WKRC-TV

WKRC-TV is a commercial television station serving Cincinnati, Ohio, and surrounding communities in Northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana. The station broadcasts on virtual channel 12 and operates as a CBS affiliate. Its second digital subchannel, WKRC-DT2, carries The CW under the brand The CW Cincinnati. The station is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group and is operated alongside WSTR-TV, an independent station that carries MyNetworkTV programming. Both stations share facilities on Highland Avenue in Cincinnati's Mount Auburn neighborhood, as well as transmission infrastructure associated with WKRC-TV. WKRC-TV began broadcasting on April 4, 1949. It originally transmitted on VHF channel 11 and was the second television station to sign on in Cincinnati, although it was the first to receive an FCC license. Its early ownership was connected to the Taft family, whose Cincinnati media interests included the Cincinnati Times-Star newspaper and WKRC radio. The family's broadcasting assets were later organized under Taft Broadcasting, with the WKRC radio and television properties serving as important holdings. In 1952, following federal channel-allocation changes, the station moved from channel 11 to channel 12, the position it retains today. The station initially operated as a CBS affiliate, but in 1961 it exchanged affiliations with WCPO-TV and became an ABC affiliate. The change reflected a broader Taft Broadcasting strategy influenced by its relationship with ABC leadership. During its ABC period, WKRC-TV developed a strong local identity through news, talk, movie, and entertainment programming. Its 1960s branding included the nickname “Tall 12,” a reference to its prominent transmitter tower. The station also participated in local and regional programming experiments, including the short-lived Tri-State Network and a pioneering commercial teletext service introduced in 1983 after a field trial. Ownership changed repeatedly from the late 1980s through the 2010s. Taft Broadcasting was absorbed into Great American Broadcasting after a hostile takeover in 1987. Great American later became Citicasters and entered bankruptcy proceedings. WKRC-TV was acquired by Jacor in 1996 and became part of Clear Channel Communications when Jacor merged with that company in 1998. Clear Channel adopted the “Local 12” identity in 2003, a brand emphasizing locally produced news and community coverage. The station was sold with Clear Channel's television division to Newport Television in 2008. Newport later sold WKRC-TV to Sinclair Broadcast Group in a transaction completed in December 2012. WKRC-TV returned to CBS on June 3, 1996, reversing the affiliation exchange that had taken place 35 years earlier. The switch occurred during the broader realignment of American television affiliations in the 1990s, with WCPO-TV moving to ABC. CBS programming remains the station's principal network offering. The station also carries significant sports programming, including Cincinnati Bengals games under CBS's AFC rights arrangement beginning in 1998. It historically carried annual Cincinnati Reds Opening Day coverage as well, although that arrangement ended before 2023. WKRC-DT2 launched as a CW affiliate in September 2006, following the creation of The CW from the merger of The WB and UPN programming. The subchannel was initially branded “The CinCW” and later adopted the name The CW Cincinnati. Its launch expanded the station's business from a single CBS service to a two-channel local television operation. In addition to network programming, the subchannel has carried syndicated shows, movies, selected local sports, occasional FC Cincinnati telecasts, and overflow programming when the main channel has breaking news or sports commitments. WKRC-TV's present positioning combines network television, local news, weather, sports, syndicated programming, and digital distribution under the Local 12 identity.

