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Line 35: The Journal Company obtained one of the first commercial television construction permits issued by the FCC on December 7, 1941, under the call letters WMJT (standing for "''Milwaukee Journal'' Television"), and built a new broadcast facility by August 1942. But the U.S. ] halted the manufacture of television and radio broadcasting equipment for civilian use from April 1942 to August 1945, suspending the company's television plans. On December 3, 1947, '''WTMJ-TV''' (referencing ''The Milwaukee Journal'') went on the air, becoming the first commercial television station in Wisconsin, the fourth commercial station in the ] and the fifteenth commercial station to go on the air in the United States. When the station began ] in 1947, there were only 500 television sets in Milwaukee, jumping to 2,050 by the following April.~~<ref>Chicago~~ ~~television~~ ~~stations~~Milwaukee ~~were~~is ~~powerful~~close enough to ~~be received in Milwaukee, hence the existence of television sets there before WTMJ-TV.</ref> WTMJ had affiliated with the~~ ] ~~television~~that ~~network~~its ~~since sign on, although it also carried programming from ], ] and ], before those networks had their own affiliated~~television stations ~~in Milwaukee.<ref>WTMJ discontinued CBS programming in September 1953~~can and ~~ABC~~still ~~and~~are ~~DuMont programming in October 1953.</ref> WTMJ is the only station~~viewable in Milwaukee, ~~to be affiliated with~~hence the ~~same~~existence ~~network~~of ~~since~~television itsets ~~signed~~there ~~on.~~before ~~It is currently NBC's second-longest tenured affiliate, behind only ] (now KSDK) in ] (which had signed on in January of that year).~~ WTMJ has been an NBC affiliate since signing on, owing to its radio sister's longtime affiliation with NBC Radio. However, it carried programming from ], ] and ] during the early years. It lost CBS when ] (channel 24, now defunct) signed on in September 1953, and lost ABC and DuMont a month later when WOKY-TV (channel 19, now ] on channel 18) signed on a month later. WTMJ is the only station in Milwaukee to be affiliated with the same network since it signed on. It is currently NBC's second-longest tenured affiliate, behind only ] in ] (which had signed on in January of that year). WTMJ originally broadcast on ] channel 3 and moved to channel 4 on July 11, 1953 to avoid interference with ]'s WKZO-TV (now ]), which is nearly directly across ]. This was a part of the FCC's complete revision of the Table of Channel Assignments as issued in its Sixth Report and General Order issued on April 14, 1952. This move forced the CBS affiliate on channel 4 in ] (now ]), the first commercially-licensed television station outside of the ] to move to channel 2, doing so on July 5, 1953.▼ ▲WTMJ originally broadcast on ] channel 3 and moved to channel 4 on July 11, 1953 to avoid interference with ]'s WKZO-TV (now ]), which is nearly directly across ]. This was a part of the FCC's complete revision of the Table of Channel Assignments as issued in its Sixth Report and General Order issued on April 14, 1952. This move forced ~~the CBS affiliate on channel 4 in ] (now~~ ]), the first commercially-licensed television station outside of the ] to move to channel 2, doing so on July 5, 1953. WTMJ was one of the first stations in the country to purchase color equipment, and in December 1953, it broadcast the ] program '']'' from ], when only two prototype color sets existed in Milwaukee. The city's first color television sets were sold in March 1954, and by July 1954 WTMJ broadcast its first local color program originating from its studios, ''The Grenadiers'', becoming the third local station in the U.S. with live color capability.<ref>Ed Reitan, , 2006.</ref> About 3000 color sets existed in Milwaukee in February 1957.▼ ▲WTMJ was one of the first stations in the country to purchase color equipment, and in December 1953, it broadcast the ] program '']'' from ], when only two prototype color sets existed in Milwaukee. The city's first color television sets were sold in March 1954, and by July 1954 WTMJ broadcast its first local color program originating from its studios, ''The Grenadiers'', becoming the third local station in the U.S. with live color capability.<ref>Ed Reitan, , 2006.</ref> About 3000 color sets existed in Milwaukee in February 1957. On April 7, 2009, WTMJ became the first station in Milwaukee, and the second in Wisconsin (behind WISC-TV in ]) to begin broadcasting its newscasts and other local programs in ]. It began with a soft launch starting with that day's ''Live at Daybreak'' newscast.<ref>http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/tvradio/42638767.html</ref>

Revision as of 22:58, 13 December 2013

For the related radio station with the same call letters, see WTMJ (AM).

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WTMJ-TV, virtual channel 4.1 (digital channel 28) and branded as "Today's TMJ4", is the NBC-affiliated television station located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It serves as the flagship station of the Journal Broadcast Group, and is one of several flagship media properties owned by Journal Communications, which also owns the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and radio stations WTMJ (620 AM) and WLWK-FM (94.5). The station's studios located on Capitol Drive in Milwaukee (this Art Deco facility is known as "Radio City" in tribute to the New York complex of the same name), with its transmitter located directly to its north at approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) north of downtown Milwaukee.

The station also provides engineering assistance for Ion Television owned-and-operated station WPXE-TV (channel 55); previously WPXE aired WTMJ newscasts on a half-hour delay in the evening and shared some programming with Channel 4, however this news share agreement was ended in July 2005.

History

The Journal Company's first television license was granted in September 1931 for experimental station W9XD, using a low-definition electromechanical system. The station conducted field tests from 1931 to 1933, before converting its facilities to experimental high-fidelity apex radio unit W9XAZ in 1934. Its license was withdrawn by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1938 as part of an effort to limit licenses to stations actively engaging in the development of television. No publicly announced television programming was broadcast by W9XD during this experimental period.

The Journal Company obtained one of the first commercial television construction permits issued by the FCC on December 7, 1941, under the call letters WMJT (standing for "Milwaukee Journal Television"), and built a new broadcast facility by August 1942. But the U.S. War Production Board halted the manufacture of television and radio broadcasting equipment for civilian use from April 1942 to August 1945, suspending the company's television plans.

On December 3, 1947, WTMJ-TV (referencing The Milwaukee Journal) went on the air, becoming the first commercial television station in Wisconsin, the fourth commercial station in the Midwest and the fifteenth commercial station to go on the air in the United States. When the station began broadcasting in 1947, there were only 500 television sets in Milwaukee, jumping to 2,050 by the following April. Milwaukee is close enough to Chicago that its television stations can and still are viewable in Milwaukee, hence the existence of television sets there before WTMJ-TV.

WTMJ has been an NBC affiliate since signing on, owing to its radio sister's longtime affiliation with NBC Radio. However, it carried programming from CBS, ABC and DuMont during the early years. It lost CBS when WCAN-TV (channel 24, now defunct) signed on in September 1953, and lost ABC and DuMont a month later when WOKY-TV (channel 19, now WVTV on channel 18) signed on a month later. WTMJ is the only station in Milwaukee to be affiliated with the same network since it signed on. It is currently NBC's second-longest tenured affiliate, behind only KSDK in St. Louis (which had signed on in January of that year).

WTMJ originally broadcast on VHF channel 3 and moved to channel 4 on July 11, 1953 to avoid interference with Kalamazoo, Michigan's WKZO-TV (now WWMT), which is nearly directly across Lake Michigan. This was a part of the FCC's complete revision of the Table of Channel Assignments as issued in its Sixth Report and General Order issued on April 14, 1952. This move forced WBBM-TV), the first commercially-licensed television station outside of the Eastern Time Zone to move to channel 2, doing so on July 5, 1953.

WTMJ was one of the first stations in the country to purchase color equipment, and in December 1953, it broadcast the color television program Amahl and the Night Visitors from NBC, when only two prototype color sets existed in Milwaukee. The city's first color television sets were sold in March 1954, and by July 1954 WTMJ broadcast its first local color program originating from its studios, The Grenadiers, becoming the third local station in the U.S. with live color capability. About 3000 color sets existed in Milwaukee in February 1957.

On April 7, 2009, WTMJ became the first station in Milwaukee, and the second in Wisconsin (behind WISC-TV in Madison) to begin broadcasting its newscasts and other local programs in high definition. It began with a soft launch starting with that day's Live at Daybreak newscast.

Journal Broadcast Group continues to own WTMJ-TV to this day. As such, WTMJ is one of the few television stations in the country that is not a network-owned station that has had the same callsign, owner and primary network affiliation throughout its history. In addition, it is the only station in the Milwaukee market to have never switched its primary network affiliation in its history. In August 2004, Green Bay's NBC affiliate, WGBA-TV (channel 26), was purchased by Journal and became a sister station to WTMJ, along with LMA partner WACY-TV, which became fully owned by JBG in 2012.

Summer 2013 Time Warner Cable carriage dispute

After several renewals of negotiations from the original expiration of June 30, 2013, and the invocation of the sweeps rule disallowing cable providers from pulling the main signal of a carried station during local sweeps periods (which July is one of them), the main signal of WTMJ was pulled off Time Warner Cable systems in the market at midnight on July 25, 2013. The AccuWeather and Live Well subchannels had been pulled earlier on July 10 as those were not under the same protection under the sweeps rule. WGBA and WACY were also affected in the Green Bay market, along with other Journal stations in Omaha and Palm Springs, California. The main effect of the blackout on Time Warner systems was carriage three of four Packers pre-season games on WTMJ and WGBA, which were blacked out on Time Warner Cable due to the dispute, though the games were still available via the Spanish language simulcast using the Packers Television network camera positions produced for Telemundo affiliate WYTU-LD (Channel 63/49.4), with the suggestion to listen to English play-by-play via WTMJ Radio. Game replays were also available via NFL Network through the week. The week three game against Seattle was a national CBS game available over WDJT.

Another effect was WTMJ claiming market exclusivity for NBC programming on August 11, forcing Time Warner to pull the signal of Chicago NBC O&O WMAQ-TV (Channel 5) from their systems in Kenosha and Racine counties that day and removing another option to view programming blocked because of the dispute. NBC programming remains available through Time Warner Cable through the network's video on demand service.

A class action lawsuit was also filed by viewers against Time Warner Cable on August 8 under grounds of breach of contract. Journal Broadcast Group has also made claims via their website detailing their version of the carriage dispute that Time Warner was distracted due to the other dispute involving CBS's Television Stations group and their premium Showtime/The Movie Channel/Flix channel suites. That dispute ended on September 2, 2013.

As of August 15, the station's channel slots on Time Warner Cable have been replaced with simulcasts of GSN, with Starz Kids & Family airing on the 994 and 999 subchannel slots usually carrying AccuWeather and Live Well, which was replaced with the Hallmark Movie Channel upon the end of the CBS networks carriage dispute. Journal Broadcast Group also asked state authorities to intervene in their dispute with Time Warner Cable.

On September 20, 2013, a deal was reached to return WTMJ and the other affected Journal stations to Time Warner Cable as of 7 p.m., along with the end of the blackout of WMAQ in Kenosha and Racine. However, its standard definition digital channel was relocated to channel 2 and cable-ready analog television channel to 14, with GSN remaining on channel 4. WTMJ remained in high definition on channel 1004, with Journal executives ceding that the high definition slot was more important than the declining analog and standard definition viewership. In the Racine-Kenosha area, WTMJ will be seen on channel 83, as channel 2 is occupied by Chicago's WBBM-TV, and also in Plymouth (where channel 2 carries Green Bay's WBAY-TV), with later adjustment possible. However, subchannels 4.2 and 4.3 will remained removed from Time Warner systems, effectively making those channels receivable only by antenna throughout the market as Charter and none of the satellite providers carry them.

