WJTV

WJTV is a television station licensed to Jackson, Mississippi, and serving central Mississippi. The station is identified with channel 12 and operates studios on TV Road in southwest Jackson, while its transmitter is located near Raymond. It also supplies programming and news content to WHLT in Hattiesburg, which functions as a semi-satellite serving the Hattiesburg–Laurel and wider Pine Belt area. The station traces its origins to Mississippi Publishers Corporation, a joint venture formed by Jackson's two daily newspapers, The Clarion-Ledger and the Jackson Daily News. WJTV began broadcasting on January 20, 1953, initially on UHF channel 25. Its first broadcast carried the inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, making it the first television transmission by a Mississippi station. The station began as a CBS affiliate and also carried programming from the DuMont Television Network during the early years of commercial television. A second Jackson station, WSLI-TV, began broadcasting on channel 12 in March 1954 as an ABC affiliate. It was established by Standard Life Insurance Corporation, the owner of radio station WSLI. In 1955, WSLI-TV and WJTV merged. The combined operation adopted the WJTV identity and moved to channel 12 under the Capitol Broadcasting Company, with the newspaper group acquiring a minority interest. The merged station carried CBS, ABC, and DuMont programming for a period. After WAPT began broadcasting in 1970 as a dedicated ABC affiliate, WJTV became primarily associated with CBS. WJTV expanded its local role through news, weather, sports, public-affairs, and community programming. Early locally produced programs included children's shows such as Skipper Dick and Popeye Theater. Its news department grew substantially under News-Press & Gazette Company ownership in the 1980s, and the station added newscasts in the morning and at 5 p.m. WJTV traditionally ranked behind WLBT in Jackson news ratings, although it periodically mounted strong challenges, including a period in 1990 when its late news exceeded WLBT's audience. Ownership changed repeatedly after the newspaper owners exited broadcasting. News-Press & Gazette Company acquired WJTV in 1983. The station and related properties later passed to New Vision Television, Ellis Communications, Raycom Media, and Media General. In 1997, WJTV and WHLT were traded to Media General in a transaction connected with Raycom's acquisition of other stations. Nexstar Broadcasting Group acquired Media General in a transaction completed in January 2017, bringing WJTV into the Nexstar Media Group portfolio. WJTV returned The CW programming to the Jackson market in 2013 through a digital subchannel, branded as EJTV. The reference material describes a later affiliation transition in which WJTV's main channel moved from CBS to The CW on August 1, 2026, while WHLT retained CBS affiliation. Because that date is future-dated relative to much historical coverage, the station's exact current network configuration should be verified against contemporary station and regulatory sources. Regardless of affiliation, WJTV's core brand function is local television: producing and distributing Mississippi news, weather, sports, emergency information, syndicated programming, and network content.

