WNUV
Encyclopedia
WNUV, digital channel 40, is an affiliate of the CW Television Network, located in Baltimore, Maryland. WNUV is owned by Cunningham Broadcasting
, but is operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group
through a local marketing agreement
(LMA) with Fox
affiliate WBFF
(channel 45). However, WNUV is effectively owned by Sinclair due to Cunningham's financial structure (see below). The two stations share studios and office facilities in the Woodberry
section of Baltimore. WNUV's analog transmitter is located near Gilson Park in Catonsville, Maryland
, while its digital transmitter is located on Television Hill in Woodberry. Syndicated programming on WNUV includes: Family Guy
, The Simpsons
, Everybody Hates Chris
, and Tyra
.
(now part of CNBC
) and SuperTV
, a subscription television service. FNN programmed daytime hours, while subscription TV aired during the evening and late nights, as well as Sunday afternoons.
In the fall of 1984, WNUV-TV dropped weekday FNN programming and slowly began to add general-entertainment programs, such as cartoons, off-network reruns, and movies (which the station had already been running on weekends), while retaining Super TV programming at night and on Sunday afternoons. In the spring of 1986, the station ended its subscription TV service and became a full-time, conventional independent station, adopting the on-air name "Baltimore 54". At that time, channel 54 had morning and afternoon children's programming similar to WBFF's Captain Chesapeake
, hosted from a mock space ship by a Star Trek
-like crew of characters known as the "54 Space Corps". Also, during the mid-1980s, the station's ID included a "Pet of the Day," each of which was offered by a local viewer.
In 1989, WNUV-TV was bought by Abry Communications. Under its ownership, the station remained a full-time independent and picked up the broadcast rights to some Baltimore Orioles
games produced by Home Team Sports. The station showed Orioles games through 2006.
In 1994, Abry merged with Sinclair Broadcast Group
. However, Sinclair already owned WBFF and could not keep both stations. Accordingly, WNUV was purchased by Glencairn Ltd., headed by former Sinclair executive Edwin Edwards. The Smith family, owners and founders of Sinclair (which launched WBFF in 1971) owned 97 percent of Glencairn's stock, so Sinclair effectively owned both stations. Sinclair further circumvented the rules by signing a local marketing agreement with Glencairn, under which WNUV's operations were merged with those of WBFF. In effect, Sinclair had emasculated WBFF's major rival.
WNUV was Glencairn's first station and similar deals resulted in Glencairn owning 11 stations all operated by Sinclair under LMAs. The Federal Communications Commission
eventually fined Sinclair $40,000 in 2001 for illegally controlling Glencairn.
When the United Paramount Network
was launched in January 1995, WNUV became its Baltimore affiliate. However, in December 1997, the station became Baltimore's WB affiliate (low-power station WMJF-LP
had been the previous WB affiliate) in January 1998. UPN moved to Home Shopping Network
station WHSW (channel 24), which had been purchased by UPN part-owner Chris-Craft Industries
and became WUTB
.
WNUV launched a 6:30 PM newscast in 1997 called UPN 54 News at 6:30 (changed to WB 54 News at 6:30 in January 1998). The newscast shared the same news set and anchors as WBFF
's 10 PM newscast. In January 2005, Sinclair decided to move WNUV's 6:30 PM newscast to 5:30 PM on WBFF. The station currently airs no live newscast, but airs rebroadcasts of WBFF's weeknight 11:00 p.m. newscast at 12:30 a.m. the following morning.
Sinclair tried to purchase WNUV outright in 2001 as part of a merger with Glencairn. However, the FCC turned down the request because Baltimore was one of six markets where Sinclair could not legally have a duopoly. The Baltimore market, despite its relatively large size (it is the 24th-largest market) has only seven full-power stations (or six, if the two Maryland Public Television
stations licensed in the market are treated as one)--too few to legally permit a duopoly. The FCC requires a market to have eight unique station owners once a duopoly is formed—effectively limiting duopolies to markets with at least nine full-power stations. As a result, WNUV was one of five stations retained by Glencairn, which was renamed Cunningham Broadcasting. However, Cunningham (and WNUV) is still effectively owned by Sinclair since most of its stock is held by trusts owned by the Smith family. There is nearly uncontestable evidence that Glencairn/Cunningham has served as a corporate shell used by Sinclair to circumvent FCC ownership rules.
