WHNS
Encyclopedia
WHNS is the Fox
affiliate television station for western North
and South Carolina
. Licensed to Greenville, South Carolina
; it is owned by the Meredith Corporation
. It broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 21. Its studios are located just off Interstate 85
in Greenville, while transmitter is located atop Slick Rock Mountain, 5 miles southeast of Brevard, North Carolina
. The master control and commercial insertion has been located in the hub facility at Meredith's flagship station WGCL-TV
in Atlanta, Georgia since Fall 2009.
Syndicated programming on WHNS includes The Simpsons
, King of the Hill
, The Big Bang Theory
, Divorce Court
, How I Met Your Mother
, and The Nate Berkus Show
.
After several false starts, Pappas Telecasting of Fresno, California
bought the channel 21 license in 1979. In 1981, after numerous delays, Pappas found a transmitter site in the Spartanburg area that was near enough to Greenville to meet Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) requirements that a station's transmitter be no more than 15 miles from its city of license. Construction began in 1982 and the station went on the air on April 1, 1984. The call letters stand for Harry 'N Stella—after company founder Harry Pappas and his wife Stella. WGGS' repeater moved to WASV in Asheville (channel 62, now WYCW
).
The station ran a typical UHF independent schedule consisting of cartoons, sitcoms, old movies, drama shows and some sports. It became the dominant independent station
in the region, well ahead of WAXA-TV (channel 40, now WMYA-TV
). This was because it was the first general-entertainment independent station that decently covered this vast market. This area is also very mountainous, and WHNS needed every watt of its 5 million-watt effective radiated power
(ERP) to cover it. WAXA, in contrast, was practically unviewable in most of the North Carolina portion of the market.
Its first slogan was "It's Your Station", which was changed to "We're Your Station" (also used on then sister-stations KMPH-TV
in Fresno and KPTM
in Omaha
). WHNS-TV's first logo consisted of the call letters in a Subway
-esque logo with the channel number on the center bottom. That logo was used until the late 1980s.
Despite a stronger signal and wealthier ownership, WHNS was beaten out by WAXA to become the area's Fox affiliate in 1986. However, WAXA was forced into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the fall of 1988, and WHNS quickly snapped up the Fox affiliation. The station quickly dropped its original on-air name "TV21" in favor of "Fox 21". In 1990, the station was sold to Cannell Communications
. First Media Television acquired the station in 1994, and it acquired a secondary UPN
affiliation in January 1995, airing UPN programming in the late-night hours. The UPN affiliation moved in 1997 to WASV—ironically, by that time owned by Pappas. From around 1996 to 1999, WHNS carried a 10 pm newscast produced by WSPA-TV
. The partnership between the two stations ended in 1999, when WHNS launched its own news department.
WHNS was acquired by Meredith Corporation in 1997 as part of a group deal. In 2002, it began calling itself "Fox Carolina".
, WHNS is available on Savannah Valley Cablevision in McCormick
, which is part of the Augusta, GA
DMA
.
In Georgia
, WHNS was previously available on cable in Mountain City
, which is part of the Atlanta DMA.
WHNS effectively used Smith's popular likeness in much of their advertising through early 2008 when he abruptly parted with the station. WHNS never gave any explanation for Smith's disappearance from the broadcast, although all reports indicate a falling out between himself and then News Director Kayan Lewis. The station quickly had all links, ties, images, and video of Smith's ties to the station removed from the internet.
Diana Watson's popularity continues as co-anchor of the 10 pm news with Trent Butler, and Kendra Kent has replaced Michael Smith as the station's chief meteorologist.
On May 14, 2007, Assignment Editor Joe Loy was killed while on assignment. On a local highway, he was filming the aftermath of one accident when another occurred right behind him. He managed to get it on video as a white van, possibly made out-of-control by a red pickup truck, spun towards him. Police are seeking information about the red pickup, a "vehicle of interest".
In 2009, WHNS added a 6:30 pm newscast to its schedule. WHNS is one of the two network affiliated stations in this market that has not yet switched to high definition newscasts; however, on February 2, 2011, WHNS began airing its newscasts in 16:9 enhanced definition widescreen along with a new set and graphics package. Although not truly high definition, the broadcasts are rescanned and upconverted from their native 480i standard definition to the signal's 720p resolution before transmission to match the aspect ratio of HD television screens.
Weather Team
The station currently has no sports department, though one did exist in the past.
