WIMN-CD

WIMN-CD is a Class A independent television station licensed to Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The station serves Arecibo and the Northern Region of Puerto Rico and is owned by Paradise Network, Inc. Its studios are located next to Arecibo Mall. The station has operated under several identities and programming arrangements during its history, reflecting changes in ownership, management, affiliations, transmission technology, and branding. The station began broadcasting in 1987 as WIMN. Its early schedule included music videos, music specials, and local news focused on Arecibo and the surrounding northern region. It later became part of Channel America, an arrangement that connected the local outlet with a broader television programming service. In 2001, WIMN-CA moved toward religious programming under the management of Carmen Cabrera and adopted the Mega TV brand. This period marked a substantial change from its earlier music- and locally oriented schedule. The station continued to evolve in the 2010s. After switching to a digital signal, it joined JLTV in 2013. In September 2014, it adopted the JLTV Puerto Rico identity. The station was licensed for digital operation in June 2015 and changed its call sign from WIMN-CA to WIMN-CD. The change reflected its Class A digital operating status and distinguished the station from its earlier analog call-sign designation. WIMN-CD suffered a major service interruption after Hurricane Maria passed through Puerto Rico in September 2017. The station was forced off the air on September 20, 2017. It returned on October 1, 2018, using a new transmitter. At the time of its return, the station reverted to the Israel TV branding, indicating another change in programming and network identity. In September 2023, WIMN-CD changed its virtual-channel presentation to 8.1, 37.1, and 99.9. On October 1, 2023, it adopted the Paradise Network brand. Under that identity, its schedule included local programming, selected programs from Tiva TV and Radio Once, and tourism information intended for Puerto Rican residents. The station therefore combines local broadcasting with partner and network-supplied content rather than operating solely as a single-format national service. WIMN-CD is best understood as a regional broadcast-station brand whose identity has changed repeatedly over more than three decades. Its core role has remained the provision of television service to Arecibo and northern Puerto Rico, while its formats have ranged from music and local news to religious programming, international or partner-network content, and local information. The latest referenced identity is Paradise Network, although the historical names Mega TV, JLTV Puerto Rico, and Israel TV remain important parts of the station's operating history.

WIMN began broadcasting in 1987 as a television station serving Arecibo and Northern Puerto Rico. Its original programming included music videos, music specials, and local news about Arecibo and the northern region. The station subsequently became associated with Channel America, expanding its programming relationship beyond purely local output. In 2001, WIMN-CA changed direction under the management of Carmen Cabrera and began carrying religious programming. During this period it used the Mega TV brand. The change represented a move away from the station's initial music-and-local-news profile toward a more specialized schedule. The station entered another phase in the 2010s. Following a change to its digital signal, WIMN-CA joined JLTV in 2013. It was branded JLTV Puerto Rico beginning in September 2014. In June 2015, the station received authorization for digital operation and changed its call sign to WIMN-CD. WIMN-CD's service was interrupted by Hurricane Maria. The station went off the air on September 20, 2017, and remained unavailable until October 1, 2018. Its return was made possible through a new transmitter, and the station resumed operations under the Israel TV branding. In September 2023, the station revised its virtual-channel presentation to 8.1, 37.1, and 99.9. On October 1, 2023, it adopted the Paradise Network name. The new identity featured local programming, selected programs from Tiva TV and Radio Once, and tourism information for Puerto Rican residents. The station's history consequently includes several distinct programming and branding eras: its original local and music service, Channel America affiliation, Mega TV religious programming, JLTV Puerto Rico, Israel TV, and the current referenced Paradise Network identity.

• 2023

  Paradise Network branding begins

  [1]WIMN-CDen.wikipedia.org

  WIMN-CD changes its virtual channels and adopts the Paradise Network identity, with local and partner-supplied programming.

• 2018

  Broadcasting resumes

  [1]WIMN-CDen.wikipedia.org

  The station returns using a new transmitter and adopts the Israel TV branding.

• 2017

  Broadcasting interrupted by Hurricane Maria

  [1]WIMN-CDen.wikipedia.org

  WIMN-CD is forced off the air after Hurricane Maria affects Puerto Rico.

• 2015

  Digital call-sign transition

  [1]WIMN-CDen.wikipedia.org

  The station is licensed for digital operation and changes its call sign from WIMN-CA to WIMN-CD.

• 2014

  JLTV Puerto Rico branding introduced

  [1]WIMN-CDen.wikipedia.org

  The station changes its public identity to JLTV Puerto Rico.

• 2013

  Station joins JLTV

  [1]WIMN-CDen.wikipedia.org

  After switching its digital signal, WIMN-CA becomes affiliated with JLTV.

• 2001

  Religious-programming era begins

  [1]WIMN-CDen.wikipedia.org

  Under Carmen Cabrera's management, WIMN-CA begins broadcasting religious programming and uses the Mega TV brand.

• 1987

  WIMN begins broadcasting

  [1]WIMN-CDen.wikipedia.org

  The station launches with music videos, music specials, and local news for Arecibo and Northern Puerto Rico.

A regional independent television station serving Arecibo and Northern Puerto Rico, combining local programming with partner-network content and public-information programming.

• Television programming · 2023

  Local programming

  The station's current referenced identity includes locally produced programming for viewers in Arecibo and Northern Puerto Rico. The available reference does not identify individual program titles, schedules, or production teams, but describes local content as a central element of the Paradise Network service.

• Television programming · 2023

  Partner-network programming

  WIMN-CD carries some programs supplied by Tiva TV and Radio Once. These programs complement the station's local output and form part of its current referenced programming mix under the Paradise Network identity.

• Public-information broadcasting · 2023

  Tourism information

  The station broadcasts tourism information intended for Puerto Rican residents. The available source does not specify the individual segments, destinations, production arrangements, or broadcast frequency.

• Television programming · 2001

  Religious programming

  Beginning in 2001, WIMN-CA carried religious programming under Carmen Cabrera's management while using the Mega TV brand. The reference does not provide program titles or indicate whether this format continues.

• 2023

  Adopt the Paradise Network brandStrategy

  Background

  The station had previously operated under the Israel TV identity and revised its virtual-channel presentation in September 2023.

  Action taken

  WIMN-CD adopted the Paradise Network branding and emphasized local programming, Tiva TV and Radio Once content, and tourism information.

  Aftermath

  Paradise Network became the latest referenced public identity for the station.

  Source

• 2018

  Return after hurricane-related shutdownStrategy

  Background

  Hurricane Maria forced the station off the air in September 2017.

  Action taken

  WIMN-CD resumed broadcasting from a new transmitter and reverted to the Israel TV branding.

  Aftermath

  The station restored service after an extended interruption and entered another branding phase.

  Source

• 2015

  Transition to digital call signGeneration change

  Background

  The station's broadcast operation had moved into the digital-transmission period.

  Action taken

  The station received a digital-operation license and changed its call sign from WIMN-CA to WIMN-CD.

  Aftermath

  WIMN-CD became the station's call sign and remains the authoritative article subject.

  Source

• 2013

  Join JLTVStrategy

  Background

  After changing its digital signal, the station entered a programming relationship with JLTV.

  Action taken

  WIMN-CA joined JLTV and later used the JLTV Puerto Rico brand.

  Aftermath

  The JLTV Puerto Rico identity was used from 2014 before later branding changes.

  Source

1. 1WIMN-CDen.wikipedia.org