Channel 5 in the Triangle will soon stop airing CBS programming.  WRAL-TV will end its 30-year partnership with CBS and become an NBC affiliate on February 29th.

The local television station, which is owned by Capitol Broadcasting Company, became the CBS affiliate for the Triangle in 1985.

When the station originally signed on the air in 1956, it was an NBC affiliate. WRAL-TV became an ABC affiliate in 1962 where it remained until the switch to CBS.

Jim Goodman, president and chief executive of Capitol Broadcasting Company, said in a statement, “This was not an easy decision. It came down to the question, ‘What network do we believe is best positioned for the future of local broadcasting?’ It is clear to us that NBC understands the value that local affiliates bring to the entire network relationship.  We’re local broadcasters first. As the industry continues to change, we believe this switch to NBC positions us well for the future.”

This means big changes for channel 17, also.  WNCN-TV, currently the home of NBC programming in the Triangle, will become a CBS affiliate.  WNCN is owned by Media General.  In a release, Media General’s President and Chief Executive Officer Vincent L. Sadusky, said, “CBS has been a longstanding and valued partner for many years, and we are pleased to build upon our relationship with a new affiliation in Raleigh.  We are particularly excited about the opportunities this brings to our station and the high-quality network programming that complements our strong local news and unique local content.”