station in a largely rural area of only 125,000 people. Its newscasts have more viewers than many other television stations in medium to large markets sharing audiences with up to three other affiliates. After Gray Television bought WSAZ, there were rumors WTAP would scrap its news operation and simulcast newscasts from that station. WSAZ has long been available on cable in Parkersburg and its local newscasts, also among the highest-rated in the country, have always covered Parkersburg. However, Gray itself never considered shuttering WTAP's news department. In addition to WTAP's strong ratings performance, many of WTAP and WSAZ's stablemates are fairly close to each other while operating independently. At some point in time after adding Fox, WTAP-DT2 began offering a 30-minute prime time newscast. Known as Fox Parkersburg News at 10, the weeknight show mirrors local news seen on the main channel, except for slightly different graphics and unique features. The station became the first outlet in West Virginia to upgrade newscasts to high definition on May 29, 2011. In addition to its main studios, WTAP operates a bureau in Marietta, Ohio. Unlike most NBC affiliates in the Eastern Time Zone, the station does not air a full two-hour weekday morning show, half-hour newscast weeknights at 5:30 p.m. or local news Sunday nights at 6:00 p.m. Notable former personalities Irv Weinstein, director (mid-1950s) Subchannels The station's digital signal is multiplexed: See also Channel 15 virtual TV stations in the United States Channel 49 digital TV stations in the United States References External links Television channels and stations established in 1953 1953 establishments in West Virginia TAP-TV NBC network affiliates Gray Television