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WVIT
New Britain/Hartford / New Haven, Connecticut
Branding	NBC 30
Slogan	Connecticut's News Leader
Channels	Analog: 30 (UHF) Digital: 35 (UHF)
Affiliations	NBC NBC Weather Plus (DT2)
Owner	NBC Universal
Founded	February 13, 1953
Call letters meaning	W Viacom International Television (former owner)
Former callsigns	WKNB-TV (1953-1957) WNBC-TV (1957-1960) WHNB-TV (1960-1978)
Transmitter Power	3090 kW (analog) 250 kW (digital)
Height	451 m (analog) 434 m (digital)
Facility ID	74170
Transmitter Coordinates	41°42′3″N, 72°49′55.1″W
Website	www.nbc30.com

WVIT, channel 30, is the NBC owned-and-operated station for the state of Connecticut. It is licensed to New Britain, with studios in West Hartford and transmitter in Farmington.

Contents 1 History 2 Trivia 3 On-Air Staff 3.1 News Anchors 3.2 Weather 3.3 Traffic 3.4 Sports 3.5 Reporters 4 Former News staffers 5 Administration 6 External links

WVIT signed-on for the first time on February 15, 1953 as WKNB-TV, a sister station to WKNB radio (840 kHz., now WRYM). The calls stood for Kensington-New Britain. It is Connecticut's second-oldest television station, and the first on the UHF band. It is the only Hartford station to never change its primary affiliation.

In 1954, only a year after channel 30 signed on, Hartford and New Haven were collapsed into a single television market. However, WKNB's signal was not strong enough to cover southern Connecticut at the time--a problem that would hamper channel 30 for almost a quarter-century.

NBC itself purchased the station in 1957 and renamed it WNBC-TV (for New Britain, Connecticut). It planned to boost the station's signal to cover all of the market, but these plans never materialized. In its first stint as an NBC-owned station, channel 30 failed to gain much headway in the ratings, largely because television manufacturers were not required to include UHF tuning capability until 1964. Viewers had to buy an expensive converter to watch WNBC-TV, and even with one the picture was barely viewable. Nonetheless, NBC bought channel 30 as part of an experiment to determine whether UHF could be competitive with VHF.

In September 1957, the Travelers Insurance Company signed on independent WTIC-TV (channel 3, now WFSB), Hartford's first and only VHF station. Within a year after its debut WTIC became Hartford-New Haven's CBS affiliate, replacing its owned-and-operated station, WHCT-TV (channel 18, now WUVN). NBC then realized its UHF experiment would end up as a lost cause and sold WNBC-TV to Transcontinental Properties in 1959. In 1960, the calls changed again -- this time to WHNB-TV (for Hartford-New Britain); NBC reclaimed the previous calls for its flagship radio and television combination in New York City.

In 1966 WHNB became, once again, one of two NBC affiliates in Connecticut: the network signed with WATR-TV (channel 20) in Waterbury in order to get its programming into New Haven. Channel 30 itself made up for the shortfall in its market coverage by operating two low-power translators (starting in 1971) in Torrington on channel 79 [1], and later in the 1980s, on channel 59 in New Haven.

WHNB was sold to Viacom in 1978, and changed its call letters to WVIT (for "Viacom International Television") to reflect its new ownership. Viacom immediately announced plans to boost WVIT's signal, and in 1980 channel 30 signed on with a clear signal to New Haven for the first time. Viacom also beefed up WVIT's news operation, which had long been an also-ran behind WFSB and ABC affiliate WTNH-TV (channel 8) due to its weak signal in New Haven. After the signal boost, however, it became a factor in the ratings for the first time. WVIT became the market's exclusive provider of NBC programming in March 1982, when WATR-TV's affiliation contract with NBC ended and the station became independent WTXX. The Torrington translator was turned off in 1987, and the New Haven repeater was shut down in the middle 1990s to allow full-powered WTVU (now WCTX) to begin operations.

Viacom purchased Paramount Pictures in 1994. Within the next year, following the launch of the United Paramount Network venture it co-owned with Chris-Craft Industries, Paramount/Viacom began to sell off its non-UPN affiliated stations. WVIT, which was Viacom's first station purchase in 1978, ended up being the last non-UPN outlet sold in 1997. As part of a three-way deal, which closed in September of that year, WVIT was sold to former owner NBC, while Paramount/Viacom ended up with WLWC in Providence, Rhode Island and WWHO in Columbus, Ohio, two stations owned by Fant Broadcasting which NBC operated by way of local marketing agreements. With NBC's second acquisition of the station came a greater investment into and expansion of the news department, and by the start of the new millennium WVIT was regularly trading the number-two position in the market with WTNH.

