WBYD-CD
WBYD-CD is a low-power Class A television station serving Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, through digital multicast programming.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
WBYD-CD is a low-power, Class A television station broadcasting on digital channel 39 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The station operates as a local over-the-air television outlet rather than as a conventional national consumer brand. Its programming identity has changed repeatedly since it first signed on, reflecting the evolving economics of low-power television, digital multicast distribution, home-shopping networks, and centrally supplied programming services. The station began broadcasting on December 1, 1993, as W35AZ on analog channel 35. It initially carried Network One, a short-lived television network. After Network One ceased operations, the station affiliated with America's Collectibles Network, which later became Jewelry Television. In 2001, the station adopted the call sign WONT-LP and began originating live programming from studios at Eastland Mall in North Versailles, Pennsylvania. Its most distinctive historical programming was a live salvage-merchandise auction. Originally presented under the name WANT-TV, the six-hour program aired daily from 7 p.m. to midnight and developed a cult following among college students and other Pittsburgh-area over-the-air viewers. Cheryl McCall became its principal host during the first six months. In mid-2001, the program was renamed Live Auction Television, reduced to Friday-through-Sunday broadcasts, and extended to a 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. schedule. At the same time, the station ended its America's Collectibles Network affiliation and began carrying the Shop at Home Network. In 2002, the auction program was renamed Auction Live and was simulcast on sister stations WIIC-LP and WPTG-LP. During this period, the station changed its call sign to WBYD-CA and obtained Class A status. Auction Live was placed on hiatus in August 2002 because merchandise sales had declined. Although it returned after approximately two months, the program ended by the close of that year. WBYD subsequently carried limited locally originated programming, including a local talk program created by the Pittsburgh band American Metal. The station's physical operations were disrupted in 2005 when Benderson Development announced plans to demolish Eastland Mall and cancelled the leases of the mall's remaining tenants. WBYD moved to a trailer beside the broadcast tower of Pittsburgh PBS member station WQED in the Oakland area. In early 2013, the Federal Communications Commission granted the station special temporary authority to remain silent for financial reasons. At that time, owner Abacus Television could not fund construction of digital facilities while continuing to operate the station's analog facilities. WBYD returned to the air on May 15, 2015, on its new digital channel 39. It initially retransmitted the feed of HSN affiliate WOSC-CD. In August 2015, Jewelry Television became the principal service on channel 39.1, with an infomercial service subsequently added on 39.2. The station was sold by Abacus Television to Fifth Street Enterprises in April 2015 as part of a transaction involving five television stations. Bridge Media Networks announced in February 2023 that it would acquire WBYD-CD. Bridge Media Networks is associated with NewsNet, a 24-hour headline-news service. The transaction closed on March 31, 2023, making WBYD the purchaser's first television station property in Pennsylvania. In August 2024, after NewsNet ceased operations, WBYD moved ShopHQ to its main channel. When ShopHQ ceased operations in June 2025, Binge TV replaced it. The station's recent identity is therefore primarily defined by multicast and nationally supplied programming, while its local distribution remains focused on the Pittsburgh market. WBYD-CD is not carried by local Pittsburgh cable television systems or direct-broadcast satellite providers, according to the referenced station account.
History
WBYD-CD began as W35AZ, signing on December 1, 1993, on analog channel 35 in the Pittsburgh area. Its first affiliation was with Network One, a short-lived television network. After Network One disappeared, the station carried America's Collectibles Network, the home-shopping service later known as Jewelry Television. In 2001, the station changed its call sign to WONT-LP and started originating live programming from studios in Eastland Mall in North Versailles, Pennsylvania. Its principal local production was a live salvage-merchandise auction initially called WANT-TV. The program aired for six hours each evening and became an unusual cult television property among college students and other viewers who received the station over the air. Cheryl McCall became its principal host during the show's first six months. The auction was renamed Live Auction Television in mid-2001. Its schedule was reduced to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, running from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. The station also ended its affiliation with America's Collectibles Network and joined the Shop at Home Network. In 2002, the program became Auction Live and was simulcast on sister stations WIIC-LP and WPTG-LP. During the same period, the station adopted the WBYD-CA call sign and became a Class A station. Auction Live was suspended in August 2002 after merchandise sales declined. It returned roughly two months later but ended before the close of 2002. The station then reduced its local production activity, carrying limited locally originated programming including a talk show created by the Pittsburgh band American Metal. A major physical change occurred in 2005. Benderson Development, the owner of Eastland Mall, announced that the mall would be demolished and cancelled the leases of the remaining tenants. WBYD moved its operations to a trailer beside the broadcast tower used by WQED, the Pittsburgh PBS member station, in the city's Oakland area. WBYD-CA later faced the financial difficulty common to small analog stations transitioning to digital broadcasting. In early 2013, the FCC granted special temporary authority for the station to remain silent because Abacus Television could not simultaneously finance digital facilities and continue paying for analog operations. Ownership changed in April 2015, when Abacus Television sold WBYD-CA and four other stations to Fifth Street Enterprises. WBYD returned to the air on May 15, 2015, on digital channel 39, initially carrying the feed of HSN affiliate WOSC-CD. By August 2015, Jewelry Television occupied the principal 39.1 service, and an infomercial service was added on 39.2. On February 24, 2023, Bridge Media Networks announced that it would acquire WBYD-CD. Bridge Media Networks is associated with NewsNet, a 24-hour headline-news operation. The sale closed on March 31, 2023, giving the company its first television station property in Pennsylvania. NewsNet later ceased operations in August 2024, after which WBYD moved ShopHQ to its main channel. ShopHQ subsequently ceased operations, and Binge TV replaced it in June 2025. The station continues to operate as a low-power Class A television outlet serving Pittsburgh. Its broadcast signal is multiplexed, allowing multiple services to share the digital transmission facility. The station has not been carried on local Pittsburgh cable systems or direct-broadcast satellite providers according to the referenced station history.
