WSWG
{{Short description|Television station in Valdosta, Georgia}}
{{for|the former radio station in Greenwood, Mississippi|WSWG (AM)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = WSWG
| city = Valdosta, Georgia
| logo = WSWG CBS 44 logo 2024.png
| logo_size = 200px
| logo_alt = In blue, from top left: the CBS eye, the lettering CBS, a numeral 44, and beneath them in a line, the letters WSWG.
| branding = CBS 44 WSWG; CBS 44 News
| digital = 31 (UHF)
| virtual = 44
| translators = WSST 55 Cordele–Albany: CBS (55.20), MeTV (55.2)
| affiliations = {{ubl|44.1: CBS|44.3: MyNetworkTV (WSST-TV)|for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}}}
| location = {{ubl|Valdosta–Albany–|Moultrie–Tifton, Georgia}}
| country = United States
| airdate = {{start date and age|1980|12|24|p=y}}
| callsign_meaning = Southwest Georgia
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WVGA (1980–1994)|WGVP (1994–2001)|WVAG (2001–2005)}}
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|Analog: 44 (UHF, 1980–2007)|Digital: 43 (UHF, 2007–2018)}}
| owner = Marquee Broadcasting
| licensee = Marquee Broadcasting Georgia, Inc.
| sister_stations = WSST-TV, WFXL
| former_affiliations = {{ubl|ABC (1980–1992)|Dark (1992–1995)|The WB (1995–1997)|UPN (1997–2006)}}
| erp = 85 kW
| haat = {{convert|258.4|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 28155
| coordinates = {{nowrap|{{coord|31|10|18.7|N|83|21|56.6|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}}}
| licensing_authority = FCC
| website = {{URL|https://www.southgatv.com/}}
}}
WSWG (channel 44) is a television station in Valdosta, Georgia, United States, serving as the CBS affiliate for the Albany, Georgia, area. It is owned by Marquee Broadcasting alongside Cordele-licensed MyNetworkTV affiliate WSST-TV (channel 55); Marquee also operates Fox affiliate WFXL (channel 31) under joint sales and shared services agreements with Sinclair Broadcast Group.{{Cite web|url=https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/api/manager/download/eb6a4f1e-c34c-b89f-fd3e-142a8b3305b7/a035cc9a-65c2-4f23-a0ca-15c40837b804.pdf|title=Facilities and Services Agreement|date=October 7, 2024|website=Public Inspection File|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} The three stations share offices on Slappey Boulevard in Albany; WSWG's transmitter is located in unincorporated Cook County, northeast of Adel. Although Valdosta is part of the Tallahassee, Florida, television market, which receives CBS programming from Thomasville, Georgia–licensed WCTV, WSWG is assigned by Nielsen to the Albany market.
Channel 44 in Valdosta went on the air in 1980 as ABC affiliate WVGA. It operated as a small station with limited local programming from December 1980 to February 1992. During this time, it was off the air in late 1988 and early 1989 after a small airplane crashed into its tower. WTXL-TV, the ABC affiliate in Tallahassee, ran the station for seven months but ultimately withdrew from its attempt to buy it, after which time it was off the air for three years.
Hutchens Communications rebuilt the station as WB affiliate WGVP in 1995, changing to UPN in 1997. Financial issues snarled Hutchens Communications ownership and led to several attempts to force a sale and the ultimate resignation of the company's namesake. After being steadied by changes in ownership and management, Gray Television acquired it in 2005, combined its operations with WCTV under the call sign WSWG, and then repurposed it the next year as a semi-satellite of WCTV for the Albany area. This continued until 2019, when Gray purchased Raycom Media and was forced to sell WSWG to remain under ownership limits in the market. It was then purchased by Marquee Broadcasting.