Digital television

Digital channels

Channel	Video	Aspect	PSIP Short Name	Programming
4.1	1080i	16:9	WTMJ-DT	Main WTMJ programming / NBC
4.2	480i	4:3	WTMJ-WX	Storm Team 4 TV
4.3	480i	16:9	LWNet	Live Well Network

WTMJ-DT2 (Storm Team 4 TV)

On March 1, 2006, WTMJ launched its local version of the NBC Weather Plus service called TMJ4 Weather Plus, a 24-hour weather channel which featured a mix of local/national current conditions and forecasts along with local weather updates from WTMJ's meteorologists. The station is carried on digital channel 4.2, and on Time Warner digital cable channel 999 throughout Southeastern Wisconsin under an exclusivity agreement which precludes Charter Communications, the other main local cable provider, to carry it or TheCoolTV. In June 2006, the station changed its weather branding on the main newscasts from "Storm Team 4" to "TMJ4 Weather Plus", as had most NBC stations airing the service. With the Weather Plus service being discontinued in November 2008, the weather branding has returned to using the former "Storm Team 4" name; the subchannel also took on the same branding as the Storm Team 4 Channel on January 1, later with be renamed "Storm Team 4 TV". As of mid-December 2009, Storm Team 4 TV no longer uses the Weather Plus system, switching to national programming and graphics software from The Local AccuWeather Channel.

WTMJ-DT3

WTMJ began carrying TheCoolTV on 4.3 in early July 2009, becoming the first full-power station to carry the network as a digital subchannel; it later was carried by stations owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group and LIN TV, and in November 2010 by WTMJ's Green Bay sister station WGBA. The station featured music videos and concert programming which was customized by WTMJ. TheCoolTV was co-branded with WTMJ-TV's FM radio sister, WLWK-FM, which airs a random music format.

In September 2011, Journal Communications filed a $257,000 lawsuit against TheCoolTV's owners Cool Music Network, LLC, alleging non-payment of broadcast services since before June 2011. Because of this, Journal decided to replace TheCoolTV with the Live Well Network on October 1, while WGBA's TheCoolTV subchannel was replaced with Me-TV. On WTMJ, Live Well airs in 480i widescreen optimized for 16:9 displays, and limited LWN programming appears in high definition during late night weekend slots on the main WTMJ schedule.

Analog-to-digital conversion

As part of the analog television shutdown and digital conversion, WTMJ-TV shut down its analog transmitter on June 12, 2009 at 12 noon (with a short two-hour nightlighting period after), and continued to broadcast on its pre-transition digital channel 28. However, through the use of PSIP, digital television receivers currently display WTMJ-TV's virtual channel as 4.

Programming

WTMJ broadcasts all of NBC's schedule, with the exception of some older made-for-TV movies bought by Channel 4 which are used to preempt NBC movies or Saturday night programming for additional local advertising revenue several times a year. However, this practice is nothing new, as it also had a reputation of preempting or delaying a handful of NBC shows from the 1960s to the 1990s (examples includes the preemptions of NBC's daytime game show and soap opera lineup, moving Sanford and Son to Saturday nights in the 1970s and airing the syndicated Fame in place of Gimme a Break! and Mama's Family on Thursday nights during the 1983–1984 season). But its most controversial move would come in 1979 when it asked NBC permission to delay The Tonight Show to 11 p.m., so it could carry reruns of Maude. It tried again in 1984, attempting to ask for a Tonight Show move to 11:30 p.m., in order to air reruns of Trapper John, M.D. after the late news starting that September. NBC refused again, and the program was moved to then-independent WVTV (channel 18), where it aired at 10:30 p.m. from September 1984 to September 1988, when WTMJ decided to cede to NBC and air the program at its regular time. The station also delayed Late Night with Conan O'Brien to 12:05 a.m. from the program's 1993 debut to 2001.

WTMJ decided to preempt the entire run of the primetime poker game show Face the Ace in August 2009, replacing the series with paid programming, the first time any Milwaukee station has preempted a significant portion or all of an entire primetime network series since the early 1990s. It is unknown if moral objections by WTMJ management (as sister station WGBA carried the series) or ratings concerns played into the pre-emption.

Generally, the station does not air NBC programming preempted due to breaking news besides Days of Our Lives, as seen in February 2013 when coverage of a snowstorm preempted an episode of Do No Harm which was not rescheduled. Also, NBC programs seen in the All Night late night block and Saturday morning Kids block, which are tape-delayed, are not shown in HD.

The station's sole syndicated programs are Let's Ask America and OK!TV after Days of Our Lives, Access Hollywood after NBC's late-night lineup, Alliant Energy Powerhouse on Saturday mornings and Comedy.tv after Saturday Night Live, along with Live Well programs Motion and Deals having late Saturday airings, making WTMJ by far the station with the lowest amount of syndicated programming in the market, and one of the lowest in the country, a strategy being emulated by CBS station WFRV-TV in Green Bay, and Las Vegas NBC affiliate KSNV-DT, where Journal sister station KTNV, an ABC affiliate, has also drawn down their syndicated programming to compete, though not to the extent of WTMJ or KSNV.

WTMJ had been the long-time Milwaukee home for Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! from their premieres in the early 1980s until fall 2005, when both shows moved to WDJT-TV, and was the first station to air Oprah until a group-wide deal with Hearst's television stations in 1994 moved the show to WISN. WTMJ (and WPXE during the LMA years) had aired Martha Stewart Living and then Martha until September 2007, when the latter program moved to WISN.

Currently WTMJ airs Today in two segments: the original 7–9 a.m. block, followed by The Morning Blend, then the final two hours of Today from 10 a.m. to noon, leading into the relocated hour-long noon newscast and Days of Our Lives, which moved to 1 p.m. on September 10, 2007. The station also provides a pre-game news segment, and pre-game and post-game "ride home" weather segments, to the Milwaukee Brewers, which are carried on the scoreboard of Miller Park.

