WTVO

WTVO is the ABC-affiliated television station for Northern Illinois licensed to Rockford. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 16 (or virtual channel 17.1 via PSIP) from a transmitter at its studios on North Meridian Road/IL 24 in Rockford. The station can also be seen on Comcast channel 4 and in high definition on digital channel 908. Owned by Mission Broadcasting, WTVO is operated through joint sales and shared services agreements by the Nexstar Broadcasting Group. This makes it a sister outlet to Fox affiliate WQRF-TV and the two stations share studios.

History

The station signed-on May 3, 1953 as the market's first television outlet and is the oldest continuously operating UHF station in the northern portion of Illinois. Originally airing an analog signal on UHF channel 39 but moved to channel 17 in 1967. Interestingly, WQRF has operated from channel 39 since first signed-on in November 1978. WTVO was originally a primary NBC affiliate and shared secondary ABC status with WREX-TV.