WAGT

WAGT, channel 26, is an NBC-affiliated television station located in Augusta, Georgia, USA. WAGT's broadcast license is owned by Schurz Communications, and its operations are controlled (through joint sales and shared services agreements) by Media General, the parent company of ABC affiliate WJBF (channel 6). The two stations share studios on Augusta West Parkway, near the Augusta Mall in Augusta, and WAGT's transmitter is based in Beech Island, South Carolina.

Digital channels

History

The station began operations December 24, 1968 as WATU-TV, the third television station in Augusta. Dr. Harold W. Twisdale, a dentist from Charlotte, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C.-based engineer David L. Steel were the leaders of the original ownership group, operating as Augusta Telecasters Inc. The group, which had interests in other planned stations (WCTU-TV in Charlotte being the only of their other interests to make it to air), the Twisdale/Steel group was granted a construction permit for the Augusta outlet in late 1967. On paper, the new channel 26 was an NBC affiliate at its launch. Unfortunately, the station became one of numerous UHF start-ups of that era that failed to obtain a foothold against long-established VHF competition.