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WPRI-TV (channel 12) is a television station in Providence, Rhode Island, United States, affiliated with CBS and MyNetworkTV. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which provides certain services to dual Fox/CW affiliate WNAC-TV (channel 64) under a local marketing agreement (LMA) with Mission Broadcasting. The two stations share studios on Catamore Boulevard in East Providence, Rhode Island; WPRI-TV's transmitter is located on Pine Street in Rehoboth, Massachusetts.

Key Information

History

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WPRO-TV (1955–1967)

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The station debuted on March 27, 1955, known as WPRO-TV (for Providence). It was Rhode Island's third television station and was owned and operated, along with WPRO radio (630 AM and 92.3 FM), by retailer Cherry & Webb. WPRO-TV was originally supposed to go on the air in 1953, but the station ran into several delays. It had originally planned to build a transmitter in Rehoboth, but legal disputes with town officials forced Cherry & Webb to find a site in Johnston, Rhode Island.

The station then planned to sign on in 1954, but Hurricane Carol destroyed the Johnston transmitter. The legal disputes in Rehoboth were finally settled in late 1954, and WPRO got the go-ahead to begin construction there. The channel was due to join CBS because of WPRO radio's long affiliation with CBS Radio. Even when it became apparent that WPRO-TV would miss its target air date, CBS opted to continue its secondary affiliation with NBC station WJAR-TV (channel 10) rather than move its programming to ABC affiliate WNET (channel 16, the predecessor of today's WNAC-TV).

When WPRO-TV finally came on the air, ABC gave it right of first refusal for its more popular shows. Within less than a year, WNET had gone dark. This station continued to share ABC with WJAR until WTEV (channel 6, now WLNE-TV) signed-on in 1963.

Channel 12's studios were originally located on the top floor of 24 Mason Street in Downtown Providence with its sister radio stations. The three stations' news facilities were completely integrated. On-air personalities from radio and TV created newscasts together. In fact, some reporters recorded conservative-sounding FM news broadcasts prior to pulling a switch to deliver live, punchy on-air news for the AM station on the hour, with headlines on the half-hour. And some radio news reporters headed into the field with photographers to cover stories simultaneously for radio and TV.

Legendary Providence radio personality Salty Brine had a daily children's show on WPRO-TV. News personalities included Mort Blender and Walter Cryan while the beloved Hank Bouchard did a multitude of on-air duties. That included announcing, hosting programs, and giving the weather report. Cherry & Webb sold WPRO-AM-FM-TV to Albany, New York–based Capital Cities Television Corporation, the predecessor of Capital Cities Communications, in 1959, earning a handsome return on its purchase of WPRO radio in 1931.

WPRI (1967–present)

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WPRO-TV was then sold to Poole Broadcasting (owners of WJRT-TV in Flint, Michigan) on June 16, 1967; that sale was necessary because CapCities' purchase of KTRK-TV in Houston left it one VHF station over the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ownership limit at the time. Since CapCities retained the WPRO radio stations, Poole Broadcasting, so as to comply with an FCC regulation in place then that required TV and radio stations in the same market, but with different owners to use differing call signs, changed channel 12's call letters to the present WPRI-TV. It wanted to trade on the well-known WPRO calls and also realized that "PRI" could stand for Providence, Rhode Island. CapCities retained ownership of the WPRO radio stations until 1993, with the last seven years of their ownership saw the stations being ABC-owned stations affiliated with the ABC Radio Network. However, the three stations continued to share the Mason Street studio until 1974, when they moved to separate facilities in East Providence. Poole retained ownership of channel 12 until 1977 when it sold its three television stations (WPRI, WJRT, and WTEN in Albany, New York) to Knight Ridder Broadcasting. WPRI swapped affiliations with WTEV and became an ABC affiliate on June 27, 1977, after this sale as a result of a corporate affiliation deal between ABC and Knight Ridder (WTEN, then a CBS station, would switch to ABC several months later in October; WPRI's former owners, Capital Cities Communications, would later buy ABC in 1985).

In 1989, Knight Ridder left the broadcasting business, selling WPRI and WTKR in Norfolk, Virginia, to Narragansett Television LP, a locally based firm. Narragansett Television sold WPRI to CBS in early 1995, making it a network owned-and-operated station (and one of the last such acquisitions prior to the Westinghouse Electric Corporation's purchase of the network). At midnight on September 10, 1995, WPRI reversed the 1977 swap with WLNE and officially rejoined CBS. It aired a vigorous promotion called "Survive the Switch" so television viewers in Providence would be prepared for this changeover.

In August 1995, Westinghouse bought CBS for approximately $6 billion. The merger was finalized on November 24. Westinghouse already owned WBZ-TV in Boston; that station provided city-grade coverage to Providence itself, as well as New Bedford and Fall River, Massachusetts, and at least grade B coverage to the rest of Rhode Island, while WPRI's city-grade signal, like most of the other major Rhode Island stations, decently covers most of the Boston area. At the time, the FCC normally did not allow common ownership of multiple stations with overlapping coverage areas and would not even consider granting a waiver if the overlap was between city-grade signals. As a result, CBS opted to keep WBZ-TV and sell WPRI to Clear Channel Communications (now iHeartMedia) on July 1, 1996, after less than ten months of ownership. Just months after the sale was announced, the FCC eliminated the requirement of a waiver for common ownership of television stations in adjacent markets with substantial grade B signal overlap. It began to permit common ownership of stations whose city-grade signals overlap when duopolies began to be permitted in 2000.

