WVIT

'WVIT', channel 30, is the NBC owned-and-operated station for the state of Connecticut. It is licensed to New Britain, with studios in West Hartford and transmitter in Farmington.

Contents

History

Trivia

On-Air Staff

News Anchors

Weather

Traffic

Sports

Reporters

Former News staffers

Administration

External links

History

WVIT signed-on for the first time on February 15, 1953 as 'WKNB-TV', a sister station to WKNB radio (840 kHz., now WRYM). The calls stood for 'K'ensington-'N'ew 'B'ritain. It is Connecticut's second-oldest television station, and the first on the UHF band. It is the only Hartford station to never change its primary affiliation.
In 1954, only a year after channel 30 signed on, Hartford and New Haven were collapsed into a single television market. However, WKNB's signal was not strong enough to cover southern Connecticut at the time--a problem that would hamper channel 30 for almost a quarter-century.
NBC itself purchased the station in 1957 and renamed it 'WNBC-TV' (for 'N'ew 'B'ritain, 'C'onnecticut). It planned to boost the station's signal to cover all of the market, but these plans never materialized. In its first stint as an NBC-owned station, channel 30 failed to gain much headway in the ratings, largely because television manufacturers were not required to include UHF tuning capability until 1964. Viewers had to buy an expensive converter to watch WNBC-TV, and even with one the picture was barely viewable. Nonetheless, NBC bought channel 30 as part of an experiment to determine whether UHF could be competitive with VHF.
In September 1957, the Travelers Insurance Company signed on independent WTIC-TV (channel 3, now WFSB), Hartford's first and only VHF station. Within a year after its debut WTIC became Hartford-New Haven's CBS affiliate, replacing its owned-and-operated station, WHCT-TV (channel 18, now WUVN). NBC then realized its UHF experiment would end up as a lost cause and sold WNBC-TV to Transcontinental Properties in 1959. In 1960, the calls changed again -- this time to 'WHNB-TV' (for 'H'artford-'N'ew 'B'ritain); NBC reclaimed the previous calls for its flagship radio and television combination in New York City.
In 1966 WHNB became, once again, one of two NBC affiliates in Connecticut: the network signed with WATR-TV (channel 20) in Waterbury in order to get its programming into New Haven. Channel 30 itself made up for the shortfall in its market coverage by operating two low-power translators (starting in 1971) in Torrington on channel 79 [1], and later in the 1980s, on channel 59 in New Haven.
WHNB was sold to Viacom in 1978, and changed its call letters to 'WVIT' (for "'V'iacom 'I'nternational 'T'elevision") to reflect its new ownership. Viacom immediately announced plans to boost WVIT's signal, and in 1980 channel 30 signed on with a clear signal to New Haven for the first time. Viacom also beefed up WVIT's news operation, which had long been an also-ran behind WFSB and ABC affiliate WTNH-TV (channel 8) due to its weak signal in New Haven. After the signal boost, however, it became a factor in the ratings for the first time. WVIT became the market's exclusive provider of NBC programming in March 1982, when WATR-TV's affiliation contract with NBC ended and the station became independent WTXX. The Torrington translator was turned off in 1987, and the New Haven repeater was shut down in the middle 1990s to allow full-powered WTVU (now WCTX) to begin operations.
Viacom purchased Paramount Pictures in 1994. Within the next year, following the launch of the United Paramount Network venture it co-owned with Chris-Craft Industries, Paramount/Viacom began to sell off its non-UPN affiliated stations. WVIT, which was Viacom's first station purchase in 1978, ended up being the last non-UPN outlet sold in 1997. As part of a three-way deal, which closed in September of that year, WVIT was sold to former owner NBC, while Paramount/Viacom ended up with WLWC in Providence, Rhode Island and WWHO in Columbus, Ohio, two stations owned by Fant Broadcasting which NBC operated by way of local marketing agreements. With NBC's second acquisition of the station came a greater investment into and expansion of the news department, and by the start of the new millennium WVIT was regularly trading the number-two position in the market with WTNH.
In August of this year, the station will begin constructing new studios next to its current facility. It is expected that the new studios will be finished in late 2008. [2]

Trivia

★ WVIT is one of NBC Universal's 10 owned-and-operated television stations, and (because of its location on channel 30) is one of two that are on the UHF dial, along with KNSD/39 in San Diego, California. A third UHF O&O station, WNCN/17 in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, was recently sold to Media General.

★ WVIT is the only Connecticut TV station to have been owned by two major media conglomerates: Viacom and NBC Universal.

★ Unlike most NBC affiliates, WVIT does not air a weekday noon newscast, but it does air a 10 AM edition of its morning newscast.

★ WVIT is the only station based in Connecticut that is owned and operated by any major network.

★ WVIT airs NBC Weather Plus on its digital subchannel, channel 30.2 / 35.2. On weekday mornings from 4 to 4:30 AM, the main channel of WVIT simulcasts the weather plus channel.

★ After 25 years of anchoring on WVIT, Joanne Nesti retired from WVIT and broadcast television on December 15, 2006.

★ After returning to the network in 2004, Logan Byrnes left in December 2006.

★ Well known CT newswomen, 5pm co-anchor Janet Peckinpaugh retired from WVIT and broadcast television on December 22, 2006.

★
★ In the month of December 2006, WVIT lost three of its four evening news anchors.

★ Lisa Carberg was named Nesti's replacement and also became Byrnes and Peckinpaugh's replacement. Carberg anchors the 5pm half-hour solo, and the 5:30, 6, and 11pm broadcasts with Gerry Brooks.

★ Brian Shactman left the station on May 23rd, 2007 to join CNBC as a business reporter.

★ Weekend anchor and reporter Mindi Ramsey left the station on May 30, 2007 to be the the morning anchor at WNEP TV, a power house ABC affiliate.

★ Gerry Brooks announced on his blog on Tuesday July 10, 2007 that Brad Drazen has officially been named the replacement for Brian Shactman as morning co-anchor

★ With the Today Show expanding to 4 hours. The news at 10am with Keisha Grant, and Bob Maxon will move back one hour to 11am. Among the anchors of the 4th hour of Today Show will be co-anchored by former WVIT-TV anchor/reporter Natalie Morales.
Was the only NBC affiliate (and one of seven non-CBS affiliates) to use Frank Gari's ''The CBS Enforcer Music Collection'', according to news music website SouthernMedia.

On-Air Staff

News Anchors

★ 'Brad Drazen' - NBC 30 5-7am & 11am

★ 'Keisha Grant' - NBC 30 5-7am & 11am

★ 'Gerry Brooks' - NBC 30 @ 5, 6, and 11 p.m.

★ 'Lisa Carberg' - NBC 30 @ 5, 6, and 11 p.m.

★ 'Lauren Petty' - NBC 30 Weekend 6 & 9am (Sat) and 7 & 9am (Sun)

★ 'Anjuli Porter' - NBC 30 Weekend 6 & 9am (Sat) and 7 & 9am (Sun)

★ 'Erika Tarantal' - NBC 30 Weekend @ 6 & 11pm

Weather

★ 'Brad Field' - Chief Meteorologist - NBC 30 @ 5, 6, and 11 p.m.

★ 'Garett Argianas' - NBC 30 Weekend 6 & 11pm

★ 'Bob Maxon' - NBC 30 5-7am & 11am

★ 'Ryan Hanrahan' - NBC 30 Weekend 6 & 9am (Sat) and 7 & 9am (Sun)

Traffic

★ 'Mark The Shark', Traffic reporter - NBC 30 5-7am & 10am

Sports

★ 'Kevin Nathan' - Sports Director - NBC 30 @ 5, 6, and 11 p.m.

★ 'Joe D'Ambrosio' - Fill-in

★ 'Mark Sudol' - Fill-in ''Sunday Sports Replay''

★ 'Mike Ratte'

Reporters

★ 'Debra Bogstie' - Investigative Reporter

★ 'Persefone Contos' - Host- ''All That and More'' weekdays during the 5pm half-hour

★ 'Susan Goodman'- morning live-shot reporter

★ 'Doug Greene'- weekday reporter

★ 'Ryan Hanrahan' - Weekend weather/Weekday reporter

★ 'Tom Lewis'- morning live-shot reporter

★ 'Marla Matthews'

★ 'Tom Monahan' - Chief Political Correspondent

★ 'Amy Parmenter'

★ 'Anjuli Porter' - Anchor/Reporter

★ 'Andrew Pergam' - New Haven Bureau

★ 'Lauren Petty' - Anchor/Reporter

★ 'Sean Phillips'

★ 'Amanda Rauss'

★ 'Erika Tarantal' - Anchor/Reporter

Former News staffers

★ Charlie Bagley, meteorologist, to Travelers Weather Service, retired.

★ Ann Baldwin, anchor/reporter, now media consultant.

★ Barry Barents, anchorman 1961-65,

★ Chris Berman, weekend sports 1979, now Boomer's been at ESPN for over 25 years.

★ Don Blair, 60's reporter/weather/host, to NBC Radio Net NY as news anchor, retired in FL.

★ Mike Boguslawski, consumer advocate (I wont use reporter or journalist), short-term 'sweeps' addition. now doing commercials for funeral home chain in MA.

★ Lew Brown, long-time reporter, retired 2005.

★ Ricardo Brown, reporter, assignment editor, 1975-1981, went to Sin, Univision, Telemundo, News Director-Cbs-Telenoticias. Now hosts nightly show for WGENT, Miami,Florida.

★ Logan Byrnes, anchor/reporter, went to Inside Edition as reporter

★ Colin Campbell, reporter, now at KWGN Denver.

★ Lynn Carson, reporter, to WTAE Pittsburgh, now reporter at WFLA Tampa.

★ Tom Condon, commentator, columnist with the Hartford Courant.

★ Paul Cousins, former meteorologist, director AtmosForecast Portland, ME.

★ Brian Dow, reporter '76-78, radio news with WDRC, WTIC1080, deceased in 2002.

★ Stefanie Cruz, former AM co-anchor/reporter, to AM co-anchor KOVR/KMAX Sacramento.

★ Anthony Everett, anchor/reporter, now co-anchor Chronicle WCVB Boston.

★ Chris Flanagan, sports producer/reporter, to sports anchor KNTV S.F., now evening co-anchor WOI Des Moines, IA.

★ Dennis FitzSimons, sales director '80-82, to WGN Chicago, now VP Tribune Company.

★ Liz Grey, News Director 2000-2003,

★ Van Hackett, anchor, retired 2006 as news director WHSV Charlottesville, VA.

★ Bill Hansen, early 70's news anchor, WTIC & WKYU radio, deceased.

★ Bill Hennessey, announcer, news/weekend weather, WDRC, WTIC radio, CT Lottery, now freelancer.

★ Karen Hepp, reporter, to WCAU Philly, WNBC NY, now weekend co-anchor WNYW NY.

★ Mark Hoffman, former VP/General Manager, now President of CNBC.

★ Lou Holder, sports anchor/reporter (2000-2002, now weekend sports anchor at WTTG in Washington, D.C.)

★ Cavell Jobert Nappi, weathergirl 1953-1967, actress, deceased 2007 at 81.

★ Ross Joel, anchor/reporter, now Founder/Partner/Exec VP Sales&Marketing slp3D Inc. healthcare internet broadband company West Hartford slp3D.com.

★ Hilton Kaderli, former (sweeps) features reporter, retired, 'Gutter Helmet' pitchman.

★ Arnold Klinsky, former news director, now GM WHEC Rochester.

★ Brian Kilmeade, freelance sports, to News 12 LI, WLIG, hosts FNC's 'Fox and Friends' and 'Brian and the Judge' Fox Radio Network.

★ Kathryn Kirby, reporter/anchor, now runs lifestyle internet site.

★ Amy Ripke Knorr, former producer/asst. news director 2000-2003,

★ Kal Kolby, anchorman 1965-67, Don Blair says he "talked like he had a mouth full of marbles".

★ Polly Kreisman, reporter, went to WWOR, WPIX, WNBC NY. now producer ABC's 20/20 NY.

★ Mia Lee, reporter, to KMAX, KUSI, now morning/noon coanchor KCAL Los Angeles.

