WFSB

'WFSB' is the CBS-affiliated television station for the state of Connecticut except Fairfield County. Licensed to Hartford, the station broadcasts an analog signal on VHF channel 3 and a digital signal on UHF channel 33. WFSB's transmitter is located on Avon Mountain in West Hartford. Owned by the Meredith Corporation, the station has studios that are located on Capitol Blvd. in Rocky Hill. WFSB is known on-air as '''"Channel 3"'''.

Contents

Digital Programming

History

WFSB-DT2 "WSHM-LP"

WFSB-DT3 "Channel 3 Eyewitness News Now"

Newscasts

News Team

Former Personalities

Administration

External Links

Digital Programming

The station's digital signal is multiplexed:

Ch	Programming
3.1	main WFSB programming (CBS)
3.2	WSHM-LP (Springfield/Holyoke, Massachusetts CBS affiliate)
3.3	"Channel 3 Eyewitness News Now" (24-hour local weather channel)

History

Connecticut's second VHF station debuted on September 21, 1957. [1] It had the call letters 'WTIC-TV' and was an independent station owned by the Hartford-based Travelers Insurance Company along with WTIC Radio (AM 1080 and FM 96.5). It was one of the most powerful stations in the Northeast covering nearly all of Connecticut, much of Western Massachusetts (including Springfield), and parts of Long Island.
By 1958, CBS was looking to sell its owned and operated station in Hartford, WHCT-TV (now WUVN). CBS' ratings had been low in Hartford because television manufacturers were not required to have UHF tuners at the time. CBS decided that it was better to have its programming on a VHF station even if it was only an affiliate (as opposed to an owned & operated station). CBS selected WTIC as its Connecticut affiliate in part due to the station being one of the most powerful in New England. In addition, WTIC-AM had been Hartford's CBS Radio affiliate for many years.
WTIC officially became Connecticut's CBS station in early-1958. Within a short time, the combination of its strong signal and the CBS affiliation catapulted WTIC to the top spot in the ratings, a position it has held more or less ever since.
In early-1974, Travelers Insurance sold WTIC to the Washington Post Company. The company's broadcasting division, Post-Newsweek Stations, changed the call letters to the current 'WFSB' (named after broadcasting division president 'F'rederick 'S'. 'B'eebe. The WTIC-TV calls would return to Connecticut in 1984 when Arch Communications, the then-owners of WTIC Radio, signed on as part-owners of a new television station on channel 61.
In the late-1980s, Post-Newsweek moved its corporate offices from Washington D.C. to office space located alongside WFSB making the station the company's flagship. This was part of a move by the Washington Post Company to give its various subcorporations their own independent identities. Although this strategy worked well at first, this changed by the mid-1990s when WFSB found itself in a shrinking market without any significant growth opportunities. In June of 1997, Post-Newsweek swapped WFSB to current owner Meredith Corporation for WCPX-TV (now WKMG-TV) in Orlando. The sale closed that October although the Post-Newsweek group maintained its base in Hartford until 2000 when it relocated to the company's then-largest station: WDIV in Detroit.
Construction started in 2006 on new studios for WFSB in Rocky Hill. The station's prevous home was at 3 Constitution Plaza in Downtown Hartford. On June 27, 2007, master control (including that of sister station WSHM-LP) was switched to the new facility after the Noon newscast at 12:30 PM. On July 10, the remaining parts (mostly the news side) of the station's operation were moved to Rocky Hill as well. The main desk and anchors for the news are curently in a second studio temporarily until the main set is ready. It is unknown if WFSB's new studios are able to broadcast local newscasts in HD.
Also in June 2006, the station's website was redesigned (along with four other Meredith Corporation stations). The old website was operated by the Local Media Network division of World Now while the current one is operated by Internet Broadcasting.
On May 25, 2007, WFSB's Downtown Hartford studios were flooded by a water main break. The water damaged two of the station's cameras and its telephone system. The flooding caused the power to be turned off, which in turn caused WFSB to go dark. The master control of WSHM was also affected. There were some points during the weekend that WSHM's "CBS 3 Springfield" IDs were being seen on WFSB and vice versa.
It has been announced that weekday morning meteorologist Scot Haney and weekday Noon anchor Kara Sundlun will host a new local show called ''Better Connecticut''. The show will begin broadcasting at 10 AM on September 10, 2007. [2]

