WJTC
Encyclopedia
WJTC is an independent television station in Mobile, Alabama
and Pensacola, Florida
and is owned by Newport Television, LLC, which also owns WPMI
in Mobile. WJTC's transmitter is located in Robertsdale, Alabama
.
WJTC had a morning show called "Mornin" and also the area's first 9 p.m. newscast when it signed on the air. The broadcasts originated from downtown Pensacola. The 9 p.m. weeknight newscast was moved to 10 p.m. in the hopes of attracting more viewers, while the weekend 9 p.m. newscast continued, supplemented with national and international news from INN
from New York City
. The morning and evening newscasts were discontinued by May 31, 1986. Another attempt at a 9 p.m. local newscast was made many years later (after WJTC was sold and its facilities moved to Mobile).
In 1991, Clear Channel Communications, owner of WPMI
began a local marketing agreement
with WJTC. Mercury Broadcasting retained the license, but Clear Channel owned the programming. WJTC affiliated with the United Paramount Network upon its debut in 1995.
Clear Channel became the sole owner of WJTC in 2001. WJTC became an independent again on September 10, 2006, five days before the network ceased to exist in favor of The CW Television Network
. The station was passed over for both the CW affiliation (which went to WBPG; now WFNA) and that of another new network, MyNetworkTV
(which went to WFGX
).
In addition to rebranding as UTV 44 and a new website, WJTC will allow viewers to choose key programming for the station, such as which high-school sports or movies to broadcast. This was a tactic similar to that of WZMY-TV
in Derry, New Hampshire
, when that station began branding itself as myTV in summer
2005.
On April 20, 2007, Clear Channel entered into an agreement to sell its entire television stations group to Providence Equity Partners
. On March 15, 2008 WJTC and WPMI as well as all of the other Clear Channel Television properties were sold to Newport Television LLC, the company that Providence Equity created to run the newly acquired television stations.
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
and Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
and is owned by Newport Television, LLC, which also owns WPMI
WPMI-TV
WPMI is the NBC-affiliated television station for South Alabama and much of the Emerald Coast of Florida. Licensed to Mobile, the station broadcasts on digital UHF channel 15. WPMI's transmitter is located near Robertsdale. The station is owned by Newport Television, LLC as part of a duopoly with...
in Mobile. WJTC's transmitter is located in Robertsdale, Alabama
Robertsdale, Alabama
Robertsdale is a city in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 3,782. It is part of the Daphne–Fairhope–Foley Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
.
History
WJTC signed on in 1984 and was owned by the Mercury Broadcasting Company. The station had a general entertainment format consisting of old movies, cartoons, westerns, dramas, and a few classic sitcoms. "C44" was the on-air branding.WJTC had a morning show called "Mornin" and also the area's first 9 p.m. newscast when it signed on the air. The broadcasts originated from downtown Pensacola. The 9 p.m. weeknight newscast was moved to 10 p.m. in the hopes of attracting more viewers, while the weekend 9 p.m. newscast continued, supplemented with national and international news from INN
Independent Network News (US)
The Independent Network News was a nationally-syndicated nightly news program, seen from June 1980 until June 1990. The newscast was designed to serve the same purpose as the nightly network news programs, and was produced by Tribune Company-owned station WPIX in New York...
from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The morning and evening newscasts were discontinued by May 31, 1986. Another attempt at a 9 p.m. local newscast was made many years later (after WJTC was sold and its facilities moved to Mobile).
In 1991, Clear Channel Communications, owner of WPMI
WPMI-TV
WPMI is the NBC-affiliated television station for South Alabama and much of the Emerald Coast of Florida. Licensed to Mobile, the station broadcasts on digital UHF channel 15. WPMI's transmitter is located near Robertsdale. The station is owned by Newport Television, LLC as part of a duopoly with...
began 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...
with WJTC. Mercury Broadcasting retained the license, but Clear Channel owned the programming. WJTC affiliated with the United Paramount Network upon its debut in 1995.
Clear Channel became the sole owner of WJTC in 2001. WJTC became an independent again on September 10, 2006, five days before the network ceased to exist in favor of The CW Television Network
The CW Television Network
The CW Television Network is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network , and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB...
. The station was passed over for both the CW affiliation (which went to WBPG; now WFNA) and that of another new network, MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV
MyNetworkTV is a television broadcast syndication service in the United States, owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a division of News Corporation...
(which went to WFGX
WFGX
WFGX is a television station serving the Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida areas. The station is licensed to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and broadcasts on digital channel 50...
).
In addition to rebranding as UTV 44 and a new website, WJTC will allow viewers to choose key programming for the station, such as which high-school sports or movies to broadcast. This was a tactic similar to that of WZMY-TV
WZMY-TV
WBIN-TV is an independent station licensed to Derry, New Hampshire and serving the Boston market. Its transmitter is located on Merrill Hill in Hudson, New Hampshire. Owned by Carlisle One Media, the station has studios on A Street in Derry...
in Derry, New Hampshire
Derry, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 33,109 people, 12,537 households, and 8,767 families residing in the town. The population density was 924.8 people per square mile . There were 13,277 housing units at an average density of 143.2/km²...
, when that station began branding itself as myTV in summer
Summer
Summer is the warmest of the four temperate seasons, between spring and autumn. At the summer solstice, the days are longest and the nights are shortest, with day-length decreasing as the season progresses after the solstice...
2005.
On April 20, 2007, Clear Channel entered into an agreement to sell its entire television stations group to Providence Equity Partners
Providence Equity Partners
Providence Equity Partners is a global private equity investment firm focused on media, entertainment, communications and information investments...
. On March 15, 2008 WJTC and WPMI as well as all of the other Clear Channel Television properties were sold to Newport Television LLC, the company that Providence Equity created to run the newly acquired television stations.