View source for WUCW

{{Short description|Television station in Minneapolis}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = WUCW
| atsc3 = yes
| city = Minneapolis, Minnesota
| logo = WUCW 2024.svg
| logo_size = 200px
| branding = The CW Twin Cities
| digital = 22 ([[UHF]])
| virtual = 23
| subchannels =
| translators = ''See {{section link||Translators}}''
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''23.1:''' [[The CW]]|''for others, see {{section link||Technical information and subchannels}}''}}
| airdate = {{start date and age|1982|09|22|p=y|br=yes}}
| location = [[Minneapolis]]–[[Saint Paul, Minnesota]]
| country = United States
| callsign_meaning = "Your CW"{{r|yourcw}}
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|KTMA-TV (1982–1992)|KLGT-TV (1992–1998)|KMWB (1998–2006)}}
| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:''' 23 (UHF, 1982–2009)
| owner = [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]]
| licensee = KLGT Licensee, LLC
| former_affiliations = {{ubl|[[Independent station|Independent]]|(1982–1995)|[[Spectrum (TV channel)|Spectrum]] (1982–1985)|[[The WB]] (1995–2006)}}
| erp = {{val|790|u=kW|fmt=commas}}
| haat = {{convert|436.2|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 36395
| coordinates = {{Coord|45|3|44|N|93|8|22|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{URL|http://thecwtc.com/}}
}}
'''WUCW''' (channel 23) is a [[television station]] licensed to [[Minneapolis]], Minnesota, United States, serving the [[Twin Cities]] area as an affiliate of [[The CW]]. Owned by [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]], the station maintains studios in the [[Pence Automobile Company Building|Pence Building]] on 8th Street and [[Hennepin Avenue]] in [[downtown Minneapolis]], and its transmitter is located at the [[Telefarm]] site in [[Shoreview]].

Channel 23 was established as KTMA in 1982, airing a mix of commercial and subscription television programming; three years later, it became a full-time [[independent station]]. During this period, it became famous for originating the [[cult television|cult]] cable television series ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]'', which began as a locally produced program. After going into bankruptcy in 1989, channel 23 was bought and repositioned as a family-oriented station, KLGT, which affiliated with [[The WB]] upon its 1995 launch. Sinclair purchased channel 23 in 1998 and changed the call letters to KMWB; it became WUCW upon the merger of The WB and UPN in 2006.

==History==
===The subscription television years===
[[File:Grass Lake overlook in winter (23109033211).jpg|thumb|alt=Refer to caption|The purchase of Grass Lake (above) as public land by [[Ramsey County, Minnesota|Ramsey County]] set back the construction of channel 23 for nearly a decade.]]
On April 16, 1966, Viking Television, Inc., a company organized by [[South St. Paul]] attorney and judge Irving W. Beaudoin, filed an application with the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) to build a new television station on channel 23 in Minneapolis.<ref name="hc">{{Cite web|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|title=History Cards for WUCW|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/98f5c8ae-9d1d-d1d5-fa33-70b85decd0ba}}</ref> It was designated for hearing alongside a competing application from the Calvary Temple Evangelistic Association in late 1968;<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 9, 1968 |title=Public Notice |page=33B |work=The Minneapolis Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82831794/minn-23-public-hearing/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805044729/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82831794/minn-23-public-hearing/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> the church pulled out of the proceedings,<ref name="backed">{{Cite news |date=October 4, 1969 |title=Viking Television Bid for Ch. 23 Backed in FCC |page=13 |work=The Minneapolis Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82831906/viking-television-bid-for-ch-23-backed/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805044952/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82831906/viking-television-bid-for-ch-23-backed/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> and the Viking application was granted on November 24, 1969.{{r|hc}}

Little progress was made toward the construction of the station, which took the call letters KTMA-TV. In 1972, Viking presented a proposal for a studio and transmitter complex in Shoreview.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 7, 1972 |title=Shoreview to hear TV tower, station proposal |page=7B |work=The Minneapolis Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82832120/shoreview-to-hear-tv-tower-station-prop/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=August 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810064019/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82832120/shoreview-to-hear-tv-tower-station/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> However, residents feared the erection of a fourth mast in town after the collapse of a tower under construction killed seven workers the year before, and [[Ramsey County, Minnesota|Ramsey County]] acquired the land for a park and nature center, creating a potential conflict of land uses.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Letofsky |first=Irv |date=September 20, 1972 |title=Shoreview residents pledge antenna fight |page=4C |work=The Minneapolis Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82832224/shoreview-residents-pledge-antenna-fight/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805044733/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82832224/shoreview-residents-pledge-antenna-fight/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 27, 1973 |title=New television tower, Ramsey nature area on collision course |page=8B |work=The Minneapolis Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82832347/new-television-tower-ramsey-nature-area/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=August 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810064020/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82832347/new-television-tower-ramsey-nature/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> The loss of the site would further set back construction.{{r|tantalizing}}

The prospect of subscription television had been thought of as early as the 1969 grant, when Viking held the local franchise to use the [[Phonevision]] system. However, a new generation of STV interests emerged in the mid-1970s.{{r|backed}} Viking signed a contract with American Subscription Television ([[SelecTV (American TV channel)|SelecTV]])<ref name="tantalizing">{{Cite news |last=Adams |first=Jim |date=February 11, 1976 |title=Subscription TV is a tantalizing unknown for three investors |page=20B |work=The Minneapolis Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61484737/ |access-date=October 25, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=August 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810064020/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61484737/subscription-tv-is-a-tantalizing/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and filed for subscription television authorization in October 1975.{{r|hc}}

