WGCT-CD (channel 39) is a low-power, Class A television station in Columbus, Ohio, United States, affiliated with Tri-State Christian Television (TCT). The station is owned by the Central Ohio Association of Christian Broadcasters, and is relayed on WOCB-CD in Marion, WXCB-CD in Delaware and WQIZ-LD in Ashland.

WGCT-CD
Channels
Programming
AffiliationsTCT
Ownership
OwnerCentral Ohio Association of Christian Broadcasters, Inc.
WOCB-CD, WXCB-CD, WQIZ-LD
History
FoundedNovember 10, 1983
First air date
September 30, 1985[1]
Former call signs
  • W08BV (1983–1998)
  • WINJ-LP (1998–2006)
  • WGCT-CA (2006–2010)
Technical information[2]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID66172
ClassCD
ERP3 kW
HAAT98 m (322 ft)
Transmitter coordinates39°58′16″N 83°1′40″W / 39.97111°N 83.02778°W / 39.97111; -83.02778
Links
Public license information
Websitecoacb.org

History

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W08BV era (1983–1998)

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In 1983, the station's construction permit was assigned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The station began broadcasting in 1985, under the callsign of W08BV, as the first low-power television station in the Columbus media market. In its first years on the air, it aired syndicated programming, and it also boasted an in-house sports broadcasting unit. Sports coverage on W08BV included football and basketball games involving more than 30 high schools in the area, mainly in Franklin County. It also held a contract to cover Ohio State Buckeyes women's basketball, women's gymnastics, as well as hockey and wrestling.[3]

WINJ-LP/WGCT-CA era (1998–2010)

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It changed its calls to WINJ-LP ("We're Into Jesus") in 1998 and WGCT-CA in 2006. Prior to the purchase by its current owners, the station showed a variety of programs, the bulk of which were old public domain movies, old cartoons, and religious programs, as well as children's programming created by the station.[4] Former owner Ella Flowers (1938–2017)[5][6] was featured prominently in many of the musical and religious programs.[7] The animated segments produced by Flowers would later gain some notoriety online after a few clips of the program were uploaded to YouTube back in 2007 with no context as to their production or origins, with one upload titling the show as the Pink Morning Cartoon. Eventually, the uploads of these animated segments would be brought to the attention of many on the Internet, which set forth a search for any information and more potential footage of the cartoon.[citation needed]

WGCT-CD era (2010–present)

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The station switched to digital on June 13, 2010, and changed its call letters to WGCT-CD. It previously broadcast at 83 watts, but has recently increased its power to 3,000 watts.

The station is not available on any local cable systems. Even with the power increase, its signal is limited to the immediate Columbus area.[8]

Subchannels

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The station's signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of WGCT-CD[9]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
39.1 720p 16:9 COACB TCT
39.2 480i BUZZR Buzzr
39.3 DAYSTAR Daystar
39.4 VICTORY Victory Network
39.5 POSITIV Positiv
39.6 SHOPLC Shop LC
39.7 TBA [Blank]
39.8 RADIO COACB Radio
39.9 GLTV Greater Love TV
39.10 FUNROAD Fun Roads

References

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  1. ^ "CHANNEL 8, W08BV". univdistcol. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  2. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WGCT-CD". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ^ LPTV Report, June 1989
  4. ^ "WINJ-TV Local Program Listing".
  5. ^ "Ella Louise Flowers Obituary". Legacy.com. July 21, 2017. Archived from the original on September 6, 2020.
  6. ^ "Obituary for Ella Louise Flowers". Cook & Son–Pallay Funeral Home. Archived from the original on July 7, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  7. ^ "WINJ-TV Gospel 2000".
  8. ^ "RabbitEars Contour Map for WGCT-CD". RabbitEars.info. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  9. ^ "Digital TV Market Listing for WGCT-CD". RabbitEars.info.
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