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WSAW-TV
WSAW-TV
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WSAW-TV (channel 7) is a television station in Wausau, Wisconsin, United States, affiliated with CBS and The CW Plus. It is owned by Gray Media alongside low-power Fox affiliate WZAW-LD (channel 33). The two stations share studios on Grand Avenue/US 51 in Wausau; WSAW-TV's transmitter is located on Rib Mountain.[3]

Key Information

To serve the Northwoods area of Northern Wisconsin, it operates a digital fill-in translator in Sayner (W21DS-D) that also covers Eagle River. This station broadcasts on UHF channel 21 (also mapping to virtual channel 7) from a transmitter on Razorback Road in unincorporated Vilas County (north of Sayner). The low-power repeater also serves the western portion of Michigan's Upper Peninsula although the broadcasting radius is limited to Marenisco and Watersmeet.

History

[edit]

The station launched on October 24, 1954, as WSAU-TV, a sister station to WSAU radio (550 AM) and the original WSAU-FM (95.5, now WIFC; the current WSAU-FM is on 99.9 FM). It was originally owned by two groups who merged their applications in hearing: the radio station and the Wisconsin Valley Television Corporation, a consortium of North-Central Wisconsin newspapers that also included the Wausau Daily Record-Herald.[4] Channel 7 originally operated from the Plumer Mansion, a Richardsonian Romanesque-style building, that was located on North 5th Street in Wausau and torn down in 1972 one year after the station moved to its current home.[5]

The Plumer Mansion's castle-like exterior and a suit of armor displayed in the mansion inspired the station's graphic designer, Sid Kyler, to design a medieval-style blackletter "7" logo along with an accompanying cartoon mascot, the fully armored knight "Sir Seven".[6] The logo and mascot served as representations of the station for several decades. Wisconsin Valley expanded with WMTV in Madison and radio station WKAU in Kaukauna. In 1965, Wisconsin Valley purchased its first media holding outside of the state, KVTV in Sioux City, Iowa; as a consequence of doing business in other states, the firm renamed itself Forward Communications in January 1967.[7]

Forward sold off WSAU and WIFC radio in 1980. Since the radio station retained the WSAU call sign, Forward immediately applied to change channel 7's call sign to the similar-sounding WSAW-TV.[8] The WSAW-TV call sign became effective on March 8, 1981.[9]

It has been affiliated with CBS since its beginning although the station did have secondary affiliations with DuMont (until that network expired in 1956), ABC (until WAOW signed-on in 1965), and NBC (until WAEO [now WJFW-TV] launched in 1966). On September 5, 2006, WSAW added MyNetworkTV to a second digital subchannel.[citation needed]

WSAW-TV shut down its analog signal, over VHF channel 7, at 11:55 pm on February 17, 2009,[10] the original target date on which full-power television stations in the United States were to transition from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate (which was later pushed back to June 12, 2009); the station concluded its analog broadcasts with a sign-off message from Sir Seven.[11] The station's digital signal relocated from its pre-transition UHF channel 40 to its analog era VHF channel 7.[12] On April 2, 2011, WSAW became the first station in the market to broadcast local newscast in high definition.[13] With the switch to HD came a revamp of their news set and new graphics, along with a return of Sir Seven as the station's mascot in a newly CGI-rendered form.[14]

On July 1, 2015, Gray bought the non-license assets of the market's Fox affiliate WFXS-DT (channel 55, owned by Davis Television, LLC). Due to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ownership restrictions, a new low-power station (WZAW-LD, channel 33) was established to become the area's Fox affiliate. All of WFXS's program streams including WFXS's existing virtual channel numbering were then moved to the low-power outlet. Subsequently, WFXS ceased broadcasting after nearly sixteen years on-the-air and its studios on North 3rd Street in Wausau were shut down.[15]

In consenting to the interference that would be caused by WZAW operating under special temporary authority on channel 31 (the same RF channel as WFXS) rather than its licensed channel 33, Davis Television stated that it would return the WFXS license to the FCC for cancellation following the sale.[16] In August 2015, WSAW launched a prime time newscast on the Fox outlet known as WZAW News at 9. This half-hour broadcast offers direct competition to WAOW's thirty-minute, weeknight-only news airing at the same time on its CW digital subchannel (which aired on WFXS before July 1, 2015).

On October 1, 2015, the station began using its new studio. It was the first upgrade in a decade and took months to finish. The new studio includes two new state-of-the art sets: one each for WSAW and WZAW.[17] Eventually, the WZAW-LD simulcast on WSAW's third subchannel was upgraded to high definition to provide full-market access to Fox programming in HD.

