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WLNS-TV (channel 6) is a television station in Lansing, Michigan, United States, affiliated with CBS. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which provides certain services to dual ABC and CW+ affiliate WLAJ (channel 53) under a shared services agreement (SSA) with Mission Broadcasting. WLNS-TV and WLAJ share studios on East Saginaw Street in Lansing's Eastside section; through a channel sharing agreement, the stations transmit using WLAJ's spectrum from a tower on Van Atta Road in Okemos, Michigan.

Key Information

History

[edit]

WJIM-TV

[edit]

The station began test broadcasts on March 1950, and made its official broadcast on May 1 of the same year,[3][4] as WJIM-TV and was owned by Harold F. Gross along with WJIM radio (1240 AM), through WJIM, Inc. It is Michigan's second-oldest television station outside Detroit (behind WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids).[1] Gross had started WJIM, the oldest continuously operated commercial radio station in Lansing, in 1934; both stations were named after his son Jim. According to local legend, Gross won the original radio license in a card game.

WJIM-TV originally carried programming from all four networks of the day: ABC, DuMont, NBC, and CBS.[5] However, it was, and always has been, a primary CBS affiliate. ABC disappeared from the schedule in 1958 when WJRT-TV signed on from Flint.[1] DuMont programming disappeared when the network ceased operations in 1956.[6] NBC disappeared from the schedule in 1959 when WILX-TV signed on. Thus, at the start of the fall 1959 television season, WJIM-TV was broadcasting only CBS.[1]

On September 2, 1973, the Sunday Detroit Free Press published the first piece of an investigation by David Cay Johnston into news blackouts and manipulations ordered by Gross with follow-up reports continuing for three years.[7] Two years later, The New York Times examined the case.[8]

The local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) challenged the station's license in 1973 alleging that Gross, whose company was by then renamed Gross Telecasting, Inc., prevented a number of prominent political figures from appearing on WJIM-TV.[9] A Federal Communications Commission (FCC) judge ordered the license revoked in 1981.[10] WJIM kept its license when the initial revocation was reversed by the FCC in 1982. The ACLU would eventually agree to a cash settlement in 1984.[1]

WLNS

[edit]

The stress of the decade-long licensing dispute led Gross to end his half-century in the broadcasting business. He sold WJIM-TV to Backe Communications in July 13, 1984.[5] The station, per FCC rules at the time (which prohibited TV and radio stations in the same market, but with different ownership, from sharing the same call letters) adopted its current call letters, WLNS-TV, on July 16, 1984.[11] WJIM-AM-FM was sold to Liggett Broadcasting in 1993, netting Gross a handsome return on his original investment.[12] Backe's ownership of the station was short-lived; in March 1986, WLNS was sold to Young Broadcasting for $72 million.[13]

In May 1994, Detroit CBS affiliate WJBK announced that it would switch its affiliation to Fox as part of a deal between the network and New World Communications.[14] CBS heavily pursued WXYZ-TV as a replacement affiliate, but the E. W. Scripps Company renewed the station's affiliation with ABC one month later in exchange for switching the affiliations of three of its sister stations—KNXV-TV in Phoenix, WFTS-TV in Tampa and WMAR-TV in Baltimore—to the network.[15] WDIV was not an option as that station was still in a long-term contract with NBC at the time, while WKBD-TV (which was about to lose Fox), WADL, and WXON were not interested in affiliating with CBS. With just weeks to go before WJBK was due to join Fox, CBS still had yet to find a new affiliate in Detroit. Facing the prospect of having to pipe in WLNS-TV, Flint affiliate WNEM-TV, and Toledo affiliate WTOL for cable subscribers, CBS agreed to purchase independent station WGPR-TV (now WWJ-TV), which became an affiliate of the network on December 11, 1994. WLNS-TV served as the default CBS affiliate for the western portion of the Detroit market until WWJ-TV built a new transmitter in 1999.

WLNS-TV shut down its analog signal, over VHF channel 6, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. The station digital signal relocated from its pre-transition UHF channel 59 to UHF channel 36, using virtual channel 6.[16]

Young filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early-2009.[17] The company was subsequently taken over by its secured lenders and outsourced most of its operations to Gray Television. WLNS-TV was not part of the management agreement because Gray already owned WILX. Young merged with Media General in November 2013.[18]

Following the other Young stations that launched The Country Network in late November 2010, WLNS-TV added that network to its .2 subchannel in the first quarter of 2011.[19] On January 30, 2012, WLNS-TV changed its 6.2 affiliation to the Live Well Network along with 7 other Young stations.[20]

Media General added GetTV to 20 of its stations' subchannels, including WLNS-TV, in a roll out that started on February 1, 2016.[21] Media General merged with Nexstar in January 2017.[22]

Spectrum transition

[edit]

In the 2016 FCC spectrum reallocation auction, Media General sold the over-the-air spectrum of WLNS-TV for $13.6 million, while expecting to negotiate a channel sharing arrangement with another station.[23] GetTV on .2 was dropped by March 6, 2018, to prepare for the channel share;[16] this would end up being SSA partner WLAJ.[16] On June 11, 2018, WLNS-TV discontinued broadcasting from its transmitter in Okemos and began broadcasting from WLAJ's transmitter on channel 25; it continues to appear as virtual channel 6.[24] This created a situation where the senior partner in an operating agreement transmits on the spectrum of its junior partner.

As a consequence because of the channel share and the need to transmit three television signals in high definition (1080i for WLNS, and 720p for WLAJ's two ABC and CW channels), the 6.3 Ion Television subchannel was discontinued. In 2020, WLNS/WLAJ moved its digital channel to channel 14 and resumed transmitting from the Okemos transmitter location.[25]

News operation

[edit]

As of 2021, WLNS-TV presently broadcasts 29 hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with five hours each weekday, and two hours each on Saturdays and Sundays).

Traditionally, WLNS-TV had been the most watched television station in Central Michigan regularly beating rival WILX in Nielsen ratings. Sometime in the early 2000s, however, WILX overtook WLNS-TV for the first time.

In July 2011, WLNS-TV began airing all of its news programming from a temporary set in the station's breakroom while a new one was constructed in preparation for its own launch of HD news programing. The brand new set debuted on August 26, 2011, during the 5 p.m. newscast while HD newscasts debuted during the 5 p.m. show on October 26, 2011.

On September 12, 2011, 6 News This Morning expanded to two and a half hours and now begins at 4:30 am. As a result, the CBS Morning News now airs at 4 a.m. locally. On April 1, 2013, WLNS-TV began simulcasting its weeknight 6 and 11 o'clock newscasts on WLAJ. Their morning newscast started simulcasting (from 5 to 7 am) on WLAJ on April 15 and includes separate, recorded cut-ins during ABC's Good Morning America.[26][27] In addition to its main studios, WLNS-TV operates a bureau within the Jackson Citizen Patriot newsroom on South Jackson Street in downtown Jackson.

Technical information

[edit]

WLAJ and WLNS-TV broadcast from a tower on Van Atta Road in Okemos.[2]

Subchannels of WLAJ and WLNS-TV[16]
License Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
WLAJ 53.1 720p 16:9 WLAJ-DT ABC
53.2 The CW Plus
WLNS-TV 6.1 1080i WLNS-TV CBS

Former repeater

[edit]

Starting in 1982, WLNS-TV's programming was seen on a low-power analog repeater, W67AJ (channel 67) in Ann Arbor (which is also part of the Detroit market). This translator broadcast from a transmitter atop the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library on the campus of the University of Michigan, but was owned by Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti. W67AJ went silent in January 2006, and its license was canceled a year later by the FCC.[28]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

WLNS-TV

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
WLNS-TV, 6, is a CBS-affiliated licensed to , , serving the mid-Michigan region with , weather, and sports coverage. The station first signed on the air on May 1, 1950, as WJIM-TV, making it Michigan's second-oldest , initially owned alongside WJIM radio by Harold F. Gross through WJIM, Inc. Following several ownership changes, including sales in to Young Broadcasting and later to , WLNS-TV was acquired by in 2017 as part of a $4.6 billion purchase, positioning Nexstar as one of the largest broadcast companies in the . Nexstar owns WLNS outright while providing shared services to co-market ABC/CW affiliate WLAJ under a .

