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WWME-CD (channel 23) is a low-power, Class A television station in Chicago, Illinois, United States, which serves as the flagship station of multicast networks MeTV and Heroes & Icons. It is owned by locally based Weigel Broadcasting alongside fellow Weigel flagship properties and independent stations WCIU-TV (channel 26) and WMEU-CD (channel 48). The stations share studios on Halsted Street (between Washington Boulevard and Madison Street) in the Greektown neighborhood, while WWME-CD's transmitter is located atop the Willis Tower on South Wacker Drive in the Chicago Loop.

Key Information

Even though WWME-CD has a digital signal of its own, the low-power broadcasting radius does not reach the outer ring of Chicago proper or surrounding suburbs. Therefore, the station can also be seen through a 16:9 widescreen standard definition simulcast on WCIU's third digital subchannel, with Heroes & Icons being carried on WCIU-DT4 in order to reach the entire market. This signal is broadcast on channel 26.3 from the same Willis Tower transmitter site.

History

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Early history

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The station first signed on the air on October 28, 1987, as W23AT, originally operating as a translator of WFBT. In 2001, the station changed its callsign to WFBT-CA and shifted to a brokered-time ethnic programming format (coincidentally, this was the original programming format of sister station WCIU-TV from 1964 until it converted into an English-language, entertainment-based independent station on December 31, 1994).

Launch of MeTV as a programming format

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On January 6, 2003, WFBT debuted a programming block called "MeTV", which featured classic television series from the 1950s to the 1980s (such as The Jack Benny Program, Sergeant Bilko, The Carol Burnett Show, Maude and One Day at a Time) daily from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.[2] "MeTV" underwent several lineup changes throughout its existence as a block, adding and removing shows and expanding the time periods during which it broadcast (eventually running from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. by 2004).

On December 31, 2005, Weigel rechristened channel 23 as WWME-CA, with MeTV becoming the station's full-time programming format and on-air branding. The station's former ethnic programming and WFBT call letters moved to W48DD (channel 48).[3] On August 4, 2007, WWME introduced "Sí! MeTV" (the first two parts of the moniker were based on the phrase "see me", although "Sí" is the Spanish word for "yes"), a weekend morning block which featured Spanish-dubbed versions of classic shows from the Universal Television library (such as Hercules, Xena, Miami Vice, Quantum Leap and The Incredible Hulk).[4] Some programs that aired during the block were available to the station only in Spanish, due to syndicated restrictions imposed on the original English-language versions; "Sí! MeTV" also offered a public affairs program targeted at Chicago's Latino population, which began at a later date. The block was discontinued on January 25, 2009.

WWME-CD logo used from 2008 until 2014.

On March 1, 2008, channel 48 – which adopted the WMEU-CA call letters at that time – was converted into an extension of WWME's MeTV format as MeToo.[5][6] Initially, the two stations maintained similar programming schedules; however by that fall, one station focused mainly on sitcoms while the other largely focused on dramas, and vice versa. In addition to classic television series, WWME also broadcast sporting events from the Chicago Public Schools Public League.

On September 14, 2009, WWME's MeTV schedule shifted its programming to a sitcom-intensive format (running such shows as The Bernie Mac Show, All in the Family, The Three Stooges and Frasier), while the MeToo schedule on WMEU-CA was restructured to feature only off-network dramatic programs (such as Perry Mason, Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation and The Twilight Zone) and films to streamline the schedules of both MeTV outlets.

Conversion into the flagship station of the MeTV network

[edit]

On November 22, 2010, Weigel Broadcasting announced that it would turn the MeTV concept into a national network that would compete along with similar classic television multicast networks such as the Retro Television Network and (the then yet-launched) Antenna TV, while complementing its successful sister network This TV.[7] The MeTV network launched on December 15, 2010, with WWME serving as its flagship station, and by effect, effectively became an owned-and-operated station of the national network. Concurrently, WMEU reincorporated comedy series into its schedule, resulting in both stations once again maintaining identical formats – albeit with other programming as the national MeTV network focuses on series from the 1950s to the 1970s while WMEU's MeToo format continued to offer series from the 1980s to the 2000s on its schedule, in addition to older programs.

