WBNA

WBNA, virtual channel 21 (UHF digital channel 44), is an independent television station licensed to Louisville, Kentucky, United States, owned by Word Broadcasting Network, Inc.^[1] The station broadcasts faith- and family-oriented programming 24 hours a day, serving the Louisville metropolitan area over-the-air and via cable providers.^[2] Established as a full-service broadcaster, WBNA operates from studios at 3701 Fern Valley Road and transmits with an effective radiated power of 2000 kilowatts, enabling wide coverage in southern Indiana and northern Kentucky.^[1][3] In addition to its primary high-definition feed, WBNA multicasts 11 digital subchannels offering diverse content, including religious services, family entertainment, and public interest programs tailored to its audience.^[2] As Louisville's dedicated faith and family outlet, it distinguishes itself by prioritizing uplifting and values-based media over mainstream network affiliations.^[4]

History

Founding and launch

WBNA, channel 21, was established by Dr. Bob Rodgers, president of WBNA Channel 21, Inc., and founder of the Word Broadcasting Network, with the intent to broadcast faith-based and family-oriented programming from Louisville, Kentucky, serving the local Evangel Tabernacle congregation.^[5] The Federal Communications Commission had awarded the construction permit for UHF channel 21 in 1978, but development faced prolonged delays due to financial and technical challenges typical of independent UHF startups in the era.^[6] After years of setbacks, including funding hurdles, the station finally commenced broadcasting on April 2, 1986, marking it as Louisville's first full-power independent station dedicated primarily to religious content.^{[6] [5]} Initial programming emphasized ministry outreach, with Rodgers and his wife Margaret conducting an on-air prayer segment from Prayer Mountain on launch day, reflecting the station's evangelistic mission amid a market dominated by network affiliates.^[5] The debut aligned with a broader 1980s surge in religious broadcasting, though WBNA operated without major network affiliation, relying on syndicated faith content and local productions to build viewership in the Ohio River Valley region.^[6]

Expansion and affiliation shifts

WBNA signed on the air on November 1, 1986, initially operating as an independent station broadcasting a mix of religious, family-oriented, and general entertainment programming from its transmitter in Louisville, Kentucky.^[7] In 1998, coinciding with the national launch of Pax TV on August 31, the station affiliated with the family-focused network, which emphasized wholesome content and infomercials; this affiliation continued through Pax's rebranding to i: Independent Television in 2005 and to Ion Television in 2007. Under the time brokerage agreement with Paxson Communications (later Ion Media), WBNA aired significant Ion programming on its primary channel while incorporating local religious broadcasts from owner Evangel World Prayer Center.^[8] In February 2017, WBNA disaffiliated from Ion Television on its main channel (21.1), reverting to full independent status to prioritize local and faith-based content; the Ion affiliation subsequently relocated to a digital subchannel of Fox affiliate WDRB (channel 41.3).^[9] Post-disaffiliation, WBNA retained select Ion-related programming, such as Ion Mystery, on subchannel 21.7, reflecting a strategic shift toward diversified digital multicast offerings rather than primary network reliance.^[2] The station underwent significant technical expansion during the digital television transition, completing its analog-to-digital conversion on June 12, 2009, with its digital signal on VHF channel 8 (virtual 21); this enabled the addition of subchannels, starting with Retro Television Network on 21.4 in October 2009.^[10] By the 2020s, WBNA had expanded to 11 unique digital subchannels, including faith-based (e.g., CBN on 21.5, WBN America on 21.11), entertainment (e.g., Heroes & Icons on 21.6, This TV on 21.8), and niche formats like local programming on 21.4, enhancing viewer access to specialized content without altering the primary independent affiliation.^[2] Further signal expansion occurred on September 12, 2022, when WBNA joined four other Louisville stations in launching ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) broadcasts, hosted on WBKI's channel 16, to deliver improved 4K video, interactivity, and targeted advertising while maintaining backward compatibility with ATSC 1.0 receivers.^[11] This upgrade represented a market-wide effort to modernize over-the-air delivery, with WBNA's participation underscoring its adaptation to advancing broadcast technologies amid stable independent operations.^[12]

Recent developments

In fall 2023, WBNA introduced a new lineup of syndicated programs, including Fourth and Forever, Court Cam, Scene of the Crime, and Top Secret Files Declassified, aimed at diversifying its faith and family-oriented schedule with true crime and investigative content.^[13] These additions were promoted via the station's official YouTube channel on September 7, 2023, reflecting efforts to attract broader viewership while maintaining its core independent format.^[13] The station's FCC broadcast license was renewed on November 15, 2023, ensuring continued operations as a full-service commercial facility with no reported modifications to its technical parameters or ownership structure.^[1] WBNA has sustained its multicast offerings, broadcasting 11 digital subchannels featuring networks such as Start TV, Light TV, Buzzr, and shopping services like QVC and HSN, which support revenue through affiliations and targeted advertising.^[2] Recent programming highlights include local sports broadcasts, such as pre-show coverage for Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) events, including the OVW Fight Night Pre-Show sponsored by Checkers Rally's, aired on evenings like those promoted via the station's social media in 2024–2025.^[14] This aligns with WBNA's emphasis on community-relevant content from Louisville-based promotions, complementing its primary religious and family fare without shifting its independent status.^[3]

Ownership and affiliations

Evangel World Prayer Center

The Evangel World Prayer Center (EWPC) is a charismatic Christian megachurch based in Louisville, Kentucky, founded and led by Senior Pastor Dr. Bob Rodgers and Co-Pastor Margaret Rodgers for over three decades. The organization prioritizes prayer, fasting, evangelism, and Gospel outreach, operating as one church across multiple campuses to serve local communities while supporting international missions.^[15] EWPC maintains more than 20 extension churches in Louisville and adjacent regions, with a reported membership surpassing 9,000 individuals. Its activities include weekly prayer gatherings, family services, and specialized ministries such as women's prayer groups and men's breakfasts, reflecting a commitment to spiritual growth and community engagement.^{[15] [16] [17]} Through its media outreach, EWPC owns and influences WBNA (channel 21), an independent station focused on faith and family programming, via the affiliated Word Broadcasting Network under Dr. Rodgers' oversight. WBNA, broadcasting digitally to the Louisville metropolitan area, features 24-hour religious content including church services, evangelism broadcasts, and family-oriented shows, extending EWPC's mission beyond physical campuses to a wider audience via over-the-air and online distribution.^{[2] [17] [18]}

Leadership and governance

WBNA is owned and operated by Evangel World Prayer Center, a charismatic megachurch in Louisville, Kentucky, with its leadership structure integrated into the church's pastoral oversight. Dr. Robert W. "Bob" Rodgers, senior pastor of the church since its founding in the 1990s, serves as president of WBNA and oversees its operations through affiliated entities like Word Broadcasting Media, which he co-founded with his wife, Margaret Rodgers.^[15][19] The Rodgers have led the church's expansion to over 20 campuses, emphasizing prayer, evangelism, and media outreach, with WBNA functioning as a key platform for faith-based broadcasting.^[15] Day-to-day station management falls under a general manager, with Trey Volz identified in business directories as holding the role, responsible for programming and technical operations.^[20] Earlier records list Tom Fawbush as general manager and vice president of Word Media Group, indicating potential shifts in operational leadership.^[21][22] Governance reflects the church's nonprofit structure under Rodgers' direction, without a publicly disclosed independent board of directors for the station itself; decisions align with the church's mission of global evangelism via television.^[15]

Programming

Religious and faith-based content

WBNA's religious and faith-based programming constitutes the majority of its broadcast schedule, focusing on evangelical Christian teachings, worship services, and inspirational content aligned with its ownership by Word Broadcasting Network, which is closely tied to the charismatic Evangel World Prayer Center in Louisville, Kentucky.^[17] The station prominently features content from the church, including Word Alive, a program co-hosted by senior pastor Dr. Bob Rodgers and his wife Margaret, which emphasizes prayer, fasting, and Holy Spirit-led ministry; Rodgers, who leads a congregation of over 9,000 members, draws from his global teaching experience in more than 40 nations.^[17] Other Evangel World Prayer Center productions, such as Evangel Presents, also air regularly, providing live and recorded services like Evangel Live to extend the church's outreach.^[23] The station syndicates a broad selection of national and international Christian ministries, prioritizing Bible teaching, prophecy, and personal testimony programs. Key examples include Gospel Truth by Andrew Wommack, Enjoying Everyday Life by Joyce Meyer, Life Today by James Robison, Shepherd's Chapel by Arnold Murray, Manna Fest by Perry Stone, Pathway to Victory by Robert Jeffress, and Joel by Joel Osteen, among others that air daily or weekly.^[23] These programs cover topics from scriptural exposition—such as Les Feldick's Through the Bible—to apologetics like Ravi Zacharias's question-and-answer segments and prophetic teachings in Paul Begley's The Coming Apocalypse.^[23] Local ministries receive dedicated airtime, fostering community engagement with content like The Revolution from Revolution Ministries, Voice of Jerusalem from High Adventures, New Life Today from New Life Church, and Bridging the Gap by Tommy Bates.^[23] WBNA also includes interdenominational elements, such as Catholic Mass broadcasts and In Search of the Lord’s Way by Phil Sanders from the Churches of Christ.^[23] Subchannels expand this offerings, with 21.5 carrying Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) programming, founded by Pat Robertson, which includes news, teaching, and family-oriented faith content.^[2] This mix reflects Word Broadcasting's mission to deliver "the best of Christian programming" across its channels, supporting evangelism and spiritual edification without affiliation to major commercial networks.^[23]

Sports programming

WBNA's sports programming consists primarily of local content, including professional soccer broadcasts, wrestling events, and a sports talk show. The station has served as a broadcaster for Louisville City FC, a United Soccer League Championship team, through partnerships with local outlets like WDRB, WBKI, and WMYO. In at least one season, WBNA aired all of the club's regular-season matches as part of this arrangement.^[24] The station features The Sports Buzz, a locally produced sports discussion program hosted by Greg Brohm. The show provides analysis of regional and national sports topics, with guest appearances from athletes, coaches, and analysts, airing live Sundays at 11:00 p.m.^[25] WBNA also carries programming from Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), a Louisville-based professional wrestling promotion known for developing talent for national circuits. OVW events, including matches and storylines, are included in the station's schedule, appealing to fans of scripted athletic competition.^[3]

Digital subchannels and additional offerings

WBNA transmits 11 digital subchannels over its VHF digital signal on RF channel 8, providing a range of syndicated networks and specialized programming alongside its primary independent content.^[2] These subchannels, accessible via over-the-air antennas in the Louisville metropolitan area, include faith-based, classic television, movies, and other niche offerings, expanding the station's reach beyond its main faith and family-focused broadcast.^[10] The subchannels feature affiliations with established networks, such as Start TV on 21.2, which airs dramas from the 1980s to 2000s emphasizing female-oriented police and legal procedurals; CBN on 21.5, an evangelical network founded by Pat Robertson delivering Christian programming; Heroes & Icons (H&I) on 21.6, showcasing classic and modern adventure and drama series; and ION Mystery on 21.7, focused on crime and mystery films and series.^[2] Additional subchannels include This TV on 21.8 for over 4,000 MGM movie titles; The Big 4 on 21.4 with local shows, shopping programming, and vintage game shows; and WBN America on 21.11 for Gospel-centered content.^[2] Other subchannels, such as those carrying Buzzer for interactive quiz content and Estrella TV for Spanish-language programming, further diversify the multicast lineup.^[26] Beyond subchannels, WBNA offers supplementary digital access through its official website and YouTube channel, where select faith-based programs and broadcasts are archived or streamed for on-demand viewing, though no dedicated over-the-top streaming service is provided. This setup allows viewers without cable to access extended content via free over-the-air reception or online platforms.^[3]

