View source for WATN-TV

{{Short description|TV station in Memphis, Tennessee}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{for|the radio station in Watertown, New York|WATN (AM)}}
{{distinguish|text=[[WATM-TV]] in Altoona, Pennsylvania}}
{{redirect-distinguish|WPTY-TV|WPTY{{!}}WPTY (FM)}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = WATN-TV
| logo = WATN-TV_(2021).svg
| logo_alt = The ABC network logo next to a blue 24 in a geometric sans serif. The 4 is clipped by a diagonal slash in yellow. The word "Memphis" appears beneath the ABC logo and 24 numeral, also in blue.
| logo_size = 220px
| branding = ABC 24 Memphis; ''ABC 24 News Right Now''
| digital = 25 ([[UHF]])
| virtual = 24
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''24.1:''' [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}}
| owner = [[Tegna Inc.]]
| licensee = Tegna Memphis Broadcasting, Inc.
| location = [[Memphis, Tennessee]]
| country = United States
| airdate = {{start date and age|1978|9|10|p=y|br=yes}}
| callsign_meaning = ABC for Tennessee
| sister_stations = [[WLMT]]
| former_callsigns = WPTY-TV (1978–2013)
| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:''' 24 (UHF, 1978–2009)
| former_affiliations = {{ubl|[[Independent station|Independent]] (1978–1990)|[[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] (1990–1995)|[[The WB]] (secondary, 1999–2003)}}
| erp = {{ubl|1,000 [[kW]]|500 kW ([[special temporary authority|STA]])}}
| haat = {{convert|340|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 11907
| coordinates = {{coord|35|16|33|N|89|46|38|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.localmemphis.com/}}
}}
'''WATN-TV''' (channel 24) is a [[television station]] in [[Memphis, Tennessee]], United States, affiliated with [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. It is owned by [[Tegna Inc.]] alongside dual [[The CW|CW]]/[[MyNetworkTV]] affiliate [[WLMT]] (channel 30). The two stations share studios at the Shelby Oaks Corporate Park on Shelby Oaks Drive in the northeast section of Memphis; WATN-TV's transmitter is located in the [[Brunswick, Tennessee|Brunswick]] section of [[unincorporated area#United States|unincorporated]] northeast [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby County]].
Channel 24 in Memphis began broadcasting in September 1978 as WPTY-TV, the first [[independent station]] in the Memphis area. It was originally owned by Petry Television, an advertising sales representative for TV stations. Under the station's third owner, Chase Broadcasting, WPTY cemented its status as the leading independent over channel 30 by securing the rights to [[Memphis Tigers men's basketball|Memphis State University basketball]] and the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliation, which had both been on its competitor. [[iHeartMedia|Clear Channel Television]] purchased WPTY-TV in 1992 and then began programming WLMT in 1993.
In 1995, Fox acquired [[WHBQ-TV]] (channel 13), then the ABC affiliate. As a result, WPTY-TV became the ABC affiliate in Memphis and started a local news department, though it has met with little ratings success. Clear Channel spun off its television stations to [[Newport Television]] in 2007; when Newport liquidated, channels 24 and 30 were purchased by [[Nexstar Broadcasting]]. Nexstar initiated a comprehensive overhaul of the station, moving it to its present studios and changing the call sign to WATN-TV. When Nexstar merged with [[Tribune Media]] in 2019, the company kept the higher-rated [[WREG-TV]] and spun off WATN–WLMT to Tegna.
