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{{short description|NBC affiliate in Columbus, Ohio}} {{Short description|TV station in Columbus, Ohio}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{about|the television station which formerly used the WLWC callsign|the television station in ] that currently uses that callsign|WLWC}} {{about|the television station which formerly used the WLWC callsign|the television station in ] that currently uses that callsign|WLWC}}
{{Infobox television station {{Infobox television station
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| logo_size = 220px | logo_size = 220px
| branding = NBC 4 | branding = NBC 4
| digital = 14 (]) | digital = 14 (])
| virtual = 4 | virtual = 4
| subchannels = | subchannels =
| translators = | translators =
| affiliations = '''4.1:''' ]<br />'''4.2:''' ]<br />'''4.3:''' ]<br />'''4.4:''' ] | affiliations = {{ubl|'''4.1:''' ]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}}
| owner = ] | owner = ]
| licensee = Nexstar Media Inc. | licensee = Nexstar Media Inc.
| location = ] | location = ]
| country = United States | country = United States
| founded = November 21, 1946<ref name=cards>{{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=86038 |title= History Cards for WCMH-TV|publisher=]}} (])<!--Converted from {{FCC letter}}--></ref>
| founded = November 1946<ref> '']'', November 25, 1946, pg. 92.</ref>
| airdate = {{start date and age|1949|04|03|p=y}} | airdate = {{start date and age|1949|04|03|p=y}}
| last_airdate = | last_airdate =
| callsign_meaning = ]<br />("CMH" is Columbus's ]) | callsign_meaning = ] ("CMH" is Columbus's ])
| sister_stations = | sister_stations =
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WLWX (1946–1947)|WLWC (1947–1976)<ref name=cards/>}}
| former_callsigns = WLWC (1949–1976)<ref>{{Cite web|title=FCC History Cards for WCMH-TV|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=86038|url-status=live}}</ref>
| former_channel_numbers = ''']:'''<br />3 (], 1949–1953)<br />4 (VHF, 1953–2009) | former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:''' 3 (], 1949–1953), 4 (VHF, 1953–2009)
| former_affiliations = '''DT2:'''<br />] (until 2011)<br />] (2011–2019) | former_affiliations =
| erp = 902 ] | erp = 902 ]
| haat = {{convert|264|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} | haat = {{convert|264|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 50781 | facility_id = 50781
| coordinates = {{nowrap|{{coord|39|58|15.5|N|83|1|39.2|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}}} | coordinates = {{coord|39|58|15.5|N|83|1|39.2|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority = ] | licensing_authority = ]
| website = {{URL|https://www.nbc4i.com/}} | website = {{URL|https://www.nbc4i.com/}}
}} }}
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==History== ==History==
Columbus' first television station began operations on April 3, 1949 as '''WLWC''' on channel 3.<ref> ''Broadcasting - Telecasting'', April 4, 1949, pg. 41.</ref> The station's original owner was the ]-based ], a division of the ]. Crosley also owned ] and ] in Cincinnati, as well as WLWD television (now ]) in ]. Together these stations comprised the "WLW Television Network", a regional group of inter-connected stations.<ref> ''Broadcasting - Telecasting'', March 14, 1949, pg. 35.</ref><ref> ''Broadcasting - Telecasting'', April 11, 1949, pg. 193.</ref> Until the mid-1960s, the stations emphasized their connection to each other within their on-air branding; the Columbus station was known as '''WLW-C'''. The station's studios were originally located in the ] in downtown Columbus before WLWC moved into their present facility on Olentangy River Road, five months after the station signed on. Columbus' first television station began operations on April 3, 1949, as WLWC on channel 3.<ref> ''Broadcasting - Telecasting'', April 4, 1949, pg. 41.</ref> The station's original owner was the ]-based ], a division of the ]. Crosley also owned ] and ] in Cincinnati, as well as WLWD television (now ]) in ]. Together these stations comprised the "WLW Television Network", a regional group of inter-connected stations.<ref> ''Broadcasting - Telecasting'', March 14, 1949, pg. 35.</ref><ref> ''Broadcasting - Telecasting'', April 11, 1949, pg. 193.</ref> Until the mid-1960s, the stations emphasized their connection to each other within their on-air branding; the Columbus station was known as "WLW-C". The station's studios were originally located in the ] in downtown Columbus before WLWC moved into their present facility on Olentangy River Road, five months after the station signed on.


Like all of the WLW television stations in Ohio, WLWC was an NBC affiliate, though it carried some programming from the ] network until WTVN-TV (now ]) took the DuMont affiliation when that station launched in September 1949. In 1952, following the release of the ] (FCC)'s ''Sixth Report and Order'' which ended the four-year freeze on station license awards, a VHF frequency realignment resulted in WLWC being forced to move to channel 4, trading channels with then-NBC-owned WNBK (now ]) in ];<ref> ''Broadcasting - Telecasting'', May 19, 1952, pg. 78.</ref><ref> ''Broadcasting - Telecasting'', December 15, 1952, pg. 59.</ref> the switch took place in June 1953.<ref>"WLW-C first in Columbus." ''Broadcasting - Telecasting'', April 2, 1962, pp. 169-170 (Crosley Broadcasting Corp. special supplement pp. 23-24). </ref> Like all of the WLW television stations in Ohio, WLWC was an NBC affiliate, though it carried some programming from the ] network until WTVN-TV (now ]) took the DuMont affiliation when that station launched in September 1949. In 1952, following the release of the ] (FCC)'s ''Sixth Report and Order'' which ended the four-year freeze on station license awards, a VHF frequency realignment resulted in WLWC being forced to move to channel 4, trading channels with then-NBC-owned WNBK (now ]) in ];<ref> ''Broadcasting - Telecasting'', May 19, 1952, pg. 78.</ref><ref> ''Broadcasting - Telecasting'', December 15, 1952, pg. 59.</ref> the switch took place in June 1953.<ref>{{Cite web | title=WLW-C first in Columbus - Page 169| publisher=Broadcasting - Telecasting | date=April 2, 1962 | pages=169–170 | url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/62-OCR/1962-04-02-BC-OCR-Page-0169.pdf}}</ref>


The Crosley TV station group would later grow to include WLWA (now ]) in ], WLWI (now ]) in ], and ] in ]. Along with NBC programming, the Crosley stations in Ohio and Indianapolis also aired common programming, including '']'', '']'', ''The ] 50-50 Club'' (later to become '']''), '']'', and telecasts of ] baseball; WLWC originated coverage of the ], which was also carried in Cincinnati and Dayton. The Crosley broadcast division took the name of its parent company in 1968, becoming Avco Broadcasting Corporation. The Crosley TV station group would later grow to include WLWA (now ]) in ], WLWI (now ]) in ], and ] in ]. Along with NBC programming, the Crosley stations in Ohio and Indianapolis also aired common programming, including '']'', '']'', ''The ] 50-50 Club'' (later to become '']''), '']'', and telecasts of ] baseball; WLWC originated coverage of the ], which was also carried in Cincinnati and Dayton. The Crosley broadcast division took the name of its parent company in 1968, becoming Avco Broadcasting Corporation.
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] ]


In 1969, the FCC enacted its ], which prohibited common ownership of AM radio and television stations with overlapping coverage areas under certain conditions while ] some already existing instances. Avco's ownership of WLWC, WLWT, WLWD, and WLW radio (a 50,000-], ] which can also be heard throughout much of eastern North America at night) was granted protection under the clause. But as a condition of maintaining three television stations with common coverage areas Crosley/Avco operated WLWC, WLWT, and WLWD with shorter transmission towers. In 1975, Avco announced the sale of its broadcasting outlets; channel 4 was sold in February 1976 to the ]-based ], who then changed the station's call letters to the current '''WCMH-TV''' on the 3rd.<ref>{{FCC letter|hcards=yes|callsign=WCMH-TV|letterid=86038}}</ref><ref> ''Broadcasting'', May 26, 1975, pg. 42.</ref><ref> ''Broadcasting'', January 19, 1976, pg. 33.</ref><ref> ''Broadcasting'', February 23, 1976, pg. 77.</ref> The call letters were selected to match the ] airport code for ], "CMH". In 1969, the FCC enacted its ], which prohibited common ownership of AM radio and television stations with overlapping coverage areas under certain conditions while ] some already existing instances. Avco's ownership of WLWC, WLWT, WLWD, and WLW radio (a 50,000-], ] which can also be heard throughout much of eastern North America at night) was granted protection under the clause. But as a condition of maintaining three television stations with common coverage areas Crosley/Avco operated WLWC, WLWT, and WLWD with shorter transmission towers. In 1975, Avco announced the sale of its broadcasting outlets; channel 4 was sold in February 1976 to the ]–based ], who then changed the station's call letters to the current WCMH-TV on the 3rd.<ref name=cards/><ref> ''Broadcasting'', May 26, 1975, pg. 42.</ref><ref> ''Broadcasting'', January 19, 1976, pg. 33.</ref><ref> ''Broadcasting'', February 23, 1976, pg. 77.</ref> The call letters were selected to match the ] airport code for what is now ], "CMH".


] Base while covering a ] story, as ] Lifeflight II's BK 117 N4493X sits nearby]] ] Base while covering a ] story, as ] Lifeflight II's BK 117 N4493X sits nearby]]
] ]


For many years, WLWC/WCMH-TV has shared NBC programming in the eastern part of the market with ] (channel 18) in ] despite channel 4 itself covering Zanesville and covering weather reports as far east as ] (part of the ]/] market and served by ] for NBC) and all other major network affiliates in Columbus covering ] as default affiliates, since Zanesville is considered a separate TV market from Columbus. WHIZ-TV would also serve somewhat as a buffer for WCMH-TV after ] in ] signed on in 1958 and had to "box in" its signal to protect then-WLWC and ] ] ] also broadcasting on channel 4. For many years, WLWC/WCMH-TV has shared NBC programming in the eastern part of the market with ] (channel 18) in ] despite channel 4 itself covering Zanesville and covering weather reports as far east as ] (part of the ]–] market and served by ] for NBC) and all other major network affiliates in Columbus covering ] as default affiliates, since Zanesville is considered a separate TV market from Columbus. WHIZ-TV would also serve somewhat as a buffer for WCMH-TV after ] in ] signed on in 1958 and had to "box in" its signal to protect then-WLWC and ] ] ] also broadcasting on channel 4.


Outlet merged with NBC in 1996, and channel 4 became an NBC ], spending much of the next decade as one of two stations in the market to hold this status; the other was ]'s ], (channel 53, owned by that network's corporate parent ] from 1997 to 2005). From 1996 to 1999, channel 4 was technically a sister station to Cleveland's WKYC through NBC's minority ownership of that station, though they had ceded operational control to ] (now ], which now also owns ]) by that point. Outlet merged with NBC in 1996, and channel 4 became an NBC ], spending much of the next decade as one of two stations in the market to hold this status; the other was ]'s ], (channel 53, owned by that network's corporate parent ] from 1997 to 2005). From 1996 to 1999, channel 4 was technically a sister station to Cleveland's WKYC through NBC's minority ownership of that station, though they had ceded operational control to ] (now ], which now also owns ]) by that point.


WCMH-TV was placed up for sale by ] on January 9, 2006, along with sister stations ] in Providence, ] in ], and ] in ]. ], the ]-based company which already owned five NBC affiliates in the southeastern United States, announced it would purchase the four stations on April 6, 2006; the sale was finalized on June 26, 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mediageneral.com/press/2006/june26_06.htm |title=Media General Completes Purchase of Four NBC Television Stations |access-date=2011-02-20 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905193051/http://www.mediageneral.com/press/2006/june26_06.htm |archive-date=2012-09-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> As a result, channel 4 became Media General's first station in the ] region. ] placed WCMH-TV on the market January 9, 2006, along with sister stations ] in Providence, ] in ], and ] in ]. ], the ]-based company which already owned five NBC affiliates in the southeastern United States, announced it would purchase the four stations on April 6, 2006; the sale was finalized on June 26, 2006.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.mediageneral.com/press/2006/june26_06.htm |title=Media General Completes Purchase of Four NBC Television Stations |access-date=February 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905193051/http://www.mediageneral.com/press/2006/june26_06.htm |archive-date=September 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |publisher=Media General, Inc.}}</ref> As a result, channel 4 became Media General's first station in the ] region.


