History of WRAL-TV in Timeline

WRAL-TV is an NBC-affiliated television station located in Raleigh, North Carolina, serving the Research Triangle area. It is owned and operated by Capitol Broadcasting Company since its establishment. 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 and Regional and Farm News Airing

During 1953, WRAL aired Farm Program from 6 to 6:15 a.m. and Regional and Farm News between 12:45 and 12:55 p.m. from Fayetteville.

December 15, 1956: WRAL-TV Begins Broadcasting

WRAL-TV began broadcasting on December 15, 1956, airing programs like the movie "Miracle on 34th Street".

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1957: WNAO-TV Goes Dark, CBS Affiliation Moves to WTVD

At the end of 1957, WNAO-TV went dark and the CBS affiliation moved to WTVD. WRAL shared ABC with WTVD in the process.

1960: Jesse Helms Becomes Editorialist on WRAL-TV

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

1961: Time for Uncle Paul Premieres

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

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.

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

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

1971: NBC Moves Programming Full-Time to WRDU-TV

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 was elected to the United States Senate. Prior to this, he was an editorialist on WRAL-TV's news broadcasts since 1960.

1977: ACC Football and Basketball Air on WRAL

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

1979: WRAL Introduces Sky 5 Helicopter

In 1979, WRAL became the first television station in the state to use a news helicopter, known as "Sky 5".

1981: Football Friday Debuts

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

1981: Time for Uncle Paul Ends

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

1981: NCAA Division I Men's Basketball 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, WTVD's owner, Capital Cities Communications, 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.

1985: WRAL Becomes Triangle's 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: WRAL airs Blue Devils' national championship appearance

In 1986, WRAL aired the Blue Devils' national championship appearance.

1987: Steve Wiley Joins WRAL

In 1987, Steve Wiley started flying for WRAL, a role he held until his death.

1988: WRAL airs Blue Devils' Final Four appearance

In 1988, WRAL aired the Blue Devils' Final Four appearance.

December 1989: Ice Storm Knocks WRAL Off the Air

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

1989: WRAL airs Blue Devils' Final Four appearance

In 1989, WRAL aired the Blue Devils' Final Four appearance.

October 25, 1990: WRAL's New Tower Activated

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

1990: WRAL airs Blue Devils' national championship appearance

In 1990, WRAL aired the Blue Devils' national championship appearance.

1991: WRAL airs Blue Devils' national championship victory

In 1991, WRAL aired the Blue Devils' national championship victory.

1992: WRAL airs Blue Devils' national championship victory

In 1992, WRAL aired the Blue Devils' national championship victory.

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

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

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1993: WRAL airs Tar Heels' national championship win

In 1993, WRAL aired the Tar Heels' national championship win.

July 1, 1994: Charlie Gaddy Retirement

On July 1, 1994, Charlie Gaddy retired from WRAL-TV, where he co-anchored newscasts with several prominent figures.

1994: WRAL airs Blue Devils' national championship appearance

In 1994, WRAL aired the Blue Devils' national championship appearance.

September 1995: WRAL Starts Newscasts for WRAZ

In September 1995, WRAL began producing newscasts for WRAZ, which included a three-hour weekday morning newscast and a weeknight hour-long, weekend half-hour newscast at 10 p.m.

1995: Football Friday Broadcast from WRAL's Studio A

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

1995: NBC Moves to WNCN

In 1995, NBC moved to WNCN, but the station remained in third place for most of its 20-year run with the network.

1995: WRAL airs Tar Heels' Final Four appearance

In 1995, WRAL aired the Tar Heels' Final Four appearance.

June 19, 1996: FCC Awards First Experimental HD License

On June 19, 1996, the 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-HD began digital television operations on UHF channel 32.

1996: Experimental HD Transmission License

In 1996, WRAL obtained an experimental HD transmission license from the FCC and became 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 airs Tar Heels' Final Four appearance

In 1997, WRAL aired the Tar Heels' Final Four appearance.

1997: Mid-South Regional Emmy Awards in 1997

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

1998: WRAL airs Tar Heels' Final Four appearance

In 1998, WRAL aired the Tar Heels' Final Four appearance.

1998: Mid-South Regional Emmy Awards in 1998

In 1998, WRAL received seven Mid-South Regional Emmy Awards, including awards 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.

1999: WRAL airs Blue Devils' national championship appearance

In 1999, WRAL aired the Blue Devils' national championship appearance.

