WTAP-TV

Last updated

WTAP-TV
WTAP This is Home logo.png
City Parkersburg, West Virginia
Channels
BrandingWTAP; WTAP News
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
WOVA-LD, WIYE-LD
History
First air date
November 11, 1953
(70 years ago) (1953-11-11)
Former call signs
WTAP (1953–1959)
Former channel number(s)
  • Analog: 15 (UHF, 1953–2009)
  • Digital: 49 (UHF, 2000–2020)
  • DuMont (1953–1956)
  • ABC (secondary, 1953–1970)
  • CBS (secondary, 1953–1970)
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 4685
ERP 350 kW
HAAT 201.6 m (661 ft)
Transmitter coordinates 39°20′59.8″N81°33′55.4″W / 39.349944°N 81.565389°W / 39.349944; -81.565389
Links
Public license information
Website www.wtap.com

WTAP-TV (channel 15) is a television station in Parkersburg, West Virginia, United States, affiliated with NBC. It is owned by Gray Television alongside two low-power stations: Fox affiliate WOVA-LD (channel 22) and CBS affiliate WIYE-LD (channel 26). The three stations share studios on Market Street (official address is One Television Plaza) in downtown Parkersburg; WTAP-TV's transmitter is located in Independence Township, Ohio.

Contents

History

The station signed on on Veterans Day 1953. WTAP aired an analog signal on UHF channel 15 and, early in its life, aired programming from all four major networks of the time—NBC, ABC, CBS and DuMont. Then as now it was a primary NBC affiliate. WJPB-TV in Fairmont (channel 35, now sister station WDTV on channel 5) launched four months later and took on exactly the same affiliation. Original plans called for WTAP to join WJPB and turn the Parkersburg and Clarksburg areas into one giant television market. However, the area is a very rugged dissected plateau and neither station's signal was strong enough to carry across the terrain. Additionally, Parkersburg and Fairmont are 70 miles (113 km) apart, and UHF stations do not carry very well across long distances.

As a result, WTAP currently remains the only full-power commercial station based in Parkersburg. The only other outlets licensed to the city are the aforementioned low-power Fox and CBS affiliates, and outlying translators of West Virginia Public Broadcasting and the Trinity Broadcasting Network. By the mid-1950s, it was obvious that Clarksburg–Weston–Fairmont and Parkersburg–Marietta were going to be separate markets. However, WTAP retained secondary affiliations with ABC and CBS until 1970, when it became a sole NBC affiliate.

As it was the sole commercial station in town, area cable systems have long piped in stations from outlying markets. Suddenlink's system in Washington County, Ohio (home to Marietta) supplements the area with stations from Columbus, as does the Parkersburg–Marietta DirecTV feed. CAS Cable and Suddenlink's systems in Wood and Pleasants counties in West Virginia supplement coverage with stations from the Huntington–Charleston market. Cable and satellite are all but essential for acceptable television in this market, which is located in a very rugged dissected plateau.

The station's first studios were on West 7th Street in downtown Parkersburg near Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital. It had a number of owners in its early days including the Zanesville Publishing Company which bailed WTAP out when it almost went off-the-air in the mid-1950s. It held ownership for about a decade until a group of local businessmen bought the station. The station was acquired by Hoffman Estates, Illinois–based Benedek Broadcasting in 1980. The West 7th Street facilities were also home to WTAP-AM 1230 until the radio station was spun off and sold to a separate entity. In summer 1990, WTAP-TV moved to its present studios in a former industrial research building. A long-time WTAP on-air personality, Glenn Wilson, suggested and got Parkersburg's approval to rename the last block of Market Street "Television Plaza". As a result, the new building was given "One Television Plaza" as its official mailing address.

