# WWMT > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/WWMT > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/WWMT.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWMT > Source revision: 1347403955 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Television station in Kalamazoo, Michigan}} {{for|the band formerly named World Wide Message Tribe|The Tribe (dance band)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2025}} {{Infobox television station | callsign = WWMT | city = Kalamazoo, Michigan | logo = WWMT 3 2020.svg | logo_alt = A blue box with a gold CBS eye and script numeral 3. Two gold curved accent areas surround it, the top one taller and containing the words "News Channel". | logo_size = 175px | image = Arc West Michigan WWMT.svg | image_alt = A blue tilted trapezoid with rounded edges containing the letters a r c, next to the words "West Michigan" in a thin sans serif in gray | image_size = 200px | branding = {{ubl|News Channel 3|ARC West Michigan (3.2)}} | digital = 8 ([VHF](/source/VHF)) | virtual = 3 | affiliations = {{ubl|'''3.1:''' [CBS](/source/CBS)|'''3.2:''' [Independent](/source/Independent_station)|''for others, see {{Section link||Subchannels}}''}} | owner = [Sinclair Broadcast Group](/source/Sinclair_Broadcast_Group) | licensee = WWMT Licensee, [LLC](/source/LLC) | location = {{ubl|[Kalamazoo](/source/Kalamazoo)–[Grand Rapids](/source/Grand_Rapids)–|[Battle Creek, Michigan](/source/Battle_Creek%2C_Michigan)}} | country = United States | airdate = {{Start date|1950|6|1}} | callsign_meaning = We're West Michigan Television | former_callsigns = WKZO-TV (1950–1985) | former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 3 (VHF, 1950–2009)|'''Digital:''' 2 (VHF, until 2009)}} | former_affiliations = {{ubl|[DuMont](/source/DuMont_Television_Network) (secondary, 1950–1955)|[NBC](/source/NBC) (secondary, 1950–1960)|[ABC](/source/American_Broadcasting_Company) (secondary, 1950–1962)|[The CW](/source/The_CW) (3.2, 2006–2023)}} | erp = 25 [kW](/source/kW) | haat = {{convert|317|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} | facility_id = 74195 | coordinates = {{Coord|42|37|56|N|85|32|16|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}} | licensing_authority = [FCC](/source/FCC) | website = {{url|https://wwmt.com/}} }} '''WWMT''' (channel 3) is a [television station](/source/television_station) in [Kalamazoo, Michigan](/source/Kalamazoo%2C_Michigan), United States, serving [West Michigan](/source/West_Michigan) as an affiliate of [CBS](/source/CBS). The station is owned by [Sinclair Broadcast Group](/source/Sinclair_Broadcast_Group) and maintains studios on West Maple Street in Kalamazoo; its transmitter is located north of [Gun Lake](/source/Gun_Lake%2C_Michigan), along [M-179](/source/M-179_(Michigan_highway)). WWMT went on the air on June 1, 1950, as WKZO-TV. Owned by [John Fetzer](/source/John_Fetzer) alongside [WKZO](/source/WKZO_(AM)) radio in Kalamazoo, the station was a CBS affiliate from shortly after its first telecast—though it aired various programs from other networks as late as 1962—and the second television station on the air in West Michigan. WKZO-TV expanded into local news in 1953; its coverage generally lagged behind the other stations, though its strongest ratings were in the southern portion of the market that included Kalamazoo. Fetzer sold his remaining TV stations to [Gillett Communications](/source/Gillett_Communications) in 1985, and channel 3 changed its [call sign](/source/call_signs_in_the_United_States) to WWMT that December. Under Gillett and Busse Broadcasting, a management buyout of five smaller-market Gillett stations, the station became more competitive not only in the Kalamazoo area but in the broader media market as it invested in its newscasts, improving equipment and adding morning coverage. After two years of ownership by [Granite Broadcasting](/source/Granite_Broadcasting), [Freedom Communications](/source/Freedom_Communications) acquired WWMT in 1998. Under Freedom, the station launched a subchannel affiliated with [The CW](/source/The_CW) in 2006. Sinclair acquired the Freedom TV stations in 2012. ==History== ===Early years=== The Fetzer Broadcasting Company filed an application on May 12, 1948, seeking to build a television station in [Kalamazoo](/source/Kalamazoo%2C_Michigan), and the [Federal Communications Commission](/source/Federal_Communications_Commission) (FCC) granted a [construction permit](/source/construction_permit) to Fetzer on July 29.{{Cite web|url=https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=97910|title=History Cards for WWMT|publisher=[Federal Communications Commission](/source/Federal_Communications_Commission)}} WKZO-TV began broadcasting its first test signals on April 6, 1950,{{Cite news |date=April 7, 1950 |title=TV Brings Senate 'Red' Proceedings To Local Viewers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-tv-brings-senate/187692969/ |access-date=December 29, 2025 |work=The Battle Creek Enquirer and News |page=21}} and by May it was telecasting slide and film programs on a test basis.