WJTV developed from the first commercial television service established in Mississippi. During the early 1950s, the Federal Communications Commission revised channel allocations and opened additional opportunities for UHF broadcasting. Jackson's two daily newspapers, The Clarion-Ledger and the Jackson Daily News, combined their applications through Mississippi Publishers Corporation. After channel-allocation changes eliminated an initial VHF proposal, the group received authorization for UHF channel 25. WJTV signed on January 20, 1953. The station rushed to complete construction so it could carry the inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and that event became its first broadcast rather than a conventional period of test transmissions. It began with CBS programming and also carried DuMont content. The station's early operation included outside broadcasts and demonstrations intended to introduce television to audiences in Jackson and other Mississippi communities. Standard Life Insurance Corporation, which owned radio station WSLI, separately obtained authorization for channel 12. WSLI-TV began broadcasting in March 1954 as an ABC affiliate. For approximately a year, Jackson had separate operations on channels 25 and 12. In April 1955, the owners announced a combination under which Mississippi Publishers acquired a 40 percent interest in Standard Life Broadcasting Company. The merger became effective June 1, 1955, and produced a single WJTV operation on channel 12. The resulting Capitol Broadcasting Company retained the WSLI-TV facility, combined personnel and programming resources, and disposed of the channel 25 permit. WJTV operated with multiple network relationships in its early years. It carried CBS, ABC, and DuMont programming after the merger, but DuMont ceased operations later in 1955. WJTV continued to share ABC programming with other Jackson stations until WAPT launched in 1970 as a primary ABC affiliate. This left WJTV principally aligned with CBS. Technical improvements included a power increase in 1957 and the introduction of a tall transmitting tower near Raymond in 1962, strengthening the station's regional reach. Local programming was part of WJTV's identity from the beginning. Children's programs included Skipper Dick, hosted by Dick Miller, and Popeye Theater. Miller later became a long-serving news anchor. The news department initially operated with only a small staff, including weatherman and pilot Bob Neblett, but expanded over time as television news became more central to the station's business. WJTV generally occupied second place behind WLBT in Jackson news ratings, though it achieved occasional first-place results in specific periods and time slots. The original newspaper-linked ownership ended after the Jackson newspapers were sold to Gannett in 1982. Capitol Broadcasting placed WJTV and other properties on the market, and News-Press & Gazette Company agreed to acquire the station in 1982, completing the change in 1983. Under NPG, WJTV enlarged its newsroom and recruited personnel with experience at WLBT. William Dilday became general manager in 1986 after previously serving at WLBT; the reference identifies him as the first Black general manager of a United States television station. WJTV added a 5 p.m. newscast in 1988 and a morning newscast in 1992, later extending morning coverage to an earlier start. NPG also pursued a station for the Pine Belt. The resulting WHLT began broadcasting from Hattiesburg on January 12, 1987. Its local-news structure changed several times: it initially produced local programs and inserts, later operated separate newscasts, and at other times relied heavily on WJTV-produced material. WHLT eventually became a semi-satellite, carrying WJTV newscasts and related programming while retaining a role in the Hattiesburg–Laurel market. WJTV changed hands repeatedly in the 1990s. New Vision Television acquired NPG's stations in 1993, then sold the portfolio to Ellis Communications after a relatively short holding period. Raycom Media acquired Ellis in 1996. Because of ownership and market-overlap issues involving another Mississippi station, WJTV and WHLT were traded to Media General in 1997. Across these ownership changes, the station invested in its facilities and expanded its operating capabilities, but its newscasts continued to compete primarily with long-established market leader WLBT. WAPT later strengthened its competitive position and passed WJTV in some ratings measures. In 2013, WJTV restored CW programming to the Jackson market by carrying the network on a digital subchannel branded EJTV. Nexstar's acquisition of Media General, completed in January 2017, made WJTV a Nexstar station. The supplied reference further describes an affiliation change dated August 1, 2026, under which WJTV would become a primary CW affiliate and WAPT would assume CBS in Jackson, while WHLT would remain with CBS. Since the date is future-dated in the supplied material, the station's current network status requires verification. WJTV's enduring role, however, is that of a local broadcast brand centered on news, weather, public safety, community information, and regional television distribution.

1. 2026Reference describes transition to primary CW affiliation

   The supplied reference describes WJTV ending its CBS affiliation and becoming a primary CW affiliate, subject to confirmation from current sources.

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2. 2017Nexstar acquires Media General

   WJTV joined Nexstar's station portfolio when Nexstar completed its acquisition of Media General.

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3. 2013CW programming returns to Jackson

   The CW launched on WJTV's second digital subchannel after the previous local affiliate changed ownership.

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4. 1997WJTV moves to Media General

   Raycom traded WJTV and WHLT to Media General in connection with market and ownership constraints involving other stations.

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5. 1996Raycom absorbs Ellis Communications

   WJTV's ownership chain moved into Raycom through Raycom's acquisition of Ellis Communications.

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6. 1993New Vision Television acquires the station group

   WJTV and other NPG stations were acquired by newly formed New Vision Television.

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7. 1987WHLT begins operation

   The Hattiesburg station launched as a related outlet for the Pine Belt and later became a WJTV semi-satellite.

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8. 1983News-Press & Gazette acquires WJTV

   Ownership moved from Capitol Broadcasting to News-Press & Gazette Company after the Jackson newspaper owners exited the station.

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9. 1970WAPT launches as a primary ABC affiliate

   The arrival of WAPT reduced WJTV's shared ABC role and reinforced its association with CBS.

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10. 1962Raymond transmitting tower enters service

    The station began transmitting from a 1,615-foot tower near Raymond, expanding its technical reach.

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11. 1955Merger creates channel 12 WJTV

    WJTV and WSLI-TV combined under Capitol Broadcasting Company, with WJTV moving to channel 12.

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12. 1954WSLI-TV begins broadcasting

    Standard Life launched WSLI-TV on channel 12 as an ABC affiliate, establishing the operation that later merged with WJTV.

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13. 1953WJTV signs on

    WJTV began broadcasting on January 20 as Mississippi's first television station, carrying the Eisenhower inauguration.

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14. 1952Mississippi Publishers receives authorization for channel 25

    The newspaper-backed applicant obtained the permit that led to WJTV's original UHF operation.

