WTAJ-TV

WTAJ-TV is a full-power television station licensed to Altoona, Pennsylvania, and serving the Johnstown–Altoona–State College television market. The station operates as a CBS affiliate and uses virtual channel 10. Its studios are located on Sixth Avenue in Altoona, a facility the station has occupied since the late 1950s, while its transmitter is located in Logan Township. The station began broadcasting on March 1, 1953, under the call sign WFBG-TV. It was launched as part of the WFBG radio and television group and initially carried selected programming from the four major television networks then operating in the United States: ABC, CBS, NBC, and DuMont. After DuMont largely ceased network operations in 1955, WFBG-TV became primarily affiliated with CBS, while retaining a secondary ABC relationship for many years. That arrangement reflected the limited network programming available to stations in smaller markets during the early television era. WFBG-TV was sold in 1956 to Triangle Publications, the media company associated with the Annenberg family. The station later became involved in a broader regulatory controversy concerning allegations that Triangle’s Pennsylvania television outlets had participated in a political campaign against Governor Milton J. Shapp. Following Federal Communications Commission findings and related divestiture requirements, Triangle disposed of its broadcasting properties. WFBG-TV was ultimately sold to Gateway Communications in the early 1970s. The station adopted the WTAJ-TV call sign in 1972. The new identity was intended to recognize its substantial audience and signal coverage in Johnstown, even though the market also had a separate CBS outlet, WJNL-TV. WTAJ-TV’s stronger signal and broader reach helped it become the dominant CBS service for the combined market. In 1978, it became the market’s exclusive CBS affiliate after WJNL-TV discontinued its CBS affiliation. WJNL later operated under other call signs as an independent station before going dark in 1991. WTAJ-TV has maintained a substantial local-news operation throughout its history. Its programming has included local morning, midday, evening, and late-night newscasts, weather coverage, sports reporting, public-affairs material, and lifestyle programming. The station expanded its local-news presence in the Johnstown area after competing outlets reduced or ended their news operations. In 2011, it launched Central PA Live, an hour-long 4 p.m. program combining news, community features, lifestyle content, and viewer interaction through social media. The station has undergone several ownership and technology transitions. Gateway Communications merged with SJL Broadcasting in 2000, and the combined operation later became associated with Montecito Broadcast Group. Nexstar Broadcasting Group acquired WTAJ-TV in 2006, with the transaction completed on December 29 of that year. Nexstar Media Group is now the station’s owner. WTAJ-TV ended analog broadcasting on June 12, 2009, as part of the nationwide United States digital television transition. Its digital signal continued to use virtual channel 10. The station introduced high-definition newscasts in January 2013, accompanied by a new set and logo. Its digital multicast service has also carried several entertainment networks, including Grit and other networks introduced through Nexstar’s affiliation arrangements. Today, WTAJ-TV combines CBS network programming with locally produced news and community-oriented content for central Pennsylvania. Its brand emphasizes regional coverage across Altoona, Johnstown, State College, and surrounding communities, supported by its long-established channel identity and position as a principal local television source in the market.