{{Cite news |date=May 24, 1950 |title=Kalamazoo TV Tests Come in Strong Here |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-kalamazoo-tv-tests/187692959/ |access-date=December 29, 2025 |work=Battle Creek Enquirer |pages=20}} The station began airing regular programs on June 1, 1950,{{Cite news|title=WKZO-TV Starts Program Service Thursday|date=May 29, 1950|page=A5|work=Broadcasting|id={{pq|1401180846}} }} and network programming on July 9 as the 20th primary affiliate of [CBS](/source/CBS); network programs were received from [WJBK-TV](/source/WJBK-TV) in [Detroit](/source/Detroit) and [microwaved](/source/microwave_transmission) across the state.{{Cite news |date=June 25, 1950 |title=WKZO Joins TV Network July Ninth: One of 20 Key Stations Selected by CBS |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-wkzo-joins-tv-netw/187692697/ |access-date=December 30, 2025 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-wkzo-joins-tv-netw/187692712/ 2]}} The CBS affiliation matched Fetzer's [WKZO](/source/WKZO_(AM)) radio station in Kalamazoo.{{r|BC500703}} In addition to CBS, the station aired some programming from [NBC](/source/NBC){{Cite news |date=July 2, 1950 |title=Kalamazoo TV Will Start Schedules on July 9: New Programs Ready For Set Owners in Area |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-kalamazoo-tv-will/187692588/ |access-date=December 30, 2025 |work=The Battle Creek Enquirer and News|page=3:1}} and the [DuMont Television Network](/source/DuMont_Television_Network).{{Cite news|page=A6|date=July 3, 1950|work=Broadcasting|title=DuMont Adds WKZO-TV|id={{pq|1401186164}} }} In 1953, the station upgraded its [effective radiated power](/source/effective_radiated_power) to 80,000 watts after [WTMJ-TV](/source/WTMJ-TV) in [Milwaukee](/source/Milwaukee) moved from channel 3 to channel 4,{{Cite news |date=July 11, 1953 |title=To Increase Power |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-to-increase-power/187866689/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=Enquirer and News |pages=3}} followed by a second increase to 100,000 watts in 1954.{{Cite news|title=WKZO-TV Boosts to 100 Kw|work=Broadcasting|date=August 16, 1954|page=100|id={{pq|1285706081}} }} WKZO-TV was the second television station in [West Michigan](/source/West_Michigan) and the fifth in the state, coming on the air less than a year after WLAV-TV (channel 7, now [WOOD-TV](/source/WOOD-TV) on channel 8) began in August 1949. The owner of Fetzer Broadcasting Company, [John Fetzer](/source/John_Fetzer), later recalled, "I was broke when I decided to get into television" and that his attorney and wife were skeptical of the new medium's prospects. To help finance the station, Fetzer bartered for the use of equipment from manufacturer Federal Telephone and Radio Corporation in exchange for being used in Federal promotional materials.{{r|Kala890430}} Early local programs included agricultural and women's programs as well as sponsored soapbox derby races.{{Cite news |date=September 18, 1999 |title=Before syndicates filled airtime, WKZO-TV carried more local entertainment programming |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-before-syndicates/187692614/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |page=Tales of the Century 16|first=Christopher|last=Horb}} Another long-running program was the children's show ''Channel 3 Clubhouse'', which debuted in 1956 and ran as a daily feature before moving to weekends in 1984.{{Cite news |date=January 27, 1984 |title=WKZO-TV 'Channel 3 Clubhouse' to move to weekends |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-wkzo-tv-channel-3/187720813/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |page=C-6|first=Tom|last=Haroldson}} Originally sharing studios with WKZO radio in the Burdick Hotel, which was billed as "Block Long Radio City",{{Cite news |date=April 30, 1989 |title=TV pioneer looks back fondly |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-tv-pioneer-looks-b/187692781/ |access-date=December 30, 2025 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-fetzer/187692801/ A2]|first=Tom|last=Haroldson}} in 1956, Fetzer announced the acquisition of land and a building at Maple Street and Crosstown Parkway to build new studios for WKZO-TV.{{Cite news|title=Fetzer Co. Plans New Center To House WKZO-TV Facilities|page=105|work=Broadcasting|date=June 18, 1956|id={{pq|1285728845}} }} The facility, known as Broadcast House, was completed in June 1958. It featured two television studios and a studio designed for simulcast radio and television programs.