WVUP-CD

WVUP-CD is a low-power, Class A television station serving Tallahassee, Florida. The station operates on channel 45 and is owned by the Christian Television Network (CTN), a religious broadcasting organization headquartered in Clearwater, Florida. Its studios are located on Capital Circle Northeast in Tallahassee, while its transmitter is situated on Thomasville Road in northern Leon County near the Georgia state line. WVUP-CD primarily carries continuous Christian programming, including material produced locally in the Tallahassee area and programming originating from CTN's Clearwater facilities. The station began broadcasting on May 11, 1984, under the call sign W17AB. Its origins were connected to Octagon Corporation, the owner of WMBB-TV in Panama City. Octagon initially pursued a translator intended to extend WMBB's signal into Tallahassee, but changes in WMBB's network affiliation and the availability of a full-power allocation led the company to pursue a low-power station capable of producing its own programming. Local cable operator Group W Cable encouraged an independent station on the channel by indicating that it could receive cable carriage. W17AB became notable during the 1980s because it achieved unusually strong results for a low-power station. After a federal court and copyright ruling cleared the way for its addition to the Group W cable lineup, the station's household reach expanded substantially. Arbitron included its programming in ratings surveys, and the station was reported as the most-watched low-power television station in the United States in ratings books issued during 1985. Phipps Television, owner of Tallahassee CBS affiliate WCTV, acquired the station in 1986 and retained its independent, locally oriented role while improving programming and technical facilities. The station also became the first low-power station measured by the A. C. Nielsen Company. The arrival of additional full-power and low-power stations weakened the station's competitive position. On March 13, 1989, W17AB abandoned its independent format for Home Shopping Network programming, which resulted in the loss of cable carriage and several staff positions. Later in 1989, the station was sold to Associated Christian Television System, the owner of WACX in Leesburg, Florida. By the early 1990s it had adopted an all-religious schedule. The station temporarily shifted away from religious broadcasting in October 1998 when it became a UPN affiliate. Around this period it was acquired by Southern Nights Entertainment Corporation, which also pursued an acquisition involving WGVP in Valdosta, Georgia. The proposed Valdosta transaction encountered prolonged regulatory and financial difficulties. W17AB changed its call sign to WVUP-LP in April 2000, but Southern Nights' financial condition deteriorated, and a secured creditor ultimately forced the public sale of the Tallahassee station in February 2001. During the transition, the station carried home-shopping programming outside UPN hours and suffered interruptions in its schedule and cable availability. The Note Capital Corporation assumed the station's license after the 2001 sale. In September 2002, it sold WVUP-CA to the Christian Television Network. CTN programming returned to the station in 2003, and the station regained local cable carriage in January 2004. The station subsequently evolved into its present CTN-oriented service, providing religious programming around the clock to the Tallahassee market.

WVUP-CD traces its history to Octagon Corporation's efforts to extend television service into Tallahassee. Octagon owned WMBB-TV in Panama City and initially sought authorization for a translator that would rebroadcast WMBB. Changes in WMBB's network affiliation reduced the value of that plan, and the Federal Communications Commission encouraged Octagon to pursue a low-power station with its own programming capability instead. Group W Cable, the local cable operator, also supported the prospect of an independent station because it could add a locally relevant service to its lineup. The resulting station, W17AB, began broadcasting on May 11, 1984. Its early performance was unusually strong for a low-power outlet. Cable carriage initially faced objections concerning possible copyright-related payments, but a federal court decision and a related copyright ruling allowed the station to be carried without the additional payments that had been feared. Group W added W17AB in February 1985, and reported household reach increased from approximately 7,000 to 16,000. Arbitron began including its programming in audience surveys, and the station was identified as the most-watched low-power station in the country in its May and July 1985 ratings books. Phipps Television acquired W17AB in 1986. Phipps owned WCTV, the Tallahassee CBS affiliate, and maintained W17AB as an independent and local-interest complement rather than replacing its identity with WCTV programming. The new owner improved the station's equipment and programming. The A. C. Nielsen Company also began measuring W17AB, making it the first low-power television station to receive that form of ratings coverage. The station's initial advantage diminished as three additional full-power and low-power stations entered the market within roughly a year. On March 13, 1989, W17AB changed to a Home Shopping Network format. The move caused it to lose cable carriage and led to the dismissal of five employees. Later that year Associated Christian Television System, which owned WACX in Leesburg, acquired the station. By 1991 the schedule had become entirely religious, and the station also became part of a broader Christian broadcasting operation when the owner acquired another low-power outlet. In October 1998, W17AB shifted again, becoming a UPN affiliate after UPN had lacked a readily receivable Tallahassee affiliate for more than a year. Southern Nights Entertainment Corporation acquired the station from Associated Christian Television System. Southern Nights simultaneously pursued an interest in WGVP in Valdosta, Georgia, including a proposed purchase of a controlling stake. The transaction remained before the FCC for approximately 18 months and was approved in March 2000, but it was never completed. The dispute and related litigation contributed to Southern Nights' financial deterioration. W17AB adopted the call sign WVUP-LP on April 20, 2000. The station's operating problems became increasingly visible during 2000 and 2001. Southern Nights auctioned its rights relating to the proposed WGVP transaction, and a secured creditor later compelled the public sale of WVUP-LP in February 2001. The station sought cash by airing American Collectibles Network home-shopping programs outside UPN hours. Reports also described unreliable operation, including periods when the station was off the air and occasions when home shopping replaced scheduled UPN programs. Comcast removed the station from its cable system in early March 2001. UPN programming was temporarily made available through a local cable channel, but the market did not regain an over-the-air UPN signal until the launch of WTLF in 2003. The Note Capital Corporation filed to assume the station's license following the public sale. In September 2002, Note Capital sold WVUP-CA to the Christian Television Network in Clearwater. CTN programming began airing in 2003, and the station returned to the local cable system in January 2004. Under CTN ownership, WVUP evolved into a dedicated Christian television service, carrying round-the-clock religious programming produced both in Tallahassee and at CTN's Clearwater base. The station now operates as WVUP-CD, a Class A low-power outlet serving the Tallahassee area.

