WNTZ
Encyclopedia
WNTZ-TV is the Fox
affiliate television station for the Alexandria, Louisiana
Designated Market Area
. It is licensed to Natchez, Mississippi
, which is part of the Jackson, Mississippi
television market. The station also has a secondary affiliation with MyNetworkTV
.
It broadcasts a digital
signal on channel 49. The station is owned by Communications Corporation of America. Its transmitter is located in Frogmore, Louisiana, and its master control is co-located with sister station KADN
's operations in Lafayette
.
); the southernmost portion of the Monroe, Louisiana
–El Dorado, Arkansas
market (where the station's main transmitter tower is located); and the westernmost portion of the Jackson market (the location of Natchez, the station's city of license
).
WNTZ occupies rented office space in two locations. Administrative, sales and marketing offices are currently located in Alexandria. From 1997 to 2007, the station rented office space along Jackson Street in Alexandria's Garden District in property owned by the station's second owner, Delta Media Corporation. Since then, these offices have moved to rented space in the Noles-Frye building, a local real estate agency. A satellite office in Natchez is rented in its original location where the station was first launched in 1985 (per Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) license) from the station's first owner, the Perkins family.
WNTZ began as an independent station, airing local programming exclusively to the Natchez area. This included a fully staffed newscast.
However, the fortunes of WNTZ quickly eroded and it was placed in bankruptcy for the first time. Due to the bankruptcy, the station went off the air for a number of years, until the license for the station was sold in 1991 to Lafayette, Louisiana
businessman Charles Chatelain and his company, Delta Media Corporation.
The license and transmitter tower for WNTZ was in Natchez, Mississippi. This concerned executives at Fox because they did not want to grant a second affiliation in the Jackson, Mississippi DMA. In order to alleviate the problem, the original transmitter was sold and moved to future WNTZ owner Communications Corporation of America to sign on WGMB
in Baton Rouge. Then, a new transmitter tower site was constructed in the small farming community of Frogmore, in neighboring Concordia Parish, Louisiana
. The license remained in Natchez, even though its tower site was moved across to the Louisiana side of the Mississippi River. Fox then in turn granted WNTZ the Fox affiliation for the Alexandria market.
in Lafayette, for the Alexandria market. Shortly after signing on, K47DW began airing commercials and identification separately from KADN, becoming "Fox 47". In 1991, when Delta Media purchased the license, moved the transmitter site, and signed on WNTZ for the second time, the Fox affiliation moved to channel 48. K47DW then became an affiliate of the Channel America
network until 1995, when it began simulcasting WNTZ to serve portions of Alexandria where channel 48's signal is weak.
The following two translators have their licenses cancelled.
1 – While the calls mention "51", it actually broadcasts on channel 52, per FCC license.
2 – An application has been filed for a separate "-LD" digital repeater on channel 42.
WNTZ, as a Fox affiliate, struggled for a number of years to catch hold to viewers in the Alexandria market, mostly due to longtime Alexandria television stations KALB-TV
and KLAX-TV
. That changed in 2003, with the popularity of Fox first-run programming, sports programming and aggressive marketing tactics (see Cenla Idol). In May 2006, WNTZ ranked #1 in adult viewers 18-49 during common prime time programming (7:00-9:00 p.m. Central Time) for the first time in the station's history, beating longtime rival KALB.
networks announced they would merge into a new singular network, The CW. In turn, Fox owner News Corporation
announced the creation of MyNetworkTV
for those stations left out in the cold due to The CW merger.
WNTZ became MyNetworkTV's home under a secondary affiliation agreement. WNTZ launched MyNetworkTV on September 4, 2006. The network airs on a time-delay basis, airing programming immediately after Fox prime time programming from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.
KBCA
, which held The WB affiliation a mere six months prior to the announced CW merger, was announced as the Alexandria affiliate of The CW, which commenced operations on September 18, 2006. Former UPN station KWCE-LP
(channel 36 at the time), became an affiliate of Retro Television Network
, and moved to channel 27 on the television dial.
in Baton Rouge, the newscast, anchored by Rachel Slavik and Lauren Unger, featured eight weather updates an hour from meteorologist Jesse Gunkel. Even though Fox News Louisiana AM was more localized, content from the Alexandria area rarely aired. On 2 December 2008, WGMB cancelled the newscast due to cost cuts.
programming.
