View source for WNUV

{{good article}}
{{Short description|Television station in Baltimore}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = WNUV
| atsc3 = yes
| city = 
| logo = WNUV 2024 vector logo.svg
| logo_alt = 
| logo_size = 220px
| branding = The CW Baltimore
| digital = 25 ([[UHF]])
| virtual = 54
| translators = 
| subchannels = 
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''54.1:''' [[The CW]]|''for others, see {{section link||Technical information and subchannels}}''}}
| airdate = {{start date and age|1982|7|1|p=y}}
| last_airdate = 
| location = [[Baltimore]], Maryland
| country = United States
| callsign_meaning = Station was founded by New-Vision, Inc.
| owner = [[Cunningham Broadcasting]]
| licensee = Baltimore (WNUV-TV) Licensee, Inc.
| operator = [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]]
| sister_stations = [[WBFF]], [[WUTB]]
| former_callsigns = WNUV-TV (1982–1998)
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 54 (UHF, 1982–2009)|'''Digital:''' 40 (UHF, 1998–2018)}}
| former_affiliations = {{ubl|[[Financial News Network|FNN]] (1982–1984)|[[Super TV (American TV channel)|Super TV]] (1982–1986)|[[Independent station|Independent]] (1986–1995)|[[UPN]] (1995–1998)|[[The WB]] (1998–2006)}}
| erp = 750 [[kW]]
| haat = {{convert|372.8|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 7933
| coordinates = {{coord|39|20|10.4|N|76|38|57.9|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{url|cwbaltimore.com}}
}}

'''WNUV''' (channel 54) is a [[television station]] in [[Baltimore]], Maryland, United States, affiliated with [[The CW]]. It is owned by [[Cunningham Broadcasting]], which maintains a [[local marketing agreement]] (LMA) with [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]], owner of [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]/[[MyNetworkTV]] affiliate [[WBFF]] (channel 45), for the provision of programming and certain services. However, Sinclair effectively owns WNUV, as the majority of Cunningham's stock is owned by the family of deceased group founder Julian Smith. Sinclair also operates [[Roar (TV network)|Roar]] affiliate [[WUTB]] (channel 24) under a separate [[shared services]] agreement with [[Deerfield Media]]. The stations share studios on 41st Street off the [[Interstate 83#Maryland|Jones Falls Expressway]] on Television Hill in the [[Woodberry, Baltimore|Woodberry]] neighborhood of north Baltimore; WBFF and WNUV are also broadcast from the same tower on the hill.

WNUV began broadcasting on July 1, 1982. During the day, it ran specialty programming from the [[Financial News Network]], which was subsidized by its nighttime broadcast of [[Super TV (American TV channel)|Super TV]], a subscription television service that operated in the Washington and Baltimore areas. Super TV peaked at 30,000 Baltimore subscribers in August 1983, but even though the city of Baltimore was late to be wired for cable, the industry suffered a national decline in the mid-1980s, and WNUV ceased airing Super TV on March 31, 1986. In preparation for its closure, the station had begun to recast itself as a general-entertainment [[independent station]] as early as 1984. The founding owner and namesake, New-Vision, Inc., sold the station to ABRY Communications in 1989; ABRY upgraded the transmitter and increased the station's visibility with a campaign allowing residents to vote on programming choices.

ABRY attempted to sell WNUV to Glencairn, Ltd.—a forerunner to Cunningham, owned by former Sinclair employee Edwin Edwards and the mother of the Smith children that controlled Sinclair—in 1993. The deal was met with public scrutiny, and though it initially fell apart, ABRY signed an LMA directly with Sinclair in 1994 before transferring the license to Glencairn the next year. WNUV affiliated first with [[UPN]] in 1995 before switching to [[The WB]] in a group deal in 1998 and The CW upon those two networks' merger in 2006. The station aired a WBFF-produced early evening newscast from 1997 to 2005; for most of its history since Sinclair began programming channel 54, it has been used as a test bed for television transmission technologies.

