WBNX-TV
A television station licensed to Akron, Ohio, serving the Cleveland market and affiliated with The CW.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
WBNX-TV is a commercial television station licensed to Akron, Ohio, and serving the broader Cleveland–Akron television market. Broadcasting on digital channel 17 and identified historically with its former analog channel 55, the station operates as a local outlet for national network programming, syndicated entertainment, advertising, and locally produced material. Its current ownership places it within Nexstar Media Group, which also owns Cleveland Fox affiliate WJW and has related interests in other Cleveland-market broadcasting operations. The station’s origins are tied to a long and unusually complicated effort to use Akron’s channel 55 allocation. The first major attempt involved televangelist Rex Humbard, who received a construction permit in 1968 for WCOT-TV, a proposed extension of his Cathedral of Tomorrow ministry. Humbard envisioned a highly prominent broadcast facility, including a large concrete tower incorporating studio and public-use features. Although a studio complex was completed and part of the tower was erected, financing and legal problems stopped construction. The permit was ultimately canceled by the Federal Communications Commission in 1976 after the station failed to be completed. The FCC reopened the channel’s licensing process in 1980. Akron-Rhema Television, formed through a combination of applicants, won the permit after proposing a general independent station with local programming and family-oriented entertainment. The venture lacked sufficient capital, however, and by 1985 had exhausted its operating funds. Ernest Angley, another Akron-area religious broadcaster, agreed to provide facilities and operational support. His ministry had acquired much of the former Cathedral of Tomorrow television infrastructure, allowing the station to begin broadcasting as WBNX on December 1, 1985. WBNX initially combined classic situation comedies, movies, family programming, and Angley’s religious broadcasts, including The Ninety and Nine Club. Angley’s organization acquired the station outright in 1987 through the Winston Broadcasting Network, operating it as a for-profit business associated with Grace Cathedral. The station gradually expanded its cable carriage and sought technical improvements to reach the Cleveland portion of the market more effectively. A transmitter site in Parma eventually became central to its coverage strategy. The station’s entertainment role grew during the 1990s. WBNX added Fox Kids programming in 1994 and became an affiliate of The WB in 1997. When The WB and UPN were replaced by The CW in 2006, WBNX became the Cleveland-area CW affiliate. That relationship ended in 2018 amid financial difficulties surrounding Angley’s ministry and public allegations involving Angley. WBNX then operated as an independent station for several years, carrying syndicated programming and other locally sold content. Nexstar acquired WBNX in early 2025 from Angley-related ownership. Following the transaction, the station reclaimed the Cleveland-market CW affiliation and began carrying local newscasts produced by WJW. This arrangement strengthened its connection to Nexstar’s existing Cleveland operations while restoring a network identity that had been absent since 2018. Reference material also identifies a planned transition to ATSC 3.0 broadcasting in July 2026. WBNX therefore combines the functions of a network affiliate, local advertising platform, and broadcast distribution outlet within Northeast Ohio.
History
WBNX-TV traces its history to Akron’s channel 55 allocation and several failed attempts to develop a station on that frequency. In 1968, televangelist Rex Humbard obtained a construction permit for WCOT-TV, intended as an extension of the Cathedral of Tomorrow ministry. Humbard proposed an elaborate broadcast complex and a very tall concrete tower, but construction stopped after only part of the tower was completed. Financial distress, regulatory action, and litigation affecting the Cathedral prevented the project from being finished. The FCC canceled the permit in 1976 because the station had not been constructed. A new licensing process began in 1980. Akron-Rhema Television eventually secured the permit, but its proposed station faced serious financial limitations. The group had raised only a fraction of the funds it considered necessary and ran out of operating money before launch. In December 1984, Ernest Angley agreed to supply facilities and operational support. Angley had previously acquired significant portions of Humbard’s former television infrastructure, including studio assets. The station changed its proposed call sign to WBNX and began broadcasting on December 1, 1985. WBNX initially operated as an independent station. Its schedule mixed general entertainment, movies, reruns, and religious programs associated with Angley. The station’s early distribution was constrained because cable operators did not immediately carry it, but it gradually obtained cable carriage. Angley’s organization incorporated Winston Broadcasting Network in 1986 and bought the station license in 1987. WBNX was operated as a commercial arm linked to the ministry, with station activity and related businesses supporting the organization. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, WBNX pursued improved coverage of Cleveland. The station considered multiple transmitter locations before leasing land in Parma for a major transmission facility. The Parma site became the station’s principal transmission location and helped it serve the Cleveland market more effectively than its original Akron-centered operation. The station broadened its entertainment profile in the 1990s. It acquired Fox Kids programming in 1994 and joined The WB in 1997. In 2006, following the creation of The CW from the former WB and UPN networks, WBNX became the Cleveland-market CW affiliate. It retained that affiliation until 2018, when The CW moved elsewhere during a period of financial trouble and controversy surrounding Angley and his ministry. Angley died in 2021, while WBNX continued as an independent station. In early 2025, Nexstar Media Group acquired WBNX. The station subsequently returned to The CW and began airing local newscasts produced by WJW, another Nexstar station serving Cleveland. The change re-established WBNX as a network affiliate and integrated it more closely into Nexstar’s local broadcasting structure. The station’s stated future technical development includes an ATSC 3.0 conversion planned for July 2026.