WNTZ remains on its pre-transition channel, 49 using PSIP
to display its virtual channel
as 48.
The low-power translators surrounding Alexandria will remain operational for the foreseeable future.
.
The local competition began in late 2002 exclusively on local radio station KQID-FM
, but eventually broadened with WNTZ-TV as the controlling partner (due to its Fox television affiliation), and a radio station {KHFX
(2003); KQID (2004–2006, 2010-2011); KLAA
(2009)} as the secondary partner. WNTZ legally sanctioned Cenla Idol with Fox as the official local American Idol competition beginning in the summer of 2003, and must legally sanction the competition each television season. With the TV/radio partnership, winners are rewarded with airfare and hotel accommodation to a locale where the American Idol auditions are held each season and given a guaranteed front-of-line audition for the show's producers.
Cenla Idol has varied in format over the years. Auditions are open to the public within the Alexandria market under American Idol's age guidelines. Contestants compete and are judged by a panel of local dignataries in an initial audition, a sing-off quarterfinal (2003–2006), and a two-part semifinal and final (known as the "Finale"). From 2003-2006, a sing-off quarterfinal round aired on the partner radio station. Started in 2010, contestants now sing on the radio in a non-elimination exhibition round in order to garner support for their fans to attend the Finale. In 2003 and 2004, the "Idol Twist" format was originated and introduced, sending the highest-scored individual from the auditions immediately to the competition's Finale. In 2005 and 2011, the ten semifinalists were immediately selected to the Finale. In 2006 and 2010, the auditions were expanded to "audition cities" around the market, mimicking the American Idol format in which contestants are allowed to audition multiple times (once in each "city") and given more opportunities to advance in the competition.
Cenla Idol has proved to be a publicity, marketing, and commercial success for WNTZ as two notable contestants from the competition made it past the initial audition rounds to advance to the Hollywood rounds of American Idol.
Pineville
native Dezmond Meeks, finishing third in 2003's Cenla Idol, auditioned in Orlando
for season four
of American Idol. In one of the show's more memorable auditions from season four, Meeks auditioned to James Brown
's "I Got You (I Feel Good)
", where judge Paula Abdul
said to fellow judges Randy Jackson
and Simon Cowell
, "I quit!", if he did not advance to Hollywood. Meeks awaits an answer, and after about a minute of debating, Meeks made it through the audition after Randy Jackson folded.
After a sub-par trio audition with season four finalist Constantine Maroulis
in the Hollywood rounds phase, Meeks was eliminated prior to naming the Top 45 contestants. Meeks was among four contestants who were either born or lived in the Alexandria market who made it to the Hollywood rounds phase of American Idol, the most from any market in the U.S. for season four.
Shreveport
native Jenny Snider, who won the Cenla Idol competition in 2006, made it past the judges in the Memphis
audition for season six
of American Idol to go to Hollywood and was lightly featured on the show. Her Hollywood auditions were also cut short after two rounds.
The local television ratings for American Idol in Alexandria has remained high, due in part to Cenla Idol. The competition took a hiatus in 2007, but Cenla Idol returned in the summer of 2008, just in time for auditions for the eighth season
of American Idol.
One notable Cenla Idol judge in 2010 was Scott Savol
, fifth-place finisher during season four
of American Idol.
† Winner of "Natchez Idol" competition, produced by WNTZ prior to "Cenla Idol" in 2004. Even though Allen was sent to American Idol
to audition, she did not receive guaranteed audition spot since it was designated for the "Cenla Idol" winner. "Natchez Idol" competition held only one time.
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
affiliate television station for the Alexandria, Louisiana
Alexandria, Louisiana
Alexandria is a city in and the parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies on the south bank of the Red River in almost the exact geographic center of the state. It is the principal city of the Alexandria metropolitan area which encompasses all of Rapides and Grant parishes....