History
=WVGA=
Peachtree Telecasting, a consortium of out-of-state investors, applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1978 to build a new TV station in Valdosta.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117483442/application-to-be-filed-for-television-s/|date=June 20, 1978|page=1|title=Application To Be Filed For Television Station Here|first=Archie|last=McKay|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202204559/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117483442/application-to-be-filed-for-television/}} The permit was issued in April 1979, and Peachtree began meeting with the major television networks, seeking an affiliation.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117483492/tv-station-corporation-will-meet-with-3/|date=May 31, 1979|page=1|title=TV Station Corporation Will Meet With 3 Networks|newspaper=The Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202204603/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117483492/tv-station-corporation-will-meet-with-3/}} The group won the ABC affiliation for the Valdosta area; the nearest ABC affiliate, WECA-TV (now WTXL-TV) in Tallahassee, Florida, did not adequately cover the city.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117483571/valdostas-first-tv-station-will-affilia/|date=July 2, 1979|page=1|title=Valdosta's First TV Station Will Affiliate With ABC|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202204603/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117483571/valdostas-first-tv-station-will/}} Peachtree Telecasting investors also included Hi Ho Broadcasting, owner of ABC affiliate WDHN in Dothan, Alabama.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117483601/tv-station-plans-havent-changed/|date=September 21, 1979|page=9|title=TV Station Plans Haven't Changed|first=Rick|last=Rountree|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202204605/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117483601/tv-station-plans-havent-changed/}}
Construction stretched through most of 1980: the station set up studios on Norman Drive{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366484/wvga-tv-sets-air-date/|date=October 19, 1980|page=5-A|first=Jan|last=Telle|title=WVGA-TV Sets Air Date|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129055153/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366484/wvga-tv-sets-air-date/}} and erected a tower near Adel.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117483828/tv-outlet-here-eyes-new-delay-tower-is/|date=November 27, 1980|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117483886/tv-outlet/ 2A]|first=Jan|last=Telle|title=TV Outlet Here Eyes New Delay: Tower Is Not Ready|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202204604/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117483828/tv-outlet-here-eyes-new-delay-tower-is/}} The station began broadcasting on the evening of December 24.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117483930/citys-first-network-tv-station-starts-p/|date=December 26, 1980|page=1A|first=Bill|last=Prescott|title=City's First Network TV Station Starts Programs|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202204606/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117483930/citys-first-network-tv-station-starts/}} However, the station got off to a visibly bumpy start. It had presented a $16,000 check to the local chamber of commerce for office renovations in a goodwill gesture, but the check turned out to be bad; further, the studio-transmitter link was misaligned, leading to a degraded signal.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117467974/plans-in-motion-to-revive-valdosta-tv-st/|date=January 26, 1994|page=2-A|first=Doug|last=Boyd|title=Plans In Motion To Revive Valdosta TV Station|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202204606/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117467974/plans-in-motion-to-revive-valdosta-tv/}} Local programming slowly ramped up, first with commercial production and a local farm show before debuting evening newscasts.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366440/wvga-tv-comes-to-town/|date=March 1, 1981|page=1B|first=Bill|last=Prescott|title=WVGA: TV Comes To Town|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129054610/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366440/wvga-tv-comes-to-town/}} However, the station had a very difficult time obtaining national advertising, affecting its financial viability. WVGA had to compete with WALB in Albany and WCTV in Tallahassee, which drew higher ratings in the market.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366375/wvga-revamping-news-format-looking-for/|date=December 11, 1983|page=6A|first=Lee|last=Freeman|title=WVGA Revamping News Format, Looking For National Advertising|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129060805/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366375/wvga-revamping-news-format-looking-for/}}
