WNNE
WNNE is a Hearst-owned CW television station licensed to Montpelier, Vermont, serving the Burlington–Plattsburgh market through a channel-sharing arrangement with WPTZ.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
WNNE is a television station serving viewers in Vermont and parts of New Hampshire and New York. The station is licensed to Montpelier, Vermont, and operates as an affiliate of The CW under the on-air identity The Valley CW. It is owned by Hearst Television and is operated alongside WPTZ, the Hearst-owned NBC affiliate licensed to Plattsburgh, New York. The two stations share studios in South Burlington, Vermont, maintain a secondary facility and news presence in Plattsburgh, and transmit from the Mount Mansfield facility using WPTZ's spectrum. The station began broadcasting on September 27, 1978, after a channel 31 allocation originally associated with the Upper Valley was reassigned to Hartford, Vermont. It initially operated as a full-service commercial station, carrying NBC programming together with syndicated programs and its own local news operation. Its coverage area centered on the Upper Connecticut River Valley, including communities in eastern Vermont and western New Hampshire. During its early years, WNNE developed a relatively substantial local operation for a station of its size, with regularly scheduled news, weather, and sports programming and a staff that often handled multiple production roles. In December 1990, Heritage Media, then the owner of WPTZ, acquired WNNE. The station subsequently became a semi-satellite of WPTZ. Although WNNE retained some local advertising and for a period continued to originate portions of its programming, much of its schedule and technical operation came to depend on WPTZ. Master control was moved to Plattsburgh in 2000, and the station's web presence was later integrated into WPTZ's site. Its separate local news operation was progressively reduced and was discontinued in 2001. Later, WNNE functioned mainly as WPTZ's Upper Valley outlet, contributing reports and occasional local updates rather than producing a complete independent newscast. WNNE converted to digital broadcasting during the 2000s and ended analog transmission in 2009. In the Federal Communications Commission's incentive auction, Hearst sold WNNE's broadcast spectrum for $50,464,592 and arranged for the station to share WPTZ's transmission facilities. Because the shared signal did not adequately serve the station's former Hartford coverage area, WNNE's city of license was changed to Montpelier. The pre-auction transmission ended on July 22, 2018. The 2018 technical transition also changed the station's programming identity. WNNE became the market's CW affiliate, using the former WPTZ digital subchannel schedule and restoring the WNNE virtual channel 31 identity. It is now branded as The Valley CW and carries CW programming, syndicated and locally relevant content, and a 10 p.m. newscast produced or simulcast by WPTZ. The arrangement gives the station a distinct network role while retaining the shared infrastructure and news resources of the larger WPTZ operation. The station has experienced several technical and operational changes in recent years. Its picture format was upgraded from 720p to 1080i in 2019. On November 19, 2019, a fire at the shared Mount Mansfield antenna facility interrupted over-the-air and satellite distribution for WNNE, WPTZ, and WCAX-TV; cable viewers generally continued to receive the stations through fiber feeds. WNNE remains an active local television brand, although its contemporary operation is closely integrated with Hearst's WPTZ newsroom, technical facilities, and broader regional broadcasting structure.