For several months after the sale closed, WCMH's website and those of the other three stations remained in the format used by the websites of NBC-owned stations. In December 2006, WNCN and WJAR launched redesigned websites, which are no longer powered by ]. On December 11, 2006, WVTM's website followed suit, followed by WCMH on December 14. Media General has since located the ] for all Media General NBC affiliates at its Columbus studios.<ref>{{cite web For several months after the sale closed, WCMH's website and those of the other three stations remained in the format used by the websites of NBC-owned stations. In December 2006, WNCN and WJAR launched redesigned websites, which are no longer powered by ]. On December 11, 2006, WVTM's website followed suit, followed by WCMH on December 14. Media General has since located the ] for all Media General NBC affiliates at its Columbus studios.<ref>{{cite web | title=Media General Mid-Year Media Review |website=Media General |url=http://www.media-general.com/investor/presentations/mymr_07/MYMR2007.pdf |access-date=March 13, 2008}}</ref> In 2013, Media General migrated its television station web sites to ] (who provided video services to the company's in-house web site operations prior to the hosting deal). Following the company's takeover by the principal staff of LIN, the Media General station web sites are now hosted by WordPress.com.
| title = Media General Mid-Year Media Review
| publisher = Media General
| url = http://www.media-general.com/investor/presentations/mymr_07/MYMR2007.pdf
| access-date = 2008-03-13}}</ref> In 2013, Media General migrated its television station web sites to ] (who provided video services to the company's in-house web site operations prior to the hosting deal). Following the company's takeover by the principal staff of LIN, the Media General station web sites are now hosted by WordPress.com.


With subsequent sales and affiliation switches involving the other three stations NBC sold to Media General in 2006, WCMH was the last of the four that had had both the same owner and the same network affiliation that it had since 2006. (WJAR and WVTM were sold to Sinclair and ], respectively, in 2014, while WNCN switched its network affiliation from NBC to ] in 2016.) WCMH would be reunited with WDTN (the former WLWD) in 2014 when Media General purchased LIN Media, which also made WCMH a sister station to LIN's properties in ] (] affiliate ], ] affiliate ], and ]-affiliated ] partner ]) within Ohio. With subsequent sales and affiliation switches involving the other three stations NBC sold to Media General in 2006, WCMH was the last of the four that had had both the same owner and the same network affiliation that it had since 2006. (WJAR and WVTM were sold to Sinclair and ], respectively, in 2014, while WNCN switched its network affiliation from NBC to ] in 2016.) WCMH would be reunited with WDTN (the former WLWD) in 2014 when Media General purchased LIN Media, which also made WCMH a sister station to LIN's properties in ] (] affiliate ], ] affiliate ], and ]-affiliated ] partner ]) within Ohio.


On January 27, 2016, it was announced that the ] would buy Media General for $4.6 billion. WCMH became part of "Nexstar Media Group." The deal closed on January 17, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mediageneral.com/press/2016/jan27_2016nexs.html |title=Nexstar Broadcasting Group Enters into Definitive Agreement to Acquire Media General for $4.6 Billion in Accretive Cash and Stock Transaction |access-date=2017-05-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130083411/http://www.mediageneral.com/press/2016/jan27_2016nexs.html |archive-date=2016-01-30 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Following the acquisitions of ] (which closed two weeks after the Media General deal) and ] in 2019, WCMH is now a sister station to four other stations serving Ohio: Fox affiliate ] in Cleveland, CBS affiliates ] in ]–] and ] in Wheeling–Steubenville, and NBC affiliate WDTN in Dayton. On January 27, 2016, ] announced it would buy Media General for $4.6 billion. WCMH became part of "Nexstar Media Group". The deal closed on January 17, 2017.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.mediageneral.com/press/2016/jan27_2016nexs.html |title=Nexstar Broadcasting Group Enters into Definitive Agreement to Acquire Media General for $4.6 Billion in Accretive Cash and Stock Transaction |date=January 27, 2016 |access-date=December 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130083411/http://www.mediageneral.com/press/2016/jan27_2016nexs.html |archive-date=January 30, 2016 |url-status=dead |publisher=Nexstar Broadcasting}}</ref> Following the acquisitions of ] (which closed two weeks after the Media General deal) and ] in 2019, WCMH is now a sister station to four other stations serving Ohio: Fox affiliate ] in Cleveland, CBS affiliates ] in ]–] and ] in Wheeling–Steubenville, and NBC affiliate WDTN in Dayton.


== News operation == == News operation ==
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] ]
] Commissioner.]] ] Commissioner.]]
] ]'s then-new candelabra tower in the early 1980s.]]
] ]
WCMH presently broadcasts 49 hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with eight hours each weekday, five hours on Saturdays and four hours on Sundays); in regards to the number of hours devoted to news programming, it is the highest local newscast output among the Columbus market's television stations on an individual basis, though WSYX currently broadcasts 63½ hours of local newscasts per week on both its main signal and WSYX 6.3. WCMH presently broadcasts 49 hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with eight hours each weekday, five hours on Saturdays and four hours on Sundays); in regards to the number of hours devoted to news programming, it is the highest local newscast output among the Columbus market's television stations on an individual basis, though WSYX currently broadcasts {{frac|63|1|2}} hours of local newscasts per week on both its main signal and WSYX-DT3.


For most of its history, WLWC/WCMH-TV has been second in the Columbus ratings, except for the station's 11:00&nbsp;p.m. news, which occasionally beats market leader WBNS-TV. Typical with Nexstar-owned stations, WCMH-TV generally carries a straight newscast with emphasis on local coverage; WBNS-TV drifted away from such coverage and more towards lifestyle news under Tegna ownership while WSYX has long favored a more ]. Channel 4 has also emphasized community involvement and reporters with local roots such as current evening anchor Kerry Charles, a native of Columbus's ] neighborhood. For most of its history, WLWC/WCMH-TV has been second in the Columbus ratings, except for the station's 11&nbsp;p.m. news, which occasionally beats market leader WBNS-TV, though since WBNS-TV's sale to ] in 2019, WCMH has been second behind WSYX, with WBNS-TV's ratings having plummeted.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nexttv.com/features/local-news-close-up-columbus-offers-cosmopolitan-vibe-in-heartland#:~:text=For%202022%2C%20according%20to%20Nielsen, |title=Local News Close-Up: Columbus Offers Cosmopolitan Vibe in Heartland |first=Michael |last=Malone |magazine=] |date=2023-02-03}}</ref> Typical with Nexstar-owned stations, WCMH-TV generally carries a straight newscast with emphasis on local coverage; WBNS-TV drifted away from such coverage and more towards lifestyle news under Tegna ownership while WSYX has long favored a more ]. Channel 4 has also emphasized community involvement and reporters with local roots such as current evening anchor Kerry Charles, a native of Columbus's ] neighborhood.


