WTHR

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WTHR
Indianapolis, Indiana
Branding	WTHR 13 (general) Channel 13 Eyewitness News (newscasts)
Slogan	Indiana's News Leader
Channels	Analog: 13 (VHF) Digital: 46 (UHF)
Affiliations	NBC
Owner	Dispatch Broadcast Group (VideoIndiana, Inc.)
First air date	October 30, 1957
Call letters’ meaning	channel THiRteen
Former callsigns	WLWI (1957-1976)
Former affiliations	ABC (1957-1979)
Transmitter Power	316 kW (analog) 1000 kW (digital)
Height	299 m (analog) 264.8 m (digital)
Facility ID	70162
Transmitter Coordinates	39°55′43.2″N, 86°10′54.9″W
Website	www.wthr.com

WTHR channel 13 is a television station serving the Indianapolis, Indiana metropolitan area. Affiliated with NBC, the station broadcasts its analog signal on VHF channel 13 and its digital signal on UHF channel 46 from its transmitter in Indianapolis. Since 1974, WTHR has been owned by the Dispatch Broadcast Group of Columbus, Ohio.

[edit] History

The station signed on October 30, 1957[1] as ABC affiliate WLWI (often rendered in print as WLW-I), owned by Crosley Broadcasting Corporation. It was one of five stations which made up the Cincinnati-based WLW television network. Other stations included in this network were WLWT in Cincinnati, WLWC (now WCMH-TV) in Columbus, WLWA (now WXIA-TV) in Atlanta and WLWD (now WDTN) in Dayton.

From 1957 to 1962, the station was tied up in one of the most heated licensing disputes in early television history. The FCC originally awarded the license to a group headed by Union Federal Savings and Loan president George Sadlier. However, after an appeal, the FCC reversed itself and awarded the license to Crosley. However, one of the other competitors, Richard Fairbanks, owner of WIBC-AM 1070 sued the FCC. Fairbanks claimed that the FCC had erred in awarding the last VHF license in Indianapolis to a company based in Cincinnati when there were viable potential licensees in Indianapolis. The suit, however, was filed too late to prevent WLWI from signing on.

The District of Columbia Court of Appeals overturned the FCC's decision in 1958, but allowed Crosley to continue running the station pending further FCC action. In 1961, the FCC awarded Fairbanks the channel 13 license. However, Crosley appealed. A year later, Crosley and Fairbanks reached a deal in which Fairbanks bought WLWA in return for allowing Crosley to keep WLWI.

Amid this instability in ownership, WLWI found the going rather difficult. It was also dogged by a weaker network affiliation; ABC would not be on an equal footing with CBS and NBC until the 1970s. WLWI spent most of its first 17 years as an also-ran behind WFBM-TV (now WRTV) and WISH-TV. In some cases, it even fell to fourth place behind WTTV.

[edit] From Last Place To Ratings Leadership

Crosley/Avco poured a lot of money into WLWI, but eventually concluded that it was a third-rate operation and put it up for sale. The Wolfe family, owners of the Columbus Dispatch and WBNS-TV in Columbus, bought the station from Avco in 1974 and changed the calls to WTHR two years later. With new ownership in place, on-air quality began to improve, but WTHR was still rating third behind WISH and WRTV. In the case of the ABC affiliation, the network rose to first place and was seeking out stronger local stations to affiliate with in many markets; NBC, meanwhile, was the lowest rated network. So in 1979, WTHR swapped affiliations with WRTV and became an NBC affiliate. Ratings were slow to improve until the mid-1990s, when WTHR hired former CBS News correspondent John Stehr to anchor its evening newscasts. WTHR quickly moved from third to second place after a botched relaunch at WRTV. Changes continued to be made, and in 1999, WTHR's Eyewitness News surged past then-dominant WISH in several key news timeslots, moving to first place for the first time in its history. By 2002, WTHR beat WISH in all news timeslots and changed its slogan to "Indiana's News Leader".