WFSB-DT2 "WSHM-LP"

When channel 3 became a CBS affiliate in 1958, it was deemed to be the primary CBS affiliate for the nearby Springfield - Holyoke, Massachusetts television market as well. WFSB has repeatedly blocked attempts by Springfield's original CBS affiliate WGGB-TV (now an ABC affiliate) to switch back to CBS.
To increase its presence in Western Massachusetts, WFSB began operating a low-power station in the Springfield - Holyoke market, WSHM-LP, in late 2003. From its sign-on, master control of that station has been located at WFSB's studios. WSHM is a low-powered station, and as a result, does not broadcast a digital signal of its own. However, the station can be seen on WFSB's DT2 digital subchannel. WSHM has plans to build a digital transmitter and sign-on a digital signal in the near future.
Though identifying as a station in its own right, WSHM is considered a semi-satellite of WFSB. It has most of its internal operations run alongside WFSB, and clears all of the station's syndicated programming.

WFSB-DT3 "Channel 3 Eyewitness News Now"

On February 5, 2007, WFSB signed on its DT3 digital subchannel. WFSB-DT3 is a 24-hour local weather channel known as "Channel 3 Eyewitness News Now". It offers weather forecasts, local news updates, and live traffic cams. There is also a live stream of WFSB's "Early Warning Pinpoint Doppler". On digital cable, WFSB-DT3 can be seen on Charter channel 750 and Cox channel 801. It is not yet offered on Comcast, DirecTV, or Dish Network systems.

Newscasts

In addition to their main studios, WFSB operates news bureaus in New London and New Haven. In 2008, WFSB will open a "Downtown Hartford Bureau" at the new Connecticut Science Center that is currently under construction.
The station operates it own weather radar that is known as the "Early Warning Pinpoint Doppler". It is located at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks. WFSB also uses weather data from a radar site located on Long Island.
During the week, WFSB airs an additional hour of local morning news in lieu of the first hour of CBS's ''The Early Show''.

News Team

In 2006, Denise D'Ascenzo and Scot Haney were named "Best Anchor" and "Best Meteorologist" respectively in the "Best of Hartford" awards.
'Anchors'

★ Mike Hydeck - weekday mornings (also reporter)

★ Irene O'Connor - weekday mornings (also reporter)

★ Al Terzi - weekdays at Noon, 5, and 5:30 PM (also host of ''Face The State'')

★ Kara Sundlun - weekdays at Noon (also investigative reporter and wife of Dennis House)

★ Denise D'Ascenzo - weeknights at 5, 5:30, 6, and 11 PM

★ Dennis House - weeknights at 6 and 11 PM (husband of Kara Sundlun)

★ Jessica Schneider - weekend mornings (also reporter)

★ Kevin Hogan - weekend evenings (also "New London Bureau" Chief)

★ Erika Arias - weekend evenings (also reporter)
'''Channel 3 Early Warning Meteorologists'''

★ Bruce DePrest (AMS certified) - Chief seen weeknights at 5, 6, and 11 PM

★ Scot Haney - weekday mornings (also feature reporter and "Everyday Heroes" segment reporter on Fridays at 5 PM)

★ Mark Dixon (AMS certified) - weekdays at Noon and 5:30 PM (also fill in at WFXT in Boston)

★ Darren Sweeney (AMS and NWA certified) - weekends

★ Melissa Cole - fill in
'Sports'

★ Joe Zone - Director seen weeknights at 6 and 11 PM (also host of ''Eyewitness News Sports Sunday'')

★ John Holt - weekend evenings (also weekday sports reporter)
'Reporters'

★ Len Besthoff - investigative reporter

★ Leon Collins - "New Haven Bureau" Chief (also investigative reporter)

★ Rachel Lutzker - weekday morning, 5, and 5:30 PM traffic reporter

★ Hena Daniels

★ Dan Kain

★ Eric Parker

★ Susan Raff

★ Jamie Roth

★ Katy Zachry

★ Teresa LaBarbera

★ Ray Daudani

★ Erika Arias

★ Jessica Schneider(also weekend mornings anchor)

★ Mike Hydeck (also weekday morning anchor)

★ Irene O`Connor (also weekday morning anchor)

Former Personalities

★ Nancy Aborn, former AM features reporter, now marketing consultant.

