45 Facts About WNEP-TV

The Early Days of WNEP-TV

WNEP-TV has a rich history that dates back to the early 1950s. Let's explore the beginnings of this iconic station.

1. Founding Year: WNEP-TV was founded in 1953, making it one of the oldest television stations in Pennsylvania.
2. Initial Ownership: The station was initially owned by Transcontinent, which later sold it to Taft Broadcasting in 1964.
3. Network Affiliation: WNEP-TV is an ABC affiliate, providing local and national news, sports, and entertainment programs to its viewers.
4. Rival Stations: In the early years, Scranton-Wilkes-Barre had two ABC affiliates: WILK-TV (channel 34) and WARM-TV (channel 16). WNEP-TV eventually consolidated operations and became the dominant ABC affiliate in the region.
5. Signal Strength: Despite initial power limitations, WNEP-TV received a power boost to 1.5 million watts, expanding its coverage area to 15 counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Technological Advancements and Innovations

WNEP-TV has always been at the forefront of technological advancements, ensuring they provide the best service to their viewers.

6. Transmitter Site: The station retained the transmitter site at Penobscot Knob, which was previously used by WILK-TV. The WARM-TV transmitter was later donated to WVIA-TV, a PBS member station.
7. Regional Approach: In the 1970s, news director Elden Hale introduced a regional approach, focusing on remote areas of the market that were previously ignored by other stations. This strategy paid off, and WNEP-TV surged to first place in ratings for the first time in a decade.
8. News Helicopter: WNEP-TV was the first station in the area to add a news helicopter, enhancing its coverage capabilities and contributing to its rise in ratings.
9. Consolidation of Operations: In 1962, WNEP-TV consolidated its operations at a new studio near Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport in Avoca. This move streamlined operations and improved efficiency.

Ownership Changes and Studio Relocations

Over the years, WNEP-TV has seen several changes in ownership and studio locations, each bringing new opportunities and challenges.

10. Ownership Changes: Over the years, WNEP-TV has changed hands several times. It was sold from Transcontinent to Taft Broadcasting in 1964 and later from Taft to The New York Times Company in 1985.
11. Current Ownership: In 2007, The New York Times Company sold WNEP-TV to Oak Hill Capital Partners, which formed Local TV as a holding company for its stations. Local TV was later acquired by the Tribune Company in 2013.
12. Studio Location: In 1989, WNEP-TV moved to its current studios in Moosic, Pennsylvania. The facility is similar to the one built by The New York Times Company for WHNT-TV in Huntsville, Alabama, but on a larger scale.
13. Remote Production Unit: NEP Communications retained the production unit after The New York Times Company sold the station. This unit became NEP Broadcasting and provided remote broadcast facilities for major events like the Olympics and the Academy Awards.

Commitment to Community Service

WNEP-TV has always prioritized community service, producing educational programs and engaging with local residents.

14. Community Service: WNEP-TV has a strong commitment to community service. It has produced various educational programs aimed at promoting cultural awareness and understanding.
15. Educational Programming: The station's early programming included shows like Facets of Cultural Geography and Patterns in Arithmetic, reflecting Penn State's mission of educational outreach.
16. CATV Systems: In the 1950s and 1960s, cable television systems in Centre County, including Bellefonte and State College, carried WNEP-TV along with other regional stations. These systems expanded to surrounding communities like Boalsburg and Lemont.
17. Subscriber Fees: In the late 1950s, subscribers could install the CATV service for $5 and pay a monthly fee of $4.50. This made television more accessible to residents across the county.
18. Channel Lineup: By the early 1970s, more than 90 percent of homes in Centre County had a television set. Cable subscribers could receive a dozen channels, including WPIX and WOR from New York City.

Expansion and Modernization

As technology evolved, so did WNEP-TV, expanding its reach and modernizing its services.

19. Satellite-Distributed Programming: In 1975, the creation of a national system of satellite-distributed cable programming brought new choices to Centre County viewers, including HBO.
20. Additional Channels: By the mid-1980s, subscribers could access C-SPAN, CNN, MTV, Nickelodeon, or ESPN through their cable services.
21. New Broadcast Stations: In the 1980s, two new broadcast stations entered the market. WATM (channel 23) in Altoona relaunched as an ABC affiliate on August 7, 1986, while WWCP (channel 8) in Johnstown began broadcasting on October 13, 1986, as a Fox affiliate.
22. First Commercial TV Broadcaster: WHVL (channel 29), a MyNetworkTV affiliate, became the first commercial TV broadcaster in State College in 2007.

Local News and Digital Channels

WNEP-TV is renowned for its local news coverage and digital channels, keeping viewers informed and entertained.

23. Local News Coverage: WNEP-TV is known for its extensive local news coverage, including the popular "Newswatch 16" segment. This program provides in-depth coverage of local events and issues.
24. Digital Channels: Today, WNEP-TV operates multiple digital channels, including "Newswatch 16" in HD (720p) and "WNEP 2" in standard definition (480i).
25. Translator Stations: The station operates several translator stations to extend its coverage area. These translators broadcast on different channels and frequencies to reach a broader audience.

