WTTO
WTTO is a television station licensed to Homewood, Alabama, serving the Birmingham market as an affiliate of The CW.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
WTTO is a television station licensed to Homewood, Alabama, and serving the Birmingham television market. The station operates as a CW affiliate and is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, which also owns or operates other stations serving central Alabama, including ABC affiliate WBMA-LD and independent station WABM. WTTO's studios are located at Sinclair's Riverchase office-park facilities in Hoover, while its transmitter is positioned on Red Mountain in southwestern Birmingham. The station's origins reach back to 1963, when Chapman Radio and Television Company applied to establish a new Homewood television outlet. The proposed allocation was initially channel 54, but the Federal Communications Commission later changed it to channel 21. The permit became entangled in a lengthy comparative-hearing process involving several applicants, ownership disputes, technical proposals, questions about community ascertainment, civil-rights-related issues, and concerns over the financial capacity of competing bidders. The FCC ultimately upheld Chapman's permit in 1979 after years of administrative and judicial challenges. Construction began after Chapman sold an interest in the unbuilt station to Byron Lasky in 1980. WTTO began broadcasting on April 21, 1982, becoming Birmingham's first independent commercial station and only the second independent station in Alabama. Its early schedule followed the conventional UHF-independent model, combining cartoons, syndicated sitcoms, movies, and other acquired programming. The station became particularly recognizable for its broad cult-film selections, promotional stunts, and public film events held at parks around central Alabama. It also carried Financial News Network programming during its first several years. WTTO changed ownership several times during the 1980s and early 1990s. HR Broadcasting acquired it in 1986, and ABRY Communications later purchased the station group that included WTTO. In 1990, ABRY secured the Fox affiliation for WTTO, which took effect on September 1 of that year. The change strengthened the station's role in the market and led to expanded relationships with WDBB and WNAL-TV. Those stations increasingly simulcast WTTO programming, creating a regional distribution arrangement that extended the channel's reach across Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and surrounding areas. By the middle of the decade, WTTO was one of Fox's strongest affiliates and ranked among the leading stations in central Alabama. Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired ABRY Communications in 1994 and assumed control of WTTO, its related arrangements with WDBB, and a local marketing agreement involving WABM. The station later moved its operations to WABM's facilities before the group consolidated operations in Hoover. WTTO lost Fox when Fox selected long-established Birmingham market leader WBRC as part of the affiliation changes associated with New World Communications' station transactions. After WBRC's ABC affiliation ended in 1996, WTTO became a WB affiliate, and it later joined The CW when that network was formed through the combination of The WB and UPN. Today WTTO remains a broadcast distribution brand rather than a standalone consumer-electronics company. Its principal offering is scheduled television programming delivered over the air, through cable and satellite systems, and through digital subchannels or simulcasts in portions of the market. WDBB, licensed to Bessemer and owned by Cunningham Broadcasting, rebroadcasts WTTO's CW programming in Tuscaloosa, western Alabama, and western portions of the Birmingham area under a Sinclair management and local-marketing arrangement.
History
WTTO's history began in December 1963, when Chapman Radio and Television Company applied to build a television station in Homewood. The proposed station originally sought channel 54, but a 1965 revision to the UHF allocation table substituted channel 21. The FCC granted Chapman's construction permit in August 1965, but protests triggered renewed hearings and a protracted comparative process involving multiple applicants. The contest included WBMG, Tele-Mac of Birmingham, Alabama Television Corporation, and Birmingham Broadcasting Company, among others. The proceedings examined technical plans, financing, ownership qualifications, community-needs research, and the applicants' ability to provide service to Birmingham's Black population. Alabama Television initially prevailed in an examiner's decision, but the FCC later reopened aspects of the case after finding deficiencies in its ascertainment process and considering civil-rights-related controversies involving participants. Birmingham Broadcasting also faced ownership complications, including the continued interest of Oscar Hyde after his extortion conviction and difficulties replacing promised financing. By the mid-1970s, WBMG and Tele-Mac had withdrawn, leaving Chapman and Birmingham Broadcasting as the principal contenders. An administrative law judge favored Chapman in 1977, the full FCC affirmed that result in March 1979, and subsequent challenges failed. The Chapman brothers sold half of the unbuilt station to Byron Lasky in 1980. Construction followed, with a tower and studios established in Birmingham's Goldencrest neighborhood. WTTO went on the air on April 21, 1982, using an episode of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century as its first program. It gave Birmingham a fourth commercial station and its first independent outlet. In 1983, Lasky acquired the remaining Chapman interest. The station expanded its cable distribution, including carriage in Anniston by 1985. During the early years WTTO relied on cartoons, sitcoms, movies, and other syndicated material. Its movie presentation was noted for cult titles and distinctive spoof-style promotions. The station also organized public film festivals in central Alabama parks. This combination helped WTTO become a strong independent station locally and one of the better-rated independents nationally. From 1982 through 1985 it additionally aired programs from the Financial News Network. HR Broadcasting Company, a HAR Communications unit, acquired WTTO and Milwaukee station WCGV-TV in 1986. ABRY Communications later acquired the ownership interest in HR Broadcasting, with the transaction completed in 1990. ABRY obtained the Fox affiliation for WTTO, effective September 1, 1990. WDBB and WNAL-TV, which had previously competed for Fox programming, began simulcasting WTTO after financial and programming difficulties. WTTO also acquired certain WDBB business assets and a translator, while the three stations operated as a coordinated regional service. By 1993 ABRY had acquired WDBB and WNAL outright and converted them into full-time satellites of WTTO, although later arrangements permitted some separate programming. WTTO also entered a local marketing agreement involving WABM. In 1994 Sinclair acquired ABRY Communications and inherited WTTO's related station arrangements. Sinclair consolidated operations and used WTTO's strong Fox performance to build a substantial presence in the Birmingham market. The station's Fox tenure ended because of a national affiliation realignment. Great American sold WBRC and other stations to New World Communications, which entered an affiliation agreement with Fox. WBRC's established market position made it the preferred Fox outlet in Birmingham. Fox ultimately moved its affiliation to WBRC after that station's ABC contract ended in 1996. WTTO declined an ABC proposal that would have required it to carry only selected network programming and did not include a commitment to launch a full news operation. ABC instead developed a multistation arrangement centered on WBMA-LD and its satellites. After losing Fox, WTTO became an affiliate of The WB and later joined The CW. Sinclair retained ownership and operational control, while WDBB continued to extend WTTO's CW service into western parts of the broader market. The station's current identity is therefore rooted in local broadcast distribution, national network affiliation, syndicated entertainment, and regional coverage rather than in the production of a large standalone news operation.
- 2006
The CW era begins
[1]Following the creation of The CW from The WB and UPN, WTTO became a CW affiliate.
- 1996
Fox affiliation ends
[1]WTTO lost Fox to WBRC amid a national network-affiliation realignment and subsequently joined The WB.
- 1994
Sinclair acquires ABRY
[1]Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired ABRY Communications and took control of WTTO.
- 1990
Fox affiliation begins
[1]WTTO became Birmingham's Fox affiliate on September 1.
- 1986
HR Broadcasting acquires WTTO
[1]WTTO was sold to HR Broadcasting, a unit of HAR Communications.
- 1982
WTTO launches
[1]WTTO began broadcasting on April 21 as Birmingham's first independent commercial television station.
- 1979
Chapman permit upheld
[1]The FCC upheld Chapman's right to construct the station after years of comparative hearings and appeals.
- 1965
Allocation changed to channel 21
[1]The FCC's UHF allocation revision replaced the proposed channel 54 assignment with channel 21.
- 1963
Initial application filed
[1]Chapman Radio and Television Company applied to build a new television station in Homewood, initially proposing use of channel 54.
Products and positioning
A locally licensed Birmingham-area broadcast station combining national CW programming with syndicated entertainment and regional over-the-air coverage.
Television station · 1982
WTTO broadcast service
WTTO's primary service is a digital terrestrial television signal licensed to Homewood and serving Birmingham and surrounding central Alabama communities. The service carries The CW schedule together with syndicated programming and commercial advertising. Its Red Mountain transmitter provides the core Birmingham-area signal, while cable, satellite, and related retransmission arrangements broaden household availability.
Regional television distribution · 1991
WDBB rebroadcast service
WDBB, licensed to Bessemer and owned by Cunningham Broadcasting, rebroadcasts WTTO's CW programming in Tuscaloosa, western Alabama, and western portions of the Birmingham market. Sinclair manages the station under a local marketing agreement, allowing WTTO programming to reach areas not served as directly by the main channel 21 signal.
Marketing campaigns
- 1980Construction and launch promotion
Birmingham metropolitan area
WTTO promoted its arrival as Birmingham's first independent commercial station after nearly two decades of licensing disputes and construction delays.
Outcome. The station launched in April 1982 and quickly established a recognizable independent-programming identity.
- 1980Public cult-film festivals
Central Alabama
The station supplemented its cult-movie schedule with public screenings and film festivals in parks around central Alabama, linking broadcast promotion with local events.
Outcome. The events helped distinguish WTTO from conventional syndicated-programming outlets and reinforced its movie-oriented brand.
Brand decisions
1996
Transition after losing FoxStrategyBackground
Fox selected WBRC, a long-established Birmingham station, as part of the New World affiliation realignment. WTTO declined ABC's limited programming proposal because it did not include a full commitment to ABC's daytime and news schedule.
Action taken
WTTO left Fox and became an affiliate of The WB, later transitioning to The CW.
Aftermath
The station retained a network-affiliate role despite losing Fox and continued serving Birmingham through Sinclair's regional station structure.
1994
Sinclair acquires ABRY CommunicationsM&ABackground
ABRY owned WTTO and related Birmingham-area station interests and arrangements.
Action taken
Sinclair acquired ABRY Communications and assumed control of WTTO and its associated operating relationships.
Aftermath
Sinclair consolidated operations and continued operating WTTO as a major Birmingham-area broadcast outlet.
1990
Accept Fox affiliationStrategyBackground
WTTO was a successful independent station, while Fox was expanding its network footprint and competing for stronger local outlets.
Action taken
WTTO replaced WDBB as the Birmingham-area Fox affiliate effective September 1, 1990.
Aftermath
The affiliation increased WTTO's market importance and contributed to the creation of a broader WTTO/WDBB/WNAL distribution arrangement.
Recent events
- 1996
WTTO loses Fox affiliation after Birmingham network realignment[1]
Other
Fox selected WBRC for its Birmingham affiliation as part of the wider New World–Fox affiliation changes, leaving WTTO to seek a new network relationship.
- 1996
WTTO becomes a WB affiliate[1]
Other
Following its departure from Fox, WTTO joined The WB and later became a CW affiliate after the two-network combination created The CW.
- 1994
Sinclair Broadcast Group acquires ABRY Communications[1]
M&A
Sinclair's acquisition brought WTTO under its ownership and expanded Sinclair's operating relationships with other Birmingham-area stations.
- 1990
WTTO becomes a Fox affiliate[1]
Other
WTTO assumed the Fox affiliation from WDBB, significantly increasing its importance in the central Alabama television market.
- 1982
WTTO begins broadcasting as Birmingham's first independent commercial television station[1]
Other
Channel 21 launched after an unusually long FCC permit and construction process, introducing an independent station to the Birmingham market.
Sources2 sources
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