Viking was still mired in tower site problems in 1976, when a second group filed to propose a subscription television station in the Twin Cities: Buford Television of [[Tyler, Texas]], which applied for channel 29, only for a second application from Faith Broadcasting Network to compete against it.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thorkelson |first=Willmar |date=December 4, 1976 |title=Christian family TV sought for Cities |page=6A |work=The Minneapolis Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82833119/christian-family-tv-sought-for-cities/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805044735/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82833119/christian-family-tv-sought-for-cities/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> Meanwhile, Viking filed in March 1978 to sell the construction permit to Metropolitan Broadcasting Corporation;{{r|hc}} Metropolitan was in turn 20 percent owned by Universal Subscription Television, a subsidiary of Canadian media company [[Canwest|CanWest Capital Corporation]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 22, 1978 |id={{ProQuest|1016906369}} |title=Canadian investors out to establish pay TV network in United States |page=32 |work=Broadcasting |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1978/1978-05-22-BC.pdf |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308035914/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1978/1978-05-22-BC.pdf |url-status=live |via=World Radio History}}</ref> This application was dismissed on June 22, 1979.{{r|hc}}

Viking had objected to Buford's channel 29 application when it was filed,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thorkelson |first=Willmar |date=July 20, 1979 |title=Faith needs money to move FCC to give television license |page=8A |work=The Minneapolis Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82833218/faith-needs-money-to-move-fcc-to-give-te/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=August 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810064020/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82833218/faith-needs-money-to-move-fcc-to-give/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> but in February 1980, Beaudoin sold 80 percent of the KTMA construction permit to Buford for $475,000 in construction costs, which in turn cleared the way for Faith Broadcasting Network to build [[WFTC|channel 29]].<ref>{{Cite news |id={{ProQuest|962746244}} |date=February 11, 1980 |title=In Brief |page=36 |work=Broadcasting |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1980/1980-02-11-BC.pdf |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308044201/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1980/1980-02-11-BC.pdf |url-status=live |via=World Radio History}}</ref> However, tower siting woes continued to snarl channel 23's attempts to get on air. The FCC in the late 1960s had required that the VHF television stations give room to new UHF stations that wished to broadcast from Shoreview, and KMSP-TV's mast was supposed to accommodate channel 23 and channel 29. However, when [[KSTP-TV]] obtained permission for a {{convert|274|ft|m|sp=us|adj=on}} height extension to its tower (which also held [[WCCO-TV]]), only the [[KMSP Tower]] was left out because it could not be extended with the UHF stations on it. This prompted [[KMSP-TV]] to rescind the agreement, resulting in legal action.<ref name="grounded">{{Cite news |last=Vick |first=Karl |date=April 13, 1981 |title=Grounded: 2 UHF stations can't get signals in the air |pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82833808/2-uhf-stations-cant-get-signal-off-the/ 12C] |work=The Minneapolis Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82833675/grounded-2-uhf-stations-cant-get-signa/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=August 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810064050/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82833675/grounded-2-uhf-stations-cant-get/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref>

It was only the resolution of the tower site issue that got the ball rolling for KTMA. More than 16 years after the permit was granted, channel 23 began broadcasting on September 22, 1982.<ref name="sub">{{Cite news |last=Carman |first=John |date=September 24, 1982 |title=Subscription TV will carry Stars, Twins home games |page=1D |work=Minneapolis Star and Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61311633/ |access-date=October 17, 2020 |archive-date=August 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810064022/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61311633/subscription-tv-will-carry-stars-twins/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> In addition to advertiser-supported programs, KTMA carried [[Spectrum (TV channel)|Spectrum]], the subscription service owned by Buford's Home Entertainment Network (HEN) division.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carman |first=John |date=September 15, 1982 |title=New pay TV station, Spectrum, nearly ready to roll |page=14B |work=Minneapolis Star and Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61311448/ |access-date=October 17, 2020 |archive-date=August 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810064021/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61311448/new-pay-tv-station-spectrum-nearly/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> The new service quickly secured valuable programming when it struck a deal to televise [[Minnesota Twins]] baseball and [[Minnesota North Stars]] hockey home games: the entire North Stars home slate and 50 Twins home games, packaged as "Spectrum Sports"—available for $19.95 a month or $29.90 along with the Spectrum movie service.{{r|sub}} The same year Buford launched KTMA, it sold a majority stake in HEN to United Cable.<ref name="sale83">{{Cite news |date=July 4, 1983 |id={{ProQuest|1014709687}} |title=Changing Hands |page=77 |work=Broadcasting |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1983/BC-1983-07-%2004.pdf |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308045005/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1983/BC-1983-07-%2004.pdf |url-status=live |via=World Radio History}}</ref>

At its peak, in May 1983, the service attracted 27,000 Twin Cities subscribers, making it the most successful of United Cable's three STV operations.<ref name="lays">{{Cite news |last1=Marcotty |first1=Josephine |last2=Mikkelsen |first2=Randall |date=May 14, 1983 |title=Spectrum TV lays off 55 employees in Minneapolis |page=7D |work=Minneapolis Star and Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61312424/ |access-date=October 17, 2020 |archive-date=August 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810064033/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61312424/spectrum-tv-lays-off-55-employees-in/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> Even then, United Cable was laying off 55 staff, cutting costs, and considering outsourcing its movie programming to [[Oak Industries]] (owners of [[ON TV (TV network)|ON TV]]).{{r|lays}} That summer, United agreed to buy Buford's 80 percent ownership of KTMA for $7.5&nbsp;million{{r|sale83}} while also writing down the Home Entertainment Network division and putting the three STV systems on the market.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Storch |first=Charles |date=August 27, 1983 |title=Spectrum TV up for sale |page=6 |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61313568/ |access-date=October 17, 2020 |archive-date=March 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313004437/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61313568/spectrum-tv-up-for-sale/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref>

