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WUAB (channel 43) is a television station licensed to Lorain, Ohio, United States, serving the Cleveland area as an affiliate of MyNetworkTV. It is owned by Gray Media alongside CBS affiliate WOIO (channel 19), Telemundo affiliate WTCL-LD (channel 6) and independent station WOHZ-CD (channel 22). All four stations have studios on the ground floor of the Reserve Square building in Downtown Cleveland. WUAB transmits over WOIO's full-power spectrum via a channel sharing agreement[1] and both stations share transmitter facilities in suburban Parma.

Key Information

Founded in 1968 by the United Artists film studio, from which its call sign is derived from, WUAB was originally one of two ultra high frequency (UHF) independent stations to sign on in the Cleveland market, doing so eight months after Kaiser Broadcasting's WKBF-TV signed on. Prevailing over WKBF-TV in a seven-year-long battle for advertisers and audience, WUAB became one of the highest-rated UHF independent stations in the country by 1971, aided by a strong lineup of off-network reruns, feature films, sporting events, and popular local talent. Purchased by Gaylord Broadcasting in 1977, WUAB bolstered its sports presence as the over-the-air home for Cleveland Indians and Cavaliers telecasts in 1980 and established a news department in 1988, with a cable television footprint spanning multiple states.

The station was acquired by Stephen J. Cannell in 1990 but taken over by WOIO owner Malrite Communications in 1994 via a local marketing agreement, taking effect at the same time WOIO became the market's CBS affiliate and helping provide that station with a news service. A charter affiliate for both UPN and The WB from 1995 to 1997, WUAB became an exclusive UPN affiliate until the network's 2006 closure, subsequently linking up with MyNetworkTV in 2006 and The CW in 2018. Acquired outright by Malrite's successor Raycom Media in 2000, WUAB and WOIO have been in Gray Television's portfolio from 2019 onward, adding startup Telemundo affiliate WTCL-LD as a third station in 2022. The CW was dropped in 2025 in favor of additional local news and sports programming.

History

[edit]

Application and construction

[edit]

United Artists Broadcasting, owned by the film studio of the same name, was the first of three applicants to file paperwork for a new television station on channel 65 in Cleveland, having done so on March 22, 1963.[3] The allocation was one of two designated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for commercial broadcasting on the ultra high frequency (UHF) in Cleveland proper; prior construction permits granted to radio stations WERE and WHK in 1953[4][5] were never built and revoked in 1960.[6] United Artists had filed to construct television stations in Cleveland, Houston and Boston, but the film studio having been a defendant in a civil antitrust lawsuit related to United States v. Paramount Pictures, Inc.[7] led the FCC to state it would reflect on "requisite qualifications" over the studio's fitness to own a television station, despite the lawsuit occurring ten years beforehand.[8] The other two applicants for the channel were a group headed by WDBN owner Ted Niarhos[9] and Superior Broadcasting Co., majority-controlled by area businessman Frank V. Mavec.[10][11]

A comparative hearing between the applicants began in late December 1963.[8] Early in the proceedings, United Artists requested that the FCC determine if projected operating deficits by the other two applicants lasted beyond the first year;[12] in response, the commission requested each applicant demonstrate an ability to survive against established VHF competition over the first three years[13] and revised their financial qualification policy.[14] United Artists abruptly withdrew from the hearing process for the channel 65 license by amending their application to request channel 31 in Lorain, Ohio,[3] unused after a permit for WEOL-TV held by WEOL radio failed to be built after years of delays.[15][6] The Niarhos-led group concurrently withdrew their bid.[13] A May 1965 realignment of UHF allocations[16] saw United Artists's permit request for channel 31 moved to 43[3] and Superior's permit request for channel 65 moved to 61.[11] Both companies were awarded construction permits in the spring of 1966.[17] Superior sold their permit to a joint venture between itself and Kaiser Broadcasting,[18] which launched WKBF-TV on January 19, 1968.[19]

United Artists ownership

[edit]
1969 industry ad taken out by WUAB noting their immediate ratings success "against NBC, Storer... Scripps-Howard... and Kaiser."

WUAB was signed on by United Artists on September 15, 1968,[20] following WKBF-TV as the second commercial UHF station in Cleveland proper and the fifth full-power UHF station in the market.[21] WUAB used the WKBF-TV transmitter tower in Parma; the installation of the WUAB antenna on the tower several days prior forced WKBF-TV to be off the air for an extended period of time.[20] As their studio facility near Parmatown Mall was still under construction, WUAB operated out of a semi-trailer next to an adjacent Parma bowling alley,[22] with some studios inside the alley's nursery. Marty Sullivan, one of the station's first announcers, later recalled how a restroom adjacent to the main announcer booth had a warning sign, "Do not use Bippy when announcer is in booth".[23] WVIZ's Brook Park studios were also used by WUAB.[20] WUAB's lack of any physical assets in Lorain proper and film studio ownership was met with criticism by the Lorain Journal editorial board, which asked, "Why call it a Lorain station? Why give Lorain's TV franchise to outsiders who want to operate outside of Lorain? Why not give Lorain people an opportunity to operate a TV station in Lorain, to serve Lorain?"[24]

The less-than-optimal working arrangement while permanent studios were being constructed severely limited WUAB's local output;[22] by comparison, WKBF-TV boasted an array of local programming[25] and launched a news service.[26] The combined Cleveland–Akron–Canton television market was ranked in 1968 as the eighth-largest in the United States,[27] with the industry taking notice over the two competing UHF stations with well-financed ownership and substantial investment.[22] Befitting its ownership by a film studio, WUAB placed an emphasis on feature films with a prime time showcase dubbed the UA Star Movie.[28] Even with the existing limitations facing the station, WUAB successfully claimed a significant portion of WKBF-TV's audience by the spring of 1969.[22] The Plain Dealer critic William Hinckley retrospectively noted WUAB almost immediately entered the marketplace with better overall programming than WKBF-TV, promptly dividing the available audience.[29]

At left, a full body portrait of the "Superhost" character (similar in design to Superman, with a triangular shield on his chest with "SH". Other distinguishing marks are a red nose and a lavalier microphone around his neck. At top right, an autograph from Sullivan (reading "Super Host"). At middle right, "super host" in two lines of text. At bottom right, "WUAB 43 Lorain Cleveland" in the Transamerica-United Artists typeface.
Marty Sullivan as Superhost.

WUAB's studios were completed in June 1969,[3] with the next few months proving to be a turning point. Linn Sheldon, who joined WKBF-TV to host an afternoon movie in August 1968,[30] left that station to join WUAB on December 1, 1969, reviving the acclaimed children's show "Barnaby" which he originated at KYW-TV.[31] Several weeks earlier, a Saturday afternoon science fiction film showcase Mad Theatre launched, hosted by Sullivan under the Superhost persona.[31] Sullivan created the character accidentally during rehearsals for a performance by The Four Lads when the audience reacted positively to his facial contortions; he then adopted a nasal vocalization to distinguish from his announcer voice.[23] Another staff announcer, Jack Reynolds, began emceeing professional wrestling tapings at the station in 1969.[32] Alice Weston, recognized as the first female television host in Cleveland, became the station's public affairs director[33] and a talk show host.[34] An emphasis was also placed on sports, as WUAB carried Ohio State Buckeyes football and men's basketball,[35] Notre Dame Fighting Irish football[20] and Cleveland Barons broadcasts.[36] A daily early-afternoon movie showcase, the Prize Movie, launched with Reynolds as host,[32] with WGAR personality John Lanigan taking over in 1975.[37][38]

At the same time WUAB's fortunes rose, Kaiser Broadcasting began instituting cutbacks at both WKBF-TV and their station group, including the groupwide elimination of local newscasts on November 12, 1970.[39] All but one of Kaiser's stations failed to turn a profit after three years of investment, raising industry concerns over the viability of UHF stations.[40] WUAB, however, became not only the Cleveland market's leading UHF independent by 1971, but the second-highest rated UHF station in the country behind Boston's WSBK-TV.[28] Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Crusaders telecasts were added in 1972,[41] but WUAB declined to renew the Cavaliers contract in 1975 over increasing costs.[42]

That show was like an early cable station. It went all over the place ... Canada, New York and Pennsylvania. People like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Don Rickles came on the show. I was walking around in Moscow once and somebody from across the street yelled "What's the Prize Movie today?"

Kaiser announced a pending shutdown of WKBF-TV on April 8, 1975,[43] after agreeing to sell WKBF's technical and programming assets to United Artists in exchange for a 36 percent equity stake in WUAB.[44][45] WKBF-TV operated at a loss throughout the station's entire existence of 7 years and 96 days, with Kaiser officials admitting the market could not support more than one UHF independent.[43] In the days prior to the announcement, both WUAB and WKBF-TV management acknowledged negotiations over an asset disposition had been ongoing for "a couple of years".[46] During a farewell on-air statement,[47] WKBF-TV general manager Alan B. Bennett stated that the sign-on of WUAB impeded consumer demand, in turn placing Kaiser in financial jeopardy, "... and that only one successful (station) must merge."[48] WUAB not only acquired the rights to much of WKBF-TV's programming,[49] but replaced the station in several cable systems outside of the market, including Zanesville[50] and Dover/New Philadelphia.[51]

The WKBF-TV asset sale came at the same time as a possible dial position move for WUAB. After a construction permit for channel 19, in place since 1968,[52] was sold to Joseph T. Zingale—a former co-owner of WIXY and with ownership interests in multiple area professional sports teams[53]—United Artists protested the sale.[54] Despite meeting FCC approval,[55] Zingale rescinded the purchase in early 1974 due to a pricing dispute.[56] United Artists then offered to purchase the permit in January 1975 with the intent of moving WUAB to channel 19,[57][44] but Zingale filed a protest against the sale after renewed interest in it.[58] An FCC review board revoked the channel 19 permit in April 1976 after declining to extend the construction deadline.[56]

Gaylord Broadcasting years

[edit]

Citing a decision to leave broadcasting, United Artists sold WUAB to the Gaylord Broadcasting Company for $10.5 million (equivalent to $58 million in 2024) in September 1976;[59] Kaiser, itself in the process of being sold to minority owner Field Communications,[60] divested their equity stake in the station.[45] Under Gaylord, WUAB continued its expansion into cable television; when the station signed a three-year contract on October 20, 1979, for Cleveland Indians broadcasts, its cable footprint reached five states and one million homes.[61] Bruce Drennan and Joe Tait were hired to announce WUAB's Indians telecasts[62] and called Len Barker's perfect game on May 15, 1981.[63][64] WUAB then reacquired the local rights to Cleveland Cavaliers broadcasts from WJKW-TV effective with the 1980–81 season,[65] helping to establish a year-round sports presence.[66]

While WKBF-TV's closure raised doubts about the possibility of a second UHF independent in the market,[29] the imminent maturity of subscription television (STV) technology led a consortium of four Chicago-area companies to sign on WCLQ-TV (channel 61) on March 3, 1981.[67] WCLQ-TV operated at first as a hybrid independent and area affiliate for Preview,[68] but Preview's demise in 1983 forced WCLQ-TV to operate as a full-time independent.[69][70] A subsequent ownership change at WCLQ-TV[71] resulted in that station aggressively purchasing syndication rights to multiple programs, in turn driving up costs for programs on WUAB in what was later termed "the indie boom".[72] Despite WCLQ-TV's aggressiveness, WUAB maintained a position in 1985 as the top-rated independent station in town, buoyed largely by Indians and Cavaliers broadcasts, an extensive film library and well-established local programs.[73] At the same time, WOIO (channel 19) launched on May 19, 1985, owned by a group with Malrite Communications as one of the investors,[71] while WBNX-TV (channel 55) was signed on by the ministry of televangelist Ernest Angley.[74]

The competition doesn't bother me, I feel good about it. The adrenalin [sic] is flowing. Look, it either brings out the best in you or you get out of the business.

Michael A. Schuch, WUAB general manager[73]

The added competition ultimately drove down ratings and advertising rates for all four independent stations, in particular WOIO and WUAB.[75] WUAB purchased Webster reruns and continued to pay for the show's rights into 1990 despite having removed the program from its schedule years earlier.[76] While WOIO immediately made an impact in the local ratings, the station was sold outright to Malrite for an infusion of capital.[77] Finding next to no return on investment for their aggressive programming purchases and little possibility of profitability,[78] WCLQ-TV was sold outright to Silver King Broadcasting to carry HSN programming as WQHS,[79][80] with that station's outgoing ownership ultimately sued into bankruptcy.[81] WOIO concurrently partnered with the Fox Broadcasting Company after Gaylord declined to affiliate any of their stations, including WUAB, with the nascent network.[82] Another coup for WOIO came with a long-term contract for Cavaliers games in 1988, replacing WUAB.[83]

Cannell ownership and lease to Malrite

[edit]

If anybody calls, tell 'em Barnaby said hello. And tell them I think that you are the nicest person in the whole world. Just you.

Linn Sheldon, customary ending to each "Barnaby" episode[84]

Two of WUAB's local stalwarts ended their shows at the start of 1990, within weeks of each other. Superhost's final episode aired on January 20, 1990, following a period of declining ratings,[85] with Marty Sullivan continuing as a booth announcer.[86] On January 30, Linn Sheldon announced his retirement after a 41-year career in television,[84] with "Barnaby" concluding its run on March 30;[87] Sheldon's departure was seen as the end to one of the last remaining links to the "Golden Era" for locally produced children's television.[88] The week before Sheldon's final "Barnaby" show, Gaylord announced the sale of WUAB to Cannell Communications, headed by television producer Stephen J. Cannell and former WUAB general manager William Schwartz, for $60 million (equivalent to $144 million in 2024).[89][90] While Cannell became famous for creating multiple television series during the 1980s, his purchase of WUAB occurred during a downturn for his production company, with only two programs in active production.[91] The changes at WUAB were not limited to the station itself: the FCC's passage of syndication exclusivity regulations began affecting the station's cable footprint, with Columbus cable systems acknowledging WUAB was a "trouble spot" for likely blackouts.[92]

refer to caption
Stephen J. Cannell

Despite the departures of Sheldon and "Superhost" and the sale of the station, WUAB continued aggressively competing against WOIO, with newly appointed general manager Brooke Spectorsky calling WUAB "a sleeping giant... that has been throttled back by previous owners".[76] In 1988, the station launched Kidsland for the station's children's programming, hiring Liz Hermann as a continuity host in February 1990.[93] WUAB began carrying The Disney Afternoon program block in the fall of 1990 as Kidsland's centerpiece.[94] Kidsland was established at the same time that WOIO set up a similar kids' club, but WOIO ultimately folded their club into Fox Kids and declined to hire an in-studio host.[93] The station also picked up local rights to the Prime Time Entertainment Network in 1993[95] and the Action Pack syndication block in 1994.[96] As a nod to Cannell's ownership, WUAB acquired reruns to 21 Jump Street in 1990, displacing Hee Haw, which WUAB carried throughout the entirety of Gaylord ownership.[94] WUAB lead news anchor Romona Robinson also made a cameo appearance as a news reporter on The Commish, a series Cannell co-created and produced.[97]

