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WTVC
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WTVC
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WTVC (channel 9) is a television station in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States, affiliated with ABC and Fox. The station is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, and maintains studios on Benton Drive in Chattanooga; its transmitter is located on Signal Mountain in the town of Walden.

Key Information

Sinclair also provides some engineering functions for Chattanooga-licensed True Crime Network/Comet affiliate WDSI-TV, channel 61 (owned by New Age Media) and Cleveland-licensed dual CW/MyNetworkTV affiliate WFLI-TV, channel 53 (owned by MPS Media and operated by New Age Media under a local marketing agreement (LMA)) and programs the latter station.[2] WDSI-TV and WFLI-TV maintain separate facilities on East Main Street (SR 8/US 41/US 76) in Chattanooga's Highland Park section; master control and some internal operations for the two stations are based at WTVC's studios.

In addition to its main digital signal, WTVC can be seen off-air on a low-power, Class A repeater, WPDP-CD (channel 25). Licensed to Cleveland and owned by New Age Media, this station has a transmitter on Oswald Dome in unincorporated Polk County (northeast of Benton) in the Cherokee National Forest.[3]

Although parts of the Chattanooga market are in the Central Time Zone, all schedules are listed in Eastern Time.

History

[edit]

As WROM-TV

[edit]

The station signed on the air on June 15, 1953, as WROM-TV, an NBC affiliate licensed to Rome, Georgia, with signal coverage that generally favored Chattanooga. It transmitted an analog signal on VHF channel 9 at 98,000 watts from a tower on Horseleg Mountain west of Rome. WROM-TV also had secondary affiliations with CBS, ABC, and the DuMont Television Network. The station lost CBS when WDEF-TV signed on in 1954. WROM-TV then carried NBC, ABC, and DuMont until 1956 when Dumont went off the air and WRGP-TV (now WRCB-TV) signed on and took the NBC affiliation. At that time, ABC opted to end its affiliate relationship with WROM-TV and secure secondary affiliations with WDEF and WRGP because WROM-TV's signal, now reduced to 31,000 watts visual, only reached the south suburbs of Chattanooga.

WROM-TV continued as an independent station until late 1957. During its tenure as a Rome station, it claimed to be "Dixie's Largest Independent." The station ran a late-afternoon and prime-time schedule of old movies, "hillbilly" music performances (which were common on Southern TV stations in the 1950s) and occasionally, ABC TV network fare such as Omnibus.

Martin Theaters (forerunner of Carmike Cinemas) bought the station in 1957 and in December of that year, took it off the air to move the transmitter 70 miles (110 km) north to Chattanooga, and prepare it to operate at full power. Martin Theaters had petitioned the FCC for permission to move its also recently purchased WDAK-TV on Channel 28 in Columbus, Georgia, to channel 9, but FCC rules mandated a certain amount of separation for stations on the same channel, and Channel 9 in Rome provided a strong grade B signal to Columbus. Additionally, the FCC normally did not allow common ownership of two stations with overlapping signals, and found that the overlap between the Channel 9 in WROM and the proposed Channel 9 in Columbus would have been too great. The move to Chattanooga by WROM-TV would satisfy the co-channel restriction.

The Chattanooga–Columbus channel reallocation was part of the last huge FCC national analog channel reallocation that saw stations in the Southeast switch frequencies not only in Chattanooga and Columbus, but also in Dothan and Montgomery, Alabama; Greenwood, Tupelo, and Laurel, Mississippi; Florence, South Carolina; and High Point, North Carolina.

Ironically, Rome lost a second television frequency 40 years later, when WZGA (UHF channel 14, now Ion Television O&O WPXA-TV) moved its operations to Atlanta after several years of operation. However, unlike WROM-TV, channel 14 still has its license in Rome. WROM is still on the air on AM 710. WPXA (now carried on digital channel 31, but still virtually mapped to 14) is still licensed to Rome, while a digital fill-in translator for WSB-TV from Atlanta is licensed to Rome on digital channel 14, but mapped virtually to channel 2.

As WTVC

[edit]

Channel 9 signed on from Chattanooga as full-power ABC affiliate WTVC on February 11, 1958. It still operates under the original license for WROM-TV. Chattanooga also became one of the smallest television markets in the country to have three VHF stations. WTVC is the only station in Chattanooga to have never had a secondary affiliation with another network.

