WFSB
WFSB, virtual channel 3 (UHF digital channel 36), is a CBS-affiliated television station licensed to Hartford, Connecticut, United States, serving the Hartford–New Haven market.[1] The station is owned by Gray Television and operates as Eyewitness News 3, providing local news, weather, sports, and community programming to southern New England.[2] Its studios are located at 3 Denise D'Ascenzo Way in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, while its transmitter is situated on Talcott Mountain in Avon.[3] WFSB signed on the air on September 23, 1957, as WTIC-TV, the second VHF station in Connecticut and initially an independent outlet owned by the Hartford-based Travelers Insurance Company, which also held the licenses for WTIC radio (AM and FM).[4] In 1958, the station affiliated with CBS after the network closed WHCT-TV (channel 18) due to low ratings and the limitations of UHF broadcasting.[5] The call letters changed to WFSB in March 1974 following the station's $12.5 million sale to Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc. (a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company), honoring Frederick S. Beebe, the late president of the company's broadcasting division.[6] The Washington Post Company retained ownership until 1997, when it traded WFSB to Meredith Corporation in exchange for Meredith's station in Orlando, Florida.[7] Meredith operated the station until December 2021, when Gray Television completed its $2.7 billion acquisition of Meredith's local media group, including WFSB and its low-power sister station WWAX-LD (channel 27, known on-air as theWax).[8] Under Gray's ownership, WFSB continues to emphasize investigative journalism through its I-Team unit and maintains a strong focus on regional coverage, earning high marks for factual reporting.[2]History
Launch and early operations
WTIC-TV, now known as WFSB, was established by the Travelers Insurance Company and signed on the air on September 23, 1957, as Connecticut's second VHF television station licensed to Hartford. Owned by the Hartford-based Travelers Broadcasting Service Corporation—a subsidiary of the insurance giant—the station operated on channel 3 with an initial authorized power of 100,000 watts visual and 60,000 watts aural. The launch filled a gap in local broadcasting, providing VHF service to the Hartford-New Haven market where the existing station, WHNB-TV (channel 30), was UHF and struggled with reception issues.[9][10] From its inception, WTIC-TV functioned primarily as an independent station, though it carried select network programming, including some NBC shows tied to its radio counterpart's long-standing affiliation. Early programming emphasized local content, such as educational workshops, high school features, and community-oriented productions, alongside syndicated films, cartoons, and variety shows. The inaugural broadcast on September 23 featured a dedication ceremony hosted by notable figures, including actor Ed Begley, marking the station's entry into the regional media landscape. By October 1957, a regular schedule had been established, airing from late afternoon through prime time with a focus on family-friendly and instructional fare to build viewership in the competitive market.[11][12][13] The station's original studios were housed on the sixth floor of the Travelers Insurance Building at 26 Grove Street in downtown Hartford, integrating seamlessly with the company's radio operations at WTIC (AM) and WTIC-FM. This central location facilitated production of live local segments and news inserts. The transmitter and antenna were located on Talcott Mountain in Avon, Connecticut, approximately 10 miles west of Hartford, enabling broad coverage across central Connecticut with a 1,000-foot tower that improved signal reliability over UHF competitors. Test broadcasts preceded the official launch, ensuring technical readiness, and the setup supported the station's goal of serving as a community hub during its formative years.[14][15] In late 1958, WTIC-TV transitioned to a primary CBS affiliation, which would shape its future development.[11]Affiliation changes and renaming
In 1958, the primarily independent WTIC-TV, which had carried some secondary NBC programming since launch, switched its primary network affiliation to CBS on November 16, following CBS's decision to divest its owned-and-operated UHF station WHCT-TV (channel 18) in Hartford.[16] The shift was driven by WHCT's persistently low ratings, attributed to the era's limited UHF television set penetration and inferior signal propagation compared to VHF channels, prompting CBS to seek a more competitive VHF outlet for stronger coverage across the Hartford-New Haven market.[13] WTIC-TV's channel 3 position provided the superior signal reach CBS needed to bolster its local presence, while NBC's affiliation relocated to the newly available channel 30 (then WHNB-TV), underscoring CBS's strategic prioritization of market dominance over maintaining its UHF experiment.[16] The affiliation change stabilized WTIC-TV's programming lineup and elevated its competitive standing, as CBS programming drew higher viewership on the robust VHF signal, effectively positioning the station as the market's leading network affiliate for decades.[13] In March 1974, following its $34 million sale to The Washington Post Company's broadcasting subsidiary (Post-Newsweek Stations), the station underwent a significant rebranding, adopting the call letters WFSB on March 8 to honor Frederick Sessions Beebe, the late president of the company's broadcasting division who had died in 1973.[17] To secure the WFSB calls, Post-Newsweek negotiated a swap with Framingham State College in Massachusetts, which had used them for its non-commercial station WFSP, allowing the Hartford outlet to transition smoothly while aligning with the new ownership's national portfolio.[13] This renaming refreshed the station's identity, emphasizing its CBS affiliation and integration into a major media conglomerate, which enhanced branding consistency and operational resources without disrupting its established market role.[18]Ownership transitions
In 1974, the Washington Post Company acquired WFSB from its previous owners, marking the beginning of a period of stability under major media conglomerates.[19] A significant ownership transition occurred in 1997 when Post-Newsweek Stations, the broadcasting arm of the Washington Post Company, traded WFSB to Meredith Corporation. The deal, announced on June 2, 1997, involved exchanging WFSB for Meredith's CBS affiliate WCPX-TV (now WKMG-TV) in Orlando, Florida, along with approximately $60 million in cash.[7][20] This transaction was structured to allow Meredith to expand its presence in the Hartford-New Haven market while enabling Post-Newsweek to focus on higher-growth opportunities in Florida. The Federal Communications Commission approved the trade, and it closed on September 4, 1997.[21] Under Meredith Corporation's ownership from 1997 to 2021, WFSB experienced no major operational disruptions, maintaining its status as a key CBS affiliate in Connecticut with consistent local programming and news production.[22] In May 2021, Meredith agreed to sell its entire Local Media Group, including WFSB and 16 other television stations across 12 markets, to Gray Television for $2.7 billion in cash. The acquisition was part of a broader strategy for Meredith to divest its broadcast assets and focus on its magazine and digital publishing divisions. The Federal Communications Commission accepted the applications for review on May 26, 2021, and granted approval on November 12, 2021, following public comment periods and divestiture requirements to address market concentration concerns. The transaction closed on December 1, 2021, after Meredith's shareholder approval.[23][24][25] As of 2025, WFSB continues to operate under Gray Television's ownership, benefiting from the company's expanded portfolio of over 180 stations nationwide. The acquisition has enabled synergies such as shared resources and cost efficiencies estimated at $55 million annually across the combined group, including operational integrations with local sister stations like low-power WWAX-LD in the Hartford market. Recent developments include the appointment of David Hughes as general manager in July 2025, reflecting ongoing leadership stability.[26][27][28]Facility developments
WFSB, originally launched as WTIC-TV, began broadcasting from studios located at 26 Grove Street in Hartford, Connecticut, upon its sign-on in September 1957.[10] These initial facilities were housed within the Travelers Insurance Company building, reflecting the station's origins under the insurance firm's ownership alongside its radio counterparts.[14] The setup supported early operations but was limited in scale, prompting a relocation just five years later to accommodate growth. In 1962, the station moved to the newly constructed Broadcast House at 3 Constitution Plaza in downtown Hartford, a state-of-the-art facility that became its home for the next 45 years.[13] This modern building, the first completed structure in the Constitution Plaza development, featured advanced production capabilities and served as a hub for both radio and television until the radio operations relocated in the 1970s.[29] Over the decades from 1962 to 2007, Broadcast House underwent periodic expansions and updates to enhance news production and technical infrastructure, including renovations to support expanded local programming demands following ownership changes such as the 1997 acquisition by Meredith Corporation. Broadcast House was demolished in 2009, and the site was redeveloped into apartments.[30] A major water main break flooded the Broadcast House in May 2007, accelerating the station's long-planned relocation.[31] Later that June, WFSB opened a new 60,000-square-foot studio facility at 3 Denise D'Ascenzo Way in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, costing approximately $23 million to construct.[32] The state-of-the-art complex includes two studios, three control rooms, a master control room, and integrated news and promotion departments on the first floor, designed for efficient workflow in a tapeless environment producing over seven hours of daily news content.[33] It also houses an advanced weather center supporting a dedicated digital multicast channel for meteorological updates.[33] Throughout its history, WFSB's transmitter has been situated on Talcott Mountain in Avon, Connecticut, providing broad coverage across the Hartford-New Haven market.[9] The site features a 526-foot self-supporting tower that broadcasts the station's digital signal (WFSB-DT) at an effective radiated power (ERP) of 1000 kW horizontal and 250 kW vertical in a non-directional pattern, ensuring reliable reception over a wide area since the station's inception.[1]Programming
Primary network content
WFSB has maintained a long-term affiliation with CBS since November 16, 1958, when the station, then known as WTIC-TV, switched from independent status to become the network's primary outlet in the Hartford–New Haven market.[13] This affiliation allows WFSB to broadcast the full slate of CBS programming, including primetime dramas such as NCIS, FBI, and The Equalizer, as well as network news programs like CBS Evening News and daytime staples including The Price Is Right and The Young and the Restless.[34] Special events, such as the Grammy Awards and NFL games, are also carried in full, establishing WFSB as a key distributor of CBS content in Connecticut.[35] In addition to network fare, WFSB airs syndicated programming to fill non-network time slots, particularly in daytime and early fringe periods. These syndicated offerings complement CBS's schedule by providing entertainment-focused content during mornings and afternoons, including talk shows, newsmagazines, sitcom reruns, and game shows. Weekend programming on WFSB includes CBS's dedicated blocks, such as CBS Mornings Weekend for news and lifestyle segments, followed by educational/informational (E/I) content mandated by the FCC to meet children's programming requirements.[36] Shows in this E/I lineup, like Great Kids and other age-appropriate series, air on Saturday and Sunday mornings to promote learning and development.[36] Historically, WFSB has aired nearly all CBS programming in pattern since the late 2000s, with minimal preemptions following the full carriage of The Early Show in 2008; occasional delays occur due to extended local news coverage, but major network shows remain intact.[31]Local non-news programming
WFSB has produced a range of original local programming focused on lifestyle, public affairs, and community engagement, distinct from its news and sports offerings. One prominent example is the lifestyle and community features show Better Connecticut, which debuted in the late 2000s and airs weekdays at 3:00 p.m. Hosted by meteorologist Scot Haney and anchors Kara Sundlun and Nicole Nalepa, the program covers topics such as home improvement, health tips, local events, and viewer-submitted stories to foster community connection across Connecticut.[37][38] In the realm of public affairs, WFSB airs Face the State, a Sunday morning program dedicated to political coverage and analysis relevant to Connecticut residents. Launched in the 1990s, the show features interviews with state lawmakers, election previews, and discussions on policy issues affecting the region, providing in-depth insights into local governance. Complementing this, Hello Connecticut is a weekly half-hour program that highlights community events, nonprofit organizations, and cultural happenings throughout the state, hosted by Renee DiNino and airing Sundays at 11:30 a.m. since its move to the main channel in early 2025; it emphasizes uplifting stories and resources for viewers to engage with their neighborhoods.[39][40] Earlier in its history, under the WTIC-TV callsign before the 1974 rename to WFSB, the station offered variety and talk-style local programming in the pre-1980s era, including children's and family-oriented shows. A notable example was The Ranger Andy Show in the 1950s and 1960s, a live variety program featuring host Dick Bertel as Ranger Andy, who presented educational segments, cartoons, and audience participation games aimed at young viewers in the Hartford area. Another historical offering was the trivia game show What in the World?, which aired in the 1960s and 1970s, encouraging local participation through on-air contests and community-themed questions. These early formats helped establish WFSB's role in delivering entertaining, Connecticut-centric content beyond network fare.[41][42] To support local content production, WFSB established a partnership with The Bulletin newspaper in eastern Connecticut in 2012, enabling shared resources for multimedia storytelling that enhances coverage of regional events and features, though primarily aligned with broader programming goals.[43]Sports broadcasts
