WJAR

WJAR is the NBC-affiliated television station for the state of Rhode Island and Bristol County, Massachusetts licensed to Providence. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 51 from a transmitter in Rehoboth, Massachusetts. Owned by Media General, the station shares studios on Kenney Drive in Cranston with ZGS Communications-owned Telemundo affiliate WRIW-CA and Ion Television O&Oaffiliate WPXQ-TV. Syndicated programming on WJAR includes: Extra, Rachael Ray, Oprah, and Ellen.

History
WJAR-TV signed on for the first time on July 10, 1949, broadcasting on channel 11. It was Rhode Island's first television station and the fourth in New England. It was owned by The Outlet Company, a department store chain headquartered in Providence, along with WJAR radio (AM 920, now WHJJ; and FM 95.5, now occupied by WBRU). It moved to channel 10 in 1953. WJAR initially carried programming from all four networks of the time (NBC, ABC, DuMont, and CBS), but has always been a primary NBC affiliate due to WJAR radio's long affiliation with NBC Radio.

In 1952 after hearing about repeated instances of interference in Connecticut between WJAR and WPIX New York, the FCC changed the TV allcations for Providence, which mandated that WJAR move to Channel 10, which it did in the spring of 1953. After that date, WJAR was able to enjoy a much larger coverage area, since the interference with WPIX had ended.

Despite being an primary NBC affiliate, WJAR only carried a little more than half of NBC's program schedule during it's early years on the air; WJAR also broadcast about half of the CBS network schedule and a couple of shows each from ABC and DuMont every week.

It lost ABC in 1953 when WNET-TV signed on, and lost CBS in 1955 when WPRO-TV (now WPRI-TV) launched. When WNET-TV went dark in 1956, WJAR shared ABC programming with WPRO-TV until WTEV (now WLNE-TV) signed on in 1963. During the late 1950s, WJAR-TV was also briefly affiliated with the NTA Film Network.[1] In 1954, WJAR-TV received national attention for its coverage of Hurricane Carol; newsreel films shot by WJAR cameramen of the storm and it's aftermath not only appeared on the station, but also fed to CBS and NBC for use on their evening news programs.

In November 1980, the Outlet Company left the department store business to concentrate on broadcasting. A year earlier, the station moved its studios from the Outlet Building to a three-story modern production facility next door. The department store remained standing until 1986, when it burned to the ground in a spectacular fire. WJAR cameras perched on the neighboring rooftop captured the most dramatic footage. In 1996, Outlet Communications merged with NBC. It was around this time that the station's studios were moved to their current location in an industrial area of Cranston just south of Providence.

In April 1997, WJAR began to operate primary WB and secondary UPN affiliate WLWC (which was owned by Fant Broadcasting) under a local marketing agreement (LMA). Even by the time that station signed on, the future of the LMA was in doubt given the fact that NBC, which inherited the arrangement from Outlet, did not want to run stations outside their core owned-and-operated outlets. The network, during this time, pushed Fant to sell WLWC. In September 1997, NBC came up with a three-way swap in which Fant exchanged WLWC and sister station WWHO in Columbus, Ohio to Paramount / Viacom for that group's NBC affiliate in Hartford, Connecticut, WVIT.

WJAR was one of four NBC O&Os in smaller markets that were put up for sale on January 9, 2006, along with stations in Columbus, Birmingham, Alabama, and Raleigh, North Carolina. Except for the Birmingham station, these were also once owned by Outlet. On April 6, 2006, NBC Universal and Media General announced that Media General would purchase WJAR as part of a $600 million dollar four station deal between the two companies. The deal was approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on June 26. As a result, WJAR became Media General's first television station in New England. For all intents and purposes, this undid the NBC-Outlet merger a decade earlier. For several months after the owner switch, WJAR's website remained in the format of an NBC O&O station. WJAR's redesigned website, which launched in early-December 2006, now credits Media General in its copyright notice and is no longer powered by Internet Broadcasting.

