October Event Showcases Elite Women’s Baseball at Durham Bulls Athletic Park The Durham Bulls, in conjunction with the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) and American Girls Baseball (AGB), announce the All-American Women’s Baseball Classic to be held at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on October 11-13, 2024. The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was a […]

American Underground, Capitol Broadcasting’s co-working community division, hosted multiple events in Juen to celebrate and offer opportunities to learn and honor both Pride Month and the Juneteenth holiday.  AU Marketing & Events Manager Courtney High coordinated. Both events were free and open to the public, as are many of the offerings hosted by AU. “True […]

Durham Magazine’s 2024 Best of Durham list is out, and American Tobacco is celebrating multiple list makers! Check out this impressive list of ATC winners: ATC is hyped about the accolades for their fantastic tenants and partners.  “All the fuss, and we’re all about it!” Congrats to these great ATC winners!  Come see what all […]

Studio to Offer Infrared Heated Classes and Yoga for Kids in a Larger, Community-Focused Space Yoga Off East is thrilled to announce its expansion and relocation from 9th Street to the American Tobacco Campus this fall. The move marks a significant milestone as the studio grows and enriches its offerings for the Durham yoga community. […]

Tee up a fun golf at American Tobacco.  State of Golf, Downtown Durham’s premier golf & sports simulator lounge opened on June 11, 2024.   Get inspired by US Open play in Pinehurst and come give it a swing. CHECK IT OUT:  Discover Durham Reel at State of Golf Unwind after work or host a unique […]

Capitol Broadcasting gave away 5,000 azaleas to North Carolina nonprofits through the 37th annual WRAL Azalea Celebration.  Distribution took place at the WRAL-TV Tower site in Auburn, NC, on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Corp Estate Gardner Ken Sandy helped hand out the plants to the 60 nonprofits, schools and churches who were selected to receive […]

Nonprofits across North Carolina descended on the WRAL-TV Transmitter site in Auburn, NC, on Saturday, September 25, 2021, to pick up the plants awarded them in the 35th Annual WRAL Azalea Celebration.  The celebration returned after being cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Sponsored by WRAL-TV, MIX 101.5 WRAL-FM, FOX 50, WRAL.com and NC […]

The 34th Annual WRAL Azalea Celebration came to a conclusion on Saturday, October 5, 2019, with winning groups picking up their plants from the WRAL Transmitter site in Auburn, NC.  Capitol Broadcasting distributed 4,820 azaleas to 114 nonprofit groups from across North Carolina on Saturday, October 5, 2019. The winners included a mix of public […]

The 32nd Annual WRAL Azalea Celebration culminated with the distribution of plants to the winning non-profits on Saturday, September 30, 2017.  CBC Property Management staffers worked with volunteers at the WRAL Transmitter site in Auburn, NC, as the winners came to pick up their azaleas. Corp Assistant Property Manager Amy Trudo reported that the day […]

The first WRAL-TV news studio in the late 1950s. The studio was located at the transmitter facility in Auburn, NC. Pictured is Promotion Department staffer Herb Marks, who also portrayed Capn 5 on the air.

WRAL-TV’s LiveStar 5 and other HDTV production equipment at the technical compound in Beaufort. WRAL built a special tower to receive HDTV transmissions from cameras on ships and on land.

Legendary UCLA basketball coach Wooden being interviewed by Reverend Morriss at the 1973 Campbell basketball camp. Morriss was a well-known host of religious programs on WRAL-TV.

WRAL-TV’s ku-band satellite truck outside the NASA Vehicle Assembly Building at Cape Canaveral, FL. LiveStar was on location to uplink HDTV coverage of the historic return to space by astronaut John Glenn.

For decades, a North Carolina company dumped massive amounts of toxic chemicals into the Cape Fear River. These “forever chemicals” contaminated the river, air and groundwater surrounding the plant. The new WRAL Documentary, “Forever Chemicals: North Carolina’s Toxic Tap Water,” debuts Wednesday, Aug. 23, at 7:30 p.m. on WRAL. The level of contamination to hundreds […]

SKY 5 and pilot Mike Allen was called to search for three people last seen in canoes on the Cape Fear River.

Jim Goodmon discusses his ownership interest in the Carolina Hurricanes

The North Carolina Symphony presents “Pops in the Park” concert.
WRAL News anchor Bill Leslie explains the relationship between the station and the symphony. WRAL began broadcasting “Pops in the Park” LIVE in 1984. This 2006 presentation of Pops in the Park features NC Symphony resident conductor William Henry Curry and Assistant conductor Joan Landry. The venue was the Koka Booth Amphitheatre located in Cary, North Carolina. The concert aired on WRAL-TV and UNC-TV.

ESPN anchor and former WRAL-TV news reporter doing interview at Prestonwood County Club.

Capitol Broadcasting recently became the inaugural company honored with induction into the North Carolina Media and Journalism Hall of Fame. The induction took place at a gala at the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill on Friday, April 19, 2024.  A number of WRAL-TV and Capitol Broadcasting staffers and retirees were on hand to represent the […]

Corp HR Recruiter/Generalist Na’Tasia Robinson & Corp Talent Acquisition Specialist Lori Grant got a chance to talk about CBC Job opportunities and culture at American Underground’s College Career Fair on Tuesday, September 19, 2023.  A good number of students from UNC Chapel Hill and Duke attended the event, along with some from Wake Forest and […]

WRAL-TV Assistant News Director Aysu Basaran is known for her positive mentorship of others, and she recently proved that again by agreeing to share her experience and expertise on two different platforms. Helping Celebrate the First AmendmentOn Wednesday, September 21, 2022, Basaran participated in First Amendment Day at UNC Chapel Hill.  She sat on the […]

For five days in the middle of March, Capitol Broadcasting welcomed 12 top journalism students from universities around the country into the WRAL newsroom for a hands-on learning opportunity.  The 7th annual CBC-UNC Diversity Fellowship included students from the University of Florida, UNC Chapel Hill, Georgia State, Kent State, Virginia Commonwealth, West Chester, Howard, High […]

A Photo Story HighSchoolOT.com Senior Editor Nick Stevens received the NCHSAA Media Representative of the Year at the organization’s annual meeting on Thursday, May 3, 2018, at the Dean E. Smith Center on the University of North Carolina Campus in Chapel Hill. Find out more: HighSchoolOT.com SLIDESHOW: NCHSAA hosts annual meeting, awards ceremony Capcom: Stevens […]

Former CNN anchor Bobbie Battista has passed away at the age of 67, according to a family spokeswoman. Battista passed away on Tuesday morning, March 3, 2020, after a four-year battle with cervical cancer, according to Wendy Guarisco, family spokeswoman. Battista was one of the original CNN Headline News anchors when the network launched in […]

MCC Director of Video Services Josh Clary shared an experience he had working with a U.S. Senator  in the Microspace studios with Capcom: North Carolina Senator Richard Burr was recently a guest in Microspace’s Video Services studio filming a live interview for CNN. While here, Senator Burr mentioned that he also needed (at a future date) […]

Action News 5 at 6:00 was already a juggernaut newscast in March 1982. Arbitron (ARB) showed WRAL’s half hour newscast with a 53 share, while Nielson logged in at 48. As for WTVD, ARB scored them with a 25 and Nielson with a 27.  The very popular Bobbie Battista had transitioned to CNN four months […]

“I was cable before cable was cool.” Ted Turner, May 1982. Turner, aka “Mouth of the South,” founder of Cable News Network – CNN, was tooting his horn at the National Cable Television Association convention in Las Vegas. However, a month later another 24 hour news operation would offer some competition; Satellite News Network – […]

Bobbie Battista in her early days as a CNN anchor

LiveStar I at the Daytona Beach International Speedway for coverage of Speed Weeks and the big 500 mile race.