As the CBS affiliate serving the Hartford–New Haven market, WFSB carries a wide array of CBS Sports programming, including National Football League (NFL) regular season and playoff games featuring American Football Conference (AFC) teams, NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament coverage during March Madness, and major PGA Tour events such as the Masters Tournament and PGA Championship.[44] In July 2023, WFSB and its sister station WWAX-LD announced an exclusive multi-year media partnership with UConn Athletics to provide regional coverage of University of Connecticut Huskies sports, beginning with the 2023–24 academic year.[45] Under this agreement, WFSB broadcasts one UConn football game annually on its main channel, including the 2023 matchup against Sacred Heart on November 18 and the 2024 contest against Merrimack on September 7.[46][47] WWAX-LD airs select UConn women's soccer, men's soccer, and women's volleyball games, with examples including women's soccer versus Vermont on August 17, 2024, and multiple matches streamed via WFSB+ in 2025 such as volleyball against UMass on August 22.[48][49] WFSB has also provided coverage of UConn's historic NCAA men's basketball championships through its CBS affiliation, broadcasting the 1999 final against Duke, the 2011 final against Butler, the 2014 final against Kentucky, and the 2023 final against San Diego State, all of which aired on CBS. In 2025, WWAX-LD broadcast four Boston Red Sox spring training games over-the-air as part of a distribution agreement with NESN, including matchups against Toronto on February 23, New York Mets on March 2, Atlanta on March 9, and Minnesota on March 23.[50]News operation
Eyewitness News format and schedule
WFSB's Eyewitness News format, adopted in 1974 after the station's acquisition by Post-Newsweek Stations, draws from the pioneering style developed at KYW-TV in Philadelphia, prioritizing live on-the-scene reporting, community-oriented stories, and a team-based approach to delivering timely local coverage.[13] This evolution shifted the station's news presentation toward more dynamic, viewer-focused segments that emphasize eyewitness accounts and regional relevance, setting the stage for its current emphasis on breaking news and investigative journalism.[51] The Eyewitness News schedule provides extensive coverage throughout the week. In April 2024, three additional newscasts were launched exclusively on sister station WWAX-LD: Eyewitness News at 7:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 10:30 p.m..[52] Weekday newscasts include a morning show starting at 4:30 a.m. and extending through 7:00 a.m., followed by editions at noon, 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m.[53] Weekend editions feature broadcasts at 6:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. on both Saturdays and Sundays, offering condensed yet comprehensive updates tailored to weekend audiences.[54] Since the launch of WWAX-LD in April 2023, select Eyewitness News programs, including extensions like Great Day Connecticut, have been simulcast on the station's 27.3 signal and WFSB's 3.4 digital subchannel, enabling additional local inserts and broader reach for Connecticut viewers.[55] Anchored by the station's experienced on-air team (detailed in the On-air personnel section), these broadcasts maintain a consistent format of integrated weather, traffic, and breaking news segments across all time slots.[56]Ratings and awards
WFSB has demonstrated consistent ratings leadership in the Hartford–New Haven market since affiliating with CBS in the late 1950s, maintaining the top position in key demographics including adults 25–54 according to long-term Nielsen measurements as of the early 2020s.[57] The station's Eyewitness News broadcasts have routinely outperformed competitors across multiple time slots, with its structured schedule contributing to sustained viewer loyalty. For instance, during the November 2021 sweeps period, WFSB captured 45% of local TV viewers among adults 25–54 throughout the week, topping every newscast.[58] In February 2022 late news, it achieved a 3.15 household rating and 1.00 share in the 25–54 demo, leading the market.[59] This dominance extended into major events, such as the 2023 UConn Huskies NCAA championship game, where WFSB broadcast drew a 29.4 live rating, underscoring its role in high-impact local sports coverage.[60] The station's news operation has earned numerous journalistic accolades, reflecting excellence in reporting and production. WFSB personnel have collectively secured multiple regional Emmy Awards for news coverage, including spot news and weather segments; for example, meteorologist Ross Ellet holds nine Emmys and first-place Associated Press (AP) honors for best weather in 2024.[61] Additional AP awards recognize spot news reporting, with staff like reporter George Mallet receiving two Emmys specifically for spot news contributions.[62] Investigative efforts have also been honored, bolstered by a 2012 partnership with The Bulletin newspaper that expanded coverage in eastern Connecticut and strengthened collaborative reporting on regional issues.[43]On-air personnel
WFSB's on-air personnel include a mix of veteran broadcasters and newer talent, reflecting changes following the station's acquisition by Gray Television in 2021. The news team emphasizes local storytelling, investigative journalism, and weather coverage for the Hartford-New Haven market. Current evening anchors include Mark Zinni, who joined in 2014 and co-anchors the 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 11 p.m. newscasts alongside Erin Connolly; Zinni, a Rhode Island native, has covered major local events and returned to the air in November 2025 after a two-month absence.[63][64] Connolly, an Emmy winner with over 15 years of experience, joined in 2019 and focuses on community impact stories, including one that helped locate a missing person in 2023.[65] On the morning side, Tracey McCain anchors the Eyewitness News This Morning, returning to WFSB in June 2024 after starting as an intern there two decades earlier; her 23 years of experience include stints at other Connecticut stations.[66][67] Caitlin Nuclo co-anchors the morning show since 2017, earning multiple awards for her reporting on education and health issues.[68] Caitlin Francis rounds out the morning team as anchor and traffic reporter, joining in 2019 and contributing to award-winning coverage.[69] Chief meteorologist Mark Dixon, promoted in 2022 under Gray Television ownership, leads the First Alert Weather Team with Emmy-nominated forecasts emphasizing severe weather preparedness; he hosts "Science Sunday" segments to engage viewers on meteorological concepts.[70][71] Recent additions to the weather team include Tyler Hughes, who joined in October 2025 as a meteorologist focused on weekend and fill-in duties; this follows the October 2025 departure of meteorologist Scott Gagliardi.[72][73] The investigative unit, known as the I-Team, is led by chief investigative reporter Sam Smink, who joined in 2022 and has uncovered stories on public safety and consumer issues, including a 2025 series on daycare complaints.[74] Other reporters include Taylor Knight, a Meriden native hired in May 2025 to cover general assignment beats with an emphasis on central Connecticut communities.[75][76] In sports, director Joe Zone has anchored Eyewitness Sports since 2006, providing play-by-play for UConn Huskies games and local high school coverage.[77] Sports reporter Dan Booth, who joined in recent years, specializes in professional and collegiate athletics in the region.[78] Notable former personnel include Al Terzi, a longtime evening anchor whose tenure spanned 1968–1978 and 1994–2012, during which he became a fixture for decades of evening newscasts before departing over contract disputes.[79][80] Post-2021 Gray acquisition, the team has seen increased diversity through hires like Knight, a local journalist, and other newcomers amid 2025 departures including anchors Nicole Nalepa and Marcy Jones, aiming to refresh the roster with Connecticut natives and experienced reporters.[81][82]Technical information
Signal coverage and transmitters
WFSB's primary over-the-air signal is broadcast from a transmitter located on Talcott Mountain in Avon, Connecticut, at coordinates 41°46′30″N 72°48′18″W.[1] The station operates on virtual channel 3, with its physical digital channel assigned to UHF 36 following the 2017 broadcast spectrum repack.[1] Its effective radiated power (ERP) is 1,000 kW horizontally and 250 kW vertically, with a height above average terrain (HAAT) of 289 meters (948 feet), enabling robust coverage across the region. No translator stations or signal boosters are currently in use to extend the main signal.[1] The station serves the Hartford–New Haven designated market area (DMA), ranked 33rd nationally in the 2025–2026 television season with approximately 1.07 million television households.[83] This coverage encompasses most of Connecticut, including Fairfield County in the southwest, as well as portions of western Massachusetts, eastern New York, and southern Rhode Island, providing a signal footprint of over 10,000 square miles and reaching an estimated population of 4.9 million.[1] WFSB's high-power UHF transmission offers stronger signal penetration compared to competitors like WTNH (ABC affiliate, channel 8), which operates at 20.5 kW ERP from a tower in Hamden, Connecticut.[84] Beyond over-the-air reception, WFSB is widely carried on cable and satellite providers throughout its market. On Optimum (formerly Cablevision), it is available on channel 3 in standard and high definition.[85] Similar positioning on channel 3 is standard across major providers like Comcast Xfinity and satellite services such as DirecTV and Dish Network, ensuring broad accessibility.[86] Prior to the digital transition, WFSB's analog signal on VHF channel 3 provided city-grade coverage to the core market from the same site.[87]Digital subchannels
WFSB broadcasts on digital subchannel 3.1 its primary CBS affiliation in 1080i high definition.[88] Subchannel 3.2 carries Ion Mystery, a network featuring crime dramas such as Bones and Murder, She Wrote.[88] Subchannel 3.3 airs Laff, which focuses on classic sitcoms including The King of Queens and Home Improvement.[88] Subchannel 3.4 simulcasts the independent programming of sister station WWAX-LD.[88]| Virtual Channel | Video | Aspect | PSIP Short Name | Programming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | 1080i | 16:9 | WFSB-HD | CBS |
| 3.2 | 480i | 16:9 | MYSTERY | Ion Mystery |
| 3.3 | 480i | 16:9 | LAFF | Laff |
| 3.4 | 1080i | 16:9 | theWAX | Independent (WWAX simulcast) |
| Virtual Channel | Video | Aspect | PSIP Short Name | Programming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27.1 | 1080i | 16:9 | WWAXHD | Independent (The Wax) |
| 27.2 | 480i | 16:9 | ROAR | Roar |
| 27.3 | 1080i | 16:9 | EWNNOW | Eyewitness News Now (news/weather loop) |
| 27.4 | 480i | 16:9 | Fido | Bark TV |
| 27.5 | 480i | 16:9 | DEFY | Defy TV |
| 27.6 | 480i | 16:9 | WWAX365 | 365BLK |
| 27.7 | 480i | 16:9 | WWAXOUT | Outlaw |