W23BZ
Encyclopedia
W23BZ is a low-power
independent commercial television station in Columbus, Ohio
. It broadcasts locally on channel 23, as well as nationally via Sky Angel
. The station presents a variety of syndicated general entertainment programming, plus infomercials and shopping on overnights. It previously offered classic television programs such as Quincy, M.E.
and Family Ties
in the afternoon and evening hours.
From 1989 to 2008, W23BZ was owned by the Trinity Broadcasting Network
, and served as a satellite repeater for the network.
On March 30, 2006, the station was granted a construction permit to begin converting operations to digital television.
In July 2008, it was announced that the Guardian Enterprise Group would sell its original, full-powered station, WSFJ-TV
, to TBN for $16 million. http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6577962.html In exchange, Guardian acquired W23BZ from TBN in an affiliation swap of their respective channels, and transferred WSFJ's programming to that channel on October 1, 2008. However, Guardian found themselves at a disadvantage, as, having moved to a low-power signal, they lost their must-carry
status; as a result, Guardian urged viewers to contact their cable systems to pick up GTN after the move to channel 23. http://gtn51.com/cms/ As of December 2009, Guardian reached an agreement for W23BZ carried on Insight Communications
channel 283, and WOW channel 192, leaving Time Warner Cable
as the sole cable system to yet carry W23BZ on either analog or digital services.
On September 26, 2011, W23BZ-D picked up Bounce TV
upon its launch; the station will carry its programming on channel 23.1, mixed in with local programming and syndicated fare acquired from other sources.
The station's digital channel is multiplexed:
Digital channels>
Channel
Name
Programming
23.1
W23BZ-D1
main GTN programming
23.2
W23BZ-D2
Azteca América
Low-power broadcasting
Low-power broadcasting is electronic broadcasting at very low power and low cost, to a small community area.The terms "low-power broadcasting" and "micropower broadcasting" should not be used interchangeably, because the markets are not the same...
independent commercial television station in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
. It broadcasts locally on channel 23, as well as nationally via Sky Angel
Sky Angel
Sky Angel U.S. LLC. describes itself as a "Christian-owned and operated multi-channel television service specializing in Christian and family-friendly TV and radio programming." It is one of the first niche-oriented television providers in the United States....
. The station presents a variety of syndicated general entertainment programming, plus infomercials and shopping on overnights. It previously offered classic television programs such as Quincy, M.E.
Quincy, M.E.
Quincy, M.E., also called Quincy, is a United States television series from Universal Studios that aired from October 3, 1976, to September 5, 1983, on NBC...
and Family Ties
Family Ties
Family Ties is an American sitcom that aired on NBC for seven seasons, from 1982 to 1989. The sitcom reflected the move in the United States from the cultural liberalism of the 1960s and 1970s to the conservatism of the 1980s. This was particularly expressed through the relationship between young...
in the afternoon and evening hours.
From 1989 to 2008, W23BZ was owned by the Trinity Broadcasting Network
Trinity Broadcasting Network
The Trinity Broadcasting Network is a major American Christian television network. TBN is based in Costa Mesa, California, with auxiliary studio facilities in Irving, Texas; Hendersonville, Tennessee; Gadsden, Alabama; Decatur, Georgia; Miami, Florida; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Orlando, Florida; and New...
, and served as a satellite repeater for the network.
On March 30, 2006, the station was granted a construction permit to begin converting operations to digital television.
In July 2008, it was announced that the Guardian Enterprise Group would sell its original, full-powered station, WSFJ-TV
WSFJ-TV
WSFJ-TV is a Trinity Broadcasting Network-owned and operated television station in Columbus, Ohio, licensed to Newark. It broadcasts in digital on UHF channel 24.-History:...
, to TBN for $16 million. http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6577962.html In exchange, Guardian acquired W23BZ from TBN in an affiliation swap of their respective channels, and transferred WSFJ's programming to that channel on October 1, 2008. However, Guardian found themselves at a disadvantage, as, having moved to a low-power signal, they lost their must-carry
Must-carry
In cable television, governments apply a must-carry regulation stating that locally-licensed television stations must be carried on a cable provider's system.- Canada :...
status; as a result, Guardian urged viewers to contact their cable systems to pick up GTN after the move to channel 23. http://gtn51.com/cms/ As of December 2009, Guardian reached an agreement for W23BZ carried on Insight Communications
Insight Communications
Insight Communications is the 13th largest multiple system operator in the United States with approximately 692,000 customers in the three contiguous states of Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio...
channel 283, and WOW channel 192, leaving Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable is an American cable television company that operates in 28 states and has 31 operating divisions...
as the sole cable system to yet carry W23BZ on either analog or digital services.
On September 26, 2011, W23BZ-D picked up Bounce TV
Bounce TV
Bounce TV is a United States television network airing on digital terrestrial television stations. Promoted as "the first 24/7 digital multicast broadcast network created exclusively for African Americans," Bounce TV launched on September 26, 2011 and features programming geared toward blacks in...
upon its launch; the station will carry its programming on channel 23.1, mixed in with local programming and syndicated fare acquired from other sources.
Digital television
In late February 2011, W23BZ was off-the-air as it flash cutted to digital broadcast. The station returned to the air as W23BZ-D on March 2, 2011.The station's digital channel is multiplexed:
Azteca América
Azteca América is a broadcast television network marketed toward Spanish-speaking families residing in the United States. As a rapidly-growing Spanish language network, Azteca América now reaches 89% of the Hispanic households in the U.S., operating in sixty-two markets nationwide. Wholly owned by...
See also
- .2 Network.2 Network.2 Network was the name of a planned television network designed for digital television subchannels owned by Guardian Enterprise Group that will replace the GTN network on a date never announced....
-- future general entertainment network owned by the Guardian Enterprise Group