WTAJ-TV
WTAJ-TV is a CBS-affiliated television station serving the Johnstown–Altoona–State College market in central Pennsylvania.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
WTAJ-TV is a full-power television station licensed to Altoona, Pennsylvania, and serving the Johnstown–Altoona–State College television market. The station operates as a CBS affiliate and uses virtual channel 10. Its studios are located on Sixth Avenue in Altoona, a facility the station has occupied since the late 1950s, while its transmitter is located in Logan Township. The station began broadcasting on March 1, 1953, under the call sign WFBG-TV. It was launched as part of the WFBG radio and television group and initially carried selected programming from the four major television networks then operating in the United States: ABC, CBS, NBC, and DuMont. After DuMont largely ceased network operations in 1955, WFBG-TV became primarily affiliated with CBS, while retaining a secondary ABC relationship for many years. That arrangement reflected the limited network programming available to stations in smaller markets during the early television era. WFBG-TV was sold in 1956 to Triangle Publications, the media company associated with the Annenberg family. The station later became involved in a broader regulatory controversy concerning allegations that Triangle’s Pennsylvania television outlets had participated in a political campaign against Governor Milton J. Shapp. Following Federal Communications Commission findings and related divestiture requirements, Triangle disposed of its broadcasting properties. WFBG-TV was ultimately sold to Gateway Communications in the early 1970s. The station adopted the WTAJ-TV call sign in 1972. The new identity was intended to recognize its substantial audience and signal coverage in Johnstown, even though the market also had a separate CBS outlet, WJNL-TV. WTAJ-TV’s stronger signal and broader reach helped it become the dominant CBS service for the combined market. In 1978, it became the market’s exclusive CBS affiliate after WJNL-TV discontinued its CBS affiliation. WJNL later operated under other call signs as an independent station before going dark in 1991. WTAJ-TV has maintained a substantial local-news operation throughout its history. Its programming has included local morning, midday, evening, and late-night newscasts, weather coverage, sports reporting, public-affairs material, and lifestyle programming. The station expanded its local-news presence in the Johnstown area after competing outlets reduced or ended their news operations. In 2011, it launched Central PA Live, an hour-long 4 p.m. program combining news, community features, lifestyle content, and viewer interaction through social media. The station has undergone several ownership and technology transitions. Gateway Communications merged with SJL Broadcasting in 2000, and the combined operation later became associated with Montecito Broadcast Group. Nexstar Broadcasting Group acquired WTAJ-TV in 2006, with the transaction completed on December 29 of that year. Nexstar Media Group is now the station’s owner. WTAJ-TV ended analog broadcasting on June 12, 2009, as part of the nationwide United States digital television transition. Its digital signal continued to use virtual channel 10. The station introduced high-definition newscasts in January 2013, accompanied by a new set and logo. Its digital multicast service has also carried several entertainment networks, including Grit and other networks introduced through Nexstar’s affiliation arrangements. Today, WTAJ-TV combines CBS network programming with locally produced news and community-oriented content for central Pennsylvania. Its brand emphasizes regional coverage across Altoona, Johnstown, State College, and surrounding communities, supported by its long-established channel identity and position as a principal local television source in the market.
History
WTAJ-TV began operations on March 1, 1953, as WFBG-TV, a television companion to WFBG radio stations in Altoona. During its first years, the station transmitted live programming from studios on Wopsononock Mountain and carried selected shows from ABC, CBS, NBC, and the DuMont Television Network. Its high-powered signal gave it unusually broad reach across the rugged terrain of central Pennsylvania and allowed viewers in parts of the wider region to receive the station. When DuMont effectively ceased normal network operations in 1955, WFBG-TV made CBS its principal affiliation. It retained a secondary ABC relationship into the early 1970s, a common arrangement for stations in smaller markets at a time when network schedules did not fill the entire broadcast day. In 1956, the WFBG properties were sold to Triangle Publications, which expanded its holdings in Pennsylvania and other markets. The Triangle era ended after a political-broadcasting controversy. In 1969, Governor Milton J. Shapp accused Triangle of using WFBG-TV and two other Pennsylvania stations to promote a smear campaign against him. The FCC determined that the allegations were supported. Regulatory consequences led Triangle to divest its television holdings. After a series of ownership changes and sales, WFBG-TV was acquired by Gateway Communications in 1971, with the transaction finalized in 1972. Gateway changed the station’s call sign to WTAJ-TV. The letters were selected to acknowledge the station’s strong viewership in Johnstown, which was served by a separate station but received a particularly strong WTAJ signal. The station’s competitive advantage was its broad over-the-air reach: its signal covered much of the Johnstown–Altoona area and extended toward State College. In 1978, WTAJ became the sole CBS affiliate in the market after WJNL-TV lost its CBS affiliation. WJNL later changed call signs, operated as an independent, and eventually ceased broadcasting in 1991. The station’s local-news operation developed through successive generations of anchors, reporters, meteorologists, sports staff, and managers. Early on-air figures included Ted Reinhart, Charlie Ritchey, John Riley, Ted Johnson, Charlie Flynn, Bob James, Dick Richards, Jon Schwartz, and Wes Maley. The early 1970s transition to WTAJ included news director and anchor Bob Moore, correspondent Pam Jenkins, and continuing personalities such as Riley, Maley, and Johnson. After Moore and Jenkins departed, the station rebuilt its news staff with Tim Fritz, Eric Rabe, Karen Nash, George McKenzie, and Jon McClintock. Rabe later became news director and anchor, while McClintock subsequently established a Blair County bureau for another station. Management and technology changed repeatedly over subsequent decades. Ian K. Harrower, who guided the station through the WFBG-to-WTAJ transition, left the general-manager position in 1980. Veteran meteorologist John Riley suffered a brain aneurysm in late 1982 and died in 1986 after a prolonged period of illness, an event that marked a major loss for the station’s long-running news team. WTAJ expanded its digital presentation in the 2000s. A redesigned website appeared in 2007, followed in 2008 by a new logo, slogan, and studio set. The station also planned a stronger news presence in Cambria County after other local stations closed or reduced their news departments. In September 2011, it launched Central PA Live, a 4 p.m. program that replaced The Oprah Winfrey Show and combined news discussion, lifestyle topics, community features, and social-media interaction. Ownership moved from Gateway to SJL Broadcasting through a 2000 merger, and the combined company later became Montecito Broadcast Group. Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced its purchase of WTAJ-TV in July 2006 and completed the acquisition in December of that year. WTAJ is now part of Nexstar Media Group’s station portfolio. The station ended analog broadcasting on June 12, 2009, as required by the United States digital television transition. Its digital transmission continued to identify the station through virtual channel 10. Nexstar later arranged carriage for several multicast networks, including Escape, Laff, Grit, and Bounce, with Grit moving to WTAJ’s digital service in 2017. On January 31, 2013, the station began presenting its local newscasts in high definition and introduced another updated visual identity. WTAJ-TV remains an active CBS affiliate and a regional local-news provider for central Pennsylvania.
- 2017
Grit added to the digital multicast service
[1]Grit becomes available through WTAJ’s digital subchannel arrangement.
- 2013
High-definition news debut
[1]WTAJ begins broadcasting local newscasts in high definition and refreshes its logo and studio.
- 2011
Central PA Live launches
[1]The station adds a one-hour 4 p.m. local program focused on news, lifestyle, and community subjects.
- 2009
Analog transmission ends
[1]WTAJ-TV shuts down its analog VHF transmission and continues digitally using virtual channel 10.
- 2006
Nexstar acquisition completed
[1]Nexstar Broadcasting Group completes its purchase of WTAJ-TV on December 29.
- 1978
Exclusive CBS affiliation
[1]WTAJ becomes the sole CBS affiliate serving the market.
- 1972
WTAJ-TV identity introduced
[1]Gateway Communications completes its acquisition and changes the call sign from WFBG-TV to WTAJ-TV.
- 1956
Triangle Publications acquires the station
[1]The WFBG radio and television properties are sold to Triangle Publications.
- 1955
CBS becomes the primary affiliation
[1]After DuMont’s network operations largely end, WFBG-TV establishes CBS as its main network relationship while continuing secondary ABC programming.
- 1953
WFBG-TV signs on
[1]The station begins broadcasting on March 1 as WFBG-TV, initially carrying selected programming from several national networks.
Products and positioning
Long-established local CBS affiliate and regional news provider for central Pennsylvania.
Local television news · 1953
WTAJ Local News
WTAJ’s locally produced news operation covers Altoona, Johnstown, State College, and surrounding central Pennsylvania communities. Its output includes breaking news, politics, public safety, weather, sports, regional features, and community reporting delivered through scheduled television broadcasts and digital channels.
Lifestyle and news program · 2011
Central PA Live
Central PA Live is an hour-long afternoon program introduced in 2011. It combines current-affairs discussion with lifestyle material, local-interest topics, community guests, and audience interaction through social-media platforms.
Network television programming · 1955
CBS network programming
As a CBS affiliate, WTAJ carries CBS entertainment, news, sports, and special-event programming for its central Pennsylvania viewing area, supplemented by the station’s local schedule.
