WPAG-TV
Encyclopedia
WPAG-TV was a television station
in Ann Arbor, Michigan
assigned to Channel 20 from 1953-1957.
WPAG, Washtenaw County
's first TV station, first signed on in April 1953; it was also one of the first UHF stations in Michigan, with Saginaw
's WKNX-TV
signing on the same month.
WPAG-TV was owned by the same people (Washtenaw Broadcasting) who operated WPAG radio (now WTKA
). Art Greene (president) and Edward Baughn (general manager) were listed as both owning 50% of the station's stock; studios were located in downtown Ann Arbor, in the same building as the radio station. As of 1955, WPAG-TV broadcast during the evening hours only, from 6pm to 11:30pm. WPAG-TV was nominally an independent station
, but is believed to have been at least a part-time DuMont
affiliate . After the demise of DuMont, the station allowed the University of Michigan to supply educational programming.
In December 1957, WPAG-TV suspended operations after a failed attempt to get an allocation for Channel 12. The license for Channel 20 was later assigned to WJMY-TV
in Allen Park, which barely made it to the air (one night in 1968). WMYD-TV has held the frequency since 1972.
After WPAG's demise, Ann Arbor would not see another TV station for a generation; WUOM-TV, to be operated by University of Michigan
, was assigned Channel 26 in 1958, but never made it to the air. Finally, in 1981, independent WRHT signed on; they are now WPXD
, an affiliate of Ion Television.
Television station
A television station is a business, organisation or other such as an amateur television operator that transmits content over terrestrial television. A television transmission can be by analog television signals or, more recently, by digital television. Broadcast television systems standards are...
in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
assigned to Channel 20 from 1953-1957.
WPAG, Washtenaw County
Washtenaw County, Michigan
Washtenaw County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 344,791. Its county seat is Ann Arbor. The United States Office of Management and Budget defines the county as part of the Detroit–Warren–Flint Combined Statistical Area...
's first TV station, first signed on in April 1953; it was also one of the first UHF stations in Michigan, with Saginaw
Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw was once a thriving lumber town and manufacturing center. Saginaw and Saginaw County lie in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan...
's WKNX-TV
WEYI-TV
WEYI-TV is the NBC-affiliated television station for the Flint/Tri-Cities market that is licensed to Saginaw. The station broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 30 from a 193 kilowatt, high transmitter at its studios on West Willard Road in Vienna Township along the Genesee and...
signing on the same month.
WPAG-TV was owned by the same people (Washtenaw Broadcasting) who operated WPAG radio (now WTKA
WTKA
WTKA is a radio station located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that broadcasts on 1050 AM. Day power is 10 kW, night power is 500 W. The station covers most of southeast Michigan....
). Art Greene (president) and Edward Baughn (general manager) were listed as both owning 50% of the station's stock; studios were located in downtown Ann Arbor, in the same building as the radio station. As of 1955, WPAG-TV broadcast during the evening hours only, from 6pm to 11:30pm. WPAG-TV was nominally an 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....
, but is believed to have been at least a part-time DuMont
DuMont Television Network
The DuMont Television Network, also known as the DuMont Network, DuMont, Du Mont, or Dumont was one of the world's pioneer commercial television networks, rivalling NBC for the distinction of being first overall. It began operation in the United States in 1946. It was owned by DuMont...
affiliate . After the demise of DuMont, the station allowed the University of Michigan to supply educational programming.
In December 1957, WPAG-TV suspended operations after a failed attempt to get an allocation for Channel 12. The license for Channel 20 was later assigned to WJMY-TV
WJMY-TV
WJMY-TV is a defunct television station based in Allen Park, Michigan assigned to channel 20 for the Detroit market following WPAG-TV going off the air in December 1957....
in Allen Park, which barely made it to the air (one night in 1968). WMYD-TV has held the frequency since 1972.
After WPAG's demise, Ann Arbor would not see another TV station for a generation; WUOM-TV, to be operated by University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, was assigned Channel 26 in 1958, but never made it to the air. Finally, in 1981, independent WRHT signed on; they are now WPXD
WPXD
WPXD-TV is a television station licensed to Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is the Ion Television network affiliate for the Southeastern Michigan market.-Digital programming:...
, an affiliate of Ion Television.