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WOAI-TV (channel 4) is a television station in San Antonio, Texas, United States, affiliated with NBC and The CW. It is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group alongside Fox affiliate KABB (channel 29); Sinclair also provides certain services to Kerrville-licensed KMYS (channel 35) under joint sales and shared services agreements with Deerfield Media. The three stations share studios between Babcock Road and Sovereign Drive (off Loop 410) in northwest San Antonio, with administrative offices in an adjacent building west across its parking lot; WOAI-TV's transmitter is located in northwest Wilson County (near Elmendorf).

Key Information

History

[edit]

The station first signed on the air on December 11, 1949, as WOAI-TV.[2] It was the first television station in the San Antonio market, owned by Southland Industries along with WOAI (1200 AM). WOAI-TV and WOAI radio are among the few broadcast stations located west of the Mississippi River that have a call sign beginning with "W". In the early days of broadcasting, most Central Time Zone states were in the "W" territory. In 1923, the dividing line was changed to the Mississippi River. Since WOAI radio was already on the air, it kept its W call letters and when it put a TV station on the air, it shared that call sign.

WOAI-TV has been an NBC affiliate since its inception, owing to WOAI (AM)'s longtime affiliation with the NBC Red Network. In its early years of operation, it also carried programming from the three other major networks of the time: CBS, ABC and DuMont. WOAI lost the CBS and DuMont affiliations to KEYL (channel 5, now KENS) when that station signed on in February 1950. The two stations continued to share ABC programming until KONO-TV (channel 12, now KSAT-TV) signed on in January 1957.

On May 27, 1965, Crosley Broadcasting announced that it was purchasing the WOAI stations for $12 million.[3] The FCC approved the sale on September 16, 1965[4] and Crosley's ownership became effective at midnight on October 27.[5] Crosley would change its name to Avco Broadcasting Corporation effective January 17, 1966.[6]

On November 25, 1974, Avco, which had, at that time, decided to exit broadcasting, announced that 20th Century Fox, through its United Television subsidiary, would be acquiring WOAI-TV.[7] On December 11, 1974, coinciding with the station's 25th anniversary, WOAI-TV changed its call letters to KMOL-TV.[8] The change was brought on by an FCC regulation in place at that time that prohibited non-commonly-owned TV and radio stations in the same market from sharing the same base call sign.[8] Avco had sold WOAI radio to local startup Clear Channel Communications earlier in 1974, and the radio station retained the WOAI call letters.[9] The sale to Fox was completed on November 5, 1975, with the new owners officially taking control at 12:01 a.m. the following morning.[10] Chris-Craft Industries gained majority ownership of United in 1981, merging the group with BHC Communications (the owners of KCOP in Los Angeles and KPTV in Portland, Oregon).

When KRRT (channel 35, now KMYS) dropped its affiliation with the United Paramount Network (UPN) to join The WB in January 1998, KMOL began carrying UPN programming during the overnight hours. At the time, Chris-Craft had owned a 50% interest in UPN. The UPN affiliation later moved to Fredericksburg-licensed KBEJ (channel 2, now MyNetworkTV affiliate KCWX), which signed on the air in August 2000.

On August 12, 2000, Chris-Craft Industries sold its television stations to the Fox Television Stations subsidiary of News Corporation for $5.5 billion.[11] The deal was finalized on July 31, 2001. News Corporation then traded KMOL and sister station KTVX in Salt Lake City to Clear Channel in exchange for WFTC in Minneapolis. This tradeoff protected future sister station KABB (channel 29) from losing its Fox affiliation. Not only did the purchase reunite KMOL-TV with WOAI Radio, but channel 4 also became the television flagship of the San Antonio-based conglomerate. Speculation immediately began that Clear Channel would restore the heritage WOAI-TV call sign to channel 4. This officially occurred on September 1, 2002. Although Clear Channel's San Antonio radio cluster was located in Northwest San Antonio, off I-10, WOAI-TV remained based in its downtown studios on Navarro Street.

The former WOAI studio building, as seen from North St. Mary's Street.

On November 16, 2006, after being bought by private equity firms, Clear Channel announced that it would sell all of its television stations.[12] On April 20, 2007, Clear Channel sold its entire television group to Providence Equity Partners-controlled holding company Newport Television; the group deal was finalized on March 14, 2008.[13] However, channel 4 continued a news partnership with its former radio sister, and the two stations continued to share a website for two years afterward.

In May 2008, Newport Television agreed to sell WOAI-TV and five other stations to High Plains Broadcasting because of ownership conflicts. Providence Equity Partners also holds a 19% ownership stake in Univision Communications, the owner of Univision owned-and-operated station KWEX-TV (channel 41) and Telefutura station KNIC-TV (channel 17).[14] In the case of San Antonio, it would have given Providence Equity control of three stations in the market. Even without KNIC in the picture, both WOAI and KWEX were among the four highest-rated stations in the San Antonio market at the time of the Clear Channel sale (and remain so today). The FCC normally does not allow two of the four highest-rated stations to be owned by a single entity. The sale was finalized on September 15, 2008.[15] However, the sale to High Plains Broadcasting was in name only. Newport continued to operate the station under a shared services agreement, with High Plains only holding the FCC assets of the station (including the license). This effectively made High Plains Broadcasting a front company for Newport Television in a relationship similar to that between Mission Broadcasting and Nexstar Broadcasting Group as well as between Cunningham Broadcasting (and later Deerfield Media) and the Sinclair Broadcast Group.[14] On December 17, 2007, WOAI debuted a slightly altered logo.

On July 19, 2012, Newport Television/High Plains Broadcasting reached a deal to sell 22 of the company's 27 stations to Sinclair, Nexstar and Cox Media Group. WOAI-TV was among the six that would be sold to Sinclair, making it a sister station to Fox affiliate KABB (channel 29) and CW affiliate KMYS (channel 35).[16] Since FCC duopoly regulations forbid common ownership of more than two full-power stations in a single market from being under the same ownership, Sinclair spun off KMYS to Deerfield Media; however, Sinclair retained control of KMYS through a shared services agreement. In addition, while FCC rules disallow ownership of two of the four highest-rated stations in the same market, which normally precludes duopolies involving two "Big Four" network affiliates, Sinclair cited in its FCC purchase application that WOAI ranked as the fourth highest-rated station (behind KWEX-DT) and KABB the fifth-rated station in the San Antonio market in total day viewership. The Sinclair and Deerfield Media deals were consummated on December 3, 2012. KTVX, which had been a sister station to WOAI-TV since United Television acquired both stations in 1975, was sold to Nexstar, resulting in the two stations coming under entirely separate ownership and management for the first time in over 37 years.

The operations of KABB and KMYS initially remained separate from WOAI-TV, with the two stations retaining competing news operations.[17] On the morning on March 19, 2013, a fire started in offices located on the second floor of WOAI-TV's studios, which resulted in the evacuation of the station's staff; the incident occurred during NBC News coverage of the papal inauguration of Pope Francis from Vatican City which stayed on the air for about six hours, allowing the station to focus on evacuation and backup broadcasting plans, as WOAI-TV was unable to broadcast from the building. For the remainder of the day, the station used a live truck to broadcast newscasts from a nearby parking lot, before temporarily moving to KABB/KMYS' facility on Babcock Road.[18] Station and San Antonio Fire Department representatives cited an electrical short for causing the blaze.[19] WOAI-TV moved back to the downtown facility on March 24.[20] In October 2013, the San Antonio Express-News reported that Sinclair planned to move WOAI-TV's sales, promotions and executive offices from its Navarro Street studios to an adjacent building across the parking lot from KABB and KMYS' existing studio building and merge those same operations together in that building; the transition of WOAI-TV employees to the KABB/KMYS complex was finalized in the summer of 2014, with the completion of a shared newsroom on the second floor of the building that accommodates both WOAI-TV and KABB's respective news staffs.[21][22]

Programming

[edit]

WOAI-TV carries the entire NBC programming schedule. However, the station airs several of the network's programs out of pattern: the fourth hour of Today airs on a one-hour delay from 11 a.m. to noon, and Late Night With Seth Meyers airs on a half-hour delay (starting at 12:07 am); syndicated programs (as well as San Antonio Living) fill those programs' network-designated timeslots.

