WNPX-TV

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WNPX-TV
Franklin/Nashville, Tennessee/
Bowling Green, Kentucky
United States
CityFranklin, Tennessee
ChannelsDigital: 32 (UHF)
Virtual: 28
BrandingIon
Programming
Affiliations28.1: Ion Television (O&O)
28.2: Court TV
28.3: Grit
28.4: Laff
28.5: Defy TV
28.6: TrueReal
Ownership
OwnerIon Media
(a subsidiary of the E. W. Scripps Company)
(Ion Media License Company, LLC)
Nashville:
WTVF
Knoxville:
WPXK-TV
History
FoundedJuly 28, 1986 (1986-07-28)
First air date
January 23, 1989 (32 years ago) (1989-01-23)
(in Cookeville, Tennessee; license moved to Franklin in 2019[1])
Former call signs
WMTT (1989–1993)
WKZX (1993–1998)
Former channel number(s)
Analog:
28 (UHF, 1989–2009)
Digital:
36 (UHF, 2009–2019)
Former affiliations
  • Analog/DT1:
  • Independent (1989–1995)
  • The WB (1995–1998)
  • DT2:
  • Qubo (2007–2021)
  • DT3:
  • Ion Life/Ion Plus (2007–2021)
  • DT4:
  • The Worship Network (2007–2010)
  • Ion Shop (2012–2021)
    DT5:
    QVC (2013–2021)
    DT6:
    HSN (2013–2021)
Call sign meaning
Nashville PaX
Technical information
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID28468
ClassDT
ERP550 kW[2]
HAAT364.8 m (1,197 ft)[2]
Transmitter coordinates36°31′36″N 86°41′14″W / 36.52667°N 86.68722°W / 36.52667; -86.68722[2]
Links
Public license information
Profile
LMS
Websiteiontelevision.com

WNPX-TV, virtual channel 28 (UHF digital channel 32), is an Ion Television owned-and-operated station serving Nashville, Tennessee, United States that is licensed to Franklin. Owned by the Ion Media subsidiary of the E. W. Scripps Company, it is part of a duopoly with Nashville-licensed CBS affiliate WTVF (channel 5). WNPX-TV's transmitter is located near Cross Plains, Tennessee.

WNPX also serves as the de facto Ion outlet for the Bowling Green, Kentucky media market, as that area does not have an affiliate of its own.

History[]

As an independent station[]

The station was signed on by Dove Broadcasting on January 23, 1989, as WMTT, an independent station serving Cookeville. On March 17, 1989, it was sold to Steven J. Sweeney.[3] The station would sign on with a general-entertainment format featuring cartoons, sitcoms, movies, religious programming, and infomercials. InaVision Broadcasting purchased WMTT in 1993,[4] and changed its call sign to WKZX in 1994.[citation needed]

As a WB affiliate[]

WKZX became a charter affiliate of The WB in 1995, and would later share the WB affiliation with WNAB (channel 58), which also served Nashville and was signed on two months later. The network also aired on cable via the superstation feed of Chicago-based WGN-TV, later branded WGN America. In 1995, WKZX launched a nightly newscast at 6:30 pm (and repeated at 10:00 p.m.) branded as News 28.[5] In 1997, InaVision Broadcasting sold the station to Roberts Broadcasting, a company based in St. Louis.[6][7]

As a Pax/Ion O&O[]

In 1998, Roberts Broadcasting sold WKZX to Paxson Communications,[8] who shut down the station's news operation. Paxson also moved and upgraded WKZX's transmitter to begin focusing the channel on the Nashville market. The station's call sign was changed to WNPX-TV. On August 31, the station ended its affiliation with The WB and began airing programming from the then-new upstart television network Pax TV, the forerunner of Ion Television.[9][10][11]

The WB would continue airing on WNAB along with the cable superstation feed of WGN. However, a year later, on January 27, 1999, network co-owners Time Warner and Tribune mutually agreed that as of September, they would cease the stopgap WB programming relay over the WGN superstation feed. Affiliation agreements were signed with local broadcast stations within the top-100 media markets after its launch, whereas coverage for the 110 smallest markets was only achieved through the September 1998 launch of The WeB (renamed The WB 100+ Station Group). Cable providers were offered a packaged-feed of WB network and syndicated programs. As a result, WNAB became the sole WB affiliate in the Nashville market.[12][13][14][15][16]

