WSAV-TV

WSAV-TV is a commercial television station serving Savannah, Georgia, and the surrounding coastal markets of southeastern Georgia and South Carolina. Broadcasting on virtual channel 3, the station is affiliated with NBC on its primary service and carries The CW Plus and MyNetworkTV through digital subchannels. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group and operates from studios on East Victory Drive in Savannah's Live Oak area, with its main transmitter on Little Neck Road near Pooler in northwestern Chatham County. The station began broadcasting on February 1, 1956, after a prolonged legal dispute over the allocation of VHF channel 3. It was established alongside WSAV radio, which had already carried NBC programming, and therefore launched with an NBC television affiliation. In its early years, the station shared ABC programming with WTOC-TV until the arrival of full-time ABC affiliate WJCL-TV in 1970. WSAV also briefly carried programming from the NTA Film Network and operated an unsuccessful FM simulcast associated with its radio facilities. WSAV moved its radio and television operations into a purpose-built Victory Drive facility in 1960. A transmitter upgrade expanded coverage across surrounding Georgia and South Carolina counties, and the station's present-area tower near Pooler was built in 1976. Ownership changed repeatedly during the 1990s. The station moved from News-Press & Gazette to New Vision Television, then Ellis Communications, and subsequently Raycom Media. Because Raycom also owned the higher-rated WTOC-TV and could not retain both stations under the ownership rules then in force, WSAV was traded to Media General in 1997. The station changed network affiliations during the 1980s. It moved from NBC to ABC in 1982, but returned to NBC in 1985 after dissatisfaction with ABC's programming. Its local programming has historically centered on news, weather, community coverage, and sports, while its syndicated schedule has included Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!. WSAV expanded its news presence with additional early-evening and late-evening broadcasts, a South Carolina-focused bureau and newscast, and a Columbia, South Carolina, capitol bureau. In 2024, it added a weekday 11 a.m. newscast followed by the lifestyle and advertorial program The Bridge. The station's digital portfolio has changed substantially. WSAV-DT2 began in 2006 as a MyNetworkTV and Retro TV outlet, later carried MeTV, and became the market's CW Plus service in 2016. MyNetworkTV programming has also shifted among the station's digital services, while other subchannels have carried Laff, Court TV, MeTV, and weather programming at different times. WSAV completed the federally mandated shutdown of its analog signal on June 12, 2009, retaining virtual channel 3 on its digital transmission. WSAV is known locally for its long-running news identity and for the historical Captain Sandy weather character, a nautical-themed presenter who appeared from the 1950s into the 1970s with puppet companions and tide-related comedy. The station marked its fiftieth anniversary in 2006, when Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson proclaimed February 1 as WSAV Day. In 2019, WSAV also received national attention after reporter Alex Bozarjian was struck on the buttocks during a live broadcast, leading to a police report and a widely discussed workplace-harassment controversy.