{{Cite news |date=June 29, 1958 |title=Radio, TV Station In Its New Home: Fetzer Broadcasting Company Plans Public Showing of Facilities |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-radio-tv-station/187751058/ |access-date=December 30, 2025 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |pages=43}} In 1961, transmission of WKZO-TV moved to a more northerly site in [Barry County](/source/Barry_County%2C_Michigan), near [Gun Lake](/source/Gun_Lake%2C_Michigan), where that station and co-owned [WBCT](/source/WBCT) were installed on a {{convert|1130|ft|m|adj=on}} tower.{{Cite news |date=April 23, 1961 |title=Spears in the Sky Will Serve Area TV Stations |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-spears-in-the-sky/187676972/ |access-date=December 30, 2025 |work=Battle Creek Enquirer and News|pages=2:2}}{{Cite news |date=August 17, 1961 |title=Television Towers Reach Skyward |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-television-towers/187677410/ |access-date=December 30, 2025 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |pages=36}} The next year, the station—which had carried selected [ABC](/source/American_Broadcasting_Company) programs—dropped them when [WZZM-TV](/source/WZZM) (channel 13) began in [Grand Rapids](/source/Grand_Rapids%2C_Michigan).{{Cite news |date=November 14, 1962 |title=Few Enjoy Channel 13: Time Needed to Adjust Both Sets and Stations |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-few-enjoy-channel/143509909/ |access-date=December 30, 2025 |work=Battle Creek Enquirer and News|pages=4:4|first=Bill|last=Tompkins}} In 1956, Fetzer was part of an 11-member group that bought the [Detroit Tigers](/source/Detroit_Tigers) baseball team,{{Cite news|title=Radio-TV Foursome Part Of Syndicate That Bags Det. Tigers for $5,500,000|work=Variety|date=July 18, 1956|page=23|id={{pq|963059684}} }} becoming the sole owner in 1962.{{Cite news|title=Fetzer to receive NAB's top honor|page=36|work=Broadcasting|date=January 20, 1969|id={{pq|1016852237}} }} Fetzer had initially become involved to protect the rights to broadcast the club for his stations;{{Cite news |date=1991-02-21 |title=Varied interests filled Fetzer's life |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-varied-interests-f/187894613/ |access-date=2026-01-01 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-fetzer/187894629/ B5]}} Channel 3 remained on the Tigers network through 1995.{{Cite news |date=1996-03-31 |title=Tiger television moves to WXMI, Channel 17 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-tiger-television-m/187893163/ |access-date=2026-01-01 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |page=D2|first=Paul|last=Morgan}} WWMT debuted its first newscast on April 5, 1953, with Hugh Harper as the first anchorman. The WKZO radio and television news operations were combined; for instance, Karl Guenther was the farm director for radio and produced an agricultural TV show, ''Michigan Reports''.{{cite news |last=Hager |first=Dave |title=On The Air: Newsmen look back on 50 years of local TV |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-on-the-air-newsma/186915720/ |access-date=December 16, 2025 |newspaper=Kalamazoo Gazette |date=October 22, 2000 |location=Kalamazoo, Michigan |pages=C3, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-tv/186915790/ C5] |via=Newspapers.com}} However, its record in local news coverage was lacking. In 1973, WKZO-TV ranked in the bottom ten among 140 stations in the top 50 television markets in the percentage of airtime devoted to news and public affairs programming{{Cite news |date=July 8, 1973 |title=Refutes Johnson WKZO Charges: Carl Lee Slaps Back At FCC Attack |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-refutes-johnson-wk/187868102/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |page=F-4|agency=Associated Press}}{{Cite news |date=December 18, 1977 |title=Any stodginess reflects viewer's wants, Ebel argues |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lincoln-journal-star-any-stodginess-refl/176083887/ |access-date=December 30, 2025 |work=Lincoln Sunday Journal and Star |page=12TV}} and at the bottom in employing minorities, according to a report produced by [Nicholas Johnson](/source/Nicholas_Johnson).{{cite news|pages=25–26|title=Media: Johnson bequeaths a morning line on net affiliates in top-50 markets|work=Broadcasting|date=July 9, 1973|id={{pq|1016872742}} }} In 1981, WKZO established facilities to provide live transmission of news material from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, where previously tapes had to be driven an hour for broadcast.{{Cite news |date=September 25, 1981 |title=Channel 3 adds microwave for Grand Rapids news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-channel-3-adds-mi/158346275/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Grand Rapids Press |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-tune-in/158346287/ 2B]|first=Mark|last=Newman}} WKZO found itself in third place in overall market ratings,{{Cite news |date=January 22, 1985 |title=WKZO shakes up its news operation |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-wkzo-shakes-up-its/187707025/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |page=C6|first=Tom|last=Haroldson}} including in second place in Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties (losing to WOTV), and its image lagged in the community, where people often joked about channel 3's news.