WFRV-TV

WFRV-TV is a broadcast television station serving Green Bay, Wisconsin, and surrounding communities. It operates on virtual channel 5 and is affiliated with CBS. The station is owned by Nexstar Media Group and maintains studios on East Mason Street in Green Bay, with its transmitter located north of Morrison, Wisconsin. Its public-facing local identity has included the Local 5 brand, while its digital presence uses the We Are Green Bay website and related station branding. The station's roots extend to WNAM-TV, a UHF service that began broadcasting from Neenah in January 1954. WNAM-TV was associated with radio station WNAM and initially carried ABC programming, but it faced the economic and technical disadvantages that affected many UHF stations before widespread UHF reception became common. At the same time, local investors organized Valley Telecasting Company to pursue a VHF allocation for Green Bay. Federal Communications Commission allocation changes ultimately placed channel 5 in Green Bay. Valley Telecasting and Neenah-Menasha Broadcasting combined their interests, WNAM-TV ceased operations, and WFRV-TV began broadcasting on May 20, 1955. The call letters were intended to evoke the Fox River Valley. WFRV initially operated from the former WNAM-TV facilities in Neenah before moving master control and production to Green Bay. Its current studio base began operating in 1957. The station started as an ABC affiliate, briefly carried DuMont programming, and moved to NBC in 1959. Under ownership associated with the Morton and Norton families and later Orion Broadcasting, WFRV developed a regional footprint. In 1969, the company launched WJMN-TV in Escanaba, Michigan, as a semi-satellite that extended WFRV's programming into Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Ownership changed again in the early 1980s when WFRV and WJMN were sold to Midwest Radio and Television. Midwest invested in equipment and news operations, including a news helicopter, and returned WFRV to ABC in 1983. CBS acquired Midwest in 1991. That transaction prompted a major affiliation realignment: WFRV became a CBS station on March 15, 1992, while former CBS affiliate WBAY-TV moved to ABC. WFRV has retained its CBS affiliation since then. CBS exchanged WFRV and WJMN to Liberty Media in 2007. Nexstar Broadcasting Group acquired both stations in 2011, and the transaction placed WFRV within the company that later became Nexstar Media Group. Under Nexstar, WFRV expanded local news output, adopted the Local 5 identity, upgraded its broadcasts to high definition, and developed additional lifestyle and community-oriented programming. The station also operates digital and online news products alongside its over-the-air service. WFRV's core business is local television broadcasting. Its programming mix includes CBS network shows, locally produced morning, daytime, evening, and late-night newscasts, weather coverage, sports and community reporting, syndicated programming, lifestyle content, emergency information, and digital video. The station serves a market in which weather, local government, agriculture, business, schools, transportation, and Green Bay Packers-related coverage are important editorial subjects. WFRV has historically competed with other Green Bay stations, including WBAY-TV, WLUK-TV, and WGBA-TV. It has generally ranked behind the market's leading local-news station, although its investments in regional bureaus, weather technology, and expanded newscasts have supported its role as a substantial local news provider. WFRV remains an active CBS affiliate under Nexstar ownership. Its historical Upper Peninsula relationship with WJMN changed after WJMN ended its CBS affiliation in 2022 and was sold by Nexstar in 2024, but WFRV itself continues to operate as the Green Bay market's channel 5 CBS station.

