Here in Grand Rapids, we have a few choices for local news.
We have three stations based in town: WOOD-TV 8 (NBC), WZZM-13 (ABC) and WXMI Fox 17. WWMT-3 (CBS) is out of Kalamazoo, 50 miles south of town.
Grand Rapids is unique in the fact that we have not one, but TWO(!!!) ABC affiliates. Along with WZZM-13, there's WOTV 41 out of Battle Creek.
So, why does west Michigan have two ABCs? Well, it's kinda complicated. During television's early years, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo were their own TV markets. Both 3 and 8 carried all the networks, though 8 favored NBC while 3 was mostly CBS. By the late 50s, it was proven that being so close together, the two stations could benefit each other and better serve the local viewing audience by competing. They both moved to new and more-powerful transmitter sites between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. As a result, 3 went with CBS while 8 went with NBC, though both shared certain ABC shows.
By the early 60s, ABC had only two full-time affiliates in Detroit and Flint. Being Michigan's second-largest TV market, they definitely wanted a station in Grand Rapids. But, being too close to neighboring markets like Chicago and Detroit didn't help. The only option at the time was UHF, but not many TV sets had the capability. But a group of Grand Rapids investors had an idea.
The owner of channel 3 (then known as WKZO-TV), John Fetzer also owned WWTV channel 13, a duo CBS/ABC station out of Cadillac and Traverse City. Along with the FCC's blessing, WWTV moved to channel 9 in 1961, paving the way for a channel 13 in Grand Rapids. One small problem though: WSPD-TV 13 in Toledo. Out of fear of interference, WZZM-13 played it safe and chose to transmit from a facility in Grant, some 30 miles north of Grand Rapids. Kalamazoo viewers did get a low-powered translator that broadcasted on channel 12. WZZM-13 signed on in 1962 from the Pantlind Hotel in Grand Rapids and almost immediately became a ratings smash despite their signal shortcomings.
In 1964, the FCC ordered all new TV sets to have UHF capabilities, making it easier for more TV stations to sign on and eliminating stations from having to cherry-pick from multiple networks. Another group of investors applied for a station at channel 41 in Battle Creek in 1971. Broadcasting from an old air force base, the call letters WUHQ ("Where yoUr HeadQuarters") were chosen and for the first time ever, the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek area had a full-time ABC affiliate.
However, 41 has never been a successful station and mostly serves as a pass-through for ABC in the area. In 1990, WZZM tried to buy 41, but WOOD-TV's owner, LIN Television outbid them and it created a duopoly. WUHQ was renamed WOTV (WOOD-TV's call sign from 1972-1992) and even attempted a local newscast, but that failed.
Today, WOTV simulcasts WOOD-TV's newscasts, which features stories from the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo areas. Now, here's the funny thing: I use an antenna to get my local channels. I live just a few miles south of Grand Rapids and 41 comes in clear as a bell. As for 13, their signal here is nonexistent. Then again, 1) my antenna is pointing south and WZZM-13 is north of here, and 2) WZZM-13 is a little further away. No huge loss since Juliet Dragos irritates me.