Aired Duke's National Championship Appearance

In 1986, WRAL aired one of the Duke Blue Devils' national championship appearances during the NCAA Tournament.

1987: Steve Wiley Began Flying for WRAL

In 1987, Steve Wiley began flying for WRAL, piloting the news helicopter until his death.

1988: WRAL Aired Duke's Final Four Appearance

In 1988, WRAL aired one of the Duke Blue Devils' Final Four appearances during the NCAA Tournament.

December 1989: WRAL Knocked Off Air by Ice Storm

In December 1989, WRAL was knocked off the air when a severe ice storm caused the collapse of the station's transmitter tower. WRAL made a deal with WKFT-TV to return to the air.

1989: WRAL Aired Duke's Final Four Appearance

In 1989, WRAL aired one of the Duke Blue Devils' Final Four appearances during the NCAA Tournament.

October 25, 1990: WRAL's New Tower Activated

On October 25, 1990, WRAL's new, stronger transmitter tower was activated, and WKFT reverted to broadcasting its own programming after temporarily running the WRAL schedule.

1990: WRAL Aired Duke's National Championship Appearance

In 1990, WRAL aired one of the Duke Blue Devils' national championship appearances during the NCAA Tournament.

1991: WRAL Aired Duke's National Championship Victory

In 1991, WRAL aired one of the Duke Blue Devils' national championship victories during the NCAA Tournament.

1992: WRAL Aired Duke's National Championship Victory

In 1992, WRAL aired one of the Duke Blue Devils' national championship victories during the NCAA Tournament.

January 1993: WRAL Airs '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, switching from the recommended 12:30 p.m. timeslot.

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1993: WRAL Aired UNC's National Championship Win

In 1993, WRAL aired the North Carolina Tar Heels' national championship win during the NCAA Tournament.

July 1, 1994: Charlie Gaddy Retirement

On July 1, 1994, Charlie Gaddy retired from co-anchoring newscasts.

1994: WRAL Aired Duke's National Championship Appearance

In 1994, WRAL aired one of the Duke Blue Devils' national championship appearances during the NCAA Tournament.

September 1995: WRAL Begins Newscasts for WRAZ

In September 1995, WRAL began producing newscasts for WRAZ, including a three-hour newscast at 7 a.m. on weekday mornings and a weeknight hour-long, weekend half-hour newscast at 10 p.m.

1995: 'Football Friday' Broadcast from Studio A

From 1995, 'Football Friday' was broadcast from WRAL's Studio A with an audience of cheerleaders, bands, players, and fans.

1995: NBC Moved to WNCN

In 1995, NBC moved to WNCN, where it remained for 20 years, struggling to improve in the Triangle ratings.

1995: WRAL Aired UNC's Final Four Appearance

In 1995, WRAL aired one of the North Carolina Tar Heels' Final Four appearances during the NCAA Tournament.

June 19, 1996: First Experimental High-Definition Television License

On June 19, 1996, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) awarded WRAL-TV the first experimental high-definition television license in the United States.

July 23, 1996: Digital Television Operations Begin

On July 23, 1996, WRAL-TV began digital television operations on UHF channel 32, identified as "WRAL-HD".

1996: Experimental HD Transmission License Obtained

In 1996, WRAL obtained an experimental HD transmission license from the FCC, becoming the first commercial station to provide high definition programming.

September 6, 1997: First Live Sports Program in High Definition

On September 6, 1997, WRAL-TV was the first in the U.S. to broadcast a live sports program in high definition.

1997: WRAL Aired UNC's Final Four Appearance

In 1997, WRAL aired one of the North Carolina Tar Heels' Final Four appearances during the NCAA Tournament.

1997: Mid-South Regional Emmy Awards

In 1997, WRAL received eight Mid-South Regional Emmy Awards including those for news excellence, best newscast, best hard news series and investigative reporting.

1998: WRAL Aired UNC's Final Four Appearance

In 1998, WRAL aired one of the North Carolina Tar Heels' Final Four appearances during the NCAA Tournament.

1998: Mid-South Regional Emmy Awards

In 1998, WRAL received seven Mid-South Regional Emmy Awards including those for best daytime newscast, special event coverage, news magazine, news promotion, public service announcement, and best children's entertainment program.

1999: CBS Provides HD Programming

In 1999, CBS began providing WRAL-TV with a regular schedule of prime time programs in HD.

1999: WRAL Aired Duke's National Championship Appearance

In 1999, WRAL aired one of the Duke Blue Devils' national championship appearances during the NCAA Tournament.

March 2000: Digital Signal Moved to Channel 53

In March 2000, WRAL's digital signal moved to channel 53.

October 13, 2000: First All-HD Newscast

On October 13, 2000, WRAL aired the world's first all-HD newscast.

2000: WRAL Aired UNC's Final Four Appearance

In 2000, WRAL aired one of the North Carolina Tar Heels' Final Four appearances during the NCAA Tournament.

2000: Purchase of Bell 407 Helicopter

In 2000, WRAL purchased the current Bell 407 helicopter for $2 million.

2000: Mid-South Regional Emmy Awards

In 2000, WRAL was awarded nine Mid-South Regional Emmy Awards including for documentaries on the Cape Light and coverage of the Special Olympics World Games. Jim Goodmon was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award as well.

