Community hub
WLBZ (channel 2) is a television station in Bangor, Maine, United States, affiliated with NBC and owned by Nexstar Media Group. The station's studios are located on Mount Hope Avenue in Bangor, and its transmitter is located on Rider Bluff in Holden.
Key Information
Although identifying as a separate station in its own right, WLBZ is considered a semi-satellite of sister station WCSH (channel 6) in Portland. WLBZ's master control, as well as some internal operations, are housed at WCSH's studios on Congress Square in Downtown Portland. WLBZ clears all network programming as provided through its parent, simulcasts most of WCSH's newscasts (with local weather inserts) and airs most of its syndicated programming (though in some cases at different times). There are also some programs that only air on WLBZ while some are only seen on WCSH. WLBZ also airs separate station identifications and commercial inserts. Although WLBZ and WCSH are based in different locations and technically serve separate markets, the two essentially operate as one station. With their combined resources, the stations provide statewide coverage not offered by any other outlet in Maine.
WLBZ previously served as the default NBC affiliate for the Presque Isle market, which did not have an affiliate of its own. It is carried in the local tier of Spectrum's cable system in Presque Isle, and is also offered as the NBC affiliate in the Presque Isle Dish Network and DirecTV channel lineups. This changed in 2020,[3] however, with the sign-on of NBC affiliate WWPI-LD by CBS/Fox/CW+ affiliate (and sister station of rival WABI-TV) WAGM-TV.[4] In addition to its main signal, WLBZ operates low-power digital repeater WGCI-LD on VHF channel 4. Licensed to Skowhegan, this station has a transmitter in Norridgewock's Larone section.
History
[edit]
The station began broadcasting on September 12, 1954, as WTWO (sometimes rendered as "W-TWO"), an independent station locally owned by Murray Carpenter.[5] The following January, it began carrying some CBS programming,[6] becoming a full affiliate by September 1955[7] (prior to this, CBS programming was seen on WABI-TV (channel 5), which became a primary NBC affiliate). In 1958, WTWO was sold to the Rines family's Maine Broadcasting System, owner of WLBZ radio (620 AM), WCSH-AM-TV in Portland, and WRDO in Augusta.[8][9] The new ownership changed the station's call letters to WLBZ-TV that June to match its new radio sister (which the Rines had owned since 1944).[10] (The WTWO calls now reside on the NBC affiliate in Terre Haute, Indiana.) The following year, channel 2 swapped affiliations with WABI-TV and joined NBC in order to match WCSH-TV; the two stations also began to share a secondary ABC affiliation (previously, ABC programming was only cleared on WABI).[11][12] The ABC arrangement remained in place until 1965, when WEMT (channel 7, now WVII-TV) signed on as a full-time ABC affiliate.
In its first decades on the air, channel 2 was best known as the home of Eddie Driscoll. He hosted many programs on the station including Weird, Dialing for Dollars, The Great Money Movie, and My Backyard. Driscoll was also known for his improvisation skills and sense of humor. He retired from WLBZ-TV in 1986, and died on September 24, 2006, after suffering from Alzheimer's disease.[5]
In the 1970s, WLBZ-TV added a repeater in Calais, W57AQ on channel 57, with a transmitter in Meddybemps shared with W61AO (which repeated WABI-TV). W57AQ allowed cable systems in Atlantic Canada to distribute WLBZ by a microwave link from the border, doubling or even tripling the station's coverage area and viewership. Most Canadian cable systems dropped WLBZ after 1996 once American television signals became available to them by satellite, with the last one doing so in 2010. Although a "flash-cut" to digital on VHF channel 8 was considered, it was instead decided to return the W57AQ license to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which deleted it on April 29, 2010.[13]
In 1981, WLBZ radio was sold off, becoming WACZ (it is now WZON); in 1997, the -TV suffix was dropped. In 1998, the Maine Broadcasting System (by this time controlled by the Rines-Thompson family) sold WLBZ and WCSH to the Gannett Company.[14] In 2000, the station essentially began serving as a semi-satellite of WCSH, when commercials and network programming began to be played from Portland.[15] However, as early as 1989, WLBZ had been reducing its personnel and consolidating some internal operations with WCSH.
