WSMV

WSMV is a television station licensed to Nashville, Tennessee, and serves the middle and western regions of the state. The station broadcasts on digital channel 4 and virtual channel 3. It is a CBS network affiliate and is owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group, a major American media conglomerate. The callsign originally derived from the station’s past association with the WSM radio network and stands for “World’s Standard Music Video,” referencing the original signage of the station’s motto.

The station first signed on the air in 1947 as WSM-TV, one of the earliest television broadcasters in the southeastern United States. WSM‑TV originally shared its studio facilities with WSM radio and was owned by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. In 1955 the station adopted the WSMV callsign, and it has since remained a mainstay of the Nashville media market. WSMV transitioned to color broadcasting in the 1960s and became the region’s first station to offer 24-hour local newscasts in the 1970s.

WSMV produces a range of local programming, most notably its flagship morning shows, midday news, and evening newscasts that cover regional politics, economic developments, and cultural events. In addition to its news broadcasts, the station airs a variety of syndicated reruns, sports programming, and special events such as the annual “Nashville Skyline” fireworks display. The station also operates a digital subchannel that carries the MeTV network, providing classic television series to viewers.

In recent years, WSMV has undergone several technical upgrades, including a transition to high‑definition broadcasts and the expansion of its digital footprint with a robust online news portal and mobile app. The station’s signal footprint extends beyond Nashville to include large portions of Middle Tennessee, and it serves as a primary source of news and entertainment for a diverse audience that includes urban, suburban, and rural communities.