WFRV Local 5

WFRV Local 5 The official account of WFRV-TV Local 5 News. Green Bay, Fox Valley, Lakeshore, and the Northwoods. Overnight WFRV-TV5 became an integral part of the community.

Early in the 1950s, a group of local Green Bay businessmen met to form Valley Telecasting Company. Upon approval from the Federal Communications Commission, WNAM-TV went on the air on April 25, 1955, from Neenah with test patterns. Shortly thereafter, the call letters were changed to WFRV, which stands for Fox River Valley, and the license was moved to Green Bay. With 100,000 watts of power, Chann

el 5 began broadcast programming at 6:45pm on June 1 as an ABC and Dumont Network affiliate. That evening began with a special dedication program followed by a full night of network shows. Television viewers from as far south as Beaver Dam, north to Marquette, Michigan, and from as far west as Wisconsin Rapids to Port Washington on the western shore of Lake Michigan could pick up Channel 5. From sign-on to sign-off, the finest in television programming was presented to viewers of WFRV-TV5, including such favorites as: “The Adventures Of Rin Tin Tin”; “Ozark Jubilee”, a fast-paced country music variety show featuring Red Foley; the award-winning show “Kukla, Fran And Ollie”; “Break The Bank”, an all-cash quiz show; “Make Room For Daddy”; and America’s best-known rider, “The Lone Ranger”. In 1959, WFRV-TV5 switched network affiliation from ABC to NBC and became part of the “Proud as a Peacock” family. Up to this point, television was still viewed in black and white, then in 1965, WFRV-TV5 became the first station in the area to broadcast in living color. WFRV-TV5 viewers saw change once again in April of 1983 when the station switched affiliations from NBC back to ABC. In 1992, CBS Inc. obtained WFRV-TV and its sister station WJMN-TV in Escanaba, Michigan, thus making Green Bay the smallest television market owned and operated by the broadcast network. At that time, CBS Inc. owned and operated 14 television stations, and its programs are seen on an additional 200 affiliates across the United States. On February 16, 2001, WFRV-TV was the first station in the Green Bay market to go digital on the assigned channel of 56. To improve the signal and antenna strength, on September 30, 2005, WFRV-TV switched digital channels from 56 to 39. WFRV-TV became a part of a world-class company, Liberty Media Corporation, on April 16, 2007. Liberty also owned stakes in the cable channels Court TV, QVC, Starz Entertainment, and even the Atlanta Braves. WFRV was the first broadcast station that they ever owned. And on July 1, 2011, WFRV and WJMN joined the broadcast family of Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc., Which today operates 197 television stations across the U. S. Throughout its history, WFRV-TV 5 has always held a strong commitment to the communities it serves, and today it is committed more than ever to be involved, including servicing the viewers with the best possible local news, weather, sports, and entertainment programming.

Dozens of employees will be laid off as the Wautoma Piggly Wiggly prepares to shut its doors this fall.
07/10/2025

Dozens of employees will be laid off as the Wautoma Piggly Wiggly prepares to shut its doors this fall.

WAUTOMA, Wis. (WFRV) – Dozens of employees will be laid off as the Wautoma Piggly Wiggly prepares to shut its doors this fall. According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) fi…

The invasive species reproduce quickly, ending up on the lake shores and littering the beaches. Residents on Lake Winneb...
07/10/2025

The invasive species reproduce quickly, ending up on the lake shores and littering the beaches. Residents on Lake Winnebago are suffering the consequences.

Zebra mussels, which have been found in Wisconsin lakes since the 1980s, are causing harm to entire ecosystems and increasing mercury concentrations in fish, while boaters are urged to wash their e…

A traffic stop in Wisconsin led authorities to uncover drugs, guns, and cash — all hidden inside a bag labeled “Definite...
07/10/2025

A traffic stop in Wisconsin led authorities to uncover drugs, guns, and cash — all hidden inside a bag labeled “Definitely Not a Bag Full of Drugs.”

PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. (WFRV) – A traffic stop in southeast Wisconsin led authorities to uncover drugs, guns, and cash — all hidden inside a bag labeled “Definitely Not a Bag Full of Drugs.” Accord…

Oshkosh officials say they’ve notified the towns; however, no replacement plans have been announced.
07/10/2025

Oshkosh officials say they’ve notified the towns; however, no replacement plans have been announced.

OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) – Several towns and villages surrounding Oshkosh will soon have to find new ambulance coverage. Oshkosh’s Common Council voted unanimously to end ambulance service agreements w…

The U.S. Army Cadet Command said the changes come after 12% of its workforce was cut and are expected to be implemented ...
07/10/2025

The U.S. Army Cadet Command said the changes come after 12% of its workforce was cut and are expected to be implemented by the start of the 2026-27 academic year.

Story here: https://shorturl.at/dWFeD

Bergstrom Automotive is celebrating a major milestone after raising a record-setting amount for Make-A-Wish Wisconsin du...
07/10/2025

Bergstrom Automotive is celebrating a major milestone after raising a record-setting amount for Make-A-Wish Wisconsin during its annual JUNE 3500 campaign.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Bergstrom Automotive is celebrating a major milestone after raising a record-setting amount for Make-A-Wish Wisconsin during its annual JUNE 3500 campaign. In June, team me…

The man reportedly jumped a roundabout, drove on the sidewalk, and refused to stop for the officers.
07/09/2025

The man reportedly jumped a roundabout, drove on the sidewalk, and refused to stop for the officers.

OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) – A 46-year-old Neenah man is facing multiple charges after allegedly driving recklessly in Oshkosh on Wednesday, including jumping a roundabout, driving on sidewalks, and refu…

On Thursday, crews responded to a plastic fabrication company in Oconto for reports of a fire in a machine that is value...
07/09/2025

On Thursday, crews responded to a plastic fabrication company in Oconto for reports of a fire in a machine that is valued at $500,000.

OCONTO, Wis. (WFRV) – On Wednesday morning, crews responded to a plastic fabrication company in Oconto for reports of a fire in a machine that is valued at $500,000. Around 9:10 a.m. on July …

UW-Green Bay educator Robert Fish is taking to the water this summer, joining scientists and staff from the Center for G...
07/09/2025

UW-Green Bay educator Robert Fish is taking to the water this summer, joining scientists and staff from the Center for Great Lakes Literacy aboard the EPA research vessel Lake Guardian.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – UW-Green Bay educator Robert Fish is taking to the water this summer, joining scientists and staff from the Center for Great Lakes Literacy aboard the EPA research vessel L…

The Green Bay Police Department said that while the suspect was arrested in Chicago, the van has still not been found.
07/09/2025

The Green Bay Police Department said that while the suspect was arrested in Chicago, the van has still not been found.

CHICAGO, Ill. (WFRV) – The Green Bay Police Department says it is no longer searching for a carjacking suspect who reportedly stole a Prevea Health shuttle van on Tuesday morning. According t…

Green Bay police are continuing to investigate the death of a 70-year-old man whose body was recovered from the Fox Rive...
07/09/2025

Green Bay police are continuing to investigate the death of a 70-year-old man whose body was recovered from the Fox River near Leicht Memorial Park last week.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Green Bay police are continuing to investigate the death of a 70-year-old man whose body was recovered from the Fox River near Leicht Memorial Park last week. At this time,…

One northern Wisconsin campground cracked the Top 10 in a recent national ranking of the 2025 Best Places to Camp.
07/09/2025

One northern Wisconsin campground cracked the Top 10 in a recent national ranking of the 2025 Best Places to Camp.

MELLEN, Wis. (WFRV) – One northern Wisconsin campground cracked the Top 10 in a recent national ranking of the 2025 Best Places to Camp. On July 8, The Dyrt, the largest source of information…

Address

1181 Mason Street
Green Bay, WI
54301

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when WFRV Local 5 posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share

What’s Your Story?

NEWSROOM: 920-437-5555 // EMAIL: [email protected]

Let us know what stories you’re seeing in our community and they just may end up on-air and online!

Have a great photo? Send it to us and we’ll post it to our official Instagram page!