WTKR

File:WTAR advertisement (1950).gif

On April 21, 1948, the WTAR Radio Corporation—owner of WTAR (790 AM) and associated with Norfolk's two daily newspapers, The Virginian-Pilot and the Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch—applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a construction permit to build a new television station on channel 4 in Norfolk.{{Cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/846acd7f-ad23-c848-6efe-9cdc18e91601|title=FCC History Cards for WTKR|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} The FCC made a conditional grant to WTAR on August 18, 1948; that day, the station announced it would build a new radio and television complex to house its radio operations and the new channel 4.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-wtar-plans-big-mode/133121178/|date=August 19, 1948|page=26|first=Warner|last=Twyford|title=WTAR Plans Big, Modern Radio Center: Television Permit Granted; Work Starting Soon|newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 8, 2023}} The station divulged more details of the project the next month, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of WTAR radio: it would be a three-story facility encompassing a television studio, a theater with seating for 175, and a {{convert|400|ft|m}} transmitter tower for the TV station.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-wtar-to-build-new-ce/133121719/|date=September 21, 1948|pages=17, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-building/133121749/ 18]|title=WTAR to Build New Center at $750,000 Cost|newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 8, 2023}} The FCC upgraded the conditional grant to a regular grant on October 7;{{r|hc}} days before, the commission imposed a freeze on new TV station grants to sort out possible changes to television broadcast standards.{{cite news|first=Rufus|last=Crater|pages=22A, 57|work=Broadcasting|id={{ProQuest|1040475180}}|title=Television Freeze: FCC Action Halted Pending Definite Policy|date=October 4, 1948}}

As construction proceeded on the Boush Street facility, in July 1949, work began on the transmitter tower at the site. WTAR-TV also secured a primary affiliation with NBC; network programming would arrive in Norfolk via a microwave transmission system from Richmond, which was on the coaxial cable network for the broadcast of network TV shows.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-wtar-to-start-televi/133121532/|date=July 10, 1949|page=4:12|first=Warner|last=Twyford|title=WTAR to Start Television Broadcasts on April 1, 1950: NBC Network Service Part Of Operation|newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 8, 2023}} A mobile unit for televising programs outside the studio arrived in Norfolk in December,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-55000-mobile-unit/133121814/|date=December 9, 1949|pages=66, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-mobile-unit/133121851/ 35]|first=Warner|last=Twyford|title=$55,000 Mobile Unit Delivered To WTAR-TV|newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 8, 2023}} while the station began broadcasting a test pattern daily on March 1, 1950.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-broadcasting-of-tv-p/133122074/|date=March 1, 1950|page=1:17|title=Broadcasting Of TV Pattern Starts Today|newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 8, 2023}}

WTAR-TV formally began broadcasting on April 2, 1950, as the first television station in southeastern Virginia, broadcasting to 600 area TV sets.{{r|BC510430}} That evening, 1,800 people filled the Center Theater for the station's inaugural program. Nineteen local programs, ranging from children's shows to an all-Black variety show, were among channel 4's first local productions.{{Cite news|title=WTAR-TV Marks Its First Year|pages=62, 70|work=Broadcasting|id={{ProQuest|1401193232}}|date=April 30, 1951}} In addition to NBC, the station also aired programs from the other three television networks of the day: CBS, ABC, and DuMont, channel 4 joining the latter a month and a half after it started.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-todays-the-day-wta/133122434/|date=April 2, 1950|page=4:12|first=Warner|last=Twyford|title=Today's the Day--WTAR-TV Facilities Will Bring Video to Norfolk's Doorstep|newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 8, 2023}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-videos-debut-today/133122496/|date=April 2, 1950|pages=3:1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-videos-debut-today/133129042/ 4]|title=Video's Debut Today Opens Tidewater Era: 1,800 in Audience Plus 7,000 Homes to See First Performance|newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 8, 2023}}{{Cite news|work=Broadcasting|page=55|title=WTAR-TV Joins DuMont|date=May 15, 1950|id={{ProQuest|1401178513}} }} WTAR-TV was the first station to use the Boush Street facility; WTAR radio moved in June 1950, and the building was not dedicated until September.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-wtar-transfers-to-ne/133129177/|date=June 4, 1950|page=2:1|title=WTAR Transfers To New Studios On Boush Street|newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 8, 2023}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/ledger-star-new-wtar-plant-dedication-is/133129267/|date=September 16, 1950|page=11|title=New WTAR Plant Dedication Is Set|newspaper=The Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch|first=Richard|last=Montague|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 8, 2023}} By the station's first anniversary in April 1951, WTAR-TV was airing 30 local shows, representing ten hours of output a week, and more than half the top TV shows in the country.{{r|BC510430}}

In April 1952, the FCC lifted the freeze after three and a half years with major changes to television allocations, including the addition of ultra high frequency (UHF) channels to the existing 12 in the very high frequency (VHF) band and new station spacing requirements. In doing so, it made a total of 30 changes to the channels of existing stations, including WTAR-TV, which would be moved from channel 4 to channel 3.{{Cite news|date=April 15, 1952|title=Thaw July 1: 617 VHFs, 1436 UHFs in 1291 Markets; Educators Win|work=Broadcasting|pages=23, 67–68|id={{ProQuest|1285696665}} }} WTAR-TV was successful in rebuffing the originally proposed relocation to channel 8{{r|BC520415}} or 12, both high-band VHF channels that would have required additional changes in transmitter equipment; instead, it received channel 3, which had originally been allocated to Richmond. However, WTAR-TV would not make the channel switch for more than two years, as it paired the channel change with the installation of a new, {{convert|1049|ft|m}} tower and maximum-power transmitter facility near Driver.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/ledger-star-channel-switch-new-antenna/133123280/|date=March 5, 1953|page=2|title=Channel Switch, New Antenna To Boost TV Power|newspaper=Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 8, 2023}} The new tower was touted as the highest man-made structure in Virginia.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/ledger-star-states-highest-structure-c/133123400/|date=May 8, 1953|page=21|title=State's Highest Structure: Construction Is Started On WTAR's TV Tower|newspaper=Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 8, 2023}} Delays resulting from weather pushed back the channel switch to May 1, 1954. On that day, the station held a beauty pageant at the transmitter site, crowning a North Carolina woman "Miss WTAR-TV"; the Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch called the new tower the tallest maypole in the world.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/ledger-star-nc-beauty-wtar-tv-may-quee/133124009/|date=May 1, 1954|page=13|title=N.C. Beauty WTAR-TV May Queen: Peggy Harvin Crowned As Station Switches To Channel Three|newspaper=Ledger-Star|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 8, 2023}}

The end of the freeze also unblocked the development of other TV stations in Hampton Roads. By October 1952, there were eight applications on file with the FCC for four channels, both VHF and UHF, in Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Newport News.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-wsap-seeks-uhf-chann/122546751/|date=October 21, 1952|page=4|title=WSAP Seeks UHF Channel For Television: WLOW Wants Same Circuit; Five Other Companies Seek TV Channels|newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 8, 2023}} With station construction in the pipeline, the WTAR Radio Corporation opted to change its radio and TV stations to primary CBS affiliates beginning in September 1953.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/ledger-star-shift-in-september-wtar-rad/133123426/|date=May 20, 1953|page=21|title=Shift in September: WTAR Radio and TV Due To Become CBS Affiliates|newspaper=Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 8, 2023}} NBC signed with a new-to-air station in Hampton, WVEC-TV (then channel 15), the next month.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-wvec-tv-on-nbc-chain-in-sept/133130803/|date=June 17, 1953|page=3|title=WVEC-TV On NBC Chain In September|newspaper=Daily Press|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 8, 2023}} ABC did likewise in September and affiliated with the new WTOV-TV (channel 27) in Portsmouth.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-abc-network-signs-tv/122546875/|date=September 20, 1953|page=2:1|title=ABC Network Signs TV Pact With WTOV: Primary Agreement Negotiated for Affiliation|newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 8, 2023}} However, ABC and DuMont continued to also be affiliated with WTAR-TV.{{Cite news|page=82|date=May 3, 1954|title=WTAR-TV Ups Power, Moves to New Tower|id={{ProQuest|1285709273}}|work=Broadcasting}} DuMont ceased its existence as a network in 1955,{{Cite magazine|id={{ProQuest|1014914488}}|title=DuMont Network To Quit In Telecasting 'Spin-Off'|page=64|magazine=Broadcasting|date=August 15, 1955}} while a full-time ABC affiliate debuted when WAVY-TV signed on channel 10 in 1957.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-wavy-on-the-air-new/133131995/|date=September 1, 1957|page=12-B|title=WAVY on the Air: New TV Outlet Makes Its Bow|newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 8, 2023}}

In 1967, Norfolk-Portsmouth Newspapers—which owned the two Norfolk daily newspapers, the WTAR stations, and WFMY-TV in Greensboro, North Carolina, among other holdings—was reorganized as Landmark Communications.{{Cite news|date=February 6, 1967|work=Broadcasting|title=New name for Norfolk group|id={{ProQuest|1014500698}}|page=55}}

In 1969, WTAR-TV's broadcast license came up for renewal at the FCC. Three members of a Norfolk law firm—Gordon E. Campbell, Wayne Lustig, and I. L. Hancock—formed the Hampton Roads Television Corporation and proceeded to file a competing application for a license to broadcast on channel 3. The Hampton Roads Television application came at a time when incumbent broadcasters in other markets were facing competing "strike" applications for their channels.{{cite news|work=Broadcasting|date=September 8, 1969|title=WTAR-TV is target in Norfolk|page=28|id={{ProQuest|1016854404}} }} In January 1970, the FCC designated WTAR-TV's renewal and Hampton Roads Television's application for comparative hearing.{{Cite news|pages=67–68|work=Broadcasting|id={{ProQuest|1014519413}}|title=Landmark's channel 3 on hearing scales|date=January 26, 1970}} Hampton Roads Television also challenged a new FCC policy on comparative hearings which resulted in an appeals court ruling and a redesignation of the WTAR-TV license challenge hearing.{{Cite news|first=Don|last=Hill|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/question-channel-3-license-still-air/zcxvfclgvrfcifhiusccukzbkbebzccs_ip-10-166-46-187_1696810616183|page=C5|work=The Virginian-Pilot|title=Question of Channel 3 License Still Up in the Air|date=May 21, 1972}}