Green Bay Packers partnership

The station has been the 'official station' of the Green Bay Packers for the Milwaukee market since the mid-1990s, giving it rights to air the team's non-nationally televised preseason games, which since March 2012 will be shared with sister station WGBA in Green Bay, in addition to KMTV-TV in Omaha and the existing statewide network. WTMJ airs shows involving the team, including the head coach's weekly show, which airs Tuesday nights at 6:30. As part of the new broadcast agreement, Packers Radio Network color commentator Larry McCarren (who resigned as sports director of Green Bay's WFRV-TV in March 2012) now also works for WTMJ and WGBA as a Packer analyst, and until April 2013 when he was able to assume sports director duties for WGBA and appear in that market again, did his segments during the sports department's Packers Extra segment from the WTMJ set.

Because of the Summer Olympic Games occurring in 2004 and 2008, which are not allowed any pre-emptions by the network, WTMJ has sub-licenced some preseason games to other stations; in 2004 to then-LMA partner WPXE, and in 2008 to CW affiliate WVTV (channel 18). In 2012, the opening preseason game against the Chargers during the Olympics was an ESPN national broadcast carried by WISN which averted the need for sub-licensing any games that season.

The Morning Blend

The station produces a locally produced program called The Morning Blend, which premiered on September 12, 2006 at 10 a.m., and now airs at 9 a.m. after Today's expansion to four hours. The show is hosted by Tiffany Ogle and former WITI morning news anchor Molly Fay. Original co-host Alison de Castro (who originally reported for WISN) left the program in October 2009 due to a family move to Chicago, and Ogle (a Miss Minnesota 2004 and former commercial actress) took over co-hosting duties with Molly Fay. This was WTMJ's first attempt at a local show besides news or public affairs since 1979, when the short-lived A New Day aired, co-hosted by 1973 Miss Wisconsin/Miss America winner (and current The 700 Club co-host) Terry Meeuwsen and news anchor/radio host (and former WTMJ-TV reporter) Pete Wilson (now deceased).

The format for "The Morning Blend" was derived from WFLA-TV in Tampa's Daytime program, one of the first shows to launch this morning program format. WTMJ's version features a mix of paid and unpaid segments; all segments which promote a certain product or company have clear on-air disclaimers. The show is produced by the WTMJ's sales and advertising departments, with no connections whatsoever to the news department. As such, the hosts of The Morning Blend do not report any news, ceding any breaking events to the station's news staff, and the show is preempted in cases where breaking news or severe weather coverage takes up the entire hour. In June 2008, the program also began airing on Green Bay sister station WGBA, also at 9 a.m., after that station cut back its morning news programming; WGBA has since replaced The Morning Blend with syndicated programs.

The format and Morning Blend branding has since been adapted by several other Journal stations: Fox sister station WFTX-TV in Fort Myers-Naples, Florida in mid-2009, and in late April 2010 on two additional sister stations, ABC affiliate KGUN-TV in Tucson, Arizona (airing weekdays at 11 a.m.) and on CBS affiliate KMTV in Omaha, Nebraska (airing weekdays at 9 a.m). KTNV-TV in Las Vegas premiered its version of the show in early July 2010.

News operation

WTMJ presently broadcasts 40½ hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with seven hours on weekdays, three hours on Saturdays and 2½ hours on Sundays); in regards to the number of hours devoted to news programming, it is the second-highest newscast output in the Milwaukee market and the state of Wisconsin (behind Fox affiliate WITI). WTMJ-TV is one of the very few Big Three stations in the United States to produce 35 hours or more of local newscasts each week. Also carried on Sunday mornings after Meet the Press, which airs on an hour delay from NBC's preferred scheduling, is the local public affairs program Sunday Insight with Charlie Sykes, a "week in review" debate program featuring the WTMJ radio host. The station maintains a news and weather content agreement with its associated radio stations; WTMJ radio and WLWK-FM (which both based at Radio City with WTMJ-TV), also partners with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the newspaper which founded the station, with news stories seen in the Journal Sentinel and to provide weather forecasts; as such, the station maintains an auxiliary studio in the newspaper's State Street headquarters and is used for a regular segment called "JSOnAir", which is featured during the station's 3 p.m. newscast. WTMJ is also one of ten television stations that air consumer reports from John Matarese of ABC affiliate WCPO in Cincinnati.

Since the launch of the extended Today Show in September 2007, the station's programming focus has shifted very heavily towards local news, as replacement syndicated programming for Martha, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! after their moves to other stations in the market, and Montel's August 2008 departure from syndication failed to spark viewer interest outside of local/network hours. On August 25, 2008, the station extended the 6 p.m. newscast to a full hour (except Tuesday nights for Mike McCarthy's coach's show during the NFL season) before NBC primetime with the move of Extra to WITI; this was followed on September 8 by the debut of an hour-long newscast at 3 p.m. The 3 p.m. hour features several segments, including 'ask the experts', an interactive 'sound off' segment featuring viewer calls and social media contributions, and a 'hot topics' section which features WTMJ Radio afternoon host Jeff Wagner among the regular panelists.

The station dropped the 6:30 p.m. newscast on April 11, 2011, replacing it with Access Hollywood, which moved to WTMJ from WISN after that station began airing an hour-long 10 p.m. newscast in January 2011. A consequence of this was WISN moving longtime 10:30 p.m. slotholder Access Hollywood to 12:30 a.m., the program's distributor NBCUniversal Television Distribution asked for an early release from their contract so that the show could move to the earlier timeslot on WTMJ. Access previously aired on WTMJ at 11:35 p.m. from its 1995 debut, until the move of Conan to the network mandated slot in 2000. The 6:30 p.m. newscast was reinstated on February 4, 2013; Access Hollywood then moved to 1:35 a.m. The second 6:30 p.m. effort is a magazine/feature format titled Wisconsin Tonight, which moves to 4.2 at the same time during Packers season on Monday and Tuesday evenings, due to Larry McCarren's Packers Live on Mondays and The Mike McCarthy Show airing on Tuesdays.

