View source for WJZY

{{Short description|Television station in Belmont, North Carolina}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2025}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = WJZY
| city = Belmont, North Carolina
| logo = WJZY Fox Charlotte 2022.svg
| logo_alt = The Fox network logo in black above a light blue line and the word CHARLOTTE in all caps in a sans serif.
| logo_size = 200px
| branding = Fox Charlotte; ''Queen City News''
| digital = 25 ([[UHF]]), shared with [[WMYT-TV]]
| virtual = 46
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''46.1:''' [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]|''for others, see {{section link||Technical information and subchannels}}''}}
| owner = [[Nexstar Media Group]]
| licensee = [[Tribune Media Company]]
| location = [[Belmont, North Carolina|Belmont]]–[[Charlotte, North Carolina]]
| country = United States
| airdate = {{start date and age|1987|03|09|p=y}}
| callsign_meaning = Original owner wanted "J" and "Z" in calls to differentiate in the market{{r|Char870306}}
| sister_stations = WMYT-TV
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 46 (UHF, 1987–2009)|'''Digital:''' 47 (UHF, 1999–2019)}}
| former_affiliations = {{ubl|[[Independent station|Independent]] (1987–1995)|[[UPN]] (1995–2006)|[[The CW]] (2006–2013)}}
| erp = 1,000 [[kW]]
| haat = {{convert|553.5|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 73152
| coordinates = {{coord|35|21|44.5|N|81|9|18.3|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{URL|qcnews.com}}
}}
'''WJZY''' (channel 46) is a [[television station]] licensed to [[Belmont, North Carolina]], United States, serving as the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate for the [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]] area. It is owned by [[Nexstar Media Group]] alongside [[Rock Hill, South Carolina]]–licensed [[WMYT-TV]] (channel 55), an [[owned-and-operated station]] of [[The CW]]. The two stations share studios on Performance Road (along [[Interstate 85 in North Carolina|I-85]]) in unincorporated western [[Mecklenburg County, North Carolina|Mecklenburg County]] (with a Charlotte [[United States Postal Service|mailing]] address) and broadcast from the same transmitter near [[Dallas, North Carolina]], along the [[Catawba River]].

A merged group including Charlotte mayor [[Harvey Gantt]] obtained the [[construction permit]] from a field of as many as nine applicants in 1985. Gantt's involvement in the firm was not initially publicly disclosed, creating an ethical scandal that contributed to his losing re-election. The station began broadcasting on March 9, 1987. [[Capitol Broadcasting Company]] obtained a minority stake in the firm and bought the entirety of channel 46 later that year. WJZY was a competitive [[independent station]] to Charlotte's original Fox affiliate, [[WCCB]] (channel 18), and the broadcast home of [[Charlotte Hornets]] basketball from 1992 to 1998. The station affiliated with [[UPN]] in 1995 and [[The CW]] in 2006.

[[Fox Television Stations]] purchased WJZY in 2013, giving the network an owned-and-operated station in Charlotte, a market it coveted due to the presence of the [[Carolina Panthers]] football team. In time for the station to become the Fox affiliate in 2014, a news department was started; previously, WJZY had carried newscasts produced under contract by [[WBTV]] on three separate occasions. WJZY's newscasts originally had an alternative structure oriented toward younger viewers but struggled in the ratings and soon adopted a more conventional format. Nexstar acquired WJZY from Fox in 2020 and relaunched its news department under the brand ''Queen City News''. The station produces {{frac|11|1|2}} hours of local programming a day and is the television home of Panthers preseason football.