Technical information

Signal and broadcast parameters

WBNA operates its primary digital signal on VHF RF channel 8, mapped to virtual channel 21.1, following the post-2009 digital transition when analog broadcasting on channel 21 ceased.^{[27] [28]} The station's transmitter is situated at 38° 1' 59" N latitude and 85° 45' 17" W longitude, near Louisville, Kentucky, with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 95 kW in the horizontal polarization and 28.5 kW in the vertical using a directional antenna pattern.^[27] The antenna height above average terrain (HAAT) measures 200 meters (656 feet).^{[27] [28]} This configuration yields a predicted noise-limited contour extending approximately 61 miles from the transmitter, encompassing 11,676 square miles and an estimated population of 1,846,032, primarily serving the Louisville metropolitan area and adjacent regions in Kentucky and Indiana.^[27] The signal employs ATSC 1.0 modulation standards, compatible with over-the-air digital tuners, though VHF propagation can require larger antennas for reliable reception compared to UHF signals due to inherent wavelength differences.^[27]

Analog-to-digital conversion

WBNA-TV discontinued regular analog programming on its UHF channel 21 transmitter at 12:00 a.m. on June 26, 2009, as part of the U.S. federally mandated digital television transition.^[29] The station participated in the FCC's Analog Nightlight Program, which allowed select full-power stations to temporarily continue analog broadcasts for public service announcements after the national transition deadline of June 12, 2009.^[29] Its pre-transition digital signal on VHF channel 8, operating at 16.2 kW, remained active and became the sole broadcast channel post-transition, with a virtual channel mapping to 21.1 via PSIP for viewer continuity. Prior to full transition, WBNA had been broadcasting a digital simulcast since at least 2004 under FCC requirements for full-power stations.^[1] The analog shutdown aligned with the station's independent operation under licensee Word Broadcasting Network, Inc., without affiliation-specific delays.

Subchannels

WBNA's primary digital subchannel, 21.1, broadcasts the station's independent programming in 720p high definition, primarily consisting of religious, faith-based, and family-oriented content produced by owner Word Broadcasting Network, Inc.^[27][2] The station utilizes its VHF digital signal on physical channel 8 to multicast 11 additional subchannels, offering a mix of syndicated networks, local content, and niche programming to expand reach within the Louisville market.^[27][2] These subchannels, transmitted in standard definition 480i unless noted, include entertainment, news, and specialty feeds, with some featuring secondary audio programming (SAP) for multilingual or alternative audio options.^[27] Programming affiliations can change based on network agreements and local decisions, but as of the latest broadcast parameters, they comprise: This structure allows WBNA to serve diverse audiences, including faith communities via CBN and local viewers through "The Big 4," while filling spectrum capacity with national syndicators.^[27][2] The station's official listings confirm at least 11 unique feeds, though exact mappings may reflect ongoing adjustments for signal efficiency and content licensing.^[2]

Reception and impact

Audience and viewership

WBNA primarily serves viewers in the Louisville, Kentucky, designated market area (DMA), ranked 51st nationally with approximately 699,000 television households as of 2023. Its programming, centered on faith-based and family-oriented content, attracts a niche audience of religious conservatives and Christian families seeking alternatives to mainstream secular broadcasts.^[2] As an independent station without network affiliation, WBNA does not typically register in top ratings for broad-appeal shows, focusing instead on dedicated viewership during religious services, inspirational programs, and occasional local sports events. Specific Nielsen ratings for WBNA are not publicly available, as measurement services prioritize major affiliates and national networks over low-power or niche independents. The station's 11 digital subchannels, offering varied faith-related and multicultural content, extend its reach to subdivided demographics, including Hispanic and inspirational music enthusiasts, potentially increasing household penetration within its core market.^[2] Social media engagement remains modest, with its official Facebook page garnering around 1,500 likes, indicative of a loyal but limited online following tied to local community ties.^[4] Overall, WBNA's impact relies on sustained viewership from evangelically inclined households rather than mass appeal metrics.