==History==
The first proposal for a channel 24 television station in Memphis was made by Connecticut-based Gamma Television Corporation in 1965.<ref name="Memp650720">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-memphis-press-scimitar-city-may-get/121103162/|date=July 20, 1965|page=17|first=Louise|last=Nolan Ahrens|title=City May Get A New T-V Station|newspaper=The Memphis Press-Scimitar|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Tue --> Gamma president Al Hartigan promised a station focused on local events and news coverage.<ref name="Comm650721">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-dixie-dialing-fif/121103183/|date=July 21, 1965|page=26|first=Henry|last=Mitchell|title=Dixie Dialing: Fifth TV Station For City Will Stress Local Events|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Two other applicants also sought channel 24 at this time: John McLendon and a consortium of Victor Muscat and Cliff Ford.<ref name="Comm670804">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-public-notice/124181443/|date=August 4, 1967|page=16|title=Public Notice|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The Muscat–Ford group was granted a [[construction permit]] by the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) in April 1968, having merged with McLendon's group and paid Gamma in exchange for its withdrawal.<ref name="Memp680427">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-memphis-press-scimitar-way-cleared-f/120795319/|date=April 27, 1968|page=6|title=Way Cleared For 2nd UHF Memphis TV|first=Powell|last=Lindsay|newspaper=The Memphis Press-Scimitar|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sat --> Muscat never built the station: he ultimately pled guilty in a legal case involving giving false and misleading information to the FCC, and when the FCC asked him to build the station after the trial concluded, he was unable to sell the permit in a timely manner and surrendered it to the commission.<ref name="Memp740704">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-memphis-press-scimitar-uhf-license-i/121103222/|date=July 4, 1974|page=37|title=UHF License Is Returned|newspaper=The Memphis Press-Scimitar|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
===As an independent station===
Petry Television, a national advertising sales firm and representative to television stations nationally, applied through subsidiary Delta Television in 1977 for a construction permit to build channel 24. John Serrao, the operations director for Petry, noted that Memphis was the largest market lacking an [[independent station]] or a station on the [[ultra high frequency]] (UHF) band.<ref name="Comm770304">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-dixie-dialing-wre/121103240/|date=March 4, 1977|page=27|first=Robert|last=Kellett|title=Dixie Dialing: Wrestling Coming To Grips With Station Change|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The FCC granted the construction permit in December,<ref name="Memp771209">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-memphis-press-scimitar-fcc-approves/121103245/|date=December 9, 1977|page=14|first=Richard|last=Provost|title=FCC Approves TV Station|newspaper=The Memphis Press-Scimitar|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> and by June, construction was under way on studios at 2225 Union Avenue in Memphis.<ref name="Memp780616">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-memphis-press-scimitar-independent-s/124181954/|date=June 16, 1978|page=5|first=Bill E.|last=Burk|title=Independent Station Plans Big Splash|newspaper=The Memphis Press-Scimitar|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
WPTY-TV began broadcasting on September 10, 1978.<ref name="Comm780910">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-citys-fourth-tv-s/88488986/|date=September 10, 1978|page=1B|title=City's Fourth TV Station Starts Telecasting Today|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sun --> In the weeks leading up to its launch, local dealers reported a surge of interest in UHF antennas to receive the new station.<ref name="Comm780830">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-dixie-dialing-new/124182224/|date=August 30, 1978|page=38|title=Dixie Dialing: New Aerials Going Up To Receive Channel 24|first=John|last=Knott|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The schedule focused on counterprogramming the city's three network affiliates with alternative offerings.<ref name="Comm780716">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-dixie-dialing-cha/121103300/|date=July 16, 1978|page=TV-1|first=John|last=Knott|title=Dixie Dialing: Channel 24 turns on the speed, hopes to turn on viewers|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sun --> It also filled a void in sports coverage: syndicated [[Southeastern Conference]] basketball, which appeared on the station's schedule in its first year, had gone unaired in Memphis the year before.<ref name="Memp780727">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-memphis-press-scimitar-prime-time-c/124182103/|date=July 27, 1978|page=22|first=Jack|last=Brennan|title=Prime Time: Channel 24 Keeps Sports in Mind|newspaper=The Memphis Press-Scimitar|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> In addition, the station offered the live discussion program ''Memphis Forum''.<ref name="Comm780906">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-channel-24-forum-p/124182288/|date=September 6, 1978|page=41|first=Larry|last=Williams|title=Channel 24 Forum Promises A Lively Premiere|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