• 2003

  Christian programming restored

  [1]WVUP-CDen.wikipedia.org

  CTN programming debuts on the station, establishing its current religious broadcasting orientation.

• 2002

  CTN acquisition

  [1]WVUP-CDen.wikipedia.org

  The Note Capital Corporation sells the station to Christian Television Network.

• 2001

  Public sale following financial distress

  [1]WVUP-CDen.wikipedia.org

  A secured creditor forces the public sale of the station after Southern Nights' financial problems intensify.

• 2000

  WVUP-LP call sign adopted

  [1]WVUP-CDen.wikipedia.org

  The station changes its call sign to WVUP-LP on April 20.

• 1998

  UPN affiliation

  [1]WVUP-CDen.wikipedia.org

  W17AB returns to general entertainment programming as a UPN affiliate.

• 1989

  Home Shopping Network conversion

  [1]WVUP-CDen.wikipedia.org

  The station leaves its independent format for Home Shopping Network programming and loses cable carriage.

• 1986

  Phipps Television ownership

  [1]WVUP-CDen.wikipedia.org

  Phipps Television acquires W17AB and upgrades its programming and equipment.

• 1985

  Cable carriage and ratings recognition

  [1]WVUP-CDen.wikipedia.org

  W17AB joins the Group W cable lineup and receives unusually strong audience attention for a low-power station.

• 1984

  W17AB signs on

  [1]WVUP-CDen.wikipedia.org

  The station begins broadcasting on May 11 as a low-power independent outlet in Tallahassee.

A local Christian television outlet providing continuous religious programming and CTN content to the Tallahassee market.

• Television programming · 2003

  CTN religious programming

  WVUP-CD's principal offering is a continuous schedule of Christian and religious television supplied by the Christian Television Network. The programming is produced partly by CTN's Clearwater operation and partly through local production associated with the Tallahassee service. It represents the station's current identity after earlier periods as an independent, home-shopping, and UPN outlet.

• Television programming

  Local Christian television

  The station provides Christian programming intended for viewers in Tallahassee and surrounding communities. Its local presence supplements CTN-originated material and gives the network a broadcast outlet tied to the area's religious television audience.

• Television programming · 1998

  UPN affiliate programming

  Between 1998 and the station's ownership and operational difficulties in the early 2000s, WVUP carried UPN programming. This was a historical service rather than the station's present offering.

• 2002

  Sale to Christian Television NetworkM&A

  Background

  The station's previous owner, The Note Capital Corporation, held the license after the public sale associated with Southern Nights' financial distress.

  Action taken

  Note Capital sold WVUP-CA to the Christian Television Network.

  Aftermath

  CTN programming returned in 2003, and the station ultimately resumed local cable carriage in January 2004.

  Source

• 1998

  UPN affiliationStrategy

  Background

  UPN had lacked a readily receivable affiliate in Tallahassee for more than a year.

  Action taken

  W17AB left its religious format and began carrying UPN programming.

  Aftermath

  The move was followed by acquisition of the station by Southern Nights Entertainment Corporation and later financial and operational instability.

  Source

• 1989

  Conversion to Home Shopping Network programmingStrategy

  Background

  New full-power and low-power competitors entered the Tallahassee market, reducing the commercial strength of the station's independent format.

  Action taken

  W17AB replaced its independent schedule with Home Shopping Network programming.

  Aftermath

  The station lost cable carriage and five employees were laid off. It was later sold to Associated Christian Television System.

  Source

• 2003

  CTN programming returns to WVUP[1]WVUP-CDen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  The station resumes Christian Television Network programming under its new ownership.

• 2002

  Christian Television Network acquires the station[1]WVUP-CDen.wikipedia.org

  M&A · Leadership change

  The Note Capital Corporation sells WVUP-CA to the Christian Television Network.

• 2001

  WVUP-LP is sold at public sale[1]WVUP-CDen.wikipedia.org

  Bankruptcy · M&A

  A secured creditor forces a public sale of the station after Southern Nights experiences severe financial difficulties connected in part with its failed Valdosta acquisition effort.

• 2000

  Call sign changes to WVUP-LP[1]WVUP-CDen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The station changes its call sign from W17AB to WVUP-LP during the Southern Nights ownership period.

• 1998

  W17AB becomes a UPN affiliate[1]WVUP-CDen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  The station temporarily leaves religious broadcasting and begins carrying UPN programming.

• 1991

  W17AB adopts an all-religious schedule[1]WVUP-CDen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  After its acquisition by Associated Christian Television System, the station is operating with a fully religious programming lineup.

• 1989

  Station switches to Home Shopping Network programming[1]WVUP-CDen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  W17AB changes from an independent schedule to Home Shopping Network programming after increased competition reduces the viability of its previous format.

• 1986

  Phipps Television acquires W17AB[1]WVUP-CDen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Phipps Television, owner of WCTV, purchases the station and invests in its programming and technical facilities.

• 1985

  Cable carriage expands W17AB's audience[1]WVUP-CDen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Following a federal copyright ruling, Group W adds the low-power station to its cable lineup, substantially increasing its household reach and enabling ratings measurement.

• 1984

  W17AB begins broadcasting in Tallahassee[1]WVUP-CDen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The station signs on as W17AB, initially operating as a low-power independent television station.

1. 1WVUP-CDen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Christian Television Networkctntv.org