LIN TV era (2000–2014)

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In 2000, Clear Channel was forced to sell WPRI as a condition of being allowed to buy additional radio stations in the Providence market. Sunrise Television acquired WPRI in early 2001 for $50 million. Sunrise merged with LIN TV in May 2002.

In October 2008, WPRI and sister station WALA-TV in Mobile, Alabama, relaunched websites through News Corporation's Fox Interactive Media, since spun off as the independent company known as EndPlay. It, in turn, was acquired by the Nexstar Broadcasting Group in 2014 and merged with its two other CMS providers, Inergize Digital and Internet Broadcasting to form a new CMS unit, Lakana, as a result of a new partnership between LIN TV and NewsCorp. The other LIN TV-owned stations (irrespective of network affiliations) followed suit within two months ending the company's long partnership with WorldNow. The new sites were in a format similar to those of the Fox O&O-style web addresses used by many Fox affiliates (and which the LIN TV-owned or controlled Fox affiliates such as WNAC-TV had used) except the flashy myFox look. The MyFox sites themselves were eventually redesigned to a look similar to those of the LIN TV sites. After Nexstar's acquisition of EndPlay was completed, the LIN station Web sites switched to the WordPress.com VIP CMS platform. Most of the Web sites of the television stations Media General acquired since the announced merger with Young Broadcasting have also adopted this platform.

LMA with WNAC-TV (1997–present)

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Shortly after Clear Channel took over the station, WPRI entered in a local marketing agreement (LMA) with Fox affiliate WNAC (then owned by Argyle Television). WPRI took over the station's operations on September 28, 1997, when WNAC moved its operations into this station's facilities. WNAC operates under the license of the old WNET, which was forced off-the-air in 1955 largely due to the presence of WPRI. In late 1997, Argyle merged with Hearst Broadcasting, owner of ABC affiliate WCVB-TV in Boston. Hearst was forced to trade WNAC together with WDTN in Dayton, Ohio (which had to be sold to alleviate an overlap conflict with WLWT in Cincinnati), to Sunrise Television in return for WPTZ in Plattsburgh, New York, WNNE in Hartford, Vermont, and KSBW in Salinas, California. This was due to the FCC rule forbidding common ownership of two stations with overlapping city-grade signals (the same rule that forced CBS to sell WPRI two years earlier).

When Sunrise bought WPRI from Clear Channel in early 2001, WNAC was sold to LIN TV due to FCC regulations forbidding common ownership of two of the four highest-rated stations in the same market. In this case, WNAC cannot be co-owned directly with WPRI. However, LIN TV was forced to put WNAC back on the market almost as soon as it closed on the station's purchase due to the ownership structures of Sunrise and LIN TV. Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst (forerunner to HM Capital Partners), a private-equity firm co-founded by Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars then-owner Tom Hicks, was the majority owner of LIN TV. At the same time, HMTF also controlled a large block of Sunrise stock. The FCC ruled that HMTF controlled enough Sunrise stock that the company could not own any stations in markets where LIN TV-owned a station as well.

Finally, in April 2002, LIN TV sold WNAC to Super Towers, Inc. (d/b/a WNAC, LLC), a company owned by Timothy Sheehan, brother-in-law of former LIN TV Vice President Paul Karpowicz. This sale allowed the merger between Sunrise and LIN TV to be completed the following month. LIN TV continued to operate WNAC under the same LMA it inherited from Sunrise.

Merger with Media General, then Nexstar (2014–present)

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On March 21, 2014, LIN Media entered into an agreement to merge with Media General in a $1.6 billion deal. Because Media General already owned NBC affiliate WJAR and the two stations ranked as the two highest-rated stations in the Providence market in total day viewership, the companies were required to sell either WJAR or WPRI-TV to another station owner to comply with FCC ownership rules as well as planned changes to those rules regarding same-market television stations which would prohibit sharing agreements; the LMA involving WNAC would be included in the sale.[2][3][4] On August 20, 2014, Media General announced that it would keep WPRI and the LMA with WNAC and sell WJAR to Sinclair Broadcast Group, even though WJAR had higher ratings.[5][6] The merger was completed on December 19, 2014.[7]

On January 27, 2016, Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced plans to merge with Media General. The merger was completed on January 17, 2017.

WPRI-DT2

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WPRI-DT2, branded on-air as MyRITV, is the MyNetworkTV-affiliated second digital subchannel of WPRI-TV, broadcasting on channel 12.2. Ever since its inception, WPRI-DT2's over-the-air signal had broadcast in 480i standard definition; however, in October 2017, it was upgraded to 720p high definition.