WPTY was the only independent station in Memphis until April 18, 1983, when [[TVX Broadcast Group]] launched [[WMKW-TV]] on channel 30.<ref name="Comm830419">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120796464/new-guide-to-hit-city-in-fall/|date=April 19, 1983|page=B5|first=John|last=Knott|title=New Guide To Hit City In Fall|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|location=Memphis, Tennessee|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 25, 2023|archive-date=March 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325221034/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120796464/new-guide-to-hit-city-in-fall/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> With two independents in town, the stations engaged in competition among themselves,<ref name="Comm840720">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-new-chief-arms-wmk/121616148/|date=July 20, 1984|page=C7|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=New chief arms WMKW for TV war|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> though WPTY led WMKW in the ratings.<ref name="Comm851116">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-wmkw-goes-all-out/124182767/|date=November 16, 1985|page=C11|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=WMKW goes all out to show its mettle: Campaign to be costly|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sat --> A year later, Petry sold the station to Robert H. Precht, a former producer of ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'', for $13 million; Precht also owned [[NBC Montana|television stations in western Montana]].<ref name="Comm840225">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-wpty-price-put-at/88493307/|date=February 25, 1984|page=B4|first=Marc|last=Meltzer|title=WPTY price put at $13 million|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sat --> Less than two years later, Precht sold WPTY-TV to Chase Broadcasting, owner of [[WTIC-TV]] in [[Hartford, Connecticut]]; the original sale price of $12.5 million was discounted to $11.2 million because of the state of some of channel 24's equipment.<ref name="Comm860129">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-connecticut-firm-b/124182592/|date=January 29, 1986|page=B6|first1=Tom|last1=Walter|first2=Paula|last2=Wade|title=Connecticut firm buys Channel 24: Deal subject to FCC approval|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref name="Comm860702">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-wpty-tv-sold-for/124182654/|date=July 2, 1986|page=B12|first=David|last=Flaum|title=WPTY-TV sold for $11 million|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
===Fox affiliation===
In 1989, as part of a process of divesting its smaller-market stations, TVX Broadcast Group sold WMKW-TV to MT Communications, which renamed it WLMT.<ref name="Comm890302">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120797069/wmkw-sold-for-7-million-nashville-man/|date=March 2, 1989|page=B5|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=WMKW sold for $7 million: Nashville man buys Channel 30|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|location=Memphis, Tennessee|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 25, 2023|archive-date=March 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325221023/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120797069/wmkw-sold-for-7-million-nashville-man/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Comm891004">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115393421/juke-box-available-for-a-fee/|date=October 4, 1989|page=C2|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=Juke Box available for a fee|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|location=Memphis, Tennessee|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 25, 2023|archive-date=December 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229191302/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115393421/juke-box-available-for-a-fee/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> In the span of a year, channel 30 would lose its two main programming attractions to channel 24. First to go was [[Memphis Tigers men's basketball|Memphis State University basketball]]; WPTY-TV presented a proposal to the university that paid three times as much money per game.<ref name="Comm890620">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120797327/its-official-wpty-gets-tigers-deal/|date=June 20, 1989|page=D5|title=It's official: WPTY gets Tigers deal|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|location=Memphis, Tennessee|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 25, 2023|archive-date=March 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325221026/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120797327/its-official-wpty-gets-tigers-deal/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
The next year, the Fox affiliation came up for renewal, and WPTY-TV intensively lobbied the Fox network; it had stronger ratings than channel 30, drawing a 7.4 percent share of total-day ratings to WLMT's 4.1.<ref name="Comm900515">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116472347/channels-30-and-24-compete-for-fox/|date=May 15, 1990|page=C2|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=Channels 30 and 24 compete for Fox|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|location=Memphis, Tennessee|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 25, 2023|archive-date=January 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118012635/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116472347/channels-30-and-24-compete-for-fox/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> On WLMT, some Fox shows had less than half the audience they did in other cities.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1990-06-04_9_23/page/n33/mode/2up?q=WLMT|date=June 4, 1990|page=35|first=Alan|last=Salomon|work=Electronic Media|title=Memphis independent nabs Fox affiliation}}</ref> Fox chose to move its affiliation to channel 24 effective July 1, 1990.<ref name="Comm900530">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89302420/fox-to-flip-channel-to-wpty-tvs-24/|date=May 30, 1990|page=C4|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=Fox to flip channel to WPTY-TV's 24|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 25, 2023|archive-date=March 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325221026/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89302420/fox-to-flip-channel-to-wpty-tvs-24/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Memphis was one of four markets, all in the South, where Fox moved its affiliation during 1990; of the other three, two ([[Little Rock, Arkansas]], and Nashville) involved ex-TVX stations, with the Nashville station losing its Fox affiliation also owned by MT.<ref>{{Cite news|pages=1, 134|title=Stations find new life after Fox affiliation|first=Alan|last=Salomon|work=[[Electronic Media]]|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1991-01-07_10_2_0/page/n3/mode/2up?q=WXMT|date=January 7, 1991}}</ref>
Chase Broadcasting announced in 1991 it would sell some or all of its properties in order to invest in new business ventures in Eastern Europe after the end of the Cold War, particularly successful cable television systems in Poland.<ref name="Hart911001">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107933426/chase-firm-seeks-partner-or-buyer-in/|date=October 1, 1991|page=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107933455/chase-seeks-partner-buyer-in-media/ D5]|first1=Stephen M.|last1=Williams|first2=James|last2=Endrst|title=Chase firm seeks partner or buyer in media holdings|newspaper=Hartford Courant|location=Hartford, Connecticut|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 23, 2022|archive-date=August 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823050429/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107933426/chase-firm-seeks-partner-or-buyer-in/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> Three months later, Chase announced the sale of WPTY-TV to [[iHeartMedia|Clear Channel Television]] for $21 million, with WPTY-TV becoming Clear Channel's sixth Fox affiliate and its largest-market station when the new owners took over on April 1.<ref name="Hart920130">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-chase-enterprises-to-se/124183082/|date=January 30, 1992|page=D2|title=Chase Enterprises to sell TV station in Memphis|newspaper=Hartford Courant|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Comm920402">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-new-owners-expect/89301988/|date=April 2, 1992|page=A6|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=New owners expect WPTY to grow|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Clear Channel fended off a bid by WLMT for Tigers basketball when the rights came up for renewal in 1992;<ref name="Comm920618">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-wpty-gets-rights-t/121621212/|date=June 18, 1992|pages=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-tigers/121621261/ D5]|first=Phil|last=Stukenborg|title=WPTY gets rights to Tiger basketball: 5-year deal tops $1.8 million|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> the next year, it assumed most of channel 30's operations under a [[local marketing agreement]] (LMA), allowing the once-rivals to pool resources and programming.<ref name="Comm930820">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120798303/communications-wpty-takes-over-2/|date=August 20, 1993|page=B4|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=Communications: WPTY takes over 2 stations|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|location=Memphis, Tennessee|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 15, 2023|archive-date=March 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315064446/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120798303/communications-wpty-takes-over-2/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
===Affiliation switch to ABC===
In May 1994, Fox announced a [[1994–1996 United States broadcast television realignment|12-station affiliation switch agreement]] with [[New World Communications]] in major markets; Fox was actively looking for upgrades from UHF stations like WPTY-TV to stations in the [[very high frequency]] (VHF) band. Memphis was not involved in the New World switches, but a rumor circulated and was quickly quashed that the Memphis NBC affiliate, [[WMC-TV]], was seeking to move to Fox; its owner, [[Ellis Communications]], owned four Fox stations, even though Clear Channel had become the second-largest group owner of Fox affiliates.<ref name="Comm940630">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-wmc-tv-to-keep-nbc/124183357/|date=June 30, 1994|page=A6|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=WMC-TV to keep NBC affiliation; WKNO-TV reruns 'Civil War' Part 1|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> However, in August, Fox made its move by purchasing local ABC affiliate [[WHBQ-TV]] (channel 13) from [[Communications Corporation of America]], which had just taken over ownership.<ref name="Comm940818">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-fox-to-buy-whbq-fr/89301920/|date=August 18, 1994|pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-whbq/89301961/ A15]|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=Fox to buy WHBQ from new owner and unplug ABC|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
Movement around the switch was initially slow because Fox needed to wait for FCC approval to purchase WHBQ-TV; the FCC at the time was considering petitions from NBC about whether Fox was a foreign-owned entity not allowed to own broadcast stations.<ref name="Comm950128">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-whbq-awaits-fox-ta/121631812/|date=January 28, 1995|page=A13|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=WHBQ awaits Fox takeover|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sat --> As part of a series of attempts to prevent [[News Corporation]], the parent company of Fox, from acquiring additional stations, NBC had filed a request to the FCC to reject a pending trade of Denver's [[KDVR]] for Fox-owned [[KDAF]] in Dallas, as well as the network's purchase of [[WFXT]] in [[Boston]], on the grounds that the company was in violation of foreign ownership rules (which prohibit a foreign-owned company from maintaining more than a 25 percent interest in a U.S. television station). The Memphis deal had still not been filed with the FCC by January 1995, four months after being announced.<ref name="NBCFCC">{{cite magazine|title=NBC Asks FCC To Nix Fox Bid For KDVR|first=Joe|last=Flint|url=https://variety.com/1995/tv/features/nbc-asks-fcc-to-nix-fox-bid-for-kdvr-99125296/|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=January 15, 1995|access-date=August 11, 2014|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093637/http://variety.com/1995/tv/features/nbc-asks-fcc-to-nix-fox-bid-for-kdvr-99125296/|url-status=live}}</ref> Foreign ownership had been a sensitive issue for Fox even prior to the New World deal. In 1993, its attempt to acquire [[WPSG|WGBS-TV]] in [[Philadelphia]] was derailed after an objection was filed on ownership grounds.<ref name=v-naacpvsfox>{{cite news|last1=Wharton|first1=Dennis|title=NAACP decries Fox's TV station ownership|url=https://variety.com/1993/tv/news/naacp-decries-fox-s-tv-station-ownership-116024/|access-date=September 26, 2014|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=November 22, 2014|archive-date=December 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226001007/http://variety.com/1993/tv/news/naacp-decries-fox-s-tv-station-ownership-116024/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=v-wgbsnofox>{{cite news|last1=Flint|first1=Joe|title=Delay foils Fox bid for WGBS|url=https://variety.com/1994/tv/news/delay-foils-fox-bid-for-wgbs-118772/|access-date=September 26, 2014|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=March 1, 1994|archive-date=December 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217001428/http://variety.com/1994/tv/news/delay-foils-fox-bid-for-wgbs-118772/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the wake of the objection, the FCC opened a foreign ownership review into Murdoch's existing station holdings; had it ruled negatively, a forced ownership change or license loss could have meant the end of the network.<ref name="Phil940603">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119212659/fcc-studies-murdochs-backing/|date=June 3, 1994|page=E9|agency=Associated Press|title=FCC studies Murdoch's backing|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032241/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119212659/fcc-studies-murdochs-backing/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
On June 12, 1995, the FCC notified WHBQ-TV that the commission had approved its sale to Fox,{{r|Comm950614}} which was officially announced the next month.<ref>{{Cite news|title=FCC approves 3 Fox deals|date=July 10, 1995|first=Laureen|last=Miles|work=Mediaweek|id={{Gale|A17226532}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=2 TV Stations Bought by Fox|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/10/business/2-tv-stations-bought-by-fox.html|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 10, 1995|access-date=August 11, 2014|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306021339/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/10/business/2-tv-stations-bought-by-fox.html|url-status=live}}</ref> By then, channel 13 had already notified ABC that it would disaffiliate from the network on December 1, and WPTY-TV was named as the new ABC affiliate.<ref name="Comm950614">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-fox-to-take-whbq-i/124184906/|date=June 14, 1995|pages=B4, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-fox/124184973/ B8]|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=Fox to take WHBQ in 2 weeks|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
To prepare for launching a news operation, Clear Channel purchased a building at 2701 Union Avenue Extended to be renovated to house WPTY–WLMT; this also allowed channel 30 to move in with channel 24.<ref name="Comm950916">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-wpty-is-moving-ta/121620201/|date=September 16, 1995|page=C8|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=WPTY is moving, taking WLMT into its new building|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sat --> The affiliation switch and launch of local news programming took place December 1, 1995.{{r|Comm951130}}
In 1999, WPTY-TV took on a secondary affiliation with [[The WB]], airing its prime time programs in late night slots. The WB had no full-time affiliate in Memphis; a local cable channel, "TV Memphis", aired its programming until the WPTY-TV affiliation.<ref name="Comm991224">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121620338/wbs-maneuvers-make-kid-shows-disappear/|date=December 24, 1999|page=F2|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=WB's maneuvers make kid shows disappear from local schedule|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 25, 2023|archive-date=March 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325221625/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121620338/wbs-maneuvers-make-kid-shows-disappear/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> WB programs moved to WLMT in 2003.<ref name="Comm030911">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121623898/the-wb-shows-moving-to-channel-30/|date=September 11, 2003|page=E3|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=The WB shows moving to Channel 30|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 25, 2023|archive-date=March 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325221533/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121623898/the-wb-shows-moving-to-channel-30/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
WPTY-TV and WLMT began digital broadcasting on May 1, 2002.<ref name="Comm020502">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-deep-sea-filming-p/124186689/|date=May 2, 2002|pages=E1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-tv/124186678/ E3]|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=Deep-sea filming proves wonders haven't ceased|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> WPTY-TV discontinued regular programming on its analog signal, over channel 24, on June 12, 2009, as part of the [[Digital television transition in the United States|federally mandated transition from analog to digital television]]; it continued to broadcast on channel 25, using [[virtual channel]] 24.<ref name="Analog to Digital">{{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  |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}}</ref>
Both stations were included in the sale of Clear Channel's television station portfolio to [[Newport Television]], controlled by [[Providence Equity Partners]], for $1.2&nbsp;billion on April 20, 2007 (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|1200000000|2007}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}). The sale was made so Clear Channel could refocus around its radio, outdoor advertising and live event units.