WTAJ-TV began operations on March 1, 1953, as WFBG-TV, a television companion to WFBG radio stations in Altoona. During its first years, the station transmitted live programming from studios on Wopsononock Mountain and carried selected shows from ABC, CBS, NBC, and the DuMont Television Network. Its high-powered signal gave it unusually broad reach across the rugged terrain of central Pennsylvania and allowed viewers in parts of the wider region to receive the station. When DuMont effectively ceased normal network operations in 1955, WFBG-TV made CBS its principal affiliation. It retained a secondary ABC relationship into the early 1970s, a common arrangement for stations in smaller markets at a time when network schedules did not fill the entire broadcast day. In 1956, the WFBG properties were sold to Triangle Publications, which expanded its holdings in Pennsylvania and other markets. The Triangle era ended after a political-broadcasting controversy. In 1969, Governor Milton J. Shapp accused Triangle of using WFBG-TV and two other Pennsylvania stations to promote a smear campaign against him. The FCC determined that the allegations were supported. Regulatory consequences led Triangle to divest its television holdings. After a series of ownership changes and sales, WFBG-TV was acquired by Gateway Communications in 1971, with the transaction finalized in 1972. Gateway changed the station’s call sign to WTAJ-TV. The letters were selected to acknowledge the station’s strong viewership in Johnstown, which was served by a separate station but received a particularly strong WTAJ signal. The station’s competitive advantage was its broad over-the-air reach: its signal covered much of the Johnstown–Altoona area and extended toward State College. In 1978, WTAJ became the sole CBS affiliate in the market after WJNL-TV lost its CBS affiliation. WJNL later changed call signs, operated as an independent, and eventually ceased broadcasting in 1991. The station’s local-news operation developed through successive generations of anchors, reporters, meteorologists, sports staff, and managers. Early on-air figures included Ted Reinhart, Charlie Ritchey, John Riley, Ted Johnson, Charlie Flynn, Bob James, Dick Richards, Jon Schwartz, and Wes Maley. The early 1970s transition to WTAJ included news director and anchor Bob Moore, correspondent Pam Jenkins, and continuing personalities such as Riley, Maley, and Johnson. After Moore and Jenkins departed, the station rebuilt its news staff with Tim Fritz, Eric Rabe, Karen Nash, George McKenzie, and Jon McClintock. Rabe later became news director and anchor, while McClintock subsequently established a Blair County bureau for another station. Management and technology changed repeatedly over subsequent decades. Ian K. Harrower, who guided the station through the WFBG-to-WTAJ transition, left the general-manager position in 1980. Veteran meteorologist John Riley suffered a brain aneurysm in late 1982 and died in 1986 after a prolonged period of illness, an event that marked a major loss for the station’s long-running news team. WTAJ expanded its digital presentation in the 2000s. A redesigned website appeared in 2007, followed in 2008 by a new logo, slogan, and studio set. The station also planned a stronger news presence in Cambria County after other local stations closed or reduced their news departments. In September 2011, it launched Central PA Live, a 4 p.m. program that replaced The Oprah Winfrey Show and combined news discussion, lifestyle topics, community features, and social-media interaction. Ownership moved from Gateway to SJL Broadcasting through a 2000 merger, and the combined company later became Montecito Broadcast Group. Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced its purchase of WTAJ-TV in July 2006 and completed the acquisition in December of that year. WTAJ is now part of Nexstar Media Group’s station portfolio. The station ended analog broadcasting on June 12, 2009, as required by the United States digital television transition. Its digital transmission continued to identify the station through virtual channel 10. Nexstar later arranged carriage for several multicast networks, including Escape, Laff, Grit, and Bounce, with Grit moving to WTAJ’s digital service in 2017. On January 31, 2013, the station began presenting its local newscasts in high definition and introduced another updated visual identity. WTAJ-TV remains an active CBS affiliate and a regional local-news provider for central Pennsylvania.

1. 2017Grit added to the digital multicast service

   Grit becomes available through WTAJ’s digital subchannel arrangement.

   Source
2. 2013High-definition news debut

   WTAJ begins broadcasting local newscasts in high definition and refreshes its logo and studio.

   Source
3. 2011Central PA Live launches

   The station adds a one-hour 4 p.m. local program focused on news, lifestyle, and community subjects.

   Source
4. 2009Analog transmission ends

   WTAJ-TV shuts down its analog VHF transmission and continues digitally using virtual channel 10.

   Source
5. 2006Nexstar acquisition completed

   Nexstar Broadcasting Group completes its purchase of WTAJ-TV on December 29.

   Source
6. 1978Exclusive CBS affiliation

   WTAJ becomes the sole CBS affiliate serving the market.

   Source
7. 1972WTAJ-TV identity introduced

   Gateway Communications completes its acquisition and changes the call sign from WFBG-TV to WTAJ-TV.

   Source
8. 1956Triangle Publications acquires the station

   The WFBG radio and television properties are sold to Triangle Publications.

   Source
9. 1955CBS becomes the primary affiliation

   After DuMont’s network operations largely end, WFBG-TV establishes CBS as its main network relationship while continuing secondary ABC programming.

   Source
10. 1953WFBG-TV signs on

    The station begins broadcasting on March 1 as WFBG-TV, initially carrying selected programming from several national networks.

    Source

Long-established local CBS affiliate and regional news provider for central Pennsylvania.

• WTAJ Local NewsLocal television news1953

  WTAJ’s locally produced news operation covers Altoona, Johnstown, State College, and surrounding central Pennsylvania communities. Its output includes breaking news, politics, public safety, weather, sports, regional features, and community reporting delivered through scheduled television broadcasts and digital channels.

• Central PA LiveLifestyle and news program2011

  Central PA Live is an hour-long afternoon program introduced in 2011. It combines current-affairs discussion with lifestyle material, local-interest topics, community guests, and audience interaction through social-media platforms.

• CBS network programmingNetwork television programming1955

  As a CBS affiliate, WTAJ carries CBS entertainment, news, sports, and special-event programming for its central Pennsylvania viewing area, supplemented by the station’s local schedule.

• Digital multicast programmingBroadcast television subchannels2016

  WTAJ’s digital transmission has carried additional multicast networks through Nexstar affiliation arrangements, including networks such as Escape, Laff, Grit, and Bounce at different points in the station’s digital history.

