1998 in American television

none June 2016 1998 In American television in 1998, notable events included television series debuts, finales, cancellations, and channel initiations, closures and rebrandings, as well as information about controversies and disputes. Events January Date Event3Jim McKay announces that Wide World of Sports has been cancelled by ABC after 37 years.12CBS acquires the rights to the AFC of the NFL as part of a $4 billion, eight-year contract; Fox and ABC renew their agreements for the NFC and Monday Night Football, respectively (Super Bowl XXXII, broadcast on January 25, would be NBC's last NFL game until 2006).15Many of Sinclair's stations that were previously affiliated with UPN were converted to affiliates of The WB.30CBS affiliate in Orlando, WCPX-TV changes its name to WKMG-TV following its purchase by Post-Newsweek. February Date Event9 Prevue Channel (now Pop) revamps its programming to include short-form segments. The revamp lasts until January 31, 1999, when the channel is renamed TV Guide Channel. March Date Event2Cartoon Network introduces a new on-air branding package produced by Primal Screen, which frequently incorporated Raymond Scott's song "Powerhouse", and would last for six years.18A wanted child molester named Matthew Fenwick appears as a contestant on the game show Wheel of Fortune and wins $4,400. At the time of the episode's airing, Matthew was on the run after being accused of molesting two underage girls, ages 8 and 10, who discovered Matthew on the game show after a warrant was issued for him in November 1997 by the police. He was arrested two days after his appearance on the game show and subsequently pled guilty in July 1998 for two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.29World Wrestling Federation wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin defeats Shawn Michaels, winning his first WWF World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XIV. With this, it has been cited to be the full beginning of the "Attitude Era". April Date Event4The 1998 Kids' Choice Awards air on Nickelodeon, hosted by Rosie O'Donnell. Television winners included Kenan & Kel (for "Favorite TV Show"), Jonathan Taylor Thomas (of Home Improvement for "Favorite TV Actor"), Melissa Joan Hart (of Sabrina the Teenage Witch for "Favorite TV Actress") and Rugrats (for "Favorite Cartoon"). A half-hour sneak preview of CatDog follows the ceremony.6Long-running British children's television series Teletubbies begins its U.S. television debut on PBS Kids.9The Price Is Right'''s 5,000th episode is broadcast on CBS. On the show, every pricing game is played for a car (something Price had only done once before. It has been repeated only once since then). At the beginning of the show, CBS announces it has renamed Studio 33 (the studio at CBS Television City where The Price Is Right'' has taped since its 1972 return) the Bob Barker Studios in honor of the show's then-host and executive producer.11The National Cable Television Association announces they will discontinue the CableACE awards, due to the Emmy Awards recognizing cable programming.30Seven television stations broadcast the suicide of maintenance worker Daniel V. Jones on live television. The incident causes many to criticize Los Angeles television stations' practice of airing police pursuits live and calls for proposed changes in the way live coverage of events are handled in the future. May Date Event7The infamous Seinfeld episode, "The Puerto Rican Day" is broadcast on NBC. In it, Cosmo Kramer accidentally burns and then stomps on the Puerto Rican flag. NBC was forced to apologize and had it banned from airing on the network again. Also, it was not initially part of the syndicated package. In the summer of 2002, the episode started to appear with the flag-burning sequence intact.1476.3 million people tune in to The Finale of Seinfeld on NBC.28Former Saturday Night Live actor and comedian Phil Hartman, then featuring on the NBC sitcom NewsRadio, the Fox animated sitcom The Simpsons, and announcer of Cartoon Network is shot and killed by his wife (who then kills herself). June Date Event1The anime Sailor Moon debuts on Cartoon Network's after school programming block, Toonami.11United Video Satellite Group, parent company of the Prevue Channel (now Pop), acquires TV Guide from News Corporation for $800 million and 60 million shares of stock worth an additional $1.2 billion. In