On January 24, 2006, the WB and UPN networks announced that they merge into a new network, known as the CW Television Network. A month later, Fox, which had bought WUTB in 2001, announced the formation of MyNetworkTV
, with WUTB and the other Fox-owned UPN affiliates as the nuclei. Conventional wisdom suggested that WNUV would become Baltimore's CW affiliate. However, when The CW released the first batch of affiliates outside its core group of stations owned by Tribune
and CBS
, WNUV wasn't on the list. Sinclair had announced it would affiliate most of its WB and UPN affiliates with MyNetworkTV a month after that network announced its formation, leading to speculation that WNUV would revert to independent status. It wasn't until May 2, 2006, that Sinclair affiliated most of its other UPN and WB affiliates, including WNUV, with the CW. The station's branding switched in September to "The CW Baltimore". The CW Television Network commenced operations on September 18, 2006.
From January 2007 to January 2008, DirecTV
carried WNUV nationally on channel 385 as the satellite provider's distant CW affiliate. It has since been replaced by WDCW
in Washington, D.C.
.
to display WNUV's virtual channel
as 54.
Cunningham Broadcasting
Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation is an owner of television stations in the United States. The company currently owns six stations—four affiliated with Fox Broadcasting Company , one affiliated with MyNetworkTV and one affiliated with The CW Television Network.Cunningham has very close ties to...
, but is operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group
Sinclair Broadcast Group
The Sinclair Broadcast Group is an American telecommunications company that operates the largest number of local television stations in the United States. Headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, it owns a total of 57 stations across the country in 35 primarily small and medium markets, many of...
through a local marketing agreement
Local marketing agreement
In U.S. and Canadian broadcasting, a local marketing agreement is an agreement in which one company agrees to operate a radio or television station owned by another licensee...
(LMA) with Fox
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 WBFF
WBFF
WBFF, channel 45, is a Fox-affiliated television station located in Baltimore, Maryland. WBFF is the flagship station of the Sinclair Broadcast Group, which also operates Baltimore's CW affiliate, WNUV-TV , through a local marketing agreement...
(channel 45). However, WNUV is effectively owned by Sinclair due to Cunningham's financial structure (see below). The two stations share studios and office facilities in the Woodberry
Woodberry, Baltimore
Woodberry is a neighborhood located in the north-central area of Baltimore, Maryland, USA. A largely residential, middle-class area, Woodberry is a historic community bordered on the north by Cold Spring Lane, on the south by Druid Hill Park, on the west by Greenspring Avenue, and on the east by...
section of Baltimore. WNUV's analog transmitter is located near Gilson Park in Catonsville, Maryland
Catonsville, Maryland
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:In 2010 Catonsville had a population of 41,567...
, while its digital transmitter is located on Television Hill in Woodberry. Syndicated programming on WNUV includes: Family Guy
Family Guy
Family Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
, The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
, Everybody Hates Chris
Everybody Hates Chris
Everybody Hates Chris is an African American television period sitcom inspired by the teenage experiences of comedian Chris Rock , while growing up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York . The show is set from 1982 to 1987; however, Rock himself was a teenager during years...
, and Tyra
The Tyra Banks Show
The Tyra Banks Show, also known as and shortened to Tyra or The Tyra Show, is an American talk show hosted by Tyra Banks. The last new episode aired on Friday, May 28, 2010.-2005-2009: Syndication:...
.
History
WNUV-TV began broadcasting on July 1, 1982, owned by a local firm called NUVision, Incorporated. The station was Baltimore's third UHF commercial outlet, but only the second on the air at the time (future sister station WBFF was the other). Channel 54 was originally programmed as a hybrid of weekday business news from the Financial News NetworkFinancial News Network
The Financial News Network was a television network that operated throughout the United States during the 1980s.-Founding:Financial News Network was founded in 1981 by two men: Rodney Buchser, who had been general manager of KWHY, Channel 22 in Los Angeles and Glenn Taylor. The concept originated...
