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WJTV

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WJTV
Channels
Branding
  • WJTV 12, Mississippi's CW; 12 News
  • WJTV 2 (12.2)
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
History
First air date
January 20, 1953 (1953-01-20)
Former call signs
WSLI-TV (on channel 12, 1954–1955)
Former channel numbers
  • Analog: 25 (UHF, 1953–1955), 12 (VHF, 1955–2009)
  • Digital: 52 (UHF, 1999–2009)
  • DuMont (secondary, 1953–1956)
  • ABC (secondary 1953–1970, primary 1954–1955 on WSLI-TV)
  • CBS (1953–2026)
Call sign meaning
"Jackson Television"[1]
Technical information[2]
Licensing authority
FCC
48667
ERP49.2 kW
HAAT491 m (1,611 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
32°14′26″N 90°24′15″W / 32.24056°N 90.40417°W / 32.24056; -90.40417
Links
Public license information
Websitewww.wjtv.com

WJTV (channel 12) is a television station in Jackson, Mississippi, United States, airing programming from The CW. Owned by Nexstar Media Group, the station has studios on TV Road in southwest Jackson, and its transmitter is located in Raymond, Mississippi. WHLT (channel 22) in Hattiesburg is a semi-satellite, airing WJTV newscasts as well as CW and CBS network programming in the Pine Belt.

WJTV was the first television station in Mississippi. Founded by Jackson's two daily newspapers, The Clarion-Ledger and the Jackson Daily News, it began broadcasting on UHF channel 25 on January 20, 1953, in time to present the inauguration of Dwight D. Eisenhower, and was affiliated with CBS. The Standard Life Insurance Corporation, owner of Jackson radio station WSLI, received a permit for channel 12 in 1954 and began television broadcasts as WSLI-TV, an ABC affiliate, from a site next door. In 1955, the two stations merged as WJTV on channel 12, with the newspapers purchasing an ownership interest in the venture, known as Capitol Broadcasting Company. WJTV continued to air ABC programs until WAPT (channel 16) began broadcasting in 1970.

The Hederman family sold the Jackson newspapers in 1982; WJTV was sold the next year to the News-Press & Gazette Company (NPG). NPG hired several former employees of the city's leading news station, WLBT (channel 3), and expanded the news department, but WJTV was unable to regularly overtake WLBT in the ratings. Under NPG, plans for a Pine Belt satellite eventuated as WHLT in 1987. The station was sold three times in four years, ending in Raycom Media trading WJTV and WHLT to Media General in 1997. The CW affiliation for Jackson moved to a digital subchannel in 2013. Nexstar acquired WJTV in 2017 and disaffiliated the station from CBS on August 1, 2026, making it a primary CW affiliate.

History

[edit]

WJTV on channel 25 and WSLI-TV on channel 12: Early years

[edit]

During a years-long freeze on television applications imposed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to address a new allocation plan that included opening up the ultra high frequency (UHF) band, the Third Notice of Further Proposed Rule Making adopted in March 1951 included a proposed nationwide table wherein Jackson, Mississippi would receive three commercial TV channels: two on the very high frequency (VHF) band—3 and 12—and channel 25 on the UHF band.[3]: 3087  Jackson's two daily newspapers, The Clarion-Ledger and the Jackson Daily News, had initially intended to seek their own channels.[4] They combined applications in June 1951 as the Mississippi Publishers Corporation, at which time they had initially specified channel 3.[5]

Between the proposed table and the Sixth Report and Order in April 1952 which finalized the table, however, the minimum co-channel mileage separations had changed, especially near the Gulf of Mexico; amidst concerns of tropospheric propagation, VHF stations of the same channel 150 miles (240 km) from the gulf—designated by the FCC as Zone III—now had to be spaced 220 miles (350 km) apart.[6]: 3918  This caused channel 3 in Jackson to be short-spaced to channel 3 in Pensacola, Florida, by 2 miles (3.2 km), requiring the deletion of one of the assignments; when Jackson lost channel 3 due to its smaller population, replaced with UHF channel 47,[6]: 4016  the application was refiled for channel 25 once the freeze was lifted.[7][4] This application was unopposed[8] and granted by the FCC in September 1952.[9]

