WSTM-TV

WSTM-TV is a television station licensed to Syracuse, New York, and serving the Central New York market. It broadcasts NBC programming and operates a CW-affiliated service, while its local news and digital operations are presented under the broader CNY Central identity. Sinclair Broadcast Group owns WSTM-TV and also owns CBS affiliate WKOF; Sinclair provides certain services to WTVH, another Syracuse station, under a local marketing arrangement with Deerfield Media. The stations share facilities on James Street in Syracuse’s Near Northeast area, while WSTM-TV’s transmitter is located in the town of Onondaga. The station began broadcasting on February 15, 1950, as WSYR-TV on VHF channel 5. It was the Syracuse market’s second television station and was owned by Advance Publications, the Newhouse family company that also controlled the Syracuse Post-Standard, the Syracuse Herald-Journal, and WSYR radio. The station moved to VHF channel 3 in 1953 and relocated with the WSYR radio stations to James Street facilities in 1958. During its early years, WSYR-TV also served as an NBC outlet for Binghamton before a local station began operating there, and it maintained a satellite operation in Elmira until 1980. Advance’s withdrawal from broadcasting led to the sale of the station to Times Mirror in 1980. Because of Federal Communications Commission rules concerning shared call signs between separately owned radio and television stations, the television outlet adopted the callsign WSTM-TV on March 28, 1980. The callsign was derived from Syracuse Times Mirror. Times Mirror later sold the station to SJL Broadcast Management in 1986, which sold it to Federal Broadcasting in 1992. Raycom Media acquired Federal Broadcasting in 1997. Under Raycom, the station expanded its local television portfolio. In 2003, Raycom acquired low-power UPN affiliate WAWA-LP, renamed it WSTQ-LP, and branded it UPN 6, The Q. WSTM-TV subsequently produced a prime-time newscast for the outlet. Raycom announced the sale of WSTM-TV and WSTQ-LP to Barrington Broadcasting in 2006. Barrington later entered into a local marketing agreement involving CBS affiliate WTVH, consolidating much of the two stations’ news production and technical operations. Sinclair announced the acquisition of Barrington Broadcasting’s station group in 2013. Regulatory compliance required the disposition of other Syracuse-area properties, including Fox affiliate WSYT and its relationship with WNYS-TV. After the transaction, Sinclair became WSTM-TV’s owner and continued to operate the station as part of its Syracuse cluster. WTVH’s separate news operation was substantially integrated with WSTM-TV’s, although WTVH later restored separately produced weekday morning and midday newscasts. WSTM-TV has historically competed with WSYR-TV for local-news audiences and has generally ranked second overall in the Syracuse market, while remaining competitive in selected dayparts. Its local programming has included morning, midday, evening, late-night, and prime-time newscasts. The station introduced enhanced-definition widescreen news in 2010, moved its CW-related broadcasts to high definition in 2013, and upgraded WSTM-TV and WTVH newscasts to full high definition in 2016. In 2019, it introduced Syracuse’s first 7 p.m. newscast. The station also provides weather coverage using feeds from National Weather Service radar sites in Montague, Binghamton, and Buffalo. WSTM-TV’s over-the-air analog service ended on June 12, 2009, during the United States digital television transition. Its digital signal subsequently moved to UHF channel 24 while retaining virtual channel 3. Through cable carriage, the station reaches areas beyond its primary Syracuse market, including Ithaca and the Finger Lakes region. It previously served as a de facto NBC outlet for Watertown until a full-time local NBC service began there in 2016, and it has historically been available in portions of Northern New York and southeastern Onta…

WSTM-TV began service in Syracuse on February 15, 1950, using the callsign WSYR-TV and VHF channel 5. It was established by Advance Publications, which also owned the Syracuse Post-Standard, the Syracuse Herald-Journal, and WSYR radio. The station moved to channel 3 in 1953 and relocated to James Street with the WSYR radio outlets in 1958. In its early period, it supplied NBC programming to Binghamton until a local station signed on there, and it operated an Elmira satellite until 1980. Advance’s broadcasting interests had benefited from regulatory grandfathering that permitted certain newspaper and broadcast combinations. When the company dismantled its broadcasting division in 1980, the Syracuse television station was sold to Times Mirror. The station changed its callsign to WSTM-TV on March 28, 1980, reflecting its new ownership and avoiding a conflict with separately owned Syracuse radio properties. Times Mirror retained the James Street facilities. Times Mirror sold WSTM-TV to SJL Broadcast Management in 1986. SJL later sold it to Federal Broadcasting in 1992, and Raycom Media acquired Federal Broadcasting in 1997. Raycom expanded its Syracuse presence in 2003 by purchasing low-power UPN affiliate WAWA-LP. The outlet became WSTQ-LP and adopted the UPN 6, The Q identity. WSTM-TV produced a prime-time news program for the station and used its cable position as part of the branding strategy. In 2006, Barrington Broadcasting acquired WSTM-TV and WSTQ-LP from Raycom. Barrington subsequently entered a local marketing agreement involving WTVH, Syracuse’s CBS affiliate. The arrangement resulted in the integration of facilities and significant consolidation of news resources. WTVH’s independent news department was closed, eliminating numerous positions, while WSTM-TV personnel and production systems supported programming for both stations. WTVH later resumed separately produced weekday morning and midday broadcasts, although the stations continued to share some programming and news resources. WSTM-TV’s ownership changed again when Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired Barrington Broadcasting’s station group. The 2013 transaction required Sinclair to address Federal Communications Commission ownership limits in the Syracuse market. Sinclair arranged for WSYT and its relationship with WNYS-TV to be transferred outside its direct ownership structure, while transitional services continued for a period after closing. WSTM-TV remained a Sinclair-owned NBC affiliate. The station’s local-news operation developed from short news capsules into full half-hour newscasts during the 1960s. It has generally ranked behind WSYR-TV in total local-news viewing, while competing closely in selected morning and late-evening periods. WSTM-TV has used the Action News identity at different points and has produced news for related stations, including a prime-time broadcast for WSYT from 1996 to 2000 and a later prime-time program for WSTQ-LP. Technology and scheduling have been recurring areas of development. WSTM-TV introduced Doppler weather radar in 1985 and operated a station radar system beginning in 2000 before shifting to data from National Weather Service sites. It adopted enhanced-definition widescreen local news in 2010, enabled high-definition carriage for its CW service in 2013, and upgraded its principal newscasts to full high definition in 2016. The station added a 7 p.m. newscast in 2019. In 2021, its Syracuse facilities also supported a 10 p.m. newscast for Buffalo sister station WUTV, which was discontinued in 2023. WSTM-TV ended analog broadcasting on June 12, 2009. Its digital transmission moved from pre-transition UHF channel 54 to UHF channel 24 while continuing to use virtual channel 3. The station’s coverage extends throughout the Syracuse market and, through cable distribution, into Ithaca, the Finger Lakes, and parts of Northern New York. It formerly served as a de facto NBC outlet for Watertown until a full-time NBC station began serving that area in 2016.

1. 20197 p.m. newscast launches

   WSTM-TV adds a weekday local newscast at 7 p.m.

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2. 2016Full-HD local news

   WSTM-TV and WTVH upgrade their local newscasts to true high definition.

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3. 2009Digital transition

   Analog transmission ends and the digital signal moves to UHF channel 24.

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4. 2003WSTQ-LP relationship begins

   Raycom acquires WAWA-LP, renames it WSTQ-LP, and links it to WSTM-TV’s programming and news operations.

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5. 1980WSTM-TV callsign introduced

   Times Mirror ownership is followed by the adoption of the WSTM-TV callsign.

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6. 1953Move to channel 3

   The station moves from VHF channel 5 to VHF channel 3.

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7. 1950WSYR-TV signs on

   The station begins broadcasting in Syracuse on February 15 as an NBC affiliate on VHF channel 5.

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A locally focused NBC television station combining network programming, Syracuse-area news, weather, and digital coverage under the CNY Central brand.

• NBC network serviceNetwork television affiliation1950

  WSTM-TV’s principal programming service is its NBC affiliation, supplemented by locally produced news, weather, public-affairs, and community coverage for Syracuse and Central New York.

• CNY CentralLocal news and digital media brand

  CNY Central is the shared local-news and digital identity associated with WSTM-TV and related Syracuse stations. It organizes regional reporting, weather information, video, and station news schedules across broadcast and online channels.

• CW programming serviceSecondary television service2003

  WSTM-TV carries CW programming through a secondary service associated historically with WSTQ-LP and later digital-subchannel distribution. The service extends the station’s entertainment schedule beyond its NBC lineup.

• Live Triple DopplerWeather information

  The station’s weather presentation combines live radar information from National Weather Service sites in Montague, Binghamton, and Buffalo. The radar layers are presented together during weather segments to give viewers a broader regional view.

• 2019Launch of 7 p.m. local newscastProduct launch

  WSTM-TV sought to broaden its local-news schedule beyond traditional morning, midday, evening, and late-night periods.

  What changed. The station introduced a 7 p.m. newscast, described as the first such local broadcast in the Syracuse market.

  Aftermath. The schedule gave WSTM-TV an additional weekday platform for local reporting and advertising.

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• 2009Consolidation of WTVH news operationsStrategy

  WTVH entered a local marketing agreement with WSTM-TV after weak ratings and slow advertising sales were cited as factors in the arrangement.

  What changed. WSTM-TV integrated WTVH’s news operation into its facilities and supplied much of the shared production and reporting infrastructure.

  Aftermath. WTVH’s separate news department was closed, while later programming changes restored dedicated weekday morning and midday broadcasts for the CBS station.

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• 1980Change from WSYR-TV to WSTM-TVStrategy

  The television station changed ownership from Advance Publications to Times Mirror after Advance exited broadcasting. FCC rules concerning shared radio and television callsigns affected the station’s naming.

  What changed. The station adopted WSTM-TV, derived from Syracuse Times Mirror, while remaining at its James Street facilities.

  Aftermath. The WSTM-TV identity became the station’s long-term callsign and brand.

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• 2021Sinclair launches a 10 p.m. newscast from WSTM-TV facilities

  A newscast for Buffalo sister station WUTV is anchored and produced from WSTM-TV’s Syracuse studios; the program ends in 2023.

  Product launch
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• 2019WSTM-TV launches 7 p.m. newscast

  The station introduces the Syracuse market’s first 7 p.m. local newscast.

  Product launch
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• 2009WTVH enters a local marketing agreement with WSTM-TV

  WTVH begins operating under an arrangement with WSTM-TV, leading to consolidation of facilities and news-production resources.

  M&A
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• 2006Barrington Broadcasting purchases WSTM-TV

  Barrington Broadcasting announces and completes its acquisition of WSTM-TV and WSTQ-LP from Raycom Media.

  M&A
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• 2003Raycom acquires WAWA-LP and creates WSTQ-LP

  Raycom acquires Syracuse low-power UPN outlet WAWA-LP, changes its calls to WSTQ-LP, and develops a relationship with WSTM-TV.

  M&AProduct launch
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• 1980Station adopts WSTM-TV callsign

  Following its sale to Times Mirror, the television station changes its callsign from WSYR-TV to WSTM-TV.

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• 1950WSTM-TV begins broadcasting

  The Syracuse station signs on as WSYR-TV on VHF channel 5 and becomes the market’s second television station.

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1. WSTM-TV
2. CNY Central