WTHR
Encyclopedia
WTHR, channel 13, is a full-service television station
serving the Indianapolis, Indiana
metropolitan area. An affiliate of the NBC
television network, its studios at 1000 N. Meridian Street
anchor the south end of Indy's Television Row. The station broadcasts its digital signal on VHF channel 13 from its transmitter located at 9799 Ditch Road in suburban Carmel
(its antenna tower being a major landmark on the nearby north leg of the I-465
beltway). Since 1974, WTHR has been owned by the Dispatch Broadcast Group
of Columbus, Ohio
.
On cable, the station is carried on Bright House Networks and Comcast channel 12 in standard definition, and digital channel 713 HD channel on Bright House, and 232 on Comcast.
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 Federal Communications Commission
(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. 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, but 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
.
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 on June 1, 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".
WTHR also produces the Brain Game
, a weekly televised quiz bowl competition for high school students. It has aired since 1972 and is currently hosted by meteorologist Chris Wright.
WTHR signed-off its analog signal on June 12, 2009 at 12:37 AM , and moved its digital broadcasts back to channel 13.
, The Dr. Oz Show
, Dr. Phil
during the daytime, with Wheel of Fortune
and Jeopardy!
before primetime.
affiliate WNDY-TV
(channel 23; now a MyNetworkTV
affiliate). 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-TV. WISH-TV 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 five-minute news updates throughout the day.
Beginning with the 11 p.m. Eyewitness News Nightbeat newscast on November 12, 2006, WTHR became the first station in Indiana to broadcast local news in High Definition, making it one of only seven TV stations in the Midwest broadcasting news in HD (the others being fellow Indianapolis station WISH-TV
, 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 its local newscasts in 1080i
high definition, which is the same high definition resolution as NBC network programming.
On October 2, 2007 starting with the noon newscast, 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. In June 2011, WTHR began offering free on demand segments of their newscasts on the Roku
digital video player.
After several NBC affiliates in markets larger than Indianapolis switched to a different network and/or dropped the Eyewitness News tagline in the past two decades, WTHR is now the largest NBC affiliate to use Eyewitness News continuously to date. This is based on the fact the branding was originally synonymous with most ABC-owned stations and the now-defunct Group W (Westinghouse) stations now owned by CBS.
WTHR has over the years received national honors for its news division, including Peabody Awards for two 2006 reports, "Cause for Alarm" (an investigation into faulty tornado sirens in Indiana) and "Prescription Privacy" (an investigation of improper disposal of personal pharmacy records); WTHR would earn a third Peabody for 2010's "Reality Check: Where Are the Jobs?", which revealed grossly exaggerated job creation claims made by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Television station
A television station is a business, organisation or other such as an amateur television operator that transmits content over terrestrial television. A television transmission can be by analog television signals or, more recently, by digital television. Broadcast television systems standards are...
serving the Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
metropolitan area. An affiliate of the NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
television network, its studios at 1000 N. Meridian Street
Meridian Street (Indianapolis)
Meridian Street is the primary north-south street in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.Meridian Street was formerly aligned with US 31 for much of its length in the city of Indianapolis, before being re-routed to a segment of Interstate 465. The street delineates east addresses from west...
anchor the south end of Indy's Television Row. The station broadcasts its digital signal on VHF channel 13 from its transmitter located at 9799 Ditch Road in suburban Carmel
Carmel, Indiana
Carmel is a city in Hamilton County, Indiana, United States located immediately north of Indianapolis, Indiana. The population was 79,191 at the 2010 census, and is one of the most affluent communities in the Midwest....
(its antenna tower being a major landmark on the nearby north leg of the I-465
Interstate 465
Interstate 465 , also known as the USS Indianapolis Memorial Highway, is the beltway circling Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It is roughly rectangular in shape and has a perimeter of approximately 53 miles . It lies almost completely within the boundaries of Marion County, except for two...
beltway). Since 1974, WTHR has been owned by the Dispatch Broadcast Group
Dispatch Broadcast Group
The Dispatch Broadcast Group is a media company based in Columbus, Ohio. The group is a division of the Dispatch Printing Company, owner of the Columbus Dispatch, and has been owned by the Wolfe family since 1929...
of Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
.
On cable, the station is carried on Bright House Networks and Comcast channel 12 in standard definition, and digital channel 713 HD channel on Bright House, and 232 on Comcast.
