History of WBBJ-TV in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 2, 2025

WBBJ-TV is a television station located in Jackson, Tennessee, affiliated with both ABC and CBS. It is owned and operated by Bahakel Communications. The station's studios are based on Muse Street in Jackson, while its transmitter is situated on Potts Chapel Road in eastern Madison County. WBBJ-TV serves as a primary source of news, information, and entertainment for the Jackson, Tennessee area.

March 6, 1955: Station Signed On

On March 6, 1955, WDXI-TV, Jackson's first television station, began broadcasting on VHF channel 7 as a CBS affiliate, owned by Aaron Robinson along with WDXI radio.

December 7, 1966: Call Letter Change

On December 7, 1966, Cy Bahakel bought WDXI-TV and changed the call letters to WBBJ-TV. Robinson's estate retained ownership of WDXI radio.

1967: Network Affiliation Switch

In 1967, WBBJ dropped its CBS affiliation in favor of ABC, which it had previously carried as a secondary affiliation. By the end of 1967, Bahakel's other stations also affiliated with ABC.

1999: "Image News" Music Package

Since 1999, WBBJ had been using Frank Gari's "Image News" music package before switching to "In-Sink" by Nashville-based company 615 Music on August 1, 2007.

2003: Circle 7 Logo

Since 2003, WBBJ has used the original, ABC-trademarked version of the circle 7 logo, similar to other stations operating on channel 7 in analog.

August 1, 2007: New Graphics, Logo, Music, and Weather Set

On August 1, 2007, WBBJ debuted new graphics, logo, music, and an updated weather set. The station switched to "In-Sink" by Nashville-based company 615 Music from Frank Gari's "Image News" music package which had been in use since 1999. Also on this date, the weeknight 5 p.m. newscast dropped the Live at 5 branding and returned to ABC 7 Eyewitness News at 5 which is simulcast on local radio station WFHU (91.5 FM). The ninety-minute weekday morning show became Good Morning West Tennessee.

June 12, 2009: Analog Signal Shutdown

On June 12, 2009, WBBJ-TV shut down its analog signal over VHF channel 7, as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital broadcasts.

January 1, 2012: CBS Affiliate

On January 1, 2012, WBBJ-DT3 became the area's CBS affiliate, bringing the network back to the market after it had been dropped in 1967.

January 23, 2013: New Set Debut

On January 23, 2013, WBBJ debuted a brand new set that has a working newsroom behind the main anchor desk. Also, the new set shows the Circle 7 logo, but no longer features the ABC logo, since the station is affiliated with both ABC and CBS.

September 2018: WBBJ-DT3 HD Upgrade

As of September 2018, WBBJ-DT3 has been airing in 720p high definition, upgraded from its original 16:9 widescreen standard definition picture format.

September 2021: MeTV Programming Moved

In September 2021, MeTV programming was moved from WBBJ-DT3 to a new fourth subchannel, offering its full schedule uninterrupted. Since January 1, 2012, WBBJ-DT3 had served as a dual CBS/MeTV affiliate.