WSYR-TV

WSYR-TV is a major television station licensed to Syracuse, New York, serving the Central New York region as an affiliate of the NBC network. Owned by the Nexstar Media Group, its studios are located on James Street in Syracuse, and its transmitter is situated in Onondaga County. The station has been a dominant news and entertainment source for the area since its launch in the late 1940s, evolving through several ownership changes including stints under Park Broadcasting, Clear Channel Communications, and Newport Television.

History

The station signed on the air on July 1, 1948, as WSYE on VHF channel 3, originally owned by the Syracuse Herald-Journal newspaper. It changed its call letters to the current designation in 1950 and was acquired by Park Broadcasting in 1963. Throughout the mid-20th century, it was a primary outlet for NBC programming, competing with rivals like WSTM-TV and WTVH. In 1996, the station was purchased by Clear Channel Communications, which later spun off its television properties to Newport Television in 2007. The current owner, Nexstar Media Group, acquired the station in 2013 as part of its purchase of Newport Television, integrating it into one of the largest station groups in the United States.

Programming

As an NBC affiliate, WSYR-TV carries the network's full lineup of prime time programming, daytime shows, and late-night offerings, including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Today. The station also airs a substantial amount of syndicated programming, such as Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. It produces several local programs, including the long-running public affairs show CNY Central. For many years, it was also the broadcast home for Syracuse University football and basketball games through its relationship with the ACC Network.

Technical information

The station broadcasts its digital signal on VHF channel 9 from a transmitter tower near Onondaga Lake. It operates at an effective radiated power of 28.5 kW and a height above average terrain of 310 meters. WSYR-TV ended its analog broadcasts on VHF channel 3 in June 2009 as part of the nationwide digital transition. The station's signal is carried on most cable providers in the region, including Spectrum and Verizon Fios, and is available on DirecTV and Dish Network.

News operation

WSYR-TV operates a robust news department, producing over 30 hours of local news each week under the brand NewsChannel 9. Its newscasts consistently lead in the Nielsen ratings for the Syracuse market. The station maintains a significant presence with multiple satellite trucks and a network of weather radars, including its proprietary StormTracker system. It has a content-sharing partnership with WUTR in Utica and produces a nightly newscast for MyNetworkTV affiliate WSTM-TV. The newsroom has received numerous awards from the New York State Associated Press Association and the Syracuse Press Club.

Notable alumni

Several prominent journalists and broadcasters began their careers or spent significant time at the station. Mike Tirico, the lead sportscaster for NBC Sports and ESPN, started as a sports director. Lester Holt, anchor of NBC Nightly News, worked as a reporter early in his career. Meteorologist Dave Eichorn served as chief forecaster for decades, becoming a trusted figure in Central New York. Investigative reporter Sue Gorrow won multiple Emmy Awards for her work, and anchor Rod Wood later became a longtime news director at WGRZ in Buffalo, New York.

Category:Television stations in Syracuse, New York Category:NBC network affiliates Category:Nexstar Media Group