WMAZ-DT2
A CW-affiliated digital television subchannel serving Central Georgia from WMAZ-TV in Macon.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
WMAZ-DT2 is the second digital television subchannel of WMAZ-TV, a full-power television station licensed to Macon, Georgia. Branded as Central Georgia's CW, it carries programming from The CW through the network's CW Plus service, which is designed for smaller and mid-sized American television markets. The service combines The CW's network schedule with syndicated programming and other material supplied for periods outside the network's core programming hours. Local advertising, promotion, and news production are handled through WMAZ-TV's operation. The channel's immediate predecessor was WBMN, a cable-only WB Television Network affiliate that launched in the Macon market on September 21, 1998, as part of The WB 100+ Station Group. Because WBMN was distributed exclusively by cable and was not a separately licensed broadcast station, its call sign was a fictional identifier used for branding and network purposes. Before that service began, local viewers generally received WB programming through distant or out-of-market outlets, including Atlanta's WATL and the nationally distributed feed of WGN. When The WB and UPN were discontinued and replaced by The CW in 2006, WBMN moved into The CW Plus service. That arrangement allowed the established cable outlet to retain a CW affiliation while the network expanded its reach in markets that did not necessarily support a separately licensed full-power CW station. WBMN continued to be carried on Cox Communications systems, including Cox's Macon-area channel 3, while using the Central Georgia's CW identity. WMAZ's owner, Gannett, announced in October 2013 that the CW service would be moved from its cable-only arrangement to a new digital subchannel of WMAZ-TV. WMAZ-DT2 began test transmissions on October 11, 2013, and officially launched at midnight on October 14. The transition gave the CW service over-the-air distribution while preserving its cable carriage and established local branding. WMAZ-TV also assumed promotional and local advertising responsibilities that had previously been managed by Cox Communications. WMAZ-DT2 broadcasts in 720p high definition on virtual channel 13.2. This resolution differs from The CW's usual 1080i network distribution, although cable viewers may receive a full-resolution version depending on the distributor. The channel's network schedule is supplied through CW Plus, while WMAZ-TV supplies local services and produces news for the subchannel. Its principal local news programs have included a weekday morning newscast and a weekday late-evening newscast, giving the outlet a local-news presence distinct from the main WMAZ-TV service. The subchannel benefits from WMAZ-TV's unusually strong position in the Macon market. WMAZ-TV has been the area's dominant commercial television station for much of its history, and its established facilities, audience reach, newsroom, and transmitter infrastructure provide the operating base for WMAZ-DT2. The station's studios are on Gray Highway in northeastern Macon, while its transmitter is located along the Golden Isles Highway near the Bibb–Twiggs county line. WMAZ-DT2 is therefore best understood not as an independent company or separately capitalized broadcaster, but as a broadcast brand and programming service operated within WMAZ-TV's digital multiplex.
History
WMAZ-DT2 developed from a cable television service rather than from a separately licensed broadcast station. On September 21, 1998, the Macon market received WBMN, a cable-only affiliate associated with The WB 100+ Station Group. The WB created that group to extend its programming into smaller markets through local cable systems, low-power stations, and other distribution arrangements. Since WBMN was not an FCC-licensed over-the-air station, the call sign functioned as a fictional network identity rather than as a conventional broadcast authorization. The cable service addressed a coverage gap for Macon viewers. Before its arrival, WB programming was available locally through distant sources such as Atlanta's WATL or the nationally distributed WGN feed. WBMN gave the market a service identified specifically with Central Georgia and was managed and promoted in conjunction with Cox Communications. In January 2006, Warner Bros. and CBS announced that The WB and UPN would be closed and their programming combined in a new network called The CW. The new network established CW Plus as a successor to The WB 100+ Station Group. WBMN joined CW Plus when The CW launched on September 18, 2006, allowing the established cable outlet to maintain its affiliation and local identity while receiving a broader network and syndicated schedule. The next major change came in 2013. On October 3, Gannett announced plans to place The CW on a second digital subchannel of WMAZ-TV. WMAZ-DT2 transmitted a test pattern beginning October 11 and formally launched at midnight on October 14. The move expanded the service beyond cable and made it available through WMAZ-TV's terrestrial digital signal. Cox continued to carry the service on channel 3, while Gannett assumed responsibility for local advertising and promotional activity previously associated with the cable operation. WMAZ-DT2 operates as a digital extension of WMAZ-TV rather than as an independent station. It uses virtual channel 13.2 and broadcasts in 720p high definition. The CW Plus feed supplies network and off-network programming, while the WMAZ operation manages local commercial inventory and produces local news. The subchannel has carried a weekday morning news program and a weekday 10 p.m. newscast, supplementing WMAZ-TV's main local-news schedule. Its operating context is closely tied to WMAZ-TV's long history in Macon. WMAZ-TV has been a primary CBS affiliate since its 1953 launch and has historically led the market in audience and local-news reach. The station's Gray Highway facilities and Central Georgia transmitter provide the technical and editorial infrastructure for WMAZ-DT2. Ownership of the parent operation passed from Gannett's broadcast division to Tegna in 2015. Reference material states that Nexstar Media Group acquired Tegna in a transaction announced in 2025 and completed on March 19, 2026; consequently, the current ownership description is Nexstar through Tegna, subject to confirmation against current corporate and FCC records.
