On October 30, 1957 Channel 13 WTHR television station started to broadcast in Indianapolis. From that very first day of programming, this blockbuster among Indianapolis TV stations was not only covering the news they were making the news. For its first five years of existence Channel 13 was embedded in one of the most heated licensing disputes in all of television’s history. This dispute went all the way to Washington DC where the Court of Appeals had to judge on a resolution.
In 1962, the newly appointed owner of what was then WLWI was Crosley Broadcasting Company. They quickly found their Indy TV station on the verge of ruin. After spending quite a substantial amount of money the improvements in ratings for Channel 13 were marginal at best. In 1974 Dispatch Broadcast Group bought the station, and among their first orders of business was the change of the Indianapolis television station’s call sign to the present day WTHR.
| Here’s a fun video from WTHR-TV about Dave Smiley doing whatever it takes for his morning show on WZPL 99.5 FM, Indianapolis. |
Now under the same ownership for over 30 years, Channel 13 WTHR has flourished from this stability, becoming the Indianapolis media leader in television. They have used the popularity of the programming NBC offers as a way to draw the attention of viewers. They knew once people tuned in to watch their favorite shows and TV series they would stay for what has become the favorite newscast in our city. In 2002 WTHR started receiving the highest ratings in all of the news timeslots and changed the station’s slogan to “Indiana’s News Leader.”
How did they become the news leader? They have done it by bringing the residents of our city anything and everything that deals with Indianapolis. Want to learn about what makes the culture in Indianapolis so great or what new art in Indianapolis is on display? Tune in. Do you want to find things to do in Indianapolis, or how to live healthy in Indianapolis? Channel 13 has the answers. In-depth coverage of local events in Indianapolis is what has made Channel 13 WTHR the leader in local news for all of the Indianapolis TV stations, Indianapolis radio stations Indianapolis magazines and Indianapolis print news, including the ever-popular Indianapolis star (Indy Star). With their headquarters is downtown Indianapolis WTHR will always be ready to let you know what’s new in news.
Channel 13 WTHR
1000 N Meridian St
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317.639.6397
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
What happened to weather person Chacagi ? The spelling is wrong, I know. We miss her.
if you are a true manning fan he is still the best but he needs his team needs to cover him more i have all ways been a manning fan and will all ways go where he goes dottie
My husband and I are quite curious why @ 6:50 p.m. on several occasions,
your channel goes blank until 7:00 p.m. WHEEL OF FORTUNE. We always switch to other channels to assure it is not our TV but only your station.
At the beginning of the news you tell the viewers whats coming up. Isn’t that enough, do you really need to tell us over and over and over and over and over———————————————————————————–?
I was wondering if you might mention the Harlem Wizzards Basketball game at Indian Creek High School this Wednesday evening. It is being put on by Indian Creek High School Bands as a fundraiser. Our band has grown from twenty to almost ninety in a short period of time under the wonderful direction of Mrs. Amy Heavilin. She ie an awsome teacher. It will be a fun evening for all. The Wizzards are celebrating their 50th year. Thank you so much for any help that you might give us.
Thanks,
Tammy Link
I just want to know why isn’t there a Senior Day for such a major, spectacular event? We know that Senior’s get that day for the Indiana State Fair. We also know just the walk from personal parking to the site alone could be way too much. Seniors should have the opportunity to enjoy Super Bowl like anyone else. Let’s not tease ( the majority viewers) them as they watch the excitement on television on a daily basis.
I am so very pleased to see that on ch.13-3 you will be showing decent tv shows! I am SO SICK of all the mayhem, blood, cruelty, and sex on the tv that I have been using my tv to watch Netfiix movies only! Where can I find a listing of the programs to be shown? I don’t find it in the weekly (or daily) sections of the paper. I would like to know what is coming up and when. For each day of the weeki, if possible.
Thank you again for making good family television fare available.
2nd Annual Thanksgiving Turkey giveaway
Sponsored by:
Prestige Hair Magazine Publisher Tracey Gilliam
I.B.F. Super Welterweight Champion “K9″ Bundrage
Indy’s #1 Stylist Bad Boy Bill
Special guest WIBA Women’s Champion Melissa St Vil
Nov 21st
2:00pm
*Mayors office will be on hand
It’s all ways a blessing to give back to the community
Please inform me of a phone number to reserve tickets for a taping of Jimmy Fallon the first week of February. Thank you!
My daughter got an e-mail stating that all the polititions were getting seats at the Memorial at Twin Towers.It went on to say that there are no seats available for the first responders, policemen and others who helped at the time of the crisis. Everyone i have talked to said it should be reversed. Lets ask all politions with a ticket to donate it to a first responder or someone who helped back then. It could improve alot of ratings on politions if they thought of someone else first.Please check and see if that email was correct. Thanks Mary La Shure
I ALWAYS TURNED ON CH 13 EVERY EVENING BECAUSE OF YOUR NEWS
BUT NOW YOU HAVE WEATHER BY THE HOUR. SO NOW I WATCH CH 8
IF SOMEONE WANTS IT BY THE HOUR WHY NOT HALF HOUR OR EVERY
15 MINUTES. I HAVE NOW CHANGES CHANNELS, THANK YOU
How do I go about having my story heard? It refers to a traffic ticket submitted in error by a local polisce officer to the BMV.
Try telling the truth for once in your life.
OK, YOU WIN! WHOEVER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROGRAMMING HAS RUINED MY WEEK-END FOR WATCHING SKATING…..I DON’T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED SATURDAY, BUT I DO KNOW THE NEWS CONFERENCE TODAY AT 4;00 RUINED IT, SINCE IT’S NOT SHOWEN IN IT’S ENTIRETY….THANKS, AGAIN…..
A complaint.
I’m watching Law and Order as I type this (04/05/2010). As an American and a Veteran, I am discussed with the continued Liberal stance that this show takes on a regular basis.
I realize that the local stations have little control over network programming but the fact remains that this type of programming tears at the fabric of our society and is not in keeping with the standards that any decent media outlet would maintain.
As a result, I find it necessary to turn off channel 12. But not before I write down 10 of your local sponsers TO write letters or send Email to express my distaste with your programming and ask that they no longer support your station.
Please feel free to pass this on to NBC (although I doubt they will care).
I will ask all that I know to also write to your sponsors expressing their thoughts also.
It is time that we stop the destruction of this great nation.
Have a great day!
I would like to find out about getting our church on your list of closings. I was told I needed to have an account. Thank you for your help.
Call Channel 13