History
WNNE's channel 31 allocation was associated with the Upper Connecticut River Valley before the present station was established. An earlier station, WRLH, operated from West Lebanon, New Hampshire, during two periods between 1966 and 1974. A later permit for channel 31 was assigned to Hartford, Vermont. The permit holder initially received the proposed call letters WMVW, but the station launched as WNNE on September 27, 1978, from facilities in White River Junction. In 1980, the Federal Communications Commission permitted the station to identify itself as Hartford–Hanover, reflecting its cross-border service area. For its first twelve years, WNNE operated as a full-service commercial television station. It carried NBC programming, syndicated shows, local advertising, and independently produced news, weather, and sports content. Its local news department was comparatively substantial for a station serving a rural and dispersed audience. Presenters and reporters frequently performed several production functions, including reporting, filming, editing, and producing. The station also maintained local facilities and satellite-gathering resources, benefiting from its central position in northern New England. On December 17, 1990, Heritage Media, owner of Plattsburgh NBC affiliate WPTZ, acquired WNNE. The station then evolved into a semi-satellite of WPTZ. At first, some programming continued to originate from WNNE, while other programming was relayed from Plattsburgh through a microwave link. WNNE retained limited Upper Valley-specific advertising, but its editorial, technical, and programming independence gradually declined. In 2000, WPTZ moved WNNE's master control to its Plattsburgh studios. The WNNE website was integrated into a section of WPTZ's online presence in 2001. WNNE's independent news schedule was reduced in stages. Morning and noon programs were discontinued before the station ended its full separate local broadcasts in June 2001. The station thereafter carried WPTZ newscast simulcasts, occasional Upper Valley-specific inserts, and weather updates. In 2007, the remaining weeknight updates were dropped. WNNE continued to serve as an Upper Valley newsroom and supplied footage, live headlines, and local reporting for WPTZ's regional newscasts. WPTZ later maintained a bureau in the Upper Valley, including a move from White River Junction to Lebanon, New Hampshire, in 2018. The station began digital broadcasting on UHF channel 25 in July 2005 while retaining virtual channel 31. Its analog transmission ended on February 17, 2009, ahead of the eventual nationwide digital-transition deadline. WNNE also operated a Lebanon-area translator, W65AM, during the analog and early digital periods; the Federal Communications Commission cancelled that translator's license in March 2010. A major structural change followed the FCC's incentive auction. Hearst Television sold WNNE's spectrum for $50,464,592 and entered into a post-auction channel-sharing agreement with WPTZ. Because WPTZ's existing signal did not adequately serve Hartford, the station changed its city of license to Montpelier. WNNE ceased transmission on its former facility on July 22, 2018, and began transmitting through WPTZ's spectrum from the Mount Mansfield antenna site. The move also gave WNNE a new network role. On July 20, 2018, Hearst announced that WNNE would become the area's CW affiliate. The CW schedule previously carried by WPTZ's second digital channel was assigned to WNNE's virtual channel 31. The station adopted The Valley CW branding, while WPTZ continued to provide news and shared operational support. WNNE now carries a WPTZ-produced or simulcast 10 p.m. newscast rather than a fully independent news department. In August 2019, WNNE's video presentation was upgraded to 1080i high definition. On November 19 of that year, a fire at the shared Mount Mansfield antenna facility disrupted the over-the-air and satellite signals of WNNE, WPTZ, and WCAX-TV. The cause was not established in the cited material. Cable viewers generally continued receiving the stations through direct fiber feeds. WNNE remains active as a CW service for the Burlington–Plattsburgh market, with its programming identity and virtual channel distinct from WPTZ but its ownership, transmission, and much of its news infrastructure shared with that station.
- 2019
High-definition upgrade
[1]WNNE upgrades its transmission and programming presentation to 1080i.
- 2018
Channel sharing and CW affiliation begin
[1]WNNE changes its city of license to Montpelier, begins sharing WPTZ's spectrum, and launches as the market's CW affiliate.
- 2016
Separate Channel 31 branding is dropped
[1]WNNE temporarily adopts WPTZ's NBC 5 branding in local news and legal identification while retaining separate commercial insertions.
- 2009
Analog transmission ends
[1]The station ends regular analog broadcasting and continues digitally.
- 2005
Digital transmission begins
[1]WNNE launches a standard-definition digital signal on UHF channel 25 while using virtual channel 31.
- 2000
Master control moves to Plattsburgh
[1]WNNE's master control is consolidated at WPTZ's Plattsburgh studios.
- 1990
Acquisition by Heritage Media
[1]Heritage Media acquires WNNE from its previous ownership and begins operating it as a semi-satellite of WPTZ.
- 1978
WNNE begins broadcasting
[1]WNNE goes on the air from White River Junction, Vermont, serving the Upper Connecticut River Valley.
Products and positioning
A regional CW affiliate focused on Vermont's Upper Valley and the wider Burlington–Plattsburgh market, combining a distinct channel identity with Hearst Television's shared WPTZ news, studio, and transmission infrastructure.
