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{{short description|CW affiliate in Decatur, Illinois}}
{{short description|TV station in Decatur, Illinois}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = WBUI
| callsign = WBUI
| city = Decatur, Illinois
| city = Decatur, Illinois
| logo = [[File:WBUI Logo.png|235px]]
| logo = WBUI 2024.svg
| slogan = ''Dare to Defy''
| logo_size = 235px
| branding = CW 23 ''(general)''<br>''[[WICS|NewsChannel 20]] Sunrise'' ''(morning newscasts)''<br>''[[WRSP-TV|Fox Champaign News]]'' ''(9{{nbsp}}p.m. newscasts)''
| branding = {{ubl|CW 23 ''(general)''|''[[NewsChannel 20]] Sunrise'' (morning newscasts)|''[[WRSP-TV|Fox Champaign News]]'' (9{{nbsp}}p.m. newscasts)}}
| digital = 22 ([[ultra high frequency|UHF]])
| digital = 22 ([[UHF]])
| virtual = 23 ([[Program and System Information Protocol|PSIP]])
| virtual = 23
| subchannels =
| subchannels =
| translators =
| translators =
| affiliations = '''23.1:''' [[The CW]]<br>'''23.2:''' [[Dabl]]<br>'''23.3:''' [[Stadium (sports network)|Stadium]]
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''23.1:''' [[The CW]]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}}
| network =
| network =
| owner = GOCOM Media, [[Limited liability company|LLC]]
| owner = GOCOM Media, [[LLC]]
| licensee = GOCOM Media of Illinois, LLC
| licensee = GOCOM Media of Illinois, LLC
| operator = [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]]<br>''(via [[local marketing agreement|JSA]]/[[shared services|SSA]])''
| operator = [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] via [[local marketing agreement|JSA]]/[[shared services|SSA]]
| location = [[Decatur, Illinois|Decatur]]/[[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]]/<br>[[Champaign, Illinois|Champaign]]/[[Urbana, Illinois]]
| location = {{ubl|[[Decatur, Illinois|Decatur]]–[[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]]–|[[Champaign]]–[[Urbana, Illinois]]}}
| country = United States
| country = United States
| founded = December 28, 1983
| founded = December 28, 1983
| airdate = {{start date and age|1984|5|14|p=y}} <ref>The ''Broadcasting and Cable Yearbook'' says May 14, while the ''Television and Cable Factbook'' says May 13.</ref>
| airdate = {{start date and age|1984|5|14|p=y}}{{efn|The ''Broadcasting and Cable Yearbook'' says May 14, while the ''Television and Cable Factbook'' says May 13.}}
| last_airdate =
| last_airdate =
| callsign_meaning = The '''WB''' (former affiliation) and [[University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign|'''U'''niversity of '''I'''llinois]] (allusion of service to Champaign/Urbana)
| callsign_meaning = The WB (former affiliation) and [[University of Illinois]] (allusion of service to Champaign–Urbana)
| sister_stations = WRSP-TV, WCCU, WICS, [[WICD (TV)|WICD]]
| sister_stations = '''broadcast:''' WRSP-TV/WCCU, WICS/[[WICD (TV)|WICD]]<br>'''cable:''' [[Fox Sports Midwest]],<ref name="SinclairRSNs">{{cite web|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/238222/sinclair-completes-10-6b-rsn-purchase/|title=Sinclair Closes $10.6B Disney RSN Purchase|last=Miller|first=Mark K.|work=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheckMedia|date=August 23, 2019|access-date=August 23, 2019}}</ref> [[Marquee Sports Network]]
| former_callsigns = WFHL (1984–1998)<br>WPXU (1998–1999)
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WFHL (1984–1998)|WPXU (1998–1999)}}
| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:'''<br>23 (UHF, 1984–2009)
| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:''' 23 (UHF, 1984–2009)
| former_affiliations = '''Primary:'''<br>[[Religious broadcasting|Religious]] [[Independent station (North America)|Independent]] (1984–1998)<br>[[Ion Television|Pax]] (1998–1999)<br>[[The WB]] (1999–2006)<br>'''Secondary:'''<br>[[UPN]] (1998–2002)<br>'''DT2:'''<br>[[This TV]] (20??–2019)
| former_affiliations = {{ubl|[[Religious broadcasting|Religious]] [[Independent station|Independent]] (1984–1998)|[[Ion Television|Pax]] (1998–1999)|[[The WB]] (1999–2006)|[[UPN]] (secondary, 1998–2002)}}
| erp = 325 [[kilowatt|kW]]
| erp = 325 [[kW]]
| haat = {{convert|401|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| haat = {{convert|401|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| class = [[digital terrestrial television|DT]]
| class =
| facility_id = 16363
| facility_id = 16363
| coordinates = {{nowrap|{{coord|39|56|56|N|88|50|12|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}}}
| coordinates = {{coord|39|56|56|N|88|50|12|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{url|http://cw23tv.com/}}
| website = {{url|https://cw23tv.com/}}
}}
}}


'''WBUI''', [[virtual channel]] 23 ([[ultra high frequency|UHF]] [[digital terrestrial television|digital]] channel 22), is a [[The CW|CW]]-[[network affiliate|affiliated]] [[television station]] [[city of license|licensed]] to [[Decatur, Illinois]], United States and serving the [[Central Illinois]] region. The station is owned by GOCOM Media, [[Limited liability company|LLC]], as part of a [[duopoly (broadcasting)|duopoly]] with [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]]-licensed [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate [[WRSP-TV]], channel 55 (and its [[broadcast relay station#Semi-satellites|semi-satellite]], [[Urbana, Illinois|Urbana]]-licensed WCCU, channel 27). Both outlets are operated through [[Local marketing agreement|joint sales]] and [[shared services]] agreements (JSA/SSA) by the [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]], making them [[sister station]]s to Springfield-licensed [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate [[WICS]], channel 20 (and its semi-satellite, [[Champaign, Illinois|Champaign]]-licensed [[WICD (TV)|WICD]], channel 15). WBUI, WRSP and WICS share studios on East Cook Street in Springfield's [[Springfield, Illinois#Cityscape|Eastside]]; WBUI maintains an advertising sales office on South Main Street/[[U.S. Route 51|US 51]] in downtown Decatur and transmitter facilities in [[Whitmore Township, Macon County, Illinois|Whitmore Township]] (between [[Oreana, Illinois|Oreana]] and [[Interstate 72|I-72]]).
'''WBUI''' (channel 23) is a [[television station]] licensed to [[Decatur, Illinois]], United States, serving the [[Central Illinois]] region as an affiliate of [[The CW]]. It is owned by GOCOM Media, [[LLC]], alongside [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]]-licensed [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate [[WRSP-TV]], channel 55 (and its [[semi-satellite]], [[Urbana, Illinois|Urbana]]-licensed WCCU, channel 27). GOCOM maintains [[Local marketing agreement|joint sales]] and [[shared services]] agreements (JSA/SSA) with [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]], owner of Springfield-licensed [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate [[WICS]], channel 20 (and its semi-satellite, [[Champaign]]-licensed [[WICD (TV)|WICD]], channel 15), for the provision of certain services. WBUI, WRSP and WICS share studios on East Cook Street in Springfield's [[Springfield, Illinois#Cityscape|Eastside]]; WBUI maintains an advertising sales office on South Main Street/[[U.S. Route 51 in Illinois|US 51]] in downtown Decatur and transmitter facilities in [[Whitmore Township, Macon County, Illinois|Whitmore Township]] (between [[Oreana, Illinois|Oreana]] and [[I-72]]).


==History==
==History==
The station signed on May 14, 1984 as '''WFHL''' and was owned by the local [[International Church of the Foursquare Gospel|Foursquare Church]]. One half of the station's programming was [[Christianity|Christian]] programming with shows such as ''[[The 700 Club]]'' and local [[religious broadcasting|religious programs]]. The station's original studios were located on North Parkway Court in Decatur. The other half of the schedule consisted of recent barter [[animated cartoon|cartoons]], some older cartoons, family-oriented off-network [[drama (film and television)|drama]] shows, classic [[sitcom]]s, [[Western (genre)|westerns]], and old [[feature film|movies]].
The station signed on May 14, 1984, as WFHL and was owned by the local [[Foursquare Church]]. One half of the station's programming was Christian programming with shows such as ''[[The 700 Club]]'' and local [[religious broadcasting|religious programs]]. The station's original studios were located on North Parkway Court in Decatur. The other half of the schedule consisted of recent barter [[animated cartoon|cartoons]], some older cartoons, family-oriented off-network [[drama (film and television)|drama]] shows, classic sitcoms, [[westerns]], and old [[feature film|movies]].


In 1998, the station was sold to [[Paxson Communications]] who renamed the station '''WPXU'''. The station replaced most hours of programming with [[infomercial]]s until it joined the company's [[Ion Television|Pax]] network at its launch on August 31, 1998. At that point, the syndicated shows aired by previous ownership were dropped entirely. On October 5, WPXU added a secondary affiliation with [[UPN]] as did several other Paxson-owned stations.<ref name=h&r-wpxuupn>{{cite news|last=Burke|first=David|title=`Air exchange' puts UPN on WPXU|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_multi=&p_product=DH&p_theme=dh&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_text_search-0=WPXU%20Pax&s_dispstring=WPXU%20Pax%20AND%20date%289/1/1998%20to%209/30/1998%29&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=9/1/1998%20to%209/30/1998%29&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no|access-date=April 23, 2012|newspaper=[[Herald & Review]]|date=September 18, 1998}}</ref>
In 1998, the station was sold to Paxson Communications, who renamed the station WPXU. The station replaced most hours of programming with [[infomercial]]s until it joined the company's [[Ion Television|Pax TV]] network at its launch on August 31, 1998. At that point, the syndicated shows aired by previous ownership were dropped entirely. On October 5, WPXU added a secondary affiliation with [[UPN]] as did several other Paxson-owned stations.<ref name=h&r-wpxuupn>{{cite news|last=Burke|first=David|title='Air exchange' puts UPN on WPXU|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_multi=&p_product=DH&p_theme=dh&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_text_search-0=WPXU%20Pax&s_dispstring=WPXU%20Pax%20AND%20date%289/1/1998%20to%209/30/1998%29&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=9/1/1998%20to%209/30/1998%29&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no|access-date=April 23, 2012|newspaper=[[Herald & Review]]|date=September 18, 1998}}</ref>


[[ACME Communications]] acquired the station from Paxson on June 2, 1999 and changed it to [[The WB|WB]] affiliate '''WBUI'''. (Paxson, now [[Ion Media|Ion Media Networks]], promptly moved the [[WPXU-TV]] call letters to its station in [[Jacksonville, North Carolina]]). At this point, some of the syndicated shows previously airing on the station returned along with mix of classic sitcoms and cartoons. Even after the sale, the station retained its secondary UPN affiliation with ACME expanding the arrangement to [[KPLR-TV]] in [[St. Louis]] and [[WBXX-TV]] in [[Knoxville, Tennessee|Knoxville]] by 2000.<ref name=v-acmeupn>{{cite news|last=Schneider|first=Michael|title=Sharing the wealth|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117776652?refcatid=18&printerfriendly=true|access-date=April 22, 2012|newspaper=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=February 22, 2000}}</ref>
[[ACME Communications]] acquired the station from Paxson on June 2, 1999, and changed it to [[The WB|WB]] affiliate WBUI. (Paxson, now [[Ion Media Networks]], promptly moved the [[WPXU-TV]] call letters to its station in [[Jacksonville, North Carolina]]). At this point, some of the syndicated shows previously airing on the station returned along with mix of classic sitcoms and cartoons. Even after the sale, the station retained its secondary UPN affiliation with ACME expanding the arrangement to [[KPLR-TV]] in [[St. Louis]] and [[WBXX-TV]] in [[Knoxville]] by 2000.<ref name=v-acmeupn>{{cite news|last=Schneider|first=Michael|title=Sharing the wealth|url=https://variety.com/2000/biz/news/sharing-the-wealth-1117776652/|access-date=April 22, 2012|newspaper=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=February 22, 2000}}</ref>


When WCFN (now [[WCIX]]) joined UPN in 2002, WBUI became a sole WB affiliate. Gradually from about 2000 until 2005, the station phased out most cartoons and classic sitcoms for more recent sitcoms, talk shows, and court shows. In September 2006 with the merge between UPN and The WB, WBUI (owned by a [[Jamie Kellner|former WB network executive]]) took The CW affiliation by default while WCFN joined the other new broadcast television network, [[MyNetworkTV]]. On June 20, 2007, GOCOM Media announced its intent to purchase this station from ACME Communications.<ref>http://www.acmecommunications.com/pages/news_releases.html?d=121667</ref> The sale was approved on September 14 by the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) which waived its [[duopoly (broadcasting)|duopoly]] rules for the sale.
When WCFN (now [[WCIX]]) joined UPN in 2002, WBUI became a sole WB affiliate. Gradually from about 2000 until 2005, the station phased out most cartoons and classic sitcoms for more recent sitcoms, talk shows, and court shows. In September 2006 with the merge between UPN and The WB, WBUI (owned by a [[Jamie Kellner|former WB network executive]]) took The CW affiliation by default while WCFN joined the other new broadcast television network, [[MyNetworkTV]]. On June 20, 2007, GOCOM Media announced its intent to purchase this station from ACME Communications.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.acmecommunications.com/pages/news_releases.html?d=121667 |title=ACME Communications |website=acmecommunications.com |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070905012617/http://www.acmecommunications.com/pages/news_releases.html?d=121667 |archive-date=September 5, 2007}}</ref> The sale was approved on September 14 by the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) which waived its [[duopoly (broadcasting)|duopoly]] rules for the sale.


The Central Illinois [[media market|market]] did not have enough station owners at the time to legally permit another duopoly under normal conditions (there was already an existing duopoly in the market, [[Nexstar Media Group|Nexstar Broadcasting]]'s [[WCIA]] and WCFN) but ACME claimed it was losing money on WBUI and could not find a buyer that did not require a duopoly waiver. The sale to GOCOM Media officially closed on October 25, 2007.<ref>http://www.acmecommunications.com/pages/news_releases.html?d=129751</ref> At that point, the station consolidated its operations from its original studios at North Parkway Court in Decatur into WRSP's facilities in Springfield.
The Central Illinois [[media market|market]] did not have enough station owners at the time to legally permit another duopoly under normal conditions (there was already an existing duopoly in the market, [[Nexstar Broadcasting]]'s [[WCIA]] and WCFN). However, ACME and GOCOM sought a "failed station" waiver for the deal. ACME claimed it was losing money on WBUI and could not find a buyer that did not require a duopoly waiver. The sale to GOCOM Media officially closed on October 25, 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.acmecommunications.com/pages/news_releases.html?d=129751 |title=ACME Communications |website=acmecommunications.com |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707081053/http://www.acmecommunications.com/pages/news_releases.html?d=129751 |archive-date=July 7, 2011}}</ref> At that point, the station moved its operations from its original studios at North Parkway Court in Decatur into WRSP's facilities on Old Rochester Road in Springfield.


On [[New Year's Eve|December 31]], 2012, the Sinclair Broadcast Group closed on the purchase of the non-license assets of GOCOM's three television stations (WRSP/WCCU and sister station WBUI) for approximately $25.6 million. Sinclair provides sales and other non-programming services to the stations pursuant to shared services and joint sales agreements.<ref>http://www.sbgi.net/site_mgr/temp/FINAL%20Q4%2012%20%20Press%20Release_sjybnjj2.shtml</ref> Both WBUI and WRSP were initially operated from separate facilities from WICS/WICD. However, WCCU quickly moved its advertising sales operation from its location on South Neil Street/[[U.S. Route 45 in Illinois|US 45]] in Champaign into WICD's studios. Eventually, WRSP and WBUI also moved from their offices on Old Rochester Road in Springfield and were consolidated into WICS' facility.
On [[New Year's Eve|December 31]], 2012, the Sinclair Broadcast Group closed on the purchase of the non-license assets of GOCOM's three television stations (WRSP/WCCU and sister station WBUI) for approximately $25.6&nbsp;million. Sinclair provides sales and other non-programming services to the stations pursuant to shared services and joint sales agreements.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sbgi.net/site_mgr/temp/FINAL%20Q4%2012%20%20Press%20Release_sjybnjj2.shtml |title=Sinclair Broadcast Group |website=sbgi.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817050712/http://sbgi.net/site_mgr/temp/FINAL%20Q4%2012%20%20Press%20Release%5Fsjybnjj2%2Eshtml |archive-date=August 17, 2013}}</ref> Both WBUI and WRSP were initially operated from separate facilities from WICS/WICD. However, WCCU quickly moved its advertising sales operation from its location on South Neil Street/[[U.S. Route 45 in Illinois|US 45]] in Champaign into WICD's studios. Eventually, WRSP and WBUI also moved from their offices in Springfield and were consolidated into WICS' facility.


Through a previous arrangement with WICS, the ABC outlet's weekday morning [[meteorologist]] provided WBUI with [[weather forecasting|weather forecasts]] seen on-air (during its airing of ''[[The Daily Buzz]]'') and through its website that were taped in advance. The segments were appropriately titled '''''C'''-More '''W'''eather'' (owing to its CW affiliation). WBUI no longer offers ''The Daily Buzz'' as part of its schedule.
Through a previous arrangement with WICS, the ABC outlet's weekday morning [[meteorologist]] provided WBUI with [[weather forecasts]] seen on-air (during its airing of ''[[The Daily Buzz]]'') and through its website that were taped in advance. The segments were appropriately titled ''C-More Weather'' (owing to its CW affiliation). WBUI no longer offers ''The Daily Buzz'' as part of its schedule.


==Technical information==
==Digital channels==
===Subchannels===
The station's digital signal is [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
The station's signal is [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
⚫
|+Subchannels of WBUI<ref>[http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WBUI#station RabbitEars TV Query for WBUI]</ref>
⚫
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
⚫
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
⚫
! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" | Short name
! scope = "col" | Programming
|-
|-
! scope = "row" | 23.1
⚫
! [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
⚫
| [[1080i]] || rowspan="4" | [[16:9]] || CW || [[The CW]]
⚫
! [[Display resolution|Video]]
⚫
! [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! [[Program and System Information Protocol#What PSIP does|PSIP Short Name]]
⚫
! Programming<ref>[http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WBUI#station RabbitEars TV Query for WBUI]</ref>
|-
|-
! scope = "row" | 23.2
⚫
| 23.1 || [[1080i]] || rowspan="3" | [[16:9]] || WBUI HD || Main WBUI programming / [[The CW]]
⚫
| rowspan="3"|[[480i]] || Dabl || [[Dabl]]
|-
|-
! scope = "row" | 23.3
⚫
| 23.2 || rowspan="2"|[[480i]] || Dabl ||[[Dabl]]
| TheNest || [[The Nest (TV network)|The Nest]]
|-
| 23.3 || Stadium || [[Stadium (sports network)|Stadium]]
|-
|-
! scope = "row" | 23.4
| Rewind || [[Rewind TV]]
|- style="background-color:#DFEBF6; border-top: 2px solid #003399;"
! scope = "row" | [[WRSP-TV|27.3]]
| 480i || 4:3 || Antenna || [[Antenna TV]] ([[WRSP-TV|WCCU]])
|}
|}
{{legend|#DFEBF6|Broadcast on behalf of another station}}


===Analog-to-digital conversion===
===Analog-to-digital conversion===
WBUI shut down its analog signal, over [[Ultra high frequency|UHF]] channel 23, on February 17, 2009, the original target date in which full-power television stations in the United States were to [[Digital television transition in the United States|transition from analog to digital broadcasts]] under federal mandate (which was later pushed back to June 12, 2009). The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 22.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds |format=PDF |access-date=2012-03-24}}</ref> Through the use of [[Program and System Information Protocol|PSIP]], digital television receivers display the station's [[virtual channel]] as its former UHF analog channel 23.
WBUI shut down its analog signal, over [[UHF]] channel 23, on February 17, 2009, the original target date on which full-power television stations in the United States were to [[Digital television transition in the United States|transition from analog to digital broadcasts]] under federal mandate (which was later pushed back to June 12, 2009). The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 22,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds |access-date=March 24, 2012}}</ref> using [[virtual channel]] 23.


==Towers==
===Towers===
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image: WAND and WBUI towers.jpg|The {{convert|411.8|m|ft|0|sp=us|adj=on}} tall WBUI tower (left tower) near [[Argenta, Illinois]], 2007.<ref>WBUI's tower is actually taller than the WAND tower at right, but is farther away from the point of observation. {{ASR|key=2613349|number=1215843}}.</ref>
Image: WAND and WBUI towers.jpg|The {{convert|411.8|m|ft|1|sp=us|adj=on}} tall WBUI tower (left tower) near [[Argenta, Illinois]], 2007.<ref>WBUI's tower is actually taller than the WAND tower at right, but is farther away from the point of observation. {{ASR|key=2613349|number=1215843}}.</ref>
Image:WBUI TV antenna.jpg|The upper portion of the WBUI-TV tower, 2007.
Image:WBUI TV antenna.jpg|The upper portion of the WBUI-TV tower, 2007.
</gallery>
</gallery>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
*[http://www.acmecommunications.com/pages/news_releases.html?d=121667 Press Release on WBUI's sale to GOCOM Media]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070905012617/http://www.acmecommunications.com/pages/news_releases.html?d=121667 Press Release on WBUI's sale to GOCOM Media]}}
*[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6478493.html Broadcasting & Cable article on the FCC's approval of the WBUI sale]
* [http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6478493.html Broadcasting & Cable article on the FCC's approval of the WBUI sale]


==External links==
==External links==
*{{Official website|http://cw23tv.com/}}
* {{Official website|https://cw23tv.com/}}
*[http://illinois.thistv.com/ WBUI-DT2 "This TV Illinois"]
* [http://illinois.thistv.com/ WBUI-DT2 "This TV Illinois"]
*[https://foxillinois.com/ WRSP-TV/WCCU "Fox 55/27 Illinois"]
* [https://foxillinois.com/ WRSP-TV/WCCU "Fox 55/27 Illinois"]
*[https://newschannel20.com/ WICS "ABC NewsChannel 20"]
* [https://newschannel20.com/ WICS "ABC NewsChannel 20"]
*{{TVQ|WBUI}}


{{CDSTV}}
{{CDSTV}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wbui}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wbui}}
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1984]]
[[Category:1984 establishments in Illinois]]
⚫
[[Category:Television stations in the Champaign–Springfield–Decatur market|BUI]]
⚫
[[Category:Sinclair Broadcast Group]]
[[Category:The CW affiliates]]
[[Category:The CW affiliates]]
[[Category:Dabl affiliates]]
[[Category:Dabl affiliates]]
[[Category:Stadium (sports network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Decatur, Illinois]]
[[Category:1984 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:The Nest (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Chicago Cubs broadcasters]]
[[Category:Rewind TV affiliates]]
⚫
[[Category:Sinclair Broadcast Group]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1984]]
⚫
[[Category:Television stations in Illinois]]

Latest revision as of 07:57, 21 December 2024

WBUI
CityDecatur, Illinois
Channels
Branding
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
  • GOCOM Media, LLC
  • (GOCOM Media of Illinois, LLC)
OperatorSinclair Broadcast Group via JSA/SSA
WRSP-TV, WCCU, WICS, WICD
History
FoundedDecember 28, 1983
First air date
May 14, 1984 (40 years ago) (1984-05-14)[a]
Former call signs
  • WFHL (1984–1998)
  • WPXU (1998–1999)
Former channel number(s)
Analog: 23 (UHF, 1984–2009)
Call sign meaning
The WB (former affiliation) and University of Illinois (allusion of service to Champaign–Urbana)
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID16363
ERP325 kW
HAAT401 m (1,316 ft)
Transmitter coordinates39°56′56″N 88°50′12″W / 39.94889°N 88.83667°W / 39.94889; -88.83667
Links
Public license information
Websitecw23tv.com

WBUI (channel 23) is a television station licensed to Decatur, Illinois, United States, serving the Central Illinois region as an affiliate of The CW. It is owned by GOCOM Media, LLC, alongside Springfield-licensed Fox affiliate WRSP-TV, channel 55 (and its semi-satellite, Urbana-licensed WCCU, channel 27). GOCOM maintains joint sales and shared services agreements (JSA/SSA) with Sinclair Broadcast Group, owner of Springfield-licensed ABC affiliate WICS, channel 20 (and its semi-satellite, Champaign-licensed WICD, channel 15), for the provision of certain services. WBUI, WRSP and WICS share studios on East Cook Street in Springfield's Eastside; WBUI maintains an advertising sales office on South Main Street/US 51 in downtown Decatur and transmitter facilities in Whitmore Township (between Oreana and I-72).

History

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The station signed on May 14, 1984, as WFHL and was owned by the local Foursquare Church. One half of the station's programming was Christian programming with shows such as The 700 Club and local religious programs. The station's original studios were located on North Parkway Court in Decatur. The other half of the schedule consisted of recent barter cartoons, some older cartoons, family-oriented off-network drama shows, classic sitcoms, westerns, and old movies.

In 1998, the station was sold to Paxson Communications, who renamed the station WPXU. The station replaced most hours of programming with infomercials until it joined the company's Pax TV network at its launch on August 31, 1998. At that point, the syndicated shows aired by previous ownership were dropped entirely. On October 5, WPXU added a secondary affiliation with UPN as did several other Paxson-owned stations.[2]

ACME Communications acquired the station from Paxson on June 2, 1999, and changed it to WB affiliate WBUI. (Paxson, now Ion Media Networks, promptly moved the WPXU-TV call letters to its station in Jacksonville, North Carolina). At this point, some of the syndicated shows previously airing on the station returned along with mix of classic sitcoms and cartoons. Even after the sale, the station retained its secondary UPN affiliation with ACME expanding the arrangement to KPLR-TV in St. Louis and WBXX-TV in Knoxville by 2000.[3]

When WCFN (now WCIX) joined UPN in 2002, WBUI became a sole WB affiliate. Gradually from about 2000 until 2005, the station phased out most cartoons and classic sitcoms for more recent sitcoms, talk shows, and court shows. In September 2006 with the merge between UPN and The WB, WBUI (owned by a former WB network executive) took The CW affiliation by default while WCFN joined the other new broadcast television network, MyNetworkTV. On June 20, 2007, GOCOM Media announced its intent to purchase this station from ACME Communications.[4] The sale was approved on September 14 by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) which waived its duopoly rules for the sale.

The Central Illinois market did not have enough station owners at the time to legally permit another duopoly under normal conditions (there was already an existing duopoly in the market, Nexstar Broadcasting's WCIA and WCFN). However, ACME and GOCOM sought a "failed station" waiver for the deal. ACME claimed it was losing money on WBUI and could not find a buyer that did not require a duopoly waiver. The sale to GOCOM Media officially closed on October 25, 2007.[5] At that point, the station moved its operations from its original studios at North Parkway Court in Decatur into WRSP's facilities on Old Rochester Road in Springfield.

On December 31, 2012, the Sinclair Broadcast Group closed on the purchase of the non-license assets of GOCOM's three television stations (WRSP/WCCU and sister station WBUI) for approximately $25.6 million. Sinclair provides sales and other non-programming services to the stations pursuant to shared services and joint sales agreements.[6] Both WBUI and WRSP were initially operated from separate facilities from WICS/WICD. However, WCCU quickly moved its advertising sales operation from its location on South Neil Street/US 45 in Champaign into WICD's studios. Eventually, WRSP and WBUI also moved from their offices in Springfield and were consolidated into WICS' facility.

Through a previous arrangement with WICS, the ABC outlet's weekday morning meteorologist provided WBUI with weather forecasts seen on-air (during its airing of The Daily Buzz) and through its website that were taped in advance. The segments were appropriately titled C-More Weather (owing to its CW affiliation). WBUI no longer offers The Daily Buzz as part of its schedule.

Technical information

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Subchannels

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The station's signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of WBUI[7]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
23.1 1080i 16:9 CW The CW
23.2 480i Dabl Dabl
23.3 TheNest The Nest
23.4 Rewind Rewind TV
27.3 480i 4:3 Antenna Antenna TV (WCCU)
  Broadcast on behalf of another station

Analog-to-digital conversion

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WBUI shut down its analog signal, over UHF channel 23, on February 17, 2009, the original target date on which full-power television stations in the United States were to transition from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate (which was later pushed back to June 12, 2009). The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 22,[8] using virtual channel 23.

Towers

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  • The 411.8-meter (1,351.0 ft) tall WBUI tower (left tower) near Argenta, Illinois, 2007.[9]
    The 411.8-meter (1,351.0 ft) tall WBUI tower (left tower) near Argenta, Illinois, 2007.[9]
  • The upper portion of the WBUI-TV tower, 2007.
    The upper portion of the WBUI-TV tower, 2007.

Notes

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  1. ^ The Broadcasting and Cable Yearbook says May 14, while the Television and Cable Factbook says May 13.

References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WBUI". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ Burke, David (September 18, 1998). "'Air exchange' puts UPN on WPXU". Herald & Review. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  3. ^ Schneider, Michael (February 22, 2000). "Sharing the wealth". Variety. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  4. ^ "ACME Communications". acmecommunications.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^ "ACME Communications". acmecommunications.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ "Sinclair Broadcast Group". sbgi.net. Archived from the original on August 17, 2013.
  7. ^ RabbitEars TV Query for WBUI
  8. ^ "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds" (PDF). Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  9. ^ WBUI's tower is actually taller than the WAND tower at right, but is farther away from the point of observation. "Listing 1215843". Antenna Structure Registration database. U.S. Federal Communications Commission..
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