Cultural and community role

WBNA serves as a primary broadcaster for faith-based content in the Louisville metropolitan area, emphasizing Christian evangelism and family-oriented programming that reinforces traditional religious values within the community. Owned by Word Broadcasting Network and closely affiliated with the Evangel World Prayer Center—a megachurch with over 9,000 members and multiple campuses—it airs local ministry programs such as "Word Alive" and "Evangel Presents," which promote biblical teachings, prayer, and outreach to extend the Gospel locally and globally.^[17][23][15] The station contributes to community welfare through participation in regional charitable initiatives, notably by providing live broadcast coverage for the WHAS Crusade for Children, an annual telethon established in 1954 that raises funds for nonprofits aiding children with disabilities, illnesses, and disadvantages across Kentucky and southern Indiana. In the 72nd edition on June 8, 2025, WBNA transmitted segments from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. originating in cities including Elizabethtown and Shelbyville, helping amplify fundraising efforts that have historically supported hospitals, schools, and agencies without administrative overhead.^[30][31][32] By positioning itself as Louisville's sole dedicated faith and family television outlet, WBNA cultivates cultural cohesion among audiences seeking alternatives to secular media, fostering communal ties through shared religious narratives and events like church-led fasting and evangelism drives. This role aligns with the Evangel World Prayer Center's mission to love neighbors and evangelize, potentially strengthening social bonds in a region with significant evangelical presence, though its niche focus limits broader demographic reach.^[4][15]

Controversies

Legal disputes involving ownership

Word Broadcasting Network, Inc., the licensee of WBNA, has maintained continuous ownership of the station since its sign-on in 1986, founded by Sally B. Frazee as an independent broadcaster that later shifted to religious programming.^[33] No major legal challenges or lawsuits directly contesting or altering this ownership structure have been documented in public records or court filings. Frazee led the network until her death in 2018, after which operations continued under the same corporate entity without reported succession disputes or transfers of control requiring FCC approval.^[33] While affiliated organizations, such as the Evangel World Prayer Center, have faced unrelated civil litigation over donor funds and estate management—such as a 2022 trial alleging misuse of inheritance from a Parkinson's patient by Evangel leaders—these cases did not involve WBNA's broadcast license, assets, or corporate governance.^[34] Such disputes centered on personal and ministerial finances rather than station ownership, with no evidence of impact on Word Broadcasting Network's control of WBNA.^[35] The station's FCC filings confirm stable ownership by Word Broadcasting Network, Inc., with no petitions to deny renewals or assignment applications indicating ownership conflicts.^[33]

Political and doctrinal criticisms

In January 2021, during a prayer and fasting service at Evangel World Prayer Center, which owns WBNA-TV, senior pastor Bob Rodgers invoked biblical curses on individuals he accused of stealing the 2020 U.S. presidential election from Donald Trump, declaring, "I curse you with weakness, I curse you with poverty, I curse you with death," and labeling opponents as "demons" and "witches."^[36][37] This rhetoric, rooted in election denialism, prompted widespread condemnation from Louisville-area faith leaders, including a joint statement from over a dozen pastors decrying it as "divisive, harmful, and antithetical to the Gospel's call for unity and truth," arguing it exacerbated national political tensions rather than fostering reconciliation.^[38][39] Rodgers defended his words as spiritual warfare against perceived evil, but critics, including evangelical outlets, highlighted the absence of evidence for widespread fraud and the sermon's potential to incite hostility amid post-election unrest.^[40] Doctrinally, WBNA's affiliation with Evangel World Prayer Center, a charismatic Pentecostal congregation emphasizing spiritual gifts and prosperity teachings, has drawn scrutiny from cessationist traditions that reject ongoing miracles and tongues-speaking as unbiblical excesses. In July 2008, the center hosted faith healer Todd Bentley during his controversial revival tour, where he claimed numerous healings, including resurrections and supernatural deliverances, prompting accusations from Baptist and reformed critics of promoting fraudulent practices and false doctrine, such as "slain in the Spirit" phenomena without verifiable medical evidence.^[41] Bentley's event aligned with the church's Word of Faith leanings, evident in Rodgers' 2021 sermon cursing poverty as a demonic force, which prosperity gospel detractors argue distorts scripture by equating faith with material wealth and health, potentially exploiting vulnerable viewers.^[42] Such programming on WBNA, including guest ministries echoing these themes, has fueled broader evangelical debates over theological soundness, though the station itself has not faced formal denominational rebukes.