WBBM-TV

WBBM-TV
Company type	Owned-and-operated station
Industry	Broadcasting
Founded	1940
Headquarters	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Owner	CBS News and Stations
Website	https://chicago.cbslocal.com/

WBBM-TV (channel 2) operates as a television station based in Chicago, Illinois, serving as the local affiliate for the CBS network. The station is owned and operated by CBS's CBS News and Stations division, with its studios located on West Washington Street in the Loop area and its transmitter positioned atop the Willis Tower.

Initial Years (1940–1953)

The origins of WBBM-TV trace back to 1940 when Balaban and Katz, a Paramount Pictures subsidiary, launched W9XBK, Chicago’s pioneering all-electronic experimental television station. Balaban and Katz, known for owning numerous movie theaters throughout Chicago, recruited television innovator William C. Eddy from RCA’s experimental New York station. During World War II, Eddy utilized W9XBK as a training ground for Navy electronics technicians while simultaneously advancing commercial television technology.

On September 6, 1946, the station secured a commercial license under the call sign WBKB (representing Balaban and Katz Broadcasting) broadcasting on VHF channel 4. This marked it as the first commercial television station outside the Eastern Time Zone and the sixth nationwide. Initially independent before affiliating with CBS, WBKB aired early CBS programs such as Junior Jamboree (which evolved into Kukla, Fran and Ollie). A significant early telecast was the 1947 NFL championship game featuring the Chicago Cardinals versus the Philadelphia Eagles.

By December 1948, WBKB began sharing its CBS affiliation with WGN-TV. In 1949, following a Supreme Court mandate requiring Paramount Pictures to divest its theater chain, Balaban and Katz became part of United Paramount Theatres.

WBKB played an indirect role in the decline of DuMont Television Network. Due to Paramount’s involvement with DuMont, the FCC imposed restrictions preventing further acquisitions by either company. Paramount also initiated the short-lived Paramount Television Network in 1949, designating KTLA and WBKB as flagship stations; however, this network failed to establish itself on a large scale.

Transition to CBS Owned-and-Operated Status (Since 1953)

In February 1953, United Paramount Theatres merged with the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), which already owned WENR-TV (channel 7). FCC regulations prohibiting ownership of multiple stations within one market led to WBKB’s sale to CBS for $6.75 million. On February 12, its call letters changed to WBBM-TV to align with CBS-owned WBBM radio. The WBKB callsign was reassigned to channel 7 (later known as WLS-TV). While talent from the original WBKB remained at WBBM-TV under general manager H. Leslie Atlass, former UPT executives transitioned to channel 7.

Following CBS's acquisition, WBBM-TV took over all CBS programming previously aired on WGN-TV after a two-month waiting period expired; this left WGN-TV affiliated exclusively with the waning DuMont network.

In accordance with the FCC’s Sixth Report and Order, WBBM-TV shifted to channel 2 on July 5, 1953, to prevent signal interference with stations in Milwaukee and the Quad Cities region. This move also resulted in Zenith Electronics discontinuing its experimental channel 2 operations in Chicago.

By 1956, CBS centralized its Chicago operations into a refurbished 62,000 square-foot facility at 633 North McClurg Court in Streeterville, acquired for roughly $1.3 million. Previously, this building had served various purposes including a horse stable, ice rink, and bowling alley.

That same year featured an episode of What's My Line? broadcast from WBBM’s studios just prior to the 1956 Democratic National Convention. Between the late 1940s through early 1970s, Columbia Records maintained offices and recording facilities within this location. On September 26, 1960, WBBM hosted television’s first presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. The station also produced syndicated programs such as Donahue (1982–1985) and Siskel & Ebert (1986–late 1990s).

In October 1987, Center City Communications contested WBBM-TV’s license renewal citing concerns over insufficient diversity and discriminatory hiring practices. The challenge was withdrawn in July 1988 following a $187,500 settlement with CBS. This incident contributed to calls for reforming the FCC’s comparative renewal procedures.

