WBPN-LP

WBPN-LP was a low-power television station licensed to serve Binghamton, New York, and surrounding communities. The station operated from 1996 until 2021, using an analog low-power signal and, for wider market coverage, a digital simulcast on WICZ-TV's second digital subchannel. In its later years, WBPN-LP operated as a MyNetworkTV affiliate and shared ownership and facilities with WICZ-TV, the market's Fox affiliate. The station's origins were as translator W10CO. Northwest Broadcasting acquired the translator in 2000, after which it adopted the WBPN-LP call sign when its status was upgraded to low-power television. The station then assumed the Binghamton market's UPN affiliation from WICZ-TV, which had previously carried UPN programming on a secondary basis during the network's earlier years. Following UPN's closure and the development of the MyNetworkTV programming service, WBPN-LP became associated with the MyNetworkTV brand. Its consumer-facing identity was commonly presented as “My 8,” reflecting its position on many local cable systems. WBPN-LP's terrestrial reach was limited by the technical characteristics of its analog transmission. Its transmitter was located on Ingraham Hill Road in the town of Binghamton, while its later studio and operational facilities were housed at WICZ-TV's site on Vestal Parkway East, also known as New York State Route 434, in Vestal. Because the analog signal operated at very low power, it mainly reached communities south of the Susquehanna River's North Branch and did not cover much of Binghamton itself. To provide broader access across the television market, the station was simulcast on WICZ-DT2, WICZ-TV's digital subchannel. This simulcast became the practical over-the-air distribution path for the station. WBPN-LP did not operate its own digital transmitter. A proposed low-power digital facility under the call sign WBPN-LD and on UHF channel 28 was never placed into service. The WICZ-DT2 simulcast initially presented programming in 480i standard definition, commonly using a letterboxed 4:3 presentation, but was later upgraded to 720p high definition after technical improvements to WICZ-TV's multiplexing equipment. The simulcast carried the MyNetworkTV prime-time schedule as well as other programming associated with the station. A proposed ownership transaction announced in 2013 would have transferred WBPN-LP and WICZ-TV from Northwest Broadcasting to Mission Broadcasting, with operational control expected to be provided by Nexstar Broadcasting Group. The application was withdrawn in 2015 after the transaction was abandoned. In the station's final ownership period, Cox Media Group controlled WBPN-LP and maintained its relationship with WICZ-TV. Cox Media Group surrendered the WBPN-LP license to the Federal Communications Commission on June 15, 2021. The surrender occurred shortly before the FCC's scheduled July 13, 2021, deadline for the shutdown of analog low-power television facilities. After the license cancellation, the programming identity continued through WICZ-TV's own authorization as “My 8,” rather than as a separately licensed WBPN-LP station. WBPN-LP therefore remains a defunct broadcast-station brand, while its successor presentation continued as a subchannel and cable-market service associated with WICZ-TV.

WBPN-LP began operations in 1996 as a low-power television service in the Binghamton, New York, market. Its early history was connected to translator facility W10CO. Northwest Broadcasting purchased the translator in 2000, and the facility subsequently adopted the WBPN-LP call sign after receiving low-power television status. The station assumed the local UPN affiliation from WICZ-TV, which had carried UPN programming secondarily during the network's earlier period. The station's engineering profile shaped its role in the market. WBPN-LP transmitted an analog signal at very low power from Ingraham Hill Road in the town of Binghamton. As a result, its direct coverage was limited, particularly in comparison with full-power television stations, and it did not reach much of the city of Binghamton. To make the service available to a larger portion of the market, WICZ-TV carried a simulcast on its second digital subchannel, WICZ-DT2. The subchannel became the principal digital and over-the-air route for WBPN-LP programming. WBPN-LP never operated its own digital signal. A proposed digital facility, identified with the prospective call sign WBPN-LD and UHF channel 28, was not activated. The WICZ-DT2 simulcast initially used 480i standard definition, with much of the programming shown in a letterboxed 4:3 format. Later improvements to WICZ-TV's multiplexing equipment allowed the simulcast to be carried in 720p high definition. In its later years, the station was associated with MyNetworkTV, and its programming was promoted through the “My 8” identity used on many cable systems in the market. Ownership plans changed during the station's final two decades. In 2013, Mission Broadcasting announced an agreement to acquire WBPN-LP and WICZ-TV from Northwest Broadcasting. Nexstar Broadcasting Group was expected to provide operational services, which would have linked the facilities with Nexstar-operated stations WIVT and WBGH-CD. The transaction did not proceed: the license-assignment application was withdrawn in March 2015 after the deal was canceled. By the end of its separately licensed existence, WBPN-LP was owned by Cox Media Group and operated in association with WICZ-TV. Its facilities and operations were based at WICZ-TV's studios on Vestal Parkway East in Vestal. Cox surrendered the WBPN-LP license to the Federal Communications Commission on June 15, 2021. The action came less than one month before the FCC's July 13 deadline for analog low-power television stations to shut down. The “My 8” presentation subsequently continued through WICZ-TV's license, meaning the programming identity survived while the WBPN-LP call sign and license did not.

