WCTX
WCTX is an independent television station serving Connecticut's Hartford–New Haven market, with a secondary MyNetworkTV affiliation.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
WCTX is a commercial television station licensed to New Haven, Connecticut, and serving the Hartford–New Haven designated market area. The station operates primarily as an independent outlet while carrying MyNetworkTV programming as a secondary affiliation. Its programming mix includes syndicated entertainment, locally produced news, sports, and selected network or special-event programming. WCTX is best known for its channel 9 branding and for operating as part of a long-running television duopoly with ABC affiliate WTNH, channel 8. The station's origins date to a UHF channel 59 construction permit issued in 1953. The original permit holder, Connecticut Radio Foundation, did not put the station on the air and eventually sold the permit to Impart Systems in 1967. A low-power translator using the channel 59 allocation operated in the New Haven area in the early 1970s, but a full-power station was not launched until April 3, 1995. It initially used the call sign WTVU and affiliated with The WB under a local marketing agreement with LIN TV, then the owner of WTNH. WTNH supplied much of the station's schedule, including syndicated programs, classic television series, and local sports coverage. The station changed its call sign to WBNE in 1996, reflecting its WB affiliation and regional positioning. In 2001, after a network affiliation exchange involving Tribune-owned WTXX, the station became WCTX and adopted the on-air identity “The X” as a UPN affiliate. LIN TV acquired WCTX outright in 2002. The station later used the “UPN 9” brand before UPN and The WB were replaced by new network arrangements in 2006. WCTX joined MyNetworkTV at the network's launch and adopted the “MyTV9” identity. Although its affiliation status evolved, the station retained a substantial independent-programming role. WCTX also became an important outlet for news and sports produced or supplied by WTNH. WTNH launched a 10 p.m. newscast on WCTX in 2000, and the station has carried portions of WTNH's morning programming as well as expanded local coverage. It has aired University of Connecticut men's basketball, Connecticut Sun WNBA games, syndicated Boston Red Sox broadcasts, Hartford Whalers games during the team's Connecticut era, and other locally relevant sports. More recently, its sports schedule has included selected LIV Golf events through CW Sports. Ownership has changed through several major media transactions. LIN Media's stations, including WCTX and WTNH, were acquired by Media General in 2014. Nexstar Broadcasting Group subsequently acquired Media General, completing the transaction in 2017, and WCTX became part of Nexstar's Connecticut station portfolio. Nexstar retained the WTNH–WCTX combination while divesting the WTIC-TV–WCCT-TV duopoly to Tegna during its 2019 acquisition of Tribune Media. Following Nexstar's announced acquisition of Tegna, the station was identified for divestiture to satisfy broadcast ownership requirements. WCTX shares facilities with WTNH in downtown New Haven and, under a channel-sharing arrangement, transmits using WTNH's spectrum from a tower in Hamden. Its digital signal moved from UHF channel 39 to VHF channel 10 in 2018, while retaining virtual channel 59.
History
A construction permit for New Haven's UHF channel 59 was issued by the Federal Communications Commission as early as 1953 to Connecticut Radio Foundation. The group did not complete construction, and the permit was sold to Impart Systems in 1967. In 1971, an NBC affiliate serving central Connecticut established a low-power translator on channel 59 in the New Haven area to improve reception in southern Connecticut. That translator did not constitute the full-power station that would later become WCTX. The full-power station began broadcasting on April 3, 1995, under the call sign WTVU. It affiliated with The WB and operated under a local marketing agreement with LIN TV, owner of WTNH. WTNH effectively programmed the station's schedule, supplying syndicated shows, second-run programs, classic sitcoms and dramas, and other inventory. WTVU also carried Hartford Whalers hockey games during the club's final years in Connecticut. On April 1, 1996, the station became WBNE, a call sign associated with its WB New England identity. A network realignment occurred on January 1, 2001, when WBNE and WTXX exchanged affiliations. The station became a UPN affiliate, adopted the WCTX call letters, and used “The X” as its principal on-air identity. LIN TV purchased the station outright in 2002, ending the local marketing arrangement as the basis for ownership. In 2005, WCTX used the “UPN 9” brand, emphasizing its cable position in parts of the market. The national television landscape changed in 2006 when CBS and Warner Bros. announced that UPN and The WB would be replaced by The CW. Connecticut's CW affiliation went to WTXX, leaving WCTX to seek a new role. The station announced that it would join MyNetworkTV, a programming service launched by News Corporation. MyNetworkTV began operations on September 5, 2006, and WCTX adopted the “MyTV9” identity. The station continued to operate with a substantial independent schedule outside its MyNetworkTV hours. WCTX expanded its local role through programming produced by WTNH. A nightly 10 p.m. newscast began in 2000, competing with WTIC-TV's established late-news broadcast. WCTX also carried portions of WTNH's weekday morning program and later offered a dedicated 7 a.m. hour. In 2010, WTNH's local newscasts, including those shown on WCTX, moved first to widescreen enhanced definition and then to high definition. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the station became an outlet for expanded prime-time local coverage, with WTNH planning a major extension of WCTX's evening news schedule. The station's sports and digital programming have changed over time. It carried University of Connecticut men's basketball and selected Connecticut Sun games, and previously aired syndicated Boston Red Sox broadcasts. Its digital subchannels have included a regional weather radar service, TheCoolTV, Justice Network, and other event-oriented programming. WCTX ended analog broadcasting on June 12, 2009, retaining virtual channel 59 on its digital service. In 2018, it moved its digital transmission to VHF channel 10 and began sharing transmission facilities and spectrum with WTNH. Media ownership changes subsequently reshaped the station's corporate setting. Media General completed its acquisition of LIN Media in 2014. Nexstar acquired Media General after announcing the transaction in 2016, and the deal placed WCTX and WTNH within Nexstar's portfolio. When Nexstar acquired Tribune Media in 2019, it retained the WTNH–WCTX combination and sold WTIC-TV and WCCT-TV to Tegna to satisfy ownership restrictions. Nexstar's later agreement to acquire Tegna included a commitment to divest WCTX within two years because of overlapping licenses and market ownership limits.
- 2019
Nexstar retained WCTX after Tribune transaction
[1]Nexstar kept the WTNH–WCTX combination while divesting WTIC-TV and WCCT-TV to Tegna.
- 2018
Digital transmission moved to VHF channel 10
[1]WCTX moved its digital signal and began sharing spectrum with WTNH.
- 2014
Media General acquired LIN Media
[1]The transaction brought WCTX and WTNH into Media General ownership.
- 2010
Local news moved to high definition
[1]WCTX's WTNH-produced newscasts transitioned to high-definition presentation.
- 2009
Analog transmission ended
[1]WCTX ended its analog broadcast on June 12 as part of the United States digital television transition.
- 2006
MyNetworkTV affiliation began
[1]WCTX joined MyNetworkTV after UPN and The WB were replaced by new network arrangements.
- 2002
LIN TV acquired WCTX outright
[1]LIN TV moved from operating the station under an agreement to owning it directly.
- 2001
WCTX became a UPN affiliate
[1]Following an affiliation exchange, the station adopted the WCTX call sign and “The X” branding.
- 2000
WTNH-produced 10 p.m. newscast launched
[1]WCTX began carrying a nightly prime-time newscast produced by WTNH.
- 1996
Call sign changed to WBNE
[1]The station adopted the WBNE call letters and continued its WB-oriented identity.
Products and positioning
A Connecticut-focused independent television outlet combining syndicated entertainment, MyNetworkTV programming, WTNH-produced news, and selected sports and special-event broadcasts.
Broadcast television station · 1995
WCTX television service
The station's main service reaches viewers in the Hartford–New Haven market through virtual channel 59. It combines independent syndicated programming with MyNetworkTV programming, local news, sports, and occasional coverage displaced from WTNH.
Television news · 2000
WCTX local news
WTNH produces local news for WCTX, including a prime-time newscast and morning programming. The service has also been used for expanded coverage during major breaking-news and public-health events.
Digital television · 2010
WCTX digital subchannels
WCTX has carried supplementary digital services and event programming, including weather radar, music-video, and justice-oriented networks at different times. Subchannel lineups have changed as network and distribution arrangements evolved.
Brand decisions
2018
Moved digital transmission and entered a channel-sharing arrangementOtherBackground
The station's transmission arrangements changed as broadcasters consolidated facilities and spectrum use.
Action taken
WCTX moved its digital signal to VHF channel 10 and shared WTNH's transmission spectrum and tower facilities.
Aftermath
WCTX continued to use virtual channel 59 while transmitting through the shared WTNH facility in Hamden.
2006
Joined MyNetworkTV after UPN's planned closureStrategyBackground
The announced creation of The CW left WCTX without its expected UPN affiliation because Connecticut's CW agreement went to another station.
Action taken
WCTX announced a MyNetworkTV affiliation and adopted the “MyTV9” identity when the service launched.
Aftermath
The station retained a network-linked schedule while continuing to rely on independent and syndicated programming outside MyNetworkTV hours.
Recent events
- 2025
WCTX identified for divestiture following Nexstar–Tegna transaction[1]
M&A · Regulation
Nexstar agreed to acquire Tegna and committed to divesting WCTX within two years as part of regulatory remedies concerning overlapping television licenses.
- 2018
Nexstar announced acquisition of Tribune Media assets[1]
M&A · Regulation
Nexstar announced a transaction for Tribune Media assets. Regulatory requirements led to the planned divestiture of the WTIC-TV and WCCT-TV duopoly while Nexstar retained WTNH and WCTX.
- 2016
Nexstar agreed to acquire Media General[1]
M&A
Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced an agreement to acquire Media General, ending Media General's proposed acquisition of Meredith and ultimately placing WCTX under Nexstar ownership.
- 2014
LIN Media acquired by Media General[1]
M&A
Media General announced an agreement to acquire LIN Media, bringing WCTX and sister station WTNH into Media General's portfolio. The transaction was completed in December 2014.
Sources1 sources
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