History of WSB-TV in Timeline

WSB-TV is an ABC-affiliated television station located in Atlanta, Georgia. It is the flagship television property of Cox Media Group, which has owned the station since it was founded. WSB-TV shares studios with its sister radio stations at the WSB Television and Radio Group building in Midtown Atlanta. The station's transmitter is located on the border of the Poncey-Highland and Old Fourth Ward neighborhoods.

September 29, 1948: WSB-TV Begins Broadcasting

On September 29, 1948, WSB-TV began broadcasting on channel 8, becoming the first television station in Georgia and the second south of Washington, D.C. The station was founded by James M. Cox, also the publisher of The Atlanta Journal and owner of WSB radio. WSB-TV was originally a primary NBC affiliate.

1948: Transactions were structured legally

Due to the way the 1950–51 transactions were structured legally, WXIA operates under the license originally granted to WSB-TV in 1948, while the latter's present license is a new one dating from 1951.

May 31, 1950: WCON ceases operations

On May 31, 1950, AM station WCON (550 kHz) ceased operations in favor of the clear channel WSB, following Cox's acquisition of The Atlanta Constitution and its broadcast properties.

1950: Transactions were structured legally

August 1951: FCC Approves Sale of Channel 8 License

In August 1951, the FCC dismissed complaints and approved the sale of the channel 8 license to Broadcasting, Inc., paving the way for WSB-TV's move to channel 2.

September 1951: WSB-TV Officially Moves to Channel 2

In September 1951, WSB-TV officially moved to channel 2. Channel 8 returned as ABC affiliate WLTV on September 30.

1951: WSB-TV carries some ABC programming

In 1951 WSB-TV carried some ABC programming. WSB-TV was originally a primary NBC affiliate, owing to its radio sister's longtime affiliation with NBC Radio.

1951: Sale of Channel 8 license and plans to move WSB-TV to Channel 2

In 1951, Cox sold the channel 8 license for $525,000 to Broadcasting, Inc., with plans to move WSB-TV to channel 2. This decision came about because FCC regulations prevented the sale of TV station construction permits, and Cox wanted to utilize the permit for WCON-TV (channel 2).

1953: WLTV Becomes WLWA-TV and Moves to Channel 11

In 1953, WLTV became WLWA-TV (now WXIA-TV) and moved to channel 11 to resolve interference issues with channel 9 in Rome, Georgia.

1956: WSB Stations Move to "White Columns" Building

In 1956, the WSB stations moved into the "White Columns" building, designed in the Colonial Revival style. The stations remained there for 43 years.

December 1965: WSB First to Broadcast Live in Color

In December 1965, WSB became the first television station in Georgia to broadcast live in color, starting with Ruth Kent's Today in Georgia program.

1966: WSB-TV becomes original local television broadcaster of the Atlanta Braves

In 1966, WSB-TV became the original local television broadcaster of the relocated Atlanta Braves baseball team.

1970: WSB-TV airs Atlanta Falcons games

From 1970 to 1979, WSB-TV aired sold-out games at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium where Falcons hosted an AFC team from NBC.

1972: WSB airs name of rape victim

In 1972, the station aired the name of a murdered rape victim in violation of Georgia's shield law.

1972: WSB-TV was local television broadcaster of the Atlanta Braves

WSB-TV was local television broadcaster of the Atlanta Braves baseball team until 1972.

1973: Braves telecasts moved to WTCG

In 1973, the Braves telecasts moved to WTCG (now WPCH-TV).

1975: U.S. Supreme Court overturns shield law in Cox Broadcasting Corp. v. Cohn

In 1975, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the shield law in Cox Broadcasting Corp. v. Cohn.

1979: WSB-TV airs Atlanta Falcons games

From 1970 to 1979, WSB-TV aired sold-out games at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium where Falcons hosted an AFC team from NBC.

June 1980: WSB Announces Affiliation Switch to ABC

In June 1980, WSB announced that it would drop NBC and affiliate with ABC. WXIA subsequently agreed to join NBC.

1980: WSB-TV aired all Braves games whenever they appeared on NBC

From 1966 to 1980, WSB-TV aired all Braves games whenever they appeared on NBC's coverage

1980: WSB-TV airs Monday Night Football

From 1980 to 2005, WSB-TV aired Monday Night Football from ABC.

1981: WSB-TV aired all Braves games whenever they appeared on ABC

From 1981 to 1989, WSB-TV aired all Braves games whenever they appeared on ABC

January 1986: New "2" Logo Debuts

In January 1986, the station debuted the current number "2" logo it continues to use to this day.

1989: WSB-TV aired all Braves games whenever they appeared on ABC

From 1981 to 1989, WSB-TV aired all Braves games whenever they appeared on ABC

1994: WSB-TV aired all Braves games whenever they appeared on The Baseball Network regional coverage

In 1994 and 1995, WSB-TV aired all Braves games whenever they appeared on The Baseball Network regional coverage

1995: WSB-TV aired all Braves games whenever they appeared on The Baseball Network regional coverage

In 1994 and 1995, WSB-TV aired all Braves games whenever they appeared on The Baseball Network regional coverage

November 21, 1998: WSB's Digital Channel Launched

On November 21, 1998, WSB's digital channel went on the air.