==History==
===Early years: Super TV===
There had been several expressions of interest in [[Baltimore]]'s [[ultra high frequency]] (UHF) channel 54 in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Two applications were considered for the channel in 1967,<ref name="Balt671110">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122940222/legal-notices/|date=November 10, 1967|page=C21|title=Legal Notices|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 16, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051334/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122940222/legal-notices/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> and the Zamoiski Company held a construction permit for channel 54 as WUHF-TV in the early 1970s.<ref name="Balt730215">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122939519/tv-tower-weighed-for-druid-hill-site/|date=February 15, 1973|pages=D24, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122939569/park-board-considers-site-at-druid-hill/ D9]|title=TV tower weighed for Druid Hill site|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 16, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051339/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122939519/tv-tower-weighed-for-druid-hill-site/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> However, it was not until June 23, 1977, when New-Vision, Inc. tendered for filing an application for channel 54, specifying possible use for [[subscription television]] (STV) programming.<ref name="Balt770706">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122940254/public-notice/|date=July 6, 1977|page=C11|title=Public Notice|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 16, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051335/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122940254/public-notice/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> New-Vision found itself in competition with Peter and John Fellowship, owners of Christian FM station [[WRBS-FM]], which had filed by late 1978.<ref name="Even781103">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104003254/bids-made-on-two-new-local-television-st/|date=November 3, 1978|page=D5|first=Michael K.|last=Hirten|title=Bids Made On Two New Local Television Stations|newspaper=The Evening Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 16, 2023|archive-date=June 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619000152/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104003254/bids-made-on-two-new-local-television/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The latter group dropped out, leaving New-Vision uncontested for the channel and resulting in the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) granting the firm a construction permit in June 1979.<ref name="Even790614">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122940352/new-visions-wins-ok-for-uhf-channel-54/|date=June 14, 1979|page=C13|first=Michael K.|last=Hirten|title=New Visions wins OK for UHF Channel 54|newspaper=The Evening Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 16, 2023|archive-date=April 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416035415/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122940352/new-visions-wins-ok-for-uhf-channel-54/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> From the name of the company, channel 54 took the call letters WNUV.<ref name="Balt790819">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122940472/call-letters-some-flew-on-waves-of-air/|date=August 19, 1979|pages=Magazine 18, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-call-letters/122940451/ 19], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122940422/call-letters/ 21]|first=Thomas H.|last=O'Connor|title=Call Letters: Some Flew on Waves of Air; Others Sank, We Know Not Where|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 16, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051338/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122940472/call-letters-some-flew-on-waves-of/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Also signed before the station was built was a contract that would have seen the station broadcast [[Wometco Home Theater]] as its subscription service.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wometco pay TV service to Balt.|id={{ProQuest|2598211917}}|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|page=12|date=October 17, 1979}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|page=20|title=Wometco subsidiary to add Baltimore to subscription|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 31, 1980|id={{ProQuest|2598151933}} }}</ref>

Construction of the station's tower in [[Catonsville]] began in April 1982,<ref name="Even820414">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122940614/subscription-tv-to-begin-in-june/|date=April 14, 1982|pages=D7, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122940630/pay-tv-service-ready/ D10]|first=Stacie|last=Knable|title=Subscription TV to begin in June|newspaper=The Evening Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 16, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051335/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122940614/subscription-tv-to-begin-in-june/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> ahead of a July 1 launch.{{r|Balt820628}} The [[independent station]] aired syndicated reruns and the [[Financial News Network]] during the day leading into the subscription service [[Super TV (American TV channel)|Super TV]] at night and on weekend afternoons. Super TV was already in business in Washington, where its scrambled programs had been airing on [[WDCW|WCQR]] since November 1981.<ref name="Balt820423">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122940658/starting-july-1pay-tv-in-the-city/|date=April 23, 1982|page=B4|first=Bill|last=Carter|title=Starting July 1—pay TV in the city|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 16, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051339/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122940658/starting-july-1pay-tv-in-the-city/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The star attraction on Super TV was a package of [[Baltimore Orioles]] baseball games.<ref name="Even820424">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122940683/orioles-land-super-tv-contract/|date=April 24, 1982|page=10|first=Jim|last=Henneman|title=Orioles land Super-TV contract|newspaper=The Evening Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 16, 2023|archive-date=April 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416035423/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122940683/orioles-land-super-tv-contract/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> For a $20 decoder deposit, a $49 installation charge, and a $19 monthly service fee (plus an optional package of late-night adult movies), subscribers could watch the Orioles, special events, and 70 movies a month.<ref name="Balt820628">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122940712/pay-tv-comes-to-baltimore/|date=June 28, 1982|pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-baltimore-meet-pay-tv/122940729/ B6]|first=Bill|last=Carter|title=Pay TV comes to Baltimore|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 16, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051358/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122940712/pay-tv-comes-to-baltimore/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> Super TV's entry in the Baltimore market convinced competing independent [[WBFF]] (channel 45) to abandon its plans to pursue subscription programming despite receiving FCC approval,<ref name="Even821201">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122940851/wbff-wont-join-pay-tv-business/|date=December 1, 1982|page=35|title=WBFF won't join pay-TV business|newspaper=The Evening Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 16, 2023|archive-date=April 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416035418/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122940851/wbff-wont-join-pay-tv-business/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> and it also accumulated 30,000 subscribers in Baltimore (alongside 55,000 more in greater Washington) within a year of starting up.<ref name="Even830803">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61026780/channel-54-and-super-tv-have-some-things/|date=August 3, 1983|page=B6|first=Michael|last=Hill|title=Channel 54 and Super TV have some things to celebrate|newspaper=The Evening Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 16, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051336/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61026780/channel-54-and-super-tv-have-some/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The ad-supported portion of the station also experimented with some local programming, such as a daily [[newsmagazine]], ''Say Baltimore'', that aired in 1984.<ref name="Balt840108">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941121/psst-heard-the-latest-gossip-about-gos/|date=January 8, 1984|page=E5|first=Laura|last=Charles|title=Psst! Heard the latest gossip about 'Gossip'?|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 16, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051346/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941121/psst-heard-the-latest-gossip-about/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->

However, as the early 1980s progressed, subscription television would experience headwinds nationally due to [[early 1980s recession|a recession]] and the development of [[cable television]] in major cities. As early as January 1984, WNUV general manager Mark Salditch realized that Super TV likely was not going to be around much longer and began preparing the station for a future without subscription programming.<ref name="plug">{{Cite news |last=Carter |first=Bill |title=Pulling the plug at Super TV |date=March 13, 1986|pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61026741/ 8C] |work=The Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61026723/ |access-date=October 12, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051336/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61026723/pulling-the-plug-at-super-tv/ |url-status=live }}</ref> For the 1984–85 television season, channel 54 overhauled its daytime schedule to be more typical for a general-entertainment independent, and the station launched a promotion campaign to make viewers aware that it offered more than subscription programming.<ref name="Even840827">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61026888/david-lettermans-show-is-coming-to-chan/|date=August 27, 1984|page=B6|first=Michael|last=Hill|title=David Letterman's show is coming to Channel 2 Sept. 10|newspaper=The Evening Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 16, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051336/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61026888/david-lettermans-show-is-coming-to/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> One element of the revamped channel 54 was a series of "Pet of the Day" station IDs featuring the dogs, cats, and birds of regional viewers, an idea taken from [[KOFY-TV|KTZO]] in [[San Francisco]].<ref name="Even841003">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941163/some-local-cats-aim-for-fame-on-station/|date=October 3, 1984|pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941186/some-cats-aim-for-fame-on-tv/ B5]|first=Elise T.|last=Chisolm|title=Some local cats aim for fame on station breaks|newspaper=The Evening Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 16, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051358/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941163/some-local-cats-aim-for-fame-on-station/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

In October 1985, Subscription Television of Greater Washington, which owned Super TV, announced it would cease broadcasting over WCQR in Washington at year's end and retune subscribers' equipment to receive WNUV if they fell within its coverage area.<ref name="drop">{{Cite news |last=Henderson |first=Nell |date=October 28, 1985 |title=Channel 50 to Drop Super TV |pages=WB3, 5 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |id={{ProQuest|138445823}}}}</ref> However, the number of subscribers continued to fall rapidly, from 28,000 in late 1985 to 14,000 in early 1986. As a result of the company's failure and WNUV's desire to become a full-time commercial independent, Super TV broadcast for the last time on March 31, 1986.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Abramowitz |first=Michael |date=April 1, 1986 |title=Declining Subscriptions Kill Super TV |page=D3 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |id={{ProQuest|138884523}}}}</ref>

===Going full-time independent===
With Super TV no longer broadcasting, WNUV overhauled its evening programming and made aggressive moves in an effort to become what Salditch called "the Cadillac of independents".<ref name="Balt860401">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941311/wnuvs-night-move-channel-54-enters-pri/|date=April 1, 1986|pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-wnuv-starts-prime-time/122941332/ 4C]|title=WNUV's night move: Channel 54 enters prime time with Super TV off air|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 16, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051337/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941311/wnuvs-night-move-channel-54-enters/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> Later that year, the station picked up ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson]]'', an [[NBC]] program not cleared by WMAR-TV; the program had previously aired on WBFF, which dropped Carson to make room for ''[[The Late Show (1986 talk show)|The Late Show]] Starring [[Joan Rivers]]''.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1986/08/28/the-tv-column/fef42878-2e3f-4aed-b983-24882cd171a3/| title = The TV Column|first=John|last=Carmody|date=August 28, 1986| newspaper = [[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>

New-Vision sold WNUV to a company formed by Boston investors Andrew Banks and Royce Yudkoff in a deal announced in December 1988.<ref name="Even881212">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941349/independent-channel-54-sold-to-boston-gr/|date=December 12, 1988|page=D5|first=Steve|last=McKerrow|title=Independent Channel 54 sold to Boston group|newspaper=The Evening Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 16, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051338/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941349/independent-channel-54-sold-to-boston/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> Banks and Yudkoff formed ABRY Communications—named from their initials. The FCC approved of their purchase in March 1989, and the new owners embarked on a campaign to upgrade the station's transmitting equipment;<ref name="Even890519">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941441/channel-54-will-boost-power-and-add-reru/|date=May 19, 1989|page=C9|first=Steve|last=McKerrow|title=Channel 54 will boost power and add reruns|newspaper=The Evening Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 16, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051338/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941441/channel-54-will-boost-power-and-add/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> the power levels that had been adequate for specially designed antennas as an STV station were insufficient for typical over-the-air receiving equipment.<ref>{{cite news|title=Independent TV's atypical ABRY Communications|id={{ProQuest|1016932790}}|first1=Joe|last1=Flint|first2=Geoffrey|last2=Foisie|date=July 8, 1991|work=Broadcasting|pages=43–44|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1991/BC-1991-07-08.pdf|access-date=April 17, 2023|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108155952/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1991/BC-1991-07-08.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, ABRY moved its corporate headquarters to Baltimore.<ref name="Balt890519">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123010067/goal-to-entertain-tops-list-as-wnuv-reva/|date=May 19, 1989|pages=1E, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123010092/wnuv-adds-programs/ 4E]|first=Henry|last=Scarupa|title=Goal to entertain tops list as WNUV revamps its lineup|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 17, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051347/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123010067/goal-to-entertain-tops-list-as-wnuv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> ABRY also aimed to capitalize on WBFF's commitment to the expanding [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] network to case channel 54 as Baltimore's only true independent station.<ref name="Even890823">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941479/channel-54s-power-to-get-big-boost/|date=August 23, 1989|page=B4|first=Michael|last=Hill|title=Channel 54's power to get big boost|newspaper=The Evening Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 16, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051338/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941479/channel-54s-power-to-get-big-boost/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> It launched a campaign allowing the public to vote on programs for its schedule,<ref name="Carmodycolumn">{{cite news|last=Carmody|first=John|title=The TV Column|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1989/08/30/the-tv-column/9dec19e6-2a00-4832-b227-14c801f9d672/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=August 30, 1989|access-date=September 11, 2018|archive-date=June 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617115642/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1989/08/30/the-tv-column/9dec19e6-2a00-4832-b227-14c801f9d672/|url-status=live}}</ref> a promotional tool successful enough that ABRY duplicated it in relaunching [[KSMO-TV]] in [[Kansas City]] in 1991.<ref name="Kans910316">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117920973/channel-62-viewers-to-vote-on-programs/|date=March 16, 1991|page=E-2|title=Channel 62 viewers to vote on programs|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2023|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205203104/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117920973/channel-62-viewers-to-vote-on-programs/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

