WRTV History: The Evolution of an Indianapolis Television Landmark
The story of WRTV is a reflection of the broader evolution of American broadcasting. As the oldest television station in the state of Indiana, it has transitioned through multiple owners, call signs, and network affiliations, eventually becoming one of the few stations in the United States to have served as a primary affiliate for all three heritage broadcast networks.
The WFBM-TV Era (1949–1972)
The station first signed on the air on May 30, 1949, as WFBM-TV. It was founded by the Consolidated Television and Radio Broadcasters, a subsidiary of the Bitner Group, which also owned radio station WFBM (1260 AM). The station made an immediate impact with its first broadcast: a documentary titled Crucible of Speed, detailing the early history of the Indianapolis 500, followed by the first live television broadcast of the race itself.
Initially, WFBM-TV operated as a CBS affiliate while maintaining secondary affiliations with ABC and the DuMont Television Network. The landscape shifted in November 1949 when WTTV signed on, leading the two stations to split ABC programming. By July 1954, both lost their ABC affiliations to the newly launched WISH-TV. During this period, WFBM-TV also aired content from the short-lived Paramount Television Network, featuring shows such as Time For Beany and Hollywood Wrestling.
In 1956, the station became the primary NBC affiliate for the market. Expansion continued in 1955 with the launch of sister station WFBM-FM (94.7 FM). Ownership changed in 1957 when the Bitner Group sold its interests to Time Inc., which later placed the station under the Time-Life Broadcasting, Inc. subsidiary in 1961. By the mid-1960s, WFBM-TV distinguished itself as the first station in Indiana to broadcast in color.
Transition to WRTV and Network Shifts
In October 1970, WFBM-AM-FM-TV was sold to McGraw-Hill as part of a larger group deal. Due to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) restrictions on media ownership concentration, McGraw-Hill was forced to sell the Indianapolis radio stations. On June 1, 1972, the television station officially adopted the call letters WRTV.
The late 1970s brought a significant shift in network dynamics. As ABC rose to the top of national ratings and NBC fell to third place, the two networks swapped affiliations in Indianapolis on June 1, 1979. WRTV became the market's ABC affiliate, while WTHR became the NBC affiliate. This move cemented WRTV's unique status as a station that had served as a primary affiliate for CBS, NBC, and ABC.
In October 1994, McGraw-Hill and ABC entered a long-term agreement ensuring all of the group's stations remained affiliated with the network. This era also saw WRTV embrace digital innovation, launching the first television website in the Indianapolis market (theindychannel.com) in the late 1990s, followed by a mobile site in the 2000s.
The Scripps Ownership and Modernization
On December 30, 2011, the E. W. Scripps Company formally acquired WRTV from McGraw-Hill for $212 million. Under Scripps, the station expanded its operational footprint. In 2012, WRTV opened a secondary facility at the WIBC radio studios on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis, creating a news content partnership with Emmis Communications.
By May 2014, WRTV's North Meridian Street studios were expanded to handle master control operations for 19 of Scripps' television stations, creating 10 new jobs. In August 2020, the station dropped its "RTV6" branding in favor of a simpler "WRTV" identity for both the station and its newscasts.
Sale to Circle City Broadcasting
A major shift occurred in October 2025 when Scripps announced the sale of WRTV to Circle City Broadcasting (CCB), the owner of WISH-TV and WNDY-TV, for $83 million. The sale was completed on March 31, 2026, after the FCC granted a waiver to duopoly rules to advance the public interest.
The acquisition led to an immediate merger of WRTV into WISH. This transition resulted in the layoff of the majority of WRTV's staff, including nearly the entire news team. By the following day, WRTV's independent newscasts were replaced by WISH-produced programming. This consolidation, alongside other market shifts, reduced the number of distinct news voices in Indianapolis.
Key Facts
- Oldest Station: WRTV is the oldest television station in Indiana.
- Network Triple Crown: One of the few U.S. stations to have been a primary affiliate for CBS, NBC, and ABC.
- Color Pioneer: First Indiana station to broadcast programming in color.
- Digital First: First Indianapolis station to launch both a website and a mobile site.
- Final Sale: Acquired by Circle City Broadcasting in 2026 for $83 million.
| Period | Owner | Primary Affiliation | Call Sign |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1949–1957 | Bitner Group | CBS | WFBM-TV |
| 1957–1972 | Time-Life Broadcasting | NBC (from 1956) | WFBM-TV |
| 1972–2011 | McGraw-Hill | NBC / ABC (switched 1979) | WRTV |
| 2011–2026 | E. W. Scripps Company | ABC | WRTV |
| 2026–Present | Circle City Broadcasting | ABC | WRTV |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the station first start broadcasting?
The station first signed on the air as WFBM-TV on May 30, 1949.
Why did the station change its name from WFBM-TV to WRTV?
Following the sale to McGraw-Hill in 1970, the new owners sought call letters containing "TV" to distinguish the television station from the radio stations, which retained the WFBM designation.
Which networks has WRTV been affiliated with?
WRTV has served as a primary affiliate for all three major heritage networks: CBS, NBC, and ABC.
What happened to WRTV after the sale to Circle City Broadcasting?
The station was merged into WISH, and the majority of its staff were laid off, with WISH-produced programs replacing WRTV's in-house newscasts.
What was the first program ever aired on the station?
The first broadcast was a documentary titled Crucible of Speed, which focused on the early history of the Indianapolis 500.