[edit] Eyewitness News On WNDY

WTHR used to have a partnership agreement with WNDY-TV, the UPN affiliate for Indianapolis. Under the partnership, WTHR produced a 10 p.m. newscast for WNDY. However, the partnership ended when WNDY was purchased by LIN TV Corporation, which also owned WISH. WISH then assumed responsibility of the production of WNDY's 10 p.m. newscast. WTHR now airs a short 8 minute "First Forecast" on the company-owned SkyTrak Weather Network, channel 50, in lieu of a 10 p.m. newscast. SkyTrak Weather Network also airs constant weather forecasts for Central Indiana and replays of WTHR's midday, 6 p.m. newscasts, and short 5 minute news updates throughout the day.

[edit] WTHR Today

On September 2, 2007 WTHR celebrated its 50th anniversary^[1] like its sister station in Columbus, WTHR used the song "Carousels (Dreaming of Tomorrow)" by Columbus, Ohio rock band Alamoth Lane, which was also used on WBNS as a large marketing campaign to promote the launch of its newscasts in high definition.^{[2] [3] [4]}

WTHR also hosts the Brain Game, a weekly televised quizbowl competition for high school students. ^[5]

WTHR broadcasted the 2007 Thanksgiving night NFL game from NFL Network against the Indianapolis Colts versus the Atlanta Falcons. This would have been on WNDY-TV, because they broadcast the ESPN Monday Night Football games that include the Colts, but was not chosen to broadcast the game. No other word on who will broadcast future games from NFL Network with the Colts in them.

[edit] Eyewitness News In HD

Beginning with Eyewitness News Nightbeat on Sunday November 12th, 2006, WTHR became the first station in Indiana to broadcast local news in High Definition, making it one of only six TV stations in the Midwest broadcasting news in HD (the others being WKYC-TV in Cleveland, KSDK in St. Louis, KARE-TV in Minneapolis/St. Paul, WCPO-TV in Cincinnati, and sister station WBNS-TV in Columbus, Ohio). WTHR broadcasts Eyewitness News in 1080i HDTV, which is the same HD format as NBC programming.

Continuing to make history, at 12:00PM October 2, 2007 WTHR began shooting, editing and transmitting field live shots in widescreen. This change will eliminate the need for pillars on these elements. It is important to note the difference between widescreen and high definition, as these three elements are being shot in 1080i, but due to current editing, transmission and storage facilities they are converted to a lower resolution for broadcast.

[edit] Trivia

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

When WTHR swapped affiliations with WRTV in 1979, its final closedown as an ABC affiliate went in an unusual way than its past sign-offs. Two years before, ABC awarded WTHR a cup in honor of its 20-year affiliation with the network. A rifle attached to a camera shot through the cup. The next day was its first day as an NBC affiliate, and the station played the NBC chimes during its first startup as an NBC affiliate.

• Late night talk show host David Letterman was a weatherman for the station in the 1970s.
• Longtime WTHR Chief Meteorologist Bob Gregory has a son named Kevin, who currently is the chief meteorologist at competitor WRTV.
• Three of WTHR's weekday evening anchors, John Stehr (5, 6 & 11pm), Anne Marie Tiernon (5:30 & 6pm) and Scott Swan (Noon and 5:30pm), all previously worked at competitor WISH-TV. Swan and Tiernon were once colleagues at WISH-TV, while Stehr was previously a reporter before moving to CBS as a correspondent.
• Prior to joining WTHR, Jeremy Brilliant was a reporter/anchor at WRTV. He met his wife Jennifer Carmack at the station. Carmack is still a reporter at RTV 6.
• WTHR is the largest NBC affiliate in terms of market size to not have a NBC WeatherPlus digital subchannel; likely due to the fact it operates the SkyTrak Weather Network.

[edit] Slogans and image campaigns

• "You're On Top Of It All" - Used from 1976-1979. Image campaign composed by Al Ham.

• "Hello Indiana; Channel 13 Loves You!" - Used from 1980-1987; 1991. Image campaign composed by Frank Gari, vocals mainly by Florence Warner.

• "Channel 13, Just Watch Us Now" - Used in 1982.

• "Channel 13, Be There" - Used in 1983.

• "This Is Indiana, And We're Proud To Call It Home!" (also "Proud To Call It Home!") - Used from 1987-1994.

• "Indiana, 13's On Your Side" - Used from 1994-1997. Image campaign composed by Frank Gari.

• "Coverage You Can Count On" - Used from 1994 - 2002; still appears on some WTHR-owned vehicles.

• "Indiana's News Leader" - Used from 2002 to present

• "Learn Things" - Summers of 2006 & 2007

• "Learn More" - Began Fall 2007

[edit] Personalities

WTHR Anchors Anne Marie Tiernon and Jula Moffitt. Tiernon was filling in for Scott Swan when this screenshot was taken on March 28, 2007. Tiernon is currently the 5:30 and 6 pm anchor.

[edit] Anchors

• Jeremy Brilliant - Weekend mornings
• Kris Kirschner - Weekend mornings
• Bruce Kopp - Weekday mornings
• Julia Moffitt - Weekday mornings
• Andrea Morehead - Weeknights at 5 and 11
• Jennie Runevitch - Weekend Evenings
• John Stehr - Weeknights at 5, 6, and 11
• Scott Swan - Weekdays at noon and 5:30
• Anne Marie Tiernon - Weeknights at 5:30 and 6

[edit] Weather

• Chuck Lofton - Weekday Sunrise
• Nicole Misencik - Weekend Sunrise & Evening
• Cliff Nicholson - Weekend Nightbeat
• Jude Redfield - Weekday Noon & Evening
• Chris Wright - Weekday Evenings & Nightbeat (Chief Meteorologist)

[edit] Sports

• Dave Calabro - Weeknights and Sunday nights (Sports Director)
• Rich Nye - Weekday Reporting
• John Michael Vincent (JMV) - Weekend Mornings
• Henry Wofford - Weekend Evenings
• Don Hein - Former Sports Director (anchors sometimes on the weekend morning news)

[edit] Reporters

• Cat Andersen - Freelance Reporter
• Tim "Treeboy" Bush Outdoor Expert
• Sandra Chapman - 13 Investigates
• Lynsay Clutter
• Richard Essex
• Steve Jefferson - CrimeBeat
• Paul Kasey - SkyWatch Traffic
• Emily Longnecker
• David MacAnally
• Mary Milz - CityBeat
• Dave Patania - Fitness Contributor
• Mimi Pierce - SkyWatch Traffic
• Chris Proffitt - North Bureau
• Kevin Rader
• Bob Segall - 13 Investigates
• Tom Walker - WTHR & WBNS Washington, DC Correspondent
• Rich Van Wyk