History

WJIM-TV origins (1950–1957)

WJIM-TV, channel 6, signed on the air in , on May 1, 1950, becoming the area's first television station and Michigan's second-oldest outside . The station was founded by Harold F. Gross, who owned it through WJIM, Inc. alongside the established WJIM-AM radio station (signed on in 1934 and named for Gross's son, Jim). Initial operations began from a downtown bank building, with test broadcasts occurring in March 1950, and the station initially carried programming from all four major networks— as primary, along with , ABC, and DuMont—reflecting the limited number of VHF outlets in the region at the time. Under Gross's ownership, WJIM-TV emphasized local content alongside network fare, originating live news programs from studios in Lansing, with expansion to Flint by the mid-1950s. In , the station relocated to a new midcentury-modern studio facility on East Saginaw Street, featuring a 500-foot tower to improve signal coverage. This purpose-built complex, designed with an adjacent outdoor pool that became a local , supported growing operations amid the boom in television adoption. By 1956, WJIM-TV upgraded to a taller 1,000-foot tower in Okemos, extending its reach to surrounding areas including Saginaw, Flint, Battle Creek, and Jackson, while the DuMont Network's collapse that year ended its secondary affiliation with that short-lived service. Throughout the period, the station maintained its primary affiliation, airing a mix of network shows, , and community programming that solidified its role in Mid-Michigan .

Transition to WLNS and early expansions (1957–1980s)

WJIM-TV solidified its primary affiliation with during this period, dropping secondary carriage of programming after competitor signed on as Lansing's affiliate on October 6, 1959. Originally broadcasting content from all four networks upon its 1950 launch, the station focused increasingly on -supplied shows and local content, enhancing its signal reach across mid-Michigan. Under continued ownership by Gross Telecasting Corporation, led by Harold F. Gross, WJIM-TV expanded news and programming operations in the late 1950s and 1960s, including daily live news originating from studios in both Lansing and Flint. This extension provided Flint-area viewers with a strong VHF signal, positioning WJIM-TV as the de facto affiliate for that market until in Saginaw improved its coverage in 1972. The station developed a robust lineup of local shows, such as children's programs, variety series, and community events coverage, which aired alongside network fare through the 1970s. Ownership remained stable with Gross Telecasting until 1984, despite a 1973 challenge to the station's license renewal by the , which alleged news distortions and coverage biases favoring Gross's business interests; the FCC ultimately renewed the license after hearings. In September 1984, Gross sold WJIM-TV to Backe Communications, Inc., for an amount not publicly disclosed at the time. To comply with FCC rules prohibiting identical call signs for separately owned broadcast stations in the same market—particularly after the TV station's divestiture from co-owned WJIM-AM/FM—the new owners changed the call letters to WLNS-TV, effective July 16, 1984. This marked the end of the WJIM branding for television in Lansing, though the station retained its affiliation and operational focus on and programming.

