WIAT 42: Difference between revisions
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'''WIAT | '''WIAT 42''' is the CBS-TV affiliate for the [[Birmingham]]/[[Tuscaloosa]]/[[Anniston]] market. It is a UHF television station licensed to Birmingham, on analog channel 42 (digital channel 30). Its transmitter is located on [[Red Mountain]]. The station is currently owned by Media General, but has been put on the market recently. | ||
The station's call letters, changed to WIAT in 1998, stand for "It's about time". Before then, it was known as [[WBMG- | The station's call letters, changed to WIAT in 1998, stand for "It's about time". Before then, it was known as [[WBMG-42|WBMG]]. | ||
On | On New Year's Day [[1998]], General Manager [[Eric Land]] cancelled WBMG's newscast and shut down the news department. Over the next month, the station went through a serious overhaul from graphics and set to logo and newscast format. During that time, the station showed a picture of a clock at 5 and 10 p.m. -- the slots where the news used to air. The station's call letters were changed to '''WIAT''', which stood for '''I'''t's '''A'''bout '''T'''ime, the station's new slogan. The new format debuted on [[February 5]], [[1998]] — the same day as the start of the Winter Olympics — with a new name, "CBS42 Daily News." The station does not have any on-air reporters, which is somewhat unusual for most modern TV stations. | ||
Ratings improved somewhat, but many problems behind the scenes occurred involving on-air talent and management that led to lawsuits. However, that year the station received its first two | Ratings improved somewhat, but many problems behind the scenes occurred involving on-air talent and management that led to lawsuits. However, that year the station received its first two Emmy Awards in station history. The station recently updated its graphics, set and newscast title to "News42, It's About Time." | ||
WIAT has steadily improved its ratings in the last decade, and has been far more competitive than ever before. In fact, it has actually finished first in some timeslots. | WIAT has steadily improved its ratings in the last decade, and has been far more competitive than ever before. In fact, it has actually finished first in some timeslots. | ||
Beginning | Beginning October 2005 WIAT teamed with WB affiliate [[WTTO 21]] to begin producing a 9 p.m. newscast. Using the same set and anchors as WIAT and a modified graphics package, the ''WB News at 9'' airs 7 days per week. | ||
In April 2006, Media General bought four NBC | In April 2006, Media General bought four NBC owned and operated stations, including WVTM. Since the FCC will not allow one entity to own two of the four largest stations in a single market, Media General opted to keep the higher-rated WVTM and sell WIAT to another owner. One of the rumored buyers is CBS, while other local parties have been said to be interested. Another rumored buyer is Raycom Media, which has reportedly wanted a Birmingham station for years. [http://www.media-general.com/press/2006/april6_06.htm] | ||
WIAT does not air a morning newscast, but reportedly will begin a morning show in May of 2007. | WIAT does not air a morning newscast, but reportedly will begin a morning show in May of 2007. | ||
The '''WIAT Tower''', built in [[1974]], is a 1,194 foot-high guyed mast, located at 30°41'17.0" N and 87°47'54.0" W | |||
The '''WIAT | |||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
*[http://www.wiat.com/ WIAT] website | * [http://www.wiat.com/ WIAT] website | ||
*[http://mywebpages.comcast.net/bham.rewound/radio-tv.htm Classic TV] at [[Birmingham Rewound]]. | * [http://mywebpages.comcast.net/bham.rewound/radio-tv.htm Classic TV] at [[Birmingham Rewound]]. | ||
* [http://www.skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?b17269 WIAT tower] at Skyscraperpage.com | |||
* [http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistration.jsp?regKey=619869 WIAT's FCC registration] | |||
[[Category:TV stations]] | [[Category:TV stations]] | ||
[[Category:Red Mountain]] | [[Category:Red Mountain]] | ||
Revision as of 14:21, 19 April 2006
WIAT 42 is the CBS-TV affiliate for the Birmingham/Tuscaloosa/Anniston market. It is a UHF television station licensed to Birmingham, on analog channel 42 (digital channel 30). Its transmitter is located on Red Mountain. The station is currently owned by Media General, but has been put on the market recently.
The station's call letters, changed to WIAT in 1998, stand for "It's about time". Before then, it was known as WBMG.
On New Year's Day 1998, General Manager Eric Land cancelled WBMG's newscast and shut down the news department. Over the next month, the station went through a serious overhaul from graphics and set to logo and newscast format. During that time, the station showed a picture of a clock at 5 and 10 p.m. -- the slots where the news used to air. The station's call letters were changed to WIAT, which stood for It's About Time, the station's new slogan. The new format debuted on February 5, 1998 — the same day as the start of the Winter Olympics — with a new name, "CBS42 Daily News." The station does not have any on-air reporters, which is somewhat unusual for most modern TV stations.
Ratings improved somewhat, but many problems behind the scenes occurred involving on-air talent and management that led to lawsuits. However, that year the station received its first two Emmy Awards in station history. The station recently updated its graphics, set and newscast title to "News42, It's About Time."
WIAT has steadily improved its ratings in the last decade, and has been far more competitive than ever before. In fact, it has actually finished first in some timeslots.
Beginning October 2005 WIAT teamed with WB affiliate WTTO 21 to begin producing a 9 p.m. newscast. Using the same set and anchors as WIAT and a modified graphics package, the WB News at 9 airs 7 days per week.
In April 2006, Media General bought four NBC owned and operated stations, including WVTM. Since the FCC will not allow one entity to own two of the four largest stations in a single market, Media General opted to keep the higher-rated WVTM and sell WIAT to another owner. One of the rumored buyers is CBS, while other local parties have been said to be interested. Another rumored buyer is Raycom Media, which has reportedly wanted a Birmingham station for years. [1]
WIAT does not air a morning newscast, but reportedly will begin a morning show in May of 2007.
The WIAT Tower, built in 1974, is a 1,194 foot-high guyed mast, located at 30°41'17.0" N and 87°47'54.0" W
External links
- WIAT website
- Classic TV at Birmingham Rewound.
- WIAT tower at Skyscraperpage.com
- WIAT's FCC registration