In 1978, Beam Broadcasters purchased the stations from Service Broadcasters; it ultimately owned three stations before almost being foreclosed on in 1989 to satisfy $45 million of debt that Beam owed Chase Bank; the company went into bankruptcy, emerged as Beacon Communications Corporation, and sold WDAM to Federal Broadcasting in 1990. The station was acquired by current owner Raycom Media in 1997. However, Raycom owned WHLT at the time and had to sell it to Media General in order to comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) duopoly rules.
Beam Broadcasters took over the stations from Service Broadcasters in 1978; however, the company faced financial struggles and was on the verge of foreclosure in 1989, which led to bankruptcy and reorganization as Beacon Communications Corporation. In 1990, it sold WDAM to Federal Broadcasting, while Raycom Media acquired WHLT in 1997. Nevertheless, Raycom had to sell WHLT to Media General due to FCC regulations that prohibited a single entity from owning too many stations.