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 20, 2007 |title=Providence Buys Clear Channel TV for $1.2B |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/providence-buys-clear-channel-tv-for-1-2b/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307024830/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/providence-buys-clear-channel-tv-for-1-2b/ |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |access-date=December 4, 2017 |website=TVNewsCheck}}</ref><ref name="cc-newport">{{cite press release|title=Clear Channel Agrees to Sell Television Station Group to Providence Equity Partners|url=http://www.clearchannel.com/Corporate/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=1943|publisher=[[Clear Channel Communications]]|date=April 20, 2007|access-date=November 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070425161056/http://www.clearchannel.com/Corporate/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=1943|archive-date=April 25, 2007}}</ref> The sale received FCC approval on December 1, 2007; after settlement of a lawsuit filed by Clear Channel owners [[Thomas H. Lee Partners]] and [[Bain Capital]] against Providence to force the deal's completion, consummation took place on March 14, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dunbar |first=John |date=December 2, 2007 |title=FCC OKs Clear Channel TV sale with changes |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=3942156&page=1 |access-date=December 4, 2017 |via=ABC News |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=December 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202053227/http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=3942156&page=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Davies |first=Megan |date=March 14, 2008 |title=Clear Channel says completes TV sale for $1.1 bln |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-clearchannel/clear-channel-says-completes-tv-sale-for-1-1-bln-idUSN1444375720080315 |access-date=December 4, 2017 |archive-date=December 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202152935/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-clearchannel/clear-channel-says-completes-tv-sale-for-1-1-bln-idUSN1444375720080315 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== WATN-TV: Nexstar and Tegna ownership ===
As part of a liquidation of Newport Television's assets, [[Nexstar Broadcasting Group]] purchased WPTY-TV and WLMT in a 12-station deal worth $285.5&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|285500000|2012}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) on July 19, 2012.<ref name-"tvnc-saletonexstar">{{cite web|title=Newport Sells 22 Stations For $1 Billion|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60876/newport-sells-22-stations-for-1-billion|website=TVNewsCheck|date=July 19, 2012|access-date=July 19, 2012|archive-date=March 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308212139/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60876/newport-sells-22-stations-for-1-billion|url-status=live}}</ref> Nearly immediately, Nexstar announced that it would move the stations from their aging five-story building in midtown Memphis into a former [[MCI Inc.|MCI]] call center on the city's northeast side.<ref name=tvnc-newstudio>{{cite news|title=Nexstar Readies Major Memphis Overhaul|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/67898/nexstar-readies-major-memphis-overhaul/page/1|newspaper=TVNewsCheck|date=May 30, 2013|access-date=May 30, 2013|archive-date=December 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211121423/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/67898/nexstar-readies-major-memphis-overhaul/page/1|url-status=live}}</ref> The relocation, in addition to providing more up-to-date facilities for the stations, was done because the impending replacement of the adjacent Poplar Viaduct would create vibrations and noise making the building unsuitable for television production.<ref name="Comm130507">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120897674/sensing-bad-vibes-union-viaduct-constru/|date=May 7, 2013|page=8B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120897665/move/ 7B]|first=Thomas Jr.|last=Bailey|title=Sensing bad vibes: Union viaduct construction chases TV stations to 'burbs|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 15, 2023|archive-date=March 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315064458/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120897674/sensing-bad-vibes-union-viaduct/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> As part of a major rebrand, WPTY-TV became WATN-TV after moving into the new studios.<ref name="Comm130531">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120897485/abc-affiliate-wpty-rebranded-watn-broad/|date=May 31, 2013|page=2C|first=James|last=Dowd|title=ABC affiliate WPTY rebranded WATN: Broadcaster relaunching Saturday|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 15, 2023|archive-date=March 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315064518/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120897485/abc-affiliate-wpty-rebranded-watn/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
In 2019, Nexstar acquired [[Tribune Media]], owner of Memphis CBS affiliate [[WREG-TV]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Nexstar Buying Tribune Media For $6.4 Billion|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/226264/nexstar-buying-tribune-media-6-4-billion/|first=Mark K. |last=Miller|website=TVNewsCheck|date=December 3, 2018|access-date=December 4, 2018|archive-date=December 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204005800/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/226264/nexstar-buying-tribune-media-6-4-billion/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nexstar opted to retain WREG-TV (as well as [[WJKT]] in [[Jackson, Tennessee|Jackson]], which had been associated with WATN–WLMT) and sold WATN-TV and WLMT to [[Tegna Inc.]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Nexstar to Sell Stations to Tegna, Scripps for $1.32 Billion|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-20/nexstar-to-sell-19-stations-to-tegna-scripps-for-1-32-billion|first1=Nabila|last1=Ahmed|first2=Anousha|last2=Sakoui|website=Bloomberg News|publisher=[[Bloomberg, L.P.]]|date=March 20, 2019|access-date=March 15, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413200225/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-20/nexstar-to-sell-19-stations-to-tegna-scripps-for-1-32-billion|url-status=live}}</ref> Tegna reintroduced the ABC 24 brand to the station on September 27, 2021, with a new logo.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Local Memphis and Local 24 becoming ABC24 on September 27|url=https://www.localmemphis.com/article/about-us/local-memphis-and-local-24-becoming-abc24-on-september-27/522-1dd5ae03-80cb-47d4-8227-c123a5e42cd5|access-date=September 20, 2021|website=localmemphis.com|date=September 17, 2021|language=en-US|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212105/https://www.localmemphis.com/article/about-us/local-memphis-and-local-24-becoming-abc24-on-september-27/522-1dd5ae03-80cb-47d4-8227-c123a5e42cd5|url-status=live}}</ref>
==News operation==
