WDCW: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|CW TV station in Washington, D.C.}} |
{{Short description|CW TV station in Washington, D.C.}} |
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{{good article}} |
{{good article}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date= |
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}} |
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{{Use American English|date=March 2023}} |
{{Use American English|date=March 2023}} |
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{{Infobox television station |
{{Infobox television station |
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| image_alt = Large, thick blue letters DC, with the D sitting atop the C, and the words "NEWS NOW" in black. On the left side of the letter D is a representation of the Washington Monument. |
| image_alt = Large, thick blue letters DC, with the D sitting atop the C, and the words "NEWS NOW" in black. On the left side of the letter D is a representation of the Washington Monument. |
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| branding = DCW 50 |
| branding = DCW 50 |
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| digital = 15 ([[ |
| digital = 15 ([[UHF]]), shared with [[WFDC-DT]]<ref name=wdcwwfdc>{{cite web|title=Modification of a Licensed Facility for DTV Application|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff35dbecefc015dc83369bd02d7&id=25076ff35dbecefc015dc83369bd02d7&goBack=N|website=FCC.gov|access-date=August 31, 2017|archive-date=September 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901075126/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff35dbecefc015dc83369bd02d7&id=25076ff35dbecefc015dc83369bd02d7&goBack=N|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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| virtual = 50 |
| virtual = 50 |
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| affiliations = {{ubl|'''50.1:''' [[The CW]]|'''50.2:''' [[Antenna TV]]|'''25.1:''' [[WDVM-TV]]}} |
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| subchannels = |
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| affiliations = {{ubl|'''50.1:''' [[The CW]]|'''50.2:''' [[Antenna TV]]|'''25.1:''' [[WDVM-TV]]<ref name=rei>{{cite web|title=Digital TV Market Listing for WDCW|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WDCW#station|website=RabbitEars.Info|access-date=May 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227104054/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WDCW#station|url-status=live}}</ref>}} |
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| translators = |
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| airdate = {{start date and age|1981|11|1|p=y|br=yes}} |
| airdate = {{start date and age|1981|11|1|p=y|br=yes}} |
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| location = [[Washington, D.C.]] |
| location = [[Washington, D.C.]] |
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| callsign_meaning = "Washington D.C.'s CW" |
| callsign_meaning = "Washington D.C.'s CW" |
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| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WCQR (1981–1985)|WFTY (1985–1995)|WBDC-TV (1995–2006)}} |
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WCQR (1981–1985)|WFTY (1985–1995)|WBDC-TV (1995–2006)}} |
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| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' |
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 50 (UHF, 1981–2009)|'''Digital:''' 51 (UHF, 2001–2009), 50 (UHF, 2009–2018)}} |
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| owner = [[Nexstar Media Group]] |
| owner = [[Nexstar Media Group]] |
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| licensee = [[ |
| licensee = [[Tribune Media Company]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/draftcopy/25076ff36ff69e94016ffdd98dc778cd|title=Commercial Broadcast Stations Biennial Ownership Report (FCC Form 323)|date=January 31, 2020|pages=11|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=February 2, 2020|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308105205/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/draftcopy/25076ff36ff69e94016ffdd98dc778cd|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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| sister_stations = WDVM-TV |
| sister_stations = WDVM-TV |
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| former_affiliations = {{ubl |
| former_affiliations = {{ubl|[[Independent station|Independent]] (1981–1995)|[[Super TV (American TV channel)|Super TV]] (1981–1985)|[[The WB]] (1995–2006)}} |
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| erp = 1,000 [[ |
| erp = 1,000 [[kW]] |
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| haat = {{convert|227|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} |
| haat = {{convert|227|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} |
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| facility_id = 30576 |
| facility_id = 30576 |
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| coordinates = {{coord|38|56|24|N|77|4|53|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}} |
| coordinates = {{coord|38|56|24|N|77|4|53|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}} |
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| licensing_authority = [[ |
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]] |
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| website = {{URL|https://www.dcnewsnow.com/watch-dcw50/}} |
| website = {{URL|https://www.dcnewsnow.com/watch-dcw50/}} |
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}} |
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'''WDCW''' (channel 50), branded on-air as '''DCW 50''', is a [[television station]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], |
'''WDCW''' (channel 50), branded on-air as '''DCW 50''', is a [[television station]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], serving as the local outlet for [[The CW]]. It is [[owned and operated]] by network majority owner [[Nexstar Media Group]] alongside [[Hagerstown, Maryland]]–licensed [[independent station]] [[WDVM-TV]] (channel 25); the two stations share studios on Wisconsin Avenue in Washington's [[Glover Park]] neighborhood. Through a [[channel sharing agreement]] with [[Univision]] station [[WFDC-DT]] (channel 14), WDCW transmits using WFDC's spectrum from a tower in the [[Tenleytown]] area of Washington's [[Northwest (Washington, D.C.)|Northwest quadrant]]. |
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The station began broadcasting in November 1981 as WCQR, culminating a 17-year struggle to get the station on air that included the death of the original permittee, bankruptcy, and years in the FCC's comparative hearing process. The station launched primarily as a vehicle for [[subscription television]] (STV) programming from [[Super TV (American TV channel)|Super TV]], which served the Washington and Baltimore areas. After the station was sold in 1985, it became WFTY and dropped the subscription content, operating as the Washington area's third independent station. After a foreclosure sale in 1993, it affiliated with [[The WB]] in 1995, improving its programming and market standing, and was sold to [[Tribune Media|Tribune Broadcasting]]. WDCW was one of the charter affiliates of The CW in 2006. Over the years, the station has had several partial attempts at airing or producing local newscasts; the most recent, ''DC News Now'', debuted in 2022. |
The station began broadcasting in November 1981 as WCQR, culminating a 17-year struggle to get the station on air that included the death of the original permittee, bankruptcy, and years in the FCC's comparative hearing process. The station launched primarily as a vehicle for [[subscription television]] (STV) programming from [[Super TV (American TV channel)|Super TV]], which served the Washington and Baltimore areas. After the station was sold in 1985, it became WFTY and dropped the subscription content, operating as the Washington area's third independent station. After a foreclosure sale in 1993, it affiliated with [[The WB]] in 1995, improving its programming and market standing, and was sold to [[Tribune Media|Tribune Broadcasting]]. WDCW was one of the charter affiliates of The CW in 2006. Over the years, the station has had several partial attempts at airing or producing local newscasts; the most recent, ''DC News Now'', debuted in 2022. |
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== History == |
== History == |
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=== Pre-broadcasting history === |
=== Pre-broadcasting history === |
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The history of channel 50 in Washington, D.C., began in 1964 when the first application was received for the channel from All American Television Features, owned by record executive and conductor [[Mitch Miller]]. That application was joined by three others. Theodore (Ted) Granik had once hosted ''[[The American Forum of the Air]]'', a debate program on [[NBC]] |
The history of channel 50 in Washington, D.C., began in 1964 when the first application was received for the channel from All American Television Features, owned by record executive and conductor [[Mitch Miller]]. That application was joined by three others. Theodore (Ted) Granik had once hosted ''[[The American Forum of the Air]]'', a debate program on [[NBC]];<ref>{{cite news|page=D15|title='Slattery's' Moving To Drum Up Votes|first=Lawrence|last=Laurent|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=November 7, 1964|id={{ProQuest|142106997}} }}</ref> his Washington application was one of seven he planned nationwide, primarily in the northeastern U.S.<ref name="Dail640904">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-granik-plans-7-uhf-tv-public/135880461/|date=September 4, 1964|page=64|title=Granik Plans 7 UHF-TV Public Service Stations|newspaper=Daily News|location=New York, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 27, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> [[O. Roy Chalk]], then-owner of [[DC Transit]], applied through his company, Transportation Communications of America.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chalk Seeking TV Channel 50|page=D22|date=January 28, 1965|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|id={{ProQuest|142436444}} }}</ref> The Greater Washington Educational Television Association, owner of [[WETA-TV]] (channel 26), sought to establish channel 50 as a second educational channel.<ref>{{cite news|page=B4|title=Educational TV Grant Requested|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=March 15, 1965|id={{ProQuest|142413529}} }}</ref> WETA dropped out of the channel 50 race when the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) moved channel 32 from [[Lock Haven, Pennsylvania]], to Washington for noncommercial educational use, but a fourth applicant, Washington lawyer Vincent B. Welch, entered the proceeding under the banner of the Colonial Television Corporation.<ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|142551815}}|first=Willard|last=Clopton|title=TV 'Bidalong' Stars Chalk, Mitch Miller|date=October 16, 1965|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|page=B1}}</ref> |
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[[Comparative hearing]]s were held in January 1966. Though Miller did not exactly impress with his failure to recall the names of important D.C. public officials,<ref>{{cite news|title=Mitch Miller Tells FCC Why He Wants Station|date=January 25, 1966|page=C2|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|first=Jack|last=Landau|id={{ProQuest|142967418}} }}</ref> he did enough to get the initial nod from examiner Basil P. Cooper, who lauded Miller's proposal to move to Washington, host a Saturday night program, and take an active hand in management.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mitch gets nod for Washington ch. 50|date=December 12, 1966|page=68|work=Broadcasting|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1966/1966-12-12-BC.pdf|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151344/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1966/1966-12-12-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Miller, however, was bumped from the lead when the FCC review board opted to strike a different note. In a July 1967 decision, the board chose the application of Granik, a 29-year Washington resident, over that of Miller, a New York resident who would only have been at the station full-time during its start-up period.<ref>{{cite news|id={{ |