{{Cite news |date=April 12, 1987 |title=Turnaround: WWMT-Channel 3 is no longer the laughingstock of TV news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-turnaround-wwmt/187708885/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Grand Rapids Press |pages=J1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-channel-3/187708817/ J2]|first=Ruth|last=Butler}} ===Gillett and Busse ownership=== After 35 years of ownership, in August 1985, Fetzer announced the sale of WKZO-TV—as well as [KOLN and KGIN-TV](/source/KOLN) in central Nebraska and [KMEG](/source/KMEG) in [Sioux City, Iowa](/source/Sioux_City%2C_Iowa)—to [Gillett Communications](/source/Gillett_Communications) of [Nashville, Tennessee](/source/Nashville%2C_Tennessee).{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lincoln-star-nashville-firm-buys-kol/176084274/|date=August 17, 1985|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lincoln-star-koln-kgin/176084295/ 11]|first=Gerry|last=Switzer|title=Nashville firm buys KOLN, KGIN stations|newspaper=The Lincoln Star|location=Lincoln, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 11, 2025}} WKZO radio remained with Fetzer, and as a result, the call sign for WKZO-TV changed to WWMT when Gillett took over on December 5, 1985.{{Cite news |date=December 5, 1985 |title=WKZO-TV now WWMT |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-wkzo-tv-now-wwmt/187692662/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |page=C12|first=Tom|last=Haroldson}} Gillett canceled ''Channel 3 Clubhouse'', whose tapings interfered with the production of local newscasts,{{Cite news |date=January 28, 1986 |title='Channel 3 Clubhouse' closed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-channel-3-clubhou/187720938/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |page=B4|first=Tom|last=Haroldson}} and ''Accent'', the long-running news and features program descended from the station's ''Feminine Fancies'' of the 1950s.{{Cite news |date=March 4, 1986 |title='Accent' slips from Channel 3 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-accent-slips-fro/187892103/ |access-date=January 1, 2026 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |page=D6|first=Tom|last=Haroldson}} The new owner set out to bolster the news department. It hired [John Lansing](/source/John_Lansing_(journalist)) from [WAVE](/source/WAVE_(TV)) in [Louisville, Kentucky](/source/Louisville%2C_Kentucky), to serve as WWMT's news director,{{Cite news |date=January 17, 1986 |title=New news is news at WWMT-TV |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-new-news-is-news-a/187708470/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |page=C8|first=Tom|last=Haroldson}} invested $1 million into technical improvements, and upgraded the station's syndicated programming inventory.{{Cite news |date=December 28, 1986 |title=Channel 3's chief pleased with station's new look in '86 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-channel-3s-chief/187692199/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |pages=F1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-lyons/187692213/ F2]|first=Tom|last=Haroldson}} A new anchor, Barry Shanley, was hired from WZZM. News staff were no longer burdened by the triple responsibility of being television reporters, radio reporters, and photographers.{{r|Gran870412}} In 1987, Gillett conducted a buyout of [Storer Communications](/source/Storer_Communications). With this acquisition, Gillett now had 14 stations, more than the limit of 12 then in place. Five of Gillett's smaller stations, including WWMT, were spun off to a new company, Busse Broadcasting Corporation, which was run by and named for the former general manager of [WEAU-TV](/source/WEAU-TV) in [Eau Claire, Wisconsin](/source/Eau_Claire%2C_Wisconsin), one of the stations included in the transaction.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122243356/weau-tv-being-sold-to-busse/|date=June 26, 1987|page=12A|first=Rod|last=Stetzer|title=WEAU-TV being sold to Busse Broadcasting Corp.|newspaper=Leader-Telegram|location=Eau Claire, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 5, 2023|archive-date=April 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405041711/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122243356/weau-tv-being-sold-to-busse/|url-status=live}} Busse Broadcasting was originally announced to be owned by Lawrence A. Busse and a trust set up for George N. Gillett Jr.'s children; the FCC rejected complaints from members of Congress after Gillett himself bought non-voting stock in the company.