WPRI-TV

WPRI-TV is a CBS-affiliated television station located in Providence, Rhode Island, serving the Providence and New Bedford areas. The station is owned by Nexstar Media Group, a leading media company that operates several television stations across the United States, including WGN-TV in Chicago and KTLA in Los Angeles. WPRI-TV operates on digital channel 7 and is affiliated with CBS, one of the major American television networks, which includes other notable stations like WCBS-TV in New York City and KCBS-TV in Los Angeles. The station's programming includes a mix of CBS shows, local news, and syndicated content from Warner Bros. and Sony Pictures Television.

● History

WPRI-TV was launched in 1955 by Westinghouse Broadcasting, a subsidiary of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, which also owned other notable stations like KYW-TV in Philadelphia and WBZ-TV in Boston. The station was originally affiliated with ABC and later switched to CBS in 1956, joining other CBS affiliates like WCCO-TV in Minneapolis and KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. Over the years, WPRI-TV has been owned by several companies, including Taft Broadcasting, Great American Broadcasting, and Nexstar Media Group, which acquired the station in 2019. The station has also undergone several changes in its programming and news operations, including the introduction of new shows from NBCUniversal and Disney-ABC Television Group.

● Programming

WPRI-TV's programming includes a range of CBS shows, such as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, 60 Minutes, and NCIS, as well as local news and syndicated content from Warner Bros. and Sony Pictures Television. The station also airs sports programming from CBS Sports, including NFL games and NCAA basketball tournaments, which feature teams like the New England Patriots and the Boston Celtics. In addition, WPRI-TV broadcasts local programming, such as The Rhode Show, a morning talk show that features interviews with local celebrities like Andrea Bocelli and Taylor Swift. The station's programming is also available on its website and through its mobile app, which allows viewers to watch live streams of their favorite shows and access exclusive content from CNN and Fox News Channel.

● News operation

WPRI-TV operates a news department that produces local news programming, including Eyewitness News, a evening news program that features reports from Providence and surrounding areas. The station's news team includes anchors like Patrick Little and Karen Adams, who have covered major events like the Boston Marathon bombing and the Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. WPRI-TV also has a team of reporters who cover local news, sports, and weather, including StormTeam 12, a weather team that provides forecasts and updates on severe weather events like Hurricane Katrina and Blizzard of 1993. The station's news operation is led by News Director Robert Rockstroh, who has worked at other notable stations like WCVB-TV in Boston and WABC-TV in New York City.

● Technical information

WPRI-TV operates on digital channel 7 and is licensed to Providence, Rhode Island. The station's transmitter is located in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, and its signal is broadcast to the Providence and New Bedford areas. WPRI-TV is also available on cable and satellite providers like Comcast Xfinity and DirecTV, which offer a range of channels from HBO to ESPN. The station's technical operations are managed by Chief Engineer John Martin, who has worked at other notable stations like WHDH in Boston and WNYW in New York City.

● Controversies

WPRI-TV has been involved in several controversies over the years, including a dispute with Cox Communications over carriage fees, which affected the station's availability on the cable provider's systems. The station has also faced criticism for its coverage of local events, including the Providence mayoral election, 2014, which featured candidates like Jorge Elorza and Brett Smiley. In addition, WPRI-TV has been the subject of several FCC complaints, including one related to its broadcast of indecent content during a Super Bowl broadcast, which featured a halftime show by M.I.A. and Madonna. The station has also been criticized for its handling of viewer complaints, which have been raised by organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Association of Broadcasters.