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{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{short description|SonLife affiliate in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania}}
{{short description|SonLife affiliate in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{For|the [[Elmira, New York]], station that broadcast on channel 24 in the 1950s|WTVE (New York)}}
{{For|the Elmira, New York, station that broadcast on channel 24 in the 1950s|WTVE (New York)}}
{{distinguish|KETV|KTVE|WJAX-TV{{!}}WTEV|Televisión Española}}
{{distinguish|KETV|KTVE|WJAX-TV{{!}}WTEV|Televisión Española}}
{{Infobox television station
{{Infobox television station
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| logo_size = 200px
| logo_size = 200px
| branding = TV 51
| branding = TV 51
| digital = 22 ([[ultra high frequency|UHF]])<br />''(shared with [[WPHY-CD]]'')
| digital = 22 ([[UHF]]), shared with [[WPHY-CD]]''
| virtual = 51
| virtual = 51
| subchannels =
| subchannels =
| translators =
| translators =
| affiliations = [[Infomercial]]s
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''51.1:''' [[OnTV4U]]|'''51.2:''' [[Timeless TV]]/[[Infomercial]]s}}
| owner = [[WRNN-TV|WRNN-TV Associates]]<ref name="nrjtvsale"/><ref name="nrjtvsaleapproved"/>
| owner = [[WRNN-TV Associates]]<ref name="nrjtvsale"/><ref name="nrjtvsaleapproved"/>
| licensee = RNN National, [[Limited liability company|LLC]]
| licensee = RNN National, [[LLC]]
| location = [[Willow Grove, Pennsylvania|Willow Grove]]/[[Philadelphia|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]
| location = [[Willow Grove, Pennsylvania|Willow Grove]][[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]
| country = United States
| country = United States
| airdate = {{start date and age|1980|5|4|p=y}}<br />(in [[Reading, Pennsylvania]]; license moved to Willow Grove in 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/enwiki/api/download/attachment/25076ff35e971c3b015e9f30205b053b|title=Community of License Change Exhibit|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]}}</ref>)
| airdate = {{start date and age|1980|5|4|p=y}}{{efn|Originally licensed to [[Reading, Pennsylvania]]; moved to Willow Grove in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/enwiki/api/download/attachment/25076ff35e971c3b015e9f30205b053b|title=Community of License Change Exhibit|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]}}</ref>}}
| last_airdate =
| last_airdate =
| callsign_meaning =
| callsign_meaning =
| sister_stations = [[WPHY-CD]], [[WMCN-TV]]
| sister_stations = [[WPHY-CD]], [[WMCN-TV]]
| former_callsigns =
| former_callsigns =
| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:'''<br />51 (UHF, 1980–2009)<br />'''Digital:'''<br />25 (UHF, until 2018)
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 51 (UHF, 1980–2009)|'''Digital:''' 25 (UHF, until 2018)}}
| former_affiliations = '''Analog/DT1:'''<br />[[Independent station (North America)|Independent]] (1980–1998, 2000–2016, 2020–2021)<br />[[Telemundo]] (1998–2000)<br />[[Jimmy Swaggart#Television|SonLife]] (2016–2020)<br />'''DT2:'''<br />[[Plum TV]] (2004–2013)<br />[[Estrella TV]] (2013–2020)
| former_affiliations = {{ubl|[[Independent station|Independent]] (1980–1998, 2000–2016, 2020–2021)|[[Telemundo]] (1998–2000)|[[SonLife]] (2016–2020)}}
| erp = 15 kW
| erp = 15 kW
| haat = {{convert|351.9|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}
| haat = {{convert|351.9|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| class = [[digital terrestrial television|DT]]
| class =
| facility_id = 55305
| facility_id = 55305
| coordinates = {{nowrap|{{coord|40|2|30.1|N|75|14|10.1|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}}}
| coordinates = {{nowrap|{{coord|40|2|30.1|N|75|14|10.1|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}}}
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website =
| website =
}}
}}


'''WTVE''' (channel 51) is a [[television station]] licensed to [[Willow Grove, Pennsylvania]], United States, serving the [[Philadelphia]] area and primarily airing [[infomercial|paid programming]] from [[OnTV4U]]. It is owned by [[WRNN-TV|WRNN-TV Associates]] alongside [[Princeton, New Jersey]]–licensed [[ShopHQ]] affiliate [[WMCN-TV]] (channel 44) and [[Trenton, New Jersey]]–licensed [[Class A television service|Class A]] station [[WPHY-CD]] (channel 25). WTVE and WPHY-CD share studios on East State Street in Trenton; through a [[frequency sharing|channel sharing agreement]], the two stations transmit using WPHY-CD's spectrum from an antenna in the [[Roxborough, Philadelphia|Roxborough]] section of Philadelphia.
'''WTVE''' (channel 51) is a [[television station]] licensed to [[Willow Grove, Pennsylvania]], United States, serving the [[Philadelphia]] area and primarily airing [[paid programming]] from [[OnTV4U]]. It is owned by [[WRNN-TV Associates]] alongside [[Princeton, New Jersey]]–licensed [[ShopHQ]] affiliate [[WMCN-TV]] (channel 44) and [[Trenton, New Jersey]]–licensed [[Class A television service|Class A]] station [[WPHY-CD]] (channel 25). WTVE and WPHY-CD share studios on East State Street in Trenton; through a [[channel sharing agreement]], the two stations transmit using WPHY-CD's spectrum from an antenna in the [[Roxborough, Philadelphia|Roxborough]] section of Philadelphia.


==History==
==History==
The station first signed on the air on May 4, 1980, as an [[independent station (North America)|independent station]], originally licensed to [[Reading, Pennsylvania]].<ref name="WTVEhistory">{{cite web|url= http://www.wtve.com/WTVEhistory.htm|title=WTVE History|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=2005|website=wtve.com|publisher=WTVE|access-date=November 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051102122242/http://www.wtve.com/WTVEhistory.htm|archive-date=November 2, 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref> When it launched, WTVE initially maintained a general entertainment format with a mix of off-network [[sitcoms]] from the 1960s and early 1970s, [[feature film|movies]], [[drama (film and television)|drama series]] and [[talk show]]s, as well as a local newscast. However, the station did not carry many [[animated cartoon|cartoons]]. While the station received sizeable viewership, it was not profitable.
The station first signed on the air on May 4, 1980, as an [[independent station]], originally licensed to [[Reading, Pennsylvania]].<ref name="WTVEhistory">{{cite web|url= http://www.wtve.com/WTVEhistory.htm|title=WTVE History|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=2005|website=wtve.com|publisher=WTVE|access-date=November 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051102122242/http://www.wtve.com/WTVEhistory.htm|archive-date=November 2, 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref> When it launched, WTVE initially maintained a general entertainment format with a mix of off-network [[sitcoms]] from the 1960s and early 1970s, [[feature film|movies]], [[drama series]] and [[talk show]]s, as well as a local newscast. However, the station did not carry many [[animated cartoon|cartoons]]. While the station received sizeable viewership, it was not profitable.


Beginning in September 1981, WTVE began running the [[pay television|subscription television]] service [[SelecTV (American TV channel)|SelecTV]], which aired feature films just finished with their theatrical runs, each evening from 8 to 10 p.m. By January 1982, SelecTV programming expanded to 8 p.m. to midnight. That spring, the station began running SelecTV from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and from 3 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekends. In the fall of 1982, WTVE added [[Financial News Network]] programming each weekday from noon to 5 p.m., and began carrying [[religious broadcasting|religious programs]] on Saturday and Sunday mornings. WTVE switched to SelecTV programming after 6 p.m. weekdays and after noon on weekends.
Beginning in September 1981, WTVE began running the [[subscription television]] service [[SelecTV (American TV channel)|SelecTV]], which aired feature films just finished with their theatrical runs, each evening from 8 to 10 p.m. By January 1982, SelecTV programming expanded to 8 p.m. to midnight. That spring, the station began running SelecTV from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and from 3 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekends. In the fall of 1982, WTVE added [[Financial News Network]] programming each weekday from noon to 5 p.m., and began carrying [[religious broadcasting|religious programs]] on Saturday and Sunday mornings. WTVE switched to SelecTV programming after 6 p.m. weekdays and after noon on weekends.


[[Image:WTVE.jpg|200px|thumb|left|WTVE's logo in its later years of Reading Broadcasting ownership.]]
By the fall of 1983, WTVE was running SelecTV full-time, with the exception of weekday broadcasts of ''[[The 700 Club]]'' and the ''[[Independent Network News (US)|Independent Network News]]'', along with other religious and [[public affairs (broadcasting)|public affairs]] shows on Saturday and Sunday mornings. SelecTV was dropped in the late 1980s, and was replaced with [[home shopping]] programming from [[Shop at Home]] and [[infomercial]]s. In 1998, WTVE affiliated with the [[Spanish language in the United States|Spanish-language]] [[Telemundo]] network, before switching back to an [[American English|English-language]] format after a year.
By the fall of 1983, WTVE was running SelecTV full-time, with the exception of weekday broadcasts of ''[[The 700 Club]]'' and the ''[[Independent Network News (US)|Independent Network News]]'', along with other religious and [[public affairs (broadcasting)|public affairs]] shows on Saturday and Sunday mornings. SelecTV was dropped in the late 1980s, and was replaced with [[home shopping]] programming from [[Shop at Home]] and [[infomercial]]s. In 1998, WTVE affiliated with the [[Spanish language in the United States|Spanish-language]] [[Telemundo]] network, before switching back to an [[American English|English-language]] format after a year.


WTVE's primary analog transmitter (prior to the digital transition) was located in Reading; the analog signal barely reached the Philadelphia suburbs and [[Lebanon, Pennsylvania|Lebanon]], in the eastern part of the [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]] market. As a result, WTVE depended heavily on "[[must-carry]]" rules to reach viewers in the Philadelphia market on [[cable television|cable]]. WTVE at one point had a repeater in Philadelphia on channel 7;{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}} that station now operates independently as [[WWJT-LP]].
WTVE's primary analog transmitter (prior to the digital transition) was located in Reading; the analog signal barely reached the Philadelphia suburbs and [[Lebanon, Pennsylvania|Lebanon]], in the eastern part of the [[Harrisburg]] market. As a result, WTVE depended heavily on "[[must-carry]]" rules to reach viewers in the Philadelphia market on [[cable television|cable]]. WTVE at one point had a repeater in Philadelphia on channel 7;{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}} that station now operates independently as [[WWJT-LP]].


WTVE had been in [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11]] [[Bankruptcy in the United States|bankruptcy]], managed by trustee George Miller<ref name="tvnewsday">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2008/05/15/daily.15/|title=FCC OKs SALE OF BANKRUPT PHILLY STATION |date=May 15, 2008|website=tvnewsday.com|publisher=NewsCheckMedia LLC|access-date=February 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921093035/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/22452/fcc-oks-sale-of-bankrupt-philly-station?nocookies|archive-date=September 21, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> until its $13.5-million takeover by WRNN-TV Associates received FCC approval on May 15, 2008.<ref name="RadioBusinessReport">{{cite web|url=http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv_deals/7572.html|title=FCC allows French to take a ride in Reading|website=rbr.com|publisher=Radio Business Report, Inc|date=May 16, 2008|access-date=November 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514140224/http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv_deals/7572.html|archive-date=May 14, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> WRNN-TV Associates subsequently sold the station to NRJ TV (a company unrelated to [[Europe]]an broadcaster [[NRJ Radio]]) in 2011.<ref name="tvbr-saletonrj">{{cite news|title=NRJ Holdings takes a ride on the Reading with WTVE|url=http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv_deals/nrj-holdings-takes-a-ride-on-the-reading-with-wtve.html|access-date=October 16, 2011|newspaper=Television Business Report|date=September 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002025010/http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv_deals/nrj-holdings-takes-a-ride-on-the-reading-with-wtve.html|archive-date=October 2, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> On June 1, 2016, the station joined the [[Jimmy Swaggart#Television|SonLife Broadcasting Network]].<ref name="fcc-wtvesonlife">{{cite web|title=Children's Television Programming Report|url=https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/enwiki/api/service/tv/application/KIDVID_25076ff3552699ef015598a8fa303dba.html|website=Public Inspection Files|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=January 13, 2017|format=PDF|date=July 7, 2016}}</ref>
WTVE had been in [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]], managed by trustee George Miller<ref name="tvnewsday">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2008/05/15/daily.15/|title=FCC OKs SALE OF BANKRUPT PHILLY STATION |date=May 15, 2008|website=tvnewsday.com|publisher=NewsCheckMedia LLC|access-date=February 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921093035/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/22452/fcc-oks-sale-of-bankrupt-philly-station?nocookies|archive-date=September 21, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> until its $13.5-million takeover by WRNN-TV Associates received FCC approval on May 15, 2008.<ref name="RadioBusinessReport">{{cite web|url=http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv_deals/7572.html|title=FCC allows French to take a ride in Reading|website=rbr.com|publisher=Radio Business Report, Inc|date=May 16, 2008|access-date=November 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514140224/http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv_deals/7572.html|archive-date=May 14, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> WRNN-TV Associates subsequently sold the station to NRJ TV (a company unrelated to [[Europe]]an broadcaster [[NRJ Radio]]) in 2011.<ref name="tvbr-saletonrj">{{cite news|title=NRJ Holdings takes a ride on the Reading with WTVE|url=http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv_deals/nrj-holdings-takes-a-ride-on-the-reading-with-wtve.html|access-date=October 16, 2011|newspaper=Television Business Report|date=September 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002025010/http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv_deals/nrj-holdings-takes-a-ride-on-the-reading-with-wtve.html|archive-date=October 2, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> On June 1, 2016, the station joined the [[SonLife Broadcasting Network]].<ref name="fcc-wtvesonlife">{{cite web|title=Children's Television Programming Report|url=https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/enwiki/api/service/tv/application/KIDVID_25076ff3552699ef015598a8fa303dba.html|website=Public Inspection Files|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=January 13, 2017|format=PDF|date=July 7, 2016}}</ref>


On December 9, 2019, it was announced that WRNN-TV Associates, would repurchase WTVE, as well as [[WPHY-CD]] and six other full-power TV stations in other markets from NRJ.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jacobson |first1=Adam |title=RNN Ignites Deal-Making Market With NRJ Deal |url=https://www.rbr.com/rnn-ignites-deal-making-market-with-nrj-deal/ |access-date=February 7, 2020 |publisher=Radio and Television Business Report |date=December 9, 2019}}</ref><ref name="nrjtvsale">{{cite web|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release2019/12/09/1958146/0/en/RNN-Reaches-Agreement-to-Increase-Permanent-Distribution-Platform-to-28-Percent-of-the-US-With-NRJ-Purchase.html|title=RNN Reaches Agreement to Increase Permanent Distribution Platform to 28 Percent of the US With NRJ Purchase|website=Globe Newswire|date=December 9, 2019|access-date=December 10, 2019}}</ref> The sale was approved by the FCC on January 23,<ref name="nrjtvsaleapproved">{{Cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1813384|title = Application Search Details}}</ref> and was completed on February 4, 2020, making WTVE and WPHY-CD sister stations to [[WMCN-TV]]. Upon completion of the sale, all SonLife programming was dropped and the station now broadcasts infomercials most of the day, along with a simulcast of WRNN's nightly talk show ''Richard French Live''.
On December 9, 2019, it was announced that WRNN-TV Associates, would repurchase WTVE, as well as [[WPHY-CD]] and six other full-power TV stations in other markets from NRJ.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jacobson |first1=Adam |title=RNN Ignites Deal-Making Market With NRJ Deal |url=https://www.rbr.com/rnn-ignites-deal-making-market-with-nrj-deal/ |access-date=February 7, 2020 |publisher=Radio and Television Business Report |date=December 9, 2019}}</ref><ref name="nrjtvsale">{{cite web|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release2019/12/09/1958146/0/en/RNN-Reaches-Agreement-to-Increase-Permanent-Distribution-Platform-to-28-Percent-of-the-US-With-NRJ-Purchase.html|title=RNN Reaches Agreement to Increase Permanent Distribution Platform to 28 Percent of the US With NRJ Purchase|website=Globe Newswire|date=December 9, 2019|access-date=December 10, 2019}}</ref> The sale was approved by the FCC on January 23,<ref name="nrjtvsaleapproved">{{Cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1813384|title = Application Search Details}}</ref> and was completed on February 4, 2020, making WTVE and WPHY-CD sister stations to [[WMCN-TV]]. Upon completion of the sale, all SonLife programming was dropped and the station now broadcasts infomercials most of the day, along with a simulcast of WRNN's nightly talk show ''Richard French Live''.


==Programming==
==Programming==
Prior to its switch to [[Jimmy Swaggart#Television|SonLife]], WTVE's schedule consisted mostly of infomercials and paid religious programs; the station did carry some limited syndicated programming on weekday early evenings. [[Broadcast syndication|Syndicated]] programming seen on WTVE included ''[[Inside Edition]]'', ''[[That '70s Show]]'' and ''[[Everybody Loves Raymond]]''.
Prior to its switch to [[SonLife]], WTVE's schedule consisted mostly of infomercials and paid religious programs; the station did carry some limited syndicated programming on weekday early evenings. [[Broadcast syndication|Syndicated]] programming seen on WTVE included ''[[Inside Edition]]'', ''[[That '70s Show]]'' and ''[[Everybody Loves Raymond]]''.


===Newscasts===
===Newscasts===
Line 67: Line 66:


===Subchannels===
===Subchannels===
{{#section:WPHY-CD|subs}}
The station's digital signal is [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
WTVE formerly operated a third digital subchannel, which carried [[VIETV]]; {{as of|2016|1|18|lc=y|df=US}}, only 51.1 and 51.2 are broadcast.<ref name="rabbitears-MarketListing">{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WTVE#station|title=Digital TV Market Listing for WTVE|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=2017|website=rabbitears.info|access-date=November 22, 2017}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of WTVE<ref name="rabbitears-MarketListing">{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WTVE#station|title=Digital TV Market Listing for WTVE|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=2017|website=rabbitears.info|publisher=RabbitEars.info|access-date=November 22, 2017}}</ref>
! [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! Short name
! Programming
|-
! scope = "row" | 51.1
| [[720p]] ||rowspan="2"| [[16:9]] || WTVE-DT || [[Infomercial]]s
|-
! scope = "row" | 51.2
| [[480i]] || WTVE D2 || [[Infomercial]]s
|-
|}
WTVE formerly operated a third digital sub-channel, which carried [[VIETV]]; {{as of|2016|1|18|lc=y|df=US}}, only 51.1 and 51.2 are broadcast.<ref name="rabbitears-MarketListing" />


WTVE formerly operated [[Estrella TV]] on DT2, but in February 2020, that changed to [[Timeless TV]] ([[public domain]] shows and infomercials). This channel is seen on some RNN and HC2 Holdings stations.<ref name="rabbitears-MarketListing" /> WTVE formerly operated SonLife on DT3; this was later moved to its sharing host WPHY-CD.<ref name="rabbitears-MarketListingwphy-cd">{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WPHY-CD#station|title=Digital TV Market Listing for WPHY-CD|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=2021|website=rabbitears.info|publisher=RabbitEars.info|access-date=January 31, 2021}}</ref>
WTVE formerly operated [[Estrella TV]] on DT2, but in February 2020, that changed to [[Timeless TV]] ([[public domain]] shows and infomercials). This channel is seen on some RNN and HC2 Holdings stations.<ref name="rabbitears-MarketListing" /> WTVE formerly operated SonLife on DT3; this was later moved to its sharing host WPHY-CD.<ref name="rabbitears-MarketListingwphy-cd">{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WPHY-CD#station|title=Digital TV Market Listing for WPHY-CD|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=2021|website=rabbitears.info|access-date=January 31, 2021}}</ref>


===Analog-to-digital conversion===
===Analog-to-digital conversion===
WTVE received authorization by the [[Federal Communications Commission]] to terminate its analog signal "no earlier than September 30, 2008"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101271479&formid=387&fac_num=55305 |title=WTVE DTV status report Oct 10, 2008 |publisher=Fjallfoss.fcc.gov |access-date=February 9, 2012}}</ref> after expressing severe concerns that the existing analog [[klystron]] [[vacuum tube|tube]] transmitter was expected to fail.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2008/080825/nerw.html#pa |title=NorthEast Radio Watch by Scott Fybush |publisher=Fybush.com |date=August 4, 2008 |access-date=February 9, 2012}}</ref> WTVE shut down its analog signal, over [[Ultra high frequency|UHF]] channel 51, on that date. The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 25.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |access-date=March 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 }}</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 51.
WTVE received authorization by the [[Federal Communications Commission]] to terminate its analog signal "no earlier than September 30, 2008"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101271479&formid=387&fac_num=55305 |title=WTVE DTV status report Oct 10, 2008 |publisher=Fjallfoss.fcc.gov |access-date=February 9, 2012}}</ref> after expressing severe concerns that the existing analog [[klystron]] [[vacuum tube|tube]] transmitter was expected to fail.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2008/080825/nerw.html#pa |title=NorthEast Radio Watch by Scott Fybush |publisher=Fybush.com |date=August 4, 2008 |access-date=February 9, 2012}}</ref> WTVE shut down its analog signal, over [[UHF]] channel 51, on that date. The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 25.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |access-date=March 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 }}</ref> Through the use of [[PSIP]], digital television receivers display the station's [[virtual channel]] as its former UHF analog channel 51.


WTVE was one of the first stations in the U.S. to transmit using a [[distributed transmission system]],<ref>http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-2447A1.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> having received special temporary authority from the FCC to operate WTVE-DT via eight (mostly low-powered) transmitters scattered across its coverage area rather than relying on a singular full-power signal.<ref name="SFN-TRANSMITTERS">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/09/13/daily.4/|title=SFN: ARE MANY TRANSMITTERS BETTER THAN ONE?|date=September 13, 2007|website=tvnewsday.com|publisher=TV Newsday Inc.|access-date=February 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081118071730/http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/09/13/daily.4/|archive-date=November 18, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
WTVE was one of the first stations in the U.S. to transmit using a [[distributed transmission system]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-06-2447A1.pdf|title=Re: Request for Special Temporary Authority to Operate a Distributed Transmission System on Channel 25 in Reading, Pennsylvania|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201141257/https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-2447A1.pdf|archive-date=December 1, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=September 13, 2023|website=fcc.gov}}</ref> having received special temporary authority from the FCC to operate WTVE-DT via eight (mostly low-powered) transmitters scattered across its coverage area rather than relying on a singular full-power signal.<ref name="SFN-TRANSMITTERS">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/09/13/daily.4/|title=SFN: ARE MANY TRANSMITTERS BETTER THAN ONE?|date=September 13, 2007|website=tvnewsday.com|publisher=TV Newsday Inc.|access-date=February 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081118071730/http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/09/13/daily.4/|archive-date=November 18, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>


The station formerly transmitted with on-channel boosters from sites in or near:
The station formerly transmitted with on-channel boosters from sites in or near:
* WTVE-DTS1 [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading, PA]] (225m 0.76&nbsp;kW DA)
* WTVE-DTS1 [[Reading, PA]] (225m 0.76&nbsp;kW DA)
* WTVE-DTS2 [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem, PA]] (155m 2.8&nbsp;kW DA)
* WTVE-DTS2 [[Bethlehem, PA]] (155m 2.8&nbsp;kW DA)
* WTVE-DTS3 [[North East, Maryland|North East, MD]] (87m 0.11&nbsp;kW DA)
* WTVE-DTS3 [[North East, MD]] (87m 0.11&nbsp;kW DA)
* WTVE-DTS4 [[Quarryville, Pennsylvania|Quarryville, PA]] (193m 1.0&nbsp;kW DA)
* WTVE-DTS4 [[Quarryville, PA]] (193m 1.0&nbsp;kW DA)
* WTVE-DTS5 [[Myerstown, Pennsylvania|Myerstown, PA]] (63m 1.15&nbsp;kW DA)
* WTVE-DTS5 [[Myerstown, PA]] (63m 1.15&nbsp;kW DA)
* WTVE-DTS6 [[Lambertville, New Jersey|Lambertville, NJ]] (95m 0.6&nbsp;kW DA)
* WTVE-DTS6 [[Lambertville, NJ]] (95m 0.6&nbsp;kW DA)
* WTVE-DTS7 [[Philadelphia|Philadelphia, PA]] (378m 126&nbsp;kW DA)
* WTVE-DTS7 [[Philadelphia, PA]] (378m 126&nbsp;kW DA)
* WTVE-DTS8 [[Brockton, Pennsylvania|Brockton, PA]] (138m 4.25&nbsp;kW DA)
* WTVE-DTS8 [[Brockton, Pennsylvania|Brockton, PA]] (138m 4.25&nbsp;kW DA)
This pattern effectively created a tailored coverage area corresponding to one large main signal centered on Philadelphia, plus a series of boosters.
This pattern effectively created a tailored coverage area corresponding to one large main signal centered on Philadelphia, plus a series of boosters.


In late 2009, all eight boosters were upgraded to the [[ATSC-M/H]] format to be capable of [[mobile DTV]] broadcast.<ref name="broadcastengineering">{{cite web|url=http://broadcastengineering.com/RF/wtve-tv-mobile-dts-trial-1222/|title=WTVE-TV deploys ATSC-M/H mobile DTS trial|first=Phil|last=Kurz|website=broadcastengineering.com|access-date=February 9, 2012|publisher=Penton Media, Inc.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205070157/http://broadcastengineering.com/RF/wtve-tv-mobile-dts-trial-1222/|archive-date=February 5, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The station's Mobile DTV signal, which will be a simulcast of subchannel 51.1, was expected to sign on sometime in 2011;<ref name="rabbitears-MobileDTV">{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=atscmph|title=Mobile DTV Service List|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=2017|website=rabbitears.info|publisher=RabbitEars.info|access-date=November 22, 2017}}</ref><ref name="mdtvsignalmap">{{cite web|url=http://www.mdtvsignalmap.com/|title=Mobile DTV Station Guide &#124; www.omvcsignalmap.com |publisher=Mdtvsignalmap.com|website=mdtvsignalmap.com|access-date=February 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112035846/http://www.mdtvsignalmap.com/|archive-date=January 12, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> however it has not yet begun operations as of November 2013.
In late 2009, all eight boosters were upgraded to the [[ATSC-M/H]] format to be capable of [[mobile DTV]] broadcast.<ref name="broadcastengineering">{{cite web|url=http://broadcastengineering.com/RF/wtve-tv-mobile-dts-trial-1222/|title=WTVE-TV deploys ATSC-M/H mobile DTS trial|first=Phil|last=Kurz|website=broadcastengineering.com|access-date=February 9, 2012|publisher=Penton Media, Inc.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205070157/http://broadcastengineering.com/RF/wtve-tv-mobile-dts-trial-1222/|archive-date=February 5, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The station's Mobile DTV signal, which would be a simulcast of subchannel 51.1, was expected to sign on sometime in 2011;<ref name="rabbitears-MobileDTV">{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=atscmph|title=Mobile DTV Service List|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=2017|website=rabbitears.info|access-date=November 22, 2017}}</ref><ref name="mdtvsignalmap">{{cite web|url=http://www.mdtvsignalmap.com/|title=Mobile DTV Station Guide &#124; www.omvcsignalmap.com |website=mdtvsignalmap.com|access-date=February 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112035846/http://www.mdtvsignalmap.com/|archive-date=January 12, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> however it has not yet begun operations as of November 2013.


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Media in the Lehigh Valley]]
*[[Media in the Lehigh Valley]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==


{{Philly TV}}
{{Philly TV}}

Latest revision as of 13:14, 13 September 2024

WTVE
CityWillow Grove, Pennsylvania
Channels
BrandingTV 51
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
WPHY-CD, WMCN-TV
History
First air date
May 4, 1980 (44 years ago) (1980-05-04)[a]
Former channel number(s)
  • Analog: 51 (UHF, 1980–2009)
  • Digital: 25 (UHF, until 2018)
Technical information[4]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID55305
ERP15 kW
HAAT351.9 m (1,155 ft)
Transmitter coordinates40°2′30.1″N 75°14′10.1″W / 40.041694°N 75.236139°W / 40.041694; -75.236139
Links
Public license information

WTVE (channel 51) is a television station licensed to Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, United States, serving the Philadelphia area and primarily airing paid programming from OnTV4U. It is owned by WRNN-TV Associates alongside Princeton, New Jersey–licensed ShopHQ affiliate WMCN-TV (channel 44) and Trenton, New Jersey–licensed Class A station WPHY-CD (channel 25). WTVE and WPHY-CD share studios on East State Street in Trenton; through a channel sharing agreement, the two stations transmit using WPHY-CD's spectrum from an antenna in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia.

History

[edit]

The station first signed on the air on May 4, 1980, as an independent station, originally licensed to Reading, Pennsylvania.[5] When it launched, WTVE initially maintained a general entertainment format with a mix of off-network sitcoms from the 1960s and early 1970s, movies, drama series and talk shows, as well as a local newscast. However, the station did not carry many cartoons. While the station received sizeable viewership, it was not profitable.

Beginning in September 1981, WTVE began running the subscription television service SelecTV, which aired feature films just finished with their theatrical runs, each evening from 8 to 10 p.m. By January 1982, SelecTV programming expanded to 8 p.m. to midnight. That spring, the station began running SelecTV from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and from 3 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekends. In the fall of 1982, WTVE added Financial News Network programming each weekday from noon to 5 p.m., and began carrying religious programs on Saturday and Sunday mornings. WTVE switched to SelecTV programming after 6 p.m. weekdays and after noon on weekends.

By the fall of 1983, WTVE was running SelecTV full-time, with the exception of weekday broadcasts of The 700 Club and the Independent Network News, along with other religious and public affairs shows on Saturday and Sunday mornings. SelecTV was dropped in the late 1980s, and was replaced with home shopping programming from Shop at Home and infomercials. In 1998, WTVE affiliated with the Spanish-language Telemundo network, before switching back to an English-language format after a year.

WTVE's primary analog transmitter (prior to the digital transition) was located in Reading; the analog signal barely reached the Philadelphia suburbs and Lebanon, in the eastern part of the Harrisburg market. As a result, WTVE depended heavily on "must-carry" rules to reach viewers in the Philadelphia market on cable. WTVE at one point had a repeater in Philadelphia on channel 7;[citation needed] that station now operates independently as WWJT-LP.

WTVE had been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, managed by trustee George Miller[6] until its $13.5-million takeover by WRNN-TV Associates received FCC approval on May 15, 2008.[7] WRNN-TV Associates subsequently sold the station to NRJ TV (a company unrelated to European broadcaster NRJ Radio) in 2011.[8] On June 1, 2016, the station joined the SonLife Broadcasting Network.[9]

On December 9, 2019, it was announced that WRNN-TV Associates, would repurchase WTVE, as well as WPHY-CD and six other full-power TV stations in other markets from NRJ.[10][1] The sale was approved by the FCC on January 23,[2] and was completed on February 4, 2020, making WTVE and WPHY-CD sister stations to WMCN-TV. Upon completion of the sale, all SonLife programming was dropped and the station now broadcasts infomercials most of the day, along with a simulcast of WRNN's nightly talk show Richard French Live.

Programming

[edit]

Prior to its switch to SonLife, WTVE's schedule consisted mostly of infomercials and paid religious programs; the station did carry some limited syndicated programming on weekday early evenings. Syndicated programming seen on WTVE included Inside Edition, That '70s Show and Everybody Loves Raymond.

Newscasts

[edit]

WTVE aired nightly newscasts from its on-air inception in 1980 until late 1983, when the station switched to a full-time schedule of SelecTV programming. The original news programs were called TV51 Total News and aired weeknights at 5:30 and 10 p.m. Total News was targeted primarily at viewers in Berks and Schuylkill counties in an effort to fill a void in local news coverage for viewers living on the far western edge of the Philadelphia television market. Original WTVE anchors included longtime WEEU radio newsman Bob Smith, Frank Mooney (longtime Reading radio and television personality and "voice" of Boscov's department stores) and sports anchor Ross MacCallum. Later local radio personality and newscaster Suzy Sands joined the station as anchor of the 10 p.m. newscast. Weekend newscasts were anchored by Mike Reinert and Karen Kaye.

At this same time, Jeffrey D. Miller (one-time "Night Mayor" on Reading radio) hosted a late night talk show called NightBeat. Miller also anchored and reported for the nightly news programs. WTVE was also one of the first to air Independent Network News, a nationally syndicated nightly news program produced by WPIX in New York City that was distributed to independent stations, each night at 10:30 p.m. during the 1980s.

Local news programming was re-established on the station in 2000, with the debut of Philly TV News. This program was an attempt to build up the station as a player in the Philadelphia television news arena, but the production failed to attract viewers and was eventually cancelled.

