WBTV

WBTV is a television station licensed to Charlotte, North Carolina, and affiliated with the CBS television network. Owned by Gray Media, it broadcasts on channel 3 and operates from studios on Morehead Street, just west of Uptown Charlotte. Its transmitter is located in north-central Gaston County. The station is one of the most historically significant broadcast outlets in the Carolinas: it began broadcasting on July 15, 1949, became the first television station in the Carolinas, and is the oldest television station operating between Richmond, Virginia, and Atlanta, Georgia. The station originated within the broadcasting interests of Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company, which also owned Charlotte radio station WBT. Because WBT had a longstanding relationship with CBS Radio, WBTV adopted CBS as its principal network affiliation at launch and has retained that primary affiliation throughout its history. Before other local television stations had established reliable coverage, WBTV carried programming from multiple networks, including CBS, NBC, ABC, and DuMont. It remained Charlotte's only VHF television station for several years and built a particularly strong local-news franchise during that period. WBTV initially operated from facilities in Charlotte's Wilder Building alongside WBT. In 1955, the radio and television operations moved to a purpose-built facility on Morehead Street, a location that has remained associated with the station. The site also housed the production of Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling telecasts from 1958 through 1974. WBTV later became known for technical and programming innovations, including early color broadcasting, color videotape work, remote production, computerized newsroom operations, election projections, and early digital-television transmission. Some of these achievements are station claims rather than independently established corporate honors. The station was a flagship asset as Jefferson Standard's media operations developed into Jefferson-Pilot Communications. After Jefferson-Pilot merged with Lincoln National Corporation in 2006, the broadcasting division was renamed Lincoln Financial Media. Lincoln Financial sold WBTV and several related television assets to Raycom Media in 2008. The transaction ended the long-standing common ownership of WBTV and Charlotte's WBT radio stations, while WBTV remained strategically important to Raycom because Raycom Sports was headquartered in Charlotte. The station was closely associated with regional Atlantic Coast Conference sports production through the Jefferson-Pilot and later Raycom Sports relationships. Gray Television acquired Raycom Media in a transaction completed in January 2019. WBTV consequently became part of Gray's national portfolio of local television stations and gained additional Gray sister stations in North Carolina. The station continues to provide local news, weather, traffic, public-affairs and community programming, alongside CBS network content, syndicated programming, digital publishing and streaming distribution. Its Sky 3 helicopter was used for aerial news coverage until a fatal crash in November 2022 killed pilot Chip Tayag and meteorologist Jason Myers. WBTV remains an active local broadcaster and a long-tenured CBS affiliate.

WBTV's history began within Charlotte's established radio industry. Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company, owner of WBT radio, developed a television service as broadcasting technology expanded after the Second World War. The station received one of the final construction permits issued before the Federal Communications Commission froze the authorization of new television stations. It went on the air on July 15, 1949, under the WBTV call letters. Veteran Charlotte broadcaster Jim Patterson was the first person seen on the station and remained associated with WBTV until his death in 1986. At launch, WBTV was the first television station in the Carolinas and one of the earliest television outlets in the United States. Its early technical position was unusually strong because it was Charlotte's only VHF station for approximately eight years. The station carried programming from all four major television networks then operating in the market, while maintaining CBS as its primary affiliation. NBC and ABC programming was gradually redistributed as competitors entered the market. A short-lived channel 36 operation appeared in the early 1950s, and WSOC-TV's arrival in 1957 gave NBC a permanent local outlet. ABC programming continued to be shared until WCCB became a full-time ABC affiliate in 1967. Through these changes, WBTV never changed its primary network affiliation. The station's first facilities were converted radio studios in Charlotte's Wilder Building. In 1955, WBTV and WBT moved to a new complex on Morehead Street. The site became a long-term center of Charlotte broadcasting and later housed production of Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling from 1958 to 1974. WBTV also developed a reputation for experimentation. It promoted early work in color television, color videotape, microwave and mobile production, computerized newsroom systems, election-result projections, teletext and digital television. In 1984, the station's transmission system moved to a 2,000-foot guyed aerial mast in north-central Gaston County, shared with a former radio sister station. Jefferson Standard expanded its media portfolio and used WBTV as a flagship operation. The company merged with Pilot Life in 1968 and became Jefferson-Pilot Corporation, with broadcasting interests placed in Jefferson-Pilot Communications. In 2006, Jefferson-Pilot merged with Lincoln National Corporation. Lincoln National retained the broadcasting assets through Lincoln Financial Media, but subsequently decided to sell WBTV and other former Jefferson-Pilot stations. Raycom Media announced the purchase in November 2007, and the FCC approved the WBTV portion of the transaction in March 2008. Raycom took control on April 1. The transaction separated WBTV from Charlotte radio properties that had historically shared ownership with the station. WBTV nevertheless remained important within Raycom because the company's sports-production business, Raycom Sports, was based in Charlotte. The station also had a longstanding role in regional Atlantic Coast Conference sports broadcasts, building on relationships that began with Jefferson-Pilot and continued under Raycom. Gray Television announced its agreement to combine with Raycom Media in 2018. The transaction was approved in December and completed on January 2, 2019. WBTV became part of Gray's portfolio of local television stations and acquired new in-state sister-station relationships. In 2023, the station introduced a revised logo incorporating Gray's broader visual identity. The most serious event in the station's recent history occurred on November 22, 2022. WBTV's Sky 3 helicopter crashed near Interstate 77 in south Charlotte during a training flight, killing pilot Chip Tayag and meteorologist Jason Myers. WBTV interrupted regular coverage as staff learned that the aircraft and crew belonged to their own station. The FAA and NTSB investigated; a later NTSB report cited inadequate inspections and loose parts as likely contributors to the loss of control. Wrongful-death litigation followed, including claims concerning maintenance, operators and the aircraft manufacturer. WBTV continues to operate as an active CBS affiliate serving Charlotte and the surrounding region.

1. 2023Logo redesign

   WBTV introduces a new logo incorporating Gray's GrayONE graphics package.

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2. 2022Sky 3 helicopter crash

   Pilot Chip Tayag and meteorologist Jason Myers die when the station's helicopter crashes in south Charlotte.

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3. 2019Gray Television becomes owner

   Gray completes its merger with Raycom Media and assumes ownership of WBTV.

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4. 2013Historical marker dedicated

   A North Carolina historical marker recognizes the history of WBT and WBTV.

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5. 2008Raycom Media takes control

   Raycom completes its acquisition of WBTV from Lincoln Financial Media on April 1.

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6. 2006Jefferson-Pilot merges with Lincoln National

   WBTV becomes part of Lincoln Financial Media after Lincoln National acquires Jefferson-Pilot.

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7. 1998Digital television construction permit

   WBTV receives what it describes as the first full-power digital television construction permit in the United States and begins digital operations the same year.

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8. 1984New Gaston County transmitter tower completed

   WBTV's signal begins transmitting from a 2,000-foot tower in north-central Gaston County.

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9. 1958Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling begins at WBTV facilities

   WBTV's studios begin hosting telecasts of Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, a relationship that continues through 1974.

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10. 1955Move to Morehead Street studios

    WBTV and WBT move from the Wilder Building to a purpose-built broadcasting facility on Morehead Street.

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11. 1949WBTV signs on

    WBTV begins broadcasting on July 15 as Charlotte's first television station and the first television station in the Carolinas.

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A heritage local-news broadcaster positioned around continuous CBS affiliation, deep Charlotte-market roots, regional weather and traffic coverage, and a long record of broadcast-technology experimentation.

• WBTV Local NewsLocal television news1949

  The station's core local-news operation covers Charlotte and nearby communities through scheduled television newscasts, breaking-news reports, investigations and community stories. Its historical strength in local news has been central to WBTV's market identity and long-standing relationship with viewers.

