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WMBF-TV
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WMBF-TV (channel 32) is a television station in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States, serving as the NBC affiliate for the Grand Strand and Pee Dee regions of South Carolina. It is owned by Gray Media alongside low-power Telemundo affiliate WXIV-LD (channel 14). The two stations share studios on Frontage Road East (along US 17) in Myrtle Beach, as well as a secondary studio and news bureau on West Cheves Street in Florence; WMBF-TV's transmitter is located on Flossie Road in Bucksville, South Carolina.
Key Information
Among the youngest full-power major network affiliates in the United States, WMBF-TV began broadcasting in 2008 under Raycom Media, which had inherited the construction permit from Liberty Corporation. Its construction gave the region its first in-market NBC affiliate, replacing cable and over-the-air broadcasts of two co-owned stations in adjacent markets, and a third source of local news coverage. Due to technical restrictions, WMBF's over-the-air signal is not viewable in much of the market's inland portion, including Florence, the market's second-largest city; a network of five low-power translators extends WMBF's signal to much of this area for viewers without access to cable or satellite.
History
[edit]In 1984, Moore Broadcast Industries petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to add channel 32 to the table of allotments at Myrtle Beach, specifying the station had to be located 14 miles (23 km) southwest of town to protect two unused allotments in North Carolina, at High Point and Wilmington.[3] Moore filed for the channel alongside seven other groups, but only three were still in the running in November 1986, when the FCC gave the nod to Coastal Carolina Broadcasting Company, a group of residents of Conway.[4] Coastal Carolina's proposed station got a call sign, WCRD, but little else, being unable to secure financing.[5]
The channel assignment lay fallow with no activity until 1996, when the FCC opened a last-chance window for filings to build new TV stations before turning the channels over to possible use for digital television facilities. An application was made by Cosmos Broadcasting, the broadcasting subsidiary of the Liberty Corporation and owner of WIS in Columbia. The president of Cosmos told The Sun News that the odds were "fairly long" for Cosmos to actually be granted the channel.[6]
In October 2005, the FCC granted Liberty the permit. Two months earlier, though, Liberty had announced its sale to Raycom Media in a 15-station, $987 million transaction.[7] Under the radar, the deal included the construction permit for channel 32 in Myrtle Beach. The Liberty purchase by Raycom united WIS with WECT in Wilmington. These stations had, for decades, provided NBC service to northeastern South Carolina. WIS and WECT stations were on the Myrtle Beach cable system when it debuted in 1962;[8] said cable system was co-owned with WIS.[9] Beginning in 1995, WIS and Time Warner Cable had been engaged in a joint venture to produce a customized feed of the station for the market's inland portion, "WIS–Florence", complete with its own advertising sales staff.[10]
Facilities were approved in early 2007, and it was announced at that time that the station would replace WIS and WECT on regional cable systems.[1] Raycom selected a building formerly used by cell phone company SunCom on Frontage Road and began construction later that year.[11] For Raycom, the construction of WMBF served several goals. Because the digital television transition was looming—with the Wilmington stations, including WECT, part of a pilot switchover in September 2008—the Myrtle Beach station, built as a digital-only facility from the outset, would fill in gaps in coverage after WECT's analog signal shut down. It also would allow Raycom to sell advertising in the rapidly growing Grand Strand area for the first time and give NBC its first in-market affiliate for Florence and Myrtle Beach.[12]
The transmitter was turned on in late July 2008, and the station began programming at 11:59 p.m. on August 7, with NBC welcoming the station on-air the following day on Today, NBC Nightly News, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. The sign-on of WMBF-TV occurred in time for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics. The construction of WMBF cost Raycom an estimated $10 million.[13]
Sale to Gray Television
[edit]In June 2018, Atlanta-based Gray Television announced it had reached an agreement to merge with Raycom in a transaction valued at $3.6 billion.[14][15] The sale was approved on December 20 and completed on January 2, 2019.[16][17]
Newscasts
[edit]As a new build, WMBF-TV went on the air with high-definition local newscasts from the outset, including live shots from the field. A number of its early personalities had roots in the area; general manager Ted Fortenberry said that it was important to "find people who know the lay of the land".[12] In the station's early years, managers elsewhere in the Raycom group were often instructed to seek advice from WMBF on technical issues related to HD news conversion.[18] WMBF was the first local station to launch weekend morning newscasts, doing so in the early 2010s.[19]
Technical information and subchannels
[edit]The station's signal is multiplexed:
| Channel | Res. | Aspect | Short name | Programming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32.1 | 1080i | 16:9 | WMBFDT | NBC |
| 32.2 | 480i | WMBFBNC | Bounce TV | |
| 32.3 | WMBFPSE | Palmetto Sports & Entertainment | ||
| 32.4 | WMBFLAF | Laff | ||
| 32.5 | WMBFGRT | Grit | ||
| 32.6 | WMBFQST | Quest | ||
| 32.7 | WMBFION | Ion Plus |
Translators
