WLBT

WLBT, broadcasting on channel 3, stands as the primary NBC affiliate for Jackson, Mississippi, and its surrounding region. Owned by Gray Media, the station operates from a shared facility on South Jefferson Street alongside sister outlets WDBD and WLOO. Its signal originates from a transmitter site southeast of Raymond, covering a broad geographic area across central and southern Mississippi. The station has long been a fixture in the community, delivering everything from breaking weather alerts to national entertainment.

The organization's mission centers on delivering local news, weather alerts, and community information to the Jackson metropolitan area. WLBT has earned the nickname "3 On Your Side," a slogan prominently featured on its social media platforms and broadcasts. As a leading source of information, the station covers everything from breaking weather events and crime stories to high school sports and national entertainment. The leadership structure includes management from Gray Media, with day-to-day operations overseen by station executives and news directors based in Jackson. [edit]

WLBT provides essential local news, weather forecasts, and emergency alerts to residents of the Jackson metropolitan area and central Mississippi. The station aims to inform the community about regional issues while maintaining a commitment to fair and balanced reporting. Through its digital platforms and traditional broadcast, it serves as a critical hub for public safety during severe weather events and other emergencies. [edit]

WLBT began broadcasting on September 15, 1958, making it one of the oldest television stations in the Deep South. Originally owned by the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) itself, the station was later sold to private ownership. One of the most defining moments in the station's history occurred in the mid-1960s during the Civil Rights Movement. In 1964, WLBT became the first television station in the United States to be shut down by a court order due to its refusal to cover civil rights activities and its biased reporting against the movement.

This event, often referred to as the "Goon Squad" era, involved station employees who were accused of colluding with white supremacist groups to suppress news of racial violence and activism. The station eventually faced FCC sanctions, fines, and a forced sale to new owners who committed to fair coverage. The station later covered the "Goon Squad" trials themselves, as noted in recent updates regarding legal proceedings stemming from those charges. Today, the station continues to operate as part of Gray Media, expanding digital capabilities and maintaining dominance in the Jackson market. [edit]