WCFT-TV: The Evolution of a West Alabama Broadcast Landmark
The landscape of television in west-central Alabama was forever changed on October 27, 1965, with the sign-on of WCFT-TV. As the first television station to serve western Alabama, it began its journey as an independent outlet owned by Chapman Family Television, a group of eight Tuscaloosa businessmen dedicated to combining community service with business growth.
While the station's early years were marked by financial struggles, its resilience and strategic shifts in affiliation would eventually make it a cornerstone of the region's media consumption, evolving from a local independent to a key piece of a major network puzzle.
The Early Years and Shift to CBS
After two years of operating without sufficient profit, Chapman Family Television sold the station in 1967 to South Mississippi Broadcasting, Inc. (later known as Service Broadcasters). The new owners injected significant capital into WCFT, upgrading transmission equipment and refining the station's public image. During this era, WCFT aired syndicated content and network programs from CBS and NBC that were not being broadcast by WAPI-TV in the Birmingham market.
A pivotal shift occurred on May 31, 1970, when WCFT-TV became an exclusive CBS affiliate. This happened as WAPI-TV transitioned to an exclusive NBC affiliate. Despite the proximity of Birmingham, CBS maintained its affiliation with WCFT because the competing Birmingham station, WBMG, suffered from a weak signal that failed to reach Tuscaloosa and west-central Alabama effectively.
WCFT's strength lay in its local focus. By prioritizing newscasts centered on western Alabama, the station became highly competitive against larger Birmingham outlets. This local dominance was so pronounced that in 1977, Arbitron designated Tuscaloosa as its own separate television market.
The Transition to ABC 33/40
The mid-1990s brought a wave of industry upheaval. In 1994, a series of complex deals involving New World Communications and the Fox Broadcasting Company led to a shuffle of network affiliations across the region. As WBRC prepared to switch to Fox, ABC needed a new home in central Alabama.
In November 1995, Allbritton Communications purchased WCFT for $20 million. To solve the problem of signal coverage and Nielsen ratings—since Tuscaloosa and Anniston were separate markets—Allbritton implemented a unique strategy. They purchased W58CK, a low-power station in Birmingham, to serve as the primary ratings vehicle.
On September 1, 1996, a new triumvirate was formed. WCFT and WJSU (in Anniston) became full-powered satellite stations of W58CK. This operation was branded as ABC 33/40, using the channel numbers of the satellites to create a cohesive regional identity. This move eventually led to the consolidation of Tuscaloosa and Anniston back into the Birmingham market in 1998, boosting Birmingham's national market ranking from 51st to 39th.
The Sinclair Era and Final Transition
For over fifteen years, the ABC 33/40 operation remained stable under Allbritton. However, in 2013, Allbritton sold its stations to the Sinclair Broadcast Group for $985 million to pivot toward the political news site Politico.
The acquisition faced regulatory hurdles from the FCC regarding ownership caps and local marketing agreements (LMAs). To comply with these rules, Sinclair restructured the deal. By 2014, Sinclair decided to move ABC programming to WABM, which possessed superior transmission facilities in Birmingham. This decision rendered the licenses of WCFT and WJSU redundant for Sinclair's primary goals.
Rather than surrendering the licenses, Sinclair sold WCFT to Howard Stirk Holdings, owned by Armstrong Williams, for $50,000 in September 2014. Following the transfer, the station's identity shifted again. On March 11, 2015, the call letters were changed from WCFT to WSES. By October 1, 2015, the station transitioned its primary affiliation to the Heroes & Icons network.
Key Facts
- Launch Date: October 27, 1965.
- First Status: Independent station serving western Alabama.
- Major Affiliations: CBS (1970), ABC (1996), Heartland (2014), and Heroes & Icons (2015).
- Branding: Part of the "ABC 33/40" triumvirate from 1996 to 2014.
- Final Call Sign: Changed to WSES in March 2015.
- Market Impact: Helped move Birmingham from 51st to 39th in Nielsen rankings in 1998.
| Period | Owner | Primary Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| 1965–1967 | Chapman Family Television | Independent |
| 1967–1978 | Service Broadcasters | Independent / CBS |
| 1978–1990 | Beam/Beacon Communications | CBS |
| 1990–1995 | Federal Broadcasting | CBS |
| 1995–2014 | Allbritton Communications | ABC |
| 2014–2015 | Sinclair / Howard Stirk Holdings | Heartland |
| 2015–Present | Howard Stirk Holdings | Heroes & Icons |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did WCFT become a CBS affiliate in 1970?
WCFT became an exclusive CBS affiliate because the existing Birmingham CBS affiliate, WBMG, had a very weak signal that did not adequately cover Tuscaloosa and west-central Alabama.
What was "ABC 33/40"?
ABC 33/40 was a combined operation consisting of W58CK (the primary low-power station in Birmingham) and its full-power satellites, WCFT (channel 33) and WJSU (channel 40).
How did WCFT affect Birmingham's national market ranking?
By consolidating Tuscaloosa and Anniston back into the Birmingham television market in 1998, the viewership increase caused Birmingham to jump twelve spots in the Nielsen rankings, from 51st to 39th.
Who currently owns the former WCFT station?
The station is owned by Howard Stirk Holdings, a group owned by Armstrong Williams.
What is the station's current call sign and affiliation?
The station now operates under the call sign WSES and is primarily affiliated with the Heroes & Icons network.