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| airdate = {{start date and age|1985|4|14|p=y|br=yes}}
| airdate = {{start date and age|1985|4|14|p=y|br=yes}}
| location = [[Huntsville, Alabama|Huntsville]]/[[Decatur, Alabama|Decatur]]/[[Florence, Alabama]]
| location = [[Huntsville, Alabama|Huntsville]]/[[Decatur, Alabama|Decatur]]/[[Florence, Alabama]]
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:'''|54 (UHF, 1984–2009)|'''Digital:'''|41 (UHF, 2002–2020)}}
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 54 (UHF, 1984–2009)|'''Digital:''' 41 (UHF, 2002–2020)}}
| owner = [[Tegna Inc.]]<br />''(sale to [[Standard General]] pending<ref name="tegnasold">{{cite web|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/tegna-selling-to-standard-general-for-5-4-billion/|title=Tegna Selling To Standard General For $5.4 Billion|first=Mark K.|last=Miller|work=TVNewsCheck|date=February 22, 2022|accessdate=February 22, 2022}}</ref>)''
| owner = [[Tegna Inc.]]<br />''(sale to [[Standard General]] pending<ref name="tegnasold">{{cite web|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/tegna-selling-to-standard-general-for-5-4-billion/|title=Tegna Selling To Standard General For $5.4 Billion|first=Mark K.|last=Miller|work=TVNewsCheck|date=February 22, 2022|accessdate=February 22, 2022}}</ref>)''
| licensee = Tegna Broadcast Holdings, [[Limited liability company|LLC]]
| licensee = Tegna Broadcast Holdings, [[Limited liability company|LLC]]
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==History==
==History==
===Establishment and construction===
⚫
[[File:WZDX Fox 54 logo 2007.svg|left|thumb|WZDX-TV's logo from 2007 to 2016.]]
In 1975, Thomas Barr and James Cleary under the name Pioneer Communications petitioned the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) to add another television channel to the Huntsville area, which had only been assigned channels 19, 25, 31, and 48, for the purpose of building an [[independent station (North America)|independent station]]. The FCC proposed adding channel 54, but two Huntsville stations, [[WAAY-TV]] and [[WAFF (TV)|WYUR-TV]], opposed the proposal. In 1977, the FCC suggested inserting channel 54 at [[Decatur, Alabama]], which already had channel 23. However, unlike channel 54, channel 23 could not be used at Monte Sano—the main television transmission site in the region, resulting in low interest.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Plans for TV Channel Here Suffer Setback|page=22|work=[[The Huntsville Times]]|date=December 12, 1977|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/plans-tv-channel-here-suffer-setback/bpyzhumqlwwhzqkrczpvgfrkxjkmrpco_wma-gateway008_1677478882719}}</ref>
WZDX first signed on April 14, 1985, as Northern Alabama's first [[independent station (North America)|independent station]] and the area's first new outlet to launch in nearly twenty years.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Kaylor|first=Mike|date=April 14, 1985|title=54 to Begin Broadcasting Today|page=A-7|work=[[The Huntsville Times]]}}</ref> The station was originally owned by Community Service Broadcasting, a subsidiary of [[Chattanooga, Tennessee|Chattanooga]]-based Media Central.<ref name=":0" /> The station cost the owners between $5 to 6 million to put on the air.<ref name=":0" /> The inaugural program shown was an airing of the 1968 [[feature film|film]] ''[[Charly]]''. The station's transmitter was on Green Mountain in southeastern Huntsville while its studios were in the northwestern section of the city. During the first months after its beginning, WZDX used the slogan "We're Taking You to the Top!" and ran full-page ads in ''[[The Huntsville Times]]'' with this tagline and with still pictures of movies and syndicated shows that the station was planning to air.<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 8, 1985|title=You've Never Watched Huntsville's Favorite TV Station (advertisement)|page=B-8|work=The Huntsville Times}}</ref>


Channel 54 was ultimately added to Huntsville, but there were no applications on file until C. Michael Norton, an attorney from [[Nashville, Tennessee]], applied for it in September 1981 after seeing it on a list of unused TV allocations.<ref>{{Cite news|page=C-2|title=TV Station Permit Sought|work=The Huntsville Times|date=September 29, 1981|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/tv-station-permit-sought/qssqzlnbuzbkrxpkmdwipheaaomrgbzh_wma-gateway007_1677478989000}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Channel 54: Do Television Viewers in Huntsville Have a Void?|first=Mike|last=Kaylor|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/channel-54-do-television-viewers-huntsville-have-void/xrnwxwqnlthzfmsfljickaimeqihcmmq_wma-gateway002_1677479117171|page=D-15|work=The Huntsville Times|date=October 2, 1981}}</ref> Norton was soon joined by other applicants, with the winner being Community Service Broadcasting, a company owned by John Pauza of [[Chattanooga, Tennessee]], and Joel Katz of [[Atlanta]]. Pauza owned Media Central, which specialized in the construction of new independent stations in medium markets.<ref name="Hunt830203">{{cite news|title=Fun TV? FCC OKs License for New Station in Huntsville; Owners Plan to Put Emphasis on Entertainment|first=Mike|last=Kaylor|page=D-3|date=February 3, 1983|work=The Huntsville Times|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/fun-tv-fcc-oks-license-new-station-huntsville-owners-plan-put-emphasis-entertainment/mqwibxkqszuncyhhmlfissjskpyujowa_wma-gateway002_1677479291576}}</ref>
When the Fox network began late night service on October 9, 1986, WZDX initially abstained from affiliating with the network unlike many other strong independent TV stations across the country that had signed on with them, despite the network wanting the station "badly", according to the station's then-general manager.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kaylor|first=Mike|date=July 2, 1987|title=Competition Heats Up as Local TV Ratings Arrive|page=D-27|work=The Huntsville Times}}</ref> However, by December 5, 1987, the station started showing Fox's prime time schedule at the time, but didn't refer to itself as a Fox affiliate for another few months.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kaylor|first=Mike|date=October 31, 1987|title=WZDK to join Fox network in December|page=2A|work=The Huntsville Times}}</ref> In 1988, while Media Central was in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, [[Act III Broadcasting]] tried to acquire WZDX and [[Jackson, Mississippi|Jackson]] sister station [[WDBD]], but the deal had fallen through.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1988-07-04|title=In Brief...|page=72|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/88-OCR/BC-1988-07-04-OCR-Page-0072.pdf|access-date=2022-01-11}}</ref> On March 29, 1990, WZDX became the first property owned by a [[Grant Broadcasting|new broadcasting group]] founded by Milton Grant.


