View source for WDRB

{{Short description|Television station in Louisville, Kentucky}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign               = WDRB
| city                   =
| logo                   = WDRB 2011 Logo.svg
| logo_alt               = In a crimson red box, the white letters W D R B. Beneath is the word Louisville.
| logo_size              = 175px
| branding               = WDRB
| digital                = 32 ([[UHF]])
| virtual                = 41
| subchannels            = 
| translators            = 
| affiliations           = {{ubl|'''41.1:''' [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}}
| owner                  = {{ubl|[[Block Communications]]|''(sale to [[Gray Media]] pending<ref name=tvnc20250801 />)''}}
| licensee               = Independence Television Company
| location               = [[Louisville, Kentucky]]
| country                = United States
| airdate                = {{start date and age|1971|2|28|p=y}}
| last_airdate           = 
| callsign_meaning       = [[Kentucky Derby|Derby]]
| sister_stations        = [[WBKI (TV)|WBKI]]
| former_callsigns       = WDRB-TV (1971–1997)
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 41 (UHF, 1971–2009)|'''Digital:''' 49 (UHF, 2001–2019)}}
| former_affiliations    = [[Independent station|Independent]] (1971–1986)
| erp                    = 1,000 [[Watt|kW]]
| haat                   = {{convert|390.4|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id            = 28476
| coordinates            = {{coord|38|21|1|N|85|50|57|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority    = [[FCC]]
| website                = {{URL|https://www.wdrb.com/|wdrb.com}} 
}}

'''WDRB''' (channel 41) is a [[television station]] in [[Louisville, Kentucky]], United States, affiliated with the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] network. It is owned by [[Block Communications]] alongside [[Salem, Indiana]]–licensed dual [[The CW|CW]]/[[MyNetworkTV]] affiliate [[WBKI (TV)|WBKI]] (channel 58). The two stations share studios on West [[Muhammad Ali Boulevard]] (near [[U.S. Route 150#Kentucky|US 150]]) in [[downtown Louisville]]; WDRB's transmitter is located in rural northeastern [[Floyd County, Indiana]] (northeast of [[Floyds Knobs]]).

WDRB went on the air in February 1971 as the first [[independent station]] in the Louisville market, being owned in turn by a Missouri consortium, the [[Star Tribune|Minneapolis Star & Tribune]] Company, and Block. It affiliated with Fox at the network's launch in 1986 and began producing local newscasts in 1990. Initially starting with just one newscast at 10&nbsp;p.m., in the 2000s and 2010s it expanded its news operation into morning and evening time slots.

==History==
The first [[construction permit]] for channel 41 in Louisville was issued in 1953 to Robert Rounsaville, owner of [[WLOU]] (1350 AM), Louisville's first Black-oriented radio station.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72345594/|access-date=February 28, 2021|date=October 31, 1954|page=5:17|title=WLOU Has Made A Good Thing Of Specialization|work=The Courier-Journal|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023127/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72345594/wlou-has-made-a-good-thing-of/|url-status=live}}</ref> The station, if built, would have been the first Black-oriented TV station in the country.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72346018/|access-date=February 28, 2021|title=North Central|date=January 18, 1953|page=3:10|work=The Courier-Journal|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023126/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72346018/north-central/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the construction of WQXL-TV depended on the success of the first of three planned stations, Atlanta's [[WATL|WQXI-TV]], which failed and left the air in 1955.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72345817/|access-date=February 28, 2021|first=Bill|last=Ladd|title=Bill Ladd's Almanac|date=February 16, 1956|work=The Courier-Journal|page=7|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023126/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72345817/bill-ladds-almanac/|url-status=live}}</ref> The permit remained active for several more years; the call letters were changed to WTAM-TV, and in 1963 the permit was sold to Producers, Inc., of [[Evansville, Indiana]], but no station ever materialized.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72346630/|access-date=February 28, 2021|date=March 24, 1963|title=Firm Asks Permit For Channel 41|work=The Courier-Journal|page=27|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023127/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72346630/firm-asks-permit-for-channel-41/|url-status=live}}</ref> Producers was related to the Polaris Corporation, which in Louisville owned [[WFIA (AM)|WKYW (900 AM)]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1963/1963-05-06-BC.pdf|id={{ProQuest|1014463980}}|title=Polaris Corp. registers stock offering with SEC|work=Broadcasting|date=May 6, 1963|access-date=February 28, 2021|page=48|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308041315/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1963/1963-05-06-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

===As an independent station===
On July 7, 1965,<ref name="hc">{{Cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/a7465bb5-cda5-ec93-8b4b-0f4b916b41df|title=History Cards for WDRB|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]}}</ref> Consolidated Broadcasting Company, a group of five people from [[Chillicothe, Missouri]], with no television station experience at the time (but who were eventually shareholders in [[KCIT-TV (Kansas City)|KCIT-TV in Kansas City]]),<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72347230/|access-date=February 28, 2021|date=July 15, 1965|title=5 Seek Permit For Channel 41|page=2:2|work=The Courier-Journal|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023127/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72347230/5-seek-permit-for-channel-41/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59567029/o-k-new-tv-station-kcit/|date=April 19, 1966|page=42|title=O. K. New TV Station; FCC Grants License For U.H.F. Unit Here|accessdate=February 22, 2022|work=Kansas City Star|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|archive-date=February 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222230639/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59567029/o-k-new-tv-station-kcit/|url-status=live}}{{open access}}</ref> filed for a construction permit for the channel. The permit was granted on April 20, 1966,{{r|hc}} but it would be nearly five years before any station came to air. Antenna height issues and permitting setbacks caused delays for the new WDRB-TV and for another applicant on channel 21.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52633737/|work=The Courier-Journal|first=James|last=Doussard|page=B2|date=July 2, 1968|title=Short Radio-TV Course Slated at Morehead|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023127/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52633737/short-radio-tv-course-slated-at-morehead/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Tower Problems in Floyd County: Red Tape Delays Channel 41's Debut|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72348022/|work=The Courier-Journal|date=December 29, 1969|page=B2|first=Fred|last=Bales|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023135/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72348022/tower-problems-in-floyd-county-red/|url-status=live}}</ref> Approval was finally obtained that summer, and Consolidated renovated a building that had housed a lithograph studio<ref name="pains">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72348845/|work=The Courier-Journal|access-date=February 28, 2021|pages=F1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72348929/ F6]|title=Channel 41's birth pains|date=February 21, 1971|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023128/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72348845/the-birth-pains-of-channel-41/|url-status=live}}</ref> on East Main Street in the [[Butchertown, Louisville|Butchertown]] neighborhood to serve as WDRB-TV's studios.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72348237/|access-date=February 28, 2021|date=June 19, 1970|title=Area's 4th Commercial TV Station Expects to Go on the Air This Fall|page=B2|first=Fred|last=Bales|work=The Courier-Journal|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023129/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72348237/areas-4th-commercial-tv-station/|url-status=live}}</ref>