Outside of a delay of The CW's One Magnificent Morning block to early Monday mornings, WOAI-DT2 carries the entire CW programming schedule.

WOAI-TV also produces the hour-long daytime talk show San Antonio Living, which airs weekdays at 10 am.[23] On August 22, 2010, WOAI-TV announced that it would replace Live! with Regis and Kelly with Rachael Ray on September 13 in an effort to boost ratings for San Antonio Living. The announcement sparked controversy with many loyal viewers as Live had connections with San Antonio as original co-host Regis Philbin was a fan of the San Antonio Spurs NBA franchise and San Antonio was showcased during the Fiesta event in a 1991 episode. What is now Live with Kelly and Mark returned to the market on KSAT in September 2011.[24]

The station has aired many Spurs games through NBC's broadcast rights with the NBA from 1990 to 2002, and beginning in 2025. This includes the team's 1999 NBA Finals championship victory. WOAI's subchannel 4.2 carries a package of select Spurs games, split with KENS-TV and produced by FanDuel Sports Network Southwest.

News operation

[edit]

WOAI-TV presently broadcasts 27 hours, 25 minutes of locally produced newscasts each week (with 5 hours, 5 minutes each weekday and one hour each on Saturdays and Sundays); in addition, the station produces the half-hour sports highlight program Sports Sunday, which airs Sundays at 10:30 pm. The station is branded as News 4 San Antonio, with the largest TV news operation in the city.

On September 16, 2009, WOAI-TV became the third television station in the San Antonio market (after KSAT and KENS) to begin broadcasting its local newscasts in high definition; with the change, the station introduced a new set for its newscasts as well as a modified version of its "big 4" logo (which was altered to a red, white and black color scheme). It was the first (and presently, the only) television station in the market to provide news video from the field in true high definition, as WOAI upgraded its ENG vehicles, satellite truck, studio and field cameras and other equipment to broadcast news footage from the field in high definition, in addition to segments broadcast from the main studio.[25]

On September 6, 2010, WOAI-TV expanded its 6 p.m. newscast to one hour, with the addition of a half-hour extension at 6:30 pm.[26] In 2011, the station's chief meteorologist, John Gerard (who announced his departure from WOAI in April 2014, to become the weekend meteorologist at CBS owned-and-operated station WFOR-TV in Miami[27]), developed the "4-Zone Forecast"—a zonal forecast for four specific sub-regions of south Texas, compared to the broader regional forecasts for the area that are used by other local stations. In February 2012, WOAI introduced a storm chasing vehicle provided by Ancira, which is used during severe weather situations affecting south Texas. On January 25, 2016, WOAI debuted a half-hour noon newscast, which has now extended to a full hour.

Technical information

[edit]

Subchannels

[edit]

The station's signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of WOAI-TV[28]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
4.1 1080i 16:9 WOAI-DT NBC
4.2 720p CW The CW
4.3 480i Antenna Antenna TV
4.4 Charge! Charge!

Analog-to-digital conversion

[edit]

WOAI-TV ended regular programming on its analog signal, over VHF channel 4, on June 12, 2009, as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television.[29] The station's digital signal relocated its digital signal from its pre-transition UHF channel 58, which was among the high band UHF channels (52–69) that were removed from broadcasting use as a result of the transition, to UHF channel 48 for post-transition operations. WOAI-TV moved from RF channel 48 to RF channel 28 on June 21, 2019, as a result of the 2016 United States wireless spectrum auction.[30]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

WOAI-TV

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
WOAI-TV, virtual channel 4 (UHF digital channel 28), is a television station licensed to , , , primarily affiliated with and owned by . The station signed on the air on December 11, 1949, establishing it as San Antonio's first television broadcaster. Originally operating under the WOAI-TV callsign, it underwent a change to KMOL-TV in 1974 amid an ownership transition before reverting to its heritage calls in 2002. Sinclair operates WOAI-TV as part of a duopoly with affiliate KABB (channel 29) and provides services to Kerrville-licensed affiliate KMYS (channel 35). The station broadcasts local news, weather, and sports programming under the News 4 San Antonio brand, supplemented by NBC network content and syndicated shows.

History

Founding and early operations (1949–1960s)

WOAI-TV, the first television station in , , signed on the air on December 11, 1949, under the ownership of the same interests that operated WOAI-AM radio. The launch, dubbed "T-Day" by local media, marked the introduction of broadcast television to , with initial operations from studios shared with the radio station. Programming began at 4:45 p.m. daily, featuring a limited schedule that included a Notre Dame vs. football game at 5:20 p.m. and the local newscast Telenews hosted by Austin Williams at 6:15 p.m., before signing off at 9:00 p.m. As an television affiliate—mirroring the radio station's long-standing ties established in 1928—WOAI-TV primarily aired NBC programming but supplemented with content from , ABC, and the in its formative years due to the limited availability of network feeds. Early technical capabilities included a mobile production unit resembling a bus equipped with three field cameras for remote broadcasts, reflecting the era's rudimentary infrastructure. Local content emphasized news and community events, with figures like Austin Williams anchoring early broadcasts amid a sparse viewer base reliant on newly available television sets priced from $189.95 for 10-inch models. Through the , WOAI-TV expanded operations by investing $500,000 (equivalent to approximately $5.5 million in 2024 dollars) in equipment and facilities to enable color broadcasting starting in , ahead of many regional peers. News coverage grew under staff such as Henry Garra, focusing on local reporting from dedicated studios. By the , the station maintained its pioneering role with election night coverage and syndicated fare, operating on with a signal serving the metropolitan area under stable original ownership until a 1974 sale.

Network affiliations and expansions (1970s–2000s)

In 1974, WOAI-TV was acquired by United Television Corporation, prompting a change in call letters to KMOL-TV on December 11 to mark the station's 25th anniversary and adhere to FCC rules barring shared call signs between commonly owned radio and television stations in the same city. The station retained its longstanding primary affiliation with NBC, which had been established since its 1949 launch due to the radio counterpart's NBC radio ties, and continued airing NBC programming alongside local content without interruption. This period saw no shifts in network alignment amid broader industry flux, such as the 1990s affiliation swaps affecting other San Antonio outlets, underscoring KMOL-TV's stable position as the market's NBC outlet. Ownership transitioned further in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with KMOL-TV passing to before Clear Channel Communications acquired it from on October 1, 2001, reuniting the television operation with its heritage radio sibling under one corporate umbrella. On September 1, 2002, the station reverted to its original WOAI-TV call sign, a strategic to capitalize on the WOAI legacy for enhanced local identity and operational synergies, including potential with the AM radio station. The NBC affiliation persisted unchanged, supporting expansions in production and syndicated fare to bolster ratings in San Antonio's growing . These developments reflected broader consolidation trends in broadcasting, yet WOAI-TV/KMOL-TV focused on maintaining core deliverables without venturing into secondary network affiliations during this era, prioritizing reliability over diversification until digital capabilities emerged later.

Sinclair acquisition and modern developments (2010s–present)

Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired WOAI-TV from Newport Television on December 3, 2012, following an agreement announced on July 19, 2012, as part of a larger transaction involving 22 stations sold to Sinclair, Nexstar, and Cox Media Group. The acquisition brought WOAI under the same ownership as Fox affiliate KABB (channel 29), which Sinclair had owned since 1996, forming a duopoly in the San Antonio market while providing services to CW affiliate KMYS (channel 35). Initially, WOAI and KABB maintained separate news operations despite common ownership. However, a at WOAI's downtown studios in March 2013 prompted the relocation of its business offices to 's facility near the intersection of Babcock Road and Loop 410. In May 2013, Sinclair announced plans to fully consolidate WOAI's operations into the shared studios later that year, establishing a unified for both stations to produce . The move enhanced resource sharing, with WOAI continuing its News 4 San Antonio broadcasts while integrating production elements from KABB's Fox San Antonio newscasts. Under Sinclair, WOAI retained its NBC affiliation and expanded local news coverage, including midday and evening broadcasts. In January 2018, Dean Radla was appointed general manager for the WOAI-KABB duopoly, overseeing operations from the shared facility. The station's former downtown building, used since the , was listed for sale in April 2023 after partial vacancy following the 2013 relocation. In September 2023, WOAI hosted a on school choice policies and voucher systems, reflecting Sinclair's emphasis on issue-specific local programming. Leadership updates continued into 2025, with Glen Horn named news director for both WOAI and in April, managing distinct news products for the and audiences. Sinclair's broader initiatives, such as real-time AI-powered language translation for newscasts implemented company-wide in February 2025, apply to WOAI's operations, enabling multilingual accessibility in San Antonio's diverse market. These developments have sustained WOAI's role as a key provider amid Sinclair's centralized content strategies.