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 airs Tar Heels' Final Four appearance

In 2000, WRAL aired the Tar Heels' Final Four appearance.

2000: Purchase of Bell 407 Helicopter

In 2000, WRAL purchased a Bell 407 helicopter for $2 million, equipped with advanced video equipment.

2000: Mid-South Regional Emmy Awards and Lifetime Achievement Award

In 2000, WRAL was awarded nine Mid-South Regional Emmy Awards, including documentaries on the Cape Light and coverage of the Special Olympics World Games. Jim Goodmon, president and CEO of WRAL parent company Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc., 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, including WRAZ newscasts.

2001: WRAL airs Blue Devils' national championship victory

In 2001, WRAL aired the Blue Devils' national championship victory.

2002: Football Friday Moves to the Newsroom

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

October 2003: Dan Wilkinson's Death and Changes in Farm Coverage

In October 2003, after the sudden death of Dan Wilkinson, WRAL decided to no longer have a full-time farm reporter, leading to a decrease in agricultural coverage.

2003: Cupid Did Not Air on WRAL

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

2004: WRAL airs Blue Devils' Final Four appearance

In 2004, WRAL aired the Blue Devils' Final Four appearance.

2005: WRAL airs Tar Heels' national championship win

In 2005, WRAL aired the Tar Heels' national championship win.

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

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

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

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 Tall Ship Show

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

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

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 Retirement

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

2008: WRAL airs Tar Heels' Final Four appearance

In 2008, WRAL aired the Tar Heels' Final Four appearance.

2008: Emmy Awards and Horizon Interactive Award

In 2008, WRAL and WRAL.com received nine Emmy awards and the inaugural Advanced Media for Interactivity award. 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, transitioning to digital broadcasts.

2009: WRAL airs Tar Heels' national championship win

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 programming, such as the 2009 Gubernatorial Inauguration.

2010: WRAL airs Blue Devils' national championship victory

In 2010, WRAL aired the Blue Devils' national championship victory.

April 2011: Coverage of April 2011 Tornadoes

In April 2011, WRAL provided coverage of the tornadoes that impacted the area, which later contributed to several Emmy awards.

September 13, 2012: Mobile Emergency Alert System Debut

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 32 award nominations and won 11 Mid-South Regional Emmy Awards, including News Excellence, Evening Newscast, Breaking News, and several others. Parent company Capitol Broadcasting along with the A.J. Fletcher Foundation were awarded the Governor's Award, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' highest honor in 2012 as well.

2015: WRAL airs Blue Devils' national championship victory

In 2015, WRAL aired the Blue Devils' national championship victory.

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 a business decision regarding reverse compensation agreements with CBS.

February 29, 2016: WRAL-TV Affiliates with NBC

On February 29, 2016, WRAL-TV became an NBC affiliate, ending its 30-year affiliation with CBS, which then moved to WNCN. This marked the second time WRAL-TV had been affiliated with NBC.

June 29, 2016: First U.S. Station to Broadcast 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.

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

In 2016, WRAL aired CBS's coverage of Super Bowl 50, as well as the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This made it the only television station in the United States to air all three events from different networks in the same year.

2018: WRAL-EX Service Ended

In 2018, the WRAL-EX ATSC 3.0 service left the air due to the FCC's repacking process.

October 31, 2019: New Set Debuts in Studio A

On October 31, 2019, WRAL debuted a new set with the noon newscast in Studio A, featuring a large LED video wall and curved LED wall.

2019: WRAL-TV Continues to Air ACC Football and/or Basketball until the Package Ended

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

2019: End of ACC Football and Basketball Package 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 WARZ-CD (now WNGT-CD) for $725,000 and used it as an ATSC 3.0 multiplex.

2020: Chris Lea Becomes Sports Anchor

In 2020, Chris Lea became the sports anchor at WRAL, replacing Jeff Gravely.

February 3, 2021: Steve Wiley's Death

On February 3, 2021, Steve Wiley, who had been flying for the station since 1987, passed away.

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. This came after WRAL rejoined NBC on February 29, 2016, and Y&R continued to air at 4 p.m. on WNCN.

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2022: Sky 5 Operations in 2022

As of 2022, the Sky 5 helicopter operations are managed by two pilots trained by the late Steve Wiley.

2022: David Crabtree and Debra Morgan News Team Duration

From 1994 to 2022, David Crabtree and Debra Morgan were part of the longest-running on-air news team in the Triangle and one of the longest-running news teams in the state.