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{{short description|ABC affiliate in New Bern, North Carolina}} |
{{short description|ABC affiliate in New Bern, North Carolina}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} |
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{{Infobox broadcast |
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{{Infobox television station |
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| call_letters = WCTI-TV |
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| callsign = WCTI-TV |
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| station_logo = Wcti.png |
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| logo = WCTI logo (2013).svg |
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| logo_size = 300px |
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| logo_upright = 1 |
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| station_slogan = ''Getting the Facts Right'' |
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| city = New Bern, North Carolina |
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| branding = News 12 Now |
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| station_branding = ''NewsChannel 12'' |
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| digital = 10 ([[VHF]]) |
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| virtual = 12 |
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| virtual = 12 ([[Program and System Information Protocol|PSIP]]) |
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| affiliations = {{ubl|'''12.1:''' [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}} |
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| other_chs = |
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| airdate = {{Start date and age|1963|09|07|p=y|br=yes}} |
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| subchannels = |
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| location = {{ubl|[[New Bern]]–[[Greenville, North Carolina|Greenville]]–[[Washington, North Carolina|Washington]]–|[[Jacksonville, North Carolina]]}} |
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| affiliations = '''12.1:''' [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]<br>'''12.2:''' [[Comet (TV network)|Comet]] ('''[[owned-and-operated station|O&O]]''')<br>'''12.3:''' [[Dabl]]<br>'''12.4:''' [[TBD (TV network)|TBD]] ('''O&O''') |
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| country = United States |
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| airdate = {{Start date and age|1963|09|07|p=y}} |
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| callsign_meaning = former owner Continental Television, Inc. |
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| location = [[New Bern, North Carolina|New Bern]]/[[Greenville, North Carolina|Greenville]]/[[Washington, North Carolina|Washington]]/<br>[[Jacksonville, North Carolina]] |
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| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WNBE-TV (1963–1970)|WCTI-TV (1970–1982)|WCTI (1982–1983)}} |
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| country = United States |
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| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 12 (VHF, 1963–2009)|'''Digital:''' 48 ([[UHF]], 2000–2009), 12 (VHF, 2009–2020)}} |
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| callsign_meaning = '''C'''ontinental<br>'''T'''elevision<br>'''I'''ncorporated<br>''(former owner)'' |
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| owner = [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] |
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| former_callsigns = WNBE-TV (1963–1970) |
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| licensee = WCTI Licensee, [[LLC]] |
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| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:'''<br>12 (VHF, 1963–2009)<br>'''Digital:'''<br>48 ([[Ultra high frequency|UHF]], 2000–2009) |
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| sister_stations = [[WYDO]] |
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| owner = [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] |
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| erp = 34.2 kW |
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| licensee = WCTI Licensee, [[Limited liability company|LLC]] |
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| haat = {{convert|599.1|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} |
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| sister_stations = '''broadcast:''' [[WYDO]]<br>'''cable:''' [[Fox Sports Carolinas]]<ref name="SinclairRSNs">{{cite web|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/238222/sinclair-completes-10-6b-rsn-purchase/|title=Sinclair Closes $10.6B Disney RSN Purchase|last=Miller|first=Mark K.|work=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheckMedia|date=August 23, 2019|accessdate=August 23, 2019}}</ref> |
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| class = |
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| former_affiliations = [[UPN]] (2000–2006)<br>[[Independent station (North America)|Independent]] (2006–2009)<br>[[This TV]] (2009–2013)<br>''all on DT3'' |
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| facility_id = 18334 |
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| effective_radiated_power = 32.8 [[kilowatt|kW]]<br>34.2 kW ([[construction permit|CP]]) |
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| coordinates = {{coord|35|6|16|N|77|20|11|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}} |
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| HAAT = {{convert|589|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}<br>{{convert|582.7|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} (CP) |
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| licensing_authority = [[FCC]] |
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| class = [[digital terrestrial television|DT]] |
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| website = {{URL|https://wcti12.com/}} |
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| facility_id = 18334 |
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| coordinates = {{coord|35|6|16|N|77|20|11|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}} |
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| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]] |
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| homepage = {{URL|https://wcti12.com/}} |
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}} |
}} |
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'''WCTI-TV''' |
'''WCTI-TV''' (channel 12)isa [[television station]] licensed to [[New Bern, North Carolina]], United States, serving as the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate for [[Eastern North Carolina]]. It is owned by [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]], which provides certain services to [[Greenville, North Carolina|Greenville]]-licensed [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate [[WYDO]] (channel 14) under a [[shared services]] agreement (SSA) with [[Cunningham Broadcasting]]. However, Sinclair effectively owns WYDO as the majority of Cunningham's stock is owned by the family of deceased group founder Julian Smith. The two stations share studios on Glenburnie Drive in New Bern; WCTI-TV's transmitter is located north of [[Trenton, North Carolina|Trenton]] along [[NC 41]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Nathan Frank, a businessman from [[Henderson, North Carolina|Henderson]], had filed an application for channel 13 in New Bern in 1954. However, final approval was delayed for almost seven years due to numerous challenges. The [[United States Army|Army]], [[United States Navy|Navy]] and [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] were concerned that the proposed {{convert| |
Nathan Frank, a businessman from [[Henderson, North Carolina|Henderson]], had filed an application for channel 13 in New Bern in 1954. However, final approval was delayed for almost seven years due to numerous challenges. The [[United States Army|Army]], [[United States Navy|Navy]] and [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] were concerned that the proposed {{convert|771|ft|m|0|adj=on}} tower on Glenburnie Drive would interfere with the operations of the numerous military installations located in Eastern North Carolina. Several commercial airlines and pilot associations also expressed concerns about the tower. |
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A new problem arose in 1958, when the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) dropped in a channel 13 allocation in [[Hampton, Virginia |
A new problem arose in 1958, when the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) dropped in a channel 13 allocation in [[Hampton, Virginia]], to give the [[Hampton Roads]] area a third VHF station; [[WVEC-TV]] moved there from channel 15 shortly afterward. To alleviate concerns about short-spacing, the channel 13 allocation for New Bern was moved to channel 12. Almost immediately, WRVA-TV in [[Richmond, Virginia]] (now [[WWBT]]), raised concerns of its own about short-spacing. All objections were eventually overcome by 1961, and the station went on the air on September 7, 1963, as WNBE-TV (for "New Bern").<ref>[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=86115&.pdf FCC History Cards until WCTI-TV]. [[Federal Communications Commission]].</ref> The call letters were changed to the current WCTI-TV in 1970, and the station would activate a {{convert|1000|ft|m|0|adj=on}} tower at full VHF high-band power, off [[NC 58]] south of Trenton. The station has been an ABC affiliate since its inception. When it signed on, Greenville–[[Washington, North Carolina|Washington]]–New Bern became one of the smallest markets in the country with three commercial network affiliates. Continental Television sold the station to [[Malrite Communications]] in 1976. |
