Chattanooga TV Station Celebrates 50 Years on Air

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WTVC NewsChannel 9, the ABC affiliate serving the Chattanooga, Tennessee metropolitan area, is celebrating its 50th anniversary on the air this year. The station first signed on in 1976 and has been a fixture of local news and community engagement in the region ever since.

Why it matters

As one of the longest-running television stations in the Chattanooga market, WTVC's 50-year milestone is a testament to the station's ability to adapt and serve its viewers over the decades, even as the media landscape has undergone dramatic changes.

The details

WTVC was founded in 1976 and has been Chattanooga's ABC affiliate since its inception. Over the past 50 years, the station has covered major news events, sports, weather, and community affairs for the Chattanooga metro area, which includes the city of Chattanooga as well as surrounding suburbs and towns in southeastern Tennessee and northwestern Georgia.

• WTVC first signed on the air in 1976.
• The station is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.

What’s next

WTVC plans to host a series of community events and special programming throughout 2026 to commemorate its 50th year on the air.