History
The station signed on September 2, 1957 as ABCAmerican Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
affiliate WLWI (often rendered in print as WLW-I), owned by Crosley Broadcasting Corporation
Crosley Broadcasting Corporation
The Crosley Broadcasting Corporation was a radio and television broadcaster founded by radio manufacturing pioneer Powel Crosley, Jr.. The company was an early operator of radio stations in the United States. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Crosley's flagship station was WLW...
. It was one of five stations which made up the Cincinnati-based WLW
WLW
WLW is a clear channel talk radio station located in Cincinnati, Ohio, run by Clear Channel Communications. The station broadcasts locally on 700 kHz AM...
television network. Other stations included in this network were WLWT
WLWT
WLWT, virtual channel 5 , is an NBC-affiliated television station in Cincinnati, Ohio, the station is owned by Hearst Television...
in Cincinnati, WLWC (now WCMH-TV
WCMH-TV
WCMH-TV, channel 4, is a television station in Columbus, Ohio, affiliated with the NBC television network and owned by Media General. The station's studios and transmitter are located in Columbus. NBC-4 broadcasts from its studio and office complex near the Ohio State University on Olentangy River...
) in Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, WLWA (now WXIA-TV
WXIA-TV
WXIA-TV, virtual channel 11.1 , is the NBC-affiliated television station in Atlanta, Georgia. Popularly known by its 11 Alive moniker, WXIA is owned by the Gannett Company in a duopoly with MyNetworkTV affiliate WATL...
) in Atlanta and WLWD (now WDTN
WDTN
WDTN, virtual channel 2, is the NBC-affiliated television station for Ohio's Miami Valley. Licensed to Dayton, it broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 50 from a transmitter in the Frytown section of the city. The station can also be seen on Time Warner Cable channel 2 and in...
) in Dayton
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
.
From 1957 to 1962, the station was tied up in one of the most heated licensing disputes in early television history. The Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, 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. 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
District of Columbia Court of Appeals
The District of Columbia Court of Appeals is the highest court of the District of Columbia. Established by the United States Congress in 1970, it is equivalent to a state supreme court, except that its power derives from Article I of the U.S. Constitution rather than from the inherent sovereignty...
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, but 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
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
and NBC until the 1970s. WLWI spent most of its first 17 years as an also-ran behind WFBM-TV (now WRTV
WRTV
WRTV, channel 6, is the ABC television affiliate in Indianapolis, Indiana; it is owned by McGraw-Hill. Its transmitter is located on the northwest side of Indianapolis at 8001 Township Line Road. Its studios are found at 1330 N...
) and WISH-TV
WISH-TV
WISH-TV, virtual channel 8, is the CBS-affiliated television station for Central Indiana licensed to Indianapolis. Owned by the LIN TV Corporation, WISH-TV is part of a duopoly with MyNetworkTV affiliate WNDY-TV and the two share studios on North Meridian Street at the north end of Indianapolis'...
. In some cases, it even fell to fourth place behind WTTV
WTTV
WTTV is a CW-affiliated television station licensed to Bloomington, Indiana, serving the Indianapolis television market. WTTV is owned by the Tribune Company, and is one-half of a duopoly with WXIN , the market's Fox affiliate. The two stations share a studio at 6910 Network Place on the northwest...
.
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-TVWBNS-TV
WBNS-TV, channel 10, is a television station in Columbus, Ohio, USA. The station is an affiliate of the CBS Television Network and is owned by the Dispatch Broadcast Group, a subsidiary of the Columbus Dispatch, along with WBNS radio...
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 on June 1, 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
Eyewitness News
Eyewitness News is a style of news broadcasting used by local television stations in different markets across the United States. It refers to a particular style of television newscast with an emphasis on visual elements and action video...
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".
WTHR today
On September 2, 2007 WTHR celebrated its 50th anniversary; 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.WTHR also produces the Brain Game
Brain Game (Indiana)
The Brain Game is a weekly quiz bowl show for high school students that airs on NBC-affiliate WTHR-13 in Indianapolis, Indiana. It is currently broadcast at 7 pm on Saturdays, and the host is WTHR lead meteorologist Chris Wright. It is sponsored by Westfield Insurance, which also sponsors four...
