Although WZZM is the primary ABC affiliate in West Michigan, it primarily serves the northern portion of the Grand Rapids - Battle Creek - Kalamazoo media market. Its transmitter is about 40 miles (64 km) north of that of other regional channels, so its signal was unavailable in the two southern tiers of Michigan counties except in Kalamazoo until recently. Since April 2009, however, WZZM has been available on most cable systems in Southwest Michigan, although WOTV is the ABC affiliate for that region. Until then, persons living in counties beyond the access of its signal relied upon television stations in the South Bend/Elkhart, Indiana or Lansing areas for the syndicated programs that WZZM offers.