WKRC-TV began service on April 4, 1949, as a VHF channel 11 station in Cincinnati. It was the city's second television station to sign on and the first to receive an FCC license. The station was associated with the Taft family, whose media holdings included the Cincinnati Times-Star and WKRC radio. These broadcasting properties were later consolidated under Taft Broadcasting. The station moved to channel 12 on October 12, 1952, following the FCC's revised television channel assignments. In the early 1950s, WKRC-TV participated in the Tri-State Network, a cooperative effort involving Taft and Cox-owned stations in Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton. The network was intended to compete with Crosley Broadcasting's regional programming operations but was short-lived. WKRC-TV continued to develop local programming and, during the 1960s, was promoted as “Tall 12,” referring to its transmitter tower. It also used distinctive station-identification music and cultivated local personalities. As an ABC affiliate, the station carried network entertainment while also scheduling local talk, movie, and public-affairs programming. WKRC-TV changed affiliations in 1961, moving from CBS to ABC in an exchange with WCPO-TV. The move was part of a wider Taft Broadcasting relationship with ABC. During this period, WKRC-TV sometimes delayed or preempted network programs in favor of local productions, syndicated programs, movies, or specials. One notable local programming tradition was The Past Prime Playhouse, a late-night Saturday movie presentation hosted by Bob Shreve, which continued into 1988. The station also aired programs associated with Taft's ownership of Hanna-Barbera after the animation company was acquired by Taft in 1967. The station experimented with new television technology in the early 1980s. In June 1983, after a year-long field test, WKRC-TV began commercial transmission of teletext magazines for Cincinnati viewers equipped with Electra decoders. The service offered information pages, games, and closed captions and was promoted locally by Zenith Electronics. Although the service was technologically pioneering, contemporary local criticism focused on slow page loading, basic graphics, and limited content. The teletext operation later became part of a nationally syndicated service and was discontinued in 1993. Taft Broadcasting was taken over in 1987, and most of its television stations became part of Great American Broadcasting. Great American was renamed Citicasters in 1993 and subsequently entered bankruptcy proceedings. WKRC-TV was purchased by Jacor Communications in September 1996. That transaction returned the television station to common ownership with WKRC radio, which Jacor had acquired earlier. Jacor merged with Clear Channel Communications in 1998. The 1990s brought another major programming change. During the national affiliation realignment associated with the collapse of long-standing network arrangements, WKRC-TV returned to CBS on June 3, 1996. WCPO-TV moved to ABC, reversing the 1961 exchange. WKRC-TV has remained a CBS affiliate since that date. In 1998, CBS's acquisition of AFC rights made WKRC-TV a principal Cincinnati outlet for Bengals games. The station also carried Cincinnati Reds Opening Day coverage for many years. Clear Channel changed the station's branding to Local 12 in 2003. The identity highlighted local news and regional service rather than relying solely on the CBS network affiliation. In 2006, WKRC-TV was described by Clear Channel as its leading CBS affiliate in the United States. Clear Channel announced that it would sell its entire television group after refocusing on radio and event businesses. WKRC-TV was transferred to Newport Television in March 2008. Newport subsequently eliminated 7.5 percent of jobs across its station group during an economic downturn; WKRC-TV reportedly lost 18 staff positions in that reduction. The station's digital expansion began in 2006, when WKRC-DT2 launched as a Cincinnati affiliate of The CW. The service was initially branded The CinCW and later became The CW Cincinnati. It carries the network's schedule as well as syndicated programs, movies, occasional local sports, and selected overflow or repeat programming. Its launch also required negotiations with local cable systems, helping it achieve wider distribution than the former low-power UPN outlet it replaced. Newport Television agreed in 2012 to sell WKRC-TV to Sinclair Broadcast Group. The sale closed on December 3, 2012. WSTR-TV was transferred to Deerfield Media because of local ownership limitations, while Sinclair retained operational control through a local marketing agreement. WKRC-TV and WSTR-TV consequently became a linked Cincinnati station group. Today, WKRC-TV operates as a CBS affiliate and local news organization under the Local 12 brand, with The CW Cincinnati providing a second digital service.

1. 2012Sinclair acquisition

   Sinclair Broadcast Group completes its purchase of WKRC-TV in December.

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2. 2008Newport Television ownership

   Newport Television completes its acquisition of WKRC-TV from Clear Channel.

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3. 2006WKRC-DT2 launches

   The CW begins airing on the station's second digital subchannel.

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4. 2003Local 12 branding adopted

   The station adopts the Local 12 identity to foreground its local Cincinnati service.

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5. 1998Cincinnati Bengals coverage expands

   CBS's AFC broadcast rights make WKRC-TV the primary Cincinnati market outlet for most Bengals games.

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6. 1996Return to CBS

   The station resumes CBS affiliation on June 3, ending its 35-year ABC period.

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7. 1983Commercial teletext launch

   WKRC-TV introduces an Electra-compatible commercial teletext service after a local trial.

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8. 1961ABC affiliation begins

   WKRC-TV exchanges affiliations with WCPO-TV and becomes an ABC station.

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9. 1952Move to channel 12

   The station moves from VHF channel 11 to channel 12 after federal channel-allocation changes.

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10. 1949Sign-on as a channel 11 station

    WKRC-TV begins broadcasting in Cincinnati on April 4 as the market's second television station and first FCC-licensed station.

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A locally focused Cincinnati television news and entertainment brand anchored by CBS affiliation, with an additional CW service delivered through its digital subchannel.

• WKRC-TV main channelCBS-affiliated broadcast television1949

  The station's primary broadcast service on virtual channel 12. It combines CBS network programming with locally produced news, weather, traffic, public-affairs, sports, syndicated programming, and special events for the Cincinnati market.

