WGNO

WGNO is a television station serving New Orleans, Louisiana, and surrounding communities. Broadcasting on virtual channel 26, it is affiliated with the ABC television network and is owned by Nexstar Media Group. The station operates alongside CW affiliate WNOL-TV, which is also owned by Nexstar, with both stations based at The Galleria in Metairie. WGNO's transmitter is located in Chalmette, Louisiana. The station began broadcasting on October 14, 1967, under the call sign WWOM-TV. It was the first independent television station in New Orleans and initially relied on films, syndicated programs, music-oriented material, locally produced low-budget shows, and programming that the market's established network affiliates did not carry. Its launch expanded the range of television available to local viewers, including occasional special-event coverage and experimental late-night programming. One notable early production was Nite People, a locally made variety program that developed a cult following. Financial difficulties led the original licensee, Channel 26, Inc., into bankruptcy in 1970. Communications Corporation of the South acquired the station's assets in 1971, and the call sign changed to WGNO-TV in March 1972. The new name referred to Greater New Orleans. During the 1970s, the station continued to operate as an independent outlet, carrying older movies and sitcoms, religious programming, public-service material, sports, and community-oriented shows. General Media Corporation acquired WGNO-TV in 1978 and improved its transmission facilities, including a move to a taller tower and a substantial increase in transmission power. Tribune Broadcasting purchased WGNO-TV in 1983. Tribune strengthened the station's syndicated programming, equipment, and local production capabilities just as a second major independent competitor, WNOL-TV, entered the market. WGNO subsequently became a stronger independent station and developed programs focused on New Orleans culture, local sports, cooking, and community life. Tribune also committed WGNO to the WB Television Network, which launched in 1995. A major market realignment followed the sale of New Orleans ABC affiliate WVUE to an ownership group associated with Fox. On January 1, 1996, WGNO became the city's ABC affiliate, while WVUE joined Fox and WNOL-TV assumed the WB affiliation. The network change gave WGNO access to ABC's national programming but also altered its competitive position and initially reduced its overall ratings. Tribune later acquired WNOL-TV, creating a duopoly in the New Orleans market. Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage to the stations' transmission and studio infrastructure in August 2005. Flooding destroyed or disabled equipment at the New Orleans Centre, where WGNO and WNOL-TV had recently consolidated their operations. The stations temporarily used trailer-based facilities, remote master-control arrangements, replacement transmission equipment, and other emergency measures. Their operations later returned to the World Trade Center before moving in 2007 to The Galleria in Metairie. WGNO continues to combine ABC network programming with local news, weather, traffic, sports, public affairs, digital content, and community coverage for the New Orleans area.

Channel 26 was assigned to New Orleans as part of the expansion of UHF television after the Federal Communications Commission lifted its freeze on new station grants. Several groups expressed interest, but an early construction permit was never completed. In 1964, Channel 26, Inc., associated with New Orleans radio broadcaster WWOM-AM-FM, applied for a new permit and received authorization in 1965. WWOM-TV began test transmissions in September 1967 and regular programming on October 14 of that year. Its first broadcast was the 1927 film The Jazz Singer. As an independent station, it had flexibility to air movies, syndicated shows, music programs, sports, and material rejected or preempted by network affiliates. The station experimented with overnight broadcasting and produced local programs including Nite People, a late-night variety show that became particularly memorable among early viewers. The original operation struggled financially. Channel 26, Inc. filed for bankruptcy in 1970, although the station remained on the air with assistance from program suppliers and a court-appointed trustee. Communications Corporation of the South acquired the assets in 1971 and changed the call letters to WGNO-TV in March 1972. The station's early years under the new identity were characterized by inexpensive movies, older situation comedies, religious programs, and locally produced shows with limited budgets. Its community-oriented output included programs addressing Black community issues, youth interests, local music, and regional personalities. General Media Corporation bought WGNO-TV in 1978. During this period, the station upgraded its transmission infrastructure by moving from the International Trade Mart building to a taller tower and increasing effective power. General Media also aired local public-service announcements featuring mime performer Tom Foote and produced Tom Foote's Video Clubhouse. WGNO carried selected New Orleans Jazz basketball games in the late 1970s and later broadcast limited coverage of New Orleans minor-league baseball. Tribune Broadcasting acquired WGNO-TV in 1983 as the station faced its first serious independent-station challenge from WNOL-TV, which launched in 1984. Tribune brought stronger syndicated programming, better equipment, and additional corporate resources. WGNO became a leading independent in the market for much of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Local productions during the Tribune era included Real New Orleans, Saints Sideline, Hometown Sports Page, Friday Night Football, Cookin' with Soul, and the locally produced quiz program N.O. It Alls. Tribune also made WGNO a charter affiliate of The WB when that network launched in 1995. The next major change came from a chain of network-affiliation transactions. WVUE, then New Orleans's ABC affiliate, was acquired by an ownership group connected to Fox. ABC selected WGNO as its replacement affiliate, and the change took effect on January 1, 1996. WVUE became the Fox affiliate, WNOL-TV took the WB affiliation, and WGNO began carrying ABC's schedule. The shift expanded WGNO's network role but initially weakened its overall ratings. Tribune eventually acquired WNOL-TV after regulatory changes made television duopolies easier to form, creating common ownership of the two stations. WGNO and WNOL-TV moved into shared facilities at the New Orleans Centre in 2005. Hurricane Katrina soon caused severe disruption. Floodwaters destroyed or disabled transmission equipment and forced the cancellation of the stations' leases at the damaged complex. WGNO continued through temporary trailer facilities, remote master-control arrangements, replacement equipment, and temporary transmission solutions. The stations returned briefly to the World Trade Center and then moved in 2007 to The Galleria in Metairie. WGNO's digital transmission arrangements were rebuilt during the post-Katrina period. Nexstar Media Group acquired Tribune Broadcasting in 2019, making Nexstar the owner of WGNO and WNOL-TV. WGNO remains an active ABC affiliate focused on local news, weather, traffic, public affairs, community information, sports, and digital reporting for the New Orleans market.

