Station Info

  Mission Statement
CBS 2 puts the needs and concerns of its viewers first by providing news and information that is relevant and beneficial. Throughout the years, we have been committed to serving as advocates for our viewers working for individuals and the community as a whole. Our focus is to connect with viewers through high-quality reporting and investigations that make a difference.


History of CBS 2
1911 - H. Leslie Atlass and his brother, Ralph, begin operating an amateur spark station with the transmitter located in Lincoln, Illinois.

1915 - The station ceases operations during World War I at the request of the government.

1921 - The station resumes operations with an amateur license and a 200 watt vacuum- tube transmitter.

1923 - The same transmitter is licensed as a broadcasting station, allocated the frequency of 1300 KC and assigned the call letters WBBM.

1924 - The Atlasses move from Lincoln to Chicago and set up WBBM in the basement of their home on North Sheridan Road.

1925 - Studios are built on the main floor of the Broadmoor Hotel at Howard and Bosworth Streets and the transmitter is installed on the roof. At the same time, the power of the station is increased to 1500 watts.

1926 - In February, WBBM's power is increased again, this time to 10,000 watts with the frequency remaining at 1330 KC.

1927 - On June 1, WBBM is authorized to change its frequency to 770 KC and to operate with a radiated power of 25,000 watts. Later the same month, the transmitter is moved to Glenview, IL.

1928 - WBBM becomes affiliated with CBS.

1929 - WBBM moves its studios into the Wrigley Building. CBS purchases controlling interest (67%) in WBBM-AM for $265,000.

1933 - CBS acquires full ownership of WBBM-AM for $142,500. H. Leslie Atlass named Vice President and General Manager of the network's Central Division and continues as General Manager of WBBM.

1935 - On May 7, the Federal Communications Commission authorizes WBBM to operate on 50,000 watts of radiated power.

1936 - Due to increase in the station's activity, more space is acquired in the Wrigley Building and executive offices and additional studios are built.

1939 - In March, a new 490-foot vertical antenna is built at Glenview, IL.

1941 - In March, the frequency is changed to 780 KC. In April, license granted for experimental broadcasts as W9XBK, Channel 4, to John Balaban, president of Balaban & Katz. This is Chicago's first television station. CBS begins FM operations in Chicago with an original investment in tangible property of $62,197. FM transmitter at 1 North LaSalle Street.

1946 - July 1, W9XBK granted commercial license as WBKB, Channel 4.

1953 - February 10 - CBS acquires WBKB, Channel 4, for $6,000,000 from Balaban & Katz, a subsidiary of Paramount Pictures. February 12 - Call letters changed to WBBM-TV. H. Leslie Atlass assumes management position. July 5 - Channel allocation changed from Channel 4 to Channel 2.

1954 - Chicago arena purchased by CBS for $1,270,682 and another $5,037,743 is spent over the next two years converting sports center into a base for radio and television operations.

1955 August - Building construction starts on new location. The building was originally constructed in 1924 and now is completely gutted for conversion.

1956 March - Operations begin at 630 North McClurg Court for all CBS facilities in Chicago. March 1 - first television program is broadcast from Program Control studio. March 25 - start of regular programming.

1959 February - First videotape machine are put into use - two Ampex 1000-A models. December - H. Leslie Atlass retires.

1960 January - Clark George appointed Vice President and General Manager of WBBM-TV. E. H. Shomo appointed Vice President and General Manager of WBBM- Radio. September - Presidential debates between John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon in Studio 1.

1965 March - Clark George appointed General Manager of WCBS-TV in New York. Edward Kenefick appointed Vice President and General Manager of WBBM-TV. Fall - Beginning of color broadcasts of some network and local programming.

1969 October 1 - Transmitter installed on top of John Hancock Building.

1973 March - General Manager Robert Wussler and News Director Van Gordon Sauter have a wall demolished between two studios to construct a state-of-the-art working newsroom that doubles as the on-air news set. Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson are named WBBM-TV's 10 p.m. anchors, with Jacobson doubling as a commentator. The working newsroom is used as the primary on-air set until 1991.

1974 - WBBM-TV acquires the first mini-cam in the Chicago market, making live video from the field possible for the first time.