Morris Network acquired WVGA and WDHN in 1986.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117367422/morris-buys-tv-44-here/|date=June 10, 1986|page=1A|title=Morris Buys TV 44 Here|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129054610/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117367422/morris-buys-tv-44-here/}} Two years later, however, tragedy struck. On the morning of August 17, 1988, a dense fog spread over the region. Frank Blaydes, a doctor from Cairo, was piloting a Cessna 172 and had been diverted from Valdosta's airport to Adel. He never made it; after apparently mistaking the lights on the WVGA tower for the lights at the Adel airport, he crashed his plane into the tower. The impact killed Blaydes and collapsed WVGA's tower.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366630/lowndes-doctor-killed-in-crash-valdosta/|date=August 17, 1988|page=1-A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366667/crash/ 2-A]|first1=Terry|last1=Richards|first2=Jim|last2=Thompson|title=Lowndes Doctor Killed In Crash: Valdosta TV Station Off Air|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202204608/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366630/lowndes-doctor-killed-in-crash/}} Investigators determined that the pilot was not rated to land in such weather conditions and that no information was available to him about the weather at Adel.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366704/faa-investigating-cook-plane-crash/|date=August 18, 1988|page=1-A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366743/crash/ 2-A]|first=Terry|last=Richards|title=FAA Investigating Cook Plane Crash|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129054615/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366704/faa-investigating-cook-plane-crash/}}
The tower collapse knocked WVGA off the air until January 1989,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366846/tv-return-delayed/|date=January 9, 1989|page=1-A|title=TV Return Delayed|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129060227/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366846/tv-return-delayed/}} costing it considerable advertising revenue.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366179/wvga-may-be-back-on-air-in-november/|date=September 29, 1988|page=1-A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366205/wvga/ 2-A]|first=Terry|last=Richards|title=WVGA May Be Back On Air In November|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129055634/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366179/wvga-may-be-back-on-air-in-november/}} Blaydes's parents initially sued Peachtree Telecasting for wrongful death compensation, claiming the station had been negligent in maintaining the tower.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366867/death-suit-filed-ex-station-owner-sued/|date=November 17, 1989|page=1-A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366916/lawsuit/ 2-A]|first=Ellen|last=Avery|title=Death Suit Filed: Ex-Station Owner Sued Over Accident|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129054615/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366867/death-suit-filed-ex-station-owner-sued/}} That lawsuit was dropped{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366953/plane-crash-suit-dropped/|date=December 20, 1989|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366966/lawsuit/ 2A]|first=Kelli|last=Bowman|title=Plane Crash Suit Dropped|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129055149/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366953/plane-crash-suit-dropped/}} and replaced with one against Morris, to which the company responded with a countersuit.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117367019/wvga-answers-lawsuit-files-own-suit/|date=January 24, 1990|page=1A|first=Kelli|last=Bowman|title=WVGA Answers Lawsuit: Files Own Suit For Tower Lost|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129055507/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117367019/wvga-answers-lawsuit-files-own-suit/}} The matter proceeded to a jury trial in Chatham County in July 1991.
In February 1992, Morris Network reached a deal to sell WVGA to WTXL-TV owner ET Broadcasting. ET immediately dropped what local programming remained on the station—which had not aired local news in more than a year—and turned it into a full-time satellite of WTXL-TV, also an ABC affiliate.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366558/wvga-tv-changing-hands/|date=February 1, 1992|page=1A|first=Terry|last=Richards|title=WVGA-TV Changing Hands|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129062505/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366558/wvga-tv-changing-hands/}} The FCC granted permission for the two stations to be commonly owned in September, citing the fact that Morris had shopped the station to buyers since 1987 without success; company officials also noted that WVGA was sandwiched between two markets and national ratings services could not agree as to in which market the station belonged.