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WMAR-TV holds the distinction of being the first television station to commence broadcasting in Maryland.
Answer: True
Upon its launch on October 30, 1947, WMAR-TV became the first television station to operate in Maryland and the fourteenth commercial television station in the United States.
What was the significance of WMAR-TV's initial broadcast date in 1947?
Answer: It was the first television station to operate in Maryland and the fourteenth in the US.
WMAR-TV commenced broadcasting on October 30, 1947, establishing it as the first television station in Maryland and the fourteenth commercial television station nationally.
WMAR-TV, broadcasting on channel 2, is currently affiliated with the NBC network.
Answer: False
WMAR-TV is currently affiliated with the ABC network. Its historical affiliations include CBS and NBC.
WMAR-TV transitioned its primary network affiliation from NBC to CBS in 1981.
Answer: False
In 1981, WMAR-TV switched its primary affiliation from CBS to NBC. Its later move to ABC occurred in 1995.
WMAR-TV became an ABC affiliate in 1995, displacing WJZ-TV from that network affiliation.
Answer: True
On January 2, 1995, WMAR-TV switched its primary affiliation to ABC, a move that resulted in WJZ-TV, the previous ABC affiliate, switching to CBS.
WMAR-TV has primarily been affiliated with ABC throughout its entire operational history.
Answer: False
WMAR-TV's primary affiliations have included CBS (1948-1981), NBC (1981-1995), and ABC (1995-present). It has not been primarily affiliated with ABC throughout its history.
Which network is WMAR-TV currently affiliated with?
Answer: ABC
WMAR-TV is currently affiliated with the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), having made this switch in 1995.
Why did CBS decide to move its affiliation away from WMAR-TV in 1981?
Answer: WMAR-TV had poor newscast ratings and preempted network programming.
CBS relocated its affiliation to WBAL-TV in 1981, citing WMAR-TV's suboptimal news ratings and its practice of preempting network programming for local or syndicated content.
The 1995 affiliation switch resulted in WMAR-TV moving to ABC and which other station moving to CBS?
Answer: WJZ-TV
In the 1995 affiliation swap, WJZ-TV, previously the ABC affiliate, moved to CBS, while WMAR-TV became the ABC affiliate.
Which of the following was NOT a primary network affiliation held by WMAR-TV?
Answer: Fox
WMAR-TV has been a primary affiliate for CBS, NBC, and ABC. It has never held a primary affiliation with the Fox network.
What was the nature of the affiliation swap involving WMAR-TV, WJZ-TV, and WBAL-TV in 1995?
Answer: WMAR-TV moved to ABC, WJZ-TV moved to CBS, and WBAL-TV moved to NBC.
The 1995 affiliation swap saw WMAR-TV transition to ABC, WJZ-TV move to CBS, and WBAL-TV switch to NBC, representing a significant realignment of network affiliations in the Baltimore market.
The A. S. Abell Company, publisher of The Baltimore Sun, founded WMAR-TV and initially operated it as a CBS affiliate.
Answer: False
While WMAR-TV was founded by the A. S. Abell Company, it initially operated as an independent station due to market conditions before becoming a CBS affiliate.
A significant labor strike involving WMAR-TV's on-air talent occurred in 1982 following the failure of contract negotiations with AFTRA.
Answer: True
On March 1, 1982, WMAR-TV experienced a major strike by its on-air talent after contract negotiations with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) reached an impasse.
The E. W. Scripps Company acquired WMAR-TV in 1986 directly from its original owner, the A. S. Abell Company.
Answer: False
The E. W. Scripps Company acquired WMAR-TV in 1991, not 1986. The original owner was the A. S. Abell Company, but ownership passed through several entities before Scripps acquired it.
Sinclair Broadcast Group successfully challenged WMAR-TV's license renewal in 1991, resulting in the station losing its channel 2 allocation.