[edit]The signal from WMBF's main transmitter, located on Flossie Road in Bucksville, South Carolina,[2] does not reach much of the market's inland portion, including its second-largest city, Florence. To make up for the shortfall in coverage, WMBF is relayed on four translators licensed to Florence—W06DK-D, W19FC-D, W24EX-D, and W35ED-D; all remap to virtual channel 32. These translators, particularly W35ED-D, serve the few viewers in the market's inland portion without access to cable or satellite.[21]
On January 3, 2022, Jeffrey Winemiller's Lowcountry 34 Media reached a deal to sell W19FC-D, W35ED-D, and 21 other low-power TV stations to Gray Television for $3.75 million.[22]
| Call sign | City of license | Channel | Facility ID | ERP | HAAT | Transmitter coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W06DK-D | Florence, SC | 6 | 185609 | 3 kW | 110 m (361 ft) | 34°16′18.0″N 79°43′33.0″W / 34.271667°N 79.725833°W |
| W19FC-D | 19 | 185607 | 15 kW | 92 m (302 ft) | 34°22′5.0″N 79°19′20.0″W / 34.368056°N 79.322222°W | |
| W24EX-D | 24 | 182022 | 102 m (335 ft) | 34°16′18.0″N 79°43′33.0″W / 34.271667°N 79.725833°W | ||
| W25FQ-D | 25 | 182020 | 22.3 m (73 ft) | 34°10′51.0″N 79°23′51.0″W / 34.180833°N 79.397500°W | ||
| W35ED-D | 35 | 185608 | 231 m (758 ft) | 34°16′48.1″N 79°44′34.4″W / 34.280028°N 79.742889°W |

- Grade A signal contours for WMBF-TV and all associated translators. All broadcast on virtual channel 32.
- WMBF-TV main signal[21]
- Low-power translators
References
[edit]- ^ a b Rich, Emma (March 23, 2007). "MB to get first NBC affiliate station". Sun-News. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. p. 1C, 6C. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Facility Technical Data for WMBF-TV". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ "TV channel considered". The State. Columbia, South Carolina. November 29, 1984. p. 3-C. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Jones, Paige (November 12, 1986). "Strand to get full-powered TV station". Sun-News. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. p. 6-A. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Shain, Andrew (October 27, 1989). "Horry County might get second TV station". Sun-News. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. p. 4D. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Cosmos applies for station in MB". Sun-News. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. October 12, 1996. p. 1D. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Romano, Allison (August 25, 2005). "Raycom Buys Liberty For $987M". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
- ^ "On Monday-September 17th, Television Cable Company Brings to Myrtle Beach A Choice of 5 TV Programs". Sun-News. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. September 6, 1962. p. 8-A. Archived from the original on August 2, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Shafto Elected BCS President". Sun-News. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. March 26, 1964. p. 5-C. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Nye, Doug (July 7, 1995). "WIS-TV to have 5 p.m. newscast: Weekday program to air in September". The State. Columbia, South Carolina. p. B3. Archived from the original on August 2, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "New NBC affiliate to renovate building". Sun-News. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. August 4, 2007. p. 1D. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Malone, Michael (July 28, 2008). "Birth of a Station". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
- ^ Fleisher, Lisa (August 8, 2008). "MB's NBC to get some air". The Sun News. Archived from the original on August 12, 2008.
- ^ Miller, Mark K. (June 25, 2018). "Gray To Buy Raycom For $3.6 Billion". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheckMedia. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
- ^ Hayes, Dade (June 25, 2018). "Gray Acquiring Raycom For $3.65B, Forming No. 3 Local TV Group". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 26, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
- ^ "FCC OK with Gray/Raycom Merger". Broadcasting & Cable. December 20, 2018. Archived from the original on April 5, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
- ^ "Gray Completes Acquisition of Raycom Media and Related Transactions" (PDF) (Press release). Gray Television. January 2, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
- ^ Malone, Michael (August 1, 2009). "WMBF's Trial by Fire". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
- ^ Malone, Michael (September 1, 2014). "Market Eye: Life is Grand in Myrtle Beach". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
- ^ "RabbitEars TV Query for WMBF-TV". rabbitears.info. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
- ^ a b
- "WMBF-TV Myrtle Beach SC: Digital TV Station Channel 32 (Virtual 32)". FCCdata.org - powered by REC. Archived from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
- "RabbitEars Contour Map for WMBF-TV". rabbitears.info. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
- "41 dBu Service Contour for WMBF-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC, Transmit Channel 32: BLCDT-20091105AAP". Federal Communications Commission. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
- ^ "Assignments". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. January 3, 2022. Archived from the original on August 2, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
External links
[edit]WMBF-TV
View on GrokipediaOverview
Ownership and licensing
WMBF-TV is currently owned by Gray Television, LLC, which completed its acquisition of the station from Raycom Media, Inc. on January 2, 2019, as part of a larger merger valued at $3.65 billion.[10] This transaction transferred ownership of WMBF-TV as part of Raycom's 146 stations to Gray, which, after required divestitures, expanded its portfolio to 142 stations across 92 markets.[11][12] As of 2025, Gray owns or operates 180 stations across 113 markets.[13] The station holds FCC facility ID 83969 and operates on virtual channel 32 (physical channel 33). It is licensed to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with the license assigned to Gray Television Licensee, LLC, and expiring on December 1, 2028.[14] Historically, the original construction permit for the station was awarded to Liberty Corporation in 2005. Raycom Media acquired the permit through its merger with Liberty, which was announced in August 2005 for $987 million and finalized on January 31, 2006, integrating Liberty's 15 television stations into Raycom's holdings.[15] The call letters WMBF reflect the station's dual-market service area encompassing Myrtle Beach and Florence.[16] Raycom constructed the facility at an estimated cost of $10 million before launching operations in 2008.[17]Affiliations
WMBF-TV has served as the NBC affiliate for the Grand Strand and Pee Dee regions of South Carolina since its sign-on on August 8, 2008, delivering the network's national news coverage via programs such as NBC Nightly News, primetime scripted series, and major sports events like NFL and Olympic broadcasts.[4][9][18] The station's digital signal operates multiple subchannels, each carrying a secondary affiliation to diversify its programming offerings. Channel 32.2 features Bounce TV, focusing on African American-oriented movies, sitcoms, and dramas; 32.3 airs Palmetto Sports & Entertainment, a Gray Media-owned network dedicated to regional sports events, high school athletics, and entertainment specials; 32.4 broadcasts Laff, a comedy network with classic sitcoms and stand-up specials; 32.5 carries Grit, specializing in Western films and action movies; 32.6 presents Quest, offering science, engineering, and adventure documentaries; and 32.7 simulcasts Ion Plus, providing lifestyle programming, inspirational content, and movies.[9][19] WMBF-TV shares studio facilities in Myrtle Beach with low-power sister station WXIV-LD (channel 14), a Telemundo affiliate operated by Gray Television, though the two maintain separate programming schedules without direct content integration.[9][20] In addition to NBC's core lineup, WMBF-TV incorporates syndicated programming in daytime and late-night slots, including newsmagazines like Inside Edition and talk shows such as The Kelly Clarkson Show, with local news segments inserted during commercial breaks to provide region-specific updates. Ownership by Gray Television supports these multi-channel operations, allowing efficient distribution of both national and niche content across subchannels.[21][9]Facilities and coverage
Studios and bureaus
WMBF-TV's main studios are located at 918 Frontage Road East in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, serving as the central hub for the station's news production, programming operations, and administrative functions. This facility enables the coordination of daily broadcasts, including live news segments and weather updates tailored to the Grand Strand region.[3] To extend its reach into the Pee Dee area, WMBF-TV operates a secondary news bureau in Florence, South Carolina, which supports dedicated reporter assignments and remote production for regional stories. This setup allows for timely on-site coverage of events in the Pee Dee communities, complementing the main studio's resources. The bureau facilitates the station's commitment to serving both the Grand Strand and Pee Dee areas with localized content.[1] The Myrtle Beach studios are co-located with sister station WXIV-LD, the local Telemundo affiliate, under common ownership by Gray Television Licensee, LLC. This arrangement promotes efficient resource sharing, such as shared equipment and technical staff, while each station maintains distinct branding and programming schedules.[22] Built as a state-of-the-art facility upon the station's launch in 2008, the studios feature modern digital production capabilities designed for high-definition broadcasting from inception. These include advanced control rooms and editing suites that support seamless HD content creation and transmission.[23]Transmitter and signal
The transmitter for WMBF-TV is situated on Flossie Road in Bucksville, South Carolina, at coordinates 33°43′50.9″N 79°4′31.4″W.[24] The station transmits with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 530 kW and a height above average terrain (HAAT) of 183 meters (600 feet).[25] It operates on RF channel 32 and maps to virtual channel 32.1 for its primary NBC programming.[9] WMBF-TV launched as a digital-only full-power station on August 8, 2008, with no prior analog operations.[4] The primary over-the-air coverage extends along the Grand Strand coastal region, reaching approximately a 44-mile radius and serving an estimated population of 408,000 within its noise-limited contour, though signal strength diminishes inland due to varying terrain and obstructions.[9] The main signal includes the primary NBC feed on subchannel 32.1 along with additional digital subchannels 32.2 (Bounce TV), 32.3 (Palmetto Sports & Entertainment), 32.4 (Laff), 32.5 (Grit), 32.6 (Quest), and 32.7 (ION Plus).[9]Translators
To extend WMBF-TV's over-the-air signal into inland portions of the Florence market, particularly the Pee Dee region where the primary coastal transmitter provides limited coverage, Gray Television operates four low-power digital translators in the Florence area.[9] These stations simulcast the main WMBF-TV NBC programming on virtual channel 32.1 without originating additional local content.[26] The translators were acquired by Gray Television as part of a larger $3.75 million deal for 25 low-power stations from Lowcountry 34 Media, LLC, announced in January 2022 and consummated later that year to consolidate and enhance coverage in key markets including South Carolina.[27]| Call Sign | Physical Channel | City of License | ERP (kW) | Facility ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W06DK-D | 30 | Florence, SC | 3 | 185609 |
| W19FC-D | 19 | Florence, SC | 15 | 185607 |
| W24EX-D | 24 | Florence, SC | 15 | 182022 |
| W35ED-D | 35 | Florence, SC | 15 | 185608 |