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In 1980, WCTI erected a {{convert|2000|ft|m|0|adj=on}} tower north of Trenton. The new tower expanded the station's secondary coverage as far east as the [[Outer Banks]], as far south as [[Wilmington, North Carolina|Wilmington]] and as far west as the Triangle (including [[Rocky Mount, North Carolina|Rocky Mount]] and much of eastern [[ |
In 1980, WCTI erected a {{convert|2000|ft|m|0|adj=on}} tower north of Trenton. The new tower expanded the station's secondary coverage as far east as the [[Outer Banks]], as far south as [[Wilmington, North Carolina|Wilmington]] and as far west as the Triangle (including [[Rocky Mount, North Carolina|Rocky Mount]] and much of eastern [[Raleigh]]). The station's original tower at its New Bern studios is still used as a backup. Malrite sold the station to Heritage Broadcasting in 1983. The 1,000-foot tower south of Trenton that the station had used prior to their move to the new site on [[NC 41]] now holds the antenna for [[WSFL-FM]] (106.5). Heritage Broadcasting sold WCTI to [[Diversified Communications]] in 1986. In 1993, Lamco Communications bought the station. It was sold to [[Bluestone Television]] in 2001. In 2007, Bluestone merged with Bonten Media Group. |
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On November 6 of that year, it was announced that the FCC approved the sale of certain WFXI/WYDO assets by [[Piedmont Television]] to the [[Bonten Media Group]]. As part of the deal, WFXI moved from its longtime home on Arendell Street ([[U.S. Route 70 in North Carolina|US 70]]) in [[ |
On November 6 of that year, it was announced that the FCC approved the sale of certain WFXI/WYDO assets by [[Piedmont Television]] to the [[Bonten Media Group]]. As part of the deal, WFXI moved from its longtime home on Arendell Street ([[U.S. Route 70 in North Carolina|US 70]]) in [[Morehead City]] to WCTI's facilities in New Bern. In 2000, WCTI launched the first over-the-air digital station in the market on [[UHF]] channel 48. A high-definition feed was launched on [[DirecTV]] on January 30, 2009. It is also available on satellite through [[Dish Network]]. WCTI's broadcasts became digital-only, effective June 12, 2009. |
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On April 21, 2017, Sinclair announced its intent to purchase the Bonten stations for $240 million.<ref name="tvnc-sinclairbonten">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/103465/sinclair-buying-bonten-stations-for-240m|title=Sinclair Buying Bonten Stations For $240M|last=Jessell|first=Harry A.|date=April 21, 2017|website=TVNewsCheck| |
On April 21, 2017, Sinclair announced its intent to purchase the Bonten stations for $240 million.<ref name="tvnc-sinclairbonten">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/103465/sinclair-buying-bonten-stations-for-240m|title=Sinclair Buying Bonten Stations For $240M|last=Jessell|first=Harry A.|date=April 21, 2017|website=TVNewsCheck|access-date=April 21, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sbgi.net/pr-news/sinclair-announces-agreement-to-purchase-bonten-media-group-tv-stations/|title=Sinclair Announces Agreement To Purchase Bonten Media Group TV Stations|date=April 21, 2017|website=Sinclair Broadcast Group|type=Press release|access-date=September 14, 2018}}</ref> The sale was completed on September 1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101765840&formid=905&fac_num=18334|title=Consummation Notice|date=September 5, 2017|website=licensing.fcc.gov|access-date=September 14, 2018}}</ref> |
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On September 13, 2018, [[Hurricane Florence]] forced WCTI to evacuate its building as [[flood]] waters continued to rise. For the duration of the storm, WCTI [[simulcast]] coverage from Sinclair sister station and fellow ABC affiliate [[WPDE-TV]] in [[Myrtle Beach, South Carolina]].<ref>{{cite news|title=North Carolina Meteorologists Forced Off-Air During Broadcast By Florence Flooding|url=https://weather.com/news/news/2018-09-13-wcti-new-bern-off-air-hurricane-florence|first=Drew|last=MacFarlane|website=[[The Weather Channel]]|publisher=[[Entertainment Studios]]/[[The Weather Company]]|date=September 13, 2018| |
On September 13, 2018, [[Hurricane Florence]] forced WCTI to evacuate its building as [[flood]] waters continued to rise. For the duration of the storm, WCTI [[simulcast]] coverage from Sinclair sister station and fellow ABC affiliate [[WPDE-TV]] in [[Myrtle Beach, South Carolina]].<ref>{{cite news|title=North Carolina Meteorologists Forced Off-Air During Broadcast By Florence Flooding|url=https://weather.com/news/news/2018-09-13-wcti-new-bern-off-air-hurricane-florence|first=Drew|last=MacFarlane|website=[[The Weather Channel]]|publisher=[[Entertainment Studios]]/[[The Weather Company]]|date=September 13, 2018|access-date=September 14, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Statement from WCTI General Manager Matt Bowman|url=https://wcti12.com/weather/hurricane-stories/statement-from-wcti-general-manager-matt-bowman|first=Jason O.|last=Boyd|website=WCTI-TV|publisher=[[Sinclair Broadcast Group]]|date=September 14, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Hurricane Florence Forces WCTI Meteorologists to Evacuate During Broadcast|url=https://www.adweek.com/tvspy/wcti-meteorologists-forced-to-evacuate-during-broadcast/207954|first=Stephanie|last=Tsoflias Siegel|website=[[Adweek|TVSpy]]|publisher=Beringer Capital|date=September 14, 2018}}</ref> By September 16, floodwaters had receded to the point that initial cleanup efforts began.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://wcti12.com/weather/hurricane-stories/wcti-newschannel-12-station-after-hurricane-florence|title=WCTI NewsChannel 12 station after Hurricane Florence|last=Boyd|first=Jason O.|work=WCTI12.com|publisher=[[Sinclair Broadcast Group]]|access-date=September 16, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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== |
==News operation== |
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In terms of [[Nielsen ratings]], Eastern [[North Carolina]] is usually not very competitive during [[sweeps]] periods. Historically, [[WITN-TV]] has generally traded the highest viewership crown with WCTI and WNCT. In July 2008, WNCT became the most watched television station in the market after taking first place weeknights at 6 and 11. However, since then, that station has fallen to third place weeknights at 6. As of May 2010, WITN has won the sign-on-to-sign-off honors for two consecutive ratings periods. More specifically, it won all time periods except for the weekday noon news.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6579887.html|title=New players heat up Greenville race|last=Malone|first=Michael|date=July 21, 2008|website=Broadcasting & Cable|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201132654/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6579887.html|archive-date=December 1, 2008|access-date=September 14, 2018}}</ref> |
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The station's digital signal is [[multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]: |
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In January 2008, after becoming a sister station to WFXI/WYDO, WCTI began repeating its nightly 6 o'clock show later in the evening at 10 on the Fox stations. It would not be until the month's end when a new live, nightly prime time newscast (produced by WCTI) debuted on WFXI/WYDO. Known as ''Fox Eastern Carolina News at 10'', the show can be seen for an hour on weeknights and a half-hour on weekends. WNCT offers another newscast at 10 on its [[WNCT-DT2|CW-affiliated subchannel]]. Unlike the WFXI/WYDO weeknight program, WNCT's prime time broadcast only airs for thirty minutes each night. As part of debuting the WCTI-produced newscast, WFXI/WYDO introduced an updated graphics package and news music theme licensed for use from [[News Corp. Digital Media|News Corporation Digital Media]] and modified from Fox [[owned-and-operated station]]s. |
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On June 27, 2010, WCTI became the area's first television outlet to upgrade its local news production to high definition (the nightly news on WFXI/WYDO was included in the change at that point). On August 15, 2011, WCTI launched a new 5:30 p.m. newscast. With this newest addition, WCTI and sister stations WFXI/WYDO now offer over thirty hours of local news per week.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wcti12.com/WCTI-Announces-Addition-Of-5-30-p-m-Newscast/13632686|title=WCTI Announces Addition Of 5:30 p.m. Newscast|date=August 10, 2011|work=WCTI|access-date=September 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305154323/http://www.wcti12.com/WCTI-Announces-Addition-Of-5-30-p-m-Newscast/13632686|archive-date=March 5, 2016}}</ref> The station does not currently operate a sports department. In addition to its main studios, WCTI operates bureaus in Jacksonville (on South Marine Boulevard/[[U.S. Route 17 Business (Jacksonville, North Carolina)|US 17 BUS]]) and [[Winterville, North Carolina|Winterville]] (on Old Tar Road covering Greenville).{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} |
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==Subchannels== |
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The station's signal is [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]: |
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{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
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|+ Subchannels of WCTI-TV<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WCTI#station|title=Digital TV Market Listing for WCTI|website=rabbitears.info|access-date=September 14, 2018}}</ref> |
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! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]] |
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! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]] |
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! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]] |
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! scope = "col" | Short name |
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! scope = "col" | Programming |
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|- |
|- |
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! scope = "row" | 12.1 |
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! Channel |
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| [[720p]] || rowspan="4" |[[16:9]] || WCTI-HD || [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] |
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! [[Video resolution|Video]] |
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! [[Aspect ratio|Aspect]] |
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! PSIP short name |
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! Programming <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WCTI#station|title=Digital TV Market Listing for WCTI|website=rabbitears.info|access-date=September 14, 2018}}</ref> |
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|- |
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! scope = "row" | 12.2 |
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| 12.1 || [[720p]] || rowspan="2"|[[16:9]] || WCTI-HD || Main WCTI-TV programming / [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] |
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| rowspan="3" | [[480i]] || COMET || [[Comet (TV network)|Comet]] |
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|- |
|- |
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! scope = "row" | 12.3 |
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| 12.2 || rowspan="3"| [[480i]] || COMET || [[Comet (TV network)|Comet]] |
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| ENC-TV || [[Dabl]] |
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|- |
|- |
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! scope = "row" | 12.4 |
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| 12.3 || [[4:3]] || ENC-TV || [[Dabl]] |
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| || [[TBD (TV network)|TBD]] |
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|- |
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| 12.4 || 16:9 || || [[TBD (TV network)|TBD]] |
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|} |
|} |
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Until September 18, 2006, WCTI-DT3 was a [[UPN]] affiliate with the branding "UPN 48" (taken from WCTI's physical digital channel number). When UPN and [[The WB]] merged into [[The CW]] on that date, [[CBS]] affiliate [[WNCT-TV]] chose to carry the network on a new second [[digital subchannel]] |
Until September 18, 2006, WCTI-DT3 was a [[UPN]] affiliate with the branding "UPN 48" (taken from WCTI's physical digital channel number). When UPN and [[The WB]] merged into [[The CW]] on that date, [[CBS]] affiliate [[WNCT-TV]] chose to carry the network on a new second [[digital subchannel]], replacing WB outlet "WGWB". After losing the UPN affiliation, WCTI-DT3 became an [[independent station]] known as "ENC-TV". This initially aired syndicated programming such as ''[[Trivial Pursuit: America Plays]]'', ''[[Family Feud]]'', ''[[Entertainment Studios]]'', and ''[[Extra (American TV program)|Extra]]''. Weeknights at 8 p.m., there was a prime time movie. ENC-TV was on DT2 from its launch until WCTI's switch to digital in June 2009 when it moved to DT3. At one point, ENC-TV even maintained a website at enc.tv but this was eventually abandoned. |
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In late summer 2009, WCTI-DT3 began to add programming from [[This TV]], eventually becoming a full-time affiliate. On November 1, 2013, the This TV affiliation was dropped in favor of the [[Movies!]] network. On August 23, 2011, [[Disney-ABC Television Group]] announced WCTI would carry Live Well Network<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/53444/live-well-adds-7-affils-tops-40-clearance/|title=Live Well Adds 7 Affils, Tops 40% Clearance|date=August 23, 2011|work=TVNewsCheck|access-date=September 14, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> as part of an affiliation agreement with Bonten Media Group; the network |
In late summer 2009, WCTI-DT3 began to add programming from [[This TV]], eventually becoming a full-time affiliate. On November 1, 2013, the This TV affiliation was dropped in favor of the [[Movies!]] network. On August 23, 2011, [[Disney-ABC Television Group]] announced WCTI would carry Live Well Network<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/53444/live-well-adds-7-affils-tops-40-clearance/|title=Live Well Adds 7 Affils, Tops 40% Clearance|date=August 23, 2011|work=TVNewsCheck|access-date=September 14, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> as part of an affiliation agreement with Bonten Media Group; the network was seen on subchannel 12.2. In February 2015, LWN was replaced with [[Decades (TV network)|Decades]]. |
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==Programming== |
