50 Facts About WRAL

WRAL's Early Beginnings

WRAL-TV has been a significant part of North Carolina's media landscape for over seven decades. Let's dive into its rich history and evolution.

1. WRAL-TV was founded on December 20, 1949, by A.J. Fletcher, who also founded the Capitol Broadcasting Company. The station initially broadcast from a small studio in downtown Raleigh.
2. WRAL has been an NBC affiliate since its inception, serving as the primary source for NBC programming in the Research Triangle area.
3. In 1962, WRAL took over the ABC affiliation from WTVD, making it a unique two-station market where both channels shared the ABC network.
4. WRAL continued to carry The Huntley-Brinkley Report until January 3, 1967, when ABC expanded its evening newscasts to 30 minutes.
5. The station also continued to broadcast My Three Sons for several years after the show switched from ABC to CBS.

Pioneering Sports Coverage

WRAL has always been at the forefront of sports broadcasting, especially when it comes to local high school football.

6. WRAL is renowned for its extensive coverage of high school football games, broadcasting live from various locations across Wake and Durham counties.
7. The station's Football Friday show is an extension of its high school football coverage, providing video highlights of multiple games each week.

Technological Innovations

WRAL has a history of embracing new technology to enhance its broadcasting capabilities.

8. WRAL was the first commercial station to provide high-definition programming, obtaining an experimental HD transmission license from the FCC in 1996.
9. On October 13, 2000, WRAL aired the world's first all-HD newscast, marking a significant milestone in television broadcasting.
10. By January 28, 2001, WRAL had converted all its newsgathering and broadcasts to digital high definition, ensuring high-quality visuals for its viewers.

Expanding Media Presence

WRAL has expanded its reach beyond television, venturing into radio and other forms of media.

11. In 2007, WRAL launched a sports talk radio station, WCMC-FM, which broadcasts in HD Radio and is the only FM sports talk station in the area.
12. WRAL's newscasts are simulcast with local weather inserts on another sister station, WILM-LD in Wilmington.

Commitment to Agriculture

WRAL has always had a strong focus on agricultural news, reflecting the region's farming heritage.

13. WRAL was one of the first stations in North Carolina to cover agricultural markets and farm news in its regular newscasts, which included segments like Farm Program and Regional and Farm News.
14. The station's farm reporting was anchored by veteran reporter Ray Wilkinson, who later passed the role to his son Dan Wilkinson. However, after Dan's sudden death in 2003, the station discontinued its full-time farm reporting.

Community Engagement

WRAL is deeply involved in the local community, covering a wide range of events and celebrations.

15. WRAL has been actively involved in community events and celebrations, such as the African American Cultural Festival in downtown Raleigh.
16. The station covers various live events, including concerts, festivals, and sports tournaments, providing comprehensive coverage to its audience.
17. WRAL often covers Broadway shows coming to DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center), such as Clue and Girl From The North Country.
18. The station has hosted comedy legends like Martin Lawrence and RuPaul, bringing entertainment to the community through events like the Ya'll Know What It Is tour and RuPaul’s Drag Race.
19. WRAL covers music festivals like the Hopscotch Music Festival, which features performances from renowned artists such as St. Vincent and Faye Webster.
20. The station also hosts country music events, including the Country Round Here Tour featuring Justin Moore and Randy Houser.
21. WRAL covers metal bands like Megadeth, bringing their Destroy All Enemies tour to Coastal Credit Union Music Park.
22. The station covers unique events like the Monster Truck Wars at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, providing entertainment for all ages.
23. WRAL covers food festivals such as the Raleigh Foodie Fare and the North Hills Night Market, highlighting local cuisine and vendors.
24. The station reports on community events like the 5K Fallen Law Enforcement Honor Run, sponsored by Back the Blue NC, Inc., in partnership with Wake County law enforcement agencies.
25. WRAL covers fitness events such as the Peak City Fitness Festival, which features live music, exercise sessions, and local health and wellness vendors.
26. The station reports on underground markets like the Raleigh Underground Market at North Hills, which features new bands every month from Oak City Music Collective.
27. WRAL covers cultural events such as Crank Arm’s Oktoberfest Street Party, highlighting local food, music, and beer.
28. The station reports on family-friendly events like Laurie Berkner Live at Koka Booth Amphitheatre, featuring the singer’s greatest hits for kids.
29. WRAL covers cultural celebrations such as Festa Italiana in Apex, which brings Italian heritage and culture to the community with live entertainment and cooking demonstrations.
30. The station reports on anime conventions like Animate Raleigh, hosted by GalaxyCon at the Raleigh Convention Center.
31. WRAL covers art walks such as the Illuminate Art Walk in downtown Raleigh, which features light and art installations throughout the city.
32. The station reports on ice skating events like The Rink at Red Hat Amphitheater and Skate the Square in Cary, providing entertainment for winter enthusiasts.