WJTV signed with CBS for an affiliation in October,[10] by which time the studios were under construction south of Van Winkle.[1] Ahead of the launch, the station took delivery of an outside broadcasting van and used it to deliver demonstrations of television in Jackson and other Mississippi cities.[11][12] Construction work continued into January 1953 as every effort was made to try and finish the station so that it could telecast the inauguration of new president Dwight D. Eisenhower on January 20; this included chartering a plane from Maine to fly a crucial part.[13] It barely made it. The first broadcast of WJTV, Mississippi's first television station, was not a test pattern but the inauguration—unusual at a time when a station might be expected to radiate a test pattern for a week or more before its first program.[14] In addition to CBS, WJTV had an affiliation with the DuMont Television Network.[15]

Two groups applied for channel 12: the Standard Life Insurance Company, owner of radio station WSLI, and Lamar Life, owner of WJDX.[16] When the FCC re-added channel 3 to Jackson in September 1952 upon approval of a petition by Lamar to re-classify Jackson to Zone II, which lowered the co-channel separation to 190 miles (310 km),[17] Lamar changed its application to specify channel 3 that November, leaving Standard the only applicant for channel 12.[18] Rebel Broadcasting Corporation of Mississippi (WRBC) was one of two parties that had filed for channel 47.[8] Rebel changed its application to specify channel 12 but withdrew in July 1953, clearing the way for Standard Life to begin constructing WSLI-TV on a property adjacent to WJTV.[19] The station began broadcasting on March 27, 1954, and was affiliated with ABC. Owens Alexander arrived from WABT in Birmingham, Alabama, to serve as channel 12's general manager.[20] With WLBT (channel 3), Lamar Life's NBC affiliate that began in December 1953, Jackson now had three TV stations.[21][22]

Merger as WJTV on channel 12

[edit]

WJTV on channel 25 and WSLI-TV on channel 12 operated independently for more than a year. On April 15, 1955, the two parties announced a merger agreement whereby Mississippi Publishers would acquire a 40% interest in the Standard Life Broadcasting Company and the two TV stations would combine as WJTV on channel 12, with both stations' staffs and network affiliations.[23] The combination was effective June 1, creating one station with CBS, ABC, and DuMont affiliations. The WSLI-TV building was retained for use by the merged WJTV, whose previous quarters next door were used to relocate WSLI radio.[24][25] The channel 25 permit was disposed as a condition of the merger; Standard Life acquired its equipment and facilities for a cost nearly equal to the interest it was selling.[26] The merged firm was known as the Capitol Broadcasting Company.[27][a] DuMont ceased its existence as a network later that year.[28]

In 1957, the station began broadcasting with the full authorized power for channel 12—316,000 watts[29]—and in 1962, the station began broadcasting from a 1,615-foot (492 m) tower at Raymond, Mississippi, among the tallest constructed to that time.[30][31] ABC programs were split between WJTV and WLBT, the NBC affiliate, until 1970, when WAPT (channel 16) debuted to provide a primary ABC affiliate in the Jackson market.[32]

During its early years, WJTV produced several local programs. For children, the station offered a program hosted by "Skipper Dick" Miller from 1958 through the mid-1960s; Miller remained with the station through 1992 as a news anchor.[33] The Popeye Theater was another early local program.[34]

News-Press and Gazette Company ownership

[edit]

The Clarion-Ledger and Daily News were sold to Gannett in 1982, marking the end of newspaper ownership by their controlling owner—the Hederman family.[35] That October, Capitol put its Jackson radio and TV stations and two other properties it owned—KNAZ-TV in Flagstaff, Arizona, and KKTV in Colorado Springs, Colorado—on the market.[36] The News-Press & Gazette Company (NPG) of St. Joseph, Missouri, agreed to buy the station for $19 million in December 1982.[37] Owens Alexander left his post as general manager in 1983 after nearly 30 years with the station.[38] Two years later, NPG hired William Dilday—the first Black person to serve as general manager of a TV station in the United States—after WLBT fired him.[39] In 1986, he was promoted to general manager of WJTV,[40] and in 1989, he left the station after being promoted to the corporate office.[41]

Under NPG, plans were unblocked to build a satellite station in Hattiesburg, which was on the outer fringe of WJTV's transmitter coverage. Capitol and Central Television of Meridian—the owner of that city's WHTV, the CBS affiliate there[42]—had each proposed to build a TV station to serve as the Hattiesburg–Laurel area's CBS affiliate, but Capitol could not be awarded a construction permit as long as it also held newspaper interests. The sale of the Jackson newspapers allowed Capitol to win a permit for channel 18 at Laurel in 1982.[43] Central also received its permit, for channel 22 at Hattiesburg, while challenging the Laurel permit; in 1984, it reached a deal to sell its permit to NPG in exchange for a consulting contract. Laurel's WDAM-TV protested, claiming the contract was an undue payment because FCC rules restricted the compensation that could be paid for a construction permit.[44] In August 1986, the FCC allowed the sale but agreed with WDAM on the price.[45] WHLT began broadcasting on January 12, 1987, and originated some local programming and news coverage.[46]

Media General ownership

[edit]

New Vision Television acquired all eight of NPG's stations for $110 million in 1993. The company of East Lansing, Michigan, and Atlanta was a newly formed entity.[47] New Vision chairman and executive Jason Elkin considered WJTV the company's flagship station. Within 18 months, New Vision's investors were ready to sell and flipped the same portfolio to Ellis Communications for $220 million.[48][49] Ellis was sold in 1996 and became part of Raycom Media.[50] Raycom acquired Ellis on May 14, 1996, and Federal Broadcasting on May 30. Federal owned WDAM, a competitor to WHLT in the Hattiesburg–Laurel market, and had to divest one of the two stations.[51] In January 1997, WJTV and WHLT, along with WSAV-TV in Savannah, Georgia, were traded to Media General for WTVR-TV in Richmond, Virginia, which it had just purchased but could not retain alongside the Richmond Times-Dispatch.[52] During the various owners, 12 station positions were filled and $2 million was spent on capital expenditures.[53] While WJTV increased its overall ratings, its newscasts continued to finish second to WLBT.[54]

In October 2013, WJTV returned programming from The CW to the Jackson market after the previous affiliate, WRBJ-TV (channel 34), was sold to the Trinity Broadcasting Network. WJTV placed the network on its second digital subchannel.[55]

Nexstar ownership

[edit]

Media General initially agreed to merge with the Meredith Corporation[56] but faced a shareholder revolt in the wake of an unsolicited offer from Nexstar Broadcasting Group,[57] which agreed to acquire the company in January 2016.[58] The sale was completed on January 17, 2017, at which time Nexstar changed its name to Nexstar Media Group.[59]

WJTV lost its CBS affiliation to WAPT on August 1, 2026, as part of a modified renewal of most other Nexstar affiliations with CBS. At that time, it became a primary CW affiliate. Jackson was one of four markets where stations owned by Hearst Television assumed the CBS affiliation from Nexstar-owned stations in their markets.[60] WJTV's semi-satellite station WHLT remained a CBS affiliate.[61] WJTV's previous CW subchannel, "EJTV", would be converted into an independent station focused on syndicated court shows and sitcoms.[62]

News operation

[edit]

When WJTV began broadcasting, its news department consisted of two people, including Bob Neblett, a pilot who spent 20 years as the station's weatherman.[63] Traditionally, WJTV was the second-rated news station in Jackson, behind WLBT and ahead of WAPT. Though WJTV was a VHF station like WLBT, that station's traditionally strong signal and, after the 1970s, identity in the Black community made it an entrenched leader.[64] WJTV was a much stronger second than WAPT—for instance, in 1988, WLBT, WJTV, and WAPT attracted 39, 32, and 11 percent of the 10 p.m. news audience, respectively.[65] In May 1990, WJTV beat WLBT in late news and delivered CBS its best prime time ratings in any of the top 100 media markets.[66]

In 1984, former WLBT anchor Walter Saddler, who had been fired from that station after an ownership shake-up, was named managing editor at WJTV.[67] He was later paired with Melanie Christopher, who became a WJTV mainstay and anchored at the station for 25 years.[68] Under NPG, WJTV added newscasts, including a 5 p.m. report in 1988[69] and a 6 a.m. morning newscast launched in December 1992, displacing the talk show A Mississippi Morning to later in the day.[70][71]

In the mid-1990s, WJTV fell out of contention for first place with WLBT.[72] The newscasts were retooled with new presentation, including set parts from Ellis's WMC-TV in Memphis, and enhanced weather forecasting technology.[73][74] The morning newscast was extended to a 5:30 a.m. start in 2000.[75]

By 2011, WAPT was only three percentage points in audience share behind WJTV in the 10 p.m. news ratings,[76] and WAPT had surpassed WJTV by 2013.[55]

WHLT has had varying levels of local news coverage and at times relied entirely on WJTV for news production. In 1988, the station began producing a local 6 p.m. newscast from Hattiesburg and inserting local content into WJTV's 10 p.m. report.[77] In 1991, a local 10 p.m. newscast from Hattiesburg debuted.[78] However, the station's audience share of 7 percent was far surpassed by the 66 percent tuning to WDAM for news. In 1996, WHLT's separate newscasts were discontinued, and the station began airing an eight-minute 10 p.m. newscast as well as news and weather updates recorded in Jackson.[79][80][81] Under Media General, WHLT again produced its own newscasts from 1999 to 2001.[82][83] In 2007, it resumed producing news inserts into WJTV's newscasts.[84] In 2017, simulcasts of WJTV's noon and 5 p.m. newscasts were added to the WHLT lineup.[85]

Notable former on-air staff

[edit]

Technical information

[edit]

Subchannels

[edit]

WJTV's transmitter is located near Raymond, Mississippi.[2] The station's signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of WJTV[87]
Channel Res.Tooltip Display resolution Short name Programming
12.1 1080iWJTV-HDThe CW
12.2 720pThe CWIndependent
12.3 480iION TVIon
12.4 CourtTVCourt TV

Analog-to-digital conversion

[edit]

WJTV began broadcasting a digital signal on UHF channel 52 on April 19, 2002.[88] It shut down its analog signal on June 12, 2009, as part of the digital television transition.[89] WJTV's digital signal relocated to VHF channel 12 after the transition.[90]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ↑ Not to be confused with the Capitol Broadcasting Company of Raleigh, North Carolina.

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 "Construction Speed Noted On New Home Of WJTV Television". The Clarion-Ledger. October 5, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Facility Technical Data for WJTV". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ↑ "Television Broadcast Service: Third Notice of Further Proposed Rule Making" (PDF). Federal Register. Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Service, General Services Administration. April 7, 1951. pp. 3072–3090.
  4. 1 2 "Two Jackson Papers Combine Requests For TV Station Here". The Clarion-Ledger. May 25, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  5. ↑ "FCC Roundup". Broadcasting. June 4, 1951. p. 93. ProQuest 1401192122.
  6. 1 2 "Sixth Report and Order" (PDF). Federal Register. Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Service, General Services Administration. May 2, 1952. pp. 3905–4100.
  7. ↑ "Television Applications". Broadcasting. May 5, 1952. p. 66. ProQuest 1401199495.
  8. 1 2 "TV Grants Now Total 49". Broadcasting. September 8, 1952. pp. 65, 95, 97. ProQuest 1285683206.
  9. ↑ "The Clarion-Ledger And Daily News Rushing Construction Plans". The Clarion-Ledger. September 14, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  10. ↑ "WJTV Signs Primary Contract With CBS-TV". The Clarion-Ledger. October 5, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  11. ↑ "15,000—20,000 Persons Jam Auditorium to See TV Magic: Huge Audience In Double View Of Performers". The Clarion-Ledger. October 29, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Hiway 49 Towns To See Television: WJTV Mobile Unit Tours Again Friday". The Clarion-Ledger. November 21, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Weather Will Tell Whether WJTV Gets Inauguration: Plane Deliveries, Outdoor Line Work Need Clear Skies". The Clarion-Ledger. January 18, 1953. p. 1. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  14. ↑ "WJTV Shows Ike Inaugural Scenes During Day Tuesday". The Clarion-Ledger. January 21, 1953. p. 1. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  15. ↑ "DuMont to Add Six". Broadcasting. December 8, 1952. p. 102. ProQuest 1401206780.
  16. ↑ "WSLI Is Applying For TV Operation". The Clarion-Ledger. July 2, 1952. p. 22. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Post-Thaw Grants Reach 63" (PDF). Broadcasting-Telecasting. September 29, 1952. p. 72. Retrieved July 26, 2026 – via World Radio History.
  18. ↑ "Two Stations Seek Jackson Channel 3 For TV Operation". The Clarion-Ledger. Associated Press. November 20, 1952. p. 20. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Standard Life Gets VHF-TV Channel; Work To Begin Soon". The Clarion-Ledger. July 24, 1953. p. 1. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  20. ↑ "WSLI-TV Starts Its Operations Saturday". The Clarion-Ledger. March 27, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  21. ↑ "TV Station Opens". The Clarksdale Press Register. United Press. December 28, 1953. p. 1. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  22. ↑ "1953 Saw 225 More TV Starts Over U. S.". Broadcasting. January 4, 1954. pp. 60–61. 1285698094.
  23. ↑ "WJTV Asks FCC Permit For Move To Channel 12". The Clarion-Ledger. April 15, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  24. ↑ "WJTV Goes On New Channel 12 June 1". The Clarion-Ledger. May 19, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Station WJTV Is Now Operating On Channel 12". Vicksburg Evening Post. Associated Press. June 1, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  26. ↑ "FCC Approves Merger Of Jackson, Miss., Tvs". Broadcasting. May 23, 1955. p. 110. ProQuest 1401215080.
  27. ↑ "History Cards for WJTV". Federal Communications Commission. (Guide to reading History Cards)
  28. ↑ "DuMont Network To Quit In Telecasting 'Spin-Off'". Broadcasting. August 15, 1955. p. 64. ProQuest 1014914488.
  29. ↑ "Station WJTV Is Now Operating At Full Power". The Vicksburg Post. August 27, 1957. p. 12. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Of All U.S. Structures: WJTV Tower Will Be Fourth Tallest". The Clarion-Ledger. May 20, 1962. p. E1. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  31. ↑ "TV Station WJTV Changes Over to New Tall Tower". The Clarion-Ledger. September 5, 1962. p. 1. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Channel 16 delayed..." The Yazoo Herald. September 17, 1970. p. A-2. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  33. ↑ Sunn, Jack (July 27, 1993). "Magazine can help determine the value of 'The King' cards". The Clarion-Ledger. pp. 4B. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  34. ↑ Pettus, Gary (May 31, 1987). "On air: Early TV was comedy of errors". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 5CC. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  35. ↑ Leedy, Marjorie (June 2, 1982). "Gannett chain completes takeover of newspapers, names executives". The Clarion-Ledger. pp. 1A, 5A. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  36. ↑ Halkias, Maria (October 7, 1982). "Channel 12, WSLI, WXLY up for sale". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 1A. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  37. ↑ Rein, Russell (December 10, 1982). "Missouri firm purchases WJTV". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 12C. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  38. ↑ Oliver, Valeri (August 13, 1985). "Former WJTV manager, 2 relatives killed in midair crash". The Clarion-Ledger. pp. 1A, 10A. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  39. ↑ Cauchon, Dennis (May 7, 1985). "Dilday named manager of Jackson's WJTV". The Clarion-Ledger. pp. 1A, 14A. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  40. ↑ Orr, Kathy (July 29, 1986). "Dilday named to head Jackson station WJTV". The Clarion-Ledger. pp. 8B. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  41. ↑ Edwards, Jeff (January 13, 1990). "Brooks moves up at WJTV". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 6D. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  42. ↑ Hilliard, Laurence (February 22, 1983). "New CBS affiliate delayed?". Hattiesburg American. pp. 1, 8. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  43. ↑ Hilliard, Laurence (July 29, 1982). "New station licensed". Hattiesburg American. p. 24. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  44. ↑ Williams, M. E. (November 3, 1985). "CBS transmitter may come soon". Hattiesburg American. pp. 1A, 12A. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  45. ↑ Williams, M. E. (August 26, 1986). "WJTV to build transmitter here". Hattiesburg American. p. 3A. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  46. ↑ Williams, M. E. (January 21, 1987). "Hattiesburg airwaves welcome WHLT". Hattiesburg American. p. 1B. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  47. ↑ Gordon, Mac (July 9, 1993). "Michigan company buys Jackson's oldest TV station". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 1A. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  48. ↑ Dove, Joe M. (November 22, 1994). "WJTV to be sold to Ga. company in early 1995". The Clarion-Ledger. pp. 1A, 11A. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  49. ↑ Myers, Leslie R. (March 29, 1995). "Impact unclear as new owners take over at WJTV". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 1D. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  50. ↑ Pinkston, Will (June 4, 1996). "Federal approval pending on sale of WJTV". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 5B. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  51. ↑ Martin, Matt (June 6, 1996). "TV deals leave Hub in limbo". Hattiesburg American. p. 4D. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  52. ↑ "New media group acquires WHLT". Hattiesburg American. January 10, 1997. p. 9B. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  53. ↑ Sheffield, Christopher (July 21, 1997). "Television stations enjoying the spotlight of Wall Street in 1990s". The Mississippi Business Journal. p. 16. ProQuest 206571346.
  54. ↑ Pettus, Gary (July 13, 1999). "Blackerby leaving WJTV". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 6E. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  55. 1 2 Malone, Michael (November 4, 2013). "Market Eye: Delta Force in Mississippi". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  56. ↑ Littleton, Cynthia (September 8, 2015). "TV Station Mega Merger: Media General Sets $2.4 Billion Acquisition of Meredith Corp". Variety. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved September 9, 2015.
  57. ↑ Patane, Matthew (October 8, 2015). "Meredith, Media General stand by deal despite report". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  58. ↑ Picker, Leslie (January 27, 2016). "Nexstar Clinches Deal to Acquire Media General". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  59. ↑ "Nexstar Broadcasting Group Completes Acquisition of Media General Creating Nexstar Media Group, The Nation's Second Largest Television Broadcaster". Nexstar Media Group. January 17, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  60. ↑ Johnson, Ted (July 23, 2026). "CBS To Switch Affiliation From Nexstar To Hearst TV & Forum Communications Stations In A Half Dozen Markets". Deadline. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  61. ↑ Evans, Mary (July 24, 2026). "WJTV ends seven-decade affiliation with CBS in Jackson, moves to CW". Clarion Ledger. Jackson, Mississippi. Retrieved July 25, 2026.
