WBBJ-TV

WBBJ-TV is a television station serving Jackson and the surrounding West Tennessee market. The station broadcasts on virtual channel 7 and is primarily affiliated with ABC, while its digital multichannel operation also carries CBS programming and a separate MeTV service. Its studios are located on Muse Street in Jackson, and its transmitter is in eastern Madison County on Potts Chapel Road. The station began broadcasting on March 6, 1955, as WDXI-TV, Jackson's first television station. It initially operated as a CBS affiliate on VHF channel 7 and was owned by Aaron Robinson in conjunction with WDXI radio. Cy Bahakel acquired the television station in 1966 and changed its call sign to WBBJ-TV on December 7 of that year. At the same time, the station made ABC its primary network affiliation. The change formed part of a broader affiliation pattern among Bahakel-owned stations, several of which were aligned with ABC by the end of the 1960s. For decades after the 1967 affiliation change, viewers in the Jackson market generally received CBS programming from WREC-TV, later WREG-TV, in Memphis. WBBJ restored CBS to the local market on January 1, 2012, when WBBJ-DT3 became a CBS-affiliated digital subchannel. The subchannel initially combined CBS programming with selected MeTV programming. In September 2021, MeTV moved to a separate fourth digital subchannel, allowing WBBJ-DT3 to provide a more consistent CBS schedule and WBBJ-DT4 to carry the full MeTV lineup. Local news is a central part of the WBBJ brand. The station produces ABC-branded newscasts on its main channel and additional local broadcasts through its CBS subchannel, including weekday noon and evening programs. Its weekday morning program is branded Good Morning West Tennessee. WBBJ has periodically refreshed its presentation, including a major graphics, music, weather-set, and program-branding update in 2007 and a new newsroom-centered studio set introduced in 2013. The station has used variations of the Circle 7 visual identity and, since 2003, has used the original ABC-associated version of that logo style. WBBJ completed its transition from analog to digital broadcasting on June 12, 2009, in accordance with the United States federal digital television transition. Its digital operation allows the station to combine network television, local news, weather, syndicated programming, and additional multicast services within the same broadcast footprint. The station was historically associated with long-term ownership by Bahakel Communications, a tenure described in the station's reference material as the longest ownership period for any Tennessee television station. In December 2025, Gray Media announced an agreement to acquire WBBJ-TV and related studio property for a reported total of $8.25 million, consisting of television assets and the Muse Street broadcast property. The transaction was reported as completed on February 13, 2026, making WBBJ a sister station to Gray-owned WMC-TV in Memphis and WSMV-TV in Nashville. As a local network affiliate, WBBJ's market role combines national network distribution with regionally focused news, weather, sports, public-service coverage, and community information.

WBBJ-TV began as WDXI-TV on March 6, 1955, becoming the first television station to sign on in Jackson, Tennessee. The station operated on VHF channel 7 and was established by Aaron Robinson alongside WDXI radio. Its original network relationship was with CBS, although ABC programming was also carried for part of its early history. Cy Bahakel acquired the television station in 1966. On December 7 of that year, the station adopted the WBBJ-TV call letters. The call-sign change coincided with a switch in primary network affiliation from CBS to ABC. Bahakel's other television properties increasingly followed the same affiliation pattern, and WBBJ became an established ABC outlet for Jackson and West Tennessee. Robinson's estate retained the WDXI radio operation, so the television and radio identities no longer changed ownership together. After WBBJ became an ABC affiliate, CBS programming for the Jackson area was largely supplied by Memphis station WREC-TV, later renamed WREG-TV. This arrangement continued for many years, although viewers in portions of the market could also receive other Memphis-area signals. WBBJ's long period under Bahakel ownership gave it an unusually durable position among Tennessee television stations and contributed to its identity as a longstanding local broadcaster. The station expanded its digital and multicast services as the broadcast industry moved toward digital transmission. WBBJ shut down its analog VHF signal on June 12, 2009, as part of the nationwide United States digital television transition. Its digital platform subsequently supported additional programming services beyond the principal ABC feed. On January 1, 2012, WBBJ-DT3 became a CBS affiliate, restoring locally available CBS programming to Jackson and reconnecting the CBS network with the WBBJ operation. Before that launch, the third subchannel had carried a continuous National Weather Service Doppler radar feed with NOAA Weather Radio audio. From 2012 through September 2021, the subchannel combined CBS programming with selected MeTV programs, particularly during certain weekday afternoon and weekend overnight periods. MeTV was later moved to WBBJ-DT4, which allowed the fourth subchannel to offer the service's complete schedule. WBBJ has repeatedly updated its news presentation. On August 1, 2007, it introduced revised graphics, a new logo treatment, updated weather facilities, and new music. The station replaced its earlier Frank Gari music package with In-Sink from Nashville-based 615 Music. That update also changed the weekday 5 p.m. newscast from the Live at 5 identity back to ABC 7 Eyewitness News at 5. The station's weekday morning program adopted the Good Morning West Tennessee name. In January 2013, WBBJ introduced a new studio set built around a visible working newsroom. The set emphasized the Circle 7 mark and did not display the ABC logo prominently, reflecting the station's combined ABC and CBS operations. The station's local news service includes programming on both the primary ABC channel and the CBS digital outlet. WBBJ-DT3 carries additional local broadcasts, including a weekday noon newscast and evening programs at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Because CBS Evening News is scheduled at 6 p.m. on the subchannel, local timing differs from that of many other Central Time Zone CBS affiliates. In December 2025, Gray Media announced plans to purchase WBBJ-TV and the station's physical broadcast property on Muse Street. The reported transaction allocated $6.25 million to television assets and $2 million to the studio property. Completion was reported on February 13, 2026. Under Gray ownership, WBBJ became associated with a larger regional television group that also owns WMC-TV in Memphis and WSMV-TV in Nashville. The station remains an active local broadcaster serving Jackson and surrounding West Tennessee communities.

1. 2026Sale to Gray Media is completed

   The reported acquisition closes on February 13, making WBBJ part of Gray Media's station portfolio.

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2. 2025Gray Media announces purchase

   Gray Media announces an agreement to acquire WBBJ-TV and its studio property.

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3. 2021MeTV receives a dedicated subchannel

   MeTV programming moves from the CBS/MeTV hybrid schedule on WBBJ-DT3 to WBBJ-DT4.

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4. 2013New newsroom-centered set debuts

   WBBJ introduces a studio set incorporating a functioning newsroom and the Circle 7 visual mark.

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5. 2012CBS returns through WBBJ-DT3

   The third digital subchannel becomes the local CBS affiliate.

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6. 2009Analog transmission ends

   The station shuts down its analog VHF channel 7 signal as part of the United States digital television transition.

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7. 2007News presentation is redesigned

   WBBJ introduces new graphics, music, weather facilities, and the Good Morning West Tennessee morning-news identity.

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8. 1966Bahakel acquires the station

   Cy Bahakel purchases WDXI-TV and changes its call letters to WBBJ-TV on December 7.

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9. 1966Primary affiliation changes to ABC

   The station drops CBS as its primary affiliation and adopts ABC, a relationship that continues on the main channel.

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10. 1955WDXI-TV signs on

    The station begins broadcasting on March 6 as Jackson, Tennessee's first television station and a CBS affiliate.

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A locally focused West Tennessee broadcast station combining ABC programming, locally produced news and weather, CBS service through a digital subchannel, and MeTV programming through a separate multicast channel.

• ABC 7 Eyewitness NewsLocal news

  WBBJ-TV's principal local-news identity on its ABC-affiliated main channel. The service includes regularly scheduled local reporting, weather, sports, and community coverage, with broadcasts at several points during the day and evening.

• Good Morning West TennesseeMorning news2007

  The station's weekday morning news program serving Jackson and the broader West Tennessee viewing area. It combines regional news, weather information, traffic and community features with the station's morning broadcast branding.

• WBBJ-DT3 CBSDigital television subchannel2012

  WBBJ's CBS-affiliated digital subchannel, launched on January 1, 2012. It carries CBS network programming and also provides locally produced news in time slots distinct from the main ABC channel.

• WBBJ-DT4 MeTVDigital television subchannel2021

  A dedicated multicast channel carrying the MeTV service. MeTV previously shared selected periods on WBBJ-DT3, but moved to the fourth subchannel in September 2021 so it could offer its full schedule.

• 2025Sale to Gray MediaM&A

  WBBJ was operated as a long-established local television station serving the Jackson market.

  What changed. Gray Media announced an agreement to acquire the station's television assets and its Muse Street studio property.

  Aftermath. The reported transaction closed in February 2026, placing WBBJ within Gray Media's regional station group.

  Reported acquisition consideration. $8.25 million (Announced December 16, 2025; reported completion February 13, 2026)

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• 2021Separate CBS and MeTV servicesGeneration change

  WBBJ-DT3 had combined CBS programming with selected MeTV periods since 2012.

  What changed. MeTV programming was moved to a newly used fourth digital subchannel, WBBJ-DT4.

  Aftermath. WBBJ-DT3 could focus on CBS programming while WBBJ-DT4 provided a full MeTV schedule.

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• 2012Launch of local CBS subchannelProduct launch

  Jackson had lacked a dedicated local CBS affiliate for many years after WBBJ's 1967 affiliation change.

  What changed. WBBJ activated WBBJ-DT3 as a CBS affiliate on January 1.

  Aftermath. The move restored CBS programming to the local market and expanded WBBJ's digital broadcast offering.

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• 1966Switch from CBS to ABCStrategy

  After Cy Bahakel acquired the station, WBBJ's predecessor already carried some ABC programming while operating primarily as a CBS affiliate.

  What changed. The station changed its call letters from WDXI-TV to WBBJ-TV and made ABC its primary network affiliation.

  Aftermath. CBS service for Jackson was subsequently supplied largely by Memphis station WREC-TV, later WREG-TV, until WBBJ restored local CBS service through a digital subchannel in 2012.

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• 2026WBBJ-TV becomes part of Gray Media

  The reported acquisition of WBBJ-TV by Gray Media was completed, linking the Jackson station with Gray-owned WMC-TV in Memphis and WSMV-TV in Nashville.

  M&ALeadership change
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• 2025Gray Media announces acquisition of WBBJ-TV

  Gray Media announced an agreement to acquire WBBJ-TV and its Muse Street studio property for a reported combined consideration of $8.25 million.

  M&A
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• 2021MeTV moves from WBBJ-DT3 to a dedicated fourth subchannel

  MeTV programming was separated from the CBS subchannel and moved to WBBJ-DT4, enabling the CBS outlet to operate with a more complete network schedule while the fourth channel carried MeTV programming continuously.

  Product generation
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• 2012WBBJ-DT3 restores CBS programming to the Jackson market

  WBBJ launched CBS service on its third digital subchannel, returning a local CBS affiliate to Jackson after a long period in which the market primarily received CBS programming from Memphis station WREG-TV.

  Product launchOther
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1. WBBJ-TV
2. WBBJ-TV official website