The predecessor of WFRV-TV is WNAM-TV, a UHF station (Channel 42) owned and operated by the Neenah-Menasha Broadcasting Company and serving as a sister station to WNAM radio.
WFRV-TV
Pre-launch
By 1954, Valley Telecasting Company was preparing to launch WFRV-TV (Channel 5), promoting its efforts in trade ads such as that shown here. Fearing that a third VHF signal in the Green Bay/Fox Cities TV market would doom its UHF outlet, WNAM-TV's owners suspended the station's operations at the beginning of 1955 and merged with Valley Telecasting.
1955–1959
WFRV-TV formally commenced programming on Channel 5 in May 1955, using the studios and facilities of the former WNAM-TV.
1959–1969
WFRV switched affiliations from ABC to NBC in 1959.
1969–1973
Print ad using logos for WFRV and its Upper Michigan-based repeater WJMN-TV.
1973–1976
The number itself
In the mid-1970s, WFRV would use a logo in the same Microgramma typeface as those of WCSC-TV in Charleston, South Carolina and WTVF in Nashville.
1976–2001
In 1976, WFRV and satellite WJMN-TV adopted logos that utilized the Verona Serial Heavy font used by fellow Orion Broadcasting stations in Louisville (WAVE), Cedar Rapids (WMT-TV), and Evansville (WFIE).
1976–1983
"5 Country" logo
1983–1992
WFRV Win, Lose or Draw promo using graphics from "Something's Happening on ABC" campaign (1988)
WFRV Oprah Winfrey Show premiere promo
On April 18, 1983, WFRV rejoined ABC after 24 years away. The "5" became enclosed in a circle.
1992–1996
After its owner Midwest Radio and Television was purchased by CBS, WFRV-TV became a network owned-and-operated station on March 15, 1992 (with WBAY-TV taking over the ABC affiliation). With the switch came an exit of the "5" logo from its ABC-era circle.
1996–2001
Early 2001–Late 2001
This short-lived logo was the last to incorporate the Orion-era "5" logo.
1Nexstar operates these stations owned by Mission Broadcasting. 2Nexstar operates this station owned by Cunningham Broadcasting. 3Nexstar operates this station owned by White Knight Broadcasting through an SSA. 4Nexstar operates this station owned by Vaughan Media. 5Predecessor company of LIN Media. 6Currently a repeater for WWLP. 7Joint venture with Warner Bros. Discovery in which Nexstar owns 31% while Warner Bros. Discovery owns the remaining 69%.
