WNGT-CD

WNGT-CD is a low-power, Class A television station licensed to Smithfield and Selma, North Carolina, and serving the broader Research Triangle region. The station is owned by Capitol Broadcasting Company, a privately held North Carolina media company, and operates within the company's local television portfolio alongside WRAL-TV, the NBC affiliate licensed to Raleigh, and WRAZ, the market's Fox affiliate. Those stations share Capitol Broadcasting's headquarters and studio facilities on Western Boulevard in Raleigh. The station's current identity reflects a transition from its former WARZ-CD call sign. In 2020, Waters & Brock Communications agreed to sell WARZ-CD to Capitol Broadcasting Company. The transaction was intended to support Capitol Broadcasting's deployment of ATSC 3.0, also known as NextGen TV, across its Raleigh-area television operations. WARZ-CD began transmitting an ATSC 3.0 signal on November 20, 2020, initially carrying simulcasts associated with WRAL-TV and WRAZ. Its call letters changed to WNGT-CD on October 21, 2021. WNGT-CD functions primarily as an ATSC 3.0 lighthouse or multiplex facility. Its digital transmission carries the station's principal programming as well as programming from sister Capitol stations and PBS member station WUNC-TV. Because the station's original programming is distributed through a WRAL-TV subchannel that appears to viewers as virtual channel 34.1, the brand is closely connected to WRAL's infrastructure even though the underlying license is WNGT-CD. This arrangement allows viewers with compatible NextGen TV equipment to receive multiple services through a single advanced broadcast transmission while preserving ATSC 1.0 availability through simulcasts. The station's programming is described as news-formatted and independent rather than as a conventional network affiliate. It is also the local broadcast home of the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A baseball club affiliated with the Tampa Bay Rays. The shared ownership of WNGT-CD and the Durham Bulls gives the station a distinctive local-sports relationship in addition to its news and technology role. WNGT-CD's transmitter is located on TV Tower Road in Auburn, North Carolina, atop WRAL-TV's former analog tower. Before the move associated with its current operating configuration, the station transmitted from South Pollock Street, near U.S. Route 301 and the Selma Memorial Cemetery, in Selma. The station's principal significance is therefore both technical and regional: it is a licensed local television service and an important component of Capitol Broadcasting's NextGen TV distribution system in the Raleigh-Durham market.

WNGT-CD is a North Carolina low-power Class A television station whose present role developed from Capitol Broadcasting Company's expansion of NextGen TV services in the Raleigh-Durham market. The station is licensed to the communities of Smithfield and Selma, while its service area includes the Research Triangle. Its facilities and operating relationships place it within Capitol Broadcasting's WRAL-centered local media system. Before becoming WNGT-CD, the station used the call sign WARZ-CD and was associated with Waters & Brock Communications. On September 11, 2020, Waters & Brock reached an agreement to sell the station to Capitol Broadcasting Company. The stated purpose of the acquisition was to use the facility as an ATSC 3.0 multiplex for Capitol's Raleigh television stations. ATSC 3.0 is a newer digital broadcast standard designed to support enhanced over-the-air television services and more flexible multiplexing than the preceding ATSC 1.0 system. The technical transition took place later in 2020. On November 20, WARZ-CD began transmitting in ATSC 3.0, initially carrying simulcasts from WRAL-TV and WRAZ. On December 10, WRAL-TV added an ATSC 1.0 simulcast of the station's service. This dual-distribution arrangement allowed Capitol Broadcasting to develop NextGen TV capacity while continuing to make the programming available through conventional digital television infrastructure. The multiplex was expanded on March 22, 2021, when PBS North Carolina began simulcasting WUNC-TV through the facility. WNGT-CD's ATSC 3.0 transmission therefore carries programming associated with the station itself, Capitol Broadcasting's sister stations, and WUNC-TV. The station's original programming is also distributed through a WRAL-TV subchannel that viewers see as virtual channel 34.1. On October 21, 2021, the station adopted the WNGT-CD call letters. It is branded WRAL Plus and is programmed as a news-format independent station. The station is also the local broadcast outlet for the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A baseball team owned by the same Capitol Broadcasting group. This creates a direct connection between the station's broadcast identity and local professional baseball. WNGT-CD shares studios with WRAL-TV and WRAZ at Capitol Broadcasting's headquarters on Western Boulevard in Raleigh. Its transmitter is located on TV Tower Road in Auburn, atop WRAL-TV's former analog tower. Earlier transmission facilities were located on South Pollock Street in Selma, near U.S. Route 301 and the Selma Memorial Cemetery. The station remains active as a local broadcast license and as a key ATSC 3.0 distribution point in the Research Triangle.

• 2021

  WUNC-TV added to multiplex

  [1]WNGT-CDen.wikipedia.org

  PBS North Carolina began simulcasting WUNC-TV through the station's ATSC 3.0 facility on March 22.

• 2021

  Call sign changed to WNGT-CD

  [1]WNGT-CDen.wikipedia.org

  The station changed its call letters from WARZ-CD to WNGT-CD on October 21.

• 2020

  Agreement to transfer WARZ-CD to Capitol Broadcasting

  [1]WNGT-CDen.wikipedia.org

  Waters & Brock Communications reached an agreement to sell the station to Capitol Broadcasting Company for use in a Raleigh-area ATSC 3.0 multiplex.

• 2020

  ATSC 3.0 launch

  [1]WNGT-CDen.wikipedia.org

  The station began ATSC 3.0 transmission on November 20, carrying simulcasts from WRAL-TV and WRAZ.

• 2020

  ATSC 1.0 simulcast begins

  [1]WNGT-CDen.wikipedia.org

  WRAL-TV began an ATSC 1.0 simulcast of the station's service on December 10.

A locally owned Research Triangle television service positioned around independent news programming, local sports, and advanced ATSC 3.0 broadcast distribution.

• Independent television programming

  WRAL Plus

  The station's branded programming service is presented as WRAL Plus and is described as a news-format independent outlet. Its programming is distributed through a WRAL-TV subchannel appearing as virtual channel 34.1, while WNGT-CD's transmission infrastructure supports the related ATSC 3.0 service.

• Digital broadcast platform · 2020

  ATSC 3.0 multiplex

  WNGT-CD operates as an ATSC 3.0 lighthouse for the Raleigh-area Capitol Broadcasting stations. The multiplex carries the station's main programming, services associated with WRAL-TV and WRAZ, and a simulcast of WUNC-TV from PBS North Carolina.

• Local sports television

  Durham Bulls broadcasts

  WNGT-CD is the local broadcast home of the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A baseball club affiliated with the Tampa Bay Rays. The Bulls and the station are both owned by Capitol Broadcasting Company, linking the station to one of the region's principal professional sports properties.

• 2020

  Acquire WARZ-CD for NextGen TV deploymentM&A

  Background

  Capitol Broadcasting sought a facility that could serve as an ATSC 3.0 multiplex for its Raleigh television operations.

  Action taken

  Waters & Brock Communications agreed to sell WARZ-CD to Capitol Broadcasting Company.

  Aftermath

  The station began ATSC 3.0 transmission later in 2020 and subsequently became WNGT-CD.

  Source

• 2020

  Launch ATSC 3.0 multiplexProduct launch

  Background

  The acquired station was designated as a NextGen TV facility serving Capitol Broadcasting's Raleigh-area television portfolio.

  Action taken

  The station switched to ATSC 3.0 on November 20 and carried simulcasts from WRAL-TV and WRAZ.

  Aftermath

  The facility became a shared advanced-broadcast platform, later adding WUNC-TV programming.

  Source

1. 1WNGT-CDen.wikipedia.org