Near-sale to Fox; move to Franklin[]

On August 2, 2017, it was reported that Fox Television Stations was in discussion with Ion Media to create a joint-venture that would merge the two respective stations. The partnership was said to include plans to shift affiliations from Sinclair Broadcast Group stations in favor of Ion-owned stations for those whose affiliation agreements were soon to expire.[17] In Nashville's case, this included shifting Fox from WZTV (channel 17) to WNPX-TV. If WZTV lost its Fox affiliation, the station would become independent again, as it was from 1968 to 1971 (as WMCV) and 1976 to 1990. This partnership was reported on May 8, 2017, when Sinclair announced that they would acquire Tribune Media for $3.9 billion.[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]

Fox was concerned by this deal, as Sinclair was viewed as a competitor in conservative-leaning news. Through the deal, Sinclair gained increased leverage to air Fox programming on reverse compensation. This deal came as Fox's affiliation agreement contract with Sinclair was about to expire. However, on December 6, 2017, it was reported that Sinclair and Fox were discussing a deal that would see its Fox affiliates renew their affiliation agreement in exchange for Sinclair selling some of its Fox affiliates directly to Fox Television Stations. As a result of the deal, between six and ten Fox affiliates owned by Sinclair and Tribune (all in markets with an NFL team) would become Fox owned-and-operated stations. It was unknown whether WZTV would be one of the stations sold, although the stations being sold to Fox were expected to be from Tribune Media (notably KCPQ in Seattle, where Sinclair already owned KOMO-TV), many of which were previously owned by Fox.[29] The chances that WZTV would keep its Fox affiliation increased in October 2017 when Ion determined its stations would have a must-carry status instead of retransmission consent, which the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled Ion must keep for three years. However, must-carry only applies to a main signal, allowing Fox to possibly affiliate with a digital subchannel on WNPX-TV and other Ion stations.[30] On May 9, 2018, Sinclair announced that seven Fox affiliates would be sold to FTS. WZTV was not included in these and an affiliation renewal was announced for it instead, a move that would keep WZTV with Sinclair. This meant that WNPX-TV would also remain an Ion owned-and-operated station.[31]

Sometime in 2019, WNPX's city of license was changed from Cookeville to Franklin.

Sale to Scripps[]

On September 24, 2020, the Cincinnati-based E. W. Scripps Company announced that it would purchase Ion Media for $2.65 billion with financing from Berkshire Hathaway. With this purchase, Scripps divested 23 Ion-owned stations, but no announcement was made at the time as to which stations would be divested as part of the move. The proposed divestitures allowed the merged company to fully comply with the FCC local and national ownership regulations. Scripps agreed to a transaction with an unnamed buyer, who has agreed to maintain Ion affiliations for the stations. (The buyer was revealed in an October 2020 FCC filing to be Inyo Broadcast Holdings). It was also stated that Scripps decided to keep WNPX-TV, making it a sister station to CBS affiliate WTVF (channel 5), pending approval by the FCC. The transaction was finalized and closed on January 7, 2021.[32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39]

It was later announced on January 14, 2021, that E. W. Scripps Company would cease operations of Qubo, Ion Plus and Ion Shop on February 28, 2021, as it was reported that they would move their Katz Broadcasting networks (which include Bounce TV, Court TV, Court TV Mystery, Grit and Laff) to the former Ion Media owned-and-operated stations, but will still retain Ion as their main affiliation.[40][41][42][43] On February 27 at 5 a.m., the station transitioned the second, third and fourth subchannels, with Court TV replacing Qubo on channel 28.2, Grit replacing Ion Plus on channel 28.3, and Laff replacing Ion Shop on 28.4. Laff continued to air on sister station WTVF channel 5.3, but was replaced with Bounce TV on September 1.[44][45] WKRN-TV would replace Bounce TV with SportsGrid on channel 2.2 and Grit with Rewind TV on channel 2.4 at the same time.[46] WSMV-TV currently still continues to air Court TV Mystery on 4.2 and Court TV on 4.4.[47]

