WSTM-TV
WSTM-TV, broadcasting on virtual channel 3 (VHF digital channel 24), is a full-service commercial television station licensed to Syracuse, New York, United States, and serving the Central New York region as an NBC network affiliate.[1] The station is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group through subsidiary WSTQ Licensee, LLC, which operates it alongside low-power sister station WSTQ-LP (channel 14, CW affiliate) from shared studios on North Franklin Street in downtown Syracuse; Sinclair also manages CBS affiliate WTVH (channel 5) under a local marketing agreement.[2][3] Originally signing on February 15, 1950, as WSYR-TV on channel 5 under ownership of Advance Publications, WSTM-TV relocated to channel 3 in 1953 and adopted its present call sign in 1980 while remaining an NBC primary affiliate throughout its history. Sinclair acquired the station in November 2013 as part of its $370 million purchase of four outlets from Barrington Broadcasting, expanding its footprint in the Syracuse market.[4]History
Founding and early operations (1950s–1970s)
WSYR-TV, the predecessor to WSTM-TV, signed on the air on February 15, 1950, as Syracuse's second commercial television station and an NBC affiliate, operating initially on VHF channel 5 before shifting to channel 3 in 1953 to avoid interference.[5][6] The station was established by the Newhouse Broadcasting Company, which owned it alongside WSYR-AM radio and shared synergies with the family's Syracuse newspapers, the Post-Standard and Herald-Journal.[7][8] Early operations commenced from studios in the former Kemper Building in downtown Syracuse, but the station quickly outgrew the space amid expanding viewership and programming demands, prompting a temporary relocation to a converted garage.[5] In 1957, construction began on a new facility, which opened in late spring 1958 at 1030 James Street, featuring two large studios with swing doors, a 24-foot variable-speed turntable for versatile productions, and infrastructure supporting the transition to color broadcasting—a market first for the station that year.[9][5] This "ultra-modern" complex housed both WSYR radio and television operations, enabling integrated production and public tours that highlighted its advanced engineering.[9] Local programming in the 1950s and 1960s emphasized community-oriented content, including Ladies Day hosted by Kay Russell and Denny Sullivan and the Gang, which incorporated live orchestra performances.[5] News operations launched with brief 15-minute broadcasts anchored by Fred Hillegas, evolving with technological improvements in cameras and film processing to extend coverage and frequency.[5] The station maintained its NBC primary affiliation throughout the period, supplementing network fare with syndicated shows and regional inserts tailored to Central New York's audience.[5] By the late 1970s, under continued Newhouse ownership, WSYR-TV had solidified its position in the market, but regulatory pressures led to its inclusion in a December 1978 sale of five Newhouse television stations to the Times Mirror Company for $82.4 million, marking the end of family control after nearly three decades.[6][7] This transaction reflected broader industry consolidation amid rising costs for equipment and programming rights.[6]Expansion and affiliations (1980s–2000s)
In 1980, Advance Publications' Newhouse Broadcasting sold WSYR-TV, along with its Elmira satellite WSYE-TV, to the Times Mirror Company, prompting a change in call letters to WSTM-TV to reflect the new ownership by the publisher of the Syracuse newspapers.[8][10] The station retained its primary affiliation with NBC, which it had held since signing on in 1950, while the Elmira repeater—later renamed WETM-TV—was divested by Smith Broadcasting Group in 1986, severing the satellite link.[11] Times Mirror operated WSTM-TV until selling it to SJL Broadcast Management, a holding company led by George Lilly, in 1986; SJL then transferred ownership to Federal Broadcasting Company in 1992 for $19.9 million.[12] Under Federal, the station continued as Syracuse's NBC outlet without secondary network ties, focusing on local news and syndicated programming amid a competitive market including CBS affiliate WTVH and ABC's WIXT. Federal Broadcasting was acquired by Raycom Media in 1997, enabling further investments in news operations and facilities at the James Street studios originally built in 1958.[13] Throughout the period, WSTM-TV's affiliation remained exclusively with NBC, providing network primetime, sports, and specials alongside local content; no major shifts occurred despite national trends like the Fox network's rise or UPN/WB launches, which were handled by independent or low-power stations in the market. In the early 2000s, Raycom expanded digital capabilities, preparing for the mandated transition to high-definition broadcasting, while maintaining analog operations until the 2009 DTV switchover.[9]Acquisition by Sinclair Broadcast Group (2010s–present)