recognition of this, Prevue Channel will rebrand to the TV Guide Channel on February 1, 1999.News Lite: TV Guide Deal Sets Up Broadcast Opportunity https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-83826997.html https://web.archive.org/web/20140611061805/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-83826997.html usurped June 11, 2014 Los Angeles Daily News June 12, 1998 HighBeam Research subscription Los Angeles, CA June 25, 2016The $2 Billion Acquisition of TV Guide https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-53557420/the-2-billion-acquisition-of-tv-guide Folio January 1, 1999 January 19, 2019 Questia subscription https://web.archive.org/web/20190119174642/https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-53557420/the-2-billion-acquisition-of-tv-guide dead14Game 6 of the NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz is broadcast on NBC. The game registered a 22.3 Nielsen rating and 38 share with average 35.9 million viewers. This made it the highest rated and most watched game in the history of the National Basketball Association. 72 million people in the US watched at least part of the game.72 million saw Bulls take the prize https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/72-million-saw-bulls-take-the-prize-3084266.php July 29, 2011 San Francisco Chronicle June 17, 1998 Associated Press The previous record was a 21.2 rating and 37 share for Game 7 of the 1988 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons on CBS.https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jun-17-sp-60729-story.html NBA Players Removed from U.S. Rosters June 17, 1998 Los Angeles Times February 13, 2009 August Date Event3The feud between UPN and Sinclair Broadcast Group has been ended, with many of the Milwaukee, Birmingham, Raleigh and Charleston stations that were temporary independent stations went back to being UPN affiliates.15A pre-season football game in Vancouver, British Columbia between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks is CBS's first NFL football broadcast since January 1994. 16KATH-LP in Juneau, Alaska signs on the air, giving the Juneau market its first full-time NBC affiliate. The sign-on was delayed for a month due to delays in receiving the equipment required to place the station on the local GCI cable system (Sister station KSCT-LP in Sitka, the market's former Fox affiliate, had already switched to NBC).Juneau-based television station to hit airwaves soon https://juneauempire.com/stories/062698/tv.html June 25, 2016 Juneau Empire June 26, 1998 https://web.archive.org/web/20160422140034/http://juneauempire.com/stories/062698/tv.html April 22, 2016 deadNew local television station to hit airwaves Monday https://juneauempire.com/stories/081698/newtv.html June 25, 2016 Juneau Empire August 16, 1998 https://web.archive.org/web/20160422140315/https://juneauempire.com/stories/081698/newtv.html April 22, 2016 dead September Date Event6CBS resumes its regular season coverage of the National Football League for the first time since 1993.7The Pokémon anime debuts in first run syndication with the episode "Battle aboard the St. Anne", which aired as a sneak peek. The series would make official debut the next day with the episode "Pokémon, I Choose You!".8In front of a nationwide audience watching on Fox, Mark McGwire hits his 62nd home run of the Major League Baseball season, breaking the 37 year old record held by Roger Maris.13The 50th Primetime Emmy Awards is broadcast on NBC. The NBC sitcom Frasier is announced as the winner of Outstanding Comedy Series, becoming the first show to win one of the two main series prizes for five consecutive years. Meanwhile, ABC's The Practice would win the award Outstanding Drama Series. This is to date, the last Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony where all the nominees for Outstanding Drama Series are from the broadcast networks. The following year, HBO's The Sopranos would become the first cable television series to be nominated for Outstanding Drama Series.17Frasier appears for the first time on Thursday nights in the 9:00 slot, NBC had been discussing in May, displacing Seinfeld, although Just Shoot Me! has been moved to Tuesdays two days earlier. The show produced new episodes in its slot next week.21The pilot episode for The King of Queens is broadcast on CBS. October Date Event4UPN adds two additional nights of programming to its schedule