NBC joined the WRAL-TV family on Monday, February 29, 2016.
The clouds parted and the sun shone down on Capitol Broadcasting as WRAL-TV made the change to NBC on Monday, February 29, 2016. The day began with CBC President & CEO Jim Goodmon flipping the switch in Master Control, live on air with WRAL-TV Anchors Renee Chou and Bill Leslie at 7am. The Today Show began as WRAL’s first NBC show on air.
NBC Affiliate Relations President Jean Dietze spent the day at the Big 5, as the big switch happened and daylong celebrations marked the teaming up of NBC and WRAL.
“Thank you for welcoming NBC to your family,” she said. “This is an affiliate relations dream come true. NBC and WRAL belong together.”
She emphasized that at NBC “everything is done with local affiliates in mind. What you guys think and do is important to us.”
NBC News Correspondent Harry Smith also came to Raleigh to talk to staffers during their luncheon celebration.
“There aren’t that many places in the country with the commitment WRAL makes to news and the community anymore,” said Smith. “WRAL has been steadfast forever.”
NBC News Correspondent Harry Smith poses for photos with CBC’ers, including WRAL-TV’s Phyllis Parish, during the lunch celebration for the WRAL change to NBC on Monday, February 29, 2016.
But Smith said he is confident that WRAL-TV and NBC are a great match.
“We just won the lottery,” he said. “For us, this is a huge thing. Thank you for welcoming NBC to your family. This is an affiliate relations dream come true. NBC and WRAL belong together.”
WRAL-TV is proud to welcome NBC to the family. Find the new programming line up HERE. Remember, WRAL-TV will continue to bring you the great newscasts you are already used to, paired up with The Today Show, NBC Nightly News and the great line up of NBC primetime programs.
“Thank YOU for your patience as NBC joins WRAL,” WRAL-TV Anchor/Reporter Brian Shrader posted. “As I’ve said to many viewers on here, we are thrilled to serve you any way we can, any time, anywhere! Some of your shows may have moved around, but WRAL News is still here — same times, same channel, same people! Thanks for your loyalty to WRAL TV!”
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SLIDESHOW: The Big Day, NBC Joins WRAL
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The countdown clock outside the office of WRAL-TV Vice President & General Manager Steve Hammel. On Monday morning, February 29, 2016, he said, "The eagle/Peacock has landed. One small step...." as NBC joined WRAL-TV.
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NBC joined the WRAL-TV family on Monday, February 29, 2016.
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The Button: CBC President & CEO Jim Goodmon pushed this button on Monday morning, February 29, 2016 at 7am to officially change WRAL-TV to an NBC affiliate.
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The WRAL-TV lobby is decked out to celebrate the Big 5's change to NBC on Monday, February 29, 2016. (Artwork created by FOX 50's Gayle Hardy.)
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WRAL-TV's Jay Yovanovich enjoys breakfast from Parlez-Vous Crepes in Cafe 550 to celebrate the change to NBC on Monday, February 29, 2016.
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NBC's Al Roker features the WRAL-TV weather on The Today Show to celebrate the change to NBC on Monday, February 29, 2016.
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NMG's Katherine Ferguson shows off her new NBC hat, compliments of CBC on the day of the big change, Monday, February 29, 2016.
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WRAL-TV's Kevin Shand shows off his new NBC hat, compliments of CBC on the day of the big change, Monday, February 29, 2016.
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CBC'ers at Western Blvd enjoyed lunch from Guasaca Arepa & Salsa Grill in Cafe 550 to celebrate the change to NBC on Monday, February 29, 2016.
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WRAL-TV's Ed Wilson sports an NBC cap in honor of the big change at the Big 5 on Monday, February 29, 2016.
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NBC News Correspondent Harry Smith (center) arrives in Cafe 550 to speak to CBC'ers during the lunch celebration for the WRAL change to NBC on Monday, February 29, 2016.
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NBC News Correspondent Harry Smith (center) greets CBC'ers during the lunch celebration for the WRAL change to NBC on Monday, February 29, 2016.
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WRAL-TV's Steve Hammel (right) welcomes NBC News Correspondent Harry Smith to speak to CBC'ers during the lunch celebration for the WRAL change to NBC on Monday, February 29, 2016.
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NBC News Correspondent Harry Smith speaks to CBC'ers during the lunch celebration for the WRAL change to NBC on Monday, February 29, 2016.
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NBC News Correspondent Harry Smith speaks to CBC'ers during the lunch celebration for the WRAL change to NBC on Monday, February 29, 2016.
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NBC News Correspondent Harry Smith speaks to CBC'ers during the lunch celebration for the WRAL change to NBC on Monday, February 29, 2016.
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Corp's Jim Goodmon (left) banters with NBC News Correspondent Harry Smith during the lunch celebration for the WRAL change to NBC on Monday, February 29, 2016.
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CBC'ers listen as NBC News Correspondent Harry Smith speaks during the lunch celebration for the WRAL change to NBC on Monday, February 29, 2016.
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CBC'ers listen as NBC News Correspondent Harry Smith speaks during the lunch celebration for the WRAL change to NBC on Monday, February 29, 2016.
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President of NBC Affiiliate Relations Jean Dietze speaks to CBC'ers during the lunch celebration for the WRAL change to NBC on Monday, February 29, 2016.
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President of NBC Affiiliate Relations Jean Dietze speaks to CBC'ers during the lunch celebration for the WRAL change to NBC on Monday, February 29, 2016.
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NBC News Correspondent Harry Smith poses for photos with CBC'ers, including WRAL-TV's Phyllis Parish, during the lunch celebration for the WRAL change to NBC on Monday, February 29, 2016.
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CBC'ers at Western Blvd enjoy a special cake in Cafe 550 to celebrate the change to NBC on Monday, February 29, 2016.
