Several Alabama television stations have joined dozens of others around the country in bringing back the national anthem to mark the end of day.
WBRC Fox 6 News in Birmingham, WAFF 48 in Huntsville, WTVY-TV in Dothan and WSFA 12 in Montgomery are joining with other Gray Television stations across the nation to add “The Star-Spangled Banner” to their lineups.
Each of the stations have picked several times throughout the broadcast day to air the anthem…typically around the beginning or end of their several newscasts at the beginning and end of the day.
WBRC Vice President and General Manager, Collin R. Gaston said in a statement – “Alabamians are proud of this country, and of the men and women who serve or have served for us.” “We live in the land of the free and the home of the brave, and it’s important to honor those who sacrificed so much to allow WBRC FOX6 News these liberties. That’s why I am proud WBRC will be joining other stations in the Gray Television family and broadcast the national anthem each and every day.”
Until television stations switched to 24-hour operations in the 1980s, playing the anthem was traditionally how American stations went off the air and returned the following morning.
The stations are among 93 Gray markets across the country announcing the national anthem addition.