On December 15, 2010, WCIU moved its simulcast of WWME to digital subchannel 26.3 in preparation for the January 1 launch of "The U Too", a general entertainment programming service that replaced the WWME simulcast on digital channel 26.2.[8][9][10] In concurrence with the launch of The U Too, PSIP channel 48.1 was deleted (to be later used by the digital signal of WMEU-CA), while 23.1 reverted to being the virtual channel number for WWME-CA (23.2 was also discontinued, but WWME restored that subchannel with the addition of Bounce TV upon the network's September 2011 launch as part of affiliation agreement with Weigel Broadcasting).[11]

Technical information

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Subchannels

[edit]

The station's digital signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of WWME-CD[12]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
23.1 720p 16:9 MeTV MeTV
23.2 H&I Heroes & Icons[13]
23.12 480i EMLW OnTV4U

WWME-CD2

[edit]

As part of an affiliation agreement between the network and Weigel Broadcasting (which also included Milwaukee sister station WBME-TV), the station began carrying Bounce TV on digital subchannel 23.2 when it launched on September 26, 2011.[14] On September 29, 2014, WWME-CD2 disaffiliated from Bounce TV to become a charter affiliate of Heroes & Icons, a Weigel-owned network focusing primarily on classic drama and action series.[13]

Analog-to digital transition

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On March 11, 2008, WWME signed on its digital signal on UHF channel 39, becoming the first low-power television station in the Chicago market to operate a digital signal. From early 2009 to December 2010, the station's full-power simulcast on WCIU-DT was also mapped as virtual channel 23.1, while WWME-CA was mapped to virtual channel 23.2 to prevent channel duplication.

WWME-CA replaced the simulcast of WCIU's main channel on its analog signal on January 10, 2011, in favor of carrying a simulcast of WCIU's "The U Too" subchannel (which was otherwise carried on digital subchannel 26.2). In September 2013, with the upgrade of "The U Too"'s programming to high definition (as shown on WMEU-CD channel 48.1), the WWME analog signal was shifted to a simulcast of WCIU's "MeToo" service on digital subchannel 26.4;[citation needed] the analog simulcast of MeToo ended on January 7, 2015, with the analog signal never broadcasting any programming as a result until March 2015, when the analog signal began carrying programming from Heroes & Icons. The future of UHF channel 23 is uncertain, as a spectrum incentive auction for U.S. broadcast television stations is currently scheduled for mid-2016.[15][16] WWME-CA would have been required to shut down its analog transmitter on September 1, 2015, in any event, as the FCC's since-delayed digital transition for low-power stations did not affect Class A-licensed stations.[17][18][19]

WWME-CA shut down its analog signal on January 7, 2015.[20] No termination notification campaign was produced as was done in 2009, as it was assumed most viewers had made the transition years before to WWME's digital signal with the full-power analog transition.

Analog nightlight programming

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On June 12, 2009, WWME converted its analog signal into a simulcast of full-power sister station WCIU-TV, in order to provide an analog nightlight signal following the digital television transition. From June 13 to July 12, 2009, WWME also carried simulcasts of morning and early evening newscasts from NBC owned-and-operated station WMAQ-TV (channel 5), along with the 9:00 p.m. newscast from WCIU's sports broadcast partner WGN-TV (channel 9), except on nights when WGN aired sports telecasts. The regular MeTV schedule continued to air on WCIU-TV digital channel 26.3 and WWME-LD 23.1 (digital channel 39).[21]

References

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WWME-CD

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from Grokipedia
WWME-CD, 23 (UHF digital channel 20), is a low-power Class A television station licensed to , , . It is owned by Co. through its subsidiary licensee Channel 23 Limited Partnership. The station operates at an of 15 kW from a transmitter located atop the in downtown . WWME-CD serves as the flagship station of , a national multicast network dedicated to classic television programming from the through the , including popular sitcoms, dramas, and westerns. The station first signed on January 13, 1989, as low-power analog translator station W23AT on UHF channel 23. It upgraded to Class A status in 2001 under the call sign WFBT-CA and adopted the WWME-CA calls on December 31, 2004, aligning with the launch of as its primary format on January 1, 2005—initially as a local service before expanding nationally in 2010. In 2015, following the , the station converted to digital broadcasting and changed its call sign to WWME-CD. WWME-CD also carries additional Weigel-owned networks on its subchannels, including on 23.2 and paid programming on 23.12, providing a diverse lineup of nostalgic and genre-specific content to the market. As a key asset in Weigel Broadcasting's portfolio, WWME-CD plays a central role in distributing classic media to over 9 million potential viewers within its coverage area, emphasizing programming that has built into one of the most-watched networks in the United States. The station maintains public files compliant with FCC requirements and supports for accessibility.

History

Early history

The low-power on UHF channel 23 in , , was initially licensed to Northwest Suburban Communications, Inc., with a construction permit leading to its sign-on as W23AT, an analog translator and independent outlet, on January 13, 1989. On June 17, 1991, the FCC granted a voluntary assignment of the station's license from Northwest Suburban Communications, Inc. to Weigel Broadcasting Co., marking the beginning of Weigel's involvement in its operations. Under Weigel's ownership, W23AT focused on independent programming, including brokered ethnic content aimed at Chicago's diverse communities, such as Romanian-language shows like Romanian Soul. The station also aired home shopping blocks as part of its early independent schedule, reflecting the common format for low-power outlets seeking to fill airtime with cost-effective content. By April 11, 2001, the call sign was changed to WFBT-CA, continuing its emphasis on ethnic while Weigel began initial digital testing in preparation for the broader transition to facilities. This period represented WFBT-CA's pre-network phase, with operations centered on local and imported ethnic fare before evolving toward classic television experiments that would culminate in the introduction of the programming block in 2003.

Launch of MeTV as a programming format

MeTV debuted as a classic television programming block on January 6, 2003, on Weigel Broadcasting's low-power station WFBT-CA (channel 23) in Chicago, , initially airing a selection of syndicated series from the through the 1980s, such as and I Love Lucy. The block began with limited hours, focusing on nostalgic content to fill the station's schedule alongside its existing independent and ethnic programming. Over the following years, the block gradually expanded from its initial weekend and limited weekday slots to daily programming, allowing Weigel to refine the format and gauge audience interest in retro television. This evolution culminated on January 1, 2005, when the station adopted the full-time format under the new WWME-CA (changed December 31, 2004), supplanting the prior independent lineup with 24-hour classic TV programming. The shift marked a pivotal for the concept, incorporating additional syndicated staples like and to build a cohesive schedule of reruns. In the mid-2000s, Weigel partnered with Neal Sabin, an executive vice president focused on , who spearheaded acquisitions from studios such as Television Distribution and Twentieth Century , securing rights to obscure and popular classics to bolster the block's appeal. During this period from 2003 to 2010, MeTV remained primarily affiliated with WWME-CA and was carried on Chicago-area cable providers like , reaching viewers beyond the station's over-the-air signal. This local presence helped validate the format's viability ahead of further regional growth.

Conversion into the flagship station of the MeTV network

On December 15, 2010, launched as a national digital multicast network, with WWME-CA in serving as the flagship station and originating the programming feed for distribution to affiliates across the . The network's schedule, which had been refined on WWME-CA since its local debut as a programming block, provided the template for the national service, emphasizing classic television series from the through the . The network experienced rapid growth in its early years, securing affiliation agreements with major station groups such as and in 2011, which expanded its reach to over 50 affiliates by 2012. This syndication strategy capitalized on available digital subchannels following the 2009 digital transition, allowing to leverage WWME-CA's proven format without significant additional infrastructure costs. Key developments included the acquisition of rights to additional classic series, such as and Make Room for Daddy, enhancing the network's programming depth. In 2014, MeTV's ecosystem expanded with the debut of (H&I), a companion digital network focused on action, adventure, and police dramas, which launched on September 29 on WWME-CA's subchannel 23.2 and other Weigel stations before syndicating nationally. WWME-CA's role underscored Weigel's broader multicast strategy, utilizing low-power and class A facilities to maximize spectrum efficiency; the station's class A status was reaffirmed by the FCC in 2015 following post-digital transition reviews, ensuring its protected service area and operational stability. By 2020, had grown to serve more than 150 markets, covering approximately 95% of U.S. households through over 170 affiliates. During the , the network adapted to production challenges by shifting to remote workflows, notably for its flagship horror hosting program , which incorporated virtual sets and remote filming to maintain weekly broadcasts without on-site crews.

Digital transition and subsequent developments

The station began digital operations following a construction permit granted on April 3, 2008. It simulcast analog and digital signals, with the initial digital signal operating on physical UHF channel 39 from the Willis Tower in Chicago, transmitting MeTV programming in 720p resolution as a simulcast of its primary subchannel. There was no extended analog nightlight period following the full transition, as the FCC's deadline for low-power television stations to convert to digital was set for September 1, 2015, but WWME-CA met the requirement earlier by ceasing its analog signal on January 7, 2015, and changing its call sign to WWME-CD to reflect its digital Class A status. The station participated in the FCC's 2016–2017 broadcast incentive auction, during which it elected to retain its spectrum allocation rather than relinquish it for payment, resulting in a reassignment to a new physical channel as part of the subsequent spectrum . WWME-CD relocated from physical channel 39 to channel 20, with the repack process unfolding across multiple phases from 2018 to 2019; the station experienced brief, planned outages during equipment reconfiguration but maintained over-the-air service with minimal long-term disruptions. By October 2019, corresponding to Phase 5 of the repack, WWME-CD activated its permanent facility on the new channel, operating with an () of 15 kW and a (HAAT) of 443.5 meters from its existing transmitter site. In the years following the repack, WWME-CD has continued serving as the flagship station for MeTV, broadcasting the network's classic television lineup without major structural changes to its role. Amid Weigel Broadcasting's expansion, including the launch of the WEST (Western Entertainment Series Television) network on September 29, 2025, WWME-CD experienced no direct operational impact, as WEST operates as a separate multicast service on other Weigel-affiliated stations. The station saw minor programming adjustments to its MeTV schedule in 2023 and 2024, such as shifting slots for shows like The Beverly Hillbillies and Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. to optimize the classic TV block while preserving the network's focus on nostalgic content.

Technical information

Subchannels

WWME-CD broadcasts three digital subchannels as of November 2025. The primary channel, virtual 23.1, carries in high definition, serving as the flagship feed for the classic television network featuring programming from the through the 1980s, such as sitcoms, dramas, and westerns. This subchannel uses a 16:9 and 2.0 audio. on 23.1 is in the market on WCIU-TV's virtual subchannel 26.3, though the latter airs in 480i standard definition with the same audio format to extend coverage via WCIU's higher-power signal. Virtual subchannel 23.2 is affiliated with Heroes & Icons (H&I), broadcasting in 720p high definition since its launch on this slot in September 2014. The network focuses on action, adventure, and crime dramas from the mid-20th century, including series like Star Trek and Hawaii Five-O, presented in a 16:9 aspect ratio with Dolby Digital 2.0 audio. Prior to H&I's addition, subchannel 23.2 carried Bounce TV from September 2011 to September 2014. The station's third subchannel, virtual 23.12, airs paid programming and infomercials under the branding OnTV4U in standard definition, utilizing a 16:9 and 2.0 audio. This low-bandwidth slot features extended advertisements for consumer products, a common use for tertiary subchannels on low-power stations to generate revenue. Historically, WWME-CD's subchannel configuration remained minimal before , with no additional programming beyond until the expansion to support Weigel's growing multicast portfolio; temporary affiliations, such as with Movies! on other Weigel properties during 2013–2015, influenced but did not directly alter WWME-CD's lineup during that period.
Virtual ChannelProgrammingResolutionAspect RatioAudio Format
23.116:9DD 2.0
23.216:9DD 2.0
23.12OnTV4U (Infomercials)16:9DD 2.0

Analog-to-digital conversion and spectrum repack

WWME-CD, operating previously as the analog station WWME-CA under FCC facility ID 71425, terminated its on January 7, 2015, marking the completion of its transition to full digital operations as a low-power Class A station. To facilitate viewer adjustment during this period, the station briefly its digital programming on the prior to shutdown. The initial digital broadcast launched on UHF channel 39 with an of 15 kW, transmitted from a shared antenna atop the at coordinates 41°52′44.1″N 87°38′10.2″W. Following the 2016 broadcast incentive auction, WWME-CD elected not to sell its , resulting in reassignment to a new physical channel as part of the FCC's spectrum repack to clear higher UHF frequencies for use. The station was assigned UHF channel 20 during the repack process, with construction permits issued to modify facilities for the relocation while maintaining the same 23 and subchannel structure. The transition to channel 20 occurred in phase 6 of the FCC's phased schedule, targeted for completion between September 8 and October 11, 2019. Engineering adjustments included antenna reconfiguration, filter installations, and signal testing at the site to ensure compatibility with co-located broadcasters. The FCC granted the license to cover the construction permit on , 2019, confirming full operational status on the new frequency without interruptions to over-the-air service. This preserved the station's coverage area and capacity, aligning with broader efforts to optimize the UHF band post-auction.

Ownership and operations

Ownership by Weigel Broadcasting

WWME-CD signed on the air on January 13, 1989, as low-power translator station W23AT, initially licensed to Northwest Suburban Communications, Inc. acquired the station via voluntary assignment of license on June 17, 1991, under the leadership of Norman Shapiro, marking a key expansion of the company's local holdings in the market. Within Weigel Broadcasting's portfolio, WWME-CD serves as a asset in alongside sister stations on channel 26, on channel 48, and on channel 6, all operated from shared facilities to support the company's independent and multicast programming strategies. Under Weigel's ownership, the company has evolved from a regional broadcaster into a national player, notably launching and expanding the network in 2010, which is headquartered at the WWME-CD studios and leverages the station as its originating outlet. There have been no sales or transfers of WWME-CD since the acquisition, allowing Weigel to maintain continuous control and integrate it into broader network operations. As of 2025, remains a privately held entity controlled by the Weigel family through principals including chairman Norman Shapiro, with WWME-CD retaining its FCC Class A low-power designation and associated regulatory protections. This structure underscores Weigel's focus on family stewardship and long-term investment in Chicago's broadcast landscape, briefly referencing WWME-CD's pivotal role in launching as a .

Facilities and coverage

WWME-CD shares studio facilities with its sister station at Weigel Broadcasting's headquarters, located at 26 N. in , . The station's transmitter is situated atop the in downtown , enabling over-the-air coverage throughout the Chicago designated market area (DMA), which ranks third among U.S. television markets according to Nielsen's 2024-2025 estimates. WWME-CD provides primary over-the-air service to the Chicagoland region, with its signal extended to additional households via cable and satellite providers; for example, it is carried on Comcast Xfinity channel 357 and on DirecTV channel 77 in the market. Operating as a low-power Class A station with an effective radiated power of 15 kW, WWME-CD's coverage contour extends approximately 49 miles from the transmitter, limited by its low-power status but enhanced by a height above average terrain (HAAT) of 443.5 meters (1,455 feet); viewers in the area can access the station over-the-air using an antenna. As of 2025, WWME-CD achieves comprehensive penetration of the market through digital simulcasts of its primary programming on sister stations, including WCIU-TV's subchannel 26.3, ensuring availability across the full DMA.

References

  1. https://www.fccinfo.com/CMDProFacLookup.php?tabSearchType=Facility&s=71425
  2. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_station&facility_id=71425
  3. https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=71425
  4. https://www.metv.com/about-us/
  5. https://www.metv.com/wheretowatch/affiliate/602
  6. https://www.nexttv.com/news/turning-tv-classics-multiplatform-gold-136570
  7. https://www.metv.com/wwme
  8. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Cable/LPTV-Report/LPTV-Report-1991-07.pdf
  9. https://chicagoreader.com/news/the-non-english-channel/
  10. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Cable/LPTV-Report/LPTV-Report-1989-03.pdf
  11. https://www.tvobscurities.com/2013/05/classic-tv-on-tv-me-tv/
  12. https://www.televisionacademy.com/features/news/mix/me-tv-neal-sabin-classic-tv-shows
  13. https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/june-2009/neality-tv/
  14. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-255888A1.doc
  15. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/09/29/weigel-broadcasting-launches-cop-show-digital-tv-network/
  16. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-331421A1.pdf
  17. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5576784/
  18. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-281264A1.pdf
  19. http://www.thespectrummonitor.com/June2017TSM.pdf
  20. https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-announces-results-worlds-first-broadcast-incentive-auction-0
  21. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=71425
  22. https://deadline.com/2025/09/weigel-broadcasting-west-network-launch-date-1236547297/
  23. https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2022/12/metv-january-2023-schedule-party-down.html
  24. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_station&facility_id=71428
  25. https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/bounce-tv-adds-weigel-stations-in-chicago-and-milwaukee
  26. https://www.wbbz.tv/?p=4889
  27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rWHziYgj9U
  28. https://www.fcc.gov/about-fcc/fcc-initiatives/incentive-auctions
  29. https://www.fcc.gov/about-fcc/fcc-initiatives/incentive-auctions/transition-schedule
  30. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-360317A1.pdf
  31. https://www.weigelbroadcasting.com/local/
  32. https://www.metv.com/contact/
  33. https://www.linkedin.com/company/weigel-broadcasting
  34. https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/WBCS:US
  35. https://ustvdb.com/seasons/2024-25/markets/
  36. https://www.metv.com/wheretowatch/affiliate?marketid=1
  37. https://www.cabletv.com/entertainment/what-channel-is-metv
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