Designated Market Area
Media market
A media market, broadcast market, media region, designated market area , Television Market Area , or simply market is a region where the population can receive the same television and radio station offerings, and may also include other types of media including newspapers and Internet content...
. It is licensed to Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez is the county seat of Adams County, Mississippi, United States. With a total population of 18,464 , it is the largest community and the only incorporated municipality within Adams County...
, which is part of the Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
television market. The station also has a secondary affiliation with MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV is a television broadcast syndication service in the United States, owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a division of News Corporation...
.
It broadcasts a digital
ATSC
ATSC standards are a set of standards developed by the Advanced Television Systems Committee for digital television transmission over terrestrial, cable, and satellite networks....
signal on channel 49. The station is owned by Communications Corporation of America. Its transmitter is located in Frogmore, Louisiana, and its master control is co-located with sister station KADN
KADN
KADN-TV is the Fox affiliate in Lafayette, Louisiana.-History:Channel 15 in Lafayette was originally home to KLNI-TV, which operated as an NBC affiliate beginning on September 16, 1968. With KATC-TV and KLFY already operating, the Lafayette market was considered too small at the time to support...
's operations in Lafayette
Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette is a city in and the parish seat of Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States, on the Vermilion River. The population was 120,623 at the 2010 census...
.
Unique station characteristics
WNTZ is a network of one main transmitter and four translator transmitters that serves residents in three television markets – Alexandria (the market that gets rated by NielsenNielsen Media Research
Nielsen Media Research is an American firm that measures media audiences, including television, radio, theatre films and newspapers...
); the southernmost portion of the Monroe, Louisiana
Monroe, Louisiana
Monroe is a city in and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 53,107, making it the eighth largest city in Louisiana. A July 1, 2007, United States Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 51,208, but 51,636...
–El Dorado, Arkansas
El Dorado, Arkansas
El Dorado , a multi-cultural arts center: South Arkansas Arts Center , an award-winning renovated downtown, and numerous sporting, shopping, and dining opportunities. El Dorado is the population, cultural, and business center of the 7,300 mi² regional area...
market (where the station's main transmitter tower is located); and the westernmost portion of the Jackson market (the location of Natchez, the station's city of license
City of license
A city of license or community of license, in American and Canadian broadcasting, is the community that a radio station or television station is officially licensed to serve by that country's broadcast regulator....
).
WNTZ occupies rented office space in two locations. Administrative, sales and marketing offices are currently located in Alexandria. From 1997 to 2007, the station rented office space along Jackson Street in Alexandria's Garden District in property owned by the station's second owner, Delta Media Corporation. Since then, these offices have moved to rented space in the Noles-Frye building, a local real estate agency. A satellite office in Natchez is rented in its original location where the station was first launched in 1985 (per Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC) license) from the station's first owner, the Perkins family.
First incarnation of WNTZ
WNTZ was granted its license on January 31, 1985, to the Perkins family of Natchez, Mississippi. Today, the Perkins family owns and operates radio stations in the Natchez area. This would be their first and only foray into television.WNTZ began as an independent station, airing local programming exclusively to the Natchez area. This included a fully staffed newscast.
However, the fortunes of WNTZ quickly eroded and it was placed in bankruptcy for the first time. Due to the bankruptcy, the station went off the air for a number of years, until the license for the station was sold in 1991 to Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette is a city in and the parish seat of Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States, on the Vermilion River. The population was 120,623 at the 2010 census...
businessman Charles Chatelain and his company, Delta Media Corporation.