WTVC developed a strong reputation for local programming in its early years. Among the shows that WTVC pioneered was the children's educational show Funtime with Marcia Kling. Shock Theater which aired on Saturday nights developed a cult following with WTVC programming director Tommy Reynolds dressed up as Dracula with the moniker "Doctor Shock" alongside his irreverent sidekick "Dingbat". The Bob Brandy Show which aired in the afternoons featured cartoons and kids activities hosted by WTVC advertising executive Bob Brandy, his wife Ingrid, and their horse Rebel.

In 1969, Martin Theaters was sold to J. B. Fuqua, a businessman from Augusta, Georgia. Fuqua also owned WJBF-TV in Augusta, WTVW in Evansville, Indiana, and KTHI-TV (now KVLY-TV) in Fargo, North Dakota. Over the next few years each station was sold with WTVC being purchased in 1980 by the Belo Corporation of Dallas, Texas. In 1984, Freedom Communications bought the station along with KFDM in Beaumont, marking the newspaper chain's second television acquisition. Belo put WTVC and KFDM on the market after it announced plans to purchase Corinthian Broadcasting from Dun & Bradstreet so that the company could comply with the FCC-mandated ownership limit of five VHF television stations which was in effect at the time.

When WTVC moved its operations to Chattanooga in 1958, it opened a studio at its transmitter on Signal Mountain. In 1966, it moved to new facilities in the Golden Gateway Shopping Center in downtown Chattanooga next to a Zayre department store. Over the years, however, the station outgrew the building. In January 2000, WTVC moved into a new digitally-equipped 26,000-square-foot (2,400 m2) studio located adjacent to the Highway 58 / Highway 153 interchange.[4]

After filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Freedom announced on November 2, 2011, that it would sell its stations, including WTVC, to Sinclair Broadcast Group.[5] The group deal closed on April 2, 2012.

WTVC-DT2

[edit]

Following the purchase of non-license assets from Fox affiliate WDSI-TV by Sinclair, its Fox affiliation and programming moved to WTVC's second digital subchannel.

During a transition process that was completed on October 31, 2015, WTVC's second digital channel simulcast WDSI. On that date, when Sinclair launched their new network Comet, the Fox schedule and the intellectual unit for WDSI's main signal moved permanently to WTVC-DT2 under the on-air moniker "Fox Chattanooga". The programming on This TV which had been on WTVC-DT2 moved to WDSI's main signal, with Comet launching on WDSI-DT2; the MyNetworkTV subchannel was moved to WFLI-DT2, with the MeTV signal which had been carried on that slot moved to WFLI-DT3. Cable, satellite, and EPB viewers saw no change, as WTVC-DT2 took over the former channel slots for WDSI's main signal.

Newscasts

[edit]

As of August 2024, WTVC presently broadcasts 47 hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with 8 hours each weekday and 3+1⁄2 hours each on Saturdays and Sundays). In the event of special sports coverage overlapping news time, the station streams a live newscast on its website. The station also airs a public affairs show, This-N-That, which is produced separately from the news department, but does have news updates when necessary. Longtime personality Don Welch hosted the show until his retirement in 2014. James Howard now hosts the show that airs at 12:30 weekdays, which does has a weather segment.

Through the late-1960s and mid-1970s, WTVC branded its newscasts under the Eyewitness News label. In 1975, this switched to Action News. In the late-1980s, it was one of the first stations in the country to adopt the NewsChannel branding.

In the early 1990s, WTVC produced a 10 p.m. newscast for then-independent WFLI-TV, which was eventually canceled. In 1994, the station began airing a nightly 10 o'clock broadcast on Fox affiliate WDSI-TV using station meteorologists, sports anchors, news reporters and news video, while WDSI provided separate news anchors. In 2000, that station launched its own news department and aired local news on weekday mornings, weekday afternoons at 4, and nightly at 10. In 2004, the news department at WDSI closed down and a news share agreement with WTVC was re-established. Since then, this station has been producing Fox 61 First at 10 on WDSI. With the acquisition of WDSI-TV's non-license assets and Fox programming, the 10 p.m. newscast is now branded First at 10 on Fox Chattanooga.

