WTAT-TV
Encyclopedia
WTAT-TV is the Fox
-affiliated television station
for South Carolina
's Lowcountry
licensed
to Charleston
. It broadcasts a high definition
digital signal on UHF channel 24 from a transmitter in Awendaw
. The station can also be seen on Comcast
, Knology
, and Time Warner
channel 6. There is a high definition feed offered on Comcast channel 434, Time Warner digital channel 820, and Knology channel 905. Owned by Cunningham Broadcasting
, WTAT is operated through a local marketing agreement
(LMA) by the Sinclair Broadcast Group
. This makes it sister to MyNetworkTV
affiliate WMMP
. However, Sinclair effectively owns WTAT due to Cunningham's ownership structure. The two share studios on Arco Lane in North Charleston
(with a Charleston address). Syndicated
programming on WTAT includes: How I Met Your Mother
, Judge Judy
, Swift Justice with Nancy Grace
, and The People's Court
.
. It aired an analog signal on UHF channel 24 from a transmitter near Woodville. A local group originally held its construction permit but sold it to Act III before the station went on-the-air. On October 6, 1986 as part of a corporate deal between Act III and News Corporation
, it became a charter affiliate of the fledgling Fox network. It should be noted, however, that WTAT would have affiliated with the network even without the Act III affiliation deal as it was the only general-entertainment independent station on the air in Charleston at the time.
Abry Communications bought the Act III group in early-1994. Abry merged with Sinclair later that year but WTAT was sold along with WRGT-TV
in Dayton, Ohio
to Sullivan Broadcasting in compliance with Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) ownership limits of the time. Sullivan, in turn, outsourced the operation of all of its stations (including WTAT) back to Sinclair. By the time Sinclair tried to acquire Sullivan's stations outright in 2001, it already owned WMMP, which it had purchased outright from Max Media Properties (a company partially related to the present-day Max Media
) in July 1998.
Sinclair could not legally keep both WTAT and WMMP because Charleston has only six full-power stations (too few to legally permit a duopoly
). Although WTAT was longer-established, Sinclair opted to keep WMMP and sold WTAT to Glencairn, Ltd. That company was owned by Edwin Edwards, a former Sinclair executive, and appeared to be a minority-owned company. However, nearly all of Glencairn's stock was controlled by the Smith family, founders of Sinclair. In effect, Sinclair now had a duopoly in the Charleston market
which was a violation of FCC regulations. Glencairn and Sinclair further circumvented the rules by crafting a local marketing agreement with WMMP with that station being the senior partner allowing Sinclair to retain control of WTAT's operations.
In 2001, the FCC fined Sinclair $40,000 for illegally controlling Glencairn. Later that year, this was renamed Cunningham Broadcasting. However, nearly all of Cunningham's stock is still controlled by trusts in the names of the children of the Smith brothers. Glencairn, and later Cunningham, have been accused of serving as a shell corporation which Sinclair has been using for the purpose of circumventing FCC ownership rules. Sinclair and Fox recently finalized a six-year affiliation contract extension for Sinclair's 19 Fox affiliates (including WTAT). The station's affiliation contract now expires in March 2012. WTAT's broadcasts have been digital-only since February 17, 2009.
After Fox requested its affiliates to air local news in the early-1990s, WTAT entered into a news share agreement with CBS
affiliate WCSC-TV
(then owned by Crump Communications). This resulted in a nightly prime time broadcast known as The Fox 24 News at 10 to debut. It was one of the first prime time shows in South Carolina along with Fox affiliate WACH
in Columbia
which had a similar arrangement with NBC
affiliate WIS
in that market several years later. Eventually, an hour long morning show on weekdays called The Fox 24 News at 7 also produced by WCSC launched on WTAT.
Both shows originate from a secondary set at WCSC's studios on Charlie Hill Boulevard in the West Ashley
section of Charleston. The 10 o'clock news is currently the second highest rated broadcast in the area behind WCSC's news operation. It did not participate in the wider implementation of Sinclair's now-defunct, controversial News Central
format but did air "The Point" (a one-minute conservative political commentary) that was also controversial and a requirement of all Sinclair-owned stations with newscasts until the series was discontinued in December 2006.
