WLNY-TV
An independent television station licensed to Riverhead, New York, serving the New York metropolitan television market.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
WLNY-TV is an independent commercial television station licensed to Riverhead, New York, and serving the New York metropolitan market. The station broadcasts over the air from a transmitter in Ridge, on Long Island, while its programming and news operations are based at the CBS Broadcast Center in Midtown Manhattan alongside those of CBS-owned WCBS-TV. Its terrestrial signal primarily covers Long Island, but cable and satellite carriage extends its availability across the wider New York City market. The station began broadcasting on April 28, 1985, under the call sign WLIG. It was established by Long Island businessman Michael Pascucci through Life Broadcasting Network and initially pursued a family-oriented identity built around older films, syndicated sitcoms, religious and public-affairs material, and a nightly Long Island news program. Its early commercial prospects were constrained by limited cable carriage. A prolonged dispute with Cablevision of Long Island, combined with changes in federal must-carry rules, kept the station away from a large portion of its potential audience during its formative years. WLIG gradually strengthened its programming position in the early 1990s. It acquired high-profile syndicated programs including Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, and The Oprah Winfrey Show, improved its film inventory, and eventually gained Cablevision carriage. The restoration and expansion of must-carry protections further increased its distribution. In 1993 and 1994, the station rebuilt its local news operation, including a 10 p.m. newscast focused on Long Island. In 1996, it changed its call letters to WLNY, a name intended to represent both Long Island and the broader New York market. The station also underwent a series of technical changes. It began digital broadcasting in 2002 and ended its analog transmission at the end of 2005 after reaching an arrangement that allowed Qualcomm to use the former channel 55 frequency for MediaFLO mobile television service. Following the national digital transition, WLNY moved to digital channel 47, later shifted to channel 27 in 2018 under temporary authority connected with the 600 MHz spectrum transition, and moved again to channel 29 in 2019. Local programming transitioned to high definition in 2012. CBS announced an agreement to acquire WLNY in December 2011 and assumed control on June 29, 2012, creating a duopoly with WCBS-TV. The transaction expanded CBS's presence in the New York market but also changed WLNY's operating model. Its pre-acquisition local news department was closed during the transition, and CBS subsequently relaunched programming from the Broadcast Center. The station's later newscasts have generally provided broad metropolitan coverage or extensions of WCBS programming rather than the strongly Long Island-centered journalism associated with the earlier independent operation. Since 2023, WLNY has carried morning and 8 p.m. newscasts produced by WCBS-TV. WLNY remains an independent station rather than a CBS network affiliate, allowing it to carry syndicated programming, locally originated material, CBS-owned independent-station news formats, and selected sports programming. In 2025, it began carrying a limited number of Brooklyn Nets games when scheduling conflicts prevented their presentation on YES Network. The station also continues certain longstanding local and religious programming traditions, including the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass from St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre.
History
An earlier attempt to establish a Long Island station on UHF channel 55 began in 1965, when the Island Broadcasting System applied for a construction permit. The proposal included WRIV and WALK owner interests and briefly involved NBC newscaster Chet Huntley. The station was never constructed, and the FCC later ordered the permit holder to build or surrender the authorization. A new proposal was filed in 1979 by Life Broadcasting Network, owned by Michael Pascucci. The FCC granted a construction permit in 1982, and WLIG began broadcasting on April 28, 1985. Pascucci envisioned a family-oriented independent station serving Suffolk County and Long Island, with older entertainment programs, films, religious material, a public-affairs program called Focus on Long Island, and a nightly News 55 Long Island newscast. Cable distribution became the central business challenge. Although must-carry rules initially supported carriage of qualifying local stations, a federal court decision in 1985 weakened those protections. Cablevision of Long Island declined to carry WLIG, arguing that the station was too distant, lacked capacity, and duplicated existing programming. WLIG reached most other Long Island cable providers and later appeared on systems in Brooklyn and Queens, but the Cablevision dispute materially restricted its audience. The disagreement lasted for years, with viewer advocates arguing that Cablevision also had an incentive to protect its News 12 Long Island service. Pascucci attempted to sell the station to First Century Broadcasting in 1988, but the transaction collapsed. WLIG subsequently ended its full local news operation in 1989, retaining only a short local bulletin within a CNN Headline News block. Its prospects improved in the early 1990s as it obtained major syndicated programs, including Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Newer films and better cable carriage helped the station reach break-even results. Cablevision added WLIG to its Long Island systems in 1992, and the restoration of must-carry protections expanded its reach further. The station returned to local news in 1994 with a 10 p.m. newscast and moved its principal studios to Melville. A wildfire in the Long Island Central Pine Barrens temporarily forced the station off the air in 1995. In the following year WLIG broadened its ambitions, establishing bureaus in New Jersey and Connecticut and obtaining New York City press credentials. It adopted the WLNY call sign on September 1, 1996, signaling a shift from a narrowly Long Island identity toward a wider metropolitan-market position. The station faced continuing carriage uncertainty, including an FCC decision in 1997 allowing certain New Jersey cable systems to omit it. It moved to channel 10 on Cablevision systems on Long Island in 2003. WLNY entered digital broadcasting in May 2002. In an arrangement with Qualcomm, it surrendered its analog channel 55 allocation and built digital facilities so Qualcomm could use the frequency for MediaFLO mobile television. Because most Long Island households received television through cable or satellite and the station had translators, the FCC approved the change. WLNY became digital-only at the end of 2005, later moved from channel 57 to channel 47 during the 2009 national transition, and then changed channels again during the 600 MHz spectrum repack. Its local programming began high-definition transmission in April 2012. CBS announced its purchase of WLNY in December 2011 and completed the transaction on June 29, 2012. The deal created a New York duopoly with WCBS-TV. The sale did not include several WLNY repeaters, which were transferred separately. Before CBS took control, WLNY discontinued its existing local newscasts and retained approximately 30 of its 55 employees. CBS relaunched news programming from the Broadcast Center, including a two-hour morning program and a 9 p.m. newscast. The new operation emphasized broad New York-area news rather than the earlier Long Island-specific service. Since 2023, the station has carried WCBS-produced morning and 8 p.m. newscasts. The CBS ownership period also brought scrutiny. A 2021 Los Angeles Times investigation reported that the transaction was associated with a CBS-paid membership at the exclusive Sebonack Golf Club for Peter Dunn, then head of CBS Television Stations. The report placed the benefit within wider allegations concerning workplace culture and inappropriate comments at CBS-owned stations. Dunn and senior news executive Steve Friend were placed on administrative leave and later terminated. WLNY continues to operate as a CBS-owned independent station, with a mix of syndicated entertainment, WCBS-linked news, religious programming, and selected sports events.
- 2025
Limited Brooklyn Nets broadcasts begin
[1]The station began carrying selected Brooklyn Nets games when Yankees conflicts affected YES Network scheduling.
- 2023
WCBS-produced morning and 8 p.m. newscasts
[1]WLNY began offering morning and 8 p.m. newscasts from WCBS-TV.
- 2019
Move to channel 29
[1]The station moved to UHF channel 29 during the fourth phase of the national spectrum repack.
- 2018
Temporary move to channel 27
[1]WLNY moved to UHF channel 27 under special temporary authority during the 600 MHz transition.
- 2012
CBS takes control and relaunches news
[1]CBS completed the acquisition on June 29 and introduced new local news formats from the CBS Broadcast Center.
- 2011
CBS announces acquisition
[1]CBS Television Stations announced its intention to purchase WLNY-TV and pair it with WCBS-TV.
- 2005
Analog transmission ends
[1]WLNY ended its analog signal on December 31 after moving to digital facilities associated with a spectrum arrangement with Qualcomm.
- 2002
Digital broadcasting begins
[1]WLNY began digital transmission in May.
- 1996
WLIG becomes WLNY
[1]The station changed its call letters to WLNY on September 1, reflecting a broader Long Island and New York market identity.
- 1994
Local news operation returns
[1]WLIG resumed local news with a 10 p.m. newscast after must-carry protections expanded its cable distribution.
Products and positioning
An independent, CBS-owned television outlet combining metropolitan syndicated programming, selected local news, and special programming for viewers across Long Island and the New York market.
Broadcast television station · 1985
WLNY television service
WLNY provides free over-the-air television service from its Long Island transmitter and is distributed by cable and satellite throughout the New York metropolitan area. As an independent station, it can combine syndicated entertainment, locally produced programs, news, sports, religious programming, and special events without being tied to a single broadcast network schedule.
Local news · 1985
WLNY News
The station has operated several generations of local news programming. Its early and pre-CBS services emphasized Long Island reporting, while the current operation is produced in coordination with WCBS-TV from the CBS Broadcast Center and provides broader New York-area coverage.
Television programming · 1985
Syndicated entertainment programming
Syndication has been central to WLNY's identity since its launch. The station initially relied heavily on older films and sitcoms, later adding prominent programs such as Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Its independent status continues to allow schedule flexibility for acquired entertainment programs.
Sports broadcasting · 2025
Selected Brooklyn Nets broadcasts
Beginning in 2025, WLNY added a limited number of Brooklyn Nets games when Yankees conflicts prevented their presentation on YES Network. The broadcasts supplement rather than replace the station's general entertainment and news schedule.
Controversies
2021
Golf-club membership connected with WLNY transaction
The Los Angeles Times reported that CBS Television Stations president Peter Dunn received access to a CBS-paid membership at the exclusive Sebonack Golf Club as part of the circumstances surrounding CBS's purchase of WLNY. The report was connected to wider allegations about inappropriate comments and workplace conditions within CBS-owned stations. Dunn and senior news executive Steve Friend were placed on administrative leave and later terminated.
Marketing campaigns
- 2012CBS news programming relaunch
New York metropolitan area
Following the CBS acquisition, WLNY introduced the two-hour Live from the Couch morning program and an hour-long 9 p.m. newscast.
Outcome. The programming shifted the station from its earlier Long Island-specific news model toward CBS-produced metropolitan coverage.
- 199410 p.m. local news relaunch
Long Island · New York metropolitan area
The station returned to local news with a late-evening newscast after improved cable carriage and the restoration of must-carry protections.
Outcome. The service established a renewed local-news presence before the station's later expansion toward a broader metropolitan audience.
- 1985News 55 Long Island launch
Long Island
WLIG launched with a nightly local news program designed to establish a distinctly Long Island identity.
Outcome. The full local news operation was later discontinued in 1989 after a proposed station sale collapsed.
Brand decisions
2025
Add limited Brooklyn Nets broadcastsProduct launchBackground
Yankees scheduling conflicts on YES Network created occasions when Nets games required an alternative local outlet.
Action taken
WLNY began carrying a limited number of Brooklyn Nets games.
Aftermath
The station expanded its role as a flexible outlet for selected sports programming.
2012
Launch CBS-produced WLNY news formatsProduct launchBackground
CBS discontinued the station's previous local newscasts during the ownership transition and planned to expand WLNY's news schedule.
Action taken
The station launched Live from the Couch and a 9 p.m. newscast from the CBS Broadcast Center.
Aftermath
WLNY's news output became more closely integrated with WCBS-TV and less specifically focused on Long Island.
2011
CBS agrees to purchase WLNY-TVM&ABackground
CBS sought to pair the independent station with New York flagship WCBS-TV in a duopoly.
Action taken
CBS Television Stations agreed to acquire WLNY; an FCC filing reported a purchase price of $55 million.
Aftermath
CBS assumed control in June 2012 and reorganized WLNY's news, staffing, and production operations.
Purchase price. $55 million (2011 transaction; amount disclosed in FCC filing)
2005
End analog transmissionStrategyBackground
Qualcomm sought access to the former channel 55 frequency for its MediaFLO mobile television service.
Action taken
WLNY shut down its analog signal and operated as a digital-only station on new facilities.
Aftermath
The station continued serving much of its audience through cable, satellite, and repeater facilities.
1996
Adopt the WLNY call signStrategyBackground
The station was expanding beyond a narrowly Long Island identity and establishing news bureaus in New Jersey and Connecticut.
Action taken
WLIG changed its call letters to WLNY, representing Long Island and New York.
Aftermath
The new identity supported the station's positioning as a broader New York-market independent.
1989
Suspend full local news operationStrategyBackground
A proposed sale to First Century Broadcasting fell through while the station needed additional capital.
Action taken
WLIG ended its full local news broadcasts and retained only a short local bulletin within a CNN Headline News block.
Aftermath
The station later rebuilt its news operation after improving its programming and cable distribution.
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