WSAV-TV signed on February 1, 1956, as Savannah's channel 3 station. Its launch followed a legal battle over the VHF allocation, and the station was initially co-owned with WSAV radio. Because the radio outlet had long carried NBC Radio programming, the television station began as an NBC affiliate. Its first analog transmitter was placed atop a downtown Savannah bank building, where the station's illuminated WSAV sign became a recognizable local landmark. During the late 1950s, WSAV briefly carried NTA Film Network programming and experimented with an FM service associated with its AM transmitter facilities. The FM operation ended when its largely simulcast schedule failed to attract sufficient listeners. In 1960, WSAV radio and television moved to a new facility on East Victory Drive. A larger tower increased service to surrounding counties, while the current transmitter site near Pooler dates from 1976. WSAV shared ABC programming with WTOC-TV until WJCL-TV began full-time ABC service in 1970. The station itself changed affiliations in 1982, moving from NBC to ABC, but returned to NBC in 1985. The reversal reflected dissatisfaction with ABC's prime-time performance at the time and restored the affiliation that WSAV has carried on its primary service. The station experienced several ownership transitions in the 1990s. News-Press & Gazette Company sold its broadcasting group to the first New Vision Television in 1993. Ellis Communications acquired the New Vision stations in 1995, and Ellis was subsequently combined with Aflac's former broadcasting assets under Raycom Media. Since Raycom already owned WTOC-TV, federal ownership restrictions prevented it from retaining both Savannah stations. Raycom therefore kept WTOC and traded WSAV, together with two other stations, to Media General in early 1997. Media General later expanded WSAV's programming and digital services. The station obtained local rights to Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!, programs previously carried by WJCL for many years. In 2006, WSAV marked its fiftieth anniversary, with Savannah's mayor designating February 1 as WSAV Day. The station also developed a broad multicast operation. WSAV-DT2 carried MyNetworkTV and Retro TV from 2006, changed to MeTV in 2011, and assumed the CW Plus affiliation in 2016. MyNetworkTV and other services subsequently moved among WSAV's digital subchannels as the station added Laff, Court TV, weather content, and other programming. WSAV's local news operation has generally been a strong second-place service in a market historically dominated by WTOC-TV. Its news department expanded in the 1970s, and the station later added 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. broadcasts, a South Carolina-oriented newscast, and a bureau covering the state capitol in Columbia. The station upgraded its newscasts to high definition on March 8, 2011. A weekday 11 a.m. newscast was added in 2024, followed by The Bridge, a lifestyle and advertorial program. In 2014, Media General's planned merger with LIN Media created an ownership conflict because LIN owned WJCL and operated WTGS. Media General retained WSAV and divested WJCL to Hearst Television, while WTGS went to Sinclair Broadcast Group. Media General was then acquired by Nexstar Broadcasting Group in a transaction announced in 2016 and completed in January 2017, placing WSAV within Nexstar Media Group. A distinctive part of WSAV's earlier identity was Captain Sandy, a nautical-themed weather presenter who appeared on weeknight newscasts from the 1950s through the 1970s. The character used puppet companions and comic devices to present forecasts and tide information. As local television news became more formal and stations increasingly employed trained meteorologists, the character was eventually retired and replaced with a conventional news presentation. WSAV ended analog broadcasting on June 12, 2009, while retaining virtual channel 3 on its digital signal.

1. 2024Weekday midday newscast launches

   WSAV adds an 11 a.m. weekday newscast and follows it with The Bridge.

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2. 2017Nexstar ownership begins

   Nexstar completes its acquisition of Media General, bringing WSAV into the Nexstar portfolio.

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3. 2016CW Plus moves to WSAV-DT2

   The station assumes the local CW Plus service and reorganizes its other digital services.

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4. 2011News broadcasts move to high definition

   WSAV upgrades its newscasts to high-definition production.

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5. 2009Analog transmission ends

   The station ends regular analog broadcasting under the United States digital television transition.

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6. 2006Fiftieth anniversary and digital expansion

   WSAV celebrates fifty years and expands its digital multicast offerings.

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7. 1997Media General acquires WSAV

   Raycom trades WSAV to Media General following its decision to retain WTOC-TV.

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8. 1985WSAV returns to NBC

   WSAV reverses its earlier affiliation change and returns to NBC.

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9. 1982WSAV switches to ABC

   The station changes its primary network affiliation from NBC to ABC.

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10. 1976Current-area transmitter tower is built

    A transmitter tower is constructed near Pooler to serve the wider market.

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11. 1970WJCL becomes full-time ABC affiliate

    WSAV's previous shared ABC arrangement with WTOC ends after WJCL-TV begins full-time ABC service.

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12. 1960Move to Victory Drive facility

    WSAV radio and television move into a new facility on East Victory Drive in Savannah.

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13. 1956WSAV-TV signs on

    The station begins broadcasting on VHF channel 3 as an NBC affiliate.

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A locally focused network-affiliated television station combining Savannah-area news, weather, community reporting, syndicated entertainment, and a multi-channel digital broadcast portfolio.

• WSAV News 3Local television news

  WSAV's principal local news brand, covering Savannah, coastal Georgia, the South Carolina Lowcountry, weather, public affairs, consumer issues, and regional events. The operation includes multiple daily newscasts, additional early-evening and late-evening broadcasts, and reporting from South Carolina.

• WSAV-DT2Digital multicast television2006

  The station's second digital service, currently associated with The CW Plus. Its history includes WB 100+ programming, MyNetworkTV, Retro TV, and MeTV, with the schedule changing as network and multicast arrangements evolved.

• My Lowcountry NewsRegional news program2009

  A South Carolina-focused local news service created for viewers in the Lowcountry, including Beaufort and Hilton Head areas. The program incorporated regional reporting, weather information, and South Carolina sports coverage.

• The BridgeLifestyle and advertorial program2024

  A weekday lifestyle and sponsored-content program scheduled after WSAV's 11 a.m. local newscast. It forms part of the station's expanded midday programming.

• Captain SandyHistorical weather and children's television feature1956

  A former WSAV weather personality and character presented with a nautical theme. Captain Sandy combined weather and tide information with comic puppet companions, including Wilbur the Weather Bird, Arthur Mometer, and Calamity Clam, before the format was retired as local news became more formal.

• 2006WSAV Day and 50th-anniversary observance

  Savannah, Georgia

  WSAV commemorated its fiftieth year of broadcasting with a public anniversary observance. Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson proclaimed February 1 as WSAV Day and recognized the station's long-standing local service.

  Outcome. The anniversary reinforced WSAV's civic and historical identity in the Savannah market.

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• 2016Media General acquisition by NexstarM&A

  Nexstar announced an agreement to acquire Media General, which owned WSAV.

  What changed. Nexstar acquired Media General, with the combined company operating as Nexstar Media Group.

  Aftermath. The transaction closed in January 2017 and WSAV became part of Nexstar's station group.

  Announced transaction value. $4.6 billion (Announced January 2016; completed January 2017)

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• 2016Move CW Plus service to WSAV-DT2Generation change

  The local CW service had previously been associated with WSCG and related digital and low-power facilities.

  What changed. WSAV-DT2 assumed the CW Plus affiliation, while MyNetworkTV and other multicast services were rearranged.

  Aftermath. The move expanded WSAV's role in the market's digital network-affiliate landscape.

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• 2014Retain WSAV during Media General–LIN ownership reviewM&A

  Media General's proposed merger with LIN Media created same-market ownership conflicts involving WSAV, WJCL, and WTGS.

  What changed. Media General retained WSAV and arranged the sale of WJCL to Hearst and WTGS to Sinclair.

  Aftermath. The transactions were completed in December 2014, allowing the merger structure to comply with applicable ownership requirements.

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• 1985Return to NBC affiliationStrategy

  The station was dissatisfied with aspects of ABC's prime-time programming and its effect on the overall schedule.

  What changed. WSAV reversed the 1982 affiliation change and resumed NBC service.

  Aftermath. NBC has remained the station's primary affiliation in the reference material.

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• 1982Switch primary affiliation from NBC to ABCStrategy

  ABC had become the leading national network and was seeking stronger local affiliates.

  What changed. WSAV moved its primary network affiliation from NBC to ABC.

  Aftermath. The arrangement lasted three years before WSAV returned to NBC in 1985.

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• 2019Reporter struck during live Savannah Bridge Run coverageControversy

  During a live WSAV report, runner Thomas Callaway struck reporter Alex Bozarjian on the buttocks. Bozarjian publicly described the act as a violation and humiliation, and the incident received national attention. Callaway was barred from future races and later apologized in an interview. Bozarjian filed a sexual battery report with Savannah police in December 2019.

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• 2024WSAV adds a weekday midday newscast

  The station began producing a half-hour 11 a.m. weekday newscast, followed by The Bridge at 11:30 a.m.

  Product launch
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• 2016WSAV moves its CW affiliation to WSAV-DT2

  WSAV-DT2 assumed the local CW Plus affiliation, while MyNetworkTV and other services were reorganized among the station's digital subchannels.

  Product generation
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• 2006WSAV launches expanded digital-subchannel services

  The station added MyNetworkTV and Retro TV programming to WSAV-DT2 and later developed additional multicast services.

  Product launch
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• 1997WSAV-TV is traded to Media General

  Raycom exchanged WSAV and two other stations for WTVR-TV after retaining WTOC-TV in the Savannah market.

  M&A
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• 1985WSAV returns to NBC affiliation

  After operating as an ABC affiliate for three years, WSAV switched back to NBC.

  Other
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• 1956WSAV-TV begins broadcasting on VHF channel 3

  The station launched in Savannah with NBC programming inherited from the WSAV radio service.

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1. WSAV-TV
2. WSAV official website