History of WTOL in Timeline

WTOL is a CBS-affiliated television station located in Toledo, Ohio. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group and shares studio facilities with Fox affiliate WUPW through a joint sales agreement with American Spirit Media. The studios are located in downtown Toledo, and WTOL's transmitter is situated in Oregon, Ohio.

December 5, 1958: WTOL-TV Begins Broadcasting

On December 5, 1958, WTOL-TV began broadcasting as a CBS affiliate with a secondary NBC affiliation, sharing it with WSPD-TV until 1969.

1962: WTOL Sold to Filmways

In 1962, the family of Frazier Reams sold WTOL to Filmways (now part of Amazon MGM Studios).

1965: WTOL Acquired by Broadcasting Company of the South

In 1965, the Broadcasting Company of the South, a subsidiary of Liberty Life Insurance Company, bought WTOL.

1969: WTOL Becomes Exclusively CBS Affiliated

In 1969, WTOL became exclusively affiliated with CBS after WDHO-TV replaced WSPD-TV as the ABC affiliate. WTOL is also the only station in Toledo to never change its primary affiliation.

1974: Liberty Reorganizes as Holding Company

In 1974, Liberty reorganized itself as a holding company, the Liberty Corporation, and WTOL came directly under the Liberty banner.

1980: Dan Cummins Joins WTOL

Longtime sports director Dan Cummins has been a fixture at WTOL since 1980.

December 1994: WTOL Replaces WJBK on Cancom

In December 1994, WTOL replaced Detroit's WJBK on the lineup of Cancom, providing American networks to cable and satellite viewers in many areas across Canada.

1999: WWJ-TV Replaces WTOL on Cancom

In 1999, WWJ-TV replaced WTOL on Cancom.

2003: WTOL Known as "Toledo 11"

From the mid-1970s to 2003, WTOL was known on-air as "Toledo 11".

2003: Liberty Sells Insurance Business

In 2003, Liberty sold off its insurance business, with WTOL remaining directly under the Liberty banner.

2005: Raycom Media Announces Acquisition of Liberty Corporation

In 2005, Raycom Media announced its acquisition of Liberty Corporation.

2006: Raycom Sells WNWO to Barrington Broadcasting

In 2006, Raycom Media sold WNWO to Barrington Broadcasting after acquiring Liberty Corporation and opting to keep WTOL.

June 12, 2009: WTOL Broadcasts Become Digital-Only

On June 12, 2009, WTOL's broadcasts became digital-only.

October 2011: WTOL Certified by WeatheRate

In October 2011, WTOL was certified by WeatheRate as having the most accurate forecasts for Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.

January 2012: LIN TV to Sell WUPW to American Spirit Media

In January 2012, LIN TV Corporation announced it would sell its local Fox affiliate WUPW to American Spirit Media for $22 million.

January 30, 2012: WTOL Replaced News 11 Now with MeTV

On January 30, 2012, WTOL replaced its News 11 Now on 11.2 with MeTV.

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April 20, 2012: WUPW Finalizes Acquisition and Shared Services Agreement with WTOL

On April 20, 2012, WUPW finalized its acquisition and its shared services agreement with WTOL, with WUPW's staff operating from WTOL's facilities. A shared news site was also unveiled.

January 2, 2014: Chrys Peterson to Leave WTOL

On January 2, 2014, it was announced that Chrys Peterson would be leaving WTOL after nearly twenty years to spend more time with family.

February 28, 2014: Chrys Peterson's Final Broadcast

On February 28, 2014, Chrys Peterson's final news broadcast aired, followed by an hour-long special celebrating her twenty years at WTOL.

April 24, 2014: Emilie Voss Named Evening Anchor

On April 24, 2014, it was announced that Emilie Voss would succeed Chrys Peterson as the evening anchor on WTOL, joining Jerry Anderson.

2014: Gray Acquires WTVG

In 2014, Gray acquired WTVG from SJL Broadcasting.

January 2017: Emilie Voss Announces Departure from WTOL

In January 2017, Emilie Voss announced she would be leaving WTOL after five years.

June 2018: Jerry Anderson Announces Retirement

In June 2018, Jerry Anderson announced his retirement, with June 15 being his final day on the air.

June 18, 2018: Andrew Kinsey Promoted to Evening Anchor

On June 18, 2018, morning anchor Andrew Kinsey was promoted to the evening shift, and Tim Miller assumed morning anchor duties.

June 25, 2018: Gray Television Announces Merger Agreement with Raycom

On June 25, 2018, Gray Television announced a merger agreement with Raycom, valued at $3.6 billion, to merge their broadcasting assets.

January 2, 2019: Tegna Inc. Completes Purchase of WTOL and KWES-TV

On January 2, 2019, Tegna Inc. completed the purchase of WTOL and KWES-TV for $105 million.

March 2019: WTOL's Viral Video Attracts Attention

In March 2019, WTOL attracted viral attention for a video it posted on Facebook featuring its anchors using slang to motivate local high school students. The segment received mixed reactions.