The WB 100+ Station Group

The WB 100+ Station Group was a group of primarily non-broadcast local cable television outlets for The WB Television Network, for markets below the top 100 television media markets in the United States. Dayparts with no WB programming were programmed by the network. WB 100+ stations were generally managed and promoted by a local affiliate of a larger over-the-air television station, who may have produced some local programming, such as an early newscast or local sports.

In September 2006, The WB merged with UPN to become The CW Television Network. To coincide with the change, The CW started a service called The CW Plus, a group of primarily digital subchannels, analog, and non-broadcast cable television outlets for The CW Television Network, for markets below the top 99 television media markets in the United States. There was no guarantee that existing WB 100+ affiliates would automatically join The CW Plus. [1]

Since digital television allows multiple "subchannels" to be carried on a single over-the-air signal, most of the CW Plus channels air on the subchannels of those stations that manage the affiliates. Thus, they are no longer technically "cable only" and must now use the parent station's licensed callsigns instead of a fictional one. However, some stations, such as WBVC in Northern Michigan, WBWO in Wheeling, West Virginia, West Central Ohio CW in Lima, Ohio, CW Glendive in Glendive, Montana, WT05 in Toledo, Ohio, WBGP in Long Beach, Mississippi, KWMK in Bismark, North Dakota, WBQT in Springfield, Massachusetts, WBAE in Alpena, Michigan, WBW in Wilmington, North Carolina, KSXF in Joplin, Missouri, KTXW in Laredo, Texas, and WBPQ in Presque Isle, Maine, are still cable exclusive.

List of stations

This was a list of WB 100+ stations, ranked by DMA, as of the closure of the WB. Note that most "call letters" below are informal, as these stations did not broadcast over the air and so were not licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). There were a few exceptions—actual FCC-licensed broadcast stations are indicated in bold. Some of the "fake" calls used by the cable WB affiliates may be the same as calls used by actual over-the-air stations, and may create confusion for some; such stations are identified in this list.

After each station's name is the status of the CW affiliation, as of January 2007. If no status is part of the station's listing, The CW does not have a confirmed affiliate in the market the WB 100+ station served. Callsign meanings are included in single brackets.

The rankings of each market are as of the 2005-06 season.

See also

External links

Programs
Affiliates
Tribune Broadcasting · The WB 100+ Station Group
Related networks
Miscellaneous topics