50 Facts About WFAA

Founding and Early Years

WFAA has a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century. Let's explore its beginnings and early milestones.

1. WFAA was first established as a radio station on June 26, 1922, making it the first radio station in Texas to join a national network, the NBC Red Network, in 1927.
2. WFAA (AM) was home to many early Dallas television pioneers, including Ed Hogan, one of the most well-known personalities in Dallas during the early years of television.
3. The station hosted a variety of programs, such as the gospel music series "Hymns We Love," hosted by Norvell Slater, and music programs like "Saturday Night Shindig," "The Big D Jamboree," and "Slo-and-Ezy".
4. WFAA (AM) also featured an agricultural news program called "Murray Cox RFD," which catered to the farming community in North Texas.

Evolution of Programming

WFAA's programming has evolved significantly over the years, reflecting changes in audience preferences and technological advancements.

5. Initially, WFAA maintained an entertainment/variety format for many years before shifting to a middle of the road (MOR) music station in 1970 and then to a Top 40 format in 1973.
6. On November 9, 1976, WFAA (AM) made its final format change, adopting a news and talk-based schedule as "Newstalk 570".

Transition to Television

WFAA's transition from radio to television marked a significant milestone in its history.

7. WFAA television, channel 8, was established in 1950 and became the first television station in the market to use a videotape recorder for broadcasting purposes in 1958.
8. The first live telecast to originate from the WFAA Communications Center Studios was "Young America Speaks," a 13-week intercollegiate debate tournament series that aired until June of that year.
9. On April 2, 1961, the station's operations were relocated to the WFAA Communications Center Studios, a state-of-the-art broadcasting complex located at Young and Record Streets in downtown Dallas.

Historical Significance

WFAA has played a crucial role in capturing and broadcasting significant historical events.

10. WFAA played a significant role in capturing historical events, including the continuous live broadcast of the John F. Kennedy assassination in 1963.
11. WFAA has been actively engaged with the community, hosting programs like "Young America Speaks" and other local events that promote education and civic participation.

Ownership and Mission

Understanding WFAA's ownership and mission provides insight into its operational priorities and values.

12. WFAA is owned and operated by TEGNA Inc., an innovative media company that serves the greater good of its communities by delivering relevant and trusted content.
13. TEGNA’s mission is to serve the greater good of its communities by upholding and defending the First Amendment, being vigilant watchdogs of government and institutions, and ensuring public business is conducted in public.

Commitment to Fairness and Accuracy

WFAA adheres to high standards of journalism, ensuring fairness and accuracy in its reporting.

14. WFAA adheres to high standards of fairness and accuracy, treating people with dignity, respect, and compassion. The station seeks all sides relevant to a story and attributes information received from others transparently.
15. WFAA reports the news accurately, thoroughly, and in context on all platforms. The station vets sources, verifies facts, and challenges assumptions before reporting news.
16. WFAA uses unnamed sources as the sole basis for reporting only as a last resort when it best serves the public’s right to know, and only with prior news management approval.

Daylight Saving Time Coverage

WFAA's coverage of Daylight Saving Time (DST) in 1966 highlighted the community's challenges and adjustments.

17. In 1966, Texas began observing Daylight Saving Time (DST), and WFAA captured the confusion and adjustments of the community through archived stories.
18. WFAA's coverage of DST in 1966 highlighted the challenges faced by the community, including drive-in movie owners who opposed DST due to reduced business hours.
19. Drive-in movie owners were among the loudest critics of DST, arguing that the extra hour of daylight cut into their business as they could not project movies onto the drive-in screen without the aid of darkness.
20. A group of drive-in movie owners hired an attorney to take their case to Austin and lobby lawmakers to do away with DST, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

WFAA is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within its organization and community.

21. WFAA affirms and further its commitments to represent the diverse experiences of its communities, foster an inclusive workplace, and provide equitable opportunities for all.
22. Diversity at WFAA means reflecting the demographic makeup of its communities and honoring individual perspectives to facilitate new ideas, stay relevant, gain knowledge, and solve problems.
23. Equity at WFAA acknowledges that life isn’t a level playing field. The station seeks to elevate and amplify voices in its communities and organization to ensure equitable access, opportunity, and advancement.
24. Inclusion at WFAA means recognizing, listening to, and engaging with diverse perspectives of its communities to create a sense of belonging and holistic decision-making processes.
25. WFAA’s human equity purpose is to represent diverse experiences, foster inclusivity, and provide equitable opportunities for all, affirming its commitments to the community.