On October 22, 2010, WPRI began carrying TheCoolTV music video programming on its 12.2 subchannel; it was replaced by Bounce TV in July 2013. On October 2, 2017, the Bounce TV subchannel was moved to channel 12.3, replacing GetTV, which moved to a newly created 12.4 subchannel. This was to accommodate the move of MyRITV, the market's MyNetworkTV affiliate, from WNAC-DT2 to WPRI-DT2 as part of a broader shuffle where the programming and CW affiliation of WLWC's main channel was purchased by Nexstar several months before after WLWC's owner, OTA Broadcasting, sold their spectrum in the FCC's 2016 incentive auction and decided on a channel share with WPXQ-TV. That day, MyRITV was moved to WPRI-DT2 (so that WLWC's programming could, in turn, be moved to WNAC-DT2), to balance bandwidth among all four of Nexstar's major network affiliations in Providence. Thus WPRI has a 1080i CBS channel and 720p MyNetworkTV subchannel, with WNAC having a 720p Fox channel and 720p CW subchannel.[8][9]

On October 1, 2009, WNAC-DT2 became the market's MyNetworkTV affiliate after the service was moved from the main WNAC feed.[10] Before this change, the main channel had aired the network in a secondary manner delaying weeknight prime time programming from 11:30 to 1:30 in the morning and Saturday prime time programming until early Sunday mornings from 12:30 to 2:30. In 2011, WNAC-DT2 televised local college basketball games on Wednesdays under the banner "Game Night".[11]

News operation

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Traditionally, WPRI has been a solid, if usually distant, runner-up in the ratings to long-dominant WJAR. In the February and May 2010 Nielsen ratings period, WPRI was second in all timeslots, with its 6 p.m. newscast reaching nearly 20,000 fewer viewers than WJAR's newscast. Since then, however, WPRI has mounted a spirited challenge to WJAR's dominance.

Specifically, its broadcast weeknights at 11 p.m. has gained enormous popularity. As of the November 2010 sweeps period, this newscast on WPRI is the most watched in Rhode Island while WJAR continues its dominance in all other time periods.[12]

In September 1993, the station created a 30-minute 5 p.m. newscast, the first in the market. It was expanded to one hour in mid-1995.

In 1996, WPRI began producing the market's first nightly prime time newscast at 10 p.m. on WNAC, then titled Eyewitness News at 10 on Fox Providence. This was joined in April 1997 by a WJAR-produced show seen weeknights on WLWC entitled TV 28 News at 10. However, that was dropped in September when the WJAR LMA with WLWC ended. In 2004, an hour-long extension of WPRI's weekday morning show was added to WNAC at 7 a.m. branded as Eyewitness News This Morning on Fox Providence. It was eventually canceled, but was brought back early in 2009 as a lead-in to The Rhode Show. Meteorologist Michelle Muscatello joined WPRI in 2004, and was the morning weather presenter until 2023.[13]

WPRI and WNAC received an on-air overhaul introducing a new news set and updated graphics on March 17, 2008. LIN operated a shared Bell 206L3 Long Ranger helicopter with the registration N812TV branded as "News Chopper 12" until December 2008, which was shared with Connecticut sister station WTNH and had that station's imaging on the right, with WPRI's imaging on its left side.

On February 18, 2009, WNAC launched an hour-long lifestyle and entertainment magazine-type program called The Rhode Show that aired weekday mornings at 8 a.m. A new secondary set for the show was built with a fully functional kitchen. The show was previously hosted by the weekday morning news anchor teams— Vince DeMentri and Elizabeth Hopkins from February 2009 to March 2010, Patrick Little and Hopkins from March 2010 to November 2010, and Little and Danielle North from November 2010 to December 2011. A third alternating host for a period of one year was found annually through an open audition in a contest titled The Rhode Show Search for a Star. In 2008, Boston-area radio deejay Shawn Tempesta won the contest out of over 140 people. In 2009, Cranston comedian Ben Hague beat out over 100 other hopefuls. Bridgewater State University graduate Michaela Johnson of East Providence won the honor in 2010. During the week, The Rhode Show was streamed live on WNAC's website. The main channel re-aired the show weekday afternoons at 1 p.m. with WNAC-DT2 (MyRITV, now WPRI-DT2) doing the same at 4 p.m.

In December 2011, it was announced that on January 9, 2012, The Rhode Show would move to WPRI and would begin at 9 a.m. Michaela Johnson and former WPRO-FM personality Will Gilbert became permanent hosts of the show. Mary Larsen was selected as the third host in the 2011 Search for a Star contest. MyRITV continued to re-air the show at 2 p.m. on weekdays until 2013. In addition, Eyewitness News This Morning on Fox Providence was extended to fill the hour previously occupied by The Rhode Show. This newscast now airs between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.[14]

WPRI operated a 24-hour local weather channel under the branding "Eyewitness News Pinpoint Weather Station", on Cox digital channel 125. It also aired on the second digital subchannels of WPRI and WNAC until 2007, but went cable-only due to children's programming restrictions (also known as E/I programming). It was then simulcast on weekends when the main channels of WPRI and WNAC signed off overnight. The weather channel was eliminated in 2010. Now during sign off hours on weekend overnights, a loop of the stations' Doppler radar is shown.

