WZDX

In 1975, Thomas Barr and James Cleary under the name Pioneer Communications petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to add another television channel to the Huntsville area for the purpose of building an independent station. At the time, only four channels were assigned to Huntsville: 19, 25, 31, and 48. The FCC proposed adding channel 54, but two Huntsville stations, WAAY-TV and WYUR-TV, opposed the proposal. In 1977, the FCC suggested inserting channel 54 at Decatur, Alabama, which already had channel 23. However, unlike channel 54, channel 23 could not be used at Monte Sano—the main television transmission site in the region, resulting in low interest.{{Cite news|title=Plans for TV Channel Here Suffer Setback|page=22|work=The Huntsville Times|date=December 12, 1977|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/plans-tv-channel-here-suffer-setback/bpyzhumqlwwhzqkrczpvgfrkxjkmrpco_wma-gateway008_1677478882719}}

Channel 54 was ultimately added to Huntsville, but there were no applications on file until C. Michael Norton, an attorney from Nashville, Tennessee, applied for it in September 1981 after seeing it on a list of unused TV allocations.{{Cite news|page=C-2|title=TV Station Permit Sought|work=The Huntsville Times|date=September 29, 1981|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/tv-station-permit-sought/qssqzlnbuzbkrxpkmdwipheaaomrgbzh_wma-gateway007_1677478989000}}{{cite news|title=Channel 54: Do Television Viewers in Huntsville Have a Void?|first=Mike|last=Kaylor|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/channel-54-do-television-viewers-huntsville-have-void/xrnwxwqnlthzfmsfljickaimeqihcmmq_wma-gateway002_1677479117171|page=D-15|work=The Huntsville Times|date=October 2, 1981|access-date=February 27, 2023|archive-date=February 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227090500/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/channel-54-do-television-viewers-huntsville-have-void/xrnwxwqnlthzfmsfljickaimeqihcmmq_wma-gateway002_1677479117171|url-status=live}} Norton was soon joined by other applicants, with the FCC selecting Community Service Broadcasting, a company owned by John Pauza of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Joel Katz of Atlanta. Pauza owned Media Central, which specialized in the construction of new independent stations in medium markets.{{cite news|title=Fun TV? FCC OKs License for New Station in Huntsville; Owners Plan to Put Emphasis on Entertainment|first=Mike|last=Kaylor|page=D-3|date=February 3, 1983|work=The Huntsville Times|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/fun-tv-fcc-oks-license-new-station-huntsville-owners-plan-put-emphasis-entertainment/mqwibxkqszuncyhhmlfissjskpyujowa_wma-gateway002_1677479291576|access-date=February 27, 2023|archive-date=February 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227090430/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/fun-tv-fcc-oks-license-new-station-huntsville-owners-plan-put-emphasis-entertainment/mqwibxkqszuncyhhmlfissjskpyujowa_wma-gateway002_1677479291576|url-status=live}}

For two years, Media Central missed a series of deadlines. In February 1983, after being selected for the construction permit, Media Central announced it intended to begin broadcasting that fall.{{r|Hunt830203}} By that fall, the target date had shifted to spring 1984.{{Cite news|page=D-3|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/new-tv-station-owners-project-spring-launch/jmeoqrecqncvppulxdrlxvxmxaqcnfcp_wma-gateway013_1677479435240|title=New TV Station Owners Project Spring Launch|date=September 29, 1983|first=Mike|last=Kaylor|work=The Huntsville Times}} Issues with locating the station's tower impeded a launch at that time,{{Cite news|page=D-3|work=The Huntsville Times|title=Channel 54|date=April 5, 1984|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/channel-54/bnivvffnwcwjpijcjdzotewdplmcsfcj_wma-gateway017_1677479525121|access-date=February 27, 2023|archive-date=February 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227090501/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/channel-54/bnivvffnwcwjpijcjdzotewdplmcsfcj_wma-gateway017_1677479525121|url-status=live}} but in late 1984, channel 54 began to take shape. A tower site was purchased in August, the call letters WZDX were assigned in September,{{Cite news|title=New Station to Have Call Letters of WZDX|page=F-3|work=The Huntsville Times|date=September 13, 1984|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/new-station-have-call-letters-wzdx/cpwxsmoxlzoviekzsrnpagufqxlnlwea_wma-gateway016_1677479641318|access-date=February 27, 2023|archive-date=February 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227090456/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/new-station-have-call-letters-wzdx/cpwxsmoxlzoviekzsrnpagufqxlnlwea_wma-gateway016_1677479641318|url-status=live}} and construction began in November.{{Cite news|date=November 21, 1984|title=Construction Under Way On Channel 54 Facilities|page=D-6|first=Mike|last=Kaylor|work=The Huntsville Times|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/construction-under-way-channel-54-facilities/aolarigvoklcbisfuuncdxdgdqryvumd_wma-gateway012_1677479745008|access-date=February 27, 2023|archive-date=February 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227090459/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/construction-under-way-channel-54-facilities/aolarigvoklcbisfuuncdxdgdqryvumd_wma-gateway012_1677479745008|url-status=live}} Even then, the station did not start broadcasting in 1984; the antenna was not hoisted onto the station's new tower on Green Mountain until March 1985.{{Cite news|title=Channel 54 Update|page=D-3|work=The Huntsville Times|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/channel-54-update/mqcsapujrtskgbmbhvrihboysutzgvin_wma-gateway003_1677479935646|date=March 21, 1985|access-date=February 27, 2023|archive-date=February 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227090445/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/channel-54-update/mqcsapujrtskgbmbhvrihboysutzgvin_wma-gateway003_1677479935646|url-status=live}}