(now part of CNBC
CNBC
CNBC is a satellite and cable television business news channel in the U.S., owned and operated by NBCUniversal. The network and its international spinoffs cover business headlines and provide live coverage of financial markets. The combined reach of CNBC and its siblings is 390 million viewers...
) and SuperTV
SuperTV
Super TV was an early form of subscription television which was offered to the public as either an additional viewing alternative to HBO & Showtime, or, like many in the area at that time who did not have cable service in their area. To many, Super TV served as the only choice to see recently-run...
, a subscription television service. FNN programmed daytime hours, while subscription TV aired during the evening and late nights, as well as Sunday afternoons.
In the fall of 1984, WNUV-TV dropped weekday FNN programming and slowly began to add general-entertainment programs, such as cartoons, off-network reruns, and movies (which the station had already been running on weekends), while retaining Super TV programming at night and on Sunday afternoons. In the spring of 1986, the station ended its subscription TV service and became a full-time, conventional independent station, adopting the on-air name "Baltimore 54". At that time, channel 54 had morning and afternoon children's programming similar to WBFF's Captain Chesapeake
Captain Chesapeake
Captain Chesapeake was a morning and afternoon children's show on WBFF in Baltimore, Maryland hosted by George A. Lewis who portrayed "Captain Chesapeake". The show aired from April 1971 until 1990...
, hosted from a mock space ship by a Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
-like crew of characters known as the "54 Space Corps". Also, during the mid-1980s, the station's ID included a "Pet of the Day," each of which was offered by a local viewer.
In 1989, WNUV-TV was bought by Abry Communications. Under its ownership, the station remained a full-time independent and picked up the broadcast rights to some Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
games produced by Home Team Sports. The station showed Orioles games through 2006.
In 1994, Abry merged with Sinclair Broadcast Group
Sinclair Broadcast Group
The Sinclair Broadcast Group is an American telecommunications company that operates the largest number of local television stations in the United States. Headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, it owns a total of 57 stations across the country in 35 primarily small and medium markets, many of...
. However, Sinclair already owned WBFF and could not keep both stations. Accordingly, WNUV was purchased by Glencairn Ltd., headed by former Sinclair executive Edwin Edwards. The Smith family, owners and founders of Sinclair (which launched WBFF in 1971) owned 97 percent of Glencairn's stock, so Sinclair effectively owned both stations. Sinclair further circumvented the rules by signing a local marketing agreement with Glencairn, under which WNUV's operations were merged with those of WBFF. In effect, Sinclair had emasculated WBFF's major rival.
WNUV was Glencairn's first station and similar deals resulted in Glencairn owning 11 stations all operated by Sinclair under LMAs. The 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...
eventually fined Sinclair $40,000 in 2001 for illegally controlling Glencairn.
When the United Paramount Network
UPN
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...
was launched in January 1995, WNUV became its Baltimore affiliate. However, in December 1997, the station became Baltimore's WB affiliate (low-power station WMJF-LP
WMJF-LP
WMJF-LP is low powered terrestrial Student television station broadcasting on channel 16 UHF in the Baltimore, Maryland area. Although it bears the legal -LP suffix in its call letters, it is a Class A television station, a slight upgrade from low-power status. The station is owned and operated by...
had been the previous WB affiliate) in January 1998. UPN moved to Home Shopping Network
Home Shopping Network
Home Shopping Network or HSN began in 1977 as a 24-hour/7 day a week home shopping television network televised via cable, satellite, and some terrestrial channels in the Philippines. HSN can also be shopped online at hsn.com...
station WHSW (channel 24), which had been purchased by UPN part-owner Chris-Craft Industries
Chris-Craft Industries
Chris-Craft Industries, Inc., formerly National Automotive Fibers, Inc., was a publicly-held American corporation traded on the New York and Pacific Stock Exchanges. It later took on the name of one of its acquisitions, Chris-Craft Boats...
and became WUTB
WUTB
WUTB, digital channel 41, is the MyNetworkTV owned-and-operated television station for Baltimore, Maryland. Its transmitter is located near Gilson Park in Catonsville. The station has studios on Seton Drive in Baltimore near the city and county line...
