Understanding Why Many TV News Stations Begin With W

Did you ever wonder why many TV news stations appear to start with the letter 'W'? While this may seem like a curiosity, there's a fascinating backstory behind these call-signs, intricately connected with regulatory requirements and historical practices. Let's delve into the reasons why many American TV news stations are preceded by 'W' and the implications of these rules on today's broadcasting landscape.

The Origins of TV Call-Signs

All over-the-air (OTA) broadcasters in the United States with a significant footprint must obtain a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This license mandates details such as the station's maximum transmission power, the regions it can cover, and other pertinent information. Upon receiving this expensive license, which can cost millions of dollars, the station is assigned a unique 'call-sign' or 'call-letters.' This system originated from a method used to identify different telegraph offices, which was later expanded to radio and then eventually to television.

The FCC's nomenclature includes the use of 'K' as a prefix for stations west of the Mississippi and 'W' for those in the eastern United States. However, there are a handful of exceptions to this rule. The call-signs grew from their original two-letter format to the current four-letter standard to handle the increasing number of television stations. This system has remained a crucial aspect of broadcasting in the United States, even as the industry has evolved.

The Role of the FCC License in Broadcast Television

The requirement for OTA broadcasters to have a license was initially tied to the principle of public interest programming. Early broadcasting licenses mandated that a certain amount of content must be produced for the public good. The theory behind this requirement was that the airwaves were a public resource, not solely the property of the broadcaster. Stations were thus obligated to provide programming that served the interests of the community.

Initially, this public service was often fulfilled through local news and public affairs shows. These shows could still generate revenue through advertising, making them an economically viable option for stations. Over time, the requirement for public service programming began to wane, leading to a reduction in the amount of local news and public affairs content. However, this practice has continued in many markets, leading to the association of 'W' call-signs with news stations. Many stations, especially those west of the Mississippi, use 'K' for their call-signs, which may explain why 'W' appears to be more common in news programming.

The Impact of Digital Television and Cable Broadcasting

The rise of cable television and digital broadcasting has further complicated the landscape for OTA broadcasters. Networks like CNN, which operate exclusively on cable, do not need an FCC license since they do not broadcast over-the-air. As a result, these networks can name themselves anything, including 'MSNBC' or 'ESPN.' The deregulation under the Reagan administration in which specific requirements for public service broadcasting were no longer enforceable has also contributed to the decline of mandatory public service programming.

Today, the association of 'W' with news stations is more of a historical accident than a structured policy. Many of the early stations that served as 'dual licensees' (having both radio and TV with the same call-signs) were located in the eastern United States, leading to the prevalence of 'W' call-signs among news broadcasters.

Conclusion

The prevalence of 'W' in TV news stations is a fascinating intersection of regulatory history, economic factors, and historical coincidences. Understanding this context can help us appreciate the rich tapestry of broadcasting in the United States and the evolution of the media landscape over time.