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NewsChannel 5 signed
on the air as WLAC-TV in 1954---Nashville's second television station. In 1975, the call letters were changed to
WTVF-TV. August 6, 2004 marked 50 years of excellence for the NewsChannel 5 Network. Here are just a few of the
highlights and milestones through the years:
August
6, 1954
- The station went on air with call letters
WLAC-TV from its studios at 159 4th Avenue North in downtown Nashville .
- The original owners were T.B. Baker, Jr., Alvin G. Beaman, Jr., and Life and Casualty Insurance
Co.
- The station signed on with the first full-height
tower in Tennessee .
August 22, 1954 - WLAC-TV aired its first color telecast when CBS aired The Ed Sullivan Show
on closed circuit.
- The only color telecast
from CBS for many years was the "The Red Skelton Show".
1955 - WLAC-TV
hired the first female weather person in Nashville , Jean Hughes.
1959 - On September 9th, WLAC-TV
was the first Nashville television station to use radar in its weather presentation. This was 14 years before any of our competitors.
The Mid 60's - The Rhythm and Blues Show "Night Train" was produced at WLAC-TV. It was a popular entertainment
show, showcasing famous artists that included Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Gladys Knight, Wilson Pickett, and Otis Redding.
1964 - WLAC-TV
was the first television station to provide statewide live election coverage during a state election.
1966 - WLAC-TV
broadcast the first local news story using color film.
1968 - On September 28th, WLAC-TV moved to its present location at 474 James Robertson
Parkway in downtown Nashville.
- We broadcast news
from our first "news set" at the new location.
- The
first locally produced network television program, "The Boots Randolph Show" on ABC, was videotaped at
Channel 5 studios.
1969 - On June 15th, CBS Television bought "Hee Haw", a summer replacement
show for CBS. It was taped at Channel 5 until 1980. The show became a network hit and was a highly successful syndicated program.
1970 - WLAC-TV
hired the first African American sportscaster, Bill Perkins, on Nashville television.
1969 - 1970 - WLAC-TV
originated the concept of Snow Watch for reporting school closings during inclement winter.
1973 - WLAC-TV
hired the first female feature reporter in the Nashville area, Ruth Ann Leach.
1974 - WLAC-TV
hired the first female news co-anchor in the Nashville area, Oprah Winfrey.
[Information and history from newschannel5.com]
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