WMBD-TV (Peoria, IL)

WMBD-TV is a television station that is affiliated with CBS and is based in Peoria, Illinois, serving the North-Central Illinois area. It transmits a high-definition digital signal on UHF channel 30, which is recognized as virtual channel 31 through PSIP. The station's transmitter is located on Pinecrest Drive in East Peoria, within Groveland Township in Tazewell County. WMBD-TV is owned by the Nexstar Media Group, which also manages WYZZ-TV, a Fox affiliate licensed to Bloomington, through a local marketing agreement with Cunningham Broadcasting. Both stations operate from shared studio facilities located on North University Street in Peoria. WMBD-TV began broadcasting on January 1, 1958, making it the third television station in the Peoria market, following WEEK-TV (channel 25) and WTVH (channel 19, formerly known as WHOI). Initially, it transmitted an analog signal on UHF channel 31 and was owned by John Fetzer, who also owned WMBD radio (AM 1470 and FM 93.3, now WPBG). The call letters for all three stations were inspired by a local tale in which President Theodore Roosevelt referred to Grandview Drive, the original site of WMBD radio, as “the World’s Most Beautiful Drive.” Since WMBD radio had a long-standing relationship with CBS, it was natural for channel 31 to switch its CBS affiliation from WTVH.

Local

English

Television

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#180930

United States

#36801

Arts and Entertainment/TV Movies and Streaming

#1018

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

State Tournament preview: Eureka, Lexington, LeRoy, Notre Dame seek titles

1 day ago | centralillinoisproud.com | Kurt Pegler

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Four area high schools could be celebrating state championships this weekend. Eureka and Lexington are heading to the state baseball finals in Champaign. Leroy is headed to Peoria for state softball and Notre Dame to Naperville for the girls soccer state tournament. Eureka is at the state baseball tournament for the first time since 2013 when it finished fourth.
Prep sports recap for June 4, 2025

2 days ago | centralillinoisproud.com | Kurt Pegler

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Senior Carter Prina allowed one run on four hits as Washington defeated Joliet Catholic in the semifinals of the class 3A Metamora Sectional on Wednesday. Prina doubled home a run in as Washington took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and never trailed. The run allowed was unearned and Prina added four strikeouts in a clutch postseason performance. The Panthers advance to play Morris in Saturday’s sectional championship at 10:30 a.m. at Metamora.
Metamora, Pontiac set for sectional rematch

2 days ago | centralillinoisproud.com | Kurt Pegler

EAST PEORIA, ILL. (WMBD/WYZZ) — This year’s class 3A sectional softball championship will look a lot like last year’s game. It’s Pontiac and Metamora meeting for the sectional title again. Pontiac is making third appearance in four years in the game while Metamora is playing for a sectional title for the fourth straight year. “To be here every year is like a dream for some teams,” said Pontiac head coach Nicole Hayner.
PND girls soccer getting a little state mojo from goalkeeper’s jersey

2 days ago | centralillinoisproud.com | Kurt Pegler

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Notre Dame is headed to the girls state soccer finals for the 12th time in school history. But the Irish are still searching for their first state championship. Riley Bare is channeling some state mojo. The junior has been wearing the jerseys of her older brother Dillon all season. It started when she didn’t like how the women’s jerseys felt on her. “She told me she didn’t really love the fit of them,” said her father Mike Bare, an assistant coach for the team.
Texas man arrested for explicit messages to Peoria minor

3 days ago | centralillinoisproud.com | Andy Kravetz

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A Texas man was booked into the Peoria County Jail on allegations he sent explicit messages on social media to a minor. Mario E. Davis, 34, whose address is listed in Peoria County Jail records as being in Arlington, Texas, was booked on charges of grooming, indecent solicitation of a child and disorderly conduct in connection with the incident.
Severe T-Storm Watch issued for portions of Central Illinois through 11 pm Tuesday

3 days ago | centralillinoisproud.com | Chris Yates

Peoria, Ill. (WMBD) – The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of Central Illinois, mainly west of the Illinois River. Key TakeawaysStrong to severe storms possible Tuesday eveningDamaging wind gusts the primary threat, brief tornado possiblePeriods of rain showers through Wednesday morningAdditional rounds of rain Thursday night through FridayA line of thunderstorms will move out of Missouri and into Illinois this evening.
Peoria man faces five years in prison for voting more than once

3 days ago | centralillinoisproud.com | Andy Kravetz

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A Peoria attorney faces up to five years in prison after being indicted Tuesday for voting more than once. A no-bond, no-extradition warrant was issued for Thorn M. Smith, 67, whose last known address was near the Mt. Hawley Country Club in North Peoria. Little information was contained in the charge. He’s accused of voting more than once in the April 1 general election.
Prep sports recap for June 2, 2025

4 days ago | centralillinoisproud.com | Kurt Pegler

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Lexington and Eureka are heading to the state baseball finals for the first time in a while. Lexington scored five times in the first inning and beat Salt Fork, 5-3, in the class 1A super-sectional at Illinois Wesleyan University on Monday. The Minutemen (19-11) are heading to state for the first time since winning the 1990 state title. Eureka’s Cohen Alstat pitched a shutout as Eureka beat Wilmington, 4-0, to win the class 2A super-sectional at Geneseo.
Slugger Gabby Drake making mark at Dunlap

4 days ago | centralillinoisproud.com | Kurt Pegler

DUNLAP, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Dunlap junior Gabby Drake is a versatile softball player. She’s plays mainly at catcher but also has the skills to play third base. However, she really loves to grab the bat and hit. “Hitting has always been my thing. It’s because me and my dad have a special bond with hitting,” said Drake. Gabby’ father David Drake is an assistant coach with Dunlap’s baseball team and one of the most respected hitting coaches in central Illinois. That means hitting runs in the family.
Active pattern: Strong storms and much needed rain headed to Central Illinois

4 days ago | centralillinoisproud.com | Chris Yates

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The month of May ended up near average temperature wise but finished more than two inches below average in precipitation.