WJLA-TV
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| WJLA-TV | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Washington, D.C. | |
| Branding | ABC 7 |
| Slogan | On Your Side |
| Channels | Analog: 7 (VHF) |
| Subchannels | (see article) |
| Affiliations | ABC |
| Owner | Allbritton Communications Company (ACC Licensee, Inc.) |
| First air date | October 3, 1947 |
| Call letters’ meaning | Joseph L. Allbritton (owner of the station) |
| Former callsigns | WTVW (1947) WMAL-TV (1947-1977) |
| Former affiliations | CBS (1947-1949, secondary from 1948) |
| Transmitter Power | 316 kW (analog) 1000 kW (digital) |
| Height | 235 m (analog) 254 m (digital) |
| Facility ID | 1051 |
| Transmitter Coordinates | |
| Website | www.wjla.com |
WJLA-TV, channel 7, is the ABC television affiliate in Washington, D.C.. It is the flagship station of the Allbritton Communications Company, which also operates local cable station News Channel 8. The two stations share broadcast facilities in the Rosslyn section of Arlington, Virginia. WJLA-TV shares a tower with WUSA in the Tenleytown section of Washington.
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[edit] History
The District of Columbia's second television station began broadcasting on October 3, 1947 as WTVW, owned by the Washington Star along with WMAL radio (630 AM) and WMAL-FM (107.3 MHz., now WRQX). It was the first Band III VHF station (channels 7-13) in the United States. A few months later, the station renamed itself WMAL-TV after its radio sisters.
WMAL radio had been an affiliate of the NBC Blue Network since 1933, and remained with the network after it was spun-off by NBC and evolved into ABC. However, channel 7 started as a CBS station since ABC hadn't gotten into television yet. When ABC launched its television network in 1948, WMAL-TV became ABC's third primary affiliate. It continued to carry some CBS programming until WOIC-TV (later WTOP-TV and now WUSA) signed on in 1949.
In 1976, Texas businessman Joseph L. Allbritton, the owner of Washington-based Riggs Bank, purchased the Star along with the WMAL stations. As a condition of the purchase, Allbritton had to break up the newspaper/broadcast combination, which the Federal Communications Commission was seeking to prohibit under its "one-to-a market" rule. WMAL-TV was separated first from its radio sisters when ABC purchased WMAL-AM-FM in March 1977. Upon the radio transfer, channel 7 changed its call letters to the current WJLA-TV, after Allbritton's initials. Allbritton then sold the Star to Time, Inc. in February 1978.
Rumors abounded from the mid-1990s onward that ABC might buy WJLA-TV, thus reuniting it with its former radio sisters. However, ABC sold most of its radio properties, including WMAL and WRQX, to Citadel Broadcasting Corporation in June 2007. Even so, WJLA is still an ABC affiliate to this day under Allbritton because the company has an exclusive affiliation deal with the network. After WJZ-TV in Baltimore switched to CBS in 1995, WJLA became ABC's longest-tenured affiliate.
In December 2007, WJLA began simulcasting WTOP-FM on its "Weather Now" digital sub-channel.
[edit] Ratings
Prior to 2001, WJLA's newscasts had long rated third in the market, behind WUSA and NBC-owned WRC-TV.
The station scored a major coup in 1999, when it hired Maureen Bunyan, former longtime anchorwoman at WUSA. In 2003, Leon Harris, formerly of CNN, joined the station as an anchor. In 2004, WJLA hired Bunyan's former anchor desk partner, Gordon Peterson; they have since been reunited for the 6:00 p.m. news.
These personnel moves, combined with WUSA's recent troubles, have led to a resurgence in the ratings, and it currently leads at 5:00 p.m. It currently has the largest news team in the Washington area. As the flagship station of the Allbritton chain, WJLA provides national news headlines for other Allbritton-owned stations.
[edit] Logos and idents
Since 1970, WMAL-TV/WJLA has used a variation of the Circle 7 logo, which has long been associated with ABC affiliates. From 1970 to 2001, WMAL/WJLA used its own version of the logo, with the "7" modified to accommodate the circle. This version was probably the longest continuously used numeric logo in Washington's television history. The only real modification came in 1998, after it began calling itself ABC 7 on-air and added the ABC logo to the left. In 2001, WJLA adopted the standard version of the Circle 7 logo, which looks strikingly similar to WABC-TV in New York City, re-fueling speculation that ABC would buy the station. Ironically, WJLA-TV is the largest ABC affiliate to use the Circle 7 that is not an ABC owned-and-operated station. In addition, sister station KATV in Little Rock, Arkansas has used the standard Circle 7 since the 1960s, longer than all WJLA versions combined.
[edit] Digital television
The station's digital signal is multiplexed:
| Subchannel | Programming |
|---|---|
| 7.1 / 39.1 | main WJLA-TV/ABC programming |
| 7.2 / 39.2 | "Weather Now" |
| 7.3 / 39.3 | Local Point TV |
[edit] Digital subchannels
WJLA operates two digital subchannels: Local Point TV, a channel which is a local version of current.tv, featuring short five minute video segments created by area residents and Doug Hill's Weather Now, which shows weather radar and displays news headlines. Both subchannels are carried locally by Comcast and Verizon FiOS. In late 2008, WJLA will broadcast the Retro Television Network on a digital subchannel[1].
[edit] Analog-to-digital conversion
After the analog television shutdown and digital conversion, which is tentatively scheduled to take place on February 17, 2009 [2], WJLA-TV will move its digital broadcasts back to its present analog channel number, 7. [3]
[edit] Key personalities & Staff
[edit] Current staff
WJLA-TV Anchors
- Maureen Bunyan, Weeknights 5, 6 and 11 p.m.
- Leon Harris, Weeknights 5 and 11 p.m. and co-host of "Capital Sunday"
- Doug McKelway, Good Morning Washington and ABC 7 NEWS @ NOON
- Gordon Peterson, Weeknights 6 p.m. and "Inside Washington" Host
- Cynné Simpson, Weekends 6 and 11 p.m.
- Alison Starling, Good Morning Washington and ABC 7 NEWS @ NOON
NewsChannel 8 Anchors
- Bruce DePuyt, NewsTalk Live host
- Melanie Hastings, afternoons
- Beverly Kirk, evenings
- Dave Lucas, mornings and middays, also "Capital Golf Weekly" Host
WJLA-TV and NewsChannel 8 Reporters
- Alisa Parenti
- Lisa Baden, GMW Traffic Reporter
- Natasha Barrett
- Roberta Baskin, I-Team reporter
- Brad Bell, Prince George's County Bureau Chief
- Matt Brock
- Pamela Brown
- Arch Campbell, Weeknights @ 6, ABC 7 NEWS Entertainment Reporter
- Leslie Cook
- Rebecca Cooper
- Jennifer Donelan
- Sam Ford, DC Bureau Chief
- Dr. Kathy Fowler, Medical Reporter
- Horace Holmes
- Suzanne Kennedy
- Greta Kreuz, Montgomery County Bureau Chief
- Jay Korff
- John Gonzalez
- Sarah Lee
- Andrea McCarren, I-Team reporter
- Ross McLaughlin, 7 On Your Side investigator
- Julie Parker
- Gail Pennybacker
- Scott Thuman, also Weekend Morning Anchor
- Dave Willingham, NC8 Traffic Reporter
- Kris Van Cleave
WJLA-TV and NewsChannel 8 Weather Forecasters
- Adam Caskey: Meteorologist
- Doug Hill: WJLA-TV Chief Meteorologist (AMS Certified)
- Chris Naille: Meteorologist (heard on WTOP)
- Kyle Osborne: NewsChannel 8 Weatherman
- Ron Riley: NewsChannel 8 Weatherman
- Joe Witte: WJLA-TV Meteorologist (AMS Certified)
- Brian van de Graaff: WJLA-TV Meteorologist (AMS Certified)
- Dave Zahran: Weekend Morning Weatherman
WJLA-TV and NewsChannel 8 Sports Personalities
- Tim Brant, WJLA-TV Weeknight Sports Anchor/Reporter
- Glenn Harris, NewsChannel 8 Sports Anchor/Reporter/"Sports Talk" host
- Greg Toland, WJLA-TV Weekend Sports Anchor/Reporter
- Gregg Mace, Fill-in WJLA-TV Weekend Sports Anchor/Reporter
[edit] Former staff
- Donald Allen - Anchor/Reporter (1969-1974, deceased)
- Louis Allen - Chief Meteorologist (1955-1974), deceased). [Was the first meteorologist to appear on television.]