In 2002, WLBZ signed on a digital signal on UHF channel 25, bringing NBC's high definition programming to Eastern and Central Maine.[5] WLBZ's broadcasts became digital-only, effective June 12, 2009. However, the station kept its digital operations on channel 25 until September 10, when it was moved to the VHF channel 2 space previously occupied by the analog service.
In 2012, WLBZ's station logo was immortalized in a running sketch series for Saturday Night Live called "Maine Justice", a parody of courtroom shows featuring a judge and a bailiff with Louisiana accents who "try" to act like New Englanders. The sketch returned later that season, namely the March 9, 2013, episode.[16]
On June 29, 2015, the Gannett Company split in two, with one side specializing in print media and the other side specializing in broadcast and digital media. WCSH and WLBZ were retained by the latter company, named Tegna.[17]
News operation
[edit]Originally, WLBZ operated its own news department and produced local newscasts from its Bangor studios. For most of its history, it was a solid, if distant, second in Nielsen ratings behind WABI. In 1989, WLBZ began simulcasting some of WCSH's newscasts prepared with a statewide view. Initially, this was limited to morning, noon, and weekend newscasts; however, on June 26, 2000, WLBZ dropped its 5:30 p.m. newscast in favor of WCSH's newscast,[18] with the 11 p.m. newscast following suit on September 11.[15] WLBZ still aired separate newscasts covering Bangor weeknights at 5 and 6 (which were locally produced at its facilities), with all other newscasts originating from the WCSH studios in Portland.[15] By 2015, the 5 p.m. newscast had also been converted to a simulcast; on October 8, 2015, the 6 p.m. newscast, WLBZ's last standalone newscast, was discontinued and replaced with a WCSH-produced newscast.[19] As mentioned, these statewide programs tend to take on a regional feel with coverage from Portland, Bangor, or wherever news occurs around the state. During the weeknight newscasts, WLBZ still produces its own weather forecast segments from Bangor with meteorologist Steve McKay.[15][19] On August 9, 2010, there was an expansion of the statewide weekday morning show to 4:30 with the new segment being called News Center Early Morning Report.
WLBZ and WCSH have used the News Center branding for their newscasts since the 1970s, even before consolidating. Additionally, both stations featured Frank Gari's "Good News" music package from 1986 until October 22, 2008, when it was dropped (except during "Storm Center" coverage) in favor of standardized music and graphics seen on other Gannett stations.
After then-WB affiliate WPXT in Portland shut down its news department in Fall 2002, WLBZ and WCSH entered into a news share agreement with that station resulting in a nightly prime time newscast.[20] Originally called News Center at 10 on Maine's WB 51, it was seen every night for thirty minutes. On weeknights, news and sports segments originated from WCSH's facilities while WLBZ produced the weather segment from its studios. Weekend broadcasts aired entirely from Portland. News Center at 10 was formatted in a similar manner to the statewide shows simulcasted on WLBZ and WCSH except for having a slight Portland focus since WPXT was that market's WB affiliate. In September 2006, the production became known as News Center at 10 on The CW Portland after WPXT switched to The CW. WLBZ's role in the newscast was eliminated on November 6, 2008, when WCSH moved the prime time broadcast to its "News Center Weather Plus" feed and entirely reoriented the newscast to the Portland market (with WLBZ no longer doing the weather forecast). The "News Center Weather Plus" feed on WLBZ-DT2 and the live video on their websites was replaced with the national Weather Plus service. News Center at 10 was eventually canceled by WCSH after a six-year run.
An outdoors and human-interest program called Bill Green's Maine airs Saturday nights at 7 on WCSH and WLBZ. In 2003, WCSH launched 207, a local lifestyle/entertainment magazine-type show which airs weeknights at 7 pm on both stations simultaneously. The "207" name comes from Maine's telephone area code.
In October 2005, WLBZ and WCSH began offering NBC Weather Plus on new second digital subchannels. Known as "News Center Weather Plus", the service could also be seen on the websites of both stations through live streaming video and digital cable. In late-December 2008 as a result of Weather Plus closing on a national level, WLBZ-DT2 and WCSH-DT2 shifted to a format featuring a loop of local news headlines and weather forecasts. The service retained the "News Center Weather Plus" branding and digital cable carriage but the online live video was dropped. WCSH's weeknight meteorologist Joe Cupo can sometimes be seen on "News Center Weather Plus" providing statewide weather forecasts. Like the main signal, WGCI offers "News Center Weather Plus" on its second digital subchannel. As of February 2014, the channel no longer broadcasts on television.
In addition to the main studios in Bangor and Portland, WLBZ and WCSH share two bureaus in the state. This includes the Midcoast Bureau (on Camden Street/US 1) in Rockport and the Lewiston–Auburn Bureau (on Main Street/ME 11/ME 100/US 202) in Lewiston.
In January 2018, WLBZ and its sister station WCSH rebranded their newscasts under the News Center Maine moniker.
On June 1, 2020, WLBZ and WCSH premiered an hour-long weekday newscast at 4 p.m.
Technical information
[edit]Subchannels
[edit]The station's signal is multiplexed:
| Channel | Res. | Aspect | Short name | Programming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | 1080i | 16:9 | WLBZ-HD | NBC |
| 2.2 | 480i | Crime | True Crime Network | |
| 2.3 | Quest | Quest | ||
| 2.4 | Nest | The Nest | ||
| 2.5 | (Blank) | |||
| 2.6 | GetTV | Get | ||
| 2.7 | QVC | QVC | ||
| 2.8 | HSN | HSN |
Translator
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Miller, Mark K. (August 19, 2025). "Nexstar Buying Tegna For $6.2 Billion". TV News Check. Archived from the original on August 19, 2025. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WLBZ". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ "What became of WAGM's plan to add NBC?". Radio Discussions. RadioDiscussions.com. January 31, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
- ^ "WAGM announces launch of NBC Affiliation". WAGM-TV. Gray Television. June 24, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
- ^ a b c "WLBZ 2 History". WLBZ2.com. Archived from the original on July 2, 2008. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
- ^ "WTWO (TV) Joins CBS-TV" (PDF). Broadcasting-Telecasting. January 10, 1955. p. 81. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ^ "WTWO (TV) Anniversary" (PDF). Broadcasting-Telecasting. September 12, 1955. p. 117. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ^ Thompson, Frederic L. (2005). The Rines Family Legacy. Charleston, TN: Arcadia Publishing. pp. 128 p. : ill., 24 cm. ISBN 0-7385-3882-5. LCCN 2005926756. OCLC 62522312.
- ^ "Bangor Tv, Phoenix Am Sold" (PDF). Broadcasting. March 24, 1958. p. 9. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ^ "Marcoux Appointed to WLBZ-TV" (PDF). Broadcasting. June 30, 1958. p. 84. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1958 (PDF). 1958. p. A-142. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1959 (PDF). 1959. p. B-37. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ^ Hashemzadeh, Hossein (April 29, 2010). "In re: LPTV/TV Translator Station Of..." CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
- ^ Fybush, Scott (January 8, 1998). "Ian Taylor, RIP". North East RadioWatch. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ^ a b c d McGarrigle, Dale (August 3, 2000). "WLBZ to switch anchor teams". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
- ^ Gass, Travis (March 10, 2013). "'Maine Justice' returns in latest episode of 'Saturday Night Live'". Lewiston Sun-Journal. Lewiston, Me. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ "Separation of Gannett into two public companies completed | TEGNA". Tegna. June 29, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
- ^ McGarrigle, Dale (July 1, 2000). "WLBZ-2 to add 5th newscast". Bangor Daily News. p. D2. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Harrison, Judy (September 25, 2015). "WLBZ to shift 6 p.m. Bangor newscast to Portland". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
- ^ Routhier, Ray (September 14, 2002). "WCSH to begin 10 p.m. newscast – on WPXT". Portland Press Herald. p. B1. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Digital TV Market Listing for WLBZ". RabbitEars. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
- ^ "Digital TV Market Listing for WGCI-LD". RabbitEars. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
External links
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History
Establishment and early affiliations
WLBZ traces its origins to September 12, 1954, when it signed on the air as WTWO, an independent television station on VHF channel 2 serving Bangor, Maine, founded by Murray Carpenter.[1] The station launched with a focus on local programming to establish its presence in the market, where WABI-TV had already been broadcasting since 1953. Initial broadcasts originated from modest studios in the former WGUY building on Mount Hope Avenue in Bangor, with the transmitter located on Rider Bluff in nearby Holden, enabling coverage across eastern Maine.[6] Shortly after its debut, WTWO secured a primary affiliation with CBS in early 1955, supplementing its local content with network shows while occasionally airing programming from other networks. This affiliation helped the station gain footing, featuring early local productions such as sponsored hours for businesses like the Utterback Corporation and remote broadcasts from downtown Bangor. ABC programming was shared with rival WABI-TV during this period, as no dedicated affiliate existed in the market until 1965.