For two years, Media Central missed a series of deadlines. In February 1983, after winning the [[construction permit]], Media Central announced it intended to begin broadcasting that fall.{{r|Hunt830203}} By that fall, the target was spring 1984.<ref>{{Cite news|page=D-3|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/new-tv-station-owners-project-spring-launch/jmeoqrecqncvppulxdrlxvxmxaqcnfcp_wma-gateway013_1677479435240|title=New TV Station Owners Project Spring Launch|date=September 29, 1983|first=Mike|last=Kaylor|work=The Huntsville Times}}</ref> Tower site location issues impeded a launch at that time,<ref>{{Cite news|page=D-3|work=The Huntsville Times|title=Channel 54|date=April 5, 1984|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/channel-54/bnivvffnwcwjpijcjdzotewdplmcsfcj_wma-gateway017_1677479525121}}</ref> but in late 1984, channel 54 began to take shape. A tower site was purchased in August, the call letters WZDX were assigned in September,<ref>{{Cite news|title=New Station to Have Call Letters of WZDX|page=F-3|work=The Huntsville Times|date=September 13, 1984|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/new-station-have-call-letters-wzdx/cpwxsmoxlzoviekzsrnpagufqxlnlwea_wma-gateway016_1677479641318}}</ref> and construction began in November.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 21, 1984|title=Construction Under Way On Channel 54 Facilities|page=D-6|first=Mike|last=Kaylor|work=The Huntsville Times|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/construction-under-way-channel-54-facilities/aolarigvoklcbisfuuncdxdgdqryvumd_wma-gateway012_1677479745008}}</ref> Even then, the station did not start broadcasting in 1984; the antenna was not hoisted onto the station's new tower on Green Mountain until March 1985.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Channel 54 Update|page=D-3|work=The Huntsville Times|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/channel-54-update/mqcsapujrtskgbmbhvrihboysutzgvin_wma-gateway003_1677479935646|date=March 21, 1985}}</ref>

From studios on Mastin Lake Road in northeast Huntsville, WZDX first signed on April 14, 1985, as Northern Alabama's first [[independent station (North America)|independent station]] and the area's first new outlet to launch in 22 years.<ref name="Hunt850411">{{Cite news|date=April 11, 1985|page=D-3|work=The Huntsville Times|title=Independent Television Station Set to Sign On Sunday Morning; 'Dallas' Reruns, Movies Head WZDX Schedule|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/independent-television-station-set-sign-sunday-morning-dallas-reruns-movies-head-wzdx-schedule/lnjbproxxdlzblbljyyldvhhigpsqtgd_wma-gateway003_1677480096554|first=Mike|last=Kaylor}}</ref><ref name="Hunt850414">{{Cite news|last=Kaylor|first=Mike|date=April 14, 1985|title=54 to Begin Broadcasting Today|page=A-7|work=[[The Huntsville Times]]|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/54-begin-broadcasting-today/yiyqfhqsdcixmkysunywviwdvfulyxwt_wma-gateway009_1677480704915}}</ref> Programming consisted of syndicated reruns, movies, and short local newsbreaks.{{r|Hunt850411}} The station cost the owners between $5 to 6 million to put on the air.<ref name="Hunt850414" />

When the Fox network began late-night service on October 9, 1986, WZDX initially abstained from affiliating with the network unlike many other strong independent TV stations across the country that had signed on with them, despite the network wanting the station "badly"; program director David Godbout felt that his weekend shows were already attracting ratings and that he would have to charge too much for advertising in Fox programming for it to work economically.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kaylor|first=Mike|date=July 2, 1987|title=Competition Heats Up as Local TV Ratings Arrive|page=D-27|work=The Huntsville Times|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/competition-heats-local-tv-ratings-arrive/afbphkvmibnqtrmipsunsuveoupjuikq_wma-gateway001_1677481454010}}</ref> This was a posture shared by the entire Media Central chain at the network's launch.<ref name="Knox860815">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89732988/some-viewers-will-see-joan-rivers/|date=August 15, 1986|page=B5|first=Reon|last=Carter|title=Some viewers will see Joan Rivers|newspaper=The Knoxville News-Sentinel|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> However, after Godbout left in late 1987, WZDX joined Fox in November of that year.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kaylor|first=Mike|date=October 31, 1987|title=WZDK [sic] to join Fox network in December|page=2A|work=The Huntsville Times|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wzdk-join-fox-network-december/jnlvmyesqyumdfsrcostjssnbozbjfdw_wma-gateway018_1677481712794}}</ref>

The late 1980s were times of uncertainty for Media Central. The company filed for bankruptcy protection in July 1987,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-07-13.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=July 13, 1987|pages=26–27|title=Media Central files for bankruptcy}}</ref> and [[Act III Broadcasting]] submitted a bid to buy WZDX and [[WDBD]] in [[Jackson, Mississippi]] the next year;<ref>{{Cite news|date=1988-07-04|title=In Brief...|page=72|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/88-OCR/BC-1988-07-04-OCR-Page-0072.pdf|access-date=2022-01-11}}</ref> both were among Media Central's most desirable properties. Act III's bid was rejected, as were proposals from Media Central itself and Maryland investment firm Donatelli & Klein, which did come away with WDBD and [[WDSI-TV]] in Chattanooga.<ref name="Clar890317">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119805151/channel-40s-bankruptcy-plan-denied/|date=March 17, 1989|page=1D|title=Channel 40's bankruptcy plan denied|newspaper=Clarion-Ledger|location=Jackson, Mississippi|first=Jeff|last=Edwards|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 27, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

===Grant Broadcasting ownership===
The bankruptcy court approved the acquisition of the station by [[Citicorp]] in August 1989, which would have represented that company's first venture into broadcasting,<ref>{{Cite news|page=1B|date=August 11, 1989|title=Citicorp to buy local TV station|work=The Huntsville Times|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/citicorp-buy-local-tv-station/zsaurgqavutfgbdxvattfosexkgaqowx_wma-gateway015_1677482252666}}</ref> The station was sold in January 1990 for $6.1 million to a company controlled by Milton Grant with Citicorp involvement.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-11-13.pdf|page=100|date=November 13, 1989|work=Broadcasting|title=For the Record}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1990/BC-1990-01-22.pdf|date=January 22, 1990|page=63|title=For the Record|work=Broadcasting}}</ref> WZDX thus became the first station in Grant's return to station ownership. [[Grant Broadcasting|Grant Communications]] was the successor to the original Grant Broadcasting System, a three-station chain of independent outlets that filed for bankruptcy protection in 1986 and was ultimately sold to its bondholders.<ref name="Phil880701">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119407764/wgbs-emerges-from-bankruptcy-plans-flye/|date=July 1, 1988|page=10-C|first=Anthony, Jr.|last=Gnoffo|title=WGBS emerges from bankruptcy, plans Flyers, Villanova broadcasts|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032233/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119407764/wgbs-emerges-from-bankruptcy-plans/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

