WBRC
A Fox-affiliated television station serving Birmingham and Central Alabama.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
WBRC is a television station serving Birmingham, Alabama, and the surrounding Central Alabama region. It broadcasts on VHF channel 6 and is affiliated with the Fox network. The station is owned by Gray Media and operates alongside low-power, Class A Telemundo affiliate WTBM-CD. Both stations share studio and transmitter facilities on Red Mountain in southeastern Birmingham. WBRC first went on the air on July 1, 1949, as WBRC-TV. It was initially licensed to broadcast on VHF channel 4 and was associated with the Birmingham Broadcasting Company, which also operated the WBRC radio stations. The call letters derived from the earlier radio operation and are generally associated with the Bell Radio Company name. The station began with a limited schedule, relying substantially on network and film programming. Its original network relationships included NBC as a primary affiliation, with ABC and DuMont carried secondarily. A Federal Communications Commission frequency realignment moved the station from channel 4 to channel 6 in February 1953. Later that year, Birmingham Broadcasting sold the station and its associated radio properties to Storer Broadcasting. WBRC-TV joined CBS in 1954, but its relationship with that network was relatively short-lived. In 1957, Storer sold the Birmingham properties to Radio Cincinnati, the broadcasting group that later became associated with Taft Broadcasting. The station became a full-time ABC affiliate in 1961. The change was strategically significant because ABC had comparatively few strong full-time affiliates in the American South at that time. WBRC's powerful VHF signal and elevated Red Mountain transmission site gave it broad coverage across Alabama and helped it become one of ABC's strongest affiliates. For several decades, it was a dominant local broadcaster in the Birmingham market, supported by limited effective competition and a well-established news operation. WBRC expanded its technical capabilities over time. It began producing local programming in color in the 1960s, adopted satellite delivery for network and syndicated content in the early 1980s, and became one of the region's early 24-hour television outlets in 1984. Severe ice-storm damage to its transmission facilities in 1985 led to construction of a replacement tower the following year. The station changed network identity during the major wave of American television affiliation changes in the 1990s. After ownership transactions involving Great American Communications, Citicasters, and New World Communications, WBRC moved from ABC to Fox. The change transformed its programming profile, replacing the long-standing ABC schedule with Fox entertainment, sports, and news programming while preserving the station's strong local presence. The station subsequently became known as a major Fox affiliate in Alabama. WBRC's current business is centered on local television news, weather, traffic, investigative reporting, community programming, syndicated content, and Fox network programming. Like other broadcast stations, it also distributes content through digital platforms and connected-device services, although its primary identity remains that of a Birmingham television station rather than a national consumer brand. Its Red Mountain facilities remain a recognizable part of the station's history and visual identity.
History
WBRC began broadcasting on July 1, 1949, as WBRC-TV. The station was established by the Birmingham Broadcasting Company, which also operated WBRC radio. It initially transmitted on VHF channel 4 from facilities associated with the radio operation and a new transmission site on Red Mountain. Programming was limited during its early period and consisted largely of network and film content. The station initially carried NBC programming, reflecting the radio station's earlier NBC relationship, while also presenting selected ABC and DuMont programs. In February 1953, an FCC channel realignment moved WBRC-TV from channel 4 to channel 6. The change was intended to reduce interference with WSM-TV in Nashville, which also used channel 4. Later that year, the Birmingham Broadcasting Company sold the station and its radio counterparts to Storer Broadcasting. Storer moved the operation into a large Red Mountain studio complex in September 1954, a facility that became a lasting part of WBRC's identity. WBRC joined CBS in July 1954. Storer later sold the Birmingham properties in 1957 to Radio Cincinnati, the group that developed into Taft Broadcasting. Under Taft, WBRC signed an agreement in 1961 to become a full-time ABC affiliate. The affiliation became effective in September of that year. The move gave ABC a powerful VHF outlet in a major Southern market and helped establish WBRC as one of the network's strongest affiliates. The station's elevated transmitter location and broad signal supported coverage extending across much of Alabama. The 1960s and 1970s were a period of strong local prominence. WBRC began producing local programming in color in 1966 and maintained a significant local news and public-service presence. It also carried selected local sports and regional programming. For many years, the Birmingham market had limited effective competition from other commercial stations, allowing WBRC to maintain a leading position. The station used translators to improve service in portions of northeastern Alabama where terrain affected its main signal. During the 1980s, WBRC modernized its technical operations. It began receiving network and syndicated material by satellite in 1982 and adopted a 24-hour schedule in 1984. Damage caused by a major regional ice storm in 1985 resulted in the replacement of its original transmission tower in 1986. Ownership turbulence followed at the corporate level: Taft was reorganized as Great American Communications in 1987, and the company later underwent another restructuring and became associated with Citicasters after a Chapter 11 bankruptcy process in the early 1990s. The next major turning point came during the American television affiliation realignment of the mid-1990s. Great American Communications agreed to sell WBRC to New World Communications in 1994, while New World simultaneously pursued other station acquisitions. New World then entered a broad affiliation agreement with Fox covering several stations, including WBRC. Because of the timing of existing affiliation contracts and related ownership transactions, WBRC's conversion to Fox took place later than some other stations in the agreement. The change ended WBRC's long ABC tenure and made it a Fox station. In the Fox era, WBRC continued to emphasize local news, weather, severe-weather alerts, investigative reporting, and community coverage while carrying Fox network programming and syndicated shows. The station's call sign formally dropped the “-TV” suffix in June 1999. Corporate ownership subsequently passed through the broadcasting groups involved in the New World and Fox transactions before reaching Gray Media. WBRC now operates from its long-standing Red Mountain location and shares facilities with WTBM-CD, a low-power Class A Telemundo affiliate. Its current role is that of a regional television and digital-news organization serving Birmingham and Central Alabama.