WDRB-TV finally signed on the air on February 28, 1971,<ref name=towersoverky>{{Cite book|last=Nash|first=Francis M.|date=1995|title=Towers Over Kentucky: A History of Radio and TV in the Bluegrass State|publisher=Host Communications Incorporated |url=|isbn=9781879688933}}</ref> becoming the first independent station in the Louisville market. Initially, the station signed on at 3&nbsp;p.m. on weekdays;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72348508/|work=The Courier-Journal|first=James|last=Doussard|title=Independent TV station plans debut|page=B2|date=February 12, 1971|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023132/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72348508/independent-tv-station-plans-debut/|url-status=live}}</ref> its programming included low-budget afternoon children's programming, occasional news updates provided by anchor Wilson Hatcher, and, most notably, the Saturday night horror film strand ''Fright Night'', hosted by local theater actor Charlie Kissinger.<ref name="lane">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72350824/|access-date=February 28, 2021|date=March 29, 1996|title=WDRB takes trip down memory lane for anniversary|first=Kevin|last=Baker|pages=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72350918/ D3]|work=The Courier-Journal|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023140/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72350824/wdrb-takes-trip-down-memory-lane-for/|url-status=live}}</ref> Not long after going on air, WDRB-TV debuted an afternoon children's program, ''Presto the Magic [[Clown]]'', hosted by Bill "Presto" Dopp.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72350561/|date=November 4, 1971|access-date=February 28, 2021|page=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72350698/ B4]|first=Sally|last=Bly|work=The Courier-Journal|title=Presto! The magic clown charms the kids|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023130/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72350561/presto-the-magic-clown-charms-the-kids/|url-status=live}}</ref> The station was profitable within months and unexpectedly respectable, matching then-ABC affiliate [[WLKY]] (channel 32) in the ratings, even without a local news department. General manager Elmer Jaspan credited the station's immediate success to a strong signal, programming, and the fact that the Louisville market already had a commercial UHF station.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1971/1971-08-30-BC.pdf|date=August 30, 1971|work=Broadcasting|title=In the black against all odds: How a 5-month-old UHF bucks heavy competition to break profit barrier|id={{ProQuest|1016856537}}|page=26|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308044206/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1971/1971-08-30-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Block Communications Louisville Studios.jpg|thumb|left|WDRB's studio on Muhammad Ali Blvd. in downtown Louisville since 1980, which have been expanded multiple times to accommodate its sister stations and expanding news operation.]]
Consolidated Broadcasting Corporation sold the station in 1977 to the ''[[Star Tribune|Minneapolis Star & Tribune]]'' Company (which later became the [[Cowles Media Company]]) for $6.5 million.{{r|hc}}{{r|towersoverky}}<ref>{{cite news|title=WDRB-TV is sold for $6.5 million to Minneapolis Star and Tribune Co.|access-date=February 28, 2021|page=B2|first=Tom|last=Dorsey|work=The Courier-Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72349351/|date=May 13, 1977|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023134/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72349351/wdrb-tv-is-sold-for-65-million-to/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1980, the station moved from Butchertown to its present location on Muhammad Ali Boulevard. However, one upgrade that Cowles sought failed to materialize. Beginning in late 1977, WDRB-TV had campaigned for a shift to channel 21.{{r|hc}} In 1981, however, an administrative law judge denied the application and preferred the competing bid from the Word Broadcasting Network, only for the FCC review board to overturn the decision.<ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|962731614}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1982/BC-1982-03-01.pdf|access-date=February 28, 2021|date=March 1, 1982|work=Broadcasting|page=114|title=In Contest|archive-date=February 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208025032/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1982/BC-1982-03-01.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Cowles exited television in the early 1980s; after selling its only other station, [[KWCH-DT|KTVH]] in [[Hutchinson, Kansas]], it sold WDRB to [[Block Communications]] of [[Toledo, Ohio]], for $10 million in 1983.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72356839/|access-date=February 28, 2021|work=The Courier-Journal|date=September 1, 1983|title=Toledo firm will pay $10 million for WDRB|page=B12|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023142/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72356839/toledo-firm-will-pay-10-million-for/|url-status=live}}</ref> Under Block, WDRB-TV dropped the channel 21 application, clearing the way for [[WBNA]] to launch on the channel.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72350298/|work=The Courier-Journal|date=December 21, 1983|page=B3|first=Sheldon|last=Shafer|title=FCC issues license for new TV station|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023131/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72350298/fcc-issues-license-for-new-tv-station/|url-status=live}}</ref> Block began to increase WDRB's profile in the market by acquiring higher-rated and more recent off-network sitcoms and dramas to its schedule, along with a focus on the broadcast rights for the burgeoning athletic programs of the [[University of Louisville]]'s [[Louisville Cardinals|Cardinals]], which the station won in 1985 and held for two years.<ref name="uofl">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72357286/|pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72357177/ C6]|date=February 8, 1990|first=Jim|last=Terhune|access-date=February 28, 2021|title=U of L changes channels, signs with WDRB-41|work=The Courier-Journal|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023128/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72357286/u-of-l-changes-channels-signs-with/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===As a Fox affiliate===
On October 9, 1986, WDRB-TV became an affiliate of the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] network.<ref>{{Cite news|pages=44–45|title=Fox network begins to take shape|work=Broadcasting|date=August 4, 1986|id={{ProQuest|963254490}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-08-04.pdf|access-date=March 11, 2023|archive-date=January 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127014659/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-08-04.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> For a time in the 1990s, it was one of two affiliates serving the overall market: in 1992, [[Campbellsville]]-based WGRB (channel 34, later CW affiliate [[WBKI-TV (1983–2017)|WBKI-TV]]) affiliated with the network.<ref name="Cinc920421">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123428885/another-fox-station-in-kentucky/|date=April 21, 1992|page=17|title=Another Fox station in Kentucky|newspaper=The Cincinnati Post|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2023|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023140/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123428885/another-fox-station-in-kentucky/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> WDRB became the sole Fox station in Louisville when WGRB became affiliated with [[The WB]] in 1997.<ref name="Cour990815">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123390292/changing-channels-moves-by-two-stations/|date=August 15, 1999|pages=I1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123390226/station-changes-move-tv-shows-to-new-spo/ I6]|first=Tom|last=Dorsey|title=Changing channels: Moves by two stations mean viewers won't find popular shows at the same spot|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2023|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023141/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123390292/changing-channels-moves-by-two/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->

[[Image:WDRB-TV Logo.PNG|thumb|130px|Former primary logo for WDRB under the "Fox 41" branding, used from {{circa|2000}} to May 2011.]]
In 1990, the station also regained rights to Louisville athletics after the university spent three years with [[WHAS-TV]]{{r|uofl}} and upgraded its transmitter, improving signal coverage.{{r|newskid}} In 1994, Block Communications entered into a [[local marketing agreement]] to operate [[Salem, Indiana]]–based WFTE (channel 58, later WMYO, now WBKI), which it programmed with new syndicated shows and programs channel 41 no longer had time to air due to Fox network commitments.<ref name="Cour940202">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123390502/new-tv-station-is-coming-bringing-nypd/|date=February 2, 1994|page=C3|first=Tom|last=Dorsey|title=New TV station is coming, bringing 'NYPD Blue' with it|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 23, 2023|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023130/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123390502/new-tv-station-is-coming-bringing/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Block acquired WFTE outright in 2001, creating the first television station duopoly in the Louisville market; this was allowed by the FCC even though there were fewer than eight unique commercial station owners because WFTE had only been put on the air as a result of the original local marketing agreement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2001/04/09/daily38.html|date=April 9, 2001|work=Louisville Business First|title=WDRB parent buys WFTE, plans new image campaign|first=Ed|last=Green|access-date=April 23, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402004856/http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2001/04/09/daily38.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:WDRB and WBKI-TV Transmitter Sign.jpg|thumb|WDRB's logo from 1994 remains on the entrance sign to its transmitter site north of Louisville atop [[Floyds Knobs, Indiana]], when the transmitter for what was then WFTE was added to WDRB's site.]]
On April 21, 2007, WDRB became the first television station in Louisville to televise the [[Kentucky Derby Festival]]'s all-day "[[Thunder Over Louisville]]" [[air show|air]] and [[fireworks]] show in [[high-definition television|high definition]]—which, at the time, was one of the largest technical undertakings ever attempted by an American television station. This was followed by a second—even more elaborate—"Thunder" telecast in HD in April 2008 as part of a new agreement under which the four major news-producing stations rotated the rights to Thunder.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2007/03/12/story4.html?f=et167&b=1173672000%5E1429262&hbx=e_vert|title=WDRB plans thunderous debut for landmark HDTV broadcast|work=Louisville Business First|first=Terry|last=Boyd|date=March 12, 2007|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=April 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423011645/https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2007/03/12/story4.html?f=et167&b=1173672000%5E1429262&hbx=e_vert|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Cour080212">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123428430/thunder-over-louisville-fox-41-wins-dra/|date=February 12, 2008|pages=B1, B4<!--missing-->|title=Thunder Over Louisville: Fox-41 wins drawing to televise '08 event|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2023|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023145/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123428430/thunder-over-louisville-fox-41-wins/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

The station began phasing out the "Fox 41" branding in favor of simply branding by the WDRB call letters in May 2011. While this occurred shortly after sister station [[KTRV-TV]] in [[Boise, Idaho]], unexpectedly lost its Fox affiliation, station management stated that the rebrand was done in order to bring its branding in line with Louisville's other major network stations, which have all long branded with their call letters. Additionally, management wanted to distinguish the station from [[Fox News Channel]].<ref name=wfpl-fox41towdrb>{{cite news|title=WDRB Attempts to Renew Contract With Fox, Establish Own Identity|url=http://archives.wfpl.org/2011/05/20/wdrb-attempts-to-renew-contract-with-fox-establish-own-identity/|first=Gabe|last=Bullard|website=[[WFPL News]]|date=May 20, 2011|access-date=May 21, 2011|archive-date=July 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723015939/http://archives.wfpl.org/2011/05/20/wdrb-attempts-to-renew-contract-with-fox-establish-own-identity/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2013, WDRB began construction of an additional {{convert|11,000|sqft|m2|0}} of space at its Muhammad Ali Boulevard studio facility, including an expanded newsroom and sales area; the addition of two conference rooms; offices for finance and editing departments; and the addition of a secondary studio to be used for commercial and station projects. The $1.7 million expanded facility opened on May 5, 2014; as a result of the expansion, sister station WBKI-TV relocated its 10 employees from that station's offices in the [[Kaden Tower]] into the WDRB facility.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/print-edition/2014/12/05/the-many-investments-of-wdrb-tv-have-they-paid-off.html|title=The many investments of WDRB-TV: Have they paid off?|first=Rachel|last=Aretakis|date=December 5, 2014|work=Louisville Business First|access-date=April 17, 2015|archive-date=July 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723231623/http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/print-edition/2014/12/05/the-many-investments-of-wdrb-tv-have-they-paid-off.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wdrb.com/story/25426644/wdrb-celebrates-11000-square-foot-expansion-with-ribbon-cutting|title=WDRB celebrates 11,000 square foot expansion with ribbon cutting ceremony|work=WDRB|date=May 5, 2014|access-date=May 5, 2014|archive-date=May 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506012359/http://www.wdrb.com/story/25426644/wdrb-celebrates-11000-square-foot-expansion-with-ribbon-cutting|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2014/05/05/wdrb-celebrates-expansion-new-newscast-announced.html|first=Braden|last=Lammers|title=WDRB celebrates expansion, new newscast announced|work=Louisville Business First|date=May 5, 2014|access-date=May 5, 2014|archive-date=May 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509014841/http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2014/05/05/wdrb-celebrates-expansion-new-newscast-announced.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Bill Lamb, who had been general manager of Block's Louisville stations since 2001, was hired by [[Fox Television Stations]] in 2019 to run that company's [[KTTV]] and [[KCOP-TV]] in [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2019/06/27/bill-lamb-leaving-wdrb-los-angeles-fox-tv-networks/1586037001/|title=Bill Lamb heading to the west coast after leaving WDRB|last=Aulbach|first=Lucas|date=June 27, 2019|work=The Courier-Journal|access-date=July 11, 2019|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023131/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2019/06/27/bill-lamb-leaving-wdrb-los-angeles-fox-tv-networks/1586037001/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On August 1, 2025, [[Gray Media]] announced it would purchase Block's television stations, including WDRB and WBKI. The $80&nbsp;million transaction would put the stations under common operation with NBC affiliate [[WAVE (TV)|WAVE]] (channel 3).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-01 |title=Gray Media, Inc. acquires WDRB, Block Communications broadcast division for $80 million |url=https://www.wdrb.com/news/business/gray-media-inc-acquires-wdrb-block-communications-broadcast-division-for-80-million/article_8db68539-d5e7-46fd-9ce2-ce71a517ca68.html |access-date=2025-08-01 |website=WDRB |language=en |archive-date=August 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250804203538/https://www.wdrb.com/news/business/gray-media-inc-acquires-wdrb-block-communications-broadcast-division-for-80-million/article_8db68539-d5e7-46fd-9ce2-ce71a517ca68.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=tvnc20250801>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Mark K. |date=August 1, 2025 |title=Gray Media Buying Block Stations For $80M |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/gray-media-buying-block-stations-for-80m/ |access-date=August 3, 2025 |website=TV News Check |language=en-US | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250806170719/https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/gray-media-buying-block-stations-for-80m/ | archive-date = August 6, 2025}}</ref>