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122243383/fcc-rejects-congressional-complaint/|date=November 5, 1987|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122243367/fcc-ruling/ 12]|first=Janet|last=Howard|agency=Medill News Service|title=FCC rejects congressional complaint about transfer of Gillett TV stations|newspaper=The Lincoln Star|location=Lincoln, Nebraska|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 5, 2023|archive-date=April 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405041635/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122243383/fcc-rejects-congressional-complaint/|url-status=live}} Busse Broadcasting was headquartered in Kalamazoo.{{Cite news |date=October 26, 1987 |title=WWMT's Busse keeps Gillett style |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-wwmts-busse-keeps/187708690/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |pages=C1|first=Tom|last=Haroldson}} By the time Lansing departed for [KARE](/source/KARE_(TV)) in [Minneapolis](/source/Minneapolis) in 1988, WWMT was again number-one in its home area and a more competitive third-place outlet in the larger media market.{{Cite news |date=September 17, 1988 |title=News director John Lansing leaving Channel 3 for Minnesota job |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-news-director-john/187692532/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |page=A3|first=Tom|last=Haroldson}} WWMT began airing a morning newscast in 1989.{{Cite news |date=April 24, 1989 |title=This radio name may grow on us |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-this-radio-name-m/187878809/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Grand Rapids Press |page=D6|first=Ruth|last=Butler}} This was followed by the institution of weekday noon and weekend morning newscasts in 1992.{{Cite news |date=July 5, 1992 |title=Four new newscasts are designed to keep viewers more informed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-four-new-newscast/187878983/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Grand Rapids Press |page=D9|first=Ruth|last=Butler}} and a 5:30 p.m. newscast in 1994.{{Cite news |date=July 15, 1994 |title=Shanley to give up co-anchor position; station announces additional changes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-shanley-to-give-up/187879143/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |page=B1|first=James C.|last=Farikh}} ===Granite/Freedom ownership=== In January 1995, [Granite Broadcasting](/source/Granite_Broadcasting) agreed to acquire WWMT from Busse for $95 million.{{Cite news |date=January 4, 1995 |title=Granite to buy WWMT for $95 million |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-granite-to-buy-wwm/187709024/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |page=A6|first=Al|last=Jones}} The company took over in June, and in March 1996, it fired manager Gil Buettner and replaced him with Dick Appleton, who had owned WZZM under the aegis of Northstar Television Group until 1995. At the time, channel 3 was close to tied with WZZM for second in news ratings.{{Cite news |date=March 27, 1996 |title=Buettner is fired, Appleton takes over at WWMT, TV-3 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-buettner-is-fired/187709582/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Grand Rapids Press |page=C12|first=Ruth|last=Butler}} Later that year, Granite was contracted by [Joel Ferguson](/source/Joel_Ferguson) to run [WLAJ](/source/WLAJ), the [ABC](/source/American_Broadcasting_Company) affiliate in [Lansing](/source/Lansing%2C_Michigan), with management duties for WLAJ moving to Kalamazoo.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-wlaj-picks-manager/157447084/|date=October 22, 1996|page=5B|first=A. J.|last=Evenson|title=WLAJ picks manager: Granite Broadcasting plans to bring back local news to station|newspaper=Lansing State Journal|location=Lansing, Michigan|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 22, 2024|archive-date=April 1, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250401011159/https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-wlaj-picks-manager/157447084/|url-status=live}} Granite did not immediately buy WLAJ, valued at $19.4 million, outright because of the signal overlap between the Lansing and Kalamazoo stations.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-granite-to-sell-wl/157447746/|date=January 16, 1998|page=5B|first=Teri|last=Banas|title=Granite to sell WLAJ-TV: Ownership change will be local ABC affiliate's second in last two years|newspaper=Lansing State Journal|location=Lansing, Michigan|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 22, 2024|archive-date=April 1, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250401011534/https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-granite-to-sell-wl/157447746/|url-status=live}} Several staff, including anchor [Joe Parker](/source/Joe_Pags), were transferred from Kalamazoo to Lansing to reinitiate a news department there.{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wlaj-says-now-prime-news/pgyzvyuifempdfwsljhbqbrwhruaimwn_ip-10-166-46-136_1729464174021|page=A3|title=WLAJ says now is prime for news|date=August 20, 1997|first=Dave|last=Hoger|work=[Jackson Citizen Patriot](/source/Jackson_Citizen_Patriot)|archive-date=April 1, 2025|access-date=October 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250401012825/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wlaj-says-now-prime-news/pgyzvyuifempdfwsljhbqbrwhruaimwn_ip-10-166-46-136_1729464174021|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-new-news-is-on-the/157448107/|date=August 22, 1997|pages=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-news-wlaj-fox-se/157448187/ 3D]|first=Mike|last=Hughes|title=New news is on the horizon|newspaper=Lansing State Journal|location=Lansing, Michigan|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=October 22, 2024|archive-date=April 1, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250401000757/https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-new-news-is-on-the/157448107/|url-status=live}} Granite agreed to acquire [KOFY-TV](/source/KOFY-TV) in [San Francisco](/source/San_Francisco) in late 1997. To fund the purchase, the company opted to sell WWMT and WLAJ to [Freedom Communications](/source/Freedom_Communications) for a total of $170 million,{{r|Lans980116}} with the deal closing that July.{{Cite news |date=July 26, 1998 |title=WXMI-TV hires first news director, from WOOD |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-wxmi-tv-hires-fir/187884334/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Grand Rapids Press |pages=B3|first=Lisa Ann|last=Williamson}} On April 4, 2006, WWMT announced it would affiliate with [The CW](/source/The_CW) on a new [digital subchannel](/source/digital_subchannel).{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/cw-adds-seven-more-affiliates-79517|first=John|last=Eggerton|title=CW Adds Seven More Affiliates|work=[Broadcasting & Cable](/source/Broadcasting_%26_Cable)|date=April 4, 2006}} The subchannel was known as CW7, as it aired on channel 7 on some local cable systems.{{Cite news |date=December 16, 2007 |title=CW7 gets 10 p.m. newscast |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-cw7-gets-10-pm/187885033/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Grand Rapids Press |page=C6|first=Colleen|last=Pierson}} A 10 p.m. newscast debuted on CW7 in February 2008.{{Cite news |date=February 6, 2008 |title=WWMT adds CW7 newscast |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-wwmt-adds-cw7-news/187884928/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |page=C4}} Under Freedom, WWMT continued to provide services to WLAJ. Some WLAJ operations moved to WWMT in 2005,{{cite news|page=A3|title=It cost less to upgrade as offices|first=Pat|last=Rombyer|work=Jackson Citizen Patriot|date=October 30, 2005|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/jackson-citizen-patriot-it-cost-less-to/187884487/}} and when WLAJ discontinued longform local newscasts in 2009, WWMT continued to provide limited news breaks and weather to the Lansing station.{{Cite news|title=Station dropped news for entertainment-style shows |work=Jackson Citizen Patriot|page=A6|date=November 8, 2009|first=Pat|last=Rombyer}} ===Sinclair ownership=== Freedom Communications announced on November 2, 2011, that it would exit from television and sell its stations, including WWMT, to the [Sinclair Broadcast Group](/source/Sinclair_Broadcast_Group).{{Cite news|last=Milbourn|first=Mary Ann|title=O.C. Register owner sells TV stations|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/sinclair-324997-stations-company.html|access-date=November 2, 2011|newspaper=[Orange County Register](/source/Orange_County_Register)|date=November 2, 2011}} Sinclair operated the stations beginning on December 1, 2011, and the deal formally closed in April 2012.{{Cite web |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=April 3, 2012 |title=Sinclair Closes on Freedom Group |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/sinclair-closes-freedom-group-43397 |access-date=January 1, 2026 |website=Broadcasting & Cable |language=en}} Ties with the Lansing station were cut, as Sinclair sold WLAJ to Shield Media; Shield entered into an agreement with Lansing's [WLNS-TV](/source/WLNS-TV), and in 2013, WLAJ began airing that station's news programming.{{Cite news|title=WLAJ will air WLNS newscasts|id={{ProQuest|1321813449}}|first=Mike|last=Hughes|work=Lansing State Journal|date=April 1, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/business/jackson-lansing/index.ssf/2013/03/citizen_patriots_media_partner.html |title=Citizen Patriot's media partner WLNS to simulcast news shows on WLAJ ABC 53 starting April 1 |publisher=MLive.com |date=March 28, 2013 |access-date=June 27, 2018}} Sinclair provided a cash infusion to WWMT, whose news operation had languished during Freedom's bankruptcy.{{r|BC130527}} Less than a month after Sinclair closed on ownership, the morning newscast was extended to a 4:30 a.m. start.{{Cite news |last= Kaczmarczyk |first=Jeffrey|date=April 29, 2012 |title=WOOD-TV joins WWMT-TV with new 4:30 a.m. newscast airing weekdays beginning Monday |url=https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/2012/04/wood-tv_joins_wwmt-tv_with_new.html |access-date=January 1, 2026 |website=MLive |language=en}} The company reinstated weekend morning newscasts, invested in new newsgathering equipment, and extended the 10 p.m. CW newscast from 30 minutes to an hour.{{Cite news |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=May 27, 2013 |title=Market Eye: Grand Plans for Growth |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-grand-plans-growth-44060 |access-date=January 1, 2026 |website=Broadcasting+Cable |language=en}} On May 8, 2017, Sinclair entered into an agreement to acquire Chicago-based [Tribune Media](/source/Tribune_Media), owner of [Fox](/source/Fox_Broadcasting_Company) affiliate [WXMI](/source/WXMI) (channel 17).{{cite news|title=Sinclair Broadcast Group to buy Tribune Media for $3.9 billion plus debt|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-tribune-sinclair-20170508-story.html|first=Stephen|last=Battaglio|newspaper=[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)|date=May 8, 2017|access-date=June 6, 2017}} FCC rules of the time precluded Sinclair from simultaneously owning WWMT and WXMI, two of the four highest-rated stations. Though WXMI was later earmarked for divestiture,{{cite web|title=Sinclair Spins Off 23 TVs To Grease Trib Deal|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/113054/sinclair-spins-off-23-tvs-to-grease-trib-deal|first=Harry A.|last=Jessell|website=TVNewsCheck|date=April 24, 2018|access-date=April 25, 2018}}{{cite press release|title=Sinclair Enters Into Agreements to Sell TV Stations Related to Closing Tribune Media Acquisition|url=http://sbgi.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Tribune-Divest-Announcement-FINAL-4-24-18.pdf|publisher=Sinclair Broadcast Group|date=April 24, 2018|access-date=April 25, 2018|archive-date=April 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426075952/http://sbgi.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Tribune-Divest-Announcement-FINAL-4-24-18.pdf|url-status=dead}} the overall deal was terminated in August 2018 after the FCC designated it for administrative hearing.{{cite news|title=Tribune Terminates $3.9 Billion Sinclair Merger, Sues Broadcast Rival|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/tribune-media-terminates-merger-agreement-with-sinclair-broadcast-group-1533810907|newspaper=[The Wall Street Journal](/source/The_Wall_Street_Journal)|date=August 9, 2018}} In April 2023, WWMT was the subject of a [bomb threat](/source/bomb_threat) when a person entered the station and claimed to an employee that he had a bomb on him. The station was safely evacuated and the suspect surrendered within three hours. The station remained closed off after the suspect was arrested due to a backpack that the person brought in.{{Cite news|first=Rachel|last=Van Gilder|first2=Luke|last2=Stier|url=https://www.woodtv.com/news/kalamazoo-county/police-respond-to-threat-at-kalamazoo-tv-station/|title=1 in custody after threat at Kalamazoo TV station|date=April 13, 2023|work=[WOOD-TV](/source/WOOD-TV)}}{{Cite news|date=April 13, 2023|url=https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/investigations/police-respond-bomb-threat-kalamazoo-news-station-employees-evacuated/69-eef8c6ec-f89e-4b42-b336-a1b1464b53b9|title=Police respond to bomb threat made at Kalamazoo news station, employees evacuated|work=[WZZM](/source/WZZM)}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/kzoo-bc/report-police-arrest-man-accused-of-bomb-threat-at-wwmt-in-kalamazoo|title=KDPS: Police arrest man accused of threatening WWMT with bomb|work=[WXMI](/source/WXMI)|date=April 13, 2023}} By that year, WWMT was in second place across the day in news ratings.{{Cite news |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=November 7, 2023 |title=Local News Close-Up: Grand Rapids Leader Stays Hot, Knock on WOOD |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/local-news-close-up-grand-rapids-leader-stays-hot-knock-on-wood |access-date=January 1, 2026 |website=Broadcasting & Cable |language=en}} The CW affiliation moved to [WOTV 41.2](/source/WOTV) on January 1, 2024.{{Cite news |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=December 18, 2023 |title=Nexstar Stations Take Over CW Affiliations in 3 Markets |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/nexstar-stations-take-over-cw-affiliations-in-three-markets |access-date=January 4, 2024 |website=Broadcasting & Cable |language=en}} As such, the subchannel became an [independent](/source/Independent_station), rebranded as "ARC West Michigan".