WAAY-TV history

However, despite having left full NBC affiliation behind back in 1977, WAAY would once again clear some NBC programming during the 1980s, most notably Late Night with David Letterman and Friday Night Videos, which WAFF preempted in favor of evangelist Jimmy Swaggart's daily program at 11:30 p.m. It was only when Swaggart had to discontinue his weekday show in the aftermath of his sexual scandal in 1988 that WAFF resumed carrying Letterman and FNV. Since that time, WAAY has remained an exclusive ABC affiliate, clearing most if not all its programs.

In 1995, the station decided to expand its internal data network to become the Internet service provider now known as HiWAAY Information Services.

Smith Broadcasting sold WAAY-TV to GOCOM Broadcasting (originally Grapevine Communications, later renamed Piedmont Communications) in 1999.

On September 4, 2003, the 1,000-foot (305 m) broadcasting tower leased by WAAY collapsed, killing three people.

On April 11, 2016, it was reported that Calkins would exit the broadcasting industry and sell its stations to Raycom Media.

The sale was completed on April 30, 2017, making WAAY a sister station to adjacent market station WTVA in Tupelo, Mississippi.