A little more than 50 years ago, the FCC settled a mutually exclusive hearing for a construction permit for UHF Channel 45 in Baltimore. It was awarded to an entity named “Commercial Radio Institute,” led by controlling shareholder Julian Sinclair Smith.
With that Commission OK, the birth of a company that today owns regional sports networks with Bally’s branding and some 186 broadcast TV stations was born.
As such, Sinclair Broadcast Group is celebrating 50 years of broadcasting for its flagship station, WBFF-45, today a FOX affiliate.
On Sunday, April 11, 1971, WBFF signed on the air — some 15 years before the beginnings of the FOX network would come to fruition.
WBFF’s early years weren’t easy, as an unaffiliated upstart against WJZ-13, WMAR-2 and WBAL-11, in addition to readily available Metromedia-owned WTTG-5 in Washington, D.C. and another independent in the Nation’s Capital, WDCA-20.
But, it carved a niche with local children from its beginnings, with “Captain Chesapeake” a centerpiece until the end of its run in 1990.
Fifty years to the day WBFF signed on, it recalled the show by airing a special 30-minute commemorative special documentary providing a look at the history of WBFF, and that successful Baltimore-focused children’s television series.
WBFF is also producing special segments throughout the week to further commemorate its golden anniversary.
“What began with one television station has evolved into 186 broadcast stations across the United States. Sinclair’s WBFF is the station that started it all,” Sinclair President/CEO Chris Ripley said. “This anniversary is a major milestone for us, and the success of WBFF serves as a model for television markets nationally. WBFF embodies the incredible reach and power of local news.”
But, success didn’t come until 1985, when David Smith took on a key operational role for the newly formed Sinclair Broadcast Group. A year later, WBFF signed on to a brand-new FOX network, largely known for The Tracey Ullman Show and failed attempts at competing against Johnny Carson and NBC’s Tonight Show.
FOX affiliation led to greater audience, and greater revenue. In 1991, FOX 45 established a news department, giving Baltimore its first 10pm newscast, as an alternative to WTTG’s D.C.-centric reports.
“We share this historic milestone with the community that has championed, partnered with and watched us for the past 50 years and whose support has made us a leading voice in local news,” said Billy Robbins, General Manager of WBFF. “We thank you for your loyalty, and we look forward to continuing to serve and represent the voices and stories of Baltimore for another 50 years.”
WBFF today offers a simulcast of MyNetwork TV affiliate WUTB-24, owned by Deerfield Media but operated by Sinclair, on its DT-2 channel.
