WCIX

WCIX is a full-power television station licensed to Springfield, Illinois, and serving the broader Central Illinois television market. The station is owned by Nexstar Media Group and is operated alongside WCIA, the CBS affiliate licensed to Champaign. Although WCIX maintains a MyNetworkTV affiliation, its programming identity is primarily that of an independent local station: its schedule can combine syndicated programming, locally produced news, sports, network programming, and digital multicast services. The station's roots reach back to 1967, when a low-power relay on UHF channel 49 was established to improve WCIA's coverage in Springfield and the western portion of the Champaign–Springfield market. The relay initially operated under the call sign W49AA and carried WCIA's programming. In 1985, the facility was upgraded to full-power operation and received the call sign WCFN. For many years WCFN remained essentially a full-time simulcast of WCIA, including the parent station's commercials, while its existence was primarily reflected in legal station identifications. WCFN became a distinct service in 2002 when it adopted a full-time UPN affiliation. After the UPN and WB networks were combined in 2006, the station joined MyNetworkTV. On August 29, 2011, WCFN adopted the WCIX call sign. The call letters had previously been used by a CBS-owned station in Miami, but the Illinois station is a separate entity and retained its Springfield-market identity. WCIX subsequently continued its relationship with WCIA through shared facilities, programming infrastructure, news production, and digital distribution. Because the station's over-the-air transmitter does not adequately reach some eastern portions of the market, including Champaign, Urbana, and Danville, WCIX's programming is also carried in high definition on WCIA's second digital subchannel, WCIA-DT2. Nielsen treats the two services as a combined ratings entity under the identifier WCIX+. The shared arrangement allows WCIX programming to reach viewers across the market while preserving separate channel identities. WCIX and WCIA share studios on South Neil Street and U.S. Route 45 in downtown Champaign, while also maintaining a Springfield sales office and news bureau near the Illinois State Capitol. WCIX's transmitter is located in Clear Lake Township. Local news has been a significant part of the station's role. WCIA launched a Springfield-oriented prime-time newscast for WCFN in 2005, followed by a morning-news extension in 2006. The evening news format changed several times as the station adjusted its schedule and competed with newscasts produced for other Central Illinois outlets. The station moved its newscast from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in 2017. WCIA's broader news operation also draws on bureaus in Springfield and Decatur. WCIX has carried a range of regional sports and special-event programming. Its historical offerings included Illinois High School Association tournament coverage, selected Chicago Bulls, Cubs, and White Sox games from 2010 through 2019, and Indianapolis Colts preseason games beginning in 2011. The station completed the transition from analog to digital broadcasting in 2009 and later received transmitter upgrades that enabled its main service to be distributed in high definition across both WCIX and WCIA's relevant digital channels. WCIX remains an active Central Illinois broadcast outlet within Nexstar's station portfolio.

WCIX developed from an effort to improve WCIA's coverage of the western side of the Central Illinois television market. WCIA, which signed on in 1953, had a transmitter location that provided strong service to much of the Champaign–Urbana and Decatur area but comparatively weak reception in Springfield before cable television became established. A low-power UHF relay on channel 49, identified as W49AA, was launched in 1967 to extend WCIA's programming into Springfield and nearby communities. The channel 49 facility became a full-power station on February 4, 1985, when it adopted the call sign WCFN. Despite the upgrade, WCFN initially remained a straightforward WCIA simulcast. Its programming and commercials were substantially identical to WCIA's, and the station was not developed as an independent editorial or entertainment service. The digital transition later created a more flexible technical arrangement in which WCIA and WCFN could exchange or simulcast services across their digital subchannels. WCFN's role changed in 2002, when it became the market's first full-time UPN affiliate. The change separated channel 49 from WCIA's continuous CBS service while allowing the two stations to retain close operational ties. In September 2006, after the UPN and WB networks were displaced by a broader network realignment, WCFN affiliated with MyNetworkTV. The affiliation gave the station a continuing network component, although its schedule also included syndicated programs and locally produced material. The station expanded its local presence during the same period. In April 2005, WCIA began producing a Springfield-focused prime-time newscast for WCFN. A morning-news extension followed in 2006, initially carrying part of WCIA's morning program before expanding to a longer local block. The evening news schedule was subsequently revised: in 2009 the station replaced its 9 p.m. newscast with a 7 p.m. program, later shortened to 30 minutes, and in September 2017 the broadcast returned to a 9 p.m. time slot. These changes reflected both competition from other local stations and the need to fit local news around MyNetworkTV and syndicated programming. Sports and community-oriented programming also helped define the channel. In 2007, Nexstar and the Illinois High School Association reached an arrangement that brought IHSA tournament coverage to an over-the-air outlet in the market. From 2010 through 2019, the station carried selected Chicago Bulls, Cubs, and White Sox games produced for Chicago outlets, and it began carrying Indianapolis Colts preseason games in 2011. WCIA and WCFN also adjusted their holiday and special-event schedules as network and local commitments changed. On August 29, 2011, WCFN changed its call sign to WCIX. The new call sign had previously been associated with a Miami CBS station, but the Illinois WCIX is a distinct station licensed to Springfield. The rebranding was accompanied by a revised logo and continued association with MyNetworkTV. In June 2015, Nexstar upgraded the WCIA and WCIX transmitters to support high-definition multiplexing. As a result, the WCIX service could be distributed in 1080i widescreen on both its own main channel and WCIA's second digital channel, improving reception for viewers in areas where the channel 49 transmitter was difficult to receive. WCIX completed the federally mandated analog shutdown on June 12, 2009, moving its digital operation from pre-transition UHF channel 53 to VHF channel 13 while retaining virtual channel 49. Its present distribution uses a shared digital strategy with WCIA: WCIX's MyNetworkTV service is carried on WCIX's primary digital channel and WCIA-DT2, while CBS programming is carried on the complementary WCIA and WCIX services. Nielsen combines WCIX and WCIA-DT2 for ratings purposes under the WCIX+ identifier. Nexstar's acquisition of Tribune Media further expanded the station's corporate relationships. Announced in December 2018, the transaction was approved by the FCC on September 16, 2019, and completed on September 19. The enlarged Nexstar group included nearby-market stations such as WGN-TV in Chicago and KTVI and KPLR-TV in St. Louis. WCIX continues to share facilities and news resources with WCIA in Champaign, while maintaining a Springfield bureau and serving viewers across Central Illinois.

• 2019

  Nexstar completes Tribune acquisition

  [1]WCIXen.wikipedia.org

  Nexstar completed its acquisition of Tribune Media after FCC approval, expanding WCIX's sister-station network.

• 2017

  Local newscast returns to 9 p.m.

  [1]WCIXen.wikipedia.org

  WCIX moved its local evening newscast from the 7 p.m. slot back to 9 p.m.

• 2015

  High-definition multiplexing upgrade

  [1]WCIXen.wikipedia.org

  Nexstar upgraded the WCIA and WCIX transmitters, enabling WCIX programming to be carried in high definition on both relevant digital services.

• 2011

  WCFN is renamed WCIX

  [1]WCIXen.wikipedia.org

  The station adopted the WCIX call sign and refreshed its logo and brand presentation.

• 2009

  Analog transmission ends

  [1]WCIXen.wikipedia.org

  The station ended analog broadcasting and moved its digital signal to VHF channel 13 while retaining virtual channel 49.

• 2006

  WCFN joins MyNetworkTV

  [1]WCIXen.wikipedia.org

  The station moved from UPN to MyNetworkTV during the network changes that followed the WB–UPN merger.

• 2005

  First Springfield-oriented prime-time newscast

  [1]WCIXen.wikipedia.org

  WCIA launched a prime-time news program on WCFN aimed specifically at Springfield-area viewers.

• 2002

  WCFN adopts UPN

  [1]WCIXen.wikipedia.org

  The station separated from its full-time WCIA simulcast and became a full-time UPN affiliate.

• 1985

  Channel 49 becomes full-power WCFN

  [1]WCIXen.wikipedia.org

  The relay was upgraded to full-power status and received the WCFN call sign, while continuing to simulcast WCIA.

• 1967

  W49AA relay begins operation

  [1]WCIXen.wikipedia.org

  A low-power channel 49 relay was launched to extend WCIA programming toward Springfield and surrounding communities.

• 1953

  WCIA signs on

  [1]WCIXen.wikipedia.org

  The history of the channel 49 relay is connected to WCIA, which began broadcasting from Champaign and later sought better coverage of western Central Illinois.

Local television broadcasting focused on Central Illinois, combining independent programming, MyNetworkTV content, locally produced news, syndicated entertainment, and regional sports coverage.

• Broadcast television channel · 1985

  WCIX main service

  WCIX's primary broadcast service on virtual channel 49 combines independent-station programming with MyNetworkTV content, syndicated entertainment, local news, sports, and special events. It is transmitted from Clear Lake Township and is also distributed through WCIA-DT2 to improve reach in eastern parts of the market.

• Market-wide television service

  WCIX+

  WCIX+ is the Nielsen ratings identity used for WCIX and WCIA-DT2 as a combined service. The arrangement allows the WCIX schedule, including MyNetworkTV programming, to reach communities that cannot reliably receive the station's channel 49 over-the-air signal.

• Local news · 2005

  WCIX local news

  WCIX's local news output is produced through the WCIA news operation in Champaign, with reporting resources in Springfield and Decatur. The station has used multiple evening and morning formats, including Springfield-targeted prime-time news and later broadcasts scheduled around its network and syndicated programming.

• Sports broadcasting · 2007

  WCIX sports and event coverage

  The station has carried regional and special-event programming including Illinois High School Association tournaments, selected Chicago professional baseball and basketball games, and Indianapolis Colts preseason football. These broadcasts supplemented its local news and entertainment schedule.

• 2018

  Nexstar announces Tribune Media acquisitionM&A

  Background

  Nexstar proposed acquiring Tribune Media in a transaction intended to expand its national television-station portfolio.

  Action taken

  Nexstar announced a cash-and-debt transaction valued at approximately $6.4 billion, subject to regulatory approval and divestitures.

  Aftermath

  The transaction was approved by the FCC in September 2019 and completed later that month, adding nearby-market sister stations to WCIX's corporate group.

  Announced transaction value. Approximately $6.4 billion in cash and debt (Announced December 3, 2018)

  Source

• 2015

  Upgrade digital transmission for high-definition multiplexingGeneration change

  Background

  The previous digital arrangement limited the quality and flexibility of simultaneous WCIA and WCIX services.

  Action taken

  Nexstar upgraded the WCIA and WCIX transmitters to support high-definition multiplexing.

  Aftermath

  WCIX programming became available in full 1080i widescreen on both its primary channel and WCIA-DT2.

  Source

• 2011

  Adopt the WCIX call signStrategy

  Background

  The station sought a refreshed identity while continuing its MyNetworkTV affiliation and relationship with WCIA.

  Action taken

  The WCFN call sign was replaced with WCIX and the station introduced a revised logo.

  Aftermath

  WCIX became the station's continuing public identity in the Springfield and Central Illinois market.

  Source

• 2006

  Change affiliation from UPN to MyNetworkTVStrategy

  Background

  The UPN and WB network changes altered the affiliation landscape in Central Illinois.

  Action taken

  WCFN selected MyNetworkTV as its new network affiliation.

  Aftermath

  MyNetworkTV programming became part of the station's schedule, alongside local news and syndicated programming.

  Source

• 2002

  Separate channel 49 from WCIA's simulcastStrategy

  Background

  The channel 49 facility had operated largely as a relay of WCIA since its full-power conversion.

  Action taken

  WCFN adopted a full-time UPN affiliation and began operating as a distinct network service.

  Aftermath

  The station established a separate programming identity while retaining technical and operational ties to WCIA.

  Source

• 2019

  Nexstar completes Tribune Media transaction[1]WCIXen.wikipedia.org

  M&A · Regulation

  The FCC approved the transaction in September 2019, and Nexstar completed the acquisition later that month, adding nearby-market stations to WCIX's broader corporate group.

• 2018

  Nexstar announces acquisition of Tribune Media[1]WCIXen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Nexstar announced a proposed acquisition of Tribune Media, a transaction that would expand WCIX's sister-station relationships in nearby markets after regulatory review and completion.

• 2011

  Station changes call sign from WCFN to WCIX[1]WCIXen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The station adopted the WCIX call sign and introduced a new visual identity associated with its MyNetworkTV positioning.

• 2006

  WCFN joins MyNetworkTV[1]WCIXen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  Following the UPN–WB network realignment, WCFN selected MyNetworkTV as its network affiliation.

• 2005

  WCFN launches a Springfield-oriented prime-time newscast[1]WCIXen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  WCIA began producing the market's first prime-time newscast for WCFN, targeting viewers in Springfield and the surrounding area.

• 2002

  WCFN becomes a full-time UPN affiliate[1]WCIXen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The channel 49 station ended its long-standing simulcast role with WCIA and adopted a full-time UPN affiliation, creating a distinct entertainment service for the Central Illinois market.

1. 1WCIXen.wikipedia.org
2. 2WCIA official websitewcia.com