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'''WRIC-TV''' Channel 8 is the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate television station for the [[Richmond, Virginia]] market. It is owned by Young Broadcasting. The station is [[licensed]] to nearby [[Petersburg]], while its studios are just off the [[Powhite Parkway]] extension ([[State Route 76]]) on
  
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{| cellspacing="5" class="infobox" style="text-align: left; line-height: 1.5em; width: 22em; font-size: 88%"
  
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|+ style="font-size: 125%; font-weight: bold"|WRIC-TV
  
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<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">'''WRIC-TV''' Channel 8 is the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Broadcasting_Company ABC] affiliate television station for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond,_Virginia Richmond, Virginia] market. It is owned by Young Broadcasting. The station is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_license licensed] to nearby [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petersburg,_Virginia Petersburg], while its studios are just off the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powhite_Parkway Powhite Parkway] extension ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Route_76_(Virginia) State Route 76]) on Arboretum Place in western[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesterfield_County,_Virginia Chesterfield County] (unincorporated Richmond).</p>
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| colspan="2" style="text-align: center"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WRIC.jpg ]
  
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{| cellspacing="5" class="infobox" style="font-size: 11px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); background-color: rgb(249, 249, 249); color: black; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 1em; padding-top: 0.2em; padding-right: 0.2em; padding-bottom: 0.2em; padding-left: 0.2em; clear: right; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5em; width: 22em; "
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|+ style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; "|WRIC-TV
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| colspan="2" style="vertical-align: top; text-align: center; "|[[File:200px-WRIC.jpg]]
 
|-
  
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! colspan="2" style="text-align: center"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petersburg,_Virginia Petersburg]-[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond,_Virginia Richmond, Virginia]
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! colspan="2" style="vertical-align: top; text-align: center; "|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petersburg,_Virginia Petersburg]-[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond,_Virginia Richmond, Virginia]
 
|-
  
|-
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! scope="row" style="text-align: left"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brand Branding]
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! scope="row" style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left; "|Branding
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|WRIC TV 8 (general)
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| style="vertical-align: top; "|WRIC TV 8 (general)
 
8 NEWS (newscasts)
  
8 NEWS (newscasts)
 
|-
  
|-
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! scope="row" style="text-align: left"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slogan Slogan]
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! scope="row" style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left; "|Slogan
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|''Straight To The Point''
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| style="vertical-align: top; "|''Straight To The Point''
 
''Live, Local, Latebreaking''
  
''Live, Local, Latebreaking''
 
|-
  
|-
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! scope="row" style="text-align: left"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Channel_(broadcasting) Channels]
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! scope="row" style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left; "|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Channel_(broadcasting) Channels]
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|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_terrestrial_television Digital]: 22 ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra_high_frequency UHF])
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| style="vertical-align: top; "|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_terrestrial_television Digital]: 22 ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra_high_frequency UHF])
 
|-
  
|-
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! scope="row" style="text-align: left"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_subchannel Subchannels]
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! scope="row" style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left; "|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_subchannel Subchannels]
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|8.1 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Broadcasting_Company ABC]
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| style="vertical-align: top; "|8.1 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Broadcasting_Company ABC]
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8.2 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Country_Network The Country Network]
 
|-
  
|-
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! scope="row" style="text-align: left"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owner Owner]
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! scope="row" style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left; "|Owner
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|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Broadcasting Young Broadcasting, Inc.]
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| style="vertical-align: top; "|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Broadcasting Young Broadcasting, Inc.]
 
(operated by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_Television Gray Television])
  
(operated by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_Television Gray Television])
 
''(Young Broadcasting of Richmond, Inc.)''
  
''(Young Broadcasting of Richmond, Inc.)''
 
|-
  
|-
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! scope="row" style="text-align: left"|First air date
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! scope="row" style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left; "|First air date
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|August 15, 1955
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| style="vertical-align: top; "|August 15, 1955
 
|-
  
|-
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! scope="row" style="text-align: left"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_sign Call letters' meaning]
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! scope="row" style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left; "|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_sign Call letters' meaning]
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|'''W'''-'''RIC'''hmond
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| style="vertical-align: top; "|'''W'''-'''RIC'''hmond
 
|-
  
|-
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! scope="row" style="text-align: left"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_sign Former callsigns]
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! scope="row" style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left; "|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_sign Former callsigns]
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|WXEX-TV (1955-1990)
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| style="vertical-align: top; "|WXEX-TV (1955-1990)
 
|-
  
|-
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! scope="row" style="text-align: left"|Former channel number(s)
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! scope="row" style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left; "|Former channel number(s)
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|Analog:
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| style="vertical-align: top; "|Analog:
 
