WMJF-CD

WMJF-CD is a low-power, Class A television station licensed to Towson, Maryland, and serving viewers in the Baltimore television market. The station operates on virtual channel 39 and has a transmitter near Maryland Route 45 and the Towson Town Center mall. Its history is closely connected to Towson University, which originally developed the outlet as a student television project and operated it for many years. Towson State University applied in 1988 for a construction permit on channel 61. The permit went through multiple extensions before the university sought a substantial reduction in effective radiated power. The resulting low-power station, initially identified as W61BT, applied for its license in January 1995. Although its limited signal covered only a small area around the university and it lacked the cable carriage advantages associated with full-power stations, the station became the Baltimore market's original affiliate of The WB when that network launched in January 1995. University managers viewed the affiliation as both a way to increase the station's visibility and an opportunity to give students practical experience in television operations. The expected expansion of reach did not occur immediately. The station's low-power status limited its visibility, and The WB later arranged to move its Baltimore affiliation to WNUV. WMJF changed its call sign to WMJF-LP in February 1996, a name associated with The WB's Michigan J. Frog branding. After its WB period, the station briefly carried America One programming, became an independent station, and carried MTV2 in 2004. It also functioned as a CNN student bureau, reportedly one of only two such bureaus in the United States at the time. For much of its university-operated period, WMJF was described as approximately 90 percent student-run. Faculty advisers and an elected or appointed student executive board helped oversee programming and operations. The station's programming included locally produced student material, including the program Film School. In 2006, the station expanded its online ambitions through WMJFNow, an internet video initiative that used Google Video and sought to make station content available beyond the small terrestrial coverage area. The project reflected the station's educational mission and its effort to reach audiences outside Towson. Towson University agreed to sell WMJF-LP to LocusPoint Networks in December 2012, with the transaction closing on August 8, 2013. LocusPoint later sold the station to HME Equity Fund II, LLC, on April 8, 2018. Towson University continued operating the station under an arrangement that lasted until 2019, after which programming and operations were handled remotely through a satellite feed. From 2021 through 2023, WMJF-CD carried Ion Television programming; that affiliation subsequently moved to WMAR-DT5. As part of the United States television spectrum-repacking process following the 2016–2017 Federal Communications Commission incentive auction, WMJF-CD moved its physical transmission to UHF channel 23 during the summer of 2020 while retaining virtual channel 39. On June 28, 2024, the station shut down its signal temporarily while preparing a signal upgrade associated with the planned addition of MeTV Toons. The station therefore combines the characteristics of a locally licensed broadcast outlet, a former university training platform, and a modern remotely operated digital television facility.

WMJF-CD originated as a Towson State University television project. The university applied for a construction permit in 1988 for channel 61, intending to create a student-oriented station. After several permit extensions, the university reduced the station's effective radiated power and applied for a license in January 1995 under the call sign W61BT. The station gained unusual early prominence by becoming the Baltimore market's initial affiliate of The WB at the network's launch in January 1995. Its low-power signal, however, reached only a limited area around Towson, and the station did not have cable must-carry rights. The anticipated improvement in visibility and cable distribution failed to develop. The station adopted the call sign WMJF-LP in February 1996, reflecting The WB's Michigan J. Frog mascot, but The WB later moved its Baltimore affiliation to WNUV, effective in 1998. Following its WB affiliation, WMJF briefly carried America One programming, then operated as an independent station and carried MTV2 in 2004. It also served as a CNN student bureau. The station remained strongly tied to Towson University's educational mission and was largely operated by students under faculty supervision. Student governance included an executive board, while faculty advisers included John MacKerron and David Reiss. The station pursued internet distribution as well as terrestrial broadcasting. WMJFNow launched in 2006 after a beta period and used Google Video to distribute material online. Christopher Taydus, identified as the station president and a principal creator of WMJFNow, worked with Josh Eisenberg, Joe Achard, Diego Torres, and other station members. The online project was intended to overcome the station's small terrestrial footprint and reach viewers outside the immediate Towson area. Ownership changed in the 2010s. Towson University sold WMJF-LP to LocusPoint Networks in an agreement reached in December 2012; the sale closed on August 8, 2013. LocusPoint sold the station to HME Equity Fund II, LLC, on April 8, 2018. Towson University continued to operate the station until 2019, after which programming and technical operations were handled remotely through a satellite feed. The station changed its technical footprint during the nationwide spectrum-repacking process that followed the FCC incentive auction. In summer 2020, WMJF-CD moved its physical channel to UHF 23 while keeping virtual channel 39. It carried Ion Television from 2021 to 2023, after which the Ion affiliation moved to WMAR-DT5. On June 28, 2024, WMJF-CD ceased transmission temporarily while preparing a signal upgrade intended to support the addition of MeTV Toons. Its history consequently spans university broadcasting, network affiliation experimentation, online video, ownership transfers, and digital-era multicast television.

• 2024

  Signal shutdown for upgrade

  [1]WMJF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  WMJF-CD stops transmitting on June 28 in preparation for a signal upgrade and planned MeTV Toons programming.

• 2021

  Ion Television affiliation begins

  [1]WMJF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  The station carries Ion Television programming as a multicast affiliation.