Original Content and Digital Innovation

WFAA continues to innovate by producing original content and leveraging digital platforms.

26. Today, WFAA goes beyond broadcast to include original digital content, programming, and innovative sales solutions for its clients.
27. WFAA’s mission is to be the premier provider of original content, bold solutions, and engaging experiences that enrich lives.
28. WFAA’s core values include celebrating diversity and encouraging authenticity, valuing and empowering employees, openly communicating to build trust, having a passion for excellence, engaging with communities, seeking solutions, being brave, and caring.
29. WFAA’s pillars are bold, dynamic, and original, reflecting the station’s commitment to innovation and excellence in media.
30. At WFAA, the culture is built on openness, hard work, and a passion for what they do every single day.

Community Engagement and Historical Preservation

WFAA actively engages with its community and preserves its rich history.

31. WFAA engages with its communities through various initiatives, including supporting local events and promoting education and civic participation.
32. WFAA’s historical archives are preserved in the SMU Jones Film Library, capturing significant moments in North Texas history, including the introduction of DST in 1966.
33. From continuous live broadcasts to 24-hour Facebook Lives, WFAA has consistently led the charge in innovation and leadership across all forms of media.

TEGNA’s Mission and Public Interest

TEGNA, WFAA's parent company, upholds strong values and a commitment to public interest.

34. TEGNA’s mission is to serve the greater good of its communities by delivering relevant and trusted content through empowering stories, impactful investigations, and innovative solutions for advertisers.
35. TEGNA upholds and defends the First Amendment, serving as vigilant watchdogs of government and institutions that affect the public.
36. TEGNA treats people with dignity, respect, and compassion, seeking all sides relevant to a story and diverse voices to ensure fairness in reporting.
37. TEGNA verifies facts thoroughly before reporting news, attributing information received from others transparently and avoiding plagiarism.
38. TEGNA uses unnamed sources only as a last resort when it best serves the public’s right to know, and only with prior news management approval.

Legacy and Ongoing Commitment

WFAA's legacy in North Texas is marked by its commitment to excellence and community engagement.

39. The introduction of DST in 1966 had a significant impact on North Texas, with WFAA capturing the confusion and adjustments of the community through archived stories.
40. Drive-in movie owners were among the loudest critics of DST, arguing that the extra hour of daylight cut into their business as they could not project movies onto the drive-in screen without the aid of darkness.
41. A group of drive-in movie owners hired an attorney to take their case to Austin and lobby lawmakers to do away with DST, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
42. WFAA has a rich legacy in North Texas, from pioneering news coverage to innovative digital content, reflecting its commitment to excellence and community engagement.
43. Today, WFAA produces a wide range of original digital content, including feature stories, investigative reports, and community-focused programs.
44. WFAA offers innovative sales solutions for its clients, leveraging its expertise in media to provide effective advertising strategies.
45. WFAA’s community-focused programs aim to enrich lives by providing engaging experiences that resonate with the diverse audiences in North Texas.
46. WFAA actively promotes diversity and inclusion within its organization, fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and empowered.
47. WFAA values and empowers its employees, recognizing their contributions to the station’s mission and success.
48. The station emphasizes open communication to build trust among its employees, clients, and the community, ensuring transparency in all its operations.
49. WFAA has a passion for excellence, striving to deliver high-quality content that meets the highest standards of journalism and media production.
50. WFAA engages with its communities through various initiatives, supporting local events and promoting education and civic participation.

WFAA's Legacy and Future

WFAA has been a media giant in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for nearly seven decades. From its beginnings as a radio station in 1922 to becoming a leading television network, WFAA has consistently innovated and engaged with the community. The station's commitment to fairness, accuracy, and diversity has made it a trusted source of news and entertainment. With a rich history that includes pioneering live broadcasts and capturing significant events like the JFK assassination, WFAA continues to evolve. Owned by TEGNA Inc., WFAA remains dedicated to delivering relevant and trusted content. Its mission to enrich lives through original content and bold solutions keeps it at the forefront of media excellence. As WFAA moves forward, it will undoubtedly continue to be a vital part of the Dallas-Fort Worth media landscape, reflecting its core values and serving the greater good of its communities.