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 since its founding. As the company's flagship station, WRAL-TV provides news and entertainment programming to the region.
1938: Capitol Broadcasting Licenses WRAL Radio
In 1938, A. J. Fletcher's Capitol Broadcasting Company first licensed WRAL Radio (AM 1240, now WPJL).
1953: WRAL Covers Agricultural Markets and Farm News
In 1953, WRAL was one of the first stations in North Carolina to cover agricultural markets and farm news in its regular newscasts. Farm Program aired from 6 to 6:15 a.m., and Regional and Farm News aired between 12:45 and 12:55 p.m. from Fayetteville.
December 15, 1956: WRAL-TV Begins Broadcasting
On December 15, 1956, WRAL-TV began broadcasting. One of the first programs aired was the movie "Miracle on 34th Street".
1957: WNAO-TV Goes Dark, Affiliations Shift
In 1957, WNAO-TV, the Triangle's CBS affiliate, went dark, and the affiliation moved to WTVD. In the process, WRAL shared ABC with WTVD.
1960: Jesse Helms Becomes Editorialist on WRAL-TV
In 1960, Jesse Helms became an editorialist on WRAL-TV's news broadcasts, contributing conservative commentaries.
1961: Time for Uncle Paul Debuts
In 1961, "Time for Uncle Paul" debuted on WRAL, starring Paul Montgomery.
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 point. This was unusual for a two-station market.
January 3, 1967: WRAL Continues Carrying The Huntley-Brinkley Report
Until January 3, 1967, WRAL continued to carry NBC's "The Huntley-Brinkley Report", even after taking on the ABC affiliation. This continued until ABC's evening newscasts expanded to 30 minutes.
1971: NBC Programming Moves to WRDU-TV Full-Time
In 1971, NBC was all but forced to move its programming full-time to WRDU-TV.
1972: Jesse Helms Elected to the United States Senate
In 1972, Jesse Helms, who had been an editorialist on WRAL-TV since 1960, was elected to the United States Senate.
1977: ACC Football and Basketball Move to WRAL
In 1977, ACC football and basketball from Raycom Sports moved to WRAL from WTVD.
1979: WRAL Introduces 'Sky 5' News Helicopter
In 1979, WRAL became the first television station in North Carolina to use a news helicopter, known as "Sky 5". The Hughes 500 helicopter was painted in the livery of the Royal Saudi Air Force with "Sky 5" graphics.
1981: Time for Uncle Paul Ends
In 1981, "Time for Uncle Paul" ended its run on WRAL after station management suggested a change to an educational format.
1981: NCAA Tournament Airs 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, leading to WTVD becoming an owned-and-operated station of ABC.
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, making WTVD an owned-and-operated station of ABC.
1985: WRAL Becomes Home for NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament
In 1985, when WRAL joined CBS, it became the Triangle's home for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
1986: Blue Devils' National Championship Appearance Airs on WRAL
In 1986, WRAL aired one of the Blue Devils' national championship appearances.
1987: Steve Wiley Begins Flying for WRAL
In 1987, Steve Wiley began flying the news helicopter for WRAL, a role he continued until his death in 2021.
1988: Blue Devils' Final Four Appearance Airs on WRAL
In 1988, WRAL aired one of the Blue Devils' Final Four appearances.
December 1989: WRAL Tower Collapses
In December 1989, WRAL was knocked off the air when a severe ice storm caused the collapse of the station's 2,000-foot transmitter tower. WRAL temporarily broadcast through WKFT-TV.
1989: Blue Devils' Final Four Appearance Airs on WRAL
In 1989, WRAL aired one of the Blue Devils' Final Four appearances.
October 25, 1990: New WRAL Tower Activated
On October 25, 1990, WRAL's new, stronger transmitter tower was activated, and WKFT reverted to broadcasting its own programming, after acting as a temporary broadcast for WRAL.
1990: Blue Devils' National Championship Appearance Airs on WRAL
In 1990, WRAL aired one of the Blue Devils' national championship appearances.
1991: Blue Devils' National Championship Victory Airs on WRAL
In 1991, WRAL aired one of the Blue Devils' national championship victories.
1992: Blue Devils' National Championship Victory Airs on WRAL
In 1992, WRAL aired one of the Blue Devils' national championship victories.
January 1993: WRAL Airs The Young and the Restless at 4 p.m.
In January 1993, WRAL began airing "The Young and the Restless" at 4 p.m. as a lead-in to its 5 p.m. newscast, a shift from CBS' recommended time of 12:30 p.m.
1993: Tar Heels' National Championship Win Airs on WRAL
In 1993, WRAL aired the Tar Heels' national championship win.
July 1, 1994: Charlie Gaddy Retires
On July 1, 1994, Charlie Gaddy retired from WRAL, where he had co-anchored newscasts alongside various prominent journalists.
1994: Blue Devils' National Championship Appearance Airs on WRAL
In 1994, WRAL aired one of the Blue Devils' national championship appearances.
September 1995: WRAL begins producing newscasts for WRAZ
In September 1995, WRAL started producing newscasts for WRAZ, which usually simulcasts local breaking news coverage from WRAL. For national breaking news, WRAZ carries Fox News, while WRAL carries NBC News. WRAZ broadcasts a three-hour newscast at 7 a.m. on weekday mornings and an hour-long weeknight, half-hour weekend newscast at 10 p.m.
1995: NBC Moves to WNCN
In 1995, NBC moved to WNCN, improving its performance in the area, but remaining in third place for most of its 20-year run with the network.
1995: Tar Heels' Final Four Appearance Airs on WRAL
In 1995, WRAL aired one of the Tar Heels' Final Four appearances.
June 19, 1996: FCC Awards WRAL First Experimental HD License
On June 19, 1996, the FCC awarded WRAL-TV the first experimental high-definition television license in the United States, identified as "WRAL-HD".
July 23, 1996: WRAL Begins Digital Television Operations
On July 23, 1996, WRAL began digital television operations on UHF channel 32 under the experimental license as "WRAL-HD".
1996: WRAL obtains experimental HD transmission license
In 1996, WRAL became the first commercial station to provide high definition programming when it obtained an experimental HD transmission license from the FCC.
September 6, 1997: WRAL Broadcasts First Live Sports Program in HD
On September 6, 1997, WRAL-TV was the first in the U.S. to broadcast a live sports program in high definition.
1997: Tar Heels' Final Four Appearance Airs on WRAL
In 1997, WRAL aired one of the Tar Heels' Final Four appearances.
1997: WRAL Receives Eight 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: Tar Heels' Final Four Appearance Airs on WRAL
In 1998, WRAL aired one of the Tar Heels' Final Four appearances.
1998: WRAL Receives Seven 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 to WRAL
In 1999, CBS began providing WRAL with a regular schedule of prime time programs in HD. HD sports programming recorded by WRAL was also provided to other model stations.
1999: Blue Devils' National Championship Appearance Airs on WRAL
In 1999, WRAL aired one of the Blue Devils' national championship appearances.
March 2000: WRAL Digital Signal Moves to Channel 53
In March 2000, WRAL's digital signal moved to channel 53.
October 13, 2000: WRAL Aired First All-HD Newscast
On October 13, 2000, WRAL aired the world's first all-HD newscast, marking a significant milestone in the transition to high-definition broadcasting.
2000: Tar Heels' Final Four Appearance Airs on WRAL
In 2000, WRAL aired one of the Tar Heels' Final Four appearances.
2000: WRAL Purchases New Bell 407 Helicopter
In 2000, WRAL purchased a new Bell 407 helicopter for $2 million. The tail number N553HD represents the station's channel, the third news gathering helicopter, and WRAL's role in high definition broadcasting.
2000: WRAL Awarded Nine Emmy Awards
In 2000, WRAL was awarded nine Mid-South Regional Emmy Awards, including awards for documentaries on the Cape Light and coverage of the Special Olympics World Games. Jim Goodmon, president and CEO of Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc., was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
January 28, 2001: WRAL Converts to All-Digital High Definition
On January 28, 2001, WRAL converted all of its news gathering and broadcasts to all-digital high definition, extending the HD broadcast to WRAZ newscasts as well.
2001: Blue Devils' National Championship Victory Airs on WRAL
In 2001, WRAL aired one of the Blue Devils' national championship victories.
2002: Football Friday Moved to the Newsroom
In 2002, the arrival of the North Carolina Education Lottery moved "Football Friday" from WRAL's Studio A to the newsroom.
October 2003: End of Full-Time Farm Reporter at WRAL
After the death of Dan Wilkinson in October 2003, WRAL decided to discontinue having a full-time farm reporter, leading to a decrease in frequent agricultural coverage.
2003: Reality Show Cupid Did Not Air
In 2003, the reality show Cupid did not air on WRAL.
2004: Blue Devils' Final Four Appearance Airs on WRAL
In 2004, WRAL aired one of the Blue Devils' Final Four appearances.
2005: Tar Heels' National Championship Win Airs on WRAL
In 2005, WRAL aired the Tar Heels' national championship win.
February 1, 2006: WRAL to Stream Programming Live on Internet
On February 1, 2006, WRAL announced that it would begin to stream all of its programming live on the internet.