From 1957 to 1980 ] anchored channel 4's evening newscasts, called ''The DeMoss Report''; following the sale of the station to Outlet, the broadcasts were rebranded as ''NewsWatch 4''. During the late 70s into the early 80s, the station languished in third place. But channel 4's fortunes began to change when, in 1983, the station brought in veteran news anchor ] and his then-wife, reporter Mona Scott, from WKYC-TV in Cleveland as the station's main anchoring team. They continued the "]" format as well as launching the 5:30&nbsp;p.m. newscast. WCMH began a slow rise that would result in the station overcoming WBNS to reach number-one in the market, and in the process, the mid-1980s ''NewsWatch 4'' team of Adair, Scott, meteorologist Jym Ganahl (with the station from 1979 until retiring in September 2016, currently at WSYX), and sportscaster Jimmy Crum (who joined the station shortly after its 1949 debut) became the most popular anchor team in Columbus television history. This also coincided with NBC's becoming the number one network during that time. From 1957 to 1980 ] anchored channel 4's evening newscasts, called ''The DeMoss Report''; following the sale of the station to Outlet, the broadcasts were rebranded as ''NewsWatch 4''. During the late 70s into the early 80s, the station languished in third place. But channel 4's fortunes began to change when, in 1983, the station hired veteran news anchor ] and his then-wife, reporter Mona Scott, from WKYC-TV in Cleveland as the station's main anchoring team. They continued the "]" format as well as launching the 5:30&nbsp;p.m. newscast. WCMH began a slow rise that would result in the station overcoming WBNS to reach number-one in the market, and in the process, the mid-1980s ''NewsWatch 4'' team of Adair, Scott, meteorologist Jym Ganahl (with the station from 1979 until retiring in September 2016), and sportscaster Jimmy Crum (who joined the station shortly after its 1949 debut) became the most popular anchor team in Columbus television history. This also coincided with NBC's becoming the number one network during that time.


The 1990s brought changes to the normally stable WCMH-TV. In 1990, personal reasons forced Mona Scott to leave channel 4, and she was replaced at the anchor desk by Angela Pace. Pace would leave for WBNS-TV in 1992, and Doug Adair and Jimmy Crum both retired in 1994. WCMH's new anchoring team featured Colleen Marshall, who had been a reporter for the station since the mid-1980s; and Cabot Rea, a former weekend sports anchor and weekday features reporter. The pair helmed WCMH-TV's evening newscasts until Rea's retirement on December 18, 2015. Marshall and Rea worked together overall for 23 years, the longest tenured co-anchoring team in Columbus television history. The 1990s brought changes to the normally stable WCMH-TV. In 1990, personal reasons forced Mona Scott to leave channel 4, and she was replaced at the anchor desk by Angela Pace. Pace would leave for WBNS-TV in 1992, and Doug Adair and Jimmy Crum both retired in 1994. WCMH's new anchoring team featured Colleen Marshall, who had been a reporter for the station since the mid-1980s; and Cabot Rea, a former weekend sports anchor and weekday features reporter. The pair helmed WCMH-TV's evening newscasts until Rea's retirement on December 18, 2015. Marshall and Rea worked together overall for 23 years, the longest tenured co-anchoring team in Columbus television history.


The changes resulted in an earlier audience fall-off, but channel 4 once again passed WBNS-TV for the overall lead for a time in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and often won 11 o'clock news ratings over WBNS (due to NBC winning prime time and late night ratings over CBS during those years). For much of the first decade of the new millennium, WCMH also won the morning news race, but the numbers dropped precipitously after the broadcast was moved into ''NBC 4 on the Square'', a downtown studio facility located on ] and High streets, in 2008. The changes resulted in an earlier audience fall-off, but channel 4 once again passed WBNS-TV for the overall lead for a time in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and often won 11 p.m. news ratings over WBNS (due to NBC winning prime time and late night ratings over CBS during those years). For much of the first decade of the new millennium, WCMH also won the morning news race, but the numbers dropped precipitously after the broadcast moved into ''NBC 4 on the Square'', a downtown studio facility located on ] and High streets, in 2008.


On January 4, 2008 WCMH became the second major Columbus station to begin broadcasting local newscasts in ]. Prior to the opening of ''NBC 4 on the Square'' on May 27, channel 4 had planned to move its entire news operation to that facility. However, when those plans fell through, WCMH's main studio was upgraded to high definition. (Ultimately, ''NBC 4 on the Square'' was used only for some of the station's weekday morning shows.) Like most other stations with high-definition newscasts, WCMH relied mostly on upconverted ] widescreen ] footage for its remote field reports until the summer of 2014 where all remote field operations were upgrade to ] 1080i HD. On May 11, 2011, ''NBC 4 on the Square'' came to an end due to dismal ratings (it has remained a distant second to WBNS-TV on weekday mornings ever since ''NBC4 on the Square'' was founded), with the morning newscast productions returning to the main WCMH facility full-time, and the downtown space was soon leased to WBNS-TV.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2011/05/11/story-columbus-10tv-broad-high.html?sid=102 |title=10TV Debuts Signs at Broad and High &#124; WBNS-10TV, Central Ohio News |access-date=2011-05-11 |archive-date=2011-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715215245/http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2011/05/11/story-columbus-10tv-broad-high.html?sid=102 |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 4, 2008, WCMH became the second major Columbus station to begin broadcasting local newscasts in ]. Prior to the opening of ''NBC 4 on the Square'' on May 27, channel 4 had planned to move its entire news operation to that facility. However, when those plans fell through, WCMH's main studio was upgraded to high definition. (Ultimately, ''NBC 4 on the Square'' was used only for some of the station's weekday morning shows.) Like most other stations with high-definition newscasts, WCMH relied mostly on upconverted ] widescreen ] footage for its remote field reports until the summer of 2014 where all remote field operations were upgrade to ] 1080i HD. On May 11, 2011, ''NBC 4 on the Square'' came to an end due to dismal ratings (it has remained a distant second to WBNS-TV on weekday mornings ever since ''NBC4 on the Square'' was founded), with the morning newscast productions returning to the main WCMH facility full-time, and the downtown space was soon leased to WBNS-TV.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2011/05/11/story-columbus-10tv-broad-high.html?sid=102 |title=10TV Debuts Signs at Broad and High |website=WBNS |access-date=May 11, 2011 |archive-date=July 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715215245/http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2011/05/11/story-columbus-10tv-broad-high.html?sid=102 |url-status=live}}</ref>


In January 2011, the station debuted a new rounded logo and new image promos emphasizing its long-time personalities and community involvement. In January 2011, the station debuted a new rounded logo and new image promos emphasizing its long-time personalities and community involvement.


===Notable current on-air staff=== ===Notable current on-air staff===
* ] – Midday (11am-12:30 pm) and 4 p.m. anchor * ] – morning news anchor of ''NBC4 Today'' from 4 to 7 a.m.


===Notable alumni=== ===Notable alumni===
* ] (anchor, 1983-1994; deceased) * ] (anchor, 1983–1994; deceased)
* ] (now at ] in ]) * ] (now at ] in ])
* ] (last with ] in ]) * ] (last with ] in ])
* ] – host of ''The Nick Clooney Show'' * ] – host of ''The Nick Clooney Show''
* ] – news anchor and later a stage actor * ] – news anchor and later a stage actor (deceased)
* ] – Midday (11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.) and 4 p.m. anchor (2020–2023; moved back to Cincinnati)
* ] (now morning anchor with ] ]) * ] (forner morning anchor with ] ])
* ] (last at ] in ]; last at ] in ]) * ] (last at ] in ]; last at ] in ])
⚫ * ] – lawyer, news reporter and correspondent for '']'', '']'', '']'' and the ''] with ]'' and formerly co-anchor of '']'' while in Columbus in 1979–1980. She has also been seen narrating recent episodes of ''48 Hours Mystery''.
* ] – Prior to joining WLW-C, Miller was co-star of the ] sitcom '']'' (1954–1959); and co-host of the NBC celebrity interview program '']''; later a news anchor for ] in ] and owner of radio station ] (105.5) in ] (which is still owned by the Miller family)
⚫ * ] – lawyer, news reporter and correspondent for '']'', '']'', '']'' and ''] with ]'' and formerly co-anchor of '']'' while in Columbus in 1979-1980. She has also been seen narrating recent episodes of '']''.
* ] – Now retired after 30 years * ] – Now retired after 30 years
* ] – last with ] * ] – last with ]
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===Subchannels=== ===Subchannels===
The station's digital signal is ]: The station's signal is ]:
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of WCMH-TV<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WCMH#station |title=RabbitEars TV Query for WCMH |access-date=2014-02-04 |archive-date=2014-02-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221235717/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WCMH#station |url-status=live }}</ref> |+Subchannels of WCMH-TV<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WCMH#station |website=Rabbit Ears |title=Digital TV Market Listing for WCMH |access-date=December 31, 2024 |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221235717/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WCMH#station |url-status=live}}</ref>
! scope="col" | ] ! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ] ! scope="col" | ]
Line 123: Line 120:
! scope="row" | 4.4 ! scope="row" | 4.4
| 480i || Laff TV || ] | 480i || Laff TV || ]
|- style="background-color:#DFEBF6; border-top: 2px solid #003399;"
! scope = "row" | ]
| 480i || 16:9 || Comet || ] (])
|} |}
{{legend|#DFEBF6|Broadcast on behalf of another station}}



WCMH replaced RTV with ] on September 26, 2011, as part of a groupwide affiliation agreement with Media General; the channel replaced RTV on some Media General-owned stations in other markets.<ref>, ''TVNewsCheck'', September 15, 2011.</ref> MeTV was replaced by ] on September 26, 2019. Court TV was replaced with ] on April 1, 2023. WCMH replaced RTV with ] on September 26, 2011, as part of a groupwide affiliation agreement with Media General; the channel replaced RTV on some Media General-owned stations in other markets.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/me-tv-beefs-up-roster-with-10-new-stations/ |title=Me-TV Beefs Up Roster With 10 New Stations |website=TVNewsCheck |date=September 15, 2011 |access-date=December 31, 2024}}</ref> MeTV was replaced by ] on September 26, 2019. Court TV was replaced with ] on April 1, 2023.


=== Analog-to-digital conversion === === Analog-to-digital conversion ===
WCMH-TV shut down its analog signal, over ] channel 4, on June 12, 2009, as part of the ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |title=List of Digital Full-Power Stations |access-date=2008-05-12 |archive-date=2013-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition ] channel 14,<ref name="FCCForm387">{{Cite web |url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101233853&formid=387&fac_num=50781 |title=CDBS Print<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2008-05-12 |archive-date=2022-11-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113185105/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101233853&formid=387&fac_num=50781 |url-status=live }}</ref> using ] to display WCMH-TV's ] as 4 on digital television receivers. WCMH-TV shut down its analog signal, over ] channel 4, on June 12, 2009, as part of the ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |title=List of Digital Full-Power Stations |access-date=May 12, 2008 |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition ] channel 14,<ref name="FCCForm387">{{cite web |url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101233853&formid=387&fac_num=50781 |title=DTV Transition Status Report |date=February 18, 2008 |access-date=December 31, 2024 |archive-date=November 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113185105/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101233853&formid=387&fac_num=50781 |url-status=live}}</ref> using ] 4.


===NextGen TV upgrade=== ===NextGen TV upgrade===
As part of a deal between Nexstar and ] (owner of ] and operator of ] and ]), on January 7, 2021,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barnes |first1=Jess |title=ATSC 3.0 is Live in Columbus, OH |url=https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/atsc-3-0-is-live-in-columbus-oh/ |website=Cord Cutters News |date=8 January 2021 |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref> WCMH-TV started hosting the ATSC 1.0 channel for WWHO 53.3 as part of Columbus's adoption of ] using the ] video compression standard. Simultaneous with the move, WCMH-TV's main signal is now broadcasting in ATSC 3.0 on WWHO alongside WWHO's main signal, WSYX 6.3 (the former intellectual property of WTTE), and WTTE 28.2.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WWHO#station/ | title=RabbitEars.Info }}</ref> The move left WBNS-TV as the only major network station in Columbus not broadcasting in ATSC 3.0 in some capacity. As part of a deal between Nexstar and ] (owner of ] and operator of ] and ]), on January 7, 2021,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barnes |first1=Jess |title=ATSC 3.0 is Live in Columbus, OH |url=https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/atsc-3-0-is-live-in-columbus-oh/ |website=Cord Cutters News |date=January 8, 2021 |access-date=April 21, 2022}}</ref> WCMH-TV started hosting the ATSC 1.0 channel for WWHO 53.3 as part of Columbus's adoption of ] using the ] video compression standard. Simultaneous with the move, WCMH-TV's main signal is now broadcasting in ATSC 3.0 on WWHO alongside WWHO's main signal, WSYX 6.3 (the former intellectual property of WTTE), and WTTE 28.2.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WWHO#station/ |title=Digital TV Market Listing for WWHO |website=Rabbit Ears}}</ref> The move left WBNS-TV as the only major network station in Columbus not broadcasting in ATSC 3.0 in some capacity.


==Video links== ==Video links==
{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416044350/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-02-25/features/8501110481_1_wrestling-tex-mex-ringside |date=2017-04-16 }}, by Bob Greene, Chicago Tribune, February 28, 1985</ref>]] ]| date=February 28, 1985}}</ref>]]


* - Weather and news reports originated from WLW-T and were relayed to each station by microwave link for broadcast to Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton audiences. The "Three City Final" newscast aired on WLW-C until December, 1957; WLW-T weather forecasts continued to air until 1965 or 1966.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113185101/https://books.google.com/books?id=qwg6e3yc2kMC&lpg=PA48&ots=R5pCjfREoU&dq=%22three%20city%20final%22&pg=PA48#v=onepage&q=%22three%20city%20final%22&f=false |date=2022-11-13 }} Cincinnati Television * – Weather and news reports originated from WLW-T and were relayed to each station by microwave link for broadcast to Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton audiences. The ''Three City Final'' newscast aired on WLW-C until December 1957; WLW-T weather forecasts continued to air until 1965 or 1966.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qwg6e3yc2kMC&dq=%22three+city+final%22&pg=PA48 |title=Cincinnati Television |page=48 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113185101/https://books.google.com/books?id=qwg6e3yc2kMC&lpg=PA48&ots=R5pCjfREoU&dq=%22three%20city%20final%22&pg=PA48#v=onepage&q=%22three%20city%20final%22&f=false |archive-date=November 13, 2022 |first=Jim |last=Friedman |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-7385-5169-2}}</ref>
* – ] and his predecessor ] hosted a talk show live weekdays at noon on the WLW stations in Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Dayton.
By Jim Friedman, Page 48</ref>
* - ] and his predecessor ] hosted a talk show live weekdays at noon on the WLW stations in Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Dayton. * '''' – Another staple of WLW regional programming was the '']'' originating in Cincinnati and airing mornings on all WLW stations. Comedian and talk show host ] credits Paul Dixon as being the inspiration for his show.
⚫ * – Original WLWC audio from 1956.
* - Another staple of WLW regional programming was the ] originating in Cincinnati and airing mornings on all WLW stations. Comedian and talk show host ] credits Paul Dixon as being the inspiration for his show.
⚫ * - Original WLWC audio from 1956.
* *
* *
* The Edicates performing live on WLWC's "Dance Party", hosted by Jerry Rasor (November 11, 1969) * The Edicates performing live on WLWC's ''Dance Party'', hosted by Jerry Rasor (November 11, 1969)
* - ]'s Third Birthday Tribute to WLW-C (April 3, 1952) * – ]'s Third Birthday Tribute to WLW-C (April 3, 1952)


==References== ==References==
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Latest revision as of 19:26, 4 January 2025

TV station in Columbus, Ohio

This article is about the television station which formerly used the WLWC callsign. For the television station in Providence, Rhode Island that currently uses that callsign, see WLWC.
WCMH-TV
Channels
BrandingNBC 4
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
History
FoundedNovember 21, 1946
First air dateApril 3, 1949 (75 years ago) (1949-04-03)
Former call signs
  • WLWX (1946–1947)
  • WLWC (1947–1976)
Former channel number(s)Analog: 3 (VHF, 1949–1953), 4 (VHF, 1953–2009)
Call sign meaningColumbus Municipal Hangar ("CMH" is Columbus's IATA airport code)
Technical information
Licensing authorityFCC
Facility ID50781
ERP902 kW
HAAT264 m (866 ft)
Transmitter coordinates39°58′15.5″N 83°1′39.2″W / 39.970972°N 83.027556°W / 39.970972; -83.027556
Links
Public license information
Websitewww.nbc4i.com

WCMH-TV (channel 4) is a television station in Columbus, Ohio, United States, affiliated with NBC and owned by Nexstar Media Group. The station's studios are located on Olentangy River Road near the Ohio State University campus, and its transmitter is located on Twin Rivers Drive, west of downtown Columbus.

History

Columbus' first television station began operations on April 3, 1949, as WLWC on channel 3. The station's original owner was the Cincinnati-based Crosley Broadcasting Corporation, a division of the Avco Company. Crosley also owned WLW radio and WLWT television in Cincinnati, as well as WLWD television (now WDTN) in Dayton. Together these stations comprised the "WLW Television Network", a regional group of inter-connected stations. Until the mid-1960s, the stations emphasized their connection to each other within their on-air branding; the Columbus station was known as "WLW-C". The station's studios were originally located in the Seneca Hotel in downtown Columbus before WLWC moved into their present facility on Olentangy River Road, five months after the station signed on.

Like all of the WLW television stations in Ohio, WLWC was an NBC affiliate, though it carried some programming from the DuMont network until WTVN-TV (now WSYX) took the DuMont affiliation when that station launched in September 1949. In 1952, following the release of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)'s Sixth Report and Order which ended the four-year freeze on station license awards, a VHF frequency realignment resulted in WLWC being forced to move to channel 4, trading channels with then-NBC-owned WNBK (now WKYC) in Cleveland; the switch took place in June 1953.

The Crosley TV station group would later grow to include WLWA (now WXIA-TV) in Atlanta, WLWI (now WTHR) in Indianapolis, and WOAI-TV in San Antonio. Along with NBC programming, the Crosley stations in Ohio and Indianapolis also aired common programming, including The Paul Dixon Show, Midwestern Hayride, The Ruth Lyons 50-50 Club (later to become The Bob Braun Show), The Phil Donahue Show, and telecasts of Cincinnati Reds baseball; WLWC originated coverage of the Ohio State Fair, which was also carried in Cincinnati and Dayton. The Crosley broadcast division took the name of its parent company in 1968, becoming Avco Broadcasting Corporation.

1969 Advertisement for The Bob Braun Show appearing in TV Guide.

In 1969, the FCC enacted its "one-to-a-market" rule, which prohibited common ownership of AM radio and television stations with overlapping coverage areas under certain conditions while grandfathering some already existing instances. Avco's ownership of WLWC, WLWT, WLWD, and WLW radio (a 50,000-watt, clear-channel station which can also be heard throughout much of eastern North America at night) was granted protection under the clause. But as a condition of maintaining three television stations with common coverage areas Crosley/Avco operated WLWC, WLWT, and WLWD with shorter transmission towers. In 1975, Avco announced the sale of its broadcasting outlets; channel 4 was sold in February 1976 to the Providence, Rhode Island–based Outlet Company, who then changed the station's call letters to the current WCMH-TV on the 3rd. The call letters were selected to match the IATA airport code for what is now John Glenn Columbus International Airport, "CMH".

The old WCMH TV "Chopper 4" landed at Wellston Heliport Base while covering a breaking news story, as Grant Lifeflight II's BK 117 N4493X sits nearby
WCMH-TV logo, 2008 to 2011.

For many years, WLWC/WCMH-TV has shared NBC programming in the eastern part of the market with WHIZ-TV (channel 18) in Zanesville despite channel 4 itself covering Zanesville and covering weather reports as far east as Cambridge (part of the Wheeling, West Virginia–Steubenville, Ohio market and served by WTOV-TV for NBC) and all other major network affiliates in Columbus covering Muskingum County as default affiliates, since Zanesville is considered a separate TV market from Columbus. WHIZ-TV would also serve somewhat as a buffer for WCMH-TV after WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh signed on in 1958 and had to "box in" its signal to protect then-WLWC and three other stations also broadcasting on channel 4.

Outlet merged with NBC in 1996, and channel 4 became an NBC owned-and-operated station, spending much of the next decade as one of two stations in the market to hold this status; the other was UPN's WWHO, (channel 53, owned by that network's corporate parent Viacom from 1997 to 2005). From 1996 to 1999, channel 4 was technically a sister station to Cleveland's WKYC through NBC's minority ownership of that station, though they had ceded operational control to Gannett (now Tegna Inc., which now also owns WBNS-TV) by that point.

NBCUniversal placed WCMH-TV on the market January 9, 2006, along with sister stations WJAR in Providence, WVTM-TV in Birmingham, Alabama, and WNCN-TV in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Media General, the Richmond, Virginia-based company which already owned five NBC affiliates in the southeastern United States, announced it would purchase the four stations on April 6, 2006; the sale was finalized on June 26, 2006. As a result, channel 4 became Media General's first station in the Great Lakes region.

For several months after the sale closed, WCMH's website and those of the other three stations remained in the format used by the websites of NBC-owned stations. In December 2006, WNCN and WJAR launched redesigned websites, which are no longer powered by Internet Broadcasting. On December 11, 2006, WVTM's website followed suit, followed by WCMH on December 14. Media General has since located the master control for all Media General NBC affiliates at its Columbus studios. In 2013, Media General migrated its television station web sites to Worldnow (who provided video services to the company's in-house web site operations prior to the hosting deal). Following the company's takeover by the principal staff of LIN, the Media General station web sites are now hosted by WordPress.com.

With subsequent sales and affiliation switches involving the other three stations NBC sold to Media General in 2006, WCMH was the last of the four that had had both the same owner and the same network affiliation that it had since 2006. (WJAR and WVTM were sold to Sinclair and Hearst Television, respectively, in 2014, while WNCN switched its network affiliation from NBC to CBS in 2016.) WCMH would be reunited with WDTN (the former WLWD) in 2014 when Media General purchased LIN Media, which also made WCMH a sister station to LIN's properties in Youngstown (CBS affiliate WKBN-TV, Fox affiliate WYFX-LD, and ABC-affiliated SSA partner WYTV) within Ohio.

On January 27, 2016, Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced it would buy Media General for $4.6 billion. WCMH became part of "Nexstar Media Group". The deal closed on January 17, 2017. Following the acquisitions of West Virginia Media Holdings (which closed two weeks after the Media General deal) and Tribune Media in 2019, WCMH is now a sister station to four other stations serving Ohio: Fox affiliate WJW in Cleveland, CBS affiliates WOWK-TV in Charleston–Huntington, West Virginia and WTRF-TV in Wheeling–Steubenville, and NBC affiliate WDTN in Dayton.

News operation

WCMH-TV's former studio in downtown Columbus, at the northeast corner of Broad and High streets.
WCMH's former helicopter.
1957 TV Guide Advertisement for WLW-C (WCMH) News with longtime anchor Hugh DeMoss, later Franklin County, Ohio Commissioner.
WLWC's studio building, 3165 Olentangy River Road in Columbus, under Avco ownership in the 1960s. The station's transmitter and tower were also located here, until they were moved to WBNS-TV's then-new candelabra tower in the early 1980s.
WCMH-TV's studios in 2021.

WCMH presently broadcasts 49 hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with eight hours each weekday, five hours on Saturdays and four hours on Sundays); in regards to the number of hours devoted to news programming, it is the highest local newscast output among the Columbus market's television stations on an individual basis, though WSYX currently broadcasts 63+1⁄2 hours of local newscasts per week on both its main signal and WSYX-DT3.

For most of its history, WLWC/WCMH-TV has been second in the Columbus ratings, except for the station's 11 p.m. news, which occasionally beats market leader WBNS-TV, though since WBNS-TV's sale to Tegna, Inc. in 2019, WCMH has been second behind WSYX, with WBNS-TV's ratings having plummeted. Typical with Nexstar-owned stations, WCMH-TV generally carries a straight newscast with emphasis on local coverage; WBNS-TV drifted away from such coverage and more towards lifestyle news under Tegna ownership while WSYX has long favored a more activist-style approach. Channel 4 has also emphasized community involvement and reporters with local roots such as current evening anchor Kerry Charles, a native of Columbus's Linden neighborhood.

From 1957 to 1980 Hugh DeMoss anchored channel 4's evening newscasts, called The DeMoss Report; following the sale of the station to Outlet, the broadcasts were rebranded as NewsWatch 4. During the late 70s into the early 80s, the station languished in third place. But channel 4's fortunes began to change when, in 1983, the station hired veteran news anchor Doug Adair and his then-wife, reporter Mona Scott, from WKYC-TV in Cleveland as the station's main anchoring team. They continued the "happy talk" format as well as launching the 5:30 p.m. newscast. WCMH began a slow rise that would result in the station overcoming WBNS to reach number-one in the market, and in the process, the mid-1980s NewsWatch 4 team of Adair, Scott, meteorologist Jym Ganahl (with the station from 1979 until retiring in September 2016), and sportscaster Jimmy Crum (who joined the station shortly after its 1949 debut) became the most popular anchor team in Columbus television history. This also coincided with NBC's becoming the number one network during that time.