- 2026
Planned ATSC 3.0 conversion
[1]The station is identified as planning a transition to ATSC 3.0 broadcasting in July 2026.
- 2025
Nexstar acquisition and CW return
[1]Nexstar acquired WBNX, restored its CW affiliation, and added WJW-produced local news.
- 2018
The CW affiliation ends
[1]The CW disaffiliated from WBNX during financial and reputational problems associated with Angley’s ministry.
- 2006
WBNX becomes a CW affiliate
[1]WBNX joined The CW after the network’s formation from The WB and UPN.
- 1997
WBNX joins The WB
[1]The station became the Cleveland-area affiliate of The WB.
- 1994
Fox Kids programming added
[1]WBNX expanded its entertainment schedule by carrying Fox Kids programming.
- 1987
Angley-related ownership acquires the station
[1]The station license was purchased outright through the Winston Broadcasting Network.
- 1985
WBNX-TV signs on
[1]WBNX began broadcasting as an independent station on December 1, using facilities supplied through Ernest Angley’s organization.
- 1980
New channel 55 licensing process begins
[1]The FCC reopened applications for the Akron channel 55 facility.
- 1976
WCOT-TV permit canceled
[1]The FCC canceled the unbuilt station’s permit after the project failed to reach completion.
Products and positioning
A Cleveland-market broadcast station combining national CW programming with locally sold advertising and news content, with a historic identity spanning independent, religious, WB, and CW formats.
Broadcast television station · 1985
WBNX local television service
The station’s core offering is free, over-the-air television service for the Cleveland–Akron market. It distributes network, syndicated, promotional, and locally sold programming through its digital broadcast facilities and associated cable and satellite carriage.
Network affiliation · 2006
The CW programming
WBNX carries programming supplied by The CW, including the network’s entertainment schedule. The station first became a CW affiliate in 2006, lost the affiliation in 2018, and reclaimed it after Nexstar’s acquisition in 2025.
Local news · 2025
WJW-produced local newscasts
Following the Nexstar transaction, WBNX added local newscasts produced by WJW. The arrangement allows WBNX to offer local news without requiring a fully separate newsroom and links its service to Nexstar’s Cleveland news operation.
Television programming · 1985
Religious programming
Religious programming, particularly Ernest Angley’s The Ninety and Nine Club, was a defining part of WBNX’s early schedule. Although the station later developed a broader entertainment and network profile, this programming explains its historical relationship with Angley’s ministry.
Controversies
2018
CW disaffiliation amid Angley-related controversy
The CW ended its relationship with WBNX during a period marked by financial difficulties and personal allegations involving Ernest Angley. The affiliation change occurred while the station remained associated with Angley-related ownership.
Brand decisions
2026
Planned transition to ATSC 3.0Generation changeBackground
The station is identified as preparing to adopt the newer ATSC 3.0 digital television standard.
Action taken
WBNX is planned to convert its broadcast transmission to ATSC 3.0 in July 2026.
Aftermath
The long-term effects on reception, data services, and device compatibility remain dependent on implementation and market adoption.
2025
Nexstar acquires WBNXM&ABackground
WBNX had operated independently since losing The CW affiliation in 2018, while Nexstar already owned WJW in the Cleveland market.
Action taken
Nexstar purchased the station and integrated it with its Cleveland broadcasting operations.
Aftermath
WBNX regained The CW affiliation and began airing local newscasts produced by WJW.
2006
Move from The WB to The CWStrategyBackground
The WB and UPN were replaced by the newly formed CW network.
Action taken
WBNX became The CW’s Cleveland-market affiliate.
Aftermath
The station retained a network-affiliate position until The CW left WBNX in 2018.
1997
Join The WBStrategyBackground
After operating as an independent station and adding Fox Kids programming, WBNX sought a stronger national programming identity.
Action taken
WBNX became the Cleveland-area affiliate of The WB.
Aftermath
The affiliation increased the station’s role as a general-market entertainment outlet and later positioned it to join The CW.
1985
Launch as an independent station with religious and family entertainment programmingStrategyBackground
Akron-Rhema Television lacked the resources to launch the station independently and entered an arrangement with Ernest Angley to provide facilities and operational support.
Action taken
WBNX signed on with a schedule combining classic sitcoms, movies, family-oriented reruns, and Angley’s religious broadcasts.
Aftermath
The format established the station’s initial identity and enabled it to begin operations despite limited cable carriage.
Recent events
- 2026
WBNX-TV plans an ATSC 3.0 transition[1]
Product generation
Reference material identifies July 2026 as the planned date for WBNX-TV to convert its broadcast operation to the ATSC 3.0 television standard.
- 2025
WBNX-TV is sold to Nexstar Media Group[1]
M&A
Nexstar Media Group acquired WBNX-TV from ownership associated with the Ernest Angley ministry. The transaction returned the station to a larger commercial television group and connected it with Nexstar-owned WJW in the Cleveland market.
- 2025
WBNX-TV reclaims The CW affiliation[1]
Product launch
After operating independently since 2018, WBNX resumed service as the Cleveland-area outlet for The CW following its acquisition by Nexstar.
- 2025
WBNX adds local newscasts produced by WJW[1]
Product launch
The station began carrying local news programming produced by fellow Nexstar Cleveland station WJW, broadening its service beyond network and syndicated entertainment.
Sources2 sources
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