WCJB-TV began operation on April 7, 1971, as an NBC affiliate. The first programming originated in Jacksonville, and it was sent by microwave from a station there to a relay site at Camp Blanding and from there to Gainesville for broadcast. In 1973, WCJB-TV became an ABC affiliate, which it has remained to this day. Diversified Communications, headquartered in Portland, Maine, purchased WCJB-TV on
October 12, 1976 and owned the station until 2017. WCJB-TV was purchased by Gray Television in February of 2017. The station first started broadcasting from a small building on NW 43rd Street, north of the city of Gainesville. At the time NW 43rd was a dirt road and the station was "out in the country." The road, now a major artery, was not paved until 1979. The station's first studio cameras did not have camera operators, they were remotely controlled. Commercials consisted of 16mm film and 35mm color slides. Any 16mm film shot for the newscasts had to be at the station by 2:00 PM so it could be taken to Jernigans to be processed. It was picked up at 3:45 PM, brought back to the station and edited for air. WCJB just celebrated it's 40th year on air and continues to be the only locally produced newscast in the market. We are proud to support and sponsor many local charities and events throughout the market while also bringing you the most current and breaking news. Contact:
352.416.0601, [email protected] (Front Office)
352.416.0615, [email protected] (News Department)
352.416.0604 (Sales)
352.416.0641, [email protected] (Public Service)