On March 2, the E. W. Scripps Company announced plans to add two new networks to its digital broadcast portfolio (joining its six existing networks). Defy and TrueReal (the latter had initially been billed as Doozy), which will respectively target men and women in the 25-54 age range with factual lifestyle and reality programming, was announced to launch on several E. W. Scripps owned-and-operated stations. There was previous speculation that the two new networks would launch on WNPX, replacing both HSN and QVC on the fifth and sixth subchannels, as this was officially confirmed on June 22, 2021.[48][49][50] On June 30, 2021, WNPX-TV replaced both QVC and HSN with previews of both Defy TV and TrueReal, previewing the programming to launch on both networks. [51][52] Both networks officially launched on July 1, 2021.[53][54]

Technical information[]

Subchannels[]

The station's digital signal is multiplexed:

Channel Video Aspect PSIP Short Name Programming[55]
28.1 720p 16:9 ION Ion Television
28.2 480i CourtTV Court TV
28.3 Grit Grit
28.4 Laff Laff
28.5 Defy Defy TV
28.6 TrueReal True Real

Analog-to-digital conversion[]

WNPX-TV terminated its analog signal over UHF channel 28 on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States were federally mandated to transition from analog to digital broadcasts. The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 36.[56] Through the use of PSIP, digital television receivers display the station's virtual channel as its former UHF analog channel 28.

Spectrum incentive auction results[]

In the summer of 2017, as a result of its participation in the FCC's 2016–17 incentive auction, WNPX filed for a construction permit for its digital signal to relocate to UHF channel 32. On October 18, 2019, WNPX moved to channel 32 due to spectrum repacking. CBS affiliate WTVF moved its digital signal allocation to WNPX's former allocation.

Former translator[]

Until 2015, the station also utilized an analog translator, WNPX-LP on channel 20, located at Whites Creek. The translator was sold to Daystar on March 26, 2015.[57]

References[]

