WLMT is a Memphis, Tennessee television station serving as a local affiliate of The CW and carrying selected MyNetworkTV programming.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
2requests
1companies- Anthropic2
- Profile
- 2
- Controversies
- 0
- JSON · MD
- 0
- First read
- Nov 4, 2026
- Latest read
- Nov 4, 2026
From this site's server log
Overview
WLMT is a full-power television station on channel 30 serving Memphis, Tennessee, and the surrounding Mid-South region. The station operates primarily as a local affiliate of The CW and also carries programming supplied by MyNetworkTV. Its business is centered on the distribution of network and syndicated entertainment, locally produced news, sports and public-affairs material, advertising inventory, and digital content for viewers in the Memphis market. The station began broadcasting on April 18, 1983, under the call sign WMKW-TV. It was established by Memphis Area Telecasters, an ownership group that included TVX Broadcast Group and local investors such as Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson. As Memphis's second independent station, channel 30 initially competed with WPTY-TV, offering movies, classic television programs, children's shows and sports. The station became one of the original Fox affiliates when that network launched in 1986 and strengthened its local profile by carrying Memphis State University men's basketball. Financial pressure at TVX following its acquisition of several large-market independent stations led to the sale of the Memphis station. MT Communications acquired it in 1989 and changed the call sign to WLMT, using the initials of company owner Michael Thompson. The new owner also acquired a Jackson, Tennessee station and operated it for a period as a semi-satellite of WLMT. In 1990, however, Fox transferred its Memphis affiliation to the higher-rated WPTY-TV, leaving WLMT without its principal network relationship. The station's Jackson operation retained Fox for a time before later changes separated it from the Memphis service. WLMT subsequently passed through management and ownership arrangements involving Max Media and Clear Channel Communications. Clear Channel began leasing and operating the station in 1993, consolidating its operations with WPTY-TV. In 1995, WLMT became an affiliate of the newly launched United Paramount Network, or UPN. The change gave the station a programming identity that resonated strongly with Memphis's substantial Black audience. In the same period, WLMT introduced a 9 p.m. local newscast produced in conjunction with WPTY-TV. The program became a significant competitive offering, at times outperforming later evening newscasts on other Memphis stations. When UPN and The WB were replaced by The CW in 2006, WLMT became the Memphis affiliate of the new network. It later added programming supplied by MyNetworkTV under an agreement signed in 2009. WLMT has also carried local sports and entertainment programs, including Memphis Wrestling and University of Memphis basketball at different points in its history. The station was included in Clear Channel's television-station divestiture to Newport Television, a company backed by Providence Equity Partners. Nexstar Broadcasting Group acquired the Memphis television assets in 2012, including the station then known as WPTY-TV, later renamed WATN-TV. WLMT and WATN-TV moved their operations to the Shelby Oaks Corporate Park in northeast Memphis, where they share studio facilities. The arrangement enabled the stations to share infrastructure and news-production resources while retaining separate broadcast identities. After Nexstar acquired Tribune Media in 2019, it retained WREG-TV in Memphis and divested WLMT and WATN-TV to Tegna. Nexstar later agreed to acquire Tegna in 2025, and the transaction was reported as completed in March 2026 after regulatory approval. Court proceedings subsequently restricted Nexstar's immediate integration of the acquired stations. WLMT remains a Memphis-focused broadcast brand whose value derives from its network affiliation, local news presence, advertising reach and position within Nexstar's broader station portfolio.
