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.

11/23/2025

The policy “doubles down on its current policies” on banning the display or use of hate symbols by personnel, the USCG said in a statement.

11/23/2025

One person is dead after a structure fire broke out Saturday afternoon in Sturgeon Bay.

STURGEON BAY, Wis. (WFRV) — One person is dead after a structure fire broke out Saturday afternoon in Sturgeon Bay. Shortly before 4 p.m., the Sturgeon Bay Fire Department responded to a report of …

11/23/2025

The 2025 Green Bay Holiday Parade made its way through downtown on Saturday, bringing thousands of spectators together to celebrate the city’s holiday traditions.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) — The 2025 Green Bay Holiday Parade made its way through downtown on Saturday, bringing thousands of spectators together to celebrate the city’s holiday traditions. This year…

11/23/2025

On average, raising a child under the age of 5 costs roughly $27,000 a year.

The latest report from SmartAsset looked into the annual price parents have to pay for raising a child in every state across the country, and it is not cheap.

11/22/2025

A 38-year-old Fond du Lac County man is fighting for his life after falling from the roof of a cow barn Saturday afternoon.

ALTO, Wis. (WFRV) — A 38-year-old Fond du Lac County man is fighting for his life after falling from the roof of a cow barn Saturday afternoon. Shortly before 3:15 p.m., the Fond du Lac County Sher…

11/22/2025

While still high, home prices fell enough this fall to add multiple major U.S. cities to Zillow’s list of buyer’s markets.

11/22/2025

In this week's Sustainably Speaking, Storm Team 5's Nathan Himpsl is here to educate you on the best practices for cleaning up your holiday items!

11/22/2025

It was Vermont that did it first in the late 1700s. All other states that have made hunting and fishing a constitutional right have done so since 1996.

Not every state has enshrined the right to hunt and fish.

11/22/2025

Police say those hospitalized were the two shooters and two 17-year-olds. Both shooters and one 17-year-old are in critical condition.

11/22/2025

On the eve of gun deer hunting season in Wisconsin, thousands of hunters made their way through Crivitz on their way to their deer camps. Story in comments.

11/22/2025

With one second left, the Pirates opted against a potential 28-yard game-tying field goal and instead went for the win.

(WFRV) – In a wild Division 1 state championship showdown, Bay Port left Madison with a silver ball, coming up just short in an 18-15 loss to Arrowhead. With one second left, the Pirates opted agai…

11/22/2025

*9 a.m. UPDATE* - Authorities say she has been found safe.
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The 16-year-old was reportedly last seen wearing blue jeans, a black t-shirt, socks, and no shoes.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2025 – 9:03 a.m. FOND DU LAC, Wis. (WFRV) – Authorities provided an update on the missing Fond du Lac teenager, saying she was found safe. No information was prov…

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