November 17, 2006: WRAL Reunion Newscast for 50th Anniversary
On November 17, 2006, WRAL held a special "reunion" newscast during the 6 p.m. broadcast with Gaddy, Battista and DeBardelaben reprising their roles once again in commemoration of the station's 50th anniversary alongside Suiter.
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.
October 10, 2007: WRAL Launches Sports Talk Radio Station WCMC-FM
On October 10, 2007, the WRAL sports department launched a sports talk radio station, WCMC-FM, which switched from a country music format. It is now the only FM sports talk station in the area and broadcasts in HD Radio.
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 from WRAL and was replaced by Jeff Gravely.
2008: Tar Heels' Final Four Appearance Airs on WRAL
In 2008, WRAL aired one of the Tar Heels' Final Four appearances.
2008: WRAL Receives Emmy Awards and Horizon Interactive Award
In 2008, WRAL and WRAL.com received nine Emmy awards including the inaugural award in Advanced Media for Interactivity for their video player. The station also won a bronze Horizon Interactive Award for their online hurricane tracker, and Geoff Levine won the National Press Photographer of the Year award.
June 12, 2009: WRAL Ends Analog Signal Broadcasts
On June 12, 2009, WRAL-TV ended regular programming on its analog signal as part of the U.S. transition from analog to digital broadcasts. The station's digital signal remained on channel 48.
2009: Tar Heels' National Championship Win Airs on WRAL
In 2009, WRAL aired the Tar Heels' national championship win.
2009: WRAL and UNC-TV Co-Produce Gubernatorial Inauguration
In 2009, WRAL and UNC-TV co-produced the Gubernatorial Inauguration.
2010: Blue Devils' National Championship Victory Airs on WRAL
In 2010, WRAL aired one of the Blue Devils' national championship victories.
April 2011: Coverage of April 2011 Tornadoes
In April 2011, WRAL provided extensive coverage of the tornadoes that struck the area, which later contributed to several Emmy awards.
September 13, 2012: WRAL Debuts First Mobile Emergency Alert System
On September 13, 2012, WRAL-TV debuted the first Mobile Emergency Alert System (M-EAS) in the United States, allowing emergency information to be distributed to compatible receivers using digital television signals.
2012: WRAL Receives Emmy Awards
In 2012, WRAL received award nominations for news 32 times and won 11 Mid-South Regional Emmy Awards. Capitol Broadcasting and the A.J. Fletcher Foundation also received the Governor's Award.
2015: Blue Devils' National Championship Victory Airs on WRAL
In 2015, WRAL aired one of the Blue Devils' national championship victories.
June 29, 2016: WRAL Begins Broadcasting with 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, simulcasting WRAL in 1080p HD and a demo loop of 4K ultra-high definition content.
2016: WRAL Broadcasts Super Bowl 50, Stanley Cup Finals, and Summer Olympics
In 2016, WRAL aired CBS's coverage of Super Bowl 50, the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals (as an NBC station), and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, making it the only television station in the United States 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 following a spectrum auction. The station has not returned since.
October 31, 2019: New Set Debuts with Noon Newscast
On October 31, 2019, WRAL debuted a new set with the noon newscast. The set, designed by Florida based FX Design Group, features a 20-by-11-foot LED video wall and a smaller curved LED wall near the anchor desk.
2019: ACC Football and Basketball Package Ends
In 2019, despite the NCAA Tournament moving to WNCN, WRAL-TV continued to air ACC football and/or basketball until the package ended in favor of the ACC Network.
2019: ACC Package Ends 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 has since used the station, now WNGT-CD, as an ATSC 3.0 multiplex for the region, simulcasting WRAL in 1080p.
2020: Chris Lea Becomes Sports Anchor
In 2020, Chris Lea became the sports anchor at WRAL, replacing Jeff Gravely.
February 3, 2021: Death of Steve Wiley, WRAL Helicopter Pilot
Steve Wiley, who had flown the news helicopter for WRAL since 1987, passed away on February 3, 2021.
January 17, 2022: WNCN Moves "The Young and the Restless" to 12:30 p.m.
On January 17, 2022, WNCN moved "The Young and the Restless" to its traditional 12:30 p.m. timeslot and introduced its own 4 p.m. newscast.
2022: New Pilots Take Over Sky 5 Operations
As of 2022, the WRAL news helicopter is flown by two pilots that Wiley himself hired and trained to take over Sky 5 operations.
2022: David Crabtree and Debra Morgan End Longest-Running News Team
In 2022, David Crabtree and Debra Morgan ended their run as part of the longest-running on-air news team in the Triangle.
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