- Lauren Ashburn - Reporter/Anchor (1996-2000, now at USA Today Live)
- Gary Axelson - Reporter (1972-1984)
- Jim Berry - Sports Anchor/Reporter (1981-1988, now at WFOR-TV in Miami)
- Paul Berry - Anchor/Reporter (1971-1999, now in public relations [1])
- Rea Blakey - Health Reporter (1988-2001, recently at CNN, now with Discovery Health Channel)
- James Brown - Sports Reporter (1984, now at CBS Sports)
- Mike "Buck" Buchanan - General Assignment Reporter (2004-2006, now at WTOP radio; has been seen doing opinion reports on WJLA. Father of WTTG reporter Doug Buchanan)
- Jack Bowden - Reporter/Anchor - MD Bureau Chief 1990-1998 (retired)
- Mike Cairns - Sports Reporter/Anchor (1992-2000, now a sports announcer for Cleveland State University in Cleveland)
- Jim Clarke - Special Correspondent (1964-2003, retired)
- Jack Conaty - National Correspondent (1980-1986, now at WFLD-TV in Chicago)
- Carol Costello - Morning Anchor (1996-2001, now appears on CNN's Situation Room)
- Chris Curle Farmer - Anchor/Reporter (1977-1980, retired in Florida)
- Elliott Francis - Weekend Anchor/Reporter (1997-2007)
- Charles Gibson, Anchor/Reporter (1970-1973, now an anchor for ABC's World News with Charles Gibson)
- Jeff Gilbert - Meteorologist (1991-2001)
- Chris Gordon - Anchor/Reporter (1980-1983, now at WRC-TV (NBC) in Washington, DC)
- Jason Gough - Meteorologist (now at WNYT in Albany, New York)
- Mike Hambrick - Co-anchor (1992-1995, now with the National Association of Manufacturers
- Jim Harriott - Anchor (1989-1990, deceased)
- John Harter - Reporter (1974-2006, retired)
- Dan Henry - Meteorologist (1997-2002, now at KDFW-TV in Dallas)
- Frank Herzog - Sports Director/Reporter (1983-1992, now at WTOP Radio)
- Kerri Kazarba - Anchor/Reporter (1993-1994, now at KCPQ-TV in Seattle)
- Dennis Ketterer - Meteorologist (1988-1995, now at WBOC-TV in Salisbury, Maryland)
- Susan King - Anchor/Cover Story Reporter (1987-1997)
- Nancy Weiner (Now Nancy Cordes) - Reporter (1990's-2002, now at CBS News)
- Christianne Klein, Weekend Anchor/Reporter (2005-2006, now an anchor and correspondent for ABC News)
- Rene Knott - Sports Director (1992-2003, now at KSDK-TV in St. Louis)
- Dan Lewis - Anchor (1981-1987, now at KOMO-TV in Seattle)
- Josh Mankiewicz - Reporter (1980-1982, now at NBC News)
- Elizabeth Manresa - Consumer Reporter (2001-2004, now at CNN Newsource)
- Kathleen Matthews - 5 p.m. Anchor/Capitol Sunday Co-Host/Reporter (1982-2006, wife of MSNBC's Chris Matthews, now works for Marriott Hotels but still an occasional contributor)
- Melissa McDermott - Weekend Anchor/Reporter (1998-1999) (now a reporter/anchor for CBS News)
- Lark McCarthy - Anchor/Reporter (1976-1984, formerly of WTTG)
- Derek McGinty - Anchor/Reporter (1998-2000, now at WUSA-TV)
- Chris McKendry - Sports Reporter/Anchor (1994-1996, now in same position for ESPN's SportsCenter)
- Marilyn Mitzel - Health/Investigative Reporter (1984-1986)
- Monica Pellegrini - Sports Reporter/Anchor (1992-1993, most recently in same position at WWOR in New York)
- Renee Poussaint - Anchor/Reporter (1978-1992)
- Gary Reals - General Assignment Reporter (1983-1990, now in same position at WUSA-TV)
- Susan Roberts - Reporter (2000-2003, now at CBS News)
- Dan Ronan - Reporter (1982-1989, now at WFAA-TV in Dallas)
- Nancy Russo - Meteorologist (1987-1989)
- Angela Russell - Weekend Anchor/Reporter (2003-2005, now at KYW-TV in Philadelphia)
- Wes Sarginson - Anchor (early 70s and 1985-1988, last seen at WXIA-TV in Atlanta)
- Jim Schaefer - Reporter/Producer (1993-2003)
- David Schoumacher - Anchor/Reporter (1976-1988)
- Kevin Schultze - Reporter (1996-2005, now at "Soapbox Consulting" in Northwest DC)
- Gary Shore - Meteorologist (1981-1983, chief meteorologist at KCAU-TV in Sioux City, Iowa from 2001 until his death Feb. 25, 2008)
- Dale Solly - Anchor/Reporter (1988-1993 and 1997-2002, deceased)
- Alexandra Steele - Meteorologist (1999-2003, now in same position at The Weather Channel)
- Lori Stokes - Anchor/Reporter (1992-1996, now with WABC-TV in New York
- Dave Sweeney - Meteorologist (1985-1987, most recently at KOIN-TV in Portland, OR)
- Henry Tenenbaum - Reporter (1987-1990, now at KRON-TV in San Francisco)
- Fred Thomas - Anchor/Reporter (1967-1975)
- Ruth Todd - Meteorologist/Anchor (1990-1992, now semi-retired in Salt Lake City)
- Steve Udelson - Meteorologist (1988-1990, now at WSOC-TV in Charlotte, NC)
- Mary Jo Walsh - Anchor/Reporter (1994-2000)
- Del Walters - Co-anchor/Investigative Reporter (1985-2003, then to WMAR-TV (ABC) in Baltimore, MD until 2006, now a documentary producer/director)
- Fred Weiss - Meteorologist (1963-1988, deceased)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ WJLA Going Retro with Retro Television Network
- ^ http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf
- ^ http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101231371&formid=387&fac_num=1051
[edit] External links
- WJLA-TV Official Website
- Local Point TV Official Website
- Query the FCC's TV station database for WJLA-TV
- BIAfn's Media Web Database -- Information on WJLA-TV
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