WPTV NewsChannel 5 has enjoyed an unprecedented 51 years as the number one rated TV station in the West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce television market. The station has been the local NBC affiliate since it signed on the air, and is poised to be a strong broadcasting leader in the digital age in its 70,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility. WPTV’s dedication to providing the most complete news coverage has garnered the station a number of accolades including 2 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, 10 Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards, and 2 Associated Press Florida Awards.
WPTV Newschannel 5 is proud to announce that it is South Florida's first television station to broadcast its local news in High Definition (HD). With High Definition, viewers see a high resolution broadcast with a noteably sharper, crisper and clearer picture and enhanced audio, regardless of what type of television (HD or standard) they watch.
The station‘s commitment to journalism excellence as well as being a hallmark of community service has been reinforced by many of the station’s general managers. Our current General Manager, Brian Lawlor has overseen the station’s transition to digital broadcasting and conversion to High Definition. Brian Lawlor has renewed the station’s commitment to many of the area’s not-for-profit agencies, including the American Heart Association, The Urban League of Palm Beach County, The United Way of Palm Beach County and the American Red Cross.
WPTV is historically one of the strongest performing television stations in the country with powerhouse programming that includes, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Phil, Ellen, Entertainment Tonight and Extra, as well as all of the favorite NBC programs such as Today, The Tonight show, and prime time.
History of WPTV NewsChannel 5 PHOTO GALLERY
WPTV, West Palm Beach, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting August 22, 1954. At the time, the station was owned by William Cook and Theodore Granick. The call letters were WJNO. Its facilities consisted of one black & white film chain, as well as two studio cameras. There were 32 employees.
In 1956 the station was purchased by the Phipps family, and the call letters were changed to WPTV. Mort Watters purchased the station for Scripps-Howard Broadcasting in 1961. Under the ownership of Scripps-Howard the station began an immediate expansion. New transmitter facilities, including a 1000-foot tower, were constructed 25 miles south of the old transmitter. The Palm Beach studios were completely rebuilt, local color studio cameras and film chains, as well as color VTR machines, were added.
In May of 1971, Scripps-Howard Broadcasting Company built new studios for the station in West Palm Beach. The facilities were expanded with state-of-the-art color equipment while the lighting capabilities were revamped. WPTV was the first station in Florida to put the Master Control on computer, and utilize a VTR cart machine.
1976 saw many innovations and advancements for WPTV with the acquisition of the market’s first “live” mobile news vans, as well as complete ¾” electronic newsgathering capabilities. Today, WPTV continues to be a leader in a local news coverage with five microwave live trucks, one satellite truck and two permanent remote news bureaus, one located in Stuart, FL and the other in Delray Beach, FL.
Over the years our newsroom has grown to now 62 employees, including anchorpeople, reporters, photographers, video editors, assignment editors, and producers cover local and regional stories for our regularly scheduled broadcasts. WPTV’s total commitment to news means keeping up with the latest in electronic news gathering equipment. From the inception of the mini cam in 1976 to the microwave and satellite transmissions of today, WPTV has expanded its news coverage to meet the continuing growth of the market. Indeed the story of WPTV and the West Palm Beach market is one of growth. In 1967 this market was the 107th, in 1975, 84th, in 1980 it was the 76th market and has now grown to become the 39th market in the country.
In 1999 WPTV added a new Harris analog transmitter which improved our signal to the market. Our new tower for analog and digital transmission is 1,325 feet tall. It has improved our signal area by an approximate 10 mile radius, making it a 65 mile broadcast radius.
On March 16, 2001, WPTV moved to a new 70,000 square foot broadcast facility at 1100 Banyan Blvd. in West Palm Beach. It is the first fully digital plant/studio in the West Palm Beach market and the first to have native high-definition studio cameras. On August 22, 2004, WPTV celebrated its 50th anniversary of broadcasting in the West Palm Beach market.
Since the Nielsen Ratings service began measurement of the market in the sixties, WPTV has always been the number one rated news operation - an unprecedented 51-year run of success. WPTV has always been the NBC affiliate for the West Palm Beach market which includes the five counties of Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee.
The station has had six general managers under Scripps Howard ownership. Chet Pike, Harry LeBrun, Robert Regalbuto, William J. Brooks, Robert Jordan, William B. Peterson and currently Brian Lawlor.
For 21 years, WPTV’s community food drive “Food For Families” has collected thousands of pounds of food in the form of canned goods and non-perishable food items during the six weeks prior to Thanksgiving. The average amount of food raised over the last four years is 600,000 pounds per year. More than 250 agencies in our five county market are helped. All agencies provide meals on an on-going basis to families and individuals in need.
For more than 15 years, WPTV has been an integral sponsor of the Susan G. Komen Foundation “Race For The Cure” in West Palm Beach. This year participation in the many race/walk events blossomed to 15,000 participants – a record number. All proceeds from the race go to foundation early detection programs and breast cancer research.
The station salutes graduating valedictorians from our area high schools with it’s Brightest & Best campaign which began in 1982 as part of the Best of the Class campaign that originated in WXYZ in Detroit.
The station is very involved with the local American Heart Association, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, The Palm Beach Literacy Coalition, The United Way of Palm Beach County, and Sunfest. And continues to become involved in area charitable events and fundraisers as part of its role as a great community broadcaster.