"Wisconsin on Demand 411", a video on demand service offered to Time Warner Cable subscribers throughout southeastern Wisconsin, carries the station's morning, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts starting two hours after each program's original broadcast and for three days afterward; along with certain WTMJ news reports, "I-Team" investigations, consumer stories, and Sunday Insight. The station also utilizes and promotes Time Warner Cable's Start Over for its locally-based and select local programs, allowing viewers to restart a program from the beginning if they tune in late.

Some of WTMJ's morning and noon newscasts were simulcast on Green Bay sister station WGBA-TV beginning on July 14, 2008, after that station ended its own newscasts at 5 and 9 a.m., and cut the first half-hour of its noon newscast. The simulcast ended in early 2009, due to viewer disinterest in Milwaukee-focused news. The station also began to provide forecasts to that station during its weekend newscasts. Until April 2013, when Larry McCarren became WGBA's sports director, all sportscasts were provided by WTMJ, though weekend sports continued to be provided from Milwaukee; station staff continues to film video and freelance announcers (some formerly with WGBA) provide commentary for Green Bay sporting events on WGBA and WACY. WGBA relaunched a local morning newscast in January 2011.

On April 7, 2009, WTMJ began broadcasting its local newscasts in high definition. With the change to HD came new music (High Velocity from 615 Music) and new graphics from Renderon Broadcast Design, the main graphics company for all Journal Broadcast Group stations. Studio shots and recorded remote video are in the format, while two of the station's live units are equipped for the format, with the remainder of the news equipment, "Chopper 4", and the station's skycam system outputting in digital widescreen upconverted for HD broadcast. On August 13, 2012, WTMJ moved all newscasts from Studio A to a temporary set in Studio D, with the new set in Studio A being launched on September 9, 2012 during the 5 p.m. newscast.

News/station presentation

WTMJ was formerly known as "News 4 Milwaukee", and then shortened down to "News 4", with the late news known as "News 4 Tonight at 10". The newscast name was changed to "Newschannel 4" from 1990 until July 1992, when the "Today's TMJ4" imaging was inaugurated during coverage of the 1992 Summer Olympics. The first generation of the branding lasted until July 2004 and the 2004 Summer Olympics, when a modern and glassy image campaign was launched and established on the rest of Journal's stations, with some font and branding differences depending on market (the latter 2009 package has also taken the same direction, launched on WTMJ and spread to the rest of the chain). The 'sailboat 4' logo was retired, and the music for the station became more elaborate and grand, though the former theme was retained. Currently, the station brands its news as Live at , with the morning newscast going by the title Live at Daybreak.

Newscast titles

Let's Look at the News (1947–1948)
News and Views (1948)
Around the Town with the WTMJ-TV Cameraman (1949)
News Caravan (6 p.m. newscast; 1949–1956)
Milwaukee Gas Light Company Newsreel (10 p.m. newscast; 1950–1954)
Weather and News (1957–1966)
Channel 4 Report (1966–1968)
News 4 (1966–1978 and 1986–1990)
News 4 Milwaukee (1978–1986)
News 4 Tonight at 10 (10 p.m. newscast; 1986–1990)
NewsChannel 4 (1990–1992)
Today's TMJ4 (1992–present; incorporated Live at xx:00 titling for all newscasts in 2004)
- Wisconsin Tonight (6:30 p.m. newscast; January 2013–present)

Station slogans

"Channel 4, Milwaukee's Team" (1988–1992; used with Frank Gari's "Pride Inside" image campaign)
"Milwaukee's 24-Hour News Channel" (1990–1992; WISN-TV also used a "24 Hour News Source" format from 1989–1996)
"Real Life, Real News; Today's TMJ4" (1992–1994)
"Touch Today's TMJ4" (1994–2004)
"Breaking News, Accurate Weather" (2004–2009)
"Trust Today's TMJ4" (2004–2012)
"Today's TMJ 4, On Your Side" (2012–2013; formerly only used by station's consumer unit, "4 On Your Side", since 1992)
Your Home Team (2013–present)

This list related to film, television, or video is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items.

On-air staff

Current on-air staff

WTMJ-TV's primary news anchors are Charles Benson (Sundays at 5 and 10 p.m.; also weekday reporter); Steve Chamraz (weekdays at 3, 3:30, 4 and 4:30 p.m.; also 10 p.m. reporter and investigative reporter); Courtny Gerrish (weekdays at 3, 3:30, 4 and 4:30 p.m.); Mike Jacobs (weeknights at 5, 6, Wisconsin Tonight (6:30 p.m.) and 10 p.m.); Susan Kim (weekday mornings on Live at Daybreak from 5-7 a.m.); Melissa McCrady (weekdays at noon; also weekday morning reporter); Carole Meekins (weeknights at 5, 6, Wisconsin Tonight (6:30 p.m.) and 10 p.m.); Tom Murray (weekend mornings on Live at Daybreak; also weekday reporter); Shannon Sims (Saturdays at 6 and 10 p.m.); and Vince Vitrano (weekday mornings on Live at Daybreak from 5-7 a.m. and weekdays at noon).

The Storm Team 4 weather team includes chief meteorologist John Malan (AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal of Approval; weeknights at 5, 6 and 10 p.m.); and meteorologists Michael Fish (Saturdays at 6 and weekends at 5 and 10 p.m.); Brian Gotter (AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal of Approval; weekdays at noon, 3, 3:30, 4 and 4:30 p.m.); Jesse Ritka (weekend mornings on Live at Daybreak); and Scott Steele (AMS Seal of Approval; weekday mornings on Live at Daybreak from 5-7 a.m.).

The sports team includes sports director Lance Allan (weeknights at 5, 6 and 10 p.m.); sports anchor Rod Burks (Saturdays at 6 and weekends at 5 and 10 p.m.); sports reporter Jessie Garcia (also from The Mike McCarthy Show); and contributor Greg Matzek (also heard on WTMJ (AM)).

The station's general assignment reporters are Lacey Crisp; Todd Hicks; Cody Holyoke; Nick Montes (weekday morning reporter); Keller Russell; Annie Scholz; Jermont Terry; and Yona Gavino. Specialty reporters are Rob Koebel (investigative reporter) and Caitlin Morrall (weekday morning traffic reporter). Chopper 4 reporters are Joshua Mock (helicopter pilot) and Mark Was (photojournalist). Hosts for the station's local morning talk program The Morning Blend are Molly Fay and Tiffany Ogle.

Notable former on-air staff

Contessa Brewer - weekend anchor/reporter (1999–2003; former midday anchor at MSNBC)
Claudia Coffey - anchor
Catherine Heenan - anchor/reporter (1978–1989; now at KRON-TV in San Francisco, California)
Terry Meeuwsen - anchor and former Miss America (1978–1986; now co-host of The 700 Club, on CBN/ABC Family)
Shelley Walcott - (2005–2013)

Station cameo appearances

WTMJ's logo is shown on the top of the scoreboard in the 1989 film Major League, which was filmed at Milwaukee County Stadium; the stadium was used as a stand-in for Cleveland's Municipal Stadium, where the Cleveland Indians played at the time the film was produced. The Indians are also interviewed by a WTMJ reporter, which for the purpose of continuity in the film, was Cleveland's NBC affiliate. Currently WTMJ's logo resides in the bottom left-hand corner of Miller Park's board as part of their Brewers sponsorship.
WTMJ is also announced in the final scene of the final episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 as Mike Nelson and the robots are sitting in a Milwaukee-area apartment on a Saturday afternoon, when The Crawling Eye comes on TV, the first movie seen on the nationally syndicated version of MST3K.

References

Ed Reitan, Local Television Stations with Early Live Color Capability, 2006.
http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/tvradio/42638767.html
Kirchen, Rich (28 June 2013). "Time Warner Cable, Channel 4 owner agree to extension". The Business Journal (Milwaukee). Retrieved 29 June 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
Dudek, Duane (25 July 2013). "Conspiracy theories, frustration multiply as Time Warner pulls WTMJ-TV". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
Dudek, Duane (10 July 2013). "Stalemate in Journal Broadcast negotiations with Time Warner". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
Dudek, Duane (10 August 2013). "http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/219106561.html". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 15 August 2013. {{cite news}}: External link in |title= (help)
"Chicago NBC affiliate to be added to blackout". Racine Journal-Times. 10 August 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
Reynolds, Mike (9 August 2013). "TWC Customers File Lawsuit over Retrans Disconnect with Milwaukee Station; Plaintiffs Seek Class-Action Status over Disconnect with Journal Broadcast's WTMJ". Multichannel News. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
"JBG Answers". Retrieved 15 August 2013.
Kabelowsky, Steve (14 August 2013). "Journal asks state to force Time Warner to credit customers". OnMilwaukee.com. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
Dudek, Duane (September 20, 2013). "Journal Broadcast, Time Warner finally reach agreement; Channel 4 moves to Channel 2". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
"TWC Conversations: Q: Why are WGBA-D2 (Me TV), WTMJ-D2 (Storm Team), WTMJ-D3 (Live Well) no longer available? A: We have agreed with Journal to carry the channels that we believe deliver the most value to our customers". Time Warner Cable. 21 September 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
"Channel 4 owner sues 'The Cool TV' for $257k". The Business Journal, Milwaukee. 2 September 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
"Channel 4 dropping 'The Cool TV' for lifestyle network". The Business Journal, Milwaukee. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
Cuprisin, Tim (13 September 2011). "Get ready for another round of Charlie Sheen". OnMilwaukee.com. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
CDBS Print<! – Bot generated title – >
Wolfley, Bob (2 March 2012). "Packers and Journal Broadcast Group announce partnership deal". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
Tim Cuprisin, Notch another one up for Blu-ray in high-definition DVD formats war, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 26, 2007.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=481824
JS Online: Talking politics is a no-no at the table, but on the radio it boosts ratings<! – Bot generated title – >
http://onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/tvmoves.html
Dudek, Duane (January 29, 2013). "WTMJ-TV adds half-hour newscast starting Monday". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
TMJ4 Debuts HD Newscasts
WTMJ Channel 4 10pm News Open 1988
WTMJ Channel 4 1985 News Open
^ WTMJ 10 pm open 1992
WTMJ News Open 2004
^ TMJ Profiles, TodaysTMJ4.com. Retrieved 11-23-2010.
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/100747349.html

External links

v t e Broadcast television in southeastern Wisconsin
This region includes the following cities: Milwaukee Racine Kenosha Sheboygan Lake Geneva Reception may vary by location and some stations may only be viewable with cable television
Full power	WTMJ-TV (4.1 NBC, 4.2 Bounce, 4.3 Grit, 4.4 Court, 4.5 Mystery, 4.6 Laff, 4.7 Shop LC) WITI (6.1 Fox, 6.2 ANT, 6.3 HSN, 6.4 Fox WX) WMVS (10.1 PBS, 10.2 Create, 10.3 PBS Kids) WISN-TV (12.1 ABC, 12.2 Crime, 12.4 Story, 12.6 Get) WVTV (18.1 CW, 24.1 MNTV, 24.2 Comet, 24.3 Charge!, 24.4 CHSN (Blackhawks only)) WVCY-TV (30.1 Religious ind.) WMVT (36.1 PBS, 36.2 World, 36.3 Local WX/traffic w/KEC60 audio) WMLW-TV (49.1 Ind., 49.2 Movies!, 49.3 H&I, 49.4 Catchy, 49.5 MeToons) WWRS-TV (52.1 TBN, 52.2 Merit, 52.3 Inspire, 52.4 Smile, 52.5 Positiv) WPXE-TV (55.1 Ion, 55.2 Bounce, 55.3 Court, 55.4 Grit, 55.5 Ion+, 55.6 JTV, 55.7 Scripps, 55.8 QVC) WDJT-TV (58.1 CBS, 58.2 MeTV in SD, 58.3 WMLW/Ind. in SD, 58.4 TMD in SD, 58.5 Start) WIWN (68.1 Cozi, 68.2/.4/.10 Infomercials, 68.3 Quest, 68.5 Oxygen, 68.6 TBD, 68.7 Dabl, 68.8 Sonlife, 68.9 TBA, 68.11 RVTV, 68.12 RCTV; Fond du Lac) (station in Green Bay market but transmits from and de facto serves Milwaukee)
Low power	WWMW-LD (16.1 Purple TV, 16.2 SportsStak, 16.3 OnTV4U, 16.4 JTV, 16.5 Sonlife) WMKE-CD (21.1 JTV, 21.2 Lone Star, 21.3 Majestad TV, 21.4 LC, 21.5 JTV SD, 21.6 QVC2, 21.7 LATV, 21.8 QVC) WTSJ-LD (38.1 Speed Sport 1, 38.2 Buzzr, 38.3 beIN Xtra ñ, 38.4 LC, 38.5 AmCrimes, 38.6 TXO, 38.7 JTV, 38.8 365, 38.9 Defy) WBME-CD (41.1 MeTV in HD) WTAS-LD (47.1 Ind.) WYTU-LD (63.1 TMD in HD, 63.2 Start, 63.3 Movies!, 63.12 OnTV4U) WDMW-LD (65.1 Daystar, 65.2 DS Español, 65.3 Reflections)
Outlying areas	WHA-TV (21.1 PBS/PBS WI, 21.2 Wisconsin Channel, 21.3 Create, 21.4 PBS Kids, Madison) WXFT (60.1 UniMás, Aurora/Chicago)
Cable	FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin Spectrum News 1 WI, MKE feed WisconsinEye
Defunct	SelecTV (after 7 p.m. on WCGV from 1981–84) Spectrum Sports Sportsvue Wisconsin Sports Network KFIZ-TV 34 (Independent, Fond du Lac) WCGV-TV 24 (Fox/UPN/MNTV, now WVTV-DT2) WCAN-TV 25 (CBS)
See also Chicago TV Duluth TV Eau Claire–La Crosse TV Green Bay TV Madison TV Marquette TV Rockford TV Twin Cities TV Wausau TV

Major television network affiliates and independent stations in the state of Wisconsin

ABC

WBAY-TV 2 (Green Bay)
WAOW 9 / WMOW-DT 4.2 (Wausau/Crandon)
WDIO-DT 10 (Duluth, MN/Superior)
WISN-TV 12 (Milwaukee)
WQOW 18 / WXOW 19 (Eau Claire/La Crosse)
WKOW 27 (Madison)

CBS

Fox

WITI 6 (Milwaukee)
WSAW-DT 7.3 / WZAW-LD 33 / WYOW 33.10 (Wausau/Eagle River)
WLUK-TV 11 (Green Bay)
KQDS-TV 21 (Duluth, MN/Superior)
WLAX 25 / WEUX 48 (La Crosse/Chippewa Falls)
WMSN-TV 47 (Madison)

NBC

The CW

KDLH 3 (Duluth, MN/Superior)
WSAW 7.4 / WYOW 34.1 (Wausau/Eagle River)
WCWF 14 (Suring/Green Bay)
WMTV-DT 15.2 (Madison)
WVTV 18 (Milwaukee)
WECX 14.1, 14.10, 14.11 (Eau Claire/La Crescent, MN)

MyNetworkTV

WBAY-TV 2.3 (Green Bay; late night)
WISC-DT 3.2 (Madison)
KBJR-DT 6.3 (Superior/Duluth, MN)
WSAW-DT / W21DS-D 7.2 (Wausau/Sayner)
WKBT-DT 8.2 / KQEG-CD / WBDL-LP / WPDR-LP 8.2 (La Crosse/La Crescent, MN)
WVTV-DT 24.1 (Milwaukee)

Ion Television

PBS

PBS Wisconsin	WHRM 20 (Wausau) WHA-TV 21 (Madison) WHWC 28 (Menomonie) WHLA 31 (La Crosse) WLEF 36 (Park Falls) WPNE 38 (Green Bay)
Milwaukee PBS	WMVS 10 WMVT 36
Twin Cities PBS	KTCA 2 KTCI 2.3
PBS North	WDSE 8

Independent
stations

WACY-TV 32 (Appleton)
WMLW-TV 49 / WDJT-DT 58.3 (Racine/Milwaukee)