From studios on Mastin Lake Road in northeast Huntsville, WZDX first signed on April 14, 1985, as Northern Alabama's first independent station and the area's first new outlet to launch in 22 years.{{Cite news|date=April 11, 1985|page=D-3|work=The Huntsville Times|title=Independent Television Station Set to Sign On Sunday Morning; 'Dallas' Reruns, Movies Head WZDX Schedule|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/independent-television-station-set-sign-sunday-morning-dallas-reruns-movies-head-wzdx-schedule/lnjbproxxdlzblbljyyldvhhigpsqtgd_wma-gateway003_1677480096554|first=Mike|last=Kaylor|access-date=February 27, 2023|archive-date=February 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227090510/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/independent-television-station-set-sign-sunday-morning-dallas-reruns-movies-head-wzdx-schedule/lnjbproxxdlzblbljyyldvhhigpsqtgd_wma-gateway003_1677480096554|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Kaylor|first=Mike|date=April 14, 1985|title=54 to Begin Broadcasting Today|page=A-7|work=The Huntsville Times|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/54-begin-broadcasting-today/yiyqfhqsdcixmkysunywviwdvfulyxwt_wma-gateway009_1677480704915}} Programming consisted of syndicated reruns, movies, and short local newsbreaks.{{r|Hunt850411}} The station cost the owners between $5 million and $6 million to put on the air.

When the Fox network began late-night service on October 9, 1986, WZDX initially abstained from affiliating with the network unlike many other strong independent TV stations across the country that had signed on with them, despite the network wanting the station "badly". Program director David Godbout felt that his weekend shows were already attracting ratings and that he would have to charge too much for advertising within Fox programming for it to work economically.{{Cite news|last=Kaylor|first=Mike|date=July 2, 1987|title=Competition Heats Up as Local TV Ratings Arrive|page=D-27|work=The Huntsville Times|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/competition-heats-local-tv-ratings-arrive/afbphkvmibnqtrmipsunsuveoupjuikq_wma-gateway001_1677481454010|access-date=February 27, 2023|archive-date=February 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227090604/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/competition-heats-local-tv-ratings-arrive/afbphkvmibnqtrmipsunsuveoupjuikq_wma-gateway001_1677481454010|url-status=live}} This was a posture shared by the entire Media Central chain at the network's launch.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89732988/some-viewers-will-see-joan-rivers/|date=August 15, 1986|page=B5|first=Reon|last=Carter|title=Some viewers will see Joan Rivers|newspaper=The Knoxville News-Sentinel|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2023|archive-date=November 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130031304/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89732988/some-viewers-will-see-joan-rivers/|url-status=live}} However, after Godbout left in late 1987, WZDX joined Fox in December of that year,{{Cite news|last=Kaylor|first=Mike|date=October 31, 1987|title=WZDK [sic] to join Fox network in December|page=2A|work=The Huntsville Times|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wzdk-join-fox-network-december/jnlvmyesqyumdfsrcostjssnbozbjfdw_wma-gateway018_1677481712794|access-date=February 27, 2023|archive-date=February 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227090450/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wzdk-join-fox-network-december/jnlvmyesqyumdfsrcostjssnbozbjfdw_wma-gateway018_1677481712794|url-status=live}} becoming the fifth Media Central outlet to join the network in 1987.{{cite news|date=December 7, 1987|title=Briefly Noted|work=Electronic Media|page=46|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1987-12-07_6_49_0/page/n51/mode/2up?q=WZDX}}

The late 1980s were times of uncertainty for Media Central. The company filed for bankruptcy protection in July 1987,{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-07-13.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=July 13, 1987|pages=26–27|title=Media Central files for bankruptcy|id={{ProQuest|1016931866}}|access-date=February 27, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131030822/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-07-13.pdf|url-status=live}} and Act III Broadcasting submitted a bid to buy WZDX and WDBD in Jackson, Mississippi, the next year;{{Cite news|date=July 4, 1988|id={{ProQuest|1016920287}}|title=In Brief...|page=72|work=Broadcasting|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/88-OCR/BC-1988-07-04-OCR-Page-0072.pdf|access-date=January 11, 2022|archive-date=June 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625082405/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/88-OCR/BC-1988-07-04-OCR-Page-0072.pdf|url-status=live}} both were among Media Central's most desirable properties. Act III's bid was rejected, as were proposals from Media Central itself and Maryland investment firm Donatelli & Klein, which did come away with WDBD and WDSI-TV in Chattanooga.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119805151/channel-40s-bankruptcy-plan-denied/|date=March 17, 1989|page=1D|title=Channel 40's bankruptcy plan denied|newspaper=Clarion-Ledger|location=Jackson, Mississippi|first=Jeff|last=Edwards|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2023|archive-date=February 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227090457/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119805151/channel-40s-bankruptcy-plan-denied/|url-status=live}}

The bankruptcy court approved the acquisition of the station by a consortium of Citicorp and Milton Grant in August 1989;{{Cite news|page=1B|date=August 11, 1989|title=Citicorp to buy local TV station|work=The Huntsville Times|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/citicorp-buy-local-tv-station/zsaurgqavutfgbdxvattfosexkgaqowx_wma-gateway015_1677482252666|access-date=February 27, 2023|archive-date=February 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227090424/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/citicorp-buy-local-tv-station/zsaurgqavutfgbdxvattfosexkgaqowx_wma-gateway015_1677482252666|url-status=live}}{{r|EM890814}} the $6.1 million transaction was approved in January 1990.{{Cite news|id={{ProQuest|1014730643}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1990/BC-1990-01-22.pdf|date=January 22, 1990|page=63|title=For the Record|work=Broadcasting|access-date=February 27, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131030502/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1990/BC-1990-01-22.pdf|url-status=live}} While WZDX represented Citicorp's first venture into broadcasting,{{r|Hunt890811}} WZDX became the first outlet in Grant's return to station ownership.{{Cite news|first=Diane|last=Mermigas|pages=3, 30|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1989-08-14_8_33/page/n1/mode/2up?q=WZDX|work=Electronic Media|date=August 14, 1989|title=TV sales spur hopes for market}} Grant Communications was the successor to the original Grant Broadcasting System, a three-station chain of independent outlets that filed for bankruptcy protection in 1986 and was ultimately sold to its bondholders.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119407764/wgbs-emerges-from-bankruptcy-plans-flye/|date=July 1, 1988|page=10-C|first=Anthony Jr.|last=Gnoffo|title=WGBS emerges from bankruptcy, plans Flyers, Villanova broadcasts|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032233/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119407764/wgbs-emerges-from-bankruptcy-plans/|url-status=live}}

