WSBT-TV: A History In The Making
When WSBT-TV went on the air in December 1952, Harry S Truman was President of the United States. World War II was recent history; the Cold War was icing up. No one in Tupelo, Mississippi, imagined a skinny kid named Elvis would become the King of Rock and Roll; no one in Atlanta knew that young Martin Luther King’s dreams would change the world.
So many events that have shaped our century had not yet been realized: the Vietnam War, moon landings, Watergate, Desert Storm.
So many phenomena we accept today would then have been unimagined...and unimaginable: desktop publishing, the Mars Pathfinder, surfing the Net, Tiger Woods.
In December 1952, South Bend was Studebaker Country. The Fighting Irish were coming off a 7-2-1 record. And WSBT Radio was pumping out 5,000 watts of news and music from its FM tower on Ironwood Drive.
In December 1952, half the 20th Century lay behind us; our second 50 years waited...to be witnessed, experienced, recorded.
Into this world came WSBT-TV, one of the first Ultra High Frequency (UHF) television stations in mid-America, and the first UHF station in the nation to produce a “live” telecast. That first live program? Five minutes of news, naturally.
In the following year, WSBT-TV became the first UHF station to telecast a high school basketball tournament — the South Bend sectional and regional from John Adams High School Gymnasium.
In the fall of 1953, WSBT-TV won national recognition by becoming the first station to present a closed-circuit telecast of a college football practice. Notre Dame coach Frank Leahy was bed-ridden at St. Joseph’s Hospital, and the closed-circuit “feed” allowed him to direct the practice from his hospital room.
The “firsts” kept coming. In 1954, WSBT-TV was Indiana’s first television station to transmit a color picture. In the years that followed, the station would be the first to establish news bureaus in Elkhart and Michigan, the first to produce morning and noon news programs, the first to take its news “on the road” with live, remote telecasts.
American journalist Benjamin Bradlee once described news as “the first rough draft of history.” Since 1952, WSBT-TV has been witness and commentator to the major events shaping this century, offering our own “rough draft” to the Michiana viewer. Along the way, we’ve made some history too, often breaking new ground in a dynamic, exciting industry.
WSBT-TV. If our first 50 years are any indication of things to come, our future should be something to see.
Mission Statement
We, the employees of the WSBT Stations, drawing upon a pioneering vision and distinguished history, pledge to continue the spirit that has made us Michiana’s broadcast leader. We will provide the best news, entertainment and marketing opportunities, by listening and responding to the ever-changing needs of our community, our customers and our co-workers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is WSBT located?
WSBT Broadcast Center is located in the heart of downtown South Bend. It is the home of three TV stations (WSBT, SBT2, and the WSBT StormTracker Channel) and three radio stations (WSBT NewsTalk 960 AM, Sunny 101.5 FM, and Cat Country 99.9 FM). Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
WSBT and Schurz Communications broke ground in April 2007 on a new broadcast facility. It is located in the Edison Lakes area of Mishawaka on East Douglas Road, and is scheduled to open in Summer 2008.
What is the station’s telephone number?
The main switchboard number is (574) 233-3141.
For breaking news, call the news desk at (574) 232-NEWS (6397).
To fax an item to the newsroom, call (574) 289-0622.
Where should I send news releases?
Whenever possible, we prefer that you e-mail news releases to wsbtnews@wsbt.com. Please remember to include the time, date, and location of your event, plus a contact phone number. You can also mail the information to:
WSBT News
300 West Jefferson Boulevard
South Bend, IN 46601-1513
Attn: Assignment Manager
What times do newscasts air on WSBT?
Monday - Friday
WSBT News First Thing in the Morning - 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.
WSBT News at Midday - 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
WSBT News at 5 - 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
WSBT News at 5:30 - 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
WSBT News at 6 - 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
CBS Evening News - 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
WSBT News at 10 - 10 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.*
WSBT News at 11 - 11 p.m. to 11:35 p.m.
Saturday
WSBT News Saturday Morning - 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
WSBT News at 6 - 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
CBS Evening News - 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
WSBT News at 10 - 10 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.*
WSBT News at 11 - 11 p.m. to 11:35 p.m.
