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.

12/06/2025

Volunteers are expected to pack their one-millionth meal sometime during this year’s effort. Full story in the comments

12/06/2025

Fromm Family Foods of Mequon initiated a voluntary recall Wednesday of some of its dog food after owner complaints.

Frozen dog food sold in 14 states is being recalled due possible plastic contamination.

12/06/2025

A person was extricated from a vehicle after being trapped following a multi-crash in Brillion on Friday morning that led to multiple hospitalizations.

BRILLION, Wis. (WFRV) – A person was extricated from a vehicle after being trapped following a multi-crash in Brillion on Friday morning that led to multiple hospitalizations. According to th…

12/06/2025

“This is exactly what a Packers fan wants, the snow, the cold, a big game like this with so much on the line for the division." Full story in the comments.

12/06/2025

In this edition of Sustainably Speaking, Storm Team 5's Nathan Himpsl is here to convince you that it's better to go with the real deal for your Christmas trees.

12/06/2025

In his guilty plea, he confessed to recording a video of himself sexually abusing a child, which he then distributed online.

KINGSFORD, Mich. (WFRV) – An Upper Peninsula man was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison with 10 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to sexually exploiting a child. Accordin…

12/06/2025

Game officials now estimate the Powerball jackpot to be $820 million ahead of Saturday’s drawing.

Story in the comments.

12/06/2025

While the nine-day gun deer season is over, there are still opportunities for late-season firearm hunting across Wisconsin.

12/06/2025

The Cheesesteak Rebellion will donate a portion of its sales on Saturday, December 6, to help cover medical and related expenses.

https://www.wearegreenbay.com/news/local-news/green-bays-cheesesteak-rebellion-unites-community-to-support-owners-family-after-devastating-diagnosis/

12/06/2025

The three teenagers involved allegedly shot at deer and other animals outside of the legal hunting season.

12/05/2025

Officials say that no matter what the conditions are, no ice is ever 100% safe, and that it's beyond important to be prepared.

12/05/2025

The crashes occurred on Wednesday just before 5:15 p.m. between the Lombardi Avenue and West Mason Street exits.

Address

1181 Mason Street
Green Bay, WI
54301

Telephone

+19204375555

Website

https://www.wearegreenbay.com/

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