[7] In July 1958, the Maine Broadcasting System acquired WTWO, renaming it WLBZ-TV to align with its radio heritage and prompting a shift in affiliations. By 1959, WLBZ-TV had fully transitioned to a primary NBC affiliation, swapping with WABI-TV to consolidate network alignments within the region, while continuing to clear select ABC content in partnership with WABI-TV. This early period marked the station's evolution from independent roots to a key network outlet, supported by facility expansions including a $100,000 studio addition on Mount Hope Avenue for integrated radio-television operations.[7][6]Ownership changes and expansions
Under the Maine Broadcasting System's ownership, which lasted until the late 1990s and was controlled by the Rines-Thompson family, WLBZ-TV experienced steady operational growth, including enhancements to its broadcast facilities and an increase in hours dedicated to local programming such as news, community events, and Maine-specific content.[1] These developments strengthened the station's role as a key NBC affiliate in eastern Maine, with improvements to its transmission infrastructure contributing to a height above average terrain (HAAT) of 192 meters for its signal. In 1998, the Maine Broadcasting System sold WLBZ-TV along with sister station WCSH-TV in Portland to the Gannett Company in a transaction valued at an undisclosed amount, marking the end of family ownership and initiating closer operational integration between the two NBC affiliates.[8][1] This acquisition facilitated synergies in news production, programming distribution, and technical operations, allowing WLBZ to leverage WCSH's resources while maintaining a focus on Bangor-area content.[9]Digital transition and recent developments
WLBZ completed its transition to digital broadcasting on September 9, 2009, when the Federal Communications Commission licensed its full-power digital facility on VHF channel 2 with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 3 kW from transmitter coordinates at 44°44′10.2″N 68°40′15.1″W.[10] This move followed the national DTV transition deadline and addressed post-transition signal challenges, including an initial shift from UHF channel 25 to improve coverage in northern Maine.[11] The digital signal enhanced high-definition programming delivery while maintaining NBC affiliation continuity for Bangor viewers.[12] In 2015, WLBZ's ownership evolved as part of the broader corporate restructuring when Gannett Co., Inc. spun off its broadcasting and digital media assets to form TEGNA Inc., establishing the current ownership structure under TEGNA East Coast Broadcasting, LLC.[1] This separation allowed TEGNA to focus on television and digital operations, with WLBZ remaining a key asset alongside sister station WCSH in Portland. The semi-satellite relationship between WLBZ and WCSH, which dates to the 1990s through shared ownership and programming feeds, intensified post-2015 with consolidated news production and resource sharing to streamline statewide coverage.[1] Recent developments include the 2018 rebranding of WLBZ and WCSH under the unified "NEWS CENTER Maine" banner, merging websites, apps, and social media for integrated statewide NBC content delivery starting in January.[1] In the 2020s, regional NBC coverage in Maine shifted when WAGM-TV in Presque Isle launched low-power affiliate WWPI-CD (channel 16) in late 2019, reducing reliance on WLBZ as the default NBC signal for that northern market and providing localized programming options.[13] These changes reflect ongoing adaptations to digital distribution and competitive broadcasting landscapes in rural areas.Programming and operations
Network affiliations
WLBZ has maintained a primary affiliation with the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) since 1959, delivering the network's national programming to Central and Eastern Maine, including primetime series, daytime shows, and major sports events such as NFL games and the Olympics.[14][7] Prior to this, the station—originally signing on as WTWO in 1954—briefly held a primary CBS affiliation starting in 1955 before swapping networks with WABI-TV in 1959, which aligned WLBZ with NBC to complement its sister station WCSH in Portland.[7] From 1959 until 1965, WLBZ carried a secondary ABC affiliation shared with WABI-TV, importing select ABC programs such as daytime soaps and primetime dramas that were not available full-time locally until WVII-TV launched as the dedicated ABC outlet.[7] As a semi-satellite of WCSH, WLBZ simulcasts the majority of its programming from the Portland station to better serve the Bangor market, while maintaining separate local identifications and limited Bangor-specific inserts for news and community content.[7][1] This arrangement, formalized under common ownership since the late 1950s and strengthened after the 1998 acquisition by Gannett (now TEGNA), ensures consistent NBC coverage across Maine without duplicating full operations in Bangor.[1]Local and syndicated content
