WISH-TV
Indianapolis television station and CW affiliate serving Central Indiana.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
WISH-TV is a television station serving Indianapolis and surrounding parts of Central Indiana. Broadcasting on virtual channel 8, the station is affiliated with The CW and operates from studios on North Meridian Street in Indianapolis. Its transmitter facilities are located on Walnut Drive in the Augusta area on the city's northwest side. WISH-TV shares facilities and local ownership with WNDY-TV, WIIH-CD, and, following a later ownership transaction described in reference material, WRTV. The station began broadcasting on July 1, 1954, as the third television station to sign on in the Indianapolis market. It was established by C. Bruce McConnell, who also owned WISH radio. At launch, WISH-TV carried ABC programming as its primary affiliation while also broadcasting programming from the DuMont Television Network and NBC. In 1956, McConnell sold the station to Indiana Broadcasting Company, a subsidiary of J. H. Whitney & Company. The new ownership secured the CBS affiliation, which had previously been held by WFBM-TV, and WISH-TV remained a CBS affiliate for nearly six decades. Indiana Broadcasting became Corinthian Broadcasting Corporation in 1957, with WISH-TV serving as the group's flagship property. Corinthian later merged with Dun & Bradstreet, which sold its broadcasting operations to Belo Corporation in 1984. Because the transaction would have left Belo exceeding contemporary federal television ownership limits, WISH-TV and WANE-TV were sold to LIN Broadcasting. WISH subsequently became an important station within LIN's portfolio and hosted centralized master-control operations for several sister stations. The station expanded its technical capabilities over time. It constructed a 1,000-foot transmitter tower in 1955, introduced videotape technology in the mid-1950s, launched a digital signal in 1998, and broadcast its first high-definition program later that year. Following the 2009 nationwide analog shutdown, WISH-TV continued using virtual channel 8 while transmitting digitally on VHF channel 9. A digital translator began operating in 2011 to improve reception in portions of Indianapolis affected by the digital transition. The station also placed simulcasts on WNDY-TV's digital subchannels for viewers who had difficulty receiving its VHF signal. WISH-TV formed a duopoly with WNDY-TV after LIN acquired WNDY from Viacom's Paramount Stations Group in 2005. LIN Media merged with Media General in December 2014. A major programming change followed on January 1, 2015, when WTTV took over the Indianapolis CBS affiliation. WISH-TV initially planned to operate as an independent station, replacing network programming with additional local news, syndicated programming, and other acquired content. A late-December agreement transferred The CW affiliation from WTTV to WISH-TV, allowing WISH to become the market's CW affiliate instead of remaining independent. The end of the CBS affiliation also changed WISH-TV's sports profile. During its CBS years, the station carried many Indianapolis Colts games through CBS's American Football Conference rights, as well as Indiana Pacers broadcasts during the network's NBA coverage. It also aired or supported coverage of major Indianapolis sporting events, including the 1987 Pan American Games and several NCAA Men's Final Fours. After 2015, WISH-TV pursued separate sports agreements, including a reported two-season agreement to televise Indy Eleven home matches. Nexstar Broadcasting Group acquired Media General in January 2017. In 2019, after Nexstar acquired Tribune Media and faced ownership restrictions in Indianapolis, Circle City Broadcasting agreed to purchase WISH-TV and WNDY-TV for $42.5 million. The transaction closed on September 19, 2019, making WISH-TV locally owned by an Indianapolis-based broadcaster and ending its long association with WANE-TV. WISH-TV's present identity combines local news, weather, traffic, sports, community programming, syndicated content, digital publishing, and CW network programming for viewers in the Indianapolis market.