Answer: False
Sinclair Broadcast Group did challenge WMAR-TV's license renewal in 1991, but the challenge was unsuccessful, and WMAR-TV retained its channel 2 allocation.
Who was the original owner of WMAR-TV?
Answer: The A. S. Abell Company
WMAR-TV was originally founded and owned by the A. S. Abell Company, the publisher of The Baltimore Sun.
Which labor union was involved in the 1982 strike at WMAR-TV?
Answer: American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA)
The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) was the primary labor union involved in the 1982 strike at WMAR-TV after contract negotiations failed.
What was the sequence of ownership changes for WMAR-TV in the late 1980s and early 1990s?
Answer: Abell -> Times Mirror -> Gillett/SCI -> Scripps
Following the original ownership by A. S. Abell, the station was acquired by Times Mirror (1986), then Gillett Communications/SCI Television, and E. W. Scripps Company finalized its purchase in 1991.
Who challenged WMAR-TV's license renewal in 1991, advocating for local ownership?
Answer: Sinclair Broadcast Group
Sinclair Broadcast Group filed a competing application during WMAR-TV's license renewal process in 1991, arguing for local ownership, but this challenge was ultimately unsuccessful.
The original ownership of WMAR-TV by the A. S. Abell Company (publisher of The Baltimore Sun) was permitted to continue due to:
Answer: The ownership being 'grandfathered' under FCC cross-ownership rules.
The FCC's cross-ownership rules, which generally prohibited common ownership of newspapers and broadcast stations in the same market, allowed the A. S. Abell Company's ownership of WMAR-TV to continue because it was 'grandfathered'.
WMAR-TV's transmitter and studios are both situated on Television Hill in Baltimore.
Answer: False
WMAR-TV's transmitter is located on Television Hill, but its studios and offices are situated in Towson, Maryland.
The distinctive candelabra tower, erected in 1959, was a collaborative project involving WMAR-TV and WJZ-TV to enhance signal coverage.
Answer: True
In 1959, WMAR-TV, along with WBAL-TV and WJZ-TV, jointly constructed the world's first three-antenna candelabra tower on Television Hill to improve broadcast signal reach.
WMAR-TV commenced broadcasting its local newscasts in high definition (HD) on October 4, 2010.
Answer: True
On October 4, 2010, WMAR-TV began broadcasting its local news programs in high definition (HD), making it the last station in the Baltimore market and the final Scripps-owned station at that time to adopt HD news production.
WMAR-TV carries GRIT and BOUNCE TV on its subchannels 2.2 and 2.3, respectively.
Answer: True
WMAR-TV broadcasts GRIT on its 2.2 subchannel and BOUNCE TV on its 2.3 subchannel, among other digital multicast services.
WMAR-TV transitioned from analog to digital broadcasting on VHF channel 2 in 2009.
Answer: False
WMAR-TV ceased its analog broadcast on VHF channel 2 on June 12, 2009. Its digital signal initially operated on UHF channel 38, later moving to UHF channel 27.
Where are WMAR-TV's main studios and offices located?
Answer: Towson, Maryland
WMAR-TV's primary studios and administrative offices are situated in Towson, Maryland, located just north of the Baltimore City-Baltimore County boundary.
What significant infrastructure project did WMAR-TV participate in on Television Hill in 1959?
Answer: Installation of the world's first three-antenna candelabra tower.
In 1959, WMAR-TV collaborated with WBAL-TV and WJZ-TV to construct the world's first three-antenna candelabra tower on Television Hill, significantly improving signal coverage.
When did WMAR-TV begin broadcasting its local newscasts in high definition (HD)?
Answer: 2010
WMAR-TV initiated the broadcast of its local newscasts in high definition (HD) on October 4, 2010.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a current subchannel broadcast by WMAR-TV?
Answer: ME TV
According to the provided information, WMAR-TV's subchannels include GRIT, BOUNCE TV, and Ion Mystery, among others. ME TV is not listed as one of its current subchannel offerings.
