The Thunder Bay Broadcasting station will become the 243rd ABC affiliate, adding the network on its ch. 11.3 and launching a local newscast as well. The station also airs CBS on ch. 11.1 and Fox on ch. 11.2.
DMA 208 (ALPENA, MI)
WBKB Makes It A Network Trifecta With ABC
The ABC Television Network and Thunder Bay Broadcasting have reached a new affiliation agreement to broadcast the full ABC Television Network programming schedule in Alpena, Mich. (DMA 208). The full ABC lineup airs on WBKB’s ch. 11.3 beginning today. The station airs CBS on its ch. 11.1 and Fox on 11.2.
As part of the new affiliation, WBKB 11.3 will broadcast local news coverage for the market, including daily news programs leading into ABC network shows Good Morning America, World News and Jimmy Kimmel Live. The WBKB 11.3 morning news will be the only local morning news in the Alpena market, according to the station.
“We look forward to better serving our viewers and advertisers in the Alpena DMA by offering ABC’s outstanding lineup,” said WBKB GM Cher Allen. “We are well acquainted with ABC’s degree of excellence; our sister station, WBUP in Marquette, is an ABC affiliate. The launch of WBKB Morning News as a lead-in to Good Morning America is a delightful new endeavor. Our news team and production staff have been working on numerous innovative concepts. We are dedicated to provide more local news, weather, sports and first-rate programming to the viewers and advertisers in Northeast Michigan.”
John Rouse, ABC SVP of affiliate relations, said: “We’re very excited to extend our broadcast relationship with Thunder Bay Broadcasting with the launch of WBKB 11.3. Their strong commitment to local news will be great for viewers in Alpena, who will also benefit from ABC’s outstanding programming lineup.”
Thunder Bay Broadcasting also owns ABC affiliate WBUP in Marquette, Mich.
Comments (2)
Dale Godfrey says:
January 14, 2013 at 5:14 pm
CONGRATULATIONS Cher and staff!! As the guy who started the entire effort with the Incorporation of Thunder Bay in 1971, along with former GM Curt Smith, News Director Peter Neumann and Director of Engineering Tom Disinger, you guys have come a helluva long way since the sale of my stock in the 1980’s! CBS from the start; at that time when we signed on CBS hadn’t granted a new affiliation in over six years, we felt we were true pioneers in the business, bringing a first over-the-air TV service to one of the last unserved ‘white areas’ in the Eastern Time Zone. Hey, well done! Best of wishes as you guys go forward, eh?
Teri Keene says:
January 14, 2013 at 9:18 pm
It’s a reunion between WBKB and ABC…of sorts. WBKB were the call letters for ABC-owned Channel 7 in Chicago from 1953 to 1968, when they became WLS-TV.