In 1973, FCC administrative law judge David Kraushaar recommended that the commission renew WTAR-TV's license. However, on appeal, the FCC Broadcast Bureau asked for reconsideration, citing lawsuits against Landmark and related companies in Virginia concerning the alleged publication of false information about a failing savings and loan whose director was one of Landmark's officers. It believed this issue called the company's character into question.{{Cite news|work=Broadcasting|page=49|title=Broadcast Bureau wants more delay in FCC renewal of WTAR-TV license|date=June 24, 1974|id={{ProQuest|1014694045}} }} In August 1974, the FCC remanded the case to the administrative law judge after Hampton Roads Television claimed that Landmark intentionally waited to make a change in senior management until after the initial decision.{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1016878128}}|page=22|title=Landmark suffers setback at WTAR-TV|work=Broadcasting|date=August 12, 1974}} Kraushaar ruled in January 1975, finding the management change had no effect on his comparative selection of WTAR-TV over Hampton Roads Television.{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1014671944}}|pages=33–34|title=Judge still favors renewal of WTAR-TV|work=Broadcasting|date=January 27, 1975}} However, the commission reopened the comparative hearing and added a character issue against Landmark.{{Cite news|date=October 6, 1975|id={{ProQuest|1014680617}}|pages=35–36|title=FCC opens WTAR hearing again|work=Broadcasting}}

In 1979, Landmark reached an agreement with Hampton Roads Television. It reimbursed the challengers for their expenses in exchange for them dropping the ten-year-old challenge. Additionally, the company committed to sell WTAR-TV within two years, retaining ownership of the Norfolk newspapers and radio stations.{{Cite news|page=60|work=Variety|title=Norfolk's WTAR-TV To Be Sold|date=April 11, 1979|id={{ProQuest|1401348555}} }} In announcing the agreement, Landmark chairman Frank Batten cited FCC policy encouraging the unwinding of situations where newspapers and TV stations in the same market were co-owned as well as the drain of continued litigation in the license challenge; Lustig and Campbell noted they had less interest in running a TV station than ten years prior and that their law practice had expanded.{{Cite news|page=B1|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/agreement-filed-landmark-plans-sell-wtar-tv/xjagpdmnxkydddylwulbfibvlvutrgqa_ip-10-166-46-106_1696810649756|title=Agreement Filed: Landmark Plans to Sell WTAR-TV|work=The Virginian-Pilot|date=March 31, 1979}} Landmark initially reached an agreement with Scripps-Howard Broadcasting in April 1980 to swap WTAR-TV for WMC-TV in Memphis, Tennessee. Like Landmark in Norfolk, Scripps-Howard was looking to reduce its cross-ownership load in Memphis, where it owned AM and FM radio stations and the city's two daily newspapers.{{Cite news|pages=41, 66|work=Variety|title=WMC-TV Swaps With WTAR-TV|id={{ProQuest|1438307988}}|date=April 9, 1980}} Two months later, the deal fell apart for economic reasons; Landmark, which was required to dispose of WTAR-TV by March 1, 1981, put the station on the market.{{cite news|page=21|title=In Brief|work=Broadcasting|date=June 30, 1980|id={{ProQuest|962738934}}}}

In August 1980, Landmark entered into an agreement with Knight-Ridder to purchase the station for $48.3 million, which was higher than what Landmark was reportedly seeking for the stations.{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/knight-ridder-newspapers-agrees-buy-wtar-tv/bstxzhvfuiewkztfqlrqkevvqtxrxopp_ip-10-166-46-144_1696810823977|first=Paul|last=Bernstein|page=C3|work=The Virginian-Pilot|title=Knight-Ridder Newspapers Agrees to Buy WTAR-TV|date=August 12, 1980}}{{Cite news|first=Warren|last=Fiske|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wtar-sold-48-million/jzkmltwvehxovvnwcaakconeadkopxns_ip-10-166-46-86_1696810845202|title=WTAR Is Sold For $48 Million|page=D3|date=October 24, 1980|work=The Virginian-Pilot}} Knight-Ridder took over control of channel 3 on March 3, 1981, and changed the call sign to WTKR.{{cite news|first=David|last=Bushnell|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wtar-tv-changes-hands-call-letters-become-wtkr/yfynuwztaoxtwcprdkybtrasugfnnorx_ip-10-166-46-156_1696810912967|work=The Virginian-Pilot|title=WTAR-TV Changes Hands; Call Letters Become WTKR|date=March 4, 1981|page=C1}}

By 1988, Knight-Ridder owned eight stations. That October, the company announced its intent to sell its station group to help reduce a $929 million debt load{{Cite news |date=February 18, 1989 |title=Owner Negotiating Sale of Channel 4 |work=The Daily Oklahoman |publisher=Oklahoma Publishing Company |url=http://newsok.com/article/2256215 |access-date=October 2, 2017 |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731044508/https://www.oklahoman.com/article/2256215/owner-negotiating-sale-of-channel-4 |url-status=live }} and finance a $353 million acquisition of online information provider Dialog Information Services.{{Cite news |date=October 4, 1988 |title=Stations to Be Sold, Including Channel 4 |work=The Daily Oklahoman |publisher=Oklahoma Publishing Company |url=http://newsok.com/article/2241238 |access-date=October 2, 2017 |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731044602/https://www.oklahoman.com/article/2241238/stations-to-be-sold-including-channel-4 |url-status=live }} Narragansett Television acquired WTKR and WPRI-TV in Providence, Rhode Island, from Knight-Ridder in 1989 for $150 million.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-wtkr-tv-reportedly-sold-to-i/133160843/|date=February 18, 1989|page=B1|first=Joseph|last=Pryweller|title=WTKR-TV reportedly sold to investors|newspaper=Daily Press|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 9, 2023}}{{Cite news|page=43|work=Variety|title=Narragansett seals deal for 2 network affils|date=July 12, 1989|id={{ProQuest|1286066251}} }}

Narragansett put the two stations on the market in late 1994; the company had not intended to sell but began taking offers after receiving several unsolicited expressions of interest, with company chairman Jonathan Nelson citing his firm's "fiduciary responsibility" to its stakeholders.{{Cite news|title=Top-rated TV station WTKR for sale: Analysts say that the CBS affiliate could be sold for as much as $100 million|first=Dave|last=Mayfield|page=D1|work=The Virginian-Pilot|date=December 6, 1994}} The New York Times Company acquired the station in 1995, with WTKR becoming the company's largest-market television property.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-new-york-times-to-buy-wtkr/133161705/|date=February 25, 1995|pages=C5, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-wtkr/133161739/ C6]|first=Lisa|last=Huber|title=New York Times to buy WTKR|newspaper=Daily Press|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 9, 2023}}

On January 4, 2007, The New York Times Company sold WTKR and its eight sister television stations to Local TV LLC, a holding company operated by private equity firm Oak Hill Capital Partners, for $530 million;{{Cite news |last=Story |first=Louise |date=January 5, 2007 |title=Times Co. Agrees to Sell TV Stations to Equity Firm |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/05/business/media/05times.html |access-date=September 27, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927023632/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/05/business/media/05times.html |url-status=live }} the sale was finalized on May 7.{{cite press release|title=The New York Times Company Reports April Revenues|url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=105317&p=irol-pressArticle&ID=1003528&highlight=|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722191553/http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=105317&p=irol-pressArticle&ID=1003528&highlight=|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 22, 2012|format=The New York Times Company Financial Report|publisher=Business Wire|date=May 7, 2007|access-date=August 23, 2008}} Local TV LLC shared broadcast group management with the Tribune Company, by way of The Other Company, run by Tribune executive Randy Michaels.{{cite news|title=Denver, St. Louis To Get Fox-CW Duops|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/denver-st-louis-to-get-fox-cw-duops/|first=Harry A.|last=Jessell|work=TVNewsCheck|access-date=July 20, 2012|archive-date=March 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312003024/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/denver-st-louis-to-get-fox-cw-duops/|url-status=live}} During this time, in 2010, Local TV LLC acquired WGNT (channel 27), the local affiliate of The CW, from the CBS Television Stations group.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/local-tv-acquiring-cbs-owned-wgnt-165-million-42403|date=June 14, 2010|title=Local TV Acquiring CBS-Owned WGNT For $16.5 Million|first=Michael|last=Malone|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=October 9, 2023|archive-date=July 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706000927/https://www.nexttv.com/news/local-tv-acquiring-cbs-owned-wgnt-165-million-42403|url-status=live}} The station also increased its share of Hampton Roads-market TV advertising revenue by five percentage points from 2008 to 2012.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-virginia-news-lovers-128584|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=January 20, 2014|first=Michael|last=Malone|title=Market Eye: Virginia Is for (News) Lovers|access-date=October 9, 2023|archive-date=January 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127232005/https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-virginia-news-lovers-128584|url-status=live}}

On July 1, 2013, Local TV announced that its 19 stations would be acquired by the Tribune Company, the owner of the Daily Press in Newport News, for $2.75 billion;{{cite news|last=Channick|first=Robert|title=Acquisition to make Tribune Co. largest U.S. TV station operator|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-tribune-buying-local-tv-20130701,0,3402241.story|access-date=July 1, 2013|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=July 1, 2013|archive-date=July 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704152051/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-tribune-buying-local-tv-20130701,0,3402241.story|url-status=live}} Since this would conflict with FCC regulations that prohibit newspaper-television cross-ownership within a single market,{{cite news|last=Walzer|first=Phil|title=Tribune to buy Norfolk stations WTKR and CW27|url=http://pilotonline.com/business/tribune-to-buy-norfolk-stations-wtkr-and-cw/article_6f6cb4f6-90fe-5aab-890a-4dc2503d3815.html|access-date=May 16, 2016|newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot|date=July 2, 2013|archive-date=June 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609210051/http://pilotonline.com/business/tribune-to-buy-norfolk-stations-wtkr-and-cw/article_6f6cb4f6-90fe-5aab-890a-4dc2503d3815.html|url-status=live}} Tribune spun off WTKR and WGNT, as well as WNEP-TV in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Dreamcatcher Broadcasting, an unrelated company owned by former Tribune Company executive Ed Wilson. Tribune provided services to the stations through a shared services agreement and held an option to buy back WTKR and WGNT outright in the future.{{cite web|title=Transferee Exhibit 15 Agreements and Summary of Transaction|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS_Attachment/getattachment.jsp?appn=101561022&qnum=5140©num=1&exhcnum=1|publisher=FCC document|access-date=July 17, 2013|archive-date=July 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130717160542/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS_Attachment/getattachment.jsp?appn=101561022&qnum=5140©num=1&exhcnum=1|url-status=live}} The sale was completed on December 27.{{Cite press release|url-status=dead|url=http://corporate.tribune.com/pressroom/?p=6470|title=Company Completes Final Steps of Transaction Announced in July|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228101139/http://corporate.tribune.com/pressroom/?p=6470 |archive-date=December 28, 2013|website=Tribune Company|date=December 27, 2013}} Dreamcatcher continued to own the stations even though Tribune completed a split of its broadcasting and publishing businesses into separate companies in 2014.{{cite web|title=Tribune Co. completes split of print, broadcasting businesses, following trend|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2014/08/04/tribune-co-completes-split-of-print-broadcasting.html|website=Milwaukee Business Journal|access-date=August 16, 2014|archive-date=June 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626234024/https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2014/08/04/tribune-co-completes-split-of-print-broadcasting.html|url-status=live}}

Sinclair Broadcast Group, owner of MyNetworkTV affiliate WTVZ-TV (channel 33), entered into an agreement to acquire Tribune Media in 2017. Sinclair would have had to select one of WGNT or WTVZ-TV to keep alongside WTKR; no divestiture plan was announced.{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/sinclair-fcc-were-priming-divestiture-pump-169159|date=October 5, 2017|title=Sinclair to FCC: We're Priming Divestiture Pump|first=John|last=Eggerton|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=December 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206100636/https://www.nexttv.com/news/sinclair-fcc-were-priming-divestiture-pump-169159|url-status=live}} However, the transaction was designated in July 2018 for hearing by an FCC administrative law judge, and Tribune moved to terminate the deal in August 2018.{{cite news|title=Tribune Terminates $3.9 Billion Sinclair Merger, Sues Broadcast Rival|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/tribune-media-terminates-merger-agreement-with-sinclair-broadcast-group-1533810907|first=Joe|last=Flint|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|publisher=News Corp.|date=August 9, 2018|access-date=August 9, 2018|archive-date=April 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405150030/https://www.wsj.com/articles/tribune-media-terminates-merger-agreement-with-sinclair-broadcast-group-1533810907|url-status=live}}

In 2019, Nexstar Media Group, owner of WAVY-TV and WVBT, announced it would acquire Tribune.{{cite web|title=Nexstar Buying Tribune Media For $6.4 Billion|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/226264/nexstar-buying-tribune-media-6-4-billion/|first=Mark K.|last=Miller|website=TVNewsCheck|date=December 3, 2018|access-date=December 4, 2018|archive-date=December 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204005800/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/226264/nexstar-buying-tribune-media-6-4-billion/|url-status=live}} Nexstar opted to retain its existing stations and sold WTKR–WGNT to the E. W. Scripps Company.{{cite web|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/232391/nexstar-selling-19-tvs-in-15-markets-for-1-32b/|title=Nexstar Selling 19 TVs In 15 Markets For 1.32B|work=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheckMedia|date=March 20, 2019|access-date=March 20, 2019|archive-date=March 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320194359/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/232391/nexstar-selling-19-tvs-in-15-markets-for-1-32b/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Nexstar to Sell Stations to Tegna, Scripps for $1.32 Billion|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-20/nexstar-to-sell-19-stations-to-tegna-scripps-for-1-32-billion|first1=Nabila|last1=Ahmed|first2=Anousha|last2=Sakoui|website=Bloomberg News|publisher=Bloomberg, L.P.|date=March 20, 2019|access-date=March 15, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413200225/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-20/nexstar-to-sell-19-stations-to-tegna-scripps-for-1-32-billion|url-status=live}}

WTAR-TV began airing news at the start of its history. The original newscast, Telenews, aired for 15 minutes a day, five days a week; it provided local news coverage including photography from the co-owned Norfolk newspapers.{{r|BC510430}} The station spent decades dominating local news ratings in Hampton Roads. In 1974, it drew more news viewers than WAVY and WVEC combined; it had the largest news staff of the three stations in town and the highest pay for news department employees, leading Mike Smith of its newspaper sister, The Virginian-Pilot, to call it the "news Goliath" of Hampton Roads. Though it also had the most conservative presentation style in the market, it had led every ratings period since records had been kept due to being ingrained in the viewing habits of longtime residents. The other stations generally attracted viewers who had moved to the region from elsewhere.{{Cite news|pages=F1, [https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/each-station-has-its-own-public-image/nqolvbautyjmucisiqnafthiyepmiwub_ip-10-166-46-145_1696822148356 F11]|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/they-chase-news%E2%80%94and-tv-ratings/izxykdtbjggxwmdoqkxbpkexfndbdveu_ip-10-166-46-87_1696821991666|first=Mike|last=Smith|date=August 18, 1974|work=The Virginian-Pilot|title=They Chase News—And TV Ratings}}

As late as 1980, channel 3 held an 18-percentage point lead over WVEC at 6 p.m. However, in the early 1980s, immediately after the sale to Knight-Ridder, WTKR's ratings declined, leading to a more competitive ratings race among all three major stations for news coverage. By 1985, WTKR was in second place in the time slot behind either WAVY or WVEC, depending on the ratings survey.{{Cite news|first=Larry|last=Bonko|work=The Virginian-Pilot|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wtkr-tv-drops-no-1-ratings/wscvqxbpvodqjnmbtkopyhodzfcmsoek_ip-10-166-46-174_1696822540400|title=WTKR-TV drops from No. 1 in the ratings|pages=B1, [https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wtkr-tv-no-longer-top-ratings-heap/nesphffujtpbqrmjolpmdcfiiqtpgzpe_ip-10-166-46-174_1696822723100 B4]|date=June 19, 1985}} Management responded to declining ratings by firing some talent and shuffling around others, which only exacerbated the ratings slide.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-channel-3-ratings-tumble-aft/36262232/|date=June 12, 1985|pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-wtkr/133144064/ B3]|first=Randolph P.|last=Smith|title=Channel 3 ratings tumble after firings|newspaper=Daily Press|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 9, 2023}} The station continued to find itself in second place for its early and late evening news programs in the late 1980s.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-wvec-wavy-news-top-ratings/36262271/|date=December 17, 1988|page=C5|first=Joseph|last=Pryweller|title=WVEC, WAVY news top ratings|newspaper=Daily Press|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 9, 2023}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-ratings-point-to-winners-lo/36262300/|date=June 10, 1989|page=D1|first=Joseph|last=Pryweller|title=Ratings point to winners, losers|newspaper=Daily Press|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 9, 2023}}

Ratings recovered somewhat in the first half of the 1990s. Several new talent hires, including longtime market meteorologist Dr. Duane Harding and sportscaster Bob Rathbun, were part of the formula that lifted WTKR to its first 6 p.m. win in six years in 1990.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-wtkr-news-fares-well-in-rati/36262311/|date=December 15, 1990|page=D4|first=Joseph|last=Pryweller|title=WTKR news fares well in ratings; WVEC slips|newspaper=Daily Press|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 9, 2023|archive-date=July 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701094459/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-wtkr-news-fares-well-in-rati/36262311/|url-status=live}} Rathbun departed after being named the play-by-play voice of the Detroit Tigers beginning in 1992.{{Cite news|title=Rathbun to leave WTKR for Detroit Tigers radio|page=C1|date=November 21, 1991|work=The Virginian-Pilot}}{{cite news|title=Tiger broadcasts make Rathbun hometown hero|page=G2|date=April 19, 1992|first=Larry|last=Bonko|work=The Virginian-Pilot}} The Hampton Roads news ratings became a "horse race"; in the Nielsen survey for November 1993, WTKR led at noon, 5, and 6 p.m. and was a close second at 11.{{Cite news|title=WTKR news edges ahead in ratings|date=December 20, 1993|work=The Virginian-Pilot|first=Larry|last=Bonko|page=B2}}

A major reimaging effort in 1994, however, derailed the station's news ratings, which were already starting to fall. Under news director Barbara L. Hamm, the station rebranded from Eyewitness News to TV3 News and introduced a new set and faster format.{{cite news|title=There's new look to news at WTKR|date=September 20, 1994|page=E2|work=The Virginian-Pilot|first=Larry|last=Bonko}} The station's ratings at 6 fell from first to third place.{{Cite news|date=December 20, 1994|page=E2|title=Red set didn't boost ratings on WTKR|work=The Virginian-Pilot|first=Larry|last=Bonko}} After the New York Times Company purchased the station in 1995, it made major changes to its lineup of anchors.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-channel-3-shuffles-lineup-of/36262362/|date=August 30, 1995|page=B4|first=David|last=Nicholson|title=Channel 3 shuffles lineup of news anchors|newspaper=Daily Press|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 9, 2023}} It also launched weekend morning newscasts{{Cite news|title=New WTKR owner, more a.m. news on weekends|first=Larry|last=Bonko|work=The Virginian-Pilot|date=July 7, 1995|page=B5}} and partnered with WGNT to launch a 10 p.m. newscast on that station—the first in the market.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-wtkr-wgnt-team-up-to-broadc/39769451/|date=September 16, 1995|page=C2|first=Mark|last= St. John Erickson|title=WTKR, WGNT team up to broadcast 10 p.m. news|newspaper=Daily Press|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 9, 2023}} WGNT owner Paramount Stations Group canceled the newscast in December 1997, with its new general manager noting that the station was "in the business of entertainment programming" and "not moving in the direction of news".{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-wavy-promotes-charles-pugh-t/133145186/|date=December 6, 1997|page=D1|first=David|last=Nicholson|title=WAVY promotes Charles Pugh to 5 p.m. show|newspaper=Daily Press|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 9, 2023}}