[[Comparative hearing]]s were held in January 1966. Though Miller did not exactly impress with his failure to recall the names of important D.C. public officials,<ref>{{cite news|title=Mitch Miller Tells FCC Why He Wants Station|date=January 25, 1966|page=C2|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|first=Jack|last=Landau|id={{ProQuest|142967418}} }}</ref> he did enough to get the initial nod from examiner Basil P. Cooper, who lauded Miller's proposal to move to Washington, host a Saturday night program, and take an active hand in management.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mitch gets nod for Washington ch. 50|date=December 12, 1966|page=68|work=Broadcasting|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1966/1966-12-12-BC.pdf|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151344/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1966/1966-12-12-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Miller, however, was bumped from the lead when the FCC review board opted to strike a different note. In a July 1967 decision, the board chose the application of Granik, a 29-year Washington resident, over that of Miller, a New York resident who would only have been at the station full-time during its start-up period.<ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1014528194}}|title=Granik picked over Miller: Review board overrides initial decision granting Washington channel 50|page=38|work=Broadcasting|date=July 31, 1967|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-07-31-BC.pdf|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151419/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-07-31-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Miller and Chalk appealed the decision,<ref>{{cite news|title=Ch. 50 Washington losers protest grant|id={{ProQuest|1014504936}}|pages=55–56|work=Broadcasting|date=September 4, 1967|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-09-04-BC.pdf|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151430/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-09-04-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> but the full commission declined the appeals in March 1968.<ref>{{Cite news|page=90|work=Broadcasting|date=April 1, 1968|title=D.C. ch. 50 appeals turned down by FCC|id={{ProQuest|1014516500}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1968/1968-04-01-BC.pdf|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151357/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1968/1968-04-01-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Granik moved forward with his plans to house the station in the [[ |
Granik moved forward with his plans to house the station in the [[Sheraton Park Hotel]], where [[WRC-TV]] had once been based until it built new facilities in 1958. Proposed programs had such titles including ''Women Want to Know'', ''Report From Congress'', and ''Washington People Speak''.<ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|143030500}}|title=FCC Grants Granik Use of Channel 50|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=July 27, 1967|page=B4}}</ref> The call sign WGSP-TV was selected, for the owner and location—Granik and Sheraton Park.<ref name="WaPo680416">{{cite news|title=Two D.C. Channels Make Plans|date=April 16, 1968|page=C6|first=Lawrence|last=Laurent|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|id={{ProQuest|143478021}} }}</ref> |
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While a September 1968 |
While a September 1968 debut was announced,{{r|WaPo680416}} WGSP-TV never launched. On September 21, 1970, Granik died in New York; his obituary in ''[[The Washington Post]]'' stated that the station was to go on the air in late October.<ref>{{cite news|title=Theodore Granik, Moderated Debates on Radio, Television|page=C5|date=September 23, 1970|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|id={{ProQuest|147922507}} }}</ref> It was never to be. A failure to get financial backing led WGSP-TV to declare bankruptcy in May 1971; Theodore's son William declared of the station, "As of now, it's dead."<ref>{{cite news|date=May 27, 1971|title=Channel 50 In Bankruptcy|page=C13|id={{ProQuest|148049498}}|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> Granik's estate did not include sufficient funding for the television station to start.<ref>{{cite news |title=New D.C. permittee has financial troubles |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1971/1971-05-31-BC.pdf |work=Broadcasting |date=May 31, 1971 |id={{ProQuest|1014526632}} |page=39 |access-date=March 14, 2019 |archive-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528174525/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1971/1971-05-31-BC.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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A trustee, Lee Cowan, was named in the bankruptcy case, and he found a buyer. Richard S. Leghorn of [[Sarasota, Florida]], initially offered $15,000 for the permit;<ref>{{cite news|id={{ |
A trustee, Lee Cowan, was named in the bankruptcy case, and he found a buyer. Richard S. Leghorn of [[Sarasota, Florida]], initially offered $15,000 for the permit;<ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1016865703}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1971/1971-11-29-BC.pdf|date=November 29, 1971|work=Broadcasting|title=Court to consider offer for bankrupt D.C. permittee|page=61|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151311/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1971/1971-11-29-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Leghorn then teamed up with Black telecommunications consultant Theodore S. Ledbetter Jr. to form Trans Community Broadcasting, which paid $45,500 at bankruptcy auction and awaited FCC approval of the transfer of license. Trans Community, which was 58 percent Black-owned, also sought approval from the FCC to broadcast [[subscription television]] (STV) programming.<ref>{{cite news|first=Nancy L.|last=Ross|title=Pay TV Battle|pages=C1, C14|date=November 23, 1972|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|id={{ProQuest|148239632}} }}</ref> |
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The applications necessary to get WGSP-TV going would take years to materialize. In December 1974, Channel 50 Inc., a group owned by Ledbetter and the Model Cities Economic Development Corporation, filed with the FCC to acquire the construction permit from Cowan for $75,000 (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|75000|1974}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref>{{cite news|page=63|work=Broadcasting|date=January 6, 1975|title=For the Record|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1975/1975-01-06-BC.pdf|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|id={{ |
The applications necessary to get WGSP-TV going would take years to materialize. In December 1974, Channel 50 Inc., a group owned by Ledbetter and the Model Cities Economic Development Corporation, filed with the FCC to acquire the construction permit from Cowan for $75,000 (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|75000|1974}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref>{{cite news|page=63|work=Broadcasting|date=January 6, 1975|title=For the Record|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1975/1975-01-06-BC.pdf|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|id={{ProQuest|1016782228}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108155456/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1975/1975-01-06-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the STV portion of the Ledbetter consortium's plans caused another delay. At the time, the FCC had a policy of one STV service in a market, and [[WDCA-TV]] (channel 20) had also filed for authority for subscription broadcasts. In 1976, the two STV proposals and WGSP-TV's assignment of construction permit were consolidated in one hearing, with Channel 50 Inc.'s financial qualifications an issue in the proceeding.<ref>{{cite news|title=Washington STV requests|page=40|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1976/1976-07-19-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=July 19, 1976|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151328/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1976/1976-07-19-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Channel 50 argued that Washington had enough broadcast television service and was large enough to provide sufficient free service with two STV stations, but WDCA-TV had established better financial backing.<ref>{{cite news|pages=34–37|title=Has the day arrived for over-the-air pay television?|date=October 11, 1976|work=Broadcasting|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1976/1976-10-11-BC.pdf|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031194443/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1976/1976-10-11-BC.pdf|url-status=live|id={{ProQuest|1016890906}}}}</ref> |
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The cases awaited hearing for more than three years, but the matter became moot when the FCC amended its STV policy in 1979 to permit multiple STV stations if the market had four or more conventionally operating TV stations. In July 1980, the FCC finally greenlit the assignment of the permit to Channel 50 Inc., and it also approved WGSP-TV's STV programming, which was initially to be provided by Teleprompter Inc., a cable television programmer and part-owner of [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1980/1980-07-07-BC.pdf|date=July 7, 1980|pages=43–44|title=STV set for capital|work=Broadcasting|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151257/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1980/1980-07-07-BC.pdf|url-status=live|id={{ |
The cases awaited hearing for more than three years, but the matter became moot when the FCC amended its STV policy in 1979 to permit multiple STV stations if the market had four or more conventionally operating TV stations. In July 1980, the FCC finally greenlit the assignment of the permit to Channel 50 Inc., and it also approved WGSP-TV's STV programming, which was initially to be provided by Teleprompter Inc., a cable television programmer and part-owner of [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1980/1980-07-07-BC.pdf|date=July 7, 1980|pages=43–44|title=STV set for capital|work=Broadcasting|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151257/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1980/1980-07-07-BC.pdf|url-status=live|id={{ProQuest|962756191}} }}</ref> However, Teleprompter lost interest in over-the-air STV and helped Ledbetter, a former manager of [[WBNB-TV]] in the U.S. Virgin Islands, to find a replacement. A joint venture of [[Clint Murchison Jr.]] and [[Field Enterprises]], Subscription Television of Greater Washington (STVGW), was formed to provide the STV service for WGSP-TV as well as $3 million in financing (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|3000000|1980}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) to construct channel 50, which would go on the air in 1981.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1980/1980-12-22-BC.pdf|date=December 22, 1980|id={{ProQuest|1014700176}}|title=Murchison, Field to co-venture with Ledbetter for STV in Washington: New ch. 50 station targeted for start in summer of 1981|page=29|work=Broadcasting|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151221/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1980/1980-12-22-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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=== WCQR === |
=== WCQR === |
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After a call sign change and the construction of facilities, channel 50 debuted on Washington screens on November 1, 1981, as WCQR.<ref>{{cite news|work=Broadcasting|pages=60–61|date=November 9, 1981|title=Over-the-air pay TV starts in Washington; joins MDS system|id={{ |
After a call sign change and the construction of facilities, channel 50 debuted on Washington screens on November 1, 1981, as WCQR.<ref>{{cite news|work=Broadcasting|pages=60–61|date=November 9, 1981|title=Over-the-air pay TV starts in Washington; joins MDS system|id={{ProQuest|1014700176}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1981/BC-1981-11-09.pdf|access-date=February 5, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131030218/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1981/BC-1981-11-09.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> During the day, the programming was "freeform" in nature, with variety shows and eclectic fare from independent producers; there was little need to generate advertising revenue because of the STV lease.<ref name="WaPo811026">{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|142864932}} |title=Battle for Area's Pay TV Market Gets Under Way|first=Merrill|last=Brown|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|pages=WB1, 5|date=October 26, 1981}}</ref> At night, WCQR offered [[Super TV (American TV channel)|Super TV]], the subscription service from Subscription Television of Greater Washington. Super TV presented first-run movies, college basketball games, and an optional late-night adult service to paying subscribers; the base service cost $19.95 a month and came with a $49.95 installation charge.{{r|WaPo811026}} |
