WNYF-CD

WNYF-CD is a low-power, Class A television station licensed to Watertown, New York, and affiliated with the Fox network. It serves the North Country region through its own digital signal and through distribution on cable and the second digital subchannel of sister station WWNY-TV. The station shares studios on Arcade Street in downtown Watertown with WWNY-TV, a Carthage-licensed CBS affiliate. Its transmitter facilities are located on the same tower used by WWNY-TV along New York State Route 126 and State Street on Champion Hill. The station developed from two translator facilities that originally relayed WWTI, the ABC affiliate serving the Watertown market. Those facilities used the call signs W25AB and W28BC and were not initially independent full-time network stations. During their translator period, both WWTI and WWNY carried selected Fox programming, including professional football at times when CBS lacked National Football League rights. In 2001, United Communications and WWNY reached an arrangement with Smith Broadcasting to convert the translator facilities into full-time Fox affiliates. W25AB adopted the WNYF-LP call sign and later moved from channel 25 to channel 28. After the Watertown facility received Class A status in October 2002, it became WNYF-CA, while the W28BC facility assumed the WNYF-LP identity. Cable distribution was important to the station because its low-power over-the-air signal could not cover the entire market. A fall 2001 agreement with Time Warner Cable, now part of Charter Communications' Spectrum operations, placed WNYF on cable channel 2 in the North Country. The carriage arrangement was connected to retransmission-consent arrangements involving WWNY-TV. This substantially expanded access to WNYF's programming beyond households able to receive the station's limited terrestrial signals. WNYF became a more capable digital service during the transition from analog to digital broadcasting. In 2008, the Federal Communications Commission approved construction of a high-definition digital service on UHF channel 35. WNYF-CD began broadcasting on September 14, 2008, using an existing UHF antenna structure associated with WWNY's facilities. The launch represented the first over-the-air high-definition transmission associated with the WNYF service. A separate digital facility serving the Massena area was later authorized on UHF channel 18 under the WNYF-LD call sign and included Fox programming along with a WWNY-TV simulcast on a second digital subchannel. The station has also undergone several call-sign and regulatory-status changes. In 2013, WNYF-CD and WNYF-LD exchanged call signs. The Watertown facility briefly used WWNY-CD in 2014 before the WNYF-CD designation returned after Class A status was transferred to the digital channel 35 license. These changes reflected the legal and technical distinction between the Watertown and Massena facilities rather than a change in the station's basic Fox affiliation. WNYF's local programming is closely connected to WWNY-TV. Its principal local-news offering is a weeknight 10 p.m. program branded 7 News Tonight on Fox, launched in 2001. WNYF also carries a simulcast of the first hour of WWNY's weekday morning newscast, followed by a separate 7 a.m. hour while WWNY broadcasts CBS Mornings. The news operation uses WWNY's staff and branding, giving WNYF a locally focused service alongside Fox network programming. In 2016, WNYF-CD added MeTV on its second digital subchannel under the on-air identity MeTV North Country. The addition broadened the station's programming mix beyond Fox and local news, while preserving the primary channel's network identity. In 2019, Gray Television announced the purchase of the United Communications stations, including WNYF-CD and WWNY-TV. Gray assumed operational control through a local marketing agreement on March 1, and the transaction closed on May 1. Gray later became known as Gray Media. WNYF-CD remains an active Fox affiliate and sister station to WWNY-TV, with coverage supplemented by cable carriage and digital-subchannel distribution.

WNYF-CD originated as part of a pair of low-power translator facilities associated with WWTI, the Watertown market's former ABC affiliate. The facilities used the call signs W25AB and W28BC and initially retransmitted programming rather than operating as independent full-time network stations. Fox programming was carried on a secondary basis by stations in the market, particularly for selected National Football League games. In 2001, United Communications and WWNY reached an agreement with Smith Broadcasting to transform the translator facilities into full-time Fox affiliates. W25AB adopted WNYF-LP and subsequently moved to channel 28. When the Watertown facility obtained Class A status in October 2002, it became WNYF-CA. The other facility, W28BC, then took the WNYF-LP call sign and continued serving the Massena area. After a period of joint operation involving Smith Broadcasting and United Communications, United assumed complete ownership and made the WNYF operation a full sister to WWNY-TV. Cable carriage was central to WNYF's growth. Because the station's low-power signals could not reach the entire market, many viewers could access it only through cable. In fall 2001, Time Warner Cable placed WNYF on its North Country systems. The carriage was associated with retransmission-consent arrangements for WWNY-TV, allowing WNYF programming to reach a much broader audience than its over-the-air facilities alone could serve. Until the 2006 closure of UPN and its combination with The WB to create The CW, WNYF also carried some programming from UPN as a secondary affiliation. The transition to digital broadcasting produced several technical changes. On August 25, 2008, the FCC approved WNYF-CA's request to begin high-definition digital broadcasting on UHF channel 35. WNYF-CD began operating on September 14, 2008, using the existing UHF antenna structure associated with WWNY's facilities. The launch was the first time WNYF programming was available over the air in high definition. United later applied for a digital version of WNYF-LP on UHF channel 18 for the Massena area. The FCC approved construction in 2010, and the resulting WNYF-LD facility carried Fox programming as well as a WWNY-TV simulcast on a second digital channel. The stations experienced several call-sign changes as their licenses and Class A designations were reorganized. WNYF-CD and WNYF-LD exchanged call signs on May 15, 2013. The Watertown digital facility temporarily used WWNY-CD beginning February 6, 2014, but resumed the WNYF-CD call sign on March 13 after the Class A status was transferred to the channel 35 digital license. WNYF's news identity has been built around WWNY-TV's local operation. On April 11, 2001, the station introduced a 10 p.m. weeknight program called 7 News Tonight on Fox. After cable carriage began, the broadcast became accessible across more of the market. WNYF also carries the first hour of WWNY's weekday morning news, followed by a separate 7 a.m. hour while WWNY airs CBS Mornings. These programs give the Fox outlet a local news presence without requiring a wholly separate newsroom. In 2016, WNYF-CD added MeTV to its second digital subchannel. The service, branded MeTV North Country, began on September 1 and supplemented the station's main Fox schedule with classic television programming. The change did not alter the separate WWNY-TV simulcast carried on the second subchannel of the Massena-area WWNY-CD facility. Ownership changed in 2019. Gray Television announced on February 8 that it would acquire United Communications' stations, including WNYF-CD and WWNY-TV. Gray assumed control under a local marketing agreement on March 1, and the transaction was completed on May 1. The acquisition gave Gray its first stations in New York State and made the properties sister stations to WCAX-TV in nearby Burlington, Vermont. WNYF-CD remains an active low-power Class A Fox affiliate, sharing facilities and much of its news operation with WWNY-TV while using digital and multichannel distribution to extend its regional reach.

• 2019

  Gray Television acquisition closes

  [1]WNYF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  Gray Television completed its purchase of WNYF-CD, WWNY-TV, and related United Communications stations on May 1.

• 2016

  MeTV North Country launches

  [1]WNYF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  MeTV began broadcasting on WNYF-CD2 under the MeTV North Country brand.

• 2014

  WNYF-CD call sign returns to the Watertown facility

  [1]WNYF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  After a temporary period as WWNY-CD, the Watertown digital station resumed the WNYF-CD call sign when Class A status was transferred to its digital license.

• 2013

  Call signs are exchanged

  [1]WNYF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  The Watertown and Massena-area facilities exchanged WNYF-CD and WNYF-LD call signs.

• 2010

  Massena-area digital facility is approved

  [1]WNYF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  The FCC approved construction of a digital WNYF-LD facility on UHF channel 18, extending Fox and WWNY-related service into St. Lawrence County.

• 2008

  High-definition digital service launches

  [1]WNYF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  WNYF-CD began over-the-air high-definition broadcasting on UHF channel 35.

• 2006

  Secondary UPN affiliation ends

  [1]WNYF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  WNYF stopped carrying UPN programming after UPN shut down and merged with The WB to form The CW.

• 2002

  Watertown facility receives Class A status

  [1]WNYF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  The Watertown facility was upgraded to Class A status and began using the WNYF-CA call sign.

• 2001

  Conversion to a full-time Fox affiliate

  [1]WNYF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  United Communications and WWNY arranged with Smith Broadcasting to convert the former WWTI translator facilities into full-time Fox outlets. The Watertown facility adopted the WNYF-LP identity.

• 2001

  North Country cable carriage begins

  [1]WNYF-CDen.wikipedia.org

  Time Warner Cable added WNYF to its North Country systems, substantially extending the station's reach beyond its low-power terrestrial signals.

A locally oriented Fox television service for Watertown and northern New York, combining network entertainment and sports with WWNY-produced regional news, weather, and cable and digital-subchannel distribution.

• Broadcast television network affiliate · 2001

  WNYF-CD Fox service

  The station's primary service carries Fox network programming, including entertainment, news and sports content, together with locally produced news and weather. Its low-power Class A terrestrial signal is supplemented by cable distribution and by availability through related digital television services, allowing the Fox schedule to reach viewers across the Watertown and North Country market.

• Local news · 2001

  7 News Tonight on Fox

  A weeknight 10 p.m. newscast produced through the WWNY news operation for WNYF. It gives the Fox station a locally focused evening news service and combines regional reporting, weather and other coverage under the broader 7 News identity.

• Local morning news

  7 News This Morning on Fox

  WNYF's morning news service consists of a simulcast of the first hour of WWNY's weekday morning broadcast followed by a separate 7 a.m. hour. The service allows WNYF viewers to receive local news and weather while WWNY carries CBS Mornings.

• Digital multicast television · 2016

  MeTV North Country

  A MeTV service carried on WNYF-CD2 beginning in 2016. Branded MeTV North Country, it provides a schedule of classic television programming as a complementary digital-multicast offering alongside WNYF's primary Fox service.

• 2019

  Acquisition by Gray TelevisionM&A

  Background

  United Communications placed its television stations, including WNYF-CD and WWNY-TV, under agreement to be acquired by Gray Television.

  Action taken

  Gray assumed control through a local marketing agreement on March 1 and completed the transaction on May 1.

  Aftermath

  WNYF became part of Gray's station group and a sister station to WWNY-TV and other Gray properties, including WCAX-TV in Burlington.

  Source

• 2016

  Add MeTV to the second digital subchannelProduct launch

  Background

  Digital multicasting provided an opportunity to expand the station's programming portfolio beyond the primary Fox schedule.

  Action taken

  WNYF launched MeTV North Country on WNYF-CD2 on September 1.

  Aftermath

  The station gained a classic-television offering while retaining Fox as its primary network affiliation.

  Source

• 2008

  Move to high-definition digital broadcastingOther

  Background

  The station's analog low-power service could not provide the reach or picture quality of a modern digital broadcast.

  Action taken

  Following FCC approval, WNYF launched a high-definition digital transmission on UHF channel 35.

  Aftermath

  Viewers received WNYF over the air in high definition for the first time, while cable and related digital facilities continued to supplement market coverage.

  Source

• 2001

  Convert translator facilities into full-time Fox affiliatesStrategy

  Background

  The former WWTI translators had limited identities and only carried Fox programming on a secondary basis. United Communications and WWNY sought a dedicated Fox service for the Watertown market.

  Action taken

  The facilities were reorganized as full-time Fox outlets, with the Watertown facility adopting the WNYF-LP call sign and later receiving Class A status.

  Aftermath

  The change established WNYF as a distinct Fox brand and supported the launch of local news programming on the station.

  Source

1. 1WNYF-CDen.wikipedia.org
2. 2WWNY-TV official websitewwnytv.net