From the 1960s through the 1970s, WTVC newscasts were usually in last place, but it was not until new owners Belo took over, that the ratings began to favor WTVC. Since the mid-1980s, WTVC had waged a spirited battle with WRCB for first place in the local news ratings weekdays, while WDEF has usually trailed both stations. On March 1, 2014, WTVC launched the area's second-only weekend morning newscast. Named Good Morning Chattanooga Weekend, the broadcasts air from 6 to 7 a.m. and from 8 to 9 a.m. The weekend editions of Good Morning America are aired between the newscasts at 7 a.m.[6]

Technical information

[edit]

Subchannels

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The station's signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of WTVC[7]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
9.1 720p 16:9 ABC ABC
9.2 FOX Fox
9.3 480i ROAR Roar

On December 16, 2014, WTVC added a 24/7 local weather channel, affiliated with WeatherNation TV on digital channel 9.3.[8] WeatherNation was dropped in favor of TBD (now Roar) on June 1, 2017.

Translator

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Analog-to-digital conversion

[edit]

WTVC shut down its analog signal, over VHF channel 9, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. The station's digital signal relocated from its pre-transition UHF channel 35 to VHF channel 9 for post-transition operations.[9]

References

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

WTVC

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
WTVC, 9, is a television station licensed to , , serving as the market's ABC affiliate on its primary channel and affiliate on 9.2. The station, known as NewsChannel 9, delivers local news, weather forecasts, sports coverage, and community events programming to the , including East Ridge and surrounding regions in southeastern . Owned and operated by , one of the largest U.S. broadcasters, WTVC has been providing ABC-affiliated content since switching from in 1956, while adding Fox programming in later years to expand its reach. As part of Sinclair's portfolio, WTVC has participated in network-wide initiatives, including a 2018 controversy where station anchors, including those at WTVC, read identical promotional scripts criticizing "biased and false news," drawing accusations of promoting a conservative viewpoint amid Sinclair's ownership of numerous local stations. In September 2025, WTVC and other Sinclair-owned ABC affiliates preempted Jimmy Kimmel Live! following host Jimmy Kimmel's remarks on the attempted assassination of conservative figure , which Sinclair deemed "ill-timed and insensitive," highlighting tensions between the broadcaster and ABC parent over content standards. These events underscore Sinclair's approach to curating programming amid criticisms from outlets aligned with perspectives, which often exhibit left-leaning biases in their coverage of such disputes.

History

Origins as WROM-TV (1953–1957)

WROM-TV, operating on VHF channel 9, began broadcasting in 1953 as , Georgia's inaugural and an . Licensed to the small city of in , the station's full-power transmitter was engineered to extend its signal northward, providing the primary television service to the larger metropolitan area approximately 70 miles away, where no local stations yet existed. From its studios in , WROM-TV aired a full slate of NBC programming, including national news broadcasts, prime-time dramas such as , and variety shows like , supplemented by limited local content to address community interests in the rural region. The station's operations emphasized reliable signal propagation over mountainous terrain to reach Chattanooga viewers, establishing it as the pioneer broadcaster for southeast households reliant on over-the-air reception. This coverage predated Chattanooga's own WDEF-TV debut in April 1954, which introduced competing and ABC affiliations. Through 1957, WROM-TV maintained its NBC exclusivity and Rome-based infrastructure, navigating the era's technical challenges like black-and-white transmission standards and limited programming hours, while its market influence grew amid rising television adoption in the post-World War II . Ownership during this period aligned with local broadcast interests, though specific principals remained tied to Rome's media landscape before relocation considerations emerged late in the decade.

Launch as WTVC and ABC affiliation (1957–1980s)