Ownership shifts and modern developments (1990s–present)

In the 1990s and early 2000s, WLNS-TV remained under the ownership of Young Broadcasting, which had acquired the station in for $72 million and focused on maintaining its affiliation and operations in the Lansing market. Young Broadcasting, formed specifically to include WLNS among its initial holdings, operated the station amid industry shifts toward network consolidation but without major ownership changes during this period. Young Broadcasting encountered financial difficulties, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2008 before emerging in 2009 with restructured debt, yet retained control of WLNS-TV. On June 6, 2013, Young announced a reverse merger with , completed on November 12, 2013, transferring ownership of WLNS and other Young stations to the enlarged Media General entity in an all-stock deal valued at enhancing Media General's portfolio of 30 stations. Under Media General's brief stewardship from late 2013, WLNS continued local programming with no reported operational disruptions tied to the transition. In January 2016, Nexstar Broadcasting Group agreed to acquire Media General in a $4.6 billion deal comprising cash and stock, positioning Nexstar as one of the largest U.S. broadcast groups with approximately 171 stations across 100 markets upon completion. The transaction closed on January 17, 2017, placing WLNS-TV under Nexstar Media Group's direct ownership, which has since emphasized expanded digital news delivery and syndicated content integration while preserving the station's mid-Michigan focus. As of 2025, Nexstar operates WLNS from studios in Lansing, serving an audience across eight counties with ongoing commitments to local journalism amid broader industry carriage disputes, such as the 2019 retransmission agreement with AT&T resolving a temporary blackout for DIRECTV and U-verse subscribers.

Digital transition and spectrum reallocation

WLNS-TV originally broadcast its analog signal on VHF channel 6 and commenced digital broadcasting on UHF channel 59 prior to the national transition. The station ceased analog transmissions on June 12, 2009, aligning with the federally mandated full-power digital transition date, after which its digital signal relocated to UHF channel 36 while retaining virtual channel 6.1 for CBS programming. This shift enabled high-definition broadcasts and multicasting capabilities, though initial coverage adjustments were required to match the pre-transition analog footprint. In the FCC's 2016 broadcast incentive auction (Auction 1001), Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., the licensee of WLNS-TV, elected to relinquish the station's independent UHF rights in exchange for $13,612,555 in proceeds, opting to "go off-air" rather than share externally or relocate. To maintain over-the-air operations, WLNS-TV entered a channel sharing agreement with co-owned WLAJ (channel 53, ABC/ affiliate), utilizing WLAJ's for transmission; this arrangement was announced publicly in 2017 following auction results. The repacking process post-auction reassigned shared operations to RF channel 14 by 2020, with WLNS continuing full-power service without service disruptions, as the shared facility supported both stations' signals. This transition conserved for while preserving local broadcast access, though viewers required antenna rescans to reacquire the signal.

Ownership and operational structure

Acquisition by Nexstar Media Group

On January 27, 2016, Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced a $4.6 billion agreement to acquire Media General, the parent company of WLNS-TV, in a deal that included the assumption of approximately $2.6 billion in debt. The merger aimed to create one of the largest broadcast television operators in the United States, combining Nexstar's portfolio of over 170 stations with Media General's 71 stations across 39 markets. WLNS-TV, the CBS affiliate serving the Lansing–Jackson market, was among the stations included in the transaction, with no immediate changes announced for its local operations. The acquisition faced regulatory scrutiny from the (FCC) and the U.S. Department of Justice, requiring Nexstar to divest 13 stations in overlapping markets to address concerns over . Despite these conditions, WLNS-TV was retained by Nexstar, as the Lansing market did not present ownership conflicts. The deal received shareholder approval from both companies and cleared regulatory hurdles by late 2016. The acquisition closed on January 17, 2017, marking the official transition of WLNS-TV ownership to Nexstar, which rebranded the parent entity as Nexstar Media Group, Inc., positioning it as the second-largest U.S. television broadcaster by station count at the time. This shift integrated WLNS into Nexstar's broader network, enabling synergies in programming distribution, advertising sales, and digital operations while maintaining its status as a locally focused CBS affiliate. No significant staff reductions or programming alterations were reported immediately following the ownership change.

Shared services with WLAJ

In 2012, following the acquisition of WLAJ's previous owner by , the station was divested to Shield Media, LLC, which established a shared services agreement (SSA) with WLNS-TV's then-owner to handle operations, including programming, , and technical services. Under this arrangement, WLAJ—now licensed to —relies on WLNS-TV for , , and production facilities, while maintaining separate to comply with FCC duopoly rules prohibiting common control of two top-four-rated stations in the same market. The SSA enables cost efficiencies through shared infrastructure, such as studios located at 600 E. Saginaw Street in Lansing, where both stations co-locate news and operational teams. Nexstar Media Group, which acquired WLNS-TV in 2017 as part of its merger with , assumed management responsibilities for WLAJ via the existing SSA, providing non-programming services like engineering support and administrative functions. This includes joint sales agreements (JSA) for sharing, allowing Nexstar to sell ad time across both outlets without full ownership transfer. Upon implementation, the SSA expanded WLAJ's local news output by approximately 15 hours weekly, primarily through simulcasts of WLNS-TV's morning and evening newscasts on weekdays, enhancing ABC and affiliate coverage in the Lansing market without duplicating full staffs. The agreement has persisted amid ownership changes, reflecting industry trends toward operational consolidation to counter declining ad revenues and rising affiliate fees, though it has drawn FCC scrutiny in broader reviews of local marketing arrangements for potential circumvention of limits. As of 2025, WLAJ transmits its signal via channel-sharing with WLNS-TV post-ATSC 3.0 transitions, further integrating technical operations while preserving distinct network affiliations—CBS for WLNS-TV and ABC/CW+ for WLAJ.

Programming and affiliations

CBS network affiliation

WLNS-TV traces its CBS affiliation to its origins as WJIM-TV, which signed on May 1, 1950, as a primary affiliate while secondarily carrying select programming from ABC, the , and . This multi-network arrangement was common in early television markets with limited stations, allowing WJIM-TV to serve as the leading provider of content in from launch. After adopting the call sign on June 1, 1957—prompted by a sale to Lee Broadcasting—the station retained its primary affiliation and gradually shifted to exclusivity as dedicated affiliates for other networks, such as NBC's (channel 10, signed on 1959), established in the Lansing-Jackson market. has maintained continuous affiliation without interruption, evolving into Michigan's second-oldest television station outside and its sole dedicated outlet for the region. The station carries the full CBS schedule, including primetime entertainment, daytime soaps, late-night programming, and sports events like NFL games via CBS Sports and NCAA basketball through the network's college packages, with local preemptions limited to news insertions or occasional syndicated fare in non-network slots. This longstanding tie has positioned WLNS as the default CBS provider for mid-Michigan households, reinforcing its role in delivering network-distributed national coverage alongside regional content.

Local and syndicated programming

WLNS-TV's local programming centers on news production under the "6 News" banner, with weekday newscasts airing from 4:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., at noon for 30 minutes, at 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m.. Weekend schedules feature morning news from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. on Saturdays and 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Sundays, alongside evening broadcasts at 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.. These segments emphasize coverage of Mid-Michigan events, forecasts, and sports highlights, particularly Michigan State University athletics and local high school competitions.. The station produces limited non-news local content, focusing instead on news integration across its schedule to serve Lansing and Jackson viewers.. In syndicated fare, WLNS airs talk and entertainment programs including The Doctors, Dr. Phil, and Entertainment Tonight, typically slotted in daytime and early fringe hours outside CBS network blocks.. These offerings complement the station's news-heavy lineup, drawing on established syndication staples for audience retention in non-primetime slots.. Historical local originals from the mid-20th century, such as variety and children's shows, have largely been supplanted by this news-centric and syndicated model since the station's evolution under Nexstar ownership..