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15. 1951Jackson receives proposed commercial television allocations

    Federal channel-planning work identified multiple commercial television assignments for Jackson, creating the regulatory basis for the station's eventual launch.

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A long-established Mississippi broadcast news outlet combining local reporting, weather and emergency coverage with network, syndicated, and digital programming for viewers in Jackson and surrounding communities.

• WJTV Local NewsLocal television news1953

  WJTV's local news operation covers Jackson and central Mississippi through scheduled morning, midday, afternoon, evening, and late-night broadcasts. The department has expanded from a very small launch-era staff into a full newsroom covering politics, public safety, education, business, community events, and regional issues. Its output is also distributed through digital platforms and, in selected time periods, to WHLT in Hattiesburg.

• WJTV WeatherBroadcast weather service

  Weather forecasting and severe-weather reporting are a central part of WJTV's service to Mississippi viewers. The station uses broadcast meteorology, alerts, forecasts, and field reporting to cover thunderstorms, tornado risks, flooding, heat, and other hazards affecting the Jackson region and surrounding communities.

• EJTVDigital television subchannel2013

  EJTV was WJTV's digital subchannel used to carry The CW in the Jackson market beginning in 2013. The reference material describes a possible later conversion of this outlet to an independent service focused on syndicated court programs and sitcoms.

• WHLTSemi-satellite television station1987

  WHLT is the Hattiesburg-based station associated with WJTV and serving the Pine Belt. It has carried WJTV-produced news and other programming, while also airing local inserts and, according to the supplied reference, retaining a CBS affiliation in the described 2026 transition.

• 2026Reference describes a change from CBS to primary CW affiliationStrategy

  The supplied reference describes a modified renewal arrangement affecting several Nexstar affiliations in which CBS programming would move to WAPT in Jackson.

  What changed. According to the supplied material, WJTV would become a primary CW affiliate on August 1, 2026, while WHLT would remain with CBS and the former WJTV CW subchannel could become an independent station.

  Aftermath. The change would materially reposition WJTV's network identity in Jackson. Because the stated date is future-dated, implementation and current status require verification.

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• 2013Restore The CW programming through a digital subchannelProduct launch

  The previous Jackson-area CW affiliate was sold to the Trinity Broadcasting Network, leaving the market without its prior CW outlet.

  What changed. WJTV added The CW to a second digital subchannel branded EJTV.

  Aftermath. The move returned CW programming to Jackson while allowing WJTV to preserve its principal network service on the main channel.

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• 1987Launch WHLT to extend Pine Belt coverageStrategy

  Hattiesburg and the surrounding Pine Belt sat near the edge of WJTV's primary coverage area and represented a separate local television market.

  What changed. News-Press & Gazette developed WHLT as a Hattiesburg outlet associated with WJTV and its regional news operation.

  Aftermath. WHLT became a semi-satellite carrying WJTV news and related programming, with varying levels of locally originated content.

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• 1955Combine WJTV and WSLI-TV on channel 12M&A

  Jackson had two separately operated television stations, one on UHF channel 25 and one on channel 12. Combining their resources offered a larger and more efficient regional operation.

  What changed. Mississippi Publishers acquired a minority interest in Standard Life Broadcasting Company, and the stations merged under the WJTV identity on channel 12.

  Aftermath. The merger created the long-running channel 12 WJTV service and consolidated the stations' staffs, facilities, and network relationships.

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• 2026Reference material describes a future CBS-to-CW affiliation change

  The supplied reference states that WJTV would end its CBS affiliation and become a primary CW affiliate, while WHLT would remain affiliated with CBS. The timing and implementation should be confirmed with current regulatory and station sources.

  Product generation
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• 2017Nexstar completes acquisition of Media General

  WJTV became part of Nexstar after Nexstar's acquisition of Media General was completed.

  M&A
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• 2013The CW returns to Jackson through WJTV's digital subchannel

  WJTV placed The CW on a second digital subchannel after the prior Jackson-area affiliate was sold to the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

  Product launch
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• 1987WHLT begins broadcasting in the Pine Belt

  WHLT launched in Hattiesburg as a related station designed to extend WJTV-associated programming and coverage into the Hattiesburg–Laurel market.

  Product launch
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• 1955WJTV and WSLI-TV merge on channel 12

  The two Jackson television operations combined under the WJTV identity, consolidating their facilities and network affiliations.

  M&A
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• 1953WJTV begins broadcasting as Mississippi's first television station

  WJTV launched on UHF channel 25 and carried President Dwight D. Eisenhower's inauguration as its first broadcast.

  Other
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1. WJTV
2. WJTV official website