A Triangle Crossover Collaboration At The DBAP On Sunday, August 18th The North Carolina Courage will be celebrated during the Durham Bulls home game on Sunday, August 18, against the Nashville Sound at Durham Bulls Athletic Park (DBAP). First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. ET against the Nashville Sounds with the Courage intertwined throughout. […]

October Event Showcases Elite Women’s Baseball at Durham Bulls Athletic Park The Durham Bulls, in conjunction with the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) and American Girls Baseball (AGB), announce the All-American Women’s Baseball Classic to be held at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on October 11-13, 2024. The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was a […]

Duke University Athletics and Learfield’s Blue Devil Sports Properties have signed a multi-year extension with Capitol Broadcasting to continue as the long-standing radio home of Duke Athletics. WRAL News+, heard in Raleigh on 99.3-FM and in Durham on 96.5-FM, and The Buzz, available on 620-AM and 104.5-FM in Durham, represent the flagship networks for the Blue […]

Durham Magazine’s 2024 Best of Durham list is out, and American Tobacco is celebrating multiple list makers! Check out this impressive list of ATC winners: ATC is hyped about the accolades for their fantastic tenants and partners.  “All the fuss, and we’re all about it!” Congrats to these great ATC winners!  Come see what all […]

Studio to Offer Infrared Heated Classes and Yoga for Kids in a Larger, Community-Focused Space Yoga Off East is thrilled to announce its expansion and relocation from 9th Street to the American Tobacco Campus this fall. The move marks a significant milestone as the studio grows and enriches its offerings for the Durham yoga community. […]

Did you know?  Every time a Bulls player hits a homerun at the DBAP this year, Blue Cross Blue Shield NC donates $100 to the Durham branch of the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina!  Bulls outfielder Ruben Cardenas did his part to add to the total on Saturday, July 9, 2022.  His […]

Incubator brewery fledges, continues growth with expansive new taproom  HopFly Brewing Company will celebrate the grand opening of its new taproom Saturday, March 7 with a toast to their loyal fans and plenty of the brews that have made a name for the operation in Eastern North Carolina and beyond. Now in its third year […]

WRAL will employ a journalist to cover issues in eastern North Carolina WRAL, a division of Capitol Broadcasting Company in Raleigh, N.C., is proud to announce Report for America has selected the station to be a 2020-2021 host newsroom. Report for America is a national service program that places talented, emerging journalists into local news […]

18 Beers. 18 Holes. 1 Great Cause. 99.9 The Fan’s 2nd Annual Clubs and Suds Craft Beer Golf Tournament raised $3,334 for Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina.  134 players on 31 teams played in the tourney on Friday, November 1, 2019, at Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Raleigh. “It was another fantastic event for Sports Radio!” […]

Capitol Broadcasting recently culminated a year-long campaign with the presentation of the HighSchoolOT Honors’ awards event. HighSchoolOT accepted nominations each sports season in fall, winter and spring, with nearly 60,000 votes cast for the best in high school sports in central and eastern North Carolina. Finalists in each category represented 81 schools from 27 counties, […]

Durham Bulls beloved Team Ambassador Bill Law died early Tuesday morning at the age of 88. Bill, as he was affectionately known throughout the Bulls’ community, was an integral part of the organization since the early 1990s. The New England native took an active role with the team prior to its move to Durham Bulls […]

WRAL-TV anchorman Charlie Gaddy looks on as Executive Director Kevin Duffus readies equipment. The WRAL team was in England for live broadcasts to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Plymouth voyages.