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Super TV got off to an uneven start; a computer problem caused some 20 percent of its 5,000 customers in the first month to not receive full service, while customer service phone lines were jammed.<ref>{{cite news|first=Molly|last=Sinclair|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|title=Pay TV Service Has Rocky Start|page=B1|date=November 26, 1981|id={{ProQuest|129672022}} }}</ref> However, Super TV hit its stride quickly, with 45,000 subscribers in greater Washington by the summer of 1982 plus 10,000 more in [[Baltimore]], where separately owned [[WNUV-TV]] signed on simulcasting Super TV's subscription programming.<ref name="Balt820809">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61026674/| |
Super TV got off to an uneven start; a computer problem caused some 20 percent of its 5,000 customers in the first month to not receive full service, while customer service phone lines were jammed.<ref>{{cite news|first=Molly|last=Sinclair|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|title=Pay TV Service Has Rocky Start|page=B1|date=November 26, 1981|id={{ProQuest|129672022}} }}</ref> However, Super TV hit its stride quickly, with 45,000 subscribers in greater Washington by the summer of 1982 plus 10,000 more in [[Baltimore]], where separately owned [[WNUV-TV]] signed on simulcasting Super TV's subscription programming.<ref name="Balt820809">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61026674/|access-date=October 12, 2020|title=Super progress for Super TV|page=B6|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|location=Baltimore, Maryland|via=Newspapers.com|first=Bill|last=Carter|date=August 9, 1982|archive-date=May 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528174528/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61026674/super-progress-for-super-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1983, Super TV peaked at 85,000 total subscribers, 55,000 in Washington and 30,000 in Baltimore.<ref name="celebrate">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61026780/|title=Channel 54 and Super TV have some things to celebrate|date=August 3, 1983|first=Michael|last=Hill|work=The Evening Sun|location=Baltimore, Maryland|via=Newspapers.com|page=B6|access-date=October 12, 2020|archive-date=May 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528174528/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61026780/channel-54-and-super-tv-have-some/|url-status=live}}</ref> The freeform programming gave way in late 1983 to the [[Financial News Network]], which signed channel 50 as its 14th affiliate.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1983/BC-1983-12-05.pdf|title=FNN in D.C.|id={{ProQuest|1014706211}}|date=December 5, 1983|work=Broadcasting|page=73|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308043843/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1983/BC-1983-12-05.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to that, the station was airing a live camera feed of the skyline as seen from [[Alexandria, Virginia]], largely because Super TV installers needed the station to broadcast a picture to aid in their work.<ref name="Even830803">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61026780/channel-54-and-super-tv-have-some-things/|date=August 3, 1983|page=B6|first=Michael|last=Hill|title=Channel 54 and Super TV have some things to celebrate|newspaper=The Evening Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 16, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed --> |
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In late 1984, Independent American Broadcasters (IAB), a group headed by [[Nolanda Hill]], filed to buy WCQR and a 50 percent stake in Super TV for $12 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|12000000|1984}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) plus the assumption of $3 million in debt.<ref>{{cite news|page=121|id={{ |
In late 1984, Independent American Broadcasters (IAB), a group headed by [[Nolanda Hill]], filed to buy WCQR and a 50 percent stake in Super TV for $12 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|12000000|1984}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) plus the assumption of $3 million in debt.<ref>{{cite news|page=121|id={{ProQuest|1014704063}}|title=In Brief|work=Broadcasting|date=December 10, 1984|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1984/BC-1984-12-10.pdf|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151327/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1984/BC-1984-12-10.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The STV service was showing a profit, but the new ownership began to plan the station's transition to ad-supported commercial broadcasting.<ref>{{cite news|title=Independent TV: Growing in new ways|pages=82, 86, 90|work=Broadcasting|id={{ProQuest|1014719312}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-01-07.pdf|date=January 7, 1985|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=February 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226171957/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-01-07.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Hill noted that Ledbetter had gotten the station going but lacked the capital to move forward.{{r|WaPo851028}} |
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=== WFTY === |
=== WFTY === |
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On July 1, 1985, WCQR changed its call sign to WFTY. In late October, the station announced that Super TV would come to an end over channel 50 on January 1, 1986.<ref name="WaPo851028">{{cite news|first=Nell|last=Henderson|id={{ProQuest|138445823}}|title=Channel 50 to Drop Super TV|pages=WB1, WB3|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=October 28, 1985}}</ref> Former Metromedia executive Allen Ginsberg was hired to supervise the purchasing of new programming and promotion for the new commercial independent station.{{r|WaPo851028}} Super TV continued on channel 54 in Baltimore until March 31, 1986, when it left the air as one of the last over-the-air STV services still in business.<ref>{{cite news|title=Declining Subscriptions Kill Super TV|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=April 1, 1986|first=Michael|last=Abramowitz|id={{ProQuest|126426722}} |page=D3}}</ref> |
On July 1, 1985, WCQR changed its call sign to WFTY. In late October, the station announced that Super TV would come to an end over channel 50 on January 1, 1986.<ref name="WaPo851028">{{cite news|first=Nell|last=Henderson|id={{ProQuest|138445823}}|title=Channel 50 to Drop Super TV|pages=WB1, WB3|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=October 28, 1985}}</ref> Former Metromedia executive Allen Ginsberg was hired to supervise the purchasing of new programming and promotion for the new commercial independent station.{{r|WaPo851028}} Super TV continued on channel 54 in Baltimore until March 31, 1986, when it left the air as one of the last over-the-air STV services still in business.<ref>{{cite news|title=Declining Subscriptions Kill Super TV|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=April 1, 1986|first=Michael|last=Abramowitz|id={{ProQuest|126426722}} |page=D3}}</ref> |
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The newly retooled WFTY stepped out into an independent television world in turmoil. Independent stations were becoming squeezed by high programming prices and a softening advertising market. The ''Post'' described its first full television season as "grueling". The station signed with [[Viacom ( |
The newly retooled WFTY stepped out into an independent television world in turmoil. Independent stations were becoming squeezed by high programming prices and a softening advertising market. The ''Post'' described its first full television season as "grueling". The station signed with [[Viacom (1952–2005)|Viacom]] for programs, but the station's plans to air ''[[I Love Lucy]]'' were dashed by competing independent [[WTTG]], which decided to renew the show. By October, the station was owing $1.14 million on its $12 million, seven-year contract (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|12000000|1986}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) with the company; Viacom took shows including ''[[Perry Mason (1957 TV series)|Perry Mason]]'', then the highest-rated program on WFTY, off the station's air. Further, two executives were replaced amid mismanagement charges that led to breach of contract lawsuits, and Hill moved her corporate headquarters from Dallas to the station's facilities in [[Rockville, Maryland]], renaming the group from Hill Broadcasting to Corridor Broadcasting.<ref>{{Cite news|title=WFTY Struggles Through Grueling First Year|date=June 8, 1987|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|first=Sandra|last=Sugawara|pages=WB1, 26, 27|id={{ProQuest|139116023}} }}</ref> |
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In 1990, WRC-TV made a proposal to WFTY to spend $1,000 a weeknight to program the 7:30 p.m. half-hour with a newscast, which it would produce and sell advertising for.<ref>{{Cite news|title=WRC to air newscast on rival station|work=[[Electronic Media]]|pages=1, 55|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1990-10-15_9_42_0/mode/2up?q=WFTY|date=October 15, 1990|first=Doug|last=Halonen}}</ref> The program, ''7:30 News Headlines'', debuted on January 14, 1991, anchored by [[Wendy Rieger]] and seeking to cater to an upscale audience.<ref>{{cite news|first=Michael E.|last=Hill|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/tv/1991/01/13/730-news-headlines/27c045b0-8f16-4e92-981c-33f7deed5df6/|title='7:30 News Headlines': Four Channels News to Fifty|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=January 13, 1991|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=May 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528174534/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/tv/1991/01/13/730-news-headlines/27c045b0-8f16-4e92-981c-33f7deed5df6/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was the first such news-share program ever announced and the second to air.{{efn|Twelve days earlier, a similar newscast production agreement had started between [[WNEP-TV]] and [[WSWB|WOLF]] in [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]].{{r|NYT910107}}}}<ref name="NYT910107">{{Cite news |last=Carter |first=Bill |date=January 7, 1991 |title=Stations Seek More Profits on News |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/07/business/stations-seek-more-profits-on-news.html |access-date=May 28, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213235932/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/07/business/stations-seek-more-profits-on-news.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the newscast attracted worse ratings than the show it replaced, ''[[The Avengers (TV series)|The Avengers]]''.<ref>{{cite news|work=[[Electronic Media]]|title=WRC news on rival starts low|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1991-01-21_10_4_0/page/n43/mode/2up?q=WFTY|first=Doug|last=Halonen|page=45|date=January 21, 1991}}</ref> It was doomed by low ratings, a poor economy, and the [[Gulf War]], which scrambled news viewing habits right as the program started; as a result, WRC-TV ended the arrangement effective October 25, 1991.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1991/10/21/the-tv-column/b702a57c-dcfb-48c4-8c98-4e2b44944296/|first=John|last=Carmody|title=The TV Column|date=October 21, 1991|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=May 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528174535/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1991/10/21/the-tv-column/b702a57c-dcfb-48c4-8c98-4e2b44944296/|url-status=live}}</ref> The station also tried its hand at producing a local show on issues from a youth perspective, ''Kids Point of View Television''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1993-01-18_12_3_0/page/n73/mode/2up?q=WFTY|page=54|work=Electronic Media|date=January 18, 1993|title=Washington}}</ref> |
