WNOL-TV
Encyclopedia
WNOL-TV, virtual channel
38, is the CW-affiliated television station in New Orleans, Louisiana
. It broadcasts on UHF digital channel 15. It is owned by Tribune Broadcasting
, in a duopoly with ABC
affiliate WGNO
.
The station's broadcasts its HD 1080i digital signal on UHF 15. WNOL had been sharing digital channel 15 with WGNO
. On June 12, 2009, sister station WGNO flash cut to UHF channel 26. This allowed on WNOL to resume high definition broadcasting on UHF channel 15. Through the use of PSIP
, digital television receivers display WNOL-TV's virtual channel
as "38".
This TV
programming broadcast on sub-channel 38.2 can also be located on Cox
channel 117 and Charter
channel 174.
, running a variety of cartoons, sitcoms, older movies, drama shows, and religious programs (a lot of which were formerly seen on WGNO
). Its slogan was, "Don't Stay Home Without Us," a homage to Karl Malden
's American Express
commercial campaign.
In 1985, the station was sold to the TVX Broadcast Group
. Along with the other stations in the TVX group, WNOL affiliated with Fox
in 1986 (it has been said that when WGNO passed on the Fox affiliation, TVX used WNOL's affiliation with Fox as leverage to get Fox on its other stations, TVX actually affiliated all their stations with Fox). In 1987, TVX acquired Taft Broadcasting
's independent stations and Fox affiliates. The next year, TVX sold off many of its stations. In 1989 TVX sold WNOL to Qwest Broadcasting, a company owned by minority investors led by musician Quincy Jones
. WNOL continued to offer Fox programming, cartoons, sitcoms, movies, and drama shows into the 1990s.
In 1995, Fox entered into a partnership with Savoy Pictures
to buy several television stations, one of them being New Orleans's longtime ABC affiliate WVUE
(channel 8). As a result, the Fox affiliation, including Fox Kids
programming, moved from WNOL to WVUE on January 1, 1996. WNOL, on the other hand, acquired the WB
affiliation from WGNO—which in turn picked up ABC from WVUE. As the 1990s progressed, WNOL began to shift away from classic sitcoms and moved toward more talk and reality shows during the day.
Tribune Broadcasting
(which then owned a stake in the WB network) began to manage WNOL in 1996 under a local marketing agreement
, and purchased the station outright in 2000 (as part of a merger with Qwest), making WNOL and WGNO sister stations. Along with other similarly formatted stations, WNOL began to move away from cartoons in 2000. When Kids' WB ended its weekday run in 2006, WNOL dropped weekday cartoons.
In 2007, WNOL moved to new studio facilities at the Galleria Center in Metairie, Louisiana, which are shared with WGNO.
destroyed WNOL's transmitters along with those of its sister station WGNO. The stations then transmitted via analog service from a multi-purpose tower in Algiers. The stations were broadcasting their digital content as sub-channels of station WPXL
until March 29, 2008, when WNOL's current digital transmitter on digital channel 15 was brought into service. It was decided by Tribune that because they elected to move WGNO's digital signal back to channel 26 with the June 12, 2009 digital transition, that they would wait to relaunch WGNO's digital signal and instead combine WGNO and WNOL's digital services onto WNOL's channel space until June 2009 and flash-cut
WGNO at the end of the analog era.
From March 29, 2008 until June 12, 2009, WNOL's digital signal was divided into a full high definition 720p
signal on 15.1 for WGNO's programming (which identified via PSIP as channel 26.1), while WNOL's schedule aired in 480i
standard definition on 15.2 (flagged via PSIP as 38.1); local cable provider Cox Communications
continued to receive a 1080i
feed of WNOL's signal via a fiber optic connection for their HD customers who wanted to watch CW programming in high definition. On June 12, 2009 when WGNO's analog service ended, their programming moved fully to digital channel 26, allowing WNOL to resume digital broadcasting in 1080i
for the first time since August 2005.
. WNOL was announced as the New Orleans affiliate of the CW, which commenced operations on September 18, 2006. Former UPN station WUPL
(channel 54), then owned by the CBS Corporation
(now owned by the Belo Corporation), became an affiliate of MyNetworkTV
, a new service owned by the News Corporation
.
WNOL may also take on the responsibility of airing ABC
programs when WGNO is not able to such as in a news-related emergency.
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....
38, is the CW-affiliated television station in New Orleans, Louisiana
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...
. It broadcasts on UHF digital channel 15. It is owned by Tribune Broadcasting
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...
, in a duopoly with ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
affiliate WGNO
WGNO
WGNO, channel 26, is the ABC-affiliated television station for the greater New Orleans, Louisiana metropolitan area, as well parts of southern and coastal Mississippi. It is owned by Tribune Broadcasting, and is the only Big Three network affiliate owned by the company.The station offers ABC...
.