In 1957, Martin Theaters of , acquired the assets of channel 9 station WROM-TV from , and petitioned the to relocate its transmitter and operations approximately 70 miles northwest to , to better serve the larger market. The station ceased broadcasting in December 1957 to facilitate the transition, operating as an independent prior to shutdown while Chattanooga lacked a dedicated ABC outlet, with WDEF-TV handling primary CBS and secondary NBC duties. WTVC signed on February 11, 1958, as a full-power VHF station on channel 9, adopting its new call letters and securing primary affiliation with ABC to provide comprehensive network coverage to the region. Initial operations were based at the Signal Mountain transmitter site, with early programming emphasizing ABC network fare alongside local content produced under Martin Theaters' ownership. The affiliation remained stable through the period, supporting growth in viewership as television penetration increased in the . In 1966, the station relocated its studios to the Golden Gateway Shopping Center near Chattanooga, enhancing production capabilities for and local shows. Ownership transferred to Fuqua Industries in 1969 after it purchased Martin Theaters, though operational focus stayed on ABC programming and community-oriented content. By the and into the , WTVC expanded its news department, introducing structured newscasts while retaining ABC as its core affiliation amid rising competition from emerging cable and UHF stations.

Expansion, digital transition, and modern developments (1990s–present)

In the early 2010s, following financial challenges at its owner Communications, WTVC was sold to . Freedom filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on November 2, 2011, and agreed to include WTVC in a $385 million sale of eight stations to Sinclair, with the transaction closing in March 2012. This acquisition integrated WTVC into Sinclair's portfolio, enabling shared resources and operational synergies across its growing network of local stations. WTVC completed its transition to as part of the nationwide switchover mandated by . The station had operated its on UHF channel 35 since earlier testing phases, terminating analog transmissions on VHF channel 9 at 12:01 a.m. on June 12, 2009, and mapping its primary digital service to 9.1. Post-transition, the FCC reassigned WTVC's physical to low-VHF channel 9 to optimize use and coverage in the Chattanooga area. Under Sinclair ownership, WTVC expanded its multicast capabilities and affiliations. In September 2015, Sinclair acquired WDSI-TV (channel 61, Fox affiliate) and WFLI-TV (channel 53, CW affiliate) from New Age Media, prompting the relocation of network programming to WTVC's second digital subchannel (9.2) effective later that year. This move consolidated coverage under WTVC's license while WDSI shifted to independent and formats, enhancing viewer access to network content via subchannels without requiring separate full-power signals. Additional subchannels were added over time, including Charge! (9.3) and TBD (9.4) by the late 2010s, supporting Sinclair's strategy of maximizing digital bandwidth for niche programming. These developments reflected broader industry shifts toward digital multicasting and consolidated to sustain local operations amid declining linear TV viewership.

Ownership and Operations

Acquisition by Sinclair Broadcast Group

On November 2, 2011, Sinclair Broadcast Group announced a definitive agreement to acquire the broadcast assets of Freedom Communications for $385 million in cash, including WTVC, the ABC affiliate serving Chattanooga, Tennessee. The transaction encompassed eight television stations across various markets, with WTVC valued as part of the overall portfolio that strengthened Sinclair's national footprint to 73 stations in 46 markets upon completion. The deal required regulatory approvals from the (FCC) and other authorities, with Sinclair anticipating closure in late first quarter or early second quarter of 2012. Communications, which had owned WTVC since , operated the station as part of its limited television holdings focused on major network affiliates. Sinclair completed the acquisition on April 2, 2012, integrating WTVC into its portfolio and maintaining its ABC affiliation while leveraging Sinclair's operational synergies for programming and sales services. This move marked Sinclair's entry into the Chattanooga market, later expanded through additional local acquisitions.

Management structure and local operations

WTVC's management is headed by Vice President and General Manager Todd Ricke, who assumed the role in January 2019 following his prior position managing Sinclair stations in . In this capacity, Ricke oversees daily broadcasting, sales, and programming decisions for both the primary ABC affiliate and the FOX subchannel, while coordinating with Sinclair Broadcast Group's corporate directives on such as and certain content distribution. Sinclair's operational model emphasizes local autonomy in news production but integrates centralized resources for efficiency across its 294 owned or operated stations nationwide. Local operations center on facilities at 4279 Benton Drive in , where production, news gathering, and administrative functions occur. The station employs approximately 229 staff members, including anchors, meteorologists, and reporters focused on covering the Chattanooga designated market area (DMA 83), which spans southeast , , and northeast . Key editorial roles include Managing Editor and Anchor Latricia Thomas, Chief Meteorologist David Glenn, and anchors such as Josh Roe, who contribute to live newscasts emphasizing regional weather, traffic, and community events. Sales and community outreach are handled through dedicated teams reachable at 423-757-7386, supporting advertiser partnerships in the 89th-largest U.S. . This setup enables WTVC to produce over 30 hours of weekly , prioritizing on-the-ground reporting from Chattanooga and surrounding counties.

