WLOS

Prior to the 1948 freeze on television station applications imposed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Skyway Broadcasting Corporation—owner of Asheville radio stations WLOS (1380 AM) and WLOS-FM (99.9)—had applied for the use of channel 7, one of three channels assigned to the city along with channel 5 (applied for by actress Mary Pickford) and 12. However, the major overhaul of TV allocations accompanying the introduction of ultra high frequency (UHF) channels resulted in only one VHF channel being allotted to Asheville: 13, along with UHF 56 (educational) and 62.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119063705/asheville-assigned-television-frequencie/|date=March 23, 1951|page=16|title=Asheville Assigned Television Frequencies|newspaper=The Asheville Citizen|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220022510/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119063705/asheville-assigned-television/|url-status=live}} The Skyway Broadcasting Company, corporate parent of WLOS, applied for channel 13 on December 7, 1951.{{Cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/bc2493d2-6fc3-857c-9c10-ca9937e7312a|title=FCC History Cards for WLOS|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} It was soon joined by WSKY (1230 AM) in August 1952{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53081722/four-apply-for-tv-channels-in-asheville/|date=August 19, 1952|page=11, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119064391/four-apply/ 16]|title=Four Apply For TV Channels In Asheville|newspaper=The Asheville Citizen|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219060952/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53081722/four-apply-for-tv-channels-in-asheville/|url-status=live}} and WWNC (570 AM), owned by the Asheville Citizen-Times Company, in March 1953.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119064506/wwnc-files-channel-13-application/|date=March 27, 1953|page=19|title=WWNC Files Channel 13 Application|newspaper=The Asheville Citizen|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219055449/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119064506/wwnc-files-channel-13-application/|url-status=live}} WSKY had withdrawn by August 1953, as had the Community Television Company,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119064556/tv-company-withdraws-application-for-cha/|date=August 14, 1953|page=9|title=TV Company Withdraws Application For Channel|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220022500/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119064556/tv-company-withdraws-application-for/|url-status=live}} but Asheville tax attorney William W. Orr then filed in October, bringing the field back up to three contenders for channel 13.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119064658/orr-requests-license-for-tv-station/|date=October 7, 1953|page=29|agency=Associated Press|title=Orr Requests License For TV Station|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219061000/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119064658/orr-requests-license-for-tv-station/|url-status=live}}

In December 1953, the field cleared, and Orr and the Citizen-Times Company withdrew their applications to allow WLOS to get the construction permit; the latter received an option to buy stock in Skyway, though it was cautioned that such would require additional FCC approval.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119064776/wlos-gets-permit-to-build-television-sta/|date=December 11, 1953|page=19|title=WLOS Gets Permit To Build Television Station Here|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220022500/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119064776/wlos-gets-permit-to-build-television/|url-status=live}} The next step was securing a transmitter site. WLOS immediately proposed to erect a {{convert|300|ft|adj=on}} tower atop Mount Pisgah, which was met with divided sentiment. Civic groups favored the location and claimed it was the only site in the mountainous area from which the station could provide regional coverage; others derided what they felt as the commercialization of the well-known summit.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119064949/hearing-on-mt-pisgah-tv-tower-slated-th/|date=February 2, 1954|page=11|title=Hearing On Mt. Pisgah TV Tower Slated This Morning|newspaper=The Asheville Citizen|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220022501/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119064949/hearing-on-mt-pisgah-tv-tower-slated/|url-status=live}} A United States Forest Service hearing in February 1954 drew 50 attendees and thousands of letters, telegrams, and postcards,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119065080/50-express-views-in-long-hearing-over-us/|date=February 3, 1954|page=13|title=50 Express Views In Long Hearing Over Use Of Pisgah For TV Tower|newspaper=The Asheville Citizen|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220022500/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119065080/50-express-views-in-long-hearing-over/|url-status=live}} but the federal government approved the Pisgah tower site at the end of February 1954.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119065518/forest-service-authorizes-tv-tower-on-to/|date=February 28, 1954|page=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119065579/forest-service-authorizes/ 6]|title=Forest Service Authorizes TV Tower On Top Of Pisgah: Application Is Approved By McArdle|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220022500/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119065518/forest-service-authorizes-tv-tower-on/|url-status=live}} Meanwhile, the station acquired the Battle House, a 1925-built residence on Macon Avenue described by The Asheville Citizen as "long considered one of Asheville's finest ... [with] a reputation as a residential showplace", to use as its studios.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119065321/public-hearing-slated-today-on-macon-ave/|date=February 25, 1954|page=17|title=Public Hearing Slated Today On Macon Avenue Rezoning: Issue May Be Hotly Contested|newspaper=The Asheville Citizen|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220022501/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119065321/public-hearing-slated-today-on-macon/|url-status=live}} By July 1954, work was under way on the Mount Pisgah transmitter facility, and a September 18 start date goal had been set;{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119065661/telecasting-by-wlos-tv-set-sept-18/|date=July 21, 1954|page=9|title=Telecasting By WLOS-TV Set Sept. 18|newspaper=The Asheville Citizen|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219055450/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119065661/telecasting-by-wlos-tv-set-sept-18/|url-status=live}} WLOS-TV had signed for affiliation with ABC and the DuMont Television Network.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119065187/wlos-tv-signs-with-two-networks/|date=August 3, 1954|page=9|title=WLOS-TV Signs With Two Networks|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219061004/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119065187/wlos-tv-signs-with-two-networks/|url-status=live}}

File:Mount Pisgah, NC radio tower, October 2016.jpg

WLOS-TV, as projected, began broadcasting on September 18, 1954.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53012433/telecasts-by-wlos-to-start-today/|date=September 18, 1954|page=14|title=Telecasts By WLOS To Start Today|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219055505/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53012433/telecasts-by-wlos-to-start-today/|url-status=live}} This gave Asheville its second station, as WISE-TV had begun broadcasting on channel 62 in August 1953.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53012487/wise-tv-has-debut-on-air/|work=The Asheville Citizen|date=August 2, 1953|title=WISE-TV Has Debut On Air|access-date=June 8, 2020|page=14|archive-date=June 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609030117/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53012487/wise-tv-has-debut-on-air/|url-status=live}} Local programming was immediately planned, including shows for housewives, children, and teenagers; the WLOS radio stations also occupied the Battle House.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119065884/wlos-begins-television-broadcasting-afte/|date=September 19, 1954|page=12-B|title=WLOS Begins Television Broadcasting After Extensive Preparations|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220022501/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119065884/wlos-begins-television-broadcasting/|url-status=live}} The Mount Pisgah transmitter site gave the station a wide coverage area; pre-launch advertising boasted of having the highest antenna in the South and a signal that reached Johnson City, Tennessee.{{Cite news|work=Broadcasting|title=A New VHF|id={{ProQuest|1285729457}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1954/1954-08-16-BC.pdf|date=August 16, 1954|page=27|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131030923/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1954/1954-08-16-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}

A squabble over options to purchase stock in Skyway Broadcasting Company erupted in April 1957, when Harold H. Thoms—owner of WISE radio and television—and Walter Tison of Tampa, Florida, announced they had an option to buy shares in the firm and were going to exercise it. Skyway denied that any such option existed, claiming that it was based on an option extended to a minority stockholder—J. E. Edmonds—and later withdrawn.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119066331/wlos-control-fight-launched/|date=April 27, 1957|page=1|title=WLOS Control Fight Launched|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219062438/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119066331/wlos-control-fight-launched/|url-status=live}} The matter was taken to court, where Edmonds attacked the validity of the 1953 Citizen-Times option, which remained outstanding.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119066103/suit-filed-contesting-wlos-option/|date=May 10, 1957|page=1|title=Suit Filed Contesting WLOS Option|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219062436/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119066103/suit-filed-contesting-wlos-option/|url-status=live}} Then, that option catapulted into the spotlight when Miami businessman Mitchell Wolfson—a summer resident of Asheville—announced that he had acquired the Citizen-Times option through his other broadcast property, WTVJ in Miami, and that he was offering a buyout of all other shareholders in Skyway.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119066564/wolfson-acts-to-acquire-stock-in-wlos-st/|date=May 16, 1957|page=1|title=Wolfson Acts To Acquire Stock In WLOS Stations|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220022502/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119066564/wolfson-acts-to-acquire-stock-in-wlos/|url-status=live}} The so-called "Britt option" that Thoms and Tison claimed to hold became the subject of multiple court cases as Thoms and Tison sued Britt and others for breach of contract.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119066795/wlos-suit-answers-are-filed/|date=September 28, 1957|page=11|title=WLOS Suit Answers Are Filed|newspaper=The Asheville Citizen|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219062438/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119066795/wlos-suit-answers-are-filed/|url-status=live}}