Along with its own weather radar at its transmitter site in Rehoboth, the station also features live NOAA National Weather Service radar data from the Local Forecast Office on Myles Standish Boulevard in Taunton. Together, this is known in weather segments as "Live Pinpoint Doppler 12". It shares resources with WBZ-TV for coverage of Southeastern Massachusetts. In return, WPRI does the same for its coverage of the same area. All of WPRI and WNAC's weekday newscasts are streamed live on WPRI's website and mobile app. They also replay their most recent newscast on a continuous loop until the next live newscast and stream breaking news events.

Eyewitness News has won the Massachusetts/Rhode Island Associated Press News Station of the Year award nine years in a row since 2004, its most recent coming in May 2012.[15]

WPRI and WNAC were the last stations in the market to upgrade their newscasts to high definition, though they were first to experiment with the format through promotional materials and debates during the election season in 2010. Set reconfiguration began on July 22, 2011. Newscasts in the interim aired from The Rhode Show studio. WJAR was the first in Rhode Island to have made the upgrade, on May 16, 2011, followed by WLNE on September 13, 2011. They debuted the new set and modified graphics on September 20, 2011, during their 5 p.m. newscast. On January 13, 2014, WPRI announced that it would be expanding its early evening news by launching a 6:30 p.m. newscast on WNAC on January 27.[16]

On August 31, 2020, WPRI dropped the Eyewitness News branding after 18 years; WPRI's newscasts are now branded as 12 News, while WNAC's newscasts are now branded as 12 News Now on Fox Providence.

WPRI's long-running weekend public affairs show, Newsmakers, debuted on September 17, 1978, and is still on the air. Its current hosts are Tim White and Ted Nesi.[17]

Notable former on-air staff

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Technical information

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Subchannels

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WPRI-TV broadcasts from a transmitter facility in Rehoboth, Massachusetts.[1] Its signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of WPRI-TV[18]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
12.1 1080i 16:9 WPRI-HD CBS
12.2 720p MYRI MyNetworkTV
12.3 480i TruCrim True Crime Network
12.4 DeFy Defy

Analog-to-digital conversion

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WPRI-TV received Federal Communications Commission (FCC) consent to discontinue regular programming on its analog signal, over VHF channel 12, on February 17, 2009,[19] the original date when full-power television stations in the United States were to transition from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate (which was later pushed back to June 12, 2009). The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition VHF channel 13,[20] using virtual channel 12. WNAC-TV also discontinued regular analog service on February 17, 2009, and began operation of its new digital facility on channel 12. WPRI is also one of the only remaining TV stations in America to sign-off and sign-on once a week to this day.

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

WPRI-TV

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
WPRI-TV, virtual channel 12 (VHF digital channel 13), is a CBS-affiliated television station licensed to , , serving the Providence–New Bedford television market. The station is owned by , which provides certain services to /CW affiliate WNAC-TV (channel 64) under a local marketing agreement with the latter's owner, Super Towers, Inc., and also operates Providence (WLWC, channel 28) and MyRITV (WPRI-DT2). WPRI-TV and WNAC-TV share studios on Catamore Boulevard in East Providence, while its transmitter is located on Pine Street in . Founded as WPRO-TV, the station signed on the air on March 27, 1955, initially owned by the Cherry & Webb department store chain and affiliated primarily with . The call letters were changed to WPRI-TV in 1967 following an ownership transition, and the station has since evolved through multiple affiliations, including a period as an ABC outlet from 1977 to 1995 before returning to . Ownership passed through several companies, including Clear Channel Communications in the late 1990s and until 2017, when acquired it as part of a $4.6 billion merger. Today, WPRI-TV is known for its "12 News" team, delivering , , and across broadcast, digital, and streaming platforms to and .

History

Launch and early operations as WPRO-TV (1955–1967)

WPRO-TV signed on the air for the first time on , , as Rhode Island's third commercial , broadcasting on VHF channel 12 from Providence. The station was founded by the Cherry & Webb chain, which already owned WPRO radio (630 AM) and had leveraged its affiliation to secure a primary television affiliation for the new outlet. Initially operating in black-and-white, WPRO-TV served as a key broadcaster for the State, filling a gap in local television service amid growing postwar demand. The launch faced significant hurdles, originally slated for 1953 but postponed by legal disputes with the (FCC) over channel allocation and transmitter site approvals. Cherry & Webb had planned a transmitter in , but local opposition led to a relocation attempt to , where in August 1954 destroyed the under-construction tower and facilities. These issues were resolved in late 1954 when the FCC approved the Rehoboth site, allowing construction to proceed and enabling the eventual on-air debut. In its formative years, WPRO-TV emphasized a mix of local programming and network content to build viewership. Local offerings included children's shows like Salty Brine's nautical-themed variety program, which featured puppets and community segments, alongside news bulletins integrated with the radio stations. The station also carried secondary ABC programming, shared with competitor WJAR-TV, until ABC affiliate launched in 1963. Early operations centered on modest facilities, with studios on the top floor of 24 Mason Street in downtown Providence, co-located with the WPRO radio operations, and an initial transmitter site on Neutaconkanut Hill in Johnston before relocation to Rehoboth. Ownership transitioned in 1959 when Cherry & Webb sold WPRO-AM-FM-TV to Capital Cities Broadcasting Corporation, prompting a studio relocation within Providence to enhance production capabilities. Under Capital Cities, the station continued its focus on community-oriented content and network relays, solidifying its role in broadcasting through the mid-1960s.