On May 23, 1994, WJW-TV owner New World Communications signed a group-wide affiliation deal with Fox, initiating a wide-ranging realignment of U.S. television network affiliations.[98] After initially courting WEWS-TV owner Scripps-Howard,[99] CBS signed up WOIO as their replacement affiliate in Cleveland despite WOIO not having a news department.[100][101] Two months before the New World-Fox pact was announced, Malrite and Cannell began talks over a local marketing agreement (LMA) between WOIO and WUAB, with Malrite assuming operational control of WUAB; the U.S. Department of Justice announced the planned LMA prior to CBS executives meeting with WUAB.[102] The LMA took effect on August 18, 1994, 16 days before WOIO's affiliation switch to CBS.[103] Malrite announced plans for new studios at Reserve Square in Downtown Cleveland[103] and newscasts for WOIO to be produced by WUAB.[104] Much of WOIO's syndicated programming and Cavaliers broadcasts were also transferred to WUAB.[103][105]

The changes also resulted in the permanent cancellation of the Prize Movie,[106] which WUAB revived earlier in 1994 after cancelling it in September 1993 to accommodate several new talk shows on the schedule.[107] Outside of a period from 1984 to 1985 when Dave "Fig" Newton hosted,[108] John Lanigan had been the program's host for 18 years.[109]

Affiliations with UPN and The WB

[edit]

WUAB committed to become a charter affiliate of the United Paramount Network (UPN)—a joint venture between Chris-Craft's United Television division and Paramount Pictures—in November 1993,[110] over a year before the network launched on January 16, 1995.[111] Several days earlier, on January 6, 1995, WUAB signed up as a charter affiliate of The WB, a venture between Time Warner and Tribune Broadcasting.[111] WUAB made the addition due to both networks launching with limited schedules: UPN on Monday and Tuesday nights and Saturday afternoons and The WB on Wednesday evenings.[112] Both networks committed to expanding their schedules for the 1995–96 television season to include an additional night along with children's program blocks (UPN Kids and Kids' WB), while UPN took priority on WUAB with WB shows airing at other times.[113]

When WUAB started with the Indians in 1980, the Eagles had a hit record titled 'The Long Run.' That's how we feel about this: we're in for the long run.

John Chaffee, president of WUAB operator Malrite Communications[114]

The 1995 Cleveland Indians season, one of the most successful in team history, saw WUAB's viewership jump to a 27 audience share for their game coverage, a substantial increase from the station's 7 share during the 1992 season.[115] WUAB signed a new multi-year contract afterwards which included up to 70 Indians telecasts in 1996,[114] further resulting in shows from both networks airing out of pattern.[116][117] After The WB announced a third night of prime time on Sundays beginning in the fall of 1996, WUAB management suggested WB could become "a weekend network".[118] Increasingly unable to accommodate programming from both networks and Indians and Cavaliers telecasts, WUAB dropped The WB, with WBNX-TV taking the affiliation on September 1, 1997.[119][120]

At top, "HOMETEAM" in bold serif lettering with a yellow bar separating a red box underneath with white "43" text inside.
"Hometeam 43" logo, 1999–2002.

Montgomery, Alabama-based Raycom Media purchased Malrite Communications on April 6, 1998, for an undisclosed price; the LMA with WUAB was included in the deal.[121] The sale was finalized six months later on September 17.[122] Under Raycom ownership, WUAB and WOIO began identifying as "Hometeam 19" and "Hometeam 43" for both newscasts and entertainment programming.[123] On March 11, 2000, after the FCC relaxed rules allowing common ownership of two commercially licensed television stations in the same market, Raycom acquired WUAB outright.[124] Raycom struggled to turn a profit with WOIO and WUAB and admitted to overpaying for them during collective bargaining agreement negotiations for unionized behind-the-scenes personnel in 2000, exacerbated by WOIO's newscasts failing to find viewership amid continuous on-air and management turnover.[125]

The biggest change for WUAB came on October 18, 2001, when the Cleveland Indians signed an exclusive cable-only deal with Fox Sports Ohio for the 2002 season, removing over-the-air telecasts entirely.[126] Bill Applegate, who became general manager for the two stations earlier in the year,[127] publicly hinted at such a deal weeks beforehand as a way for the Indians to increase revenue in a way WUAB could not provide.[128] In a bid to revamp the station's image without the Indians games, WUAB rebranded as "43 The Block" on March 4, 2002, with locally produced comedy skits in between the early-evening lineup.[129] After a casting call,[130] the station selected four "regular Joe" comics[129] that included future How to Boil Water host Jack Hourigan.[131] Mike Polk, a member of the station's promotions department, began contributing to "The Block" segments with his Last Call Cleveland troupe.[132][133]

MyNetworkTV affiliation

[edit]
At left, a yellow-orange parallelogram with rounded edges with a cutout triangle shape representing a "play" button symbol. At right, two lines of text, the top row in a light font weight reading "CLE" with the bottom row in a heavy font weight reading "43".
WUAB logo as "CLE 43", 2015–2018.

On January 24, 2006, UPN parent CBS Corporation (formed after a split of the original Viacom) and Time Warner's Warner Bros. Entertainment division announced the shutdown of UPN and The WB, with some programming moved to a newly created network, The CW.[134][135] WBNX-TV signed up as one of The CW's first outside charter affiliates not owned by either CBS or Tribune Broadcasting.[136] To serve former affiliates of either network not selected for The CW—namely its own—News Corporation announced the creation of MyNetworkTV on February 22, 2006.[137] WUAB affiliated with MyNetworkTV on March 7, 2006, along with other Raycom stations in Honolulu and Baton Rouge.[138] WUAB's Cavaliers game coverage was reduced in 2006 to several regular season and postseason games in simulcast with Fox Sports Ohio;[139] this arrangement ran through the 2018–2019 season.[140][141]

WUAB was renamed "CLE 43" on August 24, 2015, as part of a wide-ranging rebranding effort at both it and WOIO, which concurrently adopted the "Cleveland 19" name. The rebranding was done to abandon Raycom's prior "tabloid" reputation with 19 Action News in the Cleveland market.[142]

Sale to Gray Television and CW affiliation

[edit]

Raycom agreed to merge their stations, including WOIO and WUAB, with Atlanta-based Gray Television on June 25, 2018, in a cash-and-stock merger transaction valued at $3.6 billion (equivalent to $4.51 billion in 2024).[143] The sale was completed on January 2, 2019.[144] Shortly after the merger announcement, on July 11, 2018, WUAB signed a long-term affiliation contract with The CW, replacing WBNX-TV.[145] The new WUAB contract took effect on July 16[146] and occurred several months after a foreclosure process was initiated on WBNX-TV parent Winston Broadcasting Network from Ernest Angley's ministry,[147] putting the future of that station in doubt.[148] At the same time, the affiliation switch displaced MyNetworkTV, which was moved to overnights on WOIO's second digital subchannel.[149]

refer to caption
Josh Cribbs

Under Gray ownership, WUAB has increased production of local programming. Beginning on September 9, 2019, the station began carrying same-day repeats of Cribbs in the CLE: Josh and Maria Live, a WOIO lifestyle talk show hosted by former Cleveland Brown Josh Cribbs and wife Maria Cribbs.[150][151] WUAB added a locally produced B-movie showcase, The Big Bad B-Movie Show, on October 17, 2020.[152] Created as a stopgap in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Big Bad B-Movie also became the first locally produced entertainment program on the station in 30 years.[153] Explaining how the show was greenlit, general manager Erik Schrader told The New York Times, "We asked ourselves, do we show repeats or something creative?"[154] After The CW expanded to Saturday night programming, Big Bad B-Movie was moved to Saturday late nights[153] where it aired until it was cancelled in late 2022.[155]

During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, WUAB partnered with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) to provide an hour of airtime on weekdays for in-school instructional programming, beginning on April 20, 2020.[156][157] As part of the arrangement, WUAB also telecast all high school graduations in the district throughout June 2020, which were conducted virtually.[158] CMSD on CW43 ended at the start of the 2022–2023 school year, concurrent with the CMSD relaxing most COVID-19 health protocols and fully resuming normal operations.[159]

Nexstar Media Group, owner of WJW, announced its purchase of WBNX-TV in late October 2024, and WBNX reclaimed the market's CW affiliation on September 1, 2025.[160] Gray Television concurrently announced WUAB's relaunch as a sports-oriented independent, including play-by-play from the Rock Entertainment Sports Network (RESN), with MyNetworkTV programming as filler in prime time.[161] Branded "Cleveland's 43", WUAB was removed from several video on demand platforms with the switch, including Hulu.[162] WUAB carried five Cavaliers regular season games during the second half of the 2023–2024 season by arrangement with FanDuel Sports Network Ohio,[163][a] repeated for the 2024–2025 season as a combined simulcast with RESN and FanDuel.[167]

Programming

[edit]

Sports programming

[edit]

WUAB currently features play-by-play coverage and other ancillary programming from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Monsters, the Cleveland Charge, Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Edward high school football. Game coverage for the Cavaliers, Monsters, Charge and St. Edward is simulcast with Rock Entertainment Sports Network,[168][169] while the Cavaliers and Blue Jackets are also simulcast on FanDuel Sports Network Ohio.[167][170]

The station was the over-the-air home for Cleveland Indians baseball from 1980 to 2001.[61][126] From its launch into the 1980s, WUAB featured Ohio State Buckeyes football and basketball,[35] along with Notre Dame Fighting Irish football.[20][66] Channel 43 has carried select hockey games from the first AHL Cleveland Barons,[36] the Cleveland Crusaders,[41] the NHL Cleveland Barons,[171] the Cleveland Lumberjacks[172] and Monsters.[173] Additionally, the station has telecast Cleveland Gladiators arena football[174] and Cleveland Force indoor soccer.[175][176] Throughout the 2010s, it served as an affiliate for the Raycom Sports–operated ACC Network[177] which returned to the station in 2023 via CW Sports.[178]

In 2018, WUAB carried Cleveland State Vikings men's basketball games.[179]

Newscasts

[edit]

Prior to 1988, WUAB staff announcers presented brief news bulletins during program junctions; one of the announcers, Marty Sullivan, famously read bulletins in-between "Superhost" tapings by wearing a suitcoat on top of his Superhost costume.[180][181] WUAB committed to establishing a news department in June 1987 with the hiring of Daniel Acklen as news director and intentions to launch a 10 p.m. newscast by January 1988,[182] the first attempt in the Cleveland market since WKBF-TV's attempt failed in 1970.[40] While the rest of the staff were relative newcomers to Cleveland television—including Romona Robinson, Bob Hetherington and Frank Cariello[183]—Gib Shanley was hired as sports director,[184] fulfilling Acklen's hope of luring an established market personality to the station.[182] Existing talent at WUAB, including Indians announcer Jack Corrigan and Prize Movie host John Lanigan, became contributors to the newscast.[185]

The debut broadcast of The Ten O'Clock News on January 4, 1988, was marred by technical problems,[183] but WUAB's ratings for that evening doubled compared to the previous Monday.[186] By the fall of 1988, Akron Beacon Journal television critic Bob Dyer credited multiple on- and off-air improvements made to the newscast but noted Shanley's veteran presence and 15-minute long sportscasts nearly overshadowed everyone else.[187] WUAB launched a weekend version of The Ten O'Clock News by September 1989,[188] and by 1990, the station's $2 million investment (equivalent to $4.81 million in 2024) into the news department was fully recouped.[76] Hetherington was replaced as lead anchor by Jack Marschall in the summer of 1990, with ratings for the newscast repeatedly surpassing expectations.[189]

WUAB began producing two daily newscasts for WOIO on February 6, 1995,[190] at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. along with their existing 10 p.m. newscast under the umbrella brand Cleveland Television News.[191] WOIO's newscasts originated within the joint newsroom in a style derived heavily from CITY-TV's CityPulse, while WUAB's newscasts came from a separate, more traditional set, both originating from Reserve Square in Downtown Cleveland.[190] Marschall, Robinson, and Shanley were the only three on-air staffers to work exclusively for WUAB.[191] Beginning in March 1996, WOIO and WUAB's newscasts were rebroadcast on an hour tape-delay over Akron station WAOH-LP (channel 29) and its Cleveland simulcast following the dissolution of WAKC-TV's news department.[192] Gib Shanley left the station at the end of 1996,[193] with Jeff Phelps as his replacement.[194] Robinson left in February 1997 to join WKYC, with Cynthia Tinsley taking over as 10 p.m. co-anchor.[195] Kimberly Godwin-Webb, who in 2021 became the first Black female president of ABC News,[196] served as news director for both stations from 1996 to 1998.[197][198]

Exterior of the southern portion of Reserve Square, consisting of a three-story section including a lower level. The ground level entrance sign reads "WOIO-TV - WUAB-TV RAYCOM MEDIA STATIONS" with logos for "CBS 19", "19 ACTION NEWS" and "MY 43". A full size ad, "19 Action News: Honest, Fair, Everywhere" is at the corner of the building.
WOIO, WUAB and WTCL-LD's studios at Reserve Square in Downtown Cleveland, with former "CBS 19", "19 Action News" and "My 43" signage.

During this period, WUAB's 10 p.m. newscast began trailing WJW's newscast in the ratings, with the spring 1998 sweeps period showing WJW beating WUAB by a 2–1 margin despite the popularity of Marschall and Tinsley; this was attributed partly to UPN prime time programming providing a weaker than expected lead-in audience, as well as WOIO's news department assuming top priority.[199] WUAB added an 11:30 a.m. newscast in October 1997, both as a complement to WOIO's established noon newscast and to help establish an autonomous identity for WUAB,[200] but this was cancelled in December 1998 due to low ratings.[201] By 1999, newscasts were branded Hometeam 19 News and Hometeam 43 News,[123] based on WUAB's "Cleveland's Home Team" slogan,[200] with Marschall assuming lead anchor duties at WOIO.[202] WUAB began simulcasting WOIO's noon news in 2002, with all "19" branding remaining intact.[203]

Newscasts on WOIO and WUAB have used the same branding since May 2002, when all newscasts were renamed Action News,[204] later amended to 19 Action News.[205] As part of an overall rebrand to Cleveland 19 News in 2015,[142] WUAB's 10 p.m. newscast was moved to a 90-minute block at 9 p.m., in turn moving MyNetworkTV programming into late evenings.[206] After affiliating with The CW, the 9 p.m. newscast was moved back to a full hour at 10 p.m.[145] and a 7 a.m. newscast, in place since 2011, was discontinued.[207][208] Newscasts at 7 p.m. and 11 a.m. have since been added at WUAB along with a full reinstatement of the 7 a.m. newscast in June 2022.[209] The 9 p.m. news was reinstated in September 2025 concurrent with WUAB switching back to MyNetworkTV.[210]

Since 2019, all newscasts produced for WOIO and WUAB have used the 19 News branding.[211]

Notable on-air staff

[edit]

Current staff

[edit]

