WOVA-LD
  | |
| Parkersburg, West Virginia Marietta, Ohio United States | |
|---|---|
| Branding | Fox Parkersburg |
| Slogan | The NewsCenter |
| Channels | Digital: 22 (UHF/PSIP) |
| Affiliations |
Fox Jewelry Television (overnights) |
| Owner |
Gray Television (Gray Television Licensee, LLC) |
| Call letters' meaning | Ohio VAlley |
| Sister station(s) | WTAP-TV, WIYE-LD, WSAZ-TV |
| Former callsigns |
W22CU (2002–2007) WVEX-LP (2007–2012) WOVA-LP (2012) |
| Former channel number(s) | 22 (UHF analog) |
| Transmitter power | 15 kW |
| Height | 190 m |
| Class | LD |
| Facility ID | 125125 |
| Transmitter coordinates | 39°21′0.0″N 81°33′56.0″W / 39.350000°N 81.565556°W |
WOVA-LD is the low-powered, Fox-affiliated television station for the Mid-Ohio Valley that is licensed to Parkersburg, West Virginia. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 22 from a transmitter in Independence Township, Ohio. Owned by Gray Television, WOVA is sister to NBC affiliate WTAP-TV and low-powered CBS affiliate WIYE-LD. All three television outlets share studios on Market Street (official address is One Television Plaza) in downtown Parkersburg. Overnights, it airs paid programming from Jewelry Television.
History
The market's first-ever locally based Fox affiliate was originally seen on a second digital subchannel of WTAP. Prior to that launch, the Parkersburg/Marietta market did not have a Fox affiliate of its own. Programming from the network was provided through cable from WVAH-TV in Charleston. On April 10, 2006, WTAP launched its Fox-affiliated second digital subchannel to serve as the area's first outlet for the network. To make the new service possible, the big three affiliate underwent a technical transformation. It carved out a new digital, high-definition-ready master control room from space previously used for storage. WTAP also installed an entirely digital production room. Despite the market gaining its own Fox affiliate, WVAH continues to be offered on area cable systems.
WOVA was born out of then-license holder Wood Investments LLC's sale of two low-power station licenses on channel 22 (previously holding the callsign WVEX-LP) and another station on UHF channel 47 (then using the callsign WWVX-LP) to Gray Television on April 10, 2012 for $66,000.[1][2] Gray filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission to change the callsign of WVEX-LP to WOVA-LP on July 18, 2012, and changed its city of license from Marietta to Parkersburg.[3] On September 3, 2012, Fox programming moved to this new low-powered station after which WTAP-DT2 was shut down. The move allowed Fox programming to be broadcast over the air in high definition. On October 1, 2012, the station changed its call sign to WOVA-LD.
Programming
Syndicated programming on the station includes Family Guy, Judge Judy, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and The People's Court among others.
Newscast
The station offers a weeknight prime time news broadcast known as Fox Parkersburg News at 10. Airing for thirty minutes from a secondary set, the show mirrors local news seen on WTAP except for slightly different graphics and unique feature segments.
References
- ↑ Seyler, Dave (April 10, 2012). "Gray takes the low power road in Parkersburg-Marietta". Television Business Report. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
- ↑ "It's a Gray day for LPTV in Marietta OH". Television Business Report. April 20, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
- ↑ "Public Notice" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved July 18, 2012.