Outlet profile

WSOC-TV (Channel 9, Charlotte)

U.S. center

Owned byCox Media Group (majority-owned by Apollo Global Management; Cox Enterprises holds a minority stake of roughly 29%)

FundingCommercial advertising revenue — local and national spot advertising, typical of commercial broadcast television

On the administrationmostly neutral

Background

WSOC-TV signed on April 28, 1957, as Charlotte's third television station, originally owned by the Jones family's Carolina Broadcasting and affiliated primarily with NBC, with a secondary ABC affiliation. In 1959, Cox Enterprises — through its forerunner, Miami Valley Broadcasting Company — purchased the station, beginning a relationship that has lasted more than six decades. The station eventually dropped its NBC ties and became a full ABC affiliate, the affiliation it carries today. Cox Media Group, the station's parent, is now majority-owned by Apollo Global Management after a private equity restructuring, with Cox Enterprises retaining a minority stake; the company reported roughly $1.1 billion in annual revenue in 2025. WSOC-TV also owns sister independent station WAXN-TV (Channel 64), acquired in 1999 after the FCC lifted its ban on local TV duopolies. The station has built its reputation around consumer and investigative units — 'Action 9,' '9 Investigates,' and 'Whistleblower 9' — that have prompted changes in local and state government practices. Media Bias/Fact Check rates it 'least biased' with high factual accuracy, and Ground News places it at center; the station publishes no opinion or editorial content and has no notable ideological controversies on record.

Sources

Profile compiled 2026-07-16; refreshed when ownership, funding, or the administration changes.

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