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{{short description|CBS-owned television station in Minneapolis, Minnesota}}
{{Short description|TV station in Minneapolis}}
{{about|the station in Minneapolis that originally used the callsign WTCN-TV|the local area station also originally using this callsign|KARE (TV)|the station in West Palm Beach that currently uses this callsign|WTCN-CD}}
{{about|the station in Minneapolis–St. Paul that originally used the callsign WTCN-TV|the local station that subsequently used this callsign|KARE (TV)|the station in West Palm Beach that currently uses this callsign|WTCN-CD}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = WCCO-TV
| callsign = WCCO-TV
| city = Minneapolis, Minnesota
| city = Minneapolis, Minnesota
| logo = WCCO CBS 4 logo.png
| logo = [[File:WCCO-TV CBS News Minnesota logo.svg|frameless|class=skin-invert]]
| logo_upright = 1
| logo_size = 150px
| branding = WCCO Channel 4; ''WCCO 4 News / CBS News Minnesota''
| branding = WCCO; ''WCCO News / CBS News Minnesota''
| digital = 32 ([[ultra high frequency|UHF]])
| digital = 32 ([[UHF]])
| virtual = 4
| virtual = 4
| translators = ''see {{section link||Translators}}''
| subchannels =
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''4.1:''' [[CBS]]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}}
| translators = [[#Translators|See below]]
| owner = [[CBS News and Stations]]
| affiliations = '''4.1:''' [[CBS]]<br>'''4.2:''' [[Start TV]]<br>'''4.3:''' [[Dabl]]<br>'''4.4:''' [[Fave TV]]
| licensee = CBS Broadcasting Inc.
| owner = [[CBS News and Stations]]<br>([[Paramount Global]])
| location = [[Minneapolis]]–[[Saint Paul, Minnesota]]
| licensee = CBS Broadcasting Inc.
| country = United States
| location = [[Minneapolis]]–[[Saint Paul, Minnesota]]
| airdate = {{Start date and age|1949|07|01|p=y|br=y}}
| country = United States
| callsign_meaning = Derived from [[WCCO (AM)|WCCO radio]]
| founded =
| former_callsigns = WTCN-TV (1949–1952)
| airdate = {{Start date and age|1949|07|01|p=y}}
| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:''' 4 ([[VHF]], 1949–2009)
| last_airdate =
| former_affiliations = [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] (secondary, 1949–1953)
| callsign_meaning = Derived from former sister station [[WCCO (AM)]]
| erp = 1,000 kW
| sister_stations = '''Streaming:'''<br>[[CBS News (streaming service)|CBS News Minnesota]]
| haat = {{convert|455.9|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| former_callsigns = WTCN-TV (1949–1952)
| facility_id = 9629
| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:'''<br>4 ([[Very high frequency|VHF]], 1949–2009)
| coordinates = {{coord|45|3|45|N|93|8|22|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| former_affiliations = '''Secondary:'''<br>[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] (1949–1953)<br>[[Financial News Network|FNN]] (1981–1985)
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| erp = 1,000 [[kilowatt|kW]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/}}
| haat = {{convert|455.9|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 9629
| coordinates = {{nowrap|{{coord|45|3|45|N|93|8|22|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}}}
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/}}
}}
}}
'''WCCO-TV''' (channel 4) is a [[television station]] licensed to [[Minneapolis|Minneapolis, Minnesota]], United States, serving as the [[CBS]] outlet for the [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul|Twin Cities]] area. It is [[owned-and-operated station|owned and operated]] by the network's [[CBS News and Stations]] division, and maintains studios on South 11th Street along [[Nicollet Mall]] in [[Central, Minneapolis|downtown Minneapolis]]; its transmitter is located at the [[Telefarm Towers Shoreview|Telefarm]] complex in [[Shoreview, Minnesota]].


'''WCCO-TV''' (channel 4), branded '''CBS Minnesota''', is a [[television station]] licensed to [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]], United States, serving as the [[CBS]] outlet for the [[Twin Cities]] area. It is [[owned and operated]] by the network's [[CBS News and Stations]] division, and maintains studios on South 11th Street along [[Nicollet Mall]] in [[downtown Minneapolis]]; its transmitter is located at the [[Telefarm]] complex in [[Shoreview, Minnesota]].
WCCO-TV's programming is also seen on full-power [[broadcast relay station#Satellite stations|satellite station]] '''KCCW-TV''' (channel 12) in [[Walker, Minnesota|Walker]] (with transmitter near [[Hackensack, Minnesota|Hackensack]]). [[Nielsen Media Research]] treats WCCO-TV and KCCW-TV as one station in local ratings books, using the identifier name '''WCCO+'''. From 1987 until 2017, WCCO-TV operated a second satellite, '''KCCO-TV''' (virtual and VHF digital channel 7) in [[Alexandria, Minnesota|Alexandria]] (with transmitter near [[Westport, Minnesota|Westport]]).

WCCO-TV's programming is also seen on full-power [[satellite station]] '''KCCW-TV''' (channel 12) in [[Walker, Minnesota|Walker]] (with transmitter near [[Hackensack, Minnesota|Hackensack]]). [[Nielsen Media Research]] treats WCCO-TV and KCCW-TV as one station in local ratings books, using the identifier name '''WCCO+'''. From 1987 until 2017, WCCO-TV operated a second satellite, '''KCCO-TV''' (virtual and VHF digital channel 7) in [[Alexandria, Minnesota|Alexandria]] (with transmitter near [[Westport, Minnesota|Westport]]).


WCCO is one of three owned-and-operated network affiliates in the Twin Cities market, the others being [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] O&O [[KMSP-TV]] (channel 9) and [[MyNetworkTV]] O&O [[WFTC]] (channel 9.2).
WCCO is one of three owned-and-operated network affiliates in the Twin Cities market, the others being [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] O&O [[KMSP-TV]] (channel 9) and [[MyNetworkTV]] O&O [[WFTC]] (channel 9.2).


==History==
==History==
[[File:Wcco office.jpg|thumb|left|150px|The WCCO building in downtown Minneapolis.]]
[[File:Wcco office.jpg|thumb|150px|The WCCO building in downtown Minneapolis]]
WCCO-TV's roots originate with a radio station, but not the one with which it is affiliated today. Radio station [[WWTC|WRHM]], which signed on the air in 1925, is the station to which WCCO-TV traces its lineage. In 1934, two newspapers—the ''[[Minneapolis Tribune]]'' and the ''[[Saint Paul Pioneer Press|Saint Paul Pioneer Press-Dispatch]]''—formed a joint venture named "Twin Cities Newspapers", which purchased the radio station and changed its call letters to WTCN. Twin Cities Newspapers later expanded into the fledgling FM band with [[KTCZ-FM|WTCN-FM]], and shortly thereafter to the then-new medium of television with the launch of '''WTCN-TV''' on July 1, 1949, becoming Minnesota's second television station, broadcasting from the Radio City Theater at 50 South 9th Street in downtown Minneapolis. [[Robert Ridder]] became president of WCCO-TV in 1949.<ref name="Pavek">{{cite web|url=https://www.pavekmuseum.org/Ridder.htm|title=Bob Ridder|website=Pavek Museum of Broadcasting|access-date=October 8, 2018}}</ref> Channel 4 has been a primary CBS affiliate since its sign on; it is the only major commercial station in the Minneapolis–St. Paul market not to have changed its primary affiliation. However, it had a secondary affiliation with ABC during its early years, from 1949 to 1953,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10206529&catirn=10853547|title=Hennepin Avenue at Ninth Street, Minneapolis : Collections Online : mnhs.org|website=collections.mnhs.org}}</ref> until a new station using the WTCN-TV calls (now known as [[KARE-TV]]) picked up the ABC affiliation, retaining it from its 1953 sign on until 1961 when it became an [[independent station (North America)|independent station]]; it has been affiliated with NBC since 1979.
WCCO-TV's roots originate with a radio station, but not [[WCCO (AM)|WCCO]] (830 AM). Radio station [[WWTC|WRHM]], which signed on the air in 1925, is the station to which WCCO-TV traces its lineage. In 1934, two newspapers—the ''[[Minneapolis Tribune]]'' and the ''[[Saint Paul Pioneer Press|Saint Paul Pioneer Press-Dispatch]]''—formed a joint venture named "Twin Cities Newspapers", which purchased the radio station and changed its call letters to WTCN. Twin Cities Newspapers later expanded into the fledgling FM band with [[KTCZ-FM|WTCN-FM]], and shortly thereafter to the then-new medium of television with the launch of WTCN-TV on July 1, 1949, becoming Minnesota's second television station, broadcasting from the Radio City Theater at 50 South 9th Street in downtown Minneapolis. [[Robert Ridder]] became president of WCCO-TV in 1949.<ref name="Pavek">{{cite web|url=https://www.pavekmuseum.org/Ridder.htm|title=Bob Ridder|website=Pavek Museum of Broadcasting|access-date=October 8, 2018}}</ref> Channel 4 has been a primary CBS affiliate since its sign on; it is the only major commercial station in the Minneapolis–St. Paul market not to have changed its primary affiliation. However, it had a secondary affiliation with ABC during its early years, from 1949 to 1953,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10206529&catirn=10853547|title=Hennepin Avenue at Ninth Street, Minneapolis : Collections Online : mnhs.org|website=collections.mnhs.org}}</ref> until a new station using the WTCN-TV calls (now known as [[KARE-TV]]) picked up the ABC affiliation, retaining it from its 1953 sign on until 1961 when it became an [[independent station]]; it has been affiliated with NBC since 1979.


Twin Cities Newspapers sold off its broadcast holdings in 1952, with channel 4 going to the Murphy and McNally families, who had recently bought the Twin Cities' dominant radio station, [[WCCO (AM)|WCCO]] (830 AM), from CBS. The stations merged under a new company, [[Midwest Radio and Television]], with CBS as a minority partner. The call letters of channel 4 were changed to '''WCCO-TV''' to match its new radio sibling on August 17 (the WTCN-TV call sign appeared again in the market the following year on the new [[KARE (TV)|channel 11]]).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://llnw.static.cbslocal.com/station/wcco/community/09_0827_community_WCCOtimeline.pdf |title=Retrieved 2011-7-22 |access-date=July 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308045219/http://llnw.static.cbslocal.com/station/wcco/community/09_0827_community_WCCOtimeline.pdf |archive-date=March 8, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> CBS was forced to sell its minority ownership stake in the WCCO stations in 1954 to comply with [[Federal Communications Commission]] ownership limits of the time.
Twin Cities Newspapers sold off its broadcast holdings in 1952, with channel 4 going to the Murphy and McNally families, who had recently bought the Twin Cities' dominant radio station, WCCO, from CBS. The stations merged under a new company, [[Midwest Radio and Television]], with CBS as a minority partner. The call letters of channel 4 were changed to WCCO-TV to match its new radio sibling on August 17 (the WTCN-TV call sign appeared again in the market the following year on the new [[KARE (TV)|channel 11]]).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://llnw.static.cbslocal.com/station/wcco/community/09_0827_community_WCCOtimeline.pdf |title=Retrieved 2011-7-22 |access-date=July 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308045219/http://llnw.static.cbslocal.com/station/wcco/community/09_0827_community_WCCOtimeline.pdf |archive-date=March 8, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> CBS was forced to sell its minority ownership stake in the WCCO stations in 1954 to comply with [[Federal Communications Commission]] ownership limits of the time.


In 1959, WCCO became the first station in the midwest to have a videotape machine; it came at a cost of $50,000 and one part-time employee was hired to operate the machine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pavekmuseum.org/tctvchron.html|title=Twin Cities Television|website=www.pavekmuseum.org}}</ref> In 1961, with the establishment of the [[Minnesota Vikings]] of the [[National Football League]], the station, via [[NFL on CBS|CBS]], which held the rights to broadcast NFL games, became the 'unofficial' home station of the team. This partnership continued through the [[1993 Minnesota Vikings season|1993 season]], at which time most games were moved to [[WFTC]]. Today, most Vikings games are on [[KMSP-TV]]; since 1998, WCCO airs at least two Vikings games each season when the Vikings host an [[American Football Conference|AFC]] team, or, since 2014, with the institution of the new 'cross-flex' rules, any games that are moved from KMSP-TV. In 1992, WCCO provided coverage of [[Super Bowl XXVI]], which was hosted at the [[Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome]].
In 1959, WCCO became the first station in the midwest to have a videotape machine; it came at a cost of $50,000 and one part-time employee was hired to operate the machine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pavekmuseum.org/tctvchron.html|title=Twin Cities Television|website=pavekmuseum.org}}</ref>


On July 23, 1962, WCCO-TV was involved in the world's first live international broadcast via the [[Telstar]] satellite; the station's mobile units provided the feed for all three networks, ABC, CBS, and NBC, for a program originating from native land in the [[Black Hills]] showing [[Mount Rushmore]] to the world.
On July 23, 1962, WCCO-TV was involved in the world's first live international broadcast via the [[Telstar]] satellite; the station's mobile units provided the feed for all three networks, ABC, CBS, and NBC, for a program originating from native land in the [[Black Hills]] showing [[Mount Rushmore]] to the world.


[[File:WCCO_Circle_4_logo,_1977.png|thumb|right|The "Circle 4" logo used by WCCO-TV from 1977 to 2000.]]
[[File:WCCO Circle 4 logo, 1977.png|thumb|right|The "Circle 4" logo used by WCCO-TV from 1977 to 2000]]
The station began telecasting [[color television|color]] programs in 1955. In September 1983, WCCO relocated its operations from its longtime studios on South 9th Street to the present location at South 11th Street and Nicollet Mall. The network gained full ownership of WCCO-TV in 1992, when it acquired what was by then known as Midwest Communications.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/83de242bcb5e73d40c6f8db3e091d284|title=CBS Agrees to Buy Two TV Stations, Two Radio Stations and Cable Channel|first=Gene|last=Lahammer|website=AP NEWS}}</ref> In 2000, [[Viacom (1952–2006)|Viacom]] bought CBS, and WCCO became part of the Viacom Television Stations Group. In 2006, Viacom Television Stations Group was renamed [[CBS Television Stations]] when Viacom and CBS Corporation split into two companies.
The station began telecasting [[color television|color]] programs in 1955. In September 1983, WCCO relocated its operations from its longtime studios on South 9th Street to the present location at South 11th Street and Nicollet Mall. The network gained full ownership of WCCO-TV in 1992, when it acquired what was by then known as Midwest Communications.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/83de242bcb5e73d40c6f8db3e091d284|title=CBS Agrees to Buy Two TV Stations, Two Radio Stations and Cable Channel|first=Gene|last=Lahammer|website=AP NEWS}}</ref> In 2000, [[Viacom (1952–2005)|Viacom]] bought CBS, and WCCO became part of the Viacom Television Stations Group. In 2006, Viacom Television Stations Group was renamed [[CBS Television Stations]] when Viacom split into two companies.


During the 1980s, a cable-exclusive sibling station was created to supplement WCCO, with its own slate of local and national entertainment programming. This was known as ''[[WCCO II]]'', but by 1989, it had evolved into the ''Midwest Sports Channel'', focusing on regional sporting events. It continued under CBS ownership until 2000, when it was announced that MSC and sibling RSN [[NBC Sports Washington|Home Team Sports]] were to be sold. HTS went to [[Comcast]], while MSC was sold to [[Fox Entertainment Group]] and became part of [[Bally Sports|Fox Sports Net]], becoming [[Bally Sports North|Fox Sports North]]. It had been an FSN affiliate since 1997.
During the 1980s, a cable-exclusive sibling station was created to supplement WCCO, with its own slate of local and national entertainment programming. This was known as ''[[WCCO II]]'', but by 1989, it had evolved into the ''Midwest Sports Channel'', focusing on regional sporting events. It continued under CBS ownership until 2000, when it was announced that MSC and sibling RSN [[Home Team Sports]] were to be sold. HTS went to [[Comcast]], while MSC was sold to [[Fox Entertainment Group]] and became part of [[Bally Sports|Fox Sports Net]], becoming [[Fox Sports North]]. It had been an FSN affiliate since 1997.


On February 2, 2017, CBS agreed to sell [[CBS Radio]] to Entercom, currently the fourth-largest radio broadcasting company in the United States. The sale was completed on November 17, 2017,<ref>{{cite web|title=Entercom-CBS Radio Merger Is Complete|url=https://radioink.com/2017/11/17/entercom-cbs-radio-merger-complete/|website=RadioInk.com|access-date=November 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118222655/https://radioink.com/2017/11/17/entercom-cbs-radio-merger-complete/|archive-date=November 18, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> and was conducted using a [[Reverse Morris Trust]] so that it was tax-free. While CBS shareholders retain a 72% ownership stake in the combined company, Entercom, now [[Audacy, Inc.|Audacy]], is the surviving entity, with WCCO radio and its sibling stations separated from WCCO-TV.<ref name="variety-cbsentercom">{{cite web|title=CBS Sets Radio Division Merger With Entercom|url=https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/cbs-entercom-radio-division-merger-1201976392/|website=Variety|date=February 2, 2017|access-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2017/02/02/cbs-entercom-radio-merger/|title=CBS and Entercom Are Merging Their Radio Stations|website=Fortune|access-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref>
On February 2, 2017, CBS agreed to sell [[CBS Radio]] to Entercom, currently the fourth-largest radio broadcasting company in the United States. The sale was completed on November 17, 2017,<ref>{{cite web|title=Entercom-CBS Radio Merger Is Complete|url=https://radioink.com/2017/11/17/entercom-cbs-radio-merger-complete/|website=RadioInk.com|access-date=November 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118222655/https://radioink.com/2017/11/17/entercom-cbs-radio-merger-complete/|archive-date=November 18, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> and was conducted using a [[Reverse Morris Trust]] so that it was tax-free. While CBS shareholders retain a 72% ownership stake in the combined company, Entercom, now [[Audacy, Inc.|Audacy]], is the surviving entity, with WCCO radio and its sibling stations separated from WCCO-TV.<ref name="variety-cbsentercom">{{cite web|title=CBS Sets Radio Division Merger With Entercom|url=https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/cbs-entercom-radio-division-merger-1201976392/|website=Variety|date=February 2, 2017|access-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2017/02/02/cbs-entercom-radio-merger/|title=CBS and Entercom Are Merging Their Radio Stations|website=Fortune|access-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref>


On August 13, 2019, [[National Amusements]] announced that [[Viacom (2005–2019)|Viacom]] and CBS Corporation would recombine their assets, forming the entity ViacomCBS. The sale was completed on December 4, 2019, resulting in CBS Television Stations, including WCCO-TV, becoming subsidiaries of ViacomCBS. On February 16, 2022, ViacomCBS changed its name to [[Paramount Global]].
On August 13, 2019, [[National Amusements]] announced that [[Viacom (2005–2019)|Viacom]] and CBS Corporation would recombine their assets, forming the entity ViacomCBS. The sale was completed on December 4, 2019, resulting in CBS Television Stations, including WCCO-TV, becoming subsidiaries of ViacomCBS. On February 16, 2022, ViacomCBS changed its name to [[Paramount Global]].

On August 14, 2023, [[Wendy McMahon (television executive)|Wendy McMahon]], a former creative services director at WCCO-TV, was named CBS News and Stations president.


==Programming==
==Programming==
===Sports programming===
As of September 2022, syndicated programs broadcast on WCCO include ''[[Dr. Phil (talk show)|Dr. Phil]]'' and ''[[Wheel of Fortune (American game show)|Wheel of Fortune]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Program Guide |url=https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/program-guide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101131324/https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/program-guide/ |archive-date=March 22, 2022 |access-date=March 22, 2022 |website=WCCO}}</ref>
In 1961, with the establishment of the [[Minnesota Vikings]] of the [[National Football League]], the station, via [[NFL on CBS|CBS]], which held the rights to broadcast NFL games, became the 'unofficial' home station of the team. This partnership continued through the [[1993 Minnesota Vikings season|1993 season]], at which time most games were moved to [[WFTC]]. Today, most Vikings games are on [[KMSP-TV]]; since 1998, WCCO airs at least two Vikings games each season when the Vikings host an [[American Football Conference|AFC]] team, or, since 2014, with the institution of the new 'cross-flex' rules, any games that are moved from KMSP-TV. In 1992, WCCO provided coverage of [[Super Bowl XXVI]] and [[1992 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|that year's Final Four]], which were hosted at the [[Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome]].


Since [[2023 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team|2023]], WCCO has aired select [[Minnesota Golden Gophers football]] games as a part of a new deal between [[College Football on CBS Sports|CBS]] and the [[Big Ten Conference]].
For decades, both ''Wheel of Fortune'' and its sister game show, ''[[Jeopardy!]]'', aired on WCCO. {{Citation needed span|text=However, in 1996, the station shifted ''Jeopardy!'' from 9:30&nbsp;a.m. (where it was airing for the past ten years) to an undesired 1:37&nbsp;a.m. time slot,|date=March 2022}} which prompted [[King World Productions|King World]] (then the distributor for both game shows) to move the game show to rival station KARE in 1999. ''Wheel of Fortune'' remains on WCCO-TV today, making the Twin Cities one of the few TV markets in which both ''Jeopardy!'' and ''Wheel'' are aired on separate stations, and not on the same station as is standard.<ref name="fresherslive">{{Cite web |last=K |first=Isaimozhi |title=WCCO TV Schedule, List of WCCO TV Shows and WCCO TV Schedule for Tonight |url=https://latestnews.fresherslive.com/articles/wcco-tv-schedule-list-of-wcco-tv-shows-and-wcco-tv-schedule-for-tonight-314752 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322060338/https://latestnews.fresherslive.com/amp/articles/wcco-tv-schedule-list-of-wcco-tv-shows-and-wcco-tv-schedule-for-tonight-314752 |archive-date=2022-03-22 |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=FreshersLive.com |date=December 8, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>


===News operation===
===News operation===
WCCO presently broadcasts 38½ hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with 6½ hours each weekday and three hours each on Saturdays and Sundays). WCCO leads the Twin Cities market in nearly all time slots, from its morning show to the 10 p.m. news. WCCO leads by large margins in overall households, though compared to the 25-54 demo, the numbers are much more competitive with NBC affiliate KARE.
WCCO presently{{when|date=February 2024}} broadcasts {{frac|38|1|2}} hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with {{frac|6|1|2}} hours each weekday and three hours each on Saturdays and Sundays).{{cn|date=February 2024}} WCCO leads the Twin Cities market in nearly all time slots, from its morning show to the 10 p.m. news. WCCO leads by large margins in overall households, though compared to the 25–54 demographic, the numbers are much more competitive with NBC affiliate KARE.


WCCO began broadcasting local newscasts in [[High-definition television|high-definition]] on May 28, 2009, becoming the third major network station in the Twin Cities (behind KARE and KMSP) to do so.
WCCO began broadcasting local newscasts in [[High-definition television|high-definition]] on May 28, 2009, becoming the third major network station in the Twin Cities (behind KARE and KMSP) to do so.


WCCO-TV launched a streaming news service, CBSN Minnesota (now CBS News Minnesota) on December 12, 2019, as part of a rollout of similar services (each a localized version of the national [[CBS News (streaming service)|CBSN]] service across the CBS-owned stations.<ref name="b&c-cbsnminnesota">{{cite news |last1=Malone |first1=Michael |title=CBS Stations, CBS Interactive Launch CBSN Minnesota |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/cbs-stations-cbs-interactive-launch-cbsn-minnesota |access-date=February 8, 2022 |work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]] |date=December 12, 2019}}</ref>
WCCO-TV launched a streaming news service, CBSN Minnesota (now CBS News Minnesota) on December 12, 2019, as part of a rollout of similar services (each a localized version of the national [[CBSN]] service across the CBS-owned stations).<ref name="b&c-cbsnminnesota">{{cite news |last1=Malone |first1=Michael |title=CBS Stations, CBS Interactive Launch CBSN Minnesota |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/cbs-stations-cbs-interactive-launch-cbsn-minnesota |access-date=February 8, 2022 |work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]] |date=December 12, 2019}}</ref>


On September 5, 2022; WCCO premiered an hour-long 4 pm newscast called "The 4".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/wcco-launches-new-4-p-m-newscast-with-erin-hassanzadeh-jeff-wagner/ | title=WCCO launches new 4 p.m. Newscast with Erin Hassanzadeh, Jeff Wagner | website=[[CBS News]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.northpine.com/blog/2022/08/19/ellens-departure-means-more-local-news-in-several-cities/ | title=Ellen's Departure Means More Local News in Several Cities | date=August 19, 2022 }}</ref>
On September 5, 2022, WCCO premiered an hour-long 4&nbsp;pm newscast called ''The 4''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/wcco-launches-new-4-p-m-newscast-with-erin-hassanzadeh-jeff-wagner/ | title=WCCO launches new 4 p.m. Newscast with Erin Hassanzadeh, Jeff Wagner | publisher=[[CBS News]] | date=August 19, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.northpine.com/blog/2022/08/19/ellens-departure-means-more-local-news-in-several-cities/ | title=Ellen's Departure Means More Local News in Several Cities | date=August 19, 2022 }}</ref>


====Notable former on-air staff====
====Notable former on-air staff====
Line 75: Line 75:
* [[Clellan Card]] – children's show personality "Axel" (1954–1966; deceased)
* [[Clellan Card]] – children's show personality "Axel" (1954–1966; deceased)
* [[Bill Carlson]] – entertainment reporter, midday news anchor (deceased)
* [[Bill Carlson]] – entertainment reporter, midday news anchor (deceased)
* [[Paul Douglas (meteorologist)|Paul Douglas]] – chief meteorologist (1997–2008; later with [[StarTribune]] and [[WCCO (AM)|WCCO Radio]])
* [[Paul Douglas (meteorologist)|Paul Douglas]] – chief meteorologist (1997–2008; later with [[StarTribune]] and [[WCCO Radio]])
* [[Randi Kaye]] – news reporter, news anchor (later with [[CNN]])
* [[Randi Kaye]] – news reporter, news anchor (later with [[CNN]])
* [[Bud Kraehling]] – weather anchor/staff announcer (1949–1996; deceased)
* [[Bud Kraehling]] – weather anchor/staff announcer (1949–1996; deceased)
* [[Dave Moore (newscaster)|Dave Moore]] – news anchor (1950s–1998; deceased)
* [[Dave Moore (newscaster)|Dave Moore]] – news anchor (1950s–1991; deceased)
* [[Barry Petersen]] – news reporter (later with [[CBS News]])
* [[Barry Petersen]] – news reporter (later with [[CBS News]])
* [[David Schechter]] – investigative reporter (later with [[CBS News]])
* [[Hal Scott]] – sports anchor (1960s–1980; deceased)
* [[Hal Scott]] – sports anchor (1960s–1980; deceased)
* [[Don Shelby]] – news reporter/news anchor (1978–2010; retired)
* [[Don Shelby]] – news reporter/news anchor (1978–2010; retired)
* [[Susan Spencer]] – news reporter, news anchor (later with [[CBS News]])
* [[Susan Spencer]] – news reporter, news anchor (later with [[CBS News]])
* [[Bill Stewart (television journalist)|Bill Stewart]] – news reporter (later with [[ABC News]], murdered in [[Nicaragua]] in 1979 while on assignment)
* [[Bill Stewart (television journalist)|Bill Stewart]] – news reporter (later with [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]], murdered in [[Nicaragua]] in 1979 while on assignment)
* [[Michele Tafoya]] – sports anchor/sports reporter (later with [[CBS Sports]], [[NBC Sports]], [[ESPN on ABC|ABC Sports]] and [[ESPN]])
* [[Michele Tafoya]] – sports anchor/sports reporter (later with [[CBS Sports]], [[NBC Sports]], [[ABC Sports]] and [[ESPN]])
* [[Heather Tesch]] – meteorologist (later with [[The Weather Channel]])<ref name="Fergus Falls Journal">{{cite news|url=http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/2011/05/16/name-your-favorite-otter-athlete/ |title=Name Your Favorite Otter Athlete |access-date=May 12, 2014 |date=May 16, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Heather Tesch]] – meteorologist (later with [[The Weather Channel]])<ref name="Fergus Falls Journal">{{cite news|url=http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/2011/05/16/name-your-favorite-otter-athlete/ |title=Name Your Favorite Otter Athlete |access-date=May 12, 2014 |date=May 16, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Ben Tracy]] – news reporter (later with [[CBS News]])
* [[Ben Tracy]] – news reporter (later with [[CBS News]])
Line 90: Line 91:
==Technical information==
==Technical information==
===Subchannels===
===Subchannels===
The stations' digital signals are [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
The stations' signals are [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of WCCO-TV<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WCCO|title=RabbitEars.Info|website=www.rabbitears.info}}</ref> and KCCW-TV<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KCCW|title=RabbitEars.Info|website=www.rabbitears.info}}</ref>
|+Subchannels of WCCO-TV<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WCCO|title=RabbitEars.Info|website=rabbitears.info}}</ref> and KCCW-TV<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KCCW|title=RabbitEars.Info|website=rabbitears.info}}</ref>
! scope = "col" colspan="2"|[[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" colspan="2"|[[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" rowspan="2"|[[Display resolution|Video]]
! scope = "col" rowspan="2"|[[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope = "col" rowspan="2"|[[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" rowspan="2"|[[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" colspan="2"|Short name
! scope = "col" colspan="2"|Short name
! scope = "col" rowspan="2"|Programming
! scope = "col" rowspan="2"|Programming
|-
|-
! scope = "col" |<small>'''WCCO-TV'''</small>||<small>'''KCCW-TV'''</small>||<small>'''WCCO-TV'''</small>||<small>'''KCCW-TV'''</small>
! scope = "col" |{{small|WCCO-TV}}||{{small|KCCW-TV}}||{{small|WCCO-TV}}||{{small|KCCW-TV}}
|-
|-
! scope = "row" | 4.1 || 12.1
! scope = "row" | 4.1 || 12.1
| [[1080i]] || rowspan=4|[[16:9]] || WCCO-DT || KCCW-DT || Main WCCO-TV programming / [[CBS]]
| [[1080i]] || rowspan=5|[[16:9]] || WCCO-DT || KCCW-DT || [[CBS]]
|-
|-
! scope = "row" | 4.2 || 12.2
! scope = "row" | 4.2 || 12.2
| rowspan=3|[[480i]] || WCCODT2 || KCCWDT2 || [[Start TV]]
| rowspan=4|[[480i]] || WCCODT2 || KCCWDT2 || [[Start TV]]
|-
|-
! scope = "row" | 4.3 || 12.3
! scope = "row" | 4.3 || 12.3
| WCCODT3 || KCCWDT3 || [[Dabl]]
| WCCODT3 || KCCWDT3 || [[Dabl]]
|-
|-
! scope = "row" | 4.4 || 12.4
! scope = "row" | 4.4 || 12.4
| WCCODT4 || KCCWDT4 || [[Fave TV]]
| WCCODT4 || KCCWDT4 || [[Fave TV]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 4.5 || 12.5
| WCCODT5 || KCCWDT5 || Nosey
|}
|}


===Analog-to-digital conversion===
===Analog-to-digital conversion===
WCCO-TV shut down its analog signal, over [[Very high frequency|VHF]] channel 4, on June 12, 2009, the official date in which full-power television stations in the United States [[Digital television transition in the United States|transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts]] under federal mandate. The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition [[UHF]] channel 32.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds |access-date=March 24, 2012}}</ref> Through the use of [[Program and System Information Protocol|PSIP]], digital television receivers display the station's [[virtual channel]] as its former VHF analog channel 4.
WCCO-TV ended regular programming on its analog signal, over [[VHF]] channel 4, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States [[Digital television transition in the United States|transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts]] under federal mandate. The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition [[UHF]] channel 32,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds |access-date=March 24, 2012}}</ref> using [[virtual channel]] 4.

As part of the [[SAFER Act]], WCCO-TV kept its analog signal on the air until July 12 to inform viewers of the digital television transition through a loop of [[public service announcement]]s from the [[National Association of Broadcasters]].<ref name="FCC Nightlight">{{cite web|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-291375A1.pdf|title=UPDATED List of Participants in the Analog Nightlight Program|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|date=June 12, 2009|access-date=June 3, 2024}}</ref>


===Satellite stations and translators===
===Satellite stations and translators===
WCCO-TV operates a satellite station northwest of the Twin Cities area:
WCCO-TV operates a satellite station northwest of the Twin Cities area:
[[File:KCCO-KCCW-Logo.jpg|thumb|200px|Former KCCO/KCCW logo; WCCO used a similar logo from 2000 to 2003.]]
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:KCCO-KCCW-Logo.jpg|thumb|200px|Former KCCO/KCCW logo; WCCO used a similar logo from 2000 to 2003.]] -->
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Station
! Station
Line 127: Line 133:
! Former call letters
! Former call letters
! [[effective radiated power|ERP]]
! [[effective radiated power|ERP]]
! [[height above average terrain|HAAT]]
! [[HAAT]]
! Transmitter coordinates
! Transmitter coordinates
! [[Facility ID]]
! [[Facility ID]]
Line 134: Line 140:
| {{nowrap|'''KCCW-TV'''}}
| {{nowrap|'''KCCW-TV'''}}
| [[Walker, Minnesota|Walker]]
| [[Walker, Minnesota|Walker]]
| 12<br />12 ([[very high frequency|VHF]])
| 12<br />12 ([[VHF]])
| {{start date and age|1964|1|1|p=y}}
| {{start date and age|1964|1|1|p=y}}
| KNMT<br>(1964–1987)
| KNMT<br />(1964–1987)
| 59&nbsp;kW
| 59&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|286.4|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|286.4|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| {{Coord|46|56|5|N|94|27|20|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KCCW-TV}}
| {{Coord|46|56|5|N|94|27|20|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KCCW-TV}}
| 9640
| 9640
| {{FCC-TV-Station-profile|KCCW-TV|Profile}}<br />{{FCC-LMS-Facility|9640|3=LMS}}
| {{FCC-TV-Station-profile|KCCW-TV|Public file}}<br />{{FCC-LMS-Facility|9640|3=LMS}}
|}
|}


Line 156: Line 162:
! Transmitter coordinates
! Transmitter coordinates
! Facility ID
! Facility ID
! Public license information
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
| {{nowrap|'''KCCO-TV'''}}
| {{nowrap|'''KCCO-TV'''}}
Line 162: Line 167:
| 7<br />7 (VHF)
| 7<br />7 (VHF)
| {{start date|1958|10|8}}
| {{start date|1958|10|8}}
| {{end date|2017|12|30}}<br>({{age in years and days|1958|10|8|2017|12|30}})
| {{end date|2017|12|30}}<br />({{age in years and days|1958|10|8|2017|12|30}})
| KCMT<br>(1958–1987)
| KCMT<br />(1958–1987)
| 29&nbsp;kW
| 29&nbsp;kW
| {{convert|339.6|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|339.6|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| {{Coord|45|41|10|N|95|8|4|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KCCO-TV}}
| {{Coord|45|41|10|N|95|8|4|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=KCCO-TV}}
| 9632
| 9632
| {{FCC-TV-Station-profile|KCCO-TV|Profile}}<br />{{FCC-LMS-Facility|9632|3=LMS}}
|}
|}


Both of these stations were founded by the Central Minnesota Television Company and maintained primary affiliations with [[NBC]] and secondary affiliations with [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] from their respective sign-ons until the summer of 1982, when both stations switched to CBS.<ref>[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/Archive-BC-IDX/82-OCR/1982-02-22-BC-OCR-Page-0076.pdf "WATR-TV decides to go it alone."]{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''[[Broadcasting and Cable|Broadcasting]]'', February 22, 1982, pg. 72.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stl.news/|title=STL.News|website=STL.News}}</ref> KCMT had originally broadcast from a studio in Alexandria, with KNMT operating as a satellite station of KCMT. Central Minnesota Television sold both stations to Midwest Radio and Television in 1987, at which point they adopted their present call letters and became semi-satellites of WCCO-TV.<ref>Washington, D.C. [[Federal Communications Commission]]. ''FCC Record'', Vol. 02, No. 22, pp. 6730-6732, Oct 23 – November 6, 1987. UNT Digital Library. [https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1589/m1/200/ FCC 87-331 Vol. 22]. Accessed June 28, 2012.</ref>
Both of these stations were founded by the Central Minnesota Television Company and maintained primary affiliations with [[NBC]] and secondary affiliations with [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] from their respective sign-ons until the summer of 1982, when both stations switched to CBS.<ref>[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/Archive-BC-IDX/82-OCR/1982-02-22-BC-OCR-Page-0076.pdf "WATR-TV decides to go it alone."]{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''[[Broadcasting and Cable|Broadcasting]]'', February 22, 1982, pg. 72.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stl.news/|title=STL.News|website=STL.News}}</ref> KCMT had originally broadcast from a studio in Alexandria, with KNMT operating as a satellite station of KCMT. Central Minnesota Television sold both stations to Midwest Radio and Television in 1987, at which point they adopted their present call letters and became semi-satellites of WCCO-TV.<ref>Washington, D.C. [[Federal Communications Commission]]. ''FCC Record'', Vol. 02, No. 22, pp. 6730-6732, Oct 23 – November 6, 1987. UNT Digital Library. [https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1589/m1/200/ FCC 87-331 Vol. 22]. Retrieved June 28, 2012.</ref>


Until 2002, the two stations simulcast WCCO-TV's programming for most of the day, except for separate commercials and inserts placed into channel 4's newscasts. However, in 2002, WCCO-TV ended KCCO/KCCW's local operations and shut down the Alexandria studio, converting the two stations into full-time satellites. Since then, channel 4 has identified as "Minneapolis–St. Paul/Alexandria/Walker", with virtually no on-air evidence that KCCO and KCCW were separate stations.
Until 2002, the two stations simulcast WCCO-TV's programming for most of the day, except for separate commercials and inserts placed into channel 4's newscasts. However, in 2002, WCCO-TV ended KCCO/KCCW's local operations and shut down the Alexandria studio, converting the two stations into full-time satellites. Since then, channel 4 has identified as "Minneapolis–St. Paul/Alexandria/Walker", with virtually no on-air evidence that KCCO and KCCW were separate stations.


CBS sold KCCO's spectrum in the FCC's [[spectrum reallocation|spectrum incentive auction]], but was expected to engage in a channel-sharing agreement.<ref>Washington, D.C.: [[Federal Communications Commission]]. ''FCC Record'', Vol. 32, No. 4, pp. 2822, April 13, 2017. [http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2017/db0413/DA-17-314A2.pdf DA 17-314]. Accessed September 30, 2017.</ref> In a request for a waiver of requirements that KCCO broadcast [[public service announcements]] related to the shutdown (as the station no longer had the capability to originate separate programming, such announcements would also need to air on WCCO-TV and KCCW-TV despite not being relevant outside of KCCO's viewing area; CBS inserted a crawl at the KCCO transmitter for broadcast every fifteen minutes), CBS disclosed that KCCO would shut down December 30, 2017. WCCO-TV remains available on cable and satellite providers in the Alexandria area; [[Selective TV, Inc.]], a local translator collective, announced on December 22, 2017, that it had struck a deal to add WCCO to its lineup.<ref name="fcc-kccoshutdown">{{cite web|title=Re: KCCO-TV, Alexandria, Minnesota, FCC Fac. ID No. 9632 Request for Waiver of Transition PSA Viewer Notification Requirements|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/enwiki/api/download/attachment/25076f915f5883d0015f5f3412461e8e|website=Licensing and Management System|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=October 30, 2017|format=PDF|date=October 27, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.echopress.com/business/4360512-kcco-going-away-cbs-signal-may-stay |title=KCCO going away, but CBS signal may stay &#124; Echo Press |access-date=November 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120073439/http://www.echopress.com/business/4360512-kcco-going-away-cbs-signal-may-stay |archive-date=November 20, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="ep-wccoselectivetv">{{cite news|last1=Beach|first1=Jeff|title=Selective TV picks up CBS signal|url=http://www.echopress.com/entertainment/television/4378077-selective-tv-picks-cbs-signal|access-date=December 30, 2017|work=Echo Press|date=December 22, 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231051703/http://www.echopress.com/entertainment/television/4378077-selective-tv-picks-cbs-signal|archive-date=December 31, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
CBS sold KCCO's spectrum in the FCC's [[spectrum reallocation|spectrum incentive auction]], but was expected to engage in a channel-sharing agreement.<ref>Washington, D.C.: [[Federal Communications Commission]]. ''FCC Record'', Vol. 32, No. 4, pp. 2822, April 13, 2017. [http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2017/db0413/DA-17-314A2.pdf DA 17-314]. Retrieved September 30, 2017.</ref> In a request for a waiver of requirements that KCCO broadcast [[public service announcements]] related to the shutdown (as the station no longer had the capability to originate separate programming, such announcements would also need to air on WCCO-TV and KCCW-TV despite not being relevant outside of KCCO's viewing area; CBS inserted a crawl at the KCCO transmitter for broadcast every fifteen minutes), CBS disclosed that KCCO would shut down December 30, 2017. WCCO-TV remains available on cable and satellite providers in the Alexandria area; [[Selective TV, Inc.]], a local translator collective, announced on December 22, 2017, that it had struck a deal to add WCCO to its lineup.<ref name="fcc-kccoshutdown">{{cite web|title=Re: KCCO-TV, Alexandria, Minnesota, FCC Fac. ID No. 9632 Request for Waiver of Transition PSA Viewer Notification Requirements|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/enwiki/api/download/attachment/25076f915f5883d0015f5f3412461e8e|website=Licensing and Management System|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=October 30, 2017|format=PDF|date=October 27, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.echopress.com/business/4360512-kcco-going-away-cbs-signal-may-stay |title=KCCO going away, but CBS signal may stay &#124; Echo Press |access-date=November 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120073439/http://www.echopress.com/business/4360512-kcco-going-away-cbs-signal-may-stay |archive-date=November 20, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="ep-wccoselectivetv">{{cite news|last1=Beach|first1=Jeff|title=Selective TV picks up CBS signal|url=http://www.echopress.com/entertainment/television/4378077-selective-tv-picks-cbs-signal|access-date=December 30, 2017|work=Echo Press|date=December 22, 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231051703/http://www.echopress.com/entertainment/television/4378077-selective-tv-picks-cbs-signal|archive-date=December 31, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>


====Translators====
====Translators====
In addition, the broadcast signal of WCCO-TV is extended by way of five [[broadcast relay station#Broadcast translators|translators]] in southern Minnesota and two in northern Minnesota:
In addition, the broadcast signal of WCCO-TV is extended by way of eight [[broadcast relay station#Broadcast translators|translators]]:
* '''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|59633|3=K22DV-D}}''' [[Alexandria, Minnesota|Alexandria]] (translates WCCO-TV)
{| class="sortable wikitable"
* '''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|59632|3=K33DB-D}}''' [[Alexandria, Minnesota|Alexandria]] (translates WCCO-TV)
|-
* '''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|167741|3=K35IU-D}}''' [[Frost, Minnesota|Frost]] (translates WCCO-TV)
! City of license
* '''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|21285|3=K35IZ-D}}''' [[Jackson, Minnesota|Jackson]] (translates WCCO-TV)
! Callsign
* '''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|55745|3=K18IR-D}}''' [[Olivia, Minnesota|Olivia]] (translates WCCO-TV)
! Translating
* '''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|55348|3=K22MF-D}}''' [[Red Lake, Minnesota|Red Lake]] (translates KCCW-TV)
! Channel
* '''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|55439|3=K33LB-D}}''' [[Redwood Falls]] (translates WCCO-TV)
! [[effective radiated power|ERP]]
* '''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|68707|3=K33OT-D}}''' [[Willmar, Minnesota|Willmar]] (translates WCCO-TV)
! [[height above average terrain|HAAT]]
! [[Facility ID]]
! Transmitter coordinates
! Owner
|-
|| [[Olivia, Minnesota|Olivia]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|55745|3=K18IR-D}}'''|| rowspan=2|WCCO-TV || 18 || 0.79&nbsp;kW || {{convert|93.3|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} || 55745 || {{coord|44|45|32.9|N|94|52|24.0|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K18IR-D}} || [[Renville County, Minnesota|Renville County]] TV Corporation
|-
|| [[Alexandria, Minnesota|Alexandria]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|59633|3=K22DV-D}}'''|| rowspan=2|22 || 1.05&nbsp;kW || {{convert|130|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 59633 || {{coord|45|55|59.0|N|95|26|51.0|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K22DV-D}} || [http://selectivetv.org/ Selective TV]
|-
|| [[Red Lake, Minnesota|Red Lake]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|55348|3=K22MF-D}}'''|| KCCW-TV || 0.469&nbsp;kW || {{convert|102|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 55348 || {{coord|47|50|37.0|N|95|02|19.0|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K22MF-D}} || [[Red Lake Indian Reservation]]
|-
| [[Alexandria, Minnesota|Alexandria]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|59632|3=K33DB-D}}''' || rowspan=5|WCCO-TV || rowspan=3|33 || 1.05&nbsp;kW || {{convert|130|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 59632 || {{coord|45|55|59|N|95|26|51|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K33DB-D}} || [http://selectivetv.org/ Selective TV]
|-
| [[Redwood Falls, Minnesota|Redwood Falls]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|55439|3=K33LB-D}}'''|| 0.375&nbsp;kW || {{convert|102.4|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} || 55439 || {{coord|44|32|58.9|N|94|58|1|W|tyle:landmark_scale:2000|name=K33LB-D}} || Redwood TV Improvement Corporation
|-
|| [[Willmar, Minnesota|Willmar]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|68707|3=K33OT-D}}'''|| 0.7&nbsp;kW || {{convert|153.3|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 68707 || {{coord|45|09|58.0|N|95|02|38.0|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K33OT-D}} || [http://uhftv.org UHF TV, Inc.]
|-
|| [[Frost, Minnesota|Frost]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|167741|3=K35IU-D}}'''|| rowspan=2|35 || 3&nbsp;kW || {{convert|87.3|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} || 167741 || {{coord|43|35|09.0|N|93|55|47.0|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K35IU-D}} || rowspan=2|[http://www.ctv.coop Cooperative TV]
|-
|| [[Jackson, Minnesota|Jackson]] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|21285|3=K35IZ-D}}'''|| 3.1&nbsp;kW || {{convert|90.8|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} || 21285 || {{coord|43|36|12.0|N|94|59|34.0|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=K35IZ-D}}
|}


==References==
==References==
Line 219: Line 203:
{{CBS Minnesota}}
{{CBS Minnesota}}
{{CBS Wisconsin}}
{{CBS Wisconsin}}
{{Other Wisconsin Stations}}
{{CBSTVS}}
{{CBSTVS}}
{{Major U.S. TV O-O Stations}}
{{Major U.S. TV O-O Stations}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Wcco-Tv}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wcco-Tv}}
[[Category:1949 establishments in Minnesota]]
[[Category:CBS affiliates]]
[[Category:CBS News and Stations]]
[[Category:CBS News and Stations]]
[[Category:CBS network affiliates]]
[[Category:Start TV affiliates]]
[[Category:Dabl affiliates]]
[[Category:Dabl affiliates]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1949]]
[[Category:National Football League primary television stations]]
[[Category:1949 establishments in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Peabody Award winners]]
[[Category:Peabody Award winners]]
[[Category:Start TV affiliates]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1949]]
[[Category:Television stations in Minneapolis–Saint Paul]]
[[Category:Television stations in Minneapolis–Saint Paul]]
[[Category:National Football League primary television stations]]

Latest revision as of 06:28, 4 December 2024

This article is about the station in Minneapolis–St. Paul that originally used the callsign WTCN-TV. For the local station that subsequently used this callsign, see KARE (TV). For the station in West Palm Beach that currently uses this callsign, see WTCN-CD.

WCCO-TV
CityMinneapolis, Minnesota
Channels
BrandingWCCO; WCCO News / CBS News Minnesota
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
History
First air date
July 1, 1949
(75 years ago) (1949-07-01)
Former call signs
WTCN-TV (1949–1952)
Former channel number(s)
Analog: 4 (VHF, 1949–2009)
ABC (secondary, 1949–1953)
Call sign meaning
Derived from WCCO radio
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID9629
ERP1,000 kW
HAAT455.9 m (1,496 ft)
Transmitter coordinates45°3′45″N 93°8′22″W / 45.06250°N 93.13944°W / 45.06250; -93.13944
Translator(s)see § Translators
Links
Public license information
Websitewww.cbsnews.com/minnesota/

WCCO-TV (channel 4), branded CBS Minnesota, is a television station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, serving as the CBS outlet for the Twin Cities area. It is owned and operated by the network's CBS News and Stations division, and maintains studios on South 11th Street along Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis; its transmitter is located at the Telefarm complex in Shoreview, Minnesota.

WCCO-TV's programming is also seen on full-power satellite station KCCW-TV (channel 12) in Walker (with transmitter near Hackensack). Nielsen Media Research treats WCCO-TV and KCCW-TV as one station in local ratings books, using the identifier name WCCO+. From 1987 until 2017, WCCO-TV operated a second satellite, KCCO-TV (virtual and VHF digital channel 7) in Alexandria (with transmitter near Westport).

WCCO is one of three owned-and-operated network affiliates in the Twin Cities market, the others being Fox O&O KMSP-TV (channel 9) and MyNetworkTV O&O WFTC (channel 9.2).

History

[edit]
The WCCO building in downtown Minneapolis

WCCO-TV's roots originate with a radio station, but not WCCO (830 AM). Radio station WRHM, which signed on the air in 1925, is the station to which WCCO-TV traces its lineage. In 1934, two newspapers—the Minneapolis Tribune and the Saint Paul Pioneer Press-Dispatch—formed a joint venture named "Twin Cities Newspapers", which purchased the radio station and changed its call letters to WTCN. Twin Cities Newspapers later expanded into the fledgling FM band with WTCN-FM, and shortly thereafter to the then-new medium of television with the launch of WTCN-TV on July 1, 1949, becoming Minnesota's second television station, broadcasting from the Radio City Theater at 50 South 9th Street in downtown Minneapolis. Robert Ridder became president of WCCO-TV in 1949.[2] Channel 4 has been a primary CBS affiliate since its sign on; it is the only major commercial station in the Minneapolis–St. Paul market not to have changed its primary affiliation. However, it had a secondary affiliation with ABC during its early years, from 1949 to 1953,[3] until a new station using the WTCN-TV calls (now known as KARE-TV) picked up the ABC affiliation, retaining it from its 1953 sign on until 1961 when it became an independent station; it has been affiliated with NBC since 1979.

Twin Cities Newspapers sold off its broadcast holdings in 1952, with channel 4 going to the Murphy and McNally families, who had recently bought the Twin Cities' dominant radio station, WCCO, from CBS. The stations merged under a new company, Midwest Radio and Television, with CBS as a minority partner. The call letters of channel 4 were changed to WCCO-TV to match its new radio sibling on August 17 (the WTCN-TV call sign appeared again in the market the following year on the new channel 11).[4] CBS was forced to sell its minority ownership stake in the WCCO stations in 1954 to comply with Federal Communications Commission ownership limits of the time.

In 1959, WCCO became the first station in the midwest to have a videotape machine; it came at a cost of $50,000 and one part-time employee was hired to operate the machine.[5]

On July 23, 1962, WCCO-TV was involved in the world's first live international broadcast via the Telstar satellite; the station's mobile units provided the feed for all three networks, ABC, CBS, and NBC, for a program originating from native land in the Black Hills showing Mount Rushmore to the world.

The "Circle 4" logo used by WCCO-TV from 1977 to 2000

The station began telecasting color programs in 1955. In September 1983, WCCO relocated its operations from its longtime studios on South 9th Street to the present location at South 11th Street and Nicollet Mall. The network gained full ownership of WCCO-TV in 1992, when it acquired what was by then known as Midwest Communications.[6] In 2000, Viacom bought CBS, and WCCO became part of the Viacom Television Stations Group. In 2006, Viacom Television Stations Group was renamed CBS Television Stations when Viacom split into two companies.

During the 1980s, a cable-exclusive sibling station was created to supplement WCCO, with its own slate of local and national entertainment programming. This was known as WCCO II, but by 1989, it had evolved into the Midwest Sports Channel, focusing on regional sporting events. It continued under CBS ownership until 2000, when it was announced that MSC and sibling RSN Home Team Sports were to be sold. HTS went to Comcast, while MSC was sold to Fox Entertainment Group and became part of Fox Sports Net, becoming Fox Sports North. It had been an FSN affiliate since 1997.

On February 2, 2017, CBS agreed to sell CBS Radio to Entercom, currently the fourth-largest radio broadcasting company in the United States. The sale was completed on November 17, 2017,[7] and was conducted using a Reverse Morris Trust so that it was tax-free. While CBS shareholders retain a 72% ownership stake in the combined company, Entercom, now Audacy, is the surviving entity, with WCCO radio and its sibling stations separated from WCCO-TV.[8][9]

On August 13, 2019, National Amusements announced that Viacom and CBS Corporation would recombine their assets, forming the entity ViacomCBS. The sale was completed on December 4, 2019, resulting in CBS Television Stations, including WCCO-TV, becoming subsidiaries of ViacomCBS. On February 16, 2022, ViacomCBS changed its name to Paramount Global.

On August 14, 2023, Wendy McMahon, a former creative services director at WCCO-TV, was named CBS News and Stations president.