with primetime series added to Friday nights, including a movie block on Thursday nights.21Fox broadcasts the Game 4 of its second World Series. The New York Yankees defeat the San Diego Padres, winning their 24th championship and second since 1996.19Fox Family Channel debuts its new annual event 13 Nights of Halloween. November Date Event8The Milwaukee, Raleigh, Birmingham and Charleston stations owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group air many Star Trek: Voyager episodes viewers left out of the last season, with the permission of UPN and Paramount Television.16Sesame Streets 30th season premiere introduces a revised set, the human character Alan, and the segment Elmo's World.18The Powerpuff Girls is set premiere on Cartoon Network. That was Hanna-Barbera’s last series.20The Rugrats Movie, based on Nickelodeon's hit series Rugrats is released in theaters. The movie introduces the character of Dil Pickles, who became a main character in Rugrats the following January. The Rugrats Movie was a commercial success, making a grand total of $100,494,675 domestically and another $40,400,000 in international markets.https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=rugratsmovie.htm THE RUGRATS MOVIE Box Office Mojo June 25, 2016 To promote the movie, Nickelodeon put all Rugrats episodes on hiatus for the week. It was the first time since 1994 that Rugrats was not part of Nick's daily schedule. December Date Event Programs Debuts Date Show NetworkJanuary 1A Baby StoryTLCJanuary 3 The Magnificent SevenCBSJanuary 4 Ask HarrietFoxJanuary 5 The Charlie Horse Music PizzaPBS KidsJanuary 8 Crime StoriesCourt TV WCW ThunderTBSJanuary 15 PreyABC Style & SubstanceCBSJanuary 20 Dawson's CreekThe WBJanuary 24 ABC News Saturday NightABCJanuary 26 Special Report with Bret BaierFox News ChannelJanuary 30 Jep!Game Show NetworkFebruary 1 Fox & FriendsFox News ChannelFebruary 2 ThreeThe WBFebruary 6 Power Rangers in SpaceFox KidsFebruary 7 Silver SurferFebruary 23 The CloserCBSFebruary 24 Four CornersFebruary 28 Bug JuiceDisney ChannelMarch 9 House RulesNBCMarch 10 That's LifeABC Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place Weather CenterThe Weather ChannelMarch 11 Significant OthersFoxMarch 14 PB&J OtterPlayhouse DisneyMarch 17 For Your LoveNBC LateLineMarch 24 True LifeMTVApril 2 World's Wildest Police VideosFoxApril 4CatDogNickelodeonApril 6Getting PersonalFoxPushABCTeletubbiesPBS KidsApril 9 Mysteries and ScandalsE!April 13 Love Boat: The Next WaveUPNApril 19You're the OneThe WBApril 20 Kelly KellyMay 11 Call for HelpZDTV Internet Tonight The Screen Savers Silicon SpinMay 14 Celebrity DeathmatchMTVMay 25Say What? KaraokeJune 1 The ChallengeJune 3 The Simple LifeCBSJune 6 Sex and the CityHBO Today's Homeowner with Danny LipfordSyndicationJune 8 Invasion AmericaThe WB Forgive or ForgetSyndicationJune 22 The Howie Mandel Show Faux PauseGame Show NetworkJuly 4 X-PlayZDTVJuly 13 The Sifl and Olly ShowMTVJuly 16 Fox FilesFoxJuly 18 Bad DogFox Family The NetUSA NetworkJuly 19 Sins of the City Oh Yeah! CartoonsNickelodeonAugust 1 Linc'sShowtimeAugust 2WWE HeatUSA NetworkAugust 3 You're On!NickelodeonAugust 5Whose Line Is It Anyway?ABCAugust 15 I Can't Believe You Said ThatFox Family Outrageous!August 17 Judge Mills LaneSyndication Welcome to ParadoxSci-Fi ChannelAugust 18 Any Day NowLifetime Maggie Ohh Nooo! Mr. Bill PresentsFox FamilyAugust 22 The Howard Stern Radio Show CBSAugust 23 Holding the BabyFox That '70s ShowAugust 26 Oh BabyLifetimeAugust 31 HerculesDisney Channel and ABC Great Day AmericaPAX TV The Reel to Reel Picture Show Woman's DaySeptember 1 Book TVC-SPAN2 NFL LiveESPN2 Cousin SkeeterNickelodeon The Wild ThornberrysSeptember 5 The Secret Files of the Spy DogsFox KidsSeptember 6 It's a MiraclePAX TVSeptember 7 The Mystic Knights of Tir Na NogFox KidsSeptember 9 First WaveSci-Fi ChannelSeptember 11 Living in CaptivityFoxSeptember 12 AnimorphsNickelodeon One WorldNBC Godzilla: The SeriesFox Kids Mad Jack the Pirate The Mr. Potato Head Show Young Hercules Voltron: The Third DimensionSyndicationSeptember 13 The Army ShowThe WBSeptember 14 Judge Joe BrownSyndication The Roseanne Show Total Request LiveMTV Histeria!Kids' WBSeptember 15 CostelloFoxSeptember 19 Pinky, Elmyra & the BrainKids' WBSeptember 21 The Brian Benben ShowCBS The King of Queens L.A. Doctors Change of HeartSyndication Donny & Marie Hyperion BayThe WB Conrad BloomNBC Will & GraceSeptember 22 Encore! Encore! The HughleysABC Sports NightSeptember 24 JesseNBCSeptember 25 Buddy FaroCBS Brother's KeeperABC Two of a KindSeptember 26 Cupid Fantasy Island Martial LawCBS V.I.P.SyndicationSeptember 28 The CutMTVSeptember 29 Vengeance UnlimitedABC FelicityThe WBSeptember 30 The Secret Lives of MenABC Maggie WintersCBS To Have & to HoldOctober 2 Friday Night FightsESPN2 Off the WallDisney ChannelOctober 3 BirdzCBS Flying Rhino Junior High Mortal Kombat: KonquestSyndication AnatoleCBS Dumb BunniesOctober 4 Air AmericaSyndication Rolie Polie OliePlayhouse DisneyOctober 5 InquizitionGame Show Network NoddyPBS Kids DiRestaUPN Guys Like Us The Secret Diary of Desmond PfeifferOctober 6 Mercy PointOctober 7CharmedThe WBOut of the BoxPlayhouse DisneySeven DaysUPNOctober 9LegacyOctober 10Brats of the Lost NebulaKids' WBOctober 11Malibu, CASyndicationOctober 16TrinityNBCOctober 17Wind on WaterOctober 19The New Addams FamilyFox FamilyOctober 20The FBI FilesDiscovery ChannelOctober 23 BrimstoneFoxOctober 25 The Famous Jett JacksonDisney ChannelOctober 27 America's Greatest PetsUPN ReunitedNovember 2 BeckerCBS Jay Jay the Jet PlaneTLCNovember 7 City ConfidentialA&E Little MenPAX TV Mythic WarriorsCBSNovember 18 The Powerpuff GirlsCartoon NetworkDecember 1 Comedy Central PresentsComedy Central Ending this year Date Show DebutJanuary 1413 Hope St.1997Living Single1993January 3Newton's Apple1983January 4Inspector Gadget's Field Trip1996January 10Jungle CubsJanuary 12Jenny1997January 13DellaventuraJanuary 15The Secret World of Alex Mack1994January 16The Visitor1997January 22Union SquareJanuary 24CrackerJanuary 29Ask Harriet1998January 31Spider-Man1994February 5The Ink and Paint Club1997February 7Wheel 2000February 8Muppets Tonight 1996February 9Fired Up1997February 10Make Me Laugh 1958February 13 Teen Angel1997February 17Grace Under Fire1993February 20Channel Umptee-31997February 23Bobby's World1990February 27The Gregory Hines Show1997March 2Sparks1996Big Bad BeetleborgsMarch 3Four Corners1998March 4101 Dalmatians: The Series1997March 6Hiller and DillerMarch 7Gadget Boy & Heather1995USA Up All Night1989March 14Nothing Scared1997March 15The Tom ShowMarch 16George & LeoMarch 20Ninja Turtles: The Next MutationMarch 21Fame L.A.March 25Significant Others1998March 27Big Bag1996April 17Players1997April 25The Adventures of Sam & Max: Freelance PoliceApril 26You're the One1998April 27Brooklyn South1997Tots TV1993May 3Alright Already1997Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher1996May 4The Closer1998May 14Seinfeld1989May 15The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss1996May 16Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman1993Silver Surfer1998May 18Murphy Brown (returned in 2018)1988Team Knight Rider1997May 19Good NewsMay 22Singled Out1995May 25The Naked TruthMay 26Soul Man1997May 31SleepwalkersThe Larry Sanders Show1992June 7Kelly Kelly1998June 12Geraldo1987June 15Dexter's Laboratory (returned in 2001)1996Michael Hayes1997June 20Bill Nye the Science Guy1993June 23You Wish1997Cartoon SushiJune 25New York Undercover1994June 26Step by Step1991July 2C-16: FBI1997July 7Invasion America1998July 8The Simple LifeJuly 9PreyJuly 13Cybill1995July 17Family Matters1989July 18Timecop1997July 22Ellen1994July 25Weird ScienceAugust 6Push1998August 14Shop 'til You Drop (returned in 2000)1991Debt1996Shopping SpreeAugust 25USA Tuesday Night Fights1982September 2Style & Substance1998September 3The Statler Brothers Show1991September 12Think CBS Kidz1997September 20NBC Nightside1991September 23The RuPaul Show1996October 2Wishbone1995The Reel to Reel Picture Show1998October 12The Brian Benben ShowOctober 13CostelloOctober 16Getting PersonalLiving in CaptivityOctober 17Sins of the CityThe Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper1996October 28The Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer1998November 6All Dogs Go to Heaven: The Series1996November 7The Secret Lives of Men1998November 14Animaniacs (returned in 2020)1993Pinky and the Brain1995November 16GoosebumpsNovember 17Earth's Fury1997November 21Power Rangers in Space1998November 25Babylon 51994December 4The Puzzle Place1995Buddy Faro1998December 5You're On!December 9To Have & to HoldDecember 12The CutThe New Adventures of Zorro1997December 13The Army Show1998The New Adventures of Robin Hood1997December 15Holding the Baby1998December 20The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo1996December 21Conrad