On March 1, 1958, Wolfson's company, Wometco Enterprises, announced it had reached a deal to buy Britt's stock in Skyway Broadcasting and thus assume majority ownership of the WLOS stations.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119066952/wolfson-completes-deal-to-buy-wlos-tv-r/|date=March 2, 1958|page=1|title=Wolfson Completes Deal To Buy WLOS-TV, Radio|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220022503/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119066952/wolfson-completes-deal-to-buy-wlos-tv/|url-status=live}} The FCC approved the transaction in August,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119067115/control-to-wolfson-fcc-gives-ok-to-wlos/|date=July 18, 1958|page=14-A|agency=Associated Press|title=Control To Wolfson: FCC Gives OK To WLOS Deal|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220022502/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119067115/control-to-wolfson-fcc-gives-ok-to/|url-status=live}} and upon closure, several WTVJ employees moved to Asheville to help manage WLOS radio and television.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119067081/wolfson-takes-over-at-wlos/|date=August 21, 1958|page=15|title=Wolfson Takes Over At WLOS|newspaper=The Asheville Citizen|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219062441/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119067081/wolfson-takes-over-at-wlos/|url-status=live}}

In 1959, Bill Norwood, known on air as "Mr. Bill", began hosting a children's program under a range of titles (the last being Mr. Bill's Friends) which continued to air until June 1988, later returning as a fill-in weatherman in the late 1990s.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119112660/wave-goodbye-to-mr-bills-friends-no/|date=May 29, 1988|page=1L, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119112594/goodbye/ 2L]|first=Tony|last=Kiss|title=Wave Goodbye To 'Mr. Bill's Friends': Norwood Stays With WLOS|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220022503/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119112660/wave-goodbye-to-mr-bills-friends/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119112201/still-soaring/|date=April 18, 1999|pages=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119112154/ballooning-and-entertaining-children-see/ D3]|first=Tony|last=Kiss|title=Still soaring|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220022502/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119112201/still-soaring/|url-status=live}} Bill's sidekick was a clown named Bumbo, played by longtime WLOS weatherman Bob Caldwell.{{r|Ashe880529}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119112080/the-weather-and-beyond-area-weathermen/|date=January 30, 2000|page=I1|first=Tony|last=Kiss|title=The weather and beyond: Area weathermen prove that commitment to forecasting can be just one interest among many|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220022503/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119112080/the-weather-and-beyond-area-weathermen/|url-status=live}}