WNTZ gets Fox affiliation
Under Delta Media ownership, the goal was to give the Alexandria, Louisiana DMA a Fox network affiliation. However, a few challenges were ahead.The license and transmitter tower for WNTZ was in Natchez, Mississippi. This concerned executives at Fox because they did not want to grant a second affiliation in the Jackson, Mississippi DMA. In order to alleviate the problem, the original transmitter was sold and moved to future WNTZ owner Communications Corporation of America to sign on WGMB
WGMB
WGMB-TV is the local Fox affiliate for Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is owned by Communications Corporation of America, and is sister station to the area's The CW affiliate, WBRL-CD. WGMB also shared facilities and staff with WVLA-TV and KZUP-CD...
in Baton Rouge. Then, a new transmitter tower site was constructed in the small farming community of Frogmore, in neighboring Concordia Parish, Louisiana
Concordia Parish, Louisiana
Concordia Parish borders the Mississippi River in eastern Louisiana. The parish seat is Vidalia. As of 2000, the population was 20,247. It is part of the Natchez, MS–LA Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Prehistory:...
. The license remained in Natchez, even though its tower site was moved across to the Louisiana side of the Mississippi River. Fox then in turn granted WNTZ the Fox affiliation for the Alexandria market.
K47DW
K47DW signed on in the late 1980s relaying the programming of Delta Media's flagship station, Fox affiliate KADNKADN
KADN-TV is the Fox affiliate in Lafayette, Louisiana.-History:Channel 15 in Lafayette was originally home to KLNI-TV, which operated as an NBC affiliate beginning on September 16, 1968. With KATC-TV and KLFY already operating, the Lafayette market was considered too small at the time to support...
in Lafayette, for the Alexandria market. Shortly after signing on, K47DW began airing commercials and identification separately from KADN, becoming "Fox 47". In 1991, when Delta Media purchased the license, moved the transmitter site, and signed on WNTZ for the second time, the Fox affiliation moved to channel 48. K47DW then became an affiliate of the Channel America
Channel America
Channel America was the first United States terrestrial broadcast television network to be intentionally assembled out of LPTV, or low-power television licensees. The network was founded by David Post in 1987 and launched in 1988...
network until 1995, when it began simulcasting WNTZ to serve portions of Alexandria where channel 48's signal is weak.
Repeater stations
WNTZ serves as a full-power station licensed to Natchez, Mississippi, located 65 miles east of Alexandria - and thus, uses translators to alleviate weak spots in coverage in the western part of the Alexandria market.- K47DW channel 47 in Alexandria, LouisianaAlexandria, LouisianaAlexandria is a city in and the parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies on the south bank of the Red River in almost the exact geographic center of the state. It is the principal city of the Alexandria metropolitan area which encompasses all of Rapides and Grant parishes....
- K51FO channel 52 in Leesville, LouisianaLeesville, LouisianaLeesville is a city in and the parish seat of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 6,753 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Fort Polk South Micropolitan Statistical Area. The city is home to the Fort Polk U.S. Army installation...
1
The following two translators have their licenses cancelled.
- K61GO channel 61 in Hicks, Louisiana2
- K67GL channel 67 in Bunkie, LouisianaBunkie, LouisianaBunkie is a city in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 4,662 at the 2000 census.Bunkie is the birthplace of jazz drummer Zutty Singleton. Sue Eakin, Louisiana historian and former publisher of the Bunkie Record, resided in Bunkie for most of her life until her death in...
1 – While the calls mention "51", it actually broadcasts on channel 52, per FCC license.
2 – An application has been filed for a separate "-LD" digital repeater on channel 42.
Under new ownership
Delta Media sold its television properties in Lafayette and Alexandria in late 1996. In 1997, WNTZ was sold to White Knight Broadcasting, the elder sister company to Communications Corporation of America (who purchased KADN from Delta Media outright in 2004 after a long-term LMA). Under White Knight, WNTZ saw many of its biggest changes, most notably in the mid-2000s.WNTZ, as a Fox affiliate, struggled for a number of years to catch hold to viewers in the Alexandria market, mostly due to longtime Alexandria television stations KALB-TV
KALB-TV
KALB-TV is the NBC-affiliated television station for Central Louisiana licensed to Alexandria. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 35 from a transmitter in Forest Hill. The station can also be seen on Suddenlink channel 5 and in high definition on digital channel 730...
and KLAX-TV
KLAX-TV
KLAX-TV is the ABC-affiliated television station for Central Louisiana licensed to Alexandria. It broadcasts a standard definition digital signal on UHF channel 31 from a transmitter in the Kisatchie National Forest southwest of Dry Prong. The station can also be seen on Suddenlink channel 3...
. That changed in 2003, with the popularity of Fox first-run programming, sports programming and aggressive marketing tactics (see Cenla Idol). In May 2006, WNTZ ranked #1 in adult viewers 18-49 during common prime time programming (7:00-9:00 p.m. Central Time) for the first time in the station's history, beating longtime rival KALB.
Second bankruptcy
Even though the television ratings improved for WNTZ, the station faced financial difficulty. In June 2006, owner White Knight Broadcasting filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In a press release from the company, viewers and staff would "see no changes at the station". White Knight emerged from bankruptcy in October 2007. During the bankruptcy proceedings, owners of White Knight requested to merge many of the stations it owned, including WNTZ, into the fold of its parent company, Communications Corporation of America. The license change was granted by the FCC, and WNTZ was changed over to ComCorp of Alexandria License Corporation.Secondary affiliation with MyNetworkTV
On January 24, 2006, The WB and UPNUPN
United Paramount Network was a television network that was broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States from 1995 to 2006. UPN was originally owned by Viacom/Paramount and Chris-Craft Industries, the former of which, through the Paramount Television Group, produced most of the network's...
networks announced they would merge into a new singular network, The CW. In turn, Fox owner News Corporation
News Corporation
News Corporation or News Corp. is an American multinational media conglomerate. It is the world's second-largest media conglomerate as of 2011 in terms of revenue, and the world's third largest in entertainment as of 2009, although the BBC remains the world's largest broadcaster...
announced the creation of MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV is a television broadcast syndication service in the United States, owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a division of News Corporation...
for those stations left out in the cold due to The CW merger.
WNTZ became MyNetworkTV's home under a secondary affiliation agreement. WNTZ launched MyNetworkTV on September 4, 2006. The network airs on a time-delay basis, airing programming immediately after Fox prime time programming from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.
KBCA
KBCA
KBCA is a television station in Alexandria, Louisiana, broadcasting locally on channel 41 as an affiliate of the The CW network. It is owned by Carencro, Louisiana-based Wilderness Communications...
, which held The WB affiliation a mere six months prior to the announced CW merger, was announced as the Alexandria affiliate of The CW, which commenced operations on September 18, 2006. Former UPN station KWCE-LP
KWCE-LP
KWCE-LP, channel 27, is a television station in Alexandria, Louisiana. It is owned by Pollack/Belz Broadcasting Company , and is an affiliate of the Retro Television Network....
(channel 36 at the time), became an affiliate of Retro Television Network
Retro Television Network
The Retro Television Network is a system of television stations that airs classic television shows as well as more recently produced programs...
, and moved to channel 27 on the television dial.
Fox News Louisiana AM
WNTZ had not aired a newscast in its entire history until August 2007, when it debuted Fox News Louisiana AM in Alexandria to counter KALB and KLAX's national morning shows. Produced out of sister station WGMBWGMB
WGMB-TV is the local Fox affiliate for Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is owned by Communications Corporation of America, and is sister station to the area's The CW affiliate, WBRL-CD. WGMB also shared facilities and staff with WVLA-TV and KZUP-CD...
in Baton Rouge, the newscast, anchored by Rachel Slavik and Lauren Unger, featured eight weather updates an hour from meteorologist Jesse Gunkel. Even though Fox News Louisiana AM was more localized, content from the Alexandria area rarely aired. On 2 December 2008, WGMB cancelled the newscast due to cost cuts.
Digital television
At 9:03PM on February 17, 2009, WNTZ signed off analog 48 and began broadcasting exclusively on digital 49. Immediately after American Idol ended, Fox 48 ran the "Star-Spangled Banner" (the footage was dated from 1953, so the flag in the clip had only 48 stars) and the analog signal shut off. Digital antenna and cable viewers went immediately into scheduled MyNetworkTVMyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV is a television broadcast syndication service in the United States, owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a division of News Corporation...
programming.
WNTZ remains on its pre-transition channel, 49 using PSIP
Program and System Information Protocol
The Program and System Information Protocol is the protocol used in the ATSC digital television system for carrying metadata about each channel in the broadcast MPEG transport stream of a TV station and for publishing information about television programs so that viewers can select what to watch...
to display its virtual channel
Virtual channel
In telecommunications, a logical channel number , also known as virtual channel, is a channel designation which differs from that of the actual radio channel on which the signal travels....
as 48.
The low-power translators surrounding Alexandria will remain operational for the foreseeable future.
Cenla Idol
WNTZ has gained local notoriety with the Cenla Idol series of annual off-air singing competitions, based on the Fox television show American IdolAmerican Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
.
The local competition began in late 2002 exclusively on local radio station KQID-FM
KQID-FM
KQID-FM is a radio station broadcasting a Top 40 music format. The station serves the Alexandria, Louisiana area. The station is currently owned by Cenla Broadcasting.-External links:*...
, but eventually broadened with WNTZ-TV as the controlling partner (due to its Fox television affiliation), and a radio station {KHFX
KBKK
KBKK is a radio station broadcasting a Classic Country format. Licensed to Ball, Louisiana, USA, the station serves the Alexandria area. The station is currently owned by Opus Broadcasting Alexandria, LLC and features programing from CNN Radio....
(2003); KQID (2004–2006, 2010-2011); KLAA
KLAA-FM
KLAA-FM is a country music radio station broadcasting in the Alexandria, Louisiana radio market. The station is licensed to the community of Tioga located North North East of Alexandria in Rapides Parish...
(2009)} as the secondary partner. WNTZ legally sanctioned Cenla Idol with Fox as the official local American Idol competition beginning in the summer of 2003, and must legally sanction the competition each television season. With the TV/radio partnership, winners are rewarded with airfare and hotel accommodation to a locale where the American Idol auditions are held each season and given a guaranteed front-of-line audition for the show's producers.
Cenla Idol has varied in format over the years. Auditions are open to the public within the Alexandria market under American Idol's age guidelines. Contestants compete and are judged by a panel of local dignataries in an initial audition, a sing-off quarterfinal (2003–2006), and a two-part semifinal and final (known as the "Finale"). From 2003-2006, a sing-off quarterfinal round aired on the partner radio station. Started in 2010, contestants now sing on the radio in a non-elimination exhibition round in order to garner support for their fans to attend the Finale. In 2003 and 2004, the "Idol Twist" format was originated and introduced, sending the highest-scored individual from the auditions immediately to the competition's Finale. In 2005 and 2011, the ten semifinalists were immediately selected to the Finale. In 2006 and 2010, the auditions were expanded to "audition cities" around the market, mimicking the American Idol format in which contestants are allowed to audition multiple times (once in each "city") and given more opportunities to advance in the competition.
Cenla Idol has proved to be a publicity, marketing, and commercial success for WNTZ as two notable contestants from the competition made it past the initial audition rounds to advance to the Hollywood rounds of American Idol.
Pineville
Pineville, Louisiana
Pineville is a city in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is adjacent to the city of Alexandria, and is part of that city's Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 13,829 at the 2000 census....
native Dezmond Meeks, finishing third in 2003's Cenla Idol, auditioned in Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
for season four
American Idol (Season 4)
The fourth season of American Idol premiered on January 18, 2005 and continued until May 25, 2005. It was hosted by Ryan Seacrest. Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell also returned to judge. It was won by Carrie Underwood, who has gone on to become a five-time Grammy-winning country megastar...
of American Idol. In one of the show's more memorable auditions from season four, Meeks auditioned to James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
's "I Got You (I Feel Good)
I Got You (I Feel Good)
"I Got You " is a hit song by James Brown. Released as a single in 1965, it was one of Brown's signature songs, and is arguably his most widely-known recording.-Description:...
", where judge Paula Abdul
Paula Abdul
Paula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits...
said to fellow judges Randy Jackson
Randy Jackson
Randall Darius "Randy" Jackson is an American bassist, singer, record producer, music manager, A&R executive, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is best known as a judge on American Idol and executive producer for MTV's America's Best Dance Crew...
and Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
, "I quit!", if he did not advance to Hollywood. Meeks awaits an answer, and after about a minute of debating, Meeks made it through the audition after Randy Jackson folded.
After a sub-par trio audition with season four finalist Constantine Maroulis
Constantine Maroulis
Constantine James Maroulis is an American rock singer, actor, and writer from Wyckoff, New Jersey. He was the sixth-place finalist on the fourth season of the reality television series American Idol, and lead vocalist of the hard rock band Pray for the Soul of Betty...
in the Hollywood rounds phase, Meeks was eliminated prior to naming the Top 45 contestants. Meeks was among four contestants who were either born or lived in the Alexandria market who made it to the Hollywood rounds phase of American Idol, the most from any market in the U.S. for season four.
Shreveport
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
native Jenny Snider, who won the Cenla Idol competition in 2006, made it past the judges in the Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
audition for season six
American Idol (Season 6)
The sixth season of American Idol premiered on the Fox Broadcasting Company as a two-night, four-hour premiere special on January 16 and January 17, and ran until May 23, 2007. Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson returned to judge once again, and Ryan Seacrest returned as host...
of American Idol to go to Hollywood and was lightly featured on the show. Her Hollywood auditions were also cut short after two rounds.
The local television ratings for American Idol in Alexandria has remained high, due in part to Cenla Idol. The competition took a hiatus in 2007, but Cenla Idol returned in the summer of 2008, just in time for auditions for the eighth season
American Idol (season 8)
The eighth season of American Idol premiered on January 13, 2009, and concluded on May 20, 2009. Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson continued to judge the show's contestants, along with Ryan Seacrest as host. The season introduced Kara DioGuardi as the fourth judge on the Idol...
of American Idol.
One notable Cenla Idol judge in 2010 was Scott Savol
Scott Savol
Scott Thomas Savol is an American singer and was the 5th place finalist on the fourth season of American Idol.-Personal life:...
, fifth-place finisher during season four
American Idol (Season 4)
The fourth season of American Idol premiered on January 18, 2005 and continued until May 25, 2005. It was hosted by Ryan Seacrest. Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell also returned to judge. It was won by Carrie Underwood, who has gone on to become a five-time Grammy-winning country megastar...
of American Idol.
Cenla Idol Winners
| Year | Winner | Hometown | American Idol American Idol American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment... Season & Audition City |
American Idol American Idol American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment... Placement |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Shawn Aycock | Pineville Pineville, Louisiana Pineville is a city in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is adjacent to the city of Alexandria, and is part of that city's Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 13,829 at the 2000 census.... , LA Louisiana Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties... |
11 American Idol (season 11) The eleventh season of American Idol is scheduled to premiere on Fox on Sunday, January 22, 2012 following the 2011–12 NFL playoffs. The show will air on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8:00 PM/7:00 Central.-Judges and host:... - Houston Houston, Texas Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ... |
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| 2010 | Trey Thomas | Deville Deville, Louisiana Deville is a census-designated place in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is part of the Alexandria, Louisiana Metropolitan Statistical Area... , LA |
10 American Idol (season 10) The tenth season of American Idol premiered on January 19, 2011 and concluded on May 25, 2011, on Fox. The show underwent a number of changes from season nine, including the reduction of the judging panel to its original number of just three judges , a returning executive producer, a new music... - New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population... |
YouTube YouTube YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos.... semifinalist on America's Got Talent (season 6) America's Got Talent (season 6) The sixth season of America's Got Talent, a reality television series, premiered on May 31, 2011 on NBC. On September 14, 2011, Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr... ; bandmate of America's Got Talent (season 5) America's Got Talent (season 5) The fifth season of America's Got Talent, an American television reality show talent competition, premiered in the United States on the NBC network and on Canada's Global on June 1, 2010... contestant Taylor Mathews |
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| 2009 | Desmone Sanders | Alexandria Alexandria, Louisiana Alexandria is a city in and the parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies on the south bank of the Red River in almost the exact geographic center of the state. It is the principal city of the Alexandria metropolitan area which encompasses all of Rapides and Grant parishes.... , LA |
9 American Idol (season 9) The ninth season of American Idol premiered on January 12, 2010 and concluded on May 26, 2010 on Fox. Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi all returned as judges, and Ellen DeGeneres permanently replaced Paula Abdul as the fourth judge. Idol Gives Back also returned for the season and was... - Dallas Dallas, Texas Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States... |
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| 2008 | Jacey Cornell | Lecompte Lecompte, Louisiana Lecompte is a town in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is part of the Alexandria, Louisiana Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,366 at the 2000 census.... , LA |
8 American Idol (season 8) The eighth season of American Idol premiered on January 13, 2009, and concluded on May 20, 2009. Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson continued to judge the show's contestants, along with Ryan Seacrest as host. The season introduced Kara DioGuardi as the fourth judge on the Idol... - |
competed 3 times prior to win: 2nd in 2002, 3rd in first 2003 competition and 5th in second 2003 competition |
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| 2006 | Jenny Snider | Shreveport Shreveport, Louisiana Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States.... , LA |
6 American Idol (Season 6) The sixth season of American Idol premiered on the Fox Broadcasting Company as a two-night, four-hour premiere special on January 16 and January 17, and ran until May 23, 2007. Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson returned to judge once again, and Ryan Seacrest returned as host... - Memphis Memphis, Tennessee Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers.... |
Hollywood Round 2 | |
| 2005 | Naomi Carroll | West Monroe West Monroe, Louisiana West Monroe is a city in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 13,250 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area.... , LA |
5 American Idol (season 5) The fifth season of American Idol began on January 17, 2006 and concluded on May 24, 2006. Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell returned to judge, and Ryan Seacrest returned to host. It is the most successful season to date ratings-wise and also with 18 contestants getting record deals -... - Chicago |
former radio DJ at KBMQ KBMQ KBMQ is a radio station broadcasting a Contemporary Christian format. Licensed to Monroe, Louisiana, USA. The station is currently owned by Media Ministries and features programming from Salem Communications.... in Monroe Monroe, Louisiana Monroe is a city in and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 53,107, making it the eighth largest city in Louisiana. A July 1, 2007, United States Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 51,208, but 51,636... |
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| 2004 | Terry Perry | Alexandria, LA | 4 American Idol (Season 4) The fourth season of American Idol premiered on January 18, 2005 and continued until May 25, 2005. It was hosted by Ryan Seacrest. Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell also returned to judge. It was won by Carrie Underwood, who has gone on to become a five-time Grammy-winning country megastar... - New Orleans |
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| Deirdra Allen † | Alexandria, LA | Natchez Idol winner | |||
| 2003 | Jason Bordelon | Marksville Marksville, Louisiana Marksville is a city in and the parish seat of Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 5,537 at the 2000 census. Louisiana's first land-based casino, Paragon Casino Resort, opened in Marksville in June 1994... , LA |
3 American Idol (Season 3) The third season of American Idol premiered on Monday, January 19, 2004 and continued until May 26, 2004. The third season was won by Fantasia Barrino, who defeated Diana DeGarmo by an approximate margin of 2% ; the vote total was the highest recorded vote total in the show's history until the... - Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in... |
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| 2002 | Lance Welch | Montgomery Montgomery, Louisiana left|thumb|200px|First Baptist Church in MontgomeryMontgomery is a town in Grant Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 787 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Alexandria Metropolitan Statistical Area. Founded in 1712, even before New Orleans, Montgomery is situated on U.S... , LA |
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† Winner of "Natchez Idol" competition, produced by WNTZ prior to "Cenla Idol" in 2004. Even though Allen was sent to American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
to audition, she did not receive guaranteed audition spot since it was designated for the "Cenla Idol" winner. "Natchez Idol" competition held only one time.