WHP-TV
WHP-TV is a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania television station and a CBS affiliate serving South Central Pennsylvania.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
WHP-TV is a commercial television station licensed to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, serving the Harrisburg–Lancaster–Lebanon–York television market and the broader Susquehanna Valley. The station operates on virtual channel 21 and is associated primarily with CBS, while also carrying MyNetworkTV and The CW programming on digital subchannels. Its local news operation is branded Local 21 News and is based at studios on North Sixth Street in Harrisburg, in a facility whose municipal boundary runs between the city and Susquehanna Township. WHP-TV shares facilities and transmission infrastructure with other Sinclair-controlled or affiliated operations in the region, including Lancaster-licensed Univision affiliate WXBU. The station began broadcasting on July 4, 1953, under the ownership of Commonwealth Communications, which also owned WHP radio properties. It initially transmitted on UHF channel 55 and operated from Locust Street studios. WHP-TV has maintained a primary CBS affiliation for most of its history, although it also carried selected DuMont Television Network programming before DuMont ceased operations in 1956. On July 1, 1961, the station moved to UHF channel 21, the channel with which its identity has subsequently been associated. A major turning point came in the early 1960s, when the Federal Communications Commission consolidated the Harrisburg–York and Lancaster television areas into a single South Central Pennsylvania market. Because the market was geographically large and mountainous, and because UHF signals had limited range before the widespread adoption of cable television, WHP-TV participated in the Keystone Network arrangement with WLYH-TV in Lebanon and WSBA-TV in York. The stations coordinated CBS programming so that viewers across the expanded market could receive most of the network schedule, while maintaining distinct local news and other programming. WHP-TV remained the more independently programmed member of the arrangement. After WSBA-TV left the arrangement in 1983 and became independent station WPMT, WHP-TV and WLYH-TV continued their unusual shared-CBS relationship. That structure ended in December 1995, when WHP-TV became the sole CBS affiliate for the market and WLYH converted to UPN. WHP-TV had been sold by Commonwealth to Clear Channel Communications earlier that year, and Clear Channel combined the operations of WHP-TV and WLYH through a local marketing agreement, with WHP-TV as the senior station. The relationship later continued through successive ownership changes and eventually included The CW programming on the former WLYH operation. Clear Channel agreed to sell its television group to Newport Television in 2007. Newport subsequently sold WHP-TV to Sinclair Broadcast Group in a 2012 station transaction that closed on December 3 of that year. WHP-TV became one of Sinclair's stations and retained its historic three-letter call sign. Sinclair later considered several ownership and divestiture structures involving WHP-TV during its proposed acquisition of Allbritton Communications and its attempted acquisition of Tribune Media, but those transactions did not result in a change of WHP-TV's operating ownership described in the supplied reference material. WHP-TV produces local news throughout the week, including weekday morning, evening, and late-night programming, as well as weekend broadcasts. It operates a York bureau and supplies weather information to several area radio stations. The station added a weekday noon newscast in September 2019. Its news operation historically faced strong competition and often ranked behind other stations in the market, but it has received professional recognition, including an Emmy Award cited for 2010. WHP-TV transitioned its local newscasts from standard-definition pillarboxed presentation to high definition on April 14, 2012. The station has also adapted its transmission and digital services to changes in the television industry. It launched a MyNetworkTV digital subchannel in 2006, and a simulcast of The CW Central Pennsylvania moved to WHP-TV's third digital subchannel in February 2016. WHP-TV ended analog broadcasting on June 12, 2009, and later moved its post-auction digital transmission from UHF channel 21 to UHF channel 32 on August 1, 2019, while retaining virtual channel 21. Its current identity combines a long-running CBS network relationship, locally produced news, digital multicast services, and Sinclair's centralized broadcast infrastructure.
History
WHP-TV signed on July 4, 1953, as a Harrisburg station owned by Commonwealth Communications, which also operated WHP radio. The station initially broadcast on UHF channel 55 from Locust Street studios and carried CBS as its principal network affiliation. It also aired some DuMont programming until that network ended in 1956. On July 1, 1961, WHP-TV moved to UHF channel 21. The station's programming structure was shaped by the 1963 FCC decision to combine the Harrisburg–York and Lancaster areas into one television market. The resulting market was large and geographically difficult to cover, particularly before cable distribution became widespread. WHP-TV therefore joined WLYH-TV in Lebanon and WSBA-TV in York in the Keystone Network, a coordinated arrangement designed to make most CBS programming available throughout the region. WHP-TV maintained more separate programming, while WLYH and WSBA largely simulcast network content and produced their own newscasts. WHP-TV moved to its current North Sixth Street facility in 1975. WSBA-TV left the Keystone arrangement in 1983 and relaunched as independent WPMT, but WHP-TV and WLYH continued to share much of the CBS schedule. In 1995, Commonwealth sold WHP-TV to Clear Channel Communications. Clear Channel entered into a local marketing agreement with Gateway Communications, the owner of WLYH, and consolidated the stations' operations. On December 16, 1995, WHP-TV became the market's sole CBS affiliate, while WLYH became a UPN station. Clear Channel agreed to sell its television group to Newport Television in 2007. Newport sold WHP-TV to Sinclair Broadcast Group in 2012, with the transaction closing on December 3. The station subsequently remained part of Sinclair's Central Pennsylvania broadcast operations. Several later proposed transactions involving other stations in the market generated regulatory and divestiture discussions affecting WHP-TV, but the contemplated sale structures were not completed as described in the reference material. WHP-TV expanded its digital presence with a MyNetworkTV subchannel launched in 2006. The station later carried The CW Central Pennsylvania on its third digital subchannel after that service moved there in 2016. It ended analog broadcasting on June 12, 2009, shifted its post-transition digital signal to UHF channel 21, and then relocated to UHF channel 32 on August 1, 2019, retaining virtual channel 21. Its local news operation broadcasts throughout the week, operates a York bureau, distributes weather information to area radio stations, and has received professional recognition. Local newscasts converted to high definition in 2012, and a weekday noon newscast was added in 2019.
- 2019
Digital transmitter repack completed
[1]WHP-TV relocates its physical digital transmission from channel 21 to channel 32 while retaining virtual channel 21.
- 2016
CW service moves to WHP-TV 21.3
[1]The CW Central Pennsylvania simulcast moves to the station's third digital subchannel.
- 2012
Sinclair acquisition closes
[1]Sinclair Broadcast Group completes its acquisition of WHP-TV from Newport Television.
- 2012
Local news moves to high definition
[1]WHP-TV upgrades studio and field newscasts to high-definition production.
- 2009
Analog transmission ends
[1]The station ends regular analog programming during the nationwide digital television transition.
- 2006
MyNetworkTV digital service launches
[1]WHP-TV launches a second digital subchannel carrying MyNetworkTV programming.
- 1995
WHP-TV becomes sole CBS affiliate
[1]Following its sale to Clear Channel and the WHP–WLYH operating combination, WHP-TV becomes the market's sole CBS affiliate.
- 1983
WSBA-TV leaves the Keystone Network
[1]WSBA-TV is sold and relaunched as independent WPMT, leaving WHP-TV and WLYH-TV to continue the coordinated CBS arrangement.
- 1975
Move to North Sixth Street studios
[1]The station relocates from its original Locust Street facility to its current Harrisburg-area studio complex.
- 1963
Keystone Network arrangement begins
[1]Following market consolidation, WHP-TV coordinates CBS distribution with WLYH-TV and WSBA-TV.
Products and positioning
A locally focused network-affiliated television station serving Central Pennsylvania, combining CBS programming with regional news, weather, syndicated entertainment, and digital multicast services.
Local television news
Local 21 News
WHP-TV's locally produced news service covers Central Pennsylvania through weekday morning, evening, and late-night broadcasts, plus weekend editions. The operation includes a York bureau and regional weather coverage. It produces more than 24 hours of local newscasts per week and has received professional recognition, including an Emmy Award cited for its 2010 news work.