==News operation==
After more than a year of planning,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72359058/|page=C2|first=Tom|last=Dorsey|work=The Courier-Journal|access-date=February 28, 2021|title=Channel 41 prepares to field an army in news wars|date=January 25, 1989|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023148/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72359058/channel-41-prepares-to-field-an-army-in/|url-status=live}}</ref> WDRB launched its news department on March 12, 1990, with the debut of a half-hour 10&nbsp;p.m. newscast, originally titled ''The News at 10''.<ref name="Cour900312">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123419111/tv-11-embarks-on-next-40-years-with-cele/|date=March 12, 1990|page=C2|first=Tom|last=Dorsey|title=TV-11 embarks on next 40 years with celebration of old times|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 23, 2023|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023142/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123419111/tv-11-embarks-on-next-40-years-with/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> Several longtime news personalities in the Louisville market joined the new WDRB news staff when the station formed its news operation. ''The News at 10'' was originally anchored by Lauretta Harris (who joined WDRB from [[WAVE (TV)|WAVE]]), Jim Mitchell (who started in the market at WHAS-TV, before moving to WAVE), meteorologist Tammy Garrison, and sports anchor David Sullivan.<ref name="newskid">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72359232/|first=David|last=Inman|title=News kid on the block: WDRB sharpens competitive edge with local talent|date=March 6, 1990|access-date=February 28, 2021|pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72359262/ C6]|work=The Courier-Journal|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023146/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72359232/news-kid-on-the-block-wdrb-sharpens/|url-status=live}}</ref> A weekend edition of ''The News at 10'' debuted that October, pairing ex-WLKY staffer Bill Francis with Susan Sweeney, who prior to joining channel 41 had worked at [[WHAS (AM)|WHAS radio]].{{r|newskid}}<ref name="Cour901025">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-storer-penalizes-its/157018293/|date=October 25, 1990|page=C2|first=Tom|last=Dorsey|title=Storer penalizes itself for offside play in UK-LSU game|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|location=Louisville, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 12, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

In 1995, the program was retitled as ''Fox News at 10'' and expanded to one hour.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72359791/|first=Tom|last=Dorsey|work=The Courier-Journal|date=September 13, 1995|page=C3|title=WDRB-41 growing popular 'News at 10' to a full 60 minutes|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023147/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72359791/wdrb-41-growing-popular-news-at-10-to/|url-status=live}}</ref> WDRB launched additional newscasts on its schedule as its ratings position in the market strengthened: the first news expansion outside its established 10 p.m. slot came on October 5, 1998, when WDRB premiered the three-hour-long ''Fox in the Morning'' and a half-hour midday newscast at 11:30&nbsp;a.m. (originally titled ''Fox First News'');<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72360920/|access-date=February 28, 2021|first=Tom|last=Dorsey|title=Ambitious morning show premieres on WDRB|page=F2|date=October 5, 1998|work=The Courier-Journal|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023134/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72360920/ambitious-morning-show-starts-on-wdrb/|url-status=live}}</ref> the latter program expanded to an hour on September 21, 2015, with the addition of a half-hour noon newscast.<ref>{{cite web|title=Area TV stations back news programs with promotion|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/1999/05/24/focus6.html|author=Susan Koch|newspaper=Louisville Business Journal|publisher=American City Business Journals|date=May 24, 1999|access-date=October 4, 2015|archive-date=April 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421043914/https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/1999/05/24/focus6.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=WDRB Expands Midday News To Full Hour|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/88277/wdrb-expands-midday-news-to-full-hour|author=Mark K. Miller|website=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheck Media|date=September 9, 2015|access-date=October 4, 2015|archive-date=October 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012020840/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/88277/wdrb-expands-midday-news-to-full-hour|url-status=live}}</ref> This was later followed by the debut of an hour-long 4&nbsp;p.m. newscast in September 2001<ref name="Cour010924">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123422509/wdrb-launches-news-show-at-4-pm/|date=September 24, 2001|page=F2|first=Tom|last=Dorsey|title=WDRB launches news show at 4 p.m.|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2023|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023154/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123422509/wdrb-launches-news-show-at-4-pm/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> and weekly editorials by general manager Bill Lamb, the first on any Louisville station since the 1980s, in 2002.<ref name="Cour020612">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123422564/wdrb-tv-to-launch-community-editorials/|date=June 12, 2002|page=32|title=WDRB-TV to launch community editorials|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2023|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023141/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123422564/wdrb-tv-to-launch-community-editorials/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The morning newscast was retooled in 2003 as a news-oriented program after ratings took a nosedive during the start of the [[Iraq War]].<ref name="Cour030609">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123422718/wdrb-to-change-morning-format/|date=June 9, 2003|first=Tom|last=Dorsey|page=C2|title=WDRB to change 'Morning' format|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2023|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023127/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123422718/wdrb-to-change-morning-format/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->

