FARGO - WDAY-TV went to air for the first time on the evening of June 1, 1953.

It was the first television station in Fargo and the second to go to air in North Dakota.

However, WDAY had already been on radio for 32 years by the time WDAY-TV founder and president Earl Reineke welcomed the station's first viewers.

"Tonight, we enter a new phase and bring you the exciting and fascinating medium of TV," Reineke said.

The first night's lineup included "I Love Lucy," "The Jack Benny Show" and a 10-minute long newscast.

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A few of the sponsors for the evening broadcast included Lucky Strike and Fairmont Foods.

Television was still a luxury many could not afford. According to advertisements around the time of the first broadcast, $200 was a common starting price for basic television sets.

In terms of today's buying power, it would equate to a purchase of $1,800.

Today, WDAY-TV offers programming 24 hours a day with local newscasts starting at 5 a.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Friday.

It also offers Saturday newscasts starting at 7 a.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., as well as Sunday newscasts at 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.