WDSU

WDSU
Hearst Television · Public domain · source
Station name	WDSU
Location	New Orleans, Louisiana
Brand	WDSU News
Channels	Digital: 19 (UHF)
Affiliations	NBC
Owner	Hearst Television
Launch date	December 18, 1948

WDSU is a television station located in New Orleans, Louisiana, owned by Hearst Television and affiliated with NBC. WDSU is one of the oldest television stations in the United States, signing on the air on December 18, 1948, with its first broadcast featuring Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy. The station has a long history of providing news, entertainment, and community programming to the New Orleans metropolitan area, including Metairie, Kenner, and Baton Rouge. WDSU has been affiliated with NBC since its inception, and has also aired programming from DuMont Television Network and NTA Film Network.

● History

WDSU was founded by New Orleans Times-Picayune owner Samuel Irving Newhouse Sr., who also owned WWL (AM) and WWL (FM) radio stations. The station's early programming included local shows such as The Alden and The Hazel, as well as network programming from NBC, including The Howdy Doody Show and The Texaco Star Theater. WDSU also aired New Orleans Saints games, with Al Hirt and Pete Fountain providing play-by-play commentary. The station has undergone several ownership changes over the years, including being acquired by Hearst Corporation in 1999, and has been owned by Hearst Television since 2009, which also owns WESH, WKCF, and WTAE-TV.

● Programming

WDSU's programming lineup includes a mix of local and network shows, such as Today, NBC Nightly News, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The station also airs local programming, including WDSU News and WDSU Sports, which features coverage of New Orleans Saints, New Orleans Pelicans, and LSU Tigers football. WDSU has also aired Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, as well as NBC Sports events, including Super Bowl XLVII and Olympics on NBC. The station has partnered with Tulane University and University of New Orleans to produce local programming, including Tulane Green Wave football and UNO Privateers men's basketball.

● News Operation

WDSU operates a news department that produces local news programming, including WDSU News at 5, WDSU News at 6, and WDSU News at 10. The station's news team includes anchors such as Randy Gonzales and Fletcher Mackel, as well as reporters like Travers Mackel and Christina Watson. WDSU has won numerous awards for its news coverage, including Emmy Awards and Edward R. Murrow Awards, and has been recognized by National Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Hispanic Journalists. The station has also partnered with New Orleans Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation to produce public service announcements and crime prevention programming.

● Controversies

WDSU has been involved in several controversies over the years, including a dispute with Cox Communications in 2012, which resulted in the station being removed from the cable provider's lineup. The station has also faced criticism for its coverage of Hurricane Katrina, with some viewers accusing WDSU of being too focused on New Orleans and not providing enough coverage of surrounding areas, such as St. Tammany Parish and Plaquemines Parish. WDSU has also been criticized for its handling of LSU Tigers football broadcasts, with some fans accusing the station of being too biased towards LSU.

● Technical Information

WDSU broadcasts on digital channel 19 (UHF) and is available on various cable and satellite providers, including Cox Communications, AT&T U-verse, and DirecTV. The station's transmitter is located in Chalmette, Louisiana, and its signal covers the New Orleans metropolitan area, including Metairie, Kenner, and Baton Rouge. WDSU is also available on Hulu and YouTube TV, and offers a mobile app for iOS and Android devices. The station has a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license to operate at a power of 1000 kilowatts, and is classified as a Class A television station. Category:Television stations in Louisiana