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[[Image:WVTM NBC 13 logo.png|right]]
[[File:2018 WVTM 13 logo.PNG|right|thumb|275px|Current station logo]]
'''WVTM''' ('''NBC 13''') is a television station owned by Tampa, Florida-based Media General 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]]. [[Gene Kirkconnel]] is the general manager.
'''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]].


==History==
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]], which went on the air on [[May 2]], [[1949]] with a mix of programs from ABC and CBS. The station was sold to the ''[[Birmingham News]]'', along with [[WAPI-AM]] and [[WAPI-FM]], in [[1953]]. In [[1954]] they swapped networks with [[WBRC]] 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. 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.


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 purchased it on [[June 26]], [[2006]].
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.


In July [[2007]] Media General began an overhaul of the news department. [[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]].
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]].


==Notable personalities==
[[Image:WVTM NBC 13 logo.png|right|thumb|170px|WVTM logo in 2007]]
===News anchors===
[[File:2014 WVTM logo.png|right|thumb|170px|WVTM logo in 2014]]
* [[Mike Royer]]
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]].
* [[Fran Curry]]
 
* [[Gina Redmond]]
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.
===Sports anchors===
* [[Herb Winches]]
* [[Ken Lass]]
* [[Jim Dunaway]]
* [[Don Hawes]]
===Weather/meteorologists===
* [[Jerry Tracy]]
* [[Richard Jacks]]
* [[Jay Prater]]


{{start box}}
{{start box}}
{{succession box |
{{succession box |
   before=[[WAPI-TV]] |
   before=[[WAPI-TV]] |
   title=NBC affiliate |
   title=Birmingham NBC affiliate |
   years=[[1980]] - present |
   years=[[1980]] - present |
   after=current
   after=current
}}
}}
{{end box}}
{{end box}}
==Notable personalities==
===News anchors/reporters===
* [[Scott Carpenter]], 2024–
* [[Rod Carter]] (2007–2010)
* [[Malena Cunningham]] (1992–2004)
* [[Fran Curry]] (–2007)
* [[Brittany Decker]] (2018-)
* [[Sheri Falk]] (present)
* [[Wendell Harris]]
* [[Pam Huff]] (1977–1994)
* [[Melony Johnson]] (2002–)
* [[Rick Karle]] (2019–2023)
* [[Joe Langston]] (1980–)
* [[Ken Lass]] (2002–)
* [[Gene Lively]] (–1994)
* [[Magdala Louissaint]]
* [[Melissa Pace]] (2002–)
* [[Guy Rawlings]] (present)
* [[Mike Royer]] (1989–present)
* [[Gina Redmond]] (2005–2010)
* [[Ian Reitz]] (present)
* [[Jarvis Robertson]] (2022–)
* [[Phil Rozen]] (1982–1995)
* [[Ken Ward]] (2001–2004)
* [[Roy L. Wood Jr]] (1980s–)
===Sports anchors===
* [[Herb Winches]] (1980-1983)
* [[Ken Lass]] (1983-2002)
* [[Jim Dunaway]] (2000-2007)
* [[Don Hawes]]
* [[Scott Palmer]]
===Weather/meteorologists===
* [[Jerry Tracey]]
* [[Adrian Castellano]]
* [[Richard Jacks]]
* [[Harmony Mendoza]]
* [[Jay Prater]]
* [[James Spann]], 1980–
* [[Rosemary Lucas]], –1980
* [[Jason Simpson]], 2022–
* [[Stephanie Walker]]
* [[Brylee Brown]]
* [[Adrian Castellano]]
* [[Taylor Sarallo]], 2024–


==External links==
==External links==
Line 39: Line 76:


==References==
==References==
* Carlton, Bob (July 4, 2007) "Lindenberg to anchor mornings on NBC 13." ''Birmingham News''.
* Carlton, Bob (July 4, 2007) "Lindenberg to anchor mornings on NBC 13." {{BN}}
* "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." {{BN}}
* Edgemon, Erin (November 16, 2018) "WVTM-TV President Hank Price to retire." {{BN}}


[[Category:TV stations]]
[[Category:WVTM|*]]
[[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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