WKRC-TV

WKRC-TV
Callsign	WKRC-TV
City	Cincinnati, Ohio
Virtual	12
Branding	Local 12
Owner	Nexstar Media Group
Licensee	Nexstar Media Inc.
Country	United States
Founded	March 3, 1949
Airdate	April 9, 1949
Callsign meaning	Radio Cincinnati
Sister stations	WSTR-TV, WKEF (historical)
Former channel numbers	analog: 12 (VHF, 1949–2009)
Erp	22 kW
Haat	276 m
Facility id	73122
Licensing authority	FCC

WKRC-TV is a television station in Cincinnati, Ohio, serving as a flagship affiliate of the CBS television network in the Cincinnati metropolitan area. Founded in 1949, it is one of the region's oldest commercial stations and has been owned by several major broadcasting companies, including the Taft Broadcasting Company, Argyle Television Holdings II, Scripps, and most recently Nexstar Media Group. The station operates from studios in the Mount Adams neighborhood and maintains transmission facilities on Cincinnati's tallest broadcast towers.

History

WKRC-TV began broadcasting in April 1949 under the ownership of the Cincinnati Times-Star and the Taft family, linking the station to the Taft Broadcasting Company's regional media holdings. Early affiliations and programming were influenced by ties to the CBS network and competition with stations such as WLWT and WCPO-TV. During the 1960s and 1970s, ownership changes connected WKRC to the Taft-Hartley era of media consolidation and later to companies including Great American Communications and Scripps. The station underwent significant technical transitions during the analog-to-digital conversion mandated by the Federal Communications Commission in 2009, moving broadcasts to a digital signal while retaining its virtual channel identity. Corporate mergers in the 21st century brought WKRC under the umbrella of Nexstar Media Group following industry consolidations with entities such as Media General and various private equity firms.

Programming

WKRC-TV's programming slate blends CBS network schedules—such as 60 Minutes, The Young and the Restless, CBS Evening News—with locally produced shows, syndicated fare, and regional sports coverage. The station has historically carried broadcasts of Cincinnati Bengals preseason games and has partnered with regional sports networks for coverage of the Cincinnati Reds and collegiate athletics like the University of Cincinnati football and basketball teams. Special local programming has included lifestyle segments, investigative reports, and holiday telethons that involved collaborations with organizations such as the United Way and local Rotary International chapters. Syndicated shows on WKRC have ranged from talk programs hosted by figures like Oprah Winfrey to procedural dramas featuring casts from series like Law & Order.

News Operation

The station operates a full-scale news department producing morning, midday, evening, and late newscasts under the "Local 12" brand. Anchors, reporters, and meteorologists associated with WKRC have included well-known regional figures who moved between markets such as Pittsburgh, Columbus, and Lexington. Investigative journalism efforts have competed with rival newsrooms at WCPO-TV and WLWT, resulting in market recognition and awards from journalism organizations including the Associated Press and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Technological investments have introduced high-definition newscasts, Doppler radar partnerships with vendors like Weather Services International and distribution across digital platforms including the station’s website and social channels tied to companies like Facebook and Twitter.

Technical Information

WKRC transitioned from analog VHF channel 12 to a digital signal in compliance with the digital transition overseen by the Federal Communications Commission. The station broadcasts multiplexed subchannels that have carried affiliations such as Ion Television and lifestyle/digital multicast networks owned by groups like Scripps Networks and Nexstar Media Group. Its transmitter is sited on a high-elevation tower serving the Ohio River valley and surrounding counties, coordinating frequency assignments with nearby markets including Dayton and Lexington to minimize interference. Technical upgrades over time included power increases, antenna replacement projects, and adoption of ATSC standards to improve signal robustness for viewers using over-the-air antennas produced by manufacturers such as Winegard.

Former On-Air Staff

Notable former on-air staff have moved on to national platforms at networks including CBS News, NBC News, Fox News, and cable outlets such as MSNBC and CNN. Alumni include anchors and meteorologists who later worked in major markets like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Some personalities transitioned into roles at publications like the Cincinnati Enquirer or into public service positions with entities such as the Ohio General Assembly or local municipal administrations.

Community Involvement and Controversies

WKRC has engaged in community initiatives with partners like the American Red Cross, United Way, and area school districts in the Cincinnati Public Schools system, hosting charity drives and voter information campaigns in cooperation with civic groups such as the League of Women Voters. The station has also faced controversies typical of local broadcasters, including disputes over political advertising during presidential cycles, critiques of newsroom practices from watchdogs like the Columbia Journalism Review, and occasional legal or regulatory scrutiny by the Federal Communications Commission concerning technical operations or content complaints. Community reactions have prompted internal reviews and policy adjustments related to editorial standards and sponsorship disclosures.

Category:Television stations in Ohio