WJZY
WJZY is a television station licensed to Belmont, North Carolina, serving the Charlotte market as a Fox affiliate.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
WJZY is a commercial television station licensed to Belmont, North Carolina, and serving the Charlotte, North Carolina, metropolitan area and nearby communities in both Carolinas. The station broadcasts on virtual channel 46 and is affiliated with the Fox network. It operates alongside sister station WMYT-TV, a CW outlet, and both stations share studio facilities on Performance Road in western Mecklenburg County. Their transmitter is located near Dallas, North Carolina, close to the Catawba River. The station originated in the early 1980s after the Federal Communications Commission assigned UHF channel 46 to Belmont. A group called Piedmont Crescent Broadcasting Company, which included Charlotte mayor Harvey Gantt and individuals connected with local radio, merged with another applicant to form Metro-Crescent Broadcasting. The group received the construction permit after competing applicants settled their claims. Capitol Broadcasting Company acquired a minority interest in 1986 and later purchased the remaining ownership stake. Before launch, the station changed its planned call sign from WMHU to WJZY. WJZY began test transmissions on March 9, 1987, and entered full commercial operation later that year as an independent station. Its early schedule consisted largely of syndicated series, films, and cartoons. The station became a significant competitor to WCCB, which at that time was Charlotte's Fox affiliate. WJZY also carried Charlotte professional basketball, serving as an over-the-air home of the Charlotte Hornets from 1992 through 1998 and later carrying games involving the Charlotte Bobcats before those broadcasts moved to WMYT-TV. WJZY joined the United Paramount Network, or UPN, when that network launched in January 1995. Following the 2006 merger of UPN and The WB into The CW, WJZY became the Charlotte-area CW affiliate. The station's role changed substantially after Fox Television Stations purchased WJZY and WMYT-TV from Capitol Broadcasting in 2013. Fox was attracted to the Charlotte market in part because it was home to the Carolina Panthers, an NFC team whose games are generally associated with Fox's national sports rights. WJZY became the Fox affiliate in July 2013, while CW programming moved to WCCB. Fox also established a standalone local news operation at WJZY. The newsroom launched in January 2014 with an unconventional, youth-oriented presentation under the MyFox Carolinas branding. The initial format emphasized a less traditional studio style and regional bureaus, but it struggled to build an audience and later moved toward a conventional local-news structure. Nexstar Media Group acquired WJZY and WMYT-TV from Fox in March 2020. In January 2022, Nexstar relaunched the news identity as Queen City News, seeking to distinguish the station's local journalism from Fox News Channel and give the operation a stronger Charlotte-market identity. WJZY produces local news and public-affairs programming, including extensive weekday output, and serves as a television outlet for Carolina Panthers preseason football. It has also participated in Charlotte's transition to digital and next-generation television technology. The station began digital broadcasting in 2002, ended regular analog service during the United States digital transition in 2009, and joined Charlotte's ATSC 3.0 service in 2021.
History
The origins of WJZY date to the FCC's assignment of UHF channel 46 to Belmont, North Carolina, in December 1983. As many as nine groups sought the construction permit. Piedmont Crescent Broadcasting Company, a proposed ownership group that included Charlotte mayor Harvey Gantt and people associated with Charlotte radio, ultimately combined with Metro Broadcasting to create Metro-Crescent Broadcasting. The competing applicants settled their claims, allowing Metro-Crescent to receive the permit. Capitol Broadcasting Company of Raleigh negotiated a 49-percent interest in the venture in 1986, with an option to acquire the remainder after the station began operating. The transaction required Capitol to dispose of other Charlotte-area radio interests to comply with FCC ownership rules. The station was initially assigned the call sign WMHU, but it adopted WJZY in November 1986 to create a distinctive identity among Charlotte television stations. WJZY transmitted its first test signal on March 9, 1987. Full commercial service began in July, with a schedule built from syndicated programs, movies, and first-run cartoons. Capitol exercised its purchase option only months after launch and became the station's full owner after the FCC approved the transaction in November 1987. The ownership arrangement attracted controversy because Gantt had not initially disclosed his financial interest in Metro-Crescent on required city ethics filings. The issue became part of the 1987 Charlotte mayoral election, which Gantt lost. The proposed sale also drew a challenge alleging that the permit holders had not honored commitments concerning local programming, but