==History==
===Early history===
In December 1983, the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) assigned [[UHF]] channel 46 to [[Belmont, North Carolina]], near [[Gastonia, North Carolina|Gastonia]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 6, 1983 |title=Belmont TV Channel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-belmont-tv-channe/185122514/ |access-date=November 17, 2025 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=2C}}</ref> Nine groups applied for the channel,{{r|Char851210}} including Piedmont Crescent Broadcasting Company, which included [[Harvey Gantt]], the [[mayor of Charlotte]], and officials associated with local radio station [[WPEG]] and its owner, the Suburban Radio Group.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 3, 1984 |title=Charlotte's Mayor Is In Group Seeking License For TV Station |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-charlottes-mayor/185122532/ |access-date=November 17, 2025 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=21A|first=Mark|last=Wolf}}</ref> Another company, Metro Broadcasting, consisted of Charlotte dentist Spurgeon Webber and [[Winston-Salem]] attorney David Wagner. Metro and Piedmont Crescent merged to form Metro-Crescent Broadcasting, which settled with the other applicants<ref>{{Cite news|page=87|title=For the Record|work=Broadcasting|date=July 8, 1985|id={{pq|963259164}} }}</ref> and was awarded the [[construction permit]].<ref name="Char851210">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89428920/new-independent-tv-station-to-debut/|date=December 10, 1985|page=17A|first=Jeff|last=Borden|title=New Independent TV Station To Debut|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 19, 2021|archive-date=December 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219061631/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89428920/new-independent-tv-station-to-debut/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> Originally, the station received the [[call signs in the United States|call sign]] WMHU. [[Capitol Broadcasting Company]] of [[Raleigh]] reached a deal to buy a 49 percent stake in Metro-Crescent with an option to purchase the remainder later in February 1986; to do so, it had to divest itself of two Charlotte-market radio stations.<ref name="Char860211">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89429268/capitol-broadcasting-moving-to-buy-new/|date=February 11, 1986|page=13A|title=Capitol Broadcasting Moving To Buy New Charlotte Station|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 19, 2021|archive-date=December 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219061540/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89429268/capitol-broadcasting-moving-to-buy-new/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The sale stood to make the partners, including Gantt, about $3&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|3000000|1986}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}}{{Inflation/fn|US-GDP}});<ref name="Char860322">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45711304/gantt-partners-might-make-millions-by/|date=March 22, 1986|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45711282/group-might-make-millions-on-tv-deal/ 12A]|first=Ted|last=Mellnik|title=Gantt, Partners Might Make Millions By Selling TV Station|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 19, 2021}}</ref><!-- Sat --> Gantt later admitted to the Charlotte city council that he had violated city ethics policy in failing to disclose his stake in the firm.<ref name="Char860325">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45711341/gantt-tells-council-he-violated-policy/|date=March 25, 1986|page=5C|first=Ted|last=Mellnik|title=Gantt Tells Council He Violated Policy|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 19, 2021|archive-date=December 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219061542/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45711341/gantt-tells-council-he-violated-policy/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> Before the station went on the air, the call sign was changed to WJZY in November 1986 in order to differentiate the new channel 46 from other Charlotte television stations, none of which had a "J" or "Z" in their call signs.<ref name="Char870306">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45711406/new-station-ready-to-test-transmitter/|date=March 6, 1987|page=21A|title=New Station Ready To Test Transmitter|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 19, 2021|archive-date=August 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830134035/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45711406/new-station-ready-to-test-transmitter/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

WJZY, originally an [[independent station]], made its first broadcast on March 9, 1987.<ref name="Char870311">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45711562/cbs-police-drama-shows-promise/|date=March 11, 1987|page=77|title=CBS Police Drama Shows Promise|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 19, 2021|archive-date=December 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219061545/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45711562/cbs-police-drama-shows-promise/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Channel 46 pushed up its launch to aid cable companies who dropped out-of-town stations to carry it. Cablevision of Charlotte, for instance, dropped [[WDCA]] of [[Washington, D.C.]], to air the new station. It initially only aired a schedule of older movies in evening hours only. It began full commercial operations in July, airing a general entertainment format of off-network and first-run syndicated shows, movies, and cartoons.<ref name="Char870703">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89428760/life-begins-at-46-movies-old-shows-to/|date=July 3, 1987|pages=9A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89428776/new-station-to-feature-movies-old-tv/ 10A]|first=Jeff|last=Borden|title=Life Begins at 46: Movies, Old Shows To Be The Hallmark Of New TV Station|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 19, 2021}}</ref><!-- Fri --> It was the first full-market Charlotte station since WCTU-TV (channel 36, now [[WCNC-TV]]) launched in July 1967.{{r|Char870703}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc-raleigh.com/capcom/news/2000/wjzy_00/upn_pizza/upn_pizza.htm|title=UPN Awaits More Change|work=cbc-raleigh.com|access-date=February 24, 2008|archive-date=October 26, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026082018/http://www.cbc-raleigh.com/capcom/news/2000/wjzy_00/upn_pizza/upn_pizza.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Capitol exercised its option to buy the remainder of WJZY months after it signed on; a group petitioned against the sale, claiming Metro–Crescent had reneged on its promises for local programming.<ref name="Char870708">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90804355/group-fights-proposed-sale-of-tv-station/|date=July 8, 1987|page=1B|first=Foon|last=Rhee|title=Group Fights Proposed Sale Of TV Station|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 19, 2021}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The challenge was dropped, and the sale was approved by the FCC in November.<ref name="Char871125">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90804453/fcc-approves-sale-of-wjzy-television-to/|date=November 25, 1987|page=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90804488/fcc-approves-transfer-of-wjzy-tv-license/ 2B]|first=Jeff|last=Borden|title=FCC Approves Sale Of WJZY Television To Raleigh Firm|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 19, 2021}}</ref><!-- Wed --> By that time, however, Gantt's stake had been an issue in his run for re-election; he lost in a close race to [[Sue Myrick]] and admitted that her statements on Metro–Crescent may have swung the race for her.{{r|Char871125}}

By 1990, channel 46 was even with [[WCCB]] (channel 18), the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate, in key dayparts.<ref>{{cite news|via=World Radio History|first=Richard|last=Katz|title=Indie-Fox Rivalry in Charlotte|work=Channels of Communication|date=August 13, 1990|page=8|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Channels-of-Communication/Channels-1990-08-13.pdf|access-date=December 19, 2021|archive-date=September 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927000953/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Channels-of-Communication/Channels-1990-08-13.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1994, Capitol reached a deal to provide nearly all the programming of a new Charlotte-market TV station—[[WMYT-TV|WFVT]] (channel 55), licensed to [[Rock Hill, South Carolina]]—under a [[local marketing agreement]] (LMA) with its owner, Family Fifty Five.<ref name="Char940611">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90804827/new-tv-station-in-charlotte/|date=June 11, 1994|page=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90804858/charlotte-in-running-for-2-new-tv-statio/ 6D]|title=New TV station in Charlotte?|first=Tim|last=Funk|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 19, 2021|archive-date=December 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219061920/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90804827/new-tv-station-in-charlotte/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

===UPN and CW affiliation===
WJZY became a charter affiliate of the United Paramount Network ([[UPN]]) when the network launched on January 16, 1995;<ref name="Char940127">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90804929/paramount-network-growing/|date=January 27, 1994|page=E3|title=Paramount Network growing|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 19, 2021|archive-date=December 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219061921/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90804929/paramount-network-growing/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> WFVT joined [[The WB]] at the same time.<ref name="Hera950107">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-rock-hill-cable-to-pick-up-wf/173755667/|date=January 7, 1995|page=1B|first=Ken|last=Elkins|title=Rock Hill Cable to pick up WFVT|newspaper=The Herald|location=Rock Hill, South Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 5, 2025}}</ref><!-- Sat --> By 2006, it was tied with UPN's [[Atlanta]] [[owned-and-operated station]] [[WUPA]] as the network's fifth highest-rated station.<ref name="Char060125">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90805047/tv-network-without-charlotte-home/|date=January 25, 2006|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90805075/ 13A]|first=Mark|last=Washburn|title=TV network without Charlotte home|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 19, 2021|archive-date=December 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219061921/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90805047/tv-network-without-charlotte-home/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

WJZY served as the over-the-air home of the [[NBA]]'s [[Charlotte Hornets]] from [[1992–93 Charlotte Hornets season|1992]] to [[1997–98 Charlotte Hornets season|1998]]; the last two seasons were shared with WFVT.<ref name="Char980403">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90805112/waxn-to-televise-hornets-27-games/|date=April 3, 1998|page=2B|first=Langston|last=Wertz, Jr.|title=WAXN to televise Hornets 27 games|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 19, 2021|archive-date=December 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219061921/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90805112/waxn-to-televise-hornets-27-games/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> When the Hornets returned as the [[Charlotte Bobcats]] in 2004, WJZY served as the team's over-the-air flagship until the telecasts moved to WMYT in [[2006–07 Charlotte Bobcats season|2006]].<ref name="Char060811">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90805428/bobcats-over-air-station-is-wmyt/|date=August 11, 2006|page=7C|first=David|last=Scott|title=Bobcats' over-air station is WMYT|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 19, 2021|archive-date=December 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219061922/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90805428/bobcats-over-air-station-is-wmyt/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

On January 24, 2006, [[WarnerMedia|Time Warner]] and [[CBS Corporation]] announced that The WB and UPN would shut down, to be replaced by a merged network known as [[The CW]] that September.{{r|Char060125}} On March 1, the Capitol Broadcasting Company announced that WJZY would become the Charlotte-area affiliate of The CW, making it one of the first five stations outside of the core [[Tribune Company]] and [[CBS Television Stations]] groups to agree to carry the new network.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Romano |first=Allison |date=March 1, 2006 |title=CW Signs First Five Outside Affils |language=en |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/cw-signs-first-five-outside-affils-77609 |access-date=December 19, 2021 |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127163843/https://www.nexttv.com/news/cw-signs-first-five-outside-affils-77609 |url-status=live }}</ref> WJZY affiliated with The CW upon the network's debut on September 18, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc-raleigh.com/capcom/news/2006/wjzy_06/affiliate_change/affiliate_change.htm|title=CBC Charlotte Stations Begin New Affiliate Programming|work=cbc-raleigh.com|access-date=February 1, 2013|archive-date=January 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107013531/http://www.cbc-raleigh.com/capcom/news/2006/wjzy_06/affiliate_change/affiliate_change.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that week, channel 55 signed with [[MyNetworkTV]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 7, 2006 |title=Five more affiliates boosts Fox II reach TO 40% |language=en |work=TVNewsCheck |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/five-more-affiliates-boosts-fox-ii-reach-to-40/ |access-date=December 19, 2021}}</ref>

===Sale to Fox Television Stations and switch to Fox===
On January 14, 2013, [[Fox Television Stations]] entered into an agreement to acquire WJZY and WMYT from Capitol Broadcasting for $18&nbsp;million (the sale was formally announced on January 28).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/65069/fox-buying-charlotte-duo-of-wjzywmyt | title=Fox Buying Charlotte Duo Of WJZY-WMYT | date=January 28, 2013 | access-date=January 28, 2013 | archive-date=September 23, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923084044/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/65069/fox-buying-charlotte-duo-of-wjzywmyt | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/01/29/3820822/charlotte-tv-deal-should-be-windfall.html|title=Charlotte TV deal should be windfall for Fox; 'a lot of extra value'|first=Mark|last=Washburn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923032931/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/01/29/3820822/charlotte-tv-deal-should-be-windfall.html |archive-date=September 23, 2013|work=The Charlotte Observer|date=January 29, 2013}}</ref><ref name=WCCBNews>{{cite news | url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/02/01/3825755/another-charlotte-tv-news-team.html | title=Will Fox Charlotte drop its news shows? No. | newspaper=The Charlotte Observer | date=February 1, 2013 | access-date=February 2, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923032929/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/02/01/3825755/another-charlotte-tv-news-team.html | archive-date=September 23, 2013 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all |first=Mark|last=Washburn}}</ref> Although Fox had been affiliated with WCCB for 27 years, the network was interested in buying a station in a steadily growing market. According to Fox Television Stations president Jack Abernethy, another factor was that Charlotte was home to the [[Carolina Panthers]], a [[National Football Conference]] team whose games air [[NFL on Fox|primarily on Fox]]; Abernethy said that Fox had set its sights on getting an [[owned-and-operated station]] in Charlotte specifically because it was an NFC market.{{r|TVNewsCheck}}

Another likely factor in the purchase was an option that Fox held to purchase [[WLFL]] and [[WRDC]] in the Raleigh–Durham market from [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]]; had Fox exercised the option, it would have jeopardized the affiliation of another Capitol station, [[WRAZ (TV)|WRAZ]], in that market.<ref name=TVNewsCheck>{{cite news | url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/65130/charlotte-move-puts-fox-affiliates-on-edge | title=Charlotte Move Puts Fox Affiliates On Edge | work=TVNewsCheck | date=January 29, 2013 | access-date=October 24, 2013 | archive-date=October 29, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190301/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/65130/charlotte-move-puts-fox-affiliates-on-edge | url-status=live | last1=Halonen | first1=Doug }}</ref> The deal included a time brokerage agreement clause that would have had Fox take over the operations of WJZY and WMYT and acquire the duopoly's non-license assets for $8.24&nbsp;million if the deal was not closed by June 1.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://rbr.com/price-revealed-for-fox-charlotte-tv-buy/ | title=Price revealed for Fox Charlotte TV buy | newspaper=Radio & Television Business Report | date=January 29, 2013 | access-date=February 4, 2013 | archive-date=September 30, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930192039/http://rbr.com/price-revealed-for-fox-charlotte-tv-buy/ | url-status=live }}</ref> After receiving FCC approval, the deal was consummated on April 17, 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101551157&formid=905&fac_num=73152|title=Consummation Notice|website=Consolidated Database System|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|date=April 17, 2013|access-date=April 18, 2013|archive-date=June 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619192151/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101551157&formid=905&fac_num=73152|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On April 18, WCCB announced that it would become the new CW affiliate for the Charlotte market on July 1, the date its Fox affiliation contract ended.<ref name=b&c-wccbcw>{{cite news|last=Malone|first=Michael|title=Fox Affiliate WCCB Charlotte Shifts to CW|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/492985-Fox_Affiliate_WCCB_Charlotte_Shifts_to_CW.php|access-date=April 18, 2013|newspaper=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=April 18, 2013|archive-date=April 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419052602/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/492985-Fox_Affiliate_WCCB_Charlotte_Shifts_to_CW.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> On that date, WJZY became the new Fox outlet for the Charlotte market, branding as "Fox 46 Carolinas" in a reflection of its two-state coverage area.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/65069/wccb-charlotte-to-lose-fox-affiliation | title=WCCB Charlotte To Lose Fox Affiliation | work=TVNewsCheck | date=January 28, 2013 | access-date=January 28, 2013 | last=Halonen|first=Doug | archive-date=October 17, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017131424/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/65069/wccb-charlotte-to-lose-fox-affiliation | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=b&c-wccbnofox7-1>{{cite news|last=Malone|first=Michael|title=Fox Affiliate Switch in Works for Charlotte|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/491572-Fox_Affiliate_Switch_in_Works_for_Charlotte.php|access-date=January 30, 2013|newspaper=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=January 29, 2013|archive-date=February 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203104737/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/491572-Fox_Affiliate_Switch_in_Works_for_Charlotte.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Washburn|first=Mark|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/05/09/4033000/charlotte-stations-revealing-branding.html|title=Charlotte stations revealing branding strategies|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021023908/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/05/09/4033000/charlotte-stations-revealing-branding.html |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |work=The Charlotte Observer|date= May 11, 2013}}</ref>

=== Nexstar ownership ===
On November 5, 2019, [[Fox Corporation]] announced that WJZY and WMYT-TV would be acquired by [[Nexstar Media Group]] for $45&nbsp;million in a deal concurrent with Fox buying [[KCPQ]] and [[KZJO]] in [[Seattle]] and [[WITI (TV)|WITI]] in [[Milwaukee]] from Nexstar. Nexstar stated that WJZY and WMYT were "geographically complementary" to its existing properties in the [[Southeastern United States]]. The sale was completed on March 2, 2020.<ref name="wjzytonxst">{{cite web|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/240879/nexstar-fox-buy-sell-five-stations/|title=Nexstar, Fox Buy/Sell Five Stations|last=Miller|first=Mark K.|work=TVNewsCheck|date=November 5, 2019|access-date=November 5, 2019|archive-date=November 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105214239/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/240879/nexstar-fox-buy-sell-five-stations/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="b&c-saletonexstar">{{cite news |last1=Lafayette |first1=Jon |title=Fox Buys Affiliates in Seattle, Milwaukee From Nexstar |url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/fox-buys-affiliates-in-seattle-milwaukee-from-nexstar |access-date=November 5, 2019 |work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]] |date=November 5, 2019 |language=en-us |archive-date=November 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105235345/https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/fox-buys-affiliates-in-seattle-milwaukee-from-nexstar |url-status=live }}</ref>

WJZY replaced [[WSOC-TV]] and [[WAXN-TV]] as the preseason television broadcaster and "official station" of Carolina Panthers football ahead of the 2022 season. The five-year contract also includes the production of a variety of Panthers-related programming, including pre- and postgame shows.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Ellis|last=Williams|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article262247147.html|work=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|date=June 7, 2022|access-date=November 17, 2025|title=The Carolina Panthers have a new TV broadcast partner}}</ref>

