WHPM-LD
WHPM-LD is a low-power Fox-affiliated television station serving Hattiesburg and the surrounding Pine Belt region of Mississippi.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
WHPM-LD is a low-power television station licensed to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, serving the Hattiesburg–Laurel market and surrounding areas of the state's Pine Belt. The station is affiliated with the Fox network and is owned by Waypoint Media. Its studios are located on Mayfair Road in Hattiesburg, while its transmitter is situated on Old Highway 11/Norton Road in unincorporated Lamar County, south of U.S. Route 98. The station began broadcasting on June 15, 2005, under the call sign WHPM-LP. It initially operated as an analog low-power station on UHF channel 30 and carried religious programming. In 2009, the station discontinued its analog transmission and moved to digital channel 23. The call sign was updated to WHPM-LD on October 7, 2011, reflecting its digital low-power status. A major turning point came on October 13, 2011, when WHPM became the first Fox affiliate based locally in the Hattiesburg market. Before that launch, Fox programming was available in the area through WXXV-TV in Gulfport, whose coverage strategy served both the Gulf Coast and Pine Belt regions. WHPM's local Fox affiliation gave Hattiesburg-area viewers a station centered in their own community rather than relying on a distant-market outlet. WHPM also developed a role as a digital multicast platform. In September 2012, it assumed promotional and advertising responsibilities for the area's cable-only CW service, known as WBH, and placed the service on its second digital subchannel. The channel initially used CW Plus programming and continued to be carried on Comcast. The CW service later moved to a digital subchannel of WHLT on December 23, 2014, as part of a broader affiliation arrangement. WHPM subsequently added MeTV and MyNetworkTV to a third subchannel in July 2015. This arrangement combined MyNetworkTV programming with MeTV programming during the remaining schedule. The station's second subchannel carried This TV beginning in September 2015 and later switched to Antenna TV in 2021. Local news has been another part of WHPM's development. Waypoint Media announced in September 2015 that the station would introduce a half-hour, 9:00 p.m. newscast, described as the first prime-time local newscast in the Hattiesburg–Laurel market. The newscast was scheduled to launch on October 5, 2015. WHPM's operations were substantially connected with Waypoint facilities and regional resources in Meridian, including the operations associated with WMDN and WGBC. In 2016, veteran broadcaster Randy Swan was announced as Waypoint's regional news director. In June 2019, Waypoint acquired Media Gateway's centralized news operation and renamed it News Hub. WHPM adopted the News Hub news format. Coastal Television Broadcast Group acquired the hub from Waypoint in July 2021, but WHPM retained its News Hub affiliation after that transaction. The station therefore combines a local Fox identity with a low-power digital broadcast operation, multicast network services, and centrally produced regional news. A sale of the station to Gray Media for a reported $4 million was announced on June 25, 2026; the available reference material does not establish whether that proposed transaction had closed.
