Considering a TV station with a rich history? Look no further than WGN-TV. WGN-TV is an independent television station in Chicago. It is located on West Bradley Place. This makes it unique. It is the only major commercial television station in Chicago outside the Loop.
The story of WGN-TV begins in 1948. The Chicago Tribune Company launched the station. Robert R. McCormick led the Tribune at the time. The call letters WGN stand for “World’s Greatest Newspaper”. This was the Tribune’s slogan since 1909.
WGN-TV first broadcast on April 5 1948. The inaugural program was a two-hour special. It was called WGN-TV Salute to Chicago. The broadcast featured speeches. Mayor Martin Kennelly and Governor Dwight Green spoke. Musical performances entertained viewers.
In its early years WGN-TV was an independent station. Later it affiliated with DuMont and CBS. The station produced several DuMont programs. These included The Al Morgan Show and Down You Go. WGN-TV also broadcast the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. This began in 1953. Fritz Reiner was the music director.
After DuMont ceased operations WGN-TV became independent again in 1956. Ward L. Quaal led the station. It adopted a general entertainment format. The format included sitcoms movies and cartoons. WGN-TV became known for sports. It broadcast Chicago Cubs baseball games.
In 1958 WGN-TV earned a Peabody Award. It won for its children’s program The Blue Fairy. WGN-TV was the only local station to win.
WGN-TV extended its reach in the mid-1970s. It transmitted its signal to cable providers. These providers were in the central Midwest. In 1978 WGN-TV became a superstation. It was available nationwide via satellite.
The station launched the “Chicago’s Very Own” campaign in 1983. The campaign promoted the city’s culture. It also promoted WGN-TV’s local programming.
During the 1990s WGN-TV affiliated with The WB. It later affiliated with The CW. WGN-TV continued to produce local programs. These included Adelante Chicago and People to People.
WGN-TV has a long history of news programming. It was the first Chicago station to televise a U.S. President. It also provided coverage of Pope John Paul II’s visit.
Tom Skilling was a longtime meteorologist at WGN-TV. He worked at the station for 45 years. Skilling retired in 2024.
Today WGN-TV broadcasts 72 plus hours of local newscasts each week. It has the highest newscast output in Chicago. WGN-TV maintains a content partnership with the Chicago Tribune.
WGN-TV has a rich legacy. It continues to serve the Chicago area. From its early days to its current programming WGN-TV remains “Chicago’s Very Own”.