• 201360th Anniversary Celebration

  Central Pennsylvania

  WTAJ marked six decades of broadcasting with a celebration at the Altoona location of Wolf Furniture. The initiative used archival material and retrospective segments to highlight the station’s history from its WFBG-TV years through the WTAJ era.

  Outcome. The anniversary was supported by recurring historical segments throughout the year.

  Source

• 2013Conversion of local news to high definitionGeneration change

  The station was updating its visual presentation and technical production systems.

  What changed. WTAJ began broadcasting newscasts in high definition and introduced a refreshed set and logo.

  Aftermath. The station’s local-news product adopted contemporary high-definition production standards.

  Source
• 2011Launch of Central PA LiveProduct launch

  The station sought to expand its weekday local schedule after the end of The Oprah Winfrey Show.

  What changed. WTAJ introduced an hour-long 4 p.m. program combining news, lifestyle coverage, and social-media engagement.

  Aftermath. The launch added an afternoon local-news and community-programming block to the market’s television schedule.

  Source
• 2006Nexstar purchase of WTAJ-TVM&A

  Montecito Broadcast Group placed WTAJ-TV and other northeastern stations on the market after expanding its station portfolio.

  What changed. Nexstar Broadcasting Group agreed to acquire WTAJ-TV and WLYH in a transaction reported at $56 million, completed on December 29, 2006.

  Aftermath. WTAJ became part of Nexstar’s growing local-station portfolio and remains owned by Nexstar Media Group.

  Reported acquisition price. $56 million (2006 transaction)

  Source
• 1978Consolidation of CBS affiliationStrategy

  WTAJ and WJNL-TV had competed for CBS programming in the combined Johnstown–Altoona market, but WTAJ had the stronger regional signal.

  What changed. CBS made WTAJ-TV the exclusive CBS affiliate for the market.

  Aftermath. WTAJ strengthened its position as the principal CBS service for central Pennsylvania, while WJNL later operated as an independent station and eventually went dark.

  Source
• 1972Rebrand from WFBG-TV to WTAJ-TVStrategy

  The station had a substantial audience in Johnstown despite being licensed to Altoona and competing with a separate Johnstown station.

  What changed. Gateway Communications adopted the WTAJ-TV call sign to emphasize the station’s regional reach and Johnstown audience.

  Aftermath. The WTAJ identity became the station’s long-term brand and preceded its eventual status as the market’s exclusive CBS affiliate.

  Source

• 2011News vehicle attacked during Penn State unrestControversy

  While WTAJ was covering unrest at Penn State after Joe Paterno’s dismissal in the context of the Jerry Sandusky child-molestation scandal, students overturned one of the station’s news vehicles and damaged its windshield.

  Source
• 1969Triangle Publications political-broadcasting controversyControversy

  Governor Milton J. Shapp accused Triangle Publications of using WFBG-TV and two other Pennsylvania stations in a smear campaign against him. The FCC found the allegations valid, and the resulting regulatory pressure contributed to Triangle’s divestiture of its broadcasting properties.

  Source

• 2013WTAJ-TV begins high-definition newscasts

  The station converts its newscasts to high definition and introduces an updated studio set and logo.

  Product generation
  Source
• 2011WTAJ launches Central PA Live

  The station introduces a one-hour 4 p.m. program combining local news, lifestyle segments, community topics, and social-media participation.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2006Nexstar agrees to acquire WTAJ-TV

  Nexstar Broadcasting Group announces a transaction to purchase WTAJ-TV and WLYH from Montecito Broadcast Group for $56 million.

  M&A
  Source
• 2006Nexstar completes WTAJ-TV acquisition

  The acquisition of WTAJ-TV by Nexstar Broadcasting Group is completed on December 29.

  M&A
  Source
• 1978WTAJ-TV becomes the market’s exclusive CBS affiliate

  WTAJ-TV assumes exclusive CBS affiliation for the Johnstown–Altoona market after WJNL-TV loses the affiliation.

  Other
  Source
• 1972Station adopts the WTAJ-TV call sign

  After its sale to Gateway Communications, the station changes from WFBG-TV to WTAJ-TV to reflect its connection with the Johnstown–Altoona audience.

  Other
  Source
• 1955WFBG-TV becomes primarily affiliated with CBS

  Following the collapse of most DuMont network operations, WFBG-TV establishes CBS as its principal network affiliation while continuing limited ABC programming.

  Other
  Source
• 1953WTAJ-TV begins broadcasting

  The station signs on as WFBG-TV in Altoona and begins carrying programming from multiple national television networks.

  Other
  Source

1. WTAJ-TV
2. WTAJ-TV official website