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, WTKR remained in third place in local news coverage while experiencing significant and sustained turnover in on-air talent, including a run from 1995 to January 1998 in which 20 on-air staffers departed; some were dismissed by management, while others left citing low morale and fear for their jobs.{{cite news|work=The Virginian-Pilot|title=Back in focus: Some stability appears to be returning to WTKR after four years of staff upheaval|date=May 25, 1999|first=Larry|last=Bonko}}{{Cite news|page=E2|title=Sports director Parris is latest in long line of staffers leaving Channel 3|work=The Virginian-Pilot|date=August 26, 2001|first=Larry|last=Bonko}} Lyn Vaughn, a former anchor for Headline News, joined the station in 1999 and then left in April 2001.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-lyn-vaughn-left-station-abru/133146090/|date=August 6, 2001|page=D7|first=Pernell|last=Watson|title=Lyn Vaughn left station abruptly|newspaper=Daily Press|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 9, 2023}}

In 2008, new general manager Jeff Hoffman fired the news director and associate news director. He stated in a press release that his goal was to "Take Norfolk Back!", citing that his station had once been the news leader in Hampton Roads.{{Cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626225617/http://hamptonroads.com/2008/06/two-wtkr-managers-depart-amid-lagging-news-ratings|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 26, 2008|url=https://hamptonroads.com/2008/06/two-wtkr-managers-depart-amid-lagging-news-ratings|first=Patrick|last=Wilson|work=The Virginian-Pilot|title=Reporter and anchor Les Smith abruptly leaves WTKR|date=June 20, 2008}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/blog/hoffman-takes-wtkr-back-news-directors-67284|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=June 20, 2008|title=Hoffman Takes WTKR Back From News Directors|first=Michael|last=Malone}} WTKR started the area's first 4 p.m. newscast on September 8, 2009, replacing the weekend morning newscasts.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-wtkr-will-start-the-news-cyc/133163260/|date=September 2, 2009|page=B3|title=WTKR will start the news cycle earlier|newspaper=Daily Press|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 9, 2023}} This was the station's second attempt at a newscast during the 4 p.m. hour, as WTKR had aired a short-lived 4:30 p.m. newscast in 1995.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-wtkr-offers-earlier-coverage/133163218/|date=January 7, 1995|page=D1|first=David|last=Nicholson|title=WTKR offers earlier coverage of local news|newspaper=Daily Press|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 9, 2023}}

After Local TV acquired WGNT, WTKR began introducing newscasts on that station. On August 25, 2011, a two-hour extension of WTKR's weekday morning newscast began airing from 7 to 9 a.m.{{Cite news|title=Channel 27 newscast gets early start|first=Philip|last=Walzer|work=The Virginian-Pilot|date=August 25, 2011}} On July 7, 2014, a half-hour 7 p.m. newscast, the only one in the market at that time, made its debut on WGNT.{{Cite web |url=http://wgnt.com/2014/06/24/announcing-wgnt-news-powered-by-newschannel-3-now-weeknights-at-7pm/ |title=Announcing WGNT News Powered by NewsChannel 3: Now Weeknights at 7pm! |access-date=August 18, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714152057/http://wgnt.com/2014/06/24/announcing-wgnt-news-powered-by-newschannel-3-now-weeknights-at-7pm/ |url-status=dead }} In 2016, the station added a daily lifestyle program, Coast Live.{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/wtkr-norfolk-va-launching-original-lifestyle-program-158549|work=Broadcasting & Cable|first=Diana|last=Marszalek|title=WTKR Norfolk, Va. Launching Original Lifestyle Program|date=August 2, 2016|access-date=October 9, 2023|archive-date=August 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808232900/https://www.nexttv.com/news/wtkr-norfolk-va-launching-original-lifestyle-program-158549|url-status=live}}

By 2023, the station produced 36 hours a week of newscasts{{Cite web|url=https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/api/manager/download/e19fa2a2-70aa-6c20-a3da-36aa51432a06/f20244bd-15ab-4054-afc0-9f4e12b60e6d.pdf|date=September 30, 2023|title=Issues & Programs List - Third Quarter 2023 (WTKR)|publisher=Scripps Broadcasting Holdings LLC|website=Public Inspection File, Federal Communications Commission}} plus 10 hours a week of dedicated weekday newscasts (at 7 a.m., 7 p.m., and 10 p.m.) for WGNT.{{Cite web|url=https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/api/manager/download/cc0365cd-83aa-6e7b-cf92-54423a2ab053/f2e1e263-515c-4b75-9c64-307cd8f8d244.pdf|date=September 30, 2023|title=Issues & Programs List - Third Quarter 2023 (WGNT)|publisher=Scripps Broadcasting Holdings LLC|website=Public Inspection File, Federal Communications Commission}}