During the April 2007 Nor'easter, WJAR's over-the-air digital transmitter was damaged. Both digital signals, WJAR-HD and WJAR-DT2, were knocked off-the-air. The outage did not affect digital cable or satellite services as they do not get the signal from the digital transmitter.

In its earliest days, WJAR's logo included a Rhode Island Red rooster, the state bird of Rhode Island. Prior to WJAR's purchase by NBC, it had included various versions of a different stylized "10" above the WJAR call letters. This had been in effect for the previous twenty years. The stylized "10" was initially retained after the purchase, but with the NBC peacock attached to the right-hand side and the call letters removed. This was dropped in 2002 in favor of its current logo, which was first used on former sister station WCAU in Philadelphia. A modified version, used on newscasts since 2007, is designed and arranged similarly to other Media General station logos.

In January 2009, WJAR began broadcasting the Retro Television Network on its second digital channel and digital cable systems. On weekdays, this channel also carries Oprah at 4 andExtra at 7. WJAR-DT2 had previously carried NBC Weather Plus. Although the analog television shutdown originally scheduled for February 17, 2009 was postponed to June 12, WJAR made the transition as scheduled on February 17. This allowed ShopNBC station WWDP to begin operation of its permanent digital facility on channel 10.

News operation
More recently, however, WPRI has mounted a spirited challenge to this channel's longtime dominance. For a period in late-2007 and again since early-2009, WPRI has traded ranks in the weeknight 5 and 11 time slots. Specifically, the broadcast weeknights at 11 has gained popularity. As of the November 2010 sweeps period, that newscast on WPRI is the most watched in Rhode Island while WJAR continues its dominance in all other time periods. [2] For most of its history, WLNE has been and continues to be a distant third. This is despite recent significant format and personnel changes.For most of its history, WJAR has led the market with its top-rated newscasts. This can be attributed to being the oldest television channel in Rhode Island and a association early on with two well established radio stations. For the February and May 2010 Nielsen ratings period, this station was number one in all time slots. Its news weeknights at 6 reached a reported 71,000 households which was an advantage of nearly 20,000 over nearest competitor WPRI. For the key audience measure of adult 18-49 and adult 25-54 viewers, WJAR out-delivered the competition in virtually all of its newscasts.

On two occasions, WJAR has produced a prime time newscast at 10. The first began in April 1997 (entitled TV 28 News at 10) and was seen weeknights on WLWC in competition to the WPRI-produced show on Fox affiliate WNAC-TV. The broadcast was dropped that September when the LMA with WLWC ended. The second attempt has been airing on weeknights since October 1, 2007 when the station began producing NBC 10 News 10 at 10 on its NBC Weather Plus digital subchannel. It was originally a live ten minute production consisting of top stories of the day along with an updated weather forecast.

When WJAR-DT2 switched to RTV, the show expanded to a half-hour and was renamed NBC 10 News 10 at 10 on RTV. A new segment was added called "Flashback" which features vintage footage of past personnel. WLNE will sometimes air news at that time on its 24-hour cable news station, "NewsChannel 5", whenever significant news events occur or programming delays the WNAC broadcast. On September 6, 2010, WJAR began airing the area's second newscast weeknights at 7 joining WLNE. However, it also airs on Saturday nights unlike the other channel's weeknight production. WLNE's newscast was put on hiatus in 2011.

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">WJAR is notable for having employed both current hosts of Today, Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira. Vieira started out as a reporter on the station in the late-1970s while Lauer was co-host of WJAR's version of PM Magazine in the early-1980s. Other notable alumni include current host of ABC News' This Week Christiane Amanpour (formerly CNN Chief International Correspondent) and ESPN anchor Steve Berthiaume. In 2008, WJAR was awarded the National Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence for a small-market television station. In 2010, the station's website won another Murrow.

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">In addition to its main studios, WJAR operates three news bureaus. The Southeastern Massachusetts Bureau is based at The Standard Times newsroom on Elm Street in New Bedford. The South County Bureau is in The Westerly Sun newsroom on Main Street in Westerly. The Downcity Bureau is on Dorrance Street in Downtown Providence. The station uses a liveweather radar feed from the National Weather Service's Local Forecast Office on Myles Standish Boulevard in Taunton, Massachusetts. In weather segments, this data is presented in a forecasting system known as "Storm Team 10 VIPIR".

Newscast titles

 * Your Esso Reporter (1949–1954)
 * Tele News Daily (1954–1962)
 * The 6 O'Clock Report/The 11 O'Clock Report (1962–1970)
 * 10 Extra Effort News (1970–1974)
 * NewsWatch 10 (1974–1994)
 * NewsChannel 10 (1994–2005)
 * NBC 10 News (2005–present)

Station slogans

 * "Channel 10, Proud as a Peacock!" (1979–1981, localized version of NBC ad campaign)
 * "Channel 10, Our Pride is Showing" (1981–1982, localized version of NBC ad campaign)
 * "We`re Channel 10, Just Watch Us Now" (1982-1983, localized version of NBC ad campaign)
 * "Southern New England's Leading News Station" (1982–1990)
 * "Come Home To Channel 10" (1986-1987, localized version of NBC ad campaign)
 * "Come On Home to 'JAR, Channel 10" (1987-1988, localized version of NBC ad campaign)
 * "Channel 10 is The Place to Be!" (1990–1991, localized version of NBC ad campaign)
 * "It`s A Whole New Channel 10" (1992-1993, localized version of NBC ad campaign)
 * "Turn to 10" (1994–2006)
 * "The Team You Trust" (2006–present)

News team
<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Anchors


 * Frank Coletta - weekday mornings and noon
 * Patrice Wood - weeknights at 5, 6, and 11
 * Dan Jaehnig - weeknights at 5 and 7
 * Gene Valecenti - weeknights at 5:30, 6, 10 and 11
 * Allison Bologna - weeknights at 7
 * Mario Hilario - weekend mornings and reporter
 * Barbra Morse Silva - weekend evenings and "Health Check 10" reporter

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Storm Team 10 Meteorologists


 * Mark Searles (AMS Seal of Approval) - Chief Meteorologist seen weeknights
 * Gary Ley (AMS Seal of Approval) - weekday mornings and noon
 * Kelly Bates (NWA Seal of Approval) - weekend mornings
 * R.J. Heim (AMS Seal of Approval) - weekend evenings and environmental/feature reporter

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> Sports


 * Frank Carpano - Director seen weeknights at 6, 7, 10, and 11
 * First and 10, The Providence College Coach's Show, and Varsity Life host
 * Joe Kayata - weekend evenings and sports reporter
 * Erin Cofiell - sports reporter and producer

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Reporters


 * Jim Taricani - investigative
 * Bill Rappleye - politics
 * Audrey Washington
 * Parker Gavigan
 * Brian Crandall
 * Katie Davis

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Contributors


 * John DePetro - Making Waves segment and heard on WPRO-AM 630/WEAN-FM 99.7
 * Tom Stewart - weekday morning traffic
 * Frank Terranova - Cooking With Class
 * Paul Giacobbe - ombudsman
 * Bruce Morris - Home Pro
 * Sejal Lanterman - Plant Pro