8 ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Very_high_frequency VHF], 1955-2009)
  
8 ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Very_high_frequency VHF], 1955-2009)
 
|-
  
|-
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! scope="row" style="text-align: left"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affiliate Former affiliations]
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! scope="row" style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left; "|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affiliate Former affiliations]
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|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC NBC] (1955-1965)
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| style="vertical-align: top; "|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC NBC] (1955-1965)
 
|-
  
|-
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! scope="row" style="text-align: left"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effective_radiated_power Transmitter power]
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! scope="row" style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left; "|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effective_radiated_power Transmitter power]
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|450 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilowatt kW] (digital)
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| style="vertical-align: top; "|850 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilowatt kW] (digital)
 
|-
  
|-
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! scope="row" style="text-align: left"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HAAT Height]
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! scope="row" style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left; "|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HAAT Height]
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|328 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metre m] (digital)
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| style="vertical-align: top; "|328 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metre m] (digital)
 
|-
  
|-
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! scope="row" style="text-align: left"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facility_ID Facility ID]
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! scope="row" style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left; "|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facility_ID Facility ID]
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| style="vertical-align: top; "|74416
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|74416
  
 
|-
  
|-
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! scope="row" style="text-align: left"|Transmitter coordinates
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! scope="row" style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left; "|Transmitter coordinates
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|[http://toolserver.org/~geohack/geohack.php?pagename=WRIC-TV&params=37_30_45_N_77_36_5_W_type:landmark_scale:2000 37°30′45″N 77°36′5″W / 37.5125°N 77.60139°W / 37.5125; -77.60139]
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| style="vertical-align: top; "|[http://toolserver.org/~geohack/geohack.php?pagename=WRIC-TV&params=37_30_45_N_77_36_5_W_type:landmark_scale:2000 37°30′45″N77°36′5″W]
 
|-
  
|-
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! scope="row" style="text-align: left"|[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Website Website]
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! scope="row" style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left; "|Website
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|[http://www.wric.com/ www.wric.com/]
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| style="vertical-align: top; "|[http://www.wric.com/ www.wric.com/]
 
|}
  
|}
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Arboretum Place in western [[Chesterfield County]] (unincorporated Richmond). It broadcasts its analog signal on channel 8 from a transmitter that is located nearby. Its analog signal penetrates as far north as Gainesville and Centreville and as far south as the North Carolina state line around Lake Gaston in Bracey, Mecklenburg County.
  
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==History==
  
==History==
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The station began operation in 1955 as '''WXEX-TV''', an [[NBC]] affiliate. It was originally licensed to Petersburg and was owned by Thomas Tinsley, operating as Petersburg Television. During the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s, WXEX had an AM sister station, WLEE-AM, who maintained a separate location in Richmond on West Broad St. The TV station's transmitter was located in the Bermuda Hundred area of eastern Chesterfield County and the station reached not only Petersburg, but Richmond as well, albeit with a weaker signal than the two stations licensed to Richmond at the time. The main studios were located in Petersburg. At first, a Richmond sales office was co-located with sister station WLEE-AM on W. Broad St; later, satellite studios were established just off Midlothian Turnpike in [[Bon Air, Virginia]], a suburb of Richmond.
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<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">The station began operation in 1955 as '''WXEX-TV''', an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC NBC] affiliate. It was originally licensed to Petersburg and was owned by Thomas Tinsley, operating as Petersburg Television. During the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s, WXEX had an AM sister station, WLEE-AM, who maintained a separate location in Richmond on West Broad St. The TV station's transmitter was located in the Bermuda Hundred area of eastern Chesterfield County and the station reached not only Petersburg, but Richmond as well, albeit with a weaker signal than the two stations licensed to Richmond at the time. The main studios were located in Petersburg. At first, a Richmond sales office was co-located with sister station WLEE-AM on W. Broad St; later, satellite studios were established just off Midlothian Turnpike in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bon_Air,_Virginia Bon Air, Virginia], a suburb of Richmond.</p>
   