January 28, 2001: Conversion to All-Digital High Definition

On January 28, 2001, WRAL converted all of its newsgathering and broadcasts to all digital high definition.

2001: WRAL Aired Duke's National Championship Victory

In 2001, WRAL aired one of the Duke Blue Devils' national championship victories during the NCAA Tournament.

2002: 'Football Friday' Moved to Newsroom

In 2002, the arrival of the North Carolina Education Lottery moved 'Football Friday' to the newsroom.

October 2003: Death of Dan Wilkinson and End of Full-Time Farm Reporter

After the sudden unexpected death of Dan Wilkinson in October 2003, WRAL decided to no longer have a full-time farm reporter, and frequent agricultural coverage came to an end.

2003: WRAL Did Not Air Reality Show 'Cupid'

In 2003, the reality show 'Cupid' did not air on WRAL.

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2004: WRAL Aired Duke's Final Four Appearance

In 2004, WRAL aired one of the Duke Blue Devils' Final Four appearances during the NCAA Tournament.

2005: WRAL Aired UNC's National Championship Win

In 2005, WRAL aired the North Carolina Tar Heels' national championship win during the NCAA Tournament.

February 1, 2006: WRAL Begins Streaming Programming Live on Internet

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

November 17, 2006: "Reunion" Newscast for 50th Anniversary

On November 17, 2006, WRAL had a special "reunion" newscast during the 6 p.m. broadcast with Gaddy, Battista and DeBardelaben reprising their roles in commemoration of the station's 50th anniversary alongside Suiter.

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

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

October 10, 2007: Launch of WCMC-FM Sports Talk Radio Station

On October 10, 2007, the WRAL sports department launched a sports talk radio station, WCMC-FM.

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 Retirement

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

2008: WRAL Aired UNC's Final Four Appearance

In 2008, WRAL aired one of the North Carolina Tar Heels' Final Four appearances during the NCAA Tournament.

2008: Emmy Awards and Other Awards

In 2008, WRAL and WRAL.com received nine Emmy awards, including the inaugural award in Advanced Media for Interactivity for the video player used throughout the website. The station also won a bronze Horizon Interactive Award for their online hurricane tracker. Geoff Levine won the National Press Photographer of the Year award and the station received 6 awards from the North Carolina Associated Press Broadcasters.

June 12, 2009: Analog Signal Ended

On June 12, 2009, WRAL-TV ended regular programming on its analog signal.

2009: WRAL Aired UNC's National Championship Win

In 2009, WRAL aired the North Carolina Tar Heels' national championship win during the NCAA Tournament.

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

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

2010: WRAL Aired Duke's National Championship Victory

In 2010, WRAL aired one of the Duke Blue Devils' national championship victories during the NCAA Tournament.

April 2011: Coverage of April 2011 Tornadoes

In April 2011, WRAL provided coverage of the tornadoes that ripped through the area, which led to several Emmy awards in 2012.

September 13, 2012: Debut of Mobile Emergency Alert System (M-EAS)

On September 13, 2012, WRAL-TV debuted the first Mobile Emergency Alert System (M-EAS) in the United States.

2012: Mid-South Regional Emmy Awards

In 2012, WRAL received award nominations for news 32 times, tying Nashville station WTVF in the Mid-South Regional Emmy Awards and won 11. Capitol Broadcasting along with the A.J. Fletcher Foundation were awarded the Governor's Award, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' highest honor as well in 2012.

2015: WRAL Aired Duke's National Championship Victory

In 2015, WRAL aired one of the Duke Blue Devils' national championship victories during the NCAA Tournament.

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

On January 15, 2016, WRAL-TV announced that it would switch to NBC on February 29, 2016, due to reverse compensation agreement disagreements with CBS. The last CBS program to air on WRAL was the movie Last Vegas.

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February 29, 2016: WRAL-TV Affiliates with NBC

On February 29, 2016, WRAL-TV ended its 30-year affiliation with CBS and became an NBC affiliate. CBS moved to WNCN. WRAL-TV had previously been affiliated with NBC at the start of its broadcasting history.

June 29, 2016: First U.S. Station Broadcasting ATSC 3.0

On June 29, 2016, WRAL became the first U.S. television station to begin broadcasting a full-time service using ATSC 3.0 digital television standards, operating under an experimental license from the FCC on UHF channel 39 as WRAL-EX.

2016: WRAL Aired Super Bowl 50, Stanley Cup Finals, and Summer Olympics

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

2018: WRAL-EX Leaves the Air

In 2018, WRAL-EX left the air as a consequence of the FCC's repacking process.

October 31, 2019: New Set Debut

On October 31, 2019, WRAL debuted a new set with the noon newscast, featuring a 20-by-11-foot LED video wall and a smaller curved LED wall.

2019: WRAL-TV Continued to Air ACC Football/Basketball

Despite the NCAA Tournament moving to WNCN, WRAL-TV continued to air ACC football and/or basketball until the package ended in 2019 in favor of the ACC Network.

2019: ACC Package Ended on WRAL

In 2019, the ACC football and basketball package ended on WRAL in favor of the ACC Network.

September 11, 2020: Capitol Broadcasting Buys WARZ-CD

On September 11, 2020, Capitol Broadcasting bought then-WARZ-CD for $725,000, and since then has used the station, now WNGT-CD, as an ATSC 3.0 multiplex for the region, simulcasting WRAL in 1080p.