WSAV

Launched on a chilly February day in 1956, WSAV-TV first flickered to life, broadcasting from a transmitter perched atop a Broughton Street bank. That flashing WSAV sign became a Savannah landmark, a beacon in the heart of downtown. WSAV-TV, channel 3, was co-owned with its radio counterpart, WSAV 630 AM, and carried the prestigious NBC affiliation, a natural progression from the radio station’s long association with NBC Radio programming. WSAV-TV wasn’t content with just one network though. From its inception, it shared ABC programming with WTOC-TV, channel 11, continuing this partnership until WJCL-TV arrived on the scene in 1970 as a dedicated ABC affiliate. And for a brief, almost forgotten period, WSAV-TV even flirted with the NTA Film Network, adding another layer to its early broadcasting history. WSAV’s reach extended beyond television. They briefly ventured into the FM radio landscape, simulcasting programming from an antenna nestled among the AM towers on Oatland Island. However, without a significant audience, the FM experiment faded into the static of the past. In 1960, WSAV-AM-TV moved into a brand new facility on Victory Drive, the very location where WSAV-TV continues to operate today. A new tower rose, amplifying the station’s signal across the region, reaching into Georgia and South Carolina. The current tower, near Pooler, was constructed in 1976, marking a significant technological advancement. That same year, the WSAV stations parted ways, with WSAV-TV coming under the ownership of the News-Press & Gazette Company. Then, in 1982, a surprising switch occurred. WSAV-TV swapped affiliations with WJCL, becoming an ABC affiliate. ABC, then the top-rated network, sought stronger stations to carry its programming. However, the partnership was short-lived. By 1985, WSAV-TV, along with several other ABC affiliates, grew disillusioned with the network’s primetime offerings. The network’s programming struggled, particularly on Thursday nights, impacting WSAV-TV’s previously strong lineup. So, in 1985, WSAV-TV returned to the NBC fold, just a year before NBC reclaimed its position as the number one network. One of the more colorful chapters in WSAV-TV’s history involved a unique character known as Captain Sandy. From the 1950s to the 1970s, Captain Sandy blended weather forecasting with children’s entertainment. He presented the weather alongside his puppet companions: Wilbur the Weather Bird, Arthur Mometer, and Calamity Clam. Dressed in a nautical cap and blazer, a nod to Savannah’s coastal identity, Captain Sandy delivered forecasts filled with quirky humor. Arthur Mometer would fidget dramatically before revealing the temperatures, while Calamity Clam, residing in Davy Jones’ Locker, would playfully nip at the Captain’s hand during the tide report. However, by the late 1970s, new ownership sought a more serious tone for news broadcasts. Captain Sandy traded his nautical attire for a suit and tie, and the puppets were retired, marking the end of an era.