Programming

Network and syndicated content

WOAI-TV operates as the NBC affiliate for the San Antonio–New Braunfels market, carrying the network's complete programming schedule without significant preemptions. This encompasses primetime scripted series and reality competitions, daytime talk and soap operas such as , morning news magazine Today, and public affairs programs like . National news coverage includes weekdays at 5:30 p.m. central time, anchored by as of 2025, alongside weekend editions and breaking coverage. Late-night programming features , , and Last Call hosted by , airing Monday through Friday following local news. Sports broadcasts from NBC include Sunday Night Football during the NFL season, with pregame analysis via Football Night in America, as well as Big Ten college football games and occasional NBA coverage. The station also airs NBC's coverage, such as the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics simulcast, providing comprehensive live events, highlights, and analysis. Syndicated programming occupies early morning slots and select off-network periods, featuring conservative political commentary like The Rightside Forum with at 6:00 a.m. weekdays and religious instruction series such as Les Feldick Through the at 7:00 a.m. These offerings, distributed nationally, supplement the NBC lineup in non-prime hours, with additional paid programming and lifestyle shows filling remaining gaps to comply with FCC requirements for educational and informational content.

News operation

WOAI-TV's news department, operating under the News 4 San Antonio brand, produces a range of local newscasts including morning, midday, evening, and late-night programs focused on , , , investigations, and sports for the market. The operation emphasizes community coverage, such as ride-alongs with federal agencies and reporting on local incidents like shootings and infrastructure failures. Key personnel include anchors Jonathan Martinez and Mandy Noell for weekday evening broadcasts, with Don Harris serving as sports director and anchor since 1989, marking 35 years with the station as of 2024; Harris has earned an Emmy Award for his work. Chief meteorologist Chris Suchan leads weather reporting, supported by meteorologist Jeannette Calle. Former anchor Randy Beamer, a longtime figure, co-anchored key slots until his departure, contributing to the department's visibility. In ratings performance, WOAI has often trailed ABC affiliate KSAT and CBS affiliate KENS in the competitive market, reflecting challenges for affiliates locally, though it secured second place in select time slots like the 5 p.m. newscast in November 2014 with a 6.6 household rating. The station expanded its offerings in recent years, adding a noon newscast combining local, national, and weather segments to compete directly with rivals. The news team has garnered regional recognition, including Lone Star Emmy Awards for individuals like and local honors such as Magazine's selection of Beamer and Harris as top anchors in 2020; anchor Evy Ramos received the Award in 2016 for professional achievement. As part of , WOAI benefits from the parent's tally of over 2,000 awards across stations in the past six years, including more than 200 Awards, though specific attributions to WOAI's output emphasize local journalism standards.

Local and community programming

WOAI-TV produces San Antonio Living, an hour-long local lifestyle that debuted in 2000 as the first of its kind in the market. The program airs weekdays at 10:00 a.m. and highlights community events, local cuisine, entertainment, family activities, and features on businesses and festivals, such as the Lebanese and Fright Fest. Hosted by a team of local personalities, it emphasizes viewer engagement through on-air promotions of regional happenings and guest appearances from area experts and residents. Beyond regularly scheduled content, WOAI-TV incorporates community-focused initiatives into its programming, particularly during crises. In 2020, amid the , the station aired dedicated news and lifestyle segments partnering with local companies and philanthropists to fundraise for the Food Bank, ultimately raising over $5 million to address food insecurity in the region. These efforts align with FCC requirements for programming, prioritizing verifiable local impact over promotional content. The station's approach integrates such service into broader lifestyle broadcasts rather than standalone public affairs shows, reflecting a focus on practical community support documented in regulatory filings.

