WRC-TV
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| WRC-TV | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Washington, D.C. | |
| Branding | NBC 4 (general) News 4 (newscasts) |
| Slogan | NBC4 Connected to You |
| Channels | |
| Subchannels | (see article) |
| Affiliations | NBC |
| Owner | NBC Universal, Inc. (NBC Telemundo License Company) |
| First air date | June 27, 1947 |
| Call letters’ meaning | Radio Corporation of America (NBC's former parent) |
| Former callsigns | WNBW (1947-1954) |
| Former channel number(s) | Analog: 4 (1947-2009) |
| Transmitter Power | 813 kW |
| Height | 242 m |
| Facility ID | 47904 |
| Transmitter Coordinates | 38°56′24″N 77°4′54″W / 38.94°N 77.08167°W |
| Website | www.nbcwashington.com |
WRC-TV channel 4 is the NBC owned and operated television station in Washington, D.C.. The station broadcasts its analog signal on channel 4 and its digital television signal on channel 48. Its studios and transmitter are located at 4001 Nebraska Avenue NW, in the Tenleytown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.[1]
WRC-TV houses and originates NBC News' Washington bureau, out of which David Gregory, Chris Matthews, Jim Miklaszewski, Chuck Todd, Andrea Mitchell, Norah O'Donnell, David Shuster, and Pete Williams are based.
It also offers NBC Plus on digital channel 4.2 and Universal Sports on 4.3.
Contents |
[edit] History
The station signed on for the first time on June 27, 1947 as WNBW (NBC Washington). It is the second of five stations NBC put on the air behind New York City, ahead of Chicago, Cleveland and Los Angeles. It traces its roots to experimental W3XNB in 1939. On October 18, 1954 its callsign changed to WRC-TV along with WRC-AM-FM, reflecting NBC's ownership at the time by the Radio Corporation of America.
The 2nd presidential debate between candidates John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon was broadcast from the station's studios on October 7, 1960. David Brinkley's Washington segment of the Huntley-Brinkley Report originated at WRC-TV between 1956 and 1970.
The earliest color videotape in existence is a recording of the dedication of WRC's Washington studios on May 21, 1958. As Dwight D. Eisenhower spoke at the event, it was also the first time a president had been videotaped in color. [1]
WRC-TV is currently one of three network owned-and-operated stations in Washington, D. C., along with Fox Network's WTTG and MyNetworkTV's WDCA - both owned by Newscorp. WDCW, as WBDC, was once an O&O of The WB.
On January 14, 2009 WTTG and WRC-TV entered in talks to pool video and share their news helicopters. The agreement is similar to ones already made between other Fox and NBC O&Os in Chicago (WMAQ-TV and WFLD) and Philadelphia (WCAU and WTXF).[2]
WRC-TV is the only network affiliated station in Washington that still broadcasts news in standard definition.
[edit] Digital television
The station's digital channel is multiplexed:
Digital channels
| Virtual Channel | Physical Channel | Programming |
|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | 48.1 | Main WRC-TV programming / NBC HD |
| 4.2 | 48.2 | NBC Plus |
| 4.3 | 48.3 | Universal Sports |
On or before June 12, 2009, WRC-TV shut down its analog signal on channel 4 to complete its analog to digital conversion. Its digital signal remained on channel 48. [3] However, through the use of PSIP, digital television receivers will display WRC-TV's virtual channel as "4".
WRC-TV's studios were the home from 1996 to about 2002 of WHD-TV, an experimental high definition television station owned by a consortium of industry groups and stations which carried the nation's first program in the format transmitted by a television station, an episode of Meet the Press [4], and aired on Channel 34 to provide the FCC and the National Association of Broadcasters a channel to conduct many experiments in the new format [5][6]. WHD-TV was discontinued around 2002.
[edit] Programs
WRC-TV's studios are home to Meet the Press, the longest-running show in U.S. broadcast television history, which debuted on November 6, 1947 and It's Academic, which premiered in 1961 and is the longest running game show in television history according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Sam and Friends, Jim Henson's late-night precursor to Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, got its start on WRC-TV on May 9, 1955.
Because of its ownership by the network, WRC-TV generally clears the entire NBC schedule, though NBC Nightly News is broadcast a half-hour late (at 7 pm) to allow another 30 minutes local news. WRC-TV will become the over-the-air home of Washington Redskins pre-season games for the 2009 season, meaning that some or all of NBC's prime-time schedule will be pre-empted by game coverage.
[edit] Notable personalities
[edit] Current
[edit] News 4 anchors
- Jim Vance - Weekday anchor at 6pm and 11pm
- Doreen Gentzler - Weekday anchor at 6pm, 11pm and health reporter
- Jim Handly - Weekday anchor at 4pm, 5pm and reporter
- Wendy Rieger - Weekday anchor at 5pm and Going Green reporter
- Pat Lawson Muse - Weekday anchor at 4pm and Reporter's Notebook & This Week host
- Joe Krebs - Weekday anchor from 5am-7am and noon and Viewpoint host
- Barbara Harrison - Weekday anchor from 5am-7am, noon and Wednesday's Child host
- Craig Melvin - Weekend anchor at 6pm and 11pm and reporter during the week
- Eun Yang - Weekend anchor from 5am-8am and 6pm
- Joe Krebs - Weekday anchor from 5am-8am and noon and Viewpoint host
[edit] News 4 reporters
- Jackie Bensen - General assignment reporter
- Julie Carey - General assignment reporter
- Pat Collins - General assignment reporter
- Elizabeth Crenshaw - Consumer reporter
- Michael Flynn - General assignment reporter
- Chris Gordon - Legal analyst/reporter; LawScope host
- Steve Handelsman - General assignment reporter; national correspondent
- Megan McGrath - General assignment reporter (daughter of WTTG's Patrick McGrath)
- Tom Sherwood - Political reporter
- Darcy Spencer - General assignment reporter
- Kimberly Suiters - General assignment reporter; fill-in anchor
- Derrick Ward - General assignment reporter
- Jane Watrel - General assignment reporter; national correspondent
- Tracee Wilkins - General assignment reporter
[edit] Meteorologists
- Bob Ryan (AMS Certified) - Chief seen at 5pm, 6pm and 11pm
- Veronica Johnson (AMS) - Weekdays at 4pm and America This Week host
- Tom Kierein (AMS) - Weekdays from 5am-7am and noon
- Steve Villanueva (AMS) - Weekend evenings at 6pm and 11pm
- Chuck Bell (AMS) - Weekends from 5am-8am and weather producer
[edit] Sports reporters
- Lindsay Czarniak - Sports director seen at 6pm and 11pm and reporter and former Sports Machine co-host
- Dan Hellie - Weekend sports anchor and reporter during the week Hellie Pad host
- Hakem Dermish - Sports reporter and producer
[edit] Former personalities
- James Adams - Weekend evening anchor/reporter (1997–2008)
- Clay Anderson - Meteorologist (1999-2006; now with PEPCO)
- Paul Anthony - Weekend weather anchor (1972–1979; now on WETA-TV)
- Mil Arcega - Weekend morning anchor/reporter (1998–2004)
- Jess Atkinson - Sports anchor/reporter (1990–1996; last seen on WUSA-TV)
- Morgan Beatty - Newscaster (1950s)
- Neil Boggs - Anchor (1967–1972)
- Shannon Bream - Weekend evening anchor/reporter (2004-2007; now a Washington, D.C.-based reporter at Fox News Channel)
- Andrea Brody - Sports reporter; Sports Machine correspondent (2002–2007)
- Campbell Brown - Reporter (1993–1996; formerly with NBC News; now with CNN)
- Wally Bruckner - Sports anchor/reporter (1990–2006) Washingtonpost.com Article of Wally Bruckner exit from WRC-TV
- John Buren - Sports anchor/reporter (1977–1978)
- Kelly Burke - Reporter; Wednesday's Child host (1976–1987)
- Cheryl Butler - Reporter (2005–2008)
- Arch Campbell - Entertainment reporter (1974–2006; now at WJLA in same position)
- Darrian Chapman - Sports reporter (1995–2000; deceased)
- Nick Charles - Sports anchor/reporter (1976–1979; also at WJZ-TV Baltimore; 1st CNN sports anchor; now at Showtime)
- Scott Clark - Sports anchor (1980s; now with WABC-TV New York)
- John Cochran - Reporter (early 1970s; now Capitol Hill correspondent at ABC News)
- Richard L. Coe - Entertainment critic prior to Arch Campbell (1960s-1974; deceased)
- Katie Couric - General assignment reporter (1987–1989; former NBC Today show co-host; now anchoring the CBS Evening News)
- Dan Daniels - Sports commentator (late 60s/early 70s)
- Steve Doocy - Features reporter (1983-1989; now Fox & Friends co-host at FOX News Channel)
- Tony Dorsey - General assignment reporter (1998–2006; now a spokesman for the Washington, D.C. Department of Fire and EMS services)
- Peter Ford - News anchor (1977–1990)
- Frank Forrester - Weatherman (1960s)
- Andy Fox - reporter (1981–1986; now at WAVY-TV in Portsmouth, Virginia)
- Robert Hager - Reporter (1960–1965; formerly an NBC News correspondent)
- Mike Hambrick - Anchor (1981–1985; now with the National Association of Manufacturers)
- Richard C. Harkness - News reporter/anchor (1940s–1960s)
- Jim Hartz - Anchor (1976–1979)
- I.J. Hudson - Technology reporter and anchor (1985–2007)
- Andrew Humphrey - Meteorologist (1995–1998; now at WDIV-TV in Detroit)
- Charlayne Hunter-Gault - Reporter (1967–1968; now with NPR)