Television network affiliate · 2018
The Valley CW
WNNE's principal contemporary service is its CW affiliation, branded as The Valley CW. The service distributes CW network programming to viewers in the Burlington–Plattsburgh market and the Upper Valley. It uses WNNE's virtual channel 31 identity and is transmitted through a channel-sharing arrangement with sister station WPTZ. The brand replaced WNNE's former role as a semi-satellite NBC outlet after the 2018 spectrum transition.
Television news · 1978
WNNE local news service
WNNE historically produced independent local news, weather, and sports broadcasts for the Upper Connecticut River Valley. The independent operation was progressively reduced after the station's acquisition by Heritage Media and ended in 2001. Today, local news associated with WNNE is supplied primarily through WPTZ's newsroom, including a 10 p.m. newscast and regional reporting from the Upper Valley.
Over-the-air television transmission · 2005
WNNE digital broadcast service
WNNE's digital service replaced its analog channel operation in 2009 and later moved to a post-auction channel-sharing arrangement with WPTZ. The shared transmission uses WPTZ's spectrum and the Mount Mansfield antenna facility, while WNNE retains virtual channel 31 for viewer navigation and branding.
Brand decisions
2018
Adopt channel sharing and become a CW affiliateStrategyBackground
WNNE participated in the FCC incentive auction and sold its broadcast spectrum. Its former transmission arrangement did not adequately support the desired post-auction coverage.
Action taken
Hearst changed WNNE's city of license to Montpelier, moved it to a channel-sharing arrangement with WPTZ, and assigned it the CW programming formerly carried on WPTZ's second digital channel.
Aftermath
WNNE regained a distinct network identity as The Valley CW, while Upper Valley access to NBC programming became more dependent on cable and satellite distribution.
Spectrum auction proceeds. $50,464,592 (FCC incentive auction; announced for the 2018 post-auction transition)
2001
End independent newscastsStrategyBackground
After years of operational integration with WPTZ, maintaining a complete separate news department became less central to WNNE's role.
Action taken
WNNE discontinued its separate full local newscasts and shifted toward WPTZ simulcasts and limited Upper Valley inserts.
Aftermath
The station became principally an Upper Valley newsroom and relay outlet for WPTZ's regional news operation.
1990
Integrate WNNE with WPTZM&ABackground
Heritage Media acquired WNNE while already owning WPTZ, creating an opportunity to consolidate programming, technical operations, and regional news resources.
Action taken
WNNE was converted into a semi-satellite of WPTZ, with increasing reliance on WPTZ-originated programming and facilities.
Aftermath
WNNE's independent programming and news operation were reduced over time, while the station continued to provide local advertising and Upper Valley coverage.
Recent events
- 2019
WNNE upgrades to full 1080i high-definition presentation[1]
Product generation
The station upgraded its broadcast picture format from 720p to 1080i.
- 2019
Mount Mansfield antenna fire interrupts WNNE transmission[1]
Other
A fire at the shared transmission facility took WNNE, WPTZ, and WCAX-TV off the air for over-the-air and satellite viewers, while cable distribution generally continued through fiber feeds.
- 2018
WNNE sells broadcast spectrum and adopts channel sharing[1]
Regulation
As part of the FCC incentive auction, WNNE sold its spectrum and moved to a channel-sharing arrangement with WPTZ.
- 2018
WNNE becomes the Burlington–Plattsburgh market's CW affiliate[1]
Product launch
Following the channel-sharing transition, WNNE took over the CW programming previously carried on WPTZ's second digital channel and restored the virtual channel 31 identity.
- 2001
WNNE ends its separate local news operation[1]
Other
The station discontinued its full independent newscasts and increasingly relied on WPTZ programming, with limited Upper Valley reporting continuing through the broader WPTZ operation.
- 1990
Heritage Media acquires WNNE and converts it into a WPTZ semi-satellite[1]
M&A
The acquisition reduced WNNE's operational independence and tied its programming and technical infrastructure more closely to WPTZ.
- 1978
WNNE begins broadcasting as a new Upper Valley television station[1]
Other
The station went on the air on September 27, 1978, serving the Hartford, Vermont and Upper Connecticut River Valley area.
Sources1 sources
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