Programming

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Sports programming

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In 1961, with the establishment of the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League, the station, via CBS, which held the rights to broadcast NFL games, became the 'unofficial' home station of the team. This partnership continued through the 1993 season, at which time most games were moved to WFTC. Today, most Vikings games are on KMSP-TV; since 1998, WCCO airs at least two Vikings games each season when the Vikings host an AFC team, or, since 2014, with the institution of the new 'cross-flex' rules, any games that are moved from KMSP-TV. In 1992, WCCO provided coverage of Super Bowl XXVI and that year's Final Four, which were hosted at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.

Since 2023, WCCO has aired select Minnesota Golden Gophers football games as a part of a new deal between CBS and the Big Ten Conference.

News operation

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WCCO presently[when?] broadcasts 38+1⁄2 hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with 6+1⁄2 hours each weekday and three hours each on Saturdays and Sundays).[citation needed] WCCO leads the Twin Cities market in nearly all time slots, from its morning show to the 10 p.m. news. WCCO leads by large margins in overall households, though compared to the 25–54 demographic, the numbers are much more competitive with NBC affiliate KARE.

WCCO began broadcasting local newscasts in high-definition on May 28, 2009, becoming the third major network station in the Twin Cities (behind KARE and KMSP) to do so.

WCCO-TV launched a streaming news service, CBSN Minnesota (now CBS News Minnesota) on December 12, 2019, as part of a rollout of similar services (each a localized version of the national CBSN service across the CBS-owned stations).[10]

On September 5, 2022, WCCO premiered an hour-long 4 pm newscast called The 4.[11][12]

Notable former on-air staff

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Technical information

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Subchannels

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The stations' signals are multiplexed:

Subchannels of WCCO-TV[14] and KCCW-TV[15]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
WCCO-TV KCCW-TV WCCO-TV KCCW-TV
4.1 12.1 1080i 16:9 WCCO-DT KCCW-DT CBS
4.2 12.2 480i WCCODT2 KCCWDT2 Start TV
4.3 12.3 WCCODT3 KCCWDT3 Dabl
4.4 12.4 WCCODT4 KCCWDT4 Fave TV
4.5 12.5 WCCODT5 KCCWDT5 Nosey

Analog-to-digital conversion

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WCCO-TV ended regular programming on its analog signal, over VHF channel 4, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 32,[16] using virtual channel 4.

As part of the SAFER Act, WCCO-TV kept its analog signal on the air until July 12 to inform viewers of the digital television transition through a loop of public service announcements from the National Association of Broadcasters.[17]

Satellite stations and translators

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WCCO-TV operates a satellite station northwest of the Twin Cities area:

Station City of license Channels
(VC / RF) 		First air date Former call letters ERP HAAT Transmitter coordinates Facility ID Public license information
KCCW-TV Walker 12
12 (VHF) 		January 1, 1964 (60 years ago) (1964-01-01) KNMT
(1964–1987) 		59 kW 286.4 m (939.6 ft) 46°56′5″N 94°27′20″W / 46.93472°N 94.45556°W / 46.93472; -94.45556 (KCCW-TV) 9640 Public file
LMS

It formerly operated a second satellite station:

Station City of license Channels
(VC / RF) 		First air date Last air date Former call letters ERP HAAT Transmitter coordinates Facility ID
KCCO-TV Alexandria 7
7 (VHF) 		October 8, 1958 (1958-10-08) December 30, 2017 (2017-12-30)
(59 years, 83 days) 		KCMT
(1958–1987) 		29 kW 339.6 m (1,114.2 ft) 45°41′10″N 95°8′4″W / 45.68611°N 95.13444°W / 45.68611; -95.13444 (KCCO-TV) 9632

Both of these stations were founded by the Central Minnesota Television Company and maintained primary affiliations with NBC and secondary affiliations with ABC from their respective sign-ons until the summer of 1982, when both stations switched to CBS.[18][19] KCMT had originally broadcast from a studio in Alexandria, with KNMT operating as a satellite station of KCMT. Central Minnesota Television sold both stations to Midwest Radio and Television in 1987, at which point they adopted their present call letters and became semi-satellites of WCCO-TV.[20]

Until 2002, the two stations simulcast WCCO-TV's programming for most of the day, except for separate commercials and inserts placed into channel 4's newscasts. However, in 2002, WCCO-TV ended KCCO/KCCW's local operations and shut down the Alexandria studio, converting the two stations into full-time satellites. Since then, channel 4 has identified as "Minneapolis–St. Paul/Alexandria/Walker", with virtually no on-air evidence that KCCO and KCCW were separate stations.

CBS sold KCCO's spectrum in the FCC's spectrum incentive auction, but was expected to engage in a channel-sharing agreement.[21] In a request for a waiver of requirements that KCCO broadcast public service announcements related to the shutdown (as the station no longer had the capability to originate separate programming, such announcements would also need to air on WCCO-TV and KCCW-TV despite not being relevant outside of KCCO's viewing area; CBS inserted a crawl at the KCCO transmitter for broadcast every fifteen minutes), CBS disclosed that KCCO would shut down December 30, 2017. WCCO-TV remains available on cable and satellite providers in the Alexandria area; Selective TV, Inc., a local translator collective, announced on December 22, 2017, that it had struck a deal to add WCCO to its lineup.[22][23][24]

Translators

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In addition, the broadcast signal of WCCO-TV is extended by way of eight translators:

References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WCCO-TV". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "Bob Ridder". Pavek Museum of Broadcasting. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  3. ^ "Hennepin Avenue at Ninth Street, Minneapolis : Collections Online : mnhs.org". collections.mnhs.org.
  4. ^ "Retrieved 2011-7-22" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 8, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
  5. ^ "Twin Cities Television". pavekmuseum.org.
  6. ^ Lahammer, Gene. "CBS Agrees to Buy Two TV Stations, Two Radio Stations and Cable Channel". AP NEWS.
  7. ^ "Entercom-CBS Radio Merger Is Complete". RadioInk.com. Archived from the original on November 18, 2017. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  8. ^ "CBS Sets Radio Division Merger With Entercom". Variety. February 2, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
  9. ^ "CBS and Entercom Are Merging Their Radio Stations". Fortune. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
  10. ^ Malone, Michael (December 12, 2019). "CBS Stations, CBS Interactive Launch CBSN Minnesota". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  11. ^ "WCCO launches new 4 p.m. Newscast with Erin Hassanzadeh, Jeff Wagner". CBS News. August 19, 2022.
  12. ^ "Ellen's Departure Means More Local News in Several Cities". August 19, 2022.
  13. ^ "Name Your Favorite Otter Athlete". May 16, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  14. ^ "RabbitEars.Info". rabbitears.info.
  15. ^ "RabbitEars.Info". rabbitears.info.
  16. ^ "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds" (PDF). Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  17. ^ "UPDATED List of Participants in the Analog Nightlight Program" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission. June 12, 2009. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  18. ^ "WATR-TV decides to go it alone."[permanent dead link‍] Broadcasting, February 22, 1982, pg. 72.
  19. ^ "STL.News". STL.News.
  20. ^ Washington, D.C. Federal Communications Commission. FCC Record, Vol. 02, No. 22, pp. 6730-6732, Oct 23 – November 6, 1987. UNT Digital Library. FCC 87-331 Vol. 22. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  21. ^ Washington, D.C.: Federal Communications Commission. FCC Record, Vol. 32, No. 4, pp. 2822, April 13, 2017. DA 17-314. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  22. ^ "Re: KCCO-TV, Alexandria, Minnesota, FCC Fac. ID No. 9632 Request for Waiver of Transition PSA Viewer Notification Requirements" (PDF). Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. October 27, 2017. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  23. ^ "KCCO going away, but CBS signal may stay | Echo Press". Archived from the original on November 20, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  24. ^ Beach, Jeff (December 22, 2017). "Selective TV picks up CBS signal". Echo Press. Archived from the original on December 31, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
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