WGAL facts for kids

WGAL is a TV channel that broadcasts to homes in the Lancaster, Harrisburg, and York areas of Pennsylvania. This region is also known as the Susquehanna Valley. You can watch WGAL on channel 8. The TV station's main offices and studios are located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The Story of WGAL-TV

WGAL-TV first started broadcasting on March 18, 1949. It was one of the very first TV stations in Pennsylvania. When it first began, WGAL was on channel 4. The station was owned by the Steinman family. They also owned the WGAL radio station and two big newspapers in Lancaster. At that time, Lancaster was the smallest city in the entire country to have its own TV station!

On December 31, 1952, WGAL moved to its current channel, which is channel 8. A few years later, on January 1, 1954, WGAL showed its first TV program in color. This was a special broadcast of the Tournament of Roses Parade.

WGAL has always been connected with the NBC television network. However, for many years, it also showed some programs from other networks. These included CBS, the DuMont Television Network, and ABC. This continued until 1963.

The Steinman family sold WGAL-TV to a company called Pulitzer in late 1978. Then, in 1999, Pulitzer sold WGAL-TV to Hearst-Argyle Television. This change happened on March 18, which was a special day. It was the station's 50th birthday!

Images for kids

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  A typical WGAL highway sign, showing a classic WGAL logo. This sign is on PA 272 as you enter West Earl Township.