• 2019

  Nexstar ownership

  [1]WGNOen.wikipedia.org

  Nexstar became WGNO's owner through its acquisition of Tribune Broadcasting.

• 2007

  Metairie relocation

  [1]WGNOen.wikipedia.org

  The stations moved their operations to The Galleria in Metairie.

• 2005

  Katrina displacement

  [1]WGNOen.wikipedia.org

  Hurricane Katrina forced WGNO and WNOL-TV into temporary facilities and emergency transmission arrangements.

• 1996

  ABC affiliation begins

  [1]WGNOen.wikipedia.org

  WGNO became the New Orleans ABC affiliate on January 1.

• 1995

  Charter WB affiliation

  [1]WGNOen.wikipedia.org

  WGNO joined The WB at the network's launch.

• 1983

  Tribune acquisition

  [1]WGNOen.wikipedia.org

  Tribune Broadcasting acquired WGNO-TV and strengthened its programming and production resources.

• 1978

  General Media acquisition

  [1]WGNOen.wikipedia.org

  General Media Corporation purchased the station and upgraded its transmission facilities.

• 1972

  WGNO-TV identity adopted

  [1]WGNOen.wikipedia.org

  The call sign changed from WWOM-TV to WGNO-TV.

• 1971

  Assets sold after bankruptcy

  [1]WGNOen.wikipedia.org

  Communications Corporation of the South acquired the station from bankruptcy proceedings.

• 1967

  WWOM-TV launches

  [1]WGNOen.wikipedia.org

  The station began regular broadcasts on October 14 as New Orleans's first independent television outlet.

• 1965

  Construction permit granted

  [1]WGNOen.wikipedia.org

  Channel 26, Inc., affiliated with WWOM radio, received authorization to build a New Orleans UHF television station.

A locally focused ABC network affiliate serving the New Orleans television market, with emphasis on news, weather, community information, and regional entertainment.

• Television news

  WGNO local news

  Local newscasts and digital reporting covering New Orleans, surrounding Louisiana communities, public safety, politics, education, business, and regional events. The station has used several local-news formats during its history and continues to provide news as part of its ABC affiliate operation.

• Weather broadcasting

  WGNO weather coverage

  Forecasts, severe-weather reporting, hurricane information, and emergency updates for the New Orleans market. Weather coverage is especially important in a region exposed to tropical systems, flooding, and severe storms.

• Network television · 1996

  ABC network programming

  WGNO distributes ABC's national schedule to viewers in the New Orleans designated market area, supplemented by locally scheduled news, public-affairs, promotional, and community content.

• Digital media

  wgno.com

  The station's website publishes local news, weather, video, alerts, community information, and other content associated with WGNO's broadcast operation.

• 2011News with a Twist

  New Orleans, Louisiana

  WGNO reformatted its evening news programming as News with a Twist, combining conventional news with entertainment and feature material.

  Outcome. The format remained in use until 2020, when it was discontinued amid the COVID-19 pandemic period and Nexstar's integration of Tribune operations.

  Source
• 1982Tom Foote public-service announcements

  New Orleans, Louisiana

  WGNO aired a series of public-service announcements featuring local mime performer Tom Foote, including appearances connected with schools and the French Quarter.

  Outcome. The campaign became a recognizable part of the station's local identity and was later extended into Tom Foote's Video Clubhouse.

  Source

• 2019

  Transition to Nexstar ownershipM&A

  Background

  Nexstar acquired Tribune Broadcasting, whose portfolio included WGNO and WNOL-TV.

  Action taken

  Ownership of WGNO transferred to Nexstar Media Group.

  Aftermath

  WGNO continued as an ABC affiliate under Nexstar's station group.

  Source

• 2005

  Rebuild after Hurricane KatrinaOther

  Background

  Hurricane Katrina flooded the stations' facilities and destroyed or disabled transmission equipment.

  Action taken

  WGNO and WNOL-TV used trailer-based studios, remote master control, replacement transmitters, and temporary broadcast arrangements while rebuilding.

  Aftermath

  The stations eventually moved to The Galleria in Metairie and restored permanent operating and digital transmission facilities.

  Source

• 1995

  Accept ABC affiliationStrategy

  Background

  The sale of WVUE to a Fox-associated ownership group created an opening for ABC in New Orleans and left WGNO and WNOL-TV competing for the network.

  Action taken

  WGNO secured the ABC affiliation, which began on January 1, 1996, while its former WB programming moved to WNOL-TV.

  Aftermath

  WGNO gained a major-network identity, but its overall ratings initially declined after the affiliation switch.

  • WVUE — WVUE became the New Orleans Fox affiliate as part of the same market-wide realignment.
  • WNOL-TV — WNOL-TV assumed the WB affiliation.

  Source

1. 1WGNOen.wikipedia.org
2. 2WGNO official websitewgno.com