WABI-TV (Bangor, ME)

WABI-TV in Bangor proudly became Maine's first television station when it went live on January 25, 1953. The station was established by Horace A. Hildreth, a former governor of Maine, who had previously obtained the license for the state's oldest radio station, WABI-AM, passing on the same call letters to the new TV station. Initially, WABI-TV was affiliated with multiple networks, including CBS, NBC, ABC, and Dumont. It started out primarily as an NBC affiliate, but after just over a year, it switched to being a primary CBS affiliate while still airing some ABC shows in partnership with WTWO (WLBZ). By 1959, WABI-TV officially became a full-time CBS affiliate.

Local

English

Television

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#88731

United States

#17276

Arts and Entertainment/TV Movies and Streaming

#544

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

UMaine student receives inaugural Patricia & Donald Collins Scholarship Award

5 days ago | wabi.tv | Grace Bradley

ORONO, Maine (WABI) - The current president of the University of Maine Student Government became the first recipient of a new scholarship created in honor of Sen. Susan Collins’ late parents. Winn native, UMaine junior Keegan Tripp is the inaugural awardee of the Patricia and Donald Collins Scholarship. The $1,000 endowed scholarship is in memory of the Collinses, who were both UMaine graduates and former Caribou mayors.
Group of friends reunite after 74 years apart: ‘They seem like long-lost family’

6 days ago | wabi.tv | Victoria Saha

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Versant Power streaming live feed from osprey nests in Lamoine, MDI

6 days ago | wabi.tv | Will Wagner

HANCOCK COUNTY, Maine (WABI) - Versant Power is giving you the opportunity to see ospreys up close. Two pairs of Osprey have taken a liking to Versant’s nesting platforms used to deter birds from nesting on their electric infrastructure. Both pairs have returned from their winter migration with one pair settling in Lamoine and the other on Mount Desert Island. Solar powered cameras have been set up to watch either nest on Versant’s website.
Old Town Police focusing on distracted driving enforcement

6 days ago | wabi.tv | Will Wagner

OLD TOWN, Maine (WABI) - While most Mainers know about the state’s hands-free driving law, many are still using their phones illegally while driving. With April being Distracted Driving Awareness Month, police departments across the country are paying extra attention to drivers not focusing on the road. The Old Town Police Department says they’ve stopped more than thirty distracted drivers so far in an ongoing detail to enforce Maine’s distracted driving laws.
BMV locations see record numbers ahead of Real ID deadline

6 days ago | wabi.tv | Will Wagner

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) - The rush is on to get a Real ID before the May 7th deadline. Many without appointments got up bright and early to line up outside BMV locations. “I brought more paperwork than I need. I have a folder full of stuff. Being the first in line, I hope that means I am first, but I know they also do appointments, so there may be people ahead of me,” said Rachel Downs, first-in-line outside of the Bangor BMV location before opening.
Students become tech teachers at SLAM Showcase

6 days ago | wabi.tv | Grace Bradley

DEXTER, Maine (WABI) - A student-led learning partnership was a slam dunk at Dexter’s Ridge View Community School Thursday, as the school hosted a SLAM Showcase. Student Leader Ambassadors of Maine, SLAM for short, are a group of high schoolers who visit schools around the state to teach creative technology classes. “We teach them and we teach, like, Tinkercad for example, Canva,” explains Nokomis senior Abigail Caron, who has been a SLAM student ambassador for four years.
Flight from Greece diverted to Bangor International Airport

6 days ago | wabi.tv | Will Wagner

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) - A flight from Athens, Greece en route to Washington D.C. made an apparent diversion to Bangor International Airport on Thursday. Data from FlightAware shows the United flight altered its flight path to land at BGR just after two this afternoon. Emergency vehicles were seen in the area, but we do not know the reason for the diversion of the 787. We’ve reached out to the airline to find more information. Copyright 2025 WABI. All rights reserved.
A Look Back

6 days ago | wabi.tv | Ben Barr

DEDHAM, Maine (WABI) -Tom Breindel has plenty of canoe racing experience, but this year he’s bringing his grandson, Logan Butilier, along for the ride. “It seems like forever. I believe I counted stickers last night. I think I got like 40 stickers,” said Breindel. “I’m really excited. I haven’t done the full thing yet, so I’m interested to see what the rest of it looks like, and just do it,” said Butilier. Grandpa has enjoyed having his family a part of the racing experience over the years.
Streamside Story

6 days ago | wabi.tv | Ben Barr

DEDHAM, Maine (WABI) - Canoe No. 147 is ready for anything in this year’s Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race, which looks to be a rainy affair. “We’ve paddled in 90 degree weather. We’ve paddled in the snow and everything in between. If you get wet, get back in, and paddle some more,” said Tom Breindel, canoe racer. “Well, you won’t get sunburnt. It should be smoother with the water so high,” said Logan Butilier, canoe racer.
Former Maine Black Bear Bradly Nadeau caps off outstanding pro rookie season

1 week ago | wabi.tv | Ben Barr

CHICAGO, Ill. (WABI) - Former Maine Black Bear Bradly Nadeau was named to the American Hockey League’s All-Rookie Team. Nadeau leads all AHL rookies with 30 goals and seven game-winners for the Chicago Wolves. He is also second with 56 points. Nadeau is the fifth player in league history to have a 30-goal season before turning 20. He was also called up to the Carolina Hurricanes and notched his first NHL point with an assist in Wednesday’s 4-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Copyright 2025 WABI.