As a sports service, Spectrum in the Twin Cities never reached the intended subscriber figures, prompting profits to fall far short of expectations for the Twins. Further, a federal judge had ruled against the Twins and North Stars pooling their broadcast rights in the Spectrum deal after [[WCCO-TV]] sued on antitrust charges. (Sports telecasts continued while the case was being appealed; after Spectrum's demise, the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit]] found in the teams' favor.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 13, 1985 |title=Court rules in favor of teams in TV suit |page=2D |work=Minneapolis Star and Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61313203/ |access-date=October 17, 2020 |archive-date=August 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810064040/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61313203/court-rules-in-favor-of-teams-in-tv-suit/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref>) In August 1985, the Twins and North Stars opted not to renew their Spectrum rights deal, a decision that sounded the death knell for the service, already down to just 13,000 subscribers. The movie service ended September 29, 1985, while Spectrum Sports concluded with the final game of the Twins season on October 6.<ref name="abandon">{{Cite news |last=Covert |first=Colin |date=August 15, 1985 |title=Spectrum to abandon pay-TV service |pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30880376/ 17A] |work=Minneapolis Star and Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30880411/ |access-date=October 17, 2020 |archive-date=August 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810064023/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30880411/spectrum-to-abandon-pay-tv-service/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref>

===Independent KTMA===
{{Quote box
| quote = [[Jim Mallon|Jim (Mallon)]] got the job at KTMA. And it was all subterfuge. I mean, he brought me out there pretty much telling that the reason to have this job (is)... we have access to tools and we can do anything we want with them. That was the appeal to me – we could make a TV show and we could actually get it on the air.
| author = [[Kevin Murphy (actor)|Kevin Murphy]]
| source = on joining KTMA in 1987{{r|MurphyKTMA}}
| align = left
| width = 300px
| qalign = left
| salign = right
}}

[[File:KTMA Team23 NYE ad.jpg|thumb|"Team23: It's the best we can do." A December 1987 advertisement for KTMA's ''23rd Annual New Year's Eve Extravaganza'', with [[Kevin Murphy (actor)|Kevin Murphy]] as "reporter"/emcee Bob (Bagadonuts).]]KTMA, still on the market when Spectrum closed,{{r|abandon}} adopted a format of music videos programmed by local radio station [[KQQL|KTWN]]. K-Twin Communications, owner of KTWN, made an $11&nbsp;million offer to United Cable to purchase channel 23 outright. United rejected the bid and was reported to have accepted a $12&nbsp;million offer from an Atlanta-based group.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Coleman |first=Nick |date=March 13, 1986 |title=Can three independent stations exist? |pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82834438/coleman-programming-will-be-key-for-kmt/ 8C] |work=Minneapolis Star and Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82834362/can-three-independent-stations-exist/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805051158/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82834362/can-three-independent-stations-exist/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> In the end, KTMA-TV Acquisition Corporation, owned by general manager Donald H. O'Connor, bought the entirety of the station—including Beaudoin's stake—for $13.8&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 25, 1986 |id={{ProQuest|1014719305}} |title=Changing Hands |page=102 |work=Broadcasting |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-08-25.pdf |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308050325/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-08-25.pdf |url-status=live |via=World Radio History}}</ref> O'Connor purchased another $2.5&nbsp;million in equipment and changed KTMA to a more traditional general entertainment station, acquiring a number of older syndicated programs such as ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]'' and ''[[Laurel and Hardy]]''.<ref name="scratch">{{Cite news |last=Fuller |first=Jim |date=October 6, 1986 |title=Ch. 23 tries to create an audience from scratch |pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66828681/ 19C] |work=Minneapolis Star and Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82902356/ch-23-tries-to-create-an-audience-from/ |access-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806065144/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82902356/ch-23-tries-to-create-an-audience-from/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> A late 1986 billboard campaign centered around ''[[Elvira's Movie Macabre]]'' ended prematurely after the station received a dozen complaints over the slogan "features that will scare you to death".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wascoe Jr.|first=Dan|date=December 15, 1986|title=Dancing raisins in commercial have feet of clay|work=[[Star Tribune]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66828485/1986-12-15-ktma-elvira-billboard/|access-date=August 9, 2021|archive-date=August 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810064022/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66828485/1986-12-15-ktma-elvira-billboard/|url-status=live|via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> The majority of complaints over the billboard came from [[Farmington, Minnesota|Farmington]], where their city council also lodged a complaint to KTMA.<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 11, 1986|title=Critics say Elvira signs offensive|page=2A|work=[[St. Cloud Times]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83150334/critics-say-elvira-signs-offensive/|access-date=August 9, 2021|archive-date=August 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810064036/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83150334/critics-say-elvira-signs-offensive/|url-status=live|via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> One programming tradition began on New Year's Eve 1986: ''TV23's 23rd Annual New Year's Eve Extravaganza'', a live comedy special emceed by station [[stagehand]] [[Kevin Murphy (actor)|Kevin Murphy]] as "Bob Bagadonuts"<ref name="MurphyKTMA">{{Cite web |last=Plume |first=Ken |author-link=Kenneth Plume |date=July 18, 2007 |title=Interview: Kevin Murphy |url=http://asitecalledfred.com/2007/07/18/interview-kevin-murphy/ |url-status=live |website=Fred |access-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-date=April 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406030909/http://asitecalledfred.com/2007/07/18/interview-kevin-murphy/ }}</ref> culminating with a [[watermelon|melon]] drop at midnight from the station's rooftop;<ref>{{Cite news|last=Holston|first=Noel|date=December 31, 1986|title=Critic's Choice|page=10C|work=[[Star Tribune]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66830012/1986-12-31-ktma-watermelon-drop/|access-date=August 9, 2021|archive-date=August 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810064036/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66830012/1986-12-31-ktma-watermelon-drop/|url-status=live|via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> this special was revisited in 1987,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Creedon |first=Jerimiah |date=December 31, 1987 |title=Today's TV: Critic's choice |page=19C |work=[[Star Tribune]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82933705/todays-tv-critics-choice/ |access-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806220950/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82933705/todays-tv-critics-choice/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> 1988<ref>{{Cite news |last=Holston |first=Noel |date=December 31, 1989 |title=Critic's Choice |page=10E |work=[[Star Tribune]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82934052/critics-choice/ |access-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806221012/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82934052/critics-choice/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> and 1989.<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 31, 1989|title=Sunday Evening|page=4F|work=[[St. Cloud Times]] Good Times|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83151628/sunday-evening-lineup/|access-date=August 10, 2021|archive-date=August 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810064024/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83151628/sunday-evening-lineup/|url-status=live|via=Newspapers.com }}</ref>

Despite a major $1.2&nbsp;million marketing campaign at the relaunch,{{r|scratch}} after the station was acquired, the station was only moderately successful at attracting viewers and revenue from commercial advertising. By February 1988, KTMA's ratings were still only half that of KITN-TV, which had become the Twin Cities area's other major UHF independent.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hughes |first=John |date=March 23, 1988 |title=KXLI switches format |page=2C |work=St. Cloud Daily Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82902441/kxli-switches-format/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=August 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810064024/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82902441/kxli-switches-format/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> The first signs of financial trouble also occurred that year: KTMA had to temporarily stop carrying some programs in August because it needed to refinance to pay its syndicators in a timely fashion.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Holston |first=Noel |date=August 11, 1988 |title=Where's Andy? |page=11E |work=Star Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66831924/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806221011/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66831924/1988-08-11-ktma-loses-popular-programs/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> That same year, attempts were made at creating locally produced shows: to fill a hole in the Saturday night line-up, the station created ''Saturday Night at Ringside'', a multi-hour block of [[professional wrestling]] programming hosted by Mick Karch,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Matheny |first=Dave |date=May 24, 1990 |title=Pro wrestling's 'good vs. evil' is a $300-million-a-year show |pages=1E, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82902675/wrestling-gagnes-unhappy-about-losing/ 10E] |work=Star Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82902691/pro-wrestlings-good-vs-evil-is-a-30/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806220950/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82902691/pro-wrestlings-good-vs-evil-is-a/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> and a late-night talk show, ''Sports Week with Stretch and Z'', also was created.{{r|seek}}

Late 1988 brought two debuts, one ambitious and one low-key. On December 14, 1988, O'Connor announced the formation of the Minnesota Independent Network, which would unite KTMA with [[KPXM-TV|KXLI]] channel 41 in [[St. Cloud, Minnesota|St. Cloud]] and [[KXLT-TV]] channel 47 in [[Rochester, Minnesota|Rochester]]; low-power TV stations owned by [[KVRR|Red River TV]] in [[Bemidji]] ([[K26AC]]), [[Brainerd, Minnesota|Brainerd]], and [[Grand Rapids, Minnesota|Grand Rapids]]; and several additional low-power stations to be leased or built at [[Alexandria, Minnesota|Alexandria]], [[Donnelly, Minnesota|Donnelly]]/[[Herman, Minnesota|Herman]], [[Park Rapids]], and [[Austin, Minnesota|Austin]].<ref name="min">{{Cite news |last=McAllister |first=Bill |date=December 15, 1988 |title=It's R.I.P. 'TV Heaven': St. Cloud station goes off air; to join new independent group |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82818424/tv/ 10] |work=St. Cloud Daily Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82818395/st-cloud-station-goes-off-air-to-join/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806220950/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82818395/st-cloud-station-goes-off-air-to-join/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> The St. Cloud station was also slated under the proposal to move its tower northwest toward [[Sauk Centre, Minnesota|Sauk Centre]] and change to channel 19.{{r|min}} The Minnesota Independent Network would give KTMA and KXLI the regional circulation necessary to compete with other Twin Cities-market stations for viewers and programming rights.{{r|min}} Further, KTMA would become KMIN.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Holston |first=Noel |date=March 25, 1989 |title=Slow progress |page=9E |work=Star Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82902812/slow-progress/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806065116/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82902812/slow-progress/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref>

{{Quote box
| quote = The programming at KTMA was bottom-basin. Our prime-time headliner was ''[[Love, American Style]]'' paired with ''[[Hawaii Five-O (1968 TV series)|Hawaii Five-O]]'', and we had the worst movie library imaginable.
| author = [[Jim Mallon]]<ref name="wired">{{Cite magazine |last=Raftery |first=Brian |date=April 22, 2014 |title=Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Definitive Oral History of a TV Masterpiece |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/2014/04/mst3k-oral-history/ |access-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-date=November 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151130040157/http://www.wired.com/2014/04/mst3k-oral-history |url-status=live }}</ref>
| align = right
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[[File:WW Chicago 2014 - Joel Hodgson 02 (14871901819).jpg|left|thumb|A standup comedian, inventor and [[Prop comedy|prop comic]], [[Joel Hodgson]] created the [[Cult following|cult]] comedy series ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]'' for KTMA in late 1988.]]The other debut came with less bombast but cemented KTMA's place in popular culture. As production manager [[Jim Mallon]] sought to fill a gap in the Sunday night line-up, he talked to his contacts in the local comedy community and ended up meeting [[Joel Hodgson]], who had a warehouse in the same building as office space Mallon was using at the time.{{r|MurphyKTMA}} After a successful lunch meeting with Mallon to produce a new locally produced program for KTMA, Hodgson created ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]'' (also known under the abbreviated title ''MST3K''), which began in November 1988.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Matheny |first=Dave |date=December 19, 1988 |title=TV supplies witty companions to help watch bad old movies |page=1E, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82902658/ 4E] |work=Star Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82902638/tv-supplies-witty-companions-to-help-wat/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806220952/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82902638/tv-supplies-witty-companions-to-help/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> The show quickly attracted the involvement of Kevin Murphy, who had been an associate of Mallon dating back to his horror film project ''[[Blood Hook]]'',{{r|MurphyKTMA}} performing multiple tasks from camera operator to show writer<ref name="avclub turkey day2">{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Erik |date=November 15, 2018 |title=MST3K, Turkey Day, and 30 years of taking over the world before pie is served |url=https://www.avclub.com/mst3k-turkey-day-and-30-years-of-taking-over-the-worl-1830417970 |access-date=November 15, 2018 |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |archive-date=November 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115024119/https://tv.avclub.com/mst3k-turkey-day-and-30-years-of-taking-over-the-worl-1830417970 |url-status=live }}</ref> to set builder.<ref name="art of the title">{{Cite web |last1=Dube |first1=Jonathan |last2=Perkins |first2=Will |date=December 19, 2011 |title=Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1998) |url=http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/mystery-science-theater-3000/ |access-date=December 2, 2015 |website=[[Art of the Title]] |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208173324/http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/mystery-science-theater-3000/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Hodgson recruited local comedians [[J. Elvis Weinstein|Josh Weinstein]] and [[Trace Beaulieu]] as his co-stars; owing to the show's low budget, Weinstein and Beaulieu were only paid [[United States dollar|$]]25 per episode.{{r|wired}} A phone line Mallon established specifically for MST3K viewers netted such a favorable response<ref name="avclub turkey day2"/> that KTMA increased their show order from 13 episodes to 21.<ref name="paste 25eps">{{Cite web |last=Vorel |first=Jim |date=August 10, 2015 |title=The 25-Episode History of Mystery Science Theater 3000 |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/08/the-25-episode-history-of-mystery-science-theater.html |access-date=December 1, 2015 |website=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] |archive-date=December 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204120225/http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/08/the-25-episode-history-of-mystery-science-theater.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike all future iterations of the show, the jokes provided by Hodgson and company during the course of a movie were [[ad libbed]] with a [[production cycle]] of less than 24 hours.{{r|wired}}

As ''MST3K'' grew, the Minnesota Independent Network collapsed. At the start of July 1989, O'Connor told a St. Cloud radio station that KTMA and the owner of KXLI and KXLT (which had gone silent awaiting the network's launch) had "bigger fish to fry" and blamed the complexity of the arrangement for scuttling the plan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 2, 1989 |title=Plans for UHF TV network are put on hold |page=2B |work=Star Tribune |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82818316/plans-for-uhf-tv-network-are-put-on-hold/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806220952/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82818316/plans-for-uhf-tv-network-are-put-on-hold/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> The nature of his remarks was explained at the end of the month, when the station filed for [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]] protection, with O'Connor noting that KTMA had been undercapitalized from the moment he had purchased it.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 29, 1989 |title=Channel 23 files for bankruptcy |page=5D |work=Star Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82902886/channel-23-files-for-bankruptcy/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806220952/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82902886/channel-23-files-for-bankruptcy/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> Presaging the fate of ''MST3K'' in the years to come, KTMA ended production of the show after the June 1, 1989, season finale; the second issue of the show's [[fan club]] newsletter included a direct appeal to KTMA to reconsider.<ref>{{Cite journal |year=1989 |title=Sat' o' Love in Black Hole? Prod Sched Yanked! |url=http://www.mst3kinfo.com/archives/issue1_2.pdf |journal=MST 3000 Satellite News |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=2–3 |via=MST3KInfo.com |access-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-date=March 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312054848/http://www.mst3kinfo.com/archives/issue1_2.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Hodgson and Mallon purchased ''MST3K''<nowiki/>'s intellectual property under the production company [[Best Brains|Best Brains, Inc.]],<ref name="avclub turkey day2"/> along with a new studio in [[Eden Prairie]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Cheryl |last2=Eskola |first2=Eric |date=October 24, 1989 |title=Rough ride on Brooklyn Bridge knocks Spike out |page=2B |work=[[Star Tribune]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82924553/rough-ride-on-brooklyn-bridge-knocks/ |access-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806221002/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82924553/rough-ride-on-brooklyn-bridge-knocks/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> [[The Comedy Channel (American TV channel)|The Comedy Channel]]—recently established as an extension of [[HBO]] by [[Time Inc.]]—picked up the program as part of a $50&nbsp;million launch campaign.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Holston |first=Noel |date=November 15, 1989 |title=Cable channel to offer comedy 24 hours a day |page=2E |work=[[Star Tribune]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82924737/cable-channel-to-offer-comedy-24-hours/ |access-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806221047/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82924737/cable-channel-to-offer-comedy-24-hours/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> ''MST3K'' ran on the network, later renamed [[Comedy Central]], for seven years before moving to the [[Sci-Fi Channel]] for its final three seasons from 1997 to 1999.{{r|wired}}

Despite the failure of MIN to emerge, KTMA showed up in St. Cloud and Rochester anyway when new owners of KXLI and KXLT opted to simulcast channel 23 after returning to the air in 1990.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lowe |first=Stephen |date=October 30, 1990 |title=KXLI drops format, plugs into KTMA |pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82922589/kxli/ 6A] |work=St. Cloud Daily Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82922628/kxli-drops-format-plugs-into-ktma/ |access-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806220954/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82922628/kxli-drops-format-plugs-into-ktma/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> The station, however, remained in bankruptcy for more than two years. Even during bankruptcy, the station moved from its original studios on Kennedy Street to a facility on Como Avenue as 1989 ended.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Cheryl|last2=Eskola|first2=Eric|date=November 26, 1989|title='U' Raptor Center hunts Basinger for bird release|page=2B|work=[[Star Tribune]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83149571/u-raptor-center-hunts-basinger-for/|access-date=August 9, 2021|archive-date=August 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810064024/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83149571/u-raptor-center-hunts-basinger-for/|url-status=live|via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> It was not until the fall of 1991 that two groups emerged seeking to buy the station out of Chapter 11, at the same time that the court-appointed trustee fired O'Connor in a cost-cutting effort. The successful bidder, Lakeland Group Television, was headed by Linda Rios Brook, who had resigned from her position as general manager of [[KARE (TV)|KARE]]—reportedly over her conservative religious beliefs—and planned to reposition the station with Christian programs.<ref name="seek">{{Cite news |last=Holston |first=Noel |date=October 9, 1991 |title=2 groups seek to buy KTMA-23 out of Chapter 11 |page=2B |work=Star Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82922881/2-groups-seek-to-buy-ktma-23-out-of-chap/ |access-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806220954/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82922881/2-groups-seek-to-buy-ktma-23-out-of/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref>

===Seeing the "Sonlight"===
After plans to use the KSON call letters<ref>{{Cite news |last=Holston |first=Noel |date=November 22, 1991 |title=Troubled KTMA will be reborn as Sonlight Christian station |page=8E |work=Star Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82923205/ |access-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806220957/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82923205/troubled-ktma-will-be-reborn-as/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> fell through, the station relaunched as KLGT, a family- and Christian-oriented independent, in March 1992.<ref name="focus">{{Cite news |last=Holston |first=Noel |date=March 3, 1992 |title=Channel 23's new owners focus on family |page=2B |work=Star Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82923775/channel-23s-new-owners-focus-on-family/ |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806220955/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82923775/channel-23s-new-owners-focus-on-family/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }} (This article consistently calls KLGT "WLGT".)</ref>

After the new format achieved low ratings, Rios Brook changed tack in late 1993. The dove that had formed part of the logo was dropped, and the format was shifted.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Merrill |first=Ann |date=November 7, 1993 |title=Rios Brook tinkering with formula to boost 23's audience: intends to stay 'family-friendly' |page=2H |work=St. Paul Pioneer Press}}</ref> KLGT picked up a package of 14 Twins games previously aired by KITN in 1994; they had been jettisoned by channel 29 due to increasing commitments to Fox network programming.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zgoda |first=Jerry |date=December 18, 1993 |title=Football turnover: Fox outbids CBS for NFL TV rights |pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82924684/fox-cbs-still-in-bidding-for-afc-games/ 15A] |work=Star Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82924825/football-turnover-fox-outbids-cbs-for-n/ |access-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806220955/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82924825/football-turnover-fox-outbids-cbs-for/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> Later that year, channel 23 added games from the [[NBA]]'s [[Minnesota Timberwolves]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 3, 1994 |title=Minnesota offers Davis interim coaching post |page=3B |work=St. Paul Pioneer Press}}</ref> The sports expansion was the first in a series of moves that boosted channel 23's visibility. On January 11, 1995, KLGT became a launch affiliate of [[The WB]]; it simultaneously debuted a unique news experiment, ''News of Your Choice'', in partnership with WCCO-TV. (A trial run had taken place the previous August.) That station produced a second 10 p.m. newscast featuring an alternate mix of stories for channel 23 and encouraged viewers to switch between the two programs;<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 7, 1995 |title=WCCO-TV to start 'News of Your Choice' for channel surfers |page=2A |work=St. Cloud Daily Times |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82925032/ |access-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806220956/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82925032/wcco-tv-to-start-news-of-your-choice/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> the program was dropped at the end of the year in response to a collapse in ratings for WCCO's newscasts.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 24, 1995 |title=WCCO cancels 'Choice' |page=3A |work=St. Cloud Daily Times |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82926141/wcco-cancels-choice/ |access-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806221021/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82926141/wcco-cancels-choice/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref>

===KMWB and WUCW===
[[File:Pence Automobile Company Building.jpg|alt=Refer to caption|thumb|Since 2018, WUCW's studios have been located in the [[Pence Automobile Company Building]].]]
In late 1997, [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] entered into a deal to purchase KLGT for $52.5&nbsp;million—a far cry from the $3.3&nbsp;million{{r|focus}} spent to acquire it six years prior.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 24, 1997 |id={{ProQuest|1014772770}} |title=Changing Hands |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1997/BC-1997-11-24.pdf |access-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308045141/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1997/BC-1997-11-24.pdf |url-status=live |via=World Radio History }}</ref> The call letters were changed in November 1998 to KMWB, reflecting the state and network affiliation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Holston |first=Noel |date=November 21, 1998 |title=Reflecting link to WB, KLGT becomes KMWB |page=E8 |work=Star Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82926654/reflecting-link-to-wb-klgt-becomes-kmwb/ |access-date=August 6, 2021|via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> The Timberwolves continued on channel 23 and KARE until they consolidated their over-the-air broadcasts with WFTC in 2001.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 4, 2001 |title=Wolves move to WFTC, Channel 29 |page=7D |work=St. Paul Pioneer Press}}</ref>