Credibility and Ownership

WNEP-TV is highly regarded for its credibility and factual reporting, making it a trusted source of information.

26. High Credibility Rating: WNEP-TV is rated as having high credibility and minimal bias by Media Bias/Fact Check. The station is known for its factual reporting and proper sourcing.
27. Least Biased Source: WNEP-TV is classified as a least biased source due to its neutral wording and minimal editorial content. The station avoids loaded language and focuses on factual reporting.
28. Factual Reporting: WNEP-TV has a clean fact-check record, with no failed fact checks reported in the last five years. The station uses fact checks from TEGNA’s VERIFY fact-check service to ensure accuracy.
29. Ownership Structure: WNEP-TV is owned and operated by TEGNA Inc., which operates 66 television stations in 54 markets. TEGNA’s purpose is to serve the greater good of its communities through quality broadcasting.
30. Revenue Generation: The station generates revenue primarily through advertising and sponsored content. This model allows WNEP-TV to maintain its commitment to community service while remaining financially sustainable.

Legacy and Impact

WNEP-TV has left a lasting legacy in the media landscape of Northeastern Pennsylvania, impacting generations of viewers.

31. Historical Significance: As one of the oldest television stations in Pennsylvania, WNEP-TV has played a significant role in the region’s media landscape. It has been a constant presence in the lives of residents, providing news, entertainment, and educational programming for generations.
32. Community Engagement: WNEP-TV engages with the community through various initiatives, including educational programs, local news coverage, and public service announcements. The station aims to be a trusted source of information for its viewers.
33. Technical Data: The station operates on channel 16 with a physical channel of 1660 feet and a power of 1150 kW. It also broadcasts on multiple digital channels, including HD and standard definition formats.
34. Signal Strength: Despite initial power limitations, WNEP-TV’s signal strength has been significantly enhanced over the years. The station now covers a large area, including 15 counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
35. Ratings Performance: WNEP-TV has consistently performed well in ratings, often ranking as the top-rated station in the market. It has maintained this position for several decades, thanks to its strong programming and community-focused approach.
36. Regional Approach: The station’s regional approach has been instrumental in its success. By focusing on remote areas of the market, WNEP-TV has managed to serve a broader audience and establish itself as a trusted source of information.
37. News Helicopter: The addition of a news helicopter in the 1970s was a significant milestone for WNEP-TV. This innovation enhanced the station’s coverage capabilities and contributed to its rise in ratings.
38. Studio Facilities: The station’s current studio facilities in Moosic, Pennsylvania, are state-of-the-art. The facility is designed to meet the needs of modern broadcasting, with advanced equipment and production capabilities.
39. Remote Production Unit: NEP Broadcasting, the remote production unit retained by NEP Communications, has provided broadcast facilities for major events like the Olympics and the Academy Awards. This unit has contributed significantly to the station’s reputation for quality broadcasting.
40. Educational Programs: WNEP-TV has produced several educational programs aimed at promoting cultural awareness and understanding. These programs reflect Penn State’s mission of educational outreach and have been well-received by the community.
41. CATV Systems Expansion: The expansion of CATV systems in Centre County in the 1950s and 1960s played a crucial role in making television more accessible to residents. These systems carried WNEP-TV along with other regional stations, providing a wide range of programming options.
42. Subscriber Fees: The initial subscriber fees for CATV services were $5 for installation and $4.50 per month. This affordable pricing model made television more accessible to a broader audience, contributing to its rapid adoption in the region.
43. Satellite-Distributed Programming: The introduction of satellite-distributed cable programming in 1975 brought new choices to Centre County viewers. This included pay movie services like HBO, which significantly enhanced the viewing experience for subscribers.
44. Additional Channels: By the mid-1980s, cable subscribers could access a variety of channels, including C-SPAN, CNN, MTV, Nickelodeon, and ESPN. This expansion of programming options further increased the appeal of cable television in the region.
45. Legacy and Impact: WNEP-TV has left a lasting legacy in the media landscape of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Its commitment to community service, extensive local news coverage, and innovative programming have made it a trusted source of information for generations of viewers.

WNEP-TV's Lasting Legacy

WNEP-TV, channel 16, has been a cornerstone of Northeastern Pennsylvania's media landscape since 1953. From its early days with limited signal strength to becoming a regional powerhouse, WNEP-TV has consistently delivered quality news, entertainment, and educational programming. The station's commitment to community service, innovative approaches like adding a news helicopter, and strategic moves such as consolidating operations have cemented its top-rated status. Ownership changes and technological advancements have only strengthened its reach and impact. Today, WNEP-TV continues to be a trusted source of information, maintaining high credibility and minimal bias. Its rich history and dedication to serving the community make it a significant player in the region's media scene. WNEP-TV's legacy is one of resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to its viewers.