Past on-air staff

 * Christiane Amanpour - electronic graphics designer (1980s), former Chief International Correspondent for CNN, now host of ABC News' This Week (2010)
 * Mark Annick - reporter (1987–1994)
 * Caterina Bandini - reporter (1991–1996), former WHDH-TV anchor
 * Ken Bell - sports (1977–1979), now at WLNE-TV
 * Steve Berthiaume - sports (1990s), now at ESPN
 * Alison Bolonga - reporter (?-2006), now at WFXT-TV
 * Steve Bousquet- News reporter (1970s), columnist Miami Herald
 * Andrea Brody - weekend anchor (1996–1998), now at George Michael Sports Machine
 * Michelle Brown - reporter (2003–2009)
 * Bob Cain - anchor (1960s), former CNN anchor
 * Tim Carr - reporter (1982–1989)
 * Ginger Casey - anchor (1992–1997)
 * Chris Clark - sports director (1970–1983)(d)
 * George Colajezzi- News reporter (1970s)
 * Clay Cole - (see Al Rucker, below)
 * Tony Conigliaro - Sports (1970s), former Boston Red Sox outfielder. (deceased)
 * Ted Daniel - reporter (2004–2005), now at WFXT-TV
 * Dylan Dryer - weather (2004–2006), now at WHDH-TV
 * Jack Edwards - sports (1983–1985)
 * Stephen Frazier - anchor (1970s), now at CNN Headline News
 * Vince Gibbens - anchor (1975–1978) (deceased)
 * John Ghiorse- weather, (1968–1983, 1998–2009), retired
 * Bill Gile - weather (1997–2004)
 * Tim Gray - sports (1999–2004)
 * Ann Halloran - weekend anchor (1992–1996)
 * Carrie Jackson- News anchor/reporter (1979–1982)
 * Jack Kavanaugh - weekend anchor/ reporter (1973–1980)
 * Tom Kierein - Meteorologist (1978–1983) Now at WRC-TV
 * Ted Knight - Children's Theater, his five­day­a­week show (1950-1955)
 * Dyanna Koelsch- political reporter (1982–2001)
 * Tom Kole- political reporter (1980–1988)
 * Art Lake- WJAR(AM) radio host (1944–1949) initially anchor, then weather (1949–2003) first birthdays announcer (2003–2005); died on November 22, 2009<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[2]
 * Matt Lauer- PM Magazine host (1981–1985), now co-host of NBC's Today show
 * Franz Laubert- anchor (1960s)
 * Mike Lawrence- Reporter (1973–1977) Subsequently worked at WTHR-TV and WHDH-TV
 * Dave Layman - anchor (1973–1976)
 * Greg Liggins - anchor (1993–1995)
 * Nicole Livas - anchor (1997–2001), now at WAVY-TV
 * Kelly McGee - anchor, education reporter (1996–2009)
 * Mary Maguire - consumer reporter (1980s and 1990s)
 * Ken Malloy- anchor (1990–1992), now at KGPE
 * Pat Mastors - anchor (1982–1989)
 * Paul McGonagle - Mass. Bureau reporter/assistant news director (1995–2004) now at WFXT-TV
 * Martin Morenz- reporter (1989–1994), now at WFXT
 * Bill Northup- Reporter (1970s)
 * Margie O' Brien - reporter Now at WFXT-TV
 * Cathy Ray - anchor/ medical reporter (1983–1992),
 * Karin Reed - anchor/reporter (1993–2004)
 * Rhondella Richardson - reporter (1992–1994), now at WCVB
 * Joe Rocco - sports (1984–1996)
 * John Rooke - sports (1992–1996), also play-by-play man for Providence College basketball on WEEI-FM
 * Al Rucker - Al Rucker & the Seven Teens (1958–59), Al became Clay Cole on New York City television stations (1959–1968)
 * Keith Russell - sports (1996–1999), now at WPVI
 * Stacy Sager - reporter (1990s)
 * Frank Sommerville - anchor (1987–1991), now at KTVU-TV in San Francisco
 * Maria Stephanous - reporter (1990s), now WFXT-TV
 * John Sweeney - anchor (1970–1981), worked at CNN deceased
 * Kathryn Tappen - sports (2004–2006), now at NESN
 * Meredith Vieira - anchor/reporter (1976–1979), now co-host of NBC's Today show and the syndicated game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
 * Bob Ward- reporter/anchor (1988–1996), now at WFXT-TV
 * Doug White - anchor (1978–2005), died on August 15, 2006
 * Dick Wood - anchor (1970–1973)
 * Sara Wye- anchor (1971–1987) first Female Anchor in Providence
 * Tony Zarrella- sports (1988–1989) Now at WOIO-TV
 * Joe Zone- Sports (1979–1981) Now at WFSB-TV