Grant obtained rights to [[The WB]] programming in the Huntsville market in 1999, airing the programming in late night hours on WZDX; the move was a consequence of [[NewsNation|Superstation WGN]] ceasing carriage of WB programs.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 12, 1999|title=Fox's WZDX adding popular WB shows|page=G5|first=Dean|last=Smallwood|work=The Huntsville Times}}</ref> The company then announced it would launch full-time WB channels in Huntsville and two other markets where it owned stations—the [[Quad Cities]] of Iowa and Illinois and [[Roanoke, Virginia]]—in December 2000.<ref>{{Cite news|id={{pq|2467928070}}|title=Grant Comm. plans trio of WB affiliates|date=December 22, 2000|page=10|first=Chad|last=Graham}}</ref> "WAWB", known as "The Valley's WB", launched as a cable channel in October 2001.<ref>{{cite news|title=Space Center hires ex-WAAY anchor|first=Chris|last=Welch|date=October 21, 2001|work=The Huntsville Times|page=G6}}</ref>

On March 29, 1990, WZDX became the first property owned by a [[Grant Broadcasting|new broadcasting group]] founded by Milton Grant.
⚫
[[File:WZDX Fox 54 logo 2007.svg|left|thumb|WZDX-TV's logo from 2007 to 2016.]]
In 2002, it launched Huntsville's second digital signal on UHF channel 41. A simulcast of [[The WB 100+ Station Group|cable-only]] [[The WB|WB]] affiliate "WAWB-TV" was then added to a second digital subchannel of WZDX. That offered non-cable viewers access to WB programming for the first time. In September 2003, the broadcast tower shared by WZDX and [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate [[WAAY-TV]] (channel 31) collapsed killing three men. Until it could be replaced, WZDX and WAAY temporarily aired from the nearby tower of [[CBS]] affiliate [[WHNT-TV]] (channel 19).
In 2002, it launched Huntsville's second digital signal on UHF channel 41. A simulcast of [[The WB 100+ Station Group|cable-only]] [[The WB|WB]] affiliate "WAWB-TV" was then added to a second digital subchannel of WZDX. That offered non-cable viewers access to WB programming for the first time. In September 2003, the broadcast tower shared by WZDX and [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate [[WAAY-TV]] (channel 31) collapsed killing three men. Until it could be replaced, WZDX and WAAY temporarily aired from the nearby tower of [[CBS]] affiliate [[WHNT-TV]] (channel 19).


===Nexstar ownership===
On November 6, 2013, [[Nexstar Media Group|Nexstar Broadcasting Group]] announced that it would purchase the Grant stations, including WZDX, for $87.5 million.<ref name=b&c-saletonexstar>{{cite news|last=Malone|first=Michael|title=Nexstar to Acquire Seven Grant Stations For $87.5 Million|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/496448-Nexstar_to_Acquire_Seven_Grant_Stations_For_87_5_Million.php|access-date=November 6, 2013|newspaper=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=November 6, 2013}}</ref> The sale was completed on December 1, 2014.<ref>[http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1663772&Service=DT&Form_id=905&Facility_id=28119 Consummation Notice],''CDBS Public Access'' [[Federal Communications Commission]], Retrieved 3 December 2014.</ref> WZDX is Nexstar's second station in Alabama; it already owned [[WDHN]], the ABC affiliate in [[Dothan, Alabama|Dothan]]. On January 27, 2016, it was announced that Nexstar would buy [[Media General]] for $4.6 billion. WZDX, along with WDHN, will become part of "Nexstar Media Group" and join a cluster of stations Nexstar would own in Alabama including [[WIAT]] in [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]] and [[WKRG-TV]] in [[Mobile, Alabama|Mobile]], as well as [[WRBL]] in [[Columbus, Georgia|Columbus]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], which covers much of east Alabama including [[Opelika, Alabama|Opelika]] and [[Auburn, Alabama|Auburn]]. All three of these stations are CBS affiliates.
On November 6, 2013, [[Nexstar Media Group|Nexstar Broadcasting Group]] announced that it would purchase the Grant stations, including WZDX, for $87.5 million.<ref name=b&c-saletonexstar>{{cite news|last=Malone|first=Michael|title=Nexstar to Acquire Seven Grant Stations For $87.5 Million|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/496448-Nexstar_to_Acquire_Seven_Grant_Stations_For_87_5_Million.php|access-date=November 6, 2013|newspaper=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=November 6, 2013}}</ref> The sale was completed on December 1, 2014.<ref>[http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1663772&Service=DT&Form_id=905&Facility_id=28119 Consummation Notice],''CDBS Public Access'' [[Federal Communications Commission]], Retrieved 3 December 2014.</ref> WZDX is Nexstar's second station in Alabama; it already owned [[WDHN]], the ABC affiliate in [[Dothan, Alabama|Dothan]]. On January 27, 2016, it was announced that Nexstar would buy [[Media General]] for $4.6 billion. WZDX, along with WDHN, will become part of "Nexstar Media Group" and join a cluster of stations Nexstar would own in Alabama including [[WIAT]] in [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]] and [[WKRG-TV]] in [[Mobile, Alabama|Mobile]], as well as [[WRBL]] in [[Columbus, Georgia|Columbus]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], which covers much of east Alabama including [[Opelika, Alabama|Opelika]] and [[Auburn, Alabama|Auburn]]. All three of these stations are CBS affiliates.