On February 28, 2013, Barrington Broadcasting Corporation announced the sale of its entire portfolio of 21 television stations, including NBC affiliate WSTM-TV in Syracuse, New York, to Sinclair Broadcast Group for approximately $370 million.[14] [15] The transaction included WSTM-TV's existing shared services agreement (SSA) with CBS affiliate WTVH, owned by Granite Broadcasting Corporation, allowing Sinclair to operate WTVH alongside WSTM-TV.[4] This acquisition expanded Sinclair's presence in the Syracuse market, where it already held interests in other stations through various agreements.[15] The deal faced no significant regulatory hurdles and closed on November 25, 2013, marking Sinclair's entry as the direct owner of WSTM-TV.[4] Following the acquisition, Sinclair maintained WSTM-TV's NBC affiliation and local news operations under the CNYCentral brand, while continuing to provide news and operational services to WTVH via the SSA.[4] [16] Sinclair also acquired low-power CW affiliate WSTQ-LP as part of the Barrington deal, consolidating its holdings in the market to include NBC, CW, and operational control over CBS programming.[17] Under Sinclair's ownership from 2013 onward, WSTM-TV has operated as part of the company's national network of over 190 stations, benefiting from shared resources for programming and digital distribution.[18] No major changes to station affiliations or core local programming occurred immediately post-acquisition, though Sinclair implemented standardized operational efficiencies across its portfolio, including digital subchannel expansions.[16] As of 2025, Sinclair retains full ownership of WSTM-TV, with ongoing SSAs ensuring coordinated news production for affiliated stations in Syracuse.[16]Ownership and affiliations
Current ownership structure
WSTM-TV is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., a publicly traded American telecommunications conglomerate (NASDAQ: SBGI) that acquired the station on November 25, 2013, as part of a $370 million purchase of Barrington Broadcasting's assets, including the associated shared services agreement for CBS affiliate WTVH.[19][15] Sinclair directly holds the broadcast license for WSTM-TV (facility ID 21252), which operates as the NBC affiliate for the Syracuse market, alongside low-power sister station WSTQ-LP (CW affiliate).[16][20] Sinclair maintains full operational control over WSTM-TV's facilities, programming, and staff, with the station's studios located at 351 W. Jefferson Street in Syracuse, New York.[16] As of October 2025, no changes to this ownership have been reported, despite ongoing FCC reviews of broadcast ownership rules that could influence future consolidations.[21]Shared services agreements and partnerships
In March 2009, Barrington Broadcasting, owner of WSTM-TV and CW affiliate WSTQ-LP, entered into joint sales and shared services agreements with Granite Broadcasting Corporation, owner of CBS affiliate WTVH, enabling WSTM-TV to provide operational, sales, and news production support to WTVH.[22][23] Under these arrangements, WTVH ceased independent operations and relocated to WSTM-TV's studios at 3512 James Street in Syracuse, with the combined outlets branding as CNY Central.[22][24] Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired WSTM-TV and WSTQ-LP from Barrington in November 2013 for part of a $370 million deal involving 18 stations, while committing to maintain the shared services with WTVH through a local marketing agreement.[15][19] This structure allowed Sinclair to effectively control programming, news, and advertising sales across the NBC, CW, and CBS signals in the Syracuse market without direct ownership of WTVH, which remained licensed to Granite.[19] The agreements facilitated cost efficiencies, including unified newsrooms and technical operations for the three stations.[2] As of 2025, the shared services persist, with Sinclair operating WTVH alongside its owned properties under the CNY Central umbrella, sharing studios, staff, and digital platforms despite periodic discussions of non-renewal, such as in 2013 when Sinclair indicated the pact might end in 2017 but ultimately extended it.[2][25] WSTM-TV's news team produces content aired on WTVH, including newscasts branded as CBS 5 News, while WSTQ-LP integrates syndicated and local programming from the same facility.[16] This model aligns with broader industry trends of operational consolidation to reduce expenses amid declining ad revenues.[26]Programming
Network and syndicated content
WSTM-TV serves as the NBC affiliate for the Syracuse television market, carrying the network's full slate of programming, which encompasses morning lifestyle and news content such as Today (airing weekdays from approximately 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET), daytime serials including Days of Our Lives, evening newscasts via NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt at 6:30 p.m. ET, primetime entertainment featuring dramas, comedies, and reality series like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Voice, and sports events, as well as late-night offerings including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers, followed by Saturday Night Live on weekends.[27][28] This affiliation, established since the station's sign-on in 1950 with interim NBC ties evolving to primary status by 1953, ensures comprehensive coverage of national events, including Olympic broadcasts and major political conventions when applicable.[29] Complementing NBC network feeds, WSTM-TV incorporates syndicated programming primarily in daytime and access periods to fill non-network slots, such as the talk show Tamron Hall airing weekdays at 11:00 a.m. ET and entertainment news magazine TMZ at noon ET, alongside occasional paid programming and infomercials in early morning hours.[30] Additional syndicated fare includes NBCUniversal-distributed news digests like Top Story with Tom Llamas in late-night reruns and lifestyle segments via 1st Look, which provide supplementary entertainment and investigative content outside core network hours.[31] These selections align with typical offerings for NBC affiliates, prioritizing high-rated talk and tabloid-style formats to attract local audiences prior to evening news and primetime blocks, though specific rotations may vary seasonally or due to special events.[28]Local non-news programming
In the 1980s, WSTM-TV produced the STM Club, a daily afternoon children's program that aired cartoons including The Three Stooges shorts and was hosted by local talent, premiering in September 1982 and running until 1986.[32] The station also aired Monster Movie Matinee, a weekly Saturday horror film showcase featuring local hosting elements, alongside other early local efforts like Saturday Showboat.[33] These shows exemplified WSTM's historical emphasis on family-oriented, community-specific content to fill non-prime time slots. Currently, WSTM-TV's schedule outside of NBC network feeds, syndicated fare such as Wheel of Fortune and Access Hollywood, and extensive news blocks features minimal original local non-news programming, with operations prioritizing news production under Sinclair Broadcast Group ownership as evidenced by publicly available listings.[28] Local specials tied to events like the station's 75th anniversary in 2025 have highlighted past personalities but do not indicate ongoing regular series.[34]News operation
Newscast schedule and format
WSTM-TV produces local newscasts under the CNY Central banner, shared with sister stations WTVH (CBS) and WSTQ (CW), focusing on Syracuse-area coverage including breaking news, weather, traffic, and community events. Weekday programming features segmented early-morning shows titled Today in CNY airing at 4:00 a.m., 4:30 a.m., 5:00 a.m., and 5:30 a.m., transitioning into extended morning blocks that typically run through 7:00 a.m. or later alongside national Today inserts.[35] Evening newscasts include dedicated half-hour blocks at 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m., followed by the flagship NBC 3 News at 11 for late-night updates.[28][36] A midday newscast at noon or brief updates may air periodically, though not consistently listed in standard schedules.[28] The newscast format follows a conventional local television structure, with anchor teams delivering fast-paced segments on hard news, investigative reports, and human-interest stories, interspersed with live field reports, interactive weather radar presentations, and sports highlights from regional teams like Syracuse University.[28] Emphasis is placed on real-time community impacts, such as school closings and traffic alerts, integrated via digital tickers and mobile app extensions.[29] Weekend editions, often simulcast across CNY Central outlets, maintain similar styling but with reduced staffing, airing primarily in morning and evening slots like 6:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.[2] The NBC 3 News at 7 program, recognized with an Edward R. Murrow Award for overall excellence in 2025, exemplifies the station's approach to blending timely local journalism with viewer engagement.[37]On-air personnel and staffing
The news operation at WSTM-TV, branded as CNY Central, is led by News Director Sean Carroll, who oversees the shared newsroom for WSTM (NBC), WTVH (CBS), and WSTQ (CW) in Syracuse.[38] The team includes multiple anchors serving as managing editors, reflecting a structure where on-air talent handles both presentation and editorial responsibilities. Assistant News Director Matthew Saffer supports operations, focusing on crime, justice, and regional reporting.[39] Key anchors include Matt Mulcahy, who serves as an anchor and managing editor; Megan Coleman, anchoring evening newscasts from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. weekdays and also acting as a managing editor; Michael Benny, another anchor and managing editor; and Lisa Spitz, who anchors Today in Central New York and joined the station in 2003 after working at WUTR in Utica.[40][41][42] Kaitlin Pearson co-anchors Today in Central New York, having joined in 2024.[43] Sports coverage features Sports Director Samantha Croston, who started as a multimedia journalist in September 2021 and was promoted in August 2024, alongside weekend sports anchor and reporter Ashley Wenskoski.[44][45] The staffing model emphasizes multimedia journalists who contribute to multiple platforms, with on-air roles integrated across Sinclair's affiliated stations to optimize resources in the Syracuse market.[2] Recent changes, such as promotions and hires, indicate ongoing adjustments to maintain coverage amid industry-wide staffing pressures.[46]Editorial policies and content mandates
WSTM-TV, as a Sinclair Broadcast Group-owned station, operates under the parent company's centralized content distribution model, which mandates the airing of specific national segments across its affiliates. These include "must-run" investigative reports, commentary, and promotional materials produced by Sinclair's Washington, D.C.-based news operations, such as the Sinclair News Exchange, designed to provide uniform messaging on topics like media bias and national security.[47] In April 2018, WSTM anchors Matt Mulcahy and Megan Coleman were required to deliver a scripted promotional segment warning against "biased and false news" from other media outlets, a practice applied to nearly 200 Sinclair stations that drew criticism for echoing then-President Donald Trump's rhetoric on "fake news" without disclosing the mandated nature of the content.[48][49] Sinclair defends these mandates as efforts to foster viewpoint diversity and counter perceived liberal dominance in national media, asserting that local stations retain editorial control over day-to-day reporting while complying with corporate guidelines on fairness and accuracy.[50] Independent assessments, such as those from Media Bias/Fact Check, classify WSTM's editorial positions as right-center biased due to story selection favoring conservative perspectives, though the station maintains high factual reporting standards with minimal failed fact checks.[18] Critics, including late-night host John Oliver in a 2017 segment, have highlighted Sinclair's influence on local news in Syracuse—encompassing WSTM, WSTQ-LP, and WTVH—arguing that such mandates undermine journalistic independence by prioritizing corporate narratives over local autonomy, a concern amplified by mainstream outlets often exhibiting their own left-leaning systemic biases in coverage of conservative media entities.[51] Local editorial policies at WSTM emphasize objective reporting on Central New York issues, with internal guidelines requiring verification of sources and balanced sourcing, but these are subordinate to Sinclair's broader mandates, which have included required airings of segments critiquing regulatory overreach and promoting free-market principles since the company's expansion in the 2010s.[52] No public FCC violations specific to WSTM's editorial practices have been recorded post-2017, though Sinclair as a group faced a proposed $13.4 million fine in 2017 for misrepresenting shared services agreements that effectively centralized control over content decisions.[53]Controversies and criticisms
Sinclair's "must-run" segments and media bias claims
Sinclair Broadcast Group, the owner of WSTM-TV since 2005, mandates that its affiliated stations, including WSTM-TV, air designated "must-run" segments produced at the corporate level. These segments, which comprise about 2.5% of weekly news airtime on average, include national commentary, security alerts, and opinion pieces often featuring conservative perspectives, such as contributions from Boris Epshteyn, a former Trump campaign adviser.[54][55] WSTM-TV in Syracuse has aired such content, including Epshteyn's segments, as part of Sinclair's broader distribution to nearly 200 stations reaching 40% of U.S. households.[55] In March 2018, Sinclair required anchors across its stations, including those at WSTM-TV's CNY Central operation, to read identical promotional scripts decrying "the troubling trend of irresponsible, one-sided news stories plaguing our country" and attributing it to bias in national media outlets.[47][56] The scripts, broadcast in dozens of markets, prompted backlash from viewers and journalists who viewed them as corporate-imposed messaging undermining local news credibility, with a compilation video by Deadspin amplifying the uniformity.[57] Syracuse-based anchor Michael Benny acknowledged the requirement but emphasized that local reporting remained independent, citing contractual obligations that made opting out financially prohibitive for staff.