WPTY-TV had no plans for a newscast as late as July 1994, even though other Fox affiliates were starting local newscasts.<ref name="Comm940714">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-noncombative-murdo/124184385/|date=July 14, 1994|page=A11|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=Noncombative Murdoch tells critics: Fox on move|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> To plot the station's expansion into news, Clear Channel hired Los Angeles market veteran and consultant Jeff Wald.<ref name="Comm950615">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-fox-buy-triggers-l/124185008/|date=June 15, 1995|pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-tv/124185015/ C2]|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=Fox buy triggers local news blitz|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> While several of the station's assignment desk and production staff members were hired from other local stations, the news talent largely came from elsewhere, ranging from [[Kennewick, Washington]], to [[Duluth, Minnesota]].<ref name="Comm951025">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-wpty-tv-picks-tale/124185095/|date=October 25, 1995|page=A10|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=WPTY-TV picks talent mix to launch news broadcasts|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --> One exception was Brian Teigland, a weatherman cut by WREG-TV in a dispute over disability benefits.<ref name="Comm951116">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-weatherman-cut-by/124185165/|date=November 16, 1995|pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-tv/124185176/ C2]|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=Weatherman, cut by WREG, joins WPTY's new cast|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
''News Watch 24'' newscasts debuted on December 1, 1995, the same day the station switched to ABC. The newsroom initially offered local news at 5, 6, and 10 p.m. on channel 24, as well as a 9 p.m. newscast known as ''News Watch 30'' on WLMT.<ref name="Comm950930">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121620668/stations-switch-to-make-news/|date=September 30, 1995|page=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121620735/tv/ C2]|title=Stations' switch to 'make' news|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 25, 2023|archive-date=March 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325221608/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121620668/stations-switch-to-make-news/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --><ref name="Comm951130">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121622956/whbq-wpty-switch-set-to-confuse-memphis/|date=November 30, 1995|page=A14|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=WHBQ-WPTY switch set to confuse Memphis TV|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 25, 2023|archive-date=March 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325221610/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121622956/whbq-wpty-switch-set-to-confuse-memphis/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The 9 p.m. newscast, anchored by two Black men (Robb Harleston and Ken Houston), was intended to feature increased coverage of the city's minority communities.<ref name="TSD960612">{{Cite news|page=1B|title=WLMT-TV Channel 30 turns camera on minorities|work=[[Tri-State Defender]]|first=Tim|last=Butler|date=June 12, 1996|id={{ProQuest|367839693}} }}</ref>
{{Quote box
| quote = The station's news operation went on the air before it was ready. Equipment broke down or didn't work at all. A passel of reporters and anchors new to the city could not convince viewers they knew the city. Tension on the air was visible and continues to be visible at times.
| author = Tom Walter
| source = TV critic, ''[[The Commercial Appeal]]''{{r|Comm960413}}
| width = 340px
}}
The debut of ''News Watch 24'' was particularly rough, owing to the simultaneous move to a new building and a lack of time to rehearse the newscasts.<ref name="Comm951209">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-fox-abc-switch-gen/124185858/|date=December 9, 1995|page=A12|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=Fox-ABC switch generates calls for Rush, soaps|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sat --> Sound issues plagued the 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts; the opening to the 10 p.m. news played out three times in a row. On the 9 p.m. show, sports anchor Greg Gaston called the [[University of Memphis]] "Memphis University".<ref name="Comm951204">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-news-debuts-for-st/121620891/|date=December 4, 1995|page=C2|title=News debuts for stations offered rocky contrasts|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Mon --> Such errors continued to be noticeable on WPTY's newscasts for months.<ref name="Comm960413">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-channel-24-has-now/124186086/|date=April 13, 1996|page=C4|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=Channel 24 has nowhere to go but up in news lists|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sat --> Less than two weeks after starting, the anchor lineup for the weeknight newscasts was changed, with original lead anchor Wendell Stacy demoted to weekends and replaced with Bill Lunn and Teigland moved to weeknight weather.{{r|Comm951209}}<ref name="Comm951214">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-its-musical-chair/121622797/|date=December 14, 1995|page=D7|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=It's musical chairs at WPTY while trying to 'find right mix'|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Ratings were low, with the newscasts at 5 and 10 p.m. attracting just three percent of the available audience in the May 1996 sweeps.<ref name="Comm960613">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-channel-5-leads-in/124186007/|date=June 13, 1996|page=A8|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=Channel 5 leads in local TV news race|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The original news director was fired less than a year after the first newscast aired.<ref name="Comm980516">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-alan-fired-as-news/121626143/|date=May 16, 1998|page=C2|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=Alan fired as news director at WPTY-TV|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sat -->
