WRDW-TV: Difference between revisions

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	{{short description\|CBS affiliate in Augusta, Georgia}}		{{short description\|CBS affiliate in Augusta, Georgia}}
	{{Use mdy dates\|date=April ~~2023~~}}		{{Use mdy dates\|date=April 2024}}
	{{Infobox television station		{{Infobox television station
	\| callsign = WRDW-TV		\| callsign = WRDW-TV
	\| city =		\| city =
	\| logo = ~~Wrdw~~ tv logo.~~PNG~~		\| logo = WRDW 2023 logo.svg
	\| logo_size = 140px		\| logo_size = 140px
	\| image = WAGT Gray Logo Version.png
⚫	\| ~~image_size~~ = ~~140px~~
	\| branding = ''News 12''		\| branding = ''News 12''
		⚫	\| digital = 12 (])
	\| digital = 12 (]) ''(to move to 27 (])<ref name="wrdwchanges">{{cite web\|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f9175b4684d0175d7a4ef3b36b7&id=25076f9175b4684d0175d7a4ef3b36b7&goBack=N\|title=Channel Substitution/Community of License Change\|work=Licensing and Management System\|publisher=]\|date=November 27, 2020\|access-date=November 28, 2020}}</ref><ref>, Media Bureau, ], May 5, 2021, Retrieved May 5, 2021.</ref>)''
	\| virtual = 12		\| virtual = 12
	\| affiliations = {{ubl\|'''12.1:''' ]\|'''12.2:''' ] (])\|'''12.3:''' ]\|''for others, see {{section link\|\|Subchannels}}''}}		\| affiliations = {{ubl\|'''12.1:''' ]\|''for others, see {{section link\|\|Subchannels}}''}}
	\| translators = {{~~ubl~~\|W20EW-D ~~(20 UHF, Augusta)~~\|W33ER-D ~~(33 UHF, Augusta)~~\|W35DV-D ~~(35 UHF, Augusta)~~}}		\| translators = {{hlist\|W16EL-D\|W20EW-D\|W33ER-D\|W35DV-D}}
	\| owner = ]		\| owner = ]
	\| licensee = Gray Television Licensee, ]		\| licensee = Gray Television Licensee, ]
	\| location = ]		\| location = ]
	\| country = United States		\| country = United States
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	\| airdate = {{Start date and age\|1954\|02\|08\|p=y}}		\| airdate = {{Start date and age\|1954\|02\|08\|p=y}}
	\| last_airdate =		\| last_airdate =
	\| callsign_meaning = "Where Radio Does Wonders" ''(derived from former sister station ])''		\| callsign_meaning = "Where Radio Does Wonders" (derived from former sister station ])
	\| sister_stations = ]		\| sister_stations = ]
	\| former_callsigns =		\| former_callsigns =
	\| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl\|'''Analog:''' 12 (VHF, 1954–2009)\|'''Digital:''' 31 (], 2004–2009)}}		\| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl\|'''Analog:''' 12 (VHF, 1954–2009)\|'''Digital:''' 31 (], 2004–2009)}}
	\| former_affiliations = {{ubl\|] (secondary, 1954–1967)\|] (secondary, 1967–1974)\|] (DT2, 2004–2006)\|MyNetworkTV (DT2, 2006–2019; ~~now~~ ~~on DT3~~)}}		\| former_affiliations = {{ubl\|] (secondary, 1954–1967)\|] (secondary, 1967–1974)\|] (DT2, 2004–2006)\|MyNetworkTV (DT2 2006–2019; DT3 2019–2024)}}
	\| erp = ~~{{ubl\|~~20.2 ]~~\|800 kW (application)<ref name="wrdwchanges"/>}}~~		\| erp = 20.2 ]
	\| haat = ~~{{ubl\|~~{{convert\|485\|m\|ft\|0\|abbr=on~~}}\|{{convert\|483.6\|m\|ft\|0\|abbr=on}} (application)<ref name="wrdwchanges"/>~~}}		\| haat = {{convert\|485\|m\|ft\|0\|abbr=on}}
	\| facility_id = ~~73931~~		\| facility_id = 73937
	\| coordinates = ~~{{nowrap\|~~{{coord\|33\|24\|37\|N\|81\|50\|36\|W\|type:landmark_scale:2000\|display=inline, title}}}}		\| coordinates = {{coord\|33\|24\|37\|N\|81\|50\|36\|W\|type:landmark_scale:2000\|display=inline, title}}
	\| licensing_authority = ]		\| licensing_authority = ]
	\| website = {{URL\|https://www.wrdw.com/}}		\| website = {{URL\|https://www.wrdw.com/}}
	}}		}}

	'''WRDW-TV''' (channel 12) is a ] in ], United States, affiliated with ] and ]. It is owned by ] alongside ], ] ] affiliate ] (channel 26). ~~Both~~ stations share studios at The Village at Riverwatch development in Augusta,<ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://www.augustachronicle.com/business/20180410/wrdw-planning-move-to-augusta\|title=WRDW planning move to Augusta\|last=LeBlanc\|first=Sarah\|work=The Augusta Chronicle\|access-date=July 6, 2018\|language=en}}</ref> ~~while~~ WRDW-TV's transmitter is located in ].		'''WRDW-TV''' (channel 12) is a ] in ], United States, affiliated with ] and ]. It is owned by ] alongside ] ] affiliate ] (channel 26) and ] ] affiliate WGAT-LD (channel 28). The three stations share studios at The Village at Riverwatch development in Augusta;<ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://www.augustachronicle.com/business/20180410/wrdw-planning-move-to-augusta\|title=WRDW planning move to Augusta\|last=LeBlanc\|first=Sarah\|work=The Augusta Chronicle\|access-date=July 6, 2018\|language=en}}</ref> WRDW-TV's transmitter is located in ].

	==History==		==History==
	WRDW-TV commenced operations in February 1954; it is the second-oldest television station in Augusta.<ref>"TV starter pace seems sluggish so far in '54." '']'', February 8, 1954, pg. 52. ~~{{dead link\|date=December 2016 \|bot=InternetArchiveBot \|fix-attempted=yes }}~~</ref> The station was originally owned by Radio Augusta, the parent company of the original WRDW radio (1480 AM, later ] and now defunct).<ref>"Seven TVs win FCC approval; Augusta gets its first grants." ''Broadcasting - Telecasting'', September 21, 1953, pg. 48. ~~{{dead link\|date=January 2018 \|bot=InternetArchiveBot \|fix-attempted=yes }}~~</ref> WRDW-TV has been Augusta's CBS affiliate for its entire history, owing to its radio sister's long affiliation with the ]. However, it shared ] with then-primary NBC affiliate ] (channel 6).		WRDW-TV commenced operations in February 1954; it is the second-oldest television station in Augusta.<ref> '']'', February 8, 1954, pg. 52.</ref> The station was originally owned by Radio Augusta, the parent company of the original WRDW radio (1480 AM, later ] and now defunct).<ref> ''Broadcasting - Telecasting'', September 21, 1953, pg. 48.</ref> WRDW-TV has been Augusta's CBS affiliate for its entire history, owing to its radio sister's long affiliation with the ]. However, it shared ] with then-primary NBC affiliate ] (channel 6).

	In 1956, Radio Augusta was sold to the ] and their company, Southeastern Newspapers, publishers of the '']''.<ref>~~{{dead link\|date=January 2018 \|bot=InternetArchiveBot \|fix-attempted=yes }}~~ ''Broadcasting - Telecasting'', December 5, 1955, pg. 7.</ref><ref> ''Broadcasting - Telecasting'', January 2, 1956, pg. 58.</ref>		In 1956, Radio Augusta was sold to the ] and their company, Southeastern Newspapers, publishers of the '']''.<ref> ''Broadcasting - Telecasting'', December 5, 1955, pg. 7.</ref><ref> ''Broadcasting - Telecasting'', January 2, 1956, pg. 58.</ref>

	On September 1, 1967, WJBF switched its primary affiliation to ABC, and began splitting NBC with WRDW-TV.<ref>~~{{dead link\|date=January 2018 \|bot=InternetArchiveBot \|fix-attempted=yes }}~~ ''Broadcasting'', August 14, 1967, pg. 52.</ref> This was very unusual for a two-station market, especially one as small as Augusta. However, WJBF's namesake owner, ], wanted to get that station in line with two ABC affiliates he had just purchased, ] in ], and KTHI-TV (now ]) in ].		On September 1, 1967, WJBF switched its primary affiliation to ABC, and began splitting NBC with WRDW-TV.<ref> ''Broadcasting'', August 14, 1967, pg. 52.</ref> This was very unusual for a two-station market, especially one as small as Augusta. However, WJBF's namesake owner, ], wanted to get that station in line with two ABC affiliates he had just purchased, ] in ], and KTHI-TV (now ]) in ].

	When WATU (channel 26, later ]) appeared as the market's third station in late 1968, NBC allowed WRDW-TV and WJBF to keep their secondary NBC affiliations because of WATU's painfully weak signal. This situation mostly shut WATU out of access to network programming, thereby forcing it to go dark in 1970. Channel 12 continued to split NBC with WJBF until WATU resumed broadcasting in 1974 with a primary NBC affiliation. WATU's return forced channel 12 to drop NBC programming for good, per a 1971 FCC order that required VHF stations in markets with three or more commercial outlets to affiliate with only one network.		When WATU (channel 26, later ]) appeared as the market's third station in late 1968, NBC allowed WRDW-TV and WJBF to keep their secondary NBC affiliations because of WATU's painfully weak signal. This situation mostly shut WATU out of access to network programming, thereby forcing it to go dark in 1970. Channel 12 continued to split NBC with WJBF until WATU resumed broadcasting in 1974 with a primary NBC affiliation. WATU's return forced channel 12 to drop NBC programming for good, per a 1971 FCC order that required VHF stations in markets with three or more commercial outlets to affiliate with only one network.

	In 1960, the Morrises exited Augusta broadcasting, with channel 12 being sold to what would eventually become ].<ref>"Changing Hands." ''Broadcasting'', February 8, 1960, pg. 77. ~~{{dead link\|date=January 2018 \|bot=InternetArchiveBot \|fix-attempted=yes }}~~</ref> (Channel 12 and 1480 AM continued to share the WRDW call letters until the early 1980s, when the radio station was sold by entertainer and Augusta native ];<ref>"Brown gets 2d station." ''Broadcasting'', February 17, 1969, pg. 10 ~~{{dead link\|date=January 2018 \|bot=InternetArchiveBot \|fix-attempted=yes }}~~</ref> it later became WCHZ). Magazine publisher ] purchased Rust Craft in 1979.<ref>~~"In Brief." ''Broadcasting'', July 4, 1977, pg. 21.~~ ~~{{dead~~ ~~link\|date=January~~ ~~2018~~ ~~\|bot=InternetArchiveBot~~ ~~\|fix-attempted=yes~~ }}</ref> Channel 12 was sold along with then-sister stations ] in ], ] in ], ] in ], and ] in ], to Television Station Partners, a group composed of Ziff Davis's broadcast executives, in 1983.<ref>"Ziff spins off four TV's to Pompador." ''Broadcasting'', July 26, 1982, pp. 31-27. Accessed February 8, 2020. </ref> Television Station Partners sold off all of its stations in early January 1996, with WRDW going to Gray Communications Systems (now Gray Television).		In 1960, the Morrises exited Augusta broadcasting, with channel 12 being sold to what would eventually become ].<ref> ''Broadcasting'', February 8, 1960, pg. 77.</ref> (Channel 12 and 1480 AM continued to share the WRDW call letters until the early 1980s, when the radio station was sold by entertainer and Augusta native ];<ref> ''Broadcasting'', February 17, 1969, pg. 10</ref> it later became WCHZ). Magazine publisher ] purchased Rust Craft in 1979.<ref> ''Broadcasting'', July 4, 1977, pg. 21.</ref> Channel 12 was sold along with then-sister stations ] in ], ] in ], ] in ], and ] in ], to Television Station Partners, a group composed of Ziff Davis's broadcast executives, in 1983.<ref>"Ziff spins off four TV's to Pompador." ''Broadcasting'', July 26, 1982, pp. 31-27. Accessed February 8, 2020. </ref> Television Station Partners sold off all of its stations in early January 1996, with WRDW going to Gray Communications Systems (now Gray Television).

	Ever since CBS began broadcasting the ] in 1956, WRDW has been the ''de facto'' ] of the annual golf tournament played at ].		Ever since CBS began broadcasting the ] in 1956, WRDW has been the ''de facto'' ] of the annual golf tournament played at ].

	On July 12, 2018, WRDW broke ground on a new building to replace its facility in ], where it had been based since its inception. The new {{convert\|30,000\|sqft\|m2\|adj=on}} facility houses operations for both WRDW and WAGT, and opened in February 2021.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/gray-breaks-ground-on-new-station-in-georgia\|title=Gray Breaks Ground on New Station in Georgia\|work=]\|date=July 12, 2018\|access-date=August 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.augustachronicle.com/business/20180712/gray-television-inc-breaks-ground-for-new-wrdw-wagt-station-along-riverwatch-parkway-in-augusta\|title=Gray Television Inc. breaks ground for new WRDW, WAGT station along Riverwatch Parkway in Augusta\|work=]\|date=July 12, 2018\|access-date=August 20, 2018}}</ref> As a nod to Augusta National and the Masters, the new facility also features a ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/220369/gray-aims-hole-one-augusta/\|title=Gray Aims For A Hole In One In Augusta\|work=TVNewsCheck.com\|date=August 9, 2018\|access-date=September 22, 2018}}</ref>		On July 12, 2018, WRDW broke ground on a new building to replace its facility in ], where it had been based since its inception. The new {{convert\|30,000\|sqft\|m2\|adj=on}} facility houses operations for both WRDW and WAGT, and opened in February 2021.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/gray-breaks-ground-on-new-station-in-georgia\|title=Gray Breaks Ground on New Station in Georgia\|work=]\|date=July 12, 2018\|access-date=August 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.augustachronicle.com/business/20180712/gray-television-inc-breaks-ground-for-new-wrdw-wagt-station-along-riverwatch-parkway-in-augusta\|title=Gray Television Inc. breaks ground for new WRDW, WAGT station along Riverwatch Parkway in Augusta\|work=]\|date=July 12, 2018\|access-date=August 20, 2018}}</ref> As a nod to Augusta National and the Masters, the new facility also features a ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/220369/gray-aims-hole-one-augusta/\|title=Gray Aims For A Hole In One In Augusta\|work=TVNewsCheck.com\|date=August 9, 2018\|access-date=September 22, 2018}}</ref>

	==Programming==		==Programming==
	Unlike most Gray-owned CBS stations, WRDW-TV does not carry the entire CBS schedule; the station does not carry the entirety of CBS' weekday overnight ~~lineup — it~~ carries the '']'' but does not clear the network's broadcast of the '']''; as a result, the latter program does not air in the Augusta market.		Unlike most Gray-owned CBS stations, WRDW-TV does not carry the entire CBS schedule; the station does not carry the entirety of CBS' weekday overnight lineup—it carries the '']'' but does not clear the network's broadcast of the '']''; as a result, the latter program does not air in the Augusta market.

	===News operation===		===News operation===
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	WRDW has been recognized numerous times for its journalism, particularly in the areas of investigative, documentary, and breaking news. Over the past 16 years, WRDW has received 15 Regional Murrow Awards, 2 National Murrow Awards, a National ], and dozens of honors from the Georgia Associated Press and Georgia Association of Broadcasters.		WRDW has been recognized numerous times for its journalism, particularly in the areas of investigative, documentary, and breaking news. Over the past 16 years, WRDW has received 15 Regional Murrow Awards, 2 National Murrow Awards, a National ], and dozens of honors from the Georgia Associated Press and Georgia Association of Broadcasters.

	On January 24, 2011, WRDW launched local newscasts in high definition with the midday newscast. It is the first station in the area to do so.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.augustachronicle.com/news/business/2011-01-25/augusta-tv-station-begins-local-hd-broadcasting\|title=Augusta TV station begins local HD broadcasting\|work=]\|date=January 25, 2011\|access-date=August 20, 2018}}</ref> With the launch came a brand new logo and brand new high definition graphics, similar in style to the previous ] ] ] graphics that debuted just 4 months before, but fully animated.		On January 24, 2011, WRDW launched local newscasts in high definition with the midday newscast. It is the first station in the area to do so.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.augustachronicle.com/news/business/2011-01-25/augusta-tv-station-begins-local-hd-broadcasting\|title=Augusta TV station begins local HD broadcasting\|work=]\|date=January 25, 2011\|access-date=August 20, 2018}}</ref> With the launch came a brand new logo and brand new high definition graphics, similar in style to the previous ] ] ] graphics that debuted just 4 months before, but fully animated.

	WRDW-TV had the longest-running news anchor team in the market with Richard Rogers and Laurie Ott seen weeknights at 6 and 11. The two were together on-air from the mid-1990s until September 2007 when Laurie Ott left to pursue other career opportunities. For much of the last 25 years, WRDW did not offer a newscast weeknights at 5:30, opting instead to carry '']''. Starting in September 2017, WRDW launched a nationally focused 5:30 p.m. newscast; while ''Inside Edition'' moved to WAGT weeknights at 6.		WRDW-TV had the longest-running news anchor team in the market with Richard Rogers and Laurie Ott seen weeknights at 6 and 11. The two were together on-air from the mid-1990s until September 2007 when Laurie Ott left to pursue other career opportunities. For much of the last 25 years, WRDW did not offer a newscast weeknights at 5:30, opting instead to carry '']''. Starting in September 2017, WRDW launched a nationally focused 5:30 p.m. newscast; while ''Inside Edition'' moved to WAGT weeknights at 6.

	From March 2016 to September 2017, all of WRDW's newscasts with the exception of the midday newscast were simulcast by WAGT; the station also produced exclusive 5:30 p.m. and 7~~:00~~ p.m. newscasts for WAGT, broadcast from a separate news set with different anchors.		From March 2016 to September 2017, all of WRDW's newscasts with the exception of the midday newscast were simulcast by WAGT; the station also produced exclusive 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. newscasts for WAGT, broadcast from a separate news set with different anchors.

	WAGT's 5:30 p.m. newscast was scrapped in September 2017 for a 30-minute 4 p.m. newscast. In addition, the 6 p.m. is no longer simulcasted on WAGT and all newscasts outside the 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. are branded ''News 12''. While WAGT's 7 p.m. newscast continues to maintain different anchors and set, the 4 p.m. utilizes a virtual set and is anchored by WRDW's Richard Rogers. Periodically, WRDW will use the main set and main anchors for the WAGT newscasts in the event that WAGT's 7 p.m. anchor Kelly Wiley is out.		WAGT's 5:30 p.m. newscast was scrapped in September 2017 for a 30-minute 4 p.m. newscast. In addition, the 6 p.m. is no longer simulcasted on WAGT and all newscasts outside the 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. are branded ''News 12''. While WAGT's 7 p.m. newscast continues to maintain different anchors and set, the 4 p.m. utilizes a virtual set and is anchored by WRDW's Richard Rogers. Periodically, WRDW will use the main set and main anchors for the WAGT newscasts in the event that WAGT's 7 p.m. anchor Kelly Wiley is out.
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	==Technical information==		==Technical information==
	===Subchannels===		===Subchannels===
	The station's ~~digital~~ signal is ]:		The station's signal is ]:
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	\|+Subchannels of WRDW-TV<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WRDW#station\|title = RabbitEars TV Query for WRDW\|website=RabbitEars.info}}</ref>		\|+Subchannels of WRDW-TV<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WRDW#station\|title = RabbitEars TV Query for WRDW\|website=RabbitEars.info}}</ref><ref></ref>
	! scope = "col" \| ]		! scope = "col" \| ]
	! scope = "col" \| ]		! scope = "col" \| ]
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	\|-		\|-
	! scope = "row" \| 12.1		! scope = "row" \| 12.1
	\| rowspan=2\| ] \|\| rowspan=6 \|] \|\| WRDW-DT \|\| ]		\| rowspan=2\| ] \|\| rowspan=7 \|] \|\| WRDW-DT \|\| ]
			\|-
	\|- style="background-color: #E6FFF7;"
	! scope = "row" \| ]		! scope = "row" \| 12.2
	\| WAGTNBC \|\| ] ~~(])~~		\| WAGTNBC \|\| ]
	\|-		\|-
	! scope = "row" \| 12.3		! scope = "row" \| 12.3
	\| rowspan=4\| ] \|\| MyNet \|\| ]		\| rowspan=5\| ] \|\| MyNet \|\| ]
	\|-		\|-
	! scope = "row" \| 12.4		! scope = "row" \| 12.4
	\| ~~Circle~~ \|\| ]		\| The365 \|\| ]
	\|-		\|-
	! scope = "row" \| 12.5		! scope = "row" \| 12.5
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	\|-		\|-
	! scope = "row" \| 12.6		! scope = "row" \| 12.6
	\| ~~Defy~~ \|\| ]		\| ION+ \|\| ]
			\|-
			! scope = "row" \| 12.7
			\| COZI \|\| ]
			\|-
	\|}		\|}
	{{legend\|#E6FFF7\|Simulcast of subchannels of another station}}

	In 2004, WRDW-DT2 signed on as a ] affiliate, replacing WBEK-CA (now sister station WAGT-CD) as the ]'s affiliate. WRDW-DT2 later became a MyNetworkTV affiliate when that network launched on September 5, 2006.		In 2004, WRDW-DT2 signed on as a ] affiliate, replacing WBEK-CA (now sister station WAGT-CD) as the ]'s affiliate. WRDW-DT2 later became a MyNetworkTV affiliate when that network launched on September 5, 2006.
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	==External links==		==External links==
	*{{Official website\|https://www.wrdw.com/}}		*{{Official website\|https://www.wrdw.com/}}
	*{{Official website\|https://www.wrdw.com/mynetwork\|WRDW-DT3}}

	{{Augusta TV}}		{{Augusta TV}}
	{{CBS Georgia}}		{{CBS Georgia}}
	{{NBC Georgia}}
	{{MNTV Georgia}}		{{MNTV Georgia}}
	{{South Carolina TV}}		{{South Carolina TV}}
	{{Gray TV}}		{{Gray TV}}

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Latest revision as of 01:42, 18 October 2024

