WLS-TV

WLS-TV is a television station located in Chicago, Illinois, and is owned by The Walt Disney Company. It is an affiliate of the ABC network and has been a major player in the Chicago media market since its launch on September 17, 1948. The station has a long history of broadcasting popular shows, including American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, and Grey's Anatomy, as well as local programming such as Windy City Live and Chicago Bears games. WLS-TV has also been the home of many notable personalities, including Oprah Winfrey, Phil Donahue, and Robin Roberts.

● History

WLS-TV was launched on September 17, 1948, as an affiliate of the DuMont network, but later became an affiliate of ABC in 1953. The station was originally owned by Prairie Farmer magazine, but was later sold to Capital Cities Communications in 1961. In 1985, Capital Cities Communications merged with ABC, making WLS-TV an owned-and-operated station of the network. The station has been owned by The Walt Disney Company since 1996, following the company's acquisition of ABC. Over the years, WLS-TV has broadcast many notable events, including the 1968 Democratic National Convention, the 1983 Chicago Bears season, and the 1996 Summer Olympics. The station has also been the home of many popular shows, including The Lawrence Welk Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and The Jerry Springer Show.

● Programming

WLS-TV broadcasts a variety of programming, including ABC network shows, local news and sports, and syndicated programming. The station is the flagship station of the Chicago Bears and broadcasts the team's preseason games, as well as other sports programming such as Chicago Cubs games and Chicago Bulls games. WLS-TV also broadcasts local programming, including Windy City Live, a daytime talk show hosted by Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini, and Chicagoing, a weekly show that explores the city's neighborhoods and culture. The station has also broadcast many notable events, including the Taste of Chicago, the Chicago Air and Water Show, and the Chicago Marathon. In addition to its local programming, WLS-TV also broadcasts popular ABC shows, including Good Morning America, World News Tonight, and 20/20.

● Digital television

WLS-TV began broadcasting digital television in 1999, and currently broadcasts on channel 44. The station's digital signal is multiplexed, with several subchannels broadcasting different programming. The station's main channel broadcasts ABC network programming, while its subchannels broadcast programming from Live Well Network, Laff, and MeTV. WLS-TV has also been at the forefront of digital technology, launching a mobile app in 2011 that allows viewers to watch live streaming of the station's programming. The station has also partnered with Hulu to offer its programming on the streaming service, and has made its content available on Amazon Prime Video and YouTube TV.

● News operation

WLS-TV has a strong news operation, with a team of experienced anchors and reporters. The station broadcasts local news programming, including ABC 7 News and Eyewitness News, as well as sports programming such as Sports Xtra. The station's news team has won numerous awards, including several Emmy Awards and Edward R. Murrow Awards. WLS-TV has also been at the forefront of investigative journalism, with its I-Team reporting on corruption and wrongdoing in the Chicago area. The station has also partnered with CNN to provide national and international news coverage, and has a team of reporters based in Washington, D.C. and New York City.

● Controversies

WLS-TV has been involved in several controversies over the years, including a dispute with the Chicago Teachers Union in 2012 over the station's coverage of a teachers' strike. The station was also criticized for its coverage of the 2016 Chicago police shooting of Laquan McDonald, with some accusing the station of biased reporting. In 2019, the station was sued by a former employee who alleged that she was discriminated against based on her race and gender. The station has also faced criticism for its lack of diversity in its newsroom, with some accusing the station of not doing enough to hire and retain African American and Latino journalists.

● Technical information

WLS-TV broadcasts on channel 44, with a transmitter located in the Willis Tower in Chicago. The station's signal is broadcast on a VHF frequency, and is receivable in the Chicago area and surrounding suburbs. WLS-TV is also available on several cable television systems, including Comcast Xfinity and AT&T U-verse. The station's digital signal is broadcast in high definition, with several subchannels broadcasting different programming. WLS-TV has also launched a mobile app, allowing viewers to watch live streaming of the station's programming on their smartphone or tablet. The station has also partnered with Roku and Amazon Fire TV to offer its programming on those platforms. Category:Television stations in Illinois