, a weekly televised quiz bowl competition for high school students. It has aired since 1972 and is currently hosted by meteorologist Chris Wright.
Digital television
| Channel | Programming |
|---|---|
| 13.1 | WTHR-DT |
| 13.2 | SkyTrak Weather Network WALV-CA WALV-CA is a low-power television station in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, broadcasting locally on channel 50. The station is the local broadcast outlet for the SkyTrak Weather Network, which can also be seen on the digital signal of parent station WTHR... |
| 13.3 | Universal Sports Universal Sports Universal Sports is an American television network that airs various sports, primarily those contested in the Olympic Games, including swimming, gymnastics, cycling, track and field, figure skating, skiing, bobsledding and triathlon.-Programming:... |
WTHR signed-off its analog signal on June 12, 2009 at 12:37 AM , and moved its digital broadcasts back to channel 13.
Syndicated Shows
Current syndicated programming includes The Ellen DeGeneres ShowThe Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show, often shortened to Ellen, is an American television talk show hosted by comedian/actress Ellen DeGeneres. Debuting on September 8, 2003, it is produced by Telepictures and airs in syndication, including stations owned by NBC Universal. For its first five seasons, the show...
, The Dr. Oz Show
The Dr. Oz Show
The Dr. Oz Show is an American syndicated television talk show, hosted by Dr. Mehmet Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon and teaching professor at Columbia University who became famous for his appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show from 2004 until 2009....
, Dr. Phil
Dr. Phil (TV series)
Dr. Phil is a reality/talk television show hosted by Phil McGraw. After McGraw's success with his segments on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Phil debuted on September 16, 2002...
during the daytime, with Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune (U.S. game show)
Wheel of Fortune is an American television game show created by Merv Griffin, which premiered in 1975. Contestants compete to solve word puzzles, similar to those used in Hangman, to win cash and prizes determined by spinning a large wheel. The title refers to the show's giant carnival wheel that...
and Jeopardy!
Jeopardy!
Griffin's first conception of the game used a board comprising ten categories with ten clues each, but after finding that this board could not be shown on camera easily, he reduced it to two rounds of thirty clues each, with five clues in each of six categories...
before primetime.
News operation
WTHR used to have a partnership agreement with then-UPNUPN
United Paramount Network was a television network that was broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States from 1995 to 2006. UPN was originally owned by Viacom/Paramount and Chris-Craft Industries, the former of which, through the Paramount Television Group, produced most of the network's...
affiliate WNDY-TV
WNDY-TV
WNDY-TV is the MyNetworkTV-affiliated television station for Central Indiana licensed to Marion. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 32 from a transmitter in White River Township north of Strawtown. The station can also be seen on Comcast and Bright House Networks channel 10...
(channel 23; now a MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV is a television broadcast syndication service in the United States, owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a division of News Corporation...
affiliate). Under the partnership, WTHR produced a 10 p.m. newscast for WNDY. However, the partnership ended when WNDY was purchased by LIN TV
LIN TV
LIN TV Corporation is an American holding company that operates 31 television stations.-History:LIN TV's roots trace back to the founding of its former parent, LIN Broadcasting Corporation, in 1961. LIN Broadcasting was engaged in radio, television, direct marketing, information and learning, music...
Corporation, which also owned WISH-TV. WISH-TV 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
WALV-CA
WALV-CA is a low-power television station in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, broadcasting locally on channel 50. The station is the local broadcast outlet for the SkyTrak Weather Network, which can also be seen on the digital signal of parent station WTHR...
, channel 50, in lieu of a 10 p.m. newscast. SkyTrak Weather Network
WALV-CA
WALV-CA is a low-power television station in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, broadcasting locally on channel 50. The station is the local broadcast outlet for the SkyTrak Weather Network, which can also be seen on the digital signal of parent station WTHR...
also airs constant weather forecasts for Central Indiana and replays of WTHR's midday, 6 p.m. newscasts, and short five-minute news updates throughout the day.
Beginning with the 11 p.m. Eyewitness News Nightbeat newscast on November 12, 2006, WTHR became the first station in Indiana to broadcast local news in High Definition, making it one of only seven TV stations in the Midwest broadcasting news in HD (the others being fellow Indianapolis station WISH-TV
WISH-TV
WISH-TV, virtual channel 8, is the CBS-affiliated television station for Central Indiana licensed to Indianapolis. Owned by the LIN TV Corporation, WISH-TV is part of a duopoly with MyNetworkTV affiliate WNDY-TV and the two share studios on North Meridian Street at the north end of Indianapolis'...