WFRV-TV developed from the early television history of the Fox River Valley. WNAM-TV began test transmissions in December 1953 and regular broadcasting from Neenah on January 26, 1954, using UHF channel 42. It was owned by Neenah-Menasha Broadcasting Company, which also operated WNAM radio. The station carried ABC programming but encountered the technical and commercial difficulties common to early UHF outlets. Advertisers often favored VHF stations, and the arrival of additional VHF services in the region threatened WNAM-TV's viability. A separate group of local investors, Valley Telecasting Company, sought a VHF channel for Green Bay. Changes in federal channel allocations moved the Green Bay assignment to channel 5. Valley Telecasting received a construction permit in March 1954, and Neenah-Menasha eventually agreed to combine its operations with the new Green Bay venture. WNAM-TV suspended operations in January 1955. WFRV-TV signed on May 20, 1955, initially using the former WNAM-TV studios in Neenah. After a short period of film programming, it began ABC and DuMont affiliations in June. DuMont ceased network operations later that year. The station gradually shifted its center of operations to Green Bay. A new tower and transmitter building were activated in late 1956, master control moved to Green Bay in December, and production began at the station's East Mason Street studios in January 1957. WFRV participated in the short-lived Badger Television Network in 1958. On February 1, 1959, it changed from ABC to NBC. The station also promoted an early live television transmission of a lunar eclipse, using a camera positioned outside its studio. In 1960, Valley Telecasting sold WFRV to Valley Broadcasting Company, associated with Louisville station WAVE-TV. The owner later became known as Orion Broadcasting. WFRV began local color production in 1965. Orion also pursued a regional expansion strategy and obtained authorization for WJMN-TV in Escanaba, Michigan. WJMN began broadcasting in October 1969 as a semi-satellite carrying WFRV's NBC programming to parts of the Upper Peninsula. Orion merged with Cosmos Broadcasting in 1980. Because the combined company would exceed applicable ownership limits, WFRV and WJMN were divested to Midwest Radio and Television, a company associated with WCCO radio and television in Minneapolis. The transaction closed in 1981. Midwest invested approximately $1 million in equipment and news resources. WFRV announced in 1982 that it would leave NBC and return to ABC, with the affiliation switch taking effect on April 18, 1983. CBS purchased Midwest Communications in 1991. The acquisition brought WFRV and WJMN under CBS ownership even though WFRV was then an ABC affiliate. CBS changed WFRV's affiliation to CBS on March 15, 1992. WBAY-TV, the previous CBS affiliate, moved to ABC. WJMN also became a CBS outlet in the Marquette market. WFRV later became the first Green Bay station to launch a digital television signal, in 2002. In 2007, CBS exchanged the subsidiary holding WFRV and WJMN to Liberty Media for CBS stock and cash. WFRV ended analog broadcasting on February 17, 2009, and continued digitally using a UHF signal while retaining virtual channel 5. Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced its acquisition of the stations in April 2011; regulatory approval followed in June and closing occurred on July 1. Nexstar introduced a new website domain and expanded the stations' local programming and news operations. WFRV upgraded its local newscasts to high definition in June 2011. From 2012 onward it expanded its schedule with additional afternoon and evening newscasts and promoted the Local 5 identity. The station has also continued to develop weather technology and regional reporting, including Fox Valley coverage. WJMN's connection to WFRV became less direct after the Upper Peninsula station ended its CBS affiliation in 2022 and was sold by Nexstar in 2024. WFRV remains an active CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group.

1. 2012Local 5 identity and news expansion

   The station adopts the Local 5 identity and expands its local news schedule.

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2. 2011Nexstar ownership begins

   Nexstar completes its acquisition of WFRV and WJMN on July 1.

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3. 2011Local newscasts move to high definition

   WFRV begins broadcasting local newscasts in high definition on June 23.

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4. 2009Analog transmission ends

   WFRV shuts down its analog channel 5 signal and continues with digital transmission while retaining virtual channel 5.

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5. 2007Liberty Media acquires WFRV

   CBS exchanges WFRV and WJMN to Liberty Media in a stock-and-cash transaction.

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6. 2002Digital television signal launches

   WFRV becomes the first station in the Green Bay market to launch a digital television signal.

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7. 1992WFRV becomes a CBS affiliate

   WFRV switches from ABC to CBS on March 15, while WBAY-TV moves from CBS to ABC.

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8. 1991CBS acquires Midwest Communications

   CBS announces its purchase of Midwest Communications, bringing WFRV and WJMN into CBS ownership.

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9. 1983WFRV returns to ABC

   After 23 years with NBC, WFRV changes its affiliation back to ABC.

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10. 1969WJMN-TV launches

    WJMN-TV begins broadcasting in Escanaba, Michigan, as a semi-satellite of WFRV.

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11. 1965Local color broadcasting begins

    WFRV begins producing local programming in color.

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12. 1959WFRV switches from ABC to NBC

    The station changes its primary network affiliation from ABC to NBC on February 1.

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13. 1957Green Bay studio base opens

    Production begins at WFRV's new East Mason Street studios in Green Bay.

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14. 1955WFRV-TV signs on

    WFRV-TV begins broadcasting on channel 5 from the former WNAM-TV facilities in Neenah on May 20.

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15. 1954WNAM-TV begins broadcasting

    WNAM-TV begins regular UHF broadcasting from Neenah on channel 42, establishing the predecessor operation from which WFRV-TV would develop.

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A regional CBS network affiliate combining local news, weather, sports, community reporting, syndicated entertainment, and digital coverage for Green Bay and northeastern Wisconsin.

• Local 5 NewsLocal television news

  WFRV's branded local news service covers Green Bay, the Fox Cities, northeastern Wisconsin, and nearby communities. It includes scheduled morning, afternoon, evening, and late-night broadcasts, as well as breaking-news reports, interviews, regional reporting, and digital video.

• Local weather coverageBroadcast weather service

  The station provides local forecasts, severe-weather alerts, radar presentation, and live weather reporting. Its Fox Valley operation has used dedicated weather technology, including Doppler radar, to support coverage across northeastern Wisconsin.

• CBS network programmingNetwork television1992

  As a CBS affiliate, WFRV carries the network's entertainment, news, sports, daytime, and special-event programming for the Green Bay market, supplemented by local and syndicated content.

• We Are Green BayDigital news platform2011

  The station's website and digital publishing platform distributes local news, weather, video, community information, and livestream-related content under the We Are Green Bay domain.

• 2022End of WJMN's CBS affiliationStrategy

  WJMN-TV had historically served as WFRV's semi-satellite in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, but Nexstar changed the station's programming strategy in the Marquette market.

  What changed. WJMN ended its CBS affiliation, adopted other network and digital-subchannel programming, and revised its local-news schedule.

  Aftermath. The change reduced the direct programming relationship between WFRV and WJMN, while WFRV retained its CBS affiliation in Green Bay.

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• 2012Expansion of local news outputStrategy

  Nexstar sought to increase WFRV's locally produced programming and strengthen its position in the Green Bay market.

  What changed. The station added a 4 p.m. newscast and expanded the 6 p.m. newscast, while adopting the Local 5 identity.

  Aftermath. WFRV increased its local-news presence across afternoon and evening programming.

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• 2011Acquisition by NexstarM&A

  Liberty Media owned WFRV and its associated Upper Peninsula station WJMN after acquiring them from CBS in 2007.

  What changed. Nexstar acquired WFRV and WJMN, completed the transaction on July 1, and installed new management.

  Aftermath. Nexstar expanded local programming, refreshed the station's digital presence, and continued operating WFRV as a CBS affiliate.

  Acquisition price. $20 million (Announced April 7, 2011; transaction closed July 1, 2011)

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• 1992CBS affiliation changeStrategy

  CBS's acquisition of Midwest Communications gave the network ownership of WFRV, then an ABC affiliate, while the Green Bay market already had an established CBS station.

  What changed. CBS moved its affiliation to WFRV on March 15, 1992, and WBAY-TV moved from CBS to ABC.

  Aftermath. WFRV has continued as the Green Bay market's CBS affiliate.

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• 1982Decision to return to ABCStrategy

  Midwest Radio and Television operated WFRV during a period when ABC was seeking a stronger Green Bay affiliate and was then viewed as the stronger network in the market.

  What changed. WFRV announced that it would end its long-running NBC affiliation and return to ABC in 1983.

  Aftermath. The affiliation change took effect on April 18, 1983, after related agreements involving other Green Bay stations were resolved.

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• 2024Nexstar sells WJMN-TV

  Nexstar sold WJMN-TV to Sullivan's Landing, LLC. Morgan Murphy Media subsequently contracted to combine operations and newsrooms with WBUP in the Marquette market. The transaction did not change WFRV-TV's ownership.

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• 2022WJMN-TV ends CBS affiliation in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

  WJMN-TV, historically operated as a semi-satellite of WFRV-TV, ended its CBS affiliation in the Marquette market. CBS programming moved to WZMQ, while WJMN adopted a different programming mix and revised its local news schedule.

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• 2012WFRV launches expanded local news schedule

  WFRV expanded its local news output, including a new hour-long afternoon newscast at 4 p.m. and an expanded 6 p.m. newscast, strengthening its local programming strategy under Nexstar.

  Product launch
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• 2011Nexstar agrees to acquire WFRV-TV and WJMN-TV from Liberty Media

  Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced an agreement to acquire WFRV-TV and WJMN-TV from Liberty Media for $20 million. The FCC approved the transaction in June, and the sale closed on July 1, 2011.

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1. WFRV-TV
2. WFRV-TV official website