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The station had been an NBC affiliate for many years, but switched to ABC in 1965 and has been with that network ever since. In 1968 the station (along with sister station WLEE-AM) was sold to Nationwide Communications; Nationwide would sell WRIC and the rest of its television stations to [[Young Broadcasting]] in 1993.
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<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">The station had been an NBC affiliate for many years, but switched to ABC in 1965 and has been with that network ever since. In 1968 the station (along with sister station WLEE-AM) was sold to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationwide_Communications Nationwide Communications]; Nationwide would sell WRIC and the rest of its television stations to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Broadcasting Young Broadcasting] in 1993.</p>
   
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In 1969, a fire destroyed its original Petersburg studios. For a few weeks, the station had to broadcast from its transmitter, then set up temporary offices and studios in a vacated store in Petersburg. The station later moved in a brand new facility on Crater Road that it named Blandford Manor.
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<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">In 1969, a fire destroyed its original Petersburg studios. For a few weeks, the station had to broadcast from its transmitter, then set up temporary offices and studios in a vacated store in Petersburg. The station later moved in a brand new facility on Crater Road that it named Blandford Manor.</p>
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In 1981 Nationwide sold off sister station WLEE-AM.
  
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WXEX's call letters were changed on April 23, 1990 to WRIC-TV and the station moved its studios to the current location in The Arboretum Office Park in Chesterfield County. However, it is still licensed to Petersburg; unlike the other stations in the market, it identifies as "Petersburg/Richmond."
  
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The station's owner, Young Broadcasting, went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009. The station was part of a bankruptcy auction scheduled for July 14, 2009 but cancelled at the last minute<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WRIC-TV#cite_note-0 [1]]</sup>. On July 22, a bankruptcy judge approved a plan in which Young's secured lenders would take over the company and outsource the management of seven of its 10 stations including WRIC to [[Gray Television]]. Final approval of the deal from the [[Federal Communications Commission]] is still pending. After the analog television shutdown and [[digital conversion]] was completed on June 12, 2009, WRIC-DT post-transition remained on channel 22.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Analog_to_Digital_1-0">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WRIC-TV#cite_note-Analog_to_Digital-1 [2]]</sup> Through the use of [[PSIP]], digital television receivers continue to display WRIC-DT's [[virtual channel]] as 8.1.
  
   
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<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">In 1981 Nationwide sold off sister station WLEE-AM.</p>
   
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<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">WXEX's call letters were changed on April 23, 1990 to WRIC-TV and the station moved its studios to the current location in The Arboretum Office Park in Chesterfield County. However, it is still licensed to Petersburg; unlike the other stations in the market, it identifies as "Petersburg/Richmond."</p>
   
  ⚫
<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">The station's owner, Young Broadcasting, went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009. The station was part of a bankruptcy auction scheduled for July 14, 2009 but cancelled at the last minute<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WRIC-TV&diff=425647511&oldid=425647413#cite_note-0 [1]]</sup>. On July 22, a bankruptcy judge approved a plan in which Young's secured lenders would take over the company and outsource the management of seven of its 10 stations including WRIC to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_Television Gray Television]. Final approval of the deal from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Communications_Commission Federal Communications Commission] is still pending. On June 12, 2009, WRIC-TV's digital broadcasts are now on channel 22.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Analog_to_Digital_1-0" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WRIC-TV&diff=425647511&oldid=425647413#cite_note-Analog_to_Digital-1 [2]]</sup> Through the use of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PSIP PSIP], digital television receivers continue to display WRIC-TV's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_channel virtual channel] as 8.1.</p>
 
==On-air staff==
  
==On-air staff==
 
===Current on-air staff===
  
===Current on-air staff===
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<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">'''Anchors'''</p>
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'''Anchors'''
  
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*'''Juan Conde''' - Weekdays & Weeknights 5, 5:30, 6 and 11 p.m.
  
