WQMC-LD

WQMC-LD, virtual channel 23 and UHF digital channel 15, branded on-air as GTN, is a low-powered independent television station licensed to Columbus, Ohio, United States. The station is owned by Urban One. It was formerly broadcast nationally via Sky Angel, prior to its shutdown.

WQMC-LD
W23BZ logo
Channels
BrandingGTN[1]
(acronym for "Guardian Television Network")
Programming
Subchannels23.1: Independent/Bounce TV
23.2: True Crime Network
23.3: Telemundo
AffiliationsIndependent (2008–present)
Ownership
Owner
History
FoundedJanuary 4, 1989
Former call signs
W20AM (1989–1995)
W24BK (1995–2001)
W58CQ (1995-2001)
W23BZ (2001–2011)
W23BZ-D (2011-2019)[2]
Former channel number(s)
Analog:
20 (UHF, 1990-1991)
24 (UHF, 1991-1997)
58 (UHF, 1997-2001)
23 (UHF, 2001-2011)
Digital:
23 (UHF, 2011-2020)
Analog/DT1:
TBN (1989–2008)
DT4:
Azteca América
Technical information
Facility ID47695
ClassTranslator station
ERP15 kW
Transmitter coordinates39°53′31.0″N 83°2′44.0″W

History

From 1989 to 2008, W23BZ was owned by the Trinity Broadcasting Network, and served as a satellite repeater for the network.

On March 30, 2006, the station was granted a construction permit to begin converting operations to digital television.

In July 2008, it was announced that the Guardian Enterprise Group would sell its original, full-powered station, WSFJ-TV, to TBN for $16 million.[3] In exchange, Guardian acquired W23BZ from TBN in an affiliation swap of their respective channels, and transferred WSFJ's programming to that channel on October 1, 2008. However, Guardian found themselves at a disadvantage, as, having moved to a low-power signal, they lost their must-carry status; as a result, Guardian urged viewers to contact their cable systems to pick up GTN after the move to channel 23.[4] As of December 2009, Guardian reached an agreement for W23BZ to be carried on Insight Communications channel 283, and WOW channel 192, leaving Time Warner Cable as the sole cable system to yet carry W23BZ on either analog or digital services.

In late February 2011, W23BZ was off-the-air as it flash cut to digital broadcast. The station returned to the air as W23BZ-D on March 2, 2011.

On September 26, 2011, W23BZ-D picked up Bounce TV upon its launch; the station carried its programming on channel 23.1, mixed in with local programming and syndicated fare acquired from other sources.

On July 30, 2019, the station changed its call sign to WQMC-LD.

Digital channels

The station's digital signal is multiplexed:

Channel Video Aspect Short name Programming[5]
23.1480i16:9BounceBounce TV
23.2 Justice True Crime Network
23.3 4:3 Telemun Telemundo

See also
  • .2 Network -- unrealized general entertainment network owned by the Guardian Enterprise Group

References
  1. "Guardian Enterprise Group, Inc". www.guardianenterprisegroup.com. Archived from the original on 14 March 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  2. Call Sign History
  3. http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6577962.html
  4. http://gtn51.com/cms/
  5. WQMC-LD COLUMBUS, OH
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