WBUF-TV

WBUF-TV

Company type	Television broadcaster (defunct)
Industry	Broadcasting
Founded	1953-08-17
Defunct	1958-10-01
Headquarters	Buffalo, New York , United States
Products	Television broadcasting

WBUF-TV operated as a UHF television broadcaster on channel 17 in Buffalo, New York, with its initial transmission period spanning from August 17, 1953, until February 1955, and resuming from March 1955 through October 1, 1958.

As one of the pioneering UHF stations in Buffalo, WBUF-TV encountered the common obstacles associated with UHF broadcasting at the time—namely, challenges in signal coverage and reception that were less problematic for VHF channels. Originally under local ownership, the station halted operations in February 1955 before being purchased by NBC as part of an experimental initiative aimed at tackling nationwide UHF broadcasting issues and capitalizing on revised ownership regulations that facilitated entry into UHF markets. By August 1956, NBC transferred all its Buffalo-based programming to WBUF-TV and invested in a new studio facility. Despite substantial expenditures on powerful transmission equipment and successful efforts to convert viewers to UHF-capable sets (preceding the All-Channel Receiver Act), WBUF-TV struggled to achieve financial success and lagged behind NBC’s other regional outlets in audience ratings. The introduction of a third VHF station in Buffalo ultimately precipitated WBUF-TV’s shutdown in 1958.

The station was instrumental in launching the careers of notable broadcasters such as Rick Azar and Mac McGarry. Its transmission infrastructure was later donated to facilitate the establishment of Buffalo’s public television station WNED-TV in 1959. Since 1960, the original WBUF-TV studio premises have been occupied by WBEN-TV (currently WIVB-TV).

Prehistory

Following the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) freeze on television applications initiated in 1948—which introduced an additional 70 UHF channels to supplement the existing 12 VHF allocations—Buffalo was assigned channels 17 and 23 (with channel 23 designated for noncommercial purposes), alongside VHF channels 2 and 7, and the pre-freeze station WBEN-TV on channel 4.

After the freeze lifted in 1952, numerous applicants competed for Buffalo’s VHF channels, prompting comparative hearings, whereas its two UHF channels experienced relatively less contestation. On December 18, 1952, the FCC awarded a construction permit for channel 17 to Chautauqua Broadcasting Company. This organization comprised eighteen shareholders led by Sherwin Grossman and Gary L. Cohen, both established businessmen; two other prospective investors had withdrawn prior to this. Grossman had originally pursued a television license for Jamestown but redirected his efforts toward Buffalo’s larger market at the suggestion of an investor.

The initial plan positioned the transmitter atop the Marine Trust Company building downtown; however, no studio location had been finalized at the time of permit issuance. Shortly afterward, Buffalo-Niagara Television Corporation secured a permit for channel 59.

Adopting the call sign WBUF-TV (while Chautauqua Broadcasting rebranded as WBUF-TV Inc.), the station submitted an application in April 1953 to move its studios to 184 Barton Street and to construct its transmitter tower there instead of on the Marine Trust Company building. Construction commenced with a deadline set for August 15; Grossman guaranteed completion of the tower within this timeframe. A company based in South Carolina was contracted to build the tower; workers temporarily left a Confederate flag atop it as a prank. The transmitter equipment arrived on August 14, and WBUF-TV officially began broadcasting on August 17 as Buffalo’s second television station, despite experiencing some initial audio difficulties. Programming included shows from ABC, CBS, and the DuMont Television Network; DuMont Laboratories provided its first UHF transmitter rated at 1,000 watts. A second UHF outlet, WBES-TV on channel 59, launched on September 27 but ceased operations by December 18.

Contesting a Fourth VHF Channel and Temporary Suspension

From its inception, WBUF-TV encountered obstacles linked to a hearing concerning a new VHF station allocation on channel 2 in Buffalo. The station attempted to intervene, arguing that the introduction of a second VHF outlet could inflict financial damage, including loss of advertisers and network programming. However, the FCC rejected WBUF-TV’s request to participate in January 1954, with only Commissioner Frieda Hennock supporting their involvement. Concurrently, WBUF-TV enhanced its technical capabilities—in August 1954, it increased its effective radiated power twelvefold to 229,000 watts, moving closer to Grossman’s ambition of reaching the UHF maximum of one million watts. The station also became part of a regional content-sharing network with WSEE-TV (Erie, Pennsylvania) and WVET-TV (Rochester).

Despite these improvements, WBUF-TV’s financial situation deteriorated following the August 14 launch of WGR-TV, which operated from the same Barton Street facility under a lease with Niagara Frontier Amusement Company. WGR-TV secured the NBC affiliation, while CBS programming shifted to WBEN-TV. By October, WBUF-TV drastically reduced its local content, relying largely on network shows and films, and laid off eight staff members. These cutbacks awaited an FCC decision on Grossman’s petition to reassign Buffalo’s channels from 2, 4, and 7 to 2, 4, 5, and 8—potentially introducing a fourth VHF channel.

In February 1955, expecting a positive outcome, Grossman declared that the station would maintain operations as long as there remained prospects for an additional VHF service in Western New York. However, when the FCC did not act on this proposal at its February 23 meeting, Grossman was forced to suspend broadcasting; WBUF-TV went off air that evening. From its debut through December 31, 1954, the station had accumulated a net deficit of $236,324.42 (equivalent to approximately $ in current dollars).

Purchase

On March 11, 1955, Grossman and Sylvester "Pat" Weaver revealed that NBC would acquire WBUF-TV. Since WGR-TV retained NBC affiliation until August 1956, NBC could not immediately broadcast its programming on channel 17. Alongside the sale, a basic agreement was made for ABC affiliation; NBC positioned itself as a champion for UHF television development in Buffalo. The $312,500 transaction established NBC as the first network owning five VHF and two UHF stations after it agreed to purchase WKNB-TV in New Britain, Connecticut.

Grossman and Cohen kept possession of the Barton Street studios to lease them to WGR-TV while NBC searched for new premises for WBUF-TV; meanwhile, WGR-TV pledged to contest its NBC affiliation loss. In July, the FCC suggested that a hearing might be necessary following WGR-TV’s protest; NBC countered that these objections were unfounded and warned that delays could force WBUF-TV off the air. ABC programming gradually returned to channel 17 with some NBC shows airing due to disputes causing WGR-TV to drop certain programs.

The FCC authorized the purchase in September 1955; however, protests and an appeal filed by WGR-TV postponed finalization until December 30 when the case was dismissed. Subsequently, NBC planned an ambitious local programming lineup for WBUF.

Grossman’s management of WBUF-TV influenced his early 1960s attempt to establish WFOR-TV in Miami. In September 1960, an FCC examiner initially granted a construction permit for channel 6 to South Florida Amusement Company—largely owned by Grossman. A competing applicant accused Grossman of withholding program logs from before NBC’s takeover in 1955, airing a bingo show violating broadcaster rules without awarding prizes, and excessive commercial interruptions during movies. Although initially disregarded by the FCC, new evidence prompted reopening the case in early 1962 amid allegations of forged letters from Buffalo civic leaders advocating for additional VHF stations. Despite being ultimately cleared of misconduct, Grossman withdrew his application in November 1963, enabling Coral Television Company to secure the construction permit.

Reconstruction efforts

Upon completion of the sale, NBC revealed its intentions for WBUF, which included launching fresh local content and transferring NBC network programming to channel 17 by August 1956. The company embarked on building a new facility with plans to eventually boost transmitter power up to one million watts. Temporary and permanent studios were established at 2077 Elmwood Avenue, marking an immediate relocation from Barton Street. The station went off the air on December 31 and resumed broadcasting from the Elmwood interim studios on January 9; subsequently, the Barton Street property was sold to WGR-TV. Aggressive campaigns encouraging UHF converter adoption increased the percentage of equipped households from 25% in January 1956 to nearly 53% by October.

By August 14, WBUF had completed the initial stage of a $1.5 million permanent studio complex, officially becoming NBC’s Buffalo outlet. Transmitter power was enhanced to 489,000 watts by October. A nationally televised dedication ceremony aired on the Today show on October 11, featuring host Dave Garroway and mascot J. Fred Muggs; NBC president Robert Sarnoff intended to attend but was sidelined due to illness. This facility represented NBC’s first automated studio environment, utilizing paper tape systems to control most operations and thus requiring minimal staff. Sarnoff had suggested that ownership restrictions might be eased if additional stations operated on UHF frequencies; at that time, Buffalo ranked as the nation’s 14th-largest television market. In September 1957, WBUF completed its ultimate transmitter upgrade, reaching a full one million watts of power.

Despite operating as a UHF station with a streamlined structure, WBUF was managed in line with other NBC-owned stations. It served as a launching pad for several notable broadcasters: Rick Azar became a prominent Buffalo sportscaster handling sports and weather segments; Dave Roberts (then known as Dave Thomas) began his career here in 1956 before moving onto other markets. Some on-air talent arrived from NBC affiliates elsewhere—Mac McGarry came from Washington D.C.’s WRC-TV, working as a weatherman before returning there after WBUF ceased operations.

Closure and asset liquidation

On June 10, 1958, NBC declared that WBUF would cease operations on September 30 due to disappointing ratings and financial deficits—estimated at $1 million during NBC’s tenure—facing stiff competition from three VHF stations. This announcement contrasted earlier optimistic forecasts that predicted profitability by 1957. As a result, beginning October 1, WGR-TV assumed the role of Buffalo’s NBC affiliate, broadcasting both NBC and ABC programming, while the Elmwood Avenue studios were placed on the market. The shutdown took place at 1:05 a.m. on October 1; Charles C. Bevis Jr., the station’s general manager, expressed disappointment that WBUF had failed to capture even one-third of the market despite widespread UHF set availability.

Industry analysts regarded WBUF’s closure as a major blow for UHF broadcasters nationwide. Broadcasting magazine described it as placing UHF television at "a new crossroads," igniting discussions about the viability of VHF and UHF coexistence in shared markets. Television Digest labeled it conclusive evidence that UHF stations could not compete effectively against multiple VHF competitors, delivering a severe setback to UHF morale. Frontier Television, which had intended to launch a second UHF station in Buffalo, abandoned those plans in favor of pursuing a VHF channel, citing concerns over the impending obsolescence of UHF converters owned by approximately 300,000 local viewers. Likewise, CBS terminated its UHF venture in Hartford, Connecticut and switched affiliation to a VHF station.

Following closure, Bevis stayed in Buffalo for four months to oversee asset disposition. The taller transmission tower and temporary building were sold to WGR-TV; meanwhile, WBEN acquired the shorter tower along with the studio facility. WBEN radio stations and WBEN-TV (now WIVB-TV) undertook extensive renovations—including adding two stories of office space—and relocated into the building by January 1960; radio studios occupied areas originally constructed for WBUF. Additionally, WBEN obtained "Engine No. 17," a vintage fire engine used by WBUF for promotional activities and fire safety education.

To sustain channel 17’s presence in Buffalo under non-commercial auspices, an organization called the Western New York Educational Television Association applied for a construction permit in February 1959. They arranged temporary use of equipment from both Elmwood stations, secured long-term access to soon-to-be-vacated WGR facilities at the Hotel Lafayette, and received a $115,000 equipment donation pledge from NBC. The FCC approved their permit on March 4, leading to WNED-TV commencing broadcasts on March 30 as New York state’s inaugural educational television station. It utilized the former WBUF antenna relocated to the Lafayette site that summer while WGR radio moved into the Elmwood location.