Grant obtained rights to WB network programming in the Huntsville market in 1999, airing it in late night hours on WZDX; the move was a consequence of Superstation WGN ceasing carriage of WB programs.{{Cite news|date=September 12, 1999|title=Fox's WZDX adding popular WB shows|page=G5|first=Dean|last=Smallwood|work=The Huntsville Times}} The company then announced it would launch full-time WB channels in Huntsville and two other markets where it owned stations—the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois and Roanoke, Virginia—in December 2000.{{Cite news|id={{ProQuest|2467928070}}|title=Grant Comm. plans trio of WB affiliates|date=December 22, 2000|page=10|first=Chad|last=Graham|work=The Hollywood Reporter}} "WAWB", known as "The Valley's WB", launched as a cable channel in October 2001.{{cite news|title=Space Center hires ex-WAAY anchor|first=Chris|last=Welch|date=October 21, 2001|work=The Huntsville Times|page=G6}} When The WB and UPN merged into The CW in 2006, the merged network selected UPN affiliate WHDF (channel 15), and "WAWB" became "WAMY", broadcasting MyNetworkTV.{{Cite news|page=3G|title=CW Network to take over programming in the fall|date=April 23, 2006|first=Chris|last=Welch|work=The Huntsville Times}}{{Cite news|date=May 11, 2007|title=Fox 54, WAMY owner Milton Grant dies at 84|page=3B|work=The Huntsville Times}}

WZDX began broadcasting a digital signal on June 1, 2002.{{Cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/2005-TV-Factbook/TV-Factbook-2005-ALA-IND.pdf|page=A-45|title=WZDX-DT|work=Television Factbook|date=2005|access-date=February 27, 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|url-status=live}} In 2004, the station moved its broadcasting equipment from Green Mountain to Monte Sano on the replacement tower for WAAY-TV, whose mast collapsed during repair work in September 2003, killing three.{{Cite news|page=6G|first=Chris|last=Welch|work=The Huntsville Times|date=July 25, 2004|title=Injuries, illness befall TV news personalities}}

On November 6, 2013, Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced that it would purchase the Grant stations, including WZDX, for $87.5 million.{{cite news|last=Malone|first=Michael|title=Nexstar to Acquire Seven Grant Stations For $87.5 Million|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/496448-Nexstar_to_Acquire_Seven_Grant_Stations_For_87_5_Million.php|access-date=November 6, 2013|newspaper=Broadcasting & Cable|date=November 6, 2013|archive-date=November 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109045011/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/496448-Nexstar_to_Acquire_Seven_Grant_Stations_For_87_5_Million.php|url-status=live}} The sale was completed on December 1, 2014.{{Cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1663772&Service=DT&Form_id=905&Facility_id=28119|title=Consummation Notice|website=Consolidated Database System|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=December 3, 2014|archive-date=December 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222102024/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1663772&Service=DT&Form_id=905&Facility_id=28119|url-status=live}} Four years later, in July 2018, Nexstar agreed to acquire WHDF from Lockwood Broadcast Group for $2.25 million; Nexstar concurrently took over WHDF's operations through a time brokerage agreement.{{cite web |title=Application for Consent to Assignment of Broadcast Station Construction Permit or License |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1788648&Service=DT&Form_id=314&Facility_id=65128 |website=CDBS Public Access |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |access-date=July 24, 2018 |archive-date=July 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724093738/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1788648&Service=DT&Form_id=314&Facility_id=65128 |url-status=live }} The sale was completed on November 9, creating a duopoly with WZDX.{{Cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1795908&Service=DT&Form_id=905&Facility_id=65128|title=Consummation Notice|work=CDBS Public Access|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=November 13, 2018|archive-date=November 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113125814/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1795908&Service=DT&Form_id=905&Facility_id=65128|url-status=live}}