On February 1, 2021, Gray announced that they would purchase Quincy Media's radio and TV properties for $925 million.[18] At the time, Quincy owned WAOW in the market, so Gray had agreed to divest WAOW and its Wisconsin sister stations to Allen Media Group for $380 million on April 29 in order to satisfy FCC requirements.[19] WSAW added The CW as a subchannel on August 2, 2021.[20]

News operation

[edit]

WSAW presently broadcasts 22+12 hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with 4+12 hours each weekday, and two hours each on Saturdays and Sundays).

Technical information

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The stations' signals are multiplexed:

Subchannels of WSAW-TV[21][22][23]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
7.1 1080i 16:9 CBS CBS
7.2 480i MeTV+ MyNetworkTV/MeTV
7.3 720p FOX Fox (WZAW-LD)
7.4 CW CW+ (WYOW)
7.5 480i Quest Quest
7.6 Outlaw Outlaw
  Simulcast of subchannels of another station
Subchannels of WYOW[21][22][23]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
7.10 1080i 16:9 WSAW-DT CBS (WSAW-TV)
33.10 720p Fox Fox (WZAW-LD)
34.1 WYOW-DT The CW Plus
  Simulcast of subchannels of another station

Translators

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City of license Callsign Channel ERP HAAT Facility ID Transmitter coordinates
Sayner W21DS-D 21 15 kW 138 m (453 ft) 167156 46°01′55.0″N 89°31′49.0″W / 46.031944°N 89.530278°W / 46.031944; -89.530278 (W21DS-D)

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
WSAW-TV, 7 (UHF digital channel 7), is a licensed to , , serving as the affiliate for north-central . The station, branded as NewsChannel 7, provides local news, sports, and weather coverage to the region, including Marathon, Lincoln, and surrounding counties. It signed on the air on October 24, 1954, as WSAU-TV, marking it as the first in Wausau and one of the earliest in central Wisconsin. Owned by Gray Television through its subsidiary Gray Television Licensee, LLC, WSAW-TV operates alongside low-power Fox affiliate WZAW-LD (channel 33), with the two stations sharing studios at 1114 Grand Avenue in Wausau. Gray acquired WSAW through its 2019 merger with , expanding its portfolio to over 180 stations nationwide. The station's transmitter is located on , broadcasting at an effective radiated power of 72 kW to reach viewers across the Northern Highland area. WSAW-TV's primary channel airs programming, while its digital subchannels include + on 7.2, on 7.3 (via WZAW simulcast), on 7.4, Quest on 7.5, and on 7.6, offering a mix of network, syndicated, and local content. Known for its investigative reporting and weather alerts through , the station has earned recognition from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, including multiple awards for small-market excellence. Over its seven decades, WSAW has evolved from its original broadcasts in the historic Plumer Mansion to modern digital facilities, remaining a key source for community news in the Crossroads of Commerce region.

History

Founding and early operations

WSAW-TV began operations as WSAU-TV on October 24, 1954, marking it as the first television station in Wausau and North Central . Founded by broadcaster Richard "Dick" Dudley, the station was established in connection with the existing WSAU radio operations, providing a foundational link between local radio and emerging television broadcasting in the region. Broadcasting initially from the historic Plumer Mansion—known locally as "The Castle"—in downtown Wausau, WSAU-TV quickly became a vital source of information and entertainment for communities across Marathon County and surrounding areas. From its launch, WSAU-TV held a primary affiliation with , supplemented by secondary affiliations with , ABC, and the until the latter's closure in 1956. This multi-network arrangement allowed the station to offer a diverse lineup of national programming while emphasizing local content tailored to the needs of rural and small-town viewers in central . Early programming centered on community-oriented segments, including anchored by Walter John Chilsen, weather reports by Howard Gernetzke, and sports coverage that began with Mark Zelich in 1957; these efforts helped build viewer loyalty by covering regional events, agricultural updates, and high school sports. The station's inaugural broadcast, delayed by two weeks due to technical issues, featured Chilsen's voice announcing the sign-on, underscoring the pioneering spirit of local media in the post-World War II era. Throughout the and , WSAU-TV expanded its technical capabilities and facilities to meet growing demand, including the adoption of color broadcasting as part of the broader industry transition during that decade. In , the station came under the ownership of Forward Communications Corporation, with serving as president, which facilitated investments in equipment and programming to enhance signal quality and content production. By the early , operations relocated from the Plumer to a new studio on Grand Avenue, accommodating larger production needs. A significant milestone occurred in 1981 when the call sign changed to WSAW-TV, prompted by the divestiture of the affiliated radio stations and rules restricting shared call letters between separately owned broadcast outlets. This rebranding solidified the station's independent identity while maintaining its commitment to serving Wausau and the broader North Central audience.

Ownership transitions and expansions

In 1967, WSAU-TV was acquired by Forward Communications, marking the station's first major ownership change after its founding as part of the Wisconsin Valley Television Company. Forward, a Wausau-based group owner, operated the station alongside its radio siblings WSAU (AM) and WIFC (FM) until 1980, when the radio outlets were divested to Mid-West Communications while retaining the WSAU call letters. This separation prompted a call sign adjustment for the television station. On March 8, 1981, following its sale to United Communications Corporation, the station adopted its current WSAW-TV call letters to avoid confusion with the radio stations. The transaction separated the television operations from the original radio cluster, allowing WSAW-TV to focus solely on its primary affiliation, which it had maintained since sign-on while dropping secondary ABC and alignments by 1966 as competing stations entered the market. United Communications, later rebranded as , guided WSAW-TV through further growth until 2021. Quincy Media's acquisition by Gray Television was announced on February 1, 2021, for $925 million in cash, transferring ownership of WSAW-TV effective August 2, 2021, after regulatory approvals. To comply with FCC ownership limits in overlapping markets, Gray divested Quincy's ABC affiliate WAOW-TV (channel 9) and its full-power satellite WMOW-TV (channel 23) to Allen Media Group for $380 million as part of the deal, while retaining WSAW-TV and converting semi-satellite WYOW-TV (channel 34) in Eagle River from ABC to CBS alignment. Key expansions under corporate ownership included the January 4, 1997, launch of WYOW-TV in Eagle River as a semi-satellite extending WSAW-TV's reach to northern markets; it initially carried ABC programming (1997–2021) with a brief affiliation from 1997 to 1999 before reverting to ABC under WAOW ownership until the 2021 switch. On , 2015, Gray acquired the non-license assets of affiliate WFXS-TV (channel 55) from Davis Television for $300,000, relocating the programming to low-power translator WZAW-LD (channel 33) to establish a dedicated affiliate with WSAW-TV's facilities. Facility upgrades supported these developments, including WSAW-TV's transition to high-definition newscasts on April 2, 2011, which introduced enhanced graphics and a refreshed on-air look. A new state-of-the-art studio at 1114 Grand Avenue/US 51 in Wausau opened on October 1, 2015, consolidating operations for WSAW-TV and WZAW-LD with advanced production capabilities. Affiliation expansions continued with the addition of as a subchannel on 7.4 (and 34.1 via WYOW) starting August 2, 2021, relocating to 33.5. In October 2024, WSAW-TV celebrated its 70th anniversary with special programming highlighting its historical milestones and community impact.

Digital television

Subchannels

WSAW-TV, along with its satellite stations WYOW and low-power repeater WZAW-LD, broadcasts multiple digital subchannels providing a mix of network affiliates and syndicated programming to viewers in north-central . These subchannels utilize virtual channel mappings established following the station's full-power digital transition in 2009, allowing seamless numbering for over-the-air reception. The lineup includes high-definition feeds for major network content and standard-definition for digital multicast networks, all in 16:9 . The primary subchannels of WSAW-TV are as follows:
Virtual ChannelResolutionProgrammingNotes
7.11080iCBSPrimary affiliation since the station's launch on October 24, 1954.
7.2480iMeTV+Added around 2020; features classic TV programming.
7.3720pFox (simulcast of WZAW-LD)Added in August 2015 as part of the Fox affiliation expansion.
7.4480iThe CW PlusLaunched on August 2, 2021, replacing prior subchannel content.
7.5480iQuestAdded on March 11, 2020, featuring home improvement and adventure programming.
7.6480iOutlawLaunched on January 1, 2024, dedicated to Western-themed content.
WYOW, a full-power serving northern , mirrors select WSAW-TV subchannels on its multiplex for regional coverage:
Virtual ChannelResolutionProgrammingNotes
7.10 ( of WSAW-TV 7.1)Provides extended signal reach for CBS content.
33.10 ( of WZAW-LD 33.1)Added in conjunction with the 2015 Fox affiliation.
34.1 ( of WSAW-TV 7.4)Launched in 2021 alongside the main CW addition.
WZAW-LD, a low-power station, includes subchannels for and syndicated services, with relocated from WSAW-TV in 2021 to accommodate launch:
Virtual ChannelResolutionProgrammingNotes
33.1720pPrimary channel, launched in August 2015.
33.2480iSyndicated classic TV.
33.3480iMovies!Movie programming.
33.4480iAction and crime dramas.
33.5480iAdded in October 2019; moved from WSAW-TV 7.4 in 2021.
34.10480iSimulcast of WSAW-TV 7.4, launched in 2021.