Sports programming

[edit]

In the 1980s, WTVE was known for airing high school football games featuring Berks and Schuylkill County schools via tape delay on Saturday evenings. Albright College basketball was also broadcast in a similar manner. The station aired various football games involving Pennsylvania teams. In 2007, WTVE broadcast four Albright College football games; in 2008, the station became an affiliate of the PA Sports Fever network.

Technical information

[edit]

Subchannels

[edit]
Subchannels of WPHY-CD and WTVE[11]
License Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
WPHY-CD 25.1 480i 16:9 WPHY DT Infomercials
25.2 SBN Sonlife
25.3 JTV Jewelry TV
WTVE 51.1 720p WTVE-DT OnTV4U
51.2 480i WTVE D2 Timeless TV / Infomercials

WTVE formerly operated a third digital subchannel, which carried VIETV; as of January 18, 2016, only 51.1 and 51.2 are broadcast.[12]

WTVE formerly operated Estrella TV on DT2, but in February 2020, that changed to Timeless TV (public domain shows and infomercials). This channel is seen on some RNN and HC2 Holdings stations.[12] WTVE formerly operated SonLife on DT3; this was later moved to its sharing host WPHY-CD.[13]

Analog-to-digital conversion

[edit]

WTVE received authorization by the Federal Communications Commission to terminate its analog signal "no earlier than September 30, 2008"[14] after expressing severe concerns that the existing analog klystron tube transmitter was expected to fail.[15] WTVE shut down its analog signal, over UHF channel 51, on that date. The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 25.[16] Through the use of PSIP, digital television receivers display the station's virtual channel as its former UHF analog channel 51.

WTVE was one of the first stations in the U.S. to transmit using a distributed transmission system,[17] having received special temporary authority from the FCC to operate WTVE-DT via eight (mostly low-powered) transmitters scattered across its coverage area rather than relying on a singular full-power signal.[18]

The station formerly transmitted with on-channel boosters from sites in or near:

This pattern effectively created a tailored coverage area corresponding to one large main signal centered on Philadelphia, plus a series of boosters.

In late 2009, all eight boosters were upgraded to the ATSC-M/H format to be capable of mobile DTV broadcast.[19] The station's Mobile DTV signal, which would be a simulcast of subchannel 51.1, was expected to sign on sometime in 2011;[20][21] however it has not yet begun operations as of November 2013.

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Originally licensed to Reading, Pennsylvania; moved to Willow Grove in 2018.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "RNN Reaches Agreement to Increase Permanent Distribution Platform to 28 Percent of the US With NRJ Purchase". Globe Newswire. December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Application Search Details".
  3. ^ "Community of License Change Exhibit". Federal Communications Commission.
  4. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WTVE". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  5. ^ "WTVE History". wtve.com. WTVE. 2005. Archived from the original on November 2, 2005. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  6. ^ "FCC OKs SALE OF BANKRUPT PHILLY STATION". tvnewsday.com. NewsCheckMedia LLC. May 15, 2008. Archived from the original on September 21, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  7. ^ "FCC allows French to take a ride in Reading". rbr.com. Radio Business Report, Inc. May 16, 2008. Archived from the original on May 14, 2010. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  8. ^ "NRJ Holdings takes a ride on the Reading with WTVE". Television Business Report. September 29, 2011. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  9. ^ "Children's Television Programming Report" (PDF). Public Inspection Files. Federal Communications Commission. July 7, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  10. ^ Jacobson, Adam (December 9, 2019). "RNN Ignites Deal-Making Market With NRJ Deal". Radio and Television Business Report. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  11. ^ RabbitEars TV Query for WPHY-CD
  12. ^ a b "Digital TV Market Listing for WTVE". rabbitears.info. 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  13. ^ "Digital TV Market Listing for WPHY-CD". rabbitears.info. 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  14. ^ "WTVE DTV status report Oct 10, 2008". Fjallfoss.fcc.gov. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  15. ^ "NorthEast Radio Watch by Scott Fybush". Fybush.com. August 4, 2008. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  16. ^ "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 29, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  17. ^ "Re: Request for Special Temporary Authority to Operate a Distributed Transmission System on Channel 25 in Reading, Pennsylvania" (PDF). fcc.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  18. ^ "SFN: ARE MANY TRANSMITTERS BETTER THAN ONE?". tvnewsday.com. TV Newsday Inc. September 13, 2007. Archived from the original on November 18, 2008. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  19. ^ Kurz, Phil. "WTVE-TV deploys ATSC-M/H mobile DTS trial". broadcastengineering.com. Penton Media, Inc. Archived from the original on February 5, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  20. ^ "Mobile DTV Service List". rabbitears.info. 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  21. ^ "Mobile DTV Station Guide | www.omvcsignalmap.com". mdtvsignalmap.com. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.