Misplaced Pages

WHSV-TV: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 15:06, 20 June 2021 editCamthecat10 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users586 editsNo edit summary← Previous edit Latest revision as of 20:52, 13 December 2024 edit undoXenon54 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers12,648 edits there have been 4 of these for a while 
(70 intermediate revisions by 34 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|ABC/MyNetworkTV affiliate in Harrisonburg, Virginia}} {{short description|ABC/MyNetworkTV affiliate in Harrisonburg, Virginia}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox television station {{Infobox television station
| callsign = WHSV-TV | callsign = WHSV-TV
| city = Harrisonburg, Virginia | city = Harrisonburg, Virginia
| logo = ] | logo = WHSV-TV logo.svg
| branding = {{ubl|WHSV; ''WHSV News''|] (on DT2)|MeTV on MyValley (on DT4)|] (on DT5)}}
----
| digital = 20 (])
]
| virtual = 3
----
| translators = {{ubl|24 (UHF) ]|25 (UHF) ]|28 (UHF) ]|W33EJ-D 33 (UHF) ]|34 (UHF) ]}}
]
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''3.1:''' ]|''']:''' ]|''']:''' ]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}}
----
| airdate = {{start date and age|1953|10|p=y}}{{efn|The station's sign-on date is disputed; the ''Broadcasting and Cable Yearbook'' says October 19, the ''Television and Cable Factbook'' says October 9, and the station's history cards say October 12.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=86291&.pdf | title=Broadcasting Station License Record WHSV-TV | date=1953-09-14 | website=licensing.fcc.gov}}</ref>}}
]
| slogan = ''Working Hard For You.''
| branding = WHSV-TV3 ''(general)''<br>''WHSV-TV3 News'' ''(newscasts)''<br>] ''(on DT2)''<br>MyValley ''(on DT4)''<br>] ''(on DT5)''
| digital = 20 (])
| virtual = 3
| translators = ''24 (UHF) ]<br>34 (UHF) ]''
| affiliations = '''3.1:''' ]<br>''']:''' ] (WSVW-LD1)<br>'''3.3:''' ]<br>'''3.4:''' ]/]<br>''']:''' ] (WSVF-CD2)
| airdate = {{start date and age|1953|10|19|p=y}}<ref>The ''Broadcasting and Cable Yearbook'' says October 19, while the ''Television and Cable Factbook'' says October 9.</ref>
| location = ]–] | location = ]–]
| country = United States | country = United States
| callsign_meaning = '''H'''arrisonburg<br>] | callsign_meaning = Harrisonburg, ]
| former_callsigns = WSVA-TV (1953–1976) | former_callsigns = WSVA-TV (1953–1976)
| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:'''<br>3 (], 1953–2009)<br>'''Digital:'''<br>49 (UHF, 2006–2018) | former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 3 (], 1953–2009)|'''Digital:''' 49 (UHF, 2006–2018)}}
| owner = ] | owner = ]
| licensee = Gray Television Licensee, ] | licensee = Gray Television Licensee, ]
| sister_stations = WSVF-CD, WSVW-LD | sister_stations = WSVF-CD, WSVW-LD
| former_affiliations = ] (1953–1975; secondary from 1968)<br>CBS (secondary, 1953–1963)<br>DuMont (1953–1956)<br>] (secondary, 1994–1996) | former_affiliations = {{ubl|] (1953–1968)|DuMont (1953–1956)|CBS (secondary, 1953–1963)|NBC (secondary, 1968–1975)|] (secondary, 1994–1996)}}
| erp = 271 ] | erp = 271 ]
| haat = {{convert|666.1|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} | haat = {{convert|666.1|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 4688 | facility_id = 4688
| coordinates = {{Coord|38|9|55.8|N|79|18|44.9|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}} | coordinates = {{Coord|38|9|55.8|N|79|18|44.9|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority = ] | licensing_authority = ]
| website = {{URL|www.whsv.com}} | website = {{URL|www.whsv.com}}
}} }}


'''WHSV-TV''', ] 3 (] ] channel 20), is an ]-] ] ] to ], United States and serving the ] of ] and ]. Owned by ], it is ] to two ] stations: ] dual ]/] affiliate ] (channel 43) and dual ]/] affiliate ] (channel 30). The three stations share studios on North Main Street (]) in downtown Harrisonburg, and operate a newsroom in ], serving ], ], and ]. WHSV-TV's transmitter is located at ] west of Staunton. '''WHSV-TV''' (channel 3) is a ] in ], United States, affiliated with ]. It is owned by ] alongside two ] stations: ] dual ]/] affiliate ] (channel 43) and dual ]/] affiliate ] (channel 30). The three stations share studios on North Main Street (]) in downtown Harrisonburg, and operate a newsroom in ], serving ], ], and ]. WHSV-TV's transmitter is located at ] west of Staunton.


WHSV-TV operates two fill-in digital ]: one on UHF channel 34, licensed to ] and covering Harrisonburg, and one on UHF channel 24 licensed to ], which is located on Signal Knob near ] and serves the Winchester−] area (in the ] ]). Its signal is also relayed in ] on ] translator '''W33EJ-D''',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=W33EJ-D#station|title=Digital TV Market Listing for W33EJ-D |work=RabbitEars.Info |access-date=2011-08-06}}</ref> which is owned by Valley TV Cooperative, Inc. WHSV-TV operates four fill-in digital ]: on UHF channel 24 on Signal Knob near ], serving the Winchester−] area (in the ] ]); on UHF channel 25 licensed to ] and covering ] and ]; on UHF 28 licensed to ] and covering ]; and on UHF channel 34 licensed to ] and covering Harrisonburg. Its signal is also relayed in ], on low-power translator '''W33EJ-D''',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=W33EJ-D#station|title=Digital TV Market Listing for W33EJ-D |work=RabbitEars.Info |access-date=August 6, 2011}}</ref> which is owned by Valley TV Cooperative, Inc.


As of December 1, 2019, WHSV is used to provide full-] ] coverage of WSVW-LD (simulcast over WHSV-DT2) and WSVF-CD2 (simulcast over WHSV-DT5); however, only the WSVW-LD simulcast is aired in ].<ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref> As of December 1, 2019, WHSV is used to provide full-market ] coverage of WSVW-LD (simulcast over WHSV-DT2) and WSVF-CD2 (simulcast over WHSV-DT5); however, only the WSVW-LD simulcast is aired in ].


==History== ==History==
===Early years=== ===Early years===
Channel 3 signed on October 19, 1953 as '''WSVA-TV''' (for '''W'''e '''S'''erve '''V'''irginia '''A'''griculture). It was owned by Frederick L. Allman and his Shenandoah Valley Broadcasting Corporation along with WSVA radio (] and FM 100.7, now ]). The station was a primary ] affiliate, with secondary ] and ABC affiliations. The station also carried ] programs.<ref name="CET">{{cite news | title = Television Highlights| work = Cumberland Evening Times| place = Cumberland, MD| page = 21| date = 1954-06-01}}</ref> It was the only commercial station between ] and ] until ] signed on from ] in 1973. Although it was owned by one of Virginia's leading broadcasters, WSVA-TV operated on a shoestring budget. Station engineers switched to and from the signals of the three network affiliates in Washington, D.C. because it was unable to afford direct network feeds. The station did not air any locally produced programs (except for local newscasts) until 1956, when it built a studio along ] in unincorporated ]. That year, Allman sold the WSVA stations to Transcontinent Television of ], with NBC executive Hamilton Shea as a minority partner. Allman earned a handsome return on his original investment into WSVA radio in 1935.<ref name=bt-saletotranscontinentshea>{{cite news|title=Brisk buying surge swaps four stations, $7.7 million|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1956/1956-04-09-BC.pdf|format=PDF|pages=35–6|access-date=December 31, 2012|newspaper=]|date=April 9, 1956}}</ref> In 1959, the '']'', owner of ]-]-] in Washington, acquired Transcontinent's controlling interest, as well as 1% of Shea's stake.<ref name=b-saletowashingtonstar>{{cite news|title=Changing hands|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1959/1959-08-10-BC.pdf |format=PDF|page=54|access-date=December 31, 2012|newspaper=Broadcasting|date=August 10, 1959}}</ref> The CBS affiliation was dropped in 1963. Channel 3 signed on in October 1953, as '''WSVA-TV''' (for "We Serve Virginia Agriculture"). It was owned by Harrisonburg businessman Frederick L. Allman and his Shenandoah Valley Broadcasting Corporation along with WSVA radio (] and FM 100.7, now ]). The station was a primary ] affiliate, with secondary ] and ABC affiliations. The station also carried ] programs.<ref name="CET">{{cite news | title = Television Highlights| work = Cumberland Evening Times| place = Cumberland, MD| page = 21| date = June 1, 1954}}</ref> It was the only commercial station between ] and ] until ] signed on from ] in 1973. Although it was owned by one of Virginia's leading broadcasters, WSVA-TV operated on a shoestring budget. Station engineers switched to and from the signals of the three network affiliates in Washington, D.C. because it was unable to afford direct network feeds. The station did not air any locally produced programs (except for local newscasts) until 1956, when it built a studio along ] in unincorporated ]. That year, Allman sold the WSVA stations to Transcontinent Television of ], with NBC executive Hamilton Shea as a minority partner. Allman earned a handsome return on his original investment in WSVA radio in 1935.<ref name=bt-saletotranscontinentshea>{{cite news|title=Brisk buying surge swaps four stations, $7.7 million|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1956/1956-04-09-BC.pdf|pages=35–6|access-date=December 31, 2012|newspaper=]|date=April 9, 1956}}</ref> In 1959, the '']'', owner of ]-]-] in Washington, acquired Transcontinent's controlling interest, as well as 1% of Shea's stake.<ref name=b-saletowashingtonstar>{{cite news|title=Changing hands|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1959/1959-08-10-BC.pdf |page=54|access-date=December 31, 2012|newspaper=Broadcasting|date=August 10, 1959}}</ref> The CBS affiliation was dropped in 1963.


] ]
In 1965, the ''Star'' sold the WSVA stations to James Gilmore, Jr., a ] businessman; the sale was necessary because WMAL-TV's new tall tower would have caused a large grade B overlap with WSVA-TV.<ref name=b-saletogilmore>{{cite news|title=Four stations sold for $6.8 million|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1965/1965-06-07-BC.pdf|format=PDF|pages=79–80|access-date=December 31, 2012|newspaper=Broadcasting|date=June 7, 1965}}</ref> Under Gilmore's ownership, the station became a primary ABC affiliate in 1968. This was a very unusual move since, then as now, it was the only station in its market; ABC was not nearly on par with CBS and NBC in the ratings at the time (and would not be until the 1970s). It picked up NBC's ] '']'' from 1968 until ABC debuted '']'' in 1975, but only aired the second hour of ''Today'' since the station did not sign on until 8 a.m. (a practice that continued well into the 1970s). Despite wealthier ownership, it was still unable to get a network feed. Occasionally, channel 3 accidentally aired WMAL-TV's commercials when engineers forgot to switch from WMAL-TV's signal during local breaks. In 1965, the ''Star'' sold the WSVA stations to James Gilmore Jr., a ] businessman; the sale was necessary because WMAL-TV's new tall tower would have caused a large grade B overlap with WSVA-TV.<ref name=b-saletogilmore>{{cite news|title=Four stations sold for $6.8 million|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1965/1965-06-07-BC.pdf|pages=79–80|access-date=December 31, 2012|newspaper=Broadcasting|date=June 7, 1965}}</ref> Under Gilmore's ownership, the station became a primary ABC affiliate in 1968. This was a very unusual move since, then as now, it was the only station in its market; ABC was not nearly on par with CBS and NBC in the ratings at the time (and would not be until the 1970s). It picked up NBC's ] '']'' from 1968 until ABC debuted '']'' in 1975, but only aired the second hour of ''Today'' since the station did not sign on until 8 a.m. (a practice that continued well into the 1970s). Despite wealthier ownership, it was still unable to get a network feed. Occasionally, channel 3 accidentally aired WMAL-TV's commercials when engineers forgot to switch from WMAL-TV's signal during local breaks.


In 1975, channel 3 dropped the remaining NBC programs from its schedule. That same year, the ] (FCC) ruled that if a city had only one FM radio station, one AM radio station and one television station, they could not be owned by the same person. Gilmore kept the radio stations and sold WSVA-TV to Charlottesville-based Worrell Newspapers, publisher of '']'' of Charlottesville, in 1976. Later that year, the station assumed its current WHSV-TV callsign.<ref name=mdn-saletoworrell>{{cite news|title=Worrell Newspapers Purchases TV Station|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kK1BAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qakMAAAAIBAJ&dq=wsva-tv%20abc&pg=6759%2C3550237|page=11|access-date=December 31, 2012|newspaper=The Middlesboro Daily News|date=June 9, 1976}}</ref> Under Worrell, the station was finally able to acquire a direct network feed. WHSV launched a translator on UHF channel 64 in Charlottesville in 1979. WHSV marked Worrell's entry into broadcasting;<ref name=mdn-saletoworrell/> the company would subsequently add ] in ] and ] in ] to its group before selling the three stations to ] in 1986.<ref name=b-saletobenedek>{{cite news|title=Changing Hands|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-09-22.pdf|format=PDF|page=86|access-date=December 31, 2012|newspaper=Broadcasting|date=September 22, 1986}}</ref> In 1975, channel 3 dropped the remaining NBC programs from its schedule. Gilmore sold WSVA-TV to Charlottesville-based Worrell Newspapers, publisher of '']'' of Charlottesville, in 1976. Later that year, the station assumed its current WHSV-TV callsign.<ref name=mdn-saletoworrell>{{cite news|title=Worrell Newspapers Purchases TV Station|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kK1BAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qakMAAAAIBAJ&dq=wsva-tv%20abc&pg=6759%2C3550237|page=11|access-date=December 31, 2012|newspaper=The Middlesboro Daily News|date=June 9, 1976}}</ref> Under Worrell, the station was finally able to acquire a direct network feed. WHSV launched a translator on UHF channel 64 in Charlottesville in 1979. WHSV marked Worrell's entry into broadcasting;<ref name=mdn-saletoworrell/> the company would subsequently add ] in ] and ] in ] to its group before selling the three stations to ] in 1986.<ref name=b-saletobenedek>{{cite news|title=Changing Hands|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-09-22.pdf|page=86|access-date=December 31, 2012|newspaper=Broadcasting|date=September 22, 1986}}</ref>


===Since 1990s=== ===Since 1990s===
In 1994, ] approached WHSV regarding a secondary affiliation to provide over-the-air access to ], including most games of the regional ]. WHSV signed a two-year contract and did not renew it after the ] due to unsatisfactory ratings.<ref name=dnr-whsvfoxsecondary>{{cite news|title=With Ratings Only So-So, WHSV Drops Fox's Redskins|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=VNRB&p_theme=vnrb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_text_search-0=WHSV%20AND%20Fox&s_dispstring=WHSV%20Fox%20AND%20date%281996%29&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=1996&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no|access-date=December 31, 2012|newspaper=Daily News-Record|date=March 4, 1996}}</ref> Construction of a new broadcast facility in downtown Harrisonburg began in 1998, with WHSV relocating there in the spring of 1999. In 1994, ] approached WHSV regarding a secondary affiliation to provide over-the-air access to ], including most games of the regional Washington Redskins (now the ]). WHSV signed a two-year contract and did not renew it after the ] due to unsatisfactory ratings.<ref name=dnr-whsvfoxsecondary>{{cite news|title=With Ratings Only So-So, WHSV Drops Fox's Redskins|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=VNRB&p_theme=vnrb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_text_search-0=WHSV%20AND%20Fox&s_dispstring=WHSV%20Fox%20AND%20date%281996%29&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=1996&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no|access-date=December 31, 2012|newspaper=Daily News-Record|date=March 4, 1996}}</ref> This didn't pose as much of a problem as it seemed on paper, as ] in Washington was (and still is) available on cable in the area. Construction of a new broadcast facility in downtown Harrisonburg began in 1998, with WHSV relocating there in the spring of 1999.


] ]
Line 56: Line 50:


] ]
In August 2004, WHSV management began providing managerial, sales and human resources support to Gray Television's upstart CBS affiliate ] in Charlottesville. Several members of WHSV's news and production staff transferred to WCAV following its launch. That same year, WHSV's Charlottesville translator was broken off as a separate station serving as the market's ABC affiliate, ] on channel 16. In August 2004, WHSV management began providing managerial, sales and human resources support to Gray Television's upstart CBS affiliate ] in Charlottesville. Several members of WHSV's news and production staff transferred to WCAV following its launch. That same year, WHSV's Charlottesville translator was broken off as a separate station serving as the market's ABC affiliate, ] on channel 16.


To this day, WHSV remains the only full-power commercial station in the Shenandoah Valley. This is due to the area's small population, as well as the fact that virtually all of the market is located in the ]. Low-powered sister stations ] and ] now provide complete major-network service to the market. However, cable television providers still supplement the area with stations from Washington, Richmond or Charlottesville, depending on the location.
]
To this day, WHSV remains the only full-power commercial station in the Shenandoah Valley. This is due to the area's small population, as well as the fact that virtually all of the market is located in the ]. Low-powered sister stations ] and ] now provide complete major-network service to the market, obviating the need for pay-television providers to supplement WHSV with stations from Washington as in the past.


==Subchannel history==
==Subchannels==
===WHSV-DT3=== ===WHSV-DT3===
'''WHSV-DT3''' is the ]-affiliated third digital subchannel of WHSV-TV, broadcasting in ] ] ] on UHF channel 49.3 (or virtual channel 3.3 via PSIP). '''WHSV-DT3''' is the ]-affiliated third digital subchannel of WHSV-TV, broadcasting in ] ] ] on channel 3.3.


====History====
On March 5, 2007, WHSV launched "]", an ABC affiliate for ]. The station was a joint project between WHSV and ]. Along with Winchester, the station served ], ], ] and ] counties in Virginia. Although TV3 Winchester transmitted an over-the-air signal on WHSV-DT3, it could only be seen on cable in its primary coverage area. TV3 Winchester ceased operations on December 5, 2013; WHSV-DT3 remained vacant until October 2018 when a standard definition feed of Ion Television was eventually added to that subchannel. On March 5, 2007, WHSV launched "]", an ABC affiliate for ]. The station was a joint project between WHSV and ]. Along with Winchester, the station served ], ], ] and ] counties in Virginia. Although TV3 Winchester transmitted an over-the-air signal on WHSV-DT3, it could only be seen on cable in its primary coverage area. TV3 Winchester ceased operations on December 5, 2013; WHSV-DT3 remained vacant until October 2018 when a standard definition feed of Ion Television was eventually added to that subchannel.


===WHSV-DT4=== ===WHSV-DT4===
'''WHSV-DT4''' is the dual ]/]-affiliated fourth digital subchannel of WHSV-TV, broadcasting in 16:9 widescreen standard definition on UHF channel 49.4 (or virtual channel 3.4 via PSIP). The subchannel can also be seen on ] channel 2. Outside MyNetworkTV programming, there is no ] fare since MeTV takes up all of the remaining broadcasting time. '''WHSV-DT4''' is the dual ]/]-affiliated fourth digital subchannel of WHSV-TV, broadcasting in 16:9 widescreen standard definition on channel 3.4. Outside MyNetworkTV programming, there is no ] fare since MeTV takes up all of the remaining broadcasting time.


A new transmitter tower was built behind WHSV's Harrisonburg studios to accommodate the additional satellite receivers needed for both channels. The station began broadcasting on the date of MyNetworkTV's launch, September 5, 2006. The CW affiliation for the market went to Charlottesville-based NBC affiliate WVIR-TV which broadcasts the network on a third digital subchannel through ] programming service. On September 24, 2012, WHSV-DT4 added a secondary affiliation with the ]-owned classic television network MeTV, with the network's programming replacing syndicated programs previously seen outside of MyNetworkTV's prime time schedule.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metv.com/wheretowatch/affiliate/569|title=Where to Watch MeTV In Harrisonburg|publisher=© 2018 MeTV National Limited Partnership|access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref>
====History====
A new transmitter tower was built behind WHSV's Harrisonburg studios to accommodate the additional satellite receivers needed for both channels. The station began broadcasting on the date of MyNetworkTV's launch, September 5, 2006. The CW affiliation for the market went to ]-based ] affiliate ] which broadcasts the network on a ] digital subchannel through ] programming service. On September 24, 2012, WHSV-DT4 added a secondary affiliation with the ]-owned classic television network MeTV, with the network's programming replacing syndicated programs previously seen outside of MyNetworkTV's primetime schedule.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metv.com/wheretowatch/affiliate/569|title=Where to Watch MeTV In Harrisonburg|publisher=© 2018 MeTV National Limited Partnership|access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref>


====Newscasts==== ====Newscasts====
WHSV-DT4 does not carry any live newscasts produced by WHSV that are exclusive to the subchannel. Rather, it airs repeats of newscasts seen on the main channel including the two-hour weekday morning show (at 7) and the nightly 6 o'clock broadcast (at 7). The subchannel also simulcasts the weeknight half-hour prime time newscast at 10 from Fox affiliate ]. Even if this program is delayed or preempted on the Fox station, it still airs in the regular time slot on WHSV-DT4. In addition, this subchannel may occasionally air WHSV's 11 p.m. newscast normally seen on the main channel on Saturday evenings in the event there are delays or a preemption due to ABC ]. The 10 o'clock program maintains a dedicated news anchor and reporter separate from newscasts on WHSV. WHSV-DT4 does not carry any live newscasts produced by WHSV that are exclusive to the subchannel. Rather, it airs repeats of newscasts seen on the main channel including the two-hour weekday morning show (at 7) and the nightly 6 o'clock broadcast (at 7). The subchannel also simulcasts the weeknight half-hour prime time newscast at 10 from Fox affiliate WSVF-CD. Even if this program is delayed or preempted on the Fox station, it still airs in the regular time slot on WHSV-DT4. In addition, this subchannel may occasionally air WHSV's 11 p.m. newscast normally seen on the main channel on Saturday evenings in the event there are delays or a preemption due to ABC ]. The 10 o'clock program maintains a dedicated news anchor and reporter separate from newscasts on WHSV.


==Digital television== ==Local programming==
In addition to its local newscasts and ABC network programs, WHSV produces other locally produced programs: ''The Endzone'' is a 40-minute sports highlight program covering ] games across the Shenandoah Valley that airs Fridays at 11:25&nbsp;p.m. during the high school football season. ''Sports X-tra'' is an online sports discussion show produced by WHSV's sports department, covering sports news from the previous week.
===Digital channels===

The station also produces the Sunday morning ] ''Light for Today'', which broadcasts from People's Baptist Church in Harrisonburg, and broadcasts the music and variety show ''Virginia Dreams Centerstage''. WHSV also sponsored an annual singing competition called "Voice of the Valley", an idea that was originated by former WHSV personality Jenelle Smith. Finalists are unveiled during the station's noon newscasts the week of the Rockingham County Fair with an hour-long live finale that is broadcast from the fair.

===News operation===
The station's weekday morning newscast, ''WHSV News Daybreak'', has received recognition as one of the highest-rated local morning news programs in the United States.<ref>http://setxhomepage.com/content/fulltext/?cid=43882|Mike McNeil Profile, WHSV Daybreak Recognition</ref> WHSV utilizes ] and ] accounts to relay local news stories through ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.facebook.com/people/Whsv-Newsroom/645595931?sid=0 |title=Niet compatibele browser |publisher=Facebook |access-date=August 6, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/WHSVnews |title=WHSVnews (WHSVnews) op Twitter |publisher=Twitter.com |access-date=August 6, 2011}}</ref>

In the early 1990s, the station began producing a midday newscast at noon on weekdays. WHSV-TV purchased its first microwave live truck in 2004. Prior to that, the station relied on rented equipment for remote broadcasts. Since 2004, WHSV-TV has purchased additional microwave equipment for use by its news department.