After Benedek declared bankruptcy and sold most of its stations in 2002, WTAP was bought by Gray Television. In 2004, it was the first NBC affiliate in West Virginia to offer high definition programming from the network. [2] In late 2005 Gray purchased NBC affiliate WSAZ-TV in Huntington making that station and WTAP sisters. On April 10, 2006, the station launched new second and third digital subchannels to serve as the area's Fox and UPN affiliates, respectively. To make these services possible, WTAP underwent a technical transformation. It carved out two new digital high definition-ready control rooms from space previously used for storage. The station also installed entirely digital production and master control rooms.

After UPN merged with The WB to form The CW in September 2006, WTAP-DT3 transitioned from UPN to Fox's new sister network, MyNetworkTV. WTAP has been digital-only since February 17, 2009. On September 3, 2012, Fox and MyNetworkTV moved to WOVA-LD and WIYE-LD2 respectively, leaving DT2 and DT3 dark. As of 2018, the DT2 and DT3 subchannels returned to the air as simulcasts of WIYE and WOVA.

WTAP is carried on multiple cable systems (in roughly a 50-mile (80 km) radius of Parkersburg) stretching as far east as West Union, West Virginia, as far south as Point Pleasant, West Virginia, as far north as Guernsey County, Ohio, and as far west as Athens, Ohio.

While many major network affiliates have identified with their network and channel number since the 1990s, WTAP has branded exclusively with its call letters since this time.

News operation

WTAP is one of the strongest NBC affiliates in the United States according to Nielsen ratings. Over the years, its various owners have invested considerable resources in its news operation, resulting in a higher-quality product than conventional wisdom would suggest for what has always been a very small market (it is currently the 193rd market). It airs 4+1⁄2 hours of news each weekday, a considerable amount for a station in a largely rural area of only 125,000 people. Its newscasts have more viewers than many other television stations in medium to large markets sharing audiences with up to three other affiliates.

After Gray Television bought WSAZ, there were rumors WTAP would scrap its news operation and simulcast newscasts from that station. WSAZ has long been available on cable in Parkersburg and its local newscasts, also among the highest-rated in the country, have always covered Parkersburg. However, Gray itself never considered shuttering WTAP's news department. In addition to WTAP's strong ratings performance, many of WTAP and WSAZ's stablemates are fairly close to each other while operating independently.

At some point in time after adding Fox, WTAP-DT2 began offering a 30-minute prime time newscast. Known as Fox Parkersburg News at 10, the weeknight show mirrors local news seen on the main channel, except for slightly different graphics and unique features. The station became the first outlet in West Virginia to upgrade newscasts to high definition on May 29, 2011. In addition to its main studios, WTAP operates a bureau in Marietta, Ohio.

Notable former personalities

Subchannels

The station's signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of WTAP-TV [3]
Channel Res. Aspect Short nameProgramming
15.1 1080i 16:9 WTAPNBC NBC
15.2 480i CBS-SD CBS (WIYE-LD)
15.3 FOX-SD Fox (WOVA-LD)
15.4Weather Doppler weather radar
15.5ION Ion Television
15.6WTAPOUT Outlaw
  Simulcast of subchannels of another station

See also

Related Research Articles

WVVA is a television station licensed to Bluefield, West Virginia, United States, serving the Bluefield–Beckley–Oak Hill market as an affiliate of NBC and The CW Plus. Owned by Gray Television, the station maintains studios on U.S. Route 460 in Bluefield, West Virginia, and its transmitter is located atop East River Mountain, near the West Virginia–Virginia border.

WSAZ-TV is a television station licensed to Huntington, West Virginia, United States, affiliated with NBC. It serves the Charleston–Huntington market, the second-largest television market east of the Mississippi River; the station's coverage area includes 31 counties in central West Virginia, eastern Kentucky and southeastern Ohio. WSAZ-TV is owned by Gray Television alongside Portsmouth, Ohio–licensed CW affiliate WQCW. The two stations share studios on 5th Avenue in Huntington, with an additional studio and newsroom on Columbia Avenue in Charleston. WSAZ-TV's transmitter is located on Barker Ridge near Milton, West Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKTV</span> NBC/CBS affiliate in Utica, New York

WKTV is a television station in Utica, New York, United States, affiliated with NBC and CBS. Owned by Heartland Media, the station has studios on Smith Hill Road in Deerfield, and its transmitter is located in the Eatonville section of Fairfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WSBT-TV</span> CBS/Fox affiliate in South Bend, Indiana

WSBT-TV is a television station in South Bend, Indiana, United States, affiliated with CBS and Fox. Owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, the station maintains studios on East Douglas Avenue in Mishawaka, and its transmitter is located on Ironwood Road in South Bend, near the St. Joseph County 4-H Fairgrounds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WGEM-TV</span> NBC/CW/Fox affiliate in Quincy, Illinois

WGEM-TV is a television station licensed to Quincy, Illinois, United States, serving the Quincy, Illinois–Hannibal, Missouri–Keokuk, Iowa market as an affiliate of NBC, The CW Plus, and Fox. Owned by Gray Television, it is sister to the company's sole radio property, sports station WGEM-FM (105.1). Both stations share studios in the New Tremont Apartments on Hampshire Street in downtown Quincy. WGEM-TV's transmitter is located east of the city on Cannonball Road near I-172.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KAIT</span> ABC/NBC/CW affiliate in Jonesboro, Arkansas

KAIT is a television station in Jonesboro, Arkansas, United States, affiliated with ABC, NBC, and The CW Plus. It is owned by Gray Television alongside Telemundo affiliate KJTB-LD and KJBW-LD. The three stations share studios on New Haven Church Road north of Jonesboro; KAIT's transmitter is located in Egypt, Arkansas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WAGM-TV</span> CBS/Fox/CW affiliate in Presque Isle, Maine

WAGM-TV is a television station in Presque Isle, Maine, United States, affiliated with CBS, Fox, and The CW Plus. It is owned by Gray Television alongside Fort Kent–licensed low-power NBC affiliate WWPI-LD. The two stations share studios on Brewer Road in Presque Isle; WAGM-TV's transmitter is located on the northern section of Mars Hill Mountain among the wind turbines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WABI-TV</span> CBS/CW affiliate in Bangor, Maine

WABI-TV is a television station in Bangor, Maine, United States, affiliated with CBS and The CW Plus. Owned by Gray Television, the station has studios on Hildreth Street in West Bangor, and its transmitter is atop Peaked Mountain in Dixmont.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WTHI-TV</span> CBS/Fox/MyNetworkTV/MeTV affiliate in Terre Haute, Indiana

WTHI-TV is a television station in Terre Haute, Indiana, United States, affiliated with CBS, Fox, MyNetworkTV and MeTV. Owned by Allen Media Broadcasting, the station has studios on 8th and Ohio Streets in downtown Terre Haute, and its transmitter is located along US 41/150 in unincorporated Sullivan County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WHIZ-TV</span> NBC affiliate in Zanesville, Ohio

WHIZ-TV is a television station in Zanesville, Ohio, United States, affiliated with NBC, Fox and MyNetworkTV. It is owned by Marquee Broadcasting alongside the company's only radio properties—WHIZ, WHIZ-FM (92.7), and WZVL. The stations share studios on Downard Road in Zanesville, where WHIZ-TV's transmitter is also located.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPXT</span> CW/MyNetworkTV affiliate in Portland, Maine

WPXT is a television station in Portland, Maine, United States, affiliated with The CW. It is owned by Hearst Television alongside Poland Spring–licensed ABC affiliate WMTW. The two stations share studios on Ledgeview Drive in Westbrook; WPXT's transmitter is located in West Baldwin, Maine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WQCW</span> CW affiliate in Portsmouth, Ohio

WQCW, branded on air as Tri-State's CW, is a television station licensed to Portsmouth, Ohio, United States, serving as the CW affiliate for the Charleston–Huntington, West Virginia market. It is one of two commercial television stations in the market licensed outside West Virginia. WQCW is owned by Gray Television alongside Huntington-licensed NBC affiliate WSAZ-TV. The two stations share studios on 5th Avenue in Huntington; WQCW's transmitter is located on Barker Ridge near Milton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WSYX</span> ABC/MyNetworkTV/Fox affiliate in Columbus, Ohio

WSYX is a television station in Columbus, Ohio, United States, affiliated with ABC and Fox. It is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, which provides certain services to TBD station WTTE and Chillicothe-licensed CW affiliate WWHO under separate local marketing agreements (LMAs). However, Sinclair effectively owns WTTE as the majority of Cunningham's stock is owned by the family of deceased group founder Julian Smith. The three stations share studios on Dublin Road in Grandview Heights ; WSYX's transmitter is located in the Franklinton section of Columbus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WISE-TV</span> CW affiliate in Fort Wayne, Indiana

WISE-TV is a television station in Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States, affiliated with The CW Plus. It is owned by Gray Television alongside ABC/NBC/MyNetworkTV affiliate WPTA. The two stations share studios on Butler Road in Northwest Fort Wayne, where WISE-TV's transmitter is also located.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KHBS</span> ABC/CW affiliate in Fort Smith, Arkansas

KHBS is a television station licensed to Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States, affiliated with ABC and The CW Plus. It is simulcast full-time over satellite station KHOG-TV in Fayetteville. Owned by Hearst Television and jointly branded as "40/29", the two stations maintain studios on Ajax Avenue in Rogers. KHBS' transmitter is located on Cavanal Hill in northwestern Le Flore County, Oklahoma, while KHOG-TV's transmitter is based near Ed Edwards Road in rural northeastern Washington County, Arkansas, just southeast of the Fayetteville city limits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WDTV</span> CBS affiliate in Weston, West Virginia

WDTV is a television station licensed to Weston, West Virginia, United States, serving as the CBS affiliate for North-Central West Virginia. It is owned by Gray Television alongside Clarksburg-licensed dual Fox/CW+ affiliate WVFX. The two stations share studios on Television Drive in Bridgeport ; WDTV's transmitter is located in an unincorporated area between Clarksburg and Arlington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBOY-TV</span> NBC/ABC affiliate in Clarksburg, West Virginia

WBOY-TV is a television station licensed to Clarksburg, West Virginia, United States, serving North Central West Virginia as an affiliate of NBC and ABC. Owned by Nexstar Media Group, the station maintains studios on West Pike Street in downtown Clarksburg, and its transmitter is located east of downtown and US 50.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WSVF-CD</span> Fox/CBS affiliate in Harrisonburg, Virginia

WSVF-CD is a low-power, Class A television station in Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States, affiliated with Fox and CBS. It is owned by Gray Television alongside ABC affiliate WHSV-TV and low-powered dual NBC/CW+ affiliate WSVW-LD. The three stations share studios on North Main Street/US 11 in downtown Harrisonburg, and operate a newsroom in Fishersville, serving Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County. WSVF-CD's transmitter is located atop Massanutten Mountain. There is no separate website for WSVF-CD; instead, it is integrated with that of sister station WHSV-TV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WOVA-LD</span> Fox/CW affiliate in Parkersburg, West Virginia

WOVA-LD is a low-power television station in Parkersburg, West Virginia, United States, affiliated with Fox and The CW Plus. It is owned by Gray Television alongside NBC affiliate WTAP-TV and low-power CBS affiliate WIYE-LD. The three stations share studios on Market Street in downtown Parkersburg; WOVA-LD's transmitter is located in Independence Township, Ohio.

WIYE-LD is a low-power television station in Parkersburg, West Virginia, United States, affiliated with CBS and MyNetworkTV. It is owned by Gray Television alongside NBC affiliate WTAP-TV and low-power Fox affiliate WOVA-LD. The three stations share studios on Market Street in downtown Parkersburg; WIYE-LD's transmitter is located in Independence Township, Ohio.

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WTAP-TV". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ "WTAP-TV To Make History with Local HD Newscasts". wtap.com. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  3. ↑ "RabbitEars TV Query for WTAP". RabbitEars.info . Retrieved June 11, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.