On December 3, 2018, less than a month after closing on its purchase of WHDF, Nexstar announced it would acquire the assets of Tribune Media—owner of CBS affiliate WHNT-TV since December 2013—for $6.4 billion in cash and debt. WHNT-TV and WZDX, as two of the four highest-rated stations in the market, could not be owned together, though Nexstar could own either station plus WHDF.{{cite web|title=Nexstar Buying Tribune Media For $6.4 Billion|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/226264/nexstar-buying-tribune-media-6-4-billion/|first=Mark K.|last=Miller|website=TVNewsCheck|date=December 3, 2018|access-date=December 4, 2018|archive-date=December 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204005800/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/226264/nexstar-buying-tribune-media-6-4-billion/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Nexstar Confirms $4.1B Tribune Media Acquisition To Become Leading Local TV Station Owner|url=https://deadline.com/2018/12/nexstar-tribune-media-acquisition-1202512653/|first1=Peter|last1=White|first2=Dade|last2=Hayes|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=December 3, 2018|access-date=December 4, 2018|archive-date=December 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204130313/https://deadline.com/2018/12/nexstar-tribune-media-acquisition-1202512653/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Nexstar To Spin Off $1B In Stations|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/226264/nexstar-buying-tribune-media-6-4-billion/|first1=Harry A.|last1=Jessell|first2=Mark K.|last2=Miller|website=TVNewsCheck|date=December 3, 2018|access-date=December 4, 2018|archive-date=December 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204005800/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/226264/nexstar-buying-tribune-media-6-4-billion/|url-status=live}} Nexstar decided to retain the higher-rated WHNT-TV along with WHDF and sell WZDX to Tegna Inc. after finalizing the Tribune sale; WZDX was one of 19 stations disposed by Nexstar to Tegna and the E. W. Scripps Company in separate deals worth $1.32 billion.{{cite web|title=Nexstar Selling 19 TVs In 15 Markets For $1.32B|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/232391/nexstar-selling-19-tvs-in-15-markets-for-1-32b/|website=TVNewsCheck|date=March 20, 2019|access-date=March 20, 2019|archive-date=March 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320194359/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/232391/nexstar-selling-19-tvs-in-15-markets-for-1-32b/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Nexstar to Sell Stations to Tegna, Scripps for $1.32 Billion|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-20/nexstar-to-sell-19-stations-to-tegna-scripps-for-1-32-billion|first=Nabila|last=Ahmed|first2=Anousha|last2=Sakoui|website=Bloomberg News|date=March 20, 2019|access-date=March 20, 2019|archive-date=April 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413200225/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-20/nexstar-to-sell-19-stations-to-tegna-scripps-for-1-32-billion|url-status=live}} The sale of Tribune to Nexstar was approved by the FCC on September 16.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-tribune-nexstar-sale-approved-fcc-wgn-20190916-hlbtp65ye5htxg3hnuunmo5nqu-story.html|title=Tribune Media sale to Nexstar approved by FCC; WGN-Ch. 9 no longer Chicago's very own|last=Channick|first=Robert|work=Chicago Tribune|date=September 16, 2019|access-date=September 17, 2019|archive-date=September 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190917092741/https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-tribune-nexstar-sale-approved-fcc-wgn-20190916-hlbtp65ye5htxg3hnuunmo5nqu-story.html|url-status=live}}

File:WZDX interview at College Football Playoff National Championship media day, Jan 2018.jpg media day|alt=Refer to caption]]

In January 2008, WZDX launched a 30-minute prime time newscast branded as Fox 54 Nine O'Clock News. It was produced by Independent News Network (INN) in Davenport, Iowa; two local reporters contributed local news stories to the news program, which was presented from Davenport. It was the second prime time newscast in the market, as WAAY had previously produced one for air on WHDF from 2000 to 2001.{{cite news|first=Chris|last=Welch|date=January 13, 2008|title=Fox 54 moving into news with weekday shows|page=12F|work=The Huntsville Times}} The INN program continued to air for two and a half years and was replaced in September 2010 with a 9 p.m. newscast produced by WAAY; WAAY news personnel were joined by Ellis Eskew, a WZDX reporter.{{cite news|date=September 12, 2010|title=WAAY to produce Fox 54 newscast|page=12F|first=Chris|last=Welch|work=The Huntsville Times}}{{Cite news|page=6F|date=September 19, 2010|title=News team announced for 31-54 partnership|first=Chris|last=Welch|work=The Huntsville Times}}

Nexstar announced in December 2015 that WZDX would launch a standalone news operation on April 4, 2016. Concurrently, the station's newscast was extended to an hour.{{cite news|last1=Kuperberg|first1=Jonathan|title=Nexstar's WZDX Expanding News, Adding Staff, Remodeling Facilities|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/nexstar-s-wzdx-expanding-news-adding-staff-remodeling-facilities/146489|access-date=December 17, 2015|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=December 17, 2015|archive-date=December 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222024057/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/nexstar-s-wzdx-expanding-news-adding-staff-remodeling-facilities/146489|url-status=live}}

The station's signal is multiplexed:

WZDX shut down its analog signal, over UHF channel 54, on June 12, 2009, as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television; the station continued to broadcast on channel 41, using virtual channel 54.{{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 |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}} It was then repacked to channel 18 in 2020.{{r|rei}}

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• {{official website|https://www.rocketcitynow.com/}}

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ZDX

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