Technical information

Subchannels and multicast services

WOAI-TV transmits on virtual channel 4 via physical RF channel 28 (UHF) and multiplexes four subchannels as of October 2025. The primary subchannel, 4.1, airs network programming in high definition, branded as News 4 . Subchannel 4.2 carries affiliation, simulcast from former standalone affiliate (channel 35) following a 2021 relocation to consolidate operations under Sinclair ownership; it broadcasts in and is marketed as CW 35 or CW SA. Subchannel 4.3 features , a classic television diginet offering sitcoms and dramas from the 1950s to 1990s, in standard definition. Subchannel 4.4 delivers Charge!, a Sinclair-owned action and crime drama network emphasizing police procedurals and courtroom shows, also in .
Virtual ChannelVideoAspectPSIP Short NameProgramming
4.116:9WOAI
4.216:9CW
4.316:9Antenna
4.416:9Charge!Charge!
WOAI-TV also supports (NextGen TV) multicast services on a shared host basis since June 2022, enabling advanced features like 4K HDR, interactive content, and , though primary subchannel content mirrors ATSC 1.0 offerings. These multicast streams leverage IP-based delivery for enhanced viewer experiences without requiring separate subchannel allocations.

Analog-to-digital conversion and signal upgrades

WOAI-TV initiated in the early 2000s, with its full-power on UHF channel 58 operating alongside the on VHF channel 4. On June 12, 2009, the station ceased analog transmissions as mandated by federal law for the nationwide transition to , retaining its mapped to virtual channel 4.1 with an (ERP) of approximately 250 kW. This conversion improved signal reliability and enabled high-definition programming, though viewers required digital tuners or converter boxes for over-the-air reception post-transition. Following the 2016 incentive auction, WOAI-TV was reassigned frequencies during the FCC's spectrum repack to optimize broadcast spectrum usage. The station relocated its from channel 58 to channel 48 temporarily, then to its current UHF channel 28 (RF 28) effective June 21, 2019, necessitating viewer rescans to maintain access. The move preserved coverage across the market with an of 200 kW from its tower near , at a (HAAT) of about 448 meters, ensuring minimal disruption despite the channel shift. In June 2022, WOAI-TV upgraded to the standard, known as NextGen TV, in collaboration with KABB and other local broadcasters, launching on June 16. This enhancement supports 4K video, HDR, immersive audio, and interactive features like and IP integration, transmitted via a host station arrangement while maintaining compatibility with legacy ATSC 1.0 receivers through simulcasting. The upgrade positions WOAI-TV for future advancements in broadcast technology without requiring immediate hardware changes for most viewers.

Facilities and transmission

WOAI-TV maintains its primary studios and offices at 4335 NW Loop 410 in San Antonio, Texas, a facility shared with sister stations KABB and KMYS under common ownership by Sinclair Broadcast Group. This location, situated between Babcock Road and Sovereign Drive off Loop 410 in northwest San Antonio, houses production, news operations, and administrative functions for the station's NBC and CW-affiliated programming. The station's transmitter site is situated near Elmendorf in Wilson County, Texas, at coordinates 29°16′11.5″N 98°15′55.9″W. WOAI-TV operates on physical RF channel 28 (554–560 MHz) as a full-service station, transmitting with an (ERP) of 800 kW horizontal and 583.5 kW vertical from a non-directional elliptical antenna. The antenna (HAAT) measures 457 meters (1,499 feet), enabling a predicted noise-limited contour extending approximately 68.8 miles and covering an estimated 14,877 square miles with a population reach of about 2.48 million. This configuration supports robust over-the-air digital broadcast coverage across the San Antonio Designated Market Area (DMA).