Bloom1998December 28Mr. Show with Bob and David1995December 29Reunited1998December 31This Week in Baseball1977 Entering syndication this year Show Seasons In production SourceChicago HopeSeptember 14, 1998 - August 18, 2002Yes from Broadcasting & CableDave's WorldSeptember 14, 1998 - August 27, 2000NoDiagnosis: MurderSeptember 21, 1998 - April 8, 2005YesDisney's DougSeptember 7, 1998 - September 2, 2001YesERSeptember 14, 1998 - September 1, 2006Yes from Broadcasting & CableFriendsSeptember 14, 1998-presentYes from Broadcasting & CableThe NannySeptember 14, 1998 - August 8, 2004 rowspan="" 1 |Yes|| from Broadcasting & Cable |- |New York Undercover||September 21, 1998 - July 16, 2004|| rowspan="1" |No|| from Broadcasting & Cable |- |Newsradio||September 14, 1998 - June 23, 2013|| rowspan="1" |Yes|| from Broadcasting & Cable |- |Sister, Sister||September 28, 1998 - August 19, 2005|| rowspan="1" |Yes|| from Broadcasting & Cable |- |This Old House||September 5, 1998 - May 27, 2018|| rowspan="1" |Yes|| from Broadcasting & Cable |- |Touched by an Angel''September 7, 1998 - July 11, 2004Yes Returning this year Show Last aired Previous network New title New network Date of returnKids Say the Darndest Things1995CBSSameSameJanuary 9The NFL Today1994CBSSeptember 6Disney's Brand Spanking New! Doug1997ABCDisney's DougABC/SyndicationSeptember 12Hollywood Squares1989SyndicationSameSameSeptember 14Love Connection1994September 21Match Game1991ABCSyndication Changes of network affiliation Show Moved from Moved to For Your Love NBC The WBTV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes ABCSliders Fox Sci-Fi Channel Magic Adventures of Mumfie Fox Kids Fox Family Channel Flipper Syndication PAX TV All Dogs Go to Heaven: The Series Syndication Fox Family Channel All New Captain KangarooMatch Game ABC Syndication Made-for-TV movies Title Network Date of airing Dallas: War of the Ewings CBS April 24 Halloweentown Disney Channel October 17 Miniseries Title Network Date of airingThe Last Don II CBS May 3Richmond Ray 1998-04-29 The Last Don II https://variety.com/1998/tv/reviews/the-last-don-ii-1117477439/ 2024-01-07 Variety en-US Peter Benchley's Creature ABC May 17Thanks of a Grateful Nation Showtime May 31 Networks and services Network launches Network Type Launch date Notes Source Zee TV Cable television Unknown Discovery en Espanol Cable television Unknown Showtime Extreme Cable and satellite March 10 Showtime Extreme, a multiplex channel from Showtime, airs action and adventure films, thrillers, gangster films and sporting events. The channel's launch coincided with Viacom's channels (excluding the Showtime networks) moving from USSB to DirecTV. BBC America Cable and satellite March 29 BBC Worldwide and Discovery Communications launched BBC America as part of a $565 million alliance to develop new channels and co-productions. The channel carried British drama, comedy, and documentary programs and live news broadcasts from BBC World. Toon Disney Cable and satellite April 18 Toon Disney, devoted to carrying animated series and movies 24 hours a day, was launched by The Walt Disney Company on Disney Channel's 15th anniversary. The first program to air was "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" segment from Fantasia. ZDTV Cable and satellite May 11 A channel launched by Ziff Davis airing technology-based programs. CityVision Cable television June 8 Lifetime Movie Network Cable and satellite June 29 A offshoot of Lifetime carrying made-for-TV movies aimed at women. Discovery Health Channel Cable and satellite July 1 Discovery Health Channel aired repeats of health-oriented programs from other Discovery networks, plus some original programming. Discovery Wings Channel Cable and satellite July 15 Named after the Discovery Channel series Wings, Discovery Wings Channel aired programs related to aircraft and aerospace. Discovery Wings also showed top-of-the-hour interstitials featuring aviation forecast data provided by the National Weather Service. MTV SMTVXVH1 CountryVH1 SmoothVH1 Soul Digital cable August 1 MTV Networks launches "The Suite from MTV and VH1", five music channels initially exclusive to digital cable. PAX Over-the-air multicast August 31 Paxson Communications launches PAX TV (now named Ion Television), a family-oriented broadcast network. Paxson's stations previously carried a number of paid programming services (as well as the overnight Christian block The Worship