==News operation==
===News share agreements===
{{see|WBTV#News operation}}
From May 1994 to June 1995 and again from September 2003<ref name="Char030929">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90805160/wjzy-to-launch-10-pm-newscast/|date=September 29, 2003|page=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90805144/charlottes-upn-affiliate-to-launch-news/ B4]|first=Mark|last=Washburn|title=WJZY to launch 10 p.m. newscast|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|location=Charlotte, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 19, 2021|archive-date=December 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219061922/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90805160/wjzy-to-launch-10-pm-newscast/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> to April 8, 2012, [[CBS]] affiliate WBTV produced a nightly 10&nbsp;p.m. newscast for WJZY through separate news share agreements. The 1990s attempt was replaced by a five-year deal between WBTV and PBS member station [[WTVI]] (channel 42). The second iteration was placing third behind 10 p.m. newscasts aired by WCCB and WAXN-TV (from WSOC-TV); the low ratings for the program on WJZY and a more "news-friendly audience" on its sister station were cited as the reason for its move to WJZY's duopoly partner WMYT on April 9, 2012.<ref>{{cite news|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119210016/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/03/09/3083028/nielsen-ratings-charlotte-tv-newscasts.html%23storylink=misearch|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/03/09/3083028/nielsen-ratings-charlotte-tv-newscasts.html%23storylink=misearch#storylink=misearc|title=Nielsen ratings: Charlotte TV newscasts|work=The Charlotte Observer|date=March 9, 2012|archive-date=January 19, 2013}}</ref> It was simulcast by both stations for one week, before syndicated reruns of ''[[Law & Order: Criminal Intent]]'' replaced the simulcast on WJZY on April 16, 2012.<ref>{{cite news|first=Mark|last=Washburn|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/03/30/3138727/kiss-hopes.html|title='Kiss' hopes new show helps station rebound|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619095541/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/03/30/3138727/kiss-hopes.html |archive-date=June 19, 2012 |work=The Charlotte Observer|date=March 30, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.adweek.com/tvspy/wjyzs-10-p-m-newscast-moving-to-wmyt/|title=WJZY's 10&nbsp;pm. Newscast Moving to WMYT|work=TVSpy|date=April 9, 2012|access-date=February 1, 2013|archive-date=June 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613163521/http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/wjyzs-10-p-m-newscast-moving-to-wmyt_b44819|url-status=live}}</ref>

WJZY also aired the statewide weekly [[Public affairs (broadcasting)|public affairs]] program ''NC Spin'' and produced a local public affairs show called ''Charlotte Now with Mike Collins'', which was discontinued following its June 30, 2013, edition, one day before the official switch to Fox.<ref name=WashburnSwitchJune29>{{cite news|last=Washburn|first=Mark|title=Fox and CW networks switch stations in Charlotte starting Monday|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/06/28/4135683/fox-and-cw-networks-switch-stations.html#.Uc5UxpfW5kc.facebook|access-date=June 29, 2013|newspaper=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|date=June 28, 2013|archive-date=October 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014080404/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/06/28/4135683/fox-and-cw-networks-switch-stations.html#.Uc5UxpfW5kc.facebook|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Building a newsroom===
With Fox's purchase of the WJZY/WMYT duopoly, Fox built a standalone news department for WJZY. In the meantime, WBTV's 10&nbsp;p.m. production returned to WJZY from WMYT when channel 46 officially joined Fox on July 1, 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/06/13/4104671/a-new-radio-generation-at-cbs.html|title=A new radio generation at CBS|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004231032/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/06/13/4104671/a-new-radio-generation-at-cbs.html |archive-date=October 4, 2013|work=The Charlotte Observer|first=Mark|last=Washburn|date=June 14, 2013}}</ref> While initial reports suggested that Fox would move WJZY/WMYT to a facility in Charlotte's [[University City (Charlotte neighborhood)|University City]] section used by [[Fox Sports 1]] and previously by [[Speed (TV channel)|Speed]],<ref name=WCCBNews/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/02/08/3839894/fox-switch-likely-to-be-costly.html#storylink=misearch|title=Fox switch likely to be costly to WCCB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219001324/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/02/08/3839894/fox-switch-likely-to-be-costly.html#storylink=misearch |archive-date=December 19, 2013 |first=Mark|last=Washburn|work=The Charlotte Observer|date=February 8, 2013}}</ref> it was instead decided to heavily renovate and expand the Performance Road studio to accommodate the news department.<ref name=WashburnSwitchJune29/> WJZY soft-launched its news operation on December 18, 2013, in the form of live webcasts nightly through year's end airing concurrently with the WBTV-produced 10&nbsp;p.m. news on channel 46.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.myfoxcarolinas.com/story/24241046/join-us-for-our-live-newscast|title=Join Us for Our Live Newscast|work=WJZY|date=December 18, 2013|access-date=December 18, 2013|archive-date=December 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219030523/http://www.myfoxcarolinas.com/story/24241046/join-us-for-our-live-newscast|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Queen City News logo (July 2022).svg|thumb|right|Queen City News logo since July 2022|alt=The words "Queen City News", all touching and in all caps, in blue, black and yellow. The Q is a stylized crown.]]
WJZY's local news service debuted on January 1, 2014, with the premiere of a nightly hour-long 10&nbsp;p.m. newscast titled ''MyFox Carolinas Primetime''.<ref name=tvnc-myfox>{{cite web|title=Fox Takes Different Tack To Local News in NC|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/73436/fox-takes-different-tack-to-local-news-in-nc|work=TVNewsCheck|date=January 21, 2014|access-date=January 21, 2014|archive-date=February 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202170602/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/73436/fox-takes-different-tack-to-local-news-in-nc|url-status=live |last1=Marszalek |first1=Diana }}</ref> The newscast adopted an alternative format designed to target younger viewers, with the anchor roaming the newsroom; it bore characteristics of the ''[[Chasing News|Chasing New Jersey]]'' program aired by Fox-owned [[WWOR-TV]] in [[Secaucus, New Jersey]], but was more conventional. Jack Abernethy, the head of Fox Television Stations, felt that "when you're not being held by an existing show, it's much easier to do things differently".<ref name=tvnc-myfox/> WJZY also operated five bureaus in Charlotte's outer suburbs staffed by reporters living in those communities to bolster its regional emphasis.<ref name=tvnc-bureausand7pm>{{cite news|last=Marszalek|first=Diana|title=WJZY News Takes Local to a New Level|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/74038/wjzy-news-takes-local-to-a-new-level|access-date=February 11, 2014|newspaper=TVNewsCheck|date=February 11, 2014|archive-date=February 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221220328/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/74038/wjzy-news-takes-local-to-a-new-level|url-status=live}}</ref>

WJZY expanded its news operation on June 30, 2014, with the introduction of the hour-long evening newscast ''MyFox Carolinas Live'', followed by the August 25 introduction of the station's morning show, ''Good Day Carolinas'', described as having "more of a sofa-and-coffee-table production" than its competitors.<ref name=tvnc-bureausand7pm/><ref name=tco-wjzymorenewscasts>{{cite news|last=Washburn|first=Mark|title=WJZY takes radical shift in developing local newscast|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/02/07/4671079/wjzy-takes-radical-shift-in-developing.html|access-date=February 7, 2014|newspaper=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|date=February 7, 2014|archive-date=February 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208200808/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/02/07/4671079/wjzy-takes-radical-shift-in-developing.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite having the highly-viewed Fox primetime lineup as its lead-in, the station continued to lose viewers at 10&nbsp;p.m. to WAXN and WCCB, while the station's morning news was in fifth place among Charlotte stations and airings of ''[[The People's Court]]'' on sister station WMYT had slightly better ratings than WJZY's 6&nbsp;p.m. news. The newsroom had high turnover among its staff. By June 2015, WJZY had begun shifting back towards a traditional format; Mark Washburn of ''[[The Charlotte Observer]]'', who noted that viewers were turned away by the station's initial newscasts of "amateurish quality", found the station had "retreated to the formula it once mocked: chasing fire trucks and standard urban crime".<ref name=tco-fox46abandons>{{cite web|title=Fox46 abandons experimental newscast for more traditional formula|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/tv/media-scene-blog/article28009666.html|first=Mark|last=Washburn|work=The Charlotte Observer|access-date=July 23, 2015|archive-date=July 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723133346/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/tv/media-scene-blog/article28009666.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 21, 2021, the station announced it would change its news brand to ''Queen City News'' (with the slogan "Carolinas' Own"), which took effect on January 10, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 22, 2021|title=FOX 46 becomes Queen City News in January|url=https://www.fox46.com/news/local-news/fox-46-becomes-carolinas-own-queen-city-news-in-january/|access-date=December 22, 2021|website=WJZY|language=en-US}}</ref> The move came after Nexstar concluded that WJZY had no real brand, with viewers often confusing it with [[Fox News Channel]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://marketshare.tvnewscheck.com/2022/01/31/top-to-bottom-transformation-at-nexstars-wjzy/|title=Top To Bottom Transformation At Nexstar's WJZY|first1=Paul|last1=Greeley|work=TVNewsCheck|date=January 31, 2022}}</ref> By September 2023, WCCB still had higher ratings in total households and among viewers aged 25–54 than WJZY at 10&nbsp;p.m., though the station had expanded its local output to {{frac|11|1|2}} hours a day on weekdays.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=2023-10-20 |title=Local News Close-Up: News Battle Royale in Queen City of Charlotte |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/local-news-close-up-news-battle-royale-in-queen-city-of-charlotte |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Broadcasting & Cable |language=en}}</ref>

[[Nick Kosir]] worked for WJZY for seven years as the morning meteorologist. He was best known for humorous [[Instagram]] photos and later for dance videos. He had over 2 million followers on social media when he announced in April 2021 that he was leaving WJZY and moving to [[Fox Weather]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article252328528.html|title=Nick Kosir, aka 'The Dancing Weatherman,' has a new job – in New York City|last=Janes|first=Theoden|work=The Charlotte Observer|date=June 24, 2021|accessdate=July 10, 2021|archive-date=July 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710155808/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article252328528.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Technical information and subchannels==
<section begin=subs />WJZY and WMYT-TV broadcast from a tower north of [[Dallas, North Carolina]].{{r|FCC-LMS-{{#ifeq:{{PAGENAME}}|WMYT-TV|20624|73152}}}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Subchannels of WJZY and WMYT-TV<ref name="re">{{cite web|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WJZY|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=73152|website=[[RabbitEars]]|access-date=September 16, 2018|archive-date=September 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916235351/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=73152|url-status=live}}</ref>
! scope = "col" | License
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" | Short name
! scope = "col" | Programming
|-
! rowspan = "7" scope = "row" style="border-right: 4px solid #60B0FF;" | WJZY 
! scope = "row" | 46.1 
| [[720p]] || rowspan=8| [[16:9]] || WJZY-HD || [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 46.3 
| rowspan=6| [[480i]] || CHARGE || [[Charge! (TV network)|Charge!]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 46.4 
| Grit || [[Grit (TV network)|Grit]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 46.5 
| ShopLC || [[Shop LC]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 46.6 
| ION || [[Ion Television]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 46.7 
| ANTENNA || [[Antenna TV]] 
|- 
! scope = "row" | 46.8 
| REWIND || [[Rewind TV]]
|-
! scope = "row" style="border-right: 4px solid #0057AF;" | WMYT-TV
! scope = "row" | 55.1
| 720p || WMYT-HD || [[The CW]]
|}
<section end=subs />
===Analog-to-digital conversion===
WJZY began broadcasting a digital signal on May 14, 2002, on UHF channel 47.<ref>{{Cite book|chapter=WJZY-DT|page=A-1605|title=Television & Cable Factbook|volume=74|publisher=Warren Communications News|date=2006}}</ref> It ended regular programming on its analog signal, over [[UHF]] channel 46, on June 12, 2009, the official [[Digital television transition in the United States|digital television transition]] date.{{r|Char090611}} The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 47.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds |access-date=March 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 }}</ref>

As part of the [[SAFER Act]],<ref name="FCC Nightlight">{{cite web|url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-291375A1.pdf|title=UPDATED List of Participants in the Analog Nightlight Program|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|date=June 12, 2009|access-date=June 4, 2012}}</ref> WJZY kept its analog signal on the air in the immediate aftermath of the switch until July 9 to inform viewers of the digital television transition through a loop of [[public service announcement]]s from the [[National Association of Broadcasters]].<ref name="Char090611">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118337055/analog-signs-off/|date=June 11, 2009|page=7A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118337036/digital/ 8A]|first1=Adam|last1=Bell|first2=Mark|last2=Washburn|title=Analog signs off|newspaper=The Charlotte Observer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 10, 2023}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

===ATSC 3.0===
WJZY debuted on Charlotte's new [[ATSC 3.0]] (NextGen TV) service, hosted by WAXN-TV, on July 7, 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article252645748.html|title=These Charlotte TV stations upgraded broadcasts. Here's what that means for viewers.|last=Egitto|first=Daniel|work=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|date=July 8, 2021|accessdate=July 8, 2021|archive-date=July 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710162947/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article252645748.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{Official website| https://www.qcnews.com/}}

{{Charlotte TV}}
{{North Carolina TV}}
{{South Carolina TV}}
{{NXST TV}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wjzy}}
[[Category:1987 establishments in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Antenna TV affiliates]]
[[Category:Charge! (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Fox Broadcasting Company affiliates]]
[[Category:Grit (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Ion Television affiliates]]
[[Category:MyNetworkTV affiliates]]
[[Category:Nexstar Media Group]]
[[Category:Rewind TV affiliates]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1987]]
[[Category:Television stations in Charlotte, North Carolina|JZY]]