Recognition and impact

Awards and journalistic achievements

WOAI-TV's news operation, branded as News 4 , has earned recognition primarily through regional journalism awards, reflecting strengths in investigative reporting and local coverage. The station's team has secured multiple Lone Star Emmy Awards from the Lone Star Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, including four in 2020—such as investigative reporter Jaie Avila's win for the consumer series Show Me Your Money—and three in 2021 across categories like overall excellence and hard news reporting. Individual journalists have contributed to these achievements, with investigative reporter Jaie Avila receiving an Emmy for impactful local stories exposing issues like consumer fraud and government accountability. Veteran sports anchor Randy Beamer has amassed nine Emmys and a Regional Award for excellence in over his 30-year tenure at the station. Sports director Don Harris has won multiple Emmys and awards for sports commentary and specials, alongside induction into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle for career contributions spanning over 25 years. The station has also received commendations in specialized categories, such as the Barbara Jordan Media Award for the broadcast Football for All by reporters Amanda and John Henderson, honoring coverage of disability rights in sports. As part of , WOAI-TV benefits from the parent's broader accolades, including over 500 and 200 Awards across stations since 2018, though specific station-level national honors like Peabodys remain absent from verified records. These regional successes underscore WOAI's focus on accountability in the market, with investigative work driving policy changes and public awareness.

Ratings performance and market position

WOAI-TV serves the designated market area (DMA), ranked 31st nationally by Nielsen with 1,096,400 television households during the 2024–2025 season. As the market's affiliate, the station benefits from robust network primetime viewership, which typically outperforms local programming across affiliates in mid-sized , though specific household shares for WOAI remain tied to national trends rather than isolated local dominance. In local news ratings, WOAI has consistently ranked third behind ABC affiliate KSAT-TV and CBS affiliate KENS-TV, based on available Nielsen sweeps data from the and early . For example, during the November 2017 sweeps period, KSAT captured the overall news lead with key newscasts like its 5 p.m. slot achieving a 6.49 rating, while WOAI trailed in most time slots amid from established rivals. This pattern persisted into March 2018, where KSAT maintained leadership across evening news, and WOAI placed third despite occasional demo gains. By May 2020, WOAI showed improvement in key demographics during morning and evening blocks, though KENS secured the top spot in morning news with a multi-year . WOAI's market position is bolstered by Sinclair Broadcast Group's ownership, which enables operational synergies with affiliate KABB-TV (channel 29) in a duopoly , enhancing resource sharing for production and digital distribution. The station's digital engagement remains strong, leading local broadcast networks in actions during high-profile events like sports telecasts in November 2023, reflecting audience loyalty beyond traditional linear viewing. However, without publicly detailed recent Nielsen or metrics post-2020, WOAI's performance appears stable but not ascendant, constrained by KSAT's entrenched lead in household ratings and viewer preference for its community-focused coverage.

Community involvement and criticisms

WOAI-TV supports local charities through on-air promotions and employee participation in events, such as annual public service announcements and guest features for the Autism Treatment Center of each April. In the fourth quarter of 2020, the station sponsored 20 Sinclair employees to register for the Foundation's Annual Tower Climb fundraiser. Criticisms of WOAI-TV have centered on mandates from parent company , particularly a 2018 requirement for anchors to deliver identical promos decrying "fake news" and biased reporting from national media. WOAI anchor Delaine Mathieu described reading the script as "awful" in a post, reflecting internal discomfort among some staff. Sinclair maintained the segments aimed to promote about unsubstantiated social media claims, but detractors, including media watchdogs, likened them to centralized efforts that compromised local editorial autonomy. These critiques emerged amid broader scrutiny of Sinclair's influence over its stations, with analyses attributing a right-center to WOAI's reporting alongside mixed accuracy in factual claims. Such objections, often voiced by mainstream outlets exhibiting systemic left-wing tendencies, highlight tensions between corporate oversight and perceived journalistic .

References

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  2. https://www.tab.org/member-services/station-directory/woai-dt
  3. https://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/article/WOAI-TV-became-San-Antonio-s-first-TV-station-70-14898640.php
  4. https://news4sanantonio.com/
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  7. https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/woai-tv-channel-4-signs-on-71-years-ago-today-as-san-antonios-first-television-station
  8. https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/woai-tv-begins-broadcasting-in-color-65-years-ago-today-i-love-lucy-debuts-in-1951
  9. https://www.expressnews.com/150years/major-stories/article/S-A-s-first-TV-station-had-vivid-history-6246407.php
  10. https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2002/07/01/daily13.html
  11. https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/blog/2012/12/sinclair-broadcast-group-closes-on.html
  12. https://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/WOAI-and-KMYS-to-get-new-owners-3720178.php
  13. https://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/WOAI-KABB-won-t-join-forces-4091407.php
  14. https://www.expressnews.com/business/local/article/WOAI-KABB-to-share-home-news-4532399.php
  15. https://tvnewscheck.com/article/tag/woai-san-antonio/
  16. https://sbgi.net/sinclair-names-dean-radla-general-manager-at-woai-in-san-antonio/
  17. https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2023/04/11/downtown-tv-building-market-sinclair-broadcast.html
  18. https://sbgi.net/sinclairs-woai-news-4-san-antonio-to-host-crisis-in-the-classroom-texas-school-choice-panel-discussion-thursday-september-28-at-8pm-ct/
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  24. https://www.ontvtonight.com/guide/listings/channel/69022976/woai-hdtv.html
  25. https://www.ontvtonight.com/guide/listings/channel/69029490/woai.html
  26. https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/before-dawn-inside-an-ice-operation-in-san-antonio-texas-mexico-federal-immigration-border-ride-along-human-stories-streets
  27. https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/scaffolding-collapse-in-downtown-leads-to-evacuation-near-main-plaza-construction-busy-alamo-plaza
  28. https://news4sanantonio.com/station/people
  29. https://news4sanantonio.com/station/people/don-harris
  30. https://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/article/Why-does-San-Antonio-s-NBC-station-always-12771053.php
  31. https://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/television/article/WOAI-now-No-2-in-key-S-A-news-races-5927617.php
  32. https://news4sanantonio.com/station/people/jonathan-martinez-01-24-2022
  33. https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/randy-beamer-don-harris-named-best-tv-anchors-by-san-antonio-magazine
  34. https://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/entertainment_columnists/jeanne_jakle/article/S-A-TV-anchor-prouder-of-this-award-than-any-Emmy-9172807.php
  35. https://sbgi.net/news-awards/
  36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qs88V6sDFQ
  37. https://www.facebook.com/ilovesaliving/
  38. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyFwDPyddKc7uFoBaJSlAJZFcU5U5W6RI
  39. https://news4sanantonio.com/sa-living/living-bios
  40. https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/25076f91771d0d81017735f22801405a
  41. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_station&facility_id=69618
  42. https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/nextgen-tv-broadcasts-begin-in-san-antonio
  43. https://tedium.co/2019/04/11/digital-television-upgrade-history/
  44. https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/rescan-on-june-21st-to-continue-receiving-your-favorite-programs
  45. https://tvnewscheck.com/tech/article/four-stations-launch-nextgen-tv-in-san-antonio/
  46. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220617005507/en/Major-Broadcasters-Launch-NEXTGEN-TV-on-Four-Local-Television-Stations-in-San-Antonio
  47. https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=69618
  48. https://tvstations.fandom.com/wiki/WOAI
  49. https://www.rabbitears.info/tvq.php?request=items&facid=69618
  50. https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/news-4-wins-four-lone-star-emmys
  51. https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/news-4-wins-three-lone-star-emmys
  52. https://news4sanantonio.com/station/people/jaie-avila
  53. https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/delaine-mathieu-interviews-randy-beamer-for-his-30th-anniversary
  54. https://gov.texas.gov/organization/disabilities/bjma_past_winners
  55. https://ustvdb.com/markets/san-antonio/
  56. https://www.comscore.com/por/Insights/Blog/NFL-NCAA-and-Spanish-Telecasts-See-Success-in-San-Antonio
  57. https://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/movies-tv/article/KSAT-wins-news-but-S-A-ratings-trumpet-one-big-12381789.php
  58. https://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/KENS-5-p-m-rating-s-gold-breaks-KSAT-s-12720973.php
  59. https://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/article/KENS-5-morning-show-wins-big-May-TV-ratings-after-15297740.php
  60. https://www.comscore.com/Insights/Blog/A-Sports-Filled-Week-in-San-Antonio-TX
  61. https://marketshare.tvnewscheck.com/2024/03/18/ksat-takes-its-6pm-news-on-the-road-to-san-antonio-neighborhoods/
  62. https://apnews.com/article/san-antonio-85e6718088d3485d99adb27c6304096c
  63. https://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/movies-tv/article/WOAI-KABB-anchors-read-Sinclair-mandated-12800454.php
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