★ Kevin Lemanowicz, meteorologist, now chief meteorologist at Fox25 Boston.

★ Rob Marciano, meteorologist, to KPLC, KATU Portland, now meteorologist at CNN.

★ Dr. David Marks, medical reporter, to MSNBC, FNC, now medical author and contributor WCBS NY.

★ Bob Mayer, co-anchor, now anchor WTVJ Miami.

★ Duby McDowell, political reporter/anchor, now consultant.

★ Mildred McNeill, former prodecer & News Director, retired

★ Toby Moffett, co-anchor, ex-politician as 'Anchor' experiment, now lobbyist.

★ Natalie Morales, am co-anchor/reporter, to MSNBC, now NBC 'Today' show contributor.

★ Rob Morrison, am co-anchor/reporter, now am co-anchor at WNBC NY.

★ Joanne Nesti, 25-year co-anchor, retired 2006.

★ Janet Peckingpaugh, coanchor, retired 2007.

★ Carolyn Pennington, reporter, now director community & media relations UConn Health Center.

★ Mearl Purvis, anchor, name???, now co-anchor WHBQ Memphis.

★ Mindi Ramsey, anchor/reporter, now morning anchor WNEP Wilkes Barre/Scranton PA

★ Beasley Reece, sports anchor, to WTOG Tampa, now sports director WCAU Philly.

★ Jay Richard, 70's weekend weatherguy, 'Bedding Barn' guy.

★ Megan Vega Rodney, reporter, now reporter/anchor WWOR NY.

★ Bob Roseman, meteorologist, to Denver, now WXLV Winston-Salem, NC.

★ Brandon Rudat, reporter, now weekend evening anchor/reporter at WHDH

★ Samantha Ryan, sports anchor, to WNBC NY, ESPN, now weekend sports WCBS NY.

★ John Sablon, long-time reporter, retired 2005.

★ R.D. Sahl, co-anchor, left for WHDH Boston, now anchor at NECN.

★ Lisa Salvati, former reporter, ???

★ Steve Savard, former sports anchor/reporter, now sports director KMOV St. Louis.

★ Steve Schwaid, News Director '93-97, (the "Live, Local and Late-Breaking" guy) to WCAU, to KNTV, now Senior VP News & Programming NBC Universal Stations NY.

★ Brian Shactman, anchor, now business reporter at CNBC.

★ Derek Slap, reporter/anchor, now communications/press aide to New Haven mayor.

★ Phil Steele, fill-in sports anchor, wrote the book 'The Word of the Day' with his father Bob Steele, In 2002 ran for Congress in CT's 1st District, losing to John Larson.

★ Grant Stinchfield, investigative reporter, now at KXAS Dallas.

★ Tony Terzi, sports reporter/anchor, to WTIC, now morning host WEZN Star99.9 Bridgeport.

★ Sheila Trauernicht, former exec.producer & VP News, left for Houston?

★ Jim Vicevich, business reporter, now radio talk host WTIC AM1080.

★ Scott Wahle, sports director, left Wash. D.C. to WDIV Detroit, now am co-anchor WBZ Boston.

★ Lloyd Wimbish, reporter, now media liaison CT State Senate Hartford.

★ Chris Wragge, weekend sports, left for Entertainment Tonight, to sports director KPRC Houston, to sports anchor WCBS NY, to noon/5pm anchor WCBS NY, now 5pm/11pm anchor WCBS NY.

★ Bob Wilson, reporter, went to WTNH, now??

Administration

★ David Doebler, President and General Manager

★ Michael St. Peter, Vice President of News

★ Steve Smith, Vice President of Sales

★ Steve J. Smith, Director of Creative Services

★ Tom Sequin, Director of Finance

★ Keith R. Barbaria, Director of Engineering and Technology

★ Philip Speliopolis, Production Supervisor

★ Ronni Attenello, Director of Programming

★ Mary Anderson, Manager of Human Resources

★ Emma Asante, Community Projects Manager

★ James Craven, NBC30.com Managing Editor

External links

★ Official website

★ WVIT Wireless

★ WVIT Tower

★ UHF Morgue: W79AI, former WVIT translator

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