The new WRAL Fayetteville bureau is four times the size of our old office, allowing more room for Fayetteville reporter Gilbert Baez and our dedicated team of journalists who cover local news in and around Cumberland County. For decades, WRAL has had a news bureau in Fayetteville, covering the news of Fort Bragg, Cumberland County […]

WRAL-TV proudly sponsored the African American Cultural Festival held in Raleigh over the Labor Day weekend.  “We had a record-breaking crowd both on Fayetteville Street and at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, and this would not have happened without your station’s continued coverage,” said John Chavis Community Center Director Grady Bussey in […]

WRAL News Tops Ratings in Raleigh-Durham Market as the Most Watched Local News The results are in for the 2019 November Nielsen ratings period, and WRAL (Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville DMA) has once again clinched its position as the Triangle’s top news station with the overall most watched newscasts in the market. WRAL News topped the […]

WRAL News Tops Ratings in Raleigh-Durham Market, #1 in All Newscasts, All Day With the final numbers in for the May 2019 Nielsen ratings period, WRAL (Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville DMA) sealed its position as the Triangle’s top news station with the most viewers all day, every day. WRAL News was the most watched local news […]

With the final numbers in for the November 2018 Nielsen ratings period, WRAL News (Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville DMA) dominated the competition with household ratings wins in every daypart, every day.  WRAL News was the most watched local news overall, with outright ratings wins at 4:30A-7A, Noon, 4PM, 5PM, 5:30PM, 6PM and 11PM.  The WRAL News […]

The WRAL News bureau in Fayetteville plays an important role in news gathering in the southeastern region of North Carolina. Reporter Gilbert Baez has been the point man for covering the news of Fort Bragg, Cumberland County, and the surrounding area. Promo produced in 1992.

WRAL-TV News Anchor Gerald Owens reports on the high rate of divorce among military marriages when one spouse is deployed away from home for a long period of time and/or multiple deployments.

WRAL-TV Anchor/ Reporter Gerald Owens did not know he would have more than deep respect from a distance for WRAL legend Charlie Gaddy when he arrived at the station in 2002.  But the pair soon found they had a special bond: Guilford College.  Gaddy graduated in 1953, and Owens attended for two years from 1978-1980.  […]

Charlie Gaddy as a Freshman at Guilford College in 1949

Young Charlie Gaddy working a summer job for CP&L

WRAL News documents the devastation created by Hurricane Fran on the coast of NC and in Wake County. September 1996.

“The Cape Light” was the 1st documentary to be produced and air in HD. WRAL-TV News Anchor/Reporter Bill Leslie meets with people living at the coast as well as historians and environmentalists about the impact that beach erosion poses to threaten the historic lighthouse. Should the lighthouse be moved inland or find another method to control beach erosion that might cause the lighthouse to fall into the sea? Bill shares his findings in the documentary.

This WRAL-TV Documentary highlights aviation in North Carolina, with special emphasis on the Wright Brothers’ first flight from Kitty Hawk on Dec. 17, 1903. Other features include construction of a 1903 Wright Flyer replica that was flown Dec. 17, 2003 during Kitty Hawk’s centennial celebration, a profile on the state’s first licensed pilot, N.C.’s military aviation history and a look at the aviation curriculum in schools. First broadcast in May 2003 and hosted by WRAL’s Bill Leslie, this WRAL special aired in conjunction with the opening weekend of Fayetteville’s Festival of Flight, an 11-day celebration featuring air shows, expos, displays, exhibits and an arts festival. It was rebroadcast in December to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ historic flight.

WRAL-TV News Anchor/Reporter Bill Leslie examines the challenge facing commercial fishermen in the midst of governmental regulations and restrictions. Leslie also looks at the feud between commercial and recreational fishing.

After working on the WRAL Documentary “New Trouble on the Neuse River,” WRAL photojournalist Richard Adkins takes WRAL-TV viewers and WRAL.com visitors for a multi-day, ground-level look at North Carolina’s important waterway. “New Trouble on the Neuse River” premieres on Thursday, April 18, 2019. In the new WRAL Documentary, 30 years after bi-partisan action saved the Neuse […]

Retired WRAL-TV Anchor Bill Leslie will be back to discuss current problems for the Neuse River, a natural resource he first reported on 30 years ago.  The WRAL Documentary “New Trouble on the Neuse River” premieres this Thursday, April 18, 2019, at 7pm on WRAL-TV. Leslie shares about the “Troubled Waters” documentary he created three […]

WRAL-TV News Anchor/Reporter Bill Leslie investigates the cause of contamination of the Neuse River and the impact on residents, industry, and tourism.

