WVNS-DT2

WVNS-DT2 is the second digital subchannel of WVNS-TV, a television station licensed to Lewisburg, West Virginia, and serving the Bluefield–Beckley–Oak Hill market. The subchannel carries Fox programming and also serves as a MyNetworkTV outlet. It is branded in station materials as Fox 59 and is associated with WVNS-TV’s virtual channel 59 identity, while the station’s digital transmission uses physical channel 8. The subchannel was introduced on September 13, 2006, restoring Fox programming to the market after a five-year absence from WVNS. Its launch followed a retransmission dispute between Charleston Fox affiliate WVAH-TV and Suddenlink Communications during the summer of 2006. The termination of the Foxnet cable service on September 12, 2006, also increased the importance of a locally available Fox service for viewers in the region. Rather than operating Fox on a separate full-power station, WVNS distributed the network through its new digital subchannel, allowing the station to serve both its CBS audience on the primary channel and Fox viewers on WVNS-DT2. WVNS-DT2 operates within a mountainous and geographically challenging broadcast market where cable and satellite distribution have historically been important. Its programming mix includes Fox’s national schedule, MyNetworkTV programming, syndicated content, and local news produced by WVNS-TV. The subchannel airs a live, hour-long 10 p.m. newscast branded Fox 59 News, as well as a weekday morning rebroadcast from the main WVNS-TV channel. It also benefits from the station’s broader West Virginia news-sharing arrangements and Nexstar’s regional resources. The channel’s local news identity developed alongside improvements to WVNS-TV’s newsroom and production facilities. WVNS upgraded its local newscasts to high definition in March 2013, introducing new graphics and a redesigned set. After Nexstar’s acquisition of West Virginia Media Holdings, the weather operation serving WVNS was moved from sister station WOWK-TV in Charleston to the Ghent facility in September 2016. This placed weather production and meteorologists closer to the WVNS service area and supported the station’s local programming, including output associated with WVNS-DT2. WVNS-DT2 is not a separately incorporated company or independently owned broadcaster. It is a branded programming service carried by WVNS-TV and ultimately controlled by Nexstar Media Group. Its principal business is television content distribution and local advertising within the Bluefield–Beckley–Oak Hill designated market area.

WVNS-DT2 emerged from the development of WVNS-TV’s digital television service in the mid-2000s. WVNS-TV had begun broadcasting in 1995 as WB affiliate WVGV-TV and later returned to the air as Fox affiliate WVSX in December 1996 after a period off the air during a change in ownership, studio relocation, and transmitter work. The station became a CBS affiliate in September 2001 and was renamed WVNS-TV in 2003. This history is important because WVNS-DT2 eventually restored Fox programming to a station that had previously carried the network on its primary signal. On September 13, 2006, WVNS-TV launched Fox on its second digital subchannel. The decision came amid distribution problems affecting the market’s existing Fox service: Charleston Fox affiliate WVAH-TV was involved in a retransmission dispute with Suddenlink Communications, while the Foxnet cable network ended service the previous day. By placing Fox on WVNS-DT2, WVNS could provide a local over-the-air Fox outlet without giving up its primary CBS affiliation. The arrangement also reflected the growing importance of digital multicasting, which allowed one full-power station to offer multiple network services. WVNS-DT2 serves the Bluefield–Beckley–Oak Hill market, a large and mountainous area in southern West Virginia and adjacent portions of Virginia. WVNS-TV’s studios are in Ghent, while its transmitter is near Alderson. The terrain and the historical dominance of VHF stations made UHF broadcasting and cable carriage significant operational considerations for the station. WVNS-DT2’s digital distribution expanded the availability of Fox programming in a market where cable, satellite, and over-the-air reception each play important roles. The subchannel’s local identity is centered on the Fox 59 brand. In addition to Fox programming, it carries a live 10 p.m. local newscast, Fox 59 News, and a weekday morning rebroadcast from WVNS-TV’s main channel. WVNS’s news operation also shares selected reporting and resources across West Virginia Media Holdings and, later, Nexstar’s West Virginia station group. The station upgraded its local news production to high definition in March 2013, adding redesigned graphics and a new set. In September 2016, after Nexstar assumed operational control of the West Virginia Media stations, WVNS relocated its weather department from WOWK-TV’s Charleston facility to Ghent and installed a new studio and Baron Services weather system. Ownership of the underlying station changed again during the Nexstar transaction. Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced in November 2015 that it would acquire West Virginia Media Holdings, including WVNS-TV, for $130 million. Nexstar took operational control under a time brokerage agreement in December 2015, and the license transfer was completed on January 31, 2017. WVNS-DT2 consequently became part of Nexstar’s national local-television portfolio. It remains a WVNS-TV digital service rather than a separately licensed, independently owned station.

• 2017

  Nexstar completes WVNS license acquisition

  [1]WVNS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  The license transfer for WVNS-TV and the associated WVNS-DT2 service is completed on January 31, 2017.

• 2016

  Weather operation relocated to Ghent

  [1]WVNS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  After Nexstar assumed operational control, WVNS moved its weather department from WOWK-TV in Charleston to the Ghent facility and installed new production equipment.

• 2015

  Nexstar announces acquisition of West Virginia Media Holdings

  [1]WVNS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  Nexstar announces a $130 million agreement to purchase West Virginia Media Holdings, including the WVNS-TV operation that carries WVNS-DT2.

• 2013

  Local news production upgraded to high definition

  [1]WVNS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  WVNS completes its conversion of local newscasts to high definition, introducing updated graphics and a redesigned set used by the station’s news operation.

• 2006

  Fox launches on WVNS-DT2

  [1]WVNS-TVen.wikipedia.org

  WVNS-TV begins carrying Fox programming on its second digital subchannel, restoring a local Fox outlet to the market after a five-year gap.

A locally focused Fox/MyNetworkTV service combining national network entertainment and sports programming with WVNS-produced news, weather, and regional information.

• Local television news

  Fox 59 News

  A live hour-long local newscast broadcast on WVNS-DT2 at 10 p.m. The program gives the Fox-branded subchannel a dedicated evening news identity and draws on WVNS-TV’s local newsroom, anchors, weather resources, and regional reporting operation.

• Network television service · 2006

  Fox programming service

  WVNS-DT2’s principal programming offering is the Fox network schedule, distributed through WVNS-TV’s second digital stream. The service includes Fox entertainment, news, sports, and other network programming subject to the network’s schedule and local preemptions.

• Network television service

  MyNetworkTV programming service

  In addition to Fox, WVNS-DT2 is identified as a MyNetworkTV affiliate. MyNetworkTV programming and other syndicated material complement the channel’s network and locally produced content.

• 2016

  Relocate the weather operation to GhentStrategy

  Background

  After Nexstar’s acquisition process began, the weather operation serving WVNS had been based at sister station WOWK-TV in Charleston.

  Action taken

  WVNS moved its weather department and meteorologists to the Ghent home studio and added a new studio and Baron Services weather system.

  Aftermath

  The move consolidated weather production closer to WVNS’s primary service area and supported local output across the station’s programming services.

  Source

• 2006

  Launch Fox on the second digital subchannelProduct launch

  Background

  The local Fox affiliation was disrupted by a retransmission dispute involving WVAH-TV and Suddenlink Communications, while Foxnet ceased operating in the market.

  Action taken

  WVNS-TV began carrying Fox programming on WVNS-DT2 on September 13, 2006, while retaining CBS on its primary channel.

  Aftermath

  The arrangement restored a local Fox outlet to the market and established the subchannel’s long-term Fox 59 identity.

  Source

1. 1WVNS-TVen.wikipedia.org