- 2025
Binge TV replaces ShopHQ
[1]Binge TV takes the place of ShopHQ after ShopHQ ceases operations.
- 2024
ShopHQ moves to the main channel
[1]After NewsNet ceases operations, ShopHQ becomes the station's principal channel service.
- 2023
Bridge Media Networks completes acquisition
[1]Bridge Media Networks completes its purchase of WBYD-CD on March 31.
- 2015
Digital service resumes on channel 39
[1]WBYD returns to the air on May 15 using digital channel 39 and later carries Jewelry Television on its principal subchannel.
- 2013
Station receives authority to remain silent
[1]The FCC grants special temporary authority for the station to suspend broadcasting because of financial constraints during the digital transition.
- 2005
Operations move from Eastland Mall
[1]Following the planned demolition of Eastland Mall, WBYD relocates to a trailer near WQED's broadcast tower.
- 2002
WBYD-CA adopts Class A status
[1]The station changes its call sign to WBYD-CA, becomes a Class A station, and simulcasts Auction Live on sister stations.
- 2001
Station becomes WONT-LP and launches live auction programming
[1]The station changes its call sign to WONT-LP and originates live salvage-merchandise auction programming from Eastland Mall.
- 1993
W35AZ signs on
[1]The station begins broadcasting on December 1 as W35AZ on analog channel 35 and affiliates with Network One.
Products and positioning
A Pittsburgh low-power television outlet using digital multicast affiliations and supplied network programming, with a historical emphasis on shopping, auction, infomercial, and other specialized television services.
Television broadcasting · 2015
WBYD-CD digital channel 39
The station's principal digital television service serving the Pittsburgh area. Its programming has varied over time and has included shopping, news, infomercial, and other supplied network content.
Locally originated television program · 2001
Auction Live
A live salvage-merchandise auction program that evolved from WANT-TV and Live Auction Television. It was broadcast from the Pittsburgh area, later simulcast on sister stations, and ended in 2002 after declining merchandise sales.
Digital multicast television service · 2025
Binge TV
A digital television service that replaced ShopHQ on WBYD-CD after ShopHQ ceased operations in June 2025.
Brand decisions
2025
Replacement of ShopHQ with Binge TVStrategyBackground
ShopHQ ceased operations in June 2025.
Action taken
Binge TV took ShopHQ's place on WBYD-CD.
Aftermath
Binge TV became the station's principal identified service in the referenced account.
2024
Replacement of NewsNet programmingStrategyBackground
NewsNet ceased operations in August 2024.
Action taken
WBYD-CD moved ShopHQ to its main channel.
Aftermath
The station returned to a shopping-oriented principal service until ShopHQ later ceased operations.
2023
Acquisition by Bridge Media NetworksM&ABackground
Bridge Media Networks, the parent company associated with NewsNet, announced its intention to purchase the station.
Action taken
The acquisition was completed on March 31, 2023.
Aftermath
WBYD-CD became Bridge Media Networks' first television station property in Pennsylvania.
2013
Temporary suspension during digital transitionStrategyBackground
Abacus Television faced financial difficulty funding digital facilities while maintaining analog operations.
Action taken
The station obtained FCC special temporary authority to remain silent.
Aftermath
WBYD returned to the air in May 2015 after moving to digital channel 39.
2001
Launch of live auction programmingStrategyBackground
The station sought a distinctive locally originated format after its earlier network and collectibles affiliations.
Action taken
It introduced a long-form live salvage-merchandise auction from Eastland Mall, later renamed Live Auction Television.
Aftermath
The program developed a local cult following but was later reduced in frequency and ultimately discontinued after declining merchandise sales.
Recent events
- 2025
Binge TV replaces ShopHQ on WBYD-CD[1]
Product launch
Binge TV took the place of ShopHQ in June 2025 after ShopHQ ceased operations.
- 2024
WBYD-CD shifts its main channel to ShopHQ[1]
Product launch
Following the cessation of NewsNet operations in August 2024, WBYD-CD moved ShopHQ to its principal channel.
- 2023
Bridge Media Networks announces acquisition of WBYD-CD[1]
M&A
Bridge Media Networks announced on February 24, 2023, that it would acquire the Pittsburgh station. The transaction closed on March 31, making WBYD-CD the company's first television station property in Pennsylvania.
- 2015
WBYD-CD returns to the air on digital channel 39[1]
Other · Product generation
After a period of silence caused by financial and digital-facility constraints, the station resumed broadcasting on May 15, 2015, initially retransmitting programming from WOSC-CD.
Sources2 sources
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