History
WHPM-LD signed on June 15, 2005, as WHPM-LP, a low-power analog television station broadcasting on UHF channel 30. Its original schedule consisted of religious programming. In 2009, the station ended its analog operation and moved to digital channel 23. The station continued using the WHPM-LP call sign until October 7, 2011, when it adopted WHPM-LD to reflect its digital low-power status. On October 13, 2011, WHPM became a Fox affiliate. This was a significant development for the Hattiesburg–Laurel market because it established the first Fox outlet based locally in Hattiesburg. Before WHPM's launch as a Fox affiliate, viewers in the region received Fox over the air and through cable from WXXV-TV in Gulfport. WXXV had used a coverage design intended to reach both the Gulf Coast and Mississippi's Pine Belt, but WHPM provided a station specifically oriented toward the Hattiesburg market. The station expanded its role in local television distribution in 2012. On September 10 of that year, WHPM took over promotional and advertising responsibilities for the area's cable-only CW affiliate, known as WBH. The CW service was added to WHPM's second digital subchannel, giving over-the-air viewers access to the network's CW Plus programming. It initially remained available on Comcast channel 59. The service later became available in 720p high definition over the air and on Comcast's digital channel 438. The CW affiliation moved to a digital subchannel of WHLT on December 23, 2014, following a long-term affiliation renewal involving Media General. WHPM continued to build its multicast lineup. In July 2015, it added MeTV and MyNetworkTV to a third digital subchannel. MyNetworkTV programming occupied its designated schedule, while MeTV supplied programming during other periods. This arrangement formed the station's primary secondary-network offering. In September 2015, This TV was added to the second subchannel, restoring the network to the local market after WDAM-DT2 had changed its affiliation to ABC three years earlier. The second subchannel later changed from This TV to Antenna TV in 2021. News programming became a more prominent part of the station's identity in the middle of the 2010s. On September 25, 2015, Waypoint Media announced that WHPM would launch a half-hour newscast at 9:00 p.m. beginning October 5. The program was described as the first prime-time newscast in the Hattiesburg–Laurel market. Although WHPM's operations were largely connected to Waypoint's facilities in Meridian, including those associated with sister stations WMDN and WGBC, the available account does not specify the precise production location for the newscast. In October 2016, WHPM announced that broadcaster Randy Swan, formerly associated with nearby WDAM-TV, would join Waypoint as regional news director. In June 2019, Waypoint Media purchased Media Gateway's centralized news operation and rebranded it News Hub. WHPM adopted the News Hub format as part of that regional news structure. Waypoint later sold the hub to Coastal Television Broadcast Group in July 2021. The transfer did not end WHPM's relationship with the service, as the station retained its News Hub affiliation. WHPM's documented operating model combines a primary Fox affiliation with digital multicast services and centrally supported news programming. Its principal facilities remain in Hattiesburg, with transmission facilities in Lamar County. A sale of WHPM to Gray Media for $4 million was announced on June 25, 2026. The available source describes the announcement but does not establish completion of the sale, so Waypoint Media remains the recorded owner in this dossier and the transaction is treated as pending or otherwise unverified.
- 2026
Sale to Gray Media announced
[1]A proposed sale to Gray Media for $4 million is announced; completion is not confirmed in the available material.
- 2021
LD2 switches to Antenna TV
[1]The second digital subchannel changes from This TV to Antenna TV.
- 2019
News Hub format adopted
[1]WHPM adopts the centralized News Hub format after Waypoint acquires Media Gateway's news operation.
- 2015
MeTV and MyNetworkTV added
[1]The networks join WHPM's third digital subchannel in July.
- 2015
Prime-time newscast announced
[1]Waypoint announces a 9:00 p.m. WHPM newscast scheduled for October 5.
- 2014
CW affiliation leaves WHPM
[1]The CW service moves to a digital subchannel of WHLT on December 23.
- 2012
CW service added to LD2
[1]The station places the local CW service on its second digital subchannel and assumes related promotional and advertising responsibilities.
- 2011
Call sign changes to WHPM-LD
[1]The station adopts the WHPM-LD call sign on October 7.
- 2011
Fox affiliation begins
[1]WHPM becomes the first locally based Fox affiliate in the Hattiesburg market on October 13.
- 2009
Digital channel 23 operation begins
[1]The station ends its analog transmission and switches to digital channel 23.
Products and positioning
A locally based low-power broadcast station serving the Hattiesburg–Laurel market through Fox network programming, digital multicast services, local advertising, and regional news.
Broadcast television affiliation · 2011
Fox network service
WHPM's primary service carries Fox network programming for the Hattiesburg–Laurel market. The affiliation began in October 2011 and gave the market a locally based Fox outlet rather than relying exclusively on coverage from WXXV-TV in Gulfport.
Digital multicast television · 2015
MyNetworkTV/MeTV service
WHPM's third digital subchannel carries MyNetworkTV programming and uses MeTV programming to fill the remaining schedule. The combined service was added in July 2015 and serves as the station's principal secondary-network offering.
Digital multicast television · 2021
Antenna TV service
Antenna TV replaced This TV on WHPM's second digital subchannel in 2021, providing an additional over-the-air programming service for viewers in the station's coverage area.