Sunday
WSBT News at 6 - 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
CBS Evening News - 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
WSBT News at 10 - 10 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.*
WSBT News at 11 - 11 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Irish Sports Report - 10:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.*
Irish Sports Report - 11:30 p.m. to 12 a.m.
* airs on SBT2
How do I order a tape of a newscast or story?
WSBT-TV sells VHS copies of local newscasts produced within the last three weeks for $20 each. For more information, click the WSBT Store icon under the On Demand section of this page.
To get information on a story from CBS News, go to CBS News.com.
Who do I contact if I have a comment or question about a program on WSBT?
For news comments, e-mail news director Meg Sauer at sauer@wsbt.com. For comments about other programming, contact Bob Johnson at (574) 472-8060.
What is the difference between WSBT and CBS?
WSBT-TV, which is owned by Schurz Communications, is the local CBS affiliate in the greater South Bend area. As a local station, WSBT produces local programs such as WSBT News, Irish Sports Report, and SportsDogz.
CBS is the network that serves the nation through its relationship with the affiliates that broadcast CBS programs. WSBT-TV does not have influence over the production of these programs. If you have comments or questions about a network program, please go to CBS.com.
What is the difference between WSBT and the South Bend Tribune?
The WSBT Stations and the South Bend Tribune are both owned by Schurz Communications. As such, WSBT News and the Tribune will often work together on covering big stories. However, each staff is fully independent of the other.
How do I contact a member of the WSBT News team?
You can read about your favorite news team member and send e-mail to them through the Meet Our Team section of this website, or you can send mail to:
WSBT News
300 West Jefferson Boulevard
South Bend, IN 46601-1513
Attn: (Reporter/Anchor’s name)
What channel does WSBT broadcast in HD?
At this time, WSBT broadcasts one channel in High Definition: WSBT-HD on Channel 22.1. SBT2, an independent, unaffiliated channel, is broadcast on Digital 22.2. The WSBT StormTracker Channel, Michiana’s only 24-hour weather channel, is broadcast on Digital 22.3.
How can I arrange a tour of the WSBT Studios?
Station tours can be arranged by calling Vicki Slayter at (574) 233-3141.
How can I get my organization on your list of weather-related closings and cancellations?
Sign up for WSBT's Automated Closings System.
Where do I send a “Sketch The Sky” picture my child made?
To have your child’s picture shown on WSBT News First Thing in the Morning, send it along with your name, phone number, and the artist’s name, age, and school to:
Sketch The Sky
c/o WSBT News
300 West Jefferson Boulevard
South Bend, IN 46601-1513
How do I request an anchor or reporter to speak at an event?
To request a speaker, you should contact the individual directly by e-mail or by phone. WSBT News personnel are happy to speak to community groups whenever they can, but be aware that they aren’t always available because of the unpredictable nature of the news business.
What do the ratings I see at the beginning of programs mean?
Rating labels were created to help viewers decide what to watch, and to help parents determine which programs are suitable for their children.
TV Y: Deemed appropriate for all children, including ages 2-6.
TV Y7: Designed for children age 7 and above. May include mild fantasy or comedic violence.
TV G: Suitable for all ages, although not designed specifically for young children. Contains little or no violence, no strong language, and little or no sexual dialogue or situations.
TV PG: Parental guidance suggested. Contains material parents may find unsuitable for younger children, including moderate violence, sexual situations, infrequent coarse language, and/or suggestive dialogue.
TV 14: Parents strongly cautioned. Contains material many parents would find unsuitable for children under 14, including intense violence, intense sexual situations, strong coarse language, and/or intensely suggestive dialogue.
TV MA: Mature audience. Designed for adult viewing and may be unsuitable for children under 17; includes graphic violence, explicit sexual activity, and/or crude language.
Four letters may be added to each label to indicate the content the program contains:
V: Violence
S: Sex
L: Coarse language
D: Sexual dialogue
The rating labels appear in the corner of your television screen during the first 15 seconds of each program. Ratings are assigned to all television programming except news and sports. Parents can use a V-chip, cable lockbox, or a set-top box to block inappropriate television programming.
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