GREENSBORO, N.C. — WFMY News 2 is celebrating a big birthday in 2024, and we want you to be a part of it.
August 18, 2024 will mark 75 years of WFMY. So much has changed in those 75 years! The way we deliver news now isn't just on your TV screen, it's right at your fingertips from your smartphone. We even have our own streaming channel, WFMY+, so you can watch us on your schedule.
Here are some of the many ways we'll be celebrating 75 years of WFMY News 2.
Vault Visits
The birthday celebration will begin as early as the new year! Starting January 1 and every day after, we'll share a 'Vault Visit,' where we show you what we aired on or around that date in history. We're working hard to dig into our film and tapes from decades ago! You'll see our coverage of national and local events, as we glimpse into the past.
Community Diamonds
WFMY News 2 wouldn't be what it is without the outstanding community around it. Since 75 is a 'diamond' year, we're going to celebrate the 'Community Diamonds' of the Piedmont Triad. You'll see stories on our air and online that feature folks making a difference and changing lives in our community. If you know someone who is making your community shine, nominate them to be a Community Diamond by clicking here.
Who's Turning 75?
If you've tuned into the Good Morning Show lately, you've probably seen the 'Who's Turning 2?' segments that feature Triad toddlers celebrating their second birthdays. 'Who's Turning 75?' will be similar, but of course, there's a 73-year difference in the birthday boys and girls that will be featured! Folks turning 75 will be featured once a week on the Four 2 Five. We'll share more details soon on how you can submit information to be featured in 'Who's Turning 75?'
As we embark on a new milestone birthday, let's take a look back at how WFMY came to be.
WFMY History Timeline
November 21, 1946 – The FCC grants the Greensboro News Company permission to operate a commercial FM radio station in Greensboro.
February 1948 – The Greensboro News Company files an FCC application to operate a TV station in Greensboro.
March 14, 1948 – The Greensboro News Company begins regular FM radio broadcasting on WFMY-FM.
June 2, 1948 – The Greensboro News Company is granted a construction permit from the FCC to build a television station with the call letters WFMY-TV, operating on channel 2.
April 10, 1949 – P.T. Hines announces the FCC permit has been granted.
June 17, 1949 – WFMY-TV signs a contract with CBS-TV.
August 18, 1949 (WFMY's Birthday!) – WFMY-TV originates the first live telecast in the Piedmont Triad, a newscast. It was also one of the first to do so in the Carolinas. The newscast lasted for four minutes and 25 seconds.
August 30, 1949 – WFMY-TV successfully completes the first FM-TV simulcast in the Carolinas.
September 22, 1949 - WFMY-TV signs on the air as the 76th commercial station in the country - running regular programs from 7 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.
September 30, 1950 - WFMY-TV hooks up to the coaxial cable, which enabled it to broadcast live network programs. The first program is the UNC–Notre Dame football game.
February 1951 - WFMY-TV airs the first locally produced children’s program in the state. The show is called “Six Gun Playhouse” but would later be called “The Old Rebel Show.”
December 1953 - WFMY-FM (the radio station) stops operation.
January 1, 1955 - WFMY-TV moves into its facility in Northeast Greensboro.
March 1956 - WFMY-TV transmits its first local color program.
December 16, 1957 – Lee Kinard’s The Good Morning Show premieres. It was the first local morning show to launch in the country.
October 3, 1960 - WFMY-TV airs its first broadcast of “The Andy Griffith Show.”
February 1967 – WFMY-TV carries its first studio color program.
April 1972 - Sandra Hughes starts working at WFMY as a reporter.
July 1973 - WFMY-TV introduces the first weather radar in the market.
January 1980 - WFMY-TV introduces SKY2 Helicopter news coverage.
September 1980 - WFMY-TV increases programming to 24 hours a day.
September 25, 1984 - SKY2 crashes, killing pilot Tom Haroski.
February 1989 - WFMY introduces the market’s first Doppler weather radar.
November 2, 1992 - WFMY-TV launches its Food 2 Families program.
August 1993 - WFMY-TV introduces a 5 p.m. newscast.
July 20, 1996 - WFMY launches its Tools For School program.
April 18, 2003 - WFMY-TV broadcasts its first program in HDTV.
December 2019 - WFMY-TV launches the Four 2 Five newscast.
August 2022 - WFMY+ becomes available on Roku and Fire TV, allowing viewers to watch our programming on their schedules.
September 2022 - WFMY-TV launches the Good Morning Show at 9 a.m.
