WBUF-TV hit the airwaves on August 17, 1953. Using the then new UHF ban, the station was an affiliate for all for major networks of the day: ABC, NBC, CBS, and DuMont. Unfortunately, most TV sets sold during that time did not have the ability to receive UHF signals. The station went dark in 1958. However, its broadcast facilities and frequency were later donated to start a public TV station in 1959.