Former staff

[edit]

Technical information

[edit]

Subchannels

[edit]

WOIO and WUAB share a channel[1] and are broadcast from transmitter facilities in Parma.[2]

Subchannels of WOIO and WUAB[149]
License Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
WOIO 19.1 1080i 16:9 WOIO-DT CBS
19.2 480i MeTV MeTV
19.3 DEFY Defy
19.4 365BLK 365BLK
WUAB 43.1 720p WUAB-DT MyNetworkTV
43.2 480i Outlaw Outlaw
43.3 Oxygen Oxygen

Analog-to-digital conversion

[edit]

WUAB discontinued regular programming on its analog signal, over UHF channel 43, on June 12, 2009, as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television. The station's digital signal continued to broadcast on its pre-transition UHF channel 28.[221]

On February 17, 2017, it was revealed that WUAB's over-the-air spectrum had been sold in the FCC's spectrum reallocation auction for an undisclosed amount;[222] WUAB remained in operation, sharing broadcast spectrum with WOIO[1][223] using their transmitter at the West Creek Reservation in Parma.[224] WUAB was the only station owned by Raycom to participate in the spectrum auction.[222] The shared broadcast with WOIO took effect on January 8, 2018, at 2:01 am.[225] Both stations returned to WUAB's former tower in Parma in July 2024 with the installation of a new antenna.[226]

Translator

[edit]

WUAB operates a digital fill-in translator in Akron on UHF channel 18, serving that section of the Cleveland–Akron–Canton market; this translator was launched for WOIO on August 12, 2011.[227]

Map
  • Grade A signal contours for WUAB and associated translator.
    •   WUAB 43.1
    •   WOIO (DRT) 43.1

Notes

[edit]

References

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

WUAB

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from Grokipedia
WUAB, 43 (UHF digital channel 10), is a MyNetworkTV-affiliated licensed to , , serving the –Akron market as part of Gray Television's duopoly with affiliate (channel 19). The station first signed on the air on September 15, 1968, as an independent outlet, initially programming movies, syndicated reruns of network shows, and games to establish its presence in the region. Over its history, WUAB has undergone several ownership changes and network affiliation shifts that shaped its programming and market role. Originally launched by Broadcasting, the station was sold to Gaylord Broadcasting in 1977, which expanded its local sports coverage by becoming the over-the-air broadcaster for games in 1980 alongside continued Indians telecasts. By the 1990s, after passing through ownership by Productions and a with Malrite Communications (owner of ), WUAB became a charter affiliate of the (UPN) in 1995, focusing on syndicated fare and urban-oriented programming. In 1998, acquired Malrite, fully integrating WUAB into its portfolio and affiliating it with in 2006 following the closure of UPN. Raycom's ownership continued until 2019, when Gray Television completed its $3.65 billion acquisition of the company, retaining WUAB as part of its expanded holdings. In recent years, WUAB has emphasized local news and entertainment, launching its "Ten O'Clock News" in 1988—which quickly gained ratings traction against competitors—and adding a 9 p.m. newscast produced by sister station WOIO in September 2025. On September 1, 2025, the station switched its primary affiliation from The CW to MyNetworkTV, introducing fresh programming such as Dateline, Law & Order: SVU, Suits, and Chicago Fire, while remaining available over-the-air and on select cable/satellite providers in Northeast Ohio. The two stations share studios on the ground floor of the Reserve Square building in Downtown Cleveland, with WUAB's transmitter located in Parma, Ohio.

History

Launch and application

United Artists Broadcasting, Inc., a of the film studio, was formed in 1963 to develop UHF television stations and filed the first of three applications for a construction permit to operate on channel 43 in . The application process involved competition from other applicants, including Ohio Radio, Inc., leading to consolidated FCC hearings scheduled for June 15, 1965, under Docket Nos. 15248 and 15626. Construction faced delays due to regulatory proceedings, funding challenges, and tower site issues, postponing the station's debut from initial plans. By late 1967, held the FCC permit for WUAB(TV) and appointed a to oversee preparations for a 1968 launch. WUAB signed on the air as an on September 15, 1968, becoming the second commercial UHF station in the Cleveland market after WKBF-TV. Operating from temporary studios and a transmitter in Cuyahoga County, the station targeted underserved viewers in northern with a lineup emphasizing classic movies, off-network syndicated series such as , cartoons, and limited local programming. As Cleveland's leading independent UHF outlet, WUAB quickly gained traction by filling a niche for affordable, diverse entertainment absent from the VHF-dominated market. Within six months of its debut, WUAB achieved top ratings among UHF independents in the nation's top 15 markets, solidifying its position through strong syndicated content and aggressive promotion. By 1971, the station had established itself as the market's premier UHF independent, drawing significant viewership in underserved areas like Lorain and surrounding counties. This early success underscored the viability of UHF in competitive urban markets, paving the way for further expansion under ownership.

United Artists ownership

WUAB was established by Broadcasting as an independent UHF station, signing on September 15, 1968, to serve the market with a focus on locally oriented content amid the challenges of limited UHF reception on older television sets. The station's initial operations emphasized building viewership through accessible programming, drawing from ' film library to offer classic movies that appealed to a broad audience seeking alternatives to network fare. This strategy helped cultivate early loyalty in a competitive landscape dominated by VHF outlets, positioning WUAB as a key player in Cleveland's independent television scene. To support its growth, WUAB expanded its production capabilities by relocating to dedicated studios in Parma, Ohio, near Parmatown Mall, which enabled more robust local content creation and improved operational efficiency. Children's programming emerged as a cornerstone for audience engagement, with the debut of Barnaby, hosted by Linn Sheldon as a 6-foot elf character, in 1968, featuring cartoons like Popeye and educational segments, and the later introduction of Superhost in 1969, hosted by Marty Sullivan in a clown-like Superman persona featuring a baggy suit, cape, and red nose. Sullivan's segments, including comedy skits on Supe's On! with Three Stooges shorts and Mad Theater showcasing B-movies and monster films, became Saturday afternoon staples that drew families and fostered generational nostalgia, significantly boosting the station's visibility among younger viewers. Barnaby continued as a long-running show until 1990. Key hires bolstered WUAB's leadership during this formative period, including John J. "Jack" Moffitt, who joined as general sales manager in 1968 and advanced to in , guiding the station toward operational prominence with his emphasis on innovative promotion and community ties. Under Moffitt's direction, WUAB navigated UHF signal limitations by prioritizing syndicated reruns, feature films, and live events like Cleveland Indians baseball telecasts, which helped sustain steady audience expansion despite industry-wide profitability hurdles for ultra-high-frequency broadcasters. By the early 1970s, these efforts had stabilized the station financially, overcoming initial investments and reception barriers to achieve consistent returns. In 1977, announced its exit from television broadcasting as part of broader corporate divestitures, leading to the sale of WUAB to Gaylord Broadcasting Company in June for an undisclosed sum that reflected the station's established . This transaction marked the end of United Artists' nine-year stewardship, during which WUAB had solidified its role as Cleveland's leading independent outlet through targeted programming and strategic management.

Gaylord Broadcasting era

Gaylord Broadcasting Company completed its acquisition of WUAB from in June 1977 for an undisclosed amount. To enhance the station's visibility and competitiveness in the market, Gaylord implemented rebranding initiatives, including a new design, while maintaining its independent status. The company also invested in technical improvements, boosting the transmitter power to 5 million watts to expand signal coverage across . During the Gaylord era, WUAB continued popular family-oriented children's programming, such as the ongoing Barnaby show hosted by Linn Sheldon. The station introduced syndicated talk shows and further family programming to appeal to broader demographics, alongside a major push into sports broadcasting; it secured rights to Cleveland Indians Major League Baseball games beginning in 1980 and reacquired Cleveland Cavaliers NBA telecasts for the 1980–81 season. These additions, combined with movies and syndicated reruns, elevated WUAB's profile and helped it achieve top independent station status in Cleveland during the 1980s. In 1990, as part of Gaylord's strategic refocus on core entertainment and hospitality assets, the company agreed to sell WUAB to Cannell Communications—led by producer —for $60 million, with the transaction finalized on August 14.