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*'''Christina Feerick''' - Weekdays & Weeknights 5, 5:30, 6 and 11 p.m.
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*'''Juan Conde''' - Weeknights 5, 5:30, 6 and 11 p.m.
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*'''Christina Feerick''' - Weeknights 5, 5:30, 6 and 11 p.m.
  ⚫
*'''Kerri O'Brien''' - Evening Anchor Explainer
 
*'''Amy Lacey''' - Weekday Morning Anchor
  
*'''Amy Lacey''' - Weekday Morning Anchor
  ⚫
*'''Amie McLain''' - Weekday Morning Anchor
 
*'''A.J. Lagoe''' - Weekday Noon Anchor
  
*'''A.J. Lagoe''' - Weekday Noon Anchor
 
*'''Morgan Dean''' - Weekend Mornings
  
*'''Morgan Dean''' - Weekend Mornings
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*'''Kerri O'Brien''' - Evening Anchor Explainer
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*'''Lindsey Henley Martin''' - Weekend Evenings
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⚫
*'''Amie McLain''' - Weekday Morning Anchor Explainer
  
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⚫
*'''Lindsey Hensley''' - Weekend Evenings
  
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<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">'''Reporters'''</p>
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'''Reporters'''
  
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*'''Darragh Copley'''
 
*'''Morgan Dean'''
  
*'''Morgan Dean'''
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*'''Rochelle Dean'''
  
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*'''Kerri O'Brien'''
  
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*'''Kim Schumacher'''
  
⚫
*'''Chelsea Washington'''
  
 
*'''Nate Eaton'''
  
*'''Nate Eaton'''
⚫
*'''Katelyn Sherwood'''
  
 
*'''Catherine Hawley'''
  
*'''Catherine Hawley'''
  +
*'''Yianni Kourakis'''
 
*'''Josh Landon'''
  
*'''Josh Landon'''
 
*'''Laura Morris'''
  
*'''Laura Morris'''
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*'''Lindsey Henley'''
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*'''Kerri O'Brien'''
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'''Weather'''
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*'''Kim Schumacher'''
  ⚫
*'''Katelyn Sherwood'''
  ⚫
*'''Mark Tenia'''
  ⚫
*'''Chelsea Washington'''
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<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">'''Weather'''</p>
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*'''John Bernier''' - Chief Meteorologist
  
*'''John Bernier''' - Chief Meteorologist
 
*'''Matt DiNardo'''
  
*'''Matt DiNardo'''
 
*'''Paul Milliken'''
  
*'''Paul Milliken'''
 
*'''Jason Myers'''
  
*'''Jason Myers'''
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'''Sports'''
  
  +
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*'''Dax Gray'''
  
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<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">'''Sports'''</p>
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*'''Phil Orban''' - Weekend Anchor
  
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*'''Chip Tarkenton''' - Sports Director/Weekday Anchor
  
*'''Chip Tarkenton''' - Sports Director/Weekday Anchor
  ⚫
*'''Phil Orban''' - Weekend Anchor
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*'''Yianni Kourakis'''
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===Former on-air staff===
  
===Former on-air staff===
 
*Ric Barrick - Meteorologist
  
*Ric Barrick - Meteorologist
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*Bruce Cunningham - Sports Director
  
*Bruce Cunningham - Sports Director
 
*Derrick Dennis - Reporter
  
*Derrick Dennis - Reporter
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*Vernon Glenn - Sports Reporter/Anchor 1985 to 1987, now at [[KRON-TV]] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco San Francisco]
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*Vernon Glenn - Sports Reporter/Anchor 1985 to 1987, now at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KRON-TV KRON-TV] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco San Francisco]
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Lauer Matt Lauer] - host of "PM Magazine" in the 1980s.
  
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Lauer Matt Lauer] - host of "PM Magazine" in the 1980s.
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*Doug Luzader - Reporter
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*Doug Luzader - Reporter (now FOX News Washington D.C. correspondent at [[WBRC]] in [[Birmingham, Alabama]])
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mara_MacDonald Mara MacDonald] - Reporter
  
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mara_MacDonald Mara MacDonald] - Reporter
 
*Pam Magee - Reporter, News Director
  
*Pam Magee - Reporter, News Director
 
*Laura Main - Reporter/Anchor
  
*Laura Main - Reporter/Anchor
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*Amie McLain - Weekday Morning Anchor Explainer
 
*Chesley McNeil - Weather/Mr. Outside
  
*Chesley McNeil - Weather/Mr. Outside
 
*Carole Meekins - Anchor
  
*Carole Meekins - Anchor
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*Jim Ramsey - Weather Anchor; now at [[WGN-TV]] in Chicago
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*Kerri O'Brien - Evening Anchor Explainer
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*Jim Ramsey - Weather Anchor; now at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WGN-TV WGN-TV] in Chicago
 
*Richard Real - Reporter, Managing Editor
  
*Richard Real - Reporter, Managing Editor
 
*Frank Robertson - Anchor
  
*Frank Robertson - Anchor
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*Rucks Russell - Reporter; now at [[KHOU (TV)]] Houston, TX
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*Rucks Russell - Reporter; now at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KHOU_(TV) KHOU-TV Houston, TX]
 
*Lisa Schaffner - Anchor
  
*Lisa Schaffner - Anchor
 
*Ken Strayhorn - Sports Director
  
*Ken Strayhorn - Sports Director
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*Gwen Williams - Anchor
  
*Gwen Williams - Anchor
 
*Jason Guy - Reporter; now at WESH-TV Orlando, FL
  
*Jason Guy - Reporter; now at WESH-TV Orlando, FL
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1972—First "Eyewitness News" team
  
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<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">1972—First "Eyewitness News" team</p>
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*Anchorman - Charles McMahon
  
*Anchorman - Charles McMahon
 
*Co-Anchor - Bill McGowan
  
*Co-Anchor - Bill McGowan
 
*Sports - Floyd Henderson
  
*Sports - Floyd Henderson
 
*Weather - Don Kesler
  
*Weather - Don Kesler
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==News/station presentation==
  
==News/station presentation==
 
===Newscast titles===
  
===Newscast titles===
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*''TV-8 Eyewitness News'' (until 1992)
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*''TV-8 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eyewitness_News Eyewitness News]'' (until 1992)
 
*''8 News'' (1992–present)
  
*''8 News'' (1992–present)
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===Station slogans===
  
===Station slogans===
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*''Come on Along with TV-8'' (1982-1983; localized version of ABC ad campaign)
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*''Making a Difference'' (early 1990s-1995)
  
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*''Richmond's News People'' (1995-late 1990s)
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*''Making a Difference'' (1990-1995)
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*''Richmond's News People'' (1995-1999)
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*''TV is Good, on WRIC 8''
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*''We Love TV, on WRIC-TV 8''
 
*''Your Local News Source'' (2000–2004)
  
*''Your Local News Source'' (2000–2004)
 
*''Straight To The Point'' (2004–present; primary news slogan)
  
*''Straight To The Point'' (2004–present; primary news slogan)
 
*''Live, Local, Latebreaking'' (late 1990s-present; secondary news slogan)
  
*''Live, Local, Latebreaking'' (late 1990s-present; secondary news slogan)
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[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Television.svg ] ''This film, television or video-related list is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Lists#Incomplete_lists incomplete]; you can help by [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WRIC-TV&action=edit expanding it] with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:RS reliably sourced] additions''.
  
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==Trivia==
  
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{| class="metadata plainlinks ambox ambox-style"
  
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| class="mbox-image"|
  
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| class="mbox-text"|'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Trivia_sections Lists of miscellaneous information] should be avoided.''' Please [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Handling_trivia#Recommendations_for_handling_trivia relocate] any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. ''(October 2007)''
  
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*In the late 1960s, a weatherman at the station named [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hugh_Allen_(newscaster)&action=edit&redlink=1 Hugh Allen] was arrested and convicted of manslaughter.
  
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*The station had a very popular show in the seventies that reached almost cult status in Richmond called "Shock Theater", a horror movie show that was hosted by station employee Bill Bowman , as a character called "The Bowman Body" that became very popular in the Richmond market.
  
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*A fake WRIC newscast is seen in the 2001 film ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannibal_(film) Hannibal]'', with reporter Ric Young playing himself. The film was shot on location in Richmond.
  
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*The station received some unwanted publicity in 1989 when former evening news anchor Steve Coleman got into an argument with a news producer and his co-anchor, Lisa Schaffner, tried to intervene and was pushed by Coleman, crashing into a desk and a computer. Coleman was suspended and later fired.
  
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*WRIC was the only ABC affiliate not to air the millenium special [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC_2000_Today ABC 2000 Today].
  