Broadcast television subchannels · 2016
Digital multicast programming
WTAJ’s digital transmission has carried additional multicast networks through Nexstar affiliation arrangements, including networks such as Escape, Laff, Grit, and Bounce at different points in the station’s digital history.
Controversies
2011
News vehicle attacked during Penn State unrest
While WTAJ was covering unrest at Penn State after Joe Paterno’s dismissal in the context of the Jerry Sandusky child-molestation scandal, students overturned one of the station’s news vehicles and damaged its windshield.
1969
Triangle Publications political-broadcasting controversy
Governor Milton J. Shapp accused Triangle Publications of using WFBG-TV and two other Pennsylvania stations in a smear campaign against him. The FCC found the allegations valid, and the resulting regulatory pressure contributed to Triangle’s divestiture of its broadcasting properties.
Marketing campaigns
- 201360th Anniversary Celebration
Central Pennsylvania
WTAJ marked six decades of broadcasting with a celebration at the Altoona location of Wolf Furniture. The initiative used archival material and retrospective segments to highlight the station’s history from its WFBG-TV years through the WTAJ era.
Outcome. The anniversary was supported by recurring historical segments throughout the year.
Brand decisions
2013
Conversion of local news to high definitionGeneration changeBackground
The station was updating its visual presentation and technical production systems.
Action taken
WTAJ began broadcasting newscasts in high definition and introduced a refreshed set and logo.
Aftermath
The station’s local-news product adopted contemporary high-definition production standards.
2011
Launch of Central PA LiveProduct launchBackground
The station sought to expand its weekday local schedule after the end of The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Action taken
WTAJ introduced an hour-long 4 p.m. program combining news, lifestyle coverage, and social-media engagement.
Aftermath
The launch added an afternoon local-news and community-programming block to the market’s television schedule.
2006
Nexstar purchase of WTAJ-TVM&ABackground
Montecito Broadcast Group placed WTAJ-TV and other northeastern stations on the market after expanding its station portfolio.
Action taken
Nexstar Broadcasting Group agreed to acquire WTAJ-TV and WLYH in a transaction reported at $56 million, completed on December 29, 2006.
Aftermath
WTAJ became part of Nexstar’s growing local-station portfolio and remains owned by Nexstar Media Group.
Reported acquisition price. $56 million (2006 transaction)
1978
Consolidation of CBS affiliationStrategyBackground
WTAJ and WJNL-TV had competed for CBS programming in the combined Johnstown–Altoona market, but WTAJ had the stronger regional signal.
Action taken
CBS made WTAJ-TV the exclusive CBS affiliate for the market.
Aftermath
WTAJ strengthened its position as the principal CBS service for central Pennsylvania, while WJNL later operated as an independent station and eventually went dark.
1972
Rebrand from WFBG-TV to WTAJ-TVStrategyBackground
The station had a substantial audience in Johnstown despite being licensed to Altoona and competing with a separate Johnstown station.
Action taken
Gateway Communications adopted the WTAJ-TV call sign to emphasize the station’s regional reach and Johnstown audience.
Aftermath
The WTAJ identity became the station’s long-term brand and preceded its eventual status as the market’s exclusive CBS affiliate.
Recent events
- 2013
WTAJ-TV begins high-definition newscasts[1]
Product generation
The station converts its newscasts to high definition and introduces an updated studio set and logo.
- 2011
WTAJ launches Central PA Live[1]
Product launch
The station introduces a one-hour 4 p.m. program combining local news, lifestyle segments, community topics, and social-media participation.
- 2006
Nexstar agrees to acquire WTAJ-TV[1]
M&A
Nexstar Broadcasting Group announces a transaction to purchase WTAJ-TV and WLYH from Montecito Broadcast Group for $56 million.
- 2006
Nexstar completes WTAJ-TV acquisition[1]
M&A
The acquisition of WTAJ-TV by Nexstar Broadcasting Group is completed on December 29.
- 1978
WTAJ-TV becomes the market’s exclusive CBS affiliate[1]
Other
WTAJ-TV assumes exclusive CBS affiliation for the Johnstown–Altoona market after WJNL-TV loses the affiliation.
- 1972
Station adopts the WTAJ-TV call sign[1]
Other
After its sale to Gateway Communications, the station changes from WFBG-TV to WTAJ-TV to reflect its connection with the Johnstown–Altoona audience.
- 1955
WFBG-TV becomes primarily affiliated with CBS[1]
Other
Following the collapse of most DuMont network operations, WFBG-TV establishes CBS as its principal network affiliation while continuing limited ABC programming.
- 1953
WTAJ-TV begins broadcasting[1]
Other
The station signs on as WFBG-TV in Altoona and begins carrying programming from multiple national television networks.
Sources2 sources
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