WRAL-TV News environmental reporter Bill Leslie traces the problem of river pollution from the Triangle to the coast. The Neuse River is 315 miles long and is impacted by industry that dumps wastes along its path that ends in the Pamlico Sound. This follow-up documentary to the first “Troubled Waters” won a regional Emmy award.

As the 20th anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11 approaches, WRAL-TV Reporter Amanda Lamb spoke to two WRAL Photojournalist Ed Wilson and WRAL-TV Reporter Scott Mason who vividly remember driving north to cover the aftermath in New York City and at the Pentagon and all that they saw and experienced. See video of Lamb’s story, […]

Jean Dietze, Jimmy Goodmon and Steve Hammel enjoy the moment after the official contract signing that made WRAL-TV the local NBC affiliate on January 13, 2016.

NBC Affiliate Relations President Jean Dietze signs agreement January 13, 2016 making WRAL-TV the new NBC station in the Raleigh-Durham television market.

CBC VP Jimmy Goodmon and WRAL-TV VP-GM Steve Hammel relax at 30 Rock after signing NBC affiliation agreement January 13, 2016.

CBC VP Jimmy Goodmon makes it official as he signs affiliation agreement between WRAL-TV and NBC January 13, 2016.

Tee up a fun golf at American Tobacco.  State of Golf, Downtown Durham’s premier golf & sports simulator lounge opened on June 11, 2024.   Get inspired by US Open play in Pinehurst and come give it a swing. CHECK IT OUT:  Discover Durham Reel at State of Golf Unwind after work or host a unique […]

Health Team members accepting the NC Med Society Public Service Award in 1995. L-R: Chris Mondragon, Dr. Allen Mask, Dr. Alicia Underwood, Lynn Hoggard, Mary Cates Gravley and Malinda Adams.

Live coverage of the 400th anniversary of the voyage from Plymouth, England to the shores of North Carolina. The program includes historical background reports, meeting the people of today living in Plymouth, and other points of interest.

The broadcast originated from the west pier of Plymouth harbor on the Barbicon Coast in SW England. The celebration included a parade, horse drawn carriages, Her Majesty Royal Marine marching band, and speeches from dignataries from England and North Carolina including Governor Jim Hunt.

WRAL-TV News Anchor Charlie Gaddy anchored the broadcast carried by stations throughout the state by the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters.

Aired April 27, 1984.

WRAL-TV News Anchor Charlie Gaddy explores the heritage of the Barbicon at Plymouth, England. Gaddy meets local fisherman Fred Brimacombe and his wife Joyce. They talk about the lure of the sea, daily life of a fisherman, memories of World War 2 in England, and a visit to a local pub.

Herb Marks as Cap’n Five with kids at Raleigh’s Pullen Park

Duke University Athletics and Learfield’s Blue Devil Sports Properties have signed a multi-year extension with Capitol Broadcasting to continue as the long-standing radio home of Duke Athletics. WRAL News+, heard in Raleigh on 99.3-FM and in Durham on 96.5-FM, and The Buzz, available on 620-AM and 104.5-FM in Durham, represent the flagship networks for the Blue […]

A popular – and free – summer concert series is coming back to downtown Raleigh! WRAL is proudly partnering with Downtown Raleigh Alliance for its “Live After 5” summer concert series. The best part is it’s free to attend! The event will celebrate women in music, featuring a mix of local female-led groups who will perform familiar […]

