Websites using Wdbj7

Let s break down WDBJ7, the CBS affiliate serving the Roanoke/Lynchburg, Virginia area, covering the points you re interested in.

WDBJ7 Overview

• What it is: WDBJ7 is a local television station broadcasting in the Roanoke-Lynchburg-Danville television market (DMA #70 as of 2024, though DMA rankings can fluctuate). It is affiliated with the CBS television network, meaning it primarily airs CBS network programming, but also produces its own local news, weather, sports, and community content.
• Coverage Area: Primarily serves Southwest and Central Virginia, including cities like Roanoke, Lynchburg, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Martinsville, Danville, and surrounding areas.
• Key Content:
  • Local News: This is a cornerstone of WDBJ7. They have multiple daily newscasts, covering local events, politics, crime, human interest stories, and community news. 7 News is their primary news brand.
  • Weather: 7 Warn Weather is their weather brand, providing forecasts, severe weather coverage, and weather-related information for the region. Weather is a critical focus for local news, especially in areas prone to varying weather conditions.
  • Sports: 7 Sports covers local high school, college (especially Virginia Tech Hokies, given their proximity), and some professional sports news relevant to their audience.
  • CBS Network Programming: They air popular CBS shows like primetime dramas, comedies, reality shows, news programs like CBS Mornings and CBS Evening News, and sporting events broadcast by CBS (including NFL games, college sports, etc.).
  • Syndicated Programming: Like most local stations, they also air syndicated programs (reruns of popular shows, talk shows, etc.) to fill out their broadcast schedule outside of news and network programming.
• Ownership: WDBJ7 is owned by Gray Television, a large publicly traded media company that owns and operates many television stations across the United States. Being part of a larger group can provide resources and support but also means decisions are often made at a corporate level.
• Website and Digital Presence: WDBJ7 has a robust website (wdbj7.com) and a mobile app. These platforms offer:
  • Livestreaming: Often provides livestreams of their newscasts and sometimes other local programming.
  • News Articles: Written versions of news stories, often with more detail and multimedia elements than what s on TV.
  • Weather Information: Interactive radars, forecasts, and weather alerts.
  • Video Clips: Segments from their newscasts and other local content.
  • Advertising: Digital advertising is a key revenue stream for their online presence.
  • Social Media: Active on platforms like Facebook, Twitter (X), and Instagram to share news updates, interact with viewers, and drive traffic to their website.

Revenue

• Sources of Revenue: Local television stations like WDBJ7 primarily generate revenue from two main sources:
  • Advertising: The largest source. They sell advertising time during their newscasts, network programming, syndicated shows, and on their website and digital platforms. Advertisers can be local businesses, regional companies, and national brands. Ad rates vary based on viewership, time of day, program popularity, and the target audience.
  • Retransmission Fees: Cable and satellite TV providers (like Comcast, Cox, DirecTV, DISH) pay retransmission fees to local stations like WDBJ7 to carry their signal. This is a significant and growing revenue stream for local broadcasters. These fees are negotiated between Gray Television (on behalf of WDBJ7) and the providers.
• Specific Revenue Figures: It s very difficult to find precise revenue figures specifically for WDBJ7. Local TV station revenue is not typically broken down and publicly reported station by station, especially when owned by a larger company like Gray Television. Gray Television reports its overall financial performance as a company, but not the individual station revenue.
• General Industry Trends: The local TV advertising market can be cyclical and influenced by economic conditions. Digital advertising is increasingly important. Retransmission revenue has been a strong growth area, but there are ongoing negotiations and sometimes disputes with cable/satellite companies over these fees.

Alternatives (Competitors)

In the Roanoke-Lynchburg television market, WDBJ7 s primary competitors are other local television stations, primarily the affiliates of the other major networks:

• WSET-TV (ABC 13): Affiliated with ABC, owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group. A direct competitor in local news, weather, and sports.
• WFXR (Fox 21/27): Affiliated with Fox, owned by Nexstar Media Group. Competes in local news, especially with their primetime news.
• WDBJ7 and these other stations are the main sources of local television news in the market.

Other alternatives for news and information in the region, though not direct TV station competitors in the same way, include:

• Newspapers: The Roanoke Times is the main daily newspaper serving the region. They have a website with news content.
• Online News Outlets: Various local news websites and blogs.
• Radio Stations: Local radio stations provide news, weather, and traffic updates.
• National News Networks: CNN, MSNBC, Fox News (cable news), and the broadcast network news divisions (CBS News, ABC News, NBC News) are alternatives for national and international news, but less so for hyperlocal coverage.

Pricing

• Pricing for Viewers: Generally, watching WDBJ7 is free over-the-air if you use an antenna. If you subscribe to cable or satellite TV, you are essentially paying for a bundle of channels that includes WDBJ7. You don t pay WDBJ7 directly for viewing their broadcast signal.
• Pricing for Advertising: This is where pricing is relevant to WDBJ7 s revenue. Advertising costs on WDBJ7 are variable and negotiated with their sales team. Factors influencing advertising rates include:
  • Time Slot/Daypart: Primetime news and popular programming slots cost more.
  • Program Popularity/Viewership: Higher-rated programs command higher ad rates.
  • Ad Length: 15-second, 30-second, 60-second spots have different prices.
  • Frequency/Package Deals: Buying more ads or committing to longer campaigns can often lead to discounted rates.
  • Target Audience: The demographics of the viewers for a particular program can influence pricing.
• To get specific advertising pricing from WDBJ7, businesses need to contact their advertising/sales department directly. You can usually find contact information for advertising on their website (often under a section like Advertise With Us or Marketing Solutions ).

Customer Care Details

• Website Contact Form: The WDBJ7 website (wdbj7.com) usually has a Contact Us section or form. This is a general way to send inquiries, feedback, or news tips.
• Phone Numbers: They will have phone numbers for the newsroom, general inquiries, and sometimes specific departments (like advertising). These are usually listed on their website s Contact Us page.
• Email Addresses: Less commonly provided directly for general customer service, but you might find email addresses for specific reporters, news directors, or departments on their website. Using the website contact form is often preferred.
• Social Media: You can often contact them or send messages through their social media channels (Facebook, Twitter/X). This is sometimes used for quick questions or feedback, but for more formal inquiries, the website or phone is better.
• Mailing Address: Their physical address is typically listed on their website for sending mail or packages.

To find the most up-to-date customer care details, the best place to look is the official WDBJ7 website (wdbj7.com) and navigate to their Contact Us or similar section.

In Summary:

WDBJ7 is a vital local news and information source for Southwest and Central Virginia. It operates like most local TV stations, generating revenue from advertising and retransmission fees. While specific financial details aren t public, its financial health is tied to the overall performance of Gray Television and the local advertising market. It competes with other local TV stations and various online and print news sources. For viewers, watching over-the-air is free, while advertising pricing is negotiated directly with their sales team. Customer care is typically handled through their website, phone, and social media channels.