Measured ratings improved substantially, to about 8 percent of the viewing audience, once [[Nielsen Media Research]] introduced meters for ratings purposes in 1997;<ref name="Comm970527">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-wmc-tv-news-holds/124186171/|date=May 27, 1997|page=C4|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=WMC-TV news holds lead but competition edges in|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Tue --> the station's 10 p.m. news ratings were even stronger among younger viewers.<ref name="Comm970619">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-demographics-good/124186200/|date=June 19, 1997|page=C1|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=Demographics good for viewers, even if they don't care|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> However, the station's most successful newscast was its 9 p.m. news for WLMT, which held its own against WHBQ-TV's newscast at that hour and drew more viewers than WPTY at 10.<ref name="Comm971208">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121626411/channel-3-makes-inroads-in-race-against/|date=December 8, 1997|page=C3|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=Channel 3 makes inroads in race against 10 p.m. news leader 5|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 25, 2023|archive-date=March 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325221540/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121626411/channel-3-makes-inroads-in-race-against/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->
The news product was overhauled in 2003 under the brand ''[[Eyewitness News]]'' and with new news talent; four existing anchors were replaced with the duo of Cameron Harper and Dee Griffin, who were cited as "high-energy", and a new weather radar system was installed.<ref>{{Cite news|page=6|first=Bianca|last=Phillips|title=New Look for the News: WPTY and WLMT hope changes will boost ratings|id={{ProQuest|365355895}} |date=January 29, 2003|work=[[Memphis Flyer]]}}</ref><ref name="Comm021205">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-wpty-wlmt-getting/124186812/|date=December 5, 2002|page=E4|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=WPTY, WLMT getting new news anchors|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> In September 2006, WPTY began airing a local morning newscast, coinciding with a visit by ''[[Good Morning America]]'' to [[Beale Street]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2006/09/04/daily25.html|first=Andy|last=Ashby|title='Good Morning America' coming to Memphis|date=September 8, 2006|work=Memphis Business Journal}}</ref> Ratings continued to sit firmly in fourth place during this period.<ref name="Comm050308">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-wreg-gains-but-tra/117801626/|date=March 8, 2005|page=M5|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=WREG gains but trails WMC late newscast|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref name="Comm071201">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-wreg-news-back-on/121626666/|date=December 1, 2007|page=M5|first=Michael|last=Lollar|title=WREG news back on top at 10 p.m.|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sat -->
Under Nexstar, in 2013, the station rebranded as "Local 24" coinciding with the call sign change to WATN-TV and relocation to the Shelby Oaks studio. WATN began broadcasting newscasts in high definition upon the move, using a surplus news set that Nexstar shipped from [[KLRT-TV]] in [[Little Rock, Arkansas]];<ref name=tvnc-newstudio/> WATN also replaced the syndicated ''Live! with Kelly and Michael'' at 9 a.m. with a local lifestyle program, ''Local Memphis Live''.<ref>{{Cite news|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|title=Playing up local while trying to catch up|id={{ProQuest|1460173826}}|date=November 18, 2013|page=20}}</ref>
=== Notable former on-air staff ===
* [[Dayna Devon]] – weeknight anchor/reporter (1997–1999, now at [[KTLA]])<ref name="Comm040226">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-rights-museum-give/124187347/|date=February 26, 2004|page=E3|first=Tom|last=Walter|title=Rights museum gives answers to 'Jeopardy!' panel|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
==Subchannels==
The station's signal is [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of WATN-TV<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WATN#station|website=RabbitEars|title=TV Query for WATN|access-date=December 3, 2013|archive-date=December 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212145455/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WATN#station|url-status=live}}</ref>
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" | Short name
! scope = "col" | Programming
|-
! scope = "row" | 24.1
| [[720p]] || rowspan="8" |[[16:9]] || WATN-HD || [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 24.2
| rowspan="7" |[[480i]] || QUEST || [[Quest (American TV network)|Quest]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 24.3
| Cozi || [[Cozi TV]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 24.4
| Crime || [[True Crime Network]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 24.5
| Laff || [[Laff (TV network)|Laff]]
|-
!24.6
|NEST
|[[The Nest (TV network)|The Nest]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 24.7
| Comet || [[Comet (TV network)|Comet]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 24.8
| Charge || [[Charge! (TV network)|Charge!]]
|}
==See also==
*[[WLMT]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[https://www.abc24.com/ Official website]
{{Memphis TV}}
{{ABC Tennessee}}
{{TV Stations Arkansas}}
{{TV Stations Mississippi}}
{{Missouri TV}}
{{Tegna}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Watn-Tv}}
[[Category:1978 establishments in Tennessee]]
[[Category:American Broadcasting Company affiliates]]
[[Category:Charge! (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Comet (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Cozi TV affiliates]]
[[Category:Laff (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Quest (American TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:The Nest (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Tegna Inc.]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1978]]
[[Category:Television stations in Memphis, Tennessee|ATN-TV]]
[[Category:True Crime Network affiliates]]