, WKYC-TV
WKYC-TV
WKYC, virtual channel 3 , is an NBC-affiliated television station located in Cleveland, Ohio, owned by the Gannett Company. Its studio is located on the shores of Lake Erie, while its transmitter is located in Parma, Ohio....
in Cleveland, KSDK
KSDK
KSDK, Channel 5, is the NBC-affiliated television station in St. Louis, Missouri. KSDK is owned and operated by Gannett Company, and the station's transmitter is located in Marlborough, Missouri. The station broadcasts a digital signal on UHF channel 35, using its former analog channel assignment...
in St. Louis, KARE-TV in Minneapolis/St. Paul, WCPO-TV
WCPO-TV
WCPO-TV, virtual channel 9 , is an ABC-affiliated television station in Cincinnati, Ohio. WCPO's studio is located in the Mount Adams neighborhood of Cincinnati, just outside of Eden Park. Its transmitter is located along Symmes Street, just south of East McMillan Street in Cincinnati.The station...
in Cincinnati, and sister station WBNS-TV
WBNS-TV
WBNS-TV, channel 10, is a television station in Columbus, Ohio, USA. The station is an affiliate of the CBS Television Network and is owned by the Dispatch Broadcast Group, a subsidiary of the Columbus Dispatch, along with WBNS radio...
in Columbus, Ohio). WTHR broadcasts its local newscasts in 1080i
1080i
1080i is the shorthand name for a high-definition television mode. The i means interlaced video; 1080i differs from 1080p, in which the p stands for progressive scan. The term 1080i assumes a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9, implying a frame size of 1920×1080 pixels...
high definition, which is the same high definition resolution as NBC network programming.
On October 2, 2007 starting with the noon newscast, 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. In June 2011, WTHR began offering free on demand segments of their newscasts on the Roku
Roku
Roku , is an American, privately held, consumer electronics company that sells home digital media products. The Company is based in Saratoga, California.- Company profile and products :...
digital video player.
After several NBC affiliates in markets larger than Indianapolis switched to a different network and/or dropped the Eyewitness News tagline in the past two decades, WTHR is now the largest NBC affiliate to use Eyewitness News continuously to date. This is based on the fact the branding was originally synonymous with most ABC-owned stations and the now-defunct Group W (Westinghouse) stations now owned by CBS.
WTHR has over the years received national honors for its news division, including Peabody Awards for two 2006 reports, "Cause for Alarm" (an investigation into faulty tornado sirens in Indiana) and "Prescription Privacy" (an investigation of improper disposal of personal pharmacy records); WTHR would earn a third Peabody for 2010's "Reality Check: Where Are the Jobs?", which revealed grossly exaggerated job creation claims made by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Newscast titles
- Eyewitness NewsEyewitness NewsEyewitness News is a style of news broadcasting used by local television stations in different markets across the United States. It refers to a particular style of television newscast with an emphasis on visual elements and action video...
(early 1970s-1976) - Eyewitness NewsCenter 13 (1976–1981)
- NewsCenter 13 (1981–1993)
- NewsChannel 13 (1993–1996)
- Channel 13 Eyewitness NewsEyewitness NewsEyewitness News is a style of news broadcasting used by local television stations in different markets across the United States. It refers to a particular style of television newscast with an emphasis on visual elements and action video...
(1996–2011) - Channel 13 Eyewitness NewsEyewitness NewsEyewitness News is a style of news broadcasting used by local television stations in different markets across the United States. It refers to a particular style of television newscast with an emphasis on visual elements and action video...
Sunrise (weekday morning newscast) - Channel 13 Eyewitness NewsEyewitness NewsEyewitness News is a style of news broadcasting used by local television stations in different markets across the United States. It refers to a particular style of television newscast with an emphasis on visual elements and action video...
