WVFX

Last updated

WVFX
WVFX-TV.png
WVFX-DT2 2024.svg
City Clarksburg, West Virginia
Channels
Branding
  • Fox 10
  • Clarksburg CW 10.2 (on DT2)
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
WDTV
History
First air date
February 8, 1981(43 years ago) (1981-02-08)
Former call signs
WLYJ (1981–1998)
Former channel number(s)
  • Analog: 46 (UHF, 1981–2009)
  • Digital: 10 (VHF, 2003–2020)
Religious Ind. (1981–1998)
Call sign meaning
West Virginia's Fox
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 10976
ERP 110 kW
HAAT 212.2 m (696 ft)
Transmitter coordinates 39°18′2″N80°20′36″W / 39.30056°N 80.34333°W / 39.30056; -80.34333
Links
Public license information
Website www.wdtv.com

WVFX (channel 10) is a television station licensed to Clarksburg, West Virginia, United States, serving North-Central West Virginia as a dual affiliate of Fox and The CW Plus. It is owned by Gray Television alongside Weston-licensed CBS affiliate WDTV (channel 5). The two stations share studios on Television Drive in Bridgeport (along I-79/Jennings Randolph Expressway); WVFX's transmitter is located in an unincorporated area between Clarksburg and Arlington.

Contents

History

The station signed on February 8, 1981, and aired an analog signal on UHF channel 46. It was a religious independent station using the calls WLYJ (standing for "We Love You Jesus"). Much of the programming consisted of national religious evangelicals and local fund-raising appeals to continue operation of the station. In 1998, WLYJ was sold to Davis Television and converted to a full commercial operation, also becoming the area's first Fox affiliate and changing their call letters to WVFX to match. Prior to WVFX's affiliation with Fox, the network's programming was only available on cable via Pittsburgh affiliate WPGH-TV; as the market's primary NFL team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, only featured two home games on Fox as part of the network's NFC-specific package, the network's priority of affiliating with a station in the market had been low before Withers picked up the affiliation.

Davis Television sold WVFX to Withers Broadcasting in 2007. Since the Clarksburg–Weston–Fairmont market has only five full-power stations, this amount is too few to allow a duopoly under normal Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines, but Withers was able to acquire WVFX under a failed station waiver issued by the FCC, as it was able to demonstrate that due to the market's conditions and channel 46's struggles to remain on the air as WLYJ and under Davis's ownership, that independent ownership was unlikely to turn WVFX around as a going concern. Withers initially maintained WVFX's on West Pike Street/SR 20 in downtown Clarksburg, merging its full operations into the WDTV facility over time. Before the digital transition and the relocation of its transmitter to WDTV's site north of Clarksburg, WVFX struggled with reception over-the-air across the market, since much of the region is a rugged dissected plateau. Most stations in the market depend primarily on multichannel video programming distributors for most of their viewership. After moving to the WDTV transmitter site with the digital transition, it began to use its new VHF channel 10 for its on-air branding, and withdrew all mention of channel 46.

Fairmont is technically the market's largest city because Morgantown (though only 20 miles (32 km) north) has the largest population of any city in the geographic area but it is part of the Pittsburgh market. Locations around Morgantown are within reach of over-the-air signals from Pittsburgh stations. Over time, availability of WPGH-TV has been withdrawn in the market in preference to WVFX due to Fox's 'one to a market' carriage policies in retransmission consent negotiations.

On May 13, 2016, Withers sold WVFX and WDTV to Gray Television for $26.5 million to complete its withdrawal from the television industry. [2] Gray was approved to continue owning WVFX with WDTV under the 2007 failing station waiver originally sought by Withers, and assumed operational control of the stations through a local marketing agreement on June 1. [3] The sale was completed on May 1, 2017. [4]

Newscast

WDTV has carried a 10 p.m. primetime newscast on WVFX-DT1 since late 2010.