2006 was a year of significant change at WHSV-TV. First on February 27, 2006, WHSV's weekday morning newscast expanded from a 90-minute program to a two-hour program with the addition of a half-hour at 5 a.m.; this coincided with the debut of new weather technology purchased from ]. The station's Harrisonburg and Augusta County news bureaus underwent a dramatic overhaul in April 2006, with the addition of new sets and studio camera equipment. WHSV newscasts were broadcast from a temporary studio in the Harrisonburg newsroom during the two-week construction period with the new sets debuting on April 24, 2006 (portions of WHSV's previous set, built in 1999, were donated to nearby ]). News director ], who joined the station in December 2003, retired in August 2006 and was succeeded by former WHSV reporter Ed Reams, who left a job at ] in ] to return to the ]. On July 21, 2006, popular weather anchor Jay Webb left after six years with the station, accepting a job with ] in Roanoke, Virginia. Webb enjoyed a week-long send-off from his on-air colleagues before his final WHSV broadcast on July 21.

On October 30, 2006, WHSV-TV dropped '']'' from its longtime 5:30&nbsp;p.m. timeslot in favor of a half-hour newscast anchored by longtime reporter Melanie Lofton. This coincided with the debut of a new logo for the station, the retitling of the station's newscasts as ''WHSV News 3'' and updated graphics for its newscasts. While the logo itself was new, elements of the previous graphics package were retained. On November 27, 2006, WHSV dropped ]' "Making a Difference" in favor of ]'s "News One" as the theme music for its newscasts, which remained until 2015, when it was replaced by Stephen Arnold Music's "This is the Place."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.southernmedia-nmsa.com/#1,1,WHSV|title = News Music Search Archive}}</ref>

On April 7, 2008, the station's 5 and 5:30&nbsp;p.m. newscasts began featuring a three-anchor lineup consisting of Melanie Lofton, Bob Corso and meteorologist Tracy Turner. This new format came along with a new arrangement of the newscast.

On December 5, 2013, TV3 Winchester ceased its news operation.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tv3winchester.com/home/headlines/TV3-Winchester-officially--234620021.html |title=TV3 Winchester ceases local broadcast |access-date=December 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131205204608/http://www.tv3winchester.com/home/headlines/TV3-Winchester-officially--234620021.html |archive-date=December 5, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Notable former on-air staff===
*] – Current news anchor for ]
*] – ] winning news anchor and reporter for ] in ]

==Technical information==
===Subchannels===
The station's digital signal is ]: The station's digital signal is ]:
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of WHSV-TV<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WHSV|title=RabbitEars.Info|website=www.rabbitears.info}}</ref>
|-
! Channel ! Channel
! ] ! ]
! ] ! ]
! PSIP short name ! Short name
! Programming
! Programming<ref></ref>
|- |-
! scope = "row" | 3.1
| 3.1 || ] || rowspan="5"| ] || ABC-HD || Main WHSV-TV programming / ]
| ] || rowspan="6"| ] || ABC-HD || ]
|-
! scope = "row" | ]
| ] || style="background-color: #E6FFF7;"|NBC-HD || style="background-color: #E6FFF7;"|] (])
|- |-
! scope = "row" | 3.3
| ] || ] || NBC-HD || Simulcast of ] / ]
| rowspan=4| ] || ION-SD || ]
|- |-
! scope = "row" | 3.4
| 3.3 || rowspan=3| ] || ION-SD || ]
| MeTV-SD || ] & ]
|-
! scope = "row" | ]
| style="background-color: #E6FFF7;"|CBS-SD || style="background-color: #E6FFF7;"|] (]) in ]
|- |-
! scope = "row" | 3.6
| 3.4 || MeTV-SD || ] & ]
| Outlaw || ]
|-
| ] || CBS-SD || ] simulcast of ] / ]
|} |}
{{legend|#E6FFF7|Simulcast of subchannels of another station}}


===Translators=== ===Translators===
*'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|4688|3=WHSV-TV (DRT)}}''' 25 ]
{| class="sortable wikitable"
*'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|4688|3=WHSV-TV (DRT)}}''' 28 ]
|-
*'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|4688|3=WHSV-TV (DRT)}}''' 34 ]
! City of license
*'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|4688|3=WHSV-TV (DRT)}}''' 24 ]
! Callsign
*'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|69754|3=W33EJ-D}}''' 33 ]
! Channel
! ]
! ]
! ]
! Transmitter coordinates
! Owner
|-
|| ] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|4688|3=WHSV-TV (DRT)}}'''|| 15 || 15 kW || {{convert|186.9|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 4688 || {{coord|38|36|29.3|N|78|54|8.7|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WHSV-TV (DRT)}} || Gray Television
|-
|| ] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|4688|3=WHSV-TV (DRT)}}'''|| 28 || 15 kW || {{convert|639.7|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 4688 || {{coord|38|36|5|N|78|37|56|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WHSV-TV (DRT)}} || Gray Television
|-
|| ] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|4688|3=WHSV-TV (DRT)}}'''|| 34 || 15 kW || {{convert|507.6|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 4688 || {{coord|38|23|34.8|N|78|46|11.9|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WHSV-TV (DRT)}} || Gray Television
|-
|| ] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|4688|3=WHSV-TV (DRT)}}'''|| 24 || 15 kW || {{convert|401.4|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 4688 || {{coord|38|57|38|N|78|19|53|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WHSV-TV (DRT)}} || Gray Television
|-
|| ] ||'''{{FCC-LMS-Facility|69754|3=W33EJ-D}}'''|| 33 || 0.1 kW || {{convert|463|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 69754 || {{coord|38|58|57.3|N|78|54|30|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=W33EJ-D}} || Valley TV Cooperative, Inc.
|}


During the late summer and early fall of 2006, WHSV underwent major technical upgrades to make way for the station's new digital subchannels. A new transmitter tower was built behind the station's Harrisonburg studios to accommodate the additional satellite receivers needed for WHSV's Fox and ]-affiliated subchannels. WHSV's main analog transmitter was replaced during the week of August 31, 2006. Broadcasts were only available to viewers with cable while the transmitter was being replaced. During the late summer and early fall of 2006, WHSV underwent major technical upgrades to make way for the station's new digital subchannels. A new transmitter tower was built behind the station's Harrisonburg studios to accommodate the additional satellite receivers needed for WHSV's Fox and MyNetworkTV-affiliated subchannels. WHSV's main analog transmitter was replaced during the week of August 31, 2006. Broadcasts were only available to viewers with cable while the transmitter was being replaced.


On January 16, 2008, WHSV reached a carriage agreement with ] to add WHSV, and its ] and MyNetworkTV-affiliated ]s to the satellite providers' local channel lineup. On January 16, 2008, WHSV reached a carriage agreement with ] to add WHSV, and its Fox and MyNetworkTV-affiliated ]s to the satellite providers' local channel lineup.


WHSV originally planned on turning off its analog transmitter of February 17, 2009, the original deadline of the federally mandated ]. The station restored the signal the following Friday however, because several ] in communities such as ] that are owned by local cooperatives and county governments were unable to convert their transmitters to reconvert the digital signal into analog form,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101541768 |title=Digital TV Goes Dark For Some Rural Viewers |publisher=NPR |access-date=2011-08-06}}</ref> along with viewers who could receive Channel 3 signal well on analog, but not at all digitally. WHSV's broadcasts became digital-only, effective June 12, 2009. WHSV originally planned on turning off its analog transmitter of February 17, 2009, the original deadline of the federally mandated ]. The station restored the signal the following Friday however, because several ] in communities such as ] that are owned by local cooperatives and county governments were unable to convert their transmitters to reconvert the digital signal into analog form,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101541768 |title=Digital TV Goes Dark For Some Rural Viewers |website=NPR.org |publisher=NPR |access-date=August 6, 2011}}</ref> along with viewers who could receive Channel 3 signal well on analog, but not at all digitally. WHSV's broadcasts became digital-only, effective June 12, 2009.


===Spectrum reallocation, move to Staunton=== ===Spectrum reallocation, move to Staunton===
As part of the ], channels 38 through 51 were removed from television broadcasting. WHSV's channel 49 primary digital signal moved to channel 20 and relocated from its longtime site at Big Mountain near New Market to ] overlooking Staunton, where it operated a fill-in translator.<ref>{{cite web|title=Amendment to a Modification of a Licensed Facility for DTV Application|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff35f58800d015f693d86fe2808&id=25076ff35f58800d015f693d86fe2808&goBack=N|website=Licensing and Management System|publisher=]|access-date=May 31, 2018}}</ref> The ] (NRAO) objected to WHSV's continued operation from Big Mountain unless the ] in its direction was reduced to 0.2 ]s, which Gray claimed would have resulted in an unusable signal in Harrisonburg.<ref>{{cite web|title=WHSV-TV Unable to Construct Waiver|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/25076ff35c78b44d015c89664035187a|website=FCC LMS}}</ref> As part of the ], channels 38 through 51 were removed from television broadcasting. WHSV's channel 49 primary digital signal moved to channel 20 and relocated from its longtime site at Big Mountain near New Market to ] overlooking Staunton, where it operated a fill-in translator.<ref>{{cite web|title=Amendment to a Modification of a Licensed Facility for DTV Application|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff35f58800d015f693d86fe2808&id=25076ff35f58800d015f693d86fe2808&goBack=N|website=Licensing and Management System|publisher=]|access-date=May 31, 2018}}</ref> The ] (NRAO) objected to WHSV's continued operation from Big Mountain unless the ] in its direction was reduced to 0.2 ]s, which Gray claimed would have resulted in an unusable signal in Harrisonburg.<ref>{{cite web|title=WHSV-TV Unable to Construct Waiver|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/25076ff35c78b44d015c89664035187a|website=FCC LMS}}</ref>


Gray proposed a series of engineering changes and new translators to make up for lost coverage in the northern part of the Shenandoah Valley. The existing translator on channel 42 from ] near ], which was entirely directed toward ], moved to channel 24 and became less directional in order to also cover the valley.<ref>{{cite web|title=Minor Modification of a Digital Replacement Translator Licensed Facility Application|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f91633cf92d01635fc9b61d2b4f&id=25076f91633cf92d01635fc9b61d2b4f&goBack=N|website=Licensing and Management System|publisher=]|access-date=May 31, 2018}}</ref> Gray will convert the existing main transmitter site on Big Mountain to a translator on channel 28, allowing it to comply with the NRAO's objection by reorienting its signal to transmit to the east, toward ]. It has also applied for two other new translators: one directly across the valley from Big Mountain, on channel 15 from ] in ], and another on channel 34 from Massanutten Peak overlooking Harrisonburg, which has been built and signed on.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Digital Replacement Translator Construction Permit Application |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f916360b300016368eb300f0d4f&id=25076f916360b300016368eb300f0d4f&goBack=N|website=Licensing and Management System|publisher=]|access-date=May 31, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=New Digital Replacement Translator Construction Permit Application |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f916360b300016369e97f1c1528&id=25076f916360b300016369e97f1c1528&goBack=N|website=Licensing and Management System|publisher=]|access-date=May 31, 2018}}</ref> Gray proposed a series of engineering changes and new translators to make up for lost coverage in the northern part of the Shenandoah Valley. The existing translator on channel 42 from ] near ], which was entirely directed toward Winchester, moved to channel 24 and became less directional in order to also cover the valley.<ref>{{cite web|title=Minor Modification of a Digital Replacement Translator Licensed Facility Application|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f91633cf92d01635fc9b61d2b4f&id=25076f91633cf92d01635fc9b61d2b4f&goBack=N|website=Licensing and Management System|publisher=]|access-date=May 31, 2018}}</ref> Gray will convert the existing main transmitter site on Big Mountain to a translator on channel 28, allowing it to comply with the NRAO's objection by reorienting its signal to transmit to the east, toward ]. It has also applied for two other new translators: one directly across the valley from Big Mountain, on channel 15 from ] in ], and another on channel 34 from Massanutten Peak overlooking Harrisonburg, which has been built and signed on.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Digital Replacement Translator Construction Permit Application |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f916360b300016368eb300f0d4f&id=25076f916360b300016368eb300f0d4f&goBack=N|website=Licensing and Management System|publisher=]|access-date=May 31, 2018}}
*{{cite web|title=New Digital Replacement Translator Construction Permit Application |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f916360b300016369e97f1c1528&id=25076f916360b300016369e97f1c1528&goBack=N|website=Licensing and Management System|publisher=]|access-date=May 31, 2018}}
<ref>{{cite web|title=New Digital Replacement Translator Construction Permit Application |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff363828d790163b2b53e915bf1&id=25076ff363828d790163b2b53e915bf1&goBack=N|website=Licensing and Management System|publisher=]|access-date=June 1, 2018}}</ref> *{{cite web|title=New Digital Replacement Translator Construction Permit Application |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff363828d790163b2b53e915bf1&id=25076ff363828d790163b2b53e915bf1&goBack=N|website=Licensing and Management System|publisher=]|access-date=June 1, 2018}}</ref>


Gray applied for a waiver to begin operations from Elliott Knob by August 31, 2018, nearly two years before its original March 2020 deadline.<ref>{{cite web |title=DTV Legal STA Application |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/25076f916383e2fc0163b141a5ad59ed|website=Licensing and Management System|publisher=]|access-date=June 1, 2018}}</ref> Although the waiver was not yet approved, WHSV-TV announced the switch-over date as September 10 at midnight. When this date passed without approval, Gray reapplied to move WHSV's transition date to December 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Amendment to a DTV Legal STA Application |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff365ee8af8016612a79e472a46&id=25076ff365ee8af8016612a79e472a46&goBack=N#sect-attachments |website=FCC LMS}}</ref> The switch-over was completed on December 7.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Webb |first1=Jay |title=WHSV Channel Change |url=http://www.whsv.com/content/news/IMPORTANT-NOTICE-WHSV-Channel-Change-489783341.html |publisher=WHSV-TV |language=en}}</ref> Gray applied for a waiver to begin operations from Elliott Knob by August 31, 2018, nearly two years before its original March 2020 deadline.<ref>{{cite web |title=DTV Legal STA Application |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/25076f916383e2fc0163b141a5ad59ed|website=Licensing and Management System|publisher=]|access-date=June 1, 2018}}</ref> Although the waiver was not yet approved, WHSV-TV announced the switch-over date as September 10 at midnight. When this date passed without approval, Gray reapplied to move WHSV's transition date to December 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Amendment to a DTV Legal STA Application |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff365ee8af8016612a79e472a46&id=25076ff365ee8af8016612a79e472a46&goBack=N#sect-attachments |website=FCC LMS}}</ref> The switch-over was completed on December 7.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Webb |first1=Jay |title=WHSV Channel Change |url=http://www.whsv.com/content/news/IMPORTANT-NOTICE-WHSV-Channel-Change-489783341.html |publisher=WHSV-TV |language=en}}</ref>


==Notes==
==Local programming==
{{Notelist}}
In addition to its local newscasts and ABC network programs, WHSV produces other locally produced programs: ''The Endzone'' is a 40-minute sports highlight program covering ] games across the Shenandoah Valley that airs Fridays at 11:25&nbsp;p.m. during the high school football season. ''Sports X-tra'' is an online sports discussion show produced by WHSV's sports department, covering sports news from the previous week.

The station also produces the Sunday morning ] ''Light for Today'', which broadcasts from People's Baptist Church in Harrisonburg, and broadcasts the music and variety show ''Virginia Dreams Centerstage''. WHSV also sponsored an annual singing competition called "Voice of the Valley", an idea that was originated by former WHSV personality Jenelle Smith. Finalists are unveiled during the station's noon newscasts the week of the ] Fair with an hour-long live finale that is broadcast from the fair.

==News operation==
<!-- Deleted image removed: ] -->
The station's weekday morning newscast, ''WHSV News Daybreak'', has received recognition as one of the highest-rated local morning news programs in the United States.<ref>http://setxhomepage.com/content/fulltext/?cid=43882|Mike McNeil Profile, WHSV Daybreak Recognition</ref> WHSV utilizes ] and ] accounts to relay local news stories through ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.facebook.com/people/Whsv-Newsroom/645595931?sid=0 |title=Niet compatibele browser |publisher=Facebook |access-date=2011-08-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/WHSVnews |title=WHSVnews (WHSVnews) op Twitter |publisher=Twitter.com |access-date=2011-08-06}}</ref>

In the early 1990s, the station began producing a midday newscast at noon on weekdays. WHSV-TV purchased its first microwave live truck in 2004. Prior to that, the station relied on rented equipment for remote broadcasts. Since 2004, WHSV-TV has purchased additional microwave equipment for use by its news department.

2006 was a year of significant change at WHSV-TV. First on February 27, 2006, WHSV’s weekday morning newscast expanded from a 90-minute program to a two-hour program with the addition of a half-hour at 5 a.m.; this coincided with the debut of new weather technology purchased from ]. The station’s Harrisonburg and Augusta County news bureaus underwent a dramatic overhaul in April 2006, with the addition of new sets and studio camera equipment. WHSV newscasts were broadcast from a temporary studio in the Harrisonburg newsroom during the two-week construction period with the new sets debuting on April 24, 2006 (portions of WHSV’s previous set, built in 1999, were donated to nearby ]). News director ], who joined the station in December 2003, retired in August 2006 and was succeeded by former WHSV reporter Ed Reams, who left a job at ] in ] to return to the ]. On July 21, 2006, popular weather anchor Jay Webb left after six years with the station, accepting a job with ] in ]. Webb enjoyed a week-long send-off from his on-air colleagues before his final WHSV broadcast on July 21.

On October 30, 2006, WHSV-TV dropped '']'' from its longtime 5:30&nbsp;p.m. timeslot in favor of a half-hour newscast anchored by longtime reporter Melanie Lofton. This coincided with the debut of a new logo for the station, the retitling of the station's newscasts as ''WHSV News 3'' and updated graphics for its newscasts. While the logo itself was new, elements of the previous graphics package were retained. On November 27, 2006, WHSV dropped ]' "Making a Difference" in favor of ]'s "News One" as the theme music for its newscasts, which remained until 2015, when it was replaced by Stephen Arnold Music's "This is the Place."<ref>http://www.southernmedia-nmsa.com/#1,1,WHSV</ref>

On April 7, 2008, the station's 5 and 5:30&nbsp;p.m. newscasts began featuring a three-anchor lineup consisting of Melanie Lofton, Bob Corso and meteorologist Tracy Turner. This new format came along with a new arrangement of the newscast.

On December 5, 2013, TV3 Winchester ceased its news operation.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tv3winchester.com/home/headlines/TV3-Winchester-officially--234620021.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-12-05 |archive-url=https://archive.is/20131205204608/http://www.tv3winchester.com/home/headlines/TV3-Winchester-officially--234620021.html |archive-date=2013-12-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Former on-air personalities==
*Julie Banderas (Julie Bidwell while on air at WHSV-TV) – news correspondent and anchor for ]
*] – ] winning news anchor and reporter for ] in ]


==References== ==References==
Line 163: Line 150:


==External links== ==External links==
*{{official website|http://www.whsv.com/|mobile=http://www.whsv.com/PDAsite}} *{{official website|http://www.whsv.com/}}
*{{BIA|WHSV|TV|TV}}
*{{BIA|W33EJ-D|TV|TV}}


{{Harrisonburg TV}} {{Harrisonburg TV}}
{{Washington TV}}
{{ABC Virginia}} {{ABC Virginia}}
{{ION Virginia}} {{ION Virginia}}
{{Gray TV}} {{Gray TV}}


] ]
] ]
]
] ]
] ]
]
]
] ]
] ]

Latest revision as of 20:52, 13 December 2024

ABC/MyNetworkTV affiliate in Harrisonburg, Virginia

WHSV-TV
CityHarrisonburg, Virginia
Channels
Branding
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
Sister stationsWSVF-CD, WSVW-LD
History
First air dateOctober 1953 (71 years ago) (1953-10)
Former call signsWSVA-TV (1953–1976)
Former channel number(s)
  • Analog: 3 (VHF, 1953–2009)
  • Digital: 49 (UHF, 2006–2018)
Former affiliations
  • NBC (1953–1968)
  • DuMont (1953–1956)
  • CBS (secondary, 1953–1963)
  • NBC (secondary, 1968–1975)
  • Fox (secondary, 1994–1996)
Call sign meaningHarrisonburg, Shenandoah Valley
Technical information
Licensing authorityFCC
Facility ID4688
ERP271 kW
HAAT666.1 m (2,185.4 ft)
Transmitter coordinates38°9′55.8″N 79°18′44.9″W / 38.165500°N 79.312472°W / 38.165500; -79.312472
Translator(s)
Links
Public license information
Websitewww.whsv.com

WHSV-TV (channel 3) is a television station in Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States, affiliated with ABC. It is owned by Gray Television alongside two low-power stations: Class A dual Fox/CBS affiliate WSVF-CD (channel 43) and dual NBC/CW+ affiliate WSVW-LD (channel 30). The three stations share studios on North Main Street (US 11) in downtown Harrisonburg, and operate a newsroom in Fishersville, serving Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County. WHSV-TV's transmitter is located at Elliott Knob west of Staunton.

WHSV-TV operates four fill-in digital translators: on UHF channel 24 on Signal Knob near Strasburg, serving the Winchester−Front Royal area (in the Washington, D.C. television market); on UHF channel 25 licensed to Broadway and covering Woodstock and Mt. Jackson; on UHF 28 licensed to Luray and covering Page County; and on UHF channel 34 licensed to Massanutten and covering Harrisonburg. Its signal is also relayed in Moorefield, West Virginia, on low-power translator W33EJ-D, which is owned by Valley TV Cooperative, Inc.

As of December 1, 2019, WHSV is used to provide full-market over-the-air coverage of WSVW-LD (simulcast over WHSV-DT2) and WSVF-CD2 (simulcast over WHSV-DT5); however, only the WSVW-LD simulcast is aired in high definition.

History

Early years

Channel 3 signed on in October 1953, as WSVA-TV (for "We Serve Virginia Agriculture"). It was owned by Harrisonburg businessman Frederick L. Allman and his Shenandoah Valley Broadcasting Corporation along with WSVA radio (AM 550 and FM 100.7, now WQPO). The station was a primary NBC affiliate, with secondary CBS and ABC affiliations. The station also carried DuMont programs. It was the only commercial station between Richmond and Roanoke until WVIR-TV signed on from Charlottesville in 1973. Although it was owned by one of Virginia's leading broadcasters, WSVA-TV operated on a shoestring budget. Station engineers switched to and from the signals of the three network affiliates in Washington, D.C. because it was unable to afford direct network feeds. The station did not air any locally produced programs (except for local newscasts) until 1956, when it built a studio along U.S. Route 33 in unincorporated Rockingham County. That year, Allman sold the WSVA stations to Transcontinent Television of Buffalo, New York, with NBC executive Hamilton Shea as a minority partner. Allman earned a handsome return on his original investment in WSVA radio in 1935. In 1959, the Washington Evening Star, owner of WMAL AM-FM-TV in Washington, acquired Transcontinent's controlling interest, as well as 1% of Shea's stake. The CBS affiliation was dropped in 1963.

WSVA-TV logo, circa 1970.