WMAR-TV ceased broadcasting its analog signal on which date?
Answer: June 12, 2009
WMAR-TV concluded its analog television broadcasts on VHF channel 2 on June 12, 2009, as part of the nationwide transition to digital broadcasting.
What technical change occurred for WMAR-TV's digital signal on July 2, 2020?
Answer: It moved from UHF channel 38 to UHF channel 27.
As a result of spectrum repacking following the 2016-2017 FCC incentive auction, WMAR-TV relocated its digital broadcast signal from UHF channel 38 to UHF channel 27 on July 2, 2020.
Following its switch to ABC in 1995, WMAR-TV experienced a significant increase in ratings, achieving first place in numerous time slots.
Answer: False
Contrary to an increase, WMAR-TV saw a significant decline in ratings after switching to ABC in 1995, often falling to third place in many time slots due to the established strength of WJZ-TV.
In 1996, WMAR-TV opted not to renew its carriage of 'The Oprah Winfrey Show,' choosing instead to air 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'.
Answer: False
WMAR-TV chose not to renew 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' in 1996, but it opted for 'The Rosie O'Donnell Show,' not 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'.
As a CBS affiliate, WMAR-TV consistently broadcast the full network schedule without any preemptions.
Answer: False
While affiliated with CBS, WMAR-TV preempted portions of the network's schedule, including daytime and late-night programming, although viewers could often access the full schedule via stations in Washington D.C.
During its affiliation with ABC, WMAR-TV preempted 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'.
Answer: False
WMAR-TV preempted 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson' primarily during its affiliation with NBC in the mid-1980s, not while it was an ABC affiliate.
Upon joining ABC, WMAR-TV immediately began airing the complete Saturday morning lineup as recommended by the network.
Answer: False
Initially, after switching to ABC, WMAR-TV preempted a significant portion of the network's Saturday morning lineup. Adjustments were later made to comply more closely with network recommendations.
WMAR-TV served as the flagship station for the Baltimore Orioles for over two decades, spanning from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s.
Answer: True
WMAR-TV broadcast Baltimore Orioles games from 1979 to 1993, functioning as the team's flagship station during that period.
WMAR-TV pioneered the television broadcast of lacrosse by televising the Johns Hopkins vs. Maryland rivalry game commencing in 1998.
Answer: True
In 1998, WMAR-TV began televising the Johns Hopkins vs. Maryland lacrosse rivalry, a significant step in bringing the sport to a wider television audience and pioneering its broadcast coverage.
WMAR-TV concluded its lacrosse broadcasts following the 2011 season due to ESPN's decision to cease collaboration.
Answer: True
The station ceased its lacrosse broadcasts after the 2011 season because ESPN, its production partner, decided to end the collaboration, making the broadcasts financially unviable for WMAR-TV alone.
WMAR-TV produces 26 hours of local newscasts weekly, representing the highest output among Baltimore television stations.
Answer: False
WMAR-TV broadcasts 26 hours of local news weekly, which is the lowest output among Baltimore's 'Big Three' network affiliates.
WMAR-TV airs a weekday midday newscast, consistent with the programming practices of most ABC affiliates in the Eastern Time Zone.
Answer: False
WMAR-TV does not air a weekday midday newscast, which deviates from the common practice among many ABC affiliates in the Eastern Time Zone.
WMAR-TV's newscasts have consistently held the top position in Baltimore news ratings since the station's inception.
Answer: False
Historically, WMAR-TV's newscasts have consistently ranked last or a distant third among Baltimore's major network affiliates, never consistently holding first place since its inception.
WMAR-TV was the first station in Baltimore to extend its weekday morning newscast to the 4:30 a.m. timeslot.
Answer: True
On April 18, 2011, WMAR-TV became the first television station in the Baltimore market to initiate its weekday morning newscast at the earlier hour of 4:30 a.m.
What was the primary reason for WMAR-TV's significant ratings decline after switching to ABC in 1995?
Answer: The strength of WJZ-TV as the previous dominant ABC affiliate.
The ratings decline was largely attributed to the established dominance of WJZ-TV, which had been the primary ABC affiliate for many years, making the transition difficult for WMAR-TV.
In 1996, WMAR-TV made a costly programming decision by choosing not to renew which popular daytime show?
Answer: The Oprah Winfrey Show
WMAR-TV's decision not to renew its carriage of 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' in 1996 proved to be a significant misstep, as the show continued its success on another station.
What is notable about WMAR-TV's local news programming schedule compared to other Baltimore stations?
Answer: It does not air a weekday midday newscast.
WMAR-TV's news programming schedule is notable for its absence of a weekday midday newscast and its limited total weekly hours, placing it lowest among Baltimore's major network affiliates.
Historically, how have WMAR-TV's news ratings generally compared to WJZ-TV and WBAL-TV?
Answer: They have consistently ranked last or a distant third.
WMAR-TV's news ratings have historically lagged significantly behind competitors WJZ-TV and WBAL-TV, typically ranking last or a distant third in the Baltimore market for decades.
The decision by WMAR-TV not to carry 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' in favor of 'The Rosie O'Donnell Show' ultimately contributed to:
Answer: WMAR-TV's sustained ratings decline in the evening news block.
This programming choice negatively impacted WMAR-TV's ratings, contributing to a sustained decline in its evening news block, as 'Oprah' continued its success elsewhere while 'Rosie' had a shorter run.
What is the 'Don't Waste Your Money' series, aired by WMAR-TV?
Answer: Consumer reports produced by WCPO-TV in Cincinnati, aired by WMAR-TV.
The 'Don't Waste Your Money' series comprises consumer reports originally produced by WCPO-TV in Cincinnati, which are then aired by WMAR-TV and other Scripps-owned stations.
WMAR-TV's historical involvement with the Baltimore Colts primarily included:
Answer: Serving as the flagship station and airing a post-game show.
WMAR-TV served as the flagship station for the Baltimore Colts, featuring announcer Chuck Thompson and producing a post-game show titled 'Colt Wrap-Up'.
Helen Delich Bentley, a maritime editor for The Baltimore Sun, hosted which type of program on WMAR-TV?
Answer: A weekly program focused on maritime, shipping, and transportation news
Helen Delich Bentley hosted 'The Port That Built a City,' a weekly program on WMAR-TV focusing on maritime, shipping, and transportation news.
WMAR-TV rebranded to 'WMAR 2' in 2018, a move intended to emphasize its heritage as Maryland's inaugural television station.
Answer: True
The rebranding to 'WMAR 2' in 2018 was indeed aimed at highlighting WMAR-TV's status as Maryland's first television station and its enduring commitment to the state.
The call sign WMAR was chosen to signify the city of Baltimore.
Answer: False
The call sign WMAR was selected to represent the state of Maryland, not specifically the city of Baltimore.
What was the stated aim of WMAR-TV's rebranding to 'WMAR 2' in 2018?
Answer: To emphasize its heritage as Maryland's first TV station and commitment to the state.
The rebranding to 'WMAR 2' in 2018 was intended to underscore the station's historical significance as Maryland's first television station and its ongoing dedication to serving the state's population.
Jim McKay, a notable former WMAR-TV personality, later achieved widespread fame on ABC for hosting which type of programs?
Answer: Sports programs like 'Wide World of Sports' and Olympic coverage
Jim McKay, who began his broadcasting career at WMAR-TV, later became renowned on ABC for hosting major sports programs, most notably 'Wide World of Sports' and extensive Olympic event coverage.
What is the original meaning behind the WMAR call sign?
Answer: Maryland
The call sign WMAR was originally chosen to signify the state of Maryland, reflecting the station's primary service area.