On Saturday, February 3, 2024, WRAL-TV had a very special crew covering a big event in Raleigh, the Occoneechee Boy Scout Council’s Eagle Banquet.  Members of WRAL’s Explorer Post 5 conducted interviews, shot, edited on-site and created two short 40-second packages which aired on WRAL’s Sunday morning news.  The event took place at the McKimmon […]

Several CBC personalities landed on the list of the 2024 Wake Living Readers’ Choice Awards.  Announced in the January/February issue of the publication, the list honors the best of Raleigh, Wake Forest and Knightdale in numerous categories. And the CBC honorees are: BEST LOCAL TV PERSONALITYWinner: RENEE CHOU, WRAL-TVHonorable Mention: Gerald Owens, WRAL-TV BEST RADIO […]

Mike Friedrich will take the news helm at longtime news leader WRAL-TV in Raleigh, NC beginning May 2024. News executive Mike Friedrich will take the helm at longtime news leader WRAL-TV in Raleigh, NC beginning May 2024. He will lead the WRAL News content team across all platforms, including WRAL-TV, FOX 50, WRAL News+ (WNGT) […]

View of the historic Rocky Mount Mills along the Tar River in Rocky Mount, NC. CBC plans to restore the property and create Rocky Mount Brewmill, an incubator for craft brewers.

WRAL-TV News Anchor David Crabtree and Father Tim O’Connor with Sacred Heart Cathedral in Raleigh, traveled to St. Peter’s Basilica located within Vatican City. WRAL was the first television to shoot HD video footage inside the Sistine Chapel. You will meet people from around the world visiting Rome and hear their impressions of this holy city.

Starshooter uplink truck operator Dave Waters during training at the NC Truck Driving School in Smithfield. Waters passed the eight-week course in 1984 and went on to drive the CBC 18-wheeler.

MeTV is the classic television show network running on a WILM-TV digital channel.

Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo and FCC Chairman Kevin Martin throw the symbolic switch making local TV stations the first in the country to go digital. WILM was the first CBC affiliate to make the change.

WRAL Director of Engineering Peter Sockett tests WILM-TV’s new digital transmitter before the historic DTV transition. WILM was the first CBS affiliate to make the switch on September 8, 2008

Technician works on antenna array atop WILM tower.

WRAL-TV and Capitol Broadcasting are painting the town red in our excitement for our neighbors, NC State!  WRAL is literally lighting the station red, preparing a half-hour special about the Wolfpack Men’s and Women’s Basketball Teams’ historic simultaneous run to the NCAA Final 4, and inviting the public to the WRAL Gardens, right across from […]

As prom goers and graduates continue to flock to the WRAL Gardens for photos, something else started attracting attention last week.  A Century Plant is on the verge of blooming, a rare event that happens only once in the plant’s lifetime. The plant, located in the outdoor space between the CBC Corporate/WRAL Sales Building and […]

What better way to start a day in the office that with live music outside your window?  Blake Christiana and Rick Bugel of the band Yarn came to the WRAL Gardens to celebrate the return of the Mill Music Sessions at Rocky Mount Mills this fall.  WRAL-TV Anchor/Reporter Ken Smith chatted with the duo on […]

Working in the office definitely has some unexpected and unique perks at Capitol Broadcasting.  Corp TV Production Manager Anita Normanly happened to arrive for the day in time to meet one of her favorite local musicians, Kate Rhudy!  Rhudy was in the WRAL Gardens to perform live on the WRAL Morning News on FOX 50 […]

Flowers weren’t the only thing popping up all over the WRAL Gardens this past weekend.  The gardens were apparently the place to be for prom photos.  WRAL-TV Director of News Operations, Sports & Special Projects Leesa Moore snapped this photo at the end of her workday on Friday, April 29, 2022. “In all my years […]

1. Many well-known preachers had their programs produced in the studios of WRAL and/or WRAL radio. Which person did NOT broadcast from the studios of WRAL and/or WRAL radio? A) Sister Gary B) Oral Roberts C) Billy Graham D) Jimmy Morriss 2. While in Minneapolis, Minnesota covering the 1994 NCAA Basketball Championship, which WRAL Sports […]

