WATC-DT

WATC-DT is a religious independent television station serving Atlanta, Georgia, and surrounding parts of North Georgia. The station broadcasts on digital channel 57 and is owned by Carolina Christian Broadcasting, Inc., a Christian broadcasting company that also owns WGGS-TV in Greenville, South Carolina. WATC’s studios are located on Enterprise Drive in Norcross, while its principal transmitter is situated on Sweat Mountain in northeastern Cobb County near the Cherokee County line. The station launched on September 10, 1996. Unlike a network-affiliated commercial station, WATC operates as an independent outlet whose schedule is centered on Christian programming supplied by a range of religious organizations, churches, and specialty television networks. Its programming has included World Harvest Television, The Inspiration Network, The Worship Network, Golden Eagle, and The Shepherd’s Chapel. The station has also carried locally oriented or independently produced religious material, making its role closer to a regional Christian broadcast platform than to a conventional general-entertainment network affiliate. WATC has used multiple digital subchannels to broaden its programming offer. Its primary channels have carried religious content, including programming under the WATC Too designation. A further subchannel has carried The Loop, a classic-television service featuring sitcoms, dramas, Westerns, and films that are in the public domain. This multiplexed approach allows the station to combine its core religious identity with additional low-cost entertainment programming. The station was involved in Atlanta’s transition from analog to digital television. Although the federal transition deadline was later extended from February 17, 2009, to June 12, 2009, WATC ended its analog transmission on February 17, 2009, and continued digitally on its pre-transition UHF channel 41. In June 2009, its call sign was changed from WATC to WATC-DT after the Federal Communications Commission permitted stations to add or remove the “-DT” suffix more easily. WATC also had relationships with other low-power and translator facilities. It received authorization for a fill-in digital translator in Union City, Georgia, intended to improve coverage in portions of the southwestern Atlanta area. The station previously operated the Athens, Georgia, translator W42AO, which later became WAGC-LD. WATC also granted permission for WSKC-CA, an Atlanta-licensed station, to simulcast its signal so that WSKC-CA could preserve its Class A status. WSKC later became WSKC-CD and returned to Korean-language programming. The station’s identity is therefore defined by three connected functions: providing Christian and church-related television to the Atlanta market, distributing programming through multiple digital channels, and maintaining a technical footprint designed to reach viewers across the region’s challenging urban and hilly terrain.

WATC-DT began broadcasting in Atlanta on September 10, 1996. It was established as a religious independent television station rather than as an affiliate of one of the major commercial broadcast networks. From the beginning, its programming model was based on Christian ministry and church-related content supplied by multiple organizations. Over time, its schedule included World Harvest Television, The Inspiration Network, The Worship Network, Golden Eagle, and The Shepherd’s Chapel, along with other religious programs. The station is owned by Carolina Christian Broadcasting, Inc., which also owns WGGS-TV in Greenville, South Carolina. WATC’s facilities are in Norcross, Georgia, and its main transmitter is located on Sweat Mountain in northeastern Cobb County. The placement of the transmitter gives the station a regional broadcast footprint across the Atlanta area, although the area’s terrain and dense urban development create technical coverage challenges. WATC maintained a relationship with WSKC-CA, an Atlanta-licensed low-power station. WATC was authorized to simulcast its signal for WSKC-CA, allowing that station to maintain its Class A status. The two facilities were associated with the same broadcast tower, and WSKC-CA continued analog operation after WATC moved to digital transmission. WSKC-CA was off the air for much of 2009, later moved to digital operation as WSKC-CD, and subsequently resumed Korean-language programming. The station also operated the Athens, Georgia, translator W42AO. That facility later became WAGC-LD. In addition, WATC received a construction permit for a fill-in digital translator in Union City, Georgia, on channel 36. The translator was intended to improve reception in the southwestern Atlanta metropolitan area. Its need reflected limitations associated with the ATSC digital television system, including multipath interference caused by buildings and terrain, as well as signal shielding around the Chattahoochee River valley and Atlanta’s hills. WATC was an early participant in the United States digital television transition. It ended its analog service on February 17, 2009, the original federal target date, even though the national deadline was subsequently extended to June 12. Its digital signal continued on pre-transition UHF channel 41. In June 2009, the station changed its call sign from WATC to WATC-DT following an FCC decision that gave stations greater flexibility to add or remove the “-DT” suffix. Digital multicasting became an important part of WATC’s later service. The station added WATC Too on digital channel 57.2 in May 2011, expanding its religious programming capacity. Another digital subchannel carried The Loop, a service built around classic sitcoms, dramas, Westerns, and public-domain films. This combination allowed WATC to preserve its Christian broadcasting mission while using additional digital capacity for general entertainment. WATC-DT remains characterized by its religious independent format, Atlanta-area coverage, multiprogram digital operation, and ownership by Carolina Christian Broadcasting. Available reference material does not identify a specific founder, chief executive, revenue figure, public listing, or subsequent change in ownership.

• 2011

  WATC Too launches

  [1]WATC-DTen.wikipedia.org

  WATC adds WATC Too religious programming on digital subchannel 57.2 in early May.

• 2009

  Analog service ends

  [1]WATC-DTen.wikipedia.org

  WATC ends its analog signal on February 17 and continues as a digital broadcaster on pre-transition UHF channel 41.

• 2009

  Call sign changes to WATC-DT

  [1]WATC-DTen.wikipedia.org

  The station adopts the WATC-DT call sign in June after FCC rules allow greater flexibility in the use of television call-sign suffixes.

• 1996

  WATC begins broadcasting

  [1]WATC-DTen.wikipedia.org

  WATC launches on September 10 as a religious independent television station serving Atlanta, Georgia.

A regional Christian independent broadcaster combining religious ministry programming with supplementary digital multicast entertainment.

• Religious television broadcasting · 1996

  WATC-DT primary channel

  The station’s principal broadcast service carries Christian programming from churches, ministries, and religious television organizations. Referenced program providers include World Harvest Television, The Inspiration Network, The Worship Network, Golden Eagle, and The Shepherd’s Chapel. The primary service represents WATC-DT’s core identity as an Atlanta-area Christian independent station.

• Digital multicast channel · 2011

  WATC Too

  WATC Too is a religious programming service carried on digital channel 57.2. Added in early May 2011, it expanded the amount of Christian content that WATC could distribute through its digital multiplex.

• Classic entertainment multicast channel

  The Loop

  The Loop is a digital subchannel service carrying classic sitcoms, dramas, Westerns, and films in the public domain. Its inclusion gives WATC-DT a general-entertainment component alongside its religious channels.

• 2011

  Launch of WATC TooProduct launch

  Background

  Digital television multicasting enabled WATC to distribute more than one programming service over its broadcast signal.

  Action taken

  WATC added WATC Too religious programming on digital subchannel 57.2.

  Aftermath

  The station expanded its religious programming capacity beyond its primary channel.

  Source

• 2009

  Conversion from analog to digital broadcastingStrategy

  Background

  WATC operated during the United States transition from analog television to digital broadcasting. Although the national deadline was later extended, the station faced the original February 17, 2009, target date.

  Action taken

  The station ended its analog signal on February 17, 2009, and continued digital transmission on its pre-transition UHF channel 41.

  Aftermath

  WATC continued as a digital-only broadcaster and later used digital multicast capacity for additional religious and entertainment services.

  Source

• 2009

  Call sign changed to WATC-DTOther

  Background

  The FCC announced that television stations could add or remove the “-DT” suffix with greater flexibility.

  Action taken

  WATC changed its broadcast call sign to WATC-DT in June 2009.

  Aftermath

  The station’s digital identity became reflected in its official call sign.

  Source

1. 1WATC-DTen.wikipedia.org
2. 2WATC-DT official websitewatc.tv