On July 15, 2018, Nexstar agreed to acquire WHDF from [[Lockwood Broadcast Group]] for $2.25 million; Nexstar concurrently took over WHDF's operations through a [[Local marketing agreement|time brokerage agreement]].<ref name="fcc-saletonexstar">{{cite web |title=Application for Consent to Assignment of Broadcast Station Construction Permit or License |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1788648&Service=DT&Form_id=314&Facility_id=65128 |website=CDBS Public Access |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |access-date=July 24, 2018}}</ref> The sale was completed on November 9,<ref name="whdfdealdone">{{Cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1795908&Service=DT&Form_id=905&Facility_id=65128|title=Consummation Notice|work=CDBS Public Access|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> creating a duopoly with WZDX.
On July 15, 2018, Nexstar agreed to acquire WHDF from [[Lockwood Broadcast Group]] for $2.25 million; Nexstar concurrently took over WHDF's operations through a [[Local marketing agreement|time brokerage agreement]].<ref name="fcc-saletonexstar">{{cite web |title=Application for Consent to Assignment of Broadcast Station Construction Permit or License |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1788648&Service=DT&Form_id=314&Facility_id=65128 |website=CDBS Public Access |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |access-date=July 24, 2018}}</ref> The sale was completed on November 9, creating a duopoly with WZDX.<ref name="whdfdealdone">{{Cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1795908&Service=DT&Form_id=905&Facility_id=65128|title=Consummation Notice|work=CDBS Public Access|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref>


On December 3, 2018, Nexstar announced it would acquire the assets of [[Chicago]]-based [[Tribune Media]]—which has owned CBS affiliate WHNT-TV since December 2013—for $6.4 billion in cash and debt. Nexstar was precluded from acquiring WHNT directly or indirectly while owning WZDX, as FCC regulations prohibit common ownership of more than two stations in the same media market, or two or more of the four highest-rated stations in the market. (Furthermore, any attempt by Nexstar to assume the operations of WHNT through local marketing or [[shared services]] agreements would have been subject to regulatory hurdles that could have delayed completion of the FCC and Justice Department's review and approval process for the acquisition.) As such, Nexstar decided to sell WZDX to a separate, unrelated company to address the ownership conflict. WHDF does not rank among the top four in total-day viewership and therefore is not in conflict with existing FCC in-market ownership rules, thus, WHDF was retained by Nexstar and will merge their operations into WHNT's studios.<ref>{{cite web|title=Acquisition of Tribune Media Company|url=https://www.nexstar.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Nexstar-Tribune-Investor-Presentation-FINAL-12-3-18.pdf|website=[[Nexstar Media Group]]|date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nexstar Buying Tribune Media For $6.4 Billion|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/226264/nexstar-buying-tribune-media-6-4-billion/|author=Mark K. Miller|website=TVNewsCheck|date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nexstar Confirms $4.1B Tribune Media Acquisition To Become Leading Local TV Station Owner|url=https://deadline.com/2018/12/nexstar-tribune-media-acquisition-1202512653/|author=Peter White|author2=Dade Hayes|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nexstar to buy WGN owner Tribune Media for $4.1 billion|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-nexstar-tribune-media-20181202-story.html|author=Gerry Smith|author2=Nabila Ahmed|author3=Eric Newcomer|agency=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg News]]|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nexstar to buy Tribune Media for $4.1 billion|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tribune-media-m-a-nexstar-media/nexstar-to-buy-tribune-media-for-4-1-billion-idUSKBN1O217Z|author=Arjun Panchadar|author2=Sonam Rai|work=[[Reuters]]|date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nexstar Announces Deal to Buy Tribune for $6.4B|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/nexstar-announces-deal-to-buy-tribune-for-6-4b|author=Jon Lafayette|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=It's Official: Nexstar Takes Tribune In Billion-Dollar Stock Deal|url=https://www.rbr.com/reuters-nexstar-gets-tribune-in-4-1b-deal/|author=Adam Jacobson|website=Radio-Television Business Report|publisher=Streamline-RBR, Inc.|date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nexstar To Spin Off $1B In Stations|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/226264/nexstar-buying-tribune-media-6-4-billion/|author=Harry A. Jessell|author2=Mark K. Miller|website=TVNewsCheck|date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref name="nxsttrco1">{{cite press release|url=https://www.nexstar.tv/nexstar_agrees_to_acquire_tribune/|title=Nexstar Media Group Enters into Definitive Agreement to Acquire Tribune Media Company for $6.4 Billion in Accretive Transaction Creating the Nation's Largest Local Television Broadcaster and Local Media Company|publisher=[[Nexstar Media Group]]|date=December 3, 2018|access-date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref name="nxsttrco2">{{cite web|url=http://www.tribunemedia.com/nexstar-media-group-enters-into-definitive-agreement-to-acquire-tribune-media-company/|title=Nexstar Media Group Enters Into Definitive Agreement To Acquire Tribune Media Company|date=December 3, 2018|access-date=December 3, 2018}}</ref>
On December 3, 2018, Nexstar announced it would acquire the assets of [[Chicago]]-based [[Tribune Media]]—which has owned CBS affiliate WHNT-TV since December 2013—for $6.4 billion in cash and debt. Nexstar was precluded from acquiring WHNT directly or indirectly while owning WZDX, as FCC regulations prohibit common ownership of more than two stations in the same media market, or two or more of the four highest-rated stations in the market. (Furthermore, any attempt by Nexstar to assume the operations of WHNT through local marketing or [[shared services]] agreements would have been subject to regulatory hurdles that could have delayed completion of the FCC and Justice Department's review and approval process for the acquisition.) As such, Nexstar decided to sell WZDX to a separate, unrelated company to address the ownership conflict. WHDF does not rank among the top four in total-day viewership and therefore is not in conflict with existing FCC in-market ownership rules, thus, WHDF was retained by Nexstar and will merge their operations into WHNT's studios.<ref>{{cite web|title=Acquisition of Tribune Media Company|url=https://www.nexstar.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Nexstar-Tribune-Investor-Presentation-FINAL-12-3-18.pdf|website=[[Nexstar Media Group]]|date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nexstar Buying Tribune Media For $6.4 Billion|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/226264/nexstar-buying-tribune-media-6-4-billion/|author=Mark K. Miller|website=TVNewsCheck|date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nexstar Confirms $4.1B Tribune Media Acquisition To Become Leading Local TV Station Owner|url=https://deadline.com/2018/12/nexstar-tribune-media-acquisition-1202512653/|author=Peter White|author2=Dade Hayes|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nexstar to buy WGN owner Tribune Media for $4.1 billion|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-nexstar-tribune-media-20181202-story.html|author=Gerry Smith|author2=Nabila Ahmed|author3=Eric Newcomer|agency=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg News]]|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nexstar to buy Tribune Media for $4.1 billion|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tribune-media-m-a-nexstar-media/nexstar-to-buy-tribune-media-for-4-1-billion-idUSKBN1O217Z|author=Arjun Panchadar|author2=Sonam Rai|work=[[Reuters]]|date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nexstar Announces Deal to Buy Tribune for $6.4B|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/nexstar-announces-deal-to-buy-tribune-for-6-4b|author=Jon Lafayette|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=It's Official: Nexstar Takes Tribune In Billion-Dollar Stock Deal|url=https://www.rbr.com/reuters-nexstar-gets-tribune-in-4-1b-deal/|author=Adam Jacobson|website=Radio-Television Business Report|publisher=Streamline-RBR, Inc.|date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nexstar To Spin Off $1B In Stations|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/226264/nexstar-buying-tribune-media-6-4-billion/|author=Harry A. Jessell|author2=Mark K. Miller|website=TVNewsCheck|date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref name="nxsttrco1">{{cite press release|url=https://www.nexstar.tv/nexstar_agrees_to_acquire_tribune/|title=Nexstar Media Group Enters into Definitive Agreement to Acquire Tribune Media Company for $6.4 Billion in Accretive Transaction Creating the Nation's Largest Local Television Broadcaster and Local Media Company|publisher=[[Nexstar Media Group]]|date=December 3, 2018|access-date=December 3, 2018}}</ref><ref name="nxsttrco2">{{cite web|url=http://www.tribunemedia.com/nexstar-media-group-enters-into-definitive-agreement-to-acquire-tribune-media-company/|title=Nexstar Media Group Enters Into Definitive Agreement To Acquire Tribune Media Company|date=December 3, 2018|access-date=December 3, 2018}}</ref>
Line 49: Line 65:
===Newscasts===
===Newscasts===
[[File:WZDX interview at College Football Playoff National Championship media day, Jan 2018.jpg|thumb|A WZDX anchor conducting an interview at the [[2018 College Football Playoff National Championship]] media day]]
[[File:WZDX interview at College Football Playoff National Championship media day, Jan 2018.jpg|thumb|A WZDX anchor conducting an interview at the [[2018 College Football Playoff National Championship]] media day]]
In January 2008, WZDX launched a 30-minute prime time newscast known as ''Fox 54 Nine O'Clock News''. It was produced by [[Independent News Network]] (INN) in [[Davenport, Iowa]]; two local reporters contributed local news stories to the news program, which was presented from Davenport. It was the second prime time newscast in the market, as WAAY had previously produced one for air on WHDF from 2000 to 2001.<ref>{{cite news|first=Chris|last=Welch|date=January 13, 2008|title=Fox 54 moving into news with weekday shows|page=12F|work=The Huntsville Times}}</ref> The INN program continued to air for two and a half years and was replaced in September 2010 with a 9 p.m. newscast produced by WAAY; WAAY news personnel were joined by Ellis Eskew, a WZDX reporter.<ref>{{cite news|date=September 12, 2010|title=WAAY to produce Fox 54 newscast|page=12F|first=Chris|last=Welch|work=The Huntsville Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|page=6F|date=September 19, 2010|title=News team announced for 31-54 partnership|first=Chris|last=Welch|work=The Huntsville Times}}</ref>
In January 2007, WZDX launched a 30-minute prime time newscast known as ''Fox 54 Nine O'Clock News''. Airing every night except Saturday, it was produced by the [[Independent News Network]] (INN) through an outsourcing agreement with Grant Broadcasting. News anchors, [[meteorologist]]s, and sports anchors were provided by INN and other personnel from the newscast production company would fill-in as needed. WZDX maintained two locally based news reporters which would contribute content to the show. It was taped in advance and then fed to the station through satellite.

The broadcasts originated from INN's facility on Tremont Avenue in [[Davenport, Iowa]]. In a report in the [[Macon, Georgia]] ''[[The Telegraph (Macon)|Telegraph]]'', it was announced the Independent News Network filed for [[Chapter 7, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 7]] [[Bankruptcy in the United States|bankruptcy]] and the company would end all news productions (including those for WZDX) by January 9, 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.macon.com/149/story/576881.html |title=Macon Telegraph: "Future of Macon TV station's nightly newscast uncertain", 1/5/2009. |access-date=2009-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090127020949/http://www.macon.com/149/story/576881.html |archive-date=2009-01-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, all INN broadcasts would then be reinstated under ownership of Fusion Communications (also of Davenport) according to the newspaper. WZDX would not face local news competition until February 1, 2010, when WHNT added a nightly half-hour newscast at 9 to its [[Retro Television Network]] (RTV) subchannel (WHNT-DT2 dropped RTV for [[Antenna TV]] in 2011).

On September 20, WZDX terminated its outsourcing agreement with INN and entered into another news share arrangement with WAAY (owned by [[Calkins Media]]). This resulted in a local refocus of ''Fox 54 Nine O'Clock News'' which can now be seen every night from a secondary set at WAAY's studios on Monte Sano Boulevard Southeast. WZDX maintains separate news anchors and a meteorologist but they can report for and/or fill-in on WAAY.<ref>http://www.waaytv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13097072</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blog.al.com/entertainment-times/2010/09/post_21.html|title = WAAY to start producing WZDX's Nine O'Clock News Monday|date = 19 September 2010}}</ref> In addition to its main facility, the latter also operates bureaus in [[Decatur, Alabama|Decatur]] (on Lee Street Northeast) and [[Florence–Muscle Shoals metropolitan area|The Shoals]] (in [[Florence, Alabama|Florence]] on North Pine Street within the [[University of North Alabama]] campus). Although the previous INN newscasts were in high definition in later years, the newscasts on WZDX reverted to [[pillarbox]]ed [[4:3]] [[standard-definition television|standard definition]] when WAAY took over the production. WAAY upgraded to high definition newscasts on December 12, 2011, and the WZDX shows were included.


On December 4, 2015, Nexstar announced that WZDX would launch a standalone news operation on April 4, 2016. Concurrently, the station's newscast was extended to an hour.<ref name=b&c-wzdxinhousenews>{{cite news|last1=Kuperberg|first1=Jonathan|title=Nexstar's WZDX Expanding News, Adding Staff, Remodeling Facilities|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/nexstar-s-wzdx-expanding-news-adding-staff-remodeling-facilities/146489|access-date=December 17, 2015|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=December 17, 2015}}</ref>
On December 4, 2015, Nexstar announced that WZDX would launch a standalone news operation on April 4, 2016. Concurrently, the station's newscast was extended to an hour.<ref name=b&c-wzdxinhousenews>{{cite news|last1=Kuperberg|first1=Jonathan|title=Nexstar's WZDX Expanding News, Adding Staff, Remodeling Facilities|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/nexstar-s-wzdx-expanding-news-adding-staff-remodeling-facilities/146489|access-date=December 17, 2015|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=December 17, 2015}}</ref>
Line 61: Line 73:
The station's digital signal is [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
The station's digital signal is [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of WZDX<ref>[http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WZDX#station RabbitEars TV Query for WZDX]</ref>
|+Subchannels of WZDX<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WZDX#station RabbitEars TV Query for WZDX]</ref>
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
Line 72: Line 84:
|-
|-
! scope = "row" | 54.2
! scope = "row" | 54.2
| rowspan="6" | 480i || WAMY-DT || WZDX-DT2 / [[MyNetworkTV]]
| rowspan="6" | 480i || MyNet || WZDX-DT2 / [[MyNetworkTV]]
|-
|-
! scope = "row" | 54.3
! scope = "row" | 54.3
Line 81: Line 93:
|-
|-
! scope = "row" | 54.5
! scope = "row" | 54.5
| Crime || [[True Crime Network|True Crime]]
| Crime || [[True Crime Network]]
|-
|-
! scope = "row" | 54.6
! scope = "row" | 54.6
Line 87: Line 99:
|-
|-
! scope = "row" | 54.7
! scope = "row" | 54.7
| Twist || [[Twist (TV network)|Twist]] (soon)
| TWIST || [[Twist (TV network)|Twist]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 54.8
| TheGrio || [[TheGrio|TheGrio.TV]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 54.9
| COMET || [[Comet (TV network)|Comet]]
|}
|}

On April 17, 2012, WZDX launched a third digital subchannel on 54.3, that carries [[MeTV]].<ref>[http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2012/03/30/58449/metv-lands-affiliations-in-three-more-markets Me-TV Lands Affiliations In Three More Market]. ''TVNewsCheck'', March 30, 2012.</ref>

On June 15, 2016, Nexstar announced that it would add Escape (now [[Ion Mystery]]) to a newly created fourth subchannel.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bounce TV, Grit, Escape, Laff Multicast Deal Covers 81 Stations, 54 Markets|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/currency/bounce-tv-grit-escape-laff-multicast-deal-covers-81-stations-54-markets/157330|access-date=June 16, 2016|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=June 15, 2016}}</ref>


===Analog-to-digital conversion===
===Analog-to-digital conversion===
WZDX shut down its analog signal, over [[Ultra high frequency|UHF]] channel 54, on June 12, 2009, as part of the [[Digital television transition in the United States|federally mandated transition from analog to digital television]].<ref name="Analog to Digital">[http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf List of Digital Full-Power Stations]</ref> The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 41, using [[Program and System Information Protocol|PSIP]] to display WZDX's [[virtual channel]] as 54 on digital television receivers, which was among the high band UHF channels (52-69) that were removed from broadcasting use as a result of the transition. In order to adequately serve its area, its [[effective radiated power]] was increased to 700 [[kilowatt|kW]] on July 2.
WZDX shut down its analog signal, over [[Ultra high frequency|UHF]] channel 54, on June 12, 2009, as part of the [[Digital television transition in the United States|federally mandated transition from analog to digital television]]; the station continued to broadcast on channel 41 using [[virtual channel]] 54.<ref name="Analog to Digital">{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |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 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
<references />


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 08:06, 27 February 2023

WZDX
CityHuntsville, Alabama
Channels
BrandingFox 54
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
History
First air date
April 14, 1985
(39 years ago) (1985-04-14)
Former channel number(s)
  • Analog: 54 (UHF, 1984–2009)
  • Digital: 41 (UHF, 2002–2020)
Technical information[2]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID28119
ERP522 kW
HAAT525.3 m (1,723 ft)
Transmitter coordinates34°44′12.8″N 86°31′58.9″W / 34.736889°N 86.533028°W / 34.736889; -86.533028
Links
Public license information
Websitewww.rocketcitynow.com

WZDX (channel 54) is a television station in Huntsville, Alabama, United States, affiliated with Fox and MyNetworkTV. Owned by Tegna Inc., the station maintains studios on North Memorial Parkway (US 72/231/431) in Huntsville, and its transmitter is located on Monte Sano Mountain in the Mountain Heights section of the city.

History

Establishment and construction

In 1975, Thomas Barr and James Cleary under the name Pioneer Communications petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to add another television channel to the Huntsville area, which had only been assigned channels 19, 25, 31, and 48, for the purpose of building an independent station. The FCC proposed adding channel 54, but two Huntsville stations, WAAY-TV and WYUR-TV, opposed the proposal. In 1977, the FCC suggested inserting channel 54 at Decatur, Alabama, which already had channel 23. However, unlike channel 54, channel 23 could not be used at Monte Sano—the main television transmission site in the region, resulting in low interest.[3]

Channel 54 was ultimately added to Huntsville, but there were no applications on file until C. Michael Norton, an attorney from Nashville, Tennessee, applied for it in September 1981 after seeing it on a list of unused TV allocations.[4][5] Norton was soon joined by other applicants, with the winner being Community Service Broadcasting, a company owned by John Pauza of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Joel Katz of Atlanta. Pauza owned Media Central, which specialized in the construction of new independent stations in medium markets.[6]

For two years, Media Central missed a series of deadlines. In February 1983, after winning the construction permit, Media Central announced it intended to begin broadcasting that fall.[6] By that fall, the target was spring 1984.[7] Tower site location issues impeded a launch at that time,[8] but in late 1984, channel 54 began to take shape. A tower site was purchased in August, the call letters WZDX were assigned in September,[9] and construction began in November.[10] Even then, the station did not start broadcasting in 1984; the antenna was not hoisted onto the station's new tower on Green Mountain until March 1985.[11]

From studios on Mastin Lake Road in northeast Huntsville, WZDX first signed on April 14, 1985, as Northern Alabama's first independent station and the area's first new outlet to launch in 22 years.[12][13] Programming consisted of syndicated reruns, movies, and short local newsbreaks.[12] The station cost the owners between $5 to 6 million to put on the air.[13]

When the Fox network began late-night service on October 9, 1986, WZDX initially abstained from affiliating with the network unlike many other strong independent TV stations across the country that had signed on with them, despite the network wanting the station "badly"; program director David Godbout felt that his weekend shows were already attracting ratings and that he would have to charge too much for advertising in Fox programming for it to work economically.[14] This was a posture shared by the entire Media Central chain at the network's launch.[15] However, after Godbout left in late 1987, WZDX joined Fox in November of that year.[16]

