WVLA

Infobox_Broadcast
call_letters = WVLA
city =
station_
station_branding = NBC 33 WVLA Baton Rouge
analog = 33 (UHF)
digital = 34 (UHF)
other_chs =
affiliations = NBC
NBC Weather Plus (DT2)
network =
founded =
airdate = October 16, 1971
location = Baton Rouge, Louisiana
callsign_meaning = Vetter LouisianA
(previous owner)
former_callsigns = WRBT (1971-1987)
former_channel_numbers =
owner = White Knight Broadcasting, Inc.
licensee = Knight Broadcasting of Baton Rouge License Corporation
sister_stations = KZUP
former_affiliations = ABC (1971-1977)
Fox 1986-1991 (secondary)
effective_radiated_power = 5000 kW (analog)
1000 kW (digital)
HAAT = 522 m (both)
class =
facility_id = 70021
coordinates = coord|30|19|35.4|N|91|16|36.4|W|type:landmark_scale:2000
homepage = [http://www.nbc33tv.com/ www.nbc33tv.com]

WVLA ("NBC 33") is the local NBC affiliate for Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It transmits its analog signal on UHF channel 33, and its digital signal on UHF channel 34. The station is seen via satellite through DirecTV and Dish Network. It is owned by White Knight Broadcasting, and is sister station to the area's independent station, KZUP. WVLA also shares facilities and staff with WGMB and WBRL. WVLA's transmitter is located near Addis, Louisiana.

History

The station first signed on the air on October 16, 1971 [ [http://www.nbc33tv.com/about/history Station History] ] as WRBT, an ABC affiliate. In the late 1970's ABC became the most watched network and was seeking out stronger stations in major markets to switch affiliations to, all the while NBC fell to third and last place in ratings. With Baton Rouge being one of those markets, WRBT traded the affiliation to WBRZ in exchange for NBC in 1977. It changed its calls to WVLA in 1987 after building a higher tower boosting its power to five million watts. The station was the first local station in Baton Rouge and the second station in Louisiana to broadcast in stereo after KLFY in Lafayette.

Digital Television

The station's digital channel:

Newscast

WVLA used to air a 6 pm and a 10 pm newscast during the 1980s, but both newscasts were canceled in 1989, citing poor ratings. It also used to broadcast a one-hour 6 am newscast on weekdays, but it was canceled in January 2005.

The station's latest generation of newscasts debuted on January 8, 2007, with weeknight shows at 5 pm and 10 pm. 6 pm shows began airing on January 29, 2007. On August 28, 2007, WVLA launched a 30 minute newscast titled "NBC 33 News Morning Edition," which airs weekdays at 6 am. On August 11, 2008 "NBC 33 News Morning Edition," began airing for one hour. Weekend newscasts began airing on WVLA on September 13th.

On September 22, 2008, NBC 33 News changed the format for their 10pm newscast with the "Ten at Ten." It promises all your important local news and a full weather forecast in the first ten minutes.

taff

Anchors
* Valentina Wilson - 5, 6 & 10pm Newscasts
* Stone Grissom - 5, 6 & 10pm Newscasts
* Rachel Slavik - Morning Newscasts/Reporter Meteorologists
* Brett Cummins - Chief Meteorologist
* Jesse Gunkel - Morning Meteorologist

Reporters
* David D'Aquin
* Jon Fairbanks
* Kianga Kelley
* Lauren Unger

Sports
* Cole Wright - Sports Director
* Chris Mycoskie
* Emily Turner

Former Staff

* Kiran Chawla - news reporter and interim morning forecaster, now news reporter at WJTV, Jackson, MS
* Erin Cofiell - news reporter, now sports reporter at WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge
* Hilarie Courtney
* Robyn Ekings - anchor and managing editor, now at Louisiana Public Broadcasting
* Melanie Hebert - news anchor, now at WDSU-TV in New Orleans
* Jenny Heroman - anchor and producer, now at 1stCo, Inc. and EATEL 4 News (Ascension Parish and Livingston Parish, LA)
* Leo Honeycut
* Pamela Matassa - anchor, now at "Around Town TV Show" on Cox 4 (Baton Rouge)
* Mike Rhodes

Programming

"Baton Rouge Lagniappe" is a Sunday morning public affairs program that airs at 6:30am and is hosted by Matt Kennedy. It features interviews with Baton Rouge community leaders about local issues and upcoming events. Topics include city development, education, career advice, arts and entertainment, and health and fitness. It also airs on WGMB, KZUP and WBRL.

David Letterman on WRBT

In 1983, station owner Cyril Vetter pulled "Late Night with David Letterman" from WRBT's schedule, replacing it with reruns of "All in the Family", citing poor ratings. Because of that, 3500 college students from LSU petitioned to get Letterman back on the air. Vetter required each of the 3500 students to maintain a C average in order to bring back Letterman to the nighttime schedule. Eventually, the show made it back.

External links

* [http://www.nbc33tv.com/ NBC 33 website]
*TVQ|WVLA
*BIA|WVLA|TV|TV

References