[56][58] Critics, including media watchdogs and programs like HBO's Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, have claimed these practices inject right-leaning bias into ostensibly local broadcasts, contrasting with the left-leaning tendencies observed in much of mainstream media and academia.[51][59] Sinclair executives, such as CEO Christopher Ripley, defended the segments as essential for countering "fake news" and providing underreported perspectives on issues like terrorism, arguing they enhance journalistic balance rather than impose ideology.[60][61] In Syracuse, where Sinclair stations hold about 67% of the news market share, such mandates have raised concerns over reduced viewpoint diversity, though proponents note they address empirical imbalances in national coverage favoring progressive narratives.[55]Local viewer and advertiser reactions
In response to the April 2018 airing of a Sinclair-mandated promotional script by WSTM-TV anchors, which warned against "fake news" and emphasized commitments to fair reporting, some local viewers contacted anchor Michael Benny to express their intent to stop watching the station.[56] Benny noted that such messages outnumbered supportive ones but were still limited in volume, with fewer instances of hostile social media comments directed at him personally.[56] He defended the script's core message as aligning with journalistic standards while clarifying that no prior corporate dictation of on-air content had occurred at the station.[56] Local on-air staff at CNY Central, including WSTM-TV, largely maintained silence publicly due to contractual constraints, such as liquidated damages clauses requiring repayment of up to 40% of annual compensation for early termination and non-compete provisions enforcing extended unemployment periods.[58] These barriers, which had led to legal actions against departing employees elsewhere, deterred resignations despite national scrutiny, including a segment by John Oliver critiquing Sinclair's practices at stations like WSTM-TV.[58][62] No measurable decline in viewership ratings for WSTM-TV was reported in the aftermath, and mixed social media feedback included both criticism and support for the anchors.[58] Advertiser reactions to the 2018 controversy were not documented locally for WSTM-TV, with no reports of withdrawals or revenue impacts specific to Syracuse. In September 2025, amid Sinclair's temporary refusal to air Jimmy Kimmel Live! on non-ABC affiliates like WSTM-TV—prompting criticism from Kimmel himself targeting the company's Syracuse stations—online forums such as Reddit featured calls from users for local businesses to boycott advertising on Sinclair properties including WSTM-TV and sister station WTVH.[63][64] However, Sinclair reversed the decision within days, resuming carriage without reported local ad pauses or quantifiable backlash.[65] National pauses by some advertisers on Sinclair stations occurred separately but lacked Syracuse-specific ties.[66]Technical information
Broadcast signal and coverage
WSTM-TV operates as a full-power television station broadcasting a digital signal on UHF channel 19 (500–506 MHz) with a virtual channel of 3 via PSIP.[67] The station's effective radiated power (ERP) is 150 kW, utilizing an elliptical polarization antenna mounted at a height above average terrain (HAAT) of 410 meters (1,345 feet).[68] Its transmitter is located in Sentinel Heights, Onondaga County, New York, at coordinates 42°56′42″N 76°7′6″W, on a shared tower facility.[68][69] The broadcast signal primarily covers the Syracuse designated market area (DMA), encompassing Onondaga, Oswego, Madison, and Cayuga counties, with over-the-air reception extending to portions of surrounding central New York regions depending on terrain and receiver quality.[70] This configuration supports high-definition NBC programming and subchannels for households using antennas within the primary contour, though signal strength may vary in areas south of Syracuse due to historical frequency shifts and topography.[71] The station's FCC facility ID is 21252, licensed for operation serving approximately 1.1 million potential viewers in the market.[70]Subchannels and multicast streams
WSTM-TV transmits three digital subchannels via multicast. The primary channel, 3.1, broadcasts NBC network programming in 1080i high definition.[72] Subchannel 3.2 carries The CW affiliation, locally branded as CW6, providing syndicated and network content targeted at younger audiences.[2] This subchannel assumed CW duties following the cessation of low-power station WSTQ-LP's operations in 2021. On 3.3, Comet TV airs science fiction, fantasy, and horror films and series, a network owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, WSTM-TV's parent company.[73][72]| Virtual Channel | Physical Channel | Short Name | Resolution | Aspect Ratio | Programming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | 19.1 | WSTM-HD | 1080i | 16:9 | NBC |
| 3.2 | 19.2 | WSTM-CW | 720p | 16:9 | The CW |
| 3.3 | 19.3 | WSTM-Comet | 480i | 16:9 | Comet |