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vansville’s first local television station, WFIE, went on the air at 4:00 p.m., November 15, 1953. The actual test pattern switch-on occurred 6 days earlier. This fact is reflected in Channel 14’s call letters, which were originally meant to stand for: “We’re First in Evansville.” The owners were Jesse, Isadore and Oscar Fine…who also owned and operated Premiere Theaters. At that time however, WFIE was Channel 62 and began broadcasting at a power of 23,500 watts, and was only the 6th station televising in the state of Indiana.The first day of telecasting offered viewers a sampling of highlights from the weekly line-up that was to include NBC, Dumont, and ABC shows, 1 live studio program and 3 kinescope shows, plus a public service feature. Viewers thrilled to the likes of “You Bet Your Life”, “The George Jessel Show”, “Where’s Raymond” with Ray Bolger, “Armstrong Circle Theatre”, “Milton Berle”, “I Led Three Lives”, “Boston Blackie”, and “Your Hit Parade.” Locally “Diamond Kay Ranch” provided viewers with 25 minutes of western music featuring a local band called the Ranchhands. Television in those days didn’t offer full day service. Programming began at 4 in the afternoon. Pete Dooley and Bob Wynn got things rolling with live “Platter Personalities.” For the kids it was “Cowboy Corral”, with Howdy Doody on Wednesdays. Local newscasts consisted of Fred Rollison, Clyde Castle and ‘Weather Lady’ Marcia Yockey.
WFIE has a long list of broadcasting “firsts”; The first Evansville station to televise color programs in 1956; the first station in Evansville to telecast local live color programs (only the second station in the entire state of Indiana to switch completely to color programming); first in the area to process local color news film in house; the first locally to broadcast local live news, weather and sports events originating from outside the station accomplished through our mobile unit known as Live-Eye 14 beginning in 1977.
In August of 1956, WFIE changed ownerships and became a sister station of WAVE-TV in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1957 WFIE changed channels from 62 to 14.
On September 2, 1977, WFIE-TV increased its tower height and power output dramatically. A one thousand-foot tower was erected on a site near Henderson, Kentucky known as Wolf Hills, which is the highest point in Henderson County, Kentucky. The power was increased from two hundred thousand watts to over two million watts of effective radiated power.
In October, 1981, Cosmos Broadcasting based in Greenville, South Carolina purchased WFIE. WFIE-TV is one of 15 stations owned by Liberty Corporation; a public company traded on the New York Stock Exchange. WFIE, Channel 14, is the only UHF station in the Liberty group. WFIE-TV’s strong programming comes not only from being affiliated with NBC, but with #1 syndicated programs such as Wheel of Fortune and Oprah Winfrey.
In September 1985, WFIE-TV had yet another first for the local market area, when the station converted to stereo broadcasting. In February 1988, the station added its own Doppler radar transmitter/receiver and antenna system, becoming the second station in Indiana to have such a unit.
In June 2002 WFIE began transmitting an HDTV signal on Channel 46. At this time, some NBC programming is available in HDTV.
Today WFIE continues to maintain its strength in many areas. Its news department has maintained its leadership in local news, and community involvement is a special part of WFIE’s philosophy. A major drunk driving campaign developed by the station was lauded by law enforcement agencies in all three states served. The slogan of the campaign, “Think before you drink, think again before you drive” was quoted by area radio stations, newspapers as well as the residents of the area. Other local commitments include Race for the Cure and the annual MDA Telethon. WFIE-TV stepped up to the plate in 1997 by holding a telethon to benefit area flood victims and in 2000 prepared a telethon in 2 days for Owensboro Tornado victims which raised $500,000.
Over the years, WFIE-TV has had many talented on-air personalities. In the early days, Jack McClain presented sports and later news for the station, becoming a legend with his commanding on-air presence. Marcia Yockey, known for her ponytail and overly detailed presentation of the weather, also had an enormous following until her retirement in 1988.
Many of the next generation of on-air personalities to follow McClain and Yockey are still with WFIE-TV, accounting for its huge success as “The Tri-State’s News Leader.” Mike Blake joined the station in 1970; David James came on board in 1974 and Dan Katz in 1983. Ann Komis came to WFIE-TV in 1985. Jeff Lyons joined the team in 1988.
Today, WFIE is viewed by over a half million people weekly in 47 counties surrounding Evansville and is proud of its tradition of quality and service to the Tri-State area. WFIE is committed to continuing the "first” tradition in local broadcasting.
