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WSB-TV "Channel 2" (Channel 2, DTV 39) is the ABC affiliate in Atlanta. It is the flagship station of Cox Enterprises along with WSB-AM-FM and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Its transmitter is located in Atlanta.
History
WSB-TV is the second-oldest station south of Washington, D.C.; only Richmond, Va.'s WTVR-TV is older. It is also the oldest station in Atlanta. The station first began broadcasting on September 29, 1948. James M. Cox started the station; he also owned WSB radio and the Atlanta Journal, an ownership combination that led eventually to the modern-day Cox Enterprises. WSB-TV originally broadcast on channel 8. At that time, its present channel 2 allocation was licensed to the Journal's rival newspaper, the Atlanta Constitution, who had plans to start WCON-TV there. In 1950, the two newspapers merged, becoming the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. At the time, the Federal Communications Commission did not allow one entity to own two television stations in the same market. So, the two stations merged, keeping the WSB-TV call letters, and moved to WCON's old channel (2). At that point, channel 8 was then occupied by the new WLWA-TV. In 1952, the Federal Communications Commission reallocated channel 8 for non-commercial educational use, and its city of license was changed from Atlanta to Athens -- home of the University of Georgia. However, that station, WGTV, did not begin educational broadcasting until May 23, 1960. WGTV became the flagship station of Georgia Educational Television, now known as Georgia Public Broadcasting. At that time, WLWA moved to channel 11, where it is now known as WXIA-TV.
In 1955, the WSB stations moved into the noted "White Columns" building. They would remain there for 43 years, until a modern new facility was built adjacent to it on the same property in 1998. The new building, which has been called "Digital White Columns" by some, is located just off Atlanta's famed Peachtree Street. The older building was razed shortly after the new building was occupied. The original columns that stood on the front portico of the old building were placed in the glass-enclosed lobby of the newer building.
From its sign-on, WSB-TV was affiliated with the NBC television network, as WSB radio had been with NBC for many years. It also carried some ABC programs from its until WLWA signed on in 1951. However, in 1980, it swapped affiliations with WXIA, becoming an ABC affiliate. At that time, WSB was the ratings leader, and ABC -- then the #1 network -- wanted to affiliate with market ratings leaders (NBC had slipped to third by then). Former NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw worked at WSB-TV in the past.
WSB-DT went on the air on April 17, 1998 (just before the move), making it one of the first regular-service DTV stations in the country.
Newscasts
WSB-TV's newscasts, known as "Channel 2 Action News", are seen at the following times:
Weekdays:
- Channel 2 Action News This Morning - 5-7am
- Channel 2 Action News at Noon - 12-1pm
- Channel 2 Action News at 5 - 5-6pm
- Channel 2 Action News at 6 - 6-7pm
- Channel 2 Action News Nightbeat at 11 - 11-11:35pm
- Channel 2 Action News Saturday AM - 6-10am
- Channel 2 Action News Sunday AM - 7:30-11am
- Channel 2 Action News at Noon - Noon-12:30pm
- Channel 2 Action News at 6 - 6-7pm
- Channel 2 Action News Nightbeat at 11 - 11-11:35pm (called The Nightbeat)
Action News has led the ratings in the Atlanta area for many years. Long-time newscasters Monica Kaufman, John Pruitt, and Jovita Moore, and meteorologist Glenn Burns are well-known in metro Atlanta.
Criticisms
WSB is one of the few ABC affiliates not to air Jimmy Kimmel Live. WSB's sister station in Charlotte (WSOC-TV) also does not air the program.
See also
External links
ABC network affiliates | Television stations in Georgia (U.S. state) | Cox Television | Channel 2 TV stations in the United States
"WSB-TV"