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 beginning. 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 Poncey-Highland and Old Fourth Ward neighborhoods.
September 29, 1948: WSB-TV First Broadcast
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: WSB-TV Granted License
WSB-TV was granted its original license in 1948.
May 31, 1950: WCON Ceases Operations
On May 31, 1950, AM station WCON (550 kHz) ceased operations in favor of the clear channel WSB, after Cox bought Atlanta's other major newspaper, The Atlanta Constitution.
1950: Transactions Structured
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 Moves to Channel 2
In September 1951, channel 2 began broadcasting test patterns as WCON-TV and on September 30, WSB-TV officially moved to channel 2, with channel 8 returning as WLTV.
1951: Sale of channel 8 license
In 1951, Cox sold the channel 8 license for $525,000 to Broadcasting, Inc., with plans to move the WSB-TV call letters and intellectual unit to channel 2.
1951: WSB-TV carried ABC programming
In 1951, WSB-TV carried some ABC programming, in addition to its primary NBC affiliation.
1953: WLTV becomes WLWA-TV
In 1953, WLTV became WLWA-TV (now WXIA-TV) and was moved to channel 11 to resolve interference 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, a defining characteristic of Atlanta architecture.
December 1965: First Live Color Broadcast
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: Became original broadcaster for Atlanta Braves
In 1966, WSB-TV became the original local television broadcaster of the relocated Atlanta Braves baseball team, carrying the games until 1972.
1972: Violation of Georgia's Shield Law
In 1972, WSB aired the name of a murdered rape victim, violating Georgia's shield law.
1972: Stopped broadcasting Atlanta Braves games
In 1972, WSB-TV stopped broadcasting the Atlanta Braves baseball team games.
1973: Braves telecasts moved to WTCG
In 1973, the Atlanta Braves telecasts moved to WTCG (now WPCH-TV).
1975: U.S. Supreme Court Overturns Law
In 1975, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Georgia's shield law in Cox Broadcasting Corp. v. Cohn.
June 1980: WSB Announces Affiliation Switch to ABC
In June 1980, WSB announced it would drop NBC and affiliate with ABC, with WXIA subsequently agreeing to join NBC.
1980: Aired Monday Night Football
From 1980, WSB-TV aired Monday Night Football from ABC.
1980: WSB-TV aired Braves games on NBC until 1980
WSB-TV aired all Atlanta Braves games when they appeared on NBC's coverage from 1966 to 1980.
1981: WSB-TV aired Braves games on ABC until 1989
WSB-TV aired all Atlanta Braves games when they appeared on ABC's coverage from 1981 to 1989.
January 1986: Debut of Current Logo
In January 1986, WSB-TV debuted its current number "2" logo.
1989: WSB-TV aired Braves games on ABC until 1989
WSB-TV aired all Atlanta Braves games when they appeared on ABC's coverage from 1981 to 1989.
1994: The Baseball Network games
In 1994, WSB-TV aired The Baseball Network regional coverage.
1995: WSB-TV aired 1995 world series games
In 1995, WSB-TV aired games 1, 4, and 5 in the 1995 World Series, which the Braves won.
November 21, 1998: Digital Channel Launch
On November 21, 1998, WSB's digital channel went on the air.
1998: Move to Digital White Columns
In 1998, WSB stations moved to a modern facility adjacent to the original "White Columns" building, dubbed "Digital White Columns".
2004: Saving Private Ryan Telecast Declined
In 2004, WSB-TV and other Cox-owned ABC stations declined to telecast the movie "Saving Private Ryan" due to graphic content, following increased FCC scrutiny.
2005: Aired Monday Night Football until 2005
From 1980 to 2005, WSB-TV aired Monday Night Football from ABC.
September 27, 2006: First HD Newscast
On September 27, 2006, WSB-TV began broadcasting its local newscasts in high definition, starting with its noon broadcast. The switch included a new HD-ready set and graphics package.
2006: Aired Monday Night Football on ESPN
From 2006, WSB-TV served as the local outlet for Falcons games which are a part of ESPN Monday Night Football.
January 28, 2008: Retro Television Network on 2.2
On January 28, 2008, 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, located less than one block north of WSB-TV.
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 in the east and northeast of Atlanta because of ATSC digital broadcast standard shortcomings.
June 12, 2009: Analog Signal Shutdown
On June 12, 2009, WSB-TV shut down its analog signal on VHF channel 2 as part of the federally mandated transition to digital television.
June 2009: WSB-TV applies for a translator on channel 14
In June 2009, WSB-TV applied for a translator on channel 14 just southwest of Rome, which would cover a significant portion of northwest Georgia.
September 2009: Analog Transmitter Removal
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 higher up.
November 2009: News Van Incident
In November 2009, a WSB-TV news van contacted high-voltage powerlines while leaving the Fulton County Jail, causing an explosion and power outage. Reporter Tom Jones and a cameraman sustained minor injuries.
October 2010: WSB-TV applies for another translator southwest of Atlanta
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 translators in operation
By January 2011, the WSB-TV translators were in operation, intended to overcome terrain obstructions caused by Stone Mountain, east of the WSB transmitter. The Athens translator uses virtual channels 2.11 to 2.15, while the Gainesville translator uses 2.21 to 2.25.
June 1, 2011: MeTV Replaced RTV
On June 1, 2011, MeTV replaced Retro Television Network programming on digital subchannel 2.2.
March 25, 2017: Escape Replaced MeTV
On March 25, 2017, Escape replaced MeTV on digital subchannel 2.2.
September 25, 2017: Bounce TV Replaced Escape
On September 25, 2017, Bounce TV replaced Escape on digital subchannel 2.2.
July 24, 2018: Cox Exploring Strategic Options
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: Expanded Morning Newscast
In August 2018, WSB-TV added two 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, Apollo announced it 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 southwest of Rome was dismissed.
September 6, 2019: Channel Shift Due to Auction
On September 6, 2019, WSB-TV shifted from physical channel 39 to 32 because of 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: Newscast Name Change to WSB Tonight
In April 2020, WSB-TV changed the name of its 11 p.m. newscast to WSB Tonight, formerly known as Channel 2 Action News Nightbeat since the early 1990s.
September 5, 2020: 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.
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