Programming and Affiliations

Primary network affiliations and subchannels

WTVC serves as the ABC affiliate for the Chattanooga market, a role it has maintained since launching as a full-power VHF station on February 11, 1958, after relocating from , under its original construction permit. The station's primary channel, 9.1, carries ABC network programming alongside under the NewsChannel 9 branding. The station added a Fox affiliation to its second digital subchannel, 9.2 (branded Fox Chattanooga), in 2015, after Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired non-license assets from the previous Fox affiliate WDSI-TV and relocated the programming to WTVC's multicast stream. This dual affiliation allows WTVC to deliver Fox network content, including national sports and primetime shows, in high definition at 720p resolution. WTVC's third subchannel, 9.3, broadcasts content from TBD, a digital network operated by Sinclair that features lifestyle programming, movies, and original series targeted at younger adult demographics. The station's operates on VHF channel 9 (RF channel 9 post-repack), these subchannels to serve the Chattanooga designated market area covering southeast , , and northeast .
Virtual ChannelAffiliationResolutionProgramming Notes
9.1ABCNewsChannel 9; primary ABC feed with local insertions
9.2Fox Chattanooga; national Fox programming
9.3TBDSinclair-owned multicast network

News programming and journalistic approach

WTVC's news department, operating under the NewsChannel 9 brand, produces a range of local newscasts tailored to the , including coverage of , weather via StormTrack 9, sports, and community events in locations such as East Ridge and surrounding counties. The station airs weekday morning programming with Good Morning Chattanooga, starting at 6:00 a.m., providing early updates on traffic, weather, and local headlines before transitioning into ABC's . Midday coverage includes NewsChannel 9 at Noon, a live newscast focused on current events and . Evening and late-night slots feature anchor-led broadcasts at 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m. on the primary ABC channel (9.1), emphasizing investigative reporting, public safety, and regional politics. On the Fox-affiliated subchannel (9.2), WTVC extends its news output with a two-hour morning show from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and a 10:00 p.m. newscast, contributing to approximately 13.5 hours of locally produced news content weekly across platforms. Weekend editions, such as Good Morning Chattanooga Weekend, maintain a similar format with reduced hours, prioritizing community stories and weather forecasts. Supplementary programs like This n That, a weekly series, blend light features on , , and local culture with journalistic elements. The journalistic approach at WTVC prioritizes community-oriented reporting to deliver actionable information on issues affecting southeastern viewers, such as alerts, economic developments, and impacts. Staff adhere to established broadcast standards, including National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) guidelines for ethical visual and audio storytelling in . Content is disseminated via linear TV, the NewsChannel 9 app for and on-demand clips, and digital platforms, enabling real-time updates and audience engagement through . This multi-platform strategy supports a focus on verifiable local facts over national commentary, though production integrates Sinclair-mandated elements for uniformity across affiliates.

Syndicated content and local productions

WTVC broadcasts a range of syndicated programming typical of ABC affiliates, including the game shows Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, which air in early evening access slots before network primetime. Daytime schedules feature talk shows such as and court programs like reruns, filling slots between morning news and afternoon local content. These nationally distributed shows provide entertainment and general interest content, with clearance decisions influenced by Sinclair Broadcast Group's syndication partnerships. Locally produced non-news programming includes This 'N That, a series airing weekdays at 12:30 p.m., hosted by James Howard and emphasizing Chattanooga-area events, attractions, dining, and community spotlights. The show, produced in-house by WTVC staff, highlights regional features such as local markets, performers, and seasonal activities to engage viewers with hyper-local content. Historical local productions, like the 1960s-1970s Bob Brandy Show featuring and variety acts, have given way to modern formats focused on informational segments.

Technical Information

Subchannels and multicast services

WTVC transmits a digital high-definition signal on VHF channel 9 from its tower in , utilizing technology to deliver multiple subchannels simultaneously to viewers within the Chattanooga designated market area. This setup allows the station to provide its primary ABC affiliation alongside additional networks, expanding programming options without requiring separate full-power transmitters. The subchannel lineup, as of October 2025, consists of the following:
Virtual ChannelNetworkProgramming Description
9.1ABCWTVC-HD, featuring ABC network shows, under the NewsChannel 9 brand, and syndicated content.
9.2Fox Chattanooga, carrying Fox network primetime, sports, and local insertions including newscasts produced by WTVC staff.
9.3IndependentRoar, a Sinclair multicast service focused on lifestyle, entertainment, and original content targeting younger demographics.
The 9.2 subchannel serves as the market's affiliate, having been integrated into WTVC's digital multiplex following Sinclair's operational control, enabling shared resources like production while complying with FCC ownership limits. Previously, 9.3 aired until 2017, when it transitioned to Sinclair's TBD network before adopting Roar programming. These services are available over-the-air via antenna, as well as through select cable, , and streaming providers carrying the station's signal.

Signal transmission and coverage

WTVC transmits its primary on VHF channel 9 from a tower atop Signal Mountain in the town of , , at coordinates 35° 9' 38.7" N, 85° 19' 5.8" W. The transmitter operates with an (ERP) of 90 kW in a directional pattern, with a vertical polarization component of 18 kW, and a (HAAT) contributing to its propagation characteristics. The station's noise-limited contour extends approximately 67.6 miles from the transmitter site, encompassing about 14,375 square miles and an estimated population of 1.77 million viewers. This coverage serves the Chattanooga designated market area (DMA), ranked 77th nationally, including Chattanooga and surrounding communities in southeast (such as East Ridge, Soddy-Daisy, and ), northwest (including Dalton and Ringgold), and northeast . The VHF low-band frequency aids in over-the-air propagation, particularly in rural and hilly terrain, though reception may require larger outdoor antennas in fringe areas due to the band's characteristics. In addition to its main signal, WTVC operates a digital translator or low-power extension with 33.8 kW on the same channel, providing supplementary coverage over a 60.9-mile contour and an estimated 1.57 million , focused on enhancing service in underserved pockets within the market. The station completed its FCC transition to final channel 9 facilities, maintaining licensed operations as of June 2025. Detailed coverage predictions, based on Longley-Rice modeling, are available through FCC tools, accounting for and other factors.

Analog-to-digital conversion and upgrades

WTVC began transmitting a digital signal on UHF channel 35 as required by federal mandates for full-power stations preparing for the nationwide transition to digital television. The station continued analog broadcasts on VHF channel 9 alongside its digital simulcast until June 12, 2009, when it ceased analog operations in compliance with the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2008, which set that date as the deadline for full-power stations to end analog transmissions. On the same date, WTVC relocated its digital signal from UHF channel 35 to VHF channel 9 at full licensed power of 90 kW, mapping to virtual channel 9.1 for ABC programming. Post-transition upgrades included enhancements to support high-definition broadcasting. In December 2012, the station initiated a major technical overhaul of its production facilities, transitioning to full high-definition and programming capabilities effective December 29, 2012, which improved picture quality and viewer experience on digital platforms. During the FCC's 2016–2019 spectrum repack following the incentive auction, WTVC retained its VHF channel 9 assignment without frequency relocation, maintaining coverage across its designated market area. These changes ensured compatibility with modern receivers and ATSC 1.0 standards, with no reported disruptions to service.

Controversies and Criticisms

Sinclair-mandated content and bias allegations

, the owner of WTVC since its acquisition of the station's parent company in 2015, has implemented "must-run" video segments distributed to its affiliated stations, including WTVC, which are required to be aired without alteration. These segments often feature conservative-leaning commentary, such as daily updates from a "Terrorism Alert Desk" emphasizing threats and contributions from former Trump administration official promoting viewpoints aligned with Republican priorities. Sinclair defends these as enhancing with substantive national perspectives, countering what it describes as liberal in national media outlets. In March , Sinclair mandated that anchors at approximately 200 stations, including WTVC in Chattanooga, read identical promotional scripts criticizing "irresponsible, one-sided" coverage by national media and warning of "" propagated by biased reporting and . The script, distributed corporately, prompted widespread criticism from outlets like and , which portrayed it as an attempt to undermine independent journalism and inject partisan messaging into broadcasts. WTVC complied by airing the segment, as confirmed by reports and Sinclair's network-wide enforcement. Critics, including media watchdogs, argued this eroded the distinction between and national content, fostering perceptions of uniformity over diverse reporting; however, such allegations often emanate from institutions with documented left-leaning tilts, potentially overlooking Sinclair's rationale of addressing empirically observed imbalances in mainstream coverage favoring progressive narratives. Bias allegations against WTVC specifically tie to its integration of these must-run elements into programming, with Media Matters documenting regular airings of Sinclair-produced content on the station as of 2018, including segments critiquing policies and defending actions in ways aligned with conservative viewpoints. In November 2018, Sinclair reportedly required stations like WTVC to broadcast a segment justifying the use of on migrant caravans at the U.S. , framing it as necessary amid claims of media exaggeration. Detractors from progressive-leaning sources contend this pattern imposes top-down ideological control, diluting local autonomy and prioritizing corporate agendas over community-specific journalism. Sinclair counters that such content promotes factual counter-narratives to dominant media distortions, supported by instances where national outlets have retracted or amended stories under scrutiny for selective framing. No independent audits have conclusively quantified in WTVC's output beyond anecdotal claims, though the station's adherence to corporate mandates has fueled ongoing scrutiny from outlets critical of conservative media consolidation.

Local reporting quality and public feedback

WTVC's operations have garnered recognition for journalistic excellence in specific categories. In 2025, NewsChannel 9, WTVC's news division, received first-place honors from the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters for best evening newscast and best use of digital or platforms. Additionally, its outdoors reporting segment earned first place for a story on hunting sandhill cranes by journalist Richard Hines, highlighting strengths in specialized coverage. Earlier accolades include multiple awards in the 2019 Southeastern Outdoor Press Association's Excellence in Craft competition for outdoors editor Richard Simms. Independent assessments rate WTVC's factual reporting as high, despite a right-center bias observed in story selection and framing. , which evaluates outlets based on sourcing and failed fact checks, classified WTVC as high for factual accuracy in 2023, noting minimal instances of but occasional right-leaning pieces. Public feedback on WTVC's local reporting is mixed, with reflecting both appreciation for community-focused stories and criticisms often linked to perceived ownership influences rather than specific reporting errors. On , the station's page holds a 3.8 out of 5 rating from over 1,100 reviews as of October 2025, with users praising timely weather and event coverage alongside complaints about sensationalism. discussions in Chattanooga-specific forums occasionally urge boycotts of WTVC due to its Sinclair affiliation, though direct critiques of accuracy are limited and typically cite declining perceived quality in weather segments post-personnel changes—claims unsubstantiated by formal complaints to bodies like the FCC. The lists no unresolved complaints against WTVC for news-related issues, maintaining since 1980. Overall, verifiable public grievances focus more on national-level content mandates than on routine local investigative or performance.