CBS affiliate in Augusta, Georgia

WRDW-TV
Augusta, Georgia United States

Channels	Digital: 12 (VHF) Virtual: 12
Branding	News 12
Programming
Affiliations	12.1: CBS for others, see § Subchannels
Ownership
Owner	Gray Television (Gray Television Licensee, LLC)
Sister stations	WAGT-CD
History
First air date	February 8, 1954 (70 years ago) (1954-02-08)
Former channel number(s)	Analog: 12 (VHF, 1954–2009) Digital: 31 (UHF, 2004–2009)
Former affiliations	ABC (secondary, 1954–1967) NBC (secondary, 1967–1974) UPN (DT2, 2004–2006) MyNetworkTV (DT2 2006–2019; DT3 2019–2024)
Call sign meaning	"Where Radio Does Wonders" (derived from former sister station WRDW radio)
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	73937
ERP	20.2 kW
HAAT	485 m (1,591 ft)
Transmitter coordinates	33°24′37″N 81°50′36″W / 33.41028°N 81.84333°W / 33.41028; -81.84333
Translator(s)	W16EL-D W20EW-D W33ER-D W35DV-D
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Website	www.wrdw.com

WRDW-TV (channel 12) is a television station in Augusta, Georgia, United States, affiliated with CBS and MyNetworkTV. It is owned by Gray Television alongside Class A NBC affiliate WAGT-CD (channel 26) and low-power Telemundo affiliate WGAT-LD (channel 28). The three stations share studios at The Village at Riverwatch development in Augusta; WRDW-TV's transmitter is located in Beech Island, South Carolina.

History

WRDW-TV commenced operations in February 1954; it is the second-oldest television station in Augusta. The station was originally owned by Radio Augusta, the parent company of the original WRDW radio (1480 AM, later WCHZ and now defunct). WRDW-TV has been Augusta's CBS affiliate for its entire history, owing to its radio sister's long affiliation with the CBS Radio Network. However, it shared ABC with then-primary NBC affiliate WJBF (channel 6).

In 1956, Radio Augusta was sold to the Morris family and their company, Southeastern Newspapers, publishers of the Augusta Chronicle.

On September 1, 1967, WJBF switched its primary affiliation to ABC, and began splitting NBC with WRDW-TV. This was very unusual for a two-station market, especially one as small as Augusta. However, WJBF's namesake owner, J. B. Fuqua, wanted to get that station in line with two ABC affiliates he had just purchased, WTVW in Evansville, Indiana, and KTHI-TV (now KVLY-TV) in Fargo, North Dakota.

When WATU (channel 26, later WAGT) appeared as the market's third station in late 1968, NBC allowed WRDW-TV and WJBF to keep their secondary NBC affiliations because of WATU's painfully weak signal. This situation mostly shut WATU out of access to network programming, thereby forcing it to go dark in 1970. Channel 12 continued to split NBC with WJBF until WATU resumed broadcasting in 1974 with a primary NBC affiliation. WATU's return forced channel 12 to drop NBC programming for good, per a 1971 FCC order that required VHF stations in markets with three or more commercial outlets to affiliate with only one network.

In 1960, the Morrises exited Augusta broadcasting, with channel 12 being sold to what would eventually become Rust Craft Broadcasting. (Channel 12 and 1480 AM continued to share the WRDW call letters until the early 1980s, when the radio station was sold by entertainer and Augusta native James Brown; it later became WCHZ). Magazine publisher Ziff-Davis purchased Rust Craft in 1979. Channel 12 was sold along with then-sister stations WEYI-TV in Saginaw, Michigan, WROC-TV in Rochester, New York, WRCB-TV in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and WTOV-TV in Steubenville, Ohio, to Television Station Partners, a group composed of Ziff Davis's broadcast executives, in 1983. Television Station Partners sold off all of its stations in early January 1996, with WRDW going to Gray Communications Systems (now Gray Television).

Ever since CBS began broadcasting the Masters Tournament in 1956, WRDW has been the de facto flagship station of the annual golf tournament played at Augusta National Golf Club.

On July 12, 2018, WRDW broke ground on a new building to replace its facility in North Augusta, South Carolina, where it had been based since its inception. The new 30,000-square-foot (2,800 m) facility houses operations for both WRDW and WAGT, and opened in February 2021. As a nod to Augusta National and the Masters, the new facility also features a putting green.

Programming

Unlike most Gray-owned CBS stations, WRDW-TV does not carry the entire CBS schedule; the station does not carry the entirety of CBS' weekday overnight lineup—it carries the CBS Overnight News but does not clear the network's broadcast of the CBS Morning News; as a result, the latter program does not air in the Augusta market.

News operation

Until Gray Television purchased WRDW, the station had been a solid runner-up to longtime leader WJBF. In the mid-1990s, WRDW began a steady ratings growth to overcome WJBF in several newscasts. The two stations remain the market's fiercest competitors with WAGT and WFXG trailing far behind the two leaders.

WRDW has been recognized numerous times for its journalism, particularly in the areas of investigative, documentary, and breaking news. Over the past 16 years, WRDW has received 15 Regional Murrow Awards, 2 National Murrow Awards, a National Sigma Delta Chi Award, and dozens of honors from the Georgia Associated Press and Georgia Association of Broadcasters.

On January 24, 2011, WRDW launched local newscasts in high definition with the midday newscast. It is the first station in the area to do so. With the launch came a brand new logo and brand new high definition graphics, similar in style to the previous 16:9 enhanced definition widescreen graphics that debuted just 4 months before, but fully animated.

WRDW-TV had the longest-running news anchor team in the market with Richard Rogers and Laurie Ott seen weeknights at 6 and 11. The two were together on-air from the mid-1990s until September 2007 when Laurie Ott left to pursue other career opportunities. For much of the last 25 years, WRDW did not offer a newscast weeknights at 5:30, opting instead to carry Inside Edition. Starting in September 2017, WRDW launched a nationally focused 5:30 p.m. newscast; while Inside Edition moved to WAGT weeknights at 6.

From March 2016 to September 2017, all of WRDW's newscasts with the exception of the midday newscast were simulcast by WAGT; the station also produced exclusive 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. newscasts for WAGT, broadcast from a separate news set with different anchors.

WAGT's 5:30 p.m. newscast was scrapped in September 2017 for a 30-minute 4 p.m. newscast. In addition, the 6 p.m. is no longer simulcasted on WAGT and all newscasts outside the 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. are branded News 12. While WAGT's 7 p.m. newscast continues to maintain different anchors and set, the 4 p.m. utilizes a virtual set and is anchored by WRDW's Richard Rogers. Periodically, WRDW will use the main set and main anchors for the WAGT newscasts in the event that WAGT's 7 p.m. anchor Kelly Wiley is out.

Technical information

Subchannels

The station's signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of WRDW-TV
Channel	Res.	Aspect	Short name	Programming
12.1	1080i	16:9	WRDW-DT	CBS
12.2	1080i		WAGTNBC	MyNetworkTV
12.3	480i		MyNet	Peachtree Sports Network
12.4			The365	The365
12.5			TruCrim	True Crime Network
12.6			ION+	Ion Plus
12.7			COZI	Cozi TV

In 2004, WRDW-DT2 signed on as a UPN affiliate, replacing WBEK-CA (now sister station WAGT-CD) as the market's affiliate. WRDW-DT2 later became a MyNetworkTV affiliate when that network launched on September 5, 2006.

WRDW-TV previously carried weather information on 12.3. In January 2011, it was replaced with The Country Network, which in turn was replaced with Antenna TV in late May 2013.

By spring 2017, WRDW-DT2 upgraded its over-the-air digital signal into 1080i high definition; thus offering over-the-air access to the high definition feed for MyNetworkTV for the first time in the Augusta market.

On May 1, 2019, WRDW added a simulcast of WAGT on DT2, thus moving MyNetworkTV to DT3 and dropping Antenna TV.

Analog-to-digital conversion

WRDW-TV turned off its analog signal, 12, on June 12, 2009. The station then changed its pre-transition UHF channel 31 to VHF channel 12.

References

"Facility Technical Data for WRDW-TV". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
LeBlanc, Sarah. "WRDW planning move to Augusta". The Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
"TV starter pace seems sluggish so far in '54." Broadcasting - Telecasting, February 8, 1954, pg. 52.
"Seven TVs win FCC approval; Augusta gets its first grants." Broadcasting - Telecasting, September 21, 1953, pg. 48.
"WRDW-AM-TV sold Friday to newspaper for $1 Million." Broadcasting - Telecasting, December 5, 1955, pg. 7.
"WRDW-AM-TV purchase goes up for FCC approval." Broadcasting - Telecasting, January 2, 1956, pg. 58.
"WJBF (TV) goes primary ABC." Broadcasting, August 14, 1967, pg. 52.
"Changing Hands." Broadcasting, February 8, 1960, pg. 77.
"Brown gets 2d station." Broadcasting, February 17, 1969, pg. 10
"In Brief." Broadcasting, July 4, 1977, pg. 21.
"Ziff spins off four TV's to Pompador." Broadcasting, July 26, 1982, pp. 31-27. Accessed February 8, 2020.
"Gray Breaks Ground on New Station in Georgia". Broadcasting & Cable. July 12, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
"Gray Television Inc. breaks ground for new WRDW, WAGT station along Riverwatch Parkway in Augusta". The Augusta Chronicle. July 12, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
"Gray Aims For A Hole In One In Augusta". TVNewsCheck.com. August 9, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
"Augusta TV station begins local HD broadcasting". The Augusta Chronicle. January 25, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
"RabbitEars TV Query for WRDW". RabbitEars.info.
TitanTV schedule with updated listings
RabbitEars TV Query for WRDW-TV

External links

Official website

v t e Broadcast television in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA)
This region includes the following cities: Augusta, GA North Augusta/Aiken, SC Reception may vary by location and some stations may only be viewable with cable television
Full power	WJBF (6.1 ABC, 6.2 MeTV, 6.3 CW+, 6.4 Mystery) WRDW-TV (12.1 CBS, 12.2 MNT, 12.3 PSN, 12.4 The365, 12.5 Crime, 12.6 Ion+, 12.7 Cozi) WEBA-TV (14.1 PBS / SCETV, 14.2 SC Ch., 14.3 ETV World, 14.4 ETV Kids) WCES-TV (20.1 PBS / GPB, 20.2 Create, 20.3 Knowledge, 20.4 PBS Kids) WFXG (54.1 Fox, 54.2 Bounce, 54.3 Grit, 54.4 Court)
Low power	WGAT-LD (17.1 TMD, 17.2 NBC, 17.3 PSN) WAAU-LD (23.1/.3-.4 blanks, 23.2 Lifehacks DRTV) WAGT-CD (26.1 NBC, 26.2 PSN, 26.3 Outlaw, 26.4 Dabl, 26.5 H&I, 26.6 Start) WIEF-LD (47.1 NTD America, 47.2 MtrSpt1, 47.3 Ads, 47.4 Get, 47.5 Buzzr, 47.6 Salem News Channel, 47.7 Defy) WBPI-CD (49.1 Ind.)
Defunct	WAGT 26 WDYH-LD 27 WBAU (cable)
See also Atlanta TV Charleston TV Columbia TV Greenville/Spartanburg/Asheville TV Macon TV Savannah TV

v t e CBS network affiliates licensed to and serving the state of Georgia
Primary*	WRBL 3 (Columbus) WTOC-TV 11 (Savannah) WRDW-TV 12 (Augusta) WMAZ-TV 13 (Macon) WSWG 44 / WSST-DT 55.20 (Valdosta/Cordele/Albany) WANF 46 (Atlanta)
Secondary**	WTVY 4 (Dothan, AL) WCTV 6 (Thomasville/Tallahassee, FL) WSPA-TV 7 (Spartanburg/Greenville/Anderson, SC/Asheville, NC) WDEF-TV 12 (Chattanooga, TN/Dalton) WJAX-TV 47 (Jacksonville, FL/Brunswick)
() – indicates station is in one of Georgia's primary TV markets (*) – indicates station is in an out-of-state TV market, but reaches a small portion of Georgia See also ABC CBS CW Fox Ion MyNetworkTV NBC PBS Other stations in Georgia

v t e MyNetworkTV affiliates licensed to and serving the state of Georgia
Primary*	WSAV-DT 3.3 (Savannah) WRDW-DT 12.2 (Augusta) WATL 36 (Atlanta) WLTZ-DT 38.3 (Columbus) WMGT-DT 41.2 (Macon) WSWG-DT 44.2 / WSST 55 (Valdosta/Cordele/Albany)
Secondary**	WTVY-DT 4.2 (Dothan, AL) WLOS-DT 13.2 (Asheville, NC/Greenville/Spartanburg/Anderson, SC) WFOX-DT 30.2 (Jacksonville, FL/Brunswick) WFLI-DT 53.2 (Cleveland/Chattanooga, TN/Dalton) WFXU 57 / WCTV-DT 6.6 / WTFL-LD 15.4 (Thomasville/Live Oak/Tallahassee, FL)
() – indicates station is in one of Georgia's primary TV markets (*) – indicates station is in an out-of-state TV market, but reaches a small portion of Georgia See also ABC CBS CW Fox Ion MyNetworkTV NBC PBS Other stations in Georgia

v t e Broadcast television stations by affiliation in the state of South Carolina
ABC	WJBF 6 (Augusta, GA) WSOC-TV 9 (Charlotte, NC) WLOS 13 (Asheville, NC)* WPDE-TV 15 (Florence)* WJCL 22 (Savannah, GA)** WOLO-TV 25 (Columbia)* WCIV-DT 36.2 (Charleston)*
CBS	WBTV 3 (Charlotte, NC)** WCSC-TV 5 (Charleston)* WSPA-TV 7 (Spartanburg)* WTOC-TV 11 (Savannah, GA) WRDW-TV 12 (Augusta, GA) WBTW 13 (Florence)* WLTX 19 (Columbia)*
Fox	WHNS 21 (Greenville)* WTAT-TV 24 (Charleston)* WTGS 28 (Hardeeville/Savannah, GA)** WFXB 43 (Myrtle Beach)* WJZY 46 (Belmont, NC) WFXG 54 (Augusta, GA) WACH 57 (Columbia)*
NBC	WCBD-TV 2 (Charleston)* WSAV-TV 3 (Savannah, GA)** WYFF 4 (Greenville)* WIS 10 (Columbia)* WAGT-CD 26 / WRDW-DT 12.2 (Augusta, GA)** WMBF-TV 32 (Myrtle Beach)* WCNC-TV 36 (Charlotte, NC)**
The CW	WCBD-DT 2.2 (Charleston)* WSAV-DT 3.2 (Savannah, GA)** WIS-DT 10.2 (Columbia)* WPDE-DT 15.2 (Florence)* WCCB 18 (Charlotte, NC) WAGT-CD 26.2 (Augusta, GA) WYCW 62 (Asheville, NC)*
MyNetworkTV	WSAV-DT 3.3 (Savannah, GA) WRDW-DT 12.3 (Augusta, GA) WBTW-DT 13.2 (Florence)* WLOS-DT 13.2 (Asheville, NC)* WCIV 36 (Charleston)* WMYT-TV 55 (Rock Hill/Charlotte, NC)* WKTC 63 (Sumter)*
Ion Television	WCBD-DT 2.3 (Charleston)* WJBF-DT 6.3 (Augusta, GA)** WSPA-DT 7.3 (Spartanburg)* WTOC-DT 11.5 (Savannah, GA)** WBTW-DT 13.3 (Florence)* WJZY-DT 46.6 (Belmont/Charlotte, NC)** WZRB 47 (Columbia)*
PBS (SCETV)	WITV 7 (Charleston) WEBA 14 (Allendale) WJWJ 16 (Beaufort) WHMC 23 (Conway) WRJA 27 (Sumter) WNTV 29 (Greenville) WNSC 30 (Rock Hill) WJPM 33 (Florence) WRLK 35 (Columbia) WNEH 38 (Greenwood) WRET 49 (Spartanburg)
Other	WGWG 4_{ATSC 3.0} (MeTV, Charleston)* WHDC-LD 12 (Court, Charleston)* WWJS 14 (SBN, Hickory, NC)** WGGS-TV 16 (Rel. Ind., Greenville)* WLCN-CD 18 (CTN, Charleston)* WWMB 21 (.1 Dabl, .2 TBD, .3 Nest, .4 Charge!, Florence)* WAZS-LD 29 (Quiero TV, Charleston)* W30CV-D 30/48 (Ind., Hilton Head Island)** WDKT-LD 31 (GEB, Hendersonville, NC)* WSCG-LD 34 (Get, Baxley, GA)** WMYA-TV 40_{ATSC 3.0} (Dabl, Anderson)* WSQY-LD 51 (Daystar, Greenville)* WAXN-TV 64_{ATSC 3.0} (Ind., Kannapolis, NC)**
() – indicates station is in one of South Carolina's primary TV markets (*) – indicates station is in an out-of-state TV market, but reaches a small portion of South Carolina

v t e Gray Television
sorted by primary channel network affiliations
ABC	KAIT KCRG-TV KJCT-LD KLTV / KTRE KOLO-TV KOTA-TV / KHSD-TV / KNEP / KSGW-TV KSFY-TV / KPRY-TV KSPR-LD KSWO-TV WBAY-TV WBKO WCJB-TV WGGB-TV WHSV-TV WLOX WPTA WTOK-TV WTVG WTVM WWSB
CBS	KAUU KAUZ-TV KCTV KEYC-TV KFDA-TV KFVS-TV KGMB KGWN-TV / KSTF KKTV KMOV KMVT KNOE-TV KNPL-LD KOLD-TV KOLN / KGIN KOSA-TV KPHO-TV KSLA KWCH-DT / KBSD-DT / KBSH-DT / KBSL-DT KWTX-TV / KBTX-TV KXII KXDF-CD KXJB-LD KYLX-LD WABI-TV WAFB WAGM-TV WANF WBNG-TV WBTV WCAX-TV WCSC-TV WCTV WDBJ WDTV WECP-LD WFSB / WSHM-LD WIBW-TV WIFR-LD WIYE-LD WKYT-TV / WYMT-TV WNEM-TV WOIO / WOHZ-CD / WTCL-LD WRDW-TV WSAW-TV / WYOW WTOC-TV WTVY WVLT-TV WWNY-TV
Fox	KEVN-LD KIIT-CD KJTV-TV KMSB KNDX / KXND KPTV KSVT-LD KVHP KVVU-TV KXLT-TV KYOU-TV WALA-TV WBRC WDBD WFLX WHNS WNYF-CD WOVA-LD WSFX-TV WSVF-CD WVFX WVUE-DT WXIX-TV WXTX WZAW-LD
NBC	KALB-TV KATH-LD / KSCT-LD KBJR-TV / KRII KCBD KCWY-DT KDLT-TV / KDLV-TV KFYR-TV / KQCD-TV / KMOT / KUMV-TV KGNS-TV KHNL / KOGG / KSIX-TV KKCO KMNF-LD KNEP KNOP-TV KPLC KSNB-TV KTIV KTTC KTUU-TV KTVF KVLY-TV KWQC-TV KYTV WAFF WAGT-CD WALB WAVE WDAM-TV WEAU WECT WEEK-TV WFIE WGEM-TV WILX-TV / WLNM-LD WIS WITN-TV WJHG-TV WLBT WLTZ WLUC-TV WMBF-TV WMC-TV / WANF-LD WMTV WNDU-TV WOWT WRGX-LD WSAZ-TV WSFA WSMV-TV / WTNX-LD / WFET-LD WSVW-LD WTAP-TV WVIR-TV / WVIR-CD WVVA WWBT / WRID-LD WWPI-LD
The CW	KAUZ-TV KCWH-LD / KNHL KCWO-TV KDLH KFVS-DT2 KLCW-TV KNCT KSCW-DT KTTU-TV KYCW-LD WBXX-TV WECX-LD WGCW-LD WISE-TV WPCH-TV WQCW WSLN WUAB WUPV WVIR-DT3 / WVIR-CD3 WYOW
MyNetworkTV	KAUU-DT4 KFXF-LD KPDX KSMO-TV KTTU-TV KWWT WBXH-CD WFXU WIYE-LD WLOO WZBJ / WZBJ-CD
Telemundo	KAQI-LD KBTX-DT3 KEYU KFVE-DT2 KIAT-LD KKCO-DT3 KJTB-LD KLTV-DT3 KSPR-LD6 KSWO-DT2 KTLE-LD KTRE-DT2 KTSH-CD KWTX-DT2 KXNU-LD KXNV-LD KXTQ-CD W27DP-D WBGS-LD WBQC-LD WBXM-CD WBXX-DT5 WGAT-LD WKTB-CD / WKSY-LD WLHA-LD WMBP-LD2 WOOK-LD WQWQ-LD WRGX-LD3 WTBM-CD WTCL-LD / WOHZ-CD WTFL-LD WTHV-LD WTME-LD WTNX-LD / WFET-LD WTSG-LD WTWL-LD WXIV-LD
Other	H&I WSJV Ind. K17DL-D KFVE KTVK WWAX-LD MeTV KHME / KQME WPGA-TV AFS KPHE-LD KAZF KAZS MM KDTL-LD PSN WPGA-LD RESN WOHZ-CD / WTCL-LD
Radio stations	WGEM-FM
Programming	Hawaii News Now Investigate TV
Other assets	Free TV Networks The365 Outlaw VCR Action VCR Haha Defy TV Raycom Sports (ACC Network) PowerNation Studios PowerNation Tupelo Honey Arizona's Family Sports Peachtree Sports Network
Acquisitions	Benedek Broadcasting Diversified Communications Hoak Media Meredith Local Media Quincy Media Granite Broadcasting Raycom Media Drewry Communications Liberty Corporation Lincoln Financial Media Schurz Communications United Communications
Owned by American Spirit Media; Gray operates these stations through an SSA. Owned by SagamoreHill Broadcasting; Gray operates these stations through an SSA. Owned by Tegna Inc.; Gray operates these stations through an SSA. Owned by Gray; E. W. Scripps Company operates this station through an SSA. Owned by Tougaloo College and operated by American Spirit Media through a JSA; Gray provides limited engineering support through an SSA. Owned by Branson Visitors TV; Gray holds a 50.1% interest in this company.

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