• The CW CincinnatiDigital multicast television2006

  WKRC-DT2 is the station's second digital subchannel and Cincinnati's CW service. It carries the CW schedule in addition to syndicated programs, movies, selected local sports, and occasional programming displaced or repeated from WKRC-TV.

• Local 12 NewsLocal television news

  The Local 12 news operation provides Cincinnati-area reporting, weather, traffic, investigations, community stories, and breaking-news coverage through broadcast and digital channels.

• Electra teletext serviceTeletext information service1983

  A pioneering 1980s data-broadcasting service that transmitted information pages, games, and closed captions to viewers with compatible Electra decoders. The service was later discontinued.

• 2003Local 12 branding

  Cincinnati, Ohio

  WKRC-TV replaced its previous station-centered branding with Local 12, a name designed to emphasize local news, weather, and community relevance.

  Outcome. The Local 12 identity remains the station's principal consumer brand.

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• 2012Sell WKRC-TV to SinclairM&A

  Newport Television agreed to sell numerous stations to several broadcast groups as it reduced its station portfolio.

  What changed. Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired WKRC-TV, with the transaction closing on December 3.

  Aftermath. WKRC-TV became part of Sinclair's Cincinnati operations and was linked with WSTR-TV through a local marketing arrangement.

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• 2006Add The CW on WKRC-DT2Product launch

  The WB and UPN were being replaced by The CW, a new network formed through a partnership involving CBS Corporation and Warner Bros.

  What changed. WKRC-TV launched The CW on its second digital subchannel, initially branded The CinCW.

  Aftermath. The service became known as The CW Cincinnati and expanded WKRC-TV's local programming and advertising platform.

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• 1996Return to CBS affiliationStrategy

  The Cincinnati market was affected by the national affiliation realignment of the mid-1990s. WCPO-TV moved to ABC while WKRC-TV's ABC agreement expired.

  What changed. WKRC-TV resumed CBS programming on June 3, 1996.

  Aftermath. CBS has remained the station's principal network affiliation, and the station became a major local outlet for CBS sports rights, including AFC football.

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• 1983Launch commercial teletext transmissionProduct launch

  WKRC-TV conducted a year-long field trial of a new data-broadcasting service for Cincinnati households.

  What changed. The station began transmitting approximately 100 information and game screens, together with closed-caption data, to Electra decoder owners.

  Aftermath. The service was later syndicated nationally but was discontinued in 1993 as the technology failed to achieve lasting consumer adoption.

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• 1961Exchange ABC and CBS affiliations with WCPO-TVStrategy

  Taft Broadcasting pursued a broader relationship with ABC, whose leadership sought to strengthen the network's station portfolio.

  What changed. WKRC-TV left CBS and became an ABC affiliate, while WCPO-TV moved in the opposite direction.

  Aftermath. WKRC-TV remained with ABC until 1996, when the affiliation exchange was reversed.

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• 2012WKRC-TV is sold to Sinclair Broadcast Group

  Sinclair acquires WKRC-TV from Newport Television in a transaction completed in December. WSTR-TV is placed with Deerfield Media but remains linked to Sinclair through a local marketing agreement.

  M&A
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• 2008WKRC-TV is sold to Newport Television

  Clear Channel completes the sale of its television division, transferring WKRC-TV to Newport Television.

  M&A
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• 2006WKRC-DT2 launches as a CW affiliate

  WKRC-TV adds a second digital channel carrying The CW, initially using the “The CinCW” brand.

  Product launch
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• 2003WKRC-TV adopts the Local 12 brand

  The station changes its consumer-facing identity to Local 12, emphasizing its Cincinnati service area and local programming.

  Campaign
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• 1996WKRC-TV returns to CBS

  The station reverses its 1961 affiliation switch and becomes a CBS affiliate again, while WCPO-TV moves to ABC.

  Leadership change
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• 1983WKRC-TV introduces commercial teletext service

  After a field trial, the station begins transmitting teletext magazines, information screens, games, and closed captions to local viewers using Electra decoders.

  Product launch
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• 1961WKRC-TV changes from CBS to ABC

  WKRC-TV exchanges network affiliations with WCPO-TV and begins a lengthy period as Cincinnati's ABC affiliate.

  Other
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• 1952WKRC-TV moves to channel 12

  The station changes its broadcast channel from VHF 11 to VHF 12 following federal television channel-allocation changes.

  Other
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• 1949WKRC-TV begins broadcasting in Cincinnati

  The station signs on as a VHF channel 11 broadcaster and becomes Cincinnati's second television station.

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1. WKRC-TV
2. Local 12 WKRC-TV