WZZM
WZZM is an ABC-affiliated television station serving Grand Rapids and West Michigan from studios in Walker, Michigan.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
WZZM is a local broadcast television station licensed to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and serving the broader West Michigan television market as an affiliate of the ABC Television Network. The station uses channel 13 and is commonly identified on air through its news branding, including the “13 On Your Side” identity. Its studios are in Walker, northwest of Grand Rapids, while its transmitter is in Grant, Michigan. The station was created after the Federal Communications Commission approved the insertion of VHF channel 13 into the Grand Rapids market in 1961. The allocation was technically difficult because the transmitter had to be placed north of Grand Rapids to satisfy minimum-spacing rules involving stations in Toledo, Ohio, and Rockford, Illinois. That location improved service to communities such as Muskegon, Grand Haven, and Holland, but left much of the southern part of the nominal Grand Rapids–Kalamazoo market with weak or unusable reception. This geographic limitation has remained a defining characteristic of WZZM’s business and competitive position. WZZM began broadcasting on November 1, 1962, under interim authority and joined ABC from its launch. Its permanent ownership dispute was resolved in 1964 when the FCC selected West Michigan Telecasters, a locally connected ownership group, over competing applicants. West Michigan Telecasters became the sole owner in January 1965 after settling with the other interim participants. The station initially operated from the Pantlind Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids and later moved to a purpose-built facility in 1971. The facility also supported related radio and production operations during the period when the station was controlled by West Michigan Telecasters and its successor organizations. Ownership changed several times over the following decades. Wometco Enterprises agreed to acquire WZZM-TV in 1976, completing the transaction in 1978. After Wometco was taken private in a leveraged buyout led by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, WZZM moved to Price Communications in 1985 and then to Northstar Television Group in 1989. Gannett acquired the station from Argyle Television in 1996 as part of an exchange connected with Gannett’s acquisition of Multimedia and the resolution of broadcast and newspaper ownership conflicts. In 2015, Gannett separated its broadcasting and digital assets into Tegna, which retained WZZM. Local news has historically been central to WZZM’s identity. The station developed a strong news operation during the 1960s through the 1980s, although WOOD-TV became the overall market news leader from the 1990s onward. WZZM has generally remained competitive in Grand Rapids and communities north of the city, where its transmitter provides stronger service. The station’s southern-market limitations, the existence of other ABC-related facilities, and the fragmented geography of West Michigan have complicated its ability to serve Kalamazoo and Battle Creek uniformly. The station is also associated with a restored weather ball. A neon-lit weather ball formerly displayed atop a Grand Rapids bank building operated from 1967 to 1987. WZZM recovered the object from a scrapyard, restored it, and installed it near the Walker studios in 2003. The landmark remains a visible symbol of the station’s local identity. Nexstar Media Group agreed to acquire Tegna in 2025 and completed the transaction in March 2026. Nexstar already owned other Grand Rapids-market stations, including WOOD-TV, WOTV, and WXSP-CD. Regulatory and court proceedings temporarily restricted operational integration after the transaction, leaving the ownership transition subject to continuing legal constraints.
History
The FCC approved the addition of VHF channel 13 to Grand Rapids in 1961 after determining that a transmitter north of the city would satisfy required spacing from stations in Toledo and Rockford. The allocation attracted several applicants, including West Michigan Telecasters, a locally oriented group with shareholders from Grand Rapids and Muskegon. Because the FCC permitted interim operation while the permanent comparative licensing process continued, the competing applicants formed Channel 13, Grand Rapids, Inc., which received interim authority in 1962. The station originally considered the call sign WIIM-TV, but an objection from Lansing station WJIM-TV led to the selection of WZZM. Construction proceeded quickly, and WZZM signed on November 1, 1962, from temporary downtown Grand Rapids studios as an ABC affiliate. The transmitter’s required northern location created an immediate service problem: the signal was comparatively strong toward Muskegon and northern West Michigan but weak in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek. This prevented WZZM from offering uniform coverage across the full market that the FCC associated with Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. In 1964, the FCC awarded permanent control to West Michigan Telecasters, citing the group’s civic involvement and proposed local-service commitments. The group settled with the losing applicants and became WZZM’s sole owner in January 1965. It developed a Muskegon-area presence and moved the station from the Pantlind Hotel to a purpose-built Grand Rapids-area facility in 1971. West Michigan Telecasters also operated related radio and production interests. Corporate restructuring produced Synercom Communications Corporation in the early 1970s, followed by the later separation of the WZZM properties. Wometco Enterprises agreed to buy WZZM-TV in 1976, and the sale closed in January 1978. Wometco was taken private in 1984 in a leveraged transaction associated with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts. The station then moved to Price Communications in 1985 and Northstar Television Group in 1989. In 1994, Northstar’s television assets were sold to Argyle Television Holdings II, which later transferred WZZM to Gannett in 1996. The exchange accompanied Gannett’s acquisition of Multimedia and helped address broadcast ownership restrictions in markets where Gannett would otherwise have held impermissible combinations. WZZM’s local-news operation was especially well regarded during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Its long-serving original news director helped establish a durable news culture, although WOOD-TV became the overall market leader from the 1990s. WZZM remained particularly competitive around Grand Rapids and in areas north of the city, while its southern coverage limitations continued to affect audience reach. Attempts to improve service through translators, transmitter relocation, or closer coordination with Battle Creek’s channel 41 facility encountered technical, regulatory, or ownership obstacles. The Battle Creek and Kalamazoo situation developed into a prolonged affiliation and coverage dispute. WZZM sought translators and other remedies after its northern transmitter site left southern viewers with poor reception. A translator serving Battle Creek briefly operated in 1968 but was shut down amid concerns that it could interfere with the development of a proposed full-power channel 41 station. That station eventually signed on as WUHQ-TV in 1971 and carried ABC programming while relying on WZZM for network feeds in some arrangements. A proposed 1990 merger between WZZM’s owner and WUHQ-TV received FCC approval in 1991 but never closed. WUHQ later became WOTV and was operated alongside other Grand Rapids-market stations. The station’s public identity also includes its weather ball, a neon device originally displayed above a Grand Rapids bank from 1967 to 1987. WZZM found the ball in a Kalamazoo scrapyard in 1999, restored it, and returned it to public display near the Walker studios in 2003. In 2015, the station moved from Gannett to Tegna as part of Gannett’s corporate separation. Nexstar agreed to acquire Tegna in 2025 and completed the transaction in 2026. Because Nexstar already owned WOOD-TV, WOTV, and WXSP-CD in the same market, regulatory approval and subsequent litigation shaped the post-acquisition structure and temporarily limited integration.
- 2026
Nexstar completes Tegna acquisition
[1]Nexstar completed the Tegna acquisition, although legal and regulatory proceedings restricted immediate integration in Grand Rapids.
- 2015
WZZM transfers to Tegna
[1]The station became part of Tegna after Gannett divided its publishing and broadcast operations.
- 2003
Weather ball restored
[1]The station restored and reinstalled its historic neon weather ball near its Walker studios.
- 1996
Gannett becomes owner
[1]Gannett acquired WZZM in an asset exchange with Argyle Television.
- 1989
Northstar Television Group acquires WZZM
[1]Price Communications sold its station group, including WZZM, to Northstar Television Group.
- 1985
Price Communications acquires the station
[1]WZZM moved from Wometco-related ownership to Price Communications.
- 1978
Wometco ownership begins
[1]Wometco Enterprises completed its purchase of WZZM-TV.
- 1971
Move to new studios
[1]WZZM moved from the Pantlind Hotel to a purpose-built facility in the Grand Rapids area.
- 1965
West Michigan Telecasters becomes sole owner
[1]The ownership group completed settlements with the other interim participants and consolidated control of WZZM.
- 1964
Permanent license awarded to West Michigan Telecasters
[1]The FCC selected West Michigan Telecasters in the permanent licensing proceeding.
Products and positioning
A locally focused ABC television affiliate combining West Michigan news, weather, traffic, community reporting, and network programming, with particular strength in Grand Rapids and communities north of the city.
Local television news
13 On Your Side
WZZM’s local-news identity covers scheduled morning, daytime, evening, and late-night broadcasts, with reporting focused on Grand Rapids and surrounding West Michigan communities. The brand combines breaking news, investigations, public-service reporting, interviews, and community features.
Weather service
WZZM Weather
The station’s weather operation provides forecasts, severe-weather alerts, live radar and conditions, and broadcast and digital updates for West Michigan. Weather coverage is an important part of WZZM’s local-service proposition, reinforced by the station’s historic neon weather ball.
Network television · 1962
ABC network programming
WZZM carries programming from ABC, including the network’s entertainment, news, daytime, and special-event schedules. The station has been an ABC affiliate since its launch in 1962, although southern-market distribution has historically been affected by the transmitter’s northern location.
Digital media
WZZM13.com
WZZM’s digital outlet extends the station’s local reporting through online articles, video, weather information, alerts, and other market-specific content. It complements the television operation and supports the station’s broader broadcast-and-digital presence.
Brand decisions
2026
Nexstar acquisition of TegnaM&ABackground
Nexstar already owned WOOD-TV, WOTV, and WXSP-CD in the Grand Rapids market when it pursued Tegna.
Action taken
Nexstar completed the acquisition of Tegna and assumed ownership of WZZM, subject to regulatory and court-related restrictions on integration.
Aftermath
A temporary restraining order and subsequent preliminary injunction prevented immediate operational integration of the affected stations.
announced acquisition value. $6.2 billion (announced August 2025; transaction completed March 19, 2026)
2015
Transfer from Gannett to TegnaStrategyBackground
Gannett separated its newspaper business from its broadcast and digital operations.
Action taken
WZZM was assigned to the newly formed Tegna broadcast and digital company.
Aftermath
The station continued operating as a Tegna-owned ABC affiliate.
1991
Proposed combination with WUHQ-TVM&ABackground
WZZM’s southern coverage limitations and the existence of WUHQ-TV in Battle Creek prompted a plan to combine the stations’ operations.
Action taken
The FCC approved a proposed merger under which WZZM and WUHQ-TV would share most programming while retaining separate local-news coverage.
Aftermath
The transaction was delayed and ultimately never closed; WUHQ later became WOTV and continued under separate operational arrangements.
1962
Launch as an ABC affiliate despite northern transmitter constraintsStrategyBackground
The FCC’s spacing requirements forced the channel 13 transmitter north of Grand Rapids, creating weaker service in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek.
Action taken
WZZM launched with ABC affiliation and pursued translators and other technical remedies for southern-market viewers.
Aftermath
The transmitter location strengthened service in northern West Michigan but left a long-term coverage gap in the southern portion of the market.
- WUHQ-TV/WOTV — A separate channel 41 service eventually developed in Battle Creek and became an additional ABC-related outlet for the market.
Recent events
- 2026
Nexstar completes acquisition of Tegna[1]
M&A · Regulation
Nexstar completed its acquisition of Tegna, bringing WZZM under the ownership of a company that already controlled several other Grand Rapids-market stations. A court injunction restricted immediate integration.
- 2015
Gannett separates its broadcast assets into Tegna[1]
Other
WZZM became part of Tegna when Gannett separated its broadcasting and digital operations from its publishing business.
- 2003
WZZM’s former weather ball returns near its studios[1]
Other
After restoration and installation on a tall pole near the Walker studios, the station’s historic neon weather ball resumed operation as a local landmark.
- 1996
Gannett acquires WZZM in an Argyle exchange[1]
M&A · Regulation
Gannett obtained WZZM as part of a multi-station asset exchange associated with its acquisition of Multimedia and the resolution of ownership-rule conflicts.
- 1978
Wometco completes acquisition of WZZM-TV[1]
M&A
Wometco Enterprises completed its purchase of WZZM-TV, adding the station to its television portfolio.
- 1971
WZZM moves into a purpose-built studio facility[1]
Other
The station left the Pantlind Hotel and moved into a large new facility that also supported related radio and production operations.
- 1964
West Michigan Telecasters receives permanent WZZM authorization[1]
Regulation
The FCC selected West Michigan Telecasters in the permanent licensing proceeding, after which the group consolidated ownership of the station.
- 1962
WZZM begins broadcasting as an ABC affiliate[1]
Other
WZZM went on the air from downtown Grand Rapids under interim operating authority and joined ABC from its first broadcast.
Sources3 sources
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