Reporters
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 western North
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
and South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. Licensed to Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
; it is owned by the Meredith Corporation
Meredith Corporation
The Meredith Corporation is a media conglomerate based in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The company has two divisions, National Media and Local Media.-History:...
. It broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 21. Its studios are located just off Interstate 85
Interstate 85
Interstate 85 is a major interstate highway in the Southeastern United States. Its current southern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 65 in Montgomery, Alabama; its northern terminus interchanges with Interstate 95 in Petersburg, Virginia, near Richmond...
in Greenville, while transmitter is located atop Slick Rock Mountain, 5 miles southeast of Brevard, North Carolina
Brevard, North Carolina
Brevard is a town in Transylvania County, North Carolina, United States. The 2005 population estimate by the United States Census Bureau was 6,643. It is the county seat of Transylvania County....
. The master control and commercial insertion has been located in the hub facility at Meredith's flagship station WGCL-TV
WGCL-TV
WGCL-TV, virtual channel 46.1 is the CBS-affiliated television station serving the Atlanta, Georgia area. Its city of license is Atlanta, and the station is owned by Meredith Corporation, making it the largest-market CBS station not owned by the network...
in Atlanta, Georgia since Fall 2009.
Syndicated programming on WHNS includes 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...
, King of the Hill
King of the Hill
King of the Hill is an American animated dramedy series created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, that ran from January 12, 1997, to May 6, 2010, on Fox network. It centers on the Hills, a working-class Methodist family in the fictional small town of Arlen, Texas...
, The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory is an American sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, both of whom serve as executive producers on the show, along with Steven Molaro. All three also serve as head writers...
, Divorce Court
Divorce Court
Divorce Court is a judge show about cases which only involve divorcing couples. Out of the shows currently airing in the court-themed genre, Divorce Court is the oldest...
, How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother is an American sitcom that premiered on CBS on September 19, 2005, created by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays.As a framing device, the main character, Ted Mosby with narration by Bob Saget, in the year 2030 recounts to his son and daughter the events that led to his meeting...
, and The Nate Berkus Show
The Nate Berkus Show
The Nate Berkus Show, commonly referred to as The Nate Show, is a syndicated talk show hosted by interior designer Nate Berkus, which premiered on September 13, 2010....
.
History
A construction permit was issued for channel 21 in Greenville as early as 1953. The permit went through about a dozen owners and many legal and environmental hurdles needed to be cleared, which prevented the station from being built. In the meantime, Christian station WGGS used channel 21 as a low-powered relay to improve its coverage in Asheville.After several false starts, Pappas Telecasting of Fresno, California
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
bought the channel 21 license in 1979. In 1981, after numerous delays, Pappas found a transmitter site in the Spartanburg area that was near enough to Greenville to meet 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) requirements that a station's transmitter be no more than 15 miles from its city of license. Construction began in 1982 and the station went on the air on April 1, 1984. The call letters stand for Harry 'N Stella—after company founder Harry Pappas and his wife Stella. WGGS' repeater moved to WASV in Asheville (channel 62, now WYCW
WYCW
WYCW is the CW-affiliated television station for Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina licensed to Asheville, North Carolina. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 45 from a transmitter on Pinnacle Mountain Road, south of Green River Township's Jeter Mountain...
).
The station ran a typical UHF independent schedule consisting of cartoons, sitcoms, old movies, drama shows and some sports. It became the dominant independent station
Independent station
An independent station is in the category of television terminology used to describe a television station broadcasting in the United States or Canada that is not affiliated with any television network....
in the region, well ahead of WAXA-TV (channel 40, now WMYA-TV
WMYA-TV
WMYA-TV is the MyNetworkTV-affiliated television station for Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina licensed to Anderson, South Carolina. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 14 from a transmitter in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. The station can also be seen on...
). This was because it was the first general-entertainment independent station that decently covered this vast market. This area is also very mountainous, and WHNS needed every watt of its 5 million-watt effective radiated power
Effective radiated power
In radio telecommunications, effective radiated power or equivalent radiated power is a standardized theoretical measurement of radio frequency energy using the SI unit watts, and is determined by subtracting system losses and adding system gains...
(ERP) to cover it. WAXA, in contrast, was practically unviewable in most of the North Carolina portion of the market.
Its first slogan was "It's Your Station", which was changed to "We're Your Station" (also used on then sister-stations KMPH-TV
KMPH-TV
KMPH-TV is a television station in Fresno, California broadcasting digitally on television channel 28, and is licensed to nearby Visalia. It is the Fresno-area affiliate of the Fox Broadcasting Company. It is owned by Titan Broadcast Group and is sister station to KFRE-TV, the Central Valley's CW...
in Fresno and KPTM
KPTM
KPTM is the Fox-affiliated television station for Omaha, Nebraska. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 43 from a transmitter south of Gretna and I-80. The station can also be seen on Cox channel 10 and in high definition on digital channel 710...
in Omaha
Omaha
Omaha may refer to:*Omaha , a Native American tribe that currently resides in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Nebraska-Places:United States* Omaha, Nebraska* Omaha, Arkansas* Omaha, Georgia* Omaha, Illinois* Omaha, Texas...
). WHNS-TV's first logo consisted of the call letters in a Subway
Subway (restaurant)
Subway is an American restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads. It is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. . Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with 35,519 restaurants in 98 countries and territories as of October 25th, 2011...
-esque logo with the channel number on the center bottom. That logo was used until the late 1980s.
Despite a stronger signal and wealthier ownership, WHNS was beaten out by WAXA to become the area's Fox affiliate in 1986. However, WAXA was forced into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the fall of 1988, and WHNS quickly snapped up the Fox affiliation. The station quickly dropped its original on-air name "TV21" in favor of "Fox 21". In 1990, the station was sold to Cannell Communications
Stephen J. Cannell
Stephen Joseph Cannell was an American television producer, writer, novelist and occasional actor, and the founder of Stephen J. Cannell Productions.-Early life:...
. First Media Television acquired the station in 1994, and it acquired a secondary UPN
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...
affiliation in January 1995, airing UPN programming in the late-night hours. The UPN affiliation moved in 1997 to WASV—ironically, by that time owned by Pappas. From around 1996 to 1999, WHNS carried a 10 pm newscast produced by WSPA-TV
WSPA-TV
WSPA-TV channel 7 is the CBS-affiliated television station for western North Carolina and South Carolina. It is licensed to Spartanburg, South Carolina with its transmitter is located on Hogback Mountain southwest of Tryon, North Carolina. Owned by Media General, the station is sister to CW...
. The partnership between the two stations ended in 1999, when WHNS launched its own news department.
WHNS was acquired by Meredith Corporation in 1997 as part of a group deal. In 2002, it began calling itself "Fox Carolina".
Digital programming
| Channel | Programming |
|---|---|
| 21.1 | Main WHNS programming / FOX |
| 21.2 | Weather Radar |
Post-analog shutdown
WHNS shut down analog transmissions on June 12, 2009 , and moved its digital broadcasts back to its previous analog channel number, 21.Out-of-market cable coverage
In South CarolinaSouth Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, WHNS is available on Savannah Valley Cablevision in McCormick
McCormick, South Carolina
McCormick is a town in McCormick County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,489 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of McCormick County.-Geography:McCormick is located at ....
, which is part of the Augusta, GA
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
DMA
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...
.
In Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, WHNS was previously available on cable in Mountain City
Mountain City, Georgia
Mountain City is an incorporated town in Rabun County, Georgia, United States. The population was 829 at the 2000 census. The town straddles the Eastern Continental Divide in a deep gap in the Blue Ridge Mountain front. The gap allows U.S...
, which is part of the Atlanta DMA.
News operation
The station quickly became popular through the broadcasting work of then Chief Meteorologist Michael Smith. He joined the Fox Carolina team in 2002 and became an instant local celebrity and success. Smith, along with evening news anchor Diana Watson, helped to quickly multiply the local viewership audience. Watson, Smith, and several others in the Fox Carolina team brought much recognition and attention to the station by receiving numerous awards for their achievements in broadcasting excellence.WHNS effectively used Smith's popular likeness in much of their advertising through early 2008 when he abruptly parted with the station. WHNS never gave any explanation for Smith's disappearance from the broadcast, although all reports indicate a falling out between himself and then News Director Kayan Lewis. The station quickly had all links, ties, images, and video of Smith's ties to the station removed from the internet.
Diana Watson's popularity continues as co-anchor of the 10 pm news with Trent Butler, and Kendra Kent has replaced Michael Smith as the station's chief meteorologist.
On May 14, 2007, Assignment Editor Joe Loy was killed while on assignment. On a local highway, he was filming the aftermath of one accident when another occurred right behind him. He managed to get it on video as a white van, possibly made out-of-control by a red pickup truck, spun towards him. Police are seeking information about the red pickup, a "vehicle of interest".
In 2009, WHNS added a 6:30 pm newscast to its schedule. WHNS is one of the two network affiliated stations in this market that has not yet switched to high definition newscasts; however, on February 2, 2011, WHNS began airing its newscasts in 16:9 enhanced definition widescreen along with a new set and graphics package. Although not truly high definition, the broadcasts are rescanned and upconverted from their native 480i standard definition to the signal's 720p resolution before transmission to match the aspect ratio of HD television screens.
Station slogans
- It's Your Station! (1984–1988)
- We're Your Station! (1988–1992)
- Carolina's Only Primetime Newscast (1996–1999)
Current on-air staff
Anchors- Cody Alcorn - weekday mornings "Fox Carolina: The Morning News" (7-9 a.m.)
- Dan Bubany - weekday mornings "Fox Carolina: The Morning News" (5-7 a.m.)
- Margaret Burnquist - weekday mornings "Fox Carolina: The Morning News" (7-9 a.m.)
- Trent Butler - weeknights at 6:30 and 10 p.m.
- Lauren Elise - weekday mornings "Fox Carolina: The Morning News" (5-7 a.m.)
- Jade Hindmon - weekends at 10 p.m.; also weeknight reporter
- Diana Watson - weeknights at 6:30 and 10 p.m.
Weather Team
- Kendra Kent (AMSAmerican Meteorological SocietyThe American Meteorological Society promotes the development and dissemination of information and education on the atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic sciences and the advancement of their professional applications. Founded in 1919, the American Meteorological Society has a membership...
Seal of Approval) - Chief Meteorologist; weeknights at 6:30 and 10 p.m. - Alexandra Wilson (AMS Certified Broadcast MeteorologistCertified Broadcast MeteorologistCertified Broadcast Meteorologist is a rating for meteorologists given by the American Meteorological Society.The Certified Broadcast Meteorologist program was established to raise the professional standard in broadcast meteorology and encourage a broader range of scientific understanding,...
Seal of Approval) - Meteorologist; weekday mornings "Fox Carolina: The Morning News" - Andy Wood - Meteorologist; weekends at 10 p.m.
The station currently has no sports department, though one did exist in the past.
Reporters
- Jenna Caiazzo - general assignment reporter
- Greg Funderburg - general assignment reporter
- Will Jones - morning reporter
- Jennifer Phillips - general assignment reporter; also fill-in anchor
- Marie Waxel - general assignment reporter
- Adrian Acosta - Multimedia Journalist
- Joe Gagnon - general assignment reporter
- Dana Wachter - general assignment reporter
Repeater stations
In order to reach viewers in valleys of North Carolina, WHNS has 6 low power repeater stations:- W14AS channel 14 West Asheville
- W35AV channel 35 Black MountainBlack Mountain, North CarolinaBlack Mountain is a town in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 7,511 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town is named for the Black Mountain range of the Blue Ridge range in the Southern Appalachians.-History:Black...
- W57BG channel 57 CantonCanton, North CarolinaCanton is the second largest town in Haywood County, North Carolina, United States. It is located about west of Asheville, North Carolina and is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town is named after the city of Canton, Ohio.- History :...
/WaynesvilleWaynesville, North CarolinaWaynesville is a town in and the county seat of Haywood County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest town in Haywood County and the largest in Western North Carolina west of Asheville. Waynesville is located about or 50 km southwest of Asheville between the Great Smoky and Blue... - W64BO channel 64 FranklinFranklin, North CarolinaFranklin is a town in Franklin Township, Macon County, North Carolina, United States, within the Nantahala National Forest. The population was 3,490 as of the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Macon County. Franklin is an official Appalachian Trail friendly destination...
- W66BU channel 66 SylvaSylva, North CarolinaSylva is an incorporated town located in central Jackson County, in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 2,588. It is the county seat, having taken over from nearby Webster in 1913.-Geography:Sylva...
- W69CN channel 69 Bryson CityBryson City, North CarolinaBryson City is a town in Swain County, North Carolina in the United States. The population was 1,353 as of 2009, a decrease of 4.1% since the 2000 census...