See also: Other Wisconsin Stations; Chicago TV; Michigan TV; Minnesota TV

v t e Other television stations and subchannel networks in the state of Wisconsin
3ABN	W23BW-D 23.5 (Madison) W30BU 30 (Green Bay)
AMGTV	KQEG-CD 23 (La Crosse)
Antenna TV	WITI 6.2 (Milwaukee) WLUK 11.2 (Green Bay) WJFW 12.3 (Rhinelander) WMTV 15.3 (Madison) KQDS 21.2 (Duluth, MN) WLAX 25.2 / WEUX 48.2 (La Crosse/Chippewa Falls)
Outlaw	WSAW-TV 7.6 (Wausau)
beIN Xtra ñ	WZCK-LD 8.7 (Madison) WTSJ-LD 38.7 (Milwaukee)
Bounce TV	WFRV 5.2 (Green Bay) WEUX 48.4 (Chippewa Falls) WTMJ 4.2 (Racine) WIFS 57.4 (Janesville) WTPX 46.5 (Antigo)
Buzzr	W23BW-D 23.2 (Madison)
Charge!	WCWF 14.3 (Suring) WMSN 47.3 (Madison)
The365	WBAY-TV 2.3 (Green Bay)
Comet	WCWF 14.2 (Suring) WVTV 24.2 (Milwaukee) WMSN 47.2 (Madison)
Court TV	KDLH 3.4 (Duluth, MN) WMOW 4.4 / WAOW 9.4 / WYOW 34.4 (Crandon/Wausau/Eagle River) WPXE 55.3 (Milwaukee) WQOW 18.4 / WXOW 19.4 (Eau Claire) WMKE-CD 21 (Milwaukee) WPXE 55.3 (Kenosha) WGBA 26.4 (Green Bay) WKOW 27.4 (Madison)
Ion Mystery	KDLH 3.5 (Duluth, MN) WTMJ 4.5 (Milwaukee) WACY 32.3 (Green Bay) WTPX 46.3 (Antigo) WEUX 48.3 (Chippewa Falls) WIFS 57.7 (Janesville)
Cozi TV	WZCK-LD 8 (Madison/Middleton) WEAU 13.2 / 30.2 (Eau Claire/La Crosse) WIWN 68 (Fond du Lac/Milwaukee) WJFW 12.2 (Rhinelander)
True Crime Network	KDLH 3.2 (Duluth, MN) WFRV 5.3 (Green Bay) WISN 12.2 (Milwaukee) WXOW 19.5 (La Crosse) WKOW 27.4 (Madison)
Dabl	WISC 3.3 (Madison) WKBT 8.4 (La Crosse) WCWF 14.5 (Green Bay) WIWN 68.7 (Fond du Lac)
Daystar	WMWD-LD 38 (Madison) WGBD-LD 49 (Green Bay)
Catchy Comedy	WBAY-TV 2.6 (Green Bay) WMOW 4.3 / WAOW 9.3 / WYOW 34.3 (Crandon/Wausau/Eagle River) WKOW 27.2 (Madison) WMLW 49.4 (Racine/Milwaukee)
Defy TV	WPXE 55.5 (Kenosha) WACY 32.4 (Green Bay) WTPX 46.6 (Antigo) WIFS 57.7 (Janesville)
getTV	WZCK-LD 8.2 (Madison/Middleton) WIWN 68.4 (Fond du Lac)
Grit	WTMJ 4.3 (Milwaukee) WLAX 25.4 (La Crosse) WGBA 26.3 (Green Bay) WIFS 57.2 (Janesville) WTPX 46.2 (Antigo)
H&I	WBAY 2.4 (Green Bay) KBJR 6.3 (Superior) W34FC 10.3 (La Crosse) WEAU 13.3 / 30.3 (Eau Claire/La Crosse) WZAW-LD 33.4 (Wausau) WMLW 49.3 (Racine) WIFS 57.8 (Janesville)
HSN OTA	WISC-TV 3.5 (Madison) WKBT 8.6 (La Crosse) WJFW 12.4 (Rhinelander) WPXE 55.8 (Milwaukee) WGBA 26.5 (Green Bay)
Jewelry TV	WTSJ-LD 38.3 (Milwaukee) WACY 32.5 (Green Bay)
Laff	KDLH 3.3 (Duluth, MN) WTMJ 4.4 (Milwaukee) WLAX 25.3 (La Crosse) WACY 32.2 (Green Bay) WTPX 46.4 (Antigo) WIFS 57.5 (Janesville)
Local Accuweather	WMVT 36.3 (Milwaukee)
Locally-originated automated weather	WBAY 2.2 (Green Bay)
MeTV	WDIO-DT 10.2 (Duluth, MN) WQOW-DT 18.3 / WXOW 19.3 (Eau Claire/La Crosse) WMEI 31 (Green Bay) WMTV-DT 15.4 (Madison) WZAW-LD 33.2 (Wausau) WBME-CD 41 / WDJT 58.2 (Milwaukee)
Movies!	WEAU-DT 13.4 / 30.4 (Eau Claire/La Crosse) WMEI 31.5 (Green Bay) WZAW-LD 33.3 (Wausau) WIFS-DT 57.9 (Janesville) WYTU-LD 63.3 (Milwaukee)
NTD TV	W23BW-D 23.4 (Madison)
Ve+	W23BW-D 23.6 (Madison)
OnTV4U	WMKE-CD 21 (Milwaukee)
QVC OTA or QVC2	WISC-TV 3.4 (Madison) WGBA-DT 26.6 (Green Bay) WKBT-DT 8.5 (La Crosse) WTSJ-LD 38.4 (Milwaukee; QVC2) WJFW-DT 12.5 (Rhinelander) WIWN 68.6 (Fond du Lac)
Quest	KDLH-DT 3.6 (Duluth, MN) WZCK-LD 8.4 (Madison/Middleton) WIWN-DT 68.3 (Fond du Lac) WSAW-DT 7.5 (Wausau)
Retro TV	W43BR 43 (Baraboo/Wisc. Dells)
ShopHQ	W23BW-D 23.3 (Madison)
Sonlife	WZCK-LD 8.3 (Madison/Middleton) WIWN-DT 68.8 (Fond du Lac)
The Nest	WCWF-DT 14.4 (Suring)
Start TV	WBAY 2.5 (Green Bay) WEAU 13.5 / 30.5 (Eau Claire/La Crosse) WMTV 15.5 (Madison) WDJT 58.5/WYTU-LD 63.2 (Milwaukee) WZAW-LD 33.5 (Wausau)
TBD	WLUK 11.3 (Green Bay) WMSN 47.4 (Madison) WIWN 68.6 (Fond du Lac)
This TV	WKOW 27.3 (Madison) WIWN 68.5 (Fond du Lac)
TBN	WWRS 52 (Mayville)
Telemundo	WYTU-LD 63/WDJT 58.4 (Milwaukee) WMEI 31.6 (Green Bay)
WeatherNation TV	WMTV 15.6 (Madison)
MeTV Toons	WMEI 31.2 (Green Bay)
Story Television	WMEI 31.3 (Green Bay)
Other stations	WPVS-LD 23 (Milwaukee) WVCY-TV 30 (Milwaukee; religious ind.)
See also: Wisconsin TV

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