The transfer of WBRC to the trust was finalized on July 24 , 1995 .
Fox could not switch WBRC 's network affiliation in the short - term , as the station 's contract with ABC would not expire until August 31 , 1996 .
Although the transfer of WBRC to the trust was finalized on July 24 , 1995 , Fox could not switch WBRC 's network affiliation in the short - term , as the station 's contract with ABC would not expire until August 31 , 1996 .