The FCC selected Holt-Robinson in early 1982 for the channel 40 license and obtained theNBC affiliation for the Tallahassee market. The company planned a January 30 launch date for the station to coincide with NBC's broadcast ofSuper Bowl XVII (due to the delays regarding channel 40's launch it was ultimately carried on NBC's existing Florida affiliates via cable in that area). However, the plan was dashed during construction of the station's tower. The station finally made its debut on April 21, 1983 using an temporary antenna. Previously cable providers relied on eitherWALB (channel 10) from Albany orWJHG-TV (channel 7) from Panama City for NBC programming.
1986–1996[]
In August 1991,Paramount Domestic Television sued Holt-Robinson for broadcastingCheers after having the rights revoked for nonpayment. Due to this, Holt-Robinson filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In 1993, Holt-Robinson was placed onto receivership. In 1994, Soundview Media Investments planned to purchase channel 40 and WHHY-AM-FM in Montgomery. After Soundview's bid failed to close,Guy Gannett Communications purchased channel 40 in 1996.
1Owned by Tennessee Broadcasting and operated by Sinclair under an outsourcing agreement. 2Nominally owned byCunningham Broadcasting and operated by Sinclair under anLMA. However, trusts belonging to members of Sinclair's founding Smith family control almost all of Cunningham's stock. 3Operated byNexstar Media Group under anLMA. 4Owned by Second Generation of Iowa, Ltd. and operated by Sinclair under aLMA. 5Owned by Manhan Media and managed by Sinclair. 6Owned byHoward Stirk Holdings, operated by Sinclair under anLMA. 7Owned by Mercury Broadcasting Company and operated by Sinclair. 8Owned byDeerfield Media and operated by Sinclair under anLMA. 9Owned by Roberts Media, but operated by Sinclair. 10Owned by Mitts Telecasting and operated by Sinclair. 11Owned by GOCOM Media and operated by Sinclair. 12Owned by Waitt Broadcasting, but operated by Sinclair under anSSA. 13Owned byGranite Broadcasting Corporation and operated by Sinclair through aJSA andSSA. 14Owned byNew Age Media and operated by Sinclair under anMSA. 15Owned by MPS Media, but operated by New Age Media under anLMA. 16Owned by Main Street Sports Group 17Co-owned with Yankee Global Enterprises,The Blackstone Group,Amazon, RedBird Capital andMubadala Investment Company. 18Co-owned withChicago Cubs. 19Owned by Sinclair and operated byJukin Media. 20Owned by Palm Television, L.P. and operated by Cunningham Broadcasting under anLMA. 21Operated byMarquee Broadcasting under anSSA.