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The Wheeling-Steubenville DMA straddles the Ohio River, covering the Ohio Valley in Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The region’s economy blends energy, petrochemical, manufacturing, healthcare, higher education, and tourism, while communities confront legacy industrial challenges and rural development. Media outlets cover economic diversification, Appalachian revitalization, infrastructure, and public health alongside severe weather, flood mitigation, and cultural heritage. Audiences rely on broadcast, radio, public media, and digital natives for coverage of state policy, community issues, and business transformation.
Gray Television owns WTRF 7News (CBS/ABC/MY) with multi-network operations, and Cox Media Group operates WTOV9 (NBC/FOX). Sinclair Broadcast Group’s WOUB/WKBN affiliates from neighboring markets provide supplementary coverage. Public media is served by West Virginia Public Broadcasting and Ohio PBS stations, while NPR affiliates WVPB and WYSU reach the valley. The Intelligencer, Wheeling News-Register, Herald-Star, and nonprofit outlets like 100 Days in Appalachia, The Allegheny Front, and Ohio Capital Journal cover investigative, environmental, and economic stories.
The FCC coordinates cross-state spectrum to ensure Emergency Alert System interoperability across the Ohio River Valley. Ohio EMA, West Virginia Emergency Management, and county agencies conduct annual IPAWS exercises with broadcasters for flood, severe weather, and industrial incident response. The Appalachian Regional Commission supports communication networks connecting rural communities to public safety alerts.
WTRF, WTOV, and 7News deliver streaming newscasts, weather, and investigative reports via websites, apps, and OTT services. Appalachian-specific podcasts and newsletters—such as 100 Days in Appalachia, Ohio Valley ReSource, and The Allegheny Front—provide deep coverage on economic diversification, environment, and health. Local universities and civic institutions host livestreams and podcasts on entrepreneurship, creative economy, and workforce training.
Broadband expansion in collaboration with the Appalachian Regional Commission, USDA ReConnect, and state broadband offices improves connectivity in Belmont, Ohio, Brooke, and Jefferson counties. Smart flood monitoring and transportation analytics support newsrooms in covering river conditions, bridges, and economic corridors like I-70 and US-22.
Energy and manufacturing workers monitor early morning news, radio, and mobile alerts for weather, plant updates, and transportation. Economic development councils, chambers, and universities produce webinars and livestreams on industry diversification, workforce training, and entrepreneurship that are amplified by local media.
Rural residents depend on OTA broadcasts, radio, and NOAA alerts for severe weather, flood warnings, and public safety. Churches, historical societies, and cultural organizations livestream services, town halls, and heritage programming to connect dispersed communities.
Environmental, public health, and economic stories resonate across podcasts, newsletters, and social media from outlets such as Ohio Valley ReSource and 100 Days in Appalachia, fostering cross-border conversation and community engagement.
| Indicator | Latest Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| DMA population | approximately 420,000 residents (2023) | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Television households | about 175,000 TV homes, rank 142 (2024-2025) | Nielsen DMA Rankings |
| Median household income | roughly $55,800 across Ohio and Brooke counties (2022) | U.S. Census Bureau ACS |
| Broadband availability | 86% of households with 100 Mbps access | ConnectOhio / WV Broadband Enhancement Council |
| Energy & manufacturing employment | approximately 28,000 jobs | Appalachian Regional Commission |
| Tourism economic impact | $550 million annually | Ohio River Valley Tourism Alliance |
| University & college enrollment | over 18,000 students (West Liberty, Franciscan, WVNCC) | Institutional Research Offices |
The 2024 100 Days in Appalachia media trust survey indicates 60% of Ohio Valley residents trust local news for weather, economy, and public health compared with 27% for national media. Newsrooms publish transparency statements, share public records, and gather community input through town halls, listening sessions, and partnerships with universities and nonprofits.
Collaborations between WTRF, WTOV, Ohio Valley ReSource, The Allegheny Front, and Ohio Capital Journal produce bilingual and multimedia explainers on flood mitigation, healthcare access, workforce training, and environmental remediation, distributing them via radio, newsletters, and streaming.
Sports fans follow Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins, Pirates, Ohio State Buckeyes, WVU Mountaineers, and local high school teams across linear broadcasts, radio, and streaming platforms. Outdoor recreation, history, and culinary heritage content perform strongly on weekend newscasts, podcasts, and social channels, supporting tourism and agritourism initiatives.
Podcast and newsletter consumption includes Ohio Valley ReSource, Mountain State Spotlight, Ohio Capital Journal, and WTRF/WTOV daily briefs. Younger audiences engage with TikTok and Instagram creators highlighting revitalization, music, and small business innovation, while faith and civic groups livestream services and community meetings for broad participation.