News operation

Department structure and format

The news department at WLNS-TV is led by News Director Jam Sardar, who oversees editorial direction, staffing, and production of local newscasts. The structure includes dedicated teams for morning and evening programming, with multi-media journalists (MMJs) handling reporting, videography, and editing across beats such as , , and community issues. Specialized units cover through the StormTracker 6 team and via a dedicated director and reporters, while a focuses on state politics from Lansing. On-air anchors are segmented by shift: morning newscasts feature Megan Viecelli and Kirk Montgomery, while evening editions at 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. are anchored by Chivon Kloepfer and Jorma Duran. Reporters, including Rachel Ramsey, Karina Prieto, Taryn Simmons, Zack Priehs, and Sean Graney, contribute field stories and multimedia content, often doubling as MMJs to support live shots and digital updates. Weather reporting is handled by Chief David Young, supported by Kendall Wilson (weekdays) and Katie Nickolaou (mornings), utilizing and forecasting tools for Mid-Michigan coverage. Sports operations fall under Director Ian Kress, with Tyler Driesenga on weekends and Desherion McBroom as reporter, emphasizing local teams like athletics. Tim Skubick serves as the dedicated capitol correspondent for political analysis. Newscasts follow a conventional local TV format, typically 30 minutes long, structured with an opening tease, lead stories on breaking local events, followed by , sports, and closing segments on matters. Morning programming, such as 6 News This Morning (airing segments from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.), emphasizes , , and lighter features, while evening shows prioritize investigative and reporting. Weekend editions maintain similar formats with reduced staff, incorporating syndicated elements where needed. The department produces approximately 25-30 hours of original weekly, including simulcasts for WLAJ, focusing on empirical local data like and impacts without unsubstantiated narratives.

Notable coverage and journalistic record

WLNS-TV has received recognition for its coverage of significant local events, including the scandal at , earning awards in 2018 for in-depth reporting on the case's revelations and institutional responses. The station's investigative efforts through its "6 News Investigates" unit have focused on community issues such as public safety, government accountability, and consumer protections in Mid-Michigan, though specific outcomes of these probes have varied in prompting policy changes. The station has garnered multiple Awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, including two in 2017 for features on the Michigan-Michigan State football rivalry, additional honors in 2020 for in , and a 2024 award for coverage of a major local incident. Other accolades include Michigan Association of Broadcasters awards in 2021 for on coronavirus-related protests and events, as well as designation as Station of the Year by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters in 2016, reflecting consistent performance in categories. Independent assessments rate WLNS-TV's reporting as factually high and minimally biased, with neutral sourcing in straight segments devoid of overt editorializing. No major journalistic controversies or retractions have been documented in , aligning with its focus on local, event-driven rather than national ideological narratives.

Technical information

Digital subchannels and multicast

WLNS-TV's digital signal operates on UHF channel 14 under a channel sharing agreement with WLAJ, established in as part of the FCC's incentive to reallocate broadcast . This arrangement allows both stations to transmit from the same physical channel while maintaining distinct virtual channels via PSIP, with WLNS utilizing a subslot on RF 14.3 for its primary programming. The station's sole subchannel is 6.1, which simulcasts network content in high definition with 5.1 audio, including a secondary audio program () track. WLNS-TV has not historically operated additional subchannels on virtual 6.x, focusing its digital capacity on the main feed to prioritize signal quality and coverage in the Lansing–Jackson market. The shared RF 14 multiplex, managed cooperatively under Nexstar's shared services agreement with WLAJ's owner, also carries WLAJ's subchannels: ABC on 53.1 (720p with DD 5.1 and SAP) and The CW Plus on 53.2 (720p with DD 5.1 and SAP). This configuration supports efficient spectrum use post-repack, with WLNS's CBS signal mapped to virtual 6.1 for viewer compatibility across ATSC 1.0 receivers.

Transmitter facilities and signal coverage

The transmitter for WLNS-TV is located near Okemos in Meridian Charter Township, , at coordinates 42°41′19″N 84°22′35″W. The facility operates under FCC Facility ID 74420. WLNS-TV transmits digitally on RF channel 14 with an (ERP) of 950 kW, achieved via 53.8 kW transmitter power output (TPO), accounting for line loss and antenna gain. The antenna (HAAT) measures approximately 951 feet (290 m). Through a channel sharing agreement with WLAJ ( 36917), WLNS-TV utilizes shared and transmitter infrastructure at this site to broadcast its 6 signal. The station's signal covers the Lansing–Jackson designated market area (DMA) in south-central Lower , serving Lansing, Jackson, and surrounding counties. Its noise-limited contour extends about 62 miles from the transmitter, encompassing roughly 12,081 square miles and an estimated population of 4,031,177. This provides reliable over-the-air reception within the core market, though terrain variations and interference can affect fringe areas.

Analog-to-digital conversion

WLNS-TV discontinued regular programming on its , transmitted over VHF channel 6, at 11:59 p.m. on June 12, 2009, coinciding with the nationwide deadline for full-power U.S. television stations to cease analog broadcasts. The station's , previously operating on UHF channel 59, relocated to UHF channel 36 following the transition, maintaining the 6.1 for programming. This shift complied with requirements, enabling improved signal efficiency and the potential for high-definition content and subchannels, though WLNS initially broadcast a standard-definition feed on its primary digital channel. Prior to the full conversion, WLNS had operated a alongside analog since the early , as mandated for full-power stations to prepare for the ATSC standard. The 2009 transition freed the VHF band for other uses and expanded capabilities, with WLNS later adding subchannels for syndicated content. No special nightlight service—temporary analog operation post-deadline—was implemented by the station.

Former repeaters and translators

WLNS-TV operated a low-power UHF translator, W67AJ (channel 67), to extend its CBS-affiliated signal into the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area, which lies within the television market. The translator rebroadcast programming from WLNS-TV (originally under the WJIM-TV callsign) and was owned by . The FCC granted a construction permit for W67AJ on December 13, 1976, authorizing rebroadcast of WJIM-TV from Lansing. W67AJ ceased operations in January 2006 after going silent, with the FCC canceling its license one year later. No other former or associated with WLNS-TV are documented in available records.

References

  1. https://www.wlns.com/
  2. https://www.nexstar.tv/stations/wlns/
  3. https://99wfmk.com/wjim-wlns-tv-history/
  4. https://www.zippia.com/wlns-tv-careers-1559948/history/
  5. https://www.wlns.com/news/michigan/new-company-takes-ownership-of-wlns-tv/
  6. https://www.fybush.com/site-20180316/
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  8. https://fadedsignals.com/post/130119459556/harold-gross-owner-of-lansing-michigans
  9. https://radiodiscussions.com/threads/tv-affiliations-differing-from-radio-companions.594505/
  10. https://www.facebook.com/100063497524985/posts/wlns-channel-6-in-lansing-is-celebrating-its-75th-anniversary-this-year-as-wjim-/1179267687533138/
  11. https://www.facebook.com/groups/137660544586/posts/10162176454544587/
  12. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CRECB-2000-pt6/html/CRECB-2000-pt6-Pg8080.htm
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  14. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/media-general-completes-merger-with-young-broadcasting-231618021.html
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  18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAlaZlUH82E
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  20. https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-17-314A2.pdf
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  26. https://www.nexstar.tv/nexstar-broadcasting-group-completes-acquisition-of-media-general-creating-nexstar-media-group-the-nations-second-largest-television-broadcaster/
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  28. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_station&facility_id=36533
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  45. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_station&facility_id=74420
  46. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_market&mktid=137
  47. https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f916f876c7d016f902e2e392de1&id=25076f916f876c7d016f902e2e392de1&goBack=N
  48. https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f916ff69782016ffc7d9ebc0384&id=25076f916ff69782016ffc7d9ebc0384&goBack=N
  49. https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/tv-profile/wlns-tv
  50. https://www.rabbitears.info/tvq.php?request=items&facid=74420
  51. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-BC/Broadcasting-Magazine/BC-1976/1976-12-13-BC.pdf
  52. https://radiodiscussions.com/threads/worst-stations-and-markets-for-local-tv.661087/page-6
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