WOHL-CD

WOHL-CD is a low-power Class A television station based in Lima, Ohio. The station broadcasts ABC programming on its primary service and CBS programming on a second digital subchannel, making it one of the market's principal network television outlets despite operating at low power. It functions alongside full-power dual NBC/Fox affiliate WLIO and translators WAMS-LD and WPNM-LD under the shared local broadcast identity “Your Hometown Stations.” The station began broadcasting on January 26, 1989, as W67CA. Its original analog operation used UHF channel 67 from a transmitter west of Cridersville in Auglaize County, and it initially operated as an independent station. It joined Fox on October 9 of its launch year, giving the Lima market a local outlet for the network. In 1995, the station moved to UHF channel 25 and adopted the call sign WOHL-LP. It later received Class A status and became WOHL-CA in 2002. WOHL's development was closely connected to several low-power translators. W18BP began as a full-time repeater in 1996 but later became WLQP-LP, a separate UPN outlet that eventually affiliated with ABC after UPN shut down. W65DP followed a similar path and became CBS affiliate WLMO-LP. These related services were subsequently brought back into a common digital operation, allowing WOHL to carry both ABC and CBS programming and to extend coverage through additional low-power facilities. During the 2000s, WOHL carried Fox and later added MyNetworkTV as a secondary affiliation in 2006. By 2007, the station reportedly exceeded WLIO in prime-time ratings, although its low-power coverage gave Fox an incentive to seek carriage on WLIO's full-power digital operation. The resulting affiliation dispute led to litigation in 2008. The conflict ended with the announced sale of WOHL and the associated stations by Metro Video Productions to West Central Ohio Broadcasting, a Block Communications subsidiary and the owner of WLIO. The transaction brought the stations into a more integrated operating structure, including shared facilities and news resources. WOHL completed its transition to digital broadcasting in 2009 and adopted the current WOHL-CD call sign. Its digital operation initially used UHF channel 25 but later moved to channel 35 because of potential interference concerns involving WRTV in Indianapolis. Following the end of analog operations by the related stations, WOHL became the principal digital home for the ABC and CBS services in Lima. Fox and MyNetworkTV programming moved to a WLIO digital subchannel in 2009. Today, WOHL-CD shares local news infrastructure with WLIO. A weekday morning program and selected evening newscasts are simulcast under the “Your News Now” identity, while the station carries national network news outside those local windows. Its transmitter is located on Saint Clair Avenue north of downtown Lima, while the station's studios are on Rice Avenue northwest of downtown. Gray Media announced in 2025 that it would acquire Block Communications' broadcast television stations, including WOHL-CD; the supplied reference material states that the transaction received FCC approval and closed on May 6, 2026.

WOHL-CD signed on January 26, 1989, as W67CA, a low-power independent station transmitting on UHF channel 67 from a site west of Cridersville in Auglaize County. It joined Fox later that year, on October 9, and became a local network outlet. In 1995, the station changed to UHF channel 25 and adopted the WOHL-LP call sign. The station's history is intertwined with several related low-power facilities. W18BP launched in 1996 as a full-time repeater, followed by W65DP in 1998. W18BP separated from the simulcast in 1999 and became WLQP-LP, a UPN affiliate; after UPN's closure, it eventually became an ABC outlet. W65DP similarly became WLMO-LP, a CBS affiliate, in 2002. That same year, WOHL upgraded to Class A status and became WOHL-CA. The stations initially maintained facilities on South Central Avenue in downtown Lima. WOHL added MyNetworkTV as a secondary affiliation in September 2006, carrying the network during late-night hours. The station also became a significant ratings competitor in the market. By 2007, it reportedly outperformed the longer-established WLIO in prime-time ratings. Fox nevertheless explored moving its programming to a WLIO digital subchannel because WLIO's full-power signal could provide broader coverage. WOHL filed suit in 2008 in an effort to prevent the change. The conflict ended when Metro Video Productions, owned by Greg Phipps, announced the sale of WOHL, WLQP, and WLMO to West Central Ohio Broadcasting, a Block Communications subsidiary connected to WLIO. Operational consolidation followed, including integration with WLIO's Rice Avenue facilities and news operations. A 2009 construction permit authorized WOHL to convert directly from analog to digital and adopt the WOHL-CD call sign. The station initially operated digitally on channel 25, but shifted to channel 35 because of possible interference with WRTV in Indianapolis. In September 2009, the related analog stations ended analog operation and their ABC and CBS programming was moved into WOHL's digital service. The former Fox and MyNetworkTV services moved to WLIO's digital operation earlier that year. WOHL subsequently operated as a two-network local outlet, using ABC Lima and CBS Lima branding for its principal digital services. It shared the Your Hometown Stations identity with WLIO and the related repeaters. Local news was likewise integrated: selected WLIO morning and evening newscasts were simulcast on WOHL under the Your News Now banner, while WOHL generally did not provide separate weekend local newscasts. In 2025, Gray Media announced an agreement to acquire Block Communications' broadcast television assets, including WOHL-CD. The supplied reference material reports that the FCC approved and the transaction closed on May 6, 2026.