In 1990, WRC-TV made a proposal to WFTY to spend $1,000 a weeknight to program the 7:30 p.m. half-hour with a newscast, which it would produce and sell advertising for.<ref>{{Cite news|title=WRC to air newscast on rival station|work=[[Electronic Media]]|pages=1, 55|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1990-10-15_9_42_0/mode/2up?q=WFTY|date=October 15, 1990|first=Doug|last=Halonen}}</ref> The program, ''7:30 News Headlines'', debuted on January 14, 1991, anchored by [[Wendy Rieger]] and seeking to cater to an upscale audience.<ref>{{cite news|first=Michael E.|last=Hill|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/tv/1991/01/13/730-news-headlines/27c045b0-8f16-4e92-981c-33f7deed5df6/|title='7:30 News Headlines': Four Channels News to Fifty|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=January 13, 1991|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=May 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528174534/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/tv/1991/01/13/730-news-headlines/27c045b0-8f16-4e92-981c-33f7deed5df6/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was the first such news-share program ever announced and the second to air.{{efn|Twelve days earlier, a similar newscast production agreement had started between [[WNEP-TV]] and [[WSWB|WOLF]] in [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]].{{r|NYT910107}}}}<ref name="NYT910107">{{Cite news |last=Carter |first=Bill |date=January 7, 1991 |title=Stations Seek More Profits on News |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/07/business/stations-seek-more-profits-on-news.html |access-date=May 28, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213235932/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/07/business/stations-seek-more-profits-on-news.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the newscast attracted worse ratings than the show it replaced, ''[[The Avengers (TV series)|The Avengers]]''.<ref>{{cite news|work=[[Electronic Media]]|title=WRC news on rival starts low|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1991-01-21_10_4_0/page/n43/mode/2up?q=WFTY|first=Doug|last=Halonen|page=45|date=January 21, 1991}}</ref> It was doomed by low ratings, a poor economy, and the [[Gulf War]], which scrambled news viewing habits right as the program started; as a result, WRC-TV ended the arrangement effective October 25, 1991.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1991/10/21/the-tv-column/b702a57c-dcfb-48c4-8c98-4e2b44944296/|first=John|last=Carmody|title=The TV Column|date=October 21, 1991|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=May 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528174535/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1991/10/21/the-tv-column/b702a57c-dcfb-48c4-8c98-4e2b44944296/|url-status=live}}</ref> The station also tried its hand at producing a local show on issues from a youth perspective, ''Kids Point of View Television''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1993-01-18_12_3_0/page/n73/mode/2up?q=WFTY|page=54|work=Electronic Media|date=January 18, 1993|title=Washington}}</ref> |
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=== WB and CW affiliations === |
=== WB and CW affiliations === |
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WFTY joined [[The WB]] on February 20, 1995, six weeks after the network started broadcasting. The closest network affiliate to Washington was [[WJAL]] (channel 68) in [[Hagerstown, Maryland]], which did not reach the District on cable or over-the-air. Since WB programming consisted of a single block on Wednesdays from 8 to 10 p.m. at the time, WFTY ran WB programs on six consecutive weeknights in order to catch up and begin airing new episodes in line with the network on March 1.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Carmody|first1=John|title=The TV Column|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1995/02/17/the-tv-column/202b3c0a-d1f4-4732-99cc-3c12d59d8db3|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=February 17, 1995|access-date=April 25, 2018|archive-date=April 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426145318/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1995/02/17/the-tv-column/202b3c0a-d1f4-4732-99cc-3c12d59d8db3/|url-status=live}}</ref> The call sign was changed on September 6 to WBDC-TV to reflect the network affiliation; by this time, the station had also added substantial local sports programming with [[ |
WFTY joined [[The WB]] on February 20, 1995, six weeks after the network started broadcasting. The closest network affiliate to Washington was [[WJAL]] (channel 68) in [[Hagerstown, Maryland]], which did not reach the District on cable or over-the-air. Since WB programming consisted of a single block on Wednesdays from 8 to 10 p.m. at the time, WFTY ran WB programs on six consecutive weeknights in order to catch up and begin airing new episodes in line with the network on March 1.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Carmody|first1=John|title=The TV Column|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1995/02/17/the-tv-column/202b3c0a-d1f4-4732-99cc-3c12d59d8db3|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=February 17, 1995|access-date=April 25, 2018|archive-date=April 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426145318/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1995/02/17/the-tv-column/202b3c0a-d1f4-4732-99cc-3c12d59d8db3/|url-status=live}}</ref> The call sign was changed on September 6 to WBDC-TV to reflect the network affiliation; by this time, the station had also added substantial local sports programming with [[Washington Bullets]] basketball and [[Washington Capitals]] hockey telecasts produced by [[Home Team Sports]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carmody |first=John |date=September 12, 1995 |title=The TV Column |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1995/09/12/the-tv-column/64ef0510-8962-44ff-b06e-acd2b1f42f9e/ |access-date=May 28, 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809070428/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1995/09/12/the-tv-column/64ef0510-8962-44ff-b06e-acd2b1f42f9e/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first=Richard|last=Justice|title=Bullets pull switch, go with Channel 50|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1995/04/08/bullets-pull-switch-go-with-wfty-50/9bb5bbab-4ffc-4046-81d7-08146e80ca8e/ |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=April 8, 1995}}</ref> |
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In December 1995, Jasas contracted with [[Tribune Media|Tribune Broadcasting]], which owned a minority stake in The WB, to manage WBDC-TV in a seven-year deal.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 6, 1995 |title=Digest |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1995/12/06/digest/198e283c-5e49-4f93-af2b-e63bab978c98/ |access-date=May 28, 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528174537/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1995/12/06/digest/198e283c-5e49-4f93-af2b-e63bab978c98/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1999, Tribune bought the station outright from Jasas.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moraes |first=Lisa |
In December 1995, Jasas contracted with [[Tribune Media|Tribune Broadcasting]], which owned a minority stake in The WB, to manage WBDC-TV in a seven-year deal.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 6, 1995 |title=Digest |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1995/12/06/digest/198e283c-5e49-4f93-af2b-e63bab978c98/ |access-date=May 28, 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528174537/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1995/12/06/digest/198e283c-5e49-4f93-af2b-e63bab978c98/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1999, Tribune bought the station outright from Jasas.<ref>{{Cite news |last=de Moraes |first=Lisa |date=August 20, 1999 |title=After 'Lake Placid,' Oliver Platt Heads for New York Crime Drama on NBC |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1999/08/20/after-lake-placid-oliver-platt-heads-for-new-york-crime-drama-on-nbc/f4963445-703c-4d42-88e7-c93887b18621/ |access-date=May 28, 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528174537/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1999/08/20/after-lake-placid-oliver-platt-heads-for-new-york-crime-drama-on-nbc/f4963445-703c-4d42-88e7-c93887b18621/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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[[Image:Wdcw new cw logo.PNG|upright=0.68|left|thumb|WDCW's CW logo, used from 2006 to 2008.]] |
[[Image:Wdcw new cw logo.PNG|upright=0.68|left|thumb|WDCW's CW logo, used from 2006 to 2008.]] |
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On January 24, 2006, the Warner Bros. unit of [[WarnerMedia|Time Warner]] and [[CBS Corporation]] |
On January 24, 2006, the Warner Bros. unit of [[WarnerMedia|Time Warner]] and [[CBS Corporation]] announced that the two companies would shut down The WB and [[UPN]] and combine the networks' respective programming to create [[The CW]];<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seid |first=Jessica |date=January 24, 2006 |title='Gilmore Girls' meet 'Smackdown'; CW Network to combine WB, UPN in CBS-Warner venture beginning in September |url=https://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news/companies/cbs_warner/ |website=[[CNN Money]] |access-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-date=March 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316043531/http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news/companies/cbs_warner/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Bill |date=January 24, 2006 |title=UPN and WB to Combine, Forming New TV Network |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/24/business/media/24cnd-network.html?bl |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=February 22, 2017 |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017035638/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/24/business/media/24cnd-network.html?bl |url-status=live }}</ref> the day of the announcement, it was revealed that 16 of Tribune's 19 WB stations would be affiliated with the new network, including WBDC-TV.<ref>{{Cite news |last=de Moraes |first=Lisa |date=January 25, 2006 |title=Ta-Ta, UPN. So Long, WB. Hello, The CW. |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2006/01/25/ta-ta-upn-so-long-wb-hello-the-cw/53de9625-a6e6-4154-9d5b-ca0eb4a2cf51/ |access-date=May 28, 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=August 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827174549/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2006/01/25/ta-ta-upn-so-long-wb-hello-the-cw/53de9625-a6e6-4154-9d5b-ca0eb4a2cf51/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The call sign was changed to the present WDCW in advance of the network's September 2006 launch.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maynard |first=John |date=June 11, 2006 |title=WTTG, WJLA Tie in Local Emmys |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2006/06/11/wttg-wjla-tie-in-local-emmys-span-classbankheadchannel-5-channel-7-take-14-awards-each/4e2eed9c-e72b-4d34-b169-956bfef42568/ |access-date=May 28, 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=August 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827183924/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2006/06/11/wttg-wjla-tie-in-local-emmys-span-classbankheadchannel-5-channel-7-take-14-awards-each/4e2eed9c-e72b-4d34-b169-956bfef42568/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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In 2010, WDCW debuted the hip-hop music program ''Direct Access with [[Big Tigger]]''. This program was later syndicated to two other Tribune stations and [[WCIU-TV]] in [[Chicago]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=de Moraes |first=Lisa |date=January 25, 2011 |title=WDCW's 'Direct Access' to be available in other cities in the fall |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/tvblog/2011/01/wdcws-direct-access-to-be-avai.html |access-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113042041/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/tvblog/2011/01/wdcws-direct-access-to-be-avai.html |url-status=live }}</ref> From 2007 to 2018, WDCW aired ''NewsPlus with Mark Segraves'', a local news and culture magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dcw50.com/2018/05/21/newsplus-with-mark-segraves-is-goin-goin-gone/|title='NewsPlus with Mark Segraves' is Goin' Goin' Gone|date=May 21, 2018 |
