WLAM-TV

WPMT

Company type	Private
Industry	Television broadcasting
Founded	1953
Defunct	1954-12-15
Headquarters	Portland, Maine , United States
Products	Television broadcasting

WPMT (channel 53) was a television broadcaster located in Portland, Maine, United States, that operated from August 30, 1953, until December 15, 1954. It holds the distinction of being Portland's inaugural TV station. The FCC granted approval for this application along with permits for sixteen other stations in February.

The station’s facilities were established in the former studios of radio station WGAN at the Columbia Hotel, where microwave relay systems were installed to transmit network signals from Boston to Maine. WPMT secured a primary affiliation with CBS, but initially broadcast programming from all major networks (CBS, NBC, ABC, and DuMont).

Simultaneously, WLAM and other parties applied for VHF channel licenses in Auburn and Lewiston. A plan to situate a station atop Mount Washington intended to reach an audience of up to 1.5 million viewers. To accelerate the station launch process, Hoy withdrew from competing for VHF channels and instead pursued channel 17 for WLAM-TV. This strategy led to consolidations and the awarding of permits for WMTW and WCSH-TV on VHF frequencies.

WPMT began broadcasting on August 30 as Maine’s second television outlet but was the first to offer live network programming. Its inauguration included appearances by public officials and inventor Philo Farnsworth. The Hoy family acquired property on Applesass Hill to establish WLAM-TV’s transmitter, which commenced operations on November 26 without its own studio equipment; early broadcasts originated from Portland. A delay caused by microwave link issues forced cancellation of WLAM-TV’s dedication ceremony, but it became the first satellite station in the eastern United States to retransmit another station’s programming live, debuting such broadcasts in February 1954.

Competition from VHF stations intensified when NBC affiliate WCSH-TV launched on December 20, followed by CBS affiliate WGAN-TV beginning May 16, which also became the dominant ABC broadcaster. Nevertheless, the Maine Television Network continued producing live regional events originating from studios in Portland and Lewiston.

After WMTW-TV joined the market in late September, WPMT discontinued its broadcasts on December 15, 1954. Hoy announced plans to liquidate assets under the management of Carrell K. Pierce from a Portland securities firm; efforts to convert the station into an educational facility were unsuccessful. Pierce refuted speculation about subscription TV initiatives involving The Boston Globe. The liquidation process concluded in early 1956 with creditors recovering approximately 2.5 cents per dollar on $200,000 claims after deductions for taxes and fees.

WLAM-TV maintained limited broadcasting until March 25, 1955; citing "serious financial losses," Hoy declared its closure earlier that month.