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.

11/16/2025

The legislation clarifies the definition of h**p to ban all h**p-derived products containing THC, which were legalized by the 2018 Farm Bill.

“We’re disappointed, but not defeated.”

11/16/2025

Alexis' children all had the same expression as they pet their newest family member—pure joy.

11/16/2025

Jose Barco-Chirino came to the U.S. at 4 years old. He served 2 tours in Iraq before being injured in combat and applied for citizenship while deployed in 2006.

11/16/2025

William Livingston, 32, was arrested by members of the Chicago Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force.

A Chicago man who police say has a lengthy record of random attacks against women, has been arrested again – this time with two felony counts of aggravated battery in a public place, according to p…

11/15/2025

Officials in Outagamie County are investigating a fatal crash involving an SUV and a motorcycle on Saturday afternoon.

FREEDOM, Wis. (WFRV) – Officials in Outagamie County are investigating a fatal crash involving an SUV and a motorcycle on Saturday afternoon. According to the Outagamie County Sheriff’s…

11/15/2025

Federal officials are investigating after a U.S. Postal Service employee died at its distribution center in Michigan.

Story in the comments.

11/15/2025

Officials in Oconto County are seeking information to identify a suspect in an identity theft case.

SURING, Wis. (WFRV) – Officials in Oconto County are seeking information to identify a suspect in an identity theft case reported in October. The Oconto County Sheriff’s Office posted i…

11/15/2025

The new business is centered around your typical idea of a ‘spa day’ featuring an infrared sauna, massage availability and pilates.

11/15/2025

Recently, there have been pennies that have sold at auction for hundreds or thousands. A rare few have been known to fetch more than $1 million.

11/15/2025

Officers say she directed the vehicle towards two police officers, one of whom was unable to get out of the way.

APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) – A 21-year-old woman was arrested for OWI and multiple other felonies after she allegedly ran over an Appleton police officer during a fight in a parking lot early Satu…

11/15/2025

Disney and YouTube TV have reached a deal to end a two-week stalemate, both announced Friday.

Disney and Alphabet, the parent company of YouTube TV, have reached a deal to end a two-week stalemate, both companies announced Friday.

11/15/2025

Matchups for Madison are set! Check out all the highlights in the comments.

Address

1181 Mason Street
Green Bay, WI
54301

Telephone

+19204375555

Website

https://www.wearegreenbay.com/

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