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WNEX-TV

From Alfawiki
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article WNEX-TV, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 30 November 202521 sources
WNEX-TV
Company typeDefunct
IndustryBroadcasting
FoundedAugust 21, 1953; 73 years ago (1953-08-21) in Macon, Georgia, United States
DefunctMay 31, 1955 (1955-05-31)
FateCeased operations due to financial difficulties; license revoked
Headquarters
Macon
,
United States
ProductsTelevision broadcasting

WNEX-TV, initially known as WETV from 1953 to 1954 and briefly as WOKA in May 1955, operated on channel 47 in Macon, Georgia, United States. It holds the distinction of being Macon's inaugural television broadcaster, maintaining an affiliation with NBC during its entire tenure and originally carrying ABC programming as well. The station's studios and transmitter were situated on Pio Nono Avenue.

Although it was the first station to begin broadcasting in Middle Georgia, its market presence was hindered by competition from the VHF outlet WMAZ-TV, largely because UHF reception was not yet widespread. After a change in ownership and ongoing financial difficulties, the station discontinued operations in 1955.

History

After the FCC lifted its 1952 moratorium on issuing new television licenses, Macon was assigned three channels: one VHF and two UHF frequencies (one designated for educational use). Prior to the freeze, radio station WMAZ (940 AM) had applied for the VHF channel; following the freeze, Middle Georgia Broadcasting Company, which owned WBML, sought the UHF channel 47.[1] In August, WBML formed a partnership with WNEX (1400 AM) to create Macon Television Company, which jointly owned the proposed station.[2]

To adhere to FCC ownership regulations, local entrepreneur W. A. Fickling was introduced as a 10% stakeholder alongside equal shares held by WBML and WNEX. The FCC authorized a construction permit on February 12, 1953.[3] The station's facilities were established on Pio Nono Avenue, and it was assigned the call letters WETV.[4]

Test broadcasts commenced on July 25,[5] with WETV officially launching on August 21, 1953, marking Georgia’s first UHF television service.[6] Network shows were delivered via coaxial cable—ABC programming sourced from Jacksonville and NBC content from Atlanta—reflecting the radio affiliations of WNEX and WBML respectively.[7] The station produced local programming using a single camera and aimed to air approximately 20 original shows weekly.[8] Later that year, CBS and DuMont Television Network programs became available on VHF channel 13 through WMAZ-TV, which boasted superior equipment including two cameras.[9] Despite these challenges, WETV continued its commitment to local production.

Following WBML’s announcement of its sale, it withdrew from the partnership; by December 1953, WBML had divested its interest to WNEX, which intended to rename the station WNEX-TV pending FCC approval in February 1954.[10] The call sign officially changed on March 4.[11] Although WNEX, an ABC radio affiliate, held majority ownership, ABC network programming shifted exclusively to VHF’s WMAZ-TV by June 13 due to its wider coverage and stronger market foothold.[12] This transition placed WNEX-TV at a disadvantage regarding advertising revenue.

In April 1955, ownership transferred to E. K. Cargill (founder of WMAZ radio) and J. C. Barnes, Sr., an oil businessman from Texas; they assumed liabilities amounting to nearly $246,000 along with an operational deficit exceeding $196,000.[13] To reflect new ownership, the call letters were changed to WOKA on May 11.[14] Financial struggles persisted with employees owed back wages.[8] On May 31, 1955, citing financial losses, WOKA ceased broadcasting; the FCC was notified that Barnes would no longer cover operating deficits.[15][16] Subsequent lawsuits arose over unpaid programming contracts.[17][18] The FCC revoked the construction permit in September 1956.[19] That same year, the property was rezoned for commercial purposes,[20] and Pet Milk utilized the studio space until it was demolished for infrastructure projects.[8]

After WOKA’s shutdown, WMAZ-TV remained Macon’s only television broadcaster until WCWB-TV (currently WMGT-TV) began operations on channel 41 in 1968.[21]

References

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Maco520629
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Maco520817
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Maco530213
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Maco530308
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Maco530726
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Maco530821b
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Maco530821c
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Maco830608
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Maco530927
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Maco531231
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Maco540305
  12. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Maco540314
  13. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Maco550401
  14. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Maco550511
  15. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Maco550531
  16. ↑ Broadcasting
  17. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Maco550613
  18. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Maco550703
  19. ↑ Broadcasting
  20. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Maco560720
  21. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Maco681126
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