WRC-TV

WRC-TV, channel 4, is an owned and operated television station of the NBC television network, located in the American capital city ofWashington, D.C.. The station's studios and transmitter are co-located in the Tenleytown neighborhood of northwest Washington.[1] WRC-TV houses and originates NBC News' Washington bureau, out of which David Gregory, Chris Matthews, Jim Miklaszewski, Chuck Todd, Andrea Mitchell, Norah O'Donnell, Savannah Guthrie, David Shuster, and Pete Williams are based.

History
 On October 18, 1954, its callsign changed to the present WRC-TV to match its sister radio station WRC (980 AM, now WTEM) and WRC-FM (93.9 MHz, now WKYS), which reflected NBC's ownership at the time by RCA. It has retained its "-TV" suffix to this day—more than two decades after its former radio sisters had changed their call signs.The station traces its roots to experimental W3XNB, which was put on the air by the Radio Corporation of America, the then-parent company of NBC, in 1939. On June 27, 1947, the station received a commercial license and went on the air as WNBW (for NBC Washington). It is Washington's second-oldest licensed television station, after WTTG (channel 5). WNBW was also the second of the five original NBC-owned television stations to sign-on, behind New York City and ahead of Chicago, Cleveland and Los Angeles.

The second presidential debate between candidates John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon was broadcast from the station's studios on October 7, 1960. David Brinkley's Washington segment of the Huntley-Brinkley Report originated at WRC-TV between 1956 and 1970.

The earliest color videotape in existence is a recording of the dedication of NBC/WRC's Washington studios on May 22, 1958. As Dwight D. Eisenhower spoke at the event, it was also the first time a president had been videotaped in color. [1]

WRC-TV is one of three network owned-and-operated stations in Washington, D. C., along with Fox Broadcasting Company's WTTG andMyNetworkTV's WDCA (channel 20) - both owned by News Corporation.

On January 14, 2009 WRC-TV and WTTG entered in talks to pool video and share their news helicopters. The agreement is similar to ones already made between other Fox and NBC O&Os in Chicago (WMAQ-TV and WFLD) and Philadelphia (WCAU and WTXF).[2]

WRC-TV was the final network affiliated station in the Washington Metropolitan Area to cease news broadcasts in standard definition. On Thursday, April 8, 2010, during the Today show newsbreaks, the station tested the high-definition version of its newscasts and broadcast the newsbreak in HD, but the news was back in standard definition at their next full newscast at 11 a.m. NBC4 started broadcasting from a temporary set on February 8, 2010 while "upgrades" were being made on its main set and the station made final adjustments for its switch to high definition. As of Thursday, April 22, 2010, all newscasts produced by NBC4 are in high definition.

Digital programming
WRC-TV's signal is multiplexed. It offers Washington Nonstop on digital channel 4.2 and Universal Sports on 4.3. On or before June 12, 2009, WRC-TV shut down its analog signal on channel 4 to complete its analog to digital conversion. Its digital signal remained on channel 48.[3] However, through the use of PSIP, digital television receivers will display WRC-TV's virtual channel as "4".

WRC-TV's studios were the home from 1996 to about 2002 of WHD-TV, an experimental high definition television station owned by a consortium of industry groups and stations which carried the nation's first program in the format transmitted by a television station, an episode of Meet the Press,[4] and aired on Channel 34 to provide the FCC and the National Association of Broadcasters a channel to conduct many experiments in the new format.[5] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-5" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[6] WHD-TV was discontinued around 2002.

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">The station started broadcasting its local news programs in High Definition full time on April 22, 2010. It is the only station in the U.S. capital that shoots most of its remote field video in16:9 widescreen; other stations still shoot live field video in 4:3 and then either pillarbox or stretch this content.

Programs
<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">WRC-TV's studios are home to Meet the Press, the longest-running show in U.S. broadcast television history, which debuted on November 6, 1947 and It's Academic, which premiered in 1961 and is the longest-running game show in television history according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Sam and Friends, Jim Henson's late-night precursor to Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, got its start on WRC-TV on May 9, 1955.

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Because of its ownership by the network, WRC-TV generally airs the entire NBC schedule, though NBC Nightly News is broadcast a half-hour late (at 7 p.m.) to allow another 30 minutes of local news. WRC-TV was the over-the-air home of Washington Redskins pre-season games for the 2009 season, meaning that some or all of NBC's prime-time schedule was pre-empted by game coverage.

<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Like other NBC-owned stations, WRC-TV's syndicated program offerings include Access Hollywood, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Nate Berkus Show, among others.

News 4 anchors

 * Jim Vance - Weeknights @ 6pm & 11pm (1969–present)
 * Doreen Gentzler - Weeknights @ 6pm & 11pm also health reporter (1989–present)
 * Jim Handly - Weekdays @ 4pm & 5pm also Daily Connection Host
 * Wendy Rieger - Weeknights @ 5pm and Going Green reporter
 * Pat Lawson Muse - Weekdays @ 4pm and Reporter's Notebook & This Week host
 * Joe Krebs - Weekday morning anchor and Viewpoint host
 * Eun Yang - Weekday morning anchor
 * Barbara Harrison - Midday anchor and Wednesday's Child host
 * Craig Melvin - Weekend evening anchor
 * Kimberly Suiters - Weekend morning anchor
 * Aaron Gilchrist - Weekend morning anchor

News 4 reporters

 * Jackie Bensen - General assignment reporter
 * Julie Carey - General assignment reporter
 * Pat Collins - General assignment reporter
 * Liz Crenshaw - Consumer reporter
 * Steve Handelsman - General assignment reporter; national correspondent
 * Megan McGrath - General assignment reporter (daughter of WTTG's Patrick McGrath)
 * Brian Mooar- National Correspondent
 * John Schriffen - General assignment reporter
 * Tom Sherwood - Political reporter
 * Darcy Spencer - General assignment reporter
 * Derrick Ward - General assignment reporter
 * Jane Watrel - General assignment reporter; national correspondent
 * Tracee Wilkins - General assignment reporter

Meteorologists

 * Doug Kammerer (AMS Certified) - Chief Meteorologist at 5, 6 and 11pm
 * Veronica Johnson (AMS) - 4pm Meteorologist and America This Week host
 * Tom Kierein (AMS) - Morning/Midday Meteorologist
 * Chuck Bell (AMS) - Weekend Meteorologist
 * Kim Martucci (NWA) - Fill-in Meteorologist

Sports reporters

 * Lindsay Czarniak - Sports director seen at 6pm and 11pm and reporter and former Sports Machine co-host
 * Dan Hellie - Weekend sports anchor and reporter during the week Hellie Pad host
 * Hakem Dermish - Sports reporter and producer

Notable former on-air staff

 * James Adams - Weekend evening anchor/reporter (1997–2008)
 * Miguel Almaguer - General assignment reporter (2006–2009); now with NBC News as national correspondent, 2009.
 * Clay Anderson - Meteorologist (1999-2006)
 * Paul Anthony - Weekend weather anchor (1972–1979)
 * Mil Arcega - Weekend morning anchor/reporter (1998–2004)
 * Jess Atkinson - Sports anchor/reporter (1990–1996)
 * Morgan Beatty - Newscaster (1950s)
 * Neil Boggs - Anchor (1967–1972)
 * Shannon Bream - Weekend evening anchor/reporter (2004-2007)
 * Glenn Brenner - Sports (1970-1976) - deceased
 * Andrea Brody - Sports reporter; Sports Machine correspondent (2002–2007)
 * Campbell Brown - Reporter (1993–1996; formerly with NBC News; now with CNN)
 * Wally Bruckner - Sports anchor/reporter (1990–2006) Washingtonpost.com Article of Wally Bruckner exit from WRC-TV
 * John Buren - Sports anchor/reporter (1977–1978)
 * Kelly Burke - Reporter; Wednesday's Child host (1976–1987)
 * Cheryl Butler - Reporter (2005–2008)
 * Arch Campbell - Entertainment reporter (1974–2006)
 * Darrian Chapman - Sports reporter (1995–2000; deceased)
 * Nick Charles - Sports anchor/reporter (1976–1979; also at WJZ-TV Baltimore; 1st CNN sports anchor)
 * Scott Clark - Sports anchor (1980s; now with WABC-TV New York)
 * John Cochran - Reporter (early 1970s; now Capitol Hill correspondent at ABC News)
 * Richard L. Coe - Entertainment critic prior to Arch Campbell (1960s-1974; deceased)
 * Katie Couric - General assignment reporter (1987–1989; former NBC Today show co-host) - now Anchor, CBS Evening News
 * Dan Daniels - Sports commentator (late 60s/early 70s)
 * Steve Doocy - Features reporter (1983-1989)
 * Tony Dorsey - General assignment reporter (1998–2006)
 * Michael Flynn - general assignment reporter (2004 to 2009)
 * Peter Ford - News anchor (1977–1990)
 * Frank Forrester - Weatherman (1960s)
 * Andy Fox - reporter (1981–1986)
 * Keith Garvin - Reporter/Anchor (?-2009); now at KTXA-TV in Dallas.
 * Robert Hager - Reporter (1960–1965; formerly an NBC News correspondent)
 * Mike Hambrick - Anchor (1981–1985)
 * Richard C. Harkness - News reporter/anchor (1940s–1960s)
 * Jim Hartz - Anchor (1976–1979)
 * I.J. Hudson - Technology reporter and anchor (1985–2007)
 * Andrew Humphrey - Meteorologist (1995–1998)
 * Charlayne Hunter-Gault - Reporter (1967–1968)
 * Debbi Jarvis - Anchor/reporter (1994–2003)
 * Dave Jones - Meteorologist (1991–2001)
 * Susan Kidd - Anchor (1983–2006)
 * Susan King - Coverage story anchor (1983–1987)
 * Bob Kur - Reporter (1973–1976)
 * Marty Levin - Anchor/reporter (1980–1982)
 * Lynda Lopez - Reporter (1986-1997)]
 * Shari Macias - Reporter (1994–2001)
 * Catherine "Cassie" Mackin - Anchor/reporter (1969-1972; deceased)
 * Suzanne Malveaux - Reporter (1996–1999)
 * Dave Marash - Anchor/reporter (1985–1989)
 * Bob McBride - Anchor/reporter (1982–1986)
 * Robert McCormick - Reporter/commentator (1960s; deceased)
 * Doug McKelway - (?–2001) - reporter and anchor - now on WJLA-TV
 * George Michael - Sports anchor/reporter; former host of The George Michael Sports Machine (1980–March 25, 2007); hosted Monday segments from Redskins Park and Redskins Report/Full Court Press until December 2008<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-6" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[7] (deceased as of December 24, 2009)
 * Jeff Napshin - General assignment reporter (2004–2006)
 * Charles Neal - Sports anchor(1970-1973)(2005-2008) now at ESPN
 * Angela Owens - Reporter (1981–1984)
 * Bryson Rash - Original anchor (June 27, 1947–1960s; President of National Press Club in 1963; news director when WRC won a Peabody Award for its Home Rule coverage in 1973; deceased)
 * Glenn Rinker - Anchor (1969–1976; deceased)
 * Max Robinson - reporter (1967–1968; deceased)
 * Charlie Rose - Talk show host (1981–1984)
 * Tim Russert - Frequent correspondent from Meet the Press; deceased
 * Bob Ryan - AMS Certified Meteorologist (1980-2010)-now at WJLA-TV
 * Mary Alice Salinas - Anchor/reporter (1995–2005)
 * Willard Scott - NBC page (1950; Bozo the Clown from 1959–1962; meteorologist (1968–1980); now at NBC's Today Show)
 * Karen Shanor 1980s - Psychologist, Author; Hosted a call-in show, with guests, centered on psychology
 * Dave "The Mouth" Sheehan - Sports anchor prior to George Michael (1975–1980)
 * Maurice Siegel - Sports commentator (late 60s/early 70s; deceased)
 * Sue Simmons - Anchor/reporter (1976–1980)
 * Carole Simpson - Reporter/public affairs host (1977–1982)
 * Jim Simpson - Sports reporter (1960s)
 * Jill Sorenson - Sports reporter (2000–2004)
 * Joel A. Spivak - Anchor (1987–1988)
 * Greg Starddard - General assignment reporter (2003–2005)
 * Tippy Stringer - "Weather girl" (mid 1950s)
 * Henry Tenenbaum - Anchor (1981–1987; formerly of WUSA-TV)
 * Fred Thomas - Anchor/reporter (1975–1987)
 * Lea Thompson - Anchor/reporter (1985–1992)
 * Steve Villanueva - Weekend meteorologist (2006–2009)
 * Jim Upshaw - Reporter (1982–1992
 * Kathy Vara - Reporter (1992–1994
 * Linda Vester - Reporter (1992–1993; formerly with Fox News Channel)
 * Todd Whitthorne - Sports Anchor/Reporter (1986-1990)
 * Don Williams - Reporter (1989–1990)
 * Chikage Windler - Meteorologist (1998–2003

Former producers

 * Brenda Mallory - News4 at 5; now owns consulting firm
 * Faith Murphy - Former Web producer of NBC4.com; launched local msnbc.com site (1996)

Newscast titles

 * Review of the News (1947–1952)
 * Texaco Headlines (1952–1962)
 * Big City News (1962–1966)
 * News 4 Washington/News 4 (1966–1975)
 * The NewsCenter (1975–1977)
 * NewsCenter 4 (1977–1982)
 * Channel 4 News (1982–1987)
 * News 4 (1987–present)

Station slogans

 * Channel 4, Our Pride Is Showing (1981-1982; localized version of NBC ad campaign)
 * We`re Channel 4, Just Watch Us Now (1982-1983; localized version of NBC ad campaign)
 * Come Home To Channel 4 (1986-1987; localized version of NBC ad campaign)
 * Working for You (1987–present; news)
 * NBC4, Connected to You (2006–2010; general)
 * We Are Washington (2011-Present; general)