WSHM-LP

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WSHM-LP
Springfield - Holyoke, Massachusetts
Branding	CBS 3 Springfield
Slogan	Springfield's New Choice For Local News
Channels	67 (UHF) analog, WFSB-DT 3.2 (UHF) digital
Affiliations	CBS
Owner	Meredith Corporation
Founded	1988 (as TBN affiliate) 2004 (as WSHM-LP)
Call letters meaning	Springfield / Holyoke, Massachusetts
Former callsigns	W42AU (1988-1994) W67DF (1994-2003)
Former affiliations	TBN (1988-2003)
Website	cbs3springfield.com

WSHM-LP is the low-powered CBS affiliate for the Springfield - Holyoke, Massachusetts television market. It is owned by Meredith Corporation and has studios at One Monarch Place in Downtown Springfield. Master control of WSHM-LP is located at the studios of its sister station WFSB. Based in Hartford, WFSB serves as the CBS affiliate for the state of Connecticut except Fairfield County. WSHM broadcasts an analog signal on UHF channel 67 from a transmitter located on Mount Tom in Holyoke along with WGGB and WGBY. WFXQ-CA, the newest television station in the market, has its transmitter located further down the ridge at the top of the old ski area. WSHM is known on-air as "CBS 3 Springfield".

Although the station does not broadcast a digital signal of its own, WSHM is offered on WFSB's DT2 digital subchannel. This arrangement is a result of the station not being able to deliver its low-powered signal from Hartford to the Mount Tom transmitter site via microwave. This alternate method of signal delivery was chosen to take advantage of WFSB's high powered digital signal. There was an application filed with the FCC that called for WSHM to launch its own low-power digital station on channel 49 but was dismissed in June of 2006. A previous application to move its analog signal to channel 45 was dismissed in 2004 at WSHM's request. [1] Recently, WSHM had a digital construction permit to build and use channel 41 from a transmitter located on the nearby WHYN-FM tower. [2] However, it was rescinded by the FCC. [3]

On most cable systems in the market, the station is seen on channel 3 as well as DirecTV satellite service. According to the station's website, an upgrade to a stronger digital signal is planned for mid-2007.

Contents 1 History 2 Operations 2.1 Newscasts 2.2 News Team 2.3 Administration 3 Logos 4 External Links

[edit] History

WSHM began its life as W42AU on channel 42, a low-power station and part of religious broadcaster Trinity Broadcasting's nationwide network. In 1994, it moved to channel 67 and was re-named W67DF. TBN sold the station to Meredith in 2003. At that point, WFSB was looking at setting up a separate Springfield operation, for reasons ranging from advertising to complaints from New England Patriots fans in weeks when WFSB chose to air other AFC games instead. At the start of 2004, the channel was re-named to the current WSHM-LP and the channel took WFSB's spot on most Massachusetts cable systems.

Prior to WSHM's launch, WFSB had a long legacy (dating back to 1965 when WHYN-TV, today's WGGB, ended its secondary affiliation with CBS) of being the default CBS affiliate in the Springfield market. WFSB bought syndicated programming for the Hartford / New Haven and Springfield / Holyoke markets. It also blocked attempts by WGGB to switch affiliation from ABC to CBS.

The WHYN call letters now belong to a pair Springfield area radio stations, which partner with WSHM for winter weather storm closings.

[edit] Operations

Though identifying as a station in its own right, WSHM is considered a semi-satellite of WFSB. It has most of its internal operations run alongside WFSB, and clears all of WFSB's syndicated programming (although it has some shows not seen on that station). However, WSHM did not simulcast WFSB's newscasts, and aired alternate programming during those time periods instead.

In October of 2005, WSHM began airing local news from its studios. During its newscasts, WSHM uses WFSB's weather radar known as "Early Warning Pinpoint Doppler" but is rebranded as "Live Doppler" for use on WSHM. The radar is located at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, which offers an even coverage area for the two stations.

In August of 2006, WSHM redesigned its website and changed their logo from one resembling sister station KPHO, to a logo resembling (unrelated to) CBS affiliate KYW.

WBZ-TV, the CBS affiliate for Boston, shares its resources with WSHM for news coverage of Eastern Massachusetts.

[edit] Newscasts

Weekdays and Saturdays

• CBS 3 Springfield News at 6 (6 to 6:30 PM)
• CBS 3 Springfield News at 11 (11 to 11:35 PM)

Sundays

• CBS 3 Springfield News at 6:30 (6:30 to 7 PM)
• CBS 3 Springfield News at 11 (11 to 11:35 PM)

[edit] News Team

• Doug Lezette, News Director and Weekday Co-Anchor
• Jennifer Thome, Weekday Co-Anchor
• Brandon Butcher, Chief Meteorologist seen weeknights
• Scott Harris, Sports Director seen weeknights
• Liz Tufts, Weekend Anchor and General Assignment Reporter
• Jeremy Schmidt, Weekend Meteorologist
• Jonathan Selig, Weekend Sports Anchor
• Anne Ebeling, General Assignment Reporter
• Amanda Raus, General Assignment Reporter
• Lesley Tanner, General Assignment Reporter
• Matthew Campbell, General Assignment Reporter
• Tom Bevacqua, Fill In Meteorologist

[edit] Administration

• John Hesslein, Station Manager
• Rob Montesi, Sales Manager
• Ryan Winiarski, Promotions Manager
• Lori LeBlanc, Business Manager
• Klarn DePlama, Vice President and General Manager

[edit] Logos

WSHM's first logo, used from 2003 to August of 2006. It is very similar to the logo for sister station KPHO.

Current WSHM logo, used since August of 2006. Logo is similar to KYW.

[edit] External Links

• Station Website
• WFSB Website
• CBS Website
• Query the FCC's TV station database for WSHM-LP