  1. ^ "WNPX-TV Cookeville to Franklin, TN - COL Petition for Rulemaking". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. December 6, 2018. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Modification of a DTV Station Construction Permit Application". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. March 7, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  3. ^ "Application Search Details (1)". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  4. ^ "Application Search Details (2)". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  5. ^ Other News Opens, Closes, and Themes - NashvilleTV.org
  6. ^ "Changing Hands" (PDF). Broadcasting & Cable. October 14, 1996. p. 43. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  7. ^ "Application Search Details (3)". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  8. ^ "Application Search Details (4)". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  9. ^ "Paxson's IN TV: move over UPN, WB (Lowell Paxson predicts that his Infomall TV Network will out perform United Paramount Network and WB Network)". Broadcasting & Cable. Cahners Business Information. January 23, 1995. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012 – via HighBeam Research.
  10. ^ "Pax TV to offer family programming". Chicago Sun-Times. American Publishing Company. August 16, 1998. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012 – via HighBeam Research.
  11. ^ Lisa de Moraes (August 29, 1998). "On Monday, the Genesis of PAX TV". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 10, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2013 – via HighBeam Research.
  12. ^ Michael Stroud (February 1, 1999). "WB affils cheer end of WGN feed" (PDF). Broadcasting & Cable. Cahners Business Information. p. 29. Retrieved March 20, 2019 – via World Radio History.
  13. ^ Richard Katz (January 28, 1999). "WGN to drop the WB for off-net series". Variety. Cahners Business Information. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  14. ^ Rita Sherrow (January 30, 1999). "UVTV dropping WB lineup to air movies, sports". Tulsa World. World Publishing Company. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  15. ^ Linda Moss (September 20, 1999). "WGN Drops WB, Adds Movies, Sitcoms". Multichannel News. Cahners Business Information. Archived from the original on March 28, 2015. Retrieved June 22, 2013 – via HighBeam Research.
  16. ^ MaryWade Burnside (October 7, 1999). "Last night Dawson's last? WGN ceases to air WB programming". The Charleston Gazette. The Daily Gazette Company. Archived from the original on March 28, 2015. Retrieved June 22, 2013 – via HighBeam Research.
  17. ^ Sakoui, Anousha (August 2, 2017). "Fox in Talks With Ion Media to Operate Local TV Stations, Source Says". Bloomberg. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
  18. ^ Economist, Business Section, May 13–19, 2017, page 6
  19. ^ Harry A. Jessell (May 9, 2017). "Tribune Didn't Make Sense For Nexstar". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheck Media. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  20. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (May 10, 2017). "'Underground' Seeks New Home as Sinclair Deal Leads to "Complete Pause" at WGN America". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  21. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (May 8, 2017). "Sinclair Plans Big Changes for WGN America, Eyes MVPD Offering With Tribune Media Deal". Variety. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  22. ^ Battaglio, Stephen (May 8, 2017). "Sinclair Broadcast Group to buy Tribune Media for $3.9 billion plus debt". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  23. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (May 8, 2017). "Sinclair Broadcast Group Sets $3.9 Billion Deal to Acquire Tribune Media". Variety. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  24. ^ Merced, Michael (May 7, 2017). "Sinclair Is Said to Be Near a Deal to Buy Tribune Media". The New York Times. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  25. ^ Stephen Battaglio (May 8, 2017). "Sinclair Broadcast Group to buy Tribune Media for $3.9 billion plus debt". Los Angeles Times. Tronc. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  26. ^ Frankel, Todd (May 8, 2017). "Sinclair Broadcast to buy Tribune Media for $3.9 billion, giving it control over 215 local TV stations". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  27. ^ Baker, Liana; Toonkel, Jessica (May 7, 2017). "Sinclair Broadcast nears deal for Tribune Media". Reuters. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  28. ^ Stedman, Alex (May 7, 2017). "Sinclair Reportedly Near Deal to Buy Tribune Media". Variety. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  29. ^ Jones, Scott (November 30, 2017). "Exclusive! Sinclair to Sell 6-10 Stations to Fox Television". FTV Live. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  30. ^ "Analyst: Ion Could Still Get Retrans for Fox Stations".
  31. ^ Littleton, Cynthia. "Fox to Buy Seven TV Stations From Sinclair, Tribune Media for $910 Million". Variety. Variety. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  32. ^ January 2021, Jon Lafayette 07. "E.W. Scripps Completes Acquisition of Ion Media". Broadcasting Cable. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  33. ^ http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2020/09/24/scripps-creates-national-television-networks-business-with-acquisition-of-ion-media-395300/20200924scripps01/
  34. ^ Cimilluca, Dana. "E.W. Scripps Agrees to Buy ION Media for $2.65 billion in Berkshire-Backed Deal". Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  35. ^ E.W. Scripps scales up with $2.65 billion Berkshire-backed deal for ION Media
  36. ^ "Scripps creates national television networks business with acquisition of ION Media," press release from Scripps.com, September 24, 2020
  37. ^ E.W. Scripps Co (SSP) SEC Filing 8-K Material Event for the period ending Wednesday, September 23, 2020 on Last10K.com (accessed 10/15/2020)
  38. ^ https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1821615
  39. ^ tvnewscheck.com/business/article/scripps-completes-acquisition-of-ion-media
  40. ^ nexttv.com - Scripps begins to move katz networks to ion tv stations
  41. ^ [https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/scripps-moving-multicast-networks-onto-ion-tv-stations tvtechnology.com - Scripps moving multicast networks onto ion tv stations
  42. ^ https://scripps.com/press-releases/scripps-takes-first-steps-to-realize-ion-synergies-with-multicast-networks-move/ scripps.com/press-releases/scripps-takes-first-steps-to-realize-ion-synergies-with-multicast-networks-move]
  43. ^ tvnewscheck.com/programming/article/scripps-to-realize-ion-synergies-with-diginet-moves
  44. ^ nashvilledtvnews.info/post/Scripps_Moving_Diginets_Update
  45. ^ nashvilledtvnews.info/post/New_Destination_for_Bounce
  46. ^ nashvilledtvnews.info/post/Bounce_and_Grit_Leaving_WKRN_Next_Week
  47. ^ nashvilledtvnews.info/post/Scripps_Ending/Moving_Diginets
  48. ^ "Scripps to launch two new free TV networks," press release from E. W. Scripps via PR Newswire, 3/2/2021
  49. ^ "Scripps Network Gets Real Quick Name Change to TrueReal," from Broadcasting & Cable, 3/26/2021
  50. ^ DefyTV and TrueReal on WNPX 28
  51. ^ facebook.com/DefyTVNetwork/videos/793034988247451
  52. ^ facebook.com/truerealtv/videos/256430162923969
  53. ^ facebook.com/DefyTVNetwork/photos/a.149550980568112/160026749520535
  54. ^ facebook.com/truerealtv/photos/a.152902836898139/163387949182961
  55. ^ RabbitEars TV Query for WNPX
  56. ^ "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-08-29. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  57. ^ [1]

External links[]

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