{{Cite web |title=ARC West Michigan: Introducing WWMT's new community-based network |url=https://wwmt.com/news/local/arc-west-michigan-program-news-channel-3-wwmt-tv-program-jerry-springer-wilcox-maury-las-man-big-bang-jeopardy-kelly-clarkson-show |access-date=January 4, 2024 |website=WWMT}} === Notable former on-air staff === * [Lee Cowan](/source/Lee_Cowan) – anchor, 1990s{{Cite news |date=November 14, 1996 |title=Ex-WLWT anchor lands job with CBS news service |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-post-ex-wlwt-anchor-lands/133504823/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Cincinnati Post |pages=4C|first=Greg|last=Paeth}} * [Kraig Kann](/source/Kraig_Kann) – sportscaster, 1991–1995{{Cite news |date=August 14, 1991 |title=Braves to play Tallmadge next |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-naples-daily-news-braves-to-play-tal/187880591/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Naples Daily News |page=5C|first=Michelle|last=Roguska}}{{Cite news |date=February 6, 1995 |title=Weekend anchor likes his new job: St. Louis native moves in at channel 8 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-weekend-anchor-li/187880695/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Grand Rapids Press |page=C6|first=Howie|last=Beardsley}} * [Kyung Lah](/source/Kyung_Lah) – reporter, 1994–1995{{Cite news |date=January 19, 2000 |title=Dry runs to hone Marin's news show format |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-dry-runs-to-hone-marins/187880005/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |page=3:2|first=Jim|last=Kirk}} * [Joe Parker](/source/Joe_Pags) – anchor, 1990s{{r|JCP970820}} * [Jeff Varner](/source/Jeff_Varner) – morning and evening news anchor, 2007–2012{{Cite news |date=April 24, 2011 |title=WWMT anchor Varner announces '12 departure |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-wwmt-anchor-varne/187885234/ |access-date=December 31, 2025 |work=The Grand Rapids Press |page=E2|first=Rachael|last=Recker}} ==Technical information== ===Subchannels=== WWMT is broadcast from a transmitter north of [Gun Lake, Michigan](/source/Gun_Lake%2C_Michigan), along [M-179](/source/M-179_(Michigan_highway)).{{r|FCC-LMS-74195}} The station's signal is [multiplexed](/source/Multiplex_(TV)): {| class="wikitable" |+Subchannels of WWMT{{Cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WWMT|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WWMT|website=RabbitEars|accessdate=November 29, 2024}} ! scope = "col" | [Channel](/source/Digital_subchannel) ! scope = "col" | [Res.](/source/Display_resolution) ! scope = "col" | [Aspect](/source/Aspect_ratio_(image)) ! scope = "col" | Short name ! scope = "col" | Programming |- ! scope = "row" | 3.1 | rowspan=2|[1080i](/source/1080i) || rowspan=4|[16:9](/source/16%3A9) || CBS || [CBS](/source/CBS) |- ! scope = "row" | 3.2 | Ind || [Independent](/source/Independent_station) |- ! scope = "row" | 3.3 | rowspan=2|[480i](/source/480i) || ROAR || [Roar](/source/Roar_(TV_network)) |- ! scope = "row" | 3.4 | CHSN || [Chicago Sports Network](/source/Chicago_Sports_Network) |- style="background-color:#DFEBF6; border-top: 2px solid #003399;" ! scope = "row" | [15.3](/source/WXSP-CD) | 480i || [4:3](/source/4%3A3) || Comet || [Comet](/source/Comet_(TV_network)) ([WXSP-CD](/source/WXSP-CD)) |} {{legend|#DFEBF6|Broadcast on behalf of another station}} ===Analog-to-digital conversion=== WWMT shut down its analog signal on June 12, 2009, as part of the [digital television transition](/source/Digital_television_transition_in_the_United_States).{{Cite news |date=2009-06-07 |title=Get the picture: TV becomes fully digital on Friday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-get-the-picture-t/187894837/ |access-date=2026-01-01 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |pages=G1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-tv-becomes-fully-d/187894853/ G2]|first=Blake|last=Thorne}} The station's digital signal moved from channel 2 to channel 8 for post-transition operations.{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} ==See also== *[Channel 3 virtual TV stations in the United States](/source/Channel_3_virtual_TV_stations_in_the_United_States) *[Channel 8 digital TV stations in the United States](/source/Channel_8_digital_TV_stations_in_the_United_States) ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *{{official|wwmt.com}} {{Grand Rapids TV}} {{Lansing TV}} {{Northern Michigan TV}} {{Michigan TV}} {{SBGI}} Category:1950 establishments in Michigan Category:CBS affiliates Category:Roar (TV network) affiliates Category:Mass media in Kalamazoo, Michigan Category:Sinclair Broadcast Group Category:Television channels and stations established in 1950 WMT --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [WWMT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWMT) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWMT?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.