In [[1994 Baltimore Orioles season|1994]], WNUV picked up the broadcast rights to some [[Baltimore Orioles]] games produced by [[Home Team Sports]].<ref name="Balt940429">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123015131/turners-full-court-press-scores-with-nb/|date=April 29, 1994|page=11C|first=Ray|last=Frager|title=Turner's full-court press scores with NBA viewers|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 17, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051348/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123015131/turners-full-court-press-scores-with/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The station showed Orioles games through [[2006 Baltimore Orioles season|2006]], sharing what ultimately was a package of 65 over-the-air telecasts with [[WJZ-TV]]; only WJZ-TV carried games in 2007.<ref name="Balt070302">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123015177/thorne-says-honesty-will-be-his-policy-o/|date=March 2, 2007|page=2F|first=Ray|last=Frager|title=Thorne says honesty will be his policy on O's|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 17, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051338/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123015177/thorne-says-honesty-will-be-his-policy/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> From 1993 to 1994, the station aired ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'' in lieu of WBAL-TV, which declined to carry the show.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1993-07-30-1993211231-story.html|title=Letterman lands Baltimore slot with WNUV|date=July 30, 1993|first=David|last=Zurawik|author-link=David Zurawik|work=The Baltimore Sun|access-date=June 22, 2021|archive-date=June 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622114821/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1993-07-30-1993211231-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Sale to Glencairn, Ltd.===
[[File:WBFF and WNUV's combined studio and office facility (Baltimore, 2007).jpg|alt=A building with WBFF and WNUV signs|WNUV operates from WBFF's studio in Baltimore.|right|thumb|upright=1.1]]

In August 1993, ABRY announced that it had sold two stations—WNUV and [[WVTV]] in [[Milwaukee]], the latter of which it managed and held an option to buy—to Edwin "Eddie" Edwards, who already owned [[WPNT|WPTT]] in [[Pittsburgh]]. The deal concerned some in the broadcasting industry. Edwards had a close connection to Sinclair Broadcast Group; he had previously worked for the company, and in Pittsburgh, Edwards brokered most of WPTT's broadcast day to Sinclair.<ref name="Balt930821">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941503/eddie-edwards-owner-of-television-stati/|date=August 21, 1993|page=1E|first=David|last=Zurawik|author-link=David Zurawik|title=Eddie Edwards, owner of television station in Pittsburgh, buys WNUV|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 17, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051339/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941503/eddie-edwards-owner-of-television/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> The move represented some turnabout given that two years prior, when Edwards bought WPTT so that Sinclair could purchase Pittsburgh Fox affiliate [[WPGH-TV]], ABRY had filed through a third party a petition to deny on the transaction, alleging that Sinclair exercised continued control by way of seller financing. It had explicitly done so through counsel in fear that Sinclair would retaliate by encouraging program suppliers to bypass WNUV in favor of WBFF.<ref>{{Cite news|date=January 13, 1992|work=Broadcasting|title=Mystery petitioner in Pittsburgh emerges|id={{ProQuest|1014744530}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1992/BC-1992-01-13.pdf|page=96|first=Geoffrey|last=Foisie|access-date=April 17, 2023|archive-date=May 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522162139/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1992/BC-1992-01-13.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, some program syndicators fretted that possible Sinclair combinations such as WBFF–WNUV gave the company excessive leverage over the buying of syndicated shows in those markets.<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 30, 1993|work=Broadcasting & Cable|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-08-30.pdf|id={{ProQuest|225345801}}|title=Sinclair, Edwards buy LMA's from ABRY|first=Geoffrey|last=Foisie|page=31|access-date=April 17, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131024357/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-08-30.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[E. W. Scripps Company|Scripps-Howard Broadcasting]], owner of Baltimore station [[WMAR-TV]], filed a petition to deny on the transfer of WNUV to Edwards in October. It charged that Edwards and Carolyn Smith ({{nee}} Cunningham<ref name="Pitt930422">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123015017/julian-smith-sinclair-tv-group-founder/|date=April 22, 1993|page=B-6|title=Julian Smith, Sinclair TV group founder|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 17, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051344/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123015017/julian-smith-sinclair-tv-group-founder/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->), the mother of the four Smith brothers that owned Sinclair, were being used by the brothers as a vehicle to create what in essence would be a [[duopoly (broadcasting)|duopoly]]—ownership of two TV stations in a market—which at the time was not allowed by the FCC. It cited the structure of the proposed buyer's parent company. While Edwards was the only voting shareholder in Glencairn, Ltd., 70 percent of the non-voting shares in the firm were held by Carolyn Smith, and Scripps's petition to deny also pointed to prior business dealings between her and Sinclair as well as to a proposed [[local marketing agreement]] (LMA) to allow Sinclair to manage WNUV's affairs. The Scripps petition was dismissed by Edwards as an attempt to set up roadblocks to Black ownership of broadcasters and as retaliation for a 1991 challenge by the Smiths to WMAR-TV's [[broadcast license]].<ref name="Balt931014">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941739/scripps-decries-smith-brothers-tie-to-w/|date=October 14, 1993|pages=1E, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941769/wmar-owner-calls-on-fcc-to-block-sale-of/ 9E]|first=David|last=Zurawik|author-link=David Zurawik|title=Scripps decries Smith brothers' tie to WNUV sale|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 17, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051840/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941739/scripps-decries-smith-brothers-tie-to/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

The original application for Glencairn to purchase WNUV was withdrawn in April 1994, but ABRY continued to express interest in selling the station to Sinclair.<ref name="Balt940427">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941555/plan-to-sell-wnuv-dies/|date=April 27, 1994|page=2C|first=David|last=Zurwik|title=Plan to sell WNUV dies|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 17, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051839/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941555/plan-to-sell-wnuv-dies/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> ABRY then signed an LMA directly with Sinclair for WNUV and WVTV, concurrently with the company selling two stations outright to the firm.<ref name="Pitt940608">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123011515/wptt-owner-seeks-to-buy-more-television/|date=June 8, 1994|pages=D-6, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette-after-losing-out/123011473/ D-7]|title=WPTT owner seeks to buy more television stations|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 17, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051839/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123011515/wptt-owner-seeks-to-buy-more-television/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> With the LMA in place, Scripps ultimately decided that continued protest was pointless and dropped its objection to a revised version of the sale, leading to WNUV becoming a Glencairn property.<ref name="Balt950825">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941614/entrepreneur-gains-control-of-wnuv-tv-w/|date=August 25, 1995|page=11D|first=Timothy J.|last=Mullaney|title=Entrepreneur gains control of WNUV-TV: WMAR drops its FCC appeal to block the deal|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 17, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051912/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122941614/entrepreneur-gains-control-of-wnuv-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

===Affiliations with UPN and The WB===
WBFF–WNUV management opted to affiliate channel 54 with the United Paramount Network ([[UPN]]) over [[The WB]] when both networks began in January 1995 because UPN had more conventional affiliation agreements, specifying network compensation payments, than The WB. That network was forced to settle for coverage on local cable systems and a low-power UHF station, [[WMJF-CD|Towson State Television]].<ref name="Balt950115">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123011758/two-networks-debut-this-week-in-baltimor/|date=January 15, 1995|pages=1H, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123011737/upn-two-new-networks-take-to-the-air-a/ 3H]|first=Steve|last=McKerrow|title=Two networks debut this week in Baltimore area|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 17, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051844/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123011758/two-networks-debut-this-week-in/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->

However, on July 21, 1997, Sinclair signed an affiliation agreement with The WB to switch the affiliations of WNUV and four other UPN affiliates to the network.<ref>{{cite news|first=Steve|last=McClellan|title=WB woos and wins Sinclair|id={{ProQuest|1016966796}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1997/BC-1997-07-21.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|date=July 21, 1997|access-date=June 8, 2013|pages=4, 8|archive-date=January 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111095533/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1997/BC-1997-07-21.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The move put UPN on the back foot; the network contested the validity of the action in Maryland courts, where it lost twice.<ref name="Balt980113">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104005436/appellate-court-allows-wnuv-shift-to-war/|date=January 13, 1998|page=3C|first=Andrea F.|last=Siegel|title=Appellate court allows WNUV shift to Warner|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 17, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051840/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104005436/appellate-court-allows-wnuv-shift-to/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> WNUV became a WB affiliate on January 18, 1998. One of UPN's corporate parents, [[United Television]], acquired home shopping outlet WHSW (channel 24) and hastily relaunched it as UPN affiliate [[WUTB]] to give the network a continued presence in Baltimore.<ref name="Balt971114">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48581123/hsn-agrees-to-sell-ch-24-to-calif-firm/|date=November 14, 1997|page=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48581095/ 8C]|first=Greg|last=Schneider|title=HSN agrees to sell Ch. 24 to Calif firm|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|location=Baltimore, Maryland|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 18, 2022|archive-date=June 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619000155/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48581123/hsn-agrees-to-sell-ch-24-to-calif-firm/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40790292/|work=Baltimore Sun|access-date=April 12, 2020|title=Getting a new channel up to speed|first=Chris|last=Kaltenbach|date=January 25, 1998|page=10F|location=Baltimore, Maryland|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051910/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40790292/getting-a-new-channel-up-to-speed/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The relationship between Sinclair and Glencairn received renewed attention in 1999, when the company sought to acquire more stations and the FCC detected contradictions in its financial representations. By this time, Edwards only owned three percent of Glencairn's equity, with the rest being held by Carolyn Smith and trusts for the benefit of her grandchildren.<ref>{{cite news|last=Farhi|first=Paul|title=Station Owner Accused of Fronting for Another Firm|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1999/04/10/station-owner-accused-of-fronting-for-another-firm/8e242c7d-d45c-4d33-b6ee-b469862eb693/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=April 10, 1999|access-date=September 11, 2018|archive-date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024192103/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1999/04/10/station-owner-accused-of-fronting-for-another-firm/8e242c7d-d45c-4d33-b6ee-b469862eb693/|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2001, Sinclair was fined $40,000 by the FCC for illegally controlling Glencairn.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/fcc-fines-sinclair-glencairn-control-90604|title=FCC fines Sinclair for Glencairn control|first=Bill|last=McConnell|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=December 10, 2001|access-date=June 5, 2022|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320052121/https://www.nexttv.com/news/fcc-fines-sinclair-glencairn-control-90604|url-status=live}}</ref> Sinclair filed to acquire WNUV outright from the company, renamed Cunningham Broadcasting, in 2002;<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/tv-deals-2002-top-25-bottom-69525|title=TV Deals of 2002: From Top 25 to Bottom|date=April 6, 2003|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=April 17, 2023|archive-date=April 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420172843/https://www.nexttv.com/news/tv-deals-2002-top-25-bottom-69525|url-status=live}}</ref> it attempted again in 2003, when it appeared that the FCC would remove a restriction only allowing new duopolies in markets with more than eight independent TV station owners (which Baltimore lacked).<ref>{{Cite news|first=Rachel|last=Sams|date=November 21, 2003|title=Sinclair moves to acquire WB54|work=Baltimore Business Journal|id={{ProQuest|230346913}} }}</ref>

In 2006, The WB and [[UPN]] were shut down and replaced with [[The CW]], which offered programming from both predecessor networks. However, Sinclair was late to sign an agreement with the network.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seid |first=Jessica |date=January 24, 2006 |title='Gilmore Girls' meet 'Smackdown'; CW Network to combine WB, UPN in CBS-Warner venture beginning in September |url=https://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news/companies/cbs_warner/ |website=[[CNN Money]] |publisher=CNN |access-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-date=March 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316043531/http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news/companies/cbs_warner/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Bill |date=January 24, 2006 |title=UPN and WB to Combine, Forming New TV Network |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/24/business/media/24cnd-network.html?bl |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=February 22, 2017 |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017035638/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/24/business/media/24cnd-network.html?bl |url-status=live }}</ref> The news of the merger resulted in Sinclair announcing, two months later, that most of its UPN and WB affiliates would join [[MyNetworkTV]], a new service formed by the [[News Corporation]], which was also owner of the Fox network; the core stations for this effort were Fox's UPN stations, including WUTB.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/102922-News_Corp_Unveils_My_Network_TV.php|title=News Corp. Unveils MyNetworkTV|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=February 22, 2006|access-date=June 15, 2013|archive-date=April 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417165134/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/102922-News_Corp_Unveils_My_Network_TV.php|url-status=live}}</ref> It was not until May 2, 2006, that Sinclair entered into a deal to affiliate WNUV and five other stations it operated with The CW.<ref name="Balt060503">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104006099/sinclairs-wnuv-to-air-new-cw-network-in/|date=May 3, 2006|pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104006130/sinclairs-wnuv-will-air-new-cw-network/ 3C]|first=David|last=Zurawik|author-link=David Zurawik|title=Sinclair's WNUV to air new CW network in fall|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 17, 2023|archive-date=June 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619000254/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104006099/sinclairs-wnuv-to-air-new-cw-network/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

===Testing new technologies===
Since the late 1990s, Sinclair has used WNUV as a testing ground for new television transmission technologies. Sinclair was the first Baltimore broadcaster to start airing digital [[simulcast]]s of its stations, with WBFF and WNUV both beginning digital broadcasts on February 27, 1998.<ref>{{Cite press release|date=March 2, 1998|title=Sinclair Debuts First Digital TV in Baltimore; First Ever Multi-Station, Multi-Program Digital Transmissions|author=Sinclair Broadcast Group|publisher=PRNewswire|id={{ProQuest|447367908}} }}</ref><ref name="Balt980323">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123014337/pioneering-tv-digitally/|date=March 23, 1998|pages=11C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123014325/sinclair-taps-into-digital-tv/ 13C]|first=Mark|last=Ribbing|title=Pioneering TV digitally|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 17, 2023|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417051840/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123014337/pioneering-tv-digitally/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> WNUV's analog signal on UHF channel 54 was shut down on February 17, 2009, the original target date on which full-power television stations in the United States were to [[Digital television transition in the United States|transition from analog to digital broadcasts]] under federal mandate (which was later pushed back to June 12).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna29245267|agency=Associated Press|title=List of TV stations ending analog broadcasts|date=February 17, 2009|work=NBC News|access-date=March 20, 2023|archive-date=January 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106052115/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna29245267|url-status=live}}</ref> The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 40, using [[virtual channel]] 54.<ref name="Analog to Digital">{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |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 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref>

In July 2009, Washington, D.C.-area TV stations became a test market for [[Mobile DTV]], and WNUV was one of the participating stations.<ref name=Special>{{cite web |url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/104405/dc-market-to-test-mobile-dtv-technology.html |title=DC Market to Test Mobile DTV Technology |last=Friedman |first=Wayne |work=Media Post |date=April 20, 2009 |access-date=September 10, 2018 |archive-date=September 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910095014/https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/104405/dc-market-to-test-mobile-dtv-technology.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