CBS network affiliate service · 1953
CBS 21
The station's main service carries CBS network programming alongside WHP-TV's local news, weather, public affairs, syndicated programming, and other locally scheduled content. WHP-TV has maintained a primary CBS relationship since its launch, apart from the end of its earlier shared-market arrangement with other Central Pennsylvania stations.
Digital multicast television · 2006
MyNetworkTV digital subchannel
WHP-TV launched a second digital subchannel for MyNetworkTV when the network debuted in 2006. The service expanded the station's programming portfolio beyond its primary CBS channel and was also made available through the area's digital cable distribution.
Digital multicast television · 2016
The CW Central Pennsylvania
The regional CW service moved to WHP-TV's third digital subchannel, channel 21.3, in February 2016. It provides CW programming to the Central Pennsylvania market through WHP-TV's digital broadcast infrastructure.
Brand decisions
2019
Addition of weekday noon newscastOtherBackground
WHP-TV historically lacked a weekday midday newscast, unlike many CBS affiliates in the Eastern time zone.
Action taken
The station launched a noon newscast in September 2019.
Aftermath
The schedule expanded WHP-TV's local news presence into the midday period.
2012
Acquisition by Sinclair Broadcast GroupM&ABackground
Newport Television agreed to sell WHP-TV and other stations as part of a broader station-group transaction.
Action taken
Sinclair completed the acquisition on December 3, 2012.
Aftermath
WHP-TV became part of Sinclair's station portfolio and continued operating as a major CBS outlet in Central Pennsylvania.
2012
High-definition news conversionGeneration changeBackground
WHP-TV's local newscasts had remained primarily pillarboxed 4:3 standard definition.
Action taken
The station introduced HD studio and field production, a new news set, digital microwave and editing systems, and updated weather graphics.
Aftermath
WHP-TV became the last station in its Central Pennsylvania market to convert local newscasts to high definition.
2006
Launch of MyNetworkTV digital subchannelProduct launchBackground
News Corporation announced MyNetworkTV as a new broadcast network in 2006.
Action taken
WHP-TV launched a second digital subchannel to carry the network in the Harrisburg market.
Aftermath
The station added a digital multicast service while retaining CBS on its primary channel.
1995
Consolidation of WHP-TV and WLYH operationsStrategyBackground
Clear Channel's acquisition of WHP-TV was followed by a local marketing agreement with WLYH-TV, which was owned by Gateway Communications.
Action taken
The stations combined operations with WHP-TV as the senior partner. WHP-TV became the sole CBS affiliate in December, while WLYH changed to UPN.
Aftermath
The arrangement ended the market's long-running shared-CBS structure and established WHP-TV as the principal CBS outlet for South Central Pennsylvania.
Recent events
- 2019
WHP-TV adds a weekday noon newscast[1]
Product launch
The station introduced a weekday midday newscast before CBS daytime programming.
- 2016
The CW Central Pennsylvania moves to WHP-TV's third subchannel[1]
Other
The station moved the regional CW simulcast to digital subchannel 21.3.
- 2012
Sinclair completes acquisition of WHP-TV[1]
M&A
Sinclair Broadcast Group completed its acquisition of WHP-TV from Newport Television as part of a broader station transaction.
- 2012
WHP-TV converts local news to high definition[1]
Product generation · Other
WHP-TV introduced high-definition studio and field news production, along with a new set, upgraded microwave and editing equipment, and updated weather graphics.
- 1995
WHP-TV becomes the market's sole CBS affiliate[1]
Leadership change
After Clear Channel acquired WHP-TV and combined operations with WLYH under a local marketing agreement, WHP-TV became the sole CBS affiliate in South Central Pennsylvania while WLYH moved to UPN.
- 1961
WHP-TV moves to UHF channel 21[1]
Other
The station moved from channel 55 to UHF channel 21, establishing the channel identity it continues to use virtually.
Sources1 sources
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