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 its founding. WSB-TV shares studios with its sister radio stations WSB, WSBB-FM, WSRV, WSB-FM and WALR-FM 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.
1948: Original License Granted to WSB-TV
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 ceased operations in favor of WSB.
1950: Transactions 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.
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.
September 1951: WSB-TV Officially Moved to Channel 2
In September 1951, WSB-TV officially moved to channel 2, and channel 8 returned as ABC affiliate WLTV.
1951: WSB-TV Carried Some ABC Programming
From 1948 to 1951, WSB-TV carried some ABC programming.
1951: Cox Sells Channel 8 License
In 1951, Cox sold the channel 8 license to Broadcasting, Inc., with plans to move WSB-TV to channel 2 due to FCC regulations.
1953: WLTV Becomes WLWA-TV
In 1953, WLTV became WLWA-TV (now WXIA-TV) and was moved to channel 11 to resolve interference issues.
1956: WSB Stations Move to "White Columns" Building
In 1956, the WSB stations moved into the "White Columns" building.
December 1965: WSB First to Broadcast Live in Color
In December 1965, WSB was the first television station in Georgia to broadcast live in color, starting with Ruth Kent's "Today in Georgia" program.
1966: WSB-TV Began Broadcasting Atlanta Braves Games
From 1966 to 1972, WSB-TV was the original local television broadcaster for the Atlanta Braves baseball team.
1972: WSB-TV Broadcasted Atlanta Braves Games
From 1966 to 1972, WSB-TV was the original local television broadcaster for the Atlanta Braves baseball team.
1972: WSB Aired Name of Rape Victim
In 1972, the station aired the name of a murdered rape victim, violating Georgia's shield law.
1973: Braves Telecasts Moved to WTCG
In 1973, the Atlanta Braves telecasts moved to WTCG (now WPCH-TV).
1975: U.S. Supreme Court Overturned Law
In 1975, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the shield law in Cox Broadcasting Corp. v. Cohn.
June 1980: WSB Announces Affiliation Switch to ABC
In June 1980, WSB announced that it would drop NBC and affiliate with ABC.
1980: WSB-TV aired Braves Games on NBC
From 1966 to 1980, WSB-TV also aired all Braves games whenever they appeared on NBC's coverage.
1980: WSB-TV Aired Monday Night Football
From 1980 to 2005, WSB-TV aired "Monday Night Football" from ABC.
1981: WSB-TV aired Braves Games on ABC
From 1981 to 1989, WSB-TV also aired all Braves games whenever they appeared on ABC's coverage.
January 1986: Station Debuted Number "2" Logo
In January 1986, the station debuted the current number "2" logo it continues to use to this day.
1989: WSB-TV aired Braves Games on ABC
From 1981 to 1989, WSB-TV also aired all Braves games whenever they appeared on ABC's coverage.
1994: WSB-TV aired Braves Games on The Baseball Network
In 1994 and 1995, WSB-TV also aired Braves games as part of The Baseball Network regional coverage.
1995: WSB-TV aired Braves Games on The Baseball Network
In 1994 and 1995, WSB-TV also aired Braves games as part of The Baseball Network regional coverage.
November 21, 1998: WSB's Digital Channel Went on the Air
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.
2004: WSB Declined to Telecast Saving Private Ryan
In 2004, WSB-TV declined to telecast the film "Saving Private Ryan" due to graphic content, following FCC scrutiny after the Super Bowl incident.
2005: WSB-TV Aired Monday Night Football
From 1980 to 2005, WSB-TV aired "Monday Night Football" from ABC.
September 27, 2006: WSB-TV Begins Broadcasting Newscasts in HD
On September 27, 2006, WSB-TV began broadcasting its local newscasts in high definition, starting with the noon broadcast.
January 28, 2008: Digital Subchannel Started Carrying Retro Television Network
On January 28, 2008, the over-the-air digital subchannel 2.2 started carrying the Retro Television Network.
2008: WXIA Moves Operations
In 2008, WXIA moved its operations to WATL's studios, with WSB-TV located less than one block south of the former WXIA building.
March 2009: WSB-TV files applications for digital fill-in translators
In March 2009, WSB-TV filed applications for two digital fill-in translators due to expected signal strength loss. The Gainesville-licensed translator began operations on June 26, and the Athens-licensed translator's transmitter was located southwest of Winder.
June 12, 2009: WSB-TV Shut Down Analog Signal
On June 12, 2009, WSB-TV shut down its analog signal as part of the federally mandated transition to digital television.
June 2009: WSB-TV applies for a translator on channel 14
In late June 2009, WSB-TV applied for a translator on channel 14 southwest of Rome, GA, to cover a significant portion of northwest Georgia.
September 2009: WSB-TV Removed Analog Transmitter and Moved Digital Antenna
During September 2009, WSB-TV removed its analog transmitter and relocated its digital antenna on the tower.
November 2009: Reporter and Cameraman Involved in Accident
In November 2009, reporter Tom Jones and a cameraman were involved in an accident when their news van contacted high-voltage powerlines, resulting in an explosion and a power outage.
October 2010: WSB-TV applies for construction permit for another translator
In October 2010, WSB-TV applied for and later received a construction permit for another translator southwest of Atlanta in Newnan on channel 17.
2010: WALB began carrying ABC on its digital subchannel
In 2010, WALB, the Albany media market's NBC affiliate, began carrying ABC on its 10.2 digital subchannel. As a result, WSB was dropped by almost all systems in South Georgia.
January 2011: Translators in operation
By January 2011, the Athens and Gainesville translators were in operation. The translators aimed to overcome terrain obstructions caused by Stone Mountain, enhancing signal coverage.
March 12, 2011: WSB-TV Turns on ATSC-M/H Signals
On March 12, 2011, WSB-TV and WGCL-TV turned on their ATSC-M/H signals, becoming the first stations in the Atlanta area to offer Mobile DTV broadcasts.
June 1, 2011: RTV Programming Replaced with MeTV
On June 1, 2011, RTV programming was replaced with MeTV on digital subchannel 2.2.
March 25, 2017: MeTV Replaced with Escape
On March 25, 2017, MeTV was replaced with Escape on digital subchannel 2.2.
September 25, 2017: Escape Replaced with Bounce TV
On September 25, 2017, Escape was replaced with Bounce TV on digital subchannel 2.2.
July 24, 2018: Cox Enterprises Exploring Strategic Options
On July 24, 2018, WSB-TV parent Cox Enterprises announced that it was "exploring strategic options" for Cox Media Group's television stations.
August 2018: WSB-TV Added Hours to Weekday Morning Newscast
In August 2018, WSB-TV added two additional hours to its weekday morning newscast during Good Morning America, exclusive to its 24-hour streaming channel, WSB NOW.
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, it was announced that Apollo would also acquire Cox's radio and advertising businesses, retaining the Cox Media Group name.
August 21, 2019: Application for translator dismissed
On August 21, 2019, the application for a translator on channel 14, which was applied for in June 2009, was dismissed.
September 6, 2019: WSB-TV Shifted Physical Channel
On September 6, 2019, 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: WSB-TV Changed Newscast Name to WSB Tonight
In April 2020, WSB-TV changed the name of its 11 p.m. newscast to WSB Tonight, replacing Channel 2 Action News Nightbeat.
September 5, 2020: WSB-TV Expanded Weekend Morning Newscast
On September 5, 2020, WSB-TV became the first station in the Atlanta market to expand its weekend morning newscast to 5 a.m.
2021: Telemundo Subchannel Moved to WSB-TV
In 2021, a simulcast of WKTB-CD's Telemundo subchannel moved to WSB-TV from WPXA-TV.
