History of WLBT in Timeline

WLBT is an NBC-affiliated television station located in Jackson, Mississippi, owned by Gray Media. It shares operational agreements with Fox affiliate WDBD and MyNetworkTV outlet WLOO. The three stations have shared studios in downtown Jackson, with WLBT's transmitter near Raymond, Mississippi. WLOO's license is owned by Tougaloo College, but operated by American Spirit Media.

January 1953: WJTV Debuts

In January 1953, WJTV (channel 12) debuted as Jackson's oldest television station.

December 19, 1953: WLBT Founded as WJBT

On December 19, 1953, WLBT was founded as WJBT by the Lamar Life Insurance Company, which also owned radio station WJDX. It became Jackson's second-oldest television station.

1955: Thurgood Marshall Interview Interrupted

In 1955, WLBT interrupted an interview with civil rights lawyer Thurgood Marshall on The Today Show, putting up a sign that said, "Sorry, Cable Trouble." Station manager Fred Beard later stated that he pulled the interview because television networks had become instruments of "Negro propaganda".

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1962: Opposition to James Meredith's Admission

In 1962, Station manager Fred Beard editorialized against the admission of James Meredith to the University of Mississippi, arguing that states should decide who attends their schools.

1962: WRAL and WUSN Switched from NBC to ABC

In 1962, WRAL and WUSN switched from NBC to ABC to prevent being forced to air coverage of the Civil Rights Movement, but WLBT kept its affiliation with NBC.

1964: Petition to Revoke WLBT's License

In 1964, Rev. Everett Parker and the UCC formally petitioned the FCC to revoke WLBT's license due to the station's flagrant bias.

March 3, 1966: Original Transmission Tower Collapsed

On March 3, 1966, WLBT's original transmission tower collapsed when the Candlestick Park Tornado struck the tower and transmitter building.

1966: Court Rules Public Can Participate in FCC Hearings

In 1966, the United States Court of Appeals ruled that the public had the right to take part in FCC hearings to protect the public interest.

1967: FCC Rules in Favor of Lamar

In 1967, after a new hearing, the FCC again ruled in favor of Lamar.

1969: Evidence of Mounger's Association Available

Evidence of Mounger's association with Jackson Academy and its discriminatory practices was available from at least 1969.

1969: Station Stripped of Broadcast Rights

In 1969, WLBT became the first station stripped of its right to broadcast for failing to serve the public interest due to its pro-segregationist stance. It was later relaunched under new ownership and became a pioneer for racial equality among Southern broadcasters.

1969: Court Orders Revocation of License

In 1969, the Appeals Court found Lamar's record beyond repair and ordered the FCC to revoke Lamar's license.

1970: WAPT Started Broadcasting

In 1970, WAPT (channel 16) started broadcasting, after which WLBT shared ABC with WJTV.

1970: WAPT Became a Full-Time ABC Affiliate

In 1970, WAPT became a full-time ABC affiliate in the market, ending WLBT's shared affiliation with ABC.

1971: Preemption of "Freedom Road" and "God, the Devil and Bob"

After the start of its 1971 license, WLBT preempted the miniseries Freedom Road and the animated sitcom God, the Devil and Bob, with the latter being mostly preempted due to controversy.

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1971: Lamar's Appeal Lost

In 1971, Lamar appealed the revocation of its license, but lost.

1973: FCC Asked to Revoke WLBT's Broadcast License

In 1973, the FCC was asked to revoke WLBT's broadcast license because William Mounger, the station's largest shareholder, also served as a Jackson Academy Vice President.

1974: FCC Rejected Complaint

In 1974, the FCC rejected the complaint to revoke WLBT's broadcast license on the grounds that it was untimely.

1976: Peabody Award for "Power Politics in Mississippi"

In 1976, WLBT garnered a George Foster Peabody award for a segment of Probe called "Power Politics in Mississippi".

1979: TV-3, Inc. Awarded License

In late 1979, TV-3, Inc., a consortium with Blacks holding controlling interest and headed by a majority-Black board, was awarded the license for WLBT.

January 9, 1980: TV-3, Inc. Takes Control of WLBT

On January 9, 1980, TV-3, Inc. took control of WLBT.

1982: WLBM Operated

From 1982, WLBT operated a low-power satellite in Meridian, Mississippi named WLBM.

1984: Civic Communications Became Sole Owner

In 1984, Civic Communications bought out its partners and became the sole owner of WLBT. Frank Melton became CEO.

1991: WLBM Became a Stand-Alone Station

In 1991, WLBM, WLBT's low-power satellite in Meridian, Mississippi, became a stand-alone station, now WGBC.

October 23, 1997: Transmission Tower Collapsed

On October 23, 1997, WLBT's 1,999-foot transmission tower collapsed near Raymond, killing three Canadian men who were replacing the guy wires.

1997: Second Collapse Tower

In 1997, the replacement tower constructed in 1966, one of the tallest structures east of the Mississippi River, collapsed.

1999: New Tower Completed

In 1999, a new 2,000-foot tower was completed after the tower collapse in 1997.

2000: Melton Sold the Station

In 2000, Frank Melton sold WLBT to Liberty Corporation.

2006: Liberty Merged with Raycom Media

In 2006, Liberty Corporation merged with Raycom Media, which now included WLBT.

March 2008: Launched a 4 p.m. Newscast

In March 2008, WLBT launched a weekday afternoon 4 p.m. newscast, the first of its kind in Jackson.

June 12, 2009: Analog Signal Shut Down

On June 12, 2009, WLBT shut down its analog signal as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television, relocating its digital signal to VHF channel 7.

January 14, 2010: Moved to UHF Channel 30

On January 14, 2010, WLBT moved to UHF channel 30 due to viewer reception difficulties on VHF channel 7.

October 2010: Began Broadcasting Newscasts in High Definition

In October 2010, WLBT began broadcasting its local newscasts in high definition, becoming the second television outlet in the area to make the upgrade.

November 12, 2012: WLBT Assumed Production of WDBD Newscasts

On November 12, 2012, WLBT assumed production of WDBD's newscasts after American Spirit Media acquired WDBD, retaining all of the news programming.

June 25, 2018: Gray Television Announced Merger with Raycom

On June 25, 2018, Gray Television announced an agreement to merge with Raycom Media, bringing WLBT under Gray's corporate umbrella.

January 2, 2019: Merger of Gray Television and Raycom Completed

On January 2, 2019, the merger of Gray Television and Raycom Media was completed, making WLBT a Gray Television station.

December 30, 2023: Agreement to Air Pelicans Games

On December 30, 2023, WLBT parent company Gray Television announced an agreement with the New Orleans Pelicans to air 10 games on the station during the 2023–24 season.

September 17, 2024: Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network Deal

On September 17, 2024, Gray and the Pelicans announced a broader deal to form the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network, which will broadcast nearly all 2024–25 Pelicans games on Gray's stations in the Gulf South, including WLBT.