WPVN-CD
A low-power Class A television station serving the Chicago market on channel 24.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
WPVN-CD is a low-power, Class A television station serving the Chicago, Illinois, television market. The station broadcasts on channel 24 and has historically functioned as a multilingual and multicultural outlet, carrying programming aimed at Chicago's diverse ethnic communities as well as nationally distributed television networks. Its studios are located on West Belmont Avenue in northwest Chicago, while its transmitter is located atop the John Hancock Center in downtown Chicago. The station's programming identity has changed several times. It became affiliated with Retro TV in November 2010 and retained that relationship through June 2013. During this period, however, the station's broader role was to provide a home for ethnic programming that had been displaced from another Chicago outlet after Weigel Broadcasting reorganized its digital-subchannel lineup. This made WPVN-CD less a conventional single-network station than a flexible local platform capable of carrying several specialized services. WPVN-CD's technical status also developed during the early 2010s. An application filed in March 2011 sought to move the station's transmission facilities to the Trump International Hotel and Tower. The application was approved in August 2011, and the station received Class A digital status in October of that year. The station later used multiple digital subchannels, allowing it to distribute more than one programming service over its broadcast signal. In July 2016, a 24-hour JBTV service replaced KBS World on one of those subchannels. Ownership and network affiliation shifted again in 2018. HC2 Holdings announced an agreement to acquire WPVN-CD for $7 million plus associated costs, and the station subsequently became an owned-and-operated outlet of HC2's Azteca América network, replacing WCHU-LD as the Chicago Azteca América outlet. This period gave WPVN-CD a clearer Spanish-language network identity, although the station continued to operate as a multidigital-subchannel platform. Following the end of Azteca América's operations in 2023, WPVN-CD moved to Visión Latina. In February 2020, the station received authorization to transmit from the John Hancock Center, strengthening its coverage position in the Chicago market. In 2025, WPVN-CD changed again, adopting Fubo Sports Network after Fubo and Innovate Corp. reached an arrangement to place the network on low-power stations. The station therefore represents a changing type of local broadcast brand: rather than maintaining one permanent programming identity, it has repeatedly adapted its subchannels and affiliations in response to ownership changes, network closures, ethnic-programming demand, and digital-distribution opportunities.
History
WPVN-CD is a Chicago low-power Class A television station operating on channel 24. Its identity has been shaped by changing network affiliations, digital-subchannel arrangements, ownership transitions, and the demand for programming serving the city's diverse communities. The station became a Retro TV affiliate on November 13, 2010, continuing in that role until June 30, 2013. Its importance during this period extended beyond the Retro TV affiliation. WPVN-CD was used to accommodate ethnic programming that had been removed from another Chicago broadcast outlet after a digital-subchannel reorganization by Weigel Broadcasting in December 2010. The station consequently operated as a flexible outlet for specialized programming rather than as a permanently fixed single-format service. In March 2011, WPVN-CA applied to relocate its transmission facilities to the Trump International Hotel and Tower. The application was approved on August 31, 2011. The station also obtained Class A digital status on October 7, 2011, formalizing its position within the digital television environment. Its signal was later transmitted from the John Hancock Center, a prominent downtown Chicago location that helped support coverage of the metropolitan market. WPVN-CD continued to use digital multicast capacity for specialized services. In July 2016, a 24-hour JBTV service replaced KBS World on channel 24.7. This change reflected the station's role as a multipurpose platform capable of carrying distinct services on separate subchannels. Ownership changed materially in 2018. On May 25 of that year, HC2 Holdings announced plans to purchase WPVN-CD for $7 million plus associated costs. Following the transaction, the station became an owned-and-operated outlet of HC2's Azteca América network, replacing WCHU-LD as Azteca América's Chicago outlet. The arrangement gave WPVN-CD a stronger Spanish-language network profile, while its subchannel structure continued to allow additional programming services. In February 2020, WPVN-CD was issued a license to transmit from the John Hancock Center in Chicago. The station's later history followed broader changes in the U.S. multicast-network market. When Azteca América ceased operations in 2023, WPVN-CD moved to Visión Latina. In 2025, it changed again to Fubo Sports Network after Fubo partnered with Innovate Corp. to distribute the network through low-powered television stations. Reference material identifies Innovate Corp. as the station's current owner. WPVN-CD's studios are located on West Belmont Avenue in northwest Chicago, and its transmitter is atop the John Hancock Center in downtown Chicago. Its succession of affiliations—from Retro TV to Azteca América, Visión Latina, and Fubo Sports Network—illustrates how low-power stations can serve as adaptable distribution points for national networks and targeted local-market programming.
- 2025
Fubo Sports Network affiliation begins
[1]WPVN-CD adopted Fubo Sports Network through an arrangement involving Fubo and Innovate Corp.
- 2023
Visión Latina affiliation begins
[1]The station changed to Visión Latina after Azteca América ceased operations.
- 2020
John Hancock Center transmission license issued
[1]WPVN-CD received a license to transmit from the John Hancock Center in Chicago.
- 2018
HC2 Holdings announces station acquisition
[1]HC2 Holdings announced its planned purchase of WPVN-CD and the station's subsequent use as an Azteca América owned-and-operated outlet.
- 2016
JBTV launches on channel 24.7
[1]A 24-hour JBTV service replaced KBS World on one of WPVN-CD's digital subchannels.
- 2011
Transmission relocation approved
[1]Authorities approved the station's application to move its transmission facilities to the Trump International Hotel and Tower.
- 2011
Class A digital status granted
[1]WPVN-CA received Class A digital status, strengthening its position as a protected digital television service.
- 2010
Retro TV affiliation begins
[1]WPVN-CD became a Retro TV affiliate and continued to provide a home for ethnic programming in the Chicago market.
Products and positioning
A Chicago-area low-power Class A television station positioned as a flexible local broadcast platform for multicultural, Spanish-language, entertainment, and sports programming.
Broadcast television station
WPVN-CD channel 24
The station's primary over-the-air broadcast service in the Chicago market. WPVN-CD operates as a low-power Class A television station and distributes programming through a main channel and digital multicast subchannels.
Digital television services
Multicast subchannels
WPVN-CD's digital capacity has supported a changing mix of specialized services, including ethnic programming, KBS World, JBTV, Spanish-language network programming, and sports content.
Sports television programming · 2025
Fubo Sports Network
The station's reported 2025 programming affiliation, providing a sports-oriented network service through WPVN-CD's low-power broadcast platform.
Brand decisions
2025
Adoption of Fubo Sports NetworkProduct launchBackground
Fubo partnered with Innovate Corp. to distribute Fubo Sports Network through low-powered television stations.
Action taken
WPVN-CD changed to Fubo Sports Network programming.
Aftermath
The station added a sports-focused identity to its succession of specialized network affiliations.
2023
Change from Azteca América to Visión LatinaStrategyBackground
Azteca América ceased operations, requiring its affiliated stations to adopt replacement programming arrangements.
Action taken
WPVN-CD switched its affiliation to Visión Latina.
Aftermath
The station retained a Spanish-language and multicultural orientation after the end of Azteca América.
2018
Acquisition by HC2 HoldingsM&ABackground
HC2 Holdings sought to expand its broadcast and network distribution interests in the Chicago market.
Action taken
HC2 Holdings announced the purchase of WPVN-CD for $7 million plus associated costs, after which the station became an Azteca América owned-and-operated outlet.
Aftermath
WPVN-CD replaced WCHU-LD as the Chicago Azteca América outlet and gained a more defined Spanish-language network role.
Announced acquisition price. $7 million plus associated costs (Announced May 25, 2018)
2016
Addition of 24-hour JBTV serviceProduct launchBackground
WPVN-CD adjusted its digital multicast lineup as specialized network services changed.
Action taken
A 24-hour JBTV broadcast replaced KBS World on channel 24.7.
Aftermath
The change demonstrated the station's continuing use of subchannels to host targeted programming services.
2011
Relocation of transmission facilitiesOtherBackground
WPVN-CA sought to improve or change its transmission arrangement in the Chicago market by moving its facilities from their existing analog and digital locations.
Action taken
The station applied to relocate its transmission facilities to the Trump International Hotel and Tower; the application was approved on August 31, 2011.
Aftermath
The relocation formed part of the station's technical development before its later authorization to transmit from the John Hancock Center.
Recent events
- 2025
WPVN-CD adopts Fubo Sports Network[1]
Product launch
WPVN-CD switched to Fubo Sports Network after Fubo partnered with Innovate Corp. to add the network to low-powered broadcast stations.
- 2023
WPVN-CD changes from Azteca América to Visión Latina[1]
Other
After Azteca América ceased operations, WPVN-CD changed its principal network affiliation to Visión Latina.
- 2020
WPVN-CD receives authorization to transmit from the John Hancock Center[1]
Other
The station received a license to transmit from the John Hancock Center in Chicago, its current transmitter location described in reference material.
- 2018
HC2 Holdings announces acquisition of WPVN-CD[1]
M&A
HC2 Holdings announced an agreement to purchase WPVN-CD for $7 million plus associated costs. The transaction made the station an owned-and-operated Azteca América outlet and replaced WCHU-LD as the network's Chicago station.
- 2016
JBTV replaces KBS World on a WPVN-CD subchannel[1]
Product generation
A 24-hour JBTV service replaced KBS World on channel 24.7, illustrating the station's continuing use of digital multicast capacity for specialized programming.
- 2011
WPVN-CA applies to move its transmission facilities[1]
Other
The station applied to move its transmission facilities to the Trump International Hotel and Tower. The application was approved later that year, alongside the station's transition to Class A digital status.
- 2010
WPVN-CD becomes a Retro TV affiliate[1]
Other
WPVN-CD began carrying Retro TV programming in the Chicago market while also serving as a platform for ethnic programming displaced from another local digital outlet.
Sources2 sources
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