• 2021

  WBPN-LP license canceled

  [1]WBPN-LPen.wikipedia.org

  Cox Media Group surrenders the station's license to the FCC on June 15, ahead of the scheduled analog low-power television shutdown.

• 2015

  Proposed acquisition canceled

  [1]WBPN-LPen.wikipedia.org

  The license-assignment application for the proposed Mission Broadcasting transaction is withdrawn after the deal is abandoned.

• 2013

  Proposed Mission Broadcasting acquisition announced

  [1]WBPN-LPen.wikipedia.org

  Mission Broadcasting announces plans to acquire WBPN-LP and WICZ-TV from Northwest Broadcasting, with anticipated operational involvement from Nexstar Broadcasting Group.

• 2000

  Northwest Broadcasting acquires translator W10CO

  [1]WBPN-LPen.wikipedia.org

  Northwest Broadcasting purchases the translator facility that becomes the WBPN-LP service and later receives the WBPN-LP call sign after its low-power status is upgraded.

• 2000

  UPN affiliation moves to WBPN-LP

  [1]WBPN-LPen.wikipedia.org

  WBPN-LP assumes the Binghamton market's UPN affiliation from WICZ-TV.

• 1996

  WBPN-LP service begins

  [1]WBPN-LPen.wikipedia.org

  The station begins operating as a low-power television service in the Binghamton, New York, market.

A locally distributed, low-power television service for the Binghamton market, positioned in its later years around the MyNetworkTV programming schedule and the “My 8” channel identity.

• Low-power television station · 1996

  WBPN-LP analog television service

  The station's original and principal licensed service was an analog low-power television transmission serving portions of the Binghamton area. Its low effective coverage limited direct reception, particularly in and around the city, but it provided a local broadcast outlet for network and syndicated programming during the station's operating period.

• Digital television simulcast

  WICZ-DT2 simulcast

  WICZ-TV's second digital subchannel carried a simulcast of WBPN-LP to extend the service across the Binghamton television market. The feed originally used standard-definition presentation and was later upgraded to 720p high definition. It became the station's principal digital over-the-air distribution path because WBPN-LP never activated its own digital transmitter.

• Television channel identity

  My 8

  “My 8” was the consumer-facing identity associated with WBPN-LP, especially on cable systems and in connection with its MyNetworkTV affiliation. After the WBPN-LP license was surrendered, the identity continued under WICZ-TV's license rather than as a separate WBPN-LP facility.

• 2021

  Surrender of the WBPN-LP licenseStrategy

  Background

  The FCC's scheduled transition away from analog low-power television required affected stations to cease analog operation.

  Action taken

  Cox Media Group surrendered WBPN-LP's license on June 15, 2021, rather than continuing the station as a separately licensed analog facility.

  Aftermath

  The “My 8” service continued through WICZ-TV's authorization, while WBPN-LP became defunct.

  Source

• 2013

  Proposed sale to Mission BroadcastingM&A

  Background

  Northwest Broadcasting announced a proposed transfer of WBPN-LP and WICZ-TV to Mission Broadcasting.

  Action taken

  The proposed transaction included expected operational involvement from Nexstar Broadcasting Group.

  Aftermath

  The transaction was canceled and the license-assignment application was withdrawn in 2015.

  Source

• 2021

  WBPN-LP license surrendered ahead of analog low-power television shutdown[1]WBPN-LPen.wikipedia.org

  Regulation · Other

  Cox Media Group surrendered the station's license to the FCC on June 15, 2021, shortly before the federally scheduled deadline for analog low-power television stations to cease operation. The “My 8” service continued under WICZ-TV's license.

• 2015

  Ownership application for WBPN and WICZ is withdrawn[1]WBPN-LPen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Northwest Broadcasting withdrew the license-assignment application after the proposed Mission Broadcasting transaction was canceled.

• 2013

  Mission Broadcasting announces proposed acquisition of WBPN and WICZ[1]WBPN-LPen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Mission Broadcasting announced a proposed acquisition of WBPN-LP and WICZ-TV from Northwest Broadcasting. The planned transaction contemplated operational involvement by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, but it was not completed.

1. 1WBPN-LPen.wikipedia.org