WNUV received FCC authorization in 2013 to begin conducting tests of the [[OFDM]]-based [[DVB-T2]] terrestrial television standard and other future television broadcast standards, with the aim of identifying the feasibility of next-generation standards for mobile device usage and 4K [[ultra HD]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dvb.org/news/dvb-t2-trial-in-the-usa|title=DVB-T2 Trial in the USA|website=DVB|date=June 12, 2013|access-date=September 10, 2018|archive-date=September 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910131403/https://www.dvb.org/news/dvb-t2-trial-in-the-usa|url-status=live}}</ref> the experimental broadcasts began on the morning of March 27, 2013.<ref name="dvbt2tvnc">{{cite news|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/66487/with-cfp-air-test-atsc-30-off-and-running|title=With CFP, Air Test, ATSC 3.0 Off And Running|work=TVNewsCheck|last=Dodson|first=Andrew|date=March 28, 2013|access-date=June 26, 2013|archive-date=May 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509062608/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/66487/with-cfp-air-test-atsc-30-off-and-running|url-status=live}}</ref> The tests ran between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. and did not interrupt cable reception; the lost programs were aired on a subchannel of WBFF.<ref name="dvbt2bc">{{cite news|url=http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/details-on-wnuvs-experimental-license-to-test-ofdm/217889|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=February 19, 2013|access-date=June 26, 2013|last=Eggerton|first=John|title=Exclusive: FCC OKs Test of TV Transmission Standard|archive-date=August 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821001756/http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/details-on-wnuvs-experimental-license-to-test-ofdm/217889|url-status=live}}</ref>

As a part of the [[Spectrum reallocation#Repacking|repacking]] process following the [[Spectrum reallocation#Broadcast incentive auction|2016-2017 FCC incentive auction]], WNUV was reassigned to UHF channel 25 and was to relocate by March 2020.<ref name="Repack Table">{{Cite web|url=http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/Transition_Files/Phase_Assignment_Closing_PN.csv|title=FCC TV Spectrum Phase Assignment Table|format=CSV|website=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|date=April 13, 2017|access-date=April 17, 2017|archive-date=April 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417160749/http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/Transition_Files/Phase_Assignment_Closing_PN.csv|url-status=live}}</ref> Because it did not have to wait for any other stations to move first, WNUV moved to channel 25 on September 1, 2018, to allow new spectrum licensee [[T-Mobile US|T-Mobile]] to begin operations.<ref>{{cite web|title=Exhibit Supporting Waiver of Phase Assignment, Testing Period, and Phase Completion Date|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/25076ff363e52f220164133b67841cda|website=FCC LMS|access-date=September 20, 2018|archive-date=September 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921003019/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/25076ff363e52f220164133b67841cda|url-status=live}}</ref>

WNUV's signal became the Baltimore market's [[ATSC 3.0]] (NextGen TV) lighthouse station on June 24, 2021. As required by FCC rules, WNUV's existing ATSC 1.0 channels relocated to other stations in the market to preserve service to existing ATSC 1.0 receivers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rescan Day is June 24, 2021 for WNUV |url=http://cwbaltimore.com/station/rescan-day |website=WNUV |date=August 1, 2018 |access-date=February 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127143855/http://cwbaltimore.com/station/rescan-day |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=DTV Legal STA Application (File No. 136473) |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff37765044601777d8c639e20fc&id=25076ff37765044601777d8c639e20fc&goBack=N |website=Licensing and Management System |access-date=February 19, 2021 |archive-date=December 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206220658/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff37765044601777d8c639e20fc&id=25076ff37765044601777d8c639e20fc&goBack=N |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2022, Sinclair signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korean automaker [[Hyundai Motor Company|Hyundai]] for development of ATSC 3.0 technologies in the automotive industry; WNUV began broadcasting information to support a demonstration of an in-car entertainment platform being conducted at a Hyundai dealership in Baltimore.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/tech/article/sinclair-hyundai-make-deal-to-beam-atsc-3-0-signals-to-cars/|work=TVNewsCheck|title=Sinclair, Hyundai Make Deal To Beam ATSC 3.0 Signals To Cars|date=November 14, 2022|access-date=April 17, 2023|archive-date=November 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114230116/https://tvnewscheck.com/tech/article/sinclair-hyundai-make-deal-to-beam-atsc-3-0-signals-to-cars/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Newscasts==
{{main|WBFF#News operation}}
WNUV launched a 6:30&nbsp;p.m. [[newscast]] in March 1997 called ''UPN 54 News at 6:30'' (changed to ''WB 54 News at 6:30'' in January 1998). The newscast shared the same news set and anchors as [[WBFF]]'s 10 p.m. newscast;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1997/02/16/wbff-news-will-add-a-6-30-pm-show-on-wnuv/|title=WBFF News Will Add a 6:30 P. M. Show on WNUV|work=The Baltimore Sun|last=Kaltenbach|first=Chris|date=February 16, 1997|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-date=September 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912054647/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1997-02-16/news/1997047087_1_newscast-wbff-channel-45|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://sbgi.net/wp-content/uploads/investor-relations/Annual-Reports//sbgi-1997.pdf|title=1997 Annual Report|page=8|publisher=Sinclair Broadcast Group|access-date=September 11, 2018|archive-date=July 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706064605/http://sbgi.net/wp-content/uploads/investor-relations/Annual-Reports/sbgi-1997.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> the idea of news in this evening time slot had been first floated in 1995.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ready for not one, but two new nets? Paramount, Warner debut in Baltimore|first=LaWanda|last=Edwards|id={{ProQuest|274669385}}|work=The Daily Record|date=January 13, 1995}}</ref> In January 2005, Sinclair replaced WNUV's 6:30&nbsp;p.m. newscast with a new half-hour early evening newscast on WBFF, airing at 5:30&nbsp;p.m. weeknights.<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 14, 2005|first=Eileen|last=Davis Hudson|work=Mediaweek|title=Baltimore|id={{ProQuest|213640914}}|pages=14–21}}</ref>

==Technical information and subchannels==
WNUV offers four subchannels, which are broadcast under hosting arrangements by four Baltimore TV stations. Uniquely, the main CW subchannel is broadcast from two [[Maryland Public Television]] transmitters: WMPT ([[Annapolis]]) with [[virtual channel]] 54.1 and WMPB (Baltimore) with virtual channel 54.11. This is a quirk resulting from FCC rules which require any ATSC 3.0 station to use channel-sharing to maintain ATSC 1.0 service of its primary subchannel to 95% of its previous coverage area; WNUV could not reach a channel-sharing agreement with any in-market station which provides adequate coverage due to capacity limits, and it was found that neither MPT station alone reached the threshold.<ref>{{cite web |title=Amendment to a DTV STA Legal Application (LMS File No. 136473) |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff379edbd63017a17b182743b7f&id=25076ff379edbd63017a17b182743b7f&goBack=N |date=June 22, 2021}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Subchannels provided by WNUV (ATSC 1.0)<ref name="RabbitEars TV Query for WNUV">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WNUV#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WNUV|website=[[RabbitEars]]|access-date=April 17, 2023|archive-date=May 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527000848/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WNUV#station|url-status=live}}</ref>
! 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
! scope = "col" | ATSC 1.0 host
|-
! scope = "row" | 54.1
| [[720p]] || [[16:9]] || CWWNUV || [[The CW]] || [[Maryland Public Television|WMPT and WMPB]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 54.2
| rowspan=3| [[480i]] || [[4:3]] || Antenna || [[Antenna TV]] || [[WMAR-TV]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 54.3
| rowspan=2| 16:9 || Comet || [[Comet (TV network)|Comet]] || rowspan=2|[[WBAL-TV]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 54.4
| TheNest || [[The Nest (TV network)|The Nest]]
|}

===ATSC 3.0 lighthouse service===
In turn, WNUV broadcasts most of the market's major stations in ATSC 3.0 format. The transmitter is on Television Hill in the [[Woodberry, Baltimore|Woodberry]] neighborhood of north Baltimore.{{r|FCC-LMS-7933}}<ref>{{cite web|last=Fybush|first=Scott|title=TV Hill, Baltimore, 2008|url=http://www.fybush.com/sites/2010/site-100115.html|website=Tower Site of the Week|date=January 15, 2010|access-date=September 10, 2018|archive-date=April 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402174944/https://www.fybush.com/sites/2010/site-100115.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Subchannels of WNUV (ATSC 3.0)<ref name="RabbitEars TV Query for WNUV"/>
! style="background-color: #bdbdff" scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! style="background-color: #bdbdff" scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! style="background-color: #bdbdff" scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! style="background-color: #bdbdff" scope = "col" | Short name
! style="background-color: #bdbdff" scope = "col" | Programming
|-
! scope = "row" | [[WMAR-TV|2.1]]
| 720p || rowspan=7 | 16:9 || style="background-color:#ffe8d0|WMAR || style="background-color:#ffe8d0|[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] ([[WMAR-TV]]) [[File:Action lock 2 - orange.svg|14px|alt=DRM|link=]]
|-
! scope = "row" | [[WBAL-TV|11.1]]
| rowspan=2 | 1080i || style="background-color:#ffe8d0|WBAL || style="background-color:#ffe8d0|[[NBC]] ([[WBAL-TV]]) [[File:Action lock 2 - orange.svg|14px|alt=DRM|link=]]
|-
! scope = "row" | [[Maryland Public Television|22.1]]
| WMPT || [[PBS]] ([[Maryland Public Television|WMPT]])
|-
! scope = "row" | [[WBFF|45.1]]
| 720p || WBFF || [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] ([[WBFF]])
|-
! scope = "row" | 45.10
| rowspan=2 | 1080p || style="background-color:#ffffd0|T2 || style="background-color:#ffffd0|[[Tennis Channel#Streaming channels|T2]] 
|-
! scope = "row" | 45.11
| style="background-color:#ffffd0|PBTV || style="background-color:#ffffd0|[[Tennis Channel#Streaming channels|Pickleballtv]] 
|-
! scope = "row" | 54.1
| 720p || WNUV || [[The CW]]
|}
{{legend|#ffe8d0|Subchannel broadcast with [[digital rights management]]}}
{{legend|#ffffd0|Subchannel streamed via the Internet<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/static.php?name=atsc3_streaming|title=ATSC 3.0 Streams Delivered Via Internet|website=[[RabbitEars.info]]|accessdate=March 24, 2024}}</ref>}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|WNUV}}
*{{Official website|http://cwbaltimore.com/}}

{{Baltimore TV}}
{{Maryland TV}}
{{SBGI}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wnuv}}
[[Category:1982 establishments in Maryland]]
[[Category:Antenna TV affiliates]]
[[Category:ATSC 3.0 television stations]]
[[Category:Comet (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:The CW affiliates]]
[[Category:The Nest (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Sinclair Broadcast Group]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1982]]
[[Category:Television stations in Baltimore|NUV]]
[[Category:Woodberry, Baltimore]]