1998: New "Digital White Columns" Building Constructed

In 1998, a new modernist building, dubbed "Digital White Columns", was built adjacent to the original White Columns building. The older building was razed shortly after.

2004: WSB Declines to Air "Saving Private Ryan"

In 2004, WSB-TV and other Cox-owned ABC stations declined to telecast the Steven Spielberg film "Saving Private Ryan" due to concerns about graphic violence and profanity, following increased FCC scrutiny after the Janet Jackson–Justin Timberlake Super Bowl incident.

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2005: WSB-TV airs Monday Night Football

From 1980 to 2005, WSB-TV aired Monday Night Football from ABC.

September 27, 2006: WSB-TV Begins Broadcasting Local Newscasts in High Definition

On September 27, 2006, WSB-TV began broadcasting its local newscasts in high definition, becoming the second station in the Atlanta market and the second Cox-owned station to do so. The first HD broadcast occurred during the noon broadcast, accompanied by a new HD-ready set and graphics package.

2006: WSB-TV local outlet for Falcons games on ESPN

Since 2006, WSB-TV has served as the local outlet for Atlanta Falcons games which are a part of ESPN Monday Night Football.

January 28, 2008: Retro Television Network Added to Digital Subchannel 2.2

On January 28, 2008, the over-the-air digital subchannel 2.2 started carrying the Retro Television Network (RTV).

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2008: WXIA Moves Operations to WATL's Studios

In 2008, WXIA moved its operations to WATL's studios, located less than one block north of WSB-TV's location.

March 2009: WSB-TV Files Applications for Digital Fill-In Translators

In March 2009, WSB-TV filed applications for two digital fill-in translators, both carrying the WSB-TV callsign. This was due to the anticipated loss of signal strength towards the east and northeast of Atlanta, resulting from the shortcomings of the ATSC digital broadcast standard.

June 12, 2009: WSB-TV Shuts Down Analog Signal

On June 12, 2009, WSB-TV shut down its analog signal on VHF channel 2 at 12:30 p.m. during a live broadcast. This was part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television. The digital signal remained on UHF channel 39, using virtual channel 2.

June 2009: WSB-TV Applies for Translator on Channel 14 Near Rome

In late June 2009, WSB-TV applied for a translator on channel 14 just southwest of Rome, GA. The translator would cover a significant portion of northwest Georgia.

September 2009: Analog Transmitter Removed and Digital Antenna Moved

During late August and into September 2009, WSB-TV removed its analog transmitter from the top of the tower and moved its side-mounted digital antenna to a higher location.

November 2009: Reporter and Cameraman Injured in Electrical Accident

In November 2009, a WSB-TV reporter and cameraman were injured when their news van's radio mast contacted high-voltage powerlines near the Fulton County Jail. The incident caused an explosion, water main break, and brief power outage.

October 2010: WSB-TV Applies for Translator in Newnan

In October 2010, WSB-TV applied for and later received a construction permit for another translator southwest of Atlanta in Newnan on channel 17.

January 2011: WSB-TV Translator Stations in Operation

By January 2011, the translator stations intended to overcome terrain obstructions caused by Stone Mountain were in operation. The signal coverage of both stations largely overlap, and are almost entirely within the estimated coverage area of the main station.

June 1, 2011: MeTV Replaces RTV on Digital Subchannel 2.2

On June 1, 2011, MeTV replaced Retro Television Network (RTV) on digital subchannel 2.2.

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March 25, 2017: Escape Replaces MeTV on Digital Subchannel 2.2

On March 25, 2017, Escape replaced MeTV on digital subchannel 2.2.

September 25, 2017: Bounce TV Replaces Escape on Digital Subchannel 2.2

On September 25, 2017, Bounce TV replaced Escape on digital subchannel 2.2.

July 24, 2018: Cox Enterprises Exploring Strategic Options for CMG's TV Stations

On July 24, 2018, Cox Enterprises announced that it was "exploring strategic options" for Cox Media Group's television stations, potentially involving a partnership or merger.

August 2018: Additional Hours Added to Weekday Morning Newscast

In August 2018, WSB-TV added two additional hours to its weekday morning newscast during Good Morning America, exclusively for its 24-hour streaming channel, WSB NOW.

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February 2019: Apollo Global Management to Acquire Cox Media Group

In February 2019, it was announced that Apollo Global Management would acquire Cox Media Group and Northwest Broadcasting's stations.

June 2019: Apollo to Acquire Cox's Radio and Advertising Businesses

In June 2019, Apollo announced it would also acquire Cox's radio and advertising businesses and retain the Cox Media Group name.

August 21, 2019: Application for Translator on Channel 14 Near Rome Dismissed

On August 21, 2019, the application for a translator on channel 14 just southwest of Rome, which WSB-TV applied for in June 2009, was dismissed.

September 6, 2019: WSB-TV Shifts to Physical Channel 32

On September 6, 2019, at 9 a.m., WSB-TV shifted from physical channel 39 to 32 due to the spectrum incentive auction.

December 17, 2019: Sale to Apollo Completed

On December 17, 2019, the sale of Cox Media Group to Apollo Global Management was completed.

April 2020: 11 p.m. Newscast Renamed "WSB Tonight"

In April 2020, WSB-TV changed the name of its 11 p.m. newscast from Channel 2 Action News Nightbeat to WSB Tonight. The change was initially prompted by updates on the COVID-19 pandemic but became permanent.