Channel 9 debuted as WOR-TV on October 11, 1949. The Bamberger Broadcasting Service (a branch of R. H. Macy and Company called after the Bamberger's department store chain) owned it, as did WOR (710 AM) and WOR-FM (98.7 FM). Bamberger had founded Washington, D.C.'s fourth television station, WOIC, on channel 9 10 months previously. WOR-TV was the last of the city's VHF stations to sign on, and one of three independents (the others being WPIX (channel 11) and Newark, New Jersey-based WATV) to do so (channel 13). WOR radio's morning anchor, John B. Gambling, read a welcome message on WOR-first TV's night. However, due to a technical fault, the audio component of the speech was not heard. The issue was resolved, and Gambling reiterated the message before the station's sign-off later that evening.