Since 2011, WDRB has continued to fill out its newscast schedule, with evening newscasts at 6:30 p.m. in 2011,<ref name="Cour101008">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123422885/the-buzz-more-fox-41-news/|date=October 8, 2010|page=D2|first=Joel|last=Welin|title=The Buzz: More Fox 41 news|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2023|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023142/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123422885/the-buzz-more-fox-41-news/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> 6 p.m. in 2014, and 5 p.m. news in 2019, the latter hosted by longtime WAVE anchor Scott Reynolds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2019/05/08/scott-reynolds-louisville-news-anchor-joins-wdrb/1139295001/|title=Veteran Louisville news anchor Scott Reynolds is joining WDRB|website=The Courier-Journal|language=en|access-date=June 21, 2019|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424023157/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2019/05/08/scott-reynolds-louisville-news-anchor-joins-wdrb/1139295001/|url-status=live}}</ref> One expansion—a 7 p.m. newscast for WBKI-TV (channel 34), was broadcast from 2012 to 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=WBKI Louisville To Launch 7 P.M. News|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/61493/wbki-louisville-to-launch-7-pm-news|website=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheck Media|date=August 14, 2012|access-date=May 7, 2014|archive-date=May 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508025115/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/61493/wbki-louisville-to-launch-7-pm-news|url-status=live}}</ref> The station also has added morning newscasts, including weekend morning news in 2013<ref>{{cite web|title=WDRB to Add Weekend Morning Newscasts|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/63186/wdrb-to-add-weekend-morning-newscasts|website=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheck Media|date=October 30, 2012|access-date=October 30, 2012|archive-date=June 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609063823/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/63186/wdrb-to-add-weekend-morning-newscasts|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=WDRB plans to add morning news on weekends|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2012/10/31/wdrb-plans-to-add-morning-news-on.html|author=Andrew Robinson|newspaper=Louisville Business Journal|publisher=American City Business Journals|date=October 31, 2012|access-date=April 17, 2015|archive-date=April 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423032348/https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2012/10/31/wdrb-plans-to-add-morning-news-on.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and a 9 a.m. weekday morning news extension in 2023.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/wdrb-louisville-adds-an-hour-to-its-morning-news/|work=TVNewsCheck|date=January 29, 2023|title=WDRB Louisville Adds An Hour To Its Morning News|access-date=April 24, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202205858/https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/wdrb-louisville-adds-an-hour-to-its-morning-news/|url-status=live}}</ref> 

In June 2013, WDRB gained notice in the television industry when it debuted a [[Promo (media)|promo]] criticizing the broad, constant and generalized use of the term "[[breaking news]]" by other news stations (both within the Louisville market and around the United States), stating that "breaking news" has been overused as a "marketing ploy" by other stations, who tend to apply the term to stories that are low in urgency and/or relevance.<ref name="TVSpy06042013" /> To coincide with the promo, WDRB posted on its website a "contract" outline of its journalism practices with its viewers and advertisers, with the former list promising to judiciously use "breaking news" (applying the term to stories that are "both 'breaking' and 'news'"), as well as a general promise to deliver news in a truthful, balanced and informative manner, and without overt hype and [[sensationalism]].<ref name=TVSpy06042013>{{cite news|url=https://www.adweek.com/tvspy/louisville-station-stops-using-breaking-news/|title=Louisville Station Stops Using 'Breaking News'|work=TVSpy|date=June 4, 2013|access-date=June 8, 2013|archive-date=June 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608093241/http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/louisville-station-stops-using-breaking-news_b92526|url-status=live}}</ref>

