History of WSAW-TV in Timeline

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

WSAW-TV is a television station located in Wausau, Wisconsin. It operates as an affiliate for CBS, MyNetworkTV, MeTV, Fox and The CW Plus. The station is owned by Gray Media, who also owns low-power Fox affiliate WZAW-LD. Both stations share studio facilities on Grand Avenue/US 51 in Wausau. The WSAW-TV transmitter is located on Rib Mountain.

October 24, 1954: WSAU-TV station launch

On October 24, 1954, WSAU-TV, a sister station to WSAU radio, was launched, originally owned by the radio station and the Wisconsin Valley Television Corporation. Channel 7 operated from the Plumer Mansion.

1956: DuMont affiliation expired

In 1956, WSAW's secondary affiliation with the DuMont network expired.

1965: ABC affiliation ended

In 1965, WSAW's secondary affiliation with ABC ended when WAOW signed-on.

1965: Wisconsin Valley purchased KVTV

In 1965, Wisconsin Valley expanded and purchased its first media holding outside of the state, KVTV in Sioux City, Iowa.

1966: NBC affiliation ended

In 1966, WSAW's secondary affiliation with NBC ended when WAEO launched.

January 1967: Wisconsin Valley renamed to Forward Communications

In January 1967, Wisconsin Valley renamed itself Forward Communications as a consequence of doing business in other states.

1972: Station moved from Plumer Mansion

In 1972, one year after WSAU-TV moved to its current home, the Plumer Mansion, where the station originally operated, was torn down.

1980: Forward sold WSAU and WIFC radio

In 1980, Forward Communications sold off WSAU and WIFC radio stations.

March 8, 1981: WSAW-TV call sign became effective

On March 8, 1981, Forward Communications changed channel 7's call sign to WSAW-TV after selling the WSAU radio station.

September 5, 2006: MyNetworkTV added to subchannel

On September 5, 2006, WSAW added MyNetworkTV to a second digital subchannel.

February 17, 2009: Analog signal shut down

On February 17, 2009, WSAW-TV shut down its analog signal and concluded its analog broadcasts with a sign-off message from Sir Seven. The station's digital signal relocated from channel 40 to channel 7.

June 12, 2009: Original transition date

June 12, 2009 was the date to which the full-power television stations in the United States were to transition from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate.

April 2, 2011: Local newscast in HD

On April 2, 2011, WSAW became the first station in the market to broadcast local newscast in high definition, revamped its news set and graphics, and brought back Sir Seven in CGI form.

July 1, 2015: Gray bought WFXS-DT

On July 1, 2015, Gray bought the non-license assets of WFXS-DT. WFXS ceased broadcasting, and its program streams were moved to the new low-power station WZAW-LD.

August 2015: WZAW News at 9 launched

In August 2015, WSAW launched a prime time newscast on the Fox outlet known as WZAW News at 9. This half-hour broadcast offers direct competition to WAOW's news airing at the same time.