NBC Affiliate WRGX Launches in Dothan, Ala.

'Wiregrass' market gets 'The Voice,' 'Sunday Night Football,' local news

By Michael Malone -- Broadcasting & Cable, 6/4/2013 11:08:43 AM

Dothan, Ala., got its first NBC affiliate June 1, as WRGX went live. DMA No. 169 previously got NBC programming from neighboring markets, said Mike Smith, vice president and general manager of new WRGX and Gray Television sister WTVY.

"Viewers in this area have never had their own NBC affiliate. NBC programming was brought in from outside markets in Panama City and Montgomery," said Smith.

WRGX will operate out of the WTVY studios. WTVY, a CBS affiliate, is a major market leader. Both are owned by Gray.

The market is known as "the Wiregrass."

WRGX airs 5:30 p.m. news, which news director Kim Allen said is the market's only one in that slot.

WRGX is available over the air on digital channels 23.1 and 4.4, and will begin showing up on local cable systems and satellite systems shortly, said WRGX management.