These are a few of the people who were part of the inaugural staff of WRAL-TV in 1956. Some worked double-duties at WRAL radio and WRAL television. See if you can place the correct name with the picture. 1. He was the first news director and anchor. A. Sam Beard B. Bill Armstrong C. Joel […]

Although he retired from WRAL-TV last fall, Clarence Williams is still sharing CBC stories from the community.  Williams recently wrote this piece to remember a WRAL Radio legend, Raymond “Dr. Jocko” Henderson and his mentor, J.D. Lewis:  The beautiful serene section located on the northeast sector of Oakwood Cemetery is being respectfully referred to as […]

“The Birth of a Station” is the title to chapter 5 of Fred Fletcher’s book, “Tempus Fugit” written in 1990. Fred, one of the sons of A.J. Fletcher – Founder of Capitol Broadcasting Company, recalls when and where it all began in 1938. Here is chapter 5, “The Birth of a Station.” The WRAL radio […]

Lewis handling an air shift in his early days with WRAL AM and FM

Sunday night, January 28, 2001 was a big night for WRAL-TV. Not only did the station broadcast both the SuperBowl XXXV in HD and the premiere of Survivor II: The Australian Outback, WRAL opened the doors on its new all-digital newsroom. The 11 o’clock newscast unveiled its state of the art, all-digital studio.

With this newscast WRAL became the world’s first news operation to gather and present high definition local news on a continuous basis. At that time, John Harris, WRAL’s Director of Special Projects, said, “The 11:00pm newscast will mark our move into the new facility, so it’s the official start of the new era.”

Everything from the furniture to the state-of-the-art set changed for WRAL in the new 24,000 square foot all-digital facility, part of a building expansion project started in 1998. The studio cameras and the field cameras were brand new, 89 pieces of Panasonic DVCPRO HD equipment in all. The Devlin Group in San Diego, who created the cutting-edge design for WRAL, featured the station’s new virtual set on their website.

At that time, WRAL-TV Vice President and General Manager Bill Peterson said, “This conversion to HD has, quite frankly, never been done before. Virtually every piece of equipment we use in putting together a newscast… has completely changed. What viewers will see, even those with standard sets, is truly one-of-a-kind news operation. They’ll see a clearer picture, more detail and a greatly enhanced newsroom designed to function at the highest possible standard.”

WRAL News continues to broadcast its award winning newscast from this space. The news set undergoes updates as the need arises.

Take a look behind the scenes when 2003 American Idol finalist, Clay Aiken, made a whirlwind trip from Hollywood to his hometown of Raleigh during the final weeks of competition of the hit FOX TV show American Idol. Clay finished as the runner-up to champion Ruben Studdard.

This video shows Clay arriving at WRAL-TV the morning of Friday, May 9 2003. He makes his way into the station greeting employees as he makes his way to the newsroom . You’ll see and hear Clay interviewed by WRAL Morning news anchors.

All the video was shot from a news photographer shooting from behind-the-scenes. Enjoy this unique look of what happens during a live newscast as Clay Aiken has fun “helping” Mike Maze present the weather report and Mark Roberts with his traffic report.

September 11, 2001 changed the way the United States went about the task of protecting the nation for harm. Terrorists, with ease, inflicted death and destruction in New York City and Washington D.C. One year later, WRAL asked the question – how safe are we?

WRAL News anchor David Crabtree and The News & Observer newspaper executive editor Melanie Sill posed the question to experts representing various roles in law enforcement and the military, plus those who hold positions in education and religion.

The program aired in September 2002.

Reeve at the sports anchor desk preparing for a broadcast. Reeve was the first WRAL-TV Sports Director and anchorman.

Sparks was a WRAL-TV locally-produced childrens program that premiered August 10, 1985. The program was produced by Peter Anlyan and featured Meredith Nicholson (foreground(, Kent FAulcon, Mark Miller, Mark Kath, Phyllis Bullock and Joshua Lozoff.