CBS reestablished corporate ties with Paramount Pictures when Viacom acquired Paramount in 1994 and subsequently merged with CBS Corporation in a $36 billion transaction completed in 2000. The companies later separated again in December 2005 when Viacom spun off Paramount Pictures along with various cable networks.

In 2003, WBBM entered into an agreement with Mills Corporation to develop a "media center" within Block 37 of the Loop area that included a street-level studio overlooking Daley Plaza. Earlier plans for relocation had been delayed due to preparations for high-definition broadcasting.

On September 21, 2008, WBBM-TV inaugurated its new studios at Block 37 featuring a large LED display on its exterior facade. This move coincided with upgrading all newscasts to high definition—the fourth station in Chicago to complete such a transition. Meanwhile, WBBM radio relocated to Two Prudential Plaza in early 2006. The McClurg Court building was demolished between February and April of 2009. After fulfilling a decade-long commitment to maintain street-level studios, WBBM moved its news sets upstairs in September 2017; although the LED screen area was initially leased for retail purposes, it was later reinstated to facilitate social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Compliance with federal digital transition regulations led WBBM-TV to discontinue analog broadcasts on VHF channel 2 on June 12, 2009. Its digital transmission moved from pre-transition VHF channel 3 to post-transition VHF channel 12 while maintaining virtual channel identification as channel 2.

On October 21, 2014, CBS collaborated with Weigel Broadcasting to launch Decades—a digital multicast network that debuted on subchannel 2.2 of WBBM on February 1, 2015—prior to its nationwide rollout in May of that year. Decades later migrated to WCIU-DT4 in September 2018; subsequently, WBBM-DT2 introduced Start TV focusing on female-led procedural dramas.

On February 2, 2017, CBS reached an agreement to sell CBS Radio to Entercom (now known as Audacy) through a tax-free Reverse Morris Trust transaction finalized November 17. While CBS shareholders retained majority ownership stakes, Entercom emerged as the surviving entity—separating radio assets from WBBM-TV but preserving close operational partnerships.

In August 2018, Jeff Harris was appointed news director at WBBM-TV. In March 2019 longtime evening anchor Rob Johnson was succeeded by Brad Edwards; Edwards later transitioned to morning anchor duties in May 2022 when Joe Donlon assumed evening anchor responsibilities following leadership changes involving president/general manager Jennifer Lyons.

Sports programming

Between 1946 and 1951, WBKB served as the broadcaster for Chicago Cubs home games. Cubs owner Philip K. Wrigley saw television as a way to broaden baseball's audience and provided WBKB with free broadcasting rights for the initial two years. The station's first successful Cubs telecast took place on July 13, 1946, marking the debut of Major League Baseball coverage in Chicago.

In 1956, as CBS began televising NFL games, WBBM assumed the role of the main station for the Chicago Bears, airing most regular-season contests and select preseason matchups until the Bears' NFC broadcast rights shifted to Fox in 1993. WBBM also aired games for the Chicago Cardinals until their move in 1960. Since 2014, WBBM has broadcast Bears home games against AFC teams along with certain cross-flexed fixtures. Notably, Super Bowl XLI, featuring the Bears, was televised on CBS and WBBM.

From 1973 through 1990, WBBM-TV aired select Chicago Bulls games as part of NBA on CBS coverage.

Between 2003 and 2007, WBBM-TV temporarily took over as the primary broadcaster of the annual Chicago Marathon, replacing NBC’s WMAQ-TV; the marathon coverage returned to WMAQ-TV in 2008.

News operation

WBBM-TV produces a total of 41 hours and 55 minutes of local newscasts weekly, consisting of 6 hours and 35 minutes on weekdays, with additional hours on Saturdays and Sundays.

News department history

During the late 1970s, WBBM-TV surpassed WMAQ-TV in ratings, establishing itself as one of the nation’s leading local news providers. Anchors Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson, along with weatherman John Coughlin and sports director Johnny Morris, spearheaded this period of dominance, promoting its 10 p.m. newscast under the brand THE Ten O'Clock News.