[edit] Notable WTHR Alumni

• Linda Allen (Reporter; now 5, 6 & 10 p.m. anchor at WJTV, Jackson, MS)
• Lisa Amin (Reporter; now at KGO-TV in San Francisco)
• Ross Becker (Anchor/reporter; now at KTVX in Salt Lake City)
• Brent Cameron (Weekend meteorologist; now at WSVN-TV, Miami)
• Bob Campbell (Former News Director; now Realtor "Reliable Robert"; Bellingham, WA)
• Pat Carlini (Meteorologist in the late 1980s and weekday morning anchor until 2004)
• Mary Ann Childers (Anchor/reporter; most recently at WBBM-TV, Chicago)
• Lew Choate (Anchor)
• Mark Clegg (Anchor/reporter; now at KSHB-TV, Kansas City)
• Tom Cochrun (Anchor from 1981-1996; former news director at WISH-TV)
• Pat Costello (Photographer, Producer, Assistant News Dir.; now Station Mgr KING-TV, Seattle)
• Lis Daily (1959-2002), (Community Affairs Director; died in 2002 from cancer)
• Linsey Davis (Now reporter for ABC News)
• Debbie Denmon (Weekend morning anchor in the late 1990s; now at WFAA-TV Dallas)
• Jill Ditmire (Weekday anchor; now feature reporter at WISH-TV and WFYI-TV Indianapolis)
• Bill Donnella (Reporter; now owner of his own production company, Videos & Such, in Indianapolis)
• Bill Gephardt (Consumer Reporter in the 1980s; now at KUTV, Salt Lake City, UT)
• Bob Gregory - Former Chief Meteorologist (semi-retired, occasionally appears on WTHR during his Coats For Kids campaign)
• Cameron Harper (Anchor in the 1980s; now at WPTY-TV/WLMT-TV, Memphis)
• Roger Harvey (Anchor/reporter; now Vice President, Bose Public Affairs Group, Indianapolis)
• Mike Hoffman (Meteorologist; now Chief Meteorologist at WNDU-TV, South Bend)
• Kim Hood (Anchor/reporter; married to Former US Congressman Andrew Jacobs, Jr.)
• Bill Jackson (Host of Mickey Mouse Club later renamed The Bill Jackson Show from 1963-65)
• Dick Johnson (Reporter; now morning anchor at WMAQ-TV in Chicago)
• Rhori Johnston (Weekend anchor from 1999-2005; now at WTVF, Nashville)
• Barry Judge (Anchor in the 1980s)
• Parella Lewis (Weekend meteorologist from 2004-2007, now at KCPQ-TV in Seattle)
• David Letterman (Weather; now host of Late Show with David Letterman)
• John Lindsay (Anchor in the 1970s)
• Anita Malichi (Anchor/reporter from mid-1990s to 2001)
• Jack Martin (Weekend anchor/reporter)
• Bill Meck (Former meteorologist; now Chief Meteorologist at WLEX in Lexington, KY)
• Lynda Moore (Medical reporter/anchor from 1995-2004)
• Angie Moreschi (Anchor/investigative reporter; now freelance journalist & media consultant in Lutz, Florida)
• Jim O'Brien (Meteorologist; now at WXIN Fox59 in Indianapolis)
• Lyra O'Brien (Meteorologist; now at WISN-TV, Milwaukee)
• Paul Page (Former sports anchor/reporter; now with the ESPN sports networks)
• Rich Pegram (VP and General Manager (1994-2007), now at WFTS-TV in Tampa, FL)
• Dick Rea - (Former sports anchor/reporter; now with Methodist Sports)
• Richard Reeve (Reporter)
• Jeremy Rogalski (Investigative reporter; now at KHOU-TV, Houston)
• Amanda Rosseter (Anchor/reporter; now at WSB-TV in Atlanta)
• Anne Ryder (Anchor/reporter; now community speaker)
• Alex Sanz (Reporter; now at KHOU-TV, Houston)
• Tina Simpkin (Meteorologist, 2003-2007)
• Stephanie Soviar - Feature Reporter 06-07, now at KMOV in St. Louis as Stephanie Simmons (taking the name of husband Jeff Simmons)
• Randal Stanley (Former Weathercaster, Producer, Executive Producer; now GM of News 12 NJ)
• Chris Stout (Sports reporter from the late 1990s-2002; former sports director at WKRN-TV, Nashville)
• Marc Thompson (Reporter; now at WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI)
• Paul Udell (News anchor; recently retired from KITV in Honolulu, HI)
• Pam Vaught (Producer, Executive Producer; now News Director at KTBC, Austin, Tx)
• Yolanda Walker (Reporter; now at WFAA, Dallas)
• Erik Waxler (Sports anchor/reporter from 1998-2006; now at WHAS-TV, Louisville)

This list is incomplete. You can help by expanding it.

[edit] External links

• WTHR.com
• Query the FCC's TV station database for WTHR
• BIAfn's Media Web Database -- Information on WTHR-TV

[edit] References