WHNT

Station Profile

WHNT News 19 is the CBS affiliate in market #79, serving 11 counties in the northern part of Alabama into Tennessee. We produce over 37 hours of local news weekly.

The station positions itself as the news leader by telling impactful stories respectfully and effectively, focusing on the needs of the community. The Great Diaper Drive protects our most vulnerable community members, while the Distracted Driving Project promotes assertive passenger roles to curb dangerous driving. Disaster relief telethons and Fugitive Finder actions lines with local law enforcement create measurable local impact. Tools for Teachers awards classroom funds weekly. On-air talent devotes serious time and energy to causes like “Swim for Melissa” which benefits the Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children’s Regional Neonatal ICU through the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund, and “Castin’ N Catchin’” which benefits the Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center at Children’s of Alabama.

Investigative initiatives go beyond feel-good stories to must-hear reporting, while long-form documentaries devote deserving time to tough topics. Some recent examples: “A Rescue Mission” took viewers into the year-long addiction treatment program of the Downtown Rescue Mission; “#Virtues” delved into social media responsibility and online bullying; “SPEAK UP” took on teen suicide and promoted an app to help loved ones know what to say to someone suffering depression. Our newly launched podcast Apollo 11 Legacies features those who were directly involved or have a personal connection to the Apollo 11 mission which took us to the moon.

In 2019, WHNT earned 16 broadcast honors including Outstanding News Operation. In fact, WHNT has a long legacy of outstanding reporting. We’ve been repeatedly recognized by the Alabama Broadcasters Association, been twice named Station of the Year, and received multiple Emmy and regional Edward R. Murrow awards. Together, these things reflect the station’s dedication to serve and excel.

Market Profile

Huntsville, AL is in the 81st largest DMA in the United States, with a population of approximately 934,681 and 423,570 television households, as reported by Nielsen Media.

Cable/ADS penetration in the market is estimated to be 49.0% wired, 43.1% ADS. Forbes named Huntsville, AL as one of the top 10 Smartest Cities in the World. fDi Magazine named Huntsville as one of the Top 5 Small Cities of North and South America. Huntsville was #1 on Livability.com’s most affordable cities list. Source is livability.com, 2016. With its arts, entertainment, outdoor festivities and business technology reputation, it is a great city to live and raise your family.