History of WHTM-TV in Timeline
WHTM-TV is an ABC-affiliated television station serving the Susquehanna Valley region from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group. WHTM-TV shares its broadcast spectrum with WLYH through a channel sharing agreement, transmitting from an antenna on the Cumberland–Perry county line. The station's studios are located on North 6th Street in Harrisburg.
33 minutes ago : Extreme Heatwave Expected: Near-Record Temperatures and Impact Days Forecasted for the Week Ahead.
A significant heatwave is predicted, with near-record high temperatures expected to impact the region. Forecasters have declared Monday and Tuesday as 'Impact Days,' urging residents to take precautions against the extreme heat. Stay hydrated and avoid prolonged outdoor activity.
June 19, 1953: WTPA Signs On Air
On June 19, 1953, WTPA (standing for "Television Pennsylvania") signed on the air as an NBC affiliate. The station was founded by the Newhouse family and operated alongside Harrisburg's two major newspapers.
1953: News programming began on WTPA
In 1953, news programming on WTPA began with 15-minute newscasts at 12:15, 6:30, and 11 p.m.
June 1, 1957: WTPA moves to channel 27
On June 1, 1957, WTPA moved to channel 27 after WCMB-TV ceased operations.
March 28, 1980: The Times Mirror Company acquired WTPA
On March 28, 1980, The Times Mirror Company acquired WTPA and changed its call sign to WHTM-TV.
1980: Pennsylvania Lottery scandal
In 1980, the Pennsylvania Lottery scandal occurred, which later inspired the movie "Lucky Numbers" in 2000, featuring a WHTM-TV reporter.
1986: WHTM sold to Smith Broadcasting Company
In 1986, WHTM-TV was sold to Smith Broadcasting Company.
1994: WHTM sold to Price Communications
In 1994, WHTM-TV was sold to Price Communications.
November 5, 1996: FCC Rules on LMAs
On November 5, 1996, the FCC ruled that certain Local Marketing Agreements (LMAs) would count toward ownership limits.
1996: Allbritton Communications acquired WHTM
In 1996, Allbritton Communications acquired WHTM-TV.
1996: Tribune Media owns WPMT
Since 1996, Tribune Media has owned Fox affiliate WPMT.
1999: WHTM-TV signed on its digital signal
In 1999, WHTM-TV signed on its digital signal on VHF channel 10.
1999: FCC rules on LMA agreements
In 1999, the FCC ruled that certain LMA agreements made after November 5, 1996, would count toward the ownership limits.
2000: Chuck Rhodes in "Lucky Numbers"
In 2000, feature reporter Chuck Rhodes served as a minor cast member in the film "Lucky Numbers", which was based on the 1980 Pennsylvania Lottery scandal.
2006: Nexstar owns WLYH
Nexstar Broadcasting Group owned WLYH, now WXBU, from 2006 to 2015.
2007: Ice Storm affects WHTM's transmitter site
In 2007, an ice storm knocked out the power to WHTM's transmitter site, affecting reception for some cable and satellite providers.
June 12, 2009: WHTM-TV Discontinued Analog Signal
On June 12, 2009, WHTM-TV discontinued regular programming on its analog signal, over UHF channel 27, as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television.
2009: Digital Transition in the 2000s
Prior to the digital transition in 2009, the station previously had its antenna turned to the west to originally protect the analog signal of Philadelphia's WCAU during the digital transition in the 2000s.
October 14, 2011: WHTM broadcasts newscasts in high definition
On October 14, 2011, WHTM became the third television station in Central Pennsylvania to begin broadcasting its local newscasts in high definition.
January 13, 2012: WHTM upgraded weather graphics to HD
On January 13, 2012, WHTM upgraded its weather graphics to HD.
2012: WGAL begins experiencing declines in news viewership
Starting in 2012, WGAL began experiencing declines in news viewership.
May 2013: WGAL Experiences Declines in News Viewership
Starting in 2012, WGAL began experiencing declines in news viewership, with the largest occurring in May 2013, while WHTM saw consistent growth during that same sweeps period.
July 29, 2013: Allbritton to sell WHTM to Sinclair Broadcast Group
On July 29, 2013, Allbritton announced it would sell WHTM-TV to the Sinclair Broadcast Group.
November 2013: WHTM shows significant growth in all newscasts
For the November 2013 ratings period, WHTM-TV was the only television station in the market to show significant growth in all newscasts.
2013: WHTM received 16 Emmy nominations
In 2013, WHTM received 16 Emmy nominations, including in the "News Excellence" category, and other awards from the Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcasters Association and the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters.
July 24, 2014: FCC approves sale to Media General
On July 24, 2014, the FCC approved the sale of WHTM to Media General after nearly a year of delays.
August 20, 2014: Sinclair trades stations with Media General
On August 20, 2014, Sinclair traded three stations to Media General for other stations as part of Media General's acquisition of LIN Media.
2014: WHTM nominated for 26 Emmys
In 2014, WHTM was nominated for 26 Emmy Awards, leading the Mid-Atlantic chapter of NATAS in total nominations.
November 30, 2015: WHTM 27.2 replaced Retro TV with Ion Television
On November 30, 2015, WHTM 27.2 replaced Retro TV with Ion Television.
2015: Nexstar no longer owns WLYH
Nexstar Broadcasting Group owned WLYH, now WXBU, from 2006 to 2015.
January 27, 2016: Nexstar to Acquire Media General
On January 27, 2016, Nexstar announced it would acquire Media General, making WHTM a sister station to several others in Pennsylvania.
January 17, 2017: Nexstar Completes Acquisition of Media General
On January 17, 2017, the sale of Media General to Nexstar was completed, making WHTM a sister station to other Pennsylvania stations.
December 3, 2018: Nexstar to Acquire Tribune Media
On December 3, 2018, Nexstar announced it would acquire Tribune Media for $6.4 billion.
2018: Construction began on the expansion for new newsroom, offices, and studio
In 2018, groundbreaking construction began on the expansion for new newsroom, offices, and studio for WHTM.
January 25, 2019: WHTM moved into their new newsroom, offices, and studio
On January 25, 2019, WHTM moved into their new newsroom, offices, and studio.
January 27, 2019: WHTM debuted its first broadcast from new newsroom, offices, and studio
On January 27, 2019, WHTM debuted its first broadcast from its new newsroom, offices, and studio.
March 20, 2019: Nexstar to sell WPMT to Tegna Inc.
On March 20, 2019, it was announced that Nexstar would keep WHTM-TV and sell WPMT to Tegna Inc.
2020: getTV replaced with Dabl
Sometime in 2020, WHTM-DT3 replaced getTV with Dabl.
October 24, 2021: WHTM-TV completed construction permit
On October 24, 2021, WHTM-TV completed work on its construction permit, increasing its power and rotating its antenna to improve its signal.
June 2022: Dabl was replaced with Grit
In June 2022, Dabl was replaced with Grit on WHTM-DT3.
August 2025: Nexstar Announces Acquisition of Tegna
In August 2025, Nexstar announced its acquisition of Tegna for $6.2 billion.
March 19, 2026: Nexstar Completes Acquisition of Tegna
On March 19, 2026, Nexstar completed its acquisition of Tegna.
Mentioned in this timeline
The National Broadcasting Company NBC is a major American commercial...
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News encompasses current events communicated through various media including word...
The Associated Press AP is a non-profit American news agency...
Philadelphia or Philly is Pennsylvania's most populous city and the...
A lottery is a gambling system where numbers are randomly...
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