WCVI-TV
 | |
| Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands | |
|---|---|
| Branding | WCVI TV 23 |
| Slogan | Serving the U.S. Virgin Islands |
| Channels |
Digital: 23 (UHF) Virtual: 23 (PSIP) |
| Subchannels |
23.1 Family 23.2 ABC 23.3 Light TV |
| Affiliations | Religious (2018-present) |
| Owner |
Family Broadcasting Corporation (LeSEA Broadcasting of St. Croix, Inc.) |
| First air date | May 16, 1997 |
| Call letters' meaning |
Christiansted Virgin Islands |
| Former callsigns | WATU (1997) |
| Former channel number(s) |
Analog: 39 (UHF, 1997–2009) |
| Former affiliations |
UPN (1997–2006) The CW (2006–2014) LeSEA (2014-2018) |
| Transmitter power | 0.659 kW |
| Height | 124.2 m |
| Facility ID | 83304 |
| Transmitter coordinates | 17°44′53″N 64°43′40″W / 17.74806°N 64.72778°W |
| Website | www.wcvi.tv |
WCVI-TV is a full-power television station in Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands transmitting its digital signal on channel 23. WCVI is owned by Family Broadcasting Corporation. The station has been affiliated with World Harvest Television since July 2014.
Despite being on the island of St. Croix, WCVI's signal reaches the entire territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
History
WCVI-TV was founded as WATU on May 16, 1997, but then changed its Call letters to the current WCVI-TV that same year on June 30, as an affiliate of the United Paramount Network (UPN). Before then, UPN programming was seen via satellite from New York's WWOR-TV. At one point, the station also carried Urban America Television as a secondary affiliation; this arrangement was discontinued when that network ceased operations on May 1, 2006. That September, WCVI joined The CW television network following the shutdown of both UPN and The WB.
On April 17, 2014, Virgin Blue reached a deal to sell WCVI-TV to LeSEA Broadcasting Corporation; the sale was completed on July 27, 2014, with LeSEA assuming ownership on July 28, 2014.[1] Upon acquisition, WCVI dropped its CW programming in exchange for programs from LeSEA and World Harvest. It was unknown where CW network programming will be carried in the USVI area at the time of the transaction becoming final, but CW programming is seen on cable channel 13 via WSEE-DT2 in Erie, Pennsylvania on pay television.
WCVI-DT2 serves as the ABC affiliate for the Virgin Islands since the network ended its affiliation with WSVI-TV at the end of 2015. At the time, ABC announced that WCVI would become its new affiliate for the territory, although station management denied any knowledge of such an arrangement.[2] The station has since begun relaying a feed of WENY-TV in Elmira, New York provided to the area by Lilly Broadcasting through an agreement with ABC, with non-network timeslots largely filled by paid programming and Lilly's One Caribbean News.[3]
Digital channels
The station's digital channel is multiplexed:
| Channel | Video | Aspect | PSIP Short Name | Programming[4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23.1 | 480i | 4:3 | WCVI-D1 | Main WCVI programming / Family |
| 23.2 | WCVI-D2 | ABC | ||
| 23.3 | WCVI-D3 | Light TV |
Logos
WCVI's logo as a UPN affiliate from 2002 to 2006.
WCVI's logo as a CW affiliate on analog channel 39 from 2006 to 2009.
WCVI's logo as a CW affiliate on digital channel 23 from 2009 to 2014.
WCVI's logo as a LeSEA affiliate from 2014 until June 2018.
References
- ↑ "APPLICATION FOR CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT OF BROADCAST STATION CONSTRUCTION PERMIT OR LICENSE". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. April 22, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
- ↑ Carlson, Suzanne (9 January 2016). "Where is ABC? 'Bachelor' fans want to know". Virgin Islands Daily News.
- ↑ "WCVI Children's Televsion Programming Report, Q2 2018". FCC LMS.
- ↑ RabbitEars.info Query for WCVI