- Debbi Jarvis - Anchor/reporter (1994–2003; now at PEPCO)
- Dave Jones - Meteorologist (1991–2001)
- Susan Kidd - Anchor (1983–2006)
- Bob Kur - Reporter (1973–1976; was with Washington Post Radio until its September 2007 demise; now at WTOP radio)
- Marty Levin - Anchor/reporter (1980–1982; now at KNSD in San Diego)
- Lynda Lopez - Reporter (1986-1997) [NOTE: Not the sister of Jennifer Lopez]
- Shari Macias - Reporter (1994–2001)
- Catherine "Cassie" Mackin - Anchor/reporter (1969-1972; deceased)
- Suzanne Malveaux - Reporter (1996–1999; now White House correspondent at CNN)
- Dave Marash - Anchor/reporter (1985–1989; now at Al Jazeera's English language service)
- Bob McBride - Anchor/reporter (1982–1986)
- Robert McCormick - Reporter/commentator (1960s; deceased)
- Doug McKelway - Anchor/reporter (1992–2002; now at WJLA-TV/News Channel 8; second stint at that station)
- George Michael - Sports anchor/reporter; former host of The George Michael Sports Machine (1980–March 25, 2007); hosted Monday segments from Redskins Park and Redskins Report/Full Court Press until December 2008[7]
- Jeff Napshin - General assignment reporter (2004–2006)
- Angela Owens - Reporter (1981–1984; now in public relations for WRC)
- Bryson Rash - Original anchor (June 27, 1947–1960s; President of National Press Club in 1963; news director when WRC won a Peabody Award for its Home Rule coverage in 1973; deceased)
- Glenn Rinker - Anchor (1969–1976; deceased)
- Max Robinson - reporter (1967–1968; deceased)
- Charlie Rose - Talk show host (1981–1984)
- Tim Russert - Frequent correspondent from Meet the Press; deceased
- Mary Alice Salinas - Anchor/reporter (1995–2005)
- Willard Scott - NBC page (1950; Bozo the Clown from 1959–1962; meteorologist (1968–1980); now at NBC's Today Show)
- Dave "The Mouth" Sheehan - Sports anchor prior to George Michael (1975–1980)
- Maurice Siegel - Sports commentator (late 60s/early 70s; deceased)
- Sue Simmons - Anchor/reporter (1976–1980; now at WNBC-TV in New York)
- Carole Simpson - Reporter/public affairs host (1977–1982)
- Jim Simpson - Sports reporter (1960s)
- Jill Sorenson - Sports reporter (2000–2004; moved to WTTG; now a SportsNite anchor/reporter at Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic)
- Joel A. Spivak - Anchor (1987–1988)
- Greg Starddard - General assignment reporter (2003–2005)
- Tippy Stringer - "Weather girl" (mid 1950s; later married NBC news anchor Chet Huntley of Huntley-Brinkley fame)
- Henry Tenenbaum - Anchor (1981–1987; formerly of WUSA-TV; later moved to WJLA; now at KRON in San Francisco)
- Fred Thomas - Anchor/reporter (1975–1987)
- Lea Thompson - Anchor/reporter (1985–1992; now a correspondent on Dateline NBC)
- Kathy Vara - Reporter (1992–1994; now at KABC-TV in Los Angeles)
- Linda Vester - Reporter (1992–1993; formerly with Fox News Channel)
- Don Williams - Reporter (1989–1990)
- Chikage Windler - Meteorologist (1998–2003; now at KSTP-TV (ABC) in Minneapolis, MN)
- Vernon Womble - (1968–1970)
[edit] Former producers
- Brenda Mallory - News4 at 5; now owns consulting firm
- Faith Murphy - Former Web producer of NBC4.com; launched local msnbc.com site (1996)
[edit] News/station presentation
[edit] Newscast titles
- Review of the News (1947-1952)
- Texaco Headlines (1952-1962)
- Big City News (1962-1966)
- News 4 Washington (1966-1975)
- The NewsCenter (1975-1977)
- NewsCenter 4 (1977-1982)
- Channel 4 News (1982-1987)
- News 4 (1987-present)
[edit] Station Slogans
- Working for You (1987-present; news)
- NBC4, Connected to You (2006-present; general)
[edit] References
- ^ "Digital Signal Sources". The Washington Post. 2008-05-20. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2008/05/20/GR2008052000207.html?sid=ST2008051902978.
- ^ "Fox And NBC To Share In DC". http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/162178-Fox_And_NBC_To_Share_In_DC.php. Retrieved on 2009-01-14.
- ^ http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf
- ^ http://www.allbusiness.com/electronics/consumer-household-electronics-high/7693519-1.html
- ^ http://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/03/business/warts-and-wrinkles-can-t-hide-from-high-definition-tv.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1
- ^ http://www.oldradio.com/current/bc_dtv.htm
- ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/29/AR2008122901353.html
[edit] External links
- NBC4 official website
- WRC Wireless
- Query the FCC's TV station database for WRC-TV
- BIAfn's Media Web Database -- Information on WRC-TV
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