- 2018
Local news branding changes
[1]WMAZ drops the Eyewitness name and adopts the 13 WMAZ News identity as part of Tegna's standardized graphics and music rollout; the change also affects the subchannel's news presentation.
- 2013
WMAZ-DT2 launches
[1]The Central Georgia's CW service begins over-the-air digital broadcasting on WMAZ-TV's 13.2 subchannel.
- 2006
WBMN becomes a CW Plus affiliate
[1]The service moves from The WB framework to CW Plus when The CW replaces The WB and UPN.
- 1998
WBMN cable service launches
[1]The Macon market receives a cable-only WB affiliate through The WB 100+ Station Group.
Products and positioning
A locally distributed CW service for the Macon and Central Georgia market, combining national network entertainment with syndicated programming, local advertising, and WMAZ-produced news.
Digital television subchannel · 2013
Central Georgia's CW
The primary consumer-facing identity of WMAZ-DT2. It distributes The CW's network schedule and CW Plus programming to viewers in the Macon and Central Georgia market through WMAZ-TV's second digital stream and participating cable systems.
Network programming feed · 2006
CW Plus programming service
A packaged service used by The CW in smaller markets. It supplies network programming and syndicated shows for time periods outside the core CW schedule, reducing the need for each affiliated outlet to assemble a complete independent lineup.
Local television news · 2013
Local news on WMAZ-DT2
WMAZ-TV produces local news for the subchannel, including a weekday morning broadcast and a weekday late-evening broadcast. The programming extends WMAZ's newsroom and local advertising operation to the CW service.
Marketing campaigns
- 2013Central Georgia's CW digital transition
Macon, Georgia · Central Georgia
Gannett shifted the established cable CW service onto WMAZ-TV's second digital stream while preserving its existing Central Georgia's CW branding.
Outcome. The service gained over-the-air distribution and remained available through Cox cable carriage.
- 1998The WB 100+ local launch
Macon, Georgia
Cox Communications introduced WBMN as a locally identified cable outlet within The WB 100+ Station Group, giving Macon viewers a dedicated source of WB programming.
Outcome. The service established the Central Georgia brand that later continued under CW Plus and WMAZ-DT2.
Brand decisions
2013
Launch of WMAZ-DT2Product launchBackground
The CW service in Macon had previously been delivered through a cable-only outlet.
Action taken
Gannett added The CW to WMAZ-TV's second digital subchannel and began local operation of the service.
Aftermath
Central Georgia's CW gained terrestrial digital distribution while retaining Cox cable carriage and its established branding.
2006
Move from The WB 100+ to CW PlusStrategyBackground
The WB and UPN were being replaced by a combined network, The CW.
Action taken
The WBMN cable service retained its Macon affiliation through The CW Plus.
Aftermath
The local service continued under the Central Georgia's CW identity until its later conversion to a WMAZ digital subchannel.
Recent events
- 2013
WMAZ announces a digital CW subchannel[1]
Product launch
Gannett announces that WMAZ-TV will add The CW to a second digital subchannel while retaining the Central Georgia's CW identity.
- 2013
WMAZ-DT2 begins test transmissions[1]
Product launch
The new digital service begins transmitting a test pattern on virtual channel 13.2 ahead of its formal launch.
- 2013
Central Georgia's CW moves to WMAZ-DT2[1]
Product launch
WMAZ-DT2 officially launches at midnight on October 14, replacing the cable-only distribution model with an over-the-air digital subchannel while retaining Cox carriage.
- 2006
WBMN transitions to The CW Plus[1]
Product generation
Following the replacement of The WB and UPN by The CW, the existing Macon cable outlet becomes part of the new CW Plus distribution system.
- 1998
The WB 100+ affiliate WBMN launches in the Macon market[1]
Product launch
A cable-only WB affiliate identified as WBMN begins serving Macon viewers as part of The WB 100+ Station Group.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/wmaz-dt2 · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled