WMYS-LP: A History of South Bend Broadcasting
The landscape of local television in South Bend, Indiana, has been shaped by strategic shifts in network affiliations and signal expansions. One of the most dynamic players in this evolution is WMYS-LP, a station that has transitioned through various identities, call signs, and network partnerships since its inception in the late 1980s.
The Early Years and Signal Expansion
The station first began broadcasting on December 2, 1987, under the callsign W69BT on UHF channel 69. In its earliest form, it served as a translator—a low-power station that rebroadcasts the signal of a primary station to extend its reach—for its Chicago-based sister station, WCIU-TV. At the time, WCIU-TV operated as an independent station with a secondary affiliation with Telemundo.
A significant shift occurred on October 18, 1995, when W58BT (now WBND-LD) became the new ABC affiliate for the South Bend market after WSJV joined Fox. Because W58BT's low-power signal could not cover the entire region, Weigel Broadcasting converted W69BT into a translator for W58BT. This move was part of a broader effort to increase the station's signal radius and establish pay-TV coverage through petitions to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Transition to The WB and Identity Shifts
By October 1999, the signal coverage efforts had succeeded. As most of the market could now receive channel 57, channel 69 was freed to become an affiliate of The WB with its own unique programming schedule. This transition coincided with WGN-TV in Chicago dropping The WB from its superstation feed. To reflect its new role as "Michiana's WB," the station changed its callsign to WMWB-LP.
The early 2000s were marked by frequent changes. In 2002, Weigel purchased WYGN-LP (now WCWW-LD) and decided to move the WB affiliation, call letters, and schedule to that station because it occupied a more favorable position on the South Bend television dial. Consequently, channel 69 adopted the call letters WRDY-LP.
A Period of Flux (2002–2006)
Between 2002 and 2004, the station returned to simulcasting ABC programming from WBND-LP. Following this, it operated as an independent station, occasionally airing content from the Sportsman Channel. During this era, the station's call letters changed multiple times, moving to WAAT-LP in 2004 and briefly to WCWW-LP in March 2006.
The MyNetworkTV Era and Modern Programming
In March 2006, the station entered a new chapter by affiliating with MyNetworkTV, a network created through a partnership between Fox Television Stations and Twentieth Television. To align with this new identity, the callsign was changed to WMYT-LP and shortly thereafter to WMYS-LP in April 2006. The station officially launched as a MyNetworkTV affiliate on September 5, 2006.
While affiliated with MyNetworkTV, WMYS-LP aired classic television series and retro commercials similar to those found on MeTV stations in Chicago. However, it did not use the MeTV branding until 2011, when MeTV officially launched on WBND-LD2. Additionally, from 2015 to 2019, the station served as a local outlet for WGN Sports, broadcasting Chicago Cubs and White Sox games.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Ownership and Failed Acquisition
In August 2008, Weigel Broadcasting reached an agreement to sell its three South Bend stations, including WMYS, to Schurz Communications, which owned the local CBS affiliate WSBT-TV. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. However, the sale never materialized; due to a lack of action by the FCC, the deal was officially called off in August 2009.
Station Summary
| Period | Callsign | Primary Affiliation/Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1987–1995 | W69BT | Translator for WCIU-TV |
| 1995–1999 | W69BT | Translator for W58BT (ABC) |
| 1999–2002 | WMWB-LP | The WB |
| 2002–2004 | WRDY-LP | ABC Simulcast |
| 2004–2006 | WAAT-LP / WCWW-LP | Independent / Sportsman Channel |
| 2006–Present | WMYS-LP | MyNetworkTV |
Key Facts
- Launch Date: December 2, 1987.
- Original Purpose: Operated as a translator for Chicago's WCIU-TV.
- Network History: Has held affiliations with ABC (via simulcast), The WB, and MyNetworkTV.
- Sports Coverage: Broadcast Cubs and White Sox games via WGN Sports from 2015 to 2019.
- Failed Sale: A 2008 agreement to sell to Schurz Communications was cancelled in 2009 due to FCC inaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a translator station?
A translator is a low-power broadcast station that receives a signal from a primary station and re-transmits it on a different frequency to extend the coverage area to regions that cannot receive the main signal.
Why did the station change its callsign so many times?
The callsign changes typically reflected changes in network affiliation or strategic shifts in branding, such as the change to WMWB-LP to signify "Michiana's WB."
When did WMYS-LP join MyNetworkTV?
The station reached an affiliation deal in March 2006 and officially began broadcasting MyNetworkTV programming on September 5, 2006.
Did WMYS-LP ever air MeTV content?
Yes, until 2011, the station carried classic series and retro commercials associated with MeTV, though it did not use the MeTV branding at the time due to its MyNetworkTV affiliation.
Who almost bought the station in 2008?
Schurz Communications, the owner of WSBT-TV, agreed to buy WMYS and two other Weigel stations, but the deal fell through in 2009.