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117367529/fcc-approves-wvga-tv-sale/|date=September 26, 1992|page=1A|first1=Terry|last1=Richards|first2=Jeannine|last2=Clegg|title=FCC Approves WVGA-TV Sale|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129062546/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117367529/fcc-approves-wvga-tv-sale/}} However, the sale was never consummated due to what were described as technical differences. ET walked away from the deal on November 6, 1992. Without a programming source, WVGA left the air.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117367730/valdosta-tv-station-leaving-airwaves/|date=November 7, 1992|page=1|title=Valdosta TV Station Leaving Airwaves|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129062640/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117367730/valdosta-tv-station-leaving-airwaves/}}
=WB and UPN=
For the next two years, several groups looked at purchasing the station, which Morris threatened to dismantle. Gary Hutchens, a local business owner whose Welcome Channel broadcast local programming on the Valdosta cable system and the owner of video production firm Georgia Video Professionals,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117485644/welcome-channel-in-jeopardy-with-cable/|date=October 1, 1993|page=A-5|first=Doug|last=Boyd|title=Welcome Channel In Jeopardy With Cable|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129062457/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117485644/welcome-channel-in-jeopardy-with-cable/}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122013634/owner-wants-channel-44-on-air-by-october/|date=May 6, 1994|page=3-A|first=Doug|last=Boyd|title=Owner wants Channel 44 on air by October|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 2, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402211546/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122013634/owner-wants-channel-44-on-air-by-october/}} mounted an effort to put the station back on the air, proposing initially to return it to the air as an ABC affiliate.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366237/effort-continues-to-revive-tv-44/|date=November 18, 1992|page=3A|first=Joy M.|last=Hill|title=Effort Continues To Revive TV-44|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202204608/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117366237/effort-continues-to-revive-tv-44/}} His Hutchens Communications (HCI) acquired the station for $1 million and announced in January 1994 that it would use its own studio facilities in conjunction with the Adel tower.{{r|Vald940126}}
Hutchens reopened the station on October 28, 1995, as WGVP, an affiliate of The WB.{{cite book|title=Television Factbook 1997 Edition|year=197|page=A-335|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1997-TV-Factbook/Television-Factbook-1997-AL-IN.pdf#page=319|access-date=January 30, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202204607/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1997-TV-Factbook/Television-Factbook-1997-AL-IN.pdf#page=319|url-status= live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122014023/new-channel-44-on-the-move-valdosta-tv/|date=March 24, 1996|page=12-A|first=Rex|last=Gambill|title=New channel 44 on the move: Valdosta TV station getting ready to occupy predecessor's Norman Drive building|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 2, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402211529/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122014023/new-channel-44-on-the-move-valdosta-tv/}} It originally operated from temporary studios in Remerton, Georgia,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122013593/channel-44-aims-for-january-start/|date=November 6, 1994|page=27|first=Terry|last=Richards|title=Channel 44 aims for January start|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 2, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402211509/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122013593/channel-44-aims-for-january-start/}} but it returned to the former WVGA building because no other suitable facility existed in Valdosta.{{r|Vald960324}} The station's tower was the site of tragedy yet again on August 11, 1996, during a helicopter lift of the old antenna off the mast as part of its replacement. The helicopter clipped the tower and crashed into the forest; the pilot died instantly.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117485716/pilot-dies-as-copter-hits-tower/|date=August 12, 1996|page=4A|agency=Associated Press|title=Pilot dies as copter hits tower|newspaper=The Macon Telegraph|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129062548/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117485716/pilot-dies-as-copter-hits-tower/|url-status=live}}