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==References==
  
==References==
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#'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WRIC-TV&diff=374607773&oldid=370253590#cite_ref-0 ^]''' [http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv_deals/15585.html A vulture's eye view of Young]
 +
#'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WRIC-TV&diff=425647511&oldid=425647413#cite_ref-0 ^]''' [http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv_deals/15585.html A vulture's eye view of Young]
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#'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WRIC-TV&diff=374607773&oldid=370253590#cite_ref-Analog_to_Digital_1-0 ^]''' http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf
 +
#'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WRIC-TV&diff=425647511&oldid=425647413#cite_ref-Analog_to_Digital_1-0 ^]''' http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf
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==External links==
  
==External links==
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*[http://www.wric.com/ WRIC Homepage]
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*[http://www.wric.com/ WRIC website]
 
*[http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=WRIC-TV Query the FCC's TV station database for WRIC-TV]
  
*[http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=WRIC-TV Query the FCC's TV station database for WRIC-TV]
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*[http://www.bia.com/resources_search_result.asp?calls=WRIC&media=TV BIAfn's Media Web Database -- Information on WRIC-TV]
 +
*[http://www.bia.com/Research-and-Forecasts/Broadcast-Media-Resources/Station-Search/resources_search_result.asp?calls=WRIC&media=TV BIAfn's Media Web Database -- Information on WRIC-TV]

Revision as of 17:40, 9 May 2011


WRIC-TV Channel 8 is the ABC affiliate television station for the Richmond, Virginia market. It is owned by Young Broadcasting. The station is licensed to nearby Petersburg, while its studios are just off the Powhite Parkway extension (State Route 76) on Arboretum Place in westernChesterfield County (unincorporated Richmond).

WRIC-TV
200px-WRIC
Petersburg-Richmond, Virginia
Branding WRIC TV 8 (general)

8 NEWS (newscasts)

Slogan Straight To The Point

Live, Local, Latebreaking

Channels Digital: 22 (UHF)
Subchannels 8.1 ABC

8.2 The Country Network

Owner Young Broadcasting, Inc.

(operated by Gray Television) (Young Broadcasting of Richmond, Inc.)

First air date August 15, 1955
Call letters' meaning W-RIChmond
Former callsigns WXEX-TV (1955-1990)
Former channel number(s) Analog:

8 (VHF, 1955-2009)

Former affiliations NBC (1955-1965)
Transmitter power 850 kW (digital)
Height 328 m (digital)
Facility ID 74416
Transmitter coordinates 37°30′45″N77°36′5″W
Website www.wric.com/

History

The station began operation in 1955 as WXEX-TV, an NBC affiliate. It was originally licensed to Petersburg and was owned by Thomas Tinsley, operating as Petersburg Television. During the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s, WXEX had an AM sister station, WLEE-AM, who maintained a separate location in Richmond on West Broad St. The TV station's transmitter was located in the Bermuda Hundred area of eastern Chesterfield County and the station reached not only Petersburg, but Richmond as well, albeit with a weaker signal than the two stations licensed to Richmond at the time. The main studios were located in Petersburg. At first, a Richmond sales office was co-located with sister station WLEE-AM on W. Broad St; later, satellite studios were established just off Midlothian Turnpike in Bon Air, Virginia, a suburb of Richmond.

The station had been an NBC affiliate for many years, but switched to ABC in 1965 and has been with that network ever since. In 1968 the station (along with sister station WLEE-AM) was sold to Nationwide Communications; Nationwide would sell WRIC and the rest of its television stations to Young Broadcasting in 1993.

In 1969, a fire destroyed its original Petersburg studios. For a few weeks, the station had to broadcast from its transmitter, then set up temporary offices and studios in a vacated store in Petersburg. The station later moved in a brand new facility on Crater Road that it named Blandford Manor.

In 1981 Nationwide sold off sister station WLEE-AM.

WXEX's call letters were changed on April 23, 1990 to WRIC-TV and the station moved its studios to the current location in The Arboretum Office Park in Chesterfield County. However, it is still licensed to Petersburg; unlike the other stations in the market, it identifies as "Petersburg/Richmond."

The station's owner, Young Broadcasting, went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009. The station was part of a bankruptcy auction scheduled for July 14, 2009 but cancelled at the last minute[1]. On July 22, a bankruptcy judge approved a plan in which Young's secured lenders would take over the company and outsource the management of seven of its 10 stations including WRIC to Gray Television. Final approval of the deal from the Federal Communications Commission is still pending. On June 12, 2009, WRIC-TV's digital broadcasts are now on channel 22.[2] Through the use of PSIP, digital television receivers continue to display WRIC-TV's virtual channel as 8.1.

