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Baltimore's Broadcast Beacon

Tracing the evolution of WMAR-TV, Baltimore's pioneering television station, from its inception to its modern-day role.

Station History ๐Ÿ‘‡ Technical Details โš™๏ธ

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Station History

Early Years & Inauguration

WMAR-TV commenced broadcasting on October 30, 1947, marking its status as Maryland's inaugural television station and the fourteenth commercial station to launch in the United States. Founded by the A. S. Abell Company, publishers of The Baltimore Sun, it represented a significant expansion into broadcasting for the newspaper conglomerate. The station's initial broadcast featured horse races from Pimlico Race Course. Its early studios and transmitter were located in downtown Baltimore before relocating to the purpose-built "Television Park" on York Road in Towson in May 1963.

Affiliation Shifts

Initially operating as an independent station, WMAR-TV became Baltimore's third full-time CBS affiliate on March 29, 1948. It also held secondary affiliations with ABC and DuMont during its nascent phase. A significant shift occurred on August 30, 1981, when WMAR-TV switched its primary affiliation from CBS to NBC, displacing WBAL-TV. This move was influenced by CBS's decision, citing WMAR-TV's ratings and preemptions. Later, on January 2, 1995, WMAR-TV transitioned to ABC, replacing WJZ-TV, as part of a broader network affiliation realignment.

Infrastructure & Ownership

In 1959, WMAR-TV, alongside WBAL-TV and WJZ-TV, contributed to the construction of the world's first three-antenna candelabra tower on "Television Hill." This landmark structure significantly enhanced signal coverage across Central Maryland. The station's ownership history includes the A. S. Abell Company, followed by Times Mirror Company, Gillett Communications, and ultimately, the E. W. Scripps Company, which acquired it in 1991. Sinclair Broadcast Group made a notable attempt to challenge WMAR-TV's license renewal in 1991, but the station retained its channel 2 allocation.

Labor Action

A significant event in the station's history was the strike initiated by American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) members on March 1, 1982, following failed contract negotiations. Union members, including those from the Teamsters and Communication Workers of America, picketed the station. The strike concluded shortly thereafter when Brooks Robinson, a popular former Baltimore Orioles player and WMAR personality, refused to cross the picket line. This event led to the subsequent dismissal of key news anchors.

Programming & Content

Network Lineup

Throughout its history, WMAR-TV has broadcast programming from major networks including CBS, NBC, and currently ABC. The station has occasionally preempted network programming for local specials or syndicated content, a practice that sometimes led to audience confusion and ratings impacts. Notably, the decision to carry The Rosie O'Donnell Show over The Oprah Winfrey Show in the mid-1990s had long-term consequences for the station's afternoon ratings.

Sports Broadcasting

WMAR-TV has a notable legacy in sports broadcasting. It served as the flagship station for the Baltimore Colts in the 1950s, featuring announcer Chuck Thompson. From 1979 to 1993, it broadcast Baltimore Orioles games. The station is particularly recognized for its pioneering role in televising college lacrosse, beginning in 1998 with the Johns Hopkins University rivalry game against the University of Maryland. This coverage expanded into a game-of-the-week package, often produced in partnership with ESPN, significantly boosting the sport's visibility in the region.

Notable Personalities

The station has been home to several influential on-air personalities. Jim McKay, who later achieved national fame with ABC Sports, began his broadcasting career at WMAR-TV, calling its inaugural horse races. Helen Delich Bentley, a maritime editor for The Baltimore Sun, hosted the program The Port That Built a City. Brooks Robinson, a celebrated Baltimore Orioles third baseman, also served as a WMAR personality. Quint Kessenich, a lacrosse commentator, also began his career at WMAR.

Technical Information

Digital Transition

WMAR-TV transitioned from analog to digital broadcasting on VHF channel 2 on June 12, 2009. Its digital signal initially relocated from UHF channel 52 to UHF channel 38. Following the FCC's spectrum repacking process after the 2016-2017 incentive auction, the station moved again to UHF channel 27, maintaining its virtual channel 2 designation.

Subchannel Offerings

WMAR-TV operates multiple digital subchannels, providing a diverse range of programming:

  • 2.1 WMAR-HD: Carries the primary ABC network feed in high definition.
  • 2.2 GRIT: Features programming from Grit, a network targeting men.
  • 2.3 BOUNCE: Broadcasts content from Bounce TV, focusing on African-American audiences.
  • 2.4 MYSTERY: Airs programming from Ion Mystery, specializing in crime and mystery genres.
  • 2.5 ION TV: Carries the national Ion Television network.
  • 2.6 CourtTV: Features programming from Court TV, focusing on legal trials and justice system news.
  • 2.7 Newsy: Offers news content from Newsy, a digital news network.
  • 2.8 HSN: Broadcasts content from the Home Shopping Network.

Additionally, WMAR-TV carries Antenna TV on subchannel 54.2 on behalf of WNUV.

News Operations

Market Position

Despite its historical significance and early network affiliations, WMAR-TV's local newscasts have consistently ranked third among Baltimore's major network affiliates since the early 1960s. The station produces 26 hours of local news programming weekly, which is the lowest output among Baltimore's news-producing stations. It notably does not air weekday midday newscasts and has historically preempted portions of Saturday morning programming.

Ratings & Development

The station's news ratings have generally trailed competitors WJZ-TV and WBAL-TV significantly for decades. Even with NBC's strong prime-time lineup as a lead-in during the 1980s, WMAR-TV remained a third-place contender. In recent years, WMAR-TV has focused on local consumer reports, including the "Don't Waste Your Money" series. The station began broadcasting in high definition on October 4, 2010, and was the first in the market to expand its weekday morning newscast to 4:30 a.m. on April 18, 2011.

Station Overview

Ownership & Branding

WMAR-TV is owned by the E. W. Scripps Company. Its studios and offices are situated on York Road in Towson, Maryland. The station's transmitter is located on Television Hill in Woodberry, Baltimore. In April 2018, WMAR-TV rebranded to "WMAR 2," emphasizing its heritage as Maryland's first television station and its commitment to the local community. This rebranding included the adoption of a modernized version of its classic "2" logo.

Public Information

The station maintains public files with the FCC, accessible online, detailing its operations and compliance. These resources provide transparency regarding the station's licensing and community service commitments. WMAR-TV's official website, www.wmar2news.com, serves as a primary source for current news, weather, and station information.

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the WMAR-TV Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional media advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation regarding broadcasting, media law, or station operations. Always refer to official documentation and consult with qualified professionals for specific needs.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.