Station History

The station signed on in 1986 as WFTY, an independent station without network affiliation. In 1993, the station was purchased by Jasas Corporation and remained the last independent television station in Washington, DC. In the beginning of 1995, the station obtained an affiliation with the Warner Brothers (WB) Network, and in August of that year, changed the call letters from WFTY to the more appropriately- suited WBDC. This proved to be a big year for the station because, in 1995, WBDC also became Washington's home for local sports teams such as the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Wizards and the Washington Capitals.

In 1996, still under the ownership of Jasas Corporation, Tribune Broadcasting of Chicago, Illinois, began managing the station. In 1999, Tribune purchased WBDC which afforded the station great new syndicated programming like Bernie Mac, My Wife and Kids, Sex and the City and Friends. Tribune's commitment to public service also brought about the innovative WB NOW and its successor, The Inner Loop. In 2006, Warner Brothers and The CBS Corporation announced an unprecedented merger of The WB and UPN to form "The CW." Thus, in May of '06, the station changed its call letters to WDCW reflecting our commitment to Washington DC and our CW Network Affiliation.

Children's Programming Report/Form 398 (via FCC Children's Television Webpage)