WRCB

WRCB is an NBC affiliate television station based in Chattanooga, serving southeastern Tennessee, northwestern Georgia, northeasternAlabama, and Southwestern North Carolina. Its transmitter and tower are located in the unincorporated town of Walden on Signal Mountain.

WRCB

Chattanooga, Tennessee
Branding	Channel 3 Channel 3 Eyewitness News
Slogan	Coverage You Can Count On
Channels	Digital: 13 (VHF)
Subchannels	3.1 NBC 3.2 RTN
Affiliations	National Broadcasting Company
Owner	Sarkes Tarzian, Inc.
First air date	May 6, 1956
Call letters' meaning	Rust CraftBroadcasting (former owners)
Former callsigns	WRGP-TV (1956-1963)
Former channel number(s)	Analog: 3 (1956-2009)
Transmitter power	34.8 kW (digital)
Height	335 m (digital)
Facility ID	59137
Transmitter coordinates	35°9′40″N85°18′51″W
Website	www.wrcbtv.com

WRCB uses the branding "Channel 3 Eyewitness News" and the slogan "Coverage You Can Count On."

History

The station began broadcasting on May 6, 1956 on analog Channel 3 as WRGP-TV, the initials of its founder Ramon G. Patterson. It picked up the NBC affiliation from WROM-TV (now WTVC). This made Chattanooga one of the smallest cities in the country, and the first in East Tennessee, with three VHF stations. Its studios were first located on McCallie Avenue, between downtown and Missionary Ridge.

The station has belonged to several owners over the years. When the local group decided to sell in 1959, Friendly Broadcasting, owner of WSTV-TV in Steubenville, Ohio (now WTOV-TV) bought WRGP. In 1961 WSTV and WRGP were sold to the Massachusetts-based United Printers And Publishers, who later became Rust Craft Broadcasting, named after its greeting card line, which has since been acquired byAmerican Greetings. These owners changed the station's call letters to WRCB-TV in 1963, to reflect the intials of the licensee. In 1968 the station moved to new facilities on Whitehall Road, on Chattanooga's north side, across the Tennessee River from downtown. Those new studios and equipment enabled channel 3 to begin broadcasting in color. In 1979, Rust Craft merged with magazine publisher Ziff Davis, who, in turn, sold WRCB to current owner Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. of Bloomington, Indiana, in 1982.

On November 1, 2008, WRCB added Retro Television Network on its second digital subchannel; the station had previously aired NBC Weather Plus on the subchannel, but that network was shut down by the end of the year.

Digital television

The station's digital, VHF 13 is multiplexed:

Channel	Programming
3.1	main WRCB/NBC programming
3.2	Retro Television Network

On June 12, 2009, WRCB's digital signal remained on channel 13 when the analog to digital conversion completed.

News

WRCB produces four hours of news a day weekdays, and an hour of news on weekends. The station is known for its School Patrol and I-Team reports, which have been popular features on its newscasts for years.

News/station presentation

Newscast titles

• Bulletin (1960s-1970s)
• News 3 (1970s)
• NewsCenter 3 (1970s)
• TV-3 News (1970s–1985)
• (Channel 3) Eyewitness News (1985–present)

Station slogans

• TV-3, Proud as a Peacock! (1979-1981; localized version of NBC ad campaign)
• Southeast Tennessee's Leading News Station (early 1980s–1984)
• TV-3, Our Pride is Showing (1981-1982; localized version of NBC ad campaign)
• We're TV-3, Just Watch Us Now! (1982-1983; localized version of NBC ad campaign)
• TV-3 There, Be There (1983-1984; localized version of NBC ad campaign)
• TV-3/Channel 3, Let's All Be There (1984-1986; localized version of NBC ad campaign)
• Come Home to Channel 3 (1986-1987; localized version of NBC ad campaign)
• Making a Difference (1986-1995)
• Come on Home to Channel 3 (1987-1988; localized version of NBC ad campaign)
• Come Home to the Best, Only on Channel 3 (1988-1990; localized version of NBC ad campaign)
• WRCB, The Place to Be! (1990-1992; localized version of NBC ad campaign)
• It's A Whole New Channel 3 (1992-1993; localized version of NBC ad campaign)
• The Stars Are Back on Channel 3 (1993-1994; localized version of NBC ad campaign)
• It's Channel 3! (1994-1995; localized version of NBC ad campaign)
• Coverage You Can Count On (1995–present)

News team

Anchors

• David Carroll - weeknights at 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.; also "School Patrol" reporter
• Latrice Currie - weekday mornings (5:00-7:00 a.m.); also "Eye On Health" reporter
• Greg Glover - weeknights at 5:30 and 11:00 p.m.
• Matt Barbour - weekends at 6:00 and 11:00 p.m.
• Jed Mescon - weekday mornings (5:00-7:00 a.m.)
• Cindy Sexton - weeknights at 5:00, 5:30 and 6:00 p.m.
• Jonquil Newland - weekend mornings (6:00-8:00 a.m.)