The station gained national attention in November 2019 for a [[sweeps]] interview with the founder of [[Papa John's Pizza]], [[John Schnatter]] (who had been a controversial local figure since his July 2018 ouster over use of a racial slur on a conference call). Schnatter had made the claim to WDRB's Stephan Johnson that he had found the quality control of the chain had declined after saying he ordered forty pizzas to eat from it in a month-long period and warned of a 'day of reckoning' for company board member [[Mark Shapiro (media executive)|Mark Shapiro]] for participating in Schnatter's ouster from the company.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wdrb.com/news/as-papa-john-s-moves-on-without-its-founder-john/article_b249cd6a-0fd0-11ea-98be-57e90d623b95.html|title=As Papa John's moves on without its founder, John Schnatter vows for a 'day of reckoning'|last=Johnson|first=Stephan|date=November 29, 2019|publisher=WDRB|access-date=December 13, 2019|archive-date=December 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210063640/https://www.wdrb.com/news/as-papa-john-s-moves-on-without-its-founder-john/article_b249cd6a-0fd0-11ea-98be-57e90d623b95.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Technical information==
[[File:2021 11 20 wdrb-wbki-tv 06z (51712088962).jpg|right|thumb|upright=1|The WDRB–WBKI tower near Floyds Knobs in southern Indiana.|alt=A tall antenna with a goalpost-shaped appendage with two red antennas. Two antennas are mounted lower on the mast.]]
===Subchannels===
WDRB broadcasts from a tower near [[Floyds Knobs, Indiana]].{{r|FCC-LMS-28476}} The station's signal is [[multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of WDRB<ref name=rei>{{cite web|title=Digital TV Market Listing for WDRB|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WDRB#station|website=[[RabbitEars]]|access-date=January 26, 2017|archive-date=March 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327171402/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WDRB#station|url-status=live}}</ref>
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" | Short name
! scope = "col" | Programming
|-
! scope = "row" | 41.1 
| [[720p]] || rowspan="4" | [[16:9]] || WDRB || [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 41.2 
| rowspan="3" | [[480i]] || Ant.TV || [[Antenna TV]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 41.3 
| ION.TV || [[Ion Television]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 41.4 
| CourtTv || [[Court TV]]
|- style="background-color:#DFEBF6; border-top: 2px solid #003399;"
! scope = "row" | [[WBKI (TV)|58.3]]
| rowspan="3" | 480i || rowspan="3" | 16:9 || My TV || [[MyNetworkTV]] ([[WBKI (TV)|WBKI]])
|- style="background-color:#DFEBF6; 
! scope = "row" | [[WBKI (TV)|58.5]]
| Mystery || [[Ion Mystery]] ([[WBKI (TV)|WBKI]])
|- style="background-color:#DFEBF6; 
! scope = "row" | [[WBKI (TV)|58.6]]
| Ion + || [[Ion Plus]] ([[WBKI (TV)|WBKI]])
|}
{{legend|#DFEBF6|Broadcast on behalf of another station}}

WDRB began broadcasting three subchannels of WBKI as part of that multiplex's September 2022 conversion to [[ATSC 3.0]] (NextGen TV) broadcasting.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/tech/article/five-stations-launch-nextgen-tv-in-louisville/|title=Five Stations Launch NextGen TV In Louisville|work=TVNewsCheck|date=September 12, 2022|access-date=April 24, 2023|archive-date=September 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914000301/https://tvnewscheck.com/tech/article/five-stations-launch-nextgen-tv-in-louisville/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Analog-to-digital conversion===
WDRB discontinued regular programming on its analog signal, over [[UHF]] channel 41, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States [[Digital television transition in the United States|transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts]] under federal mandate. The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 49,<ref name="Analog to Digital">{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> using [[virtual channel]] 41. The station was repacked from channel 49 to channel 32 in 2019.<ref name="Repack Table">{{Cite web|url=http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/Transition_Files/Phase_Assignment_Closing_PN.csv|title=FCC TV Spectrum Phase Assignment Table|format=CSV|website=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|date=April 13, 2017|access-date=April 17, 2017|archive-date=April 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417160749/http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/Transition_Files/Phase_Assignment_Closing_PN.csv|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website|https://www.wdrb.com/}}

{{navboxes
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wdrb}}
[[Category:1971 establishments in Kentucky]]
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[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1971]]
[[Category:Television stations in Louisville, Kentucky|DRB]]