In August of 2007, the station finalized plans to begin the construction of a new studio facility to replace its current facility. The new building will be erected in the lot that is now the parking lot for the station. Ground breaking is expected to be in October of 2007. Currently, the plan is that the new studios will be finished in late 2008.

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

• WVIT is one of NBC Universal's 10 owned-and-operated television stations, and (because of its location on channel 30) is one of two that are on the UHF dial, along with KNSD/39 in San Diego, California. A third UHF O&O station, WNCN/17 in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, was recently sold to Media General.
• WVIT is the only Connecticut TV station to have been owned by two major media conglomerates: Viacom and NBC Universal.
• Unlike most NBC affiliates, WVIT does not air a weekday noon newscast, but it does air an 11 AM edition of its morning newscast.
• After 25 years of anchoring on WVIT, Joanne Nesti retired from WVIT and broadcast television on December 15, 2006.
• After returning to the network in 2004, Logan Byrnes left in December 2006 to work as a reporter for Inside Edition
• Well known CT newswomen, 5pm co-anchor Janet Peckinpaugh retired from WVIT and broadcast television on December 22, 2006.
• With the Today Show expanded to 4 hours. The news at 10am with Brad Drazen, Keisha Grant, and Bob Maxon moved back one hour to 11am. *WVIT was the only NBC affiliate (and one of seven non-CBS affiliates) to use Frank Gari's The CBS Enforcer Music Collection, according to news music website SouthernMedia.

• Brad Drazen - NBC 30 5-7am, Today Show cut-ins & 11am
• Keisha Grant - NBC 30 5-7am, Today Show cut-ins & 11am
• Gerry Brooks - NBC 30 @ 5, 6, and 11 p.m.
• Lisa Carberg - NBC 30 @ 5, 6, and 11 p.m.
• Lauren Petty - NBC 30 Weekend 6 & 11pm
• Anjuli Porter - NBC 30 Weekend 6 & 9am (Sat) and 7 & 9am (Sun)
• Yvonne Nava- fill in

• Brad Field - Chief Meteorologist - NBC 30 @ 5, 6, and 11 p.m.
• Bob Maxon - NBC 30 5-7am, Today Show cut-ins & 11am
• Ryan Hanrahan - NBC 30 Weekend

• Mark The Shark, Traffic reporter - NBC 30 5-7am and Today Show cut-ins

• Kevin Nathan - Sports Director - NBC 30 @ 5, 6, and 11 p.m.
• Joe D'Ambrosio - Fill-in
• Mike Ratte- weekends and fill-in

• Monica Buchanan
• Debra Bogstie - Investigative Reporter
• Susan Goodman- morning live-shot reporter
• Doug Greene- weekday reporter
• Ryan Hanrahan - Weekend weather/Weekday reporter
• Tom Lewis- morning live-shot reporter
• Marla Matthews
• Tom Monahan - Chief Political Correspondent
• Amy Parmenter
• Anjuli Porter - Anchor/Reporter
• Andrew Pergam - Anchor/New Haven Bureau Reporter
• Lauren Petty - Anchor/Reporter
• Sean Phillips
• Amanda Raus