Weekend Sunrise (weekend morning newscast) - Channel 13 Eyewitness NewsEyewitness NewsEyewitness News is a style of news broadcasting used by local television stations in different markets across the United States. It refers to a particular style of television newscast with an emphasis on visual elements and action video...
at Noon/Channel 13 Eyewitness NewsEyewitness NewsEyewitness News is a style of news broadcasting used by local television stations in different markets across the United States. It refers to a particular style of television newscast with an emphasis on visual elements and action video...
at 12:30 p.m. (midday newscasts) - Channel 13 Eyewitness NewsEyewitness NewsEyewitness News is a style of news broadcasting used by local television stations in different markets across the United States. It refers to a particular style of television newscast with an emphasis on visual elements and action video...
at 5 (5 p.m. newscast) - Channel 13 Eyewitness NewsEyewitness NewsEyewitness News is a style of news broadcasting used by local television stations in different markets across the United States. It refers to a particular style of television newscast with an emphasis on visual elements and action video...
at 5:30 (5:30 p.m. newscast) - Channel 13 Eyewitness NewsEyewitness NewsEyewitness News is a style of news broadcasting used by local television stations in different markets across the United States. It refers to a particular style of television newscast with an emphasis on visual elements and action video...
at 6 (6 p.m. newscast) - Channel 13 Eyewitness NewsEyewitness NewsEyewitness News is a style of news broadcasting used by local television stations in different markets across the United States. It refers to a particular style of television newscast with an emphasis on visual elements and action video...
NightBeat (11 p.m. newscast) - 13 Sports Jam (Sunday sports wrap-up program)
- 13 News (2011-Present)
Station slogans
- You're on Top of It All with 13 (1976–1979; image campaign composed by Al HamAl HamAlbert W. Ham was an American composer and jingle writer. He was notable as the composer of the Move Closer to Your World music package used since the 1970s on WPVI-TV's Action News broadcasts in Philadelphia, as well as many on many other newscasts in the United States throughout the 1970s and...
) - Channel 13, Proud As A Peacock! (1979-1980; localized version of NBC network slogan)
- Hello Indiana, Channel 13 Loves You! (1980–1987 and 1991; image campaign composed by Frank GariFrank GariFrank Gari is a popular singer and songwriter from the late 1950s and early 1960s. His best known songs as a performer are "Utopia" , "Lullaby of Love" and "Princess" , all of which hit the U.S. Top 40 in 1961. He co-wrote with Roger McGuinn the song Beach Ball for Bobby Darin...
, vocals mainly by Florence WarnerFlorence WarnerFlorence Warner is an American singer who has worked mainly in recordings of TV commercials, including the Hello News image campaign from Gari Communications....
) - Channel 13, Our Pride Is Showing (1981-1982; localized version of NBC network slogan)
- We're Channel 13, Just Watch Us Now (1982–1983; localized version of NBC network slogan)
- Channel 13 There, Be There (1983–1984; localized version of NBC network slogan)
- Channel 13, Let's All Be There (1984-1986; localized version of NBC network slogan)
- Come Home To Channel 13 (1986-1987; localized version of NBC network slogan)
- Come On Home To Channel 13 (1987-1988; localized version of NBC network slogan)
- This Is Indiana, and Proud to Call It Home! (also "Proud To Call It Home!"; 1987–1994)
- Come Home To The Best, Only on Channel 13 (1988-1990; localized version of NBC network slogan)
- WTHR, The Place To Be! (1990-1992; localized version of NBC network slogan)
- It`s A Whole New Channel 13 (1992-1993; localized version of NBC network slogan)
- Indiana's NewsChannel (1992–1996)
- The Stars Are Back on Channel 13 (1993-1994; localized version of NBC network slogan)
- Indiana, 13's On Your Side (1994–1997; image campaign composed by Frank GariFrank GariFrank Gari is a popular singer and songwriter from the late 1950s and early 1960s. His best known songs as a performer are "Utopia" , "Lullaby of Love" and "Princess" , all of which hit the U.S. Top 40 in 1961. He co-wrote with Roger McGuinn the song Beach Ball for Bobby Darin...
) - Coverage You Can Count On (1994–2002; still appears on some WTHR-owned vehicles)
- Indiana's News Leader (2002–present)
- Learn Things (summers 2006 and 2007)
- Learn More (fall 2007-summer 2008)
- Indiana's News Leader (2008 - present)
On-air staff
Anchors
- Kris Kirschner - weekend mornings "Eyewitness News Weekend Sunrise" (Saturdays 6-7 and 8-10 a.m.; Sundays 6-8 and 9-10 a.m.)
