Subchannels (see article) Former callsigns WBIJ (2001–2010) Transmitter power 3.2 kW Affiliations The CW; (via The CW Plus) | Founded December 4, 1998 Former channel number(s) 4 (VHF analog, 2001–2009) Call letters' meaning sister to Madison's WKOW | |
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Branding Central Wisconsin CW
Newsline 9 (news)
WMOW 4/Newsline 9
(general/news; DT2) Slogan TV Now (general)
Your Trusted Resource Owner Quincy Media
(WAOW-WYOW License, LLC) Channels Digital: 12 (VHF); Virtual: 4 (PSIP) Sister station(s) WKOW, WXOW/WQOW, KTTC, KXLT-TV, WREX Former affiliations FamilyNet (2001–2009); Dark (2009–2010) | ||
WMOW is the CW-affiliated television station for North-Central Wisconsin's Northern Highland that is licensed to Crandon. It broadcasts a 720p high definition digital signal on VHF channel 12 (or virtual channel 4.1 via PSIP) from a transmitter just east of downtown. Owned by Quincy Media, the station can also be seen on Charter channel 8 and in HD on digital channel 610. Besides the transmitter, WMOW does not maintain any physical presence locally in Crandon.
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Overview
Although considered a separate station in its own right, it technically operates as a full-time satellite of ABC affiliate WAOW in Wausau. However, in an unusual arrangement, the big three network is actually seen on a second digital subchannel of WMOW. Therefore, this actually makes the main channel a straight satellite of CW affiliate WAOW-DT2 (through the CW Plus national service).
Master control and all internal operations of WMOW originate from WAOW's studios on Grand Avenue/U.S. 51 in Wausau. On the main channel, it airs a thirty-minute prime time newscast on weeknights known as Newsline 9 at 9 on The CW which is produced by WAOW.
History
Founded December 4, 1998, the station first signed-on February 9, 2001 as WBIJ. It was a FamilyNet affiliate owned by Dennis Selenka. The station aired an analog signal on VHF channel 4. Since WBIJ was granted its construction permit after the finalization of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) digital television allotment plan on April 21, 1997, it did not receive a companion digital channel.
After Dennis Selenka's death on September 30, 2008, Quincy purchased WBIJ from his widow for $1.5 million on February 13, 2009. The company announced its intention to run WBIJ as a second satellite station of WAOW to serve the northeast portion of the Wausau market in a similar capacity that WYOW does for the extreme northern part of the market. In the meantime, WBIJ signed-off on June 12 at the end of the digital transition for full-service stations as it did not yet have digital facilities ready.
Quincy brought the station back on-the-air as WMOW on June 4, 2010. This station operates its digital signal on VHF channel 12 which was the former analog home of NBC affiliate WJFW-TV. ABC network programming on WMOW-DT2, as provided through WAOW, can also be seen on Charter channel 6 and in high definition on digital channel 609. This TV on WMOW-DT3 is also offered on Charter digital channel 966.
Syndicated programming on WMOW-DT2 (via WAOW) includes Entertainment Tonight, The Dr. Oz Show, The Nate Berkus Show, and Rachael Ray among others. On June 19, 2011, WAOW (and in turn WMOW-DT2) became the market's second television outlet to upgrade local news to high definition level. Included in the change was a redesigned set and updated graphics scheme.