Wometco sold off WLOS AM to the Greater Asheville Broadcasting Corporation in 1969, retaining the FM and TV stations; the AM station changed its call sign to WKKE when the sale took effect.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119067220/wometco-will-sell-wlos-am/|date=February 4, 1969|page=11|title=Wometco Will Sell WLOS-AM|newspaper=The Asheville Citizen|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219062440/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119067220/wometco-will-sell-wlos-am/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119067285/radio-wlos-am-becomes-wkke/|date=September 21, 1969|page=6D|title=Radio WLOS-AM Becomes WKKE|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219062444/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119067285/radio-wlos-am-becomes-wkke/|url-status=live}} WLOS continued to share ABC programming in the western Carolinas with WAIM-TV (channel 40) in Anderson, South Carolina, on the opposite end of the market. It was a dual ABC/CBS affiliate; while WAIM-TV's ABC affiliation agreement allowed it to carry any network program not aired by WLOS in Asheville, which was not receivable in the Anderson area. This ended in January 1979; after an ownership change at channel 40, ABC only allowed the station to continue airing its programming through the end of 1978.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98392394/tv-radio-stations-ownership-transferre/|date=July 1, 1978|page=1A|first=Jim|last=Galloway|title=TV, Radio Stations' Ownership Transferred|newspaper=Anderson Independent|location=Anderson, South Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 26, 2022|archive-date=March 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326181429/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98392394/tv-radio-stations-ownership/|url-status=live}}

In 1984, Wometco was taken private in a leveraged buyout by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR).{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118530566/ny-investment-firm-acquires-wometco/|date=April 13, 1984|page=10-D|first=Norman|last=Black|agency=Associated Press|title=N.Y. Investment Firm Acquires Wometco|newspaper=The State|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 13, 2023|archive-date=February 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213063705/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118530566/ny-investment-firm-acquires-wometco/|url-status=live}} As part of this transaction, WLOS-FM was sold to WISE and became WRLX-FM and later WKSF.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119068288/wise-radio-buys-wlos-fm/|date=February 10, 1984|page=22|first=David|last=Nivens|title=WISE Radio Buys WLOS-FM|newspaper=The Asheville Citizen|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219070858/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119068288/wise-radio-buys-wlos-fm/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119068295/wrlx-radio-changes-to-contemporary/|date=September 12, 1984|page=7|title=WRLX Radio Changes To 'Contemporary'|newspaper=The Asheville Citizen|first=Tony|last=Kiss|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219070854/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119068295/wrlx-radio-changes-to-contemporary/|url-status=live}} KKR struggled with the station, in part because ABC sank to third in the national ratings. It set revenue goals that were so unreachable that the entire WLOS-TV sales force turned over.{{Cite news|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1985-12-16_4_51/page/n39/mode/2up?q=WLOS|work=Electronic Media|date=December 16, 1985|pages=1, 34, 38|first=Diane|last=Goldner|title=The quiet giant: Major media company really just an investor|access-date=February 19, 2023}}

AnchorMedia, associated with the Robert M. Bass Group, acquired WLOS-TV for $50 million in 1987 after two attempts had been made in the preceding year to purchase the station from KKR.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119068858/anchor-media-buys-wlos-tv/|date=February 3, 1987|page=2B|first=Jenny|last=Munro|title=Anchor Media buys WLOS-TV|newspaper=The Greenville News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219070856/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119068858/anchor-media-buys-wlos-tv/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119068893/broadcasting-chain-buys-wlos-tv/|date=February 3, 1987|page=15|first=Tony|last=Kiss|title=Broadcasting Chain Buys WLOS-TV|newspaper=The Asheville Citizen|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219070858/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119068893/broadcasting-chain-buys-wlos-tv/|url-status=live}} Anchor was a rapidly growing group in radio, having acquired stations in Dallas, Las Vegas, and Albuquerque, but WLOS-TV marked its first television station property. Anchor had also bid on WTVJ in Miami only to be beaten at the last minute by a bid from General Electric and NBC.{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-03-09.pdf|page=62|date=March 9, 1987|work=Broadcasting|title=Anchor sets sail|id={{ProQuest|1016903060}}|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131031151/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-03-09.pdf|url-status=live}}

During AnchorMedia's ownership, the company attempted to acquire WAXA, the former WAIM-TV, in Anderson; the company proposed to simulcast WLOS on channel 40 for the benefit of viewers in the southern portion of the market who could not receive the Asheville station.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98374912/all-viewers-will-soon-receive-channel-13/|date=April 20, 1989|page=3A|title=All viewers will soon receive Channel 13|newspaper=Anderson Independent-Mail|location=Anderson, South Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 25, 2022|archive-date=March 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325231453/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98374912/all-viewers-will-soon-receive-channel-13/|url-status=live}} The FCC denied an outright sale, citing the stations' overlapping coverage areas,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98375326/fcc-refuses-stations-request/|date=April 14, 1990|page=2A|title=FCC refuses station's request|newspaper=Anderson Independent-Mail|location=Anderson, South Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 25, 2022|archive-date=March 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325201022/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98375326/fcc-refuses-stations-request/|url-status=live}} but AnchorMedia continued to negotiate a simulcast agreement with WAXA's existing ownership.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98375429/waxa-may-sign-simulcast-agreement-with-w/|date=December 5, 1990|page=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98375442/waxa/ 5C]|first=Alexandra|last=Alger|title=WAXA may sign simulcast agreement with WLOS-TV|newspaper=The Greenville News|location=Greenville, South Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 25, 2022|archive-date=March 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326181510/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98375429/waxa-may-sign-simulcast-agreement-with/|url-status=live}} It also won a victory in federal appeals court, which ordered the FCC to reconsider its denial of the WAXA purchase.{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1991/BC-1991-05-20.pdf|date=May 20, 1991|work=Broadcasting|title=Court sends sale denial back to FCC|id={{ProQuest|1014750057}}|page=33|access-date=March 25, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151533/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1991/BC-1991-05-20.pdf|url-status=live}} WLOS produced a limited amount of South Carolina-specific programming for air on channel 40, including a public affairs program, Viewpoint 40, and a 6 p.m. newscast using the resources of the Anderson Independent-Mail newspaper.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98375606/taylor-to-take-tv-spotlight-tonight/|date=August 9, 1991|page=3|title=Taylor to take TV spotlight tonight|newspaper=Anderson Independent-Mail|location=Anderson, South Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 25, 2022|archive-date=March 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325231457/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98375606/taylor-to-take-tv-spotlight-tonight/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98375752/independent-mail-waxa-form-partnership/|date=September 10, 1992|page=3A|title=Independent-Mail, WAXA form partnership|newspaper=Anderson Independent-Mail|location=Anderson, South Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 25, 2022|archive-date=March 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325201045/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98375752/independent-mail-waxa-form-partnership/|url-status=live}}

In 1994, Continental Broadcasting—the former AnchorMedia—was purchased by River City Broadcasting, a St. Louis-based owner of television and radio properties. The three ABC affiliates owned by Anchor represented River City's first major network affiliates.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108364144/broadcast-firm-expanding-with-7-station/|date=May 10, 1994|page=6C|first=Jerry|last=Berger|title=Broadcast Firm Expanding With 7-Station Deal|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|location=St. Louis, Missouri|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 27, 2022|archive-date=August 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828043114/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108364144/broadcast-firm-expanding-with-7-station/|url-status=live}} River City spun WAXA out as a separately programmed independent station, WFBC-TV, in September 1995.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53149359/wfbc-owners-say-area-ripe-for-channel-d/|date=September 3, 1995|page=Upstate Business 2, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53149383/ 3]|first=Paul|last=Davidson|title=WFBC owners say area ripe for channel, despite problems|newspaper=The Greenville News|location=Greenville, South Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 25, 2022|archive-date=March 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326181511/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53149359/wfbc-owners-say-area-ripe-for-channel/|url-status=live}} WFBC-TV later became The WB affiliate WBSC-TV in 1999{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118987908/wfbc-changes-call-letters/|date=September 28, 1999|page=5C|title=WFBC changes call letters|newspaper=Anderson Independent-Mail|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 18, 2023|archive-date=February 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218191008/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118987908/wfbc-changes-call-letters/|url-status=live}} and MyNetworkTV affiliate WMYA-TV in 2006.{{cite news|title=Changes coming to area TV stations|work=Asheville Citizen-Times|page=29|date=August 25, 2006|first=Tony|last=Kiss|via=ProQuest|id={{ProQuest|438687720}} }}

River City merged with Sinclair Broadcast Group in 1996.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98376967/sale-to-forge-uss-7th-biggest-tv-grou/|date=April 12, 1996|page=6D|agency=Associated Press|title=Sale to forge U.S.'s 7th biggest TV group|newspaper=The Greenville News|location=Greenville, South Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 25, 2022|archive-date=March 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326181512/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98376967/sale-to-forge-uss-7th-biggest-tv/|url-status=live}} WFBC-TV was sold to a related company to Sinclair, Glencairn, Ltd.{{cite news|date=July 29, 1996|page=16|work=Broadcasting & Cable|title=Sinclair, Glencairn deals: 'Backdoor duopolies'?|id={{ProQuest|1014767298}}|first=Elizabeth A.|last=Rathbun|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1996/BC-1996-07-29.pdf|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131023840/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1996/BC-1996-07-29.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/fcc-fines-sinclair-glencairn-control-90604|title=FCC fines Sinclair for Glencairn control|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=December 10, 2001|access-date=March 26, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320052121/https://www.nexttv.com/news/fcc-fines-sinclair-glencairn-control-90604|url-status=live}} Glencairn subsequently changed its name to Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation, but its stock is still almost entirely owned by the Smith family that owns Sinclair, and the companies continue to be closely related.{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/sinclair-cunningham-rework-lma-deal-35577|first=Michael|last=Malone|title=Sinclair, Cunningham Rework LMA Deal|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=October 9, 2009|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=April 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423032538/https://www.nexttv.com/news/sinclair-cunningham-rework-lma-deal-35577|url-status=live}}

WLOS sold the Battle House studios to the adjoining Grove Park Inn in 1999 and began scouting for a new location.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119119293/grove-park-inn-purchases-wlos-tvs-studi/|date=June 15, 1999|page=D8|first=Tim|last=Reid|title=Grove Park Inn purchases WLOS-TV's studios|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220022504/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119119293/grove-park-inn-purchases-wlos-tvs/|url-status=live}} The station then secured space in the Biltmore Park commercial development south of downtown Asheville, with the first broadcasts from the new studio taking place in December 2000.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119120196/wlos-plans-move-to-biltmore-park/|date=December 10, 1999|page=E1|first=Tim|last=Reid|title=WLOS plans move to Biltmore Park|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220022503/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119120196/wlos-plans-move-to-biltmore-park/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|work=Spartanburg Herald-Journal|page=D2|title=Christmastime is here!|first=Jose|last=Franco|date=December 8, 2000|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/christmastime-here/mtaizvdigloxvkirqxvmtagkjfslgllt_ip-10-166-46-113_1713657228293|access-date=April 20, 2024}} Battle House was demolished in 2006; the inn argued that it was too deteriorated to be preserved and that a half-century of use as a TV studio had resulted in too many alterations.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119067877/battle-house-falls-to-new-condos/|date=June 1, 2006|page=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119067885/battle-memories-still-linger/ B6]|first=Kelly|last=Hartson Carr|title=Battle House falls to new condos|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=Asheville, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220022504/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119067877/battle-house-falls-to-new-condos/|url-status=live}} Among these were replacement of windows and doors and the removal of many finishes, as well as an addition to the structure made by the television station.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119119566/battle-house-hurt-by-renovations-offici/|date=August 6, 2003|page=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119119741/house-the-value-of-the-building-is-15/ B3]|first=Melissa|last=Williams|title=Battle House hurt by renovations: Officials: Changes made to house WLOS-TV marred 'historic integrity' of the building|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220022505/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119119566/battle-house-hurt-by-renovations/|url-status=live}}

By 2014, WLOS ranked second in estimated revenue, ahead of NBC affiliate WYFF in Greenville but behind WSPA-TV;{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-carolinas-turf-tussle-143935|date=September 7, 2015|title=Market Eye: Carolinas Turf Tussle|first=Michael|last=Malone|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=May 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529120537/https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-carolinas-turf-tussle-143935|url-status=live}} this was an improvement from 2011, when it trailed both of the Upstate stations in revenue.{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-carolinas-their-minds-43952|date=March 17, 2013|title=Market Eye: Carolinas on Their Minds|first=Michael|last=Malone|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=July 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705221407/https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-carolinas-their-minds-43952|url-status=live}}

