History
It signed-on March 11, 1973 as the first television station based in Charlottesville and second outlet (after WHSV-TV) between Richmond and Roanoke. In 1986, Waterman Broadcasting purchased the station. Until August 15, 2004, it was the only full-power commercial outlet in the Charlottesville market affiliated with a major network with outside stations being seen on cable and over-the-air. On that date, WCAV signed-on becoming the area's first CBS affiliate and first station to mount a challenge against WVIR.
The WVIR Dateline News set with former News Director/weeknight anchor Dave Cupp and meteorologist Robert Van Winkle were featured in the Dave Matthews Band video "Everyday" released in 2001. Its call letters were featured in an episode of Saturday Night Live on October 7, 2006. The station is featured in the 2007 film Evan Almighty. WVIR's broadcasts became digital-only effective at 12:30 in the afternoon on February 17, 2009.
As part of the analog nightlight service, the station was required by the FCC to leave its analog signal on-air for two months after the end of digital transition at an estimated cost to the station of $20,000 to broadcast an endless loop of instructional video on digital converter box installation. This was interrupted daily to carry local newscasts. Every year, WVIR holds an annual telethon to help raise money for University of Virginia Health System's Children's Hospital. The telethon, as part of the Children's Miracle Network, is held at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. The broadcast consists of current and former WVIR on-air staff answering phones and talking to patients at the hospital.
In addition to WVIR, Comcast systems offer WWBT from Richmond on digital channel 194. It is sister station to fellow NBC affiliate WBBH-TV (company flagship) and ABC affiliate WZVN-TV (operated by Waterman through LMA). Both serve the Southwest Florida area and are based in Fort Myers.
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