WTAJ History
By: Administrator
Updated: February 4, 2013
WTAJ-TV started in 1952 as WFBG-TV. The call letters came from the initials of the station's founder, William F.B. Gable, owner of Gable's Department Store in Altoona. Channel 10's first regular broadcast occurred on March 1st, 1953. In those early days, all programs were produced and transmitted "live" from the studios on Wopsononock Mountain in Altoona. At that time, channel 10 was one of the strongest stations in the entire country, utilizing over 300,000 watts to serve the community.
Then, in 1973, WFBG-TV was sold again. This time, Gateway Communications, Inc. bought the station and changed the call letters to WTAJ-TV - reflecting our industry (Television), and two of the major cities we covered at that time, (Altoona and Johnstown). Gateway Communications also operated WBNG-TV in Binghamton, New York and WOWK-TV in Huntingdon/Charleston, West Virginia.
In December 2000 the Gateway stations were acquired by SJL Northeast, L.L.C. In 2004, WTAJ-TV was acquired by Television Station Group License Subsidiary, LLC.
In 2007, WTAJ-TV was purchased by Nexstar Broadcasting Group. Nexstar's CEO Perry Sook is a DuBois High School graduate. Nexstar Broadcasting Group is one of the nation's top 20 television broadcasting companies. Click here for more on Nexstar Broadcasting.
WTAJ-TV was the first television station in Central Pennsylvania to purchase its own state-of-the-art satellite uplink truck for use in daily news operations. SKYLINK helps WTAJ NEWS bring you the news from virtually anywhere in the continental United States! By transmitting to a satellite orbiting above the earth, SKYLINK is not limited by mountainous areas that would interfere with a standard microwave signal. As a result, WTAJ NEWS can deliver your news as it's happening, right from the source.
With our ongoing expansion and continual technical upgrades, WTAJ YOUR NEWS LEADER is dedicated to continue providing the area's most complete live, local, late-breaking news, weather, and sports coverage.
WTAJ-TV has also received numerous awards over the years from the Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcasters and the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters.
WTAJ Your News Leader, delivers more news, more often - to be there when you need us the most.
In 2013, WTAJ Your News Leader went through extensive efforts in order to broadcast in HD. Along with the new transition, WTAJ Your News Leader also unveiled a brand new logo.
Personalities of the Past
WFBG-TV became a CBS Television Network affiliate in July of 1955. In 1956, the station was sold to Triangle Publications, Inc. (founders of TV Guide magazine) and studios and offices were moved from the mountain location to our present location at 5000 6th Avenue in Altoona in August of 1959.Then, in 1973, WFBG-TV was sold again. This time, Gateway Communications, Inc. bought the station and changed the call letters to WTAJ-TV - reflecting our industry (Television), and two of the major cities we covered at that time, (Altoona and Johnstown). Gateway Communications also operated WBNG-TV in Binghamton, New York and WOWK-TV in Huntingdon/Charleston, West Virginia.
In December 2000 the Gateway stations were acquired by SJL Northeast, L.L.C. In 2004, WTAJ-TV was acquired by Television Station Group License Subsidiary, LLC.
In 2007, WTAJ-TV was purchased by Nexstar Broadcasting Group. Nexstar's CEO Perry Sook is a DuBois High School graduate. Nexstar Broadcasting Group is one of the nation's top 20 television broadcasting companies. Click here for more on Nexstar Broadcasting.
WTAJ-TV was the first television station in Central Pennsylvania to purchase its own state-of-the-art satellite uplink truck for use in daily news operations. SKYLINK helps WTAJ NEWS bring you the news from virtually anywhere in the continental United States! By transmitting to a satellite orbiting above the earth, SKYLINK is not limited by mountainous areas that would interfere with a standard microwave signal. As a result, WTAJ NEWS can deliver your news as it's happening, right from the source.
With our ongoing expansion and continual technical upgrades, WTAJ YOUR NEWS LEADER is dedicated to continue providing the area's most complete live, local, late-breaking news, weather, and sports coverage.
WTAJ-TV has also received numerous awards over the years from the Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcasters and the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters.
WTAJ Your News Leader, delivers more news, more often - to be there when you need us the most.
In 2013, WTAJ Your News Leader went through extensive efforts in order to broadcast in HD. Along with the new transition, WTAJ Your News Leader also unveiled a brand new logo.