• 2020

  Physical channel relocates to UHF 23

  [1]WMJF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  WMJF-CD completes a spectrum-repacking relocation while retaining virtual channel 39.

• 2018

  HME Equity Fund II becomes owner

  [1]WMJF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  HME Equity Fund II, LLC acquires the station from LocusPoint Networks.

• 2013

  LocusPoint ownership takes effect

  [1]WMJF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  The sale from Towson University to LocusPoint Networks closes on August 8.

• 2006

  WMJFNow launches

  [1]WMJF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  The station introduces an online video initiative using Google Video to expand beyond its terrestrial coverage area.

• 2004

  Carries MTV2

  [1]WMJF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  After its WB period and an America One affiliation, the station carries MTV2 while also operating as an independent outlet.

• 1996

  Call sign changes to WMJF-LP

  [1]WMJF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  The station adopts WMJF-LP, a call sign associated with The WB's Michigan J. Frog branding.

• 1995

  W61BT receives its licensing application milestone

  [1]WMJF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  The station applies for its license on January 30 after reducing its effective radiated power.

• 1995

  Becomes Baltimore's original WB affiliate

  [1]WMJF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  W61BT joins The WB when the network launches, despite its limited low-power coverage.

• 1988

  Towson State University applies for a construction permit

  [1]WMJF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  The university applies to establish a student television station on channel 61.

A Towson-licensed low-power television station with roots in university education and student broadcasting, serving the Baltimore market through terrestrial and digital distribution.

• Broadcast television · 1995

  WMJF-CD television service

  The station's core offering is over-the-air television service for the Baltimore area. It is a low-power Class A outlet licensed to Towson, uses virtual channel 39, and transmits on physical UHF channel 23 after the 2020 spectrum relocation. Its programming has changed across network affiliations, independent operation, and multicast distribution.

• Online video · 2006

  WMJFNow

  WMJFNow was an internet video initiative launched in 2006 following a beta period. Using Google Video, it distributed station material online and attempted to reach viewers beyond WMJF's small terrestrial signal. The project was developed by station members and supported the outlet's educational and experimental role.

• Original programming

  Student television programming

  During its Towson University-operated period, WMJF produced and carried student-oriented programming, including Film School. The station's largely student-run structure provided practical experience in production, presentation, station management, and digital distribution under faculty guidance.

• Multicast television programming

  MeTV Toons

  MeTV Toons was identified as the planned addition associated with the 2024 signal upgrade. The available reference material confirms the preparation for this programming but does not establish a completed launch date or final channel configuration.

• 2024

  Prepare signal upgrade and MeTV Toons additionStrategy

  Background

  The station planned a technical upgrade and the addition of MeTV Toons programming.

  Action taken

  WMJF-CD shut down its signal on June 28 while preparations were undertaken.

  Aftermath

  The available reference material does not specify when the upgraded service or planned programming would become available.

  Source

• 2020

  Complete spectrum-repacking channel relocationStrategy

  Background

  The station was required to change its physical transmission channel as part of the post-FCC incentive-auction repacking process.

  Action taken

  WMJF-CD moved to physical UHF channel 23 while retaining virtual channel 39.

  Aftermath

  The relocation preserved the station's virtual-channel identity while updating its broadcast frequency.

  Source

• 2006

  Launch WMJFNow online video serviceProduct launch

  Background

  The station's terrestrial signal reached only a small area, encouraging students to seek a wider audience through internet distribution.

  Action taken

  WMJF launched WMJFNow using Google Video after a beta run.

  Aftermath

  The initiative extended access to station content beyond Towson, although no independently verified audience or financial results are available.

  Source

• 1995

  Join The WB despite low-power coverageStrategy

  Background

  No full-power Baltimore station initially accepted The WB affiliation, while the university station had limited coverage and no cable must-carry rights.

  Action taken

  WMJF's predecessor W61BT became the market's original WB affiliate when the network launched.

  Aftermath

  The expected cable carriage and audience expansion did not materialize, and The WB later moved its Baltimore affiliation to WNUV.

  Source

• 2024

  WMJF-CD shuts down signal for planned upgrade[1]WMJF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  The station stopped transmitting on June 28, 2024, while preparing a signal upgrade connected with the planned addition of MeTV Toons.

• 2023

  Ion Television programming moves to WMAR-DT5[1]WMJF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  The Ion Television affiliation previously carried by WMJF-CD moved to WMAR-DT5.

• 2021

  WMJF-CD begins Ion Television affiliation[1]WMJF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  WMJF-CD carried Ion Television programming from 2021 through 2023.

• 2018

  HME Equity Fund II acquires WMJF-CD[1]WMJF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  HME Equity Fund II, LLC purchased WMJF-CD from LocusPoint Networks on April 8, 2018.

• 2013

  LocusPoint Networks completes acquisition of WMJF-LP[1]WMJF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  The transaction transferring the station from Towson University to LocusPoint Networks closed on August 8, 2013.

• 2012

  Towson University agrees to sell WMJF-LP to LocusPoint Networks[1]WMJF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Towson University reached an agreement to sell the low-power station to LocusPoint Networks.

1. 1WMJF-CDen.wikipedia.org
2. 2WMJF-CD official websitewmjf.tv