WLEX-DT2

WLEX-DT2 is the second digital programming stream associated with WLEX-TV, the Lexington, Kentucky television station that broadcasts on virtual channel 18. WLEX-TV began operation in March 1955 as Lexington's first television station and has historically been affiliated with NBC. The subchannel is part of the station's digital multiplex rather than a separately licensed full-power television station, so its programming identity and network affiliation have changed over time. In November 2009, WLEX added the Wazoo Sports Network to a digital subchannel branded WZLEX. Wazoo Sports focused on Kentucky sports programming, giving WLEX a locally relevant secondary service alongside its primary NBC schedule. Wazoo Sports entered bankruptcy in December 2011, after which WLEX discontinued the service. The station's general manager said at the time that the network was not strong enough for WLEX to make another commitment to it. MeTV subsequently replaced Wazoo Sports on the digital subchannel. The subchannel operates within WLEX-TV's broader technical and business infrastructure. WLEX's studios are on Russell Cave Road in Lexington, while its transmission facilities are in the Brighton section of Fayette County. WLEX-TV's digital signal has used virtual channel 18; its post-transition physical channel was later repacked to channel 28. These technical details relate to the parent station's transmission system and do not establish a separate physical facility or independent corporate organization for WLEX-DT2. WLEX-TV was locally owned by the Gay and Bell families for most of its first 44 years. Cordillera Communications acquired the station in 1999, and the E. W. Scripps Company completed its acquisition of WLEX and most of Cordillera's television stations on May 1, 2019. WLEX-DT2 therefore belongs to the programming and distribution portfolio of a Scripps-owned local television station. Available reference material identifies the subchannel's historical Wazoo Sports and MeTV use, but does not provide a complete current schedule, a distinct launch date for the WLEX-DT2 designation, or independent financial and executive information.

WLEX-DT2 developed as a digital multicast service of WLEX-TV rather than as a separately established full-power station. WLEX-TV began broadcasting on March 15, 1955, becoming Lexington's first television station and maintaining an NBC affiliation for essentially its entire history. The station later introduced digital subchannels as digital broadcasting created capacity for additional programming services. The best-documented early identity of the second digital service was WZLEX, which began carrying the Wazoo Sports Network in November 2009. Wazoo Sports was oriented toward Kentucky sports, providing a regional secondary service that complemented WLEX's main network and local-news operation. Its carriage ended in December 2011 after Wazoo Sports filed for bankruptcy. WLEX management decided not to continue the arrangement, and MeTV subsequently occupied the digital-subchannel position. WLEX-TV's ownership history provides the corporate context for the subchannel. The station was founded by Central Kentucky Broadcasting Company, associated with the Gay and Bell families, and remained locally owned until its sale to Cordillera Communications in 1999. Cordillera's parent company announced the sale of most of its television stations, including WLEX, to the E. W. Scripps Company in October 2018. The transaction closed on May 1, 2019. WLEX-DT2 uses the parent station's transmission and studio infrastructure. WLEX-TV's studios are located on Russell Cave Road in Lexington, and its transmitter facilities are in Fayette County. WLEX's digital television signal originally remained on physical UHF channel 39 after the 2009 nationwide analog shutdown while retaining virtual channel 18, and it was later repacked to physical channel 28. The available material does not establish an independent headquarters, incorporation, founding date, executive team, or standalone financial results for WLEX-DT2. It also does not definitively document the current programming identity beyond the historical MeTV reference.

• 2019

  Scripps becomes owner of the parent station

  [1]WLEX-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The E. W. Scripps Company completed its acquisition of WLEX-TV from Cordillera Communications.

• 2011

  Wazoo Sports carriage ends

  [1]WLEX-TVen.wikipedia.org

  WLEX removed Wazoo Sports after the network filed for bankruptcy; MeTV later replaced it.

• 2009

  Wazoo Sports launches on the secondary digital service

  [1]WLEX-TVen.wikipedia.org

  WLEX added the Kentucky-focused Wazoo Sports Network to a digital subchannel branded WZLEX.

A secondary digital television service extending WLEX-TV's programming portfolio beyond its primary NBC network schedule.

• Digital sports network carriage · 2009

  Wazoo Sports on WZLEX

  A secondary digital service carrying Wazoo Sports Network programming focused on Kentucky sports. WLEX added the network in November 2009, but ended carriage in December 2011 after Wazoo Sports entered bankruptcy.

• Digital multicast television · 2011

  MeTV carriage

  MeTV programming replaced Wazoo Sports on WLEX's digital subchannel after the sports network's service ended. The available reference material does not specify the complete duration or current status of this arrangement.

• 2011

  Discontinue Wazoo Sports carriageStrategy

  Background

  Wazoo Sports filed for bankruptcy, weakening the case for continuing the secondary-channel arrangement.

  Action taken

  WLEX pulled Wazoo Sports from the digital subchannel and subsequently used the channel for MeTV.

  Aftermath

  The WLEX secondary service shifted from locally focused sports programming to a classic-television network format.

  Source

• 2009

  Add Wazoo Sports to the digital subchannelProduct launch

  Background

  Digital broadcasting allowed WLEX-TV to offer an additional programming service alongside its primary NBC channel.

  Action taken

  WLEX placed Wazoo Sports Network programming on a digital subchannel branded WZLEX.

  Aftermath

  The service ended in December 2011 after Wazoo Sports filed for bankruptcy, and MeTV later replaced it.

  Source

• 2019

  Scripps completes acquisition of WLEX-TV[1]WLEX-TVen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  The E. W. Scripps Company completed its purchase of WLEX-TV and other Cordillera Communications television stations, bringing the WLEX-DT2 service into the Scripps local television portfolio.

• 2011

  WLEX removes Wazoo Sports after the network enters bankruptcy[1]WLEX-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Bankruptcy · Other

  Wazoo Sports filed for bankruptcy in December 2011, and WLEX discontinued the service. MeTV later replaced it on the digital subchannel.

• 2011

  MeTV replaces Wazoo Sports on WLEX's digital subchannel[1]WLEX-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Product generation

  After Wazoo Sports was removed, WLEX used the secondary digital channel for MeTV programming.

• 2009

  WLEX adds Wazoo Sports to a digital subchannel[1]WLEX-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  WLEX launched carriage of the Kentucky-focused Wazoo Sports Network on a digital subchannel branded WZLEX.

1. 1WLEX-TVen.wikipedia.org