WVIR-TV: Difference between revisions
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owner = [[Waterman Broadcasting Corporation]]| |
owner = [[Waterman Broadcasting Corporation]]| |
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licensee = [[Virginia]] Broadcasting Corporation| |
licensee = [[Virginia]] Broadcasting Corporation| |
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sister_stations = | |
sister_stations = [[WBBH-TV]] [[WZVN-TV]]| |
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former_affiliations = [[NBC Weather Plus]]<br>(on DT2, 2007-2008)| |
former_affiliations = [[NBC Weather Plus]]<br>(on DT2, 2007-2008)| |
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effective_radiated_power = 1,000 [[kilowatt|kW]] | |
effective_radiated_power = 1,000 [[kilowatt|kW]] | |
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Revision as of 22:40, 10 January 2011
{{Infobox broadcast}} may refer to:
- Template:Infobox broadcasting network
- Template:Infobox television channel
- Template:Infobox television station
If an internal transclusion led you here, you may wish to change it to point directly to the intended page.
{{Template disambiguation}} should never be transcluded in the main namespace.
WVIR-TV is the NBC-affiliated television station in Charlottesville, Virginia. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 32 from a transmitter on Carters Mountain. The station can also be seen on Comcast channel 4 and in high definition on digital channel 211. Owned by the Waterman Broadcasting Corporation, WVIR has studios on East Market Street (US 250 Bus) in Downtown Charlottesville. Syndicated programming on the station includes: Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, Oprah, and Dr. Phil. It can also be seen on two repeaters: in Harrisonburg on W28BF channel 28 from a transmitter on Massanutten Mountain and in Bridgewater on W31CE channel 31.
Digital programming
On WVIR-DT2, Comcast digital channel 208, and live streaming video on its website is a 24-hour local weather channel. On WVIR-DT3 and Comcast channel 12 is the area's CW affiliate which gets all of its programming from The CW Plus
| Channels (virtual/physical) | Video | Aspect | Programming |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29.1/32.1 | 1080i | 16:9 | main WVIR programming/NBC HD |
| 29.2/32.2 | 480i | 4:3 | WVIR-DT2 "NBC 29 Weather Plus" |
| 29.3/32.3 | 480i | 4:3 | WVIR-DT3 "CW 29" |
History
The channel signed-on March 11, 1973 as the first television station based in Charlottesville. In 1986, Waterman Broadcasting purchased the station. Until August 15, 2004, it was the only outlet in the market affiliated with a major network with other channels being seen on cable and over-the-air. On that date, WCAV signed-on becoming the area's first CBS affiliate and first station to mount a challenge against WVIR. On September 18, 2006, this channel launched a new second digital subchannel to be the area's CW affiliate. On September 13, 2007, WVIR began offering NBC Weather Plus on that digital subchannel resulting in The CW moving to a new third subchannel.
In December 2008, the national Weather Plus feed was shut down and a local weather channel was added in its place. The WVIR Dateline News set with former News Director/weeknight anchor Dave Cupp and meteorologist Robert Van Winkle were featured in the Dave Matthews Band video "Everyday" released in 2001. Its call letters were featured in an episode of Saturday Night Live on October 7, 2006. The station is featured in the 2007 film Evan Almighty. WVIR's broadcasts became digital-only effective at 12:30 in the afternoon on February 17, 2009. [1]
As part of the analog nightlight service, the station was required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to leave its analog signal on-air for two months after the end of digital transition at an estimated cost to the station of $20,000 to broadcast an endless loop of instructional video on digital converter box installation. This was interrupted daily to carry local newscasts. [2] Every year, WVIR holds an annual telethon to help raise money for University of Virginia Health System's Children's Hospital. The telethon, as part of the Children's Miracle Network, is held at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. The broadcast consists of WVIR current and former on-air staff answering phones and talking to patients at the hospital.
WVIR-DT3 often pre-empts programming from The CW Plus in order to air local shows. This includes local news and Cristina's Court instead of Family Court With Judge Penny. On weekends, WVIR-DT3 pre-empts an episode of Degrassi: The Next Generation to show a local sports program titled The Jerry Miller Show. During the week, Sex and The City normally shown at 10 on The CW Plus airs at 1:30 the next morning after all of the programs on The CW have ended for the day. On weekends, the same happens for Punk'd. In addition to WVIR, Comcast systems offer WWBT from Richmond on digital channel 194.
News operation
WCAV and its sister stations employ the largest news team dedicated exclusively to the Charlottesville market. While WVIR dedicates some staff to adjacent areas, WCAV focuses its coverage solely on the counties that comprise the Charlottesville viewing area. On September 18, 2006 with the launch of The CW, a new nightly prime time newscast at 10 began airing on WVIR-DT3 competing with Fox afifliate WAHU-CD.
Like all CW Plus affiliates in the Eastern Time Zone, it also offers the nationally syndicated morning show The Daily Buzz on weekday mornings from 6 until 9. On April 19, 2008, WVIR began airing newscasts in high definition becoming the first station in the market to do so. The prime time shows on WVIR-DT3 were not included in the upgrade because the digital subchannel airs in standard definition.
In addition to its main studios, WVIR operates an Augusta County Bureau in the newsroom of The News Virginian (owned by Media General) on West Main Street/US 340 Bus in Waynesboro and a sales office at Orchard Hills Square in Staunton along Lee Jackson Highway/US 11. Although the station does not operate a weather radar of its own, WVIR features live NOAA National Weather Service radar data from several regional sites. This is presented in a forecasting system on-air known as "StormTeam 29 Live Triple Doppler". It also offers local weather to computer users via the WeatherBug service. The broadcasts seen during the week in the morning as well as at noon, 5, 5:30, 6, and 11 are streamed live on its website.
Newscast titles
- Channel 29 Eyewitness News (1973-1980)
- Dateline News (1980-1994)
- Dateline 29 News (1994-2004)
- NBC 29 News (2004-2008)
- NBC 29 HD News (2008-present)
Station slogans
- "The News Headquarters for Central Virginia" (late-1970s)
- "Virginia's News and Information Center" (early-1980s)
- "Virginia's Most Powerful Television Station" (1994-1999)
- "Your First Choice for Local News in Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley" (1999-2003)
- "Count on Us!" (2003-present)
News team
Anchors
- Shane Edinger - weekday mornings
- Stacia Harris - weekday mornings and reporter
- Sharon Gregory - weekdays at noon, 5, and 5:30
- Steve Rappaport - weeknights at 5, 5:30, 6, and 11
- "Cville Scene" segment producer
- Libby Allison - weeknights at 6, 10, and 11
- Julie Bercik - weekend mornings and reporter
- Matt Talhelm - weekend evenings and Augusta County Bureau reporter Monday through Wednesday nights at 11
NBC 29 Storm Team Meteorologists
- Eric Pritchett (NWA Seal of Approval) - weeknights
- Norm Sprouse - weekday mornings
- David Rogers (NWA Seal of Approval) - Monday through Wednesday at noon and weekend mornings
- Clayton Stiver (AMS and NWA Seals of Approval) - Thursday through Friday at noon and weekend evenings
Sports
- Marty Hudtloff - Director seen weeknights at 6, 10, and 11
- Mike Shiers - weekend evenings
- Jesse Boeckermann - sports reporter, photographer, and producer
Reporters
- Cathy Harding - "Cville Scene" segment producer
- Jennifer Von Reuter - weekday mornings
- Ken Slack - Augusta County Bureau
- Rita Smith - registered dietitian
- Adam Rhew - State Capitol
- Keith McGilvery
- Dannika Lewis
- Derick Waller
- Henry Graff
- Kasey Hott
References
- ^ http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=9796189&nav=menu496_2_3
- ^ Area stations to switch to digital on Tuesday, Brian McNeill, Charlottesville Daily Progress, February 14, 2009