• Garett Argianas, meteorologist, now chief meteorologist at WTIC-TV Fox 61 Hartford.
• Charlie Bagley, meteorologist, to Travelers Weather Service, retired.
• Ann Baldwin, anchor/reporter, now media consultant.
• Barry Barents, anchorman 1961-65,
• Chris Berman, weekend sports 1979, now at ESPN for over 25 years.
• Don Blair, 60's reporter/weather/host, to NBC Radio Net NY as news anchor, retired in FL.
• Mike Boguslawski, consumer advocate, short-term 'sweeps' addition. Now doing commercials for funeral home chain in MA.
• Lew Brown, long-time reporter, retired 2005.
• Ricardo Brown, reporter, assignment editor, 1975-1981, went to Sin, Univision, Telemundo, News Director-Cbs-Telenoticias. Now hosts nightly show for WGENT, Miami,Florida.
• Logan Byrnes, anchor/reporter, went to Inside Edition as reporter
• Colin Campbell, reporter, now at KWGN Denver.
• Andrew Capasso, assignment editor, to reporter at KTVM in Butte, MT. Now Reporter at WTAJ.
• Lynn Carson, reporter, to WTAE Pittsburgh, now reporter at WFLA Tampa.
• Tom Condon, commentator, columnist with the Hartford Courant.
• Paul Cousins, former meteorologist, director AtmosForecast Portland, ME.
• Brian Dow, reporter '76-78, radio news with WDRC, WTIC1080, deceased in 2002.
• Stefanie Cruz, former AM co-anchor/reporter, to AM co-anchor KOVR/KMAX Sacramento.
• Anthony Everett, anchor/reporter, now co-anchor Chronicle WCVB Boston.
• Chris Flanagan, sports producer/reporter, to sports anchor KNTV S.F., now evening co-anchor WOI Des Moines, IA.
• Dennis FitzSimons, sales director '80-82, to WGN Chicago, now VP Tribune Company.
• Liz Grey, News Director 2000-2003,
• Van Hackett, anchor, retired 2006 as news director WHSV Charlottesville, VA.
• Bill Hansen, early 70's news anchor, WTIC & WKYU radio, deceased.
• Bill Hennessey, announcer, news/weekend weather, WDRC, WTIC radio, CT Lottery, now freelancer.
• Karen Hepp, reporter, to WCAU Philly, WNBC NY, now weekend co-anchor WNYW NY.
• Mark Hoffman, former VP/General Manager, now President of CNBC.
• Lou Holder, sports anchor/reporter (2000-2002, now weekend sports anchor at WTTG in Washington, D.C.)
• Cavell Jobert Nappi, weathergirl 1953-1967, actress, deceased 2007 at 81.
• Ross Joel, anchor/reporter, now Founder/Partner/Exec VP Sales&Marketing slp3D Inc. healthcare internet broadband company West Hartford slp3D.com.
• Hilton Kaderli, former (sweeps) features reporter, retired, 'Gutter Helmet' pitchman.
• Arnold Klinsky, former news director, now GM WHEC Rochester.
• Brian Kilmeade, freelance sports, to News 12 LI, WLIG, hosts FNC's 'Fox and Friends' and 'Brian and the Judge' Fox Radio Network.
• Kathryn Kirby, reporter/anchor, now runs lifestyle internet site.
• Amy Ripke Knorr, former producer/asst. news director 2000-2003,
• Kal Kolby, anchorman 1965-67.
• Polly Kreisman, reporter, went to WWOR, WPIX, WNBC NY. now producer ABC's 20/20 NY.
• Mia Lee, reporter, to KMAX, KUSI, now morning/noon coanchor KCAL Los Angeles.
• Kevin Lemanowicz, meteorologist, now chief meteorologist at Fox25 Boston.
• Rob Marciano, meteorologist, to KPLC, KATU Portland, now meteorologist at CNN.
• Dr. David Marks, medical reporter, to MSNBC, FNC, now medical author and contributor WCBS NY.
• Bob Mayer, co-anchor, now anchor WTVJ Miami.
• Duby McDowell, political reporter/anchor, now consultant.
• Mildred McNeill, former prodecer & News Director, retired
• Toby Moffett, co-anchor, ex-politician as 'Anchor' experiment, now lobbyist.
• Natalie Morales, am co-anchor/reporter, to MSNBC, now NBC 'Today' show co-host and national correspondent.
• Rob Morrison, am co-anchor/reporter, now am co-anchor at WNBC NY.
• Joanne Nesti, 25-year co-anchor, retired 2006.
• Janet Peckingpaugh, coanchor, retired 2007.
• Carolyn Pennington, reporter, now director community & media relations UConn Health Center.
• Mearl Purvis, anchor, anchor WHBQ Memphis.
• Mindi Ramsey, anchor/reporter, now morning anchor WNEP Wilkes Barre/Scranton PA
• Beasley Reece, sports anchor, to WTOG Tampa, now sports director KYW Philly.
• Jay Richard, 70's weekend weatherguy, 'Bedding Barn' guy.
• Megan Vega Rodney, reporter, now reporter/anchor WWOR NY.
• Bob Roseman, meteorologist, to Denver, now WXLV Winston-Salem, NC.
• Brandon Rudat, reporter, now weekend evening anchor/reporter at WHDH
• Samantha Ryan, sports anchor, to WNBC NY, ESPN, now weekend sports WCBS NY.
• John Sablon, long-time reporter, retired 2005.
• R.D. Sahl, co-anchor, left for WHDH Boston, now anchor at NECN.
• Lisa Salvati, former reporter, now in New Jersey with News 12.
• Steve Savard, former sports anchor/reporter, now sports director KMOV St. Louis.
• Steve Schwaid, News Director '93-97, to WCAU, to KNTV, now Senior VP News & Programming NBC Universal Stations NY.
• Brian Shactman, anchor, now business reporter at CNBC.
• Derek Slap, reporter/anchor, now communications/press aide to Sec. of the State.
• Phil Steele, fill-in sports anchor, wrote the book 'The Word of the Day' with his father Bob Steele, In 2002 ran for Congress in CT's 1st District, losing to John Larson.
• Grant Stinchfield, investigative reporter, now at KXAS Dallas.
• Erika Tarantal - Anchor/Reporter, now reporter at WNBC New York
• Tony Terzi, sports reporter/anchor, to WTIC, now morning host WEZN Star99.9 Bridgeport.
• Jim Vicevich, business reporter, now radio talk host WTIC AM1080.
• Scott Wahle, sports director, left Wash. D.C. to WDIV Detroit, now am co-anchor WBZ Boston.
• Lloyd Wimbish, reporter, now media liaison CT State Senate Hartford.
• Chris Wragge, weekend sports, left for Entertainment Tonight, to sports director KPRC Houston, to sports anchor WCBS NY, to noon/5pm anchor WCBS NY, now 5pm/11pm anchor WCBS NY.
• Bob Wilson, reporter, now with WTNH,