WGVP switched to UPN on August 25, 1997, becoming the UPN affiliate of record in the Tallahassee and Albany media markets.{{cite news|last=Hontz|first=Jenny|title=Bailing out on UPN|url=https://variety.com/1997/tv/news/bailing-out-on-upn-1116675975/|access-date=September 1, 2012|newspaper=Variety|date=August 4, 1997|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202205733/https://variety.com/1997/tv/news/bailing-out-on-upn-1116675975/|url-status= live}} In the switch, it retained its local news coverage, with newscasts at 6, 10, and 11 p.m.,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122013959/at-tv-44-upn-is-in-the-frog-is-out/|date=August 24, 1997|page=TV Etc. 2|title=At TV-44: UPN is in, the frog is out|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 2, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402211528/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122013959/at-tv-44-upn-is-in-the-frog-is-out/}} until January 1998.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122014915/court-hears-wgvp-suit/|date=April 24, 1998|page=1-A|first=Lowell Jr.|last=Vickers|title=Court hears WGVP suit|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 2, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402211529/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122014915/court-hears-wgvp-suit/}} Even though it technically was the affiliate in the full market, its signal did not reach Tallahassee, leaving that city without UPN programming for more than a year until W17AB, later WVUP-LP, picked up the network as well in October 1998.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117485967/voyager-will-soon-arrive-through-talla/|date=December 7, 1998|page=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117485935/upn-the-miracle-of-videotape-brought-v/ 3C]|first=L.A.|last=Newkirk|title='Voyager' will soon arrive through Tallahassee cable|newspaper=Tallahassee Democrat|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202053423/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117485967/voyager-will-soon-arrive-through/}} Meanwhile, back in Valdosta, financial problems were beginning to arise. In September, some employees staged a walkout for lack of payment.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122015059/wgvp-employees-walk-off-the-job/|date=September 20, 1997|page=1-A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122015078/wgvp/ 2-A]|first=Ben|last=Butler|title=WGVP employees walk off the job|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 2, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402211535/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122015059/wgvp-employees-walk-off-the-job/}} Other employees would later speak of being paid in gift certificates to a local restaurant.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122014942/wgvp-employees-speak-out-tv-stations/|date=August 19, 2000|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122014962 2A]|first=T.S.|last=Rose|title=WGVP employees speak out: TV station's debts include back pay|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 2, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402211532/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122014942/wgvp-employees-speak-out-tv-stations/}}
In order to find cash, Hutchens struck deals with two different companies related to the station. One was Venture Technologies Group, which granted a $50,000 loan and also filed in April 1998 to have the FCC license transferred to it.{{cite news |title=Changing Hands |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1998/BC-1998-04-27.pdf#page=38 |access-date=January 30, 2023 |id={{ProQuest|1014764368}} |work=Broadcasting & Cable |date=April 27, 1998 |page=36 |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202205736/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1998/BC-1998-04-27.pdf#page=38 |url-status= live }} The other was Southern Nights Entertainment Corporation (SNE), owner of W17AB/WVUP-LP in Tallahassee, which in March 1998 entered into an agreement with Hutchens to run channel 44 under a local marketing agreement (LMA). The president of Southern Nights, Don Palmer, was unaware of the Venture Technologies deal until two months later. When Hutchens could not pay the loan to Venture, it sued for the money.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122014096/shakeup-under-way-at-wgvp/|date=August 17, 2000|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122014132/ 2A]|first=T.S.|last=Rose|title=Shakeup under way at WGVP|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 2, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402211455/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122014096/shakeup-under-way-at-wgvp/}} A new lease agreement and deal to purchase 51 percent of the station was entered in September 1998, owing to HCI's heavy indebtedness.{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Radio-Business-Report/Radio-Business-Report/1998/RBR-1998-09-21.pdf|work=Radio Business Report|title=TV deals|date=September 21, 1998|page=8|access-date=February 1, 2023|archive-date=December 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201041739/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Radio-Business-Report/Radio-Business-Report/1998/RBR-1998-09-21.pdf|url-status= live}} On its first attempt to buy the station alright, however, legal fallout from the pending Venture suit delayed the transfer. After Venture's suit was dropped in February 1999, Southern Nights reached another deal in February 2000 to buy the station.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122015779/channel-44-appears-near-new-ownership/|date=January 28, 2000|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122015810/new/ 3A]|first=Taylor|last=Bright|title=Channel 44 appears near new ownership|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 2, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402211527/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122015779/channel-44-appears-near-new-ownership/}} However, by the time the FCC had granted approval, HCI could not perform; Hutchens no longer owned 51 percent of the station, while Hutchens claimed that Southern Nights had constantly changing financial asks. The deal fell apart in August, and HCI had to reestablish control of the station, dropping UPN programming for several days before it could be restored.{{r|Vald000817}}
MainStreet Broadcasting, a Pennsylvania management company with experience in turning around troubled TV stations, was brought in by the other stockholders in HCI to steady WGVP.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122014856/wgvp-headed-in-new-direction/|date=August 30, 2000|page=8A|first=T.S.|last=Rose|title=WGVP headed in new direction: Stockholders hire new group to manage local television station|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 2, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402211545/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122014856/wgvp-headed-in-new-direction/}} Meanwhile, in September 2000—pursuant to early 1999 agreements between Southern Nights and HCI—SNE attempted to auction its rights to purchase Hutchens to the highest bidder on the steps of the Lowndes County courthouse.{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-2000/BC-2000-09-04.pdf|id={{ProQuest|1014783362}}|date=September 4, 2000|title=Pursuant to a Promissory Note...|work=Broadcasting|page=65|access-date=February 1, 2023|archive-date=December 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205235811/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-2000/BC-2000-09-04.pdf|url-status= live}}
Hutchens resigned in October 2000, the same month three lawsuits between Hutchens Communications and Southern Nights were consolidated and assigned to a special master.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122015647/television-station-head-resigns/|date=October 6, 2000|page=11A|first=T.S.|last=Rose|title=Television station head resigns: Channel 44 operators promise improved service|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 2, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402211509/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122015647/television-station-head-resigns/}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122015612/channel-44-lawsuit-sent-to-special/|date=October 11, 2000|page=1A|first=T.S.|last=Rose|title=Channel 44 lawsuit sent to special master: Two-year dispute finally makes it to courtroom|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 2, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402211523/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122015612/channel-44-lawsuit-sent-to-special/}}
In 2001, the call letters were changed to WVAG, and a new antenna was installed to improve coverage.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122015389/mainstreet-adds-antenna-expands/|date=November 7, 2001|page=7B|title=Mainstreet adds antenna, expands programming|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 2, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402211536/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122015389/mainstreet-adds-antenna-expands/}} Studios were relocated to new facilities, with cable company Mediacom occupying the Norman Drive building.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122015273/eckerd-opening-two-locations-pharmacy/|date=March 31, 2002|page=1C|first=Kay|last=Harris|title=Eckerd opening two locations: Pharmacy chain planning to return to Valdosta soon|newspaper=The Valdosta Daily Times|location=Valdosta, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 2, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402211549/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122015273/eckerd-opening-two-locations-pharmacy/}} By 2003, Broadcasting & Cable considered the station to be the third television station in the Albany market, along with NBC affiliate WALB-TV and Fox affiliate WFXL.{{cite news |last1=Trigoboff |first1=Dan |title=Small Market, Long Reach |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/small-market-long-reach-97678 |access-date=January 29, 2023 |work=Broadcasting & Cable |date=February 3, 2003 |language=en |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202205735/https://www.nexttv.com/news/small-market-long-reach-97678 |url-status= live }} Control of Hutchens Communications shifted from Gary Hutchens and Robert Lee Hutchens Jr. to Paul Shok and Donald W. Meinke; the company was renamed Padon Communications and then P.D. Communications.{{cite book|title=Television Factbook 2005 Edition|year=2005|page=A-609|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/2005-TV-Factbook/TV-Factbook-2005-ALA-IND.pdf#page=593|access-date=January 30, 2023|archive-date=November 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128094751/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/2005-TV-Factbook/TV-Factbook-2005-ALA-IND.pdf#page=593|url-status= live}}
P.D. Communications sold WVAG to Gray Television for $3.75 million in 2005.{{cite news |author1=BIA Financial Networks |title=Deals |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/deals-71996 |access-date=January 30, 2023 |work=Broadcasting & Cable |date=August 6, 2005 |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130005353/https://www.nexttv.com/news/deals-71996 |url-status= live }} For Gray, which had founded Albany's The Albany Herald and WALB-TV but was forced to divest the latter upon acquiring WCTV in 1996 due to signal overlap,{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1997/BC-1997-05-05.pdf|date=May 5, 1997|page=48|work=Broadcasting & Cable|title=Gray TV in trust|id={{ProQuest|1285750469}}|first=Elizabeth A.|last=Rathbun|access-date=April 2, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131032754/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1997/BC-1997-05-05.pdf|url-status=live}} the purchase marked a return to the Albany market. Under Gray, the station was renamed WSWG, for Southwest Georgia, in November 2005.{{Cite news|url=https://moultriecolquitt.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=wswg&i=f&d=01011894-12312021&m=between&ord=k1&fn=moultrie_observer_usa_georgia_moultrie_20051127_english_15&df=1&dt=10|title=UPN affiliate changes call letters|date=November 27, 2005|page=5B|work=The Moultrie Observer|access-date=April 2, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402211553/https://moultriecolquitt.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=wswg&i=f&d=01011894-12312021&m=between&ord=k1&fn=moultrie_observer_usa_georgia_moultrie_20051127_english_15&df=1&dt=10|url-status=live}} WCTV oversaw operations of the station.{{r|Moul051218}}
=CBS=
In December 2005, Gray announced that it would add CBS programming to a subchannel of WSWG, the first-ever CBS affiliation with a subchannel.{{Cite news|url=https://moultriecolquitt.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=wswg&i=f&d=01011894-12312021&m=between&ord=k1&fn=moultrie_observer_usa_georgia_moultrie_20051218_english_13&df=1&dt=10|work=The Moultrie Observer|page=5B|title=Gray digital channel affiliates with CBS|date=December 18, 2005|access-date=April 2, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402211546/https://moultriecolquitt.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=wswg&i=f&d=01011894-12312021&m=between&ord=k1&fn=moultrie_observer_usa_georgia_moultrie_20051218_english_13&df=1&dt=10|url-status=live}} However, when The WB and UPN announced their merger into The CW in 2006, these plans changed. Instead, CBS was broadcast as the station's primary service, with MyNetworkTV on a subchannel.{{Cite|title=Q4 2006 Gray Television, Inc. Earnings Conference Call|date=March 15, 2007|id={{ProQuest|465794603}} }}
On January 30, 2007, WSWG's analog transmission unexpectedly went dark, and a technician's report showed a damaged transmission line and power divider at floor level. Rather than incur $180,000 in repair costs to the tower and power divider, because all WSWG viewers were already in the analog service area of WCTV, Gray opted to surrender its analog license to the FCC the next year and operate as a digital-only channel on UHF channel 43.{{cite web|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101175579&formid=910&fac_num=28155|title=Notification of Suspension of Operations / Request for Silent STA (BLSTA-20070306ABQ)|date=March 6, 2007|website=Consolidated Database System|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=April 2, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402211521/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101175579&formid=910&fac_num=28155|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-08-173A1.pdf|date=January 30, 2008|title=Re: WSWG(TV), Valdosta, Georgia|first=Barbara A.|last=Kreisman|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}