In 1965, the Star sold the WSVA stations to James Gilmore Jr., a Michigan businessman; the sale was necessary because WMAL-TV's new tall tower would have caused a large grade B overlap with WSVA-TV. Under Gilmore's ownership, the station became a primary ABC affiliate in 1968. This was a very unusual move since, then as now, it was the only station in its market; ABC was not nearly on par with CBS and NBC in the ratings at the time (and would not be until the 1970s). It picked up NBC's morning program Today from 1968 until ABC debuted Good Morning America in 1975, but only aired the second hour of Today since the station did not sign on until 8 a.m. (a practice that continued well into the 1970s). Despite wealthier ownership, it was still unable to get a network feed. Occasionally, channel 3 accidentally aired WMAL-TV's commercials when engineers forgot to switch from WMAL-TV's signal during local breaks.

In 1975, channel 3 dropped the remaining NBC programs from its schedule. Gilmore sold WSVA-TV to Charlottesville-based Worrell Newspapers, publisher of The Daily Progress of Charlottesville, in 1976. Later that year, the station assumed its current WHSV-TV callsign. Under Worrell, the station was finally able to acquire a direct network feed. WHSV launched a translator on UHF channel 64 in Charlottesville in 1979. WHSV marked Worrell's entry into broadcasting; the company would subsequently add WIFR-TV in Rockford, Illinois and WBNB-TV in Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands to its group before selling the three stations to Benedek Broadcasting in 1986.

Since 1990s

In 1994, Fox approached WHSV regarding a secondary affiliation to provide over-the-air access to the network's new NFL coverage, including most games of the regional Washington Redskins (now the Washington Commanders). WHSV signed a two-year contract and did not renew it after the 1995–96 season due to unsatisfactory ratings. This didn't pose as much of a problem as it seemed on paper, as WTTG in Washington was (and still is) available on cable in the area. Construction of a new broadcast facility in downtown Harrisonburg began in 1998, with WHSV relocating there in the spring of 1999.

WHSV-TV logo, used from 1996 to 1999.

Benedek went bankrupt in 2002, and most of its stations, including WHSV, were bought by Gray Television. A 5 p.m. weekday newscast was also added that same year. At that time, a new set was constructed in the station's Augusta County newsroom in Staunton. The streetside set featured a window overlooking downtown Staunton along West Frederick Street. The 5 p.m. weekday newscast became WHSV's first newscast to originate from the Augusta County Newsroom. In October 2003, WHSV began originating its 5 p.m. newscast from both Harrisonburg and Staunton. WHSV's 6 p.m. weekday newscast also originated from both Staunton and Harrisonburg for a brief period in the spring of 2004. During that time, WHSV's 6 p.m. weekday newscast featured three anchors. The three-anchor, dual-city format was abandoned after a few months.

WHSV logo, used from 1999 to 2006.

In August 2004, WHSV management began providing managerial, sales and human resources support to Gray Television's upstart CBS affiliate WCAV in Charlottesville. Several members of WHSV's news and production staff transferred to WCAV following its launch. That same year, WHSV's Charlottesville translator was broken off as a separate station serving as the market's ABC affiliate, WVAW-LP on channel 16.

To this day, WHSV remains the only full-power commercial station in the Shenandoah Valley. This is due to the area's small population, as well as the fact that virtually all of the market is located in the United States National Radio Quiet Zone. Low-powered sister stations WSVF-CD and WSVW-LD now provide complete major-network service to the market. However, cable television providers still supplement the area with stations from Washington, Richmond or Charlottesville, depending on the location.

Subchannel history

WHSV-DT3

WHSV-DT3 is the Ion Television-affiliated third digital subchannel of WHSV-TV, broadcasting in 16:9 widescreen standard definition on channel 3.3.

On March 5, 2007, WHSV launched "TV3 Winchester", an ABC affiliate for Winchester, Virginia. The station was a joint project between WHSV and Shenandoah University. Along with Winchester, the station served Frederick, Clarke, Warren and Shenandoah counties in Virginia. Although TV3 Winchester transmitted an over-the-air signal on WHSV-DT3, it could only be seen on cable in its primary coverage area. TV3 Winchester ceased operations on December 5, 2013; WHSV-DT3 remained vacant until October 2018 when a standard definition feed of Ion Television was eventually added to that subchannel.

WHSV-DT4

WHSV-DT4 is the dual MyNetworkTV/MeTV-affiliated fourth digital subchannel of WHSV-TV, broadcasting in 16:9 widescreen standard definition on channel 3.4. Outside MyNetworkTV programming, there is no syndicated fare since MeTV takes up all of the remaining broadcasting time.

A new transmitter tower was built behind WHSV's Harrisonburg studios to accommodate the additional satellite receivers needed for both channels. The station began broadcasting on the date of MyNetworkTV's launch, September 5, 2006. The CW affiliation for the market went to Charlottesville-based NBC affiliate WVIR-TV which broadcasts the network on a third digital subchannel through The CW Plus programming service. On September 24, 2012, WHSV-DT4 added a secondary affiliation with the Weigel-owned classic television network MeTV, with the network's programming replacing syndicated programs previously seen outside of MyNetworkTV's prime time schedule.

Newscasts

WHSV-DT4 does not carry any live newscasts produced by WHSV that are exclusive to the subchannel. Rather, it airs repeats of newscasts seen on the main channel including the two-hour weekday morning show (at 7) and the nightly 6 o'clock broadcast (at 7). The subchannel also simulcasts the weeknight half-hour prime time newscast at 10 from Fox affiliate WSVF-CD. Even if this program is delayed or preempted on the Fox station, it still airs in the regular time slot on WHSV-DT4. In addition, this subchannel may occasionally air WHSV's 11 p.m. newscast normally seen on the main channel on Saturday evenings in the event there are delays or a preemption due to ABC sports programming. The 10 o'clock program maintains a dedicated news anchor and reporter separate from newscasts on WHSV.

Local programming

In addition to its local newscasts and ABC network programs, WHSV produces other locally produced programs: The Endzone is a 40-minute sports highlight program covering high school football games across the Shenandoah Valley that airs Fridays at 11:25 p.m. during the high school football season. Sports X-tra is an online sports discussion show produced by WHSV's sports department, covering sports news from the previous week.

The station also produces the Sunday morning religious program Light for Today, which broadcasts from People's Baptist Church in Harrisonburg, and broadcasts the music and variety show Virginia Dreams Centerstage. WHSV also sponsored an annual singing competition called "Voice of the Valley", an idea that was originated by former WHSV personality Jenelle Smith. Finalists are unveiled during the station's noon newscasts the week of the Rockingham County Fair with an hour-long live finale that is broadcast from the fair.

News operation

The station's weekday morning newscast, WHSV News Daybreak, has received recognition as one of the highest-rated local morning news programs in the United States. WHSV utilizes Facebook and Twitter accounts to relay local news stories through social media.

In the early 1990s, the station began producing a midday newscast at noon on weekdays. WHSV-TV purchased its first microwave live truck in 2004. Prior to that, the station relied on rented equipment for remote broadcasts. Since 2004, WHSV-TV has purchased additional microwave equipment for use by its news department.

2006 was a year of significant change at WHSV-TV. First on February 27, 2006, WHSV's weekday morning newscast expanded from a 90-minute program to a two-hour program with the addition of a half-hour at 5 a.m.; this coincided with the debut of new weather technology purchased from Weather Services International. The station's Harrisonburg and Augusta County news bureaus underwent a dramatic overhaul in April 2006, with the addition of new sets and studio camera equipment. WHSV newscasts were broadcast from a temporary studio in the Harrisonburg newsroom during the two-week construction period with the new sets debuting on April 24, 2006 (portions of WHSV's previous set, built in 1999, were donated to nearby Turner Ashby High School). News director Van Hackett, who joined the station in December 2003, retired in August 2006 and was succeeded by former WHSV reporter Ed Reams, who left a job at WDSU in New Orleans to return to the Shenandoah Valley. On July 21, 2006, popular weather anchor Jay Webb left after six years with the station, accepting a job with WDBJ in Roanoke, Virginia. Webb enjoyed a week-long send-off from his on-air colleagues before his final WHSV broadcast on July 21.

