WFBM

WFBM is an NBC affiliate serving Dothan, AL, and the Dothan, AL market. Broadcasting on channel 17, WFBM is owned and operated by Journal Media Group. Launched as an independent in 1975, WFBM became an affilate of The WB in 1995 and an affiliate of The CW in 2006 until 2012 when then-NBC affiliate WALN (now QTV affiliate WALQ) had an affiliate swap with WFBM, and WFBM became an affiliate of NBC. In addition to running the NBC schedule, WFBM also airs syndicated programming, including Maury, The Jerry Springer Show, and The Steve Wilkos Show. WFBM also runs two subchannels: 17.2 (for The CW) and 17.3 (for MyNetworkTV)

As an independent
WFBM was launched on July 3, 1975 by the Independent Broadcasting Company. Running an independent schedule, WFBM ran children's program during the morning, movies at night. They also ran some off-network syndicated programming during that the. WFBM also became known as "The Star Trek Channel" running the original Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Also, WFBM aired sports programming for both Alabama (Crimson Tide) and Auburn (Tigers).

As a WB/CW affiliate
After 20 years of being an independent, WFBM became a charter member of The WB. Also during that time, WFBM was sold to Journal Media, who in turn, launched their newscast. WFBM became the highest rated WB affiliate in the country. When the WB closed down and merged with UPN to become The CW, WFBM became an affiliate of The CW.

As an NBC affiliate
In 2012, shakeup in Dothan's television market occurred when then-NBC affiliate WALN decided to leave NBC and wanted to become an affiliate of The CW. The CW was very interested, but Journal Media Group (who owned WFBM) was not. NBC was struggling looking for WALN's replacement in Dothan. Finally, Journal Media relented and decided to become an affiliate of NBC. So on Jan. 1, 2013, WALN became an affiliate of The CW (and changed their call letters to WDCW), and WFBM became an affiliate of NBC. Two years later, Dothan's television market changed again when WDCW left The CW to become an affiliate of the newly-formed QTV (and changed their call letters to WALQ). WFBM was already an NBC affiliate and they were already operating a subchannel for MyNetworkTV. So WFBM decided to make a subchannel for The CW. So on Jan. 1, 2015, WDCW became affiliates with QTV (and changed their call letters to WALQ), and in turn, WFBM moved the MyNetworkTV subchannel down to 17.3 and placed The CW subchannel to 17.2, where MyNetworkTV subchannel used to be.