Regional television news · 2019
News Hub
WHPM uses the News Hub centralized news format for regional news programming. The station adopted the format after Waypoint Media acquired Media Gateway's centralized news operation in 2019 and retained the affiliation after the operation was sold to Coastal Television Broadcast Group in 2021.
Brand decisions
2026
Proposed sale to Gray MediaM&ABackground
The station's licensee was reported to have agreed to sell WHPM to Gray Media.
Action taken
The announced transaction valued the station at $4 million.
Aftermath
The available material does not confirm closing, regulatory approval, or a completed change in ownership.
announced sale price. $4 million (announced June 25, 2026; closing unconfirmed)
2019
Adoption of centralized News Hub productionStrategyBackground
Waypoint Media acquired Media Gateway's centralized news operation and reorganized it under the News Hub name.
Action taken
WHPM adopted the News Hub news format.
Aftermath
WHPM retained the News Hub relationship after Coastal Television Broadcast Group acquired the hub in 2021.
2015
Launch of prime-time local newsProduct launchBackground
Waypoint Media sought to expand WHPM's local and regional programming presence.
Action taken
Waypoint announced a half-hour newscast scheduled for 9:00 p.m. beginning October 5, 2015.
Aftermath
The program was presented as the first prime-time local newscast in the Hattiesburg–Laurel market.
2015
Expansion of multicast network servicesStrategyBackground
WHPM was expanding its role as a digital multicast platform in addition to its Fox affiliation.
Action taken
The station added MeTV and MyNetworkTV to a third subchannel and added This TV to the second subchannel later that year.
Aftermath
The station offered additional syndicated and network programming over the air, with This TV later replaced by Antenna TV in 2021.
2012
Addition of the CW service to LD2StrategyBackground
The local CW service had been available as a cable-only outlet known as WBH.
Action taken
WHPM assumed promotional and advertising responsibilities and added the service to its second digital subchannel.
Aftermath
The CW became available to over-the-air viewers through WHPM until the affiliation moved to WHLT in December 2014.
2011
Launch of locally based Fox affiliationProduct launchBackground
Before October 2011, Fox programming in the Hattiesburg area was available through WXXV-TV in Gulfport rather than a locally based Fox station.
Action taken
WHPM began carrying Fox programming on October 13, 2011.
Aftermath
The move established WHPM as the Hattiesburg market's first locally based Fox affiliate.
Recent events
- 2026
WHPM sale to Gray Media announced[1]
M&A
The station's licensee was reported to have announced an agreement to sell WHPM to Gray Media for $4 million. The available reference does not confirm that the transaction had closed.
- 2021
Coastal Television acquires the News Hub operation[1]
M&A
Coastal Television Broadcast Group purchased the News Hub operation from Waypoint Media. WHPM retained its affiliation with News Hub after the transaction.
- 2019
WHPM adopts the News Hub centralized news format[1]
Other
After Waypoint acquired Media Gateway's centralized news operation and renamed it News Hub, WHPM adopted the News Hub format for its news output.
- 2016
Randy Swan joins Waypoint as regional news director[1]
Leadership change
WHPM announced that veteran broadcaster Randy Swan would join Waypoint Media as regional news director.
- 2015
WHPM launches a prime-time local newscast[1]
Product launch
Waypoint Media announced a half-hour 9:00 p.m. newscast for WHPM, scheduled to begin in October and described as the first prime-time local newscast in the Hattiesburg–Laurel market.
- 2015
WHPM adds MeTV and MyNetworkTV programming[1]
Product launch
The station added MeTV and MyNetworkTV to a third digital subchannel, using the MeTV schedule outside MyNetworkTV programming hours.
- 2012
WHPM adds CW service to a digital subchannel[1]
Product launch
The station assumed promotional and advertising responsibilities for the area's cable-only CW service and added it to a second digital subchannel.
- 2011
WHPM becomes the first locally based Fox affiliate in the Hattiesburg market[1]
Other
WHPM began carrying Fox programming as a locally based Hattiesburg affiliate, replacing the market's previous reliance on Fox availability through WXXV-TV in Gulfport.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/whpm-ld · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled