WZAW-LD
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WZAW-LD is the low-powered, Fox-affiliated television station for Central Wisconsin's Northern Highland that is licensed to Wausau. It broadcasts a 720p high definition digital signal on UHF channel 33 (or virtual channel 55.1 via PSIP) from a transmitter, northeast of Nutterville, in unincorporated Marathon County. Owned by Gray Television, the station is sister to CBS affiliate WSAW-TV and the two outlets share studios on Grand Avenue/U.S. 51 in Wausau.
Overview
Since WZAW is transmitted at low-power, its signal does not reach Rhinelander or other areas to the north and east (such as Eagle River and Crandon). Therefore, the station is simulcasted in standard definition on WSAW's third digital subchannel to increase its off-air broadcasting radius. This can be seen on VHF channel 7.3 from a transmitter on Rib Mountain.
As a result, WSAW's Northwoods-area digital fill-in translator in Sayner (W42DH-D3) also simulcasts WZAW. It is another standard definition signal but transmits on UHF channel 42.3 (virtual channel 7.3 via PSIP) from a transmitter, on Razorback Road, in unincorporated Vilas County (north of Sayner).
History
On July 1, 2015, Gray bought the non-license assets of the market's previous Fox affiliate WFXS-DT (owned by Davis Television, LLC). Due to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ownership restrictions, Gray established this new low-powered station to become the new Fox affiliate. All of WFXS' program streams including its existing PSIP channel numbering was then moved to WZAW. Subsequently, WFXS ceased broadcasting after nearly sixteen years on-the-air and its studios on North 3rd Street in Wausau were shut down. [1] [2]
In consenting to the interference that would be caused by WZAW operating under special temporary authority on channel 31 (the same RF channel as WFXS) rather than its licensed channel 33, Davis Television stated that it would return the WFXS license to the FCC for cancellation following the sale. [3] At some point in fall 2015, WSAW will launch a prime time newscast at 9 on WZAW. This will offer direct competition to WAOW's thirty minute, weeknight-only news on its CW digital subchannel that also airs in the time slot.
Digital channels
| Channels | Name | Video | Aspect | Programming [4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55.1 | WZAW-HD | 720p | 16:9 | Main WZAW-LD programming / Fox |
| 55.2 | MeTV | 480i | 4:3 | Me-TV |
| 55.3 | MOVIES! | Movies! |
References
- ^ "Gray in 4 New Deals, Closes 3 Earlier Ones". TVNewsCheck. 2015-07-01. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
- ^ http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/Channel-7-Parent-Company-Accquires-Wausau-Fox-Station-311311791.html?ref=791
- ^ Raff, Robert (June 9, 2015). "Interference Consent" (PDF). CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
- ^ http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WZAW#station