.
WNUV launched a 6:30 PM newscast in 1997 called UPN 54 News at 6:30 (changed to WB 54 News at 6:30 in January 1998). The newscast shared the same news set and anchors as WBFF
WBFF
WBFF, channel 45, is a Fox-affiliated television station located in Baltimore, Maryland. WBFF is the flagship station of the Sinclair Broadcast Group, which also operates Baltimore's CW affiliate, WNUV-TV , through a local marketing agreement...
's 10 PM newscast. In January 2005, Sinclair decided to move WNUV's 6:30 PM newscast to 5:30 PM on WBFF. The station currently airs no live newscast, but airs rebroadcasts of WBFF's weeknight 11:00 p.m. newscast at 12:30 a.m. the following morning.
Sinclair tried to purchase WNUV outright in 2001 as part of a merger with Glencairn. However, the FCC turned down the request because Baltimore was one of six markets where Sinclair could not legally have a duopoly. The Baltimore market, despite its relatively large size (it is the 24th-largest market) has only seven full-power stations (or six, if the two Maryland Public Television
Maryland Public Television
Maryland Public Television is a non-profit, state-licensed Public Broadcasting Service non-commercial educational public television state network which serves U.S. state of Maryland. Its six transmitters cover nearly all of the state, plus Washington, D.C...
stations licensed in the market are treated as one)--too few to legally permit a duopoly. The FCC requires a market to have eight unique station owners once a duopoly is formed—effectively limiting duopolies to markets with at least nine full-power stations. As a result, WNUV was one of five stations retained by Glencairn, which was renamed Cunningham Broadcasting. However, Cunningham (and WNUV) is still effectively owned by Sinclair since most of its stock is held by trusts owned by the Smith family. There is nearly uncontestable evidence that Glencairn/Cunningham has served as a corporate shell used by Sinclair to circumvent FCC ownership rules.
On January 24, 2006, the WB and UPN networks announced that they merge into a new network, known as the CW Television Network. A month later, Fox, which had bought WUTB in 2001, announced the formation 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...
, with WUTB and the other Fox-owned UPN affiliates as the nuclei. Conventional wisdom suggested that WNUV would become Baltimore's CW affiliate. However, when The CW released the first batch of affiliates outside its core group of stations owned by Tribune
Tribune Broadcasting
The Tribune Broadcasting Company is a group of radio and television stations located throughout the United States which are owned and operated by the Tribune Company, a media conglomerate based in Chicago, Illinois and named for the flagship Chicago Tribune newspaper.- History :Tribune Broadcasting...
and CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, WNUV wasn't on the list. Sinclair had announced it would affiliate most of its WB and UPN affiliates with MyNetworkTV a month after that network announced its formation, leading to speculation that WNUV would revert to independent status. It wasn't until May 2, 2006, that Sinclair affiliated most of its other UPN and WB affiliates, including WNUV, with the CW. The station's branding switched in September to "The CW Baltimore". The CW Television Network commenced operations on September 18, 2006.
From January 2007 to January 2008, DirecTV
DirecTV
DirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
carried WNUV nationally on channel 385 as the satellite provider's distant CW affiliate. It has since been replaced by WDCW
WDCW
WDCW, channel 50, is the CW-affiliated television station for Washington, D.C. It transmits from the Hughes Memorial Tower located in the Brightwood section of the city. Owned by the Tribune Company, the station has studios on Wisconsin Avenue Northwest in the Glover Park section of Washington...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
.
Digital television
| Channel | Name | Programming |
|---|---|---|
| 54.1 | WNUV-HD | Main WNUV programming / The CW |
| 54.2 | CoolTv | TheCoolTV TheCoolTV THECOOLTV is a United States over-the-air digital subchannel launched in March 2009. The network's current program schedule consists of an all-music video lineup that can be customized to meet an affiliate's preference, along with the three hours per week of E/I programming as required by the... . |
Analog-to-Digital Conversion
WNUV shut down its analog signal on February 17, 2009. The station remained on its pre-transition channel 40 using PSIPProgram 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 WNUV's 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 54.