In 2010, WDCW debuted the hip-hop music program ''Direct Access with [[Big Tigger]]''. This program was later syndicated to two other Tribune stations and [[WCIU-TV]] in [[Chicago]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=de Moraes |first=Lisa |date=January 25, 2011 |title=WDCW's 'Direct Access' to be available in other cities in the fall |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/tvblog/2011/01/wdcws-direct-access-to-be-avai.html |access-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-date=January 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113042041/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/tvblog/2011/01/wdcws-direct-access-to-be-avai.html |url-status=live }}</ref> From 2007 to 2018, WDCW aired ''NewsPlus with Mark Segraves'', a local news and culture magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dcw50.com/2018/05/21/newsplus-with-mark-segraves-is-goin-goin-gone/|title='NewsPlus with Mark Segraves' is Goin' Goin' Gone|date=May 21, 2018|work=WDCW}}{{deadlink|date=September 2023}}</ref> |
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Tribune launched WDCW's first full-length newscast in 25 years in 2016, when a nightly half-hour 10 p.m. newscast debuted. The program was produced from [[WTVR-TV]] in [[Richmond, Virginia]], which Tribune then owned, and featured local reporters and WTVR news presenters. With WTVR bound for purchase by the [[E. W. Scripps Company]] to address regulatory issues in the Richmond market from the company's sale to Nexstar, the newscast was canceled effective September 28, 2018.<ref name="hc-dcw50newscancelled">{{cite news |last1=Darling |first1=Cary |title=CW 39 cancels 'NewsFix' and 'Morning Dose' |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/tv/article/CW-39-cancels-NewsFix-and-Morning-Dose-13209949.php |access-date=September 6, 2018 |work=[[Houston Chronicle]] |date=September 6, 2018 |archive-date=September 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907032404/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/tv/article/CW-39-cancels-NewsFix-and-Morning-Dose-13209949.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="dcist-dcw50newsend">{{cite news |last1=Delgadillo |first1=Natalie |title=D.C. Loses Another Local News Outlet As DCW50 News at 10 Folds |url=http://dcist.com/2018/09/dc_loses_another_local_news_outlet.php |access-date=September 15, 2018 |work=[[DCist]] |date=September 7, 2018 |archive-date=September 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913095432/http://dcist.com/2018/09/dc_loses_another_local_news_outlet.php |url-status= |
Tribune launched WDCW's first full-length newscast in 25 years in 2016, when a nightly half-hour 10 p.m. newscast debuted. The program was produced from [[WTVR-TV]] in [[Richmond, Virginia]], which Tribune then owned, and featured local reporters and WTVR news presenters. With WTVR bound for purchase by the [[E. W. Scripps Company]] to address regulatory issues in the Richmond market from the company's sale to Nexstar, the newscast was canceled effective September 28, 2018.<ref name="hc-dcw50newscancelled">{{cite news |last1=Darling |first1=Cary |title=CW 39 cancels 'NewsFix' and 'Morning Dose' |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/tv/article/CW-39-cancels-NewsFix-and-Morning-Dose-13209949.php |access-date=September 6, 2018 |work=[[Houston Chronicle]] |date=September 6, 2018 |archive-date=September 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907032404/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/tv/article/CW-39-cancels-NewsFix-and-Morning-Dose-13209949.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="dcist-dcw50newsend">{{cite news |last1=Delgadillo |first1=Natalie |title=D.C. Loses Another Local News Outlet As DCW50 News at 10 Folds |url=http://dcist.com/2018/09/dc_loses_another_local_news_outlet.php |access-date=September 15, 2018 |work=[[DCist]] |date=September 7, 2018 |archive-date=September 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913095432/http://dcist.com/2018/09/dc_loses_another_local_news_outlet.php |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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=== Aborted sale to Sinclair; sale to Nexstar === |
=== Aborted sale to Sinclair; sale to Nexstar === |
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{{main|Attempted acquisition of Tribune Media by Sinclair Broadcast Group}} |
{{main|Attempted acquisition of Tribune Media by Sinclair Broadcast Group}} |
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[[Sinclair Broadcast Group]], which in the Washington market owns [[WJLA-TV]], entered into an agreement to acquire Tribune Media on May 8, 2017, for $3.9 billion (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|3900000000|2017}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}), plus the assumption of $2.7 billion in Tribune debt.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Stephen |last=Battaglio |date=May 8, 2017 |title=Sinclair Broadcast Group to buy Tribune Media for $3.9 billion plus debt |url=http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-tribune-sinclair-20170508-story.html |access-date=June 6, 2017 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |archive-date=June 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606151425/http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-tribune-sinclair-20170508-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Cynthia |last=Littleton |date=May 8, 2017 |title=Sinclair Broadcast Group Sets $3.9 Billion Deal to Acquire Tribune Media |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/sinclair-tribune-merger-station-group-1202416416/ |access-date=June 6, 2017 |periodical=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-date=June 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605120406/http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/sinclair-tribune-merger-station-group-1202416416/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Though it otherwise faced no regulatory issues involving the stations in the Washington television market itself, the deal received significant government scrutiny over Sinclair's forthrightness in its applications to sell certain conflict properties,<ref>{{cite news |last=Shields |first=Todd |date=July 16, 2018 |title=Sinclair and Tribune Fall as FCC Slams TV Station Sale Plan |agency=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg News]] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-07-16/fcc-rejects-sinclair-plan-for-tv-station-sales-in-tribune-deal-jjof6bcs |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004022344/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-07-16/fcc-rejects-sinclair-plan-for-tv-station-sales-in-tribune-deal-jjof6bcs |archive-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Edmund |date=July 18, 2018 |title=Sinclair Tries to Appease F.C.C., but Its Tribune Bid Is Challenged |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/18/business/media/sinclair-tribune-fcc.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405093744/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/18/business/media/sinclair-tribune-fcc.html |archive-date=April 5, 2019}}</ref> prompting the FCC to designate it for hearing<ref>{{cite web |last=Mirabella |first=Lorraine |date=July 18, 2018 |title=FCC orders hearing even as Sinclair changes plans to sell TV stations to address concerns about Tribune deal |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-sinclair-tribune-revised-divestitures-20180718-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811004751/http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-sinclair-tribune-revised-divestitures-20180718-story.html |archive-date=August 11, 2018 |access-date=August 9, 2018 |
[[Sinclair Broadcast Group]], which in the Washington market owns [[WJLA-TV]], entered into an agreement to acquire Tribune Media on May 8, 2017, for $3.9 billion (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|3900000000|2017}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}), plus the assumption of $2.7 billion in Tribune debt.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Stephen |last=Battaglio |date=May 8, 2017 |title=Sinclair Broadcast Group to buy Tribune Media for $3.9 billion plus debt |url=http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-tribune-sinclair-20170508-story.html |access-date=June 6, 2017 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |archive-date=June 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606151425/http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-tribune-sinclair-20170508-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Cynthia |last=Littleton |date=May 8, 2017 |title=Sinclair Broadcast Group Sets $3.9 Billion Deal to Acquire Tribune Media |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/sinclair-tribune-merger-station-group-1202416416/ |access-date=June 6, 2017 |periodical=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-date=June 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605120406/http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/sinclair-tribune-merger-station-group-1202416416/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Though it otherwise faced no regulatory issues involving the stations in the Washington television market itself, the deal received significant government scrutiny over Sinclair's forthrightness in its applications to sell certain conflict properties,<ref>{{cite news |last=Shields |first=Todd |date=July 16, 2018 |title=Sinclair and Tribune Fall as FCC Slams TV Station Sale Plan |agency=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg News]] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-07-16/fcc-rejects-sinclair-plan-for-tv-station-sales-in-tribune-deal-jjof6bcs |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004022344/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-07-16/fcc-rejects-sinclair-plan-for-tv-station-sales-in-tribune-deal-jjof6bcs |archive-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Edmund |date=July 18, 2018 |title=Sinclair Tries to Appease F.C.C., but Its Tribune Bid Is Challenged |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/18/business/media/sinclair-tribune-fcc.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405093744/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/18/business/media/sinclair-tribune-fcc.html |archive-date=April 5, 2019}}</ref> prompting the FCC to designate it for hearing<ref>{{cite web |last=Mirabella |first=Lorraine |date=July 18, 2018 |title=FCC orders hearing even as Sinclair changes plans to sell TV stations to address concerns about Tribune deal |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-sinclair-tribune-revised-divestitures-20180718-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811004751/http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-sinclair-tribune-revised-divestitures-20180718-story.html |archive-date=August 11, 2018 |access-date=August 9, 2018 |newspaper=[[Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref> and leading Tribune to terminate the deal and sue Sinclair for [[breach of contract]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Tribune withdraws from Sinclair merger, saying it will sue for 'breach of contract'|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/08/09/tribune-withdraws-sinclair-merger-saying-it-will-sue-breach-contract/|first1=Brian|last1=Fung|first2=Tony|last2=Romm|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=August 9, 2018|access-date=December 4, 2018|archive-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428203302/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/08/09/tribune-withdraws-sinclair-merger-saying-it-will-sue-breach-contract/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Following the Sinclair deal's collapse, [[Nexstar Media Group]] of [[Irving, Texas]], announced its purchase of Tribune Media on December 3, 2018, for $6.4 billion (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|6400000000|2018}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) in cash and debt.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Jon |last=Lafayette |date=December 3, 2018 |title=Nexstar Announces Deal to Buy Tribune for $6.4B |url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/nexstar-announces-deal-to-buy-tribune-for-6-4b |periodical=Broadcasting & Cable |access-date=December 6, 2018 |archive-date=April 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405084338/https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/nexstar-announces-deal-to-buy-tribune-for-6-4b |url-status=live }}</ref> The sale was completed on September 19, 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Mark K. |last=Miller |date=September 19, 2019 |title=Nexstar Closes On Tribune Merger |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/239233/nexstar-closes-on-tribune-merger/ |work=TVNewsCheck |access-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-date=September 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920231248/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/239233/nexstar-closes-on-tribune-merger/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
Following the Sinclair deal's collapse, [[Nexstar Media Group]] of [[Irving, Texas]], announced its purchase of Tribune Media on December 3, 2018, for $6.4 billion (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|6400000000|2018}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) in cash and debt.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Jon |last=Lafayette |date=December 3, 2018 |title=Nexstar Announces Deal to Buy Tribune for $6.4B |url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/nexstar-announces-deal-to-buy-tribune-for-6-4b |periodical=Broadcasting & Cable |access-date=December 6, 2018 |archive-date=April 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405084338/https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/nexstar-announces-deal-to-buy-tribune-for-6-4b |url-status=live }}</ref> The sale was completed on September 19, 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Mark K. |last=Miller |date=September 19, 2019 |title=Nexstar Closes On Tribune Merger |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/239233/nexstar-closes-on-tribune-merger/ |work=TVNewsCheck |access-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-date=September 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920231248/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/239233/nexstar-closes-on-tribune-merger/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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''DC News Now'' launched on July 11, 2022, over both stations [[Soft launch|with minimal publicity]], debuting its first marketing campaign in early October. While an expansion for WDVM's existing news operation (with the bulk of newscasts using said brand on that station), it was treated as a ''de facto'' startup, with news director Ben Dobson hiring all of the operation's 80 additional staffers, many of whom were newcomers to the market.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Greeley |first=Paul |date=October 17, 2022 |title=Nexstar Quietly Starts 'DC News Now' From Scratch |url=https://marketshare.tvnewscheck.com/2022/10/17/nexstar-quietly-starts-dc-news-now-from-scratch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017110941/https://marketshare.tvnewscheck.com/2022/10/17/nexstar-quietly-starts-dc-news-now-from-scratch/ |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |access-date=December 22, 2022 |website=TVNewsCheck Marketshare |language=en-US}}</ref> |
''DC News Now'' launched on July 11, 2022, over both stations [[Soft launch|with minimal publicity]], debuting its first marketing campaign in early October. While an expansion for WDVM's existing news operation (with the bulk of newscasts using said brand on that station), it was treated as a ''de facto'' startup, with news director Ben Dobson hiring all of the operation's 80 additional staffers, many of whom were newcomers to the market.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Greeley |first=Paul |date=October 17, 2022 |title=Nexstar Quietly Starts 'DC News Now' From Scratch |url=https://marketshare.tvnewscheck.com/2022/10/17/nexstar-quietly-starts-dc-news-now-from-scratch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017110941/https://marketshare.tvnewscheck.com/2022/10/17/nexstar-quietly-starts-dc-news-now-from-scratch/ |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |access-date=December 22, 2022 |website=TVNewsCheck Marketshare |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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In February 2024, WDCW became the television home for [[Loudoun United FC]] of the [[USL Championship]]. Matches air on both WDCW and WDVM.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 28, 2024 |title=Loudoun United FC and DC News Now Announce Linear TV Deal |url=https://www.loudoununitedfc.com/news/2024/02/28/loudoun-united-fc-and-dc-news-now-announce-linear-tv-deal/ |access-date=April 12, 2024 |publisher=[[Loudoun United FC]] |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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== Technical information == |
== Technical information == |
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[[File:Hughes Memorial Tower.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1|alt=A television tower with an ichthus design in its lattice supports|The [[Hughes Memorial Tower]] was used to transmit WDCW until the station sold its spectrum in 2017<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=John |date=May 24, 2014 |title=D.C.'s tallest tower is named for a former police officer and has a secret Jesus fish built into its design |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/soaring-761-feet-this-radio-and-tv-tower-on-georgia-avenue-nw-is-the-citys-tallest/2014/05/24/a28e9006-e216-11e3-8dcc-d6b7fede081a_story.html |access-date=May 28, 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204181339/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/soaring-761-feet-this-radio-and-tv-tower-on-georgia-avenue-nw-is-the-citys-tallest/2014/05/24/a28e9006-e216-11e3-8dcc-d6b7fede081a_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>]] |
[[File:Hughes Memorial Tower.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1|alt=A television tower with an ichthus design in its lattice supports|The [[Hughes Memorial Tower]] was used to transmit WDCW until the station sold its spectrum in 2017<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=John |date=May 24, 2014 |title=D.C.'s tallest tower is named for a former police officer and has a secret Jesus fish built into its design |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/soaring-761-feet-this-radio-and-tv-tower-on-georgia-avenue-nw-is-the-citys-tallest/2014/05/24/a28e9006-e216-11e3-8dcc-d6b7fede081a_story.html |access-date=May 28, 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204181339/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/soaring-761-feet-this-radio-and-tv-tower-on-georgia-avenue-nw-is-the-citys-tallest/2014/05/24/a28e9006-e216-11e3-8dcc-d6b7fede081a_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>]] |
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=== Subchannels === |
=== Subchannels === |
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{{ |
{{#section:WFDC-DT|subs}} |
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The station's digital signal is [[multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]: |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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|+ Subchannels of WDCW<ref name=rei/> |
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! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]] |
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! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]] |
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! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]] |
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! scope = "col" | Short name |
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! scope = "col" | Programming |
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|- |
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! scope = "row" | 50.1 |
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| [[720p]] || [[16:9]] || WDCW-DT || Main WDCW programming / [[The CW]] |
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|- |
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! scope = "row" | 50.2 |
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| [[480i]] || [[4:3]] || Antenna || [[Antenna TV]] |
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|- style="background-color: #E6FFF7;" |
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! scope = "row" | [[WDVM-TV|25.1]] |
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| 480i || 16:9 || WDVM-SD || [[WDVM-TV]] in [[standard-definition television|SD]] ([[Independent station (North America)|Independent]]) |
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|} |
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{{legend|#E6FFF7|Simulcast of subchannels of another station}} |
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=== Analog-to-digital conversion and broadcast spectrum repack === |
=== Analog-to-digital conversion and broadcast spectrum repack === |
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WDCW stopped transmitting on its analog signal, over [[ |
WDCW stopped transmitting on its analog signal, over [[UHF]] channel 50, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States [[Digital television transition in the United States|transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts]] under federal mandate. The station's digital signal relocated from its pre-transition UHF channel 51 to channel 50.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds |access-date=March 24, 2012 |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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In April 2017, Tribune sold WDCW's broadcast spectrum to the FCC for $122 million as part of the commission's 2016–17 spectrum reallocation reverse auction.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/103290/post-auction-tv-wont-be-that-different/|title=Post-Auction TV Won't Be That Different|last=Jessell|first=Harry A.|date=April 14, 2017|website=TVNewsCheck|language=en|access-date=April 9, 2020|archive-date=September 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923063759/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/103290/post-auction-tv-wont-be-that-different/|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 31, 2017, it was announced that WDCW had entered into a channel sharing agreement with Univision affiliate [[WFDC-DT]]. WDCW ended broadcasts over its own channel 50 and began sharing WFDC's channel 15 on January 23, 2018.<ref name=wdcwwfdc/> |
In April 2017, Tribune sold WDCW's broadcast spectrum to the FCC for $122 million as part of the commission's 2016–17 spectrum reallocation reverse auction.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/103290/post-auction-tv-wont-be-that-different/|title=Post-Auction TV Won't Be That Different|last=Jessell|first=Harry A.|date=April 14, 2017|website=TVNewsCheck|language=en|access-date=April 9, 2020|archive-date=September 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923063759/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/103290/post-auction-tv-wont-be-that-different/|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 31, 2017, it was announced that WDCW had entered into a channel sharing agreement with Univision affiliate [[WFDC-DT]]. WDCW ended broadcasts over its own channel 50 and began sharing WFDC's channel 15 on January 23, 2018.<ref name=wdcwwfdc/> |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1981 establishments in Washington, D.C.]] |
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[[Category:The CW affiliates]] |
[[Category:The CW affiliates]] |
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[[Category:Nexstar Media Group]] |
[[Category:Nexstar Media Group]] |
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[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1981]] |
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1981]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Television stations in Washington, D.C.|DCW]] |
Latest revision as of 12:05, 12 July 2024
![]() | |
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Channels | |
Branding | DCW 50 |
Programming | |
Affiliations |
|
Ownership | |
Owner | |
WDVM-TV | |
History | |
First air date | November 1, 1981 |
Former call signs |
|
Former channel number(s) |
|
| |
Call sign meaning | "Washington D.C.'s CW" |
Technical information[3] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
Facility ID | 30576 |
ERP | 1,000 kW |
HAAT | 227 m (745 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 38°56′24″N 77°4′53″W / 38.94000°N 77.08139°W |
Links | |
Public license information | |
Website | www |
WDCW (channel 50), branded on-air as DCW 50, is a television station in Washington, D.C., serving as the local outlet for The CW. It is owned and operated by network majority owner Nexstar Media Group alongside Hagerstown, Maryland–licensed independent station WDVM-TV (channel 25); the two stations share studios on Wisconsin Avenue in Washington's Glover Park neighborhood. Through a channel sharing agreement with Univision station WFDC-DT (channel 14), WDCW transmits using WFDC's spectrum from a tower in the Tenleytown area of Washington's Northwest quadrant.
The station began broadcasting in November 1981 as WCQR, culminating a 17-year struggle to get the station on air that included the death of the original permittee, bankruptcy, and years in the FCC's comparative hearing process. The station launched primarily as a vehicle for subscription television (STV) programming from Super TV, which served the Washington and Baltimore areas. After the station was sold in 1985, it became WFTY and dropped the subscription content, operating as the Washington area's third independent station. After a foreclosure sale in 1993, it affiliated with The WB in 1995, improving its programming and market standing, and was sold to Tribune Broadcasting. WDCW was one of the charter affiliates of The CW in 2006. Over the years, the station has had several partial attempts at airing or producing local newscasts; the most recent, DC News Now, debuted in 2022.
History
[edit]Pre-broadcasting history
[edit]The history of channel 50 in Washington, D.C., began in 1964 when the first application was received for the channel from All American Television Features, owned by record executive and conductor Mitch Miller. That application was joined by three others. Theodore (Ted) Granik had once hosted The American Forum of the Air, a debate program on NBC;[4] his Washington application was one of seven he planned nationwide, primarily in the northeastern U.S.[5] O. Roy Chalk, then-owner of DC Transit, applied through his company, Transportation Communications of America.[6] The Greater Washington Educational Television Association, owner of WETA-TV (channel 26), sought to establish channel 50 as a second educational channel.[7] WETA dropped out of the channel 50 race when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) moved channel 32 from Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, to Washington for noncommercial educational use, but a fourth applicant, Washington lawyer Vincent B. Welch, entered the proceeding under the banner of the Colonial Television Corporation.[8]
Comparative hearings were held in January 1966. Though Miller did not exactly impress with his failure to recall the names of important D.C. public officials,[9] he did enough to get the initial nod from examiner Basil P. Cooper, who lauded Miller's proposal to move to Washington, host a Saturday night program, and take an active hand in management.[10] Miller, however, was bumped from the lead when the FCC review board opted to strike a different note. In a July 1967 decision, the board chose the application of Granik, a 29-year Washington resident, over that of Miller, a New York resident who would only have been at the station full-time during its start-up period.[11] Miller and Chalk appealed the decision,[12] but the full commission declined the appeals in March 1968.[13]
Granik moved forward with his plans to house the station in the Sheraton Park Hotel, where WRC-TV had once been based until it built new facilities in 1958. Proposed programs had such titles including Women Want to Know, Report From Congress, and Washington People Speak.[14] The call sign WGSP-TV was selected, for the owner and location—Granik and Sheraton Park.[15]
While a September 1968 debut was announced,[15] WGSP-TV never launched. On September 21, 1970, Granik died in New York; his obituary in The Washington Post stated that the station was to go on the air in late October.[16] It was never to be. A failure to get financial backing led WGSP-TV to declare bankruptcy in May 1971; Theodore's son William declared of the station, "As of now, it's dead."[17] Granik's estate did not include sufficient funding for the television station to start.[18]
A trustee, Lee Cowan, was named in the bankruptcy case, and he found a buyer. Richard S. Leghorn of Sarasota, Florida, initially offered $15,000 for the permit;[19] Leghorn then teamed up with Black telecommunications consultant Theodore S. Ledbetter Jr. to form Trans Community Broadcasting, which paid $45,500 at bankruptcy auction and awaited FCC approval of the transfer of license. Trans Community, which was 58 percent Black-owned, also sought approval from the FCC to broadcast subscription television (STV) programming.[20]
The applications necessary to get WGSP-TV going would take years to materialize. In December 1974, Channel 50 Inc., a group owned by Ledbetter and the Model Cities Economic Development Corporation, filed with the FCC to acquire the construction permit from Cowan for $75,000 (equivalent to $463,360 in 2023).[21] However, the STV portion of the Ledbetter consortium's plans caused another delay. At the time, the FCC had a policy of one STV service in a market, and WDCA-TV (channel 20) had also filed for authority for subscription broadcasts. In 1976, the two STV proposals and WGSP-TV's assignment of construction permit were consolidated in one hearing, with Channel 50 Inc.'s financial qualifications an issue in the proceeding.[22] Channel 50 argued that Washington had enough broadcast television service and was large enough to provide sufficient free service with two STV stations, but WDCA-TV had established better financial backing.[23]
The cases awaited hearing for more than three years, but the matter became moot when the FCC amended its STV policy in 1979 to permit multiple STV stations if the market had four or more conventionally operating TV stations. In July 1980, the FCC finally greenlit the assignment of the permit to Channel 50 Inc., and it also approved WGSP-TV's STV programming, which was initially to be provided by Teleprompter Inc., a cable television programmer and part-owner of Showtime.[24] However, Teleprompter lost interest in over-the-air STV and helped Ledbetter, a former manager of WBNB-TV in the U.S. Virgin Islands, to find a replacement. A joint venture of Clint Murchison Jr. and Field Enterprises, Subscription Television of Greater Washington (STVGW), was formed to provide the STV service for WGSP-TV as well as $3 million in financing (equivalent to $11.1 million in 2023) to construct channel 50, which would go on the air in 1981.[25]
WCQR
[edit]I'm not in it for the money. I'm in it because I'm a communicator who has had a difficult time getting stations to show my programs. We will see what people in the area come up with.
Theodore Ledbetter, on WCQR's non-subscription programming[26]
After a call sign change and the construction of facilities, channel 50 debuted on Washington screens on November 1, 1981, as WCQR.[27] During the day, the programming was "freeform" in nature, with variety shows and eclectic fare from independent producers; there was little need to generate advertising revenue because of the STV lease.[26] At night, WCQR offered Super TV, the subscription service from Subscription Television of Greater Washington. Super TV presented first-run movies, college basketball games, and an optional late-night adult service to paying subscribers; the base service cost $19.95 a month and came with a $49.95 installation charge.[26]
Super TV got off to an uneven start; a computer problem caused some 20 percent of its 5,000 customers in the first month to not receive full service, while customer service phone lines were jammed.[28] However, Super TV hit its stride quickly, with 45,000 subscribers in greater Washington by the summer of 1982 plus 10,000 more in Baltimore, where separately owned WNUV-TV signed on simulcasting Super TV's subscription programming.[29] In 1983, Super TV peaked at 85,000 total subscribers, 55,000 in Washington and 30,000 in Baltimore.[30] The freeform programming gave way in late 1983 to the Financial News Network, which signed channel 50 as its 14th affiliate.[31] Prior to that, the station was airing a live camera feed of the skyline as seen from Alexandria, Virginia, largely because Super TV installers needed the station to broadcast a picture to aid in their work.[32]
In late 1984, Independent American Broadcasters (IAB), a group headed by Nolanda Hill, filed to buy WCQR and a 50 percent stake in Super TV for $12 million (equivalent to $35.2 million in 2023) plus the assumption of $3 million in debt.[33] The STV service was showing a profit, but the new ownership began to plan the station's transition to ad-supported commercial broadcasting.[34] Hill noted that Ledbetter had gotten the station going but lacked the capital to move forward.[35]
WFTY
[edit]On July 1, 1985, WCQR changed its call sign to WFTY. In late October, the station announced that Super TV would come to an end over channel 50 on January 1, 1986.[35] Former Metromedia executive Allen Ginsberg was hired to supervise the purchasing of new programming and promotion for the new commercial independent station.[35] Super TV continued on channel 54 in Baltimore until March 31, 1986, when it left the air as one of the last over-the-air STV services still in business.[36]
The newly retooled WFTY stepped out into an independent television world in turmoil. Independent stations were becoming squeezed by high programming prices and a softening advertising market. The Post described its first full television season as "grueling". The station signed with Viacom for programs, but the station's plans to air I Love Lucy were dashed by competing independent WTTG, which decided to renew the show. By October, the station was owing $1.14 million on its $12 million, seven-year contract (equivalent to $33.4 million in 2023) with the company; Viacom took shows including Perry Mason, then the highest-rated program on WFTY, off the station's air. Further, two executives were replaced amid mismanagement charges that led to breach of contract lawsuits, and Hill moved her corporate headquarters from Dallas to the station's facilities in Rockville, Maryland, renaming the group from Hill Broadcasting to Corridor Broadcasting.[37]
In 1990, WRC-TV made a proposal to WFTY to spend $1,000 a weeknight to program the 7:30 p.m. half-hour with a newscast, which it would produce and sell advertising for.[38] The program, 7:30 News Headlines, debuted on January 14, 1991, anchored by Wendy Rieger and seeking to cater to an upscale audience.[39] It was the first such news-share program ever announced and the second to air.[a][40] However, the newscast attracted worse ratings than the show it replaced, The Avengers.[41] It was doomed by low ratings, a poor economy, and the Gulf War, which scrambled news viewing habits right as the program started; as a result, WRC-TV ended the arrangement effective October 25, 1991.[42] The station also tried its hand at producing a local show on issues from a youth perspective, Kids Point of View Television.[43]
Hill's broadcast stations would be mired in a series of financial issues in the early 1990s that ultimately led to a foreclosure on her two television properties. A November 1993 report in the Post revealed that Corridor Broadcasting had contributed thousands of dollars to Democratic political campaigns but owed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) $26 million (equivalent to $54.8 million in 2023). It also detailed ties between Hill and Ron Brown, then the United States Secretary of Commerce (and revealed to be her romantic partner after his death[44]); a company named Harmon International, named after Brown's middle name, owned a small portion of channel 50's equipment and leased it to Hill.[45] An executive with broadcasting industry analyst Paul Kagan Associates labeled WFTY as "in distress", claiming it had "never had a dime of cash flow"; it was attracting too small of an audience to show in ratings books, and it had reportedly lost money for multiple years running.[45] The $26 million loan had belonged to Sunbelt Savings & Loan, a Dallas financial institution that failed; the FDIC refused to foreclose on the loan because it did not want to run a TV station.[45]
The FDIC received a $3.1 million (equivalent to $6.54 million in 2023) offer for the failed loan from John and Barbara Foster of Fort Worth, Texas, through their Jasas Corporation. The Fosters specialized in acquiring businesses at foreclosure. They proceeded to foreclose on the note in August 1993 and have WFTY and WHLL in Worcester, Massachusetts, transferred to them; they paid Hill to continue managing the stations, an arrangement that later led to investigations by the FDIC inspector general and a House committee as to whether she illegally retained a financial interest after foreclosure.[46] John Foster told the Post, "We've found a lot more problems than I ever anticipated and a lot more costs. I'm in the thing for substantially more money than I thought it was going to be."[45] The Massachusetts station was sold in early 1995, but Jasas opted to hold on to WFTY after initially putting it on the market.[46] Hill was later indicted in 1998 for siphoning more than $200,000 from Corridor and additional money from related companies, spending the money on shopping expenses;[47] she received a four-month jail sentence in 1999.[48]
WB and CW affiliations
[edit]WFTY joined The WB on February 20, 1995, six weeks after the network started broadcasting. The closest network affiliate to Washington was WJAL (channel 68) in Hagerstown, Maryland, which did not reach the District on cable or over-the-air. Since WB programming consisted of a single block on Wednesdays from 8 to 10 p.m. at the time, WFTY ran WB programs on six consecutive weeknights in order to catch up and begin airing new episodes in line with the network on March 1.[49] The call sign was changed on September 6 to WBDC-TV to reflect the network affiliation; by this time, the station had also added substantial local sports programming with Washington Bullets basketball and Washington Capitals hockey telecasts produced by Home Team Sports.[50][51]
In December 1995, Jasas contracted with Tribune Broadcasting, which owned a minority stake in The WB, to manage WBDC-TV in a seven-year deal.[52] In 1999, Tribune bought the station outright from Jasas.[53]
On January 24, 2006, the Warner Bros. unit of Time Warner and CBS Corporation announced that the two companies would shut down The WB and UPN and combine the networks' respective programming to create The CW;[54][55] the day of the announcement, it was revealed that 16 of Tribune's 19 WB stations would be affiliated with the new network, including WBDC-TV.[56] The call sign was changed to the present WDCW in advance of the network's September 2006 launch.[57]
In 2010, WDCW debuted the hip-hop music program Direct Access with Big Tigger. This program was later syndicated to two other Tribune stations and WCIU-TV in Chicago.[58] From 2007 to 2018, WDCW aired NewsPlus with Mark Segraves, a local news and culture magazine.[59]
Tribune launched WDCW's first full-length newscast in 25 years in 2016, when a nightly half-hour 10 p.m. newscast debuted. The program was produced from WTVR-TV in Richmond, Virginia, which Tribune then owned, and featured local reporters and WTVR news presenters. With WTVR bound for purchase by the E. W. Scripps Company to address regulatory issues in the Richmond market from the company's sale to Nexstar, the newscast was canceled effective September 28, 2018.[60][61]
Aborted sale to Sinclair; sale to Nexstar
[edit]Sinclair Broadcast Group, which in the Washington market owns WJLA-TV, entered into an agreement to acquire Tribune Media on May 8, 2017, for $3.9 billion (equivalent to $4.85 billion in 2023), plus the assumption of $2.7 billion in Tribune debt.[62][63] Though it otherwise faced no regulatory issues involving the stations in the Washington television market itself, the deal received significant government scrutiny over Sinclair's forthrightness in its applications to sell certain conflict properties,[64][65] prompting the FCC to designate it for hearing[66] and leading Tribune to terminate the deal and sue Sinclair for breach of contract.[67]
Following the Sinclair deal's collapse, Nexstar Media Group of Irving, Texas, announced its purchase of Tribune Media on December 3, 2018, for $6.4 billion (equivalent to $7.77 billion in 2023) in cash and debt.[68] The sale was completed on September 19, 2019.[69]
In the Washington, D.C., market, the Nexstar purchase united WDCW with WDVM-TV (channel 25) in Hagerstown, Maryland, a former NBC affiliate for Hagerstown which had been converted into an independent station that specialized in hyperlocal news programs for specific areas of the Washington media market. In February 2020, the two stations' staffs were merged under common management by Nexstar.[70]
DC News Now
[edit]On May 25, 2022, Nexstar announced that it would combine the operations of WDVM-TV and WDCW at the latter's Washington facility, where it had signed for an additional 29,000 square feet (2,700 m2) of office space the year before,[71] and move the production of WDVM-TV's newscasts there. Under the banner of DC News Now, the stations' combined and expanded news service would retain the existing WDVM-TV regional newscasts, with bureaus in Hagerstown; Frederick, Maryland; and Chantilly, Virginia. As part of the expansion, a 10 p.m. newscast would be started for air on WDCW.[72]
DC News Now launched on July 11, 2022, over both stations with minimal publicity, debuting its first marketing campaign in early October. While an expansion for WDVM's existing news operation (with the bulk of newscasts using said brand on that station), it was treated as a de facto startup, with news director Ben Dobson hiring all of the operation's 80 additional staffers, many of whom were newcomers to the market.[73]
In February 2024, WDCW became the television home for Loudoun United FC of the USL Championship. Matches air on both WDCW and WDVM.[74]
Technical information
[edit]![A television tower with an ichthus design in its lattice supports](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Hughes_Memorial_Tower.jpg/220px-Hughes_Memorial_Tower.jpg)
Subchannels
[edit]License | Channel | Res. | Aspect | Short name | Programming |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
WFDC-DT | 14.1 | 720p | 16:9 | WFDC-DT | Univision |
14.2 | 480i | 4:3 | getTV | GetTV | |
14.3 | 16:9 | GRIT | Grit TV | ||
14.4 | 720p | UniMas | UniMás ![]() | ||
WDCW | 25.1 | 480i | WDVM-SD | WDVM-TV in SD (Independent) | |
50.1 | 720p | WDCW-DT | The CW | ||
50.2 | 480i | 4:3 | Antenna | Antenna TV |
Analog-to-digital conversion and broadcast spectrum repack
[edit]WDCW stopped transmitting on its analog signal, over UHF channel 50, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. The station's digital signal relocated from its pre-transition UHF channel 51 to channel 50.[77]
In April 2017, Tribune sold WDCW's broadcast spectrum to the FCC for $122 million as part of the commission's 2016–17 spectrum reallocation reverse auction.[78] On August 31, 2017, it was announced that WDCW had entered into a channel sharing agreement with Univision affiliate WFDC-DT. WDCW ended broadcasts over its own channel 50 and began sharing WFDC's channel 15 on January 23, 2018.[1]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Twelve days earlier, a similar newscast production agreement had started between WNEP-TV and WOLF in Scranton, Pennsylvania.[40]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Modification of a Licensed Facility for DTV Application". FCC.gov. Archived from the original on September 1, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
- ^ "Commercial Broadcast Stations Biennial Ownership Report (FCC Form 323)". Federal Communications Commission. January 31, 2020. p. 11. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WDCW". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ Laurent, Lawrence (November 7, 1964). "'Slattery's' Moving To Drum Up Votes". The Washington Post. p. D15. ProQuest 142106997.
- ^ "Granik Plans 7 UHF-TV Public Service Stations". Daily News. New York, New York. September 4, 1964. p. 64. Retrieved November 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Chalk Seeking TV Channel 50". The Washington Post. January 28, 1965. p. D22. ProQuest 142436444.
- ^ "Educational TV Grant Requested". The Washington Post. March 15, 1965. p. B4. ProQuest 142413529.
- ^ Clopton, Willard (October 16, 1965). "TV 'Bidalong' Stars Chalk, Mitch Miller". The Washington Post. p. B1. ProQuest 142551815.
- ^ Landau, Jack (January 25, 1966). "Mitch Miller Tells FCC Why He Wants Station". The Washington Post. p. C2. ProQuest 142967418.
- ^ "Mitch gets nod for Washington ch. 50" (PDF). Broadcasting. December 12, 1966. p. 68. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ "Granik picked over Miller: Review board overrides initial decision granting Washington channel 50" (PDF). Broadcasting. July 31, 1967. p. 38. ProQuest 1014528194. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ "Ch. 50 Washington losers protest grant" (PDF). Broadcasting. September 4, 1967. pp. 55–56. ProQuest 1014504936. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ "D.C. ch. 50 appeals turned down by FCC" (PDF). Broadcasting. April 1, 1968. p. 90. ProQuest 1014516500. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ "FCC Grants Granik Use of Channel 50". The Washington Post. July 27, 1967. p. B4. ProQuest 143030500.
- ^ a b Laurent, Lawrence (April 16, 1968). "Two D.C. Channels Make Plans". The Washington Post. p. C6. ProQuest 143478021.
- ^ "Theodore Granik, Moderated Debates on Radio, Television". The Washington Post. September 23, 1970. p. C5. ProQuest 147922507.
- ^ "Channel 50 In Bankruptcy". The Washington Post. May 27, 1971. p. C13. ProQuest 148049498.
- ^ "New D.C. permittee has financial troubles" (PDF). Broadcasting. May 31, 1971. p. 39. ProQuest 1014526632. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
- ^ "Court to consider offer for bankrupt D.C. permittee" (PDF). Broadcasting. November 29, 1971. p. 61. ProQuest 1016865703. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
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External links
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