About WTVQ ABC36

On June 2, 1968, the station debuted as WBLG-TV and was broadcast on channel 62. This was one of the highest full-power television channels allotted in the country at the time. It was the third commercial television station to begin broadcasting in the Lexington region, and it was formed by Lexington area businessman Roy White and Reeves Broadcasting, along with WBLG radio (AM 1300, now WLXG).

WBLG was the ABC affiliate for central Kentucky from the beginning, thanks to its radio sister's relationship with ABC. WKYT, the former ABC main affiliate, became a CBS affiliate. Reeves Broadcasting declared bankruptcy, and White finally became the sole owner of WBLG-TV. After White sold the TV station to Starr Broadcasting Company in 1974, the station's call letters were changed to the present WTVQ-TV, although White kept control of WBLG radio. Starr Broadcasting eventually declared bankruptcy as well. Shamrock Broadcasting bought the station from Starr Broadcasting in 1979. Roy Disney, Walt's nephew and son of Walt's brother Roy, controlled Shamrock entirely. Shamrock erected a new 1.5 million watt transmitter in 1980, and in June of that year, WTVQ was switched from channel 62 to channel 36. (channel 62 later carried the now-defunct WLKT-TV and WBLU-LP). In 1985, the station received a substantial refurbishment that quadrupled existing office space and included entirely new technical facilities. Park Broadcasting bought WTVQ from Shamrock Broadcasting on January 30, 1992.