WUSA History: The Evolution of Washington D.C.'s Longest-Tenured CBS Affiliate
Since its inception in the mid-20th century, WUSA (Channel 9) has served as a cornerstone of broadcasting in the nation's capital. As the longest-tenured CBS affiliate in the United States, the station has evolved through multiple call sign changes, ownership shifts, and technological milestones, reflecting the broader history of American media.
Early Years: From WOIC to WTOP-TV (1949–1978)
The station first signed on the air as WOIC on January 11, 1949, beginning full-time operations five days later. Originally owned by the Bamberger Broadcasting Service (a subsidiary of R. H. Macy and Company), it was the fourth-oldest station in Washington, D.C. Just nine days after its launch, WOIC broadcast the first televised American presidential inaugural address by President Harry S. Truman.
While WOIC began as a CBS affiliate, its owners initially explored other ventures. Bamberger was a shareholder in the Mutual Radio Network, which attempted to launch a five-station Mutual Television Network in 1950 covering major cities including New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. However, this venture failed shortly after its announcement.
In June 1950, a joint venture between CBS and The Washington Post purchased the station for $1.4 million. The new entity, WTOP Incorporated, renamed the station WTOP-TV. This era marked a significant technological leap in July 1950, when WTOP-TV became the first station in Washington authorized to broadcast color television using the 405-line field sequential color standard. This system was eventually replaced by the 525-line NTSC-3 standard developed by RCA to ensure backward compatibility with black-and-white sets.
In 1954, the station moved to "Broadcast House" at 40th and Brandywine Streets NW, the first facility in the U.S. designed as a unified radio and television center. The building was inspired by the BBC's Broadcasting House in London. The site was famous for its four-sided tower, which was decorated with Christmas lights atop Fort Reno Park, though it was also known to sway significantly during strong winds.
By October 1954, CBS sold its stake in WTOP Inc. to the Washington Post to comply with FCC ownership limits. The Post subsequently merged the station into "Post Stations, Inc." (later Post-Newsweek Stations). In 1972, WTOP-TV partnered with the Evening Star Broadcasting Company to construct the 1,040-foot Joint Tower on Chesapeake Street NW.
During the 1970s, the station adopted the slogan "The One and Only," a branding trend used across Post-Newsweek stations that remained a point of pride for staff until the late 1990s.
Transition to WDVM and WUSA (1978–Present)
A major shift occurred on June 26, 1978, when Post-Newsweek exchanged WTOP-TV for WWJ-TV in Detroit to avoid potential FCC conflicts regarding simultaneous newspaper and broadcast ownership in a single market. Because the Post retained WTOP radio, the television station changed its call sign to WDVM-TV, representing the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland.
In 1985, the Gannett Company acquired the station. On Independence Day 1986, the call sign was changed to WUSA. For a period, the station used a stylized "W★USA" logo in print, though the star was not part of the official call sign. By 1998, the station integrated the CBS Eye Device into its on-air branding.
WUSA relocated to a new Broadcast House at 4100 Wisconsin Avenue NW in January 1992. The transition was marked by the loss of popular sportscaster Glenn Brenner, who passed away shortly before the move.
The station made headlines in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. WUSA chose to preempt CBS national coverage to provide localized reporting on the Pentagon impact and the subsequent exodus from the District. This decision drew criticism from some, including Washington Post critic Tom Shales, who argued the station treated a national tragedy as a local news event.
In 2015, Gannett split into two companies, and WUSA became part of Tegna. More recently, Nexstar Media Group announced the acquisition of Tegna in August 2025, a deal completed on March 19, 2026. However, a preliminary injunction from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California has currently prevented the full integration of WUSA with Nexstar's other Washington licenses, WDVM and WDCW.
Key Facts
- Longest Tenure: WUSA is the longest-tenured CBS affiliate in the United States.
- Firsts: It was the first Washington station to broadcast color television (1950).
- Call Sign Evolution: WOIC → WTOP-TV → WDVM-TV → WUSA.
- Historic Facility: The original Broadcast House was the first unified radio/TV facility in the U.S.
- Ownership: Has been owned by Bamberger Broadcasting, The Washington Post Company, Gannett, Tegna, and most recently Nexstar Media Group.
| Period | Call Sign | Primary Owner | Key Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1949–1950 | WOIC | Bamberger Broadcasting | First televised presidential inaugural address |
| 1950–1978 | WTOP-TV | WTOP Inc. / Post-Newsweek | First color broadcasts in DC; move to Broadcast House |
| 1978–1986 | WDVM-TV | Evening News Association / Gannett | Station swap with Detroit's WWJ-TV |
| 1986–Present | WUSA | Gannett / Tegna / Nexstar | Move to Wisconsin Ave; digital transition |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the station change its name from WTOP-TV to WDVM-TV?
The change occurred in 1978 after Post-Newsweek swapped the station for one in Detroit. Because the Post still owned WTOP radio, FCC rules at the time prohibited two different owners from using the same base call letters in the same market.
What was the significance of the original Broadcast House?
Completed in 1954, it was the first facility in the United States designed specifically to house both radio and television operations in one unified building.
Why was WUSA's coverage of September 11, 2001, controversial?
WUSA decided to preempt the CBS national feed to provide local coverage of the Pentagon attacks and city-wide closures. Some critics felt the station over-localized a national event, resulting in a "CBS blackout" for local viewers.
Who currently owns WUSA?
WUSA is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which acquired Tegna in a deal completed in March 2026, although legal injunctions have affected the integration of certain licenses.
What does the call sign WDVM have stood for?
WDVM represented the initials of the geographic areas the station serves: the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland.