TV, radio choices abound

Charlotte is the media capital of the Carolinas - it's the biggest media market in the two states and a national hub for sports, religious and commercial television production.

Fox's Speed motorsports channel, reaching about 80 million households, is based here, as is the religious-oriented Inspiration Networks, which reach more than 20 million households.

Raycom Sports and ESPN run regional sports operations from Charlotte, and ESPN's college sports channel is based here, ESPNU.

NBC's News Channel, which provides feeds on national stories to NBC affiliates across the country, is based here, too, near Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. Local production companies produce commercials, documentaries and NASCAR-related programs. Two motorsports radio networks are based in Concord.

More than 1 million homes are in the 22-county television market, the nation's 23rd largest, which stretches from the Virginia border to Chester, S.C.

WBTV (CBS, Channel 3) is the oldest TV station in the Carolinas, dating to 1949. WSOC-TV (ABC, Channel 9) signed on in 1957.

Local news programming is extensive, with newscasts on six stations and News 14 Carolina, a 24-hour news station on Time Warner Cable known for its "Weather on the Ones" feature. Time Warner Cable also has a major corporate campus in South Charlotte.

WSOC's "Eyewitness News" is quick-paced, and it leads in the ratings in the morning, midday and evening.

WBTV is No. 1 in late news. It is known for coverage of the government and political scene.

WCNC-TV (NBC, Channel 36) is a frequent local news Emmy winner in regional broadcast competitions.

Three stations also offer a 10 p.m. newscast.

WCCB delivers "Fox News at Ten," followed by a pop-culture magazine show, "Fox News Edge." WAXN-TV (Channel 64) airs "Eyewitness News at 10" produced by sister station WSOC. WJZY-TV (CW, Channel 46) airs "WBTV News 3 at 10 on WJZY," produced by Channel 3.

In commercial radio, country, rock and urban music tend to lead the ratings. Among the nationally syndicated radio programs based in Charlotte are "John Boy & Billy," "Bob & Sheri" and "Ace & T.J."