History of WAFF (TV) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 16, 2026

WAFF is an NBC-affiliated television station located in Huntsville, Alabama. Owned by Gray Media, it shares studio facilities with Telemundo affiliate WTHV-LD on Memorial Parkway in Huntsville. WAFF's transmitter is situated south of Monte Sano State Park, broadcasting NBC programming to the Huntsville area.

1935: WMSL Radio Founded

In 1935, WMSL radio was founded by Mutual Savings Life Insurance Company. The radio station shared the same call letters as WMSL-TV when it launched later.

July 4, 1954: WMSL-TV Begins Broadcasting

On July 4, 1954, WMSL-TV began broadcasting from studios and transmitters in Decatur, Alabama, on channel 23. The station was owned by Frank Whisenant's Tennessee Valley Radio & Television Corporation, which also owned WMSL radio.

1955: DuMont Network Ceases Operations

In 1955, WMSL-TV lost the DuMont Network affiliation as the network began closing down.

1959: WAAY-TV Starts Broadcasting

In 1959, WAAY-TV began broadcasting in Huntsville, leading WMSL-TV to lose its ABC affiliation.

1963: WHNT-TV Begins Broadcasting

In 1963, WHNT-TV started transmitting as a CBS affiliate, causing WMSL-TV to lose its CBS affiliation.

September 1, 1967: WMSL-TV Begins Sharing NBC Affiliation

On September 1, 1967, WMSL-TV began sharing the NBC affiliation for North Alabama with WAAY-TV.

September 1968: Channel 48 Takes Over ABC Affiliation

In September 1968, channel 48 took over WAAY-TV's old ABC affiliation when its NBC contract expired. This expanded its viewing area to include most of the Shoals region of northwestern Alabama.

January 7, 1969: WMSL-TV Begins Broadcasting on Channel 48

On January 7, 1969, WMSL-TV began broadcasting on channel 48 while simulcasting on channel 23 for one week. Shortly after, the station's studios in Decatur closed, and the new studios opened in Huntsville.

October 1974: WMSL-TV Sold to International Television Corporation

In October 1974, Frank Whisenant sold WMSL-TV to Vermont-based International Television Corporation.

March 9, 1975: Station Renamed WYUR-TV

On March 9, 1975, International Television Corporation renamed the station WYUR-TV.

1975: Benny Carle's Children's Show Ends

In 1975, Benny Carle's weekday children's show ended when ABC's Good Morning America took over its morning time slot.

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December 11, 1977: WAAY Returns to ABC Affiliation

On December 11, 1977, WAAY decided to return to ABC, leaving channel 48 to return with the then-less-desirable NBC affiliation.

June 6, 1978: AFLAC Buys Station, Renames it WAFF

On June 6, 1978, AFLAC (American Family Life Assurance Company) bought WYUR-TV and renamed it WAFF, after its slogan "American Families Finest".

1980: New WAFF Tower Constructed

Around 1980, WAFF constructed a new 1,476-foot tower on Monte Sano to improve reception across northern Alabama and southern middle Tennessee.

1981: New WAFF Tower Constructed

Around 1981, WAFF constructed a new 1,476-foot tower on Monte Sano to improve reception across northern Alabama and southern middle Tennessee.

March 24, 1982: WAFF Building Fire

On the evening of March 24, 1982, the WAFF building on Monte Sano caught fire and burned, prompting the station to broadcast NBC programming feeds from WSMV-TV in Nashville and WVTM-TV in Birmingham through local cable companies. WAFF rebuilt at a new location on North Memorial Parkway.

1988: WAFF returns Letterman and FNV to their regular timeslots

In 1988, following Jimmy Swaggart's scandal, WAFF returned Late Night with David Letterman and Friday Night Videos to their regular timeslots.

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November 1989: WAFF Prioritizes Weather Forecasting

In November 1989, following a devastating tornado in Huntsville, weather forecasting became a high priority for WAFF. The station constructed a Doppler radar and began using sophisticated meteorological equipment.

1990: NBC programming feeds available on cable

Prior to 1990, NBC programming feeds from WSMV-TV in Nashville and WVTM-TV in Birmingham were available in their own rights on many northern Alabama cable systems.

1996: AFLAC Sells WAFF to Raycom Media

In 1996, AFLAC sold WAFF, along with its other broadcasting properties, to Raycom Media of Montgomery, Alabama.

2007: Death of Nat Tate

In 2007, Nat Tate, host of the Saturday-afternoon teenage dance show, passed away. Until his death, he worked for radio stations in the Decatur area and served as a Baptist minister.

June 12, 2009: WAFF Shuts Down Analog Signal

On June 12, 2009, WAFF shut down its analog signal over UHF channel 48 as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television.

July 29, 2010: "Bed Intruder Song" Viral Video

On July 29, 2010, WAFF received national media attention when a report that aired on July 28 became a viral video known as the "Bed Intruder Song", featuring Antoine Dodson's reaction to a rape attempt on his sister.

October 25, 2010: WAFF Begins Broadcasting News in High Definition

On October 25, 2010, WAFF began broadcasting its news programming in high definition, becoming the first station in the Huntsville television market to do so.

February 2011: WHNT-TV Upgrades to Full High-Definition Newscasts

In February 2011, rival station WHNT-TV upgraded to full high-definition newscasts.

April 27, 2011: WAFF's Doppler Radar Destroyed by Tornado

On April 27, 2011, WAFF's 'First Alert Doppler Radar' was destroyed by a large and violent tornado, which produced EF5 damage in nearby Tanner.

December 2011: WAFF Increases Transmitter Height

In December 2011, WAFF increased its transmitter height as part of the transition to digital television.

March 2012: WAFF Installs New Doppler Radar System

In March 2012, WAFF installed a 1 million watt C-Band doppler radar system supplied by Huntsville-based Baron Services to replace the previously destroyed radar terminal.

October 2, 2014: Death of Benny Carle

On October 2, 2014, Benny Carle, former general manager and host of a children's show on WMSL/WAFF, died at the age of 89.

June 25, 2018: Gray Television Announces Merger Agreement with Raycom

On June 25, 2018, Gray Television announced an agreement to merge with Raycom Media, including WAFF, in a cash-and-stock transaction.

January 2, 2019: Gray Television Merger with Raycom Completed

On January 2, 2019, the merger between Gray Television and Raycom Media was completed, making WAFF a sister station to WVLT-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee.