WGCT-CD, virtual channel 39 (VHF digital channel 8), is a low-power, Class A TCT-affiliated television station licensed to Columbus, Ohio, United States. The station is owned by the Central Ohio Association of Christian Broadcasters, who also owns WOCB-CD (channel 25) in Marion, WXCB-CA (channel 22) in Delaware and WQIZ-LD (channel 33) in Ashland.
History
W08BV era (1983–1998)
In 1983, the station's construction permit was assigned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The station began broadcasting in 1985, under the callsign of W08BV, as the first low-powered television station in the Columbus media market. In its first years on the air, it aired syndicated programming, and it also boasted an in-house sports broadcasting unit. Sports coverage on W08BV included football and basketball games involving more than 30 high schools in the area, mainly in Franklin County. It also held a contract to cover Ohio State Buckeyes women's basketball, women's gymnastics, as well as hockey and wrestling.[3]
WINJ-LP era (1998–2010)
It changed its calls to WINJ-LP ("We're Into Jesus") in 1998 and to its current calls in 2006. Prior to the purchase by its current owners, the station showed a variety of programs, the bulk of which were old public-domain movies, old cartoons, and religious programs, as well as children's programming created by the station. [4] Former owner Ella Flowers (1938-2017)[5][6] was featured prominently in many of the musical and religious programs.[7] The animated segments produced by Flowers would later gain some notoriety online after a few clips of the program were uploaded to YouTube back in 2007 with no context as to their production or origins, with one upload titling the show as the "Pink Morning Cartoon". Eventually the uploads of these animated segments would be brought to the attention of many on the internet which set fourth a search for any information and more potential footage of the cartoon.
WGCT-CD era (2010–present)
The station switched to digital on June 13, 2010, and changed its call letters to WGCT-CD. It previously broadcast at 83 watts, but has recently increased its power to 3k watts.
The station is not available on any local cable TV outlets. Even with the power increase, it barely covers the city of Columbus itself.
Digital channels
The station's digital signal is multiplexed:
| Channel | Video | Aspect | Short name | Programming[8] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39.1 | 480i | 4:3 | COACB | COACB TV39 programming ] |
| 39.2 | BUZZR | Buzzr | ||
| 39.3 | DAYSTR | Daystar | ||
| 39.4 | BVOVN | BVOVN | ||
| 39.5 | LIGHT | Light TV | ||
| 39.6 | LC | Shop LC |
References
- ^ "CHANNEL 8, W08BV". univdistcol. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WGCT-CD". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ LPTV Report, June 1989
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20010207155745fw_/http://www.winj.com/program_listing.htm
- ^ "Ella Louise Flowers Obituary". Legacy.com. Archived from the original on 2020-09-06.
- ^ "Obituary for ELLA LOUISE FLOWERS". Cook & Son-Pallay Funeral Home. Archived from the original on 2020-07-07. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20010405084555fw_/http://winj.com/gospel2000.htm
- ^ "Digital TV Market Listing for WGCT-CD". www.rabbitears.info.
External links
- The Central Ohio Association Of Christian Broadcasters (COACB) site
- TCT site
- Buzzr site
- Daystar site
- Light TV site