WLIO-DT2

WLIO-DT2 is a digital subchannel associated with WLIO, a full-power television station serving Lima, Ohio, and surrounding communities in northwestern Ohio. It is not a standalone terrestrial television station in the same sense as WLIO's primary signal; rather, it is a branded digital program stream carried through WLIO's multiplexed broadcast signal. The subchannel has historically been used for Fox programming and, according to reference material identifying the subject, has also carried MyNetworkTV programming. Its precise current affiliation and schedule should be verified against the station's latest FCC filing, electronic program guide, or official station listings. WLIO traces its broadcasting history to WLOK-TV, which began operation in 1953 on UHF channel 73. The station later moved to channel 35 and became WIMA-TV in 1955. Following the 1971 separation of the WIMA radio and television properties, the television station adopted the WLIO call sign. In 1972 it came under the ownership of Lima Communications Corporation, and in 1982 an interest in the station was transferred to Blade Communications, associated with the Block family of media businesses. These ownership and call-sign changes form the institutional background for WLIO-DT2, even though the digital subchannel itself was created much later as part of the transition to digital broadcasting. WLIO introduced a digital signal on VHF channel 8 in 2002. The station's digital multiplex allowed it to distribute more than one program service, creating the technical platform on which WLIO-DT2 operates. The most important change affecting the subchannel occurred in 2009, when Block Communications acquired the Lima area's low-power stations and associated major-network affiliations. WLIO moved its primary digital identity to virtual channel 8 and began carrying NBC on its principal stream and Fox on a secondary stream. The reorganization brought the market's principal network affiliations under related ownership while WOHL-CD became the outlet for ABC and CBS programming. WLIO-DT2 is therefore closely connected with the market-wide restructuring that consolidated Fox programming on WLIO's full-power facility. The subchannel operates within the broader Your Hometown Stations presentation. WLIO and related stations share studios on Rice Avenue northwest of downtown Lima, while WLIO's transmitter is located north of the city along Saint Clair Avenue. The group combines network programming with locally produced news, weather, sports, advertising, public-service material, and other programming directed at viewers in the Lima market. Local newscasts produced by the group's news department have been distributed across multiple affiliated streams, although the exact placement of individual programs can change over time. In August 2025, Gray Media announced an agreement to acquire Block Communications' broadcast television stations, including WLIO and related low-power stations. Reference material states that the Federal Communications Commission approved the transaction on May 6, 2026, and that the transaction closed the same day. Following that transaction, WLIO-DT2 became part of Gray Media's broadcast portfolio, subject to applicable FCC licensing and operating arrangements. Because digital-subchannel affiliations and branding can change without a call-sign change, the subchannel's current programming identity should be checked in current station materials rather than inferred solely from its historical Fox or MyNetworkTV association.

WLIO-DT2 is rooted in the development of WLIO, the Lima, Ohio television station whose digital signal provides the platform for the subchannel. WLIO began as WLOK-TV on April 18, 1953, broadcasting on UHF channel 73. It was among the early UHF television stations in the United States. The station initially carried programming from several national networks as well as locally produced shows. After the WLOK radio and television properties were acquired by the owners of WIMA radio, the television station moved to channel 35 and adopted the WIMA-TV call sign in 1955. The television and radio operations were separated in 1971. Because the radio operation retained the WIMA identity, the television station changed its call sign to WLIO-TV, later commonly identified as WLIO. Lima Communications Corporation acquired the station in 1972, and Block Communications became associated with its ownership in 1982. For much of the pre-digital era, WLIO was Lima's principal major-network outlet and a leading source of local news and advertising for the market. WLIO began transmitting a digital signal on VHF channel 8 in 2002. Digital broadcasting enabled the station to carry multiple program streams within its assigned spectrum. WLIO-DT2 emerged from this multiplexing capability as a secondary digital service. Its programming identity was shaped by the restructuring of Lima's television market during the late 2000s. WOHL-LP and related low-power stations had accumulated Fox, CBS, and ABC affiliations, but financial difficulties and the advantages of a full-power signal led to negotiations over moving Fox programming to WLIO. Block Communications acquired the relevant low-power stations in a transaction announced in 2008 and completed in 2009. The deal ended litigation involving the Fox affiliation and placed the area's principal network services under related ownership. During the digital transition, WLIO adopted virtual channel 8, carried NBC on its principal stream, and carried Fox on a secondary digital stream. WLIO-DT2 is associated with that secondary-service role and has also been identified with MyNetworkTV programming. The precise network schedule and branding of a digital subchannel may vary by period, so historical descriptions should not be treated as a permanent statement of its current lineup. WLIO-DT2 operates as part of the Your Hometown Stations group, the collective presentation used by WLIO, WOHL-CD, and related repeaters or digital services. The group maintains studios on Rice Avenue northwest of downtown Lima. WLIO's transmitter is north of downtown on Saint Clair Avenue. The group produces local newscasts, weather reports, sports coverage, advertising, and community-oriented programming that can be distributed across several of its channels. The subchannel therefore functions both as a network-programming outlet and as part of a broader local-media sales and distribution system. In 2025, Gray Media announced an agreement to acquire Block Communications' broadcast television stations, including WLIO and related Lima properties. The referenced account reports FCC approval and closing on May 6, 2026. Under Gray ownership, WLIO-DT2 is part of the Gray Media station portfolio, while continuing to depend operationally on WLIO's license, facilities, digital transmission system, and local market organization.

• 2026

  Acquisition closes

  [1]WLIOen.wikipedia.org

  The referenced account reports FCC approval and completion of Gray Media's acquisition on May 6, 2026.

• 2025

  Gray Media announces acquisition

  [1]WLIOen.wikipedia.org

  Gray Media announces plans to acquire Block Communications' television stations, including WLIO and related digital services.

• 2009

  Secondary digital network service is established

  [1]WLIOen.wikipedia.org

  Following the acquisition and consolidation of Lima-area low-power stations, WLIO adopts virtual channel 8 and carries NBC on its primary stream and Fox on a secondary stream.

• 2002

  WLIO begins digital transmission

  [1]WLIOen.wikipedia.org

  WLIO launches a digital signal on VHF channel 8, creating the technical capacity for secondary digital services.

• 1982

  Block-associated ownership expands

  [1]WLIOen.wikipedia.org

  Blade Communications acquires the interest held by Midwestern Broadcasting, bringing the station into the Block-related ownership structure.

• 1972

  Lima Communications assumes ownership

  [1]WLIOen.wikipedia.org

  Lima Communications Corporation completes its acquisition of the television station after receiving regulatory approval.

• 1971

  Television and radio operations separate

  [1]WLIOen.wikipedia.org

  The WIMA radio and television properties are split, leading the television station to adopt the WLIO call sign.

• 1955

  The station becomes WIMA-TV

  [1]WLIOen.wikipedia.org

  The station moves to channel 35 and changes its call sign from WLOK-TV to WIMA-TV.

• 1953

  WLIO's predecessor begins broadcasting

  [1]WLIOen.wikipedia.org

  WLOK-TV begins broadcasting from Lima on UHF channel 73, establishing the television service that later becomes WLIO.

A secondary local broadcast television service for the Lima, Ohio market, positioned within the Your Hometown Stations group as a home for additional network programming and locally sold television advertising.

• Digital television subchannel

  WLIO-DT2

  WLIO-DT2 is a secondary digital program stream transmitted through WLIO's broadcast multiplex in the Lima, Ohio market. It has been associated with Fox programming and, in reference descriptions, MyNetworkTV programming. The stream can also carry locally sold advertising, promotional material, syndicated programming, and schedule-specific station content. Its lineup is subject to affiliation agreements and operational changes.

• Local television news

  Your Hometown Stations local news service

  The Your Hometown Stations operation produces local news, weather, sports, and community programming for the Lima market. Newscasts are distributed among WLIO and related services according to network schedules, with the group using shared facilities and production resources. The precise amount of programming carried directly by WLIO-DT2 may vary by schedule.

• 2025

  Sale of WLIO and related services to Gray MediaM&A

  Background

  Block Communications agreed to sell its broadcast television portfolio, including WLIO and associated Lima-area stations.

  Action taken

  Gray Media announced an acquisition of the stations for an announced purchase price of $80 million.

  Aftermath

  The referenced account reports that regulatory approval and closing occurred on May 6, 2026, placing WLIO-DT2 within Gray Media's station portfolio.

  Announced purchase price. $80 million (Announced August 1, 2025)

  Source

• 2009

  Consolidation of Lima network affiliationsStrategy

  Background

  Lima's television market had several major affiliations distributed among low-power stations, while Fox sought the broader coverage available from a full-power facility.

  Action taken

  Block Communications acquired the relevant low-power stations and reorganized the services so that WLIO carried NBC on its main stream and Fox on a secondary digital stream, while WOHL-CD carried ABC and CBS.

  Aftermath

  The change created the market structure in which WLIO-DT2 operated as a secondary network-oriented digital service and consolidated related stations under the Your Hometown Stations presentation.

  Source

• 2026

  FCC approves and Gray Media completes acquisition of WLIO television properties[1]WLIOen.wikipedia.org

  M&A · Regulation

  Reference material states that the FCC approved Gray Media's acquisition of Block's television stations on May 6, 2026, and that the transaction closed the same day. WLIO-DT2 consequently became part of Gray Media's broadcast portfolio.

• 2025

  Gray Media announces acquisition of Block Communications television stations[1]WLIOen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Gray Media announced an agreement to acquire Block Communications' broadcast television stations, including WLIO and its related low-power stations. The transaction was reported at an announced purchase price of $80 million.

• 2009

  WLIO reorganizes its digital channel lineup and begins carrying Fox programming[1]WLIOen.wikipedia.org

  Product generation · Other

  As part of the consolidation of Lima-area television properties and the market's digital-transition changes, WLIO moved to virtual channel 8 and placed NBC on its main stream and Fox on a secondary stream. This restructuring established the operational context for the WLIO-DT2 service.

1. 1WLIOen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Your Hometown Stationshometownstations.com