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[[broadcast syndication|Syndicated]] programming on WCTI includes ''[[Judge Judy]]'', ''[[Inside Edition]]'', and ''[[Live with Kelly and Ryan]]'', among others. |
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==News operation== |
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<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Wcti news.png|thumb|right|News open.{{deletable image-caption|Thursday, 12 November 2015}}]] --> |
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In terms of [[Nielsen ratings]], Eastern [[North Carolina]] is usually not very competitive during [[Nielsen ratings#Sweeps|sweeps]] periods. Historically, [[WITN-TV]] has generally traded the highest viewership crown with WCTI and WNCT. In July 2008, WNCT became the most watched television station in the market after taking first place weeknights at 6 and 11. However, since then, that station has fallen to 3rd place weeknights at 6. As of May 2010, WITN has won the sign-on-to-sign-off honors for two consecutive ratings periods. More specifically, it won all time periods except for the weekday noon news.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6579887.html|title=New players heat up Greenville race|last=Malone|first=Michael|date=July 21, 2008|website=Broadcasting & Cable|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201132654/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6579887.html|archive-date=December 1, 2008|access-date=September 14, 2018}}</ref> |
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In January 2008, after becoming a sister station to WFXI/WYDO, WCTI began repeating its nightly 6 o'clock show later in the evening at 10 on the Fox stations. It would not be until the month's end when a new live, nightly prime time newscast (produced by WCTI) debuted on WFXI/WYDO. Known as ''Fox Eastern Carolina News at 10'', the show can be seen for an hour on weeknights and a half-hour on weekends. WNCT offers another newscast at 10 on its [[WNCT-DT2|CW-affiliated subchannel]]. Unlike the WFXI/WYDO weeknight program, WNCT's prime time broadcast only airs for thirty minutes each night. As part of debuting the WCTI-produced newscast, WFXI/WYDO introduced an updated graphics package and news music theme licensed for use from [[News Corp. Digital Media|News Corporation Digital Media]] and modified from Fox [[owned-and-operated station]]s. |
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On June 27, 2010, WCTI became the area's first television outlet to upgrade its local news production to high definition (the nightly news on WFXI/WYDO was included in the change at that point). On August 15, 2011, WCTI launched a new 5:30 p.m. newscast. With this newest addition, WCTI and sister stations WFXI/WYDO now offer over thirty hours of local news per week.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wcti12.com/WCTI-Announces-Addition-Of-5-30-p-m-Newscast/13632686|title=WCTI Announces Addition Of 5:30 p.m. Newscast|date=August 10, 2011|work=WCTI|access-date=September 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305154323/http://www.wcti12.com/WCTI-Announces-Addition-Of-5-30-p-m-Newscast/13632686|archive-date=March 5, 2016}}</ref> The station does not currently operate a sports department. In addition to its main studios, WCTI operates bureaus in Jacksonville (on South Marine Boulevard/[[U.S. Route 17 Business (Jacksonville, North Carolina)|US 17 BUS]]) and [[Winterville, North Carolina|Winterville]] (on Old Tar Road covering Greenville).{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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*[https://wcti12.com/ WCTI-TV] |
*[https://wcti12.com/ WCTI-TV] |
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*[https://wcti12.com/fox-eastern-carolina WFXI/WYDO "Fox Eastern Carolina"] |
*[https://wcti12.com/fox-eastern-carolina WFXI/WYDO "Fox Eastern Carolina"] |
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*{{TVQ|WCTI-TV}} |
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*{{TV Fool|WCTI-DT}} |
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*{{BIA|WCTI|TV|TV}} |
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{{Greenville/New Bern/Washington TV}} |
{{Greenville/New Bern/Washington TV}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wcti-Tv}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wcti-Tv}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1963 establishments in North Carolina]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:American Broadcasting Company affiliates]] |
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[[Category:ABC network affiliates]] |
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[[Category:Comet (TV network) affiliates]] |
[[Category:Comet (TV network) affiliates]] |
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[[Category:Movies! affiliates]] |
[[Category:Movies! affiliates]] |
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[[Category:TBD (TV network) affiliates]] |
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[[Category:1963 establishments in North Carolina]] |
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[[Category:Sinclair Broadcast Group]] |
[[Category:Sinclair Broadcast Group]] |
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[[Category:TBD (TV network) affiliates]] |
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[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1963]] |
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[[Category:Television stations in Greenville, North Carolina|CTI-TV]] |
![]() | |
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City | New Bern, North Carolina |
Channels |
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Branding | News 12 Now |
Programming | |
Affiliations |
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Ownership | |
Owner |
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WYDO | |
History | |
First air date | September 7, 1963 (60 years ago) (1963-09-07) |
Former call signs |
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Former channel number(s) |
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Call sign meaning | former owner Continental Television, Inc. |
Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
Facility ID | 18334 |
ERP | 34.2 kW |
HAAT | 599.1 m (1,966 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 35°6′16″N 77°20′11″W / 35.10444°N 77.33639°W / 35.10444; -77.33639 |
Links | |
Public license information |
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Website | wcti12 |
WCTI-TV (channel 12) is a television station licensed to New Bern, North Carolina, United States, serving as the ABC affiliate for Eastern North Carolina. It is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, which provides certain services to Greenville-licensed Fox affiliate WYDO (channel 14) under a shared services agreement (SSA) with Cunningham Broadcasting. However, Sinclair effectively owns WYDO as the majority of Cunningham's stock is owned by the family of deceased group founder Julian Smith. The two stations share studios on Glenburnie Drive in New Bern; WCTI-TV's transmitter is located north of Trenton along NC 41.
Nathan Frank, a businessman from Henderson, had filed an application for channel 13 in New Bern in 1954. However, final approval was delayed for almost seven years due to numerous challenges. The Army, Navy and Air Force were concerned that the proposed 771-foot (235 m) tower on Glenburnie Drive would interfere with the operations of the numerous military installations located in Eastern North Carolina. Several commercial airlines and pilot associations also expressed concerns about the tower.
A new problem arose in 1958, when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) dropped in a channel 13 allocation in Hampton, Virginia, to give the Hampton Roads area a third VHF station; WVEC-TV moved there from channel 15 shortly afterward. To alleviate concerns about short-spacing, the channel 13 allocation for New Bern was moved to channel 12. Almost immediately, WRVA-TV in Richmond, Virginia (now WWBT), raised concerns of its own about short-spacing. All objections were eventually overcome by 1961, and the station went on the air on September 7, 1963, as WNBE-TV (for "New Bern").[2] The call letters were changed to the current WCTI-TV in 1970, and the station would activate a 1,000-foot (305 m) tower at full VHF high-band power, off NC 58 south of Trenton. The station has been an ABC affiliate since its inception. When it signed on, Greenville–Washington–New Bern became one of the smallest markets in the country with three commercial network affiliates. Continental Television sold the station to Malrite Communications in 1976.
In 1980, WCTI erected a 2,000-foot (610 m) tower north of Trenton. The new tower expanded the station's secondary coverage as far east as the Outer Banks, as far south as Wilmington and as far west as the Triangle (including Rocky Mount and much of eastern Raleigh). The station's original tower at its New Bern studios is still used as a backup. Malrite sold the station to Heritage Broadcasting in 1983. The 1,000-foot tower south of Trenton that the station had used prior to their move to the new site on NC 41 now holds the antenna for WSFL-FM (106.5). Heritage Broadcasting sold WCTI to Diversified Communications in 1986. In 1993, Lamco Communications bought the station. It was sold to Bluestone Television in 2001. In 2007, Bluestone merged with Bonten Media Group.
On November 6 of that year, it was announced that the FCC approved the sale of certain WFXI/WYDO assets by Piedmont Television to the Bonten Media Group. As part of the deal, WFXI moved from its longtime home on Arendell Street (US 70) in Morehead City to WCTI's facilities in New Bern. In 2000, WCTI launched the first over-the-air digital station in the market on UHF channel 48. A high-definition feed was launched on DirecTV on January 30, 2009. It is also available on satellite through Dish Network. WCTI's broadcasts became digital-only, effective June 12, 2009.
On April 21, 2017, Sinclair announced its intent to purchase the Bonten stations for $240 million.[3][4] The sale was completed on September 1.[5]
On September 13, 2018, Hurricane Florence forced WCTI to evacuate its building as flood waters continued to rise. For the duration of the storm, WCTI simulcast coverage from Sinclair sister station and fellow ABC affiliate WPDE-TVinMyrtle Beach, South Carolina.[6][7][8] By September 16, floodwaters had receded to the point that initial cleanup efforts began.[9]
In terms of Nielsen ratings, Eastern North Carolina is usually not very competitive during sweeps periods. Historically, WITN-TV has generally traded the highest viewership crown with WCTI and WNCT. In July 2008, WNCT became the most watched television station in the market after taking first place weeknights at 6 and 11. However, since then, that station has fallen to third place weeknights at 6. As of May 2010, WITN has won the sign-on-to-sign-off honors for two consecutive ratings periods. More specifically, it won all time periods except for the weekday noon news.[10]
In January 2008, after becoming a sister station to WFXI/WYDO, WCTI began repeating its nightly 6 o'clock show later in the evening at 10 on the Fox stations. It would not be until the month's end when a new live, nightly prime time newscast (produced by WCTI) debuted on WFXI/WYDO. Known as Fox Eastern Carolina News at 10, the show can be seen for an hour on weeknights and a half-hour on weekends. WNCT offers another newscast at 10 on its CW-affiliated subchannel. Unlike the WFXI/WYDO weeknight program, WNCT's prime time broadcast only airs for thirty minutes each night. As part of debuting the WCTI-produced newscast, WFXI/WYDO introduced an updated graphics package and news music theme licensed for use from News Corporation Digital Media and modified from Fox owned-and-operated stations.
On June 27, 2010, WCTI became the area's first television outlet to upgrade its local news production to high definition (the nightly news on WFXI/WYDO was included in the change at that point). On August 15, 2011, WCTI launched a new 5:30 p.m. newscast. With this newest addition, WCTI and sister stations WFXI/WYDO now offer over thirty hours of local news per week.[11] The station does not currently operate a sports department. In addition to its main studios, WCTI operates bureaus in Jacksonville (on South Marine Boulevard/US 17 BUS) and Winterville (on Old Tar Road covering Greenville).[citation needed]
The station's signal is multiplexed:
Channel | Res. | Aspect | Short name | Programming |
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12.1 | 720p | 16:9 | WCTI-HD | ABC |
12.2 | 480i | COMET | Comet | |
12.3 | ENC-TV | Dabl | ||
12.4 | TBD |
Until September 18, 2006, WCTI-DT3 was a UPN affiliate with the branding "UPN 48" (taken from WCTI's physical digital channel number). When UPN and The WB merged into The CW on that date, CBS affiliate WNCT-TV chose to carry the network on a new second digital subchannel, replacing WB outlet "WGWB". After losing the UPN affiliation, WCTI-DT3 became an independent station known as "ENC-TV". This initially aired syndicated programming such as Trivial Pursuit: America Plays, Family Feud, Entertainment Studios, and Extra. Weeknights at 8 p.m., there was a prime time movie. ENC-TV was on DT2 from its launch until WCTI's switch to digital in June 2009 when it moved to DT3. At one point, ENC-TV even maintained a website at enc.tv but this was eventually abandoned.
In late summer 2009, WCTI-DT3 began to add programming from This TV, eventually becoming a full-time affiliate. On November 1, 2013, the This TV affiliation was dropped in favor of the Movies! network. On August 23, 2011, Disney-ABC Television Group announced WCTI would carry Live Well Network[13] as part of an affiliation agreement with Bonten Media Group; the network was seen on subchannel 12.2. In February 2015, LWN was replaced with Decades.
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Low-power digital |
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ATSC 3.0 digital |
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Cable television |
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Defunct/silent |
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