• David Doebler, President and General Manager
• Michael St. Peter, Vice President of News
• Pat DeRico, Vice President of Sales
• Lowell Briggs, Director of Creative Services
• Tom Sequin, Director of Finance
• Keith R. Barbaria, Director of Engineering and Technology
• Philip Speliopolis, Production Manager
• Ronni Attenello, Director of Programming
• Mary Anderson, Manager of Human Resources
• Emma Asante, Community Projects Manager

• Official website
• WVIT Wireless
• WVIT Tower
• UHF Morgue: W79AI, former WVIT translator
• Query the FCC's TV station database for WVIT

v • d • e Broadcast television in the Hartford / New Haven market  (Nielsen DMA #29)
WFSB 3 (CBS) (WSHM-LP on DT2) -  WTNH 8 (ABC)  -  WRDM 13 (TEL / RAI)  -  W17CD 17 (Ind)1  -  WUVN 18 (UNI)  -  WTXX 20 (The CW)  -  WEDH 24 / WEDN 53 / WEDY 65 (PBS / CPTV)  -  WHPX 26 (ION)  -  WVIT 30 (NBC) (WX+ on DT2) -  WHCT 38 (AZA) -  WSAH 43 (Gems TV)1  -  WUTH 47 (TFU) - WNHX 51 (Ind)  -  WCTX 59 (MNTV)  -  WTIC 61 (FOX)   1These two channels, located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, are technically part of the New York City DMA. Cable television channels CN8 - NESN - CSN New England - YES - NECN - Citizens TV (Hamden) - UCTV
See also Broadcast television in the Springfield, Providence and New York City markets

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NBC O&Os	KNBC • KNSD3 • KNTV • KXAS3 • WCAU • WMAQ • WNBC • WRC • WTVJ • WVIT
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Other Assets:	qubo6 • EMKA, Ltd.
50%, with Viacom's Paramount Pictures. Co-owned with Microsoft in a joint venture (82% owned by NBC, 18% owned by Microsoft). The stations are co-owned with LIN TV in a joint venture (76% owned by NBC, 24% owned by LIN). KNSD also includes a repeater used for rebroadcast of Entravision's KBNT-CA. Owned by Commercial Broadcasting Corp., and operated by the NBC / LIN joint venture (see note 3) A joint venture between NBC Universal and its broadcast affiliates. Co-owned with Corus Entertainment, Classic Media, Scholastic Books and ION Media Networks The station is owned by NBC Universal, but is controlled by ZGS Broadcast Holdings.