On September 29, 2008, WCSC set a broadcasting benchmark in the area when it became the first to offer newscasts in high definition. The upgrade included new custom Raycom Media
corporate graphics, a re-designed HD logo, and updated music package. The WTAT broadcasts were not included in the new HD production because it was not yet equipped to broadcast local or syndicated programming in high definition. As a result, the newscasts remained in pillarboxed 4:3 standard definition until January 24, 2011. This is when the station underwent a master-control upgrade and began offering local programming in HD. Starting August 31, 2009, the weeknight prime time show at 10 was expanded to an hour and added a second news anchor.
Meteorologists
Sports
Reporters
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
-affiliated television station
Television station
A television station is a business, organisation or other such as an amateur television operator that transmits content over terrestrial television. A television transmission can be by analog television signals or, more recently, by digital television. Broadcast television systems standards are...
for South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
's Lowcountry
South Carolina Lowcountry
The Lowcountry is a geographic and cultural region located along South Carolina's coast. The region includes the South Carolina Sea Islands...
licensed
City of license
A city of license or community of license, in American and Canadian broadcasting, is the community that a radio station or television station is officially licensed to serve by that country's broadcast regulator....
to Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
. It broadcasts a high definition
High-definition television
High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
digital signal on UHF channel 24 from a transmitter in Awendaw
Awendaw, South Carolina
Awendaw is a small fishing town in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,195 at the 2000 census. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...
. The station can also be seen on Comcast
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
, Knology
Knology
Knology Inc. is a cable company that formed in 1994 by ITC Holding Company, Inc, a telecommunications holding company in West Point, Georgia that also founded Internet service provider Mindspring. In late 1994, shortly after Knology's inception, two employees made a $600,000 investment to make...
, and Time Warner
Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable is an American cable television company that operates in 28 states and has 31 operating divisions...
channel 6. There is a high definition feed offered on Comcast channel 434, Time Warner digital channel 820, and Knology channel 905. Owned by Cunningham Broadcasting
Cunningham Broadcasting
Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation is an owner of television stations in the United States. The company currently owns six stations—four affiliated with Fox Broadcasting Company , one affiliated with MyNetworkTV and one affiliated with The CW Television Network.Cunningham has very close ties to...
, WTAT is operated through a local marketing agreement
Local marketing agreement
In U.S. and Canadian broadcasting, a local marketing agreement is an agreement in which one company agrees to operate a radio or television station owned by another licensee...
(LMA) by the Sinclair Broadcast Group
Sinclair Broadcast Group
The Sinclair Broadcast Group is an American telecommunications company that operates the largest number of local television stations in the United States. Headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, it owns a total of 57 stations across the country in 35 primarily small and medium markets, many of...
. This makes it sister to MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV is a television broadcast syndication service in the United States, owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a division of News Corporation...
affiliate WMMP
WMMP
WMMP is the MyNetworkTV-affiliated television station for the Lowcountry area of South Carolina licensed to Charleston. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 36 from a transmitter in Awendaw. The station can also be seen on Knology, Comcast, and Time Warner channel 13...
. However, Sinclair effectively owns WTAT due to Cunningham's ownership structure. The two share studios on Arco Lane in North Charleston
North Charleston, South Carolina
North Charleston is the 3rd largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina with incorporated areas in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. On June 12, 1972 the city of North Charleston incorporated and was the 9th largest city in South Carolina. According to the 2010 Census, North...
(with a Charleston address). Syndicated
Television syndication
In broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast radio shows and television shows by multiple radio stations and television stations, without going through a broadcast network, though the process of syndication may conjure up structures like those of a network itself, by its very...
programming on WTAT includes: How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother is an American sitcom that premiered on CBS on September 19, 2005, created by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays.As a framing device, the main character, Ted Mosby with narration by Bob Saget, in the year 2030 recounts to his son and daughter the events that led to his meeting...
, Judge Judy
Judge Judy
Judge Judy is an American court show featuring former family court judge Judith Sheindlin arbitrating over small claims cases in small claims court...
, Swift Justice with Nancy Grace
Swift Justice With Nancy Grace
Swift Justice with Jackie Glass is a syndicated court program hosted by Judge Jackie Glass....
, and The People's Court
The People's Court
The People's Court is a US television court show in which small claims court cases are heard, though what is shown is actually a binding arbitration....
.
History
The station began operations on September 7, 1985 as Charleston's first independent station, under the ownership of Act III BroadcastingAct III Broadcasting
Act III Broadcasting was a company that owned several television stations that started as independents, and later became Fox affiliates. The stations were located in medium-sized markets, and the company existed from the mid 1980s to the mid 1990s, eventually to be sold to Abry in 1994...
. It aired an analog signal on UHF channel 24 from a transmitter near Woodville. A local group originally held its construction permit but sold it to Act III before the station went on-the-air. On October 6, 1986 as part of a corporate deal between Act III and News Corporation
News Corporation
News Corporation or News Corp. is an American multinational media conglomerate. It is the world's second-largest media conglomerate as of 2011 in terms of revenue, and the world's third largest in entertainment as of 2009, although the BBC remains the world's largest broadcaster...
, it became a charter affiliate of the fledgling Fox network. It should be noted, however, that WTAT would have affiliated with the network even without the Act III affiliation deal as it was the only general-entertainment independent station on the air in Charleston at the time.
Abry Communications bought the Act III group in early-1994. Abry merged with Sinclair later that year but WTAT was sold along with WRGT-TV
WRGT-TV
WRGT-TV, virtual channel 45, is the Fox-affiliated television station for the Miami Valley area of Ohio, which is licensed to Dayton. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 30 from a transmitter at its Broadcast Plaza studios near the New Chicago section of the city. It can...
in Dayton, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
to Sullivan Broadcasting in compliance with Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC) ownership limits of the time. Sullivan, in turn, outsourced the operation of all of its stations (including WTAT) back to Sinclair. By the time Sinclair tried to acquire Sullivan's stations outright in 2001, it already owned WMMP, which it had purchased outright from Max Media Properties (a company partially related to the present-day Max Media
Max Media
Max Media is a company that owns radio and television stations throughout the United States. It is based out of Virginia Beach, Virginia.-History:Max Media was founded in 2001...
) in July 1998.
Sinclair could not legally keep both WTAT and WMMP because Charleston has only six full-power stations (too few to legally permit a duopoly
Duopoly (broadcasting)
In United States broadcast television and radio, duopoly is a term used to describe a single company which owns two or more stations in the same city or community....
). Although WTAT was longer-established, Sinclair opted to keep WMMP and sold WTAT to Glencairn, Ltd. That company was owned by Edwin Edwards, a former Sinclair executive, and appeared to be a minority-owned company. However, nearly all of Glencairn's stock was controlled by the Smith family, founders of Sinclair. In effect, Sinclair now had a duopoly in the Charleston market
Media market
A media market, broadcast market, media region, designated market area , Television Market Area , or simply market is a region where the population can receive the same television and radio station offerings, and may also include other types of media including newspapers and Internet content...
which was a violation of FCC regulations. Glencairn and Sinclair further circumvented the rules by crafting a local marketing agreement with WMMP with that station being the senior partner allowing Sinclair to retain control of WTAT's operations.
In 2001, the FCC fined Sinclair $40,000 for illegally controlling Glencairn. Later that year, this was renamed Cunningham Broadcasting. However, nearly all of Cunningham's stock is still controlled by trusts in the names of the children of the Smith brothers. Glencairn, and later Cunningham, have been accused of serving as a shell corporation which Sinclair has been using for the purpose of circumventing FCC ownership rules. Sinclair and Fox recently finalized a six-year affiliation contract extension for Sinclair's 19 Fox affiliates (including WTAT). The station's affiliation contract now expires in March 2012. WTAT's broadcasts have been digital-only since February 17, 2009.
News operation
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
affiliate WCSC-TV
WCSC-TV
WCSC-TV is the CBS-affiliated television station for South Carolina's Lowcountry area licensed to Charleston. Its broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 47 from a transmitter in Awendaw. The station can also be seen on Time Warner channel 5 as well as Comcast and Knology...
(then owned by Crump Communications). This resulted in a nightly prime time broadcast known as The Fox 24 News at 10 to debut. It was one of the first prime time shows in South Carolina along with Fox affiliate WACH
WACH
WACH is the Fox-affiliated television station for the Midlands of South Carolina. It is licensed to Columbia. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 48 from a transmitter along SC 12 in Southwestern Kershaw County. Owned by Barrington Broadcasting, the station has studios on...
in Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
which had a similar arrangement with NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
affiliate WIS
WIS
WIS, channel 10, is an NBC-affiliated television station in Columbia, South Carolina, USA. Owned by Raycom Media, WIS has studios on Bull Street in downtown Columbia, and transmitter located in Lugoff, South Carolina.-History:...
in that market several years later. Eventually, an hour long morning show on weekdays called The Fox 24 News at 7 also produced by WCSC launched on WTAT.
Both shows originate from a secondary set at WCSC's studios on Charlie Hill Boulevard in the West Ashley
West Ashley
West Ashley is one of the six distinct areas of the city proper of Charleston, South Carolina, with an estimated 2010 population of 57,403. Its name is derived from the fact that the land is west of the Ashley River. A few skirmishes took place there in the American Revolution and in the Civil War...
section of Charleston. The 10 o'clock news is currently the second highest rated broadcast in the area behind WCSC's news operation. It did not participate in the wider implementation of Sinclair's now-defunct, controversial News Central
News Central
News Central was a primetime newscast on Sinclair television stations in the United States, mixing locally produced news with nationally produced news and an opinion segment from Sinclair's Hunt Valley, Maryland studios...
format but did air "The Point" (a one-minute conservative political commentary) that was also controversial and a requirement of all Sinclair-owned stations with newscasts until the series was discontinued in December 2006.
On September 29, 2008, WCSC set a broadcasting benchmark in the area when it became the first to offer newscasts in high definition. The upgrade included new custom Raycom Media
Raycom Media
- History :Although Raycom Media dates its birth to 1996, the core of the company was formed in 1992 when Atlanta native Bert Ellis formed Ellis Communications. He eventually controlled 13 television stations and two radio stations....
corporate graphics, a re-designed HD logo, and updated music package. The WTAT broadcasts were not included in the new HD production because it was not yet equipped to broadcast local or syndicated programming in high definition. As a result, the newscasts remained in pillarboxed 4:3 standard definition until January 24, 2011. This is when the station underwent a master-control upgrade and began offering local programming in HD. Starting August 31, 2009, the weeknight prime time show at 10 was expanded to an hour and added a second news anchor.
News team
Anchors- Bill Burr - weekday mornings and reporter
- Ann McGill - weekday mornings and consumer reporter
- Keke Collins - weeknights and reporter
- Raphael James - weeknights
- Aisha Tyler - weekends and reporter
Meteorologists
- Bill Walsh (AMSAmerican Meteorological SocietyThe American Meteorological Society promotes the development and dissemination of information and education on the atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic sciences and the advancement of their professional applications. Founded in 1919, the American Meteorological Society has a membership...
and NWANational Weather AssociationThe National Weather Association is an American professional association with a mission to support and promote excellence in operational meteorology and related activities...
Seals of Approval) - Director of MeteorologyMeteorologyMeteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere. Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw breakthroughs occur after observing networks developed across several countries...
and Chief seen weeknights (also heard on WCKN FM 92.5, WIOPWIOPWIOP is a radio station licensed to Isle of Palms, South Carolina, USA, serving the South Carolina Lowcountry. The station is owned by Apex Broadcasting, Inc. WIOP airs a soft adult contemporary format.-History:...
-FM 95.9, WXSTWXSTWXST is a Gold-based Urban Adult Contemporary radio station located in Charleston, South Carolina, but licensed by the FCC to the town of Hollywood, South Carolina. The station broadcasts with an ERP of 70 kW.-History:...
-FM 99.7, WAVFWAVFWKZQ-FM is an Alternative rock radio station licensed to Forestbrook, South Carolina and serves the Grand Strand area. The NextMedia outlet is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to broadcast at 96.1 MHz with an effective radiated power of 8,500 watts...
-FM 101.7, and WSPOWSPO-External links:**...
-AM 1390/W255BW-FM 99.3) - Chad Watson (NWA Seal of Approval) - weekday mornings
- Brad Miller - weekends
Sports
- Andy Pruitt - DirectorSports DirectorA sports director is an individual at a television or radio station who is in charge of the sports department. In local news, the sports director is typically the station's primary sportscaster, and often anchors the primetime newscasts on weekdays. They are in charge of sports programming and...
seen weeknights - Kevin Bilodeau - weekends and sports reporter
Reporters
- Ayoka Lucas - "Fox Fashion Minute" segment producer
- Debi Chard - Managing EditorManaging editorA managing editor is a senior member of a publication's management team.In the United States, a managing editor oversees and coordinates the publication's editorial activities...
and medical - Jordan Smith - weekday morning traffic
- Mark Davenport - multimedia journalist
- Harve Jacobs - crime
- Nicole Johnson
- Alan Campbell
- Deja Knight