Transition to WPRI and affiliation changes (1967–1999)

In 1967, Capital Cities Broadcasting sold WPRO-TV to Broadcasting Company, owners of in , for $16.5 million, a transaction necessitated by Capital Cities' acquisition of other stations that exceeded FCC ownership limits. The sale was completed on , 1967. To distinguish the from the retained WPRO radio outlets, Poole changed the call letters to WPRI-TV in early 1968, selecting "PRI" to evoke "Providence" while echoing the familiar WPRO branding. During this transitional period, WPRI introduced color broadcasting in the , coinciding with the nationwide shift from black-and-white to that accelerated after NBC's full adoption in 1966. programming also saw early development starting in the late 1960s, building on prior modest efforts with expanded coverage of events to strengthen community ties. Poole's ownership was short-lived; in 1977, the company sold WPRI along with WJRT-TV and WTEN in Albany, New York, to Knight-Ridder Broadcasting for an undisclosed amount. As part of a corporate affiliation agreement between Knight-Ridder and ABC, WPRI swapped networks with CBS affiliate (now ) on June 27, 1977, becoming Providence's ABC outlet for the next 18 years—a move that boosted its programming reach amid ABC's rising popularity. Knight-Ridder exited broadcasting in 1989, selling WPRI and Norfolk's to Narragansett Television LP, a Rhode Island-based investment group, for $150 million combined. The station retained its ABC affiliation under new ownership, focusing on local content amid stable network ties. Seeking to expand its owned-and-operated stations, acquired WPRI from Narragansett Television on March 3, 1995, for an undisclosed sum, marking one of the network's final pre-merger purchases. At midnight on September 10, 1995, WPRI reversed the 1977 affiliation swap with , rejoining with a promotional campaign titled "Survive the Switch" to ease viewer transition. However, 's subsequent merger with Westinghouse Electric required divestitures; on July 1, 1996, after less than a year of ownership, sold WPRI to Clear Channel Communications for an undisclosed price. This marked the beginning of a local marketing agreement with Fox affiliate WNAC-TV, setting the stage for operational synergies into the late 1990s.

LIN TV ownership and expansions (2000–2014)

In early 2001, Sunrise Television Corporation, based in St. Petersburg, Florida, acquired WPRI-TV from Clear Channel Communications for $50 million. The transaction, announced through SEC filings in February 2001, positioned Sunrise as the new owner of the CBS affiliate while requiring the divestiture of sister station WNAC-TV to comply with FCC duopoly restrictions. Following the acquisition, LIN TV Corporation entered into a three-year management services agreement with Sunrise in January 2002, assuming oversight of WPRI-TV along with five other Sunrise-owned stations in Texas, Ohio, and Michigan. Under this arrangement, LIN provided operational, reporting, and administrative functions for the Providence facility while the companies operated as separate entities with no shared financial liabilities. In February 2002, LIN TV announced its intent to purchase the six Sunrise stations outright, including WPRI-TV, as part of a broader expansion strategy; financial details were not publicly disclosed at the time. The deal closed in May 2002, fully merging the assets into LIN TV's holdings and establishing WPRI as the company's flagship station, given LIN's headquarters location in Providence. This integration supported LIN's growth to 26 stations nationwide, emphasizing local CBS affiliates in mid-sized markets. During the LIN TV era, WPRI-TV pursued several digital and technical expansions to enhance its broadcast and online capabilities. In October 2008, the station relaunched its website (www.wpri.com) through a strategic partnership with Fox Interactive Media, a News Corporation division, becoming one of the first non-Fox stations to adopt the platform for improved content management and user engagement across LIN's portfolio. The station also experimented with digital multicasting, launching TheCoolTV—a 24-hour music video service—on subchannel 12.2 in October 2010, providing viewers with additional non-news programming via its . This affiliation lasted until July 2013, when TheCoolTV ceased operations amid financial challenges, prompting WPRI to replace it with , a network focused on African American-oriented content. Facility and production upgrades further bolstered operations at WPRI's East Providence studios. In September 2011, the station transitioned its local newscasts to high definition (1080i), completing a multi-year technical overhaul that improved visual quality and aligned with industry standards, though it trailed some Providence competitors in timing. These developments under LIN TV reflected a broader emphasis on digital innovation and content diversification, positioning WPRI for sustained competitiveness in the Providence-New Bedford market through 2014.

Nexstar Media Group era (2014–present)

In March 2014, LIN Media, the owner of WPRI-TV, announced a merger with in a $1.6 billion cash-and-stock deal that would combine their portfolios. The transaction was completed on December 19, 2014, making WPRI-TV part of 's holdings and integrating it into a larger broadcast group serving multiple markets. Media General's ownership of WPRI-TV proved short-lived, as Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced its intent to acquire the company on January 27, 2016, in a $4.6 billion cash-and-stock transaction. The deal, which expanded Nexstar's footprint to include over 170 stations reaching nearly 39% of U.S. television households, was finalized on January 17, 2017, renaming the parent entity and placing WPRI-TV under its direct control. Under Nexstar, the station has benefited from corporate resources for operational enhancements, including expansions to its high-definition newscast production that originated with an upgrade to for local programming in September 2011. On August 31, 2020, WPRI-TV rebranded its newscasts from to simply "12 News," aligning with a broader emphasis on streamlined local coverage and the launch of an extended 4 p.m. weekday program. This period has seen staff transitions, notably the departure of veteran Michelle Muscatello in April 2023 after nearly two decades with the station, as she pursued new professional opportunities and family time. WPRI-TV's affiliation has remained stable, bolstered by multi-year renewal agreements between Nexstar and in 2019 and 2022 that secure long-term network programming access. Post-2017, Nexstar has invested in WPRI-TV's digital presence, enhancing streaming capabilities through the station's for real-time and updates, alongside the 2025 launch of the WPRI 12+ smart TV app for live newscasts and original content on platforms like , Apple TV, and . These initiatives reflect Nexstar's broader strategy to expand over-the-air broadcasting with multi-platform delivery, enabling broader audience engagement in the Providence market.

Local marketing agreement with WNAC-TV (1997–present)

In September 1997, WPRI-TV, owned by Clear Channel Communications, entered into a (LMA) with WNAC-TV (channel 64), the Fox affiliate then owned by Argyle Television (which soon became Sunrise Television following a merger), enabling WPRI to handle WNAC's programming and advertising sales operations. This arrangement built on an informal news-sharing partnership that began in 1996, when WPRI started producing a 10 p.m. newscast for WNAC titled at 10 on Fox Providence. The LMA served as a mechanism to effectively combine operations in the Providence–New Bedford market while adhering to (FCC) duopoly restrictions, which at the time prohibited common ownership of the top-rated stations in the same Designated Market Area unless specific criteria were met under the 1996 Telecommunications Act. Ownership changes for WNAC-TV under the LMA occurred multiple times to navigate FCC ownership limits on signal overlap and . In early 2001, Sunrise Television sold WNAC to LIN TV Corporation, which assumed control while preserving the LMA with WPRI (also acquired by LIN later that year). By April 2002, LIN divested WNAC's to Super Towers Inc., a entity controlled by LIN executives, to comply with duopoly rules limiting to one station per top-four market share in smaller markets like Providence; the LMA remained intact, allowing continued operational oversight by WPRI/LIN. In September 2020, Super Towers sold WNAC-TV to Mission Broadcasting, Inc., maintaining the LMA structure with Nexstar. The partnership has emphasized shared resources, including news production and facilities. WPRI produces all of WNAC's local newscasts, including an additional 6:30 p.m. edition launched in January 2014, from joint studios at 25 Catamore Boulevard in , with a shared transmitter site in . The LMA, grandfathered under subsequent FCC policies attributing agreements to ownership, persists today under Nexstar Media Group's management of WPRI and Mission Broadcasting's nominal ownership of WNAC.

Digital subchannels

WPRI-DT2 (MyRITV)

WPRI-DT2, branded on-air as MyRITV, is the MyNetworkTV-affiliated second of WPRI-TV, serving the Providence-New Bedford television market that encompasses and . The affiliation with for the Providence market originated in September 2006, initially carried in late-night hours on WNAC-TV. On October 1, 2009, the programming shifted to on WNAC-DT2 and adopted the MyRITV branding to reflect its expanded schedule from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time. In October 2017, as part of the FCC's spectrum repack and a broader affiliation realignment among Nexstar-owned stations in the market, MyRITV relocated to WPRI-DT2 ( 12.2), replacing the prior occupant and allowing WNAC-DT2 to carry Providence. Concurrent with the move on October 2, 2017, the subchannel upgraded its broadcast resolution from standard definition to 720p high definition. Prior to this, WPRI-DT2 had operated as a separate channel, launching with music video service TheCoolTV on October 22, 2010, which was replaced by in July 2013. remained on the subchannel until the 2017 switch. MyRITV primarily airs MyNetworkTV's nightly two-hour block of syndicated programming, supplemented by local content insertions to enhance . These include original local shows such as TV Maitre d', which spotlights regional restaurants; Pro TV, focusing on local travel destinations; and Recovery TV, offering health and wellness advice tailored to audiences. Weekend programming features insertions like Rhode Island Lottery drawings, including Numbers on Saturdays at 6:59 p.m. and Sundays at 6:29 p.m., and Wild Money on Saturdays at 7:29 p.m. The subchannel also airs select local sports events, such as five professional soccer matches in 2025, broadcast over-the-air to promote regional teams. During MyNetworkTV preemptions or scheduling gaps, MyRITV simulcasts select programming from the main WPRI channel, including newscasts and public affairs shows, to maintain continuity for viewers. As the dedicated outlet in a market with approximately 662,810 television households, MyRITV plays a vital role in delivering accessible syndicated entertainment, local lifestyle content, and community-focused programming to households across and , complementing the primary affiliation on WPRI-DT1.

Additional multicast channels

In addition to its primary and affiliations on channels 12.1 and 12.2, WPRI-TV operates two further digital subchannels providing syndicated programming to Providence-area viewers. These channels leverage the station's digital broadcast capacity to offer niche content, both transmitted in standard definition at resolution. Channel 12.3 carries the , a 24/7 service dedicated to crime and investigation documentaries, including series that explore and forensic analysis. This affiliation provides viewers with educational and dramatic content focused on real-life criminal justice themes. The subchannel operates in format, ensuring compatibility with standard-definition receivers. Prior to True Crime Network, 12.3 carried GetTV until October 2017, then beginning in 2017 until its replacement. Channel 12.4 features Defy TV, which airs action-oriented reality programming such as auction shows, restoration series, and documentaries. Launched on this subchannel in early 2025 following a transition from a prior lifestyle network, Defy TV emphasizes high-stakes, male-skewing entertainment to complement WPRI's broader lineup. Like 12.3, it broadcasts in standard definition. The subchannel launched with GetTV in October 2017, later carrying before the 2025 change. The development of these additional subchannels stems from WPRI-TV's full transition to digital full-power broadcasting on June 12, 2009, which unlocked capabilities and allowed for multiple simultaneous streams. Earlier iterations included trial programming like on temporary fillers in the , evolving through affiliations such as on 12.3 beginning in 2017, before settling into the current and Defy TV offerings. Both subchannels reflect Nexstar Media Group's national approach to maximizing spectrum use by partnering with syndicated networks for targeted audiences, with room for future adjustments aligned to viewer demand and industry trends.

News operation

History and development

WPRI-TV's news department originated with the station's debut as WPRO-TV on , 1955, initially featuring a brief 5-minute newscast that laid the foundation for local reporting in . By the late 1960s, the operation had expanded under the WPRO/WPRI branding to include more comprehensive local coverage, reflecting the growing demand for regional amid increasing from stations like WJAR-TV. The department further developed its public affairs focus with the launch of the long-running "Newsmakers" program on September 17, 1978, which provided in-depth discussions on local issues and politics. For decades, WPRI's news team competed closely with WJAR-TV, often placing second in overall ratings but building a loyal through consistent evening broadcasts. This dynamic shifted notably in the 2009 Nielsen sweeps, when WPRI's 11 p.m. newscast surged to an 8.3 rating—reaching approximately 51,550 households—and claimed market leadership for the first time in 16 years, while WJAR's share dropped 35% to a 6.0 rating. The momentum continued into , with WPRI maintaining strong performance across key time slots, including a 6.4 rating for its primary evening news in the November sweeps. Key expansions bolstered the department's reach, including the introduction of a 5 p.m. newscast in September 1993, which became the first of its kind in the Providence market and filled a gap in early evening programming. On September 20, 2011, WPRI upgraded to high-definition production, unveiling a new studio set and during the 5 p.m. broadcast to enhance visual and viewer . Concurrently, the 1997 local marketing agreement with WNAC-TV enabled joint operations, allowing WPRI to produce a 10 p.m. newscast for the Fox affiliate starting in —the market's inaugural prime-time news program—which integrated resources and expanded coverage across both stations. Under LIN TV ownership from 2000 to 2014, the newsroom emphasized investigative reporting by launching the Target 12 unit, which rebranded local programming as and focused on in-depth exposés of political scandals, criminal cases, and community issues. This commitment carried into the era beginning in 2014, where Target 12 continued to drive impactful journalism, earning multiple accolades such as regional Awards for investigative reporting in 2023, 2024, and 2025, including honors for series on the housing crisis and unregulated cannabis products. These achievements underscored the department's evolution into a leader in accountability journalism, with over seven decades of service to the and southeastern Massachusetts audience.

Current newscasts and programming

WPRI-TV's news operation, branded as 12 News Now since August 31, 2020, produces a comprehensive lineup of local newscasts focused on and communities. Weekday programming includes morning shows from 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m., a noon newscast, extended evening coverage from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the flagship 11 p.m. broadcast on the main CBS-affiliated channel. The station extends its reach through a with WNAC-TV, airing a 10 p.m. newscast on that affiliate's main channel, which emphasizes and investigative reports tailored to the region. Weekend editions feature morning newscasts, such as Saturday programming from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on WPRI (expanded November 10, 2025), and 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on WNAC, alongside weather-focused segments under the Pinpoint Weather 12 banner that provide detailed tracking and forecasts. Public affairs programming includes the weekly Newsmakers series, which airs Sundays and features in-depth interviews with politicians and newsmakers from southern . These efforts are complemented by digital extensions, including live streams of all newscasts on WPRI.com and the WPRI 12+ app, enabling on-demand access to local coverage. Following the 2020 rebrand, 12 News Now has solidified its position as a leading source for local , earning recognition as the favorite station in Rhode Island's 2025 Voices of the Valley contest due to its commitment to community-focused reporting.

