WPBY-CD Programming and News Operations
WPBY-CD serves as a versatile broadcast entity in the Lafayette market, balancing a mix of major network affiliations, syndicated entertainment, and localized news coverage. By leveraging multiple subchannels, the station provides a diverse array of content ranging from national sports to community-focused journalism.
Programming and Network Affiliations
While WPBY-CD is primarily known for its ABC programming, it expands its reach through its LD2 subchannel. This subchannel operates as the Lafayette market's affiliate for MeTV, a network specializing in classic television.
The programming on WPBY-CD2 is a hybrid model. On weeknights, the station carries content from the MyNetworkTV programming service. During time slots not occupied by MyNetworkTV, the station reverts to the MeTV schedule to ensure continuous coverage.
In the realm of sports, WPBY-CD broadcasts select Purdue Boilermakers football games, which are delivered via ESPN College Football on the ABC network.
Sports Broadcasting History
Historically, WPBY-CD2 played a significant role in bringing Major League Baseball to the local audience. The station previously served as the affiliate for both the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox. It broadcast many games that were aired locally in Chicago on WLS-TV and WGN-TV, although it did not carry games broadcast by NBC Sports Chicago.
This sports broadcasting arrangement concluded in 2019. The shift occurred as MLB, NBA, and NHL teams in Chicago signed exclusive contracts with regional sports networks, effectively ending the era of non-national games on free-to-air television.
Local News: Star City News
WPBY-CD produces five hours of local news per week, airing exclusively on weekdays. These broadcasts are branded as Star City News and air at 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
- 7:00 p.m. Newscast: Exclusive to WPBY-CD.
- 11:00 p.m. Newscast: Simulcast on WPBI-CD2.
The news operation was established with Chris Morisse Vizza, a veteran of WLFI-TV with ten years of experience, serving as the first news director. The station's inaugural anchor, Sarah Blakely, operated from a Waypoint-owned studio in Little Rock, Arkansas, while presenting segments reported by staff based in Lafayette. Blakely simultaneously anchored similar news programs for sister station KJNB-LD in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
The infrastructure supporting these broadcasts was part of Waypoint Media's centralized operation, known as News Hub since June 2019. In July 2021, Coastal Television purchased this centralized news operation.
To further extend the reach of its journalism, radio tie-ins for these newscasts are planned for stations WSHY, WBPE, WYCM, and WAZY-FM.
Key Facts
- Primary Affiliations: ABC (Main) and MeTV (LD2 subchannel).
- Secondary Programming: MyNetworkTV on weeknights via WPBY-CD2.
- News Brand: Star City News, airing 5 hours weekly on weekdays.
- Sports: Carries select Purdue Boilermakers football via ESPN College Football.
- Ownership Shift: Coastal Television acquired the "News Hub" operation from Waypoint Media in July 2021.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Network | ABC |
| Subchannel LD2 | MeTV / MyNetworkTV (Weeknights) |
| Local News Brand | Star City News |
| News Schedule | 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. (Weekdays) |
| Former Sports Affiliates | Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox (Ended 2019) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What networks are available on WPBY-CD?
WPBY-CD carries ABC programming on its main channel and MeTV on its LD2 subchannel, with MyNetworkTV programming also appearing on the LD2 subchannel during weeknights.
When does Star City News air?
Star City News airs on weekdays at 7:00 p.m. (exclusive to WPBY-CD) and 11:00 p.m. (simulcast on WPBI-CD2).
Does WPBY-CD still broadcast Chicago professional sports?
No. The arrangement to broadcast Chicago Cubs and White Sox games ended in 2019 when those teams moved to exclusive regional sports network deals.
Who currently manages the News Hub operation?
The News Hub, which was originally a centralized operation by Waypoint Media, was purchased by Coastal Television in July 2021.
Which sports teams are currently featured on the station?
The station carries select Purdue Boilermakers football games through ESPN College Football on ABC.