Network), branded as the Infomall Television Network until at the time of PAX's launch.On Monday, the Genesis of PAX TV http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-668142.html https://web.archive.org/web/20140610170848/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-668142.html usurped June 10, 2014 Lisa de Moraes The Washington Post HighBeam Research August 29, 1998 February 25, 2013 subscription The WB 100+ Station Group Cable television September 21 The WB launches its programming service of cable-only networks, branded as the 100+ Station Group. It was originally known as The WeB, which was from its launch until March of next year. Several cable providers that carried The WB's programming on WGN Superstation feed (until it was dropped the following September) were replaced by its own service.A Salute to The WB 100+ Station Group on its Fifth Anniversary http://russellmyerson.com/media/document/russ_myerson_television_week2250.pdf TelevisionWeek RussellMyerson.com September 22, 2003 2016-11-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061500/http://russellmyerson.com/media/document/russ_myerson_television_week2250.pdf 2016-03-04 dead The Biography Channel Cable and satellite November 16 First announced in June 1996, The Biography Channel aired episodes of A&E's profile series Biography and related series. History Channel International Cable and satellite November 16 History Channel International broadcast programs focusing on world history, plus a selection of programs in foreign languages for the Cable in the Classroom initiative. Network conversions Old network name New network name Type Conversion Date Notes SourceCBS Eye on PeopleEye on PeopleCable and satelliteUnknown Nostalgia Good TVGoodlife TV NetworkCable televisionUnknown ESPN Classic Classic Sports Network Cable and satellite January 1The Family ChannelFox Family ChannelCable and satelliteAugust 15More than a year after its acquisition by News Corporation's Fox Kids Worldwide, Inc., The Family Channel is re-initiated as Fox Family Channel, with the network now targeting a younger family-oriented audience than that of its predecessor.HBO2HBO PlusCable and satelliteOctober 1HBO3HBO SignatureCable and satelliteOctober 1Q2Style NetworkCable and satelliteOctober 1QVC shut down its Q2 network on October 1 and sold its satellite capacity to E!, who used the space to launch Style Network. Closures Network Type Closure date Notes Source American Sports Classics Cable and satellite Unknown Sega Channel Online service July 31 Television stations Station launches Date Market Station Channel Affiliation January Lake Worth/West Palm Beach, Florida WPXP-TV 68 inTV January 12 Laredo, Texas K68FU 68 Vida Communications February 2 Rochester, New York WBGT-LP 40 UPN March Garden City, Kansas KDCK 21 PBS Smoky Hills PTV April 21 Provo, Utah KUPX-TV 16 inTV May 18 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania WSWB-TV 64 inTV May 28 Clarksville, Tennessee W69EC 69 Independent June 1 Morehead/Lexington, Kentucky (now licensed in Richmond, Kentucky) WAOM 67 UPN June 15 Live Oak, Florida WFXU 57 Fox June 16 Wichita, Kansas K53EO 53 America's Voice/ZDTV July 10 Walla Walla, Washington K33EJ 33 3ABN July 15 Palo Alto/San Francisco, California KTLN 68 Total Living Network July 16 Pocatello/Idaho Falls, Idaho KFXP 31 Fox August 15 Helena, Montana KMTF 10 August 17 Juneau, Alaska K05JR 5 NBC August 27 Albany, New York WVBG-LP 25 Independent August 31 Baton Rouge, Louisiana K52CQ 52 PAX TV Charlottesville, Virginia WADA-LP 55 Newton/Des Moines, Iowa KFPX-TV 39 Kaneoche/Honolulu, Hawaii KPXO-TV 66 Huntington/Charleston, West Virginia WLPX-TV 29 Shreveport, Louisiana KPXJ 21 September 8 Mitchell, South Dakota KDLV-TV 5 NBC September 22 Lima, Ohio W65DP 65 Fox (via WOHL-LP) October 5 Charleston/Huntington, West Virginia WHCP 30 The WB Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota K35CY 35 HSN October 8 Huntington, West Virginia W53BJ 53 The WB (as a translator of WHCP) October 19 Toledo, Ohio WLMB 40 Religious independent November 6 Bakersfield, California K24EJ 24 Fox November 24 Syracuse, New York WSPX-TV 56 Pax TV December 3 Nashville, Tennessee W68CG 68 The Box December 6 Salt Lake City, Utah KAZG 24 Independent December 4 Crandon/Wausau, Wisconsin WBIJ-TV 4 FamilyNet December 10 Monroe, Louisiana (El Dorado, Arkansas) KAQY 11 ABC December 15 Steubenville, Ohio W28AS 28 Independent Unknown date Atlanta, Georgia