Founded in 1954 by broadcaster and state politician J. Patrick Beacom (originally under the call letters WJPB-TV), WDTV came into being to offer a dedicated television voice to an isolated region. The idea sparked when Beacom realized that the rugged, mountainous terrain of North Central West Virginia was blocking TV signals from major outside cities, and he decided to create a local station so his community wouldn't be left in the dark regarding news and programming. The station grew significantly over the decades and underwent name changes, but the network continues to operate today under the ownership of the major broadcasting company, Gray Television. Today, WDTV is based in Bridgeport, West Virginia, and is mainly focused on local news for the North Central West Virginia area. They cover a wide array of topics, making a name for themselves among locals looking for updates on state and regional politics, community entertainment, and severe mountain weather. They also dedicate a massive amount of coverage to sports, heavily featuring local high school athletic rivalries and extensive updates on the West Virginia University (WVU) Mountaineers. One interesting fact: A unique fact about WDTV is its quirky, humble beginnings regarding its studio space. For decades before moving into a modern broadcasting facility, founders and early staff utilized a highly unusual space for their newsroom: the station originally operated out of a renovated, former bowling alley in Weston, West Virginia, literally adapting the long wooden lanes to serve as their television sets!