Kalpana Kalpana (Editor)

WMNN LD

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City
  
Lake City, Michigan

Founded
  
February 27, 2011

Subchannels
  
(see article)

Call letters' meaning
  
Michigan News Network

Channels
  
Digital: 14 (UHF) Virtual: 26 (PSIP)

Owner
  
Freelancer Television Broadcasting

WMNN-LD is the low-powered independent television station for the Cadillac, Michigan area, licensed to Lake City, Michigan. Owned by Freelancer Television Broadcasting, the station began broadcasting on February 27, 2011. It broadcasts a Digital signal on UHF channel 14, with a PSIP of 26—this is due to WCMU-TV, broadcasting on channel 26, using "14" as its PSIP. All programming was initially originated locally.

Contents

At its launch, the station broadcast three channels -- MI News 26, the local news channel on channel 26.1, broadcasts at 720p on 26.1; 26.2, branded on-air as "TV 26," broadcasts programming primarily from the 1950s and 60s; and, at the station's launch, 26.3 broadcasts old movies under "26 Cinema" branding.

MI News 26 (26.1)

At present, WMNN's primary channel features a "News Wheel" format, similar to what CNN Headline News used for many years. On December 19, 2011, the station reformatted their news wheel to include pre-taped anchors to toss between the various segments under the titles of "MI News Mornings" (4:00-11:00 a.m.), "Midday News" (11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) and "Evening News" (6:00 p.m.-4:00 a.m.), hosted respectively by Kayla Kiley, Jill Washburn and Randy Bhirdo and Scott Forbes hosting 12:00 a.m.-4:00 a.m. New segments were also added.

The news wheel resets and segments like "Local News" and "World News" update every night at Midnight.

Live Broadcasts

MI News 26 does not offer regular live programming. There have been a few times the station has conducted live broadcasts, most notably on the evening of the 2012 Presidential Election and commercial-free coverage of the Cherry-T Ball Drop in Traverse City, MI on New Year's Eve 2012.

During severe weather, the station often uses generic, pre-taped weather segments alerting viewers to monitor the news ticker at the bottom of the screen or to check the station website for information.

Other Programming

In Fall 2012, the station began airing Scott Rasmussen's "What America Thinks" program on Sunday evenings. On September 9, 2013 WMNN began airing America Now weekdays at 10:30 AM.

TV 26 (26.2)

Originally 26 TV Classics, TV 26 features "classic TV shows like Bonanza, the Lone Ranger, Jack Benny, classic cartoons and more" This channel also features syndicated programs Family Feud and The Wendy Williams Show. In March 9, 2015, WMNN became an Antenna TV affiliate.

Laff 26 (26.3)

Cinema 26 featured a selection of "classic movies" and independent films. From August 23, 2011 to January 1, 2012, Cinema 26 was replaced by Universal Sports. This subchannel reverted to Cinema 26 on January 1, 2012 when Universal Sports became a cable and satellite-only channel.

Anchors

  • Eric Wotila - Owner, News Director, News Update Anchor
  • Scott Forbes - Early Morning Anchor (12:00 a.m. - 4:00 a.m.), This Day in History Segment Anchor
  • Kayla Kiley - "Mi News Mornings" Anchor (4:00-11:00 a.m.)
  • Jill Washburn - Midday Anchor (11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.)
  • Randy Bhirdo - "Evening News" Anchor (6:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.)
  • Abigail Blackrick - Community News Anchor/Producer
  • Weather Authority

  • Morris Langworthy - Chief Meteorologist, Station Manager
  • Dylan Rodenbaugh - Forecaster
  • Reporters

  • Benjamin Arie - Reporter, Anchor
  • Paula Jasper - Reporter
  • Dave Fortin - Reporter
  • Wyatt VanDuinen - Photojournalist, Editor
  • Former talent

  • Rodney Harris - Reporter, "Local News", "World News" Anchor
  • Taylor Phillips - Sports Anchor
  • Vic McCarty- "Evening News" Anchor
  • Hannah Crouch - Photojournalist; Editor ; Reporter
  • Mark Heideman - Community News Producer; Community News Anchor
  • Jamie Kramer - Traverse City anchor, Reporter
  • References

    WMNN-LD Wikipedia