W20AI 20 ShopNBC Mercer, Pennsylvania WPXI-LP 17 Fox Payette, Idaho K17ED 17 3ABN Scottsville, Kentucky W48BM 48 Religious independent (primary) FamilyNet (secondary) Winnemucca, Nevada KWNV 7 NBC (satellite of KRNV/Reno) Youngstown, Ohio WYFX-LP 62 (now on 19) Fox Stations changing network affiliation Market Date Station Channel Prior affiliation New affiliationSacramento/Stockton/Modesto, California January 5 KPWB/KMAX-TV 31 The WB UPN KQCA 58 UPN The WB Baltimore, Maryland January 15 WNUV 54 Cincinnati, Ohio WBQC-LP 25 The WB Independent WSTR-TV 64 UPN The WB Indianapolis, Indiana WTTV/WTTK 4/29 Independent Oklahoma City, Oklahoma KOCB 34 The WBPittsburgh, Pennsylvania WNPA 19 The WB UPN WCWB 22 UPN The WB Kansas City, Missouri January 21 KSMO-TV 62 Baltimore, Maryland January 20 WUTB 24 HSN UPN San Antonio, Texas January 25 KRRT 35 UPN The WB Provo, Utah August 31 KUPX-TV 16 inTV Pax TVLas Vegas, Nevada March 1 KUPN 21 UPN The WB KFBT 33 The WB IndependentIndianapolis, Indiana April 6 WTTV/WTTK 4/29 Independent The WB WNDY-TV 23 The WB UPN Lake Worth/West Palm Beach, Florida August 31 WPXP-TV 68 inTV Pax TV Oklahoma City, Oklahoma June 15 KPSG 43 PBS UPNNorfolk, Virginia August 1 WTVZ-TV 33 Fox The WB WVBT 43 The WB FoxRaleigh, North Carolina WLFL 22 Fox The WB WRAZ 50 The WB Fox Akron/Cleveland, Ohio August 31 WVPX-TV 23 inTV PAX TV Arlington/Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas KPXD-TV 68 Detroit, Michigan Unknown date WLPC-LP 26 America One (primary) FamilyNet (secondary) FamilyNet (exclusive) Norwell/Boston, Massachusetts August 31 WBPX-TV 46 inTV Pax TV Champaign/Decatur/Urbana, Illinois WPXU-TV 23 Chicago, Illinois WCFC/WCPX-TV 38 Christian independent Hagerstown, Maryland(Washington, D.C.) WWPX-TV 60 inTV Kenosha/Milwaukee, Wisconsin WHKE/WPXE-TV 55 Los Angeles, California KPXN-TV 30 Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Florida WPXM-TV 35 New York, New York WPXN-TV 31 Melbourne/Orlando, Florida WOPX-TV 56 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania(Wilmington, Delaware) WPPX-TV 61 Rome/Atlanta, Georgia WTLK/WPXA-TV 14 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, California KKPX-TV 65 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania WQPX-TV 64 inTV (as WSWB-TV) Seattle-Tacoma, Washington KBGE/KWPX-TV 33 ValueVision Albany, New York October 5 WVBG-LP 25 Independent UPN Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania November 1 WSWBWILF 3853 Fox The WB Births Date Name NotabilityJanuary 4Coco JonesActress (So Random!, Good Luck Charlie, Bel-Air) and singerJanuary 9Kerris DorseyActress (Brothers & Sisters, Ray Donovan)January 12Nathan GambleActor (Runaway, Hank)January 22Joe SerafiniActor (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series)January 23Rachel CrowActress (Fred: The Show, Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh) and singerJanuary 28Ariel WinterActress (Phineas and Ferb, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Modern Family, Sofia the First)February 9Isabella GomezActressFebruary 15Zachary GordonActor (Bubble Guppies, Diary of a Wimpy Kid)February 20Matt HunterColombian-American singer and voice actor (Go, Diego, Go!)March 5Micah FowlerActor (Speechless)March 22Paola AndinoActress (Every Witch Way)April 6Peyton ListActress (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Jessie, Bunk'd, Light as a Feather, Cobra Kai)Spencer ListActorApril 9Elle FanningActress and sister of Dakota FanningApril 11Oliver DillonEnglish actor (Lumpy on My Friends Tigger & Pooh)April 12Larry SapersteinActor (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series)April 24Ryan WhitneyActress (Zeke and Luther, See Dad Run, The Thundermans)April 27Froy GutierrezActor (Teen Wolf)June 11Charlie TahanActor (Wayward Pines)June 16Lauren TaylorActress (Best Friends Whenever) and singerJune 19Atticus ShafferActor (The Middle, Fish Hooks, Steven Universe, The Lion Guard)June 24Coy StewartActor (Are We There Yet?, Bella and the Bulldogs)July 7Dylan SprayberryActor (Teen Wolf)July 8Maya HawkeActress (Stranger Things, Asteroid City, Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur), singer, model and daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma ThurmanJaden SmithActor (All of Us, The Get Down), rapper and son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett SmithJuly 9Robert CapronActor (Diary of a Wimpy Kid)July 10Haley PullosActress (General Hospital)Angus CloudActor (Euphoria) (d. 2023)Hobbs Jack Keller Erin 2023-09-21 ‘Euphoria’ star Angus Cloud’s cause of death revealed https://nypost.com/2023/09/21/euphoria-star-angus-clouds-cause-of-death-revealed-2/ 2024-10-01 en-USJuly 17Kennedy Lea SlocumActress (WITS Academy)July 22Madison PettisActress (Cory in the House, Phineas and Ferb, Life with Boys, Lab Rats, The Fosters, The Lion Guard)July 24Bindi IrwinAustralian actress (Dancing with the Stars season 21 [winner])Logan GroveVoice actor (Gumball on The Amazing World of Gumball (2011–14))July 25Kyson FacerActor (I Am Frankie)July 31Rico RodriguezActor (Modern Family)August 1Khamani GriffinActor (All of Us, Carpoolers, Ni Hao, Kai-Lan)August 3Cozi ZuehlsdorffActress and singerAugust 8Shawn MendesCanadian singerAugust 13Devan LeosActor (Mighty Med)August 25China Anne McClainActress (Tyler Perry's House of Payne, Jonas, A.N.T. Farm, Descendants: Wicked World, Descendants, Black Lightning) and singerSeptember 4Elizabeth EliasActress (Every Witch Way)October 1Danika YaroshActress (See Dad Run, Shameless, Heroes Reborn)October 6Matt CornettActor (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series)October 28Nolan GouldActor (Modern Family)November 4Darcy Rose ByrnesActress (The Young and the Restless, Desperate Housewives, The Legend of Korra, Sofia the First, Spirit Riding Free)November 17Kara HaywardActressNovember 22Eric UngerActorNovember 23Samantha DiazSinger (American Idol)Vawter Eve 2022-08-27 'American Idol' Winner Just Sam Gives Update After Recent Hospitalization https://www.tvinsider.com/1058113/american-idol-winner-just-sam-hospitalized-instagram/ 2024-02-19 TV Insider en-USBradley Steven PerryActor (Good Luck Charlie, Mighty Med, Descendants: Wicked World, Lab Rats: Elite Force)November 24Peyton Meyer Actor (Girl Meets World)December 2Annalise BassoActressAmber FrankActress (The Haunted Hathaways, Spirit Riding Free)December 8Tanner BuchananActor (Designated Survivor, Cobra Kai)December 16Kiara MuhammadVoice actress (Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First)December 17Jasmine ArmfieldEnglish actress (EastEnders)December 22G HanneliusActress (Surviving Suburbia, Sonny with a Chance, Good Luck Charlie, Dog with a Blog) and singerDecember 23 Jackie Radinsky Actor (Bella and the Bulldogs)December 29Paris BerelcActress (Mighty Med, Lab Rats: Elite Force, Alexa & Katie)December 31Hunter SchaferActress (Euphoria) Deaths Date Name Age NotabilityJanuary 4Mae Questel89Actress (voice of Olive Oyl in Popeye the Sailor)January 5 Sonny Bono62Singer and entertainer (The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour)January 21 Jack Lord77Actor (Steve McGarrett on Hawaii Five-O)February 3Fat Pat27American rapperFebruary 6Carl Wilson51Singer-songwriter (The Beach Boys) and brother of Brian WilsonFebruary 19 Grandpa Jones84Comedian and musician (Hee Haw)February 23Philip Abbott74Actor (The F.B.I.)March 10 Lloyd Bridges85Actor (Mike Nelson on Sea Hunt)April 17 Linda McCartney 56Musician (guest star on The Simpsons) (Paul McCartney's wife)May 14Frank Sinatra82Singer, actor, and producerMay 28 Phil Hartman49Actor, comedian (Saturday Night Live, The Simpsons, NewsRadio)May 29Barry Goldwater89Politician and Republican nominee for president in 1964May 29, 1998 Barry Goldwater Dead At 89 https://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/05/29/goldwater.obit/ 2025-01-06 www.cnn.comJuly 6 Roy Rogers86Singer and actor (The Roy Rogers Show)July 21 Robert Young91Actor (Father Knows Best, Marcus Welby, M.D.)July 30 Buffalo Bob Smith80Children's show host (Howdy Doody)August 2Shari Lewis65Puppeteer (Lamb Chop's Play-Along)September 23Mary Frann55Actress (Joanna on Newhart)October 2Gene Autry91Musical performer (The Gene Autry Show)October 3 Roddy McDowall70Actor (Tales of the Gold Monkey) November 17 Dick O'Neill70Actor (Family Matters, Home Improvement)Esther Rolle78Actress (Florida on Maude and Good Times)December 6 Michael Zaslow56Actor (Roger Thorpe on Guiding Light)December 14 Norman Fell74Actor (Stanley Roper on Three's Company)December 23Michelle Thomas30Actress (Myra on Family Matters, Justine on The Cosby Show)December 25 Richard Paul58Actor (Carter Country, Match Game) See also 1990s 1998 in the United States List of American films of 1998 References External links List of 1998 American television series at IMDb 1998 Category:1998 in American television Category:1990s in American television