• WBTV WeatherWeather service

  WBTV provides local forecasts, severe-weather alerts and storm coverage for the Charlotte region. Weather reporting is distributed through television, digital channels and live coverage during significant events.

• WBTV DigitalDigital news and video

  WBTV's website and associated digital products extend the station's reporting beyond scheduled broadcasts through articles, video, live coverage, weather information and other locally focused content.

• Sky 3Aerial news coverage

  Sky 3 was WBTV's helicopter-based aerial reporting operation, used for traffic, breaking-news and regional coverage. The aircraft crashed during a training exercise in 2022, killing pilot Chip Tayag and meteorologist Jason Myers.

• CBS programmingNetwork television programming1949

  WBTV carries CBS network programming for the Charlotte market. CBS has been the station's primary affiliation since its 1949 launch, making WBTV one of the network's longest-tenured affiliates in the southern United States.

• 2022Response to Sky 3 helicopter crashOther

  A WBTV helicopter crashed during a training exercise, killing pilot Chip Tayag and meteorologist Jason Myers.

  What changed. WBTV interrupted its coverage, informed viewers of the loss and coordinated with federal investigators and other authorities.

  Aftermath. The crash prompted FAA and NTSB investigations and subsequent wrongful-death litigation involving operators, maintenance responsibilities and the aircraft manufacturer.

  • Other media outlets and Gray sister stations — Other broadcasters and sister stations publicly expressed support and condolences.
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• 2018Gray Television agrees to acquire Raycom MediaM&A

  Raycom sought to combine its television portfolio with Gray Television's station group.

  What changed. Gray announced a cash-and-stock merger with Raycom that included WBTV.

  Aftermath. The transaction was approved in December 2018 and completed on January 2, 2019, placing WBTV under Gray ownership.

  Announced transaction value. $3.6 billion (Announced June 25, 2018)

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• 2007Lincoln Financial chooses to sell WBTV to Raycom MediaM&A

  After Lincoln National's acquisition of Jefferson-Pilot and its broadcasting assets, Lincoln Financial decided to divest WBTV and related stations.

  What changed. Lincoln Financial announced an agreement to sell WBTV, WWBT, WCSC-TV and Lincoln Financial Sports to Raycom Media.

  Aftermath. The FCC approved the WBTV sale in March 2008, and Raycom assumed control on April 1, separating the station from Lincoln's Charlotte radio properties.

  Announced transaction value. $583 million (Announced November 12, 2007)

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• 2024NTSB identifies inadequate inspections as a contributing factor in Sky 3 crash

  A later NTSB report said inadequate inspections failed to identify loose parts that likely contributed to the helicopter's loss of control.

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• 2023Families pursue litigation following WBTV helicopter crash

  Jason Myers's family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit involving the helicopter's operators and maintenance responsibilities. Related litigation later included claims involving the helicopter manufacturer and other parties.

  Lawsuit
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• 2022WBTV Sky 3 helicopter crash kills two station employees

  A helicopter used by WBTV crashed near Interstate 77 in south Charlotte during a training exercise, killing pilot Chip Tayag and meteorologist Jason Myers. Federal authorities investigated the accident.

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• 2019Gray Television completes Raycom Media merger

  Gray Television completed its acquisition of Raycom Media, placing WBTV under Gray's ownership.

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• 2013WBTV and WBT receive North Carolina historical marker

  A historical marker recognizing the broadcasting history of WBT and WBTV was dedicated in Charlotte.

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• 2008Raycom Media completes acquisition of WBTV

  The FCC approved the transaction in March, and Raycom formally took control of WBTV on April 1.

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• 2007Lincoln Financial announces sale of WBTV to Raycom Media

  Lincoln Financial announced an agreement to sell WBTV and related television assets to Raycom Media for a reported transaction value of $583 million.

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• 1949WBTV begins broadcasting in Charlotte

  WBTV signed on July 15, becoming the first television station in the Carolinas and the thirteenth television station in the United States.

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1. WBTV
2. WBTV official website