Originally signed on the air on December 1, 1953 as WJDM-TV, an independent station and later a primary NBC affiliate and secondary CBS and ABC affiliates on VHF channel 7. It was owned by local businessman J. D. Manley. It became known by many people as "Wait Just a Darn Minute" (a play on its call letters) because it would frequently go off the air with technical problems. Mel Wheeler purchased the station in 1957.
WJHG-TV
1960–1964
In 1960, James H. Gray, Sr., the founder of Gray Communications (now Gray Television) bought the station and changed the call letters to the current WJHG-TV after his initials. It was the second television station in Gray's portfolio, after company flagship WALB-TV in Albany, Georgia.
1964–1970
SVG NEEDED
1967–1969
1970–1974
On August 1, 1972, channel 7, along with then-sister station KTVE in El Dorado, Arkansas switched its primary affiliation to ABC, leaving the area without a primary NBC affiliate until WDTB (now WMBB) began a year later as the NBC affiliate.
1974-1975
1975–1982
In the 1970s, the "Circle 7" was added to this station. It is sort of a similar design to the original G. Dean Smith "Cricle 7" design.
Slide from February 1976.
Slightly different Circle 7 seen in ads by itself.
Slide from 1978.
1982–1993
Two versions of this Circle 7 emblem were used in tandem, the first becoming less common around the late 1980s in favor of the bolder version.
1982–1988
In 1982, WMBB and WJHG switched networks; WJHG returned to NBC.
ID slide (May 1982)
News slide (1982)
Sign from this era, displayed until 2010.
ID slide (September 1984)
ID slide (September 1984)
ID slide (September 1984)
Variant used from 1985-1987.
Variant with skinnier Circle 7 used in IDs until 1993.
1Owned by Branson Visitors TV, Gray holds a 50.1% interest in the company. 2Owned by Schurz Communications, Gray operated KGHZ through an SSA. 3Gray operates this station owned by American Spirit Media. 4Gray operates this station owned by Tegna through an SSA. 5The E.W. Scripps Company operates this station through an SSA. 6Gray operates this station owned by Tougaloo College. 7Joint venture with Ryman Hospitality Properties. 8Gray operates this station owned by SagamoreHill Broadcasting through an SSA.