History
WISH-TV began broadcasting at 6 p.m. on July 1, 1954. Founded by C. Bruce McConnell, owner of WISH radio, it entered an Indianapolis market that already included WFBM-TV and Bloomington-licensed WTTV. The station initially carried ABC as its primary network, with secondary programming from DuMont and NBC. Its original transmission facilities were shared with WISH radio, but a new 1,000-foot tower constructed the following year materially improved coverage. In 1956, McConnell sold WISH-TV to Indiana Broadcasting Company, which was associated with J. H. Whitney & Company and owned WANE-TV in Fort Wayne. The new owners persuaded CBS to move its Indianapolis affiliation to channel 8. WISH-TV consequently lost ABC to WTTV and began what became a 58-year run as a CBS affiliate. The station was also an early adopter of videotape technology, installing a videotape machine in 1956. Indiana Broadcasting was renamed Corinthian Broadcasting Corporation in 1957, and WISH-TV served as Corinthian's flagship station. Corinthian merged with Dun & Bradstreet in 1971. Dun & Bradstreet later sold its broadcasting assets to Belo Corporation in February 1984. Because the merger would have caused Belo to exceed federal station-ownership limits, Belo sold WISH-TV and WANE-TV to LIN Broadcasting the following month. WISH-TV remained closely associated with LIN, which for many years was headquartered in Indianapolis and treated the station as its flagship television property. LIN expanded its Indianapolis presence by acquiring low-power station W11BV in 1992, the predecessor of WIIH-CD. WISH-TV moved its transmitter to a new tower in the Augusta section of Indianapolis in 1995. The station launched a digital signal on VHF channel 9 on December 17, 1998, and transmitted its first high-definition program two days later during an NFL game. In 2002, WISH-TV began providing centralized master-control services for WANE-TV and WLFI-TV. The operation subsequently expanded to additional LIN stations, including the Buffalo stations WIVB-TV and WNLO. LIN acquired UPN affiliate WNDY-TV in 2005, creating a duopoly with WISH-TV. In 2008, WISH-TV was involved in a broader LIN TV retransmission-consent dispute with Time Warner Cable. The disagreement resulted in a 26-day interruption on affected cable systems before the parties reached a replacement carriage agreement. WISH-TV ended its analog transmission on June 12, 2009, as part of the federally mandated transition to digital television. It retained virtual channel 8 while using digital VHF channel 9. The station launched a mobile digital television feed in August 2009. After reception problems associated with the digital transition, LIN received authorization to construct a UHF digital fill-in translator. That translator began operating in January 2011 and simulcast WISH-TV's main programming and digital subchannels. A further high-definition simulcast was added to a WNDY-TV digital subchannel in 2015 to help over-the-air viewers who had difficulty receiving WISH's VHF signal. In March 2014, Media General announced its planned acquisition of LIN Media, a transaction completed in December of that year. Meanwhile, Tribune Broadcasting announced that WTTV would become Indianapolis's CBS affiliate on January 1, 2015. The change ended WISH-TV's long CBS relationship. The parties' reported disagreement included CBS demands relating to the sharing of retransmission-consent revenue. WISH-TV initially announced plans to operate independently, filling former network slots with extra newscasts, syndicated talk shows, newsmagazines, sitcoms, and other programming. On December 22, 2014, Tribune announced that Media General would receive The CW affiliation instead. WISH-TV therefore became a CW affiliate in January 2015, while WTTV became the CBS station. The change also altered the station's sports schedule: Colts programming that had reached WISH-TV through CBS moved to WTTV and related Tribune stations. WISH-TV subsequently sought separate sports arrangements, including a two-year deal announced in February 2015 to carry Indy Eleven home matches. Nexstar acquired Media General in January 2017. The enlarged company later acquired Tribune Media, but federal ownership rules prevented it from retaining both Indianapolis station groups. Circle City Broadcasting agreed in April 2019 to purchase WISH-TV and WNDY-TV for $42.5 million. The sale closed on September 19, 2019, separating WISH-TV from WANE-TV after more than six decades of common ownership and establishing Circle City Broadcasting as the station's local owner. WISH-TV continues to operate as an Indianapolis CW affiliate with a business centered on local news, weather, traffic, community coverage, digital publishing, and acquired and network programming.
- 2019
Circle City Broadcasting becomes owner
[1]The sale of WISH-TV and WNDY-TV closes on September 19, returning the stations to local ownership.
- 2015
WISH-TV joins The CW
[1]After losing CBS to WTTV, WISH-TV takes over the Indianapolis CW affiliation.
- 2011
Digital fill-in translator begins operation
[1]A translator on UHF channel 17 improves reception in areas affected by limitations of the station's VHF digital signal.
- 2009
Analog transmission ends
[1]WISH-TV shuts down its analog channel as part of the United States digital television transition.
- 2005
WNDY-TV acquisition creates duopoly
[1]LIN TV adds WNDY-TV to its Indianapolis operations alongside WISH-TV.
- 1998
Digital broadcasting begins
[1]The station signs on its digital signal on December 17 and airs its first high-definition program two days later.
- 1956
Station becomes a CBS affiliate
[1]New owners move CBS programming to channel 8, ending the station's primary ABC affiliation.
- 1956
Early videotape adoption
[1]WISH-TV becomes one of the early United States television stations to install videotape equipment.