Notable on-air staff

WPRI-TV's on-air staff has played a pivotal role in establishing the station's reputation for trusted local journalism in , with several long-serving personalities becoming household names over decades. One of the most enduring figures was Walter Cryan, who joined WPRI in 1967 as news director and anchor, later serving as lead anchor for over 30 years until his retirement in the early 2000s. Cryan's tenure spanned significant eras, including the station's transition to affiliation, and he was inducted into the Rhode Island Radio & TV Hall of Fame in 2019 for his contributions to broadcast news. Another cornerstone of WPRI's newsroom was Karen Adams, who anchored the 5, 6, and 11 p.m. newscasts from 1989 until her retirement in 2010 after 21 years with the station. Adams, a Rhode Island Radio & TV Hall of Famer, was known for her eyewitness reporting on major local events and community-focused stories, earning her widespread recognition as a steady voice in Providence television news. In recent years, the station's weather team, branded as Storm Team 12 or Pinpoint Weather, has featured veteran chief Tony Petrarca, who has been with WPRI since March 1987, providing over 37 years of forecasting experience for storms and daily updates. Petrarca's long-term presence has helped build viewer trust in severe weather coverage, complemented by newer additions like Catie McNeil, who joined as a in June 2023. Sports coverage at WPRI has been led by figures such as Patrick Little, who started as weekend sports anchor in 1998 and became sports director in 2000, contributing to in-depth reporting on local teams like the and . Currently, Sam Knox serves as sports director, having joined in 2022 and rising to lead the 12 Sports team, focusing on regional athletics and community sports initiatives; Aniekan Okon joined as weekend sports anchor in October 2025. The investigative unit, Target 12, highlights reporters like Tim White and Ted Nesi, whose work has uncovered corruption and policy issues, enhancing WPRI's impact on public accountability since the team's formation. Notable departures include meteorologist Michelle Muscatello, who left in 2023 after several years to become of Communications at , reflecting the station's role in launching careers in media and beyond. Post-2020, WPRI's on-air team has emphasized diversity, with prominent women anchors like Shannon Hegy, who co-anchors evening newscasts and has roots in but strong ties, alongside reporters such as Shiina LoSciuto and Kayla Fish, contributing to a more inclusive representation of the state's communities. This shift has supported broader community engagement through stories on social issues and local events.

Technical information

Subchannels and formats

WPRI-TV broadcasts its main programming and subchannels using virtual channel 12, mapped across its physical RF channel 7 following the post-repack transition, in compliance with FCC guidelines for digital television service. The station's primary subchannel, 12.1, carries the CBS network affiliation in 1080i high definition using ATSC 1.0 standards, featuring the main WPRI feed with local commercial insertions and programming tailored for the Providence market. Subchannel 12.2 airs content under the MyRITV branding in HD, providing syndicated programming, movies, and local lifestyle shows over the air. WPRI's 12.3 subchannel features the in 480i standard definition, focusing on true crime documentaries and series. The fourth subchannel, 12.4, broadcasts Defy TV in 480i SD, offering action and adventure programming including sci-fi and westerns. As of 2025, WPRI-TV maintains potential for (NextGen TV) implementation, aligned with Nexstar Media Group's broader rollout strategy in select markets, though no active deployment has been announced for Providence.
SubchannelResolutionFormatAffiliation/NetworkContent Notes
12.1ATSC 1.0 HDPrimary feed with local insertions
12.2ATSC 1.0 HD (MyRITV)Syndicated entertainment
12.3ATSC 1.0 SDCrime documentaries
12.4ATSC 1.0 SDDefy TVAction/adventure series

Analog-to-digital conversion

WPRI-TV launched its full-power on VHF channel 13 in 2002, initiating the station's transition to in compliance with the Federal Communications Commission's phased rollout for television stations. The operated alongside the analog broadcast on VHF channel 12, allowing viewers gradual access to digital programming while the FCC mandated full-power stations to begin digital operations by May 2002, though many, including WPRI-TV, met this through subsequent certifications. The station discontinued regular analog programming on February 17, 2009, aligning with the original national DTV transition deadline and preceding the delayed full cutoff on , 2009. Following the analog sign-off, WPRI-TV retained its as 12 using PSIP mapping, ensuring continuity for digital tuners in the Providence-New Bedford market. Initial digital broadcasts were in 480i standard definition format, with upgrades to high-definition programming occurring progressively; local newscasts, for example, transitioned to HD in September 2011, fulfilling FCC requirements for digital service in the region. To aid viewer migration during the 2008–2009 transition period, WPRI-TV participated in coordinated efforts by broadcasters, including operating call centers that fielded hundreds of inquiries on converter boxes, antennas, and channel rescans, alongside announcements promoting digital readiness. The station's website also offered guidance on obtaining boxes and adjusting equipment, helping the approximately 7% of over-the-air households in the market adapt to the new signal.

Facilities and transmitter

WPRI-TV's studios are located at 25 Catamore Boulevard in , a facility shared with WNAC-TV under a managed by . This setup has enabled integrated operations for news production and broadcasting since WNAC-TV relocated its operations to the site in 1997. The station's transmitter is situated on Homestead Avenue in , at coordinates 41°52′36″N 71°16′55″W. It operates with an (ERP) of 27 kW on VHF channel 7, utilizing a mounted at a height of 310 meters (1,019 ft) above average terrain (HAAT). This configuration provides coverage across , southeastern Massachusetts, and portions of , serving an estimated population of over 7.2 million within its 62.5-mile signal contour. Following Nexstar's 2017 acquisition of the station's parent company, upgrades to the transmitter infrastructure enhanced high-definition broadcasting and digital signal stability, including a new 80-foot auxiliary tower and antenna modifications installed in 2019 to comply with the FCC's broadcast repack. These improvements ensured reliable over-the-air transmission amid the transition to more efficient use.

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