★ Jon Morroney, former political reporter, now reporter for NECN

★ Mike Adams, former weekend sports, went to NECN Boston, now sports talk host WEEI Boston.

★ Barbara Allen, former noon/evening co-anchor, to WNAC Boston.

★ Ron Allen, reporter, to WCVB Boston, now correspondent NBC News.

★ Phil Andrews, former weekend sports, went to WPVI Philadelphia, now at Comcast SportsNet.

★ Sarah Barr, former weekend anchor (2000-2004) now communications aide to Hartford mayor.

★ Charley Bagley, former morning/noon meteorologist, went to WVIT, Travelers Weather, retired.

★ Adrianne Baughns, anchor, to WPIX New York, now consultant/freelancer.

★ Polly Bell, former am/noon co-anchor/reporter,

★ Rad Berky, reporter, now reporter WPLG Miami.

★ Dick Bertel, 70's anchor/reporter, to Voice of America in DC, retired.

★ Julie Bidwell(Banderas), reporter, now anchor Fox News Channel.

★ Al Bova, former VP/GM, now media consultant 'CouponBug'

★ Nina Bradley, former producer, went to WHDH Boston, now at MSNBC.

★ Mika Brzezinski, reporter/am co-anchor, went to WCBS NY, MSNBC & CBS News, now consultant.

★ Gerry Brooks, co-anchor/'Brooks File' reporter (1979-1993) now 6 and 11 co-anchor at WVIT.

★ Gary Brown, news director, now news director at KGTV San Diego.

★ Jill Brown, Morning Co-anchor/ meteorologist in the early 90's. Went to The Weather Channel

★ Steve Bunnell, former morning anchor (2004-2006) went into the ministry.

★ Newton Burkett, former reporter, now called 'N.J.' reporter WABC NY.

★ Ann Butler, 1st PM Magazine host, left in '82 for WABC NY, then WFAA Dallas, ???

★ Heather Cabot, reporter, went to KUSA Denver then WUSA D.C., now reporter ABC News Now.

★ Lucille Caliendo, former reporter, was with United Illuminating, now communications consultant.

★ Jon Camp, former reporter/anchor, now evening co-anchor WMTW Portland, ME.

★ Virginia Cha, reporter/anchor, left for WBZ, then MSNBC, NBC News, now anchor CNN Headline News

★ Pei Sze Cheng, reporter 02-05, now at WNBC NY.

★ Mary Civiello, reporter/anchor, went to WNBC NY '82-95, to KRON S.F. '96-99, to WCBS NY & CNBC 2000-2001, now President of Civiello Comm., media consultancy NY.

★ Eric Clemons, former sports anchor (1998-2005) Sports Director WVUE In New Orleans.

★ Jeff Cole, was anchor/investigative reporter, now investigative reporter WTXF Philadelphia.

★ Kerry Connolly, former noon/5:30 co-anchor, went to WBZ Boston, now freelance, cohost NESN's 'Golf Destination' & reporter 'Patriots All-Access' on Comcast VOD.

★ Bertha Coombs, anchor/reporter, left for WPLG, to WABC NY, to ABC News, now anchor CNBC.

★ Bill & Janis Corsair, host of morning talk/entertainment show "Corsair & Co", '77-'78, now actors in New York City. Bill is a Screen Actors Guild Award winner for his role in ''Chicago, The Musical''.

★ Bob Cox, meteorologist, with Travelers Weather Service, now with The New England Weather Service on WTIC Radio.

★ Stefanie Cruz, reporter, (1999-2004) currently news reporter for Good Day Sacramento at KOVR/KMAX in Sacramento, CA

★ John Daly, AM/noon co anchor, to KTNV Las Vegas, then host syndicated ''Real TV'', now HGTV host.

★ Brad Davis, 70's host of 'What's Happening!' (not the 'Rerun' comedy) AM talk-host WDRC radio.

★ Arnold Dean, 70's 11pm sports anchor, WTIC 1080 Radio, retired in 2004.

★ Mark Effron, news director/station manager, went to WDIV, VP Post-Newsweek, VP MSNBC now with Titan TV New York.

★ George Ehrlich, early 70s sports director, radio sports, voice of Hartford Hawks, deceased.

★ Rob Ewert, former sales manager, now partner Global Broadcasting LLC San Francisco.

★ Dina Falco, former sports anchor (2003-2005) lives in North Carolina.

★ Kim Fettig, former reporter, now at WGCL in Atlanta [3]

★ Mike Fierberg, reporter/anchor, left for KMGH Denver, now in public affairs at Transportation Security Administration in Denver.

★ Jim Forbes, Waterbury Bureau Chief, I-Team reporter '81 to '85, left for investigative reporting position @ KCBS LA. Correspondent CNN/Fortune, Host ESPN, E!, Narrator 300 + documentaries including VH1's Behind the Music and ESPN's Sports Century.

★ Joe Furey, was am/noon meteorologist, now on WTIC Radio, director of The New England Weather Service.

★ Ken Garee, 70's & early 80's weekend meteorologist,

★ Brian Garnett, reporter, now works in CT state government.

★ Chris Gordon, 70's reporter, to WDVM, WJLA and now legal reporter/anchor WRC Wash. D.C.

★ Dee Griffin, former anchor, went to KCTV Kansas City, now evening co-anchor WPTY Memphis.

★ Jack Guckin, producer/director, retired, deceased.

★ Elden Hale, former VP General Manager, now Sr.VP Meredith Corp. & VP/GM WSMV Nashville.

★ Andria Hall, PM magazine host, went to WCVB Boston, now motivational Christian speaker.

★ Jim Hanley, former 5pm co-anchor/reporter, now co-anchor at WRC Washington DC.

★ Dawn Hasbrouck, former morning/noon co-anchor (2003-2006),now weekend anchor WBZ Boston.

★ Alix Hayes, former reporter, was anchor at WNEM Flint, now freelancer in Philadelphia area.

★ Andre Hepkins, reporter, now reporter with WNYW NY.

★ Rich Hoffman, former meteorologist, now News 12 Long Island AM meteorologist.

★ Ellie Pai Hong, former morning anchor (2000-2003) currently at WMAQ-TV in Chicago [4]

★ Gail Huff, reporter, now reporter WCVB Boston.

★ Tasha Jamerson, former anchor/reporter, to WPIX NY, now at WTXF Philadelphia.

★ Hilton Kaderli, former meteorologist (1974-1998) retired to Oklahoma, has done some WVIT reporting & freelance work, 'Gutter Helmet guy'

★ Brendan Keefe, AM Co-Anchor/Reporter, went to KPRC Houston, now Weekend Morning Anchor/Reporter at WCBS NY.

★ Kathleen Keefe, General Sales Manager, to KPRC Houston, then General Manager WKMG Orlando, now VP of Sales at Hearst-Argyle NY.

★ Deborah Kent, former consumer reporter (1986-2004)

★ Gayle King, former anchor, close friend of Oprah Winfrey, editor at O magazine NYC.

★ Peter Krug, reporter '70-72, now law professor University of Oklahoma.

★ Don Lark, former anchor, now evening co-anchor at WSTM Syracuse.

★ Ted Leitner, early 80's Sports Director, went to KFMB San Diego, now play by play voice of San Diego Padres.

★ Bill Liggins, ex-weekend sports anchor, actor/author of sci-fi books 'Warning' and 'NovaChasers'

★ Jim Lutton, former station manager, now GM at WSTM Syracuse, with Don Lark.

★ Khambrel Marshall, former sports anchor, went to WPLG Miami, now producer at KPRC Houston.

★ Eric McClendon, sports anchor, went to KCRA Sacramento, now HGTV host and actor in L.A.

★ Duby McDowell, political reporter, went to WVIT, now consultant.

★ John Metaxas, business reporter, went to CNBC, now reporter WCBS NY.

★ John Mone, reporter, now reporter WPRI Providence.

★ Miles Muzio, former chief meteorologist (1998-2002) currently at KBAK-TV in Bakersfield, CA[5]

★ Christine Negroni, reporter, left for CNN, then to CBS News, now an Aeronautical journalist.

★ David Nelson, former am co-anchor, now morning co-anchor WAVY in Portsmouth, VA [6]

★ Dave Nemeth, former PM magazine/weatherman, to Salt Lake City, Detroit, GSN host, 'Extra!' contributor, now at WFLA Tampa co-hosting syndicated morning program called 'Daytime'

★ Belkys Nerey, reporter, now prime evening anchor at WSVN Miami.

