For a fourth consecutive year, WKRC-TV will telecast the annual Western & Southern/WEBN-FM Riverfest fireworks at 9 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1.
After a one-year absence from television, WKRC-TV stepped up in 2016 to air the last blast of summer choreographed to a soundtrack on rock station WEBN-FM (102.7).
Until 2015, telecasting WEBN-FM's Riverfest fireworks was a Cincinnati tradition for 31 consecutive years on WXIX-TV, WLWT-TV, WKRC-TV or WCPO-TV.
Since 2016, Channel 12 has broadcast the city's two biggest annual events – the Reds' Opening Day game and the Riverfest fireworks.
The theme for WEBN-FM's 43rd annual fireworks is "Circus – The Biggest Boom on Earth!" according to WKRC-TV's announcement.
Good Morning Cincinnati anchors Sheila Gray and Bob Herzog will co-host the live high-definition broadcast, which will also feature other Local 12 anchors and reporters. Main anchors Rob Braun and Cammy Dierking had hosted in past years;Braun opted to leave Channel 12 after 35 years when his contract expired last month.
From the WKRC-TV story:
"As we strive to exhilarate the region for the 43rd time, we encourage everyone to make it to the riverfront and experience the Western & Southern/WEBN Fireworks for free," said D.J. Hodge, Market President for iHeartMedia Cincinnati. "However, since we know many fans of the fireworks aren't able to join us in person, we once again are proud to partner with our friends at Local 12 to televise the biggest boom on earth."
"We're excited to be a part of this partnership with Western & Southern and iHeartMedia once again in 2019," said Jon Lawhead, General Manager for Local 12. "As we enter the 43rd year for Cincinnati's world famous fireworks show, we’re proud to be televising this event 'live', to our Tri-State viewers."
"The Western & Southern/WEBN fireworks bring together hundreds of thousands of people to the banks of the Ohio River to celebrate the end of summer," said John F. Barrett, Chairman, President and CEO of Western & Southern Financial Group. "Together with our friends at iHeartMedia and Local 12, we’re delighted to ensure that all in our community – those who come downtown and those who stay at home – can share in this spectacular experience."
WEBN-FM's first fireworks show was on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 1977 to celebrate the station's 10th birthday. The huge crowd prompted the city to create Riverfest.