• Ed Hughes – anchor and reporter, 1968–2004{{Cite news|first=Larry|last=Bonko|title=Goodbye, Ed - Longtime WTKR anchorman was the "consummate professional"|date=June 4, 2004|work=The Virginian-Pilot|page=E1}}
• Bob McAllister – children's show host; later host of Wonderama on WNEW-TV in New York City{{Cite news|page=B3|title=Hospital visitors make magic|first=Kia|last=Morgan Allen|work=The Virginian-Pilot|date=June 30, 1996}}
• Paula Miller – reporter, 1984–1999; later a member of the Virginia House of Delegates{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-advance-miller-wins-special/133146022/|date=December 15, 2004|page=C2|first=Bill|last=Geroux|agency=Media General News Service|title=Miller wins special House of Delegates race|newspaper=The News and Advance|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 9, 2023}}
• Judi Moen – host of the program Forty Plus during the mid-1990s{{Cite news|page=31|first=Robert|last=Feder|author-link=Robert Feder|title=WLS Grooming Duo For Afternoon Show|work=Chicago Sun-Times|date=January 30, 1996}}
• Stephanie Sy – military reporter (2001–2003); now correspondent for PBS NewsHour and anchor of PBS NewsHour West{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/author/stephanie-sy|title=PBS NewsHour author page for Stephanie Sy|website=PBS NewsHour|access-date=October 25, 2023}}
• Jim Vicevich – economics reporter until 1980{{cite news|title=Fates and Fortunes: News and Public Affairs|magazine=Broadcasting|page=124|date=January 28, 1980|id={{ProQuest|962724452}}}}
• William Whitehurst – commentator and reporter in the 1960s; served in the United States House of Representatives from 1969 to 1987{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-amphibs-to-invade-th/133165429/|date=February 23, 1962|page=35|first=Warner|last=Twyford|title=Amphibs to Invade Thin Air|newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 9, 2023}}{{Cite news|first=Terri|last=Kruger|pages=Compass 12, [https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/cover-story/ltlpezgolcpkncmyjbznfzuvquabzvgp_ip-10-166-46-99_1696872219412 13]|work=The Virginian-Pilot|date=January 12, 1989|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/high-profile-whitehurst-still-public-figure/wbqyotrrrstrdbosxfolkzyecjugzkxt_ip-10-166-46-149_1696872180427|title=High profile: Whitehurst still public figure}}

The station's signal is multiplexed:

WTKR began digital broadcasts on channel 40 on March 11, 2002.{{Cite news|title=HDTV: Clearly better: Broadcasters ready for next technological leap, but viewers aren't—yet|date=April 1, 2002|first=Larry|last=Bonko|work=The Virginian-Pilot|page=E1}} The station discontinued regular programming on its analog signal on June 12, 2009, as part of the federally mandated from analog to digital television; the station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 40, using virtual channel 3.{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}

WTKR relocated its signal from channel 40 to channel 16 on July 2, 2020, as a result of the 2016 United States wireless spectrum auction.{{Cite web|url=http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/Transition_Files/Phase_Assignment_Closing_PN.csv|title=FCC TV Spectrum Phase Assignment Table|format=CSV|website=Federal Communications Commission|date=April 13, 2017|access-date=April 17, 2017|archive-date=April 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417160749/http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/Transition_Files/Phase_Assignment_Closing_PN.csv|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.wtkr.com/news/if-you-watch-news-3-with-antenna-you-will-need-to-rescan-starting-july-3|title=If you watch News 3 with antenna you will need to rescan starting July 3|date=July 2, 2020|website=WTKR|access-date=July 5, 2020|archive-date=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705115652/https://www.wtkr.com/news/if-you-watch-news-3-with-antenna-you-will-need-to-rescan-starting-july-3|url-status=live}}

On the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Accomack County owns two translators, W18EG-D and W25AA-D (licensed to Onancock and broadcast from Mappsville), that provide the main channel of WTKR alongside those of WAVY-TV, WVEC, and WHRO-TV.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?mktid=434|title=Eastern Shore, Virginia|website=RabbitEars|access-date=June 11, 2023|archive-date=December 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204221657/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?mktid=434|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.co.accomack.va.us/departments/information-technology/translator-television|website=Accomack County|title=Translator Television|access-date=June 11, 2023|archive-date=April 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419055634/https://www.co.accomack.va.us/departments/information-technology/translator-television|url-status=live}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|https://wtkr.com/}}

{{Hampton Roads TV}}

{{CBS Virginia}}

{{CBS North Carolina}}

{{EWS CORP}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wtkr}}

Category:1950 establishments in Virginia

Category:Bounce TV affiliates

Category:CBS affiliates

Category:Court TV affiliates

Category:E. W. Scripps Company television stations

Category:Norfolk, Virginia

Category:Television channels and stations established in 1950

TKR