WTCV

WTCV, virtual channel 18 (UHF digital channel 21), is a Mega TV owned-and-operated television station licensed to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Owned by Spanish Broadcasting System, it is sister to radio stations WZNT (93.7 FM), WZMT (93.3 FM), WODA (94.7 FM), WNOD (94.1 FM), WRXD (96.5 FM), WIOB (97.5 FM), WMEG (106.9 FM) and WEGM (95.1 FM). WTCV shares studios with independent station WJPX (channel 24, owned by América-CV Station Group) at the Amelia Industrial Park in Guaynabo; the two stations share transmitter facilities at Barrio Cubuy in Canovanas.

WTCV
San Juan, Puerto Rico
ChannelsDigital: 21 (UHF)
(shared with WJPX)
Virtual: 18 (PSIP)
BrandingMega TV Puerto Rico (general)
Informe 79 (newscasts)
SloganLa Mega Se Pega
Programming
Affiliations18.1: Mega TV (2014–present)
Ownership
OwnerSpanish Broadcasting System
(Spanish Broadcasting System Holding Company, Inc.)
WZNT/WZMT/WIOB
WODA/WNOD
WRXD
WMEG/WEGM
History
First air date
October 1, 1964 (1964-10-01)
(original incarnation)
July 29, 1984 (1984-07-29)
(current incarnation)
Former call signs
WTSJ-TV (1964–1972)
WSJU (1984–1997)
WTCV (1997–2001)
WAVB-TV (2001–2002)
Former channel number(s)
Analog:
18 (UHF, 1964–1972, 1984–2009)
Digital:
32 (UHF, 2005–2017)
Virtual:
32 (PSIP, 2009-2019)
NBC (1964–1972, 1984–1991)
Silent (1972–1984)
Independent (1991–2014)
HSN (2001–2002)
Destino TV (2013)
Call sign meaning
Tu Canal de Videos
Technical information
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID28954
ERP1000 kW
HAAT564 m (1,850 ft)
Transmitter coordinates18°16′38″N 65°51′13″W
Translator(s)(see table)
Links
Public license information
Profile
LMS
Websitemega.tv

WTCV operates two satellite stations: WVEO (virtual channel 18, UHF digital channel 17) in Aguadilla, with transmitter on Cerro Canto Gallo in Aguada, and WVOZ-TV (virtual channel 18, UHF digital channel 36) in Ponce, with transmitter on Sec Servo Paso in Peñuelas.

History

During the 1980s and early 1990s, WTCV was known as WSJU (for San Juan) and was an NBC affiliate, one of three commercial English-language network affiliates broadcasting in Puerto Rico (the others being WPRV-TV and WUJA) during the 80s. Around 1990, the station also carried the Home Shopping Network programming during most of the late-morning and afternoon hours.[1] There are now four commercial English-language network affiliates in Puerto Rico, all of which broadcast from San Juan and Mayagüez.

On September 11, 2014, WTCV became a Mega TV owned-and-operated station, following the sale of Spanish Broadcasting System through its License Management Agreement for $1.9 million, leaving its status as an Independent station, while its former owner, International Broadcasting Corporation continues to be its Licensee, until SBS will transfer WIOA (99.9 FM), WIOC (105.1 FM) and WZET (92.1 FM) to IBC's TV operations. Beginning in March 2015, WTCV's local programming will be produced by SBS Puerto Rico, which owns Z-93, La Nueva 94, Estereotempo (now Play 96.5) and La Mega. The sale of WTCV with SBS was completed on September 1, 2015.

On January 12, 2018, WTCV announced that Conectao's por la Cocina, ¿Y Cual es su Opinion? and Descarao por la Noche had been canceled due to economic loss, as well as expiring contracts with local talent and production staff.

On September 24, 2019, WTCV and its satellite stations switched their virtual channel to 18.1 across all Puerto Rico.

Local programs produced by WTCV
  • Los HP
  • Estos Dos
  • La Movida
  • Los Vecinos
  • En Arroz y Habichuelas
  • A Fuego con Saudy
  • Informe 79
  • El Circo
  • Nación Z
  • Nación Z Nacional
  • Nación Z Primetime
  • Mega Noche con Héctor Marcano
  • Cocina Atrevida
  • D'Party Live TV
  • Proyecto TV
  • Frente a la Realidad
  • Show de Mercy
  • Siempre Salsa
  • La Videoteca del Día Nacional de la Salsa
  • Cuéntame

National programming
  • Ahora con Oscar Haza
  • Bayly
  • Mega News
  • Cala
  • Bebeto TV
  • Destinos Misticos
  • Escandalos

Notable current on-air staff

Satellite stations

WTCV can be seen across Puerto Rico on the following stations:

Station City of license Channels
(Digital/
Virtual)		 First air date ERP HAAT Facility ID Transmitter
coordinates		 Public license
information
WVEO1 Aguadilla 17 (UHF)
(shared with WIRS)
18 (PSIP)		 October 7, 1974 (1974-10-07) 42 kW 372 m (1,220 ft) 61573 18°18′59″N 67°10′41″W Profile
CDBS
WVOZ-TV2 Ponce 36 (UHF)
(shared with WKPV)
18 (PSIP)		 June 1986 (1986-06) 23.5 kW 250 m (820 ft) 29000 18°4′42.8″N 66°44′48.6″W Profile
CDBS

Notes:

  • 1. WVEO was owned by Southwestern Broadcasting, and serves as a satellite of WKBM-TV from its 1974 sign-on until 1981 and WAPA-TV from 1982 until 1999.
  • 2. WVOZ-TV used the callsign WIEC from its 1986 sign-on until 1993.

Digital television
Channel Video Aspect PSIP Short Name Programming[2]
18.11080i16:9MEGA HDMain WTCV programming / Mega TV

On February 17, 2009, WTCV signed off its analog signal and completed its move to digital.

Spectrum reallocation

On August 7, 2017, it was revealed that WTCV's over-the-air spectrum had been sold in the FCC's spectrum reallocation auction, fetching $4,737,874. WTCV would not sign off, but it would later share broadcast spectrum with WJPX, affiliated with América Tevé in Puerto Rico that covers the entire metropolitan area.

References
  1. Radio-Info: "Retro: Puerto Rico Tues, Mar 6, 1990", 7/7/2009.
  2. RabbitEars TV Query for WTCV
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