WTVQ-DT is the ABC-affiliated television station for Lexington, Kentucky. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 40 from a transmitter located at the station's studios on the outer loop of Man o' War Boulevard (a.k.a. KY 1425) in the Brighton section of Fayette County. By coincidence, competitor WKYT-TV's studios are just across Winchester Road from the Channel 36 facilities. Although WTVQ no longer broadcasts an over-the-air analog signal, it can be seen on Insight cable channel 10 with a high definition signal on digital channel 908. It is owned by Morris Multimedia. Syndicated programming on the station includes: Judge Judy, Judge Joe Brown, Entertainment Tonight, and Extra. WTVQ operates the area's MyNetworkTV affiliate on its second digital subchannel. Known on-air as MyTVQ2, it is also offered on Insight digital cable channel 436.
| |
| Lexington, Kentucky | |
|---|---|
| Branding | ABC 36 (general)
ABC 36 News (news) MyTVQ2 (on DT2) |
| Slogan | Your LOCAL News Source.(general)
Your Weather Authority. (weather) |
| Channels | Digital: 40 (UHF) |
| Subchannels | 36.1 ABC
36.2 MyNetworkTV 36.3 Local Weather |
| Owner | Morris Multimedia |
| First air date | September 7, 1968 |
| Call letters' meaning | We Tell ViewersQuicker |
| Former callsigns | WBLG-TV (1968-1974)
WTVQ-TV (1974-2009) |
| Former channel number(s) | Analog:
62 (UHF, 1968-1980) 36 (UHF, 1980-2009) |
| Transmitter power | 635 kW |
| Height | 286 m |
| Facility ID | 51597 |
| Transmitter coordinates | 38°2′2.8″N84°23′37.6″W |
| Website | WTVQ.com |
Syndicated programming on this station includes: Cristina's Court, Judge Karen, The Insider, and Reno 911!.
WTVQ-DT is the official Louisville Cardinals sports carrier in Lexington, broadcasting live all local games taped by WHAS-TV in Louisville.[citation needed]
History
The station launched as WBLG-TV on September 7, 1968[1] and was located on channel 62. At the time, this was one of the highest full-power television channels assigned in the country. It was founded by Lexington area businessman Roy White and Reeves Broadcasting along with WBLG radio (AM 1300, now WLXG), and was the third commercial television station to begin broadcasting in the Lexington market.
From the first day of operation, and because of its radio sister's affiliation with ABC, WBLG was the ABC affiliate for central Kentucky. WKYT, the former primary affiliate with ABC, became theCBS affiliate. Reeves Broadcasting went into bankruptcy and eventually Mr. White ended up as the sole owner of WTVQ-TV. In 1974, the station changed its call letters to the current WTVQ-TV after Mr. White sold the TV station to the Starr brother's Starr Broadcasting company, while Mr. White retained ownership of WBLG radio. Eventually, Starr Broadcasting also went into bankruptcy. In 1979, Shamrock Broadcasting purchased the station from Starr Broadcasting. Shamrock was wholly owned by Roy Disney, nephew of Walt and son of Walt's brother Roy. In 1980, Shamrock installed a new 1.5 million watt transmitter and moved WTVQ from channel 62 to channel 36 (channel 62 is now the home of WBLU-LP). The station underwent a major renovation in 1985 that doubled the existing office space and created all new technical facilities. On January 30, 1992, Park Broadcasting purchased WTVQ from Shamrock Broadcasting.
In July 1995, Park Communications was sold to Gary B. Knapp and Donald R. Tomlin, Jr. under the name Park Acquisitions. Media Generalpurchased Park Acquisitions and its properties (including WTVQ) in January 1997. On February 26, 2002, it became central Kentucky 's first commercial television station to broadcast a digital television signal on UHF channel 40. Soon afterward, it became the area's first commercial digital television channel to broadcast programming in high definition. On October 29, 2007, Media General announced that it was exploring the sale of WTVQ.[2] On January 22, 2008, the Lexington Herald-Leader mentioned the sale of the station.[3] That headline was confirmed on March 7 when Media General announced it reached an agreement to sell WTVQ to Morris Multimedia for an undisclosed sales price.[4] That price will likely be disclosed with either the FCC or SEC though a media consulting analyst [5] in the $30–35 million dollar range. The sale became final on May 13. In June 2008, Morris Network named Chris Aldridge as General Manager of WTVQ. Aldridge previously served as the station's General Manager from 1992 until 1999. It was announced on October 31 that WTVQ would air the entire MyNetworkTV lineup on its second digital subchannel, replacing WBLU-LP.[6] On January 1, 2009, WTVQ-DT2 officially became a full-time MyNetworkTV affiliate under the branding "MyTVQ2". Right now, it simulcasts the 24-hour weather channel during overnights but will be fully programmed by April 2009. The station shutdown its analog signal at 11:59 P.M. on February 17.[7] WTVQ-TV's official calls became WTVQ-DT on June 17,2009.
