Cape Fearless.(Cable television broadcasting industry)

By Michael Malone

Wilmington awaits early analog shutoff

With the Wilmington, N.C., market poised for its early digital transition on Sept. 8 (see cover story, p. 10), the broadcast world looks to the No. 135 DMA. Managers here say they put aside their competitive instincts and worked together to educate the market about the shutoff. "All the stations took turns going to events," says WWAY General Manager Andy Combs. "We covered a lot more ground that way."

Raycom's WECT has a strong presence in Wilmington. The NBC affiliate grabbed half the market's revenue in 2007, according to BIA Financial, and continues to rule news--no small accomplishment …