The 1990s brought changes to the normally stable WCMH-TV. In 1990, personal reasons forced Mona Scott to leave channel 4, and she was replaced at the anchor desk by Angela Pace. Pace would leave for WBNS-TV in 1992, and Doug Adair and Jimmy Crum both retired in 1994. WCMH's new anchoring team featured Colleen Marshall, who had been a reporter for the station since the mid-1980s; and Cabot Rea, a former weekend sports anchor and weekday features reporter. The pair helmed WCMH-TV's evening newscasts until Rea's retirement on December 18, 2015. Marshall and Rea worked together overall for 23 years, the longest tenured co-anchoring team in Columbus television history.

The changes resulted in an earlier audience fall-off, but channel 4 once again passed WBNS-TV for the overall lead for a time in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and often won 11 p.m. news ratings over WBNS (due to NBC winning prime time and late night ratings over CBS during those years). For much of the first decade of the new millennium, WCMH also won the morning news race, but the numbers dropped precipitously after the broadcast moved into NBC 4 on the Square, a downtown studio facility located on Broad and High streets, in 2008.

On January 4, 2008, WCMH became the second major Columbus station to begin broadcasting local newscasts in high definition. Prior to the opening of NBC 4 on the Square on May 27, channel 4 had planned to move its entire news operation to that facility. However, when those plans fell through, WCMH's main studio was upgraded to high definition. (Ultimately, NBC 4 on the Square was used only for some of the station's weekday morning shows.) Like most other stations with high-definition newscasts, WCMH relied mostly on upconverted 16:9 widescreen standard definition footage for its remote field reports until the summer of 2014 where all remote field operations were upgrade to 16:9 1080i HD. On May 11, 2011, NBC 4 on the Square came to an end due to dismal ratings (it has remained a distant second to WBNS-TV on weekday mornings ever since NBC4 on the Square was founded), with the morning newscast productions returning to the main WCMH facility full-time, and the downtown space was soon leased to WBNS-TV.

In January 2011, the station debuted a new rounded logo and new image promos emphasizing its long-time personalities and community involvement.

Notable current on-air staff

  • Monica Day – morning news anchor of NBC4 Today from 4 to 7 a.m.

Notable alumni

Technical information

Subchannels

The station's signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of WCMH-TV
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
4.1 1080i 16:9 WCMH-DT Main WCMH-TV programming / NBC
4.2 480i Grit Grit
4.3 720p ION TV Ion
4.4 480i Laff TV Laff
53.3 480i 16:9 Comet Comet (WWHO-DT3)
  Broadcast on behalf of another station


WCMH replaced RTV with MeTV on September 26, 2011, as part of a groupwide affiliation agreement with Media General; the channel replaced RTV on some Media General-owned stations in other markets. MeTV was replaced by Court TV on September 26, 2019. Court TV was replaced with Grit on April 1, 2023.

Analog-to-digital conversion

WCMH-TV shut down its analog signal, over VHF channel 4, on June 12, 2009, as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television. The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 14, using virtual channel 4.

NextGen TV upgrade

As part of a deal between Nexstar and Sinclair Broadcast Group (owner of WSYX and operator of WTTE and WWHO), on January 7, 2021, WCMH-TV started hosting the ATSC 1.0 channel for WWHO 53.3 as part of Columbus's adoption of ATSC 3.0 using the HVEC video compression standard. Simultaneous with the move, WCMH-TV's main signal is now broadcasting in ATSC 3.0 on WWHO alongside WWHO's main signal, WSYX 6.3 (the former intellectual property of WTTE), and WTTE 28.2. The move left WBNS-TV as the only major network station in Columbus not broadcasting in ATSC 3.0 in some capacity.

Video links

Crowds gathering in the 1950s to watch Lex's Live Wrestling broadcast from Memorial Hall in Columbus, Ohio on WLW-C (now WCMH).

References

  1. ^ "History Cards for WCMH-TV". Federal Communications Commission. (Guide to reading History Cards)
  2. "Facility Technical Data for WCMH-TV". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. "WLWC starts; Columbus video outlet opened by Crosley." Broadcasting - Telecasting, April 4, 1949, pg. 41.
  4. "Television transmission; Crosley plans interconnection facilities." Broadcasting - Telecasting, March 14, 1949, pg. 35.
  5. Crosley Broadcasting Corp. advertisement Broadcasting - Telecasting, April 11, 1949, pg. 193.
  6. "TV coverage; RTMA predicts expansion." Broadcasting - Telecasting, May 19, 1952, pg. 78.
  7. "Crosley is granted; FCC okays channel changes." Broadcasting - Telecasting, December 15, 1952, pg. 59.
  8. "WLW-C first in Columbus - Page 169" (PDF). Broadcasting - Telecasting. April 2, 1962. pp. 169–170.Page 170
  9. "Avco sells off another TV." Broadcasting, May 26, 1975, pg. 42.
  10. "Changing Hands–Approved." Broadcasting, January 19, 1976, pg. 33.
  11. WCMH-TV/Outlet Broadcasting advertisement. Broadcasting, February 23, 1976, pg. 77.
  12. "Media General Completes Purchase of Four NBC Television Stations" (Press release). Media General, Inc. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  13. "Media General Mid-Year Media Review" (PDF). Media General. Retrieved March 13, 2008.
  14. "Nexstar Broadcasting Group Enters into Definitive Agreement to Acquire Media General for $4.6 Billion in Accretive Cash and Stock Transaction" (Press release). Nexstar Broadcasting. January 27, 2016. Archived from the original on January 30, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  15. Malone, Michael (February 3, 2023). "Local News Close-Up: Columbus Offers Cosmopolitan Vibe in Heartland". Broadcasting & Cable.
  16. "10TV Debuts Signs at Broad and High". WBNS. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  17. "Digital TV Market Listing for WCMH". Rabbit Ears. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  18. "Me-TV Beefs Up Roster With 10 New Stations". TVNewsCheck. September 15, 2011. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  19. "List of Digital Full-Power Stations" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 29, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2008.
  20. "DTV Transition Status Report". February 18, 2008. Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  21. Barnes, Jess (January 8, 2021). "ATSC 3.0 is Live in Columbus, OH". Cord Cutters News. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  22. "Digital TV Market Listing for WWHO". Rabbit Ears.
  23. Greene, Bob (February 28, 1985). "Lex Had a Hold on Pro Wrestling". Chicago Tribune.
  24. Friedman, Jim (2007). Cincinnati Television. Arcadia Publishing. p. 48. ISBN 978-0-7385-5169-2. Archived from the original on November 13, 2022.

External links

Broadcast television in Central Ohio
This region includes the following cities: Columbus
Chillicothe
Mansfield
Newark
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NBC network affiliates licensed to and serving the state of Ohio
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See also
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Ion Television stations in the state of Ohio
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