  62. ↑ "WJTV to become home of Mississippi's CW and 12 News". WJTV. July 24, 2026. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  63. ↑ "Bob Neblett, 76; was WJTV's first weatherman". The Clarion-Ledger. October 18, 1985. p. 2B. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  64. ↑ Leedy, Marjorie (May 23, 1982). "Jackson TV stations fighting ratings war". The Clarion-Ledger. pp. 1C, 2C. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  65. ↑ Edwards, Jeff (September 8, 1988). "WLBT news and NBC score ratings victory". The Clarion-Ledger. pp. 1C, 2C. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  66. ↑ Edwards, Jeff (July 10, 1990). "WJTV comes on strong in May". The Clarion-Ledger. pp. 4D, 3D. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  67. ↑ Edwards, Jeff (August 18, 1984). "Saddler moves to WJTV as news managing editor". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 3B. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  68. ↑ Watkins, Billy (December 7, 2006). "Longtime anchor signs off tonight". The Clarion-Ledger. pp. 1E, 2E. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  69. ↑ Edwards, Jeff (December 22, 1990). "WLBT adds a 5 p.m. newscast". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 6D. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  70. ↑ Myers, Leslie R. (December 15, 1992). "New CBS morning show to bump local eyeopener". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 1D. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  71. ↑ Myers, Leslie R. (June 9, 1993). "WLBT, ETV among the nominees for regional Emmys". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 1D. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  72. ↑ Myers, Leslie R. (April 4, 1995). "New owners make fast change at WJTV". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 7B. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  73. ↑ Myers, Leslie R. (December 13, 1995). "Forecast: Change, as WJTV retools weather coverage". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 1E. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  74. ↑ Myers, Leslie R. (January 10, 1996). "WJTV tinkers with news personnel and surroundings". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 1D. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  75. ↑ Wang, Karissa S. (June 18, 2001). "Local market spotlight: Jackson, Miss". Electronic Media. p. 14. ProQuest 203806139.
  76. ↑ Malone, Michael (June 13, 2011). "Lots of Action in Jackson". Broadcasting & Cable. p. 26. ProQuest 871905873.
  77. ↑ Williams, M. E. (August 25, 1988). "WHLT-TV to air local newscasts". Hattiesburg American. p. 7A. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  78. ↑ Williams, M. E. (September 3, 1991). "WHLT adds 10 p.m. newscast". Hattiesburg American. p. 8A. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  79. ↑ Travis, Scott (January 10, 1996). "WHLT-TV plans to abolish both 30-minute newscasts". Hattiesburg American. p. 1A. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  80. ↑ Travis, Scott (January 11, 1996). "WHLT-TV plans shorter version of newscasts: Station will still cover Hattiesburg". Hattiesburg American. p. 7A. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  81. ↑ Myers, Leslie R. (January 17, 1996). "WJTV to produce newscasts for Hattiesburg station". The Clarion-Ledger. pp. 1D. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  82. ↑ Estes, Shannon (April 5, 1999). "WHLT-22 expands format with 2 news broadcasts". Hattiesburg American. p. 1A. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  83. ↑ Estes, Shannon (March 31, 2001). "WHLT news staff bids farewell to Pine Belt viewers". Hattiesburg American. p. 1D. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  84. ↑ "WHLT to open Hub City bureau". Hattiesburg American. January 31, 2007. p. 2A. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  85. ↑ Jacobson, Adam (October 23, 2017). "Two Nexstar CBS Affiliates Grow Its News Department". Radio & Television Business Report. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  86. ↑ Beardsley, Howie (February 6, 1995). "Weekend anchor likes his new job: St. Louis native moves in at channel 8". The Grand Rapids Press. p. C6. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  87. ↑ "RabbitEars TV Query for WJTV". RabbitEars. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  88. ↑ "WJTV-DT". Television & Cable Factbook. Vol. 74. Warren Communications News. 2006. p. A-1258.
  89. ↑ Ayres, Jeff (June 12, 2009). "Digital TV a done deal: Area television stations convert signals". The Clarion-Ledger. pp. 6B, 8B. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  90. ↑ "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission. May 23, 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 29, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
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