Cannell and Malrite periods

In 1990, Cannell Communications, the broadcasting arm of television production company Cannell Studios founded by producer , acquired WUAB from Gaylord Broadcasting Company for $60 million. The deal, announced on March 22, 1990, and subject to (FCC) approval, marked Cannell's entry into television station ownership as a complement to his studio's output of action-oriented series like and . Under the new ownership, WUAB emphasized programming tie-ins with Cannell Studios, prioritizing syndicated reruns and original content from the studio to strengthen its position as Cleveland's leading amid a competitive market. This strategy aimed to leverage production synergies for cost-effective scheduling, though the station faced challenges from emerging UHF competitors like Malrite Communications' , launched in 1987. By 1994, amid FCC deregulation easing ownership restrictions, Malrite Communications—owner of —entered into a (LMA) with Cannell Communications for WUAB, effective in August following a July 15 filing. Under the time brokerage terms, Malrite assumed operational control of WUAB while Cannell retained nominal ownership, with Malrite supplying programming, selling advertising spots, and integrating news and promotional resources between the two stations to achieve operational efficiencies and . This arrangement reduced overhead costs, improved programming quality through shared facilities, and enhanced WUAB's competitiveness in the market, where it briefly referenced emerging syndication opportunities from new networks. The LMA exemplified broader industry trends, with Malrite citing benefits like job creation and sustained viability for stations in financial strain. Malrite's management of WUAB continued through the late 1990s, focusing on digital transition preparations, including facility upgrades to meet FCC analog-to-digital conversion mandates and countering market pressures from 's growing audience share. In April 1998, acquired Malrite Communications for an undisclosed sum, inheriting the LMA and integrating WUAB's operations more closely with under unified leadership. This transition stabilized the duopoly-like structure, setting the stage for full ownership consolidation as FCC duopoly rules relaxed in 2000, though WUAB's independent identity persisted amid rising network affiliation prospects.

Raycom acquisition and early 2000s

In April 1998, Raycom Media announced its acquisition of Malrite Communications Group, Inc., which owned CBS affiliate WOIO (channel 19) and operated independent station WUAB (channel 43) under a local marketing agreement (LMA) that had been in place since 1994. The deal, completed later that year, brought five television stations under Raycom's control, including the Cleveland duopoly operations, enabling greater integration of programming and sales efforts between WOIO and WUAB despite the LMA structure for the latter. The FCC's adoption of revised local television ownership rules in August 1999 permitted of two stations in larger markets under certain conditions, such as no overlap in signal coverage and compliance with audience reach limits. Capitalizing on this regulatory change, Raycom acquired WUAB outright from its owner, Productions, in March 2000, formally establishing a duopoly with . This pairing yielded operational synergies, including shared facilities at the Reserve Square complex in , cost efficiencies in administration and promotion, and enhanced market position for local advertising revenue in the nation's 19th-largest designated market area. Under Raycom ownership, WOIO and WUAB expanded local content production in the early 2000s, with a focus on strengthening news operations to compete with established broadcasters. In January 2001, veteran executive Bill Applegate was appointed general manager for both stations, leading to a relaunch of the news department in 2002 as "19 ." The revamped format emphasized high-story-volume newscasts with bold graphics, sound effects, and a populist, attention-grabbing style to reverse prior low ratings and build audience engagement across both stations' airwaves. As the planned 2006 merger of UPN and The WB networks into The CW progressed, WUAB—then a UPN affiliate—prepared for the resulting affiliation realignment by securing a deal with the newly launched MyNetworkTV in March 2006. This shift ensured continuity in syndication-heavy primetime programming while leveraging the duopoly's resources for smooth transition.

Gray Television ownership and 2025 changes

In January 2019, Gray Television completed its acquisition of Raycom Media for $3.65 billion, which included WUAB as part of Raycom's portfolio of 146 television stations and 33 digital multichannel channels across 36 states. This transaction integrated WUAB into Gray's expanded network, making it one of the largest owners of local television stations in the United States with over 140 stations. Under Gray's ownership, WUAB formed a strengthened duopoly with sister station WOIO (Cleveland's CBS affiliate), enabling shared resources for local news production and sports broadcasting, such as the launch of the Rock Entertainment Sports Network in 2024 featuring Cleveland Cavaliers and Monsters games. In August 2025, Gray Television announced that WUAB would disaffiliate from The CW effective September 1, 2025, following Nexstar Media Group's acquisition of WBNX-TV earlier that year, which allowed WBNX to reclaim the Cleveland market's CW affiliation. The decision aligned with Gray's strategy to prioritize local content amid shifting network affiliations. On September 1, 2025, WUAB rebranded as "Cleveland's 43," emphasizing expanded local programming including a new 9 p.m. newscast produced in partnership with , while adopting as its primary affiliation and retaining some syndicated content. The did not involve significant changes to the station's facilities, which continued to operate from shared studios in .

Network affiliations

Independent years

WUAB operated as an from its launch on September 15, 1968, until 1995, filling its schedule primarily with a mix of feature films, off-network reruns, and original local programming to attract viewers in the market. The station's reliance on classic movies and syndicated reruns of popular network series, such as those from the and , helped it build a loyal by offering content not available on the dominant VHF network affiliates (Channels 3, 5, and 8). This approach allowed WUAB to compete effectively against both established network stations and rival UHF independents like WKBF-TV (Channel 61) and later (Channel 19), carving out a niche in Northeast Ohio's fragmented television landscape. Local programming played a key role in differentiating WUAB from its competitors, with the absence of network obligations enabling flexible scheduling that included family-oriented children's shows and variety formats tailored to regional tastes. For instance, the station aired hosted movie segments featuring , portrayed by Marty Sullivan, who entertained audiences with comedic skits and introductions to B-movies and classic films from 1969 to 1989 on Saturday afternoons. Such innovative, low-cost local content contributed to WUAB's reputation as a community-focused outlet, often outperforming expectations for a UHF station in a market dominated by stronger VHF signals. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, WUAB faced increasing competitive pressures as the Fox network expanded its affiliations, particularly to UHF stations in other markets, which intensified the need for independents to secure network partnerships for financial stability and broader programming access. This shift culminated in WUAB affiliating with the in 1995, marking the end of its independent era.

UPN and The WB affiliations

In January 1995, WUAB signed on as a charter affiliate for Television Network, launching the upstart service just days before its premiere on January 11. The station, already committed to the newly formed (UPN) that debuted on January 16, operated as a dual-network affiliate, airing UPN programming in while slotting WB shows out of pattern to accommodate both schedules. This arrangement made the largest U.S. market with a single station carrying both emerging networks, reflecting the limited availability of affiliates in mid-sized markets during their inaugural year. The dual affiliation introduced popular series that appealed to younger audiences, including The WB's , which premiered in 1997 and targeted teens and young adults aged 12 to 34 with its supernatural drama. On the UPN side, flagship fare like helped draw enthusiasts while boosting youth demographics overall. WUAB integrated local insertions, such as Cleveland-specific promotional spots and commercials during network breaks, to tailor content for regional viewers amid scheduling constraints from the overlapping networks. Ratings during this period fluctuated as both UPN and The WB expanded to four nights of programming weekly, creating competition for slots and challenging stations to balance national feeds with local appeal. By mid-1997, the dual setup proved unsustainable, and WUAB dropped its WB affiliation on September 1, with the network shifting to WBNX-TV as its new outlet. This left WUAB as an exclusive UPN affiliate through the network's existence, focusing on Monday and Wednesday prime time blocks until UPN's operations ceased on September 15, 2006, following its merger with to form .

MyNetworkTV and CW periods

Following the closure of UPN in September 2006, WUAB affiliated with MyNetworkTV as its primary network, a syndication service launched by Fox Television Stations to provide primetime programming to former UPN and WB affiliates. The affiliation was announced on March 7, 2006, alongside other Raycom Media stations, allowing WUAB to air MyNetworkTV's lineup of scripted dramas and action series in primetime from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. weekdays. Representative examples included serialized programs like Desire and Fashion House in the network's debut season, followed by WWE Friday Night SmackDown from October 2008 to September 2010, which drew on the service's shift toward sports entertainment to attract viewers. This transition helped WUAB retain portions of its UPN audience interested in dramatic and wrestling content, though the post-UPN/WB merger environment posed challenges for many secondary affiliates in maintaining consistent viewership amid fragmented audiences. On July 16, 2018, WUAB became the market's primary affiliate through a long-term agreement with (later acquired by Gray Television) and Network, replacing (channel 55) after the latter's affiliation ended. programming shifted to a secondary role, airing on tape delay in overnights from 1:00 to 3:00 a.m. weekdays. The affiliation provided WUAB access to a broader content library combining libraries from and , including popular teen and young adult series like Riverdale and reruns, which helped stabilize programming and attract a younger demographic compared to 's narrower focus. primetime blocks aired from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with weekend slots featuring network-supplied movies, sports, and animated blocks such as on Saturdays. By the 2020s, as linear television viewership declined nationally, WUAB reduced its reliance on network schedules by expanding , sports simulcasts with , and syndicated fare, while still fulfilling core affiliation commitments. This period of dual affiliations concluded in September 2025 with WUAB's disaffiliation from .

2025 switch to MyNetworkTV and independence

On September 1, 2025, WUAB reverted its primary affiliation to , moving the service from its second (43.2) to the main channel (43.1) and discontinuing on its primary signal. This change allowed WUAB to replace former CW primetime programming with a mix of syndicated shows and simulcasts of live sports from the Rock Entertainment Sports Network, including and games. The switch positioned WUAB under a lighter affiliation structure, as provides only a two-hour weekday primetime block of scripted programming, granting the station significant independence in scheduling outside those hours. This flexibility enabled full local control over daytime, weekend, and late-night slots, with the station as "Cleveland's 43" to emphasize its role as a hub for local content without broader network mandates. In the market, the affiliation shift had notable impacts, as The CW programming relocated to (channel 55), which reclaimed the network following Nexstar Media Group's acquisition of the station in late 2024. WUAB's pivot reinforced its niche as a sports and news-focused outlet, complementing sister station WOIO's CBS affiliation and differentiating from Nexstar's emerging duopoly of WJW () and ().

Programming

Sports programming

WUAB has maintained a strong focus on local sports broadcasting since the 1970s, beginning with basketball telecasts that established the station as a key over-the-air outlet for professional sports in . The station first aired Cavaliers games in the 1972–73 season, with play-by-play announcer Frank Sweeney handling the coverage, followed by taking over for the 1973–74 season as the team's television voice on WUAB. Tait, who had started as the Cavaliers' radio broadcaster in 1970, transitioned to TV duties on the station from 1980 to 1987 alongside color analyst Bruce Drennan, contributing to memorable calls during the team's early NBA years and helping build a dedicated fanbase through live game production that emphasized courtside perspectives and post-game analysis. Over the decades, WUAB expanded its sports portfolio to include select (formerly Indians) baseball games, starting in 1980 under Gaylord Broadcasting ownership, which positioned the station as the primary broadcaster for local MLB action in the with announcers like and Bruce Drennan providing play-by-play and color commentary in the early part of the decade, followed by Jack Corrigan and from 1989. In the 2000s, coverage evolved into more extensive telecasts for the starting in the 2024–25 season, where WUAB simulcasted 22 regular-season home games produced by the Rock Entertainment Sports Network (RESN), featuring play-by-play by Tony Brown and focusing on high-definition mobile production units for on-site logistics at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. These broadcasts highlighted the team's AHL affiliation with the , using multi-camera setups and instant replay integration to capture fast-paced action. WUAB has also simulcasted Cleveland Browns preseason games with sister station WOIO since the mid-2000s, providing over-the-air access to exhibition matches through shared production facilities and feeds from Stadium, including pre-game shows and halftime analysis to enhance viewer engagement during the summer schedule. Post-2025, following the station's disaffiliation from on September 1, WUAB integrated deeply with RESN—launched in partnership with Gray Television and Group—to emphasize as a core programming pillar, airing additional live events like Cavaliers select games (five in the 2024–25 season) and Monsters playoff matchups using advanced fiber-optic transmission for seamless simulcasts across . This shift included expanded coverage of local awards shows, such as the 2025 Sports Awards, produced with on-site crews for real-time highlights and interviews, reinforcing WUAB's role in accessible regional media. As of November 2025, no major changes to this sports lineup have been announced.

News programming

WUAB's news programming originated with the launch of Cleveland's longest-running 10 p.m. local newscast on September 15, 1988, produced in-house as part of its operations. Following Malrite Communications Group's for the station in 1994, which also owned sister affiliate (channel 19), a formal news partnership was established, allowing to produce WUAB's evening newscast while leveraging shared resources for content and staffing. By May 2003, the newscast permanently adopted 's branding as "19 Action News on 43," integrating it into the broader "19 News" umbrella to emphasize unified local coverage across both stations. Over the years, the format evolved to incorporate dedicated weather updates via the "First Alert Weather" team and investigative reporting through the "19 Investigates" unit, which focuses on in-depth stories about public safety, government accountability, and consumer issues in . These segments, including weather forecasts and probes into local corruption, became staples of the 10 p.m. broadcast, contributing to its role as a key source for timely, community-focused journalism. The newscast occasionally features brief sports news tie-ins, such as updates on teams, to round out evening programming. Production occurs from shared studios at Reserve Square in , with handling primary operations since the partnership's inception. In recent developments, WUAB expanded its news offerings with the debut of "First Alert Focus," Cleveland's only daily dedicated show, on January 8, 2024, airing weekdays at 7:30 p.m. to provide extended forecasts and severe weather analysis for the region. Building on this, the station introduced "First at 9" on September 2, 2025, as the market's inaugural 9 p.m. newscast, airing weekdays and hosted by anchors Tiffani Tucker and Jason Nicholas to deliver , , and impactful local stories one hour earlier than traditional slots. These additions enhance WUAB's local coverage by targeting underserved evening audiences and integrating with digital platforms, including streaming on the 19 News+ app and mobile services for on-demand access.

Syndicated and local programming

Throughout its history as an independent station and during various network affiliations, WUAB has relied on a robust slate of syndicated programming to complement its local content, featuring off-network sitcoms, , and talk shows tailored to fill non-primetime slots. In the late , the station aired popular syndicated reruns that became staples for viewers, including family-oriented cartoons and comedies broadcast during mornings, afternoons, and late nights. A hallmark of WUAB's local programming was the long-running "," hosted by Marty Sullivan from 1969 to 1989, which presented classic monster movies and B-horror films interspersed with Sullivan's satirical host segments as a red-nosed, caped character delivering humor and skits. This Saturday afternoon mainstay drew generations of local audiences with its blend of low-budget cinema and Sullivan's witty commentary, establishing WUAB as a go-to for genre entertainment in . As affiliations shifted from UPN to , , and , WUAB adapted its syndicated lineup to align with reduced network hours, incorporating more acquired series such as courtroom dramas and reality formats to maintain viewer engagement outside peak times. In September 2025, following its switch to and a partial return to independent operations, the station expanded its offerings with additional talk and lifestyle programs, including syndicated shows like in daytime slots, to broaden appeal and fill the extended schedule. Today, WUAB's evenings feature the feed of syndicated crime dramas and true-crime series, such as reruns of Law & Order: and , while acquired game shows and content round out the daytime and fringe hours, reflecting the station's emphasis on accessible, entertainment-focused programming. As of November 2025, the lineup has remained stable post-switch, with no reported additions or discontinuations.

On-air personnel

Current staff

As of November 2025, WUAB, operating under the branding Cleveland's 43 and sharing news operations with through Gray Television's duopoly, maintains a collaborative on-air team focused on expanded local newscasts following the station's affiliation switch to in September 2025. The news department, led by director Brian Sinclair, oversees daily broadcasts including the reinstated 9 p.m. newscast and 10 p.m. program, emphasizing investigative reporting and community coverage across both stations. Key news anchors include Tiffani Tucker, who serves as the main evening anchor for 19 News broadcasts airing on WUAB, co-hosting the new 9 p.m. newscast "First at 9" alongside weather updates; she is an with over two decades in the field, known for in-depth storytelling on local issues. Brian Duffy, an Emmy Award winner with more than 20 years in journalism, anchors the 6 p.m. newscast and contributes to investigative segments, often partnering with Tucker on major stories. Caitlin McCarthy anchors select evening shifts and reports on , bringing experience from her prior roles in . Harry Boomer, a senior reporter and occasional anchor with nearly four decades in broadcasting, covers in-depth features on the 4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m. shows, residing in neighborhood to maintain strong community ties. In weather reporting, Jason Nicholas leads as chief meteorologist for the 19 First Alert Weather Team, delivering forecasts across all major newscasts including the 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. slots on WUAB; a Cleveland native and eight-time Emmy winner, he previously spent a decade at rival WEWS before joining in 2016. Sports coverage is handled by Ashley Holder, who joined as sports anchor and multimedia journalist in August 2023, providing reports on Cleveland teams like the Cavaliers, , and Guardians during evening broadcasts; a University of Tennessee alumna, she focuses on player interviews and game analysis, including recent one-on-ones with stars like . At the management level, Chris Conroy was appointed of the WOIO-WUAB-WTCL cluster in October 2025, overseeing operations for Gray Television's properties with four decades of media leadership experience from prior roles at stations like KFVS in . Recent hires tied to the 2025 include additional production staff to support the expanded primetime newscasts, enhancing the duopoly's capacity for local sports and news programming without overlapping with WOIO's core schedule.

Former staff

Marty Sullivan, known for portraying the character , hosted the Saturday afternoon horror movie showcase The Mad Theater on WUAB from 1969 to 1989, becoming a beloved figure in television with his sardonic humor and red-nosed persona that entertained generations of viewers. His contributions to local broadcasting were recognized with induction into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1991. Gary Short served as a news anchor and reporter at WUAB during the and , delivering updates and contributing to the station's early news programming before advancing to roles including news director and eventually station manager until his retirement in 2000. Short's long career in Ohio media culminated in his 2007 induction into the Radio/Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame. In the realm of news anchoring, Romona Robinson broke barriers as the first Black woman to anchor an evening newscast in , joining WUAB in 1988 to lead the 10 p.m. news and setting a precedent for diverse representation in local journalism. She later transitioned to other stations but left an enduring mark on WUAB's news team during its independent era. Weather presenter Sally Bernier delivered forecasts for WUAB's newscasts throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, notably anchoring her final broadcast on January 12, 1995, before departing amid the station's operational shifts. Sports broadcasting at WUAB featured prominent voices, including Jack Corrigan, who provided play-by-play commentary for Cleveland Indians games telecast on the station from 1985 to 2001, offering fans detailed coverage during a transformative period for the team. Complementing him was , who served as color commentator for Indians broadcasts on WUAB starting in 1989, drawing on his experience as a former Major League player to analyze games until 2007. Additionally, contributed his play-by-play expertise to early Cavaliers coverage associated with WUAB in the 1980s, helping establish the team's television presence before focusing primarily on radio. Tait's legacy extended to his 2010 induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Media Award. Gretchen Carlson anchored and reported for WUAB from 1995 to 1996, co-anchoring primetime newscasts alongside Denise Dufala in a pioneering all-female team for the market, before advancing to national roles. Staff transitions intensified following the 2019 acquisition of WUAB's parent company by Gray Television, leading to resignations and layoffs that reshaped the on-air team, including the departure of veteran anchor Romona Robinson from sister station in 2018 amid related operational changes.

Technical information

Subchannels

WUAB broadcasts on virtual channel 43 via digital subchannels multiplexed on physical VHF channel 10, which is shared with duopoly sister station under a spectrum-sharing agreement that enables multicasting for both stations. The primary subchannel, 43.1, carries WUAB's main programming feed in high definition, featuring network content, local newscasts from Gray Television's 19 News partnership, and syndicated shows such as , , Suits, and Chicago Fire. Subchannel 43.2 airs , a 480i standard-definition network focused on Western-themed programming, including classic films starring actors like and , as well as modern series in the genre; this affiliation launched on the subchannel in late 2023. On 43.3, Oxygen provides and drama content in 480i, featuring original series like and , along with marathons of procedural reruns; this subchannel has carried the network since at least 2023 as part of Gray Television's broader multicast strategy.

Digital transition and facilities

WUAB began full-power digital operations on UHF channel 28 while continuing analog broadcasts on channel 43. The station fully transitioned to digital-only broadcasting by ceasing analog transmissions on June 12, 2009, aligning with the Federal Communications Commission's nationwide mandate for the end of full-power analog television service. In April 2017, as part of the FCC's Broadcast Incentive Auction 1001, WUAB elected to relinquish its spectrum rights, resulting in a winning bid of $32,293,408 for the station to cease independent transmissions on its UHF channel. This led to a channel sharing agreement with sister station WOIO (channel 19), under which WUAB began utilizing WOIO's VHF channel 10 spectrum for its digital signal starting January 8, 2018, enabling continued full-power over-the-air service without dedicated spectrum. WUAB and WOIO share broadcast facilities, including the transmitter site in , at coordinates 41°22′45″N 81°43′11″W. The setup provides a (HAAT) of 333 meters (1,093 feet). The station's current digital signal employs a with an (ERP) of 30 kW and operates on 43.

Translators and signal coverage

WUAB extends its broadcast reach into the eastern sections of the Cleveland–Akron–Canton designated market area through a digital fill-in translator in Akron, Ohio, shared with duopoly partner WOIO. This translator, broadcasting on UHF channel 18, was established on August 12, 2011, to enhance signal accessibility in areas with weaker reception from the main facility. The station's primary over-the-air signal originates from a tower in , providing coverage to approximately 1.55 million television households across the Cleveland-Akron-Canton market. In addition to OTA distribution, WUAB is available via cable and carriage, including on channel 6 and on channel 43. Following the installation of a new high-power antenna on the tower in June 2024, the station implemented digital optimizations in 2025 to improve mobile device compatibility and integrate enhanced streaming options through its affiliated and apps.

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