On October 30, 2006, WHSV-TV dropped The Andy Griffith Show from its longtime 5:30 p.m. timeslot in favor of a half-hour newscast anchored by longtime reporter Melanie Lofton. This coincided with the debut of a new logo for the station, the retitling of the station's newscasts as WHSV News 3 and updated graphics for its newscasts. While the logo itself was new, elements of the previous graphics package were retained. On November 27, 2006, WHSV dropped Gari Communications' "Making a Difference" in favor of 615 Music's "News One" as the theme music for its newscasts, which remained until 2015, when it was replaced by Stephen Arnold Music's "This is the Place."

On April 7, 2008, the station's 5 and 5:30 p.m. newscasts began featuring a three-anchor lineup consisting of Melanie Lofton, Bob Corso and meteorologist Tracy Turner. This new format came along with a new arrangement of the newscast.

On December 5, 2013, TV3 Winchester ceased its news operation.

Notable former on-air staff

Technical information

Subchannels

The station's digital signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of WHSV-TV
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
3.1 720p 16:9 ABC-HD ABC
3.2 1080i NBC-HD NBC (WSVW-LD)
3.3 480i ION-SD Ion Television
3.4 MeTV-SD MyNetworkTV & MeTV
3.5 CBS-SD CBS (WSVF-CD2) in SD
3.6 Outlaw Outlaw
  Simulcast of subchannels of another station

Translators

During the late summer and early fall of 2006, WHSV underwent major technical upgrades to make way for the station's new digital subchannels. A new transmitter tower was built behind the station's Harrisonburg studios to accommodate the additional satellite receivers needed for WHSV's Fox and MyNetworkTV-affiliated subchannels. WHSV's main analog transmitter was replaced during the week of August 31, 2006. Broadcasts were only available to viewers with cable while the transmitter was being replaced.

On January 16, 2008, WHSV reached a carriage agreement with DirecTV to add WHSV, and its Fox and MyNetworkTV-affiliated digital subchannels to the satellite providers' local channel lineup.

WHSV originally planned on turning off its analog transmitter of February 17, 2009, the original deadline of the federally mandated digital conversion. The station restored the signal the following Friday however, because several translator stations in communities such as Bergton that are owned by local cooperatives and county governments were unable to convert their transmitters to reconvert the digital signal into analog form, along with viewers who could receive Channel 3 signal well on analog, but not at all digitally. WHSV's broadcasts became digital-only, effective June 12, 2009.

Spectrum reallocation, move to Staunton

As part of the 2016–17 spectrum reallocation auction, channels 38 through 51 were removed from television broadcasting. WHSV's channel 49 primary digital signal moved to channel 20 and relocated from its longtime site at Big Mountain near New Market to Elliott Knob overlooking Staunton, where it operated a fill-in translator. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) objected to WHSV's continued operation from Big Mountain unless the effective radiated power in its direction was reduced to 0.2 watts, which Gray claimed would have resulted in an unusable signal in Harrisonburg.

Gray proposed a series of engineering changes and new translators to make up for lost coverage in the northern part of the Shenandoah Valley. The existing translator on channel 42 from Signal Knob near Front Royal, which was entirely directed toward Winchester, moved to channel 24 and became less directional in order to also cover the valley. Gray will convert the existing main transmitter site on Big Mountain to a translator on channel 28, allowing it to comply with the NRAO's objection by reorienting its signal to transmit to the east, toward Page County. It has also applied for two other new translators: one directly across the valley from Big Mountain, on channel 15 from North Mountain in Broadway, and another on channel 34 from Massanutten Peak overlooking Harrisonburg, which has been built and signed on.

Gray applied for a waiver to begin operations from Elliott Knob by August 31, 2018, nearly two years before its original March 2020 deadline. Although the waiver was not yet approved, WHSV-TV announced the switch-over date as September 10 at midnight. When this date passed without approval, Gray reapplied to move WHSV's transition date to December 2018. The switch-over was completed on December 7.

Notes

  1. The station's sign-on date is disputed; the Broadcasting and Cable Yearbook says October 19, the Television and Cable Factbook says October 9, and the station's history cards say October 12.

References

  1. "Broadcasting Station License Record WHSV-TV" (PDF). licensing.fcc.gov. September 14, 1953.
  2. "Facility Technical Data for WHSV-TV". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. "Digital TV Market Listing for W33EJ-D". RabbitEars.Info. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  4. "Television Highlights". Cumberland Evening Times. Cumberland, MD. June 1, 1954. p. 21.
  5. "Brisk buying surge swaps four stations, $7.7 million" (PDF). Broadcasting-Telecasting. April 9, 1956. pp. 35–6. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  6. "Changing hands" (PDF). Broadcasting. August 10, 1959. p. 54. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  7. "Four stations sold for $6.8 million" (PDF). Broadcasting. June 7, 1965. pp. 79–80. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  8. ^ "Worrell Newspapers Purchases TV Station". The Middlesboro Daily News. June 9, 1976. p. 11. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  9. "Changing Hands" (PDF). Broadcasting. September 22, 1986. p. 86. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  10. "With Ratings Only So-So, WHSV Drops Fox's Redskins". Daily News-Record. March 4, 1996. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  11. McClellan, Steve (April 2, 2002). "Gray Communications to buy Benedek". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  12. "Where to Watch MeTV In Harrisonburg". © 2018 MeTV National Limited Partnership. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  13. http://setxhomepage.com/content/fulltext/?cid=43882%7CMike McNeil Profile, WHSV Daybreak Recognition
  14. "Niet compatibele browser". Facebook. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  15. "WHSVnews (WHSVnews) op Twitter". Twitter.com. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  16. "News Music Search Archive".
  17. "TV3 Winchester ceases local broadcast". Archived from the original on December 5, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  18. "RabbitEars.Info". www.rabbitears.info.
  19. "Digital TV Goes Dark For Some Rural Viewers". NPR.org. NPR. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  20. "Amendment to a Modification of a Licensed Facility for DTV Application". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  21. "WHSV-TV Unable to Construct Waiver". FCC LMS.
  22. "Minor Modification of a Digital Replacement Translator Licensed Facility Application". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  23. "New Digital Replacement Translator Construction Permit Application [Luray]". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  24. "DTV Legal STA Application". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  25. "Amendment to a DTV Legal STA Application". FCC LMS.
  26. Webb, Jay. "WHSV Channel Change". WHSV-TV.

External links

Broadcast television in the Harrisonburg area
Reception may vary by location and some stations may only be viewable with cable television
Local stations
Defunct stations
Virginia broadcast television areas by city
Bristol
Bluefield
Charlottesville
Harrisonburg
Norfolk
Richmond
Roanoke
Washington, D.C.
ABC network affiliates licensed to and serving the Commonwealth of Virginia
Primary*
Secondary**
(*) – indicates station is in one of Virginia's primary TV markets
(**) – indicates station is in an out-of-state TV market, but reaches a small portion of Virginia
See also
ABC
CBS
CW
Fox
Ion
MyNetworkTV
NBC
PBS
Other stations in Virginia
Ion network affiliates licensed to and serving the Commonwealth of Virginia
Primary*
Secondary**
(*) – indicates station is in one of Virginia's primary TV markets
(**) – indicates station is in an out-of-state TV market, but reaches a small portion of Virginia
See also
ABC
CBS
CW
Fox
Ion
MyNetworkTV
NBC
PBS
Other stations in Virginia
Gray Television
sorted by primary channel network affiliations
ABC
CBS
Fox
NBC
The CW
MyNetworkTV
Telemundo
Other
Radio stations
Programming
Other assets
Acquisitions
  • Owned by American Spirit Media; Gray operates these stations through an SSA.
  • Owned by SagamoreHill Broadcasting; Gray operates these stations through an SSA.
  • Owned by Tegna Inc.; Gray operates these stations through an SSA.
  • Owned by Gray; E. W. Scripps Company operates this station through an SSA.
  • Owned by Tougaloo College and operated by American Spirit Media through a JSA; Gray provides limited engineering support through an SSA.
  • Owned by Branson Visitors TV; Gray holds a 50.1% interest in this company.
Categories: