WRTN-LP
WRTN-LP, virtual channel 6[1] (VHF digital channel 8), was a low-powered Daystar-affiliated television station serving Nashville, Tennessee based in Lebanon that is licensed to Alexandria. The station is owned by Richard and Lisa Goetz.[2]
Alexandria/Nashville, Tennessee United States | |
---|---|
Channels | Digital: 8 (VHF) 17 (UHF, CP) Virtual: 6 (PSIP) |
Branding | WRTN |
Slogan | TV Worth Watching |
Programming | |
Subchannels | (see article) |
Affiliations | Silent (2020–present) |
Ownership | |
Owner | Richard C. and Lisa A. Goetz |
History | |
First air date | January 2007 |
Last air date | July 3, 2020 |
Former call signs | W25DG (2004-2005) WKRP-LP (2005-2009) |
Former channel number(s) | Analog: 6 (VHF, 2007-2009) Digital: 7 (VHF, 2009-2020) |
Call sign meaning | Retro Television Network (former affiliation) |
Technical information | |
ERP | Analog: 2 kW Digital: 0.3 kW |
History
The station signed on in January 2007 under the call sign of WKRP-LP, the call sign that was made famous in the American sitcoms WKRP in Cincinnati and The New WKRP in Cincinnati, which portray a fictional radio station with that call sign. It was affiliated with White Springs Television[1] until September 2008 when it switched to RTN (Retro Television Network, currently branded as Retro TV). The low power digital channel 7 started broadcasting on June 12, 2009. On April 27, 2009, the call letters of the digital channel were changed to WRTN-LD, but the call letters of the analog channel remained listed as WKRP-LP until 2010, despite the callsign being reassigned to WKRP-LP (now Key West sister station WKWT-LP).
The station also added several additional subchannels with additional programming. The Retro Television Network affiliation was moved to the second digital subchannel, as religious programming from Daystar was added to the main subchannel. A third subchannel was added in 2009 showing country music videos, however the country music videos would be dropped in 2012, in favor of Cozi TV. The Cozi TV affiliation then moved to WSMV-TV's third subchannel of 4.3, resulting in WRTN discontinuing Cozi TV from their third subchannel a day before WSMV added Cozi TV to their third subchannel (on May 28, 2015).[3] WRTN-LD's third subchannel was now occupied by Retro TV, which moved from the second subchannel. The second subchannel became automotive-themed network Rev'n. Retro TV then moved to the station's fifth subchannel, (replacing Tuff TV) to make way for Antenna TV, as that network debuted on the station's third subchannel on the weekend of September 11, 2015. On September 21, 2015, This TV (which was previously seen on WTVF's third subchannel) moved to WRTN's second subchannel of 6.2, replacing Rev'n, as WTVF replaced This TV with the new comedy oriented Network Laff.[4] On Tuesday September 22, Antenna TV & This TV swapped channel positions with Antenna TV moving to Channel 6.2 & This TV moving to Channel 6.3. On September 30, 2015, Rev'n was readded to 6.2, with Antenna TV moving back to 6.3, and This TV moving to 6.6, replacing the localized classic movies channel that was run by WRTN.
On December 31, 2015, This TV moved from channel 6.6 to channel 6.3, replacing Antenna TV, which moved to WZTV's third digital subchannel of 17.3.[5] Tuff TV was readded once again to channel 6.6 on the same day.
On June 21, 2016, WRTN replaced the infomercials running 24 hours a day on Channel 6.7 with Ebru TV, however six months later, on December 9, 2016, Ebru TV was replaced with a local channel, which originates from WRTN, running classic Western movies and TV shows 24 hours a day on Channel 6.7. Also on that day, WRTN discontinued Rev'n on Channel 6.2 & replaced that channel with Jewelry Television, therefore returning that infomercial marketer to Nashville after WJFB stopped airing it to move the full-time America One affiliate to its main channel in HD, now a simulcast of WJFB 44.1. WJFB's America One affiliation remained on that channel until 2015 when it became affiliated with the Tri-State Christian Television network. In January, 2017, WRTN-LD6 was replaced with Evine. In June 2017, WRTN subchannels were swapped.
On December 3, 2019, This TV was discontinued from channel 6.3, while Jewelry Television was discontinued from channel 6.7, leaving both channels temporarily vacant. This TV would make its return once again to 6.3 on December 10, 2019.[6]
Spectrum incentive auction results
The station had a construction permit to move its digital operations to UHF 17, and is in the process of doing so, as a result of the FCC Spectrum Auction.[7] The station went off the air on July 3, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. CDT to work on their transmitter and will temporarily broadcast on VHF Channel 8. When they return to the air, and until they install their new transmitter equipment to move to UHF 17.[8][9]
Digital television
Digital channels
The station's digital signal is multiplexed:
Channel | Video | Aspect | PSIP Short Name | Programming[10] |
---|---|---|---|---|
6.1 | 480i | 4:3 | Daystar | Silent |
6.2 | Retro | Vacant | ||
6.3 | CMC | |||
6.4 | ClasTV | Classic Shows | ||
6.5 | TuffTV | |||
6.6 | ClasMov | ShopHQ | ||
6.7 | Info | Vacant |
Former affiliations
Channel | Programming |
---|---|
6/6.1 | White Springs Television (analog, 2007-2008) Retro Television Network (analog, 2008-2009) Daystar (2009-2020) |
6.2 | Retro TV (2009-2015, 2017-2020) This TV (2015) Rev'n (2015-2016) Jewelry Television (2016-2017) |
6.3 | Country music videos (2009-2012) Cozi TV (2012-2015) Antenna TV (2015) This TV (2016-2020) |
6.6 | This TV (2015) Local classic movies (2015) Tuff TV (2015-2016) |
6.7 | Tuff TV (2016) Infomercials (2016) Ebru TV (2016) Classic movies (2016-2017) Jewelry Television (2017-2019) |
References
- Smith, Douglas E. (January 2008). "TV News" (PDF). VHF-UHF Digest. Worldwide TV-FM DX Association: 10.
- "FCC Clarifies Low Power Television Carriage on Cable Systems: You're Coming In Loud, But Not Clear" (Press release). Garvey Schubert Barer.
- http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/83934/cozi-tv-diginet-adds-eight-stations
- "E.W. Scripps Company to Launch Grit and Escape & Expand LAFF Distribution In New Multi-Network Agreement with Katz Broadcasting." PR Newswire (May 18, 2015). Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- https://nashvilledtvnews.info/archives
- nashvilledtvnews.info
- http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=2016570
- https://nashvilledtvnews.info/
- RabbitEars TV Query for WRTN