History of WTOL in Timeline

WTOL is a CBS-affiliated television station located in Toledo, Ohio. It is owned by Tegna Inc. and shares studio facilities with Fox affiliate WUPW through a joint sales agreement with American Spirit Media. The station's studios are situated on North Summit Street in downtown Toledo, while its transmitter is located on Cedar Point Road in Oregon, Ohio.

December 5, 1958: WTOL-TV began broadcasting

On December 5, 1958, WTOL-TV started its broadcasting operations as a CBS affiliate, also sharing NBC affiliation with WSPD-TV.

1962: WTOL sold to Filmways

In 1962, WTOL was sold to Filmways, which is now part of Amazon MGM Studios.

1965: WTOL bought by Broadcasting Company of the South

In 1965, The Broadcasting Company of the South, a subsidiary of Liberty Life Insurance Company, acquired WTOL and later changed its name to Cosmos Broadcasting Corporation.

1969: WTOL became exclusively affiliated with CBS

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

1974: Liberty reorganized as Liberty Corporation

In 1974, Liberty Life Insurance Company reorganized itself as a holding company, called the Liberty Corporation.

1980: Dan Cummins started at WTOL

Longtime sports director Dan Cummins has been a fixture at WTOL since 1980. He moved to the news desk to co-anchor the noon news.

December 1994: WTOL replaced 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 Canada. This occurred before WJBK's switch from CBS to Fox.

1999: WTOL replaced by WWJ-TV on Cancom

In 1999, WTOL was replaced by WWJ-TV on Cancom.

2003: WTOL was known on-air as "Toledo 11"

From the mid-1970s to 2003, WTOL was known on-air as "Toledo 11" (sometimes spelled out as "Toledo Eleven").

2003: WTOL came directly under Liberty banner

In 2003, WTOL came directly under the Liberty banner after Liberty sold off its insurance business.

2005: Raycom Media announced acquisition of Liberty Corporation

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

2006: WTOL retains Liberty-era logo

Even with the ownership changes that have occurred since 2006, WTOL retains its Liberty-era logo.

2006: WNWO acquired by Barrington Broadcasting

In 2006, Raycom sold WNWO to Barrington Broadcasting after acquiring Liberty Corporation in 2005.

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

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

October 2011: WTOL certified by WeatheRate for accurate forecasts

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

January 2012: LIN TV Corporation announced the sale of WUPW

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 channel 11.2 with MeTV.

April 20, 2012: WUPW finalized its 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.

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 at the station.

February 28, 2014: Chrys Peterson's final news broadcast

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

April 24, 2014: Emilie Voss named evening anchor

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

2014: Gray Television acquired WTVG

In 2014, Gray Television acquired WTVG from SJL Broadcasting.

January 2017: Emilie Voss announced departure from WTOL

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

June 2018: Jerry Anderson announced his retirement

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

June 18, 2018: Andrew Kinsey promoted to evening shift

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

June 25, 2018: Gray Television announced merger agreement with Raycom

On June 25, 2018, Gray Television announced an agreement to merge with Raycom's broadcasting assets in a $3.6 billion deal. Due to existing ownership of WTVG, Gray would sell WTOL to comply with FCC rules.

January 2, 2019: Tegna Inc. completed purchase of WTOL

On January 2, 2019, Tegna Inc. completed its purchase of WTOL and KWES-TV, making WTOL a sister station to WKYC in Cleveland.

March 2019: WTOL's slang video went viral

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

September 2023: WTOL broadcasts 45 hours of local newscasts

As of September 2023, WTOL broadcasts 45 hours of locally produced newscasts each week and produces an additional 18 and a half hours of newscasts for Fox-affiliated sister station WUPW.