1. 2026Reported completion of Gray Media transaction

   The supplied reference states that the FCC approved and the acquisition closed on May 6, 2026.

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2. 2025Gray Media announces acquisition

   Gray Media announced plans to acquire Block Communications' broadcast television stations, including WOHL-CD.

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3. 2009Completes digital conversion

   The station converted to digital, became WOHL-CD, and ultimately moved its digital transmission to channel 35.

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4. 2009ABC and CBS services consolidate on WOHL

   After related stations ended analog operations, ABC and CBS programming was consolidated into WOHL's digital services.

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5. 2008Affiliation dispute resolved through sale

   A dispute concerning Fox programming and WLIO ended with the announced sale of WOHL and related stations to West Central Ohio Broadcasting.

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6. 2006Adds MyNetworkTV

   MyNetworkTV was added as a secondary affiliation, initially airing during late-night hours.

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7. 2002Receives Class A status

   Channel 25 upgraded to Class A status and adopted the WOHL-CA call sign.

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8. 1998Second repeater launches

   W65DP launched as another translator associated with the station.

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9. 1996First related repeater launches

   W18BP began operating as a full-time repeater of the station.

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10. 1995Moves to channel 25 and becomes WOHL-LP

    The station changed frequencies to UHF channel 25 and adopted the WOHL-LP call sign.

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11. 1989Station launches as W67CA

    The Lima low-power station began broadcasting on January 26 as W67CA and initially operated as an independent outlet.

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12. 1989Joins Fox

    W67CA became a Fox affiliate on October 9, establishing its first network relationship.

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A locally focused network television station serving the Lima and West Central Ohio market, combining ABC and CBS programming with shared local news operations and the broader Your Hometown Stations identity.

• ABC programmingTelevision network affiliation

  WOHL-CD's primary digital service carries ABC network programming for viewers in the Lima and West Central Ohio market. The service is promoted locally as ABC Lima and is integrated into the station's broader Your Hometown Stations identity.

• CBS programmingTelevision network affiliation2009

  CBS programming is carried on WOHL-CD's second digital subchannel. The service developed from the former WLMO-LP CBS operation and is locally identified as CBS Lima.

• Your News NowLocal television news

  Your News Now is the shared local-news presentation used by WOHL-CD and sister station WLIO. WOHL simulcasts WLIO's weekday morning program and selected evening newscasts, giving the low-power station access to centralized local reporting and production.

• 2025Agreement to join Gray MediaM&A

  Gray Media announced a plan to acquire Block Communications' broadcast television stations.

  What changed. The announced transaction included WOHL-CD and related Lima-area stations.

  Aftermath. The supplied reference reports FCC approval and closing on May 6, 2026.

  Announced transaction value. $80 million (2025 announcement)

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• 2009Flash-cut to digital broadcastingGeneration change

  The station needed to transition from analog low-power broadcasting to digital transmission and receive a digital-era call sign.

  What changed. WOHL converted directly to digital, adopted the WOHL-CD call sign, and moved its digital operation from channel 25 to channel 35 because of potential interference concerns.

  Aftermath. The digital conversion enabled ABC and CBS services to be carried through WOHL's multiplexed operation and helped consolidate related local outlets.

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• 2008Sale to West Central Ohio BroadcastingM&A

  Fox was considering moving its programming from WOHL to a WLIO digital subchannel. WOHL challenged the proposed affiliation change in court.

  What changed. Metro Video Productions announced the sale of WOHL and related stations WLQP and WLMO to West Central Ohio Broadcasting, a Block Communications subsidiary.

  Aftermath. The stations were brought into a more integrated operating structure with WLIO, including shared facilities and news resources.

  Source

• 2025WOHL-CD and related Block television stations announced for sale to Gray Media

  Gray Media announced an agreement to acquire Block Communications' broadcast television stations, including WOHL-CD, WLIO, WAMS-LD, and WPNM-LD, for $80 million.

  M&A
  Source
• 2008WOHL-CD affiliation dispute with WLIO leads to station sale

  WOHL pursued legal action over discussions that could have moved Fox programming to a WLIO digital subchannel. The dispute was resolved when the station's owner announced the sale of WOHL and related outlets to a Block Communications subsidiary.

  LawsuitM&A
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1. WOHL-CD
2. Your Hometown Stations