On September 20, 2021, "My 40" and the MyNetworkTV programming on WMYA-TV moved exclusively to the 13.2 subchannel of WLOS.{{Cite news|url=https://wlos.com/news/local/rescan-required-for-over-the-air-viewers-on-sept-20|first=Kristy|last=Kepley-Steward|work=WLOS|title=Rescan required for over-the-air viewers on Sept. 20|date=September 10, 2021|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=August 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811121910/https://wlos.com/news/local/rescan-required-for-over-the-air-viewers-on-sept-20|url-status=live}}

As the major station based in Asheville, WLOS has traditionally focused its regional news coverage on western North Carolina, where it achieves higher ratings than its competitors. It was also initially the smallest of the three TV newsrooms in the region. After airing its main early evening newscasts at 5:30 and later 7 p.m., WLOS went head-to-head with the South Carolina stations (then-WFBC-TV and WSPA-TV) in 1979 and began airing its evening news at 6 p.m.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98875903/wlos-readies-for-6-pm-assault/|date=August 5, 1979|page=TV Spotlight 18|title=WLOS readies for 6 p.m. assault|newspaper=The Greenville News|location=Greenville, South Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220022519/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98875903/wlos-readies-for-6-pm-assault/|url-status=live}}

Even though the station's focus is western North Carolina, management recognized the station needed a presence in the South Carolina part of the market if it was to lift itself from an overall third-place finish in the combined market. By the late 1970s, the station had a bureau in Greenville, which moved into a new building in 1984; that year, it also set up a news bureau in Spartanburg.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119109970/wlos-tv-expands-greenville-bureau/|date=October 7, 1984|pages=TV Spotlight 24, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119110086/wlos-tv-expands-greenville-bureau-2/ 25]|first=Tom|last=Harrison|title=WLOS-TV expands Greenville bureau|newspaper=The Greenville News|location=Greenville, South Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220023007/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119109970/wlos-tv-expands-greenville-bureau/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119110756/the-school-with-a-brand-new-face/|date=December 18, 1984|page=14A|first=Tom|last=Harrison|title=The school with a brand new face|newspaper=The Greenville News|location=Greenville, South Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220023007/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119110756/the-school-with-a-brand-new-face/|url-status=live}} The station expanded its news coverage with the addition of a new 5:30 p.m. newscast—in addition to its 6 p.m. report—in 1986,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119068339/early-broadcast-will-allow-wlos-to/|date=August 31, 1986|page=5L|first=Tony|last=Kiss|title=Early Broadcast Will Allow WLOS To Expand News Coverage|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=Asheville, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220023007/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119068339/early-broadcast-will-allow-wlos-to/|url-status=live}} and a morning newscast debuted upon the end of Mr. Bill and Friends in 1988.{{r|Ashe880529}} AnchorMedia also invested in new equipment upon taking over.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119069019/changing-channels-wlos-making-effort/|date=January 24, 1988|page=8L|first=Tony|last=Kiss|title=Changing Channels: WLOS Making Effort 'To Be The Best,' General Manager Says|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=Asheville, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220023008/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119069019/changing-channels-wlos-making-effort/|url-status=live}} News programming slowly expanded: by 2008, the station had a two-hour morning newscast, 90 minutes of early evening news, and the 11 p.m. newscast on weeknights, and WMYA aired 6:30 and 10 p.m. newscasts produced by WLOS.{{Cite news|page=C6|title=WLOS to launch high-def newscasts|work=Spartanburg Herald-Journal|date=September 17, 2008|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wlos-launch-high-def-newscasts/voznwjeahcmleysxyvvicdbmuwhmrcza_ip-10-166-46-165_1713657556140|access-date=April 20, 2024}}