References

  1. https://newschannel9.com/
  2. https://foxchattanooga.com/
  3. https://newschannel9.com/station/contact
  4. https://www.local3news.com/local-news/whats-trending/wtvc-sold-to-sinclair-broadcasting/article_b2383d8c-aaef-586f-bbda-36e21c9ce44d.html
  5. https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2018/04/02/sinclair-anchors-promos-nashville-wztv-chattanooga-wtvc/479947002/
  6. https://nypost.com/2025/09/23/media/these-are-the-sinclair-owned-abc-stations-that-wont-air-jimmy-kimmels-return/
  7. https://sbgi.net/sinclair-says-kimmel-suspension-is-not-enough-calls-on-fcc-and-abc-to-take-additional-action/
  8. https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/arts-culture/television-broadcasting/
  9. https://newschannel9.com/station/wtvc-history/meet-the-tv-station-manager-who-helped-put-newschannel-9-on-the-air-in-1958
  10. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-TV-Digest/50s/Television-Digest-1958-02.pdf
  11. https://jcsentinel.com/feature_story/article_002889d6-3efc-11ea-8a24-8f0f15e25d0d.html
  12. https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2023/apr/28/remember-when-tfp/
  13. https://chattanoogapulse.com/features/state-of-shock/
  14. https://www.fcc.gov/dtv/markets/maps_current/Chattanooga_TN.pdf
  15. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=22590
  16. https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2015/sep/11/sinclair-buys-local-tv-stations/
  17. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sinclair-broadcast-group-announces-agreement-to-purchase-freedom-communications-television-stations-133062738.html
  18. https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/03/sinclair-broadcast-group-buys-chattanooga-based-wt/?=/&subcategory=126%257CAcademic%2B%252F%2BLearning
  19. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sinclair-broadcast-group-closes-acquisition-of-freedom-communications-television-stations-145804745.html
  20. https://cityink.com/sinclair-broadcast-group-chattanooga/
  21. https://sbgi.net/sinclair-promotes-todd-ricke-to-general-manager-in-chattanooga-tennessee/
  22. https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-ricke-6b00997
  23. https://foxchattanooga.com/station/contact
  24. https://www.zoominfo.com/pic/wtvc/42860678
  25. https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/sinclair-ups-todd-ricke-chattanooga-gm/?rcp_action=lostpassword
  26. https://newschannel9.com/station/people
  27. https://newschannel9.com/station
  28. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WTVC
  29. https://www.tvpassport.com/tv-listings/stations/abc-wtvc-chattanooga-tn/3222
  30. https://newschannel9.com/news/local
  31. https://www.tvpassport.com/tv-listings/stations/abc-wtvc-chattanooga-tn-hd/5760
  32. https://sbgi.net/news/
  33. https://www.tealhq.com/job/multimedia-journalist-mmj_0e91b0e0-9bd3-4178-a3d7-b42e1455514e
  34. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wtvc-news-9/id548806805
  35. https://newschannel9.com/this-n-that
  36. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3cbG1mqprW7ksXmCl9653A
  37. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_market&mktid=107
  38. https://www.satelliteguys.us/xen/threads/new-subchannels-are-now-on-in-the-chattanooga-tn-market.369668/
  39. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_station&facility_id=22590
  40. https://www.fccinfo.com/CMDProFacLookup.php?sCurrentService=TV&tabSearchType=Facility%2BID%2BSearch&sFacilityID=22590
  41. https://jtaylorsullivan.wordpress.com/2016/10/27/chattanooga-tv-stations-and-their-affiliates/
  42. https://tvchannel.info/tv/tennessee/WTVC/
  43. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSpqlukLUXs
  44. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/12/business/media/sinclair-broadcast-komo-conservative-media.html
  45. https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/4/2/17189302/sinclair-broadcast-fake-news-biased-trump-viral-video
  46. https://www.npr.org/2018/04/02/598916366/sinclair-broadcast-group-forces-nearly-200-station-anchors-to-read-same-script
  47. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/02/business/media/sinclair-news-anchors-script.html
  48. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/tv-anchors-decrying-fake-news-put-spotlight-sinclair-broadcast-company-n862016
  49. https://www.mediamatters.org/sinclair-broadcast-group/sinclair-and-midterms-tennessee-edition
  50. https://www.mediamatters.org/sinclair-broadcast-group/here-are-manipulative-ads-sinclair-forced-local-anchors-read-now-airing
  51. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/03/the-real-danger-in-sinclair-broadcasts-fake-news-scandal.html
  52. https://www.businessinsider.com/sinclair-group-tv-stations-air-must-run-anti-migrant-rant-2018-11
  53. https://www.colorado.edu/today/2021/10/20/media-consolidation-takes-toll-local-news-doesnt-necessarily-bias-coverage
  54. https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-sinclair-promo-20180405-story.html
  55. https://m.facebook.com/wtvcnewschannel9/photos/we-won-some-awards-newschannel-9-won-best-evening-newscast-best-local-use-of-dig/1162296059264812/
  56. https://newschannel9.com/sports/outdoors/honoring-the-outdoors-newschannel-9-outdoors-recognized-for-excellence-in-outdoor-storyte
  57. https://newschannel9.com/sports/outdoors/newschannel-9s-outdoors-journalist-other-chattanooga-writer-receive-prestigious-awards
  58. https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/wtvc-abc-chattanooga-bias/
  59. https://www.facebook.com/wtvcnewschannel9/
  60. https://www.reddit.com/r/Chattanooga/comments/1nobeur/how_to_complain_about_abc_affiliate_in_our_city/
  61. https://www.bbb.org/us/tn/chattanooga/profile/tv-stations/wtvc-news-channel-9-0483-7899
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