- Bruce Kopp - weekday mornings "Eyewitness News Sunrise" (4:30-7 a.m.)
- Julia Moffitt - weekday mornings "Eyewitness News Sunrise" (4:30-7 a.m.)
- Andrea Morehead - weeknights at 5 and 11 p.m.
- Jennie Runevitch - weekends at 6 and 11 p.m.
- John StehrJohn StehrJohn Stehr , is an American television journalist. He currently anchors at NBC affiliate WTHR in Indianapolis, Indiana weekdays at 5 pm, 6 pm and 11 pm...
- weeknights at 5, 6, and 11 p.m. - Scott Swan - weekdays at noon and 5:30 p.m.
- Anne Marie TiernonAnne Marie TiernonAnne Marie Tiernon is an American journalist. She currently anchors at NBC affiliate WTHR in Indianapolis, Indiana, alongside Scott Swan at 5:30 p.m.; and with John Stehr at 6 p.m.-Career:...
- weeknights at 5:30 and 6 p.m.
SkyTrak Weather Team
- Chris Wright (AMSAmerican Meteorological SocietyThe American Meteorological Society promotes the development and dissemination of information and education on the atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic sciences and the advancement of their professional applications. Founded in 1919, the American Meteorological Society has a membership...
Certified Broadcast MeteorologistCertified Broadcast MeteorologistCertified Broadcast Meteorologist is a rating for meteorologists given by the American Meteorological Society.The Certified Broadcast Meteorologist program was established to raise the professional standard in broadcast meteorology and encourage a broader range of scientific understanding,...
and NWANational Weather AssociationThe National Weather Association is an American professional association with a mission to support and promote excellence in operational meteorology and related activities...
Seals of Approval) - Chief Meteorologist; weeknights at 5, 5:30, 6, and 11 p.m. - Chikage Windler (AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal of Approval and National Weather Association) - Meteorologist; weekends at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.
- Chuck Lofton (NWA Seal of Approval) - Meteorologist; weekday mornings "Eyewitness News Sunrise" (4:30-7 a.m.) and noon
- Nicole Misencik (AMS Seal of Approval) - Meteorologist; weekend mornings "Eyewitness News Weekend Sunrise"
Sports Team
- David Calabro - Sports Director; weeknights at 6 and Sunday-Thursdays at 11 p.m.
- Eric Yutzy - Sports Anchor; weekends at 6 and 11 p.m., also sports reporter
- Richard Nye - weeknight sports reporter
- Dick Rea - sports reporter and fill-in anchor
- Don Hein - sports reporter
Reporters
- Jeremy Brilliant - general assignment reporter
- Sandra Chapman - investigative reporter ("13 Investigates")
- Lynsay Clutter - general assignment reporter
- Richard Essex - general assignment reporter
- Steve Jefferson - crime beat reporter
- Captain Paul Kasey - morning traffic reporter ("SkyWatch Traffic")
- Emily Longnecker - general assignment reporter
- David MacAnally - general assignment reporter
- Mary Milz - CityBeat reporter
- Dave PataniaDave PataniaDave Patania is a nationally known fitness contributor for WTHR in Indianapolis, Indiana. He reports weekly on topics of a fitness nature. Patania also played wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bearcats in the early 90s.- References :...
- fitness contributor - Mimi Pierce - morning traffic reporter ("SkyWatch Traffic")
- Chris Proffitt - North bureau reporter
- Kevin Rader - political reporter
- Bob Segall - investigative reporter ("13 Investigates")
- Tom Walker - Washington, DC correspondent
- Rich Van Wyk - money and education reporter
Notable former employees
- Ross BeckerRoss BeckerRoss Becker is a television journalist and news anchor. He is currently employed as an anchor/reporter at KUSI-TV in San Diego, California.Becker began his career in broadcasting in 1975 as a reporter at WFRV-TV in Green Bay, Wisconsin, before moving in 1977 to WTHR-TV in Indianapolis as a weekend...
(Anchor/reporter; now at KUSI in San Diego) - Mary Ann ChildersMary Ann ChildersMary Ann Childers was a reporter and anchor at WBBM-TV in Chicago from 1994 to March 31, 2008. Prior to that, she spent 14 years as an anchor at WLS-TV, where she became the first female to anchor a top-rated 10pm newscast in Chicago. It was announced on March 31, 2008 that she would be leaving...