The late 1980s were times of uncertainty for Media Central. The company filed for bankruptcy protection in July 1987,[17] and Act III Broadcasting submitted a bid to buy WZDX and WDBD in Jackson, Mississippi the next year;[18] both were among Media Central's most desirable properties. Act III's bid was rejected, as were proposals from Media Central itself and Maryland investment firm Donatelli & Klein, which did come away with WDBD and WDSI-TV in Chattanooga.[19]

Grant Broadcasting ownership

The bankruptcy court approved the acquisition of the station by Citicorp in August 1989, which would have represented that company's first venture into broadcasting,[20] The station was sold in January 1990 for $6.1 million to a company controlled by Milton Grant with Citicorp involvement.[21][22] WZDX thus became the first station in Grant's return to station ownership. Grant Communications was the successor to the original Grant Broadcasting System, a three-station chain of independent outlets that filed for bankruptcy protection in 1986 and was ultimately sold to its bondholders.[23]

Grant obtained rights to The WB programming in the Huntsville market in 1999, airing the programming in late night hours on WZDX; the move was a consequence of Superstation WGN ceasing carriage of WB programs.[24] The company then announced it would launch full-time WB channels in Huntsville and two other markets where it owned stations—the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois and Roanoke, Virginia—in December 2000.[25] "WAWB", known as "The Valley's WB", launched as a cable channel in October 2001.[26]

On March 29, 1990, WZDX became the first property owned by a new broadcasting group founded by Milton Grant.

WZDX-TV's logo from 2007 to 2016.

In 2002, it launched Huntsville's second digital signal on UHF channel 41. A simulcast of cable-only WB affiliate "WAWB-TV" was then added to a second digital subchannel of WZDX. That offered non-cable viewers access to WB programming for the first time. In September 2003, the broadcast tower shared by WZDX and ABC affiliate WAAY-TV (channel 31) collapsed killing three men. Until it could be replaced, WZDX and WAAY temporarily aired from the nearby tower of CBS affiliate WHNT-TV (channel 19).

Nexstar ownership

On November 6, 2013, Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced that it would purchase the Grant stations, including WZDX, for $87.5 million.[27] The sale was completed on December 1, 2014.[28] WZDX is Nexstar's second station in Alabama; it already owned WDHN, the ABC affiliate in Dothan. On January 27, 2016, it was announced that Nexstar would buy Media General for $4.6 billion. WZDX, along with WDHN, will become part of "Nexstar Media Group" and join a cluster of stations Nexstar would own in Alabama including WIAT in Birmingham and WKRG-TV in Mobile, as well as WRBL in Columbus, Georgia, which covers much of east Alabama including Opelika and Auburn. All three of these stations are CBS affiliates.

On July 15, 2018, Nexstar agreed to acquire WHDF from Lockwood Broadcast Group for $2.25 million; Nexstar concurrently took over WHDF's operations through a time brokerage agreement.[29] The sale was completed on November 9, creating a duopoly with WZDX.[30]

On December 3, 2018, Nexstar announced it would acquire the assets of Chicago-based Tribune Media—which has owned CBS affiliate WHNT-TV since December 2013—for $6.4 billion in cash and debt. Nexstar was precluded from acquiring WHNT directly or indirectly while owning WZDX, as FCC regulations prohibit common ownership of more than two stations in the same media market, or two or more of the four highest-rated stations in the market. (Furthermore, any attempt by Nexstar to assume the operations of WHNT through local marketing or shared services agreements would have been subject to regulatory hurdles that could have delayed completion of the FCC and Justice Department's review and approval process for the acquisition.) As such, Nexstar decided to sell WZDX to a separate, unrelated company to address the ownership conflict. WHDF does not rank among the top four in total-day viewership and therefore is not in conflict with existing FCC in-market ownership rules, thus, WHDF was retained by Nexstar and will merge their operations into WHNT's studios.[31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]

Ultimately, on March 20, 2019, Nexstar announced it would keep the higher-rated WHNT, and sell WZDX to Tysons, Virginia–based Tegna Inc. once its acquisition of Tribune was consummated. This was part of the company's sale of nineteen Nexstar- and Tribune-operated stations to Tegna and the E. W. Scripps Company in separate deals worth $1.32 billion; this would make WZDX the first television property in Alabama for Tegna and a sister station to NBC affiliate WBIR-TV in Knoxville and the duopoly of NBC affiliate WXIA-TV and MyNetworkTV affiliate WATL in Atlanta. WHDF was not included in the sale, with Nexstar intending to form a new duopoly involving WHNT.[41][42] The sale was approved by the FCC on September 16 and was completed on September 19, 2019.

Programming

Syndicated programming

Syndicated programming on WZDX includes The Big Bang Theory, Dr. Phil, Mike & Molly, and Judge Mathis among others. Syndicated programming on WZDX-DT2 includes Seinfeld, Maury, The Jerry Springer Show, The Wendy Williams Show, and Monk, among others.

Newscasts

A WZDX anchor conducting an interview at the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship media day

In January 2008, WZDX launched a 30-minute prime time newscast known as Fox 54 Nine O'Clock News. It was produced by Independent News Network (INN) in Davenport, Iowa; two local reporters contributed local news stories to the news program, which was presented from Davenport. It was the second prime time newscast in the market, as WAAY had previously produced one for air on WHDF from 2000 to 2001.[43] The INN program continued to air for two and a half years and was replaced in September 2010 with a 9 p.m. newscast produced by WAAY; WAAY news personnel were joined by Ellis Eskew, a WZDX reporter.[44][45]

On December 4, 2015, Nexstar announced that WZDX would launch a standalone news operation on April 4, 2016. Concurrently, the station's newscast was extended to an hour.[46]

Technical information

Subchannels

The station's digital signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of WZDX[47]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
54.1 720p 16:9 WZDX-DT Main WZDX programming / Fox
54.2 480i MyNet WZDX-DT2 / MyNetworkTV
54.3 MeTV-SD MeTV
54.4 Mystery Ion Mystery
54.5 Crime True Crime Network
54.6 Quest Quest
54.7 TWIST Twist
54.8 TheGrio TheGrio.TV
54.9 COMET Comet

Analog-to-digital conversion

WZDX shut down its analog signal, over UHF channel 54, on June 12, 2009, as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television; the station continued to broadcast on channel 41 using virtual channel 54.[48]

References

  1. ^ Miller, Mark K. (February 22, 2022). "Tegna Selling To Standard General For $5.4 Billion". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  2. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WZDX". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ^ "Plans for TV Channel Here Suffer Setback". The Huntsville Times. December 12, 1977. p. 22.
  4. ^ "TV Station Permit Sought". The Huntsville Times. September 29, 1981. p. C-2.
  5. ^ Kaylor, Mike (October 2, 1981). "Channel 54: Do Television Viewers in Huntsville Have a Void?". The Huntsville Times. p. D-15.
  6. ^ a b Kaylor, Mike (February 3, 1983). "Fun TV? FCC OKs License for New Station in Huntsville; Owners Plan to Put Emphasis on Entertainment". The Huntsville Times. p. D-3.
  7. ^ Kaylor, Mike (September 29, 1983). "New TV Station Owners Project Spring Launch". The Huntsville Times. p. D-3.
  8. ^ "Channel 54". The Huntsville Times. April 5, 1984. p. D-3.
  9. ^ "New Station to Have Call Letters of WZDX". The Huntsville Times. September 13, 1984. p. F-3.
  10. ^ Kaylor, Mike (November 21, 1984). "Construction Under Way On Channel 54 Facilities". The Huntsville Times. p. D-6.
  11. ^ "Channel 54 Update". The Huntsville Times. March 21, 1985. p. D-3.
  12. ^ a b Kaylor, Mike (April 11, 1985). "Independent Television Station Set to Sign On Sunday Morning; 'Dallas' Reruns, Movies Head WZDX Schedule". The Huntsville Times. p. D-3.
  13. ^ a b Kaylor, Mike (April 14, 1985). "54 to Begin Broadcasting Today". The Huntsville Times. p. A-7.
  14. ^ Kaylor, Mike (July 2, 1987). "Competition Heats Up as Local TV Ratings Arrive". The Huntsville Times. p. D-27.
  15. ^ Carter, Reon (August 15, 1986). "Some viewers will see Joan Rivers". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. p. B5. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Kaylor, Mike (October 31, 1987). "WZDK [sic] to join Fox network in December". The Huntsville Times. p. 2A.
  17. ^ "Media Central files for bankruptcy" (PDF). Broadcasting. July 13, 1987. pp. 26–27.
  18. ^ "In Brief..." (PDF). Broadcasting. 1988-07-04. p. 72. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  19. ^ Edwards, Jeff (March 17, 1989). "Channel 40's bankruptcy plan denied". Clarion-Ledger. Jackson, Mississippi. p. 1D. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Citicorp to buy local TV station". The Huntsville Times. August 11, 1989. p. 1B.
  21. ^ "For the Record" (PDF). Broadcasting. November 13, 1989. p. 100.
  22. ^ "For the Record" (PDF). Broadcasting. January 22, 1990. p. 63.
  23. ^ Gnoffo, Anthony, Jr. (July 1, 1988). "WGBS emerges from bankruptcy, plans Flyers, Villanova broadcasts". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 10-C. Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ Smallwood, Dean (September 12, 1999). "Fox's WZDX adding popular WB shows". The Huntsville Times. p. G5.
  25. ^ Graham, Chad (December 22, 2000). "Grant Comm. plans trio of WB affiliates". p. 10. ProQuest 2467928070.
  26. ^ Welch, Chris (October 21, 2001). "Space Center hires ex-WAAY anchor". The Huntsville Times. p. G6.
  27. ^ Malone, Michael (November 6, 2013). "Nexstar to Acquire Seven Grant Stations For $87.5 Million". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  28. ^ Consummation Notice,CDBS Public Access Federal Communications Commission, Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  29. ^ "Application for Consent to Assignment of Broadcast Station Construction Permit or License". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  30. ^ "Consummation Notice". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  31. ^ "Acquisition of Tribune Media Company" (PDF). Nexstar Media Group. December 3, 2018.
  32. ^ Mark K. Miller (December 3, 2018). "Nexstar Buying Tribune Media For $6.4 Billion". TVNewsCheck.
  33. ^ Peter White; Dade Hayes (December 3, 2018). "Nexstar Confirms $4.1B Tribune Media Acquisition To Become Leading Local TV Station Owner". Deadline Hollywood.
  34. ^ Gerry Smith; Nabila Ahmed; Eric Newcomer (December 3, 2018). "Nexstar to buy WGN owner Tribune Media for $4.1 billion". Chicago Tribune. Bloomberg News.
  35. ^ Arjun Panchadar; Sonam Rai (December 3, 2018). "Nexstar to buy Tribune Media for $4.1 billion". Reuters.
  36. ^ Jon Lafayette (December 3, 2018). "Nexstar Announces Deal to Buy Tribune for $6.4B". Broadcasting & Cable.
  37. ^ Adam Jacobson (December 3, 2018). "It's Official: Nexstar Takes Tribune In Billion-Dollar Stock Deal". Radio-Television Business Report. Streamline-RBR, Inc.
  38. ^ Harry A. Jessell; Mark K. Miller (December 3, 2018). "Nexstar To Spin Off $1B In Stations". TVNewsCheck.
  39. ^ "Nexstar Media Group Enters into Definitive Agreement to Acquire Tribune Media Company for $6.4 Billion in Accretive Transaction Creating the Nation's Largest Local Television Broadcaster and Local Media Company" (Press release). Nexstar Media Group. December 3, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  40. ^ "Nexstar Media Group Enters Into Definitive Agreement To Acquire Tribune Media Company". December 3, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  41. ^ "Nexstar Selling 19 TVs In 15 Markets For $1.32B". TVNewsCheck. March 20, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  42. ^ Nabila Ahmed; Anousha Sakoui (March 20, 2019). "Nexstar to Sell Stations to Tegna, Scripps for $1.32 Billion". Bloomberg News.
  43. ^ Welch, Chris (January 13, 2008). "Fox 54 moving into news with weekday shows". The Huntsville Times. p. 12F.
  44. ^ Welch, Chris (September 12, 2010). "WAAY to produce Fox 54 newscast". The Huntsville Times. p. 12F.
  45. ^ Welch, Chris (September 19, 2010). "News team announced for 31-54 partnership". The Huntsville Times. p. 6F.
  46. ^ Kuperberg, Jonathan (December 17, 2015). "Nexstar's WZDX Expanding News, Adding Staff, Remodeling Facilities". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  47. ^ {{cite news|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WZDX#station RabbitEars TV Query for WZDX]
  48. ^ "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission. May 23, 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 29, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
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