Digital television
Digital Channels
MyTVQ2, which launched on January 1, 2009.
The stations digital channel is multiplexed:
| Virtual Channel | Digital Channel | Programming |
|---|---|---|
| 36.1 | 40.1 | Main WTVQ-DT/ABC Programming |
| 36.2 | 40.2 | Main MyTVQ2 & MyNetworkTV Programming |
| 36.3 | 40.3 | 36 24/7 |
In February 2009, WTVQ-TV's digital signal remained on channel 40 when the analog to digital conversion completed. In 2002, WTVQ was the first station in Lexington to broadcast a digital signal.
News operation
Good Morning Kentucky on ABC 36 which airs 5AM - 7AM.
On December 1, 2005, WTVQ launched a 24-hour local weather channel on its second digital subchannel and Insight digital cable channel 436. It moved to a new third digital subchannel on January 1, 2009 when "MyTVQ2" launched. This coincided with a new nightly 10 o'clock newscast called ABC 36 News at 10 that competes with Fox affiliate WDKY-TV whose 10 P.M. news is the highest-rated late local news in the Lexington market. In addition to the new 10 o'clock newscast on WTVQ-DT2, there are repeats of weekday newscasts that aired on the main channel. This includes the Noon news (at 1), the 6 P.M. broadcast (at 6:30), and the 11 o'clock news (at Midnight).[8] WTVQ was the last major network station in Lexington to broadcast their local news in high definition. Unlike most ABC affiliates, the station does not air local news at 5 during the week.
Current Newscasts
- Good Morning Kentucky (5-7:00AM)
- ABC 36 News @ Noon
- ABC 36 News @ 12:30
- ABC 36 News @ 5:30
- ABC 36 News @ 6:00
- ABC 36 News @ 10:00 (On myTVQ2)
- ABC 36 News @ 11:00
Newscast titles
- WBLG-TV News (1968-1972)
- 62 Newsroom
- Big 62 News (1972-1976)
- 62 NewsWatch (1970s-1980)
- NewsWatch 36 (1980-1981)
- 36 Eyewitness News (1981–1984)
- The News (1984–1986)
- TVQ/36 WTVQ Eyewitness News (1986–1990s)
- NewsChannel 36 (1990s–2004)
- Action News 36 (2004–2008)
- WTVQ 36 News (2008–2009)
- ABC 36 News (2009–present)
Station slogans
- Hello Kentucky (1980–1988)
- The Heart of the Bluegrass (1995–1997)
- On Your Side (2002–2003)
- Dedicated. Determined. Dependable. (2004–2008)
- Start Here, Stay Here. (April 2009-November 2009; localized version of ABC slogan)
- Your LOCAL News Source. (November 2009–2012)
- Your Weather Authority (weather slogan)
- Your Neighbors. Your News (May 2013-present)
News Team
Anchors
- Doug High - Good Morning Kentucky (5-7am)
- Kristi Runyon - Good Morning Kentucky (5-7am) and weekdays at Noon
- Tom Kenny - weeknights at 5:00, 6:00 & 11:00
- Christine Winter- weeknights at 5:00 & 6:00
- TBD - ABC 36 News weekends at 6:30 & 11:00
ABC 36 StormTeam Meteorologists
- Jennifer Schack - chief meteorologist; weeknights at 5:00pm, 6pm & 11pm - AMS Seal of Approval
- 'Geoff Cornish'- Meteorologist; Good Morning Kentucky (5:00-7am) & Noon - AMS Seal of Approval
- Lauren Jones- meteoroloigst; Weekends @ 6:30 & 11:00
Sports
- 'Dan Rieffer'- sports director, weeknights at 6:00 & 11:00
- Alex Risen - Weekends @ 6:30 & 11:00
Reporters
- Greg Stotelmyer - Senior Political Reporter
- Alissa Dos Santos
- Jacqueline Sprague
- Cate Slattery
- Mario Anderson
References
- ^ TV Guide, September 7–13, 1968, Kentucky edition.
- ^ Media General (2007-10-29). "Media General Exploring Sale of Five Television Stations". Press release. Retrieved 2007-10-30.
- ^ http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/293577.html
- ^ Media General (2008-03-07). "Media General Announces Sale of WTVQ-TV in Lexington, Ky., to Morris Network, Inc.". Press release. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
- ^ http://www.kentucky.com/454/story/340715.html interviewed by the Herald-Leader
- ^ Now a second chance to watch 'Smackdown'. Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved on October 31, 2008.
- ^ http://www.kentucky.com/211/story/689551.html
- ^ http://www.bizlex.com/Articles-c-2009-02-19-85162.113117_Aldridge_looks_to_bring_competitiveness_back_to_WTVQ.html
8. Media General (2008-01-22). "WTVQ Sale Likely Soon".[1] 9. Lexington Herald-Leader (2008-03-08). "Georgia media company buys Lexington's WTVQ". [2]