History
The first proposal for a Memphis channel 30 dates to 1966, when Memphis Telecasters sought authorization to build WMTU-TV. The permit was later assigned to the Christian Broadcasting Network, which considered a family-oriented and religious service but did not construct the station. Interest revived in 1979 through Memphis 30 and TV 30, Inc. These applicants joined with Television Corporation Stations, later known as TVX Broadcast Group, to create Memphis Area Telecasters. TVX ultimately became the controlling owner, and the station adopted the call sign WMKW-TV, reflecting Memphis and investor Kemmons Wilson. After construction delays caused partly by bad weather, WMKW-TV began broadcasting on April 18, 1983. It entered the market as an independent station competing with WPTY-TV. Its initial schedule consisted of films, children's programs, classic sitcoms and dramas, and sports. The station later obtained rights to Memphis State University men's basketball, including home and away games, which improved its local visibility. In October 1986, WMKW-TV became a charter Fox affiliate as part of a group arrangement covering TVX stations. TVX's finances deteriorated after the company acquired five large-market independent stations from Taft Broadcasting. The transaction left TVX heavily leveraged, and the company faced difficulties meeting debt obligations and refinancing its borrowings. Although several possible sales were considered, including a potential sale of the Memphis station, TVX eventually sold WMKW-TV to MT Communications in 1989 for a reported seven million dollars. MT Communications changed the station's call sign to WLMT and also operated a Jackson, Tennessee station as a semi-satellite for part of the period. WLMT lost important programming advantages during the transition. Memphis State basketball rights moved to WPTY-TV after a competitive bidding process, and Fox transferred its Memphis affiliation to WPTY-TV effective July 1, 1990. WPTY had substantially stronger ratings, while Fox programs on WLMT attracted comparatively smaller audiences. The Jackson operation continued to carry Fox separately for a time, but local operations there were later curtailed and the service evolved independently. In the early 1990s, MT Communications arranged to sell several stations, including WLMT, to an ownership group associated with former Virginia lieutenant governor Dick Davis, with Max Media providing management. The arrangement was short-lived. In 1993, Clear Channel Communications began leasing WLMT and the related Jackson station and acquired their physical assets. Clear Channel integrated WLMT's management with WPTY-TV, reducing duplicated staffing and sharing operational resources. The relationship later became an ownership structure after changes in broadcast ownership rules permitted duopolies. WLMT selected UPN over The WB in 1995. The network's programming, which was particularly attractive to Black viewers, performed strongly in Memphis. During this period, WLMT also launched a 9 p.m. newscast produced with WPTY-TV. The program initially used the News Watch 30 identity and featured Robb Harleston and Ken Houston as co-anchors, a notable pairing in Memphis television history. After Harleston's contract was not renewed, Houston continued as the principal anchor. The newscast focused substantially on minority communities and became competitive with the Fox station's 9 p.m. news and WPTY-TV's later broadcast. WLMT's relationship with its Jackson semi-satellite gradually weakened. In 2001, the Jackson station adopted the call sign WJKT and began separating its identity from WLMT. It later simulcast WLMT's Memphis newscast while maintaining its own network arrangements. In Memphis, WLMT also added a locally produced wrestling program in 2003 and continued to use its news operation as a central part of its market position. Although WPTY-TV overhauled its news presentation in 2003, the WLMT 9 p.m. program remained competitive. The replacement of UPN and The WB by The CW in 2006 made WLMT the Memphis outlet for the new network. Clear Channel subsequently sold its television portfolio to Newport Television, controlled by Providence Equity Partners. The transaction was announced in 2007, received regulatory approval later that year, and closed in March 2008 after litigation between parties connected to the transaction delayed completion. WLMT remained paired operationally with WPTY-TV, and in 2009 it added MyNetworkTV programming. Nexstar acquired the Memphis stations from Newport Television in 2012. The stations moved from an older midtown facility to the Shelby Oaks Corporate Park in northeast Memphis. The move provided updated production space and avoided anticipated vibration and noise problems associated with replacement work on a nearby viaduct. WPTY-TV later adopted the WATN-TV call sign, while WLMT retained its established identity. In 2019, Nexstar acquired Tribune Media, which owned Memphis CBS affiliate WREG-TV. To comply with ownership requirements, Nexstar sold WLMT and WATN-TV to Tegna while retaining WREG-TV and other permitted assets. Nexstar later agreed to acquire Tegna in 2025. The reported March 2026 completion of that transaction placed WLMT back under Nexstar ownership, although court orders subsequently prevented the company from immediately integrating the acquired stations. WLMT continues to operate as a Memphis-focused CW station with secondary MyNetworkTV programming, local news resources and digital distribution.
- 2026
Reported return to Nexstar ownership
[1]Nexstar's reported acquisition of Tegna returns WLMT to the Nexstar portfolio, subject to subsequent court restrictions on integration.
- 2019
Tegna acquires WLMT
[1]Nexstar divests WLMT and WATN-TV to Tegna following its acquisition of Tribune Media.
- 2013
Move to Shelby Oaks facilities
[1]WLMT and WATN-TV move into shared studios at Shelby Oaks Corporate Park.
- 2012
Nexstar acquires the station
[1]Nexstar purchases WLMT and related Memphis television assets from Newport Television.
- 2008
Newport Television ownership begins
[1]Newport Television completes its acquisition of Clear Channel's television portfolio, including WLMT.
- 2006
The CW affiliation begins
[1]WLMT becomes the Memphis affiliate of The CW after UPN and The WB cease operations.
- 1995
UPN affiliation and local news launch
[1]WLMT joins UPN and introduces a 9 p.m. news program in coordination with WPTY-TV.
- 1993
Clear Channel begins leasing the station
[1]Clear Channel combines WLMT's management and operations with WPTY-TV.
- 1990
Fox affiliation is lost
[1]Fox moves its Memphis affiliation to the higher-rated WPTY-TV.
- 1989
Station renamed WLMT
[1]MT Communications acquires the station and changes its call sign to WLMT.
Products and positioning
A Memphis-market broadcast station combining national entertainment programming with locally relevant news, sports, community coverage and advertising. Its historical positioning has included strong service to Black audiences and viewers seeking alternative network and syndicated programming.
Network television · 2006
The CW programming
WLMT's principal network offering is The CW, which supplies scripted series, reality programming, specials and other entertainment content for the Memphis market. The affiliation replaced the station's earlier UPN relationship when The CW launched in 2006.
Network television · 2009
MyNetworkTV programming
WLMT carries selected programming supplied by MyNetworkTV under an agreement dating from 2009. This secondary network relationship complements the station's main CW schedule and helps fill portions of its broadcast day.
Broadcast news · 1995
Local news
WLMT has historically carried a locally oriented evening newscast produced with resources from its Memphis sister station. The service debuted in 1995 as News Watch 30 at 9 p.m. and developed a distinctive emphasis on minority communities and local issues.
Sports and special events
Local sports and special programming
The station has used sports and locally produced entertainment to build market relevance, including Memphis State or University of Memphis basketball and an in-studio Memphis Wrestling program. These offerings have varied over time according to rights agreements and programming strategy.
Marketing campaigns
- 2003Memphis Wrestling television program
Memphis, Tennessee
WLMT introduced an in-studio wrestling program connected with Memphis Wrestling, drawing on the city's longstanding wrestling culture.
Outcome. The program expanded WLMT's local entertainment identity, although its continued availability is not documented in the supplied material.
- 1995News Watch 30 launch
Memphis, Tennessee
WLMT introduced a 9 p.m. local newscast alongside WPTY-TV's transition to ABC and launch of its news department. The format sought to serve local viewers, with particular attention to minority communities.
Outcome. The newscast became a durable and competitive part of the Memphis television schedule.
Brand decisions
2026
Return to Nexstar portfolio through Tegna acquisitionM&ABackground
Nexstar agreed to acquire Tegna and received regulatory approval for ownership of additional full-power station licenses in markets including Memphis.
Action taken
The reported transaction returned WLMT to Nexstar ownership, while subsequent court orders restricted immediate operational integration.
Aftermath
The station's ownership position remained subject to litigation and court-imposed limits on integration.
2019
Divest WLMT to TegnaM&ABackground
Nexstar's acquisition of Tribune Media increased its Memphis station holdings and required portfolio adjustments.
Action taken
Nexstar sold WLMT and WATN-TV to Tegna while retaining WREG-TV.
Aftermath
WLMT operated under Tegna ownership until Nexstar's reported acquisition of Tegna in 2026.
2012
Acquire WLMT through the Newport transactionM&ABackground
Newport Television was liquidating portions of its station portfolio.
Action taken
Nexstar purchased the relevant Memphis television assets in a broader multi-station transaction.
Aftermath
Nexstar modernized and consolidated the Memphis stations' facilities and operational resources.
2006
Adopt The CW affiliationStrategyBackground
UPN and The WB were being replaced by a combined network known as The CW.
Action taken
WLMT became The CW's Memphis affiliate.
Aftermath
The station retained a network entertainment role while continuing its local news and programming operations.
1995
Select UPN affiliationStrategyBackground
WLMT had to choose between competing new networks, UPN and The WB, as both sought a Memphis outlet.
Action taken
Clear Channel affiliated WLMT with UPN.
Aftermath
UPN programming performed strongly with Memphis viewers, and WLMT became one of the network's better-rated affiliates.
1990
Fox affiliation transferred to WPTY-TVStrategyBackground
WPTY-TV had stronger audience performance and Fox sought a more competitive Memphis affiliate.
Action taken
Fox ended its relationship with WLMT and moved its Memphis programming to WPTY-TV.
Aftermath
WLMT lost a major programming draw and continued as an independent station until joining UPN in 1995.
1986
Join Fox at network launchStrategyBackground
TVX owned a group of independent stations positioned to affiliate with the new Fox network.
Action taken
WMKW-TV became an original Fox affiliate and supplemented its schedule with major local sports rights.
Aftermath
The affiliation improved the station's network profile, but Fox later moved to a stronger Memphis outlet after comparing market performance.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/wlmt · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled