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{{short description|NBC affiliate in Elmira, New York}} |
{{short description|NBC affiliate in Elmira, New York}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date= |
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} |
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{{Infobox television station |
{{Infobox television station |
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| callsign |
| callsign = WETM-TV |
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| city |
| city = Elmira, New York |
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| logo |
| logo = Wetmlogo.png |
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| logo_upright = .85 |
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---- |
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| branding = WETM 18; ''18 News''; WETM 2 (DT2) |
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[[File:EETM Logo.png|200px|]] |
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| digital = 23 ([[UHF]]) |
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| branding = WETM 18 ''(general)''<br />''18 News'' ''(newscasts)''<br />WETM 2 ''(on DT2)'' |
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| virtual = 18 |
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| digital = 23 ([[ultra high frequency|UHF]]) |
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| affiliations = {{ubl|'''18.1:''' [[NBC]]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}} |
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| virtual = 18 |
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| translators = |
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| subchannels = {{ubl|'''18.1:''' [[NBC]]|'''18.2:''' [[Antenna TV]]|'''18.3:''' [[Laff (TV network)|Laff]]|'''18.4:''' [[Ion Mystery]]}} |
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| network = |
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| translators = |
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| owner = [[Nexstar Media Group]] |
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| network = |
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| licensee = Nexstar Media Inc. |
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| image = EETM Logo.png |
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| licensee = Nexstar Media Inc. |
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| image_upright = .6 |
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| location = [[Elmira, New York|Elmira]]–[[Corning (city), New York|Corning, New York]] |
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| location = [[Elmira, New York|Elmira]]–[[Corning, New York]] |
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| country = United States |
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| country = United States |
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| founded = |
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| founded = |
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| airdate = {{start date and age|1953|9|30|p=y}} |
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| airdate = {{start date and age|1956|9|15|p=y}} |
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| last_airdate = |
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| last_airdate = |
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| callsign_meaning = "Elmira [[Times Mirror Company|Times Mirror]]" ''(former owner)'' |
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| callsign_meaning = "Elmira/[[Times Mirror]]" (former owner) |
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| sister_stations = |
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| sister_stations = |
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| former_callsigns = WSYE-TV (1956–1980) |
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| former_callsigns = WSYE-TV (1956–1980) |
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| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:'''|18 (UHF, 1956–2009)|'''Digital:'''|2 ([[Very high frequency|VHF]], 2001–2009)|18 (UHF, 2009–2020)}} |
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| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 18 (UHF, 1956–2009)|'''Digital:''' 2 ([[VHF]], 2001–2009), 18 (UHF, 2009–2020)}} |
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| former_affiliations = '''DT2:'''<br />[[UPN]] (2004–2006)<br />[[Independent station (North America)|Independent]] (2006–2020) |
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| former_affiliations = [[UPN]] (DT2, 2004–2006) |
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| erp = 265 [[kilowatt|kW]] |
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| erp = 265 [[kW]] |
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| haat = {{convert|375|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} |
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| haat = {{convert|375|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} |
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| class = [[digital terrestrial television|DT]] |
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| facility_id |
| facility_id = 60653 |
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| coordinates |
| coordinates = {{coord|42|6|22|N|76|52|16|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline, title}} |
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| licensing_authority |
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]] |
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| website |
| website = {{URL|https://www.mytwintiers.com/}} |
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}} |
}} |
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'''WETM-TV''' |
'''WETM-TV''' (channel 18) is a [[television station]] in [[Elmira, New York]], United States, affiliated with [[NBC]] and owned by [[Nexstar Media Group]]. The station's studios are located on East Water Street in downtown Elmira, and its transmitter is located on Hawley Hill in [[Big Flats, New York]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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===Prior use of channel 18=== |
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The station first signed-on September 30, 1953, as '''WECT-TV''', operated by El-Cor Television, a [[joint venture]] of the ''[[Corning Leader]]'' and the ''[[Elmira Star-Gazette]]''. The station only operated for less than a year on a test basis before ending transmission on May 26, 1954. After an aborted attempt to restart, El-Cor surrendered the station's license on September 23, 1954. The WECT call letters are now used on [[Wilmington, North Carolina]]'s [[WECT|NBC affiliate]]. |
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{{main|WECT (New York)}} |
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The first user of channel 18 in Elmira was its second station, WECT, which was operated by El-Cor Television, a [[joint venture]] of the ''[[Corning Leader]]'' and the ''[[Elmira Star-Gazette]]''. The station only operated for less than a year, from September 30, 1953, to May 27, 1954. El-Cor surrendered the station's license in September. |
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===WSYE-TV=== |
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On September 10, 1956, the station began operating using the same facility and equipment under the ownership of [[Advance Publications|Newhouse Newspapers]] as '''WSYE-TV''', a [[Broadcast relay station#Semi-satellites|semi-satellite]] of NBC affiliate WSYR-TV (now [[WSTM-TV]]) in [[Syracuse, New York|Syracuse]]. It is Elmira's oldest surviving station, signing on shortly after [[WTVE (Elmira, New York)|WTVE]] which went [[Dark (broadcasting)|dark]] after [[Hurricane Hazel]] blew through the Elmira area in 1954 and took out its tower. Originating early on from WSYE's original studios on Hawley Hill was a ladies' informational program called ''The Dana Near Show''. |
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In late 1955, plans surfaced from two groups to reactivate channel 18 for use as a rebroadcaster of another station, one from [[WNBF-TV]] of [[Binghamton]] and one from [[WSTM-TV|WSYR-TV (channel 3)]], the NBC affiliate in [[Syracuse, New York|Syracuse]].<ref name="Star551008">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106983185/fcc-may-set-early-hearing-on-channel-18/|date=October 8, 1955|page=7|title=FCC May Set Early Hearing On Channel 18, TV Exec Says|newspaper=Star-Gazette|location=Elmira, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 5, 2022|archive-date=August 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805070522/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106983185/fcc-may-set-early-hearing-on-channel/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> After WNBF-TV dropped its proposal at the end of November,<ref name="Star551130">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106983311/tv-channel-9-award-to-city-may-deter-wsy/|date=November 30, 1955|page=33|title=TV Channel 9 Award to City May Deter WSYR Satellite|newspaper=Star-Gazette|location=Elmira, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 5, 2022|archive-date=August 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805070522/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106983311/tv-channel-9-award-to-city-may-deter/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> WSYR-TV was granted the construction permit by the FCC on April 4, 1956,<ref name="Star560405">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106983620/use-of-channel-18-as-wsyr-outlet-formall/|date=April 5, 1956|page=22|title=Use of Channel 18 As WSYR Outlet Formally Approved|newspaper=Star-Gazette|location=Elmira, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 5, 2022}}</ref><!-- Thu --> and broadcasting began on September 15 under the callsign WSYE-TV.<ref name="Star560710">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106983260/channel-18-resumes-telecasts-sept-15/|date=July 10, 1956|page=11|title=Channel 18 Resumes Telecasts Sept. 15|newspaper=Star-Gazette|location=Elmira, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 5, 2022|archive-date=August 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805070522/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106983260/channel-18-resumes-telecasts-sept-15/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The station telecast from the same Hawley Hill site used by WECT; while most programming came from Syracuse, the station did originate some programming from the Hawley Hill site.<ref name="Star560915">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106983638/new-tv-station-starts-tonight/|date=September 15, 1956|page=7|title=New TV Station Starts Tonight|newspaper=Star-Gazette|location=Elmira, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 5, 2022}}</ref><!-- Sat --> |
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In 1980, Newhouse sold its entire television division, including WSYR and WSYE, to the [[Times Mirror Company]]. The new owners changed the call letters to WSTM-TV and |
In 1980, Newhouse sold its entire television division, including WSYR and WSYE, to the [[Times Mirror Company]]. The new owners changed the call letters to WSTM-TV and WETM-TV, respectively. Times Mirror gradually cut the last ties between the two stations while establishing WETM-TV as a full-fledged station in its own right. It sold WETM to [[Smith Media|Smith Broadcasting]] in 1986. Smith moved the station's studios and sales units to a more central facility in Elmira in 1988.<ref name="Star880717">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106983338/wetm-struts-downtown-soon-new-site-boas/|date=July 17, 1988|page=1C|first=Tom|last=Hartley|title=WETM struts downtown soon: New site boasts better space and equipment|newspaper=Star-Gazette|location=Elmira, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 5, 2022|archive-date=August 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805070523/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106983338/wetm-struts-downtown-soon-new-site/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Under Smith's ownership, a reversal of the station's origins took place with the April 1996 launch of a cable-only [[Binghamton]] version of WETM-TV (known as "NBC 5") through a [[local marketing agreement]] with [[Time Warner Cable]], which would displace [[WNYW]] from cable systems in that area.<ref name=aa-wetmcableversion>{{cite news|last1=Ross|first1=Chuck|title=TV STATION HOOKS UP WITH CABLE OUTLET; NEW YORK'S WETM CRAFTS LOCAL MARKETING AGREEMENT|url=http://adage.com/article/news/tv-station-hooks-cable-outlet-york-s-wetm-crafts-local-marketing-agreement/79467/|access-date=December 20, 2015|work=[[Advertising Age]]|date=April 22, 1996}}</ref> Set up in the wake of [[WICZ-TV]], Binghamton's established NBC affiliate, [[Fox affiliate switches of 1994|defecting]] to [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]], the arrangement saw Time Warner Cable sell Binghamton-[[media market|market]] advertising and replace syndicated programs that aired on other Binghamton stations with programming acquired by WETM-TV for the Binghamton market due to [[syndex]] laws, while WETM-TV sold regional advertising seen in both markets.<ref name=aa-wetmcableversion/> In 1997, Smith bought Binghamton low-power station [[WBGH-CD|WBGH-LP]] and made it an over-the-air semi-satellite of WETM-TV;<ref name=fcc-saletosmith>{{cite web|title=Application Search Details (WBGH-CD)|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=251799|website=CDBS Public Access|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=December 20, 2015}}</ref><ref name=nerw-saletosmith>{{cite news|last1=Fybush|first1=Scott|title=Fire at WVIP|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-970911.html|access-date=December 20, 2015|work=North East RadioWatch|date=September 11, 1997}}</ref> WBGH eventually split off except for simulcasting WETM-TV's newscasts. WETM-TV became the first outlet in the Elmira market with an internet presence starting in 1998. |
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In 2000, Smith Broadcasting entered into a management agreement with The [[Ackerley Group]] to operate WETM-TV. [[ |
In 2000, Smith Broadcasting entered into a management agreement with The [[Ackerley Group]] to operate WETM-TV. [[Clear Channel Communications]] inherited the management agreement when it purchased Ackerley in late 2001. In 2004, Smith Broadcasting sold WETM-TV outright to Clear Channel after the death of Smith Broadcasting founder Robert Smith. On April 20, 2007, Clear Channel entered into an agreement to sell its entire television stations group to [[Providence Equity Partners]].<ref name="Clear Channel Television">{{cite press release|title=Clear Channel Agrees to Sell Television Station Group to Providence Equity Partners|publisher=[[Clear Channel Communications]]|url=http://www.clearchannel.com/Corporate/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=1943|date=April 20, 2007|access-date=April 20, 2007}}</ref> Newport announced on July 19, 2012, that it would sell twelve of its television stations (including WETM-TV) to [[Nexstar Broadcasting Group]].<ref name=tvnc-saletonexstar>{{cite news|title=Newport Sells 22 Station For $1 Billion|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60876/newport-sells-22-stations-for-1-billion|access-date=July 19, 2012|newspaper=TVNewsCheck|date=July 19, 2012}}</ref> The sale was finalized on December 3, 2012. On July 26, the station was knocked off the air by widespread [[power outage]]s caused by a confirmed [[tornado]] that struck downtown Elmira during the afternoon. By the next day around mid-morning, WETM-TV had a feed restored to Time Warner Cable.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wetmtv.com/news/local/story/Tornado-Threat-Has-Now-Passed/oRxt8yHfH0qt5i0LIKYyEg.cspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730005012/http://www.wetmtv.com/news/local/story/Tornado-Threat-Has-Now-Passed/oRxt8yHfH0qt5i0LIKYyEg.cspx |archive-date=July 30, 2012 |title=Tornado Threat Has Now Passed - WETM 18 Online}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hush |first1=Chris |title=WETM-TV Is Back On The Air |url=http://www.wetmtv.com/news/local/story/WETM-TV-Is-Back-On-The-Air/Exi61Hs6DUKwTR7kGuP6zA.cspx |website=wetmtv.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730004818/http://www.wetmtv.com/news/local/story/WETM-TV-Is-Back-On-The-Air/Exi61Hs6DUKwTR7kGuP6zA.cspx |archive-date=July 30, 2012 |date=July 27, 2012}}</ref> |
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===WETM2=== |
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WETM |
WETM's second subchannel has its roots in W30AA, a [[broadcast relay station#Broadcast translators|translator]] of [[PBS]] [[Network affiliate#Member stations|member station]] [[WSKG-TV]] in Binghamton. That station closed down the translator in 2003 after concluding the expenses required to operate W30AA were not justified by its limited viewership base.<ref name="nerw-w30aaend">{{cite news|url=http://www.fybush.com/nerw030714.html|title=Car Dealer/Broadcaster Boch Dies|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=July 14, 2003|work=Northeast Radio Watch|access-date=January 22, 2010}}</ref> WSKG subsequently sold the W30AA license to Clear Channel, which brought it back on-the-air in September 2004 as [[UPN]] affiliate WTTX-LP (identified on-air as "UPN 30"). At this point, it began to be seen through a simulcast on WETM-TV's second [[digital subchannel]], since its [[analog television|analog]] broadcasting radius was very limited.<ref name="nerw-wttxupn">{{cite news|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2004/040927/nerw.html|title=Rhode Islanders Fight WRNI Sale|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=September 27, 2004|work=Northeast Radio Watch|access-date=January 22, 2010}}</ref> It replaced [[WPIX]] of New York City on local cable systems.<ref name="Star040916">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102090340/upn-tv-affiliate-debuts-in-tiers/|date=September 16, 2004|page=5C|title=UPN TV affiliate debuts in Tiers|newspaper=Star-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 22, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --> |
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With the September 2006 merger of UPN and [[The WB]] to form [[The CW]], WTTX competed to become the area's affiliate. Ultimately, this went to [[cable television|cable]]-only [[ |
With the September 2006 merger of UPN and [[The WB]] to form [[The CW]], WTTX competed to become the area's affiliate. Ultimately, this went to [[cable television|cable]]-only [[WB 100+]] station "WBE", which was operated by rival [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate [[WENY-TV]].<ref name="Star060513">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102090678/wb-upn-merger-to-change-tv-in-tiers/|date=May 13, 2006|page=6C|title=WB, UPN merger to change TV in Tiers|newspaper=Star-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 22, 2023}}</ref><!-- Sat --> WTTX was dealt another blow when WSKG launched full-time satellite WSKA on the channel 30 allotment, forcing Clear Channel to shut down the low-power station; it never moved to another channel, and instead its programming became a subchannel of WETM-TV, known as "WETM2". It aired coverage of local high school sports, [[Elmira Jackals]] hockey, and [[New York Yankees]] baseball.<ref name="Star080514">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123306670/blue-ridge-cable-adds-wetm-2-to-lineup/|date=May 14, 2008|page=6C|title=Blue Ridge Cable adds WETM-2 to lineup|newspaper=Star-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 22, 2023}}</ref> The channel started airing [[Antenna TV]] programming in 2021.<!-- Wed --> |
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==News operation== |
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In September 2020, WETM-DT2 began broadcasting Antenna TV programming. |
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WETM-TV has traditionally been a [[Nielsen ratings|ratings]] stronghold in the Central Twin Tiers area. This is because the news department at rival WENY is quite small compared with WETM-TV. In addition, WENY does not provide any newscasts in several traditional timeslots (such as a midday broadcast during the week, weeknights at 5, and weekends) despite operating three major broadcast networks (ABC, [[CBS]], and [[The CW+]]). However, there is the market's only local news offering weeknights at 5:30 seen on WENY-DT2. WETM does not produce a newscast then unlike most NBC affiliates in the [[Eastern Time Zone]]. |
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While serving as a semi-satellite of WSTM, WETM-TV produced separate local newscasts that were seen weeknights at 6 and 11 from its original Hawley Hill studios. There were also weekday morning news and weather cut-ins (airing at :25 and :55 past the hour) during ''[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]'' (airing from 7 to 9 a.m.). The 2004 launch of WETM-DT2/WTTX-LP introduced the area's first prime time newscast at 10 which is still seen for thirty minutes on weeknights. ''WETM 18 News at 10'' currently competes with another half-hour newscast airing on Fox affiliate [[WYDC]], channel 48 (which is taped in advance). WETM-DT2 formerly simulcast the newscasts from the main channel before becoming an Antenna TV affiliate. Currently, WETM-DT2 replays the 6 p.m. newscast at 7 p.m. |
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==Programming== |
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===Syndicated programming=== |
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[[broadcast syndication|Syndicated]] programming seen on WETM-TV includes ''[[Wheel of Fortune (American game show)|Wheel of Fortune]]'', ''[[Jeopardy!]]'', ''[[Rachael Ray (talk show)|Rachael Ray]]'', ''[[You Bet Your Life#2021|You Bet Your Life]] with [[Jay Leno]]'', and ''[[Dateline NBC#Syndication|Dateline]]'' among others. Former syndicated programming on WETM-DT2 included ''[[Two and a Half Men]]'', ''[[How I Met Your Mother]]'', and ''[[Access Hollywood]]'' among others. |
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On June 5, 2009, WIVT and WBGH in Binghamton announced there would be a consolidation of news operations with WETM-TV after Newport Television made across the board cuts.<ref>{{cite web |title=WIVT and WBGH to expand local news to the Southern Tier |url=http://www.newschannel34.com/news/local/story/WIVT-and-WBGH-to-expand-local-news-to-the/d9sJ-CstC0W_ICt5k50Qfw.cspx |website=newschannel34.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616115657/http://www.newschannel34.com/news/local/story/WIVT-and-WBGH-to-expand-local-news-to-the/d9sJ-CstC0W_ICt5k50Qfw.cspx |archive-date=June 16, 2009 |date=June 5, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wbng.com/news/local/47047142.html |title=Workers Fired At Newschannel 34 {{!}} WBNG-TV Binghamton, NY {{!}} Local Top Stories |website=www.wbng.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607205240/http://www.wbng.com/news/local/47047142.html |archive-date=June 7, 2009}}</ref> However, those two stations would continue to be locally operated and maintain engineer staff at their own studios in Binghamton.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20090606/BUSINESS/906060387/WIVT++Elmira+station+consolidate|title=Pressconnects|website=Pressconnects|access-date=April 20, 2018}}</ref> WIVT and WBGH began simulcasting WETM's newscasts with only regional weather coverage of the Eastern Twin Tiers and not much of a news focus.<ref name=ynn-wetmonwivt>{{cite news|title=News department at WIVT-WBGH combined with WETM|url=http://binghamton.ynn.com/content/top_stories/473912/news-department-at-wivt-wbgh-combined-with-wetm/|access-date=October 6, 2012|newspaper=[[YNN Central New York|YNN Binghamton]]|date=June 5, 2009}}</ref> A separate newscast, specifically focusing on the Binghamton area, was brought back to those two stations on June 28, 2009, through a simulcast on both outlets.<ref>{{cite web |title=NewsChannel34 will be returning June 29th with local news at 6pm |url=http://www.newschannel34.com/news/local/story/NewsChannel34-will-be-returning-June-29th-with/DHi4bmKInEmwWJcpUUXCQw.cspx |website=newschannel34.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629010609/http://www.newschannel34.com/news/local/story/NewsChannel34-will-be-returning-June-29th-with/DHi4bmKInEmwWJcpUUXCQw.cspx |archive-date=June 29, 2009 |date=June 26, 2009}}</ref> This effort originally consisted of a 6 p.m. weeknight newscast entirely produced from WETM's studios. |
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===News operation=== |
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WETM-TV has traditionally been a [[Nielsen ratings|ratings]] stronghold in the Central Twin Tiers area. This is because the news department at rival WENY is quite small compared with WETM-TV. In addition, WENY does not provide any newscasts in several traditional timeslots (such as a midday broadcast during the week, weeknights at 5, and weekends) despite operating three major programming services (ABC, [[CBS]], and The CW). However, there is the market's only local news offering weeknights at 5:30 seen on WENY-DT2. WETM does not produce a newscast then unlike most NBC affiliates in the [[Eastern Time Zone]]. |
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Eventually, production of the news and sports portions of the broadcast was shifted back to Binghamton. These segments are recorded earlier in the day (usually by 5 p.m.) and feature locally based photojournalists. A repeat of the 6 p.m. newscast at 11 p.m. was subsequently added to the schedules of WIVT and WBGH. Soon after adding the hyper-local Binghamton news, WIVT ceased simulcasting WETM's newscasts making the taped weeknight program the only local news shown on the station. However, WBGH continued to air WETM's weekend 11 p.m. newscast until at some point in late 2013. WETM upgraded its local newscast production to high definition level on July 15, 2014. It is the second television station in the market to perform the change as rival WENY switched on April 23, 2012. |
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While serving as a semi-satellite of WSTM, WETM-TV produced separate local newscasts that were seen weeknights at 6 and 11 from its original Hawley Hill studios. There were also weekday morning news and weather cut-ins (airing at :25 and :55 past the hour) during ''[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]'' (airing from 7 until 9). The 2004 launch of WETM-DT2/WTTX-LP introduced the area's first prime time newscast at 10 which is still seen for thirty minutes on weeknights. ''WETM 18 News at 10'' currently competes with a ten-minute news and weather update airing on Fox affiliate [[WYDC]], channel 48 (which is taped in advance). WETM-DT2 also simulcasts the entire weekday morning show, weekday news at noon, in addition to the weeknight newscasts at 5 and 6 from the main channel. |
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===Notable former staff=== |
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On June 5, 2009, WIVT and WBGH in Binghamton announced there would be a consolidation of news operations with WETM-TV after Newport Television made across the board cuts.<ref>http://www.newschannel34.com/news/local/story/WIVT-and-WBGH-to-expand-local-news-to-the/d9sJ-CstC0W_ICt5k50Qfw.cspx</ref><ref>http://www.wbng.com/news/local/47047142.html {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> However, those two stations would continue to be locally operated and maintain engineer staff at their own studios in Binghamton.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20090606/BUSINESS/906060387/WIVT++Elmira+station+consolidate|title=Pressconnects|website=Pressconnects|access-date=April 20, 2018}}</ref> WIVT and WBGH began simulcasting WETM's newscasts with only regional weather coverage of the Eastern Twin Tiers and not much of a news focus.<ref name=ynn-wetmonwivt>{{cite news|title=News department at WIVT-WBGH combined with WETM|url=http://binghamton.ynn.com/content/top_stories/473912/news-department-at-wivt-wbgh-combined-with-wetm/|access-date=October 6, 2012|newspaper=[[YNN Central New York|YNN Binghamton]]|date=June 5, 2009}}</ref> A separate newscast, specifically focusing on the Binghamton area, was brought back to those two stations on June 28, 2009 through a simulcast on both outlets.<ref>http://www.newschannel34.com/news/local/story/NewsChannel34-will-be-returning-June-29th-with/DHi4bmKInEmwWJcpUUXCQw.cspx</ref> This effort originally consisted of a 6 p.m. weeknight newscast entirely produced from WETM's studios. |
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Eventually, production of the news and sports portions of the broadcast was shifted back to Binghamton. These segments are recorded earlier in the day (usually by 5 o'clock) and feature locally based photojournalists. A repeat of the 6 o'clock newscast at 11 was subsequently added to the schedules of WIVT and WBGH. Soon after adding the hyper-local Binghamton news, WIVT ceased simulcasting WETM's newscasts making the taped weeknight program the only local news shown on the station. However, WBGH continued to air WETM's weekend 11 p.m. newscast until at some point in late 2013. WETM upgraded its local newscast production to high definition level on July 15, 2014. It is the second [[television station]] in the market to perform the change as rival WENY switched on April 23, 2012. |
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====Notable former staff==== |
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*[[Rod Denson]] |
*[[Rod Denson]] |
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*[[Jericka Duncan]] – now at [[CBS News]] |
*[[Jericka Duncan]] – now at [[CBS News]] |
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*[[Staci-Lyn Honda]] – now at [[WSYR-TV]] |
*[[Staci-Lyn Honda]] – now at [[WSYR-TV]] |
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*[[Ken Rosato |
*[[Ken Rosato]] |
||
==Technical information== |
==Technical information== |
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===Subchannels=== |
===Subchannels=== |
||
The station's |
The station's signal is [[multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]: |
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{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
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|+ Subchannels of WETM-TV<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WETM#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WETM|website=www.rabbitears.info|access-date=April 20, 2018}}</ref> |
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! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]] |
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! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]] |
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! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]] |
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! scope = "col" | Short name |
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! scope = "col" | Programming |
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|- |
|- |
||
! scope = "row" | 18.1 |
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! [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]] |
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| [[1080i]] || rowspan="4"|[[16:9]] || WETM-DT || [[NBC]] |
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! [[Display resolution|Video]] |
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! [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]] |
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! Short name |
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! Programming<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WETM#station|title=RabbitEars.Info|website=www.rabbitears.info|access-date=April 20, 2018}}</ref> |
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|- |
|- |
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! scope = "row" | 18.2 |
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| 18.1 || [[1080i]] || [[16:9]] || WETM-DT || Main WETM-TV programming / [[NBC]] |
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| [[720p]] || WETM-2 || [[Antenna TV]] |
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|- |
|- |
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! scope = "row" | 18.3 |
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| 18.2 || rowspan="3"|[[480i]] || rowspan="3"|[[4:3]] || WETM-2 || [[Antenna TV]] |
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| rowspan="2"|[[480i]] || WETM-3 || [[Laff (TV network)|Laff]] |
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|- |
|- |
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! scope = "row" | 18.4 |
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| 18.3 || WETM-3 || [[Laff (TV network)|Laff]] |
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| WETM-4 || [[Ion Mystery]] |
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|- |
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| 18.4 || WETM-4 || [[Ion Mystery]] |
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|- |
|- |
||
|} |
|} |
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===Analog-to-digital conversion=== |
===Analog-to-digital conversion=== |
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WETM-TV became the first station in Elmira to broadcast a high definition feed in |
WETM-TV became the first station in Elmira to broadcast a high definition feed in 2001 with the launch of a digital signal on [[VHF]] channel 2. The station shut down its analog signal, over [[UHF]] channel 18, at 12:01 a.m. on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States [[Digital television transition in the United States|transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts]] under federal mandate. The station's digital signal relocated from its pre-transition [[VHF]] channel 2 to UHF channel 18.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds |format=PDF |access-date=March 24, 2012}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Line 101: | Line 102: | ||
==External links== |
==External links== |
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*{{official website|https://www.mytwintiers.com/}} |
*{{official website|https://www.mytwintiers.com/}} |
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*{{BIA|WETM|TV|TV}} |
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{{Elmira TV}} |
{{Elmira TV}} |
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{{Binghamton TV}} |
{{Binghamton TV}} |
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{{NBC New York}} |
{{NBC New York}} |
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{{NBC Pennsylvania}} |
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{{NXST TV}} |
{{NXST TV}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wetm-Tv}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wetm-Tv}} |
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[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1956]] |
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[[Category:1956 establishments in New York (state)]] |
[[Category:1956 establishments in New York (state)]] |
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[[Category:Television stations in Elmira, New York|ETM-TV]] |
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[[Category:NBC network affiliates]] |
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[[Category:Antenna TV affiliates]] |
[[Category:Antenna TV affiliates]] |
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[[Category:Ion Mystery affiliates]] |
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[[Category:Laff (TV network) affiliates]] |
[[Category:Laff (TV network) affiliates]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:NBC affiliates]] |
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[[Category:Nexstar Media Group]] |
[[Category:Nexstar Media Group]] |
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[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1956]] |
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[[Category:Television stations in Elmira, New York|ETM-TV]] |
Latest revision as of 18:39, 19 May 2024
| |
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City | Elmira, New York |
Channels | |
Branding | WETM 18; 18 News; WETM 2 (DT2) |
Programming | |
Affiliations |
|
Ownership | |
Owner |
|
History | |
First air date | September 15, 1956 |
Former call signs | WSYE-TV (1956–1980) |
Former channel number(s) |
|
UPN (DT2, 2004–2006) | |
Call sign meaning | "Elmira/Times Mirror" (former owner) |
Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
Facility ID | 60653 |
ERP | 265 kW |
HAAT | 375 m (1,230 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 42°6′22″N 76°52′16″W / 42.10611°N 76.87111°W |
Links | |
Public license information | |
Website | www |
WETM-TV (channel 18) is a television station in Elmira, New York, United States, affiliated with NBC and owned by Nexstar Media Group. The station's studios are located on East Water Street in downtown Elmira, and its transmitter is located on Hawley Hill in Big Flats, New York.
History
Prior use of channel 18
The first user of channel 18 in Elmira was its second station, WECT, which was operated by El-Cor Television, a joint venture of the Corning Leader and the Elmira Star-Gazette. The station only operated for less than a year, from September 30, 1953, to May 27, 1954. El-Cor surrendered the station's license in September.
WSYE-TV
In late 1955, plans surfaced from two groups to reactivate channel 18 for use as a rebroadcaster of another station, one from WNBF-TV of Binghamton and one from WSYR-TV (channel 3), the NBC affiliate in Syracuse.[2] After WNBF-TV dropped its proposal at the end of November,[3] WSYR-TV was granted the construction permit by the FCC on April 4, 1956,[4] and broadcasting began on September 15 under the callsign WSYE-TV.[5] The station telecast from the same Hawley Hill site used by WECT; while most programming came from Syracuse, the station did originate some programming from the Hawley Hill site.[6]
In 1980, Newhouse sold its entire television division, including WSYR and WSYE, to the Times Mirror Company. The new owners changed the call letters to WSTM-TV and WETM-TV, respectively. Times Mirror gradually cut the last ties between the two stations while establishing WETM-TV as a full-fledged station in its own right. It sold WETM to Smith Broadcasting in 1986. Smith moved the station's studios and sales units to a more central facility in Elmira in 1988.[7] Under Smith's ownership, a reversal of the station's origins took place with the April 1996 launch of a cable-only Binghamton version of WETM-TV (known as "NBC 5") through a local marketing agreement with Time Warner Cable, which would displace WNYW from cable systems in that area.[8] Set up in the wake of WICZ-TV, Binghamton's established NBC affiliate, defecting to Fox, the arrangement saw Time Warner Cable sell Binghamton-market advertising and replace syndicated programs that aired on other Binghamton stations with programming acquired by WETM-TV for the Binghamton market due to syndex laws, while WETM-TV sold regional advertising seen in both markets.[8] In 1997, Smith bought Binghamton low-power station WBGH-LP and made it an over-the-air semi-satellite of WETM-TV;[9][10] WBGH eventually split off except for simulcasting WETM-TV's newscasts. WETM-TV became the first outlet in the Elmira market with an internet presence starting in 1998.
In 2000, Smith Broadcasting entered into a management agreement with The Ackerley Group to operate WETM-TV. Clear Channel Communications inherited the management agreement when it purchased Ackerley in late 2001. In 2004, Smith Broadcasting sold WETM-TV outright to Clear Channel after the death of Smith Broadcasting founder Robert Smith. On April 20, 2007, Clear Channel entered into an agreement to sell its entire television stations group to Providence Equity Partners.[11] Newport announced on July 19, 2012, that it would sell twelve of its television stations (including WETM-TV) to Nexstar Broadcasting Group.[12] The sale was finalized on December 3, 2012. On July 26, the station was knocked off the air by widespread power outages caused by a confirmed tornado that struck downtown Elmira during the afternoon. By the next day around mid-morning, WETM-TV had a feed restored to Time Warner Cable.[13][14]
WETM2
WETM's second subchannel has its roots in W30AA, a translator of PBS member station WSKG-TV in Binghamton. That station closed down the translator in 2003 after concluding the expenses required to operate W30AA were not justified by its limited viewership base.[15] WSKG subsequently sold the W30AA license to Clear Channel, which brought it back on-the-air in September 2004 as UPN affiliate WTTX-LP (identified on-air as "UPN 30"). At this point, it began to be seen through a simulcast on WETM-TV's second digital subchannel, since its analog broadcasting radius was very limited.[16] It replaced WPIX of New York City on local cable systems.[17]
With the September 2006 merger of UPN and The WB to form The CW, WTTX competed to become the area's affiliate. Ultimately, this went to cable-only WB 100+ station "WBE", which was operated by rival ABC affiliate WENY-TV.[18] WTTX was dealt another blow when WSKG launched full-time satellite WSKA on the channel 30 allotment, forcing Clear Channel to shut down the low-power station; it never moved to another channel, and instead its programming became a subchannel of WETM-TV, known as "WETM2". It aired coverage of local high school sports, Elmira Jackals hockey, and New York Yankees baseball.[19] The channel started airing Antenna TV programming in 2021.
News operation
WETM-TV has traditionally been a ratings stronghold in the Central Twin Tiers area. This is because the news department at rival WENY is quite small compared with WETM-TV. In addition, WENY does not provide any newscasts in several traditional timeslots (such as a midday broadcast during the week, weeknights at 5, and weekends) despite operating three major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, and The CW+). However, there is the market's only local news offering weeknights at 5:30 seen on WENY-DT2. WETM does not produce a newscast then unlike most NBC affiliates in the Eastern Time Zone.
While serving as a semi-satellite of WSTM, WETM-TV produced separate local newscasts that were seen weeknights at 6 and 11 from its original Hawley Hill studios. There were also weekday morning news and weather cut-ins (airing at :25 and :55 past the hour) during Today (airing from 7 to 9 a.m.). The 2004 launch of WETM-DT2/WTTX-LP introduced the area's first prime time newscast at 10 which is still seen for thirty minutes on weeknights. WETM 18 News at 10 currently competes with another half-hour newscast airing on Fox affiliate WYDC, channel 48 (which is taped in advance). WETM-DT2 formerly simulcast the newscasts from the main channel before becoming an Antenna TV affiliate. Currently, WETM-DT2 replays the 6 p.m. newscast at 7 p.m.
On June 5, 2009, WIVT and WBGH in Binghamton announced there would be a consolidation of news operations with WETM-TV after Newport Television made across the board cuts.[20][21] However, those two stations would continue to be locally operated and maintain engineer staff at their own studios in Binghamton.[22] WIVT and WBGH began simulcasting WETM's newscasts with only regional weather coverage of the Eastern Twin Tiers and not much of a news focus.[23] A separate newscast, specifically focusing on the Binghamton area, was brought back to those two stations on June 28, 2009, through a simulcast on both outlets.[24] This effort originally consisted of a 6 p.m. weeknight newscast entirely produced from WETM's studios.
Eventually, production of the news and sports portions of the broadcast was shifted back to Binghamton. These segments are recorded earlier in the day (usually by 5 p.m.) and feature locally based photojournalists. A repeat of the 6 p.m. newscast at 11 p.m. was subsequently added to the schedules of WIVT and WBGH. Soon after adding the hyper-local Binghamton news, WIVT ceased simulcasting WETM's newscasts making the taped weeknight program the only local news shown on the station. However, WBGH continued to air WETM's weekend 11 p.m. newscast until at some point in late 2013. WETM upgraded its local newscast production to high definition level on July 15, 2014. It is the second television station in the market to perform the change as rival WENY switched on April 23, 2012.
Notable former staff
- Rod Denson
- Jericka Duncan – now at CBS News
- Staci-Lyn Honda – now at WSYR-TV
- Ken Rosato
Technical information
Subchannels
The station's signal is multiplexed:
Channel | Res. | Aspect | Short name | Programming |
---|---|---|---|---|
18.1 | 1080i | 16:9 | WETM-DT | NBC |
18.2 | 720p | WETM-2 | Antenna TV | |
18.3 | 480i | WETM-3 | Laff | |
18.4 | WETM-4 | Ion Mystery |
Analog-to-digital conversion
WETM-TV became the first station in Elmira to broadcast a high definition feed in 2001 with the launch of a digital signal on VHF channel 2. The station shut down its analog signal, over UHF channel 18, at 12:01 a.m. on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. The station's digital signal relocated from its pre-transition VHF channel 2 to UHF channel 18.[26]
References
- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WETM-TV". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ "FCC May Set Early Hearing On Channel 18, TV Exec Says". Star-Gazette. Elmira, New York. October 8, 1955. p. 7. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "TV Channel 9 Award to City May Deter WSYR Satellite". Star-Gazette. Elmira, New York. November 30, 1955. p. 33. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Use of Channel 18 As WSYR Outlet Formally Approved". Star-Gazette. Elmira, New York. April 5, 1956. p. 22. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Channel 18 Resumes Telecasts Sept. 15". Star-Gazette. Elmira, New York. July 10, 1956. p. 11. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "New TV Station Starts Tonight". Star-Gazette. Elmira, New York. September 15, 1956. p. 7. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Hartley, Tom (July 17, 1988). "WETM struts downtown soon: New site boasts better space and equipment". Star-Gazette. Elmira, New York. p. 1C. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Ross, Chuck (April 22, 1996). "TV STATION HOOKS UP WITH CABLE OUTLET; NEW YORK'S WETM CRAFTS LOCAL MARKETING AGREEMENT". Advertising Age. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
- ^ "Application Search Details (WBGH-CD)". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
- ^ Fybush, Scott (September 11, 1997). "Fire at WVIP". North East RadioWatch. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
- ^ "Clear Channel Agrees to Sell Television Station Group to Providence Equity Partners" (Press release). Clear Channel Communications. April 20, 2007. Retrieved April 20, 2007.
- ^ "Newport Sells 22 Station For $1 Billion". TVNewsCheck. July 19, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
- ^ "Tornado Threat Has Now Passed - WETM 18 Online". Archived from the original on July 30, 2012.
- ^ Hush, Chris (July 27, 2012). "WETM-TV Is Back On The Air". wetmtv.com. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012.
- ^ Fybush, Scott (July 14, 2003). "Car Dealer/Broadcaster Boch Dies". Northeast Radio Watch. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
- ^ Fybush, Scott (September 27, 2004). "Rhode Islanders Fight WRNI Sale". Northeast Radio Watch. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
- ^ "UPN TV affiliate debuts in Tiers". Star-Gazette. September 16, 2004. p. 5C. Retrieved April 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "WB, UPN merger to change TV in Tiers". Star-Gazette. May 13, 2006. p. 6C. Retrieved April 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Blue Ridge Cable adds WETM-2 to lineup". Star-Gazette. May 14, 2008. p. 6C. Retrieved April 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "WIVT and WBGH to expand local news to the Southern Tier". newschannel34.com. June 5, 2009. Archived from the original on June 16, 2009.
- ^ "Workers Fired At Newschannel 34 | WBNG-TV Binghamton, NY | Local Top Stories". www.wbng.com. Archived from the original on June 7, 2009.
- ^ "Pressconnects". Pressconnects. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
- ^ "News department at WIVT-WBGH combined with WETM". YNN Binghamton. June 5, 2009. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
- ^ "NewsChannel34 will be returning June 29th with local news at 6pm". newschannel34.com. June 26, 2009. Archived from the original on June 29, 2009.
- ^ "RabbitEars TV Query for WETM". www.rabbitears.info. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
- ^ "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds" (PDF). Retrieved March 24, 2012.