WMGT-DT2

WMGT-DT2 is the second digital television subchannel operated by WMGT-TV, the NBC-affiliated station serving Macon and Middle Georgia. The subchannel launched on July 6, 2009, giving viewers in the market a local outlet for MyNetworkTV programming after that service had previously been carried as a secondary affiliation by WGXA. It initially operated as a secondary MyNetworkTV service and was later branded My41.2, emphasizing its relationship with WMGT-TV’s channel 41 identity. The subchannel’s programming strategy changed as the economics of syndicated television and multicast networks evolved. In March 2020, Bounce TV programming that had previously been carried on WMGT-TV’s third digital subchannel was moved to WMGT-DT2. Bounce TV became the subchannel’s primary affiliation, while MyNetworkTV programming was retained as a secondary overnight service, generally scheduled during early-morning hours from Tuesday through Saturday. The service has been branded Bounce TV Macon in this role. WMGT-DT2 also carries locally produced WMGT-TV content, including repeat presentations of the parent station’s news programming. The station began producing a 10 p.m. newscast for the subchannel when it launched in 2009 and has also aired rebroadcasts of the main station’s morning and evening newscasts. These arrangements make WMGT-DT2 both a multicast entertainment outlet and a supplementary local-news platform. The subchannel broadcasts in standard-definition or enhanced-definition formats associated with its digital multicast capacity rather than the high-definition presentation used for WMGT-TV’s primary local newscasts. Its coverage is tied to WMGT-TV’s over-the-air signal and the broader Macon, Georgia, television market. WMGT-TV is owned by Morris Multimedia, which also maintains corporate operations in the station’s downtown Macon facility. Publicly available reference material does not identify a separate corporate entity, founder, chief executive, or independently reported financial performance for WMGT-DT2.

WMGT-DT2 was created as part of WMGT-TV’s digital multicast operation and signed on July 6, 2009. Its initial purpose was to provide a local Macon outlet for MyNetworkTV programming. Before the subchannel began, MyNetworkTV had been available in the market through a secondary affiliation on Fox affiliate WGXA, beginning when the network launched in September 2006. WMGT-DT2 therefore gave WMGT-TV a dedicated digital platform for the service while also extending the station’s local programming footprint. After launch, WMGT-DT2 carried a mix of MyNetworkTV programming, syndicated material, and locally produced content. WMGT-TV produced a weeknight 10 p.m. newscast for the subchannel beginning in July 2009 and also used the service for repeat broadcasts of its primary-channel news programs. A rebroadcast of the station’s morning newscast was later scheduled on WMGT-DT2, alongside other repeat content. In the summer of 2011, the service was rebranded My41.2. The subchannel’s role changed during the late 2010s and early 2020s as multicast-network and syndicated-programming arrangements developed. Bounce TV programming had been available on WMGT-TV’s third digital subchannel. In March 2020, that programming was moved to WMGT-DT2, making Bounce TV the primary affiliation and displacing most of the syndicated schedule outside the remaining MyNetworkTV lineup. MyNetworkTV programs were moved to approximately 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Tuesday through Saturday mornings, an arrangement reflecting the network’s increasingly common use as an overnight programming service on broadcast stations. WMGT-DT2 is associated with WMGT-TV, which broadcasts from Macon, Georgia, and is owned by Savannah-based Morris Multimedia. The parent station’s local news operation expanded over time and converted its main newscasts to high definition in 2014; the WMGT-DT2 newscasts, however, continued in the subchannel’s lower-resolution format. Available reference material does not establish an independent headquarters, ownership structure, executive roster, financial results, or separate legal corporation for WMGT-DT2.

• 2020

  Bounce TV becomes primary programming service

  [1]WMGT-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Bounce TV programming moves from WMGT-TV’s third digital subchannel to WMGT-DT2, while MyNetworkTV is retained in overnight periods.

• 2011

  My41.2 branding introduced

  [1]WMGT-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The subchannel adopts the My41.2 name during the summer.

• 2009

  Digital subchannel launches

  [1]WMGT-TVen.wikipedia.org

  WMGT-DT2 begins broadcasting on July 6 as a secondary MyNetworkTV-affiliated digital subchannel of WMGT-TV.

• 2009

  Local news service begins

  [1]WMGT-TVen.wikipedia.org

  WMGT-TV starts producing a weeknight 10 p.m. newscast for WMGT-DT2 and also provides selected news rebroadcasts.

A local multicast television service combining national Bounce TV entertainment with limited overnight MyNetworkTV programming and selected WMGT-TV news content.

• multicast television service · 2020

  Bounce TV Macon

  The primary programming identity of WMGT-DT2 since March 2020. It carries Bounce TV entertainment programming for viewers receiving WMGT-TV’s digital signal in the Macon and Middle Georgia market. The service replaced most syndicated programming previously scheduled outside the remaining MyNetworkTV periods.

• television network affiliation · 2009

  MyNetworkTV on WMGT-DT2

  WMGT-DT2 launched in 2009 as a secondary MyNetworkTV-affiliated service. Following the 2020 schedule change, MyNetworkTV programming remained available primarily during overnight hours, generally from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Tuesday through Saturday mornings.

• local television news · 2009

  WMGT-DT2 local news programming

  WMGT-TV has used the subchannel to extend access to its local news operation through a dedicated weeknight 10 p.m. newscast and rebroadcasts of programs such as the station’s morning and evening newscasts. These broadcasts complement, rather than replace, WMGT-TV’s primary-channel news schedule.

• 2020

  Consolidation of Bounce TV programming on WMGT-DT2Strategy

  Background

  Bounce TV programming had previously been carried on WMGT-TV’s third digital subchannel, while WMGT-DT2 carried syndicated programming outside its MyNetworkTV lineup.

  Action taken

  WMGT-TV moved Bounce TV programming to WMGT-DT2 in March 2020 and made it the subchannel’s primary service. MyNetworkTV programming was shifted to overnight time periods.

  Aftermath

  WMGT-DT2 became identified primarily with Bounce TV in the Macon market, while continuing to provide limited overnight access to MyNetworkTV.

  Source

• 2020

  Bounce TV programming moves to WMGT-DT2[1]WMGT-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Product generation

  In March 2020, Bounce TV programming formerly carried on WMGT-TV’s third digital subchannel was consolidated onto WMGT-DT2. Bounce became the primary service, while MyNetworkTV programming was shifted to overnight hours.

• 2011

  WMGT-DT2 receives the My41.2 brand[1]WMGT-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The subchannel adopted the My41.2 identity during the summer of 2011, reinforcing its connection with WMGT-TV’s channel 41 branding and its MyNetworkTV affiliation.

• 2009

  WMGT-DT2 launches as a MyNetworkTV-affiliated digital subchannel[1]WMGT-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  WMGT-DT2 began broadcasting on July 6, 2009. The service carried MyNetworkTV programming and added local WMGT-TV news content, including a weeknight 10 p.m. newscast produced specifically for the subchannel.

1. 1WMGT-TVen.wikipedia.org