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[[File:2018 WVTM 13 logo.PNG|right|thumb|275px|Current station logo]]
[[File:2018 WVTM 13 logo.PNG|right|thumb|275px|Current station logo]]
'''WVTM''' ('''NBC 13''') is a broadcast affiliate of the National Broadcasting Company's NBC TV network which is owned by Hearst Television Inc., and broadcast across Central Alabama on '''channel 13'''. The call letters stand for "Vulcan Times Mirror" and its studios are located on [[Red Mountain]] adjacent to [[Vulcan Park]].
'''WVTM''' ('''NBC 13''') is a broadcast affiliate of the National Broadcasting Company's NBC TV network which is owned by Hearst Television Inc., and broadcast across Central Alabama on [[Channel 13]]. The call letters stand for "Vulcan Times Mirror" and its studios are located on [[Red Mountain]] adjacent to [[Vulcan Park]].


[[Image:WAPI_logo_from_1958.jpg|right|175px|thumb|Station logo in 1958]]
WVTM is the latest incarnation of Alabama's first television station, [[WAFM-TV]], which went on the air on [[July 1]], [[1949]] with a mix of programs from ABC and CBS. In [[1953]] the station was sold to the ''[[Birmingham News]]''  along with [[WAPI-AM]] and [[WAPI-FM]]. In [[1954]] WAFM swapped networks with [[WBRC 6]] to become an NBC affiliate. The new owners first changed the call letters to [[WABT-TV]] (for '''A'''labama's '''B'''est '''T'''elevision), before switching to [[WAPI-TV]] in [[1958]], after the ''News'' was purchased by Newhouse. In [[1961]] the station became Birmingham's home for CBS programming. Later it resumed broadcasting the NBC network. The ownership and name remained the same through the late 1970s.
WVTM is the latest incarnation of Alabama's first television station, [[WAFM-TV]], which went on the air on [[July 1]], [[1949]] with a mix of programs from ABC and CBS. In [[1953]] the station was sold to the ''[[Birmingham News]]''  along with [[WAPI-AM]] and [[WAPI-FM]].  


In [[1954]] WAFM swapped networks with [[WBRC 6]] to become an NBC affiliate. The new owners first changed the call letters to [[WABT]], before switching to [[WAPI-TV]] in [[1958]], after the ''News'' was purchased by Newhouse. In [[1961]] the station became Birmingham's home for CBS programming. Later it resumed broadcasting the NBC network.
In [[1980]] Newhouse's Advance Publications group withdrew from the broadcasting business and sold the station to Times-Mirror Broadcasting, from whom it took its current name. News director [[Wendell Harris]] was promoted to vice-president for Times-Mirror and reassigned to Austin, Texas.
 
WVTM began airing a kid's magazine news program, "[[Kidsworld 13]]" in [[1979]].
 
[[File:1978 WAPI TV logo.png|right|175px|thumb|WAPI-TV logo in 1978]]
The ownership and name remained the same through the late 1970s, but in [[1980]] Newhouse's Advance Publications group left the broadcasting business and sold the station to Times-Mirror Broadcasting, from whom it took its current name. News director [[Wendell Harris]] was promoted to vice-president for Times-Mirror and reassigned to Austin, Texas.


The 1990s brought a series of ownership changes. Argyle Broadcasting purchased it from Times-Mirror in the early part of the decade, then sold it to New World Communications in [[1994]]. In [[1996]] the National Broadcasting Company purchased the station outright, holding onto it until Media General of Tampa, Florida purchased it on [[June 26]], [[2006]].
The 1990s brought a series of ownership changes. Argyle Broadcasting purchased it from Times-Mirror in the early part of the decade, then sold it to New World Communications in [[1994]]. In [[1996]] the National Broadcasting Company purchased the station outright, holding onto it until Media General of Tampa, Florida purchased it on [[June 26]], [[2006]].


[[Image:WVTM NBC 13 logo.png|right|thumb|175px|WVTM logo in 2007]]
[[Image:WVTM NBC 13 logo.png|right|thumb|170px|WVTM logo in 2007]]
[[File:2014 WVTM logo.png|right|thumb|170px|WVTM logo in 2014]]
In July [[2007]] Media General began an overhaul of the news department led by general manager [[Gene Kirkconnel]]. [[Gina Redmond]] took over [[Fran Curry]]'s co-anchor spot with [[Mike Royer]] for the evening news. [[Andrea Lindenberg]] and [[Rod Carter]] were hired as the co-anchors of the morning news. Other plans include investments in new cameras, weather equipment and studio sets, as well as a lighted NBC peacock sign on [[Red Mountain]].
In July [[2007]] Media General began an overhaul of the news department led by general manager [[Gene Kirkconnel]]. [[Gina Redmond]] took over [[Fran Curry]]'s co-anchor spot with [[Mike Royer]] for the evening news. [[Andrea Lindenberg]] and [[Rod Carter]] were hired as the co-anchors of the morning news. Other plans include investments in new cameras, weather equipment and studio sets, as well as a lighted NBC peacock sign on [[Red Mountain]].


Media General sold WVTM to the Hearst Corporation's TV subsidiary. [[Hank Price]] was named president and general manager of the station.
Media General sold WVTM to the Hearst Corporation's TV subsidiary in [[2014]]. [[Hank Price]] was named president and general manager of the station. After his retirement in late [[2018]], [[Susana Schuler]] succeeded him. [[Kerri Sutton]] is news director.


{{start box}}
{{start box}}
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==Notable personalities==
==Notable personalities==
===News anchors/reporters===
===News anchors/reporters===
* [[Scott Carpenter]], 2024–
* [[Rod Carter]] (2007–2010)
* [[Rod Carter]] (2007–2010)
* [[Malena Wells|Malena Cunningham/Wells]] (1994- )
* [[Malena Cunningham]] (1992–2004)
* [[Fran Curry]] ( -2007)
* [[Fran Curry]] (–2007)
* [[Brittany Decker]] (2018-)
* [[Brittany Decker]] (2018-)
* [[Sheri Falk]] (present)
* [[Sheri Falk]] (present)
* [[Wendell Harris]]
* [[Wendell Harris]]
* [[Pam Huff]] (1977–1994)
* [[Pam Huff]] (1977–1994)
* [[Melony Johnson]] (2002- )
* [[Melony Johnson]] (2002–)
* [[Joe Langston]] (1980- )
* [[Rick Karle]] (2019–2023)
* [[Ken Lass]] (2002- )
* [[Joe Langston]] (1980–)
* [[Gene Lively]] ( -1994)
* [[Ken Lass]] (2002–)
* [[Melissa Pace]] (2002- )
* [[Gene Lively]] (–1994)
* [[Magdala Louissaint]]
* [[Melissa Pace]] (2002–)
* [[Guy Rawlings]] (present)
* [[Guy Rawlings]] (present)
* [[Mike Royer]] (1989–present)
* [[Mike Royer]] (1989–present)
* [[Gina Redmond]] (2005–2010)
* [[Gina Redmond]] (2005–2010)
* [[Ian Reitz]] (present)
* [[Ian Reitz]] (present)
* [[Jarvis Robertson]] (2022–)
* [[Phil Rozen]] (1982–1995)
* [[Phil Rozen]] (1982–1995)
* [[Ken Ward]] (2001–2004)
* [[Ken Ward]] (2001–2004)
* [[Roy L. Wood Jr]] (1980s- )
* [[Roy L. Wood Jr]] (1980s–)


===Sports anchors===
===Sports anchors===
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===Weather/meteorologists===
===Weather/meteorologists===
* [[Jerry Tracey]]
* [[Jerry Tracey]]
* [[Adrian Castellano]]
* [[Richard Jacks]]
* [[Richard Jacks]]
* [[Harmony Mendoza]]
* [[Jay Prater]]
* [[Jay Prater]]
* [[James Spann]] (1980 - )
* [[James Spann]], 1980–
* [[Rosemary Lucas]] ( - 1980)
* [[Rosemary Lucas]], –1980
* [[Jason Simpson]], 2022–
* [[Stephanie Walker]]
* [[Brylee Brown]]
* [[Adrian Castellano]]
* [[Taylor Sarallo]], 2024–


==External links==
==External links==
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* Edgemon, Erin (November 16, 2018) "WVTM-TV President Hank Price to retire." {{BN}}
* Edgemon, Erin (November 16, 2018) "WVTM-TV President Hank Price to retire." {{BN}}


[[Category:TV stations]]
[[Category:WVTM|*]]
[[Category:1980 establishments]]
[[Category:1980 establishments]]
[[Category:Red Mountain]]
[[Category:Red Mountain]]

Latest revision as of 16:45, 22 April 2024

Current station logo

WVTM (NBC 13) is a broadcast affiliate of the National Broadcasting Company's NBC TV network which is owned by Hearst Television Inc., and broadcast across Central Alabama on Channel 13. The call letters stand for "Vulcan Times Mirror" and its studios are located on Red Mountain adjacent to Vulcan Park.

WVTM is the latest incarnation of Alabama's first television station, WAFM-TV, which went on the air on July 1, 1949 with a mix of programs from ABC and CBS. In 1953 the station was sold to the Birmingham News along with WAPI-AM and WAPI-FM. In 1954 WAFM swapped networks with WBRC 6 to become an NBC affiliate. The new owners first changed the call letters to WABT-TV (for Alabama's Best Television), before switching to WAPI-TV in 1958, after the News was purchased by Newhouse. In 1961 the station became Birmingham's home for CBS programming. Later it resumed broadcasting the NBC network. The ownership and name remained the same through the late 1970s.

In 1980 Newhouse's Advance Publications group withdrew from the broadcasting business and sold the station to Times-Mirror Broadcasting, from whom it took its current name. News director Wendell Harris was promoted to vice-president for Times-Mirror and reassigned to Austin, Texas.

The 1990s brought a series of ownership changes. Argyle Broadcasting purchased it from Times-Mirror in the early part of the decade, then sold it to New World Communications in 1994. In 1996 the National Broadcasting Company purchased the station outright, holding onto it until Media General of Tampa, Florida purchased it on June 26, 2006.

WVTM logo in 2007
WVTM logo in 2014

In July 2007 Media General began an overhaul of the news department led by general manager Gene Kirkconnel. Gina Redmond took over Fran Curry's co-anchor spot with Mike Royer for the evening news. Andrea Lindenberg and Rod Carter were hired as the co-anchors of the morning news. Other plans include investments in new cameras, weather equipment and studio sets, as well as a lighted NBC peacock sign on Red Mountain.

Media General sold WVTM to the Hearst Corporation's TV subsidiary in 2014. Hank Price was named president and general manager of the station. After his retirement in late 2018, Susana Schuler succeeded him. Kerri Sutton is news director.

Preceded by:
WAPI-TV 		Birmingham NBC affiliate
1980 - present 		Succeeded by:
current

Notable personalities

News anchors/reporters

Sports anchors

Weather/meteorologists

External links

References

  • Carlton, Bob (July 4, 2007) "Lindenberg to anchor mornings on NBC 13." The Birmingham News
  • "Hearst Corporation Agrees to Acquire WVTM-TV (NBC) in Birmingham, Ala." (August 20, 2014) Hearst Corp. press release
  • Beahm, Anna (July 23, 2018) "Brittany Decker named evening anchor for WVTM 13 News." The Birmingham News
  • Edgemon, Erin (November 16, 2018) "WVTM-TV President Hank Price to retire." The Birmingham News
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