Hey there! Do you live in the Tri-Cities area? You know, places like Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol. If you do, you’ve probably seen WJHL news on TV. It’s that station that tells you what’s going on right now, like weather or fun events. Today, let’s chat about WJHL like old friends. I’ll tell you its story, how it works, and tips to stay in the know. Think of it as your easy guide to local news.
Key Takeaways
- WJHL has served Tri-Cities for over 70 years with reliable local news.
- It offers dual CBS/ABC channels for more shows and updates.
- The station won awards for investigative work and community help.
- Use their app for real-time alerts on weather and events.
- Compared to rivals like WCYB, WJHL leads in ratings and digital access.
WJHL News Guide
What Is WJHL News?
WJHL news is a TV station in Johnson City, Tennessee. It brings news, weather, and sports to folks in the Tri-Cities area. That means Tennessee and Virginia spots like Bristol and Kingsport too.
Picture this: You’re at home, and a storm is coming. WJHL tells you if it’s safe to go out. They cover local stuff, not just big world news. Owned by Nexstar Media Group, it’s like a friend keeping you updated.
The good part? It’s free on TV, and they have an app. No need to pay extra. Folks love it because it’s close to home. Unlike far-away channels, WJHL knows our towns well.
WJHL History Facts
WJHL started way back on October 27, 1953. That’s over 70 years ago! A family called the Lancasters made it happen. Hanes Lancaster Jr. pushed hard for a TV station when few people had TVs.
Here’s a fun story: Before they went on air, their big tower fell down! It was 550 feet tall and crashed just inches from the gear. Only two people got hurt a little. They fixed it quick and started anyway.
They moved the tower a few times to reach more homes. From Tannery Knob to Buffalo Mountain, then Holston Mountain. Now it’s super high at over 2,000 feet. That helps signals go far into Virginia and North Carolina.
In 1964, they sold to Roy H. Park. Later, Media General took over in 1997, and now Nexstar runs it. Many workers stay for years, like 30 or more. That’s rare! It shows they care about the job.
Did you know? At first, they showed CBS, NBC, ABC, and even DuMont. But CBS was always the main one, like their radio station.
WJHL Affiliations
WJHL is mainly CBS, but has ABC on a second channel. That’s called WJHL-DT2 or ABC Tri-Cities. They added ABC in 2016 after WKPT stopped it.
Back in the day, they shared ABC with WCYB until 1969. WCYB is NBC now, our neighbor station in Bristol. Compared to WCYB, WJHL has both CBS and ABC, so more shows like football games or soaps.
Imagine wanting to watch a big ABC show. With WJHL, you don’t switch stations. It’s all in one place. They used to have NBC and DuMont too, but those went away.
This setup helps during big events. Like Hurricane Helene recovery last year. WJHL covered it on both channels, giving more info to help people.
WJHL News Operation
WJHL runs news from studios on East Main Street in Johnson City. They have extra spots in Kingsport, Bristol, and Greeneville. That way, they catch stories fast.
They do about 48 hours of local news each week. That’s a lot! Shows start early at 4:30 a.m. and go to 11 p.m. They went HD in 2010, so pictures look sharp.
Think about the Helene flood. WJHL was there, showing how to get help. They talked to folks who lost homes and shared tips on rebuilding. In October 2025, they’re marking one year with positive stories, like recovery events in Unicoi County.
Their team includes anchors like Karen Jenkins and weather folks. They win awards for deep stories. Compared to WATE in Knoxville, WJHL focuses more on our small towns.
Tips: Watch at 6 p.m. for local updates. If you miss it, check online replays.
WJHL Digital Presence
WJHL isn’t just TV. They have a website at wjhl.com full of stories. You can read news anytime.
Their app is great for phones. Download it from app stores. It sends alerts for bad weather or breaking news. Like, if a fire happens in Pigeon Forge, you know right away.
On social media, follow @WJHL11 on X. They post quick updates, like the recent Kingsport State of the City talk. Or Halloween fun in the area.
Compared to WCYB’s app, WJHL’s has better radar maps. Stats show over 4K good reviews on Google Play. Tip: Turn on notifications but not too many, or your phone buzzes a lot!
WJHL Community Role
WJHL helps our towns a bunch. They join events like school supply giveaways. In 2025, they’re big on Helene recovery, sharing stories of hope.
Picture a kid needing help with mental health. WJHL covered the new Frontier Health spot in Kingsport for teens. They tell us about festivals too, like Southern Gap Elk Fest or Trick or Treat on the Street.
Trends now? Homelessness reports and election news. WJHL leads ratings since 2008, per stats. That’s because they know us. Unlike national news, they focus on our issues, like Morristown market rules.
Tip: Join their contests on the site. You might win prizes!
WJHL Awards
WJHL wins lots of prizes for good work. They got Edward R. Murrow awards for investigations. That’s like a gold star for TV news.
They also won Best Website from Tennessee Associated Press. For community help, like during floods, they get nods too.
Compared to WKPT, which has less news now, WJHL shines. Their credibility is high, as per reviews. Fact: They beat WCYB in late news ratings after 30 years.
This shows they tell true stories. Tip: Trust their reports, but check facts if needed.
How to Access WJHL
WJHL is on channel 11. CBS on 11.1, ABC on 11.2. Use antenna or cable.
For mobile, get the app. It has videos and saves stories. Schedule: Mornings from 5 a.m., noon, 5-6:30 p.m., 11 p.m.
Live stream on website. During events like ETSU football wins, watch online.
Tip: If power’s out, use phone data. Compared to radio, TV shows pictures.
Stay updated by visiting wjhl.com or downloading the app today.
FAQs
What channel is WJHL on?
WJHL broadcasts on VHF channel 11 in the Tri-Cities area. The main CBS feed is on 11.1, while ABC is on 11.2. Depending on your cable provider, it might be different, so check your local listings or use an over-the-air antenna for free access. This setup covers Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, and nearby spots in Tennessee and Virginia.
How to watch WJHL live?
You can stream WJHL live on their website wjhl.com or through the mobile app. Newscasts run from 4:30 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, with weekends varying. For cable users, tune to channel 11. If you’re out of area, some services like YouTube TV carry it. Always enable alerts for breaking news like weather warnings.
Who owns WJHL TV?
Nexstar Media Group owns WJHL since 2017, after buying Media General. They’re a big company with many local stations across the US. This ownership helps with better tech and more resources for news. Before that, it was Park Communications for decades. Nexstar focuses on community stories.
What area does WJHL cover?
WJHL serves the Tri-Cities region, including Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol in Tennessee and Virginia. It reaches into parts of North Carolina too. Their signal from Holston Mountain covers rural spots well. They have bureaus in multiple towns for local focus, unlike bigger city stations.
Does WJHL have an app?
Yes, the WJHL News Channel 11 app is free on iOS and Android. It offers live video, weather radar, and story saves. Users rate it 4.7 stars for easy use during events like Helene recovery. Download it for alerts on crime or sports. It’s better than just the website for on-the-go updates.
When did WJHL start?
WJHL first aired on October 27, 1953, as a CBS affiliate founded by the Lancaster family. Despite a tower collapse before launch, they went on air. Over 70 years, they’ve grown with tech like HD in 2010. Their history includes affiliations with multiple networks early on.