Channel 3 Eyewitness News StormAlert Weather

• Paul Barys (AMS Seal of Approval) - chief meteorologist; weeknights at 5:00, 5:30, 6:00 and 11:00 p.m.
• Nick Austin (NWA Seal of Approval; member, AMS) - meteorologist; weekend mornings (6:00-8:00 a.m.) and weekends at 6:00 and 11:00 p.m.
• David Karnes (AMS and NWA Seals of Approval) - meteorologist; weekday mornings (4:30-7:00 a.m.)

Sports team

• Paul Shahen - sports director; weeknights at 6:00 and 11:00 p.m.
• Vince Lennon - sports anchor; weekends at 6:00 and 11:00 p.m.; also reporter

Reporters

• Kimberly Barbour
• Jessica Lauren
• Dan Kennedy
• Megan Brantley
• Sara Sidery

Local program host 

• Julie Edwards - host of "3 Plus You" (weekdays at 11:00 a.m.)

Past staff

• Jim Allday, Anchor (1977)
• Alicia Ames, Reporter (1984-86)
• Bob Austin, PM Magazine Host, early 1980s, produced PM Magazine in Sacramento, now owns a broadcast brokerage firm.
• Debbie Baer (later Debbie Baer McCurdy), Meteorologist (late 1970s), also host of the local PM Magazine (1980-83), then given stage name of Debbie Alan, creator and host of Talk of the Town (Nashville), co-host of America's Dumbest Criminals, now creator and host of Internet radio show On The HomeStretch
• Ted Barnhill, Reporter
• Bob Beard, Reporter
• Thom Benson, Morning Meteorologist (1995-2007)
• C.J. Beutien, Anchor (1981-1983)
• Mike Burch, Reporter
• Frenche Brewer, Weekend Anchor
• Paula Bridges, Weekend Anchor/Reporter (2003-2006)
• Laurie Brodie, Reporter (mid-1990s)
• Jodi Brooks, Reporter
• Gina Brown, Reporter (2003-06)
• Lauren Brown, Reporter, Sports (2008-2010)
• Mark Bruce, Reporter (2004-2008)
• Steve Buckhantz, Sports (late 1970s)
• Alex Cabrero, Reporter (2000-2001) Now at KSL-TV, Salt Lake City, Utah
• Stan Carmack, Anchor (1973)
• Deborah Carey, Anchor (1988-95)
• Will Carr, Reporter (2006-2008, now at KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM)
• Craig Cecil, Sports (1995-2000)
• Raymond Cooke, Reporter (deceased)
• Steve Conrad, Anchor-News Director, deceased (late 1950s, ND in early 1980s)
• Jonathan Costen, Reporter
• Sara Croke, Weather
• Ryan Cummings, Reporter
• Lesley Dale, Reporter (2005-2008)
• Ted Daniel, Reporter
• Dave Daughtry, Anchor, News Director (1979-80)
• John Davis, Host PM Magazine
• Mike DeForest, Reporter
• Tom Ditt, Reporter {1975-1978}
• Terry Doepke, Weather (1986-89)
• Craig Edwards, Reporter, Weather (early 1980s)
• Elizabeth Emmons, Reporter (1995-2000)
• Rich Everitt, Reporter
• Roy Exum, Sports (1987-88)
• Heather Filkins, Reporter
• Don Fischer, Sports (1960-1971), deceased
• Fred Gault, Reporter, News Director
• Doreen Gentzler, Reporter {1979-1980}, now WRC-TV, Washington
• Tanya Gipson, Reporter, Weekend Anchor (1990-1995), Mid Morning Show Anchor, Eye on Health Reporter (1994-2001)
• David Glenn, Meteorologist (1991-1997, Now at WTVC-TV, Chattanooga)
• Efrem Graham, Weekend Anchor/Reporter (1997-2003, now at WTVG-TV, Toledo)
• John Gray, Weather (1958-1970), deceased
• Leann Gregg, Reporter
• Kirsten Gum, Anchor/Reporter (1996-1999) Host of Cash & Treasures & Treasure Hunter: Kirsten Gum on the Travel Channel
• Isaiah Harper, Reporter
• David Hirt, Reporter (mid-late 1970s) Currently a voice talent in Atlanta, GA
• Craig Hoffman, Weekend Anchor (1985-1990), now at WBKI-TV, Louisville
• Chris Hohmann, Weather (1989-1992)
• Karen Honkanen, Reporter (late 1970s)
• Bryan Houston, Sports (1988-91)
• Sheldon Ingram, Reporter
• Lee Jackson, Announcer, Host (1956-59)
• Bernadette Jay, Reporter (2008-09)
• Fred Johnson, Reporter-Anchor (1977-84)
• Matt Johnson, Reporter (2006-2008), now at WDBD-TV, Jackson, MS
• Tonisha Johnson, Reporter (2004-2007)
• Allen Jones, Reporter-Anchor, News Director (1970-75)
• Neal Kassebaum, Weather (1973-79), now with Raycom Sports, Charlotte, NC.
• Kerry Kinsey, Sports
• Christine Lehman, Reporter/Part Time Weather Forecaster (1998-2000)
• Bill Lambdin, Anchor/Sports/Reporter (1975-1980), now at WNYT-TV, Albany, NY
• Steve Leeolou, Anchor (1979)
• Tamara Lister, Reporter (1986-92)
• Mort Lloyd, Anchor (1958-1970) deceased
• Marylin Lovelette, Reporter (1990-93)
• Betty Mac (1971-81)
• Bill Markham, Anchor (1983-2009), retired
• Russell Martin, Reporter
• Marty Matthews, Anchor/Reporter (early 1980s, last seen at WTSP-TV)
• Tom Maxedon, Anchor/News Director (1978)
• Will McDonald, Sports (1985-86)
• Jenna McKee, Reporter (2008-2010)
• James McKenzie, Reporter (1990-92)
• Mike McKinney, Weekend Anchor (deceased)
• Lamont McCrae, Reporter
• Scott Montgomery, Reporter (1981-1999, deceased)
• Roy Morris, Anchor/Host (1957-1973, deceased)
• Leigh Mosely, Reporter (early 1980s)
• Jim Nabors, Entertainer (late 1950s)
• Bill Nash, fill-in sports (1960-72) deceased
• Pam Newby, Anchor (1982-84)
• Krista Olsen, Reporter
• Ryan Owens, Reporter, now with ABC News, New York
• Neal Pascal, Meteorologist (2008-2010) Now Middle School Teacher In Bradley County,TN
• Jason Racki, Reporter
• Audrey Ramsey, Reporter
• Dana Rice, Reporter
• Russ Riesinger, Sports Anchor, News Anchor (1986-1991)(now with WSAV-TV, Savannah)
• Heidi Robinson, Reporter (1992-96)
• Meryll Rose, Anchor/Reporter {1977-1979}, now at WTVF-TV, Nashville
• Clark Schaefer, Sports (1980s)
• Jackie Schulten, Anchor (1975-77), now Hamilton County Court Judge, Chattanooga
• Tony Shelton, Weather 1983-85, deceased
• Nick Simpson, Weekend Sports Anchor
• Kevin Sims, Reporter (1999-2002)
• Erika Smedstad, Reporter (deceased)
• Randy Smith, Sports Director (1995-2009)
• Lori Stafford, Reporter (1987-89)
• Lorrie Taylor, Weekend Meteorologist (early 1980s), also host of PM Magazine (early 1980s)
• Harry Thornton, Wrestling Host (1958-1966), deceased
• Jim Thrasher, Sports (1982-85)
• Brian Travers, Meteorologist (2005-2008)
• Jennifer Vickery, Reporter
• Marco Villareal, Reporter (2008, now at WTXL-TV)
• Kathy Walsh, Reporter (mid-late 1980s)
• Al Warlick, Anchor, News Director (1976) deceased
• Don Welch, Weather, Reporter (1967-75)
• Mary Kate Wells, Weekend Meteorologist Anchor (1985-1995)
• Don Wick, Anchor, Weather, News Director (1970-76)
• Tom Willette, Announcer (1956-59), deceased
• Jerry Wilson, Reporter, Anchor, Sports (1971-77)
• Webb Wright, Weekend Sports (2004-2008)
• Todd Yakoubian, Weekend Meteorologist (2000-2005, now at KATV, Little Rock
• Sky Yancey, Anchor (1979-1982)
• John Fricke, Sports (1991-1995)
• Laura Okmin, Sports (1994-1995), now anchor/reporter, Fox Sports
• David Johnson, reporter, sports anchor (1980-81), now at WPXI-TV, Pittsburgh
• Ben Tackett, Morning Meteorologist (1988)

References

1. ^ "Television Network Moves to Chattanooga". wrcbtv.com. 2008-10-23. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
2. ^ http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-138A2.pdf

External links

• WRCB website
• Query the FCC's TV station database for WRCB
• BIAfn's Media Web Database -- Information on WRCB-TV