WLBZ features a lineup of syndicated programming that complements its NBC affiliation, primarily in daytime and access periods. Daytime slots include talk shows such as The Kelly Clarkson Show, airing weekdays at 3:00 p.m., which offers celebrity interviews and lifestyle segments.[15] Entertainment news programs like Access Hollywood, a one-hour syndicated show hosted by Mario Lopez, Kit Hoover, and Scott Evans, air in late mornings, providing celebrity updates and Hollywood gossip.[16] Additional syndicated content encompasses lifestyle and cooking series, such as episodes featuring Martha Stewart and other culinary experts, broadcast in midday blocks to appeal to local audiences in the Bangor market.[17] Historically, from the 1960s through the 1990s, WLBZ produced original local programming tailored to Maine viewers, emphasizing community engagement and regional entertainment. A notable example was The Weird Show, hosted by Bangor personality Eddie Driscoll as "Dr. Splint," which ran late nights from the 1950s into the 1980s and showcased low-budget horror and sci-fi films with comedic skits, becoming a cult favorite in northern Maine.[18] Other productions included Dialing for Dollars, a game show where Driscoll randomly called viewers for cash prizes, and My Backyard, a children's program featuring puppets and local contests, both airing through the 1980s and highlighting everyday Maine life.[18] These shows, produced in WLBZ's Bangor studios, fostered a sense of regional identity with minimal budgets and live community involvement.[19] WLBZ integrates syndicated content through resource sharing with sister station WCSH in Portland, simulcasting much of its non-network lineup while incorporating Bangor-specific elements like local promotions.[20] Following increased consolidation after 2015, the station reduced standalone local productions, shifting focus to shared syndicated acquisitions to optimize operations across TEGNA's Maine properties.[21] This arrangement allows WLBZ to maintain a consistent schedule of talk shows and reruns, such as classic sitcom episodes in off-peak hours, without duplicating efforts.[20]News and weather services
News production structure
WLBZ's news production operates as part of the integrated "News Center Maine" division, shared with sister station WCSH in Portland and owned by TEGNA Inc. This structure emphasizes statewide coverage through centralized production while retaining local reporting capabilities in Bangor.[1] In September 2015, WCSH and WLBZ fully combined their news operations, ending the production of full standalone newscasts at the Bangor studios and shifting to a model where WLBZ simulcasts all WCSH newscasts, incorporating local Bangor inserts for region-specific updates.[1][22] This change preserved a dedicated reporting team in Bangor to gather stories relevant to central and eastern Maine, ensuring coverage of local events feeds into the broader broadcast.[22] The staffing model features shared resources across both markets, with primary anchors and production teams based in Portland to streamline operations, while multiskilled journalists and reporters operate from the Bangor newsroom for on-the-ground reporting.[23] Examples include Bangor-based reporters such as Christian Harsa and Sam Olsen, who contribute to newscasts aired on both stations.[24][25] Since January 2018, all newscasts have been branded under "News Center Maine," coinciding with the unification of digital platforms including the website, mobile apps, and social media channels to deliver integrated news content statewide.[26] This digital consolidation has supported expanded online delivery, with live streaming and on-demand video enhancing accessibility for viewers in the 2020s.[1]Weather forecasting and meteorology
WLBZ incorporates local weather inserts into its simulcast newscasts, delivering Bangor-focused forecasts that address the specific meteorological needs of Central and Eastern Maine viewers.[27] These segments, produced in-house by the News Center Maine meteorology team, highlight short-term outlooks, temperature trends, and precipitation probabilities tailored to the region's diverse terrain and seasonal patterns. As of November 2025, the team includes meteorologists such as Ryan Breton for weeknight forecasts and recent addition Christian Bridges, following Keith Carson's departure earlier in the month.[28][29][30] The station's weather presentations integrate Doppler radar data through the Storm Center Radar, enabling precise tracking of precipitation and storm movement across Bangor and surrounding areas.[31] This tool supports detailed analysis of local conditions, such as wind speeds and radar echoes, essential for Maine's variable weather.[32] Forecasts also account for climate distinctions in Central and Eastern Maine, where coastal zones experience moderated temperatures due to ocean influence—typically milder winters and cooler summers—while inland areas endure greater extremes, including heavier snowfall and colder lows.[33] For instance, inland Bangor sees average annual snowfall of approximately 75 inches (190 cm), contrasting with coastal reductions from ocean moderation.[34] Over time, WLBZ's meteorology services have evolved to include continuous digital resources, such as live 24/7 radar feeds, enhancing accessibility for ongoing weather monitoring beyond traditional broadcasts.[35] In severe weather scenarios, including post-2020 hurricanes and snowstorms, the team delivers real-time alerts and safety guidance, coordinating with state emergency protocols to inform viewers on evacuation zones, road closures, and preparation measures.[36] This approach ensures comprehensive coverage of events like nor'easters, which bring high winds and flooding risks amplified by regional topography.[37]Technical specifications
Broadcast signal and facilities
WLBZ broadcasts a digital signal on VHF channel 2 from a transmitter located on Rider Bluff in Holden, Maine, with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 3 kW and a height above average terrain (HAAT) of 192 meters (630 feet).[38] The transmitter coordinates are approximately 44°44′10″N 68°40′15″W, enabling coverage across central and eastern Maine.[38] Prior to the digital television transition, WLBZ operated an analog signal on VHF channel 2 with an ERP of 51.3 kW and the same HAAT of 192 meters from the Holden site.[38] The analog signal ceased operations on June 12, 2009, in compliance with the federal mandate requiring full-power television stations to end analog broadcasting and transition fully to digital. During the transition period, WLBZ initially launched its digital signal on UHF channel 25 in 2002 before relocating to low-band VHF channel 2 post-transition for improved coverage.[38] The station's studios have been located on Mount Hope Avenue in Bangor since its launch on September 12, 1954, as WTWO (later renamed WLBZ in 1958).[1] Following the 1998 acquisition by Gannett (now TEGNA), WLBZ began sharing operational resources and news production facilities with sister station WCSH in Portland, functioning as a semi-satellite with integrated statewide programming.[1] Facilities upgrades in the 2010s included the introduction of high-definition production capabilities, enhancing local content delivery across both stations.[1]Subchannels and digital multicast
WLBZ broadcasts its primary NBC affiliation in high definition on virtual subchannel 2.1, delivering network programming such as national news, primetime shows, and sports events in 1080i resolution.[39] Under owner Tegna Inc., WLBZ employs a digital multicast strategy to expand its over-the-air offerings beyond news and NBC content, incorporating a mix of Tegna-owned networks and third-party services to attract cord-cutters and diversify revenue through advertising and affiliations. This approach aligns with Tegna's broader initiative to launch and distribute multicast channels like True Crime Network and Quest, which emphasize niche genres to fill subchannel capacity post-digital transition.[40][41] The station's subchannels, all in standard definition 480i except the main channel, include:| Virtual Channel | Programming | Description and Launch Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.2 | True Crime Network | A 24/7 true crime channel owned by Tegna, featuring investigative series and documentaries; originally launched as Justice Network in January 2015 and rebranded in July 2020.[40][42] |
| 2.3 | Quest | Tegna's adventure and exploration network with reality shows on science, history, and travel; launched on Tegna stations in January 2018.[41][43] |
| 2.4 | The Nest | A lifestyle and entertainment network from Sinclair Broadcast Group, offering home improvement, reality, and true crime content; added to 35 Tegna stations, including WLBZ, in February 2024, replacing Twist.[44][45] |
| 2.5 | Shop LC | Shopping network focused on jewelry, fashion, and lifestyle products; carried on multiple Tegna stations as a leased subchannel.[39][46] |
| 2.6 | getTV | Classic television network airing movies and sitcoms from the 1960s–1990s; added to WLBZ's lineup in standard multicast rotation.[39] |
| 2.7 | QVC | Home shopping channel with live product demonstrations and sales; utilized as a filler subchannel on Tegna properties.[39][47] |
| 2.8 | HSN | Interactive shopping service similar to QVC, featuring apparel and electronics; paired with QVC on WLBZ's extended multicast.[39] |