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.

01/11/2026

The Bears once again came back from what looked like the dead, knocking out the Packers in a thrilling Wild Card victory for their first playoff win in 15 years.

01/11/2026

His family expressed concern to officers for his safety as he has mental health concerns, and they haven't heard from him in several months.

OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) – Officials in Oshkosh are searching for a missing man whose family members have not heard from him since October. Frederick Ellis—Oshkosh Police Department According to …

01/11/2026

The charges stem from his alleged actions to coerce an adult victim to perform sexual actions in both northern Illinois & eastern Wisconsin.

01/11/2026

Steady snow will continue around Door County & along the Upper Peninsula border before dissipating overnight, with Sunday breezy & cooler. Storm Team 5's Ryan Kudish has your full forecast in the comments.

01/11/2026

A woman and a man from Waupun were arrested on multiple drug charges and neglecting a child after an investigation into drug activity from their residence.

WAUPUN, Wis. (WFRV) – A woman and a man from Waupun were arrested on multiple drug charges and neglecting a child after an investigation into drug activity from their residence. According to …

01/10/2026

Local 5’s Indiana Schilz sat down Wednesday with WGN’s Jarrett Payton to preview the Green Bay Packers’ third-ever playoff matchup against the Chicago Bears.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Local 5’s Indiana Schilz sat down Wednesday with WGN’s Jarrett Payton to preview the Green Bay Packers’ third-ever playoff matchup against the Chicago Bears. Payton, …

01/10/2026

Many people not in the market area may be wondering how to watch tonight without a Prime subscription. Well, it's actually possible to do so—for free.

01/10/2026

Ahead of the big playoff game, Governor Evers made sure to poke some fun at his fellow Midwestern Governor, JB Pritzker and his Chicago Bears.

01/10/2026

The snow emergency runs from 1 a.m. until 6 a.m. to allow extra plowing time as parking is prohibited on all city streets.

01/10/2026

A teenager is dead, and a 65-year-old is seriously injured after an early morning crash on Saturday in Wisconsin.

MANITOWOC COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) – A 17-year-old girl from Sheboygan died on Saturday morning after a two-vehicle crash early. According to the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office, deputies …

01/10/2026

The Badgers came into the game against one of the nation's most dominant teams and they leave with arguably the most impressive win by any team this season.

01/10/2026

After a domestic violence suspect fled from officers at an Appleton home, K9s and a drone were used to find the suspect in a wooded area.

Address

1181 Mason Street
Green Bay, WI
54301

Telephone

+19204375555

Website

https://www.wearegreenbay.com/

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