On-air staff

Current on-air staff

Anchors

  • Juan Conde - Weeknights 5, 5:30, 6 and 11 p.m.
  • Christina Feerick - Weeknights 5, 5:30, 6 and 11 p.m.
  • Kerri O'Brien - Evening Anchor Explainer
  • Amy Lacey - Weekday Morning Anchor
  • Amie McLain - Weekday Morning Anchor
  • A.J. Lagoe - Weekday Noon Anchor
  • Morgan Dean - Weekend Mornings
  • Lindsey Henley Martin - Weekend Evenings


Reporters

  • Darragh Copley
  • Morgan Dean
  • Nate Eaton
  • Catherine Hawley
  • Yianni Kourakis
  • Josh Landon
  • Laura Morris
  • Kerri O'Brien
  • Kim Schumacher
  • Katelyn Sherwood
  • Mark Tenia
  • Chelsea Washington


Weather

  • John Bernier - Chief Meteorologist
  • Matt DiNardo
  • Paul Milliken
  • Jason Myers


Sports

  • Chip Tarkenton - Sports Director/Weekday Anchor
  • Phil Orban - Weekend Anchor
  • Yianni Kourakis



Former on-air staff

  • Ric Barrick - Meteorologist
  • Anita Blanton- Morning Anchor/Reporter
  • Gretchen Carlson - Reporter/Anchor
  • Keri Abbott Carro - Meteorologist
  • Lou Charlip - Sports Anchor/Reporter
  • Craig Civale - Reporter
  • Bruce Cunningham - Sports Director
  • Derrick Dennis - Reporter
  • Vernon Glenn - Sports Reporter/Anchor 1985 to 1987, now at KRON-TV in San Francisco
  • Matt Lauer - host of "PM Magazine" in the 1980s.
  • Doug Luzader - Reporter (now FOX News Washington D.C. correspondent at WBRC in Birmingham, Alabama)
  • Mara MacDonald - Reporter
  • Pam Magee - Reporter, News Director
  • Laura Main - Reporter/Anchor
  • Amie McLain - Weekday Morning Anchor Explainer
  • Chesley McNeil - Weather/Mr. Outside
  • Carole Meekins - Anchor
  • Kerri O'Brien - Evening Anchor Explainer
  • Jim Ramsey - Weather Anchor; now at WGN-TV in Chicago
  • Richard Real - Reporter, Managing Editor
  • Frank Robertson - Anchor
  • Rucks Russell - Reporter; now at KHOU-TV Houston, TX
  • Lisa Schaffner - Anchor
  • Ken Strayhorn - Sports Director
  • Cheryl Tan - Weekend Anchor; Now at Wavy 10 and Fox 43 in Hampton Roads,Va
  • Mike Topham - Sports Photographer/Reporter
  • Ric Young - Anchor
  • Rich Landrum - News Reporter and co-host of "Dialing for Dollars". Much better known in later years as the host for the nationally syndicated TV show, "World Wide Wrestling".
  • Barbara Trear - (better known to the staff as "BJ", short for Barbara Jeane)Co-host of "Dialing for Dollars" & Special Events Reporter. Better known now throughout Maryland, DC & Northern Virginia, for her jazz band, "The BJ Doyle Trio".
  • Tracy Butler - Meteorologist
  • Sal Urbano - Sports Anchor
  • Gwen Williams - Anchor
  • Jason Guy - Reporter; now at WESH-TV Orlando, FL


1972—First "Eyewitness News" team

  • Anchorman - Charles McMahon
  • Co-Anchor - Bill McGowan
  • Sports - Floyd Henderson
  • Weather - Don Kesler



News/station presentation

Newscast titles

Station slogans

  • Come on Along with TV-8 (1982-1983; localized version of ABC ad campaign)
  • Making a Difference (1990-1995)
  • Richmond's News People (1995-1999)
  • TV is Good, on WRIC 8
  • We Love TV, on WRIC-TV 8
  • Your Local News Source (2000–2004)
  • Straight To The Point (2004–present; primary news slogan)
  • Live, Local, Latebreaking (late 1990s-present; secondary news slogan)

References

  1. ^ A vulture's eye view of Young
  2. ^ http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf

External links

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