★ Bob Neumeier, sports anchor, went to WBZ Boston, now hosts NESN's 'Sports Plus' & works for NBC Sports.

★ Mary Ollie Newman, former reporter, now producer/host CPTV.

★ Don Noel, political reporter, went to ''Hartford Courant'' now retired.

★ Chuck Olmstead, reporter '71-72, now long-time reporter/host WHAS Louisville.

★ Bill O'Reilly, former 11pm co-anchor and reporter(1979-80) now at Fox News Channel.

★ Bill Patrick, former weekend sports, to ESPN, now with NBC Sports NY.

★ Glen Pearson, reporter/weekend anchor,to Fox25 Boston& WOFL Orlando,now reporter WNBC NY.

★ Janet Peckinpaugh, arrived from WTNH New Haven, former anchor (1987-1995) WVIT 5pm coanchor, retired in 2007.

★ Andrew Pergam, former reporter (2001-2002) now at WVIT NBC30.

★ Norm Peters, former 70's weekend anchor, became a Conn. State employee as Communications Officer with the National Guard and then with the Motor Vehicle Dept. Now retired

★ Randall Pinkston, former reporter, went to WCBS New York, now at CBS News.

★ Barbara Pinto, reporter, went to MSNBC, now correspondent ABC News.

★ Mike Randall, PM Magazine host, now main weatherguy WKBW Buffalo.

★ Annie Rourke, reporter (2001-2002), went to WVIT, now at WTNH

★ Bill Ryan, former VP/General Manager '81-86, to WPLG, to CEO/President, then Chairman Post-Newsweek Company, retired.

★ Christopher Rohrs, former VP/General Manager, now President TVB, Television Advertising Bureau.

★ Steve Sabato, news director, to GM WNEM Flint, then ND WKRN Nashville.

★ John Sablon, 70's community affairs programs host, went to WVIT as reporter, retired.

★ R.D. Sahl, anchor/reporter, moved to WVIT as prime anchor, then to WHDH Boston and now at NECN.

★ Donna Savarese, reporter/fill-in anchor, now 6pm co-anchor/reporter KMOV St.Louis.

★ Marlene Schneider, was noon and 5:30 co-anchor thru '85, went to WTSP Tampa coanchor thru '92.

★ Pat Sheehan, longtime Co-anchor, went to WTNH New Haven, First news anchor at WTIC-TV signed on, now senior VP A.G. Edwards Financial.

★ Roger Simm, former weekend sportscaster.

★ Dave Smith, former sports director, now???.

★ Harvey Smilovitz, former sports anchor (1992-1998), WKRC Cincinnati, now???

★ Bob Steele, sports director thru '68, legendary morning host WTIC AM 1936-2002, deceased.

★ Joe Tessitore, former sports anchor (1995-2003) now at ESPN Boxing.

★ Howard Thompson, reporter, to WNBC NY, then WCBS, now 'Help Me Howard' at WPIX NY.

★ Lyn Tolan, former News Director '03-06, now News Director WSYX Columbus OH.

★ Gerry Toney, reporter, joined Hartford city govt.

★ David Ushery,former reporter/anchor (1989-1993),went to WABC NY, now Live at Five co-anchor at WNBC NY.

★ Brian Van Aken, former meteorologist, now with KRCR Redding, CA.

★ Jim Vicevich, business reporter, went to WVIT, now radio talk host WTIC-AM1080 Hartford.

★ Elijah Young, public affairs director, retired.

★ Diana Rocco, former reporter/weekend anchor,now at WFXT[7]

Administration

★ Klarn DePalma - Vice President and General Manager

★ Dana Neves - News Director

★ Patience Hettrick - Assistant News Director

★ Victor Zarrilli - Chief Engineer

★ Jim Gorham - Creative Services Director

★ Bill Whittle - General Sales Manager

★ Jim Messina - National Sales Manager

★ Joanne Gowdy - Local Sales Manager

★ Maripat Jordan - Local Sales Manager

★ Stephanie Turner - Marketing Manager

★ Mark Gordon - Assistant Chief Engineer

★ Linda Poindexter - MIS Director

★ John Ahearn - Director of Traffic Operations

★ Lisa Garofalo - Human Resource Manager

★ Lori LeBlanc - Business Manager

External Links

★ Station Website

★ WSHM Website

★ WFSB Tower & Transmitters

★