General manager Robert Wussler and news director Van Gordon Sauter pioneered a hard news approach in 1973 by transforming the newsroom into a visible set. Kurtis earned recognition for his "Focus Unit" investigative reports; Jacobson was known for his "Perspective" editorials. The team featured prominent journalists including film critic Gene Siskel; crime reporter John "Bulldog" Drummond; investigative reporter Pam Zekman; and weekend anchor Mike Parker. Bob Sirott and Phil Ponce also contributed before moving to PBS's Chicago Tonight. Parker and Zekman stayed with the station until 2016 and 2020 respectively; Drummond continues to contribute occasionally.

In 1982, Kurtis departed for CBS News and was succeeded by Don Craig. When Kurtis returned in 1985, he co-anchored the 6 p.m. newscast alongside Craig while Harry Porterfield was reassigned to weekend duties. Porterfield’s demotion sparked a boycott led by civil rights activist Jesse Jackson and Operation PUSH until August 1986, demanding enhanced minority hiring and financial investments in minority communities. This activism led to leadership changes including Johnathan Rodgers becoming WBBM’s first African American general manager. Lester Holt replaced Porterfield as evening anchor. Kurtis left again in 1996.

By March 1986, WLS-TV had overtaken WBBM as market leader. In 1990, Bill Applegate became general manager and revamped newscasts with flashier production while removing Jacobson from anchor duties; he departed in 1993. Despite signing talents such as Elizabeth Vargas and Rob Stafford, WBBM fell to last place by the mid-1990s amid staff turnover. The station underwent several rebrandings—from Channel 2 News to News 2 Chicago in 1997, then CBS 2 News.

In 2000, WBBM redesigned its 10 p.m. newscast into an in-depth hard news format anchored by Carol Marin to counteract growing tabloid trends. Although critics praised this effort, low viewership led to reverting back to a conventional format after nine months.

April 2002 saw a simplification of graphics and studio design with the removal of the complex "newsplex" setup. Antonio Mora joined as lead anchor in March; Diann Burns became co-anchor in October 2003. By January 2006, WBBM reached its strongest ratings at 5 p.m. in over ten years but remained last at 10 p.m., despite audience increases. Rob Johnson joined as co-anchor at 5 p.m. in August that year; by May 2007, overall ratings slipped to fourth place.

Following these changes, Johnson replaced Mora at the 10 p.m. anchor desk when Mora left in January 2008 for sister station WFOR-TV Miami. Budget reductions that month resulted in layoffs including Burns and sports director Mark Malone; Ryan Baker assumed sports director duties.

On April 30, 2009, additional layoffs occurred; weekend morning newscasts and public affairs program Eye On Chicago were discontinued. Weeknight newscasts shifted to solo anchors: Anne State at 5 p.m., Rob Johnson at later editions. The enterprise-focused late newscast began steady growth afterward. Harry Porterfield returned after a twenty-four-year absence from WLS-TV to anchor mornings and continue his feature segments.

On November 13, 2009, Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson briefly reunited as co-anchors of the 10 p.m. newscast; Jacobson continued contributing his "Perspective" commentaries afterward. During November sweeps that year, WBBM’s late news climbed to second place behind WLS-TV—the only Chicago late newscast showing year-over-year audience growth.

Early in 2010, the station maintained second place at the 10 p.m. slot but slipped during Winter Olympics coverage. By May 2012 it remained second behind WLS-TV again. On February 1, 2010, WBBM launched Monsters and Money in the Morning, a roundtable talk show focusing on sports and finance hosted by Mike North and Dan Jiggetts; produced independently for sponsorship revenue but canceled after seven months due to low ratings and replaced by a conventional morning news program anchored by Steve Bartelstein.

In March 2010 Anne State’s contract was not renewed; meteorologist Ed Curran was relieved of on-air duties but stayed under contract pay. Political editor Mike Flannery left after thirty years for competitor WFLD.

On September 1, 2010, Kurtis and Jacobson resumed co-anchoring the evening (6 p.m.) newscast until February 2013 when Rob Johnson and Kate Sullivan took over; Sullivan remained until September 2015. Evening newscasts experienced significant growth thereafter competing with WMAQ-TV for second place behind dominant WLS-TV.

Weekend morning newscasts returned on September 22, 2012; Ed Curran resumed meteorology on weekends. Following strong Sunday morning ratings measured by Nielsen's Local People Meters system, Sunday broadcasts expanded to two hours with an added hour at 6 a.m., starting September 22, 2013.

On February 17, 2018, WBBM introduced a Saturday evening newscast at 6 p.m.—the only Chicago station offering this timeslot—though it was temporary.

WBBM-TV launched its streaming platform CBSN Chicago (now CBS News Chicago) on April 21, 2020—a localized iteration of CBSN across CBS-owned stations—delayed slightly due to COVID-19 impacts. In June that year it earned a Peabody Award for "Unwarranted," an investigative report exposing flawed police raids within Chicago.

On December 16, 2021 Jim Williams and Marie Saavedra were appointed co-anchors of a reinstated hour-long weekday afternoon newscast at 4 p.m., premiering January 24, 2022—marking its return after sixteen years—with meteorologist Mary Kay Kleist and sports anchor Marshall Harris joining the team. Dana Kozlov replaced Williams as weekend anchor in February.

On September 12, 2022, WBBM debuted a half-hour weekday morning newscast at 9 a.m., leading into The Drew Barrymore Show. From 9–10 a.m., it streams via CBS News Chicago featuring anchors Dana Kozlov and Audrina Sinclair alongside meteorologist Laura Bannon with traffic updates provided by Kris Habermehl.

"The Enforcer"

In 1975, Chicago-based jingle creator Dick Marx developed a theme for WBBM-TV's news broadcasts inspired by Tary Rebenar's folk tune "Chicago." This composition, known as "Channel 2 News," and its various adaptations, were featured on WBBM for almost five decades, with exceptions during brief intervals from 1992–94, 1998–99, and 2009. The melody effectively became the standard newscast theme across CBS-owned stations nationwide. Between 1994 and 1997, 2000 to 2001, 2002 to 2008, and from 2010 onward, WBBM-TV employed a modern synthesized rendition titled "The CBS Enforcer Music Collection," created by Frank Gari. From 2006 through 2008, Frank’s son Christian Gari composed a refreshed version. When the station transitioned to high-definition news production, it introduced a new theme called "Heart of the City," produced by inthegroovemusic. On June 21, 2010, coinciding with the launch of a new graphics package across CBS owned-and-operated stations, WBBM-TV brought back "Enforcer" featuring an orchestrated "New Generation" arrangement originally commissioned by WCBS-TV in New York.

Starting in 2022, CBS News and Stations began gradually retiring the "Enforcer" theme in favor of a new composition by Antfood, which integrates the network’s updated sound mark.

Ratings

Since the mid-1990s, WBBM-TV's newscasts have frequently ranked near the bottom among CBS owned-and-operated stations. Typically, they hold fourth place among Chicago’s English-language broadcasters, trailing behind WLS-TV, WMAQ-TV, and WGN-TV—despite CBS enjoying a strong prime-time lineup nationally since the 2005–06 season. The station consistently remains ahead of WFLD, which usually ranks last.

According to May 2015 Nielsen ratings, WBBM's newscasts secured fourth place overall in Chicago. The 10 p.m. broadcast dropped slightly to a 3.5 rating (down by 0.1 compared to May 2014) and ranked third within the crucial adults aged 25–54 demographic with a 0.9 rating. When factoring in prime-time viewership, this program placed fourth among late-night newscasts behind WGN-TV’s 9 p.m. show. Similar patterns were observed in February 2015 ratings, with the 10 p.m. broadcast registering a 4.3 rating (a decline of 0.7 from February 2014).

Controversy

In 2011, the station was criticized following an edited interview with a four-year-old boy recorded by a freelance video stringer after a drive-by shooting incident. The child was shown stating that he would acquire a gun in the future; however, his remark about wanting to become a police officer was omitted. Critics contended that this selective editing suggested future criminal intentions inaccurately. The station’s management issued an apology, pledged to avoid similar editorial decisions going forward, and conducted internal follow-ups with staff.

Notable current on-air staff

Suzanne Le Mignot – anchor / reporter
Jim Williams – anchor / field reporter

Notable former on-air staff

^{Template:Note} Denotes deceased

Subchannels

By early February 2024, WBBM-TV had adopted a multiplexed ATSC 3.0 broadcast signal. To maintain compatibility with the majority of digital television sets, its programming is also delivered in ATSC 1.0 format through multiplexed signals hosted by other Chicago broadcasters:

Channel	Resolution	Aspect Ratio	Identifier	Content	ATSC 1.0 Host
2.1	1080i	16:9	CBS2-HD	CBS	WGN-TV
2.2	480i	16:9	StartTV	Start TV	WGBO-DT
2.3	480i	16:9	DABL	Dabl	WFLD
2.4	480i	16:9	Fave TV	Fave TV File:4 rounded rect pink.svg	WMAQ-TV
2.5	480i	16:9	COMET	Comet File:4 rounded rect pink.svg	WGBO-DT

WBBM-TV continues to be the sole full-power television station in Chicago transmitting its digital broadcast on the VHF band, a practice maintained since its original sign-on. This VHF channel allocation has presented reception difficulties for some viewers following the digital transition in June 2009. In contrast, rival station WLS-TV relocated its full-power digital broadcasts to the UHF band (channel 44) to enhance signal reception, while preserving VHF channel 7 for a digital fill-in translator that began operation in October 2009.

Low-power repeater

Following the June 2009 digital transition, to aid viewers encountering issues with WBBM’s VHF signal, its newscasts were simulcast in analog on low-power station WWME-CA (UHF channel 23), which operated as a nightlight service during the transition period.

WBBM-TV filed for authorization to operate a low-power fill-in repeater on UHF channel 26, which was previously used for WCIU-TV’s analog broadcasts. The FCC initially raised concerns about potential interference with low-power station W25DW and issued a 30-day notice in April 2010. Unlike WLS-TV’s full-power frequency change, WBBM pursued only a translator facility. The FCC granted the construction permit on January 18, 2012. This translator on channel 26 began operations on March 13, 2014, functioning at reduced power to prevent interference with ABC affiliate WKOW located in Madison, Wisconsin.

In February 2017, to further mitigate ongoing reception challenges on channel 2, Weigel Broadcasting and CBS Television Stations established a channel-sharing agreement whereby WBBM-TV and its Decades subchannel were simulcast on Weigel’s independent station WMEU-CD digital subchannels 48.3 and 48.4. This simulcast arrangement concluded in 2024 after WBBM-TV’s ATSC 1.0 signal migrated to WGN-TV’s spectrum.

WBBM-LD (RF channel 26) ceased operations on April 19, 2017.

ATSC 3.0

WBBM-TV Subchannels (ATSC 3.0)
Channel	Identifier	Content
2.1	WBBM-NG	CBS
5.1	WMAQ-NG	NBC (WMAQ-TV)
9.1	WGN-NG	The CW (WGN-TV)
32.1	WFLD-NG	Fox (WFLD)
66.1	WGBO-NG	Univision (WGBO-DT)

In January 2024, CBS News and Stations declared that WBBM-TV would serve as a Chicago-area lighthouse station for the new ATSC 3.0 "NextGenTV" broadcasting standard starting February 5, 2024. Meanwhile, an ATSC 1.0 simulcast is maintained by WGN-TV, broadcasting on UHF channel 19 to ensure continued access via the UHF band for most viewers.

References

Overview of WBBM-TV’s History (2005). CBS2Chicago.com.
Examination of Local News Evolution - WBBM Revisited (February 7, 2001). Online NewsHour.
Announcement Regarding WBBM-TV’s New Studio Location (April 6, 2005). CBS2Chicago.com.
CBS 2 Records Strongest Ratings Finish in Over Two Decades (February 2, 2006). CBS2Chicago.com.
Agreement Between WBBM CBS and WTTW to Utilize VHF Channel 11.
Press Release on WBBM CBS Transition to HD Newsgathering.

External links