- 1999
The station drops the television suffix
[1]The call sign changes from WBRC-TV to WBRC.
- 1996
WBRC switches to Fox
[1]After the expiration of its prior affiliation arrangement, WBRC replaces ABC programming with Fox programming.
- 1994
New World agrees to acquire WBRC
[1]Great American Communications agrees to sell WBRC and other stations to New World Communications during a period of industry consolidation.
- 1986
Replacement transmission tower completed
[1]A new Red Mountain tower replaces the original structure after severe ice-storm damage.
- 1984
24-hour schedule introduced
[1]WBRC becomes one of the first television stations in its region to operate around the clock.
- 1982
Satellite delivery adopted
[1]The station begins receiving ABC and syndicated programming and news material through satellite distribution.
- 1966
Local color production begins
[1]WBRC introduces local color programming after acquiring color cameras.
- 1961
WBRC becomes an exclusive ABC affiliate
[1]The station completes its transition to full-time ABC affiliation in September.
- 1954
WBRC joins CBS
[1]The station becomes a CBS affiliate in July and moves into Storer's new Red Mountain studio facility in September.
- 1953
Frequency changes to channel 6
[1]The FCC's channel realignment moves WBRC-TV from channel 4 to channel 6.
Products and positioning
A long-established, locally focused commercial television station positioned around regional news, weather, public-service coverage, and Fox network entertainment.
Broadcast news
Local news
WBRC's local-news service covers Birmingham and Central Alabama through scheduled newscasts, breaking-news reports, investigative journalism, public-affairs coverage, and regional reporting. The service is delivered through the station's broadcast channel and digital outlets.
Broadcast weather service
Weather and severe-weather coverage
Weather reporting is a central part of WBRC's local-service proposition. The station provides forecasts, severe-weather warnings, storm coverage, and related information for viewers across Central Alabama, a region where tornadoes, thunderstorms, and winter storms can create significant public-safety needs.
Network television · 1996
Fox network programming
WBRC carries programming supplied by the Fox network, complemented by locally produced news and other acquired content. Its Fox affiliation dates from the major mid-1990s affiliation changes involving New World Communications.
Digital media
Digital news and video
The station extends its local-news operation through web and digital-video distribution, allowing audiences to access local reporting, weather information, alerts, and selected broadcast segments beyond the traditional television signal.
Brand decisions
1996
Switch from ABC to FoxStrategyBackground
New World Communications entered a large affiliation agreement with Fox covering WBRC and other stations. WBRC's existing ABC affiliation had to run its course before the change could take effect.
Action taken
WBRC replaced ABC programming with Fox programming and became the Birmingham market's Fox affiliate.
Aftermath
The change ended WBRC's long ABC tenure while preserving its role as a major local broadcaster and giving Fox a strong VHF outlet in Birmingham.
1994
Agreement to sell WBRC to New World CommunicationsM&ABackground
Great American Communications was restructuring its broadcast portfolio, while New World Communications was assembling stations for a broader affiliation agreement with Fox.
Action taken
Great American agreed to sell WBRC and three other stations to New World Communications. The broader transaction was affected by federal station-ownership limits and New World's additional acquisitions.
Aftermath
The transaction placed WBRC within the group of stations that would ultimately move to Fox.
Reported transaction consideration for WBRC and three other stations. $350 million cash plus $10 million in share warrants (1994)
1961
Move to full-time ABC affiliationStrategyBackground
WBRC had previously carried multiple network services, while Taft Broadcasting maintained strong ties with ABC. The market and the station's powerful VHF signal made the affiliation strategically important for both parties.
Action taken
WBRC signed an agreement to become a full-time ABC affiliate and completed the switch on September 7, 1961.
Aftermath
The station became one of ABC's strongest affiliates and retained a prominent position in Birmingham for more than three decades.
Recent events
- 1996
WBRC changes from ABC to Fox[1]
Other
Following ownership and affiliation transactions involving Great American Communications, Citicasters, New World Communications, and Fox, WBRC changed from ABC to Fox.
- 1961
WBRC becomes a full-time ABC affiliate[1]
Other
WBRC ended its previous network arrangement and became an exclusive ABC affiliate, a relationship that lasted for more than three decades.
- 1953
WBRC moves to channel 6[1]
Other
An FCC frequency realignment moved the station from channel 4 to channel 6 to address interference involving a Nashville station using channel 4.
- 1949
WBRC begins television broadcasting in Birmingham[1]
Other
WBRC-TV signed on July 1 as Birmingham's early television broadcaster, initially operating on VHF channel 4.
Gray Media owns WBRC[1]
M&A
WBRC is owned by Gray Media and shares facilities with low-power Class A Telemundo affiliate WTBM-CD in Birmingham.
Sources2 sources
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