In 2006, The WB and [[UPN]] merged to create [[The CW]]. The UPN affiliate in the Twin Cities market, WFTC, was owned by [[Fox Television Stations]]; none of its UPN affiliates were chosen for the network's launch, and it set up [[MyNetworkTV]] for them and other stations that would not join The CW. On May 2, 2006, Sinclair Broadcast Group signed an affiliation agreement with The CW for the company's eight WB affiliates, including KMWB, to join the network.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 2, 2006 |title=Eight Sinclair Stations Sign On With CW |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/91956-Eight_Sinclair_Stations_Sign_On_With_CW.php |access-date=August 6, 2012 |archive-date=August 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810064209/https://www.nexttv.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In preparation for the affiliation switch, KMWB changed its call sign to WUCW, planning to market itself as "Your CW"; as Minneapolis and St. Paul are on the [[Call signs in the United States#Geographical separation of K and W call signs|line separating west "K" and east "W" calls]], the station was able to switch to a "W"-prefixed call.<ref name="yourcw">{{Cite news |date=June 30, 2006 |title=Some celebs doing boffo biz in the afterlife |page=E6 |work=Star Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82935584/some-celebs-doing-boffo-biz-in-the-after/ |access-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-date=August 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810064207/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82935584/some-celebs-doing-boffo-biz-in-the/ |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref>

In January 2018, WUCW moved out of its longtime Como Avenue studios, which had been built for [[Twin Cities Public Television]] in 1960, and moved to the 7th floor of the [[Pence Automobile Company Building|Pence Building]] at 800 Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. The studios were then sold to the [[Minnesota State Fair]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 14, 2018 |title=Just Sold: Minnesota State Fair buys former CW studios |work=Finance & Commerce |url=https://finance-commerce.com/2018/02/just-sold-minnesota-state-fair-buys-former-cw-studios/ |url-access=subscription |id={{ProQuest|2003257062}} |access-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=June 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180608180136/https://finance-commerce.com/2018/02/just-sold-minnesota-state-fair-buys-former-cw-studios/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

WUCW served as the over-the-air home of [[Minnesota United FC]] in 2021 and 2022.{{efn|All [[Major League Soccer]] local television rights agreements ended after 2022 to make way for MLS's 10-year deal with Apple.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3490012/2022/06/14/mls-agrees-to-10-year-broadcast-deal-with-apple-worth-2-5-billion-sources/|work=[[The Athletic]]|first=Sam|last=Stejskal|title=MLS agrees to 10-year broadcast deal with Apple worth $2.5 billion: Sources|quote=Apple TV matches will not be shown on local television networks...|date=June 14, 2022|url-access=subscription|access-date=July 26, 2022|archive-date=July 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718022734/https://theathletic.com/news/mls-tv-deal-espn-apple-univision/cbC0ubEBpHsb/|url-status=live}}</ref> }} In the first season, the station was scheduled to air 19 matches, all simulcasts from Bally Sports North.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Greder |first=Andy |date=April 14, 2021 |title=Loons opening season in Seattle feels 'like poetic justice' |language=en-US |work=St. Paul Pioneer Press |url=https://www.twincities.com/2021/04/14/loons-opening-season-in-seattle-feels-like-poetic-justice/ |access-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414235602/https://www.twincities.com/2021/04/14/loons-opening-season-in-seattle-feels-like-poetic-justice/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

To accommodate scheduling conflicts on Bally Sports North, WUCW aired five [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] games in April and May 2021 under the branding "Bally Sports Extra on The CW Twin Cities".<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 27, 2021 |title=Bally Sports North: Tripleheader plans, channel assignments for spring sports |language=en-US |publisher=Fox Sports |url=https://www.foxsports.com/north/story/bally-sports-north-tripleheader-channels-minnesota-wild-wolves-twins-032621 |access-date=September 20, 2021 }}</ref> In April 2022, WUCW aired two [[Minnesota Twins]] games and a [[Minnesota Wild]] game.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.si.com/fannation/bringmethesports/twins/wolves-wild-games-tuesday-night-push-twins-to-the-cw-twin-cities#:~:text=Apr%2018%2C%202022%20Bally%20Sports%20North%20With%20the,7%3A10%20p.m.%20on%20CW%2023%20Twin%20Cities%20WUCW./ | title=Wolves, Wild games Tuesday night push Twins to the CW Twin Cities | date=April 18, 2022 }}</ref>

Since 2023, WUCW has served as the home of the [[St. Paul Saints]] of [[Minor League Baseball]].<ref>{{cite web  | title=
Saints Find New Home...On TV As 18 Weekend Games To Be Seen on CW Network|url=https://www.milb.com/st-paul/news/saints-find-new-home-on-tv-as-18-weekend-games-to-be-seen-on-cw-network|publisher=[[St. Paul Saints]]| access-date=March 26, 2025 }}</ref>

==Technical information and subchannels==
The station's ATSC 1.0 channels are carried on the [[multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]] signals of other Twin Cities television stations:
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Subchannels provided by WUCW (ATSC 1.0)<ref>{{Cite web |title=RabbitEars TV Query for KSTP |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KSTP#station |website=[[RabbitEars.info]] |access-date=August 6, 2021}}
* {{Cite web |title=RabbitEars TV Query for WFTC |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WFTC#station |website=[[RabbitEars.info]] |access-date=August 6, 2021}}
* {{Cite web |title=RabbitEars TV Query for WCCO |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WCCO#station |website=[[RabbitEars.info]] |access-date=August 6, 2021}}
* {{Cite web |title=RabbitEars TV Query for KARE |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KARE#station |website=[[RabbitEars.info]] |access-date=August 6, 2021}}</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" | 23.1
| [[1080i]] || rowspan=6| [[16:9]] || The CW || [[The CW]] || [[KSTP-TV]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 23.2
| rowspan=5| [[480i]] || Comet || [[Comet (TV network)|Comet]] || [[WFTC]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 23.3
| Charge! || [[Charge! (TV network)|Charge!]] || rowspan = "2" | [[WCCO-TV]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 23.4
| ROAR || [[Roar (TV network)|Roar]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 23.5
| Rewind || [[Rewind TV]] || [[KARE (TV)|KARE]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 23.6
| Antenna || [[Antenna TV]] || [[WFTC]]
|}
On August 16, 2023, WUCW became the [[ATSC 3.0]] (NextGen TV) host station for the Twin Cities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Details Released of Aug. 16 NextGen TV Launch in Minneapolis (Updated)|url=https://www.northpine.com/blog/2023/07/24/minneapolis-set-to-get-nextgen-tv-on-august-14/|website=Northpine |date=July 25, 2023 |access-date=August 16, 2023 }}</ref> It broadcasts from a tower at the [[Telefarm Towers]] in [[Shoreview, Minnesota]].{{r|FCC-LMS-36395}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Subchannels of WUCW (ATSC 3.0)<ref>{{Cite web |title=RabbitEars TV Query for WUCW |url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WUCW#station |website=[[RabbitEars.info]] |access-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529112802/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=wucw#station |url-status=live }}</ref>
! 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" | Short name
! style="background-color: #bdbdff" scope = "col" | Programming
|-
! scope = "row" | [[WCCO-TV|4.1]]
| rowspan=6|1080p || style="background-color: #ffe8d0"|WCCO || style="background-color: #ffe8d0"|[[CBS]] ([[WCCO-TV]]) [[File:Action lock 2 - orange.svg|14px|alt=DRM|link=]]
|-
! scope = "row" | [[KSTP-TV|5.1]]
| KSTP || [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] ([[KSTP-TV]])
|-
! scope = "row" | [[KMSP-TV|9.1]]
| style="background-color: #ffe8d0"|KMSP || style="background-color: #ffe8d0"|[[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] ([[KMSP-TV]]) [[File:Action lock 2 - orange.svg|14px|alt=DRM|link=]]
|-
! scope = "row" | [[KARE-TV|11.1]]
| style="background-color: #ffe8d0"|KARE || style="background-color: #ffe8d0"|[[NBC]] ([[KARE (TV)|KARE]]) [[File:Action lock 2 - orange.svg|14px|alt=DRM|link=]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 23.1
| WUCW || [[The CW]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 23.10
| style="background-color:#ffffd0|T2 || style="background-color:#ffffd0|[[Tennis Channel#Streaming channels|T2]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 23.11
| || style="background-color:#ffffd0|PBTV || style="background-color:#ffffd0|[[Pickleballtv]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 23.20
| || style="background-color:#ffffd0|GMLOOP || style="background-color:#ffffd0|GameLoop
|}
{{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>}}

===Analog-to-digital conversion===
WUCW (like most Sinclair-owned television stations) ended regular programming on its analog signal, over [[UHF]] channel 23, 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, 2009). The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 22.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 6, 2009 |title=Some TV Stations Won't Delay Digital Switch |publisher=WCCO-TV |agency=Associated Press |url=http://wcco.com/digital/digital.switch.tv.2.928751.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618030616/http://wcco.com/digital/digital.switch.tv.2.928751.html |archive-date=June 18, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 18, 2009 |title=Local TV station goes digital-only |work=Minnesota Public Radio |url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/02/18/dtvcw/ |access-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-date=October 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009100706/http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/02/18/dtvcw/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the 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=March 24, 2012 }}</ref>

As part of the [[SAFER Act]], WUCW kept its analog signal on the air for 30 days to inform viewers of the digital television transition through a loop of [[public service announcement]]s from the [[National Association of Broadcasters]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Some stations make switch to digital despite delay |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/224926360/ |access-date=June 26, 2024}}</ref>

===Translators=== <!--This section will need reverification after August 16-->
The broadcast signal of WUCW is also extended by way of six digital [[broadcast relay station#Broadcast translators|translators]], owned by local translator associations, in central and southern Minnesota:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minnesota TV Translators and Satellite Stations |url=http://northpine.com/broadcast/mn/tvtranslators.html |website=Northpine |access-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529064524/http://www.northpine.com/broadcast/mn/tvtranslators.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Alexandria, Minnesota|Alexandria]]: {{FCC-LMS-Facility|59647|3=K26CL-D}}
* [[Frost, Minnesota|Frost]]: {{FCC-LMS-Facility|125745|3=K23FY-D}}
* [[Jackson, Minnesota|Jackson]]: {{FCC-LMS-Facility|167247|3=K28OI-D}}
* [[St. James, Minnesota|St. James]]: {{FCC-LMS-Facility|167237|3=K34JX-D}}
* [[Walker, Minnesota|Walker]]: {{FCC-LMS-Facility|36959|3=K35KH-D}} (main subchannel only)
* [[Willmar, Minnesota|Willmar]]: {{FCC-LMS-Facility|68701|3=K14LF-D}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official|http://thecwtc.com/}}

{{MSP TV}}
{{Minnesota TV}}
{{Wisconsin TV}}
{{SBGI}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wucw}}
[[Category:1982 establishments in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Antenna TV affiliates]]
[[Category:ATSC 3.0 television stations]]
[[Category:Charge! (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Comet (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:The CW affiliates]]
[[Category:Mystery Science Theater 3000|KTMA]]
[[Category:Rewind TV affiliates]]
[[Category:Roar (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Sinclair Broadcast Group]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1982]]
[[Category:Television stations in Minneapolis–Saint Paul]]