TV Technical Profile: WCFT

Channel:

33

Programming:

33.1 - ABC HD

33.2 - ABC 33/40 WeatherNow

33.3 - The Nashville Network

Transmitter Location:

[map] [bird's eye] Approx 3 miles east of Alabama 69, off CR-38 (Blue Creek Road) in Tuscaloosa County. Near the Tuscaloosa tall tower.

Power (ERP):

300 kW

Height Above Average Terrain (HAAT):

2,162 feet

Antenna:

Directional

Other Information:

41 dBu protected contour map, from the FCC.

[FCC]

[Wikipedia]

// WBMA-LD Birmingham

// WJSU Anniston

Station History:

WCFT began broadcasting on October 27, 1965. Originally, Tuscaloosa was part of the Birmingham market and WCFT was the first from Tuscaloosa to broadcast. The station began with no affiliation, but after years of little return for their investment, the station was sold to Service Broadcasters of Hattisburg in 1967. After the purchase WCFT was granted permission to air CBS programming even though Birmingham's channel 42 was the DMA affiliate. In 1970, the station became a full network affiliate. In the early 80's the station began doing better in the news area and by 1987 Arbitron made Tuscaloosa it's own market. WCFT was sold to Albritton Communications in 1995 to become part of Birmingham's unique new ABC affiliate.

 

WBMA, a low power station is official Birmingham's ABC affiliate. WCFT, along with Anniston station WJSU serve as "satellites" to rebroadcast ABC all over central Alabama. WBMA began digital broadcasts in the winter or spring of 2011.

 

The original WCFT tower is still standing just off I-20/59 near the Skyland Blvd. exit, and is used for ABC 33/40's Tuscaloosa tower camera.

 

WCFT elected to keep analog broadcasts on until the new June 12^th deadline.  Due to reception issues in the Birmingham area, the station moved back to RF channel 33 in late October, 2009.  At the start of November 2012 the station began carrying the new Nashville Network on their .3 digital subchannel.