In 2022, WLOS debuted a weekly sports show during the football season, Saturday Sports Night, covering regional college football.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/local-news-close-up-lots-of-upside-in-upstate-south-carolina|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=October 12, 2022|first=Michael|last=Malone|title=Local News Close-Up: Lots of Upside in Upstate South Carolina|access-date=February 20, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202205826/https://www.nexttv.com/news/local-news-close-up-lots-of-upside-in-upstate-south-carolina|url-status=live}}

• Mike Bettes – chief meteorologist, to 2004{{Cite news|title=Fates & Fortunes|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=February 16, 2004|page=40|id={{ProQuest|225303824}}|via=ProQuest}}
• Heather Childers – weekend anchor, 1999–2002{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119144002/childers-takes-job-with-fox/|date=October 23, 2010|page=1E, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119144173/washburn/ 6E]|title=Childers takes job with Fox|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220023008/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119144002/childers-takes-job-with-fox/|url-status=live}}
• David Steele – sportscaster{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119117717/still-no-tv-but-fans-can-see-magic-on/|date=January 17, 1993|page=C-9|first=Jerry|last=Greene|title=Still no TV, but fans can 'see' Magic on radio|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 19, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220023017/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119117717/still-no-tv-but-fans-can-see-magic/|url-status=live}}

The station's signal is multiplexed:

WLOS discontinued regular programming on its analog signal, over VHF channel 13, on June 12, 2009.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119179209/wlos-digital-switch-cuts-off-picture-in/|date=June 24, 2009|page=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119179263/wlos-some-people-did-not-know-how-to-r/ B3]|first=Tony|last=Kiss|title=WLOS digital switch cuts off picture in some areas|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 20, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220023008/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119179209/wlos-digital-switch-cuts-off-picture-in/|url-status=live}} It had intended to do so on February 17, even after the federal government moved the deadline back four months, but general manager Jack Connors explained that the FCC would have also required the station's analog translators, many of them serving mountainous areas shaded from Mount Pisgah by terrain, to be switched off at that time.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119178754/switch-to-all-digital-tv-stalls/|date=February 14, 2009|pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119178811/tv-some-stations-had-planned-to-change/ A5]|first=Tony|last=Kiss|title=Switch to all-digital TV stalls|newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 20, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220023008/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119178754/switch-to-all-digital-tv-stalls/|url-status=live}} The station's digital signal relocated from its pre-transition UHF channel 56, which was among the high-band UHF channels (52–69) that were removed from broadcasting use as a result of the transition, to VHF channel 13.{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}

WLOS operates 11 translators across the mountains of western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. These translators serve as low-power, limited-area repeaters that bring the network's signal to towns in deep mountain valleys where the parent signal is blocked by the surrounding terrain.{{Cite web|date=July 23, 2021|title=List of TV Translator Input Channels|url=https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tv-translator-input-channels-07232021.xlsx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209195336/https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tv-translator-input-channels-07232021.xlsx|archive-date=December 9, 2021|access-date=December 17, 2021|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}

• Franklin, NC: W11AJ-D
• Black Mountain, NC: W12AQ-D
• Waynesville, NC: W12AR-D
• Hot Springs, NC: W12CI-D
• Robbinsville, NC: W14EG-D
• Maggie Valley, NC: W15DR-D
• Marion, NC: W15DY-D
• Bryson City, NC: W30DX-D
• Pickens, SC: W31DY-D
• Tryon, etc., NC: W32EO-D
• Sapphire Valley, etc., NC: W34EP-D

{{Reflist}}

• [https://wlos.com/ WLOS.com] – WLOS official website
• [http://my40.tv/ My40.tv] – My40 official website

{{GSA TV}}

{{North Carolina TV}}

{{South Carolina TV}}

{{ABC Georgia}}

{{SBGI}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wlos}}

Category:1954 establishments in North Carolina

Category:American Broadcasting Company affiliates

Category:Antenna TV affiliates

Category:MyNetworkTV affiliates

Category:Sinclair Broadcast Group

Category:The Nest (TV network) affiliates

Category:Television channels and stations established in 1954

LOS

Category:Wometco Enterprises