WEFG-LD
Family Net (1992–1995?) | |
| Technical information[1] | |
|---|---|
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 167606 |
| Class | LD |
| ERP | 15 kW |
| HAAT | 103.2 m (339 ft) |
| Transmitter coordinates | 40°4′58.2″N 75°10′54.6″W / 40.082833°N 75.181833°W |
| Links | |
Public license information | LMS |
| Website | www |
WEFG-LD (channel 7) is a
History
Introduction
Channel 7 first appeared in December 1991 as W07CB ("WOCB"),
In 1992, W07CB, not affiliated with a major network, aired
Changes
Within a year, the station underwent a series of management changes. Dr. Walter Moxley IV, an
By June 1994, the station's parent company Morton Broadcasting named George Brusstar, operator of small but profitable cable television operations in the Philadelphia suburbs, as its Director of Programming. All of the station's programming was abruptly scrapped along with the station's then-slogan ("T-V Heaven, Channel 7"). The station's new logo became "The Bell", modeled after Philadelphia's Liberty Bell according to Brusstar. Replacing the old disco shows, classic westerns, and vintage sitcoms was a new format of 24-hour "two-way talk" programming featuring live TV hosts sitting at a desk with telephones. Viewers could call in live and sound off on the issues of the day with the hosts. Brusstar hired former Philadelphia radio performer Dennis Marcucci and Modesto, California, television personality Al Mario to host shows on the new lineup. In addition, Brusstar himself was a featured host, and was joined by then-17-year-old Port Richmond resident Mike Phillips.
A contractual dispute in late 1994 resulted in Brusstar's sudden departure, and all local programming ceased. Brusstar was replaced by Mario who hired local college students, activists, and radio personalities in an attempt to cement a stable evening line-up. Programs included music (Dr. Soul's Radio on TV), comedy (A Sermon from the Reverend Spoonicci), and current events commentaries from Mario, homelessness activist Leona Smith, and libertarian Sean McBride. From 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., programming consisted of live TV psychics from a low-power New York City station brought in via satellite. By June 1995, infighting between owners forced W07CB off the air.
Return to the air, decline, and the return of Channel 7
When Channel 7 next appeared, it was clear Ron Joseph was back in control; for weeks on end, a two-hour VHS tape loop of his recent wedding played continuously. Joseph attempted to take the station back entirely via a loophole in the partnership agreement (partner Moxley was imprisoned for the assault of a family member). Joseph later operated a low-power TV channel in Wildwood–Cape May, New Jersey, W05AX.
In 1996, with few advertisers left, Morton Broadcasting was dissolved and the
On July 31, 1998, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted W07CB voluntary transfer of control from Ronald Joseph Caponigro to Digital Media T.V.[6][7]
On November 10, 1999, Morton Broadcasting Company sold W07CB to Philadelphia Television Network, Inc.
The W07CB call letters were changed to WPTV-LP in November 2001 (not related to full power NBC affiliate WPTV (channel 5) in West Palm Beach, Florida). A month later, the call letters were changed again to WWJT-LP. On January 27, 2010, WWJT received another call sign, WWJT-LD,[8] for the digital facility while still retaining the call sign WWJT-LP[9] for the analog facility. WWJT-LD changed its call sign to WEFG-LD on January 1, 2014.
WWJT was relaunched on October 15, 2006, as African Community Television. The station aired a mix of news, movies, infomercials and music videos, as well as various African shows.
Technical information
Subchannels
The station's signal is
| Channel | Res. | Aspect | Short name | Programming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.1 | 480i | 16:9
|
WEFG-7 | TV Scout |
| 7.2 | Infomercials | |||
| 7.3 | Launch TV | |||
| 7.4 | Independent |
Analog-to-digital conversion
On June 16, 2010, WWJT-LP ceased analog transmission due to its analog transmitter and video server suffering catastrophic failures, keeping the station off the air until the launch of digital WWJT-LD.
Starting on or about November 17, 2011, WWJT-LD began broadcasting a digital signal on virtual channel 7 showing just the call letters and its three sub channels displaying a color test pattern. All 4 channels are currently in
References
- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WEFG-LD". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ Santoliquito, Joe (April 9, 1992). "For partners, upstart station is a thrilling TV adventure". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. pp. DC 3, 26. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Chapman, Francesca (March 17, 1992). "Watt, me worry? Ron Joseph's station may be tiny, but he's got some big plans for it". Philadelphia Daily News. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. p. 33. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Romero, Dennis (August 12, 1992). "High hopes for low-power TV". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. pp. D1, D6. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Home". michaelmoxley.com.
- ^ "FCC Application Search Details - BTCTVL-19980609IE Transfer of Control". FCC.gov. Federal Communications Commission. Accepted September 6, 1998; Granted July 31, 1998.
- ^ "FCC Public Notice Comment - BTCTVL-19980609IE Transfer of Control". FCC.gov. Federal Communications Commission. Accepted September 6, 1998; Granted July 31, 1998.
- ^ "FCC Call Sign History - Facility ID 167606". FCC.gov. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ "FCC Call Sign History - Facility ID 43869". FCC.gov. Federal Communications Commission.
- "Seven The Hard Way: Channel 7 operator Jerry Leazer is spitting mad", Neil Gladstone, Philadelphia City Paper, May 1, 1997.
- African Community Television