Digital television
| Channel | Video | Aspect Aspect ratio The aspect ratio of a shape is the ratio of its longer dimension to its shorter dimension. It may be applied to two characteristic dimensions of a three-dimensional shape, such as the ratio of the longest and shortest axis, or for symmetrical objects that are described by just two measurements,... |
Programming |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38.1 | 1080i 1080i 1080i is the shorthand name for a high-definition television mode. The i means interlaced video; 1080i differs from 1080p, in which the p stands for progressive scan. The term 1080i assumes a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9, implying a frame size of 1920×1080 pixels... |
16:9 16:9 16:9 is an aspect ratio with a width of 16 units and height of 9. Since 2009, it has become the most common aspect ratio for sold televisions and computer monitors and is also the international standard format of HDTV, Full HD, non-HD digital television and analog widescreen television ... |
Main WNOL programming / The CW |
| 38.2 | 480i 480i 480i is the shorthand name for a video mode, namely the US NTSC television system or digital television systems with the same characteristics. The i, which is sometimes uppercase, stands for interlaced, the 480 for a vertical frame resolution of 480 lines containing picture information; while NTSC... |
4:3 | This TV This TV This TV is a United States general entertainment television network, with a large emphasis in its programming on movies.... |
The station's broadcasts its HD 1080i digital signal on UHF 15. WNOL had been sharing digital channel 15 with WGNO
WGNO
WGNO, channel 26, is the ABC-affiliated television station for the greater New Orleans, Louisiana metropolitan area, as well parts of southern and coastal Mississippi. It is owned by Tribune Broadcasting, and is the only Big Three network affiliate owned by the company.The station offers ABC...
. On June 12, 2009, sister station WGNO flash cut to UHF channel 26. This allowed on WNOL to resume high definition broadcasting on UHF channel 15. Through the use of 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...
, digital television receivers display WNOL-TV'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 "38".
This TV
This TV
This TV is a United States general entertainment television network, with a large emphasis in its programming on movies....
programming broadcast on sub-channel 38.2 can also be located on Cox
Cox Communications
Cox Communications is a privately owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises providing digital cable television, telecommunications and wireless services in the United States...
channel 117 and Charter
Charter Communications
Charter Communications is an American company providing cable television, high-speed Internet, and telephone services to more than 4.7 million customers in 25 states. By revenues, it is the fourth-largest cable operator in the United States, behind Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Cox Communications...
channel 174.
History
WNOL-TV signed on in March 1984 as a general entertainment independent television station as well as New Orleans' second, after WGNOWGNO
WGNO, channel 26, is the ABC-affiliated television station for the greater New Orleans, Louisiana metropolitan area, as well parts of southern and coastal Mississippi. It is owned by Tribune Broadcasting, and is the only Big Three network affiliate owned by the company.The station offers ABC...
, running a variety of cartoons, sitcoms, older movies, drama shows, and religious programs (a lot of which were formerly seen on WGNO
WGNO
WGNO, channel 26, is the ABC-affiliated television station for the greater New Orleans, Louisiana metropolitan area, as well parts of southern and coastal Mississippi. It is owned by Tribune Broadcasting, and is the only Big Three network affiliate owned by the company.The station offers ABC...
). Its slogan was, "Don't Stay Home Without Us," a homage to Karl Malden
Karl Malden
Karl Malden was an American actor. In a career that spanned more than seven decades, he performed in such classic films as A Streetcar Named Desire, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, On the Waterfront and One-Eyed Jacks...
's American Express
American Express
American Express Company or AmEx, is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Three World Financial Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Founded in 1850, it is one of the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is best...
commercial campaign.
In 1985, the station was sold to the TVX Broadcast Group
TVX Broadcast Group
The TVX Broadcast Group was an American media company that owned a group of UHF television stations during the 1980s. Originally known as the Television Corporation, the company was headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, and was founded by a group of Norfolk-area businessmen led by Timothy McDonald...
. Along with the other stations in the TVX group, WNOL affiliated 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...
in 1986 (it has been said that when WGNO passed on the Fox affiliation, TVX used WNOL's affiliation with Fox as leverage to get Fox on its other stations, TVX actually affiliated all their stations with Fox). In 1987, TVX acquired Taft Broadcasting
Taft Broadcasting
The Taft Broadcasting Company, also known as Taft Television and Radio Company, Incorporated, was an American media conglomerate based in Cincinnati, Ohio....
's independent stations and Fox affiliates. The next year, TVX sold off many of its stations. In 1989 TVX sold WNOL to Qwest Broadcasting, a company owned by minority investors led by musician Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones
Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
. WNOL continued to offer Fox programming, cartoons, sitcoms, movies, and drama shows into the 1990s.
In 1995, Fox entered into a partnership with Savoy Pictures
Savoy Pictures
Savoy Pictures Inc. was an independent motion picture company in operation from 1992 to 1997.-History:Victor A. Kaufman became chairman and chief executive officer of Savoy Pictures in 1992 along with vice chairman executive, Lewis J. Korman...
to buy several television stations, one of them being New Orleans's longtime ABC affiliate WVUE
WVUE
WVUE-DT, broadcasting on virtual channel 8, is a TV station in New Orleans, Louisiana, affiliated with the Fox Broadcasting Company. WVUE is owned by Louisiana Media Company, with studios in the Gert Town section of New Orleans and transmitter in Chalmette, Louisiana.- Digital television :WVUE-DT...
(channel 8). As a result, the Fox affiliation, including Fox Kids
Fox Kids
Fox Kids was the Fox Broadcasting Company's American children's programming division and brand name from September 8, 1990 until September 7, 2002. It was owned by Fox Television Entertainment airing programming on Monday–Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings.Depending on the show, the...
programming, moved from WNOL to WVUE on January 1, 1996. WNOL, on the other hand, acquired the WB
The WB Television Network
The WB Television Network is a former television network in the United States that was launched on January 11, 1995 as a joint venture between Warner Bros. and Tribune Broadcasting. On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Warner Bros...
affiliation from WGNO—which in turn picked up ABC from WVUE. As the 1990s progressed, WNOL began to shift away from classic sitcoms and moved toward more talk and reality shows during the day.
Tribune Broadcasting
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...
(which then owned a stake in the WB network) began to manage WNOL in 1996 under 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...
, and purchased the station outright in 2000 (as part of a merger with Qwest), making WNOL and WGNO sister stations. Along with other similarly formatted stations, WNOL began to move away from cartoons in 2000. When Kids' WB ended its weekday run in 2006, WNOL dropped weekday cartoons.
In 2007, WNOL moved to new studio facilities at the Galleria Center in Metairie, Louisiana, which are shared with WGNO.
Hurricane Katrina and aftermath
Hurricane KatrinaHurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
destroyed WNOL's transmitters along with those of its sister station WGNO. The stations then transmitted via analog service from a multi-purpose tower in Algiers. The stations were broadcasting their digital content as sub-channels of station WPXL
WPXL
WPXL-TV is the local Ion Television affiliate in New Orleans, Louisiana, owned by Ion Media Networks. It broadcasts on virtual channel 49....
until March 29, 2008, when WNOL's current digital transmitter on digital channel 15 was brought into service. It was decided by Tribune that because they elected to move WGNO's digital signal back to channel 26 with the June 12, 2009 digital transition, that they would wait to relaunch WGNO's digital signal and instead combine WGNO and WNOL's digital services onto WNOL's channel space until June 2009 and flash-cut
Flash-cut
A flash-cut, also called flash-cutover, is an immediate change in a complex system, with no phase-in period.Some telephone area codes were split immediately, rather than being phased in with a permissive dialing period. An example is telephone area code 213, which was split into 213 and 714 all at...
WGNO at the end of the analog era.
From March 29, 2008 until June 12, 2009, WNOL's digital signal was divided into a full high definition 720p
720p
720p is the shorthand name for 1280x720, a category of High-definition television video modes having a resolution of 1080 or 720p and a progressive scan...
signal on 15.1 for WGNO's programming (which identified via PSIP as channel 26.1), while WNOL's schedule aired in 480i
480i
480i is the shorthand name for a video mode, namely the US NTSC television system or digital television systems with the same characteristics. The i, which is sometimes uppercase, stands for interlaced, the 480 for a vertical frame resolution of 480 lines containing picture information; while NTSC...
standard definition on 15.2 (flagged via PSIP as 38.1); local cable provider Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Cox Communications is a privately owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises providing digital cable television, telecommunications and wireless services in the United States...
continued to receive a 1080i
1080i
1080i is the shorthand name for a high-definition television mode. The i means interlaced video; 1080i differs from 1080p, in which the p stands for progressive scan. The term 1080i assumes a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9, implying a frame size of 1920×1080 pixels...
feed of WNOL's signal via a fiber optic connection for their HD customers who wanted to watch CW programming in high definition. On June 12, 2009 when WGNO's analog service ended, their programming moved fully to digital channel 26, allowing WNOL to resume digital broadcasting in 1080i
1080i
1080i is the shorthand name for a high-definition television mode. The i means interlaced video; 1080i differs from 1080p, in which the p stands for progressive scan. The term 1080i assumes a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9, implying a frame size of 1920×1080 pixels...
for the first time since August 2005.
From The WB to The CW
On January 24, 2006, the WB and UPN networks announced they would merge into a new network called The CWThe 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...
. WNOL was announced as the New Orleans affiliate of the CW, which commenced operations on September 18, 2006. Former UPN station WUPL
WUPL
WUPL, virtual channel 54, is the MyNetworkTV-affiliated television station for the Greater New Orleans, Louisiana area. It is licensed to the Northshore community of Slidell. It is currently owned by the Belo Corporation, in a duopoly with CBS affiliate WWL-TV. It broadcasts on UHF digital channel...
(channel 54), then owned by the CBS Corporation
CBS Corporation
CBS Corporation is an American media conglomerate focused on commercial broadcasting, publishing, billboards and television production, with most of its operations in the United States. The President and CEO of the company is Leslie Moonves. Sumner Redstone, owner of National Amusements, is CBS's...
(now owned by the Belo Corporation), became an affiliate 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...
, a new service owned by the 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...
.
WNOL may also take on the responsibility of airing ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
programs when WGNO is not able to such as in a news-related emergency.