that challenge was later withdrawn. During its early independent period, WJZY competed directly with WCCB, then Charlotte's Fox station. By 1990, channel 46 was competitive with WCCB in several important dayparts. Capitol also became involved in the operation of the market's channel 55 through a local marketing agreement. WJZY carried Charlotte Hornets basketball from 1992 to 1998, sharing the final two seasons with channel 55. When the franchise returned as the Charlotte Bobcats in 2004, WJZY again served as an over-the-air flagship for a period before the broadcasts moved to WMYT-TV. WJZY became a charter UPN affiliate on January 16, 1995. In 2006, UPN and The WB were replaced by The CW, and WJZY became the Charlotte-area CW affiliate when the new network launched on September 18. Its programming relationship with The CW lasted until Fox's acquisition of the station. Fox Television Stations announced its purchase of WJZY and WMYT-TV in January 2013, and the FCC-approved transaction closed in April. Fox moved its Charlotte affiliation from WCCB to WJZY on July 1, 2013, branding the station Fox 46 Carolinas to emphasize its regional reach. The CW affiliation moved to WCCB. Fox's ownership also led to a major investment in local news. After a series of contracted WBTV-produced newscasts aired on WJZY at different times between 1994 and 2013, Fox created a permanent WJZY newsroom. Its first original newscast launched in January 2014, followed by additional evening and morning programs. The initial news format attempted to differentiate WJZY through a younger-oriented, less formal presentation. Ratings were weak, staff turnover was substantial, and the station gradually adopted a more conventional local-news approach. The newsroom continued to expand, eventually producing more than eleven hours of weekday local programming. In December 2021, WJZY announced that its news operation would be renamed Queen City News, with the new identity taking effect in January 2022. Fox Corporation announced in 2019 that WJZY and WMYT-TV would be sold to Nexstar Media Group. The transaction closed on March 2, 2020. Under Nexstar, WJZY remained a Fox affiliate and continued operating with WMYT-TV as a sister station. In advance of the 2022 football season, WJZY became the preseason television broadcaster and official station of the Carolina Panthers under a five-year agreement that also covered team-related programming. Technically, WJZY began digital transmission on UHF channel 47 in May 2002. It ended ordinary analog broadcasting on UHF channel 46 on June 12, 2009, while briefly continuing an analog information loop under the federal SAFER Act. The station joined Charlotte's ATSC 3.0 service on July 7, 2021. Its current broadcast operation remains centered on Fox programming, regional local news, weather, sports, and digital content for the Charlotte-area audience.
- 2022
Queen City News branding launches
[1]The station relaunched its local news identity as Queen City News.
- 2021
ATSC 3.0 service begins
[1]WJZY joined Charlotte's NextGen TV service hosted by WAXN-TV.
- 2020
Nexstar ownership begins
[1]Nexstar Media Group completed its acquisition of WJZY and WMYT-TV from Fox.
- 2014
Standalone local news operation launches
[1]WJZY introduced its own local news department after previously carrying news produced by WBTV under several agreements.
- 2013
Fox acquires WJZY and WMYT-TV
[1]Fox Television Stations purchased the two-station cluster from Capitol Broadcasting, and WJZY became Fox's Charlotte affiliate.
- 2006
WJZY joins The CW
[1]The station became the Charlotte market's CW affiliate when the network launched.
- 2002
Digital broadcasting begins
[1]WJZY began transmitting a digital signal on UHF channel 47.
- 1995
UPN affiliation begins
[1]WJZY became a charter affiliate of UPN.
- 1987
WJZY begins broadcasting
[1]The station made its first test broadcast in March and began full commercial operations in July as an independent station.
- 1986
Capitol Broadcasting acquires a minority stake
[1]Capitol Broadcasting agreed to acquire a 49-percent interest in Metro-Crescent Broadcasting and obtained an option for the remaining stake.
Products and positioning
A locally focused Fox-affiliated television station serving the Charlotte region, with coverage extending across parts of North Carolina and South Carolina.
Local television news · 2022
Queen City News
WJZY's current local-news brand, launched in January 2022 under Nexstar ownership. It covers Charlotte and surrounding communities through regularly scheduled newscasts, weather, traffic, digital reports, and regional field reporting.
Network television affiliation · 2013
Fox network programming
WJZY carries Fox's entertainment, news, sports, and special-event programming for the Charlotte market. The affiliation began in July 2013 after Fox acquired the station and moved its local affiliation from WCCB.
Sports broadcasting · 2022
Carolina Panthers preseason broadcasts
WJZY serves as a television outlet for Carolina Panthers preseason football and produces associated team programming, including pregame and postgame content, under an agreement announced for the 2022 season.
Sports broadcasting · 1992
Charlotte Hornets broadcasts
WJZY was an over-the-air broadcast home of the Charlotte Hornets from 1992 through 1998. It later carried Charlotte Bobcats games before those broadcasts moved to WMYT-TV.
Controversies
1987
Undisclosed ownership interest involving Charlotte mayor
Harvey Gantt's participation in the Metro-Crescent ownership group was not initially disclosed in the city ethics filings required for his business interests. The issue became a major controversy during his reelection campaign and contributed to his defeat.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022Queen City News
Charlotte metropolitan area
Nexstar rebranded WJZY's local journalism operation as Queen City News to establish a clearer local identity and reduce confusion with Fox News Channel.
Outcome. The brand became the station's continuing local-news identity.
- 2013Fox 46 Carolinas
Charlotte · North Carolina · South Carolina
After becoming a Fox affiliate, WJZY adopted the Fox 46 Carolinas identity to communicate its two-state regional coverage and its connection to the Fox network.
Outcome. The identity was later replaced for local news by Queen City News, while the station continued operating as a Fox affiliate.
Brand decisions
2021
Participation in Charlotte ATSC 3.0 serviceOtherBackground
Broadcasters in the Charlotte market introduced a shared next-generation digital television service.
Action taken
WJZY began appearing on the ATSC 3.0 service hosted by WAXN-TV.
Aftermath
The station gained a role in the market's NextGen TV distribution system while retaining its primary broadcast service.
2019
Nexstar agrees to acquire WJZY from FoxM&ABackground
The transaction formed part of a station exchange between Fox Corporation and Nexstar Media Group.
Action taken
Nexstar agreed to acquire WJZY and WMYT-TV, with the sale closing in March 2020.
Aftermath
WJZY remained a Fox affiliate but moved into Nexstar's station portfolio and later adopted the Queen City News local-news identity.
Reported acquisition price. $45 million (Announced November 2019)
2014
Launch of standalone local news operationProduct launchBackground
Fox wanted WJZY to support its new network affiliation with original local journalism rather than relying solely on contracted newscasts.
Action taken
WJZY launched a dedicated newsroom and introduced a prime-time newscast, followed by additional evening and morning programs.
Aftermath
The initial youth-oriented format underperformed and was gradually replaced by a more conventional local-news presentation.
2013
Fox purchases WJZY and WMYT-TVM&ABackground
Fox sought an owned station in the growing Charlotte market, which was strategically attractive because it was home to the Carolina Panthers and the NFC sports rights carried by Fox.
Action taken
Fox Television Stations agreed to acquire both stations from Capitol Broadcasting and completed the transaction after FCC approval.
Aftermath
WJZY became Fox's Charlotte affiliate, while Fox established a new local news department and WCCB took over the CW affiliation.
Reported acquisition price. $18 million (Announced January 2013; completed April 17, 2013)
Recent events
- 2022
WJZY adopts the Queen City News identity[1]
Campaign · Leadership change
Nexstar relaunched the station's local news branding as Queen City News in January after determining that the previous identity lacked a distinct local position.
- 2022
WJZY becomes a Carolina Panthers preseason television outlet[1]
Product launch · Other
The station began a five-year arrangement to carry Panthers preseason games and produce related pregame, postgame, and team programming.
- 2020
Nexstar completes acquisition of WJZY[1]
M&A
Nexstar Media Group acquired WJZY and WMYT-TV from Fox in a transaction associated with Fox's purchase of other Nexstar stations.
- 2014
WJZY launches an original local news department[1]
Product launch
The station introduced its own local news operation, beginning with a prime-time newscast and later adding evening and morning programs.
- 2013
Fox Television Stations agrees to acquire WJZY and WMYT-TV[1]
M&A
Fox agreed to buy the two stations from Capitol Broadcasting, seeking an owned station in the Charlotte market and a stronger position around Carolina Panthers coverage.
- 2013
WJZY becomes Fox affiliate[1]
Product launch · Other
Fox programming moved to WJZY in July, with the station adopting the Fox 46 Carolinas identity. CW programming moved to WCCB.
- 2006
WJZY selected as Charlotte CW affiliate[1]
Other
Following the planned combination of UPN and The WB, WJZY was selected to carry The CW in the Charlotte market.
- 1995
WJZY joins UPN[1]
Other
WJZY became a charter affiliate of the United Paramount Network when the network launched.
- 1987
WJZY begins broadcasting as an independent television station[1]
Other
The Belmont-licensed station began test transmissions in March and entered full commercial operation later that year with syndicated programs, films, and cartoons.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/wjzy · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled