Generated by Llama 3.3-70B| WWL-TV | |
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![]() Tegna · Public domain · source | |
| Station name | WWL-TV |
| Location | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Brand | WWL-TV |
| Channels | Digital: 33 (UHF) |
| Affiliations | CBS |
| Owner | Tegna Inc. |
| Launch date | September 7, 1957 |
WWL-TV. WWL-TV is a CBS-affiliated television station located in New Orleans, Louisiana, owned by Tegna Inc.. The station is also affiliated with MeTV and Circle (network), and is a sister station to WUPL and KSDK. WWL-TV shares studios with WDSU and WGNO, and its transmitter is located in Chalmette, near the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain.
WWL-TV began operations on September 7, 1957, as the second television station in New Orleans, after WDSU. The station was founded by Loyola University New Orleans and was initially affiliated with CBS and DuMont Television Network. In the 1960s, WWL-TV became a major player in New Orleans' television market, with popular shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and What's My Line?. The station was also known for its coverage of local events, such as Mardi Gras and the Sugar Bowl, which were broadcast on CBS and NBC. WWL-TV's news team included notable anchors like John McCaa and Norma Quarles, who reported on major events like the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. The station's coverage of Hurricane Betsy in 1965 and Hurricane Camille in 1969 earned it several awards, including a Peabody Award and an Emmy Award.
WWL-TV's programming lineup includes a mix of CBS shows, such as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and 60 Minutes, as well as local programs like WWL-TV News and Great Day Louisiana. The station also airs syndicated shows like The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Dr. Phil, which are distributed by CBS Television Distribution and NBCUniversal Syndication Studios. WWL-TV has also broadcast several sports events, including New Orleans Saints games on CBS and Monday Night Football on ESPN. The station's programming is also available on Hulu and YouTube TV, which offer live streaming of WWL-TV and other Tegna Inc. stations. Additionally, WWL-TV has partnered with The Weather Channel to provide weather forecasts and alerts to its viewers.
WWL-TV has a strong news operation, with a team of experienced anchors and reporters who cover local and national news. The station's news team includes anchors like Sheba Turk and Chad Sabadie, who have reported on major events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 United States presidential election. WWL-TV's news coverage has earned it several awards, including a Peabody Award and an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award. The station's investigative reporting team, led by David Hammer, has exposed several high-profile scandals, including corruption in the New Orleans Police Department and the Louisiana State Legislature. WWL-TV has also partnered with ProPublica and The New York Times to produce in-depth investigative reports on topics like climate change and social justice.
WWL-TV broadcasts on UHF channel 33, with a digital signal that covers the entire New Orleans metropolitan area. The station's transmitter is located in Chalmette, near the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain. WWL-TV is also available on several cable television systems, including Cox Communications and AT&T U-verse. The station's digital signal is encoded with ATSC and MPEG-4, and is available in high definition on CBS and MeTV. WWL-TV has also launched a mobile app that allows viewers to watch live streaming of the station's programming on their smartphones and tablets.
WWL-TV has been involved in several controversies over the years, including a dispute with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over its retransmission consent agreements with cable television providers. The station has also faced criticism for its coverage of certain events, such as the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005, which was widely reported on by CNN, Fox News Channel, and MSNBC. WWL-TV's news team was praised for its coverage of the disaster, but the station was also criticized for its lack of preparedness and its failure to provide adequate warnings to viewers. The station has also been involved in a controversy over its ownership by Tegna Inc., which has been accused of media consolidation and censorship. Despite these controversies, WWL-TV remains a major player in the New Orleans media market, with a strong reputation for its news coverage and community involvement. The station has partnered with several local organizations, including the United Way of Southeast Louisiana and the New Orleans Food Bank, to provide support to the community. WWL-TV has also been recognized for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, with a news team that reflects the diversity of the New Orleans community.