- 1955
New 1,000-foot transmitter tower improves coverage
[1]WISH-TV constructs a taller transmitter tower after initially sharing facilities with WISH radio.
- 1954
WISH-TV signs on
[1]The station begins broadcasting on July 1 as Indianapolis's third television station.
Products and positioning
A locally oriented Indianapolis broadcast station built around news, weather, traffic, community information, and CW entertainment programming.
Broadcast news
Local news
WISH-TV's principal service is locally produced television news for Indianapolis and Central Indiana. Its news operation includes scheduled newscasts, breaking-news coverage, public-affairs reporting, and stories focused on the station's regional viewing area.
Weather information
Weather and Doppler radar
The station provides forecasts, severe-weather alerts, radar information, and related digital weather coverage. Weather is a central part of WISH-TV's local-service positioning, particularly during Indiana's periods of severe storms and winter weather.
Network television · 2015
CW programming
Since January 2015, WISH-TV has carried The CW's network schedule in the Indianapolis market. The affiliation supplements the station's locally produced news and information programming with nationally distributed entertainment and other network content.
Digital media
Digital news and streaming content
Through its website and associated digital services, WISH-TV distributes local news, weather, video, community information, and other content beyond the linear broadcast schedule.
Sports television
Sports broadcasts
WISH-TV has historically carried major network sports and locally negotiated events. Its past programming included Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers coverage, NCAA Final Four coverage, the 1987 Pan American Games, and an Indy Eleven soccer package in the mid-2010s.
Brand decisions
2019
Sale to Circle City BroadcastingM&ABackground
Nexstar's acquisition of Tribune Media created overlapping television ownership in Indianapolis and required a divestiture under federal ownership rules.
Action taken
Circle City Broadcasting agreed to buy WISH-TV and WNDY-TV for $42.5 million, with the transaction closing on September 19, 2019.
Aftermath
WISH-TV became part of a locally owned Indianapolis station group and was separated from WANE-TV after a long period of common ownership.
Reported purchase price. $42.5 million (2019 transaction announcement)
2015
Transition from CBS to The CWStrategyBackground
WTTV was scheduled to take over the Indianapolis CBS affiliation at the beginning of 2015, ending WISH-TV's 58-year CBS relationship. WISH-TV initially prepared to operate independently.
Action taken
Media General obtained The CW affiliation from Tribune, and WISH-TV began carrying The CW instead of becoming an independent station.
Aftermath
The change preserved a major network affiliation for WISH-TV but ended its carriage of CBS programming and the associated CBS sports inventory, including regular Colts coverage.
- WTTV — WTTV became the Indianapolis CBS affiliate and assumed CBS-supplied programming, including Colts broadcasts.
Recent events
- 2019
Circle City Broadcasting agrees to acquire WISH-TV and WNDY-TV[1]
M&A
Circle City Broadcasting announced a transaction to acquire WISH-TV and WNDY-TV from Nexstar following Nexstar's acquisition of Tribune Media and related Indianapolis ownership constraints.
- 2019
Circle City Broadcasting completes WISH-TV acquisition[1]
M&A
The sale of WISH-TV and WNDY-TV to Circle City Broadcasting closed, returning the stations to local ownership.
- 2017
Nexstar completes acquisition of Media General[1]
M&A
Nexstar acquired Media General, bringing WISH-TV and WNDY-TV into the enlarged Nexstar station group before their later divestiture.
- 2015
WISH-TV loses CBS affiliation and joins The CW[1]
Leadership change
WTTV became Indianapolis's CBS affiliate while WISH-TV took over The CW affiliation after initially preparing to operate as an independent station.
- 2008
Retransmission-consent dispute temporarily removes LIN stations from cable systems[1]
Lawsuit · Pricing
A negotiation dispute between LIN TV and Time Warner Cable led to the temporary removal of LIN-owned stations, including WISH-TV, from affected cable systems. Service was restored after a new carriage agreement.
- 2005
WISH-TV and WNDY-TV form Indianapolis duopoly[1]
M&A
LIN TV acquired WNDY-TV from Viacom's Paramount Stations Group, creating a two-station Indianapolis operation with WISH-TV.
- 1956
WISH-TV becomes Indianapolis CBS affiliate[1]
Other
Following a change in ownership, WISH-TV secured the CBS affiliation from WFBM-TV and began a relationship with CBS that lasted until 2015.
- 1954
WISH-TV begins broadcasting[1]
Other
WISH-TV signed on in Indianapolis as the market's third television station.
Sources3 sources
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