Technical information

Subchannels

The station's digital signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of WVFX [5]
Channel Res. Aspect Short nameProgramming
10.1 720p 16:9 WVFX-DT Fox
10.2 480i WVFX-D2 The CW Plus
10.3WVFX-D3 Start TV
10.5WVFX-D5 Grit

Analog-to-digital conversion

WVFX shut down its analog signal, over UHF channel 46, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. The station's digital signal broadcasts on its pre-transition VHF channel 10, and also converted their virtual channel to 10 on the same date to take advantage of that channel number's better branding potential. [6] The station shifted to transmitting on channel 13 in 2020 as a part of the FCC's spectrum reallocation, and continues to use channel 10 as its virtual channel.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WWNY-TV</span> CBS affiliate in Carthage, New York

WWNY-TV is a television station licensed to Carthage, New York, United States, serving as the CBS affiliate for the Watertown area. It is owned by Gray Television alongside low-power, Class A Fox affiliate WNYF-CD. Both stations share studios on Arcade Street in downtown Watertown, while WWNY-TV and WNYF-CD's transmitters are located on the same tower along NY 126/State Street on Champion Hill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WTTE</span> TBD affiliate in Columbus, Ohio

WTTE is a television station in Columbus, Ohio, United States, airing programming from the digital multicast network TBD. It is owned by Cunningham Broadcasting, which maintains a local marketing agreement (LMA) with Sinclair Broadcast Group, owner of ABC/MyNetworkTV/Fox affiliate WSYX, for the provision of certain services. However, Sinclair effectively owns WTTE as the majority of Cunningham's stock is owned by the family of deceased group founder Julian Smith. Sinclair also operates Chillicothe-licensed CW affiliate WWHO under a separate LMA with Manhan Media. The three stations share studios on Dublin Road in Grandview Heights ; WTTE's transmitter is located in the Franklinton section of Columbus.

WPNT is a television station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, affiliated with The CW and MyNetworkTV. It is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group alongside Fox affiliate WPGH-TV. The two stations share studios on Ivory Avenue in the city's Summer Hill section, where WPNT's transmitter is also located.

WVVA is a television station licensed to Bluefield, West Virginia, United States, serving the Bluefield–Beckley–Oak Hill market as an affiliate of NBC and The CW Plus. Owned by Gray Television, the station maintains studios on U.S. Route 460 in Bluefield, West Virginia, and its transmitter is located atop East River Mountain, near the West Virginia–Virginia border.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KLTV</span> ABC/Telemundo affiliate in Tyler, Texas

KLTV is a television station licensed to Tyler, Texas, United States, serving East Texas as an affiliate of ABC and Telemundo. Owned by Gray Television, the station maintains studios on West Ferguson Street in downtown Tyler, and its transmitter is located in rural northern Smith County.

KDKA-TV, also known as CBS Pittsburgh, is a television station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, serving as the market's CBS outlet. It is owned and operated by the network's CBS News and Stations division alongside Jeannette-licensed WPKD-TV, an independent station. The two stations share studios at the Gateway Center in downtown Pittsburgh; KDKA-TV's transmitter is located in the city's Perry North neighborhood. KDKA-TV, along with sister station KYW-TV in Philadelphia, are the only CBS-affiliated television stations east of the Mississippi River with "K" call signs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WQED (TV)</span> PBS member station in Pittsburgh

WQED is a PBS member television station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Owned by WQED Multimedia, it is sister to public radio station WQED-FM (89.3). The two outlets share studios on Fifth Avenue near the Carnegie Mellon University campus and transmitter facilities near the campus of the University of Pittsburgh, both in the city's Oakland section.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPGH-TV</span> Fox affiliate in Pittsburgh

WPGH-TV is a television station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, affiliated with the Fox network. It is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group alongside dual CW and MyNetworkTV affiliate WPNT. The two stations share studios on Ivory Avenue in the city's Summer Hill neighborhood, where WPGH-TV's transmitter is also located.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WECT</span> NBC affiliate in Wilmington, North Carolina

WECT is a television station in Wilmington, North Carolina, United States, affiliated with NBC. It is owned by Gray Television, which provides certain services to Fox affiliate WSFX-TV under a shared services agreement (SSA) with American Spirit Media. The two stations share studios on Shipyard Boulevard in Wilmington; WECT's transmitter is located near Winnabow, North Carolina.

WINP-TV is a television station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, airing programming from the Ion Television network. Owned and operated by the Ion Media subsidiary of the E. W. Scripps Company, the station maintains transmitter facilities in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WQCW</span> CW affiliate in Portsmouth, Ohio

WQCW, branded on air as Tri-State's CW, is a television station licensed to Portsmouth, Ohio, United States, serving as the CW affiliate for the Charleston–Huntington, West Virginia market. It is one of two commercial television stations in the market licensed outside West Virginia. WQCW is owned by Gray Television alongside Huntington-licensed NBC affiliate WSAZ-TV. The two stations share studios on 5th Avenue in Huntington; WQCW's transmitter is located on Barker Ridge near Milton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WLOO</span> TV station in Vicksburg, Mississippi

WLOO is a television station licensed to Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States, serving the Jackson area as an affiliate of MyNetworkTV. Owned by Tougaloo College, it has a joint sales agreement (JSA) with Fox affiliate WDBD. Both stations, in turn, are controlled under a shared services agreement (SSA) by Gray Television, owner of NBC affiliate WLBT, channel 3. The stations share studios on South Jefferson Street in downtown Jackson, while WLOO's transmitter is located on Thigpen Road southeast of Raymond, Mississippi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KAUU</span> CBS/MyNetworkTV affiliate in Anchorage, Alaska

KAUU is a television station in Anchorage, Alaska, United States, affiliated with CBS and MyNetworkTV. It is owned by Gray Television alongside NBC affiliate KTUU-TV. The two stations share studios on East 40th Avenue in Anchorage; KAUU's transmitter is located in Knik, Alaska.

KTTW is a religious television station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States, owned and operated by Tri-State Christian Television (TCT) with transmitter in Rowena, South Dakota. It is rebroadcast on KTTM in Huron, whose transmitter is located near Alpena, South Dakota. KTTM covers areas of south-central and southeastern South Dakota that receive a marginal to non-existent over-the-air signal from KTTW.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WDTV</span> CBS affiliate in Weston, West Virginia

WDTV is a television station licensed to Weston, West Virginia, United States, serving as the CBS affiliate for North-Central West Virginia. It is owned by Gray Television alongside Clarksburg-licensed dual Fox/CW+ affiliate WVFX. The two stations share studios on Television Drive in Bridgeport ; WDTV's transmitter is located in an unincorporated area between Clarksburg and Arlington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBOY-TV</span> NBC/ABC affiliate in Clarksburg, West Virginia

WBOY-TV is a television station licensed to Clarksburg, West Virginia, United States, serving North Central West Virginia as an affiliate of NBC and ABC. Owned by Nexstar Media Group, the station maintains studios on West Pike Street in downtown Clarksburg, and its transmitter is located east of downtown and US 50.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WTAP-TV</span> NBC affiliate in Parkersburg, West Virginia

WTAP-TV is a television station in Parkersburg, West Virginia, United States, affiliated with NBC. It is owned by Gray Television alongside two low-power stations: Fox affiliate WOVA-LD and CBS affiliate WIYE-LD. The three stations share studios on Market Street in downtown Parkersburg; WTAP-TV's transmitter is located in Independence Township, Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WNYF-CD</span> Fox affiliate in Watertown, New York

WNYF-CD is a low-power, Class A television station in Watertown, New York, United States, affiliated with the Fox network. It is owned by Gray Television alongside Carthage-licensed CBS affiliate WWNY-TV. Both stations share studios on Arcade Street in downtown Watertown, while WNYF-CD and WWNY-TV's transmitters are located on the same tower along NY 126/State Street on Champion Hill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WATM-TV</span> ABC affiliate in Altoona, Pennsylvania

WATM-TV is a television station licensed to Altoona, Pennsylvania, United States, serving as the ABC affiliate for the Johnstown–Altoona–State College market. It is owned by Palm Television, L.P., which maintains a local marketing agreement (LMA) with Cunningham Broadcasting, owner of Johnstown-licensed Fox affiliate WWCP-TV, for the provision of certain services. Both stations, in turn, are operated under a time brokerage agreement (TBA) by Sinclair Broadcast Group, owner of Johnstown-licensed dual NBC/CW+ affiliate WJAC-TV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Short-term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness Act</span> 2009 United States law

The Short-term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness Act, or SAFER Act, is a U.S. law that required the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow the continuation of full-power analog TV transmissions in 2009 for an additional 30 days for the purpose of broadcasting public service announcements regarding the DTV transition in the United States and emergency information. It is also commonly known as the "DTV nightlight bill" or "analog nightlight", referring to a small nightlight that is left on after all of the other lights are out. Despite the analog shutoff deadline being extended to June 12, 2009 as part of the DTV Delay Act, stations that signed off before the deadline were still permitted to participate in the SAFER Act.

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WVFX". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ "Gray Buying WDTV-WVFX Clarksburg, WV". TVNewsCheck. May 13, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Application For Consent To Assignment Of Broadcast Station Construction Permit Or License". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. May 18, 2016. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  4. ↑ Consummation Notice, CDBS Public Access, Federal Communications Commission, Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  5. ↑ RabbitEars TV Query for WVFX
  6. ↑ "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 29, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.