January Events

WRAL is particularly active in covering events that take place in January, bringing a variety of entertainment to its viewers.

33. WRAL often covers Broadway shows coming to DPAC in January, such as Girl From The North Country.
34. The station hosts comedy nights featuring dynamic duos like Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood from TV's Whose Line is it Anyway?.
35. WRAL reports on anime conventions like Animate Raleigh, which takes place in January and features three days of anime, animation, cosplay, and more.
36. The station covers local events like the Sip & Shop Pop-Up Market at Boxcar Bar + Arcade in Raleigh, where vendors set up inside and on the covered patio.
37. WRAL reports on family-friendly tours at the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA), which are 30 minutes long and best for kids ages 5 to 11 with their adult companions.
38. The station covers classical music performances by the North Carolina Symphony, such as Mozart’s Magnificent Voyage, which features famous pieces like The Magic Flute and Eine Kleine Nachmusik.
39. WRAL reports on charity runs like the 5K for Make-A-Wish in Raleigh, which supports children with critical illnesses and their families.
40. The station covers brewery anniversaries like Oak City Brewing’s anniversary and bonfire event, which includes glassware giveaways, beer releases, and live music.
41. WRAL reports on unique events like the Christmas Tree Toss competition at Mason Jar Lager Co., where participants test their tossing skills for a $100 gift card.
42. The station covers cultural celebrations such as the African American Cultural Celebration at the North Carolina Museum of History, commemorating African American history through music, art, dance, and food.
43. WRAL reports on festive events like NC Eat & Play’s S’mores & Hot Chocolate Festival at Haven Farm in Knightdale, which includes all festive activities, a s’mores kit, and a hot chocolate tasting ticket.
44. The station covers brewery anniversaries like Bombshell Brewing’s 10-year anniversary celebration, featuring food trucks, new beers, and live music from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Fact-Checking and Transparency

WRAL is committed to ensuring accuracy in political reporting through its partnership with PolitiFact NC.

45. WRAL partners with PolitiFact NC to fact-check political stories, ensuring accuracy and transparency in political discourse.
46. PolitiFact was created over 12 years ago by Bill Adair, who felt guilty about not fact-checking a politician’s statement during his time as a Washington correspondent.
47. PolitiFact reporters and editors read transcripts, speeches, news stories, press releases, and campaign brochures. They also watch TV and scan social media to verify the accuracy of political claims.
48. Readers can submit suggestions via email to politifactnc@wral.com for fact-checking, which often leads to the verification of submitted statements.
49. PolitiFact uses a structured format to rate statements on the Truth-o-Meter, ranging from true to false or even "pants on fire," indicating a claim is so false it’s ridiculous.

Community Engagement and Service

WRAL’s commitment to community engagement extends beyond news coverage, with a focus on promoting local events, supporting charities, and fostering cultural understanding through its diverse programming.

50. WRAL’s commitment to community engagement extends beyond news coverage, with a focus on promoting local events, supporting charities, and fostering cultural understanding through its diverse programming.

WRAL: A Pillar of the Community

WRAL-TV has been a cornerstone of the Research Triangle's media landscape for over seven decades. From its humble beginnings in 1949 to becoming a pioneer in high-definition broadcasting, WRAL has consistently delivered quality news and entertainment. The station's commitment to community service, whether through extensive high school football coverage or cultural event reporting, sets it apart. WRAL's innovative spirit is evident in milestones like airing the world's first all-HD newscast and launching the area's only FM sports talk station. Their partnership with PolitiFact NC underscores a dedication to accurate, transparent journalism. WRAL isn't just a TV station; it's a vital part of the community, enriching lives with diverse programming and unwavering service. This legacy of excellence and community engagement ensures WRAL will remain a trusted source for years to come.