(Co-Anchored NewsCenter 13 with Lew Choate before joining WLS-TVWLS-TVWLS-TV, virtual channel 7, is an owned-and-operated television station of the Walt Disney Company-owned American Broadcasting Company, located in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The station operates their full power digital operations on UHF channel 44, with their digital fill-in translator on VHF channel...
Chicago as co-anchor and subsequently WBBM-TVWBBM-TVWBBM-TV, virtual channel 2 , is the CBS owned-and-operated television station in Chicago, Illinois. WBBM-TV's main studios and offices are located in The Loop section of Chicago, as part of the development at Block 37, and its transmitter is atop the Willis Tower.-History:WBBM-TV traces its history...
Chicago as a co-anchor) - Carol CostelloCarol CostelloCarol Costello is a CNN national correspondent and anchor, working out of the network's New York City bureau. She was part of CNN's Peabody-winning coverage of Hurricane Katrina and the 2008 presidential election, and also covered the Virginia Tech shootings, the Obama inauguration and the Casey...
(Reporter; now late night anchor at CNNCNNCable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
) - Jerry HarknessJerry HarknessJerald B. "Jerry" Harkness is an American former basketball player.Before playing in the professional leagues, the 6'3" Harkness was a star at DeWitt Clinton High School and Loyola University Chicago. At Loyola, he served as captain on the team that upset the University of Cincinnati to win the...
(Sports anchor, 1970s) - Bill Jackson (Host of Mickey Mouse ClubMickey Mouse ClubThe Mickey Mouse Club is an American variety television show that began in 1955, produced by Walt Disney Productions and televised by the ABC, featuring a regular but ever-changing cast of teenage performers. The Mickey Mouse Club was created by Walt Disney...
later renamed The Bill Jackson Show from 1963–65) - Dick JohnsonDick Johnson (reporter)Dick Johnson was the morning news co-anchor for NBC owned television station WMAQ-TV in Chicago and is currently a street reporter and a back-up weeknight anchor at WMAQ-TV....
(Reporter; now morning anchor at WMAQ-TV in Chicago) - David LettermanDavid LettermanDavid Michael Letterman is an American television host and comedian. He hosts the late night television talk show, Late Show with David Letterman, broadcast on CBS. Letterman has been a fixture on late night television since the 1982 debut of Late Night with David Letterman on NBC...
(Weekend weatherman, host of Freeze Dried Theater and Clover Power; now host of Late Show with David LettermanLate Show with David LettermanLate Show with David Letterman is a U.S. late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and is produced by Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants Incorporated. The show's music director and band-leader of the house band, the CBS Orchestra, is...
) - Paul PagePaul PagePaul Page is an American motorsports broadcaster who was the lead announcer for ABC Sports' coverage of CART and the IRL from 1988 to 2004. He currently is the lead announcer for NHRA.-Early life and career:...
(Former sports anchor/reporter; now with the ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
sports networks) - Amanda RosseterAmanda RosseterAmanda Rosseter is the Media and Communications director for Saint Joseph's Health System in Georgia.Amanda Rosseter is an award-winning journalist and was a reporter in addition to being the weekend morning news anchor at WSB-TV...
(Anchor/reporter; now at WSB-TVWSB-TVWSB-TV, virtual channel 2.1 , is the ABC affiliate in Atlanta, Georgia. It is the flagship television station of Cox Enterprises and its Cox Media Group subsidiary...
in Atlanta) - Alex SanzAlex SanzAlex Sanz covers government for KHOU-TV in Houston, Texas. He reports on Harris County and suburban communities in the greater Houston area. He previously covered Houston City Hall. He joined the CBS station in 2007 after working as a reporter for WTHR-TV in Indianapolis, Indiana...
(Reporter; now at KHOU-TVKHOU-TVKHOU is the CBS affiliate television station in Houston, Texas. Serving Greater Houston, it is owned by the Belo Corporation and broadcasts on digital and PSIP channel 11...
, Houston) - Mark SpainMark SpainMark Spain is a weekday television news anchor alongside Paige Kelton on Action News at WTEV/WAWS in Jacksonville, Florida. He anchors all evening newscasts .-Early life and education:...
(Weekend anchor in the early 1990s, went to WJW-TV Cleveland, now at WAWS-TV/WTEV Jacksonville)