Digital repository to be powered by advanced AI technology, a game changer in the media archives industry Today, WRAL TV, the powerhouse Raleigh TV station anchoring the broadcast arm of Capitol Broadcasting Company (CBC)announced a new partnership with Eon Media to launch a highly advanced AI powered media store. The digital storefront is called WRAL […]

Ring in 2020 at Rocky Mount Mills’ HopDrop. It’s the party of the year and WRAL Mikaya Thurmond, WRAL TV anchor/reporter will be counting down the New Year with us!! Rocky Mount Mills announces that its 2nd Annual Hop Drop presented by Capital Ford Rocky Mount will take place on Tuesday, December 31. The event, which is […]

WRAL TV will be on the air until Hurricane Florence is out of our area. We are riding this out with you. Stay safe, and stay with us as we continue to bring you important information to keep you safe.

1. Which vehicle would be the best choice to cover breaking news in eastern North Carolina? a) Unmarked live van with obvious microwave unit on top. b) Action News 5 WRAL TV news van. c) “The General Lee” from The Dukes of Hazzard. d) Send SKY 5.   2. In the early days of WRAL, […]

WRAL-TV employee Tommie Bland threading a film projector, which was an everyday task until videotape replaced film at the station.

The annual lighting of the WRAL Tower on December 1 transforms the structure into an enchanting Christmas tree!

The late Scottie Stephenson, a long time CBC employee who rose to the rank of vice president, shares how CBC Founder, A.J. Fletcher, came up with the idea of adding a bit of sparkle to the holiday season.

This video is part of a conversation with Scottie that was produced in 1996.

In November, 1998 WRAL-TV5 broke ground on a multi-million dollar building expansion that now houses its state-of-the-art news department/studio and administrative offices, plus remodeled office space for other WRAL-TV departments. The construction project added 35,000 feet onto the south side of the existing studios

R.T. Dooley of Charlotte served as the general contractor for the project, and Envirotek of Raleigh was the architect. Devlin Design Group of San Diego designed the news set, and Rees Associates of Oklahoma City served as interior design contractor.

Before construction could began, WRAL had to dismantle its old 300-foot broadcast relay tower and build a new tower 150 feet northwest of the old location.

WRAL-TV’s fountain frozen in cold weather 1958

SKY5 with pilot Frank Beall on the rooftop heli-stop in 1987

SKY5 at WRAL-TV with pilot Frank Beall

Sunday night, January 28, 2001 was a big night for WRAL-TV. Not only did the station broadcast both the SuperBowl XXXV in HD and the premiere of Survivor II: The Australian Outback, WRAL opened the doors on its new all-digital newsroom. The 11 o’clock newscast unveiled its state of the art, all-digital studio.

With this newscast WRAL became the world’s first news operation to gather and present high definition local news on a continuous basis. At that time, John Harris, WRAL’s Director of Special Projects, said, “The 11:00pm newscast will mark our move into the new facility, so it’s the official start of the new era.”

Everything from the furniture to the state-of-the-art set changed for WRAL in the new 24,000 square foot all-digital facility, part of a building expansion project started in 1998. The studio cameras and the field cameras were brand new, 89 pieces of Panasonic DVCPRO HD equipment in all. The Devlin Group in San Diego, who created the cutting-edge design for WRAL, featured the station’s new virtual set on their website.

At that time, WRAL-TV Vice President and General Manager Bill Peterson said, “This conversion to HD has, quite frankly, never been done before. Virtually every piece of equipment we use in putting together a newscast… has completely changed. What viewers will see, even those with standard sets, is truly one-of-a-kind news operation. They’ll see a clearer picture, more detail and a greatly enhanced newsroom designed to function at the highest possible standard.”

WRAL News continues to broadcast its award winning newscast from this space. The news set undergoes updates as the need arises.