WGN-TV's First Broadcast Air Date
TV Network and Streaming Launches | Apr 5, 1948
United States > Illinois > Chicago > > 60618
WGN-TV, located on broadcast Channel 9, is a television station in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. As of 2024 the station serves as the local outlet for The CW Network. It is owned and operated by Nexstar Media Group, and is the sister company to news/talk/sports radio station WGN (720 AM). WGN-TV’s transmitter is located atop the Willis Tower in the Chicago Loop.
WGN-TV was a pioneering superstation. On November 9, 1978, it became the second U.S. television station to be made available via satellite transmission to cable and direct-broadcast satellite subscribers nationwide.
Originally owned by The Chicago Tribune Company, WGN-TV began test broadcasts on February 1, 1948, then informally signed on the air March 6th to broadcast the 1948 Golden Gloves boxing finals at the Chicago Stadium. Regular programming began on April 5, 1948, at 7:45 P.M. with a two-hour special broadcast titled “WGN-TV Salute to Chicago.”