The station was launched on October 2, 1955 as a ABC affiliate and was originally owned by the Greater Huntington Theater Corporation. After only a year, the station was sold to Cowles Communications.
1958–1962[]
SVG NEEDED
In 1958, WHTN switched to CBS. In 1960, Cowles sold the station to Reeves Telecom.
1962–1966[]
LOGO MISSING
After a four-year run as a CBS affiliate, WOWK returned to ABC in 1962.
1966–1967[]
SVG NEEDED
1968–1971[]
1972–1975[]
SVG NEEDED
In 1972, WHTN was sold to Gateway Communications.
WOWK-TV[]
1975–1994[]
SVG NEEDED
In 1975, the station changed its call sign to WOWK-TV. In 1986, the station switched back to CBS, sending ABC back to WCHS-TV (channel 8).
"That's Special Feeling! on TV-13" (1983–1984)
"We're With You on TV-13" (1984–1985)
"TV-13 Spirit, Oh Yes" (1987–1988)
"Get Ready for TV-13" (1989–1990)
1994–1999[]
SVG NEEDED
1999–present[]
Designer:
Gecko Productions (logo design and 1999 graphics package)
Typography:
Akzidenz-Grotesk
Launched:
1999
In 2000, Gateway merged with SJL Broadcasting. In 2002, SJL sold the station to West Virginia Media. On November 17, 2015, Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced that it would acquire the West Virginia Media stations, including WOWK-TV for $130 million. Nexstar began operation the stations under a time brokerage agreement in December of that same year. The sale of the license assets was completed on January 31, 2017.
1Owns a 75% stake of the network, the other 12.5% stake is co-owned between Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery. 2Joint venture with Warner Bros. Discovery, in which Nexstar owns 31% while Warner Bros. Discovery owns the remaining 69%. 3Nexstar operates these stations owned by Mission Broadcasting. 4Nexstar operates this station owned by Cunningham Broadcasting. 5Nexstar operates this station owned by White Knight Broadcasting through an SSA. 6Nexstar operates this station owned by Vaughan Media. 7Predecessor company of LIN Media. 8Nexstar operates this station owned by Londen Media Group.
