WICZ-DT2
WICZ-DT2, virtual channel 40.2 (VHF digital channel 7.4), is a MyNetworkTV-affiliated television station licensed to Binghamton, New York, United States, serving the Eastern Twin Tiers of Southern Upstate New York and Northern Pennsylvania. It formerly held the call letters WBPN-LP as a separately licensed low-powered analog station on VHF channel 10. Owned by Atlanta-based Cox Media Group, WICZ-DT2 operates as a second digital subchannel of Fox affiliate WICZ-TV (channel 40). WICZ-DT2's parent station maintains studios on Vestal Parkway East (NY 434) in Vestal; its transmitter is located on Ingraham Hill Road in the town of Binghamton.
 | |
| Binghamton, New York United States | |
|---|---|
| Channels | Digital: 7.4 (VHF) Virtual: 40.2 |
| Branding | My 8 |
| Programming | |
| Affiliations | MyNetworkTV |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Cox Media Group[1][2] (sale to Imagicomm Communications pending[3]) (Stainless Broadcasting, L.P.) |
| History | |
Call sign meaning | see WICZ-TV infobox |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 62210 |
| Class | DT |
| ERP | 28 kW |
| HAAT | 372.9 m (1,223 ft) |
| Transmitter coordinates | 42°3′22″N 75°56′38″W |
| Links | |
| Website | my8binghamton |
| Binghamton, New York United States | |
|---|---|
| Channels | Analog: 10 (VHF) Digital: 28 (UHF, never built) |
| Branding | My 8 |
| Programming | |
| Affiliations | Defunct |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Cox Media Group (Stainless Broadcasting, L.P.) |
| WICZ-TV | |
| History | |
| Founded | March 28, 1980 |
First air date | May 17, 1996 |
Last air date | June 15, 2021 (25 years, 29 days) (license canceled) |
Former call signs | W04BG (1996–1999) W10CO (1999–2000) |
Former channel number(s) | Analog: 4 (VHF, 1996–1999) |
| Independent (1996–2000) UPN (2000–2006) MyNetworkTV (2006–2021) | |
Call sign meaning | We're Binghamton's UPN (refers to former affiliation) |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 74020 |
| Class | LP |
| ERP | 0.004 kW |
| HAAT | 263 m (863 ft) |
| Transmitter coordinates | 42°3′22″N 75°56′38″W |
| Translator(s) | WICZ-DT 40.2 (7.4 VHF) Binghamton |
WBPN-LP did not transmit a digital signal of its own, and there were never any plans to convert the station's signal to digital. In addition, due to its analog signal transmitting at an extremely low power, the station's broadcast range only included the immediate areas south of the Susquehanna River North Branch and did not even reach most of the city of Binghamton. However, in order to reach the entire market, WBPN-LP was simulcast in 720p high definition on WICZ-DT2, which eventually became its permanent over-the-air conduit. Prior to an upgrade to WICZ-TV's transmitter, the digital simulcast of WBPN-LP on WICZ-DT2 was only seen in 480i standard definition.
In anticipation of how low-power TV stations must turn off their analog signals by July 13, 2021,[4] WBPN-LP's license was surrendered to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for cancellation on June 15, 2021.[5] Since then, WBPN-LP's programming is now seen exclusively on WICZ-DT2.
On cable, WICZ-DT2 is available on Charter Spectrum channel 8 in both standard and high definition (hence the on-air branding My 8).
History
The station, as translator W10CO, was purchased by Northwest Broadcasting in 2000. At this point, the call sign became WBPN-LP after it upgraded to low-powered status. The channel assumed the market's UPN affiliation from WICZ which had been previously aired the network in a secondary manner since the late-1990s.[6][7]
On September 16, 2013, it was announced Mission Broadcasting would acquire WBPN and WICZ from Northwest Broadcasting. Upon the deal's completion, the stations' operations would have been taken over by Nexstar Broadcasting Group making them sister stations to WIVT and WBGH-CD.[8] Northwest withdrew the license assignment application on March 18, 2015 following the deal's cancellation.[9]
The station had a pending application to air a low-powered digital signal of its own on UHF channel 28 under the call sign WBPN-LD.[10] It was unknown when or if this signal would officially sign on, however. As stated above, WICZ-DT2 had served as WBPN-LP's digital signal since it did not operate one of its own. Ultimately, Cox Media Group would surrender WBPN-LP's license to the FCC on June 15, 2021, less than a month before the long-anticipated shut-down date for analog LPTV stations.
Syndicated programming
Syndicated programming on WICZ-DT2 includes Family Feud, Maury, Two and a Half Men, The First 48, and Pawn Stars, among others.
References
- "Apollo Global Management Acquires Cox's Television Stations Plus Radio & Newspapers In Dayton". RadioInsight. February 15, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
- Jessell, Harry A. (March 6, 2019). "Cox TV Valued At $3.1 Billion In Apollo Acquisition". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheckMedia LLC. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
- Venta, Lance (March 30, 2022). "Cox Breaks Up Combined Radio/TV Cluster In Tulsa As Part Of Twelve Market Divestiture". RadioInsight. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
- "MEDIA BUREAU REMINDS LOW POWER TELEVISION AND TELEVISION TRANSLATOR STATIONS OF JULY 13, 2021, DIGITAL TRANSITION DATE" (PDF). FCC.gov. July 13, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "Cancellation Application For WBPN-LP". FCC.gov. June 15, 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "UPN Affiliate Stations (New York)". UPN.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 1999. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
- Kucinski, Carla (August 17, 2000). "New Tier TV station bulks up with pro wrestling". Press & Sun-Bulletin. p. B8. Retrieved December 20, 2015. (preview of subscription content)
- Malone, Michael (September 16, 2013). "Nexstar to Acquire Citadel's Iowa Stations for $88 Million". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
- Corbett, Dennis P. (March 18, 2015). "Re: Withdrawal of File Nos. BALCDT-20130927A11G, BALTVL-20130927AHH, and BAPDTL-20130927AH1" (PDF). CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
- "Displacement for LPTV Station Construction Permit Application". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. April 18, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2019.