Indiana Broadcast History Archive

Gilbert Forbes came to WFBM Radio, Indianapolis, in 1937 with a news reporting background at a Chicago newspaper and stints at radio stations in St. Louis and Dubuque. With an authoritative delivery his newscasts were dominate in Indianapolis in the 1940’s. He became a war correspondent during WWII, reporting the experiences of Hoosier servicemen in Europe. He was the first anchor when WFBM-TV went on the air as Indiana’s first television station in May, 1949, and worked a 7-day a week schedule. Forbes continued his radio newscasts along with TV, and created a popular “Test the Press” television show that aired 1949-55. Forbes developed lung cancer, suffered a stroke, and died September 18, 1961. He was also inducted into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame.  

Indiana Broadcast Pioneers