In addition to WSWG, Gray had accounting and human resources offices in Albany, a legacy of its establishment in the city; these were closed in 2015, with operations being consolidated at corporate headquarters in Atlanta.{{cite news|first=Brad|last=McEwen|date=July 8, 2015|title=Gray Television consolidating offices, leaving Albany|work=The Albany Herald}} By that year, WSWG also was broadcasting The CW to Albany as a subchannel.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/gray-tv-cw-ink-affiliate-agreement-extension-add-4-new-stations-146430|first=Jonathan|last=Kuperberg|date=December 15, 2015|title=Gray TV, The CW Ink Affiliate Agreement Extension, Add 4 New Stations|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=April 2, 2023|archive-date=December 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224052911/https://www.nexttv.com/news/gray-tv-cw-ink-affiliate-agreement-extension-add-4-new-stations-146430|url-status=live}}
On August 16, 2018, Gray announced that it would sell WSWG to Marquee Broadcasting; the deal made it a sister station to WSST-TV (channel 55), an independent station that Marquee had earlier agreed to acquire.{{cite web|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/220720/gray-selling-wswg-albany-ga-marquee/|title=Gray Selling WSWG Albany, Ga., To Marquee|last=Miller|first=Mark K.|work=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheckMedia|date=August 16, 2018|access-date=August 16, 2018|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202205736/https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/gray-selling-wswg-albany-ga-marquee/|url-status=live}} The sale was part of Gray's acquisition of Raycom Media, owner of WALB; Gray elected to keep WALB and sell WSWG.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/114556/gray-to-buy-raycom-for-36-billion|title=Gray To Buy Raycom For $3.6 Billion|last=Miller|first=Mark K.|work=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheckMedia|date=June 25, 2018|access-date=June 25, 2018}} In April 2019, Marquee severed WSWG's ties to WCTV.{{cite news |title=New Changes to CBS 44 |url=https://www.southgatv.com/new-changes-to-cbs-44/ |access-date=May 8, 2019 |work=SouthGATV |date=April 26, 2019 |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202205736/https://www.southgatv.com/new-changes-to-cbs-44/ |url-status=live }} Gray retained the CW affiliation, which moved to WGCW-LD.{{Cite web|url=https://www.walb.com/2019/06/12/editorial-walb-returns-broadcast-tradition-with-airing-national-anthem-each-day/|website=WALB|title=Editorial: WALB returns to 'broadcast tradition' with airing of National Anthem each day|date=June 12, 2019|access-date=April 2, 2023|archive-date=September 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925180339/https://www.walb.com/2019/06/12/editorial-walb-returns-broadcast-tradition-with-airing-national-anthem-each-day/|url-status=live}}
WSWG relocated its signal from channel 43 to channel 31 on November 30, 2018, as a result of the 2016 United States wireless spectrum auction.{{Cite web|url=http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/Transition_Files/Phase_Assignment_Closing_PN.csv|title=FCC TV Spectrum Phase Assignment Table|format=CSV|website=Federal Communications Commission|date=April 13, 2017|access-date=April 17, 2017|archive-date=April 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417160749/http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/Transition_Files/Phase_Assignment_Closing_PN.csv|url-status=live}}
Marquee requested that WSWG's city of license be changed from Valdosta to Moultrie in 2021, in order to have a city of license within the Albany market; the station is assigned to Albany though Valdosta is in the Tallahassee market. In September 2023, the request was dismissed; the FCC noted it would have left no TV station licensed to Valdosta, which is a larger community than Moultrie.{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f9179a9528e0179b48300c72dcf&id=25076f9179a9528e0179b48300c72dcf|title=Channel Substitution/Community of License Change|work=Licensing and Management System|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|date=June 7, 2021|access-date=December 13, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202204551/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f9179a9528e0179b48300c72dcf&id=25076f9179a9528e0179b48300c72dcf|url-status= live}}
Newscasts
Technical information
=Subchannels=
The station's signal is multiplexed:
| class="wikitable"
! scope = "col" | Channel ! scope = "col" | Video ! scope = "col" | Aspect ! scope = "col" | Short name ! scope = "col" | Programming | ||
| scope = "row" | 44.1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| scope = "row" | 44.2 | ||
| style="background-color: #E6FFF7;"
! scope = "row" | 44.3 | 16:9 | WSST | MyNetworkTV (WSST-TV) |
| scope = "row" | 44.4
| 4:3 || ION || Ion Television | ||
| scope = "row" | 44.5
| rowspan=2| 16:9 || NewsNet || NewsNet | ||
| scope = "row" | 44.6
| Start TV || Scripps News |
{{legend|#E6FFF7|Simulcast of subchannels of another station}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|https://www.southgatv.com/}}
{{Albany GA TV}}
{{Tallahassee TV}}
{{CBS Georgia}}
{{MNTV Georgia}}
{{Other Georgia Stations}}
{{Marquee Broadcasting}}
Category:Ion Television affiliates
Category:MyNetworkTV affiliates
Category:Television channels and stations established in 1980