Analog-to-digital conversion

WSAW-TV's transition from analog to digital broadcasting was part of the nationwide shift mandated by the , which required full-power television stations to cease analog transmissions by February 17, 2009, to free up spectrum for public safety communications and advanced services. This deadline was briefly extended by the DTV Delay Act, signed into law on February 11, 2009, pushing the cutoff to June 12, 2009, to give consumers additional time to prepare with converter boxes or digital tuners. Despite the extension, WSAW-TV terminated its analog signal on the original date of February 17, 2009, aligning with 395 other stations that proceeded early to meet preparatory goals and avoid prolonged dual operations. In preparation for the switch, WSAW-TV constructed a dedicated digital television (DTV) facility at its longtime transmitter site on near , which had hosted the station's analog tower since 1954. The station initiated digital signal testing and low-power broadcasts in the mid-2000s, allowing engineers to optimize coverage and compatibility ahead of full implementation; these efforts included construction permits for temporary digital channel 40 (UHF) operations starting around 2004 to comply with FCC construction deadlines. By the transition date, WSAW-TV had relocated its primary digital signal to VHF channel 7, matching its former analog allocation, operating at an initial effective radiated power (ERP) of 72 kW from the 1,224-foot tower on . Following the analog shutdown, the station provided a temporary "nightlight" service on its former analog frequency for several weeks, looped messages about the transition, converter box availability, and information to aid viewers without digital equipment, as encouraged by the FCC's Short-term Analog Flash and Readiness (SAFER) Act. This service helped mitigate immediate disruptions in the Wausau-Rhinelander market, where over 10% of households relied on over-the-air analog reception. Digital operations began at reduced power to facilitate the channel relocation, but full licensed power was restored by mid-2009, enhancing signal reliability across central and north-central . The conversion also enabled the addition of multiple subchannels on the digital multiplex, expanding programming options beyond the main feed. The digital transition paved the way for advanced production capabilities at WSAW-TV, particularly in broadcasting. Post-conversion infrastructure upgrades allowed the station to launch local newscasts in full HD on April 2, 2011, marking the first such implementation in the market and including a refreshed graphics package and the return of its longtime , Sir Seven. This enhancement improved visual quality for viewers and supported expanded content delivery, solidifying WSAW-TV's role as a technological leader in the region.

News operation

Department overview and schedule

The news department at WSAW-TV, known as NewsChannel 7, is led by its news director and comprises a team of anchors, reporters, meteorologists, and sports staff dedicated to covering North Central Wisconsin. Key anchors include Jeff Thelen, the station's most veteran member who joined in 1994, Kassandra Sepeda as anchor and producer, Dale Ryman serving as news anchor and executive producer while also overseeing sports as director since 2009, and Erinn Taylor anchoring the Sunrise 7 morning show. Reporters such as focus on investigative stories, while the sports team features weekend anchor Katlynn Gill, who joined in , and multimedia journalists like Ben Helwig. The Weather team, a core component of the department, provides specialized forecasting and coverage for the region, led by Chief Meteorologist Mark Holley, who assumed the role in spring 2017. Other meteorologists include Jeremy Tabin, with nearly 20 years at the station; Chad Franzen, handling web direction alongside forecasts; and Spencer Furman, who joined the morning show in 2024. This team emphasizes community alerts and in-depth weather analysis tailored to Wausau and surrounding areas. Investigative reporting highlights include partnerships with Gray Media's InvestigateTV for broader consumer and stories, while general reporters deliver daily community coverage on local events, government, and issues affecting North Central . WSAW-TV produces approximately 22.5 hours of local news programming weekly, with about 4.5 hours on weekdays and 2 hours on weekends, reflecting a commitment to comprehensive regional coverage that has evolved since the station's launch in 1954 as Wausau's first television outlet. Flagship evening programs include NewsChannel 7 at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m., airing on both WSAW (CBS) and sister station WZAW (Fox) through shared production. Weekday schedules feature Sunrise 7 from 5 to 7 a.m. on CBS, a noon newscast, and an extended 4 p.m. hour incorporating investigative segments; weekends include morning shows, evening broadcasts at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 5:30 p.m. (streaming) plus 10 p.m. on Sunday. These expansions followed the 2011 upgrade to high-definition local newscasts, enhancing production quality and viewer engagement without altering the core emphasis on local stories.

Recent developments and staff changes

In September 2023, WSAW-TV shifted its NewsChannel 7 at 4 p.m. newscast from the affiliate WZAW to the main channel WSAW, effective September 11, to better align local programming with the station's primary audience. Concurrently, the station launched InvestigateTV+, a 30-minute investigative program, at 4:30 p.m. on WSAW, produced by Gray Television's national investigative unit to provide in-depth reporting on consumer and stories. On December 7, 2024, WSAW debuted "The Morning Show," a new one-hour Sunday morning newscast airing from 7 to 8 a.m. on , produced and anchored by sister station in Madison to expand weekend local and regional content while maintaining a focus on central issues, with updates from NewsChannel 7 meteorologists. In 2024, Kassandra Sepeda shifted from mornings to co-anchoring the evening newscasts before returning to co-anchor Sunrise 7 weekdays starting December 9, 2024, alongside Erinn Taylor. By July 2025, the station implemented temporary programming adjustments, such as airing the 6 p.m. newscast on WZAW due to preemptions from Brewers baseball games on WSAW, ensuring consistent news delivery amid sports obligations. On June 30, 2025, Gray Media promoted Jessica Laszewski from news director at sister station to general manager of WSAW, effective July 21, bringing her experience in leadership to oversee operations. These developments under Gray Media's corporate ownership have enhanced WSAW's local focus, exemplified by extensive coverage of the 2022 referendum, which approved over $100 million for facility upgrades including security enhancements and athletic renovations at schools like Wausau East High, with ongoing reporting on their implementation through 2025.

Technical information

Transmitter and signal coverage

WSAW-TV's main transmitter is situated on near , providing the primary over-the-air signal for the station. Since the analog-to-digital conversion in 2009, it has operated on VHF channel 7 ( 7) with an effective radiated power () of 72 kW and a height above average terrain () of 373 meters (1,225 feet). The (FCC) assigns it facility ID 6867, with precise coordinates at 44°55′14″N 89°41′29″W. A secondary transmitter for WYOW, which serves as a partial of WSAW-TV, is located near , extending coverage to northern portions of the market. This facility broadcasts on UHF channel 28 (virtual channel 34) with an of 80 kW and an HAAT of 163 meters (535 feet). The FCC facility ID for WYOW is 77789, and its coordinates are 45°46′30″N 89°14′55″W. The combined signal from these transmitters primarily covers North Central , encompassing the Wausau-Rhinelander designated market area (DMA), ranked 133rd nationally. This reach includes over 194,000 households across a broad expanse of central and northern . Following the 2009 digital transition, the VHF signal on channel 7 has encountered reception challenges, such as increased susceptibility to interference and weaker indoor performance compared to UHF, which has been addressed through supplemental signal enhancement measures like boosters.

Satellite stations and translators

WSAW-TV extends its broadcast coverage to northern through its semi-satellite WYOW ( 34) in Eagle River, which signed on October 11, 1996, as a full-power analog station on UHF channel 34. Following the 2009 digital transition, it broadcasts on digital channel 28 with an (ERP) of 80 kW. As a semi-satellite, WYOW primarily simulcasts WSAW's programming but airs separate commercial advertisements and occasional local content inserts tailored to the Eagle River area, enhancing regional relevance for viewers in the Northwoods. Its subchannels include on 7.10, on 33.10, and The CW Plus on 34.1, mirroring key affiliations from WSAW as part of the Wausau-Rhinelander designated market area (DMA #133). In the Wausau area, WSAW operates low-power WZAW-LD (virtual and UHF digital channel 33), a affiliate broadcasting in that launched in following Gray Television's acquisition of assets from the former WFXS. WZAW shares studios with WSAW in Wausau and simulcasts programming on 33.1, with available on subchannel 33.5, helping to fill signal gaps and provide network access in urban pockets of central . To further bolster coverage in Vilas County and the Northwoods, WSAW relies on digital translator W21DS-D (UHF channel 21) in Sayner, , which simulcasts WSAW's primary feed and other subchannels with an ERP of 15 kW and height above average terrain (HAAT) of approximately 138 meters (453 feet). This low-power ensures reliable over-the-air reception for Eagle River and surrounding rural areas, where terrain challenges might otherwise limit the main signal's reach. Collectively, these stations and form a network that extends WSAW's signal across northern , providing essential , , and affiliations as part of the Wausau-Rhinelander designated market area while allowing for localized adaptations like WYOW's Eagle River-specific elements.

References

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