WBXZ-LP
WBXZ-LD is a low-power television station in Buffalo, New York, broadcasting locally on channel 17. Owned by Steven Ritchie, WBXZ operates a large and varying number of digital subchannels, two of which are permanent: Cozi TV on 56.1 and independent "Throwback Television" on 56.4.
| Buffalo, New York United States | |
|---|---|
| Channels | Digital: 17 (UHF) Virtual: 56 (PSIP) |
| Branding | 56 WBXZ Buffalo |
| Slogan | Buffalo's Superstation |
| Programming | |
| Subchannels |
|
| Affiliations | Cozi TV (2014–present) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Steven Ritchie |
| History | |
| First air date | September 3, 1993 |
| Former call signs | W56DS (1997–1998) |
| Former channel number(s) | 56 (UHF analog, 1993–2009) |
| Former affiliations | The Box/MTV2/HSN (until 2010) , Rev'n (2014–2016) |
| Call sign meaning | We're The BoX Z (former affiliation) |
| Technical information | |
| Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 14317 |
| Class | LD |
| ERP | 15 kW |
| Transmitter coordinates | 42°52′48″N 78°52′36″W |
| Links | |
| Public license information | Profile LMS |
| Website | http://www.wbxztv.com |
History and programming
The station broadcast on channel 56 analog until it had to vacate that frequency when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) removed it from the broadcast spectrum. It used to be an affiliate of The Box, from which the station gets its call sign. The station is owned by Steven Ritchie, a local retired police officer[1] who acquired the station from Craig Fox in December 2013.[2]
After the digital transition, the station moved from analog channel 56 to channel 17 (the channel had been held by WBUF-TV from 1953 to 1959 and WNED-TV from 1959 to 2009) through a Special Temporary Authority approved by the FCC. The station returned to virtual channel 56 upon digital conversion, at which point it also planned to add several digital subchannels from Luken Communications, among them being Retro Television Network, PBJ and Heartland.[2] WBXZ-LP returned to the air April 17, 2014 with test programming; on May 2, the station indicated it was having trouble securing a carriage agreement with Luken (mainly because Ritchie could not fit the necessary large satellite dish onto the One Seneca Center where the station's transmitter is located but also in part due to Luken's financial problems) and was seeking other options.[3] As of 2014, the station was carrying Cozi TV on 56.1 and "Throwback TV" (a locally programmed outlet) is carried on 56.2 (later moved to 56.4). Retro and a new Luken subchannel known as Rev'n would be added to WBXZ-LP on December 1, 2014. Buzzr would be added shortly after that network's launch.
Luken's networks, along with Buzzr, were pulled from WBXZ on June 28, 2016 after technical difficulties. Ebru TV and AMGTV were briefly added as replacements; both have since been removed. With the exception of Cozi and the returning Tuff TV (which was re-added after it split from Luken). Retro (but not any of the other Luken networks) was re-added in July 2017; Tuff TV was dropped later that year.
In February 2018, Buzzr was added back to the list of subchannels. Jewelry Television was added shortly thereafter, with the station signing on with NewsNet, an upstart news network, when it launched in fall 2018, bringing the number of subchannels to 11. With Tuff TV ceasing operations in August 2018, Rev'n was re-added; Rev'n was dropped in August 2020 in favor of the returning AMGTV. WBXZ began showing This TV in September 2019, taking over the affiliation from rimshot WVTT.
UPDATE: As of May 30, 2020 (maybe even a few days earlier) they are off the air until at least June 6, 2020. Below is quoted from their website as viewed on May 30, 2020.
" ***We will be off the air until Saturday June 6. While working on frequency change we had some technical issues which requires new parts. We will keep you updated here and at our Facebook page. "
UPDATE 2: Since May 30, 2020 & an attempt to rescan on & just after June 6, 2020 have been UNABLE to receive the station. Upon checking their website on 6-25-2020 and still on 7-23-2020 found the following statement quoted below from their website. Unknown how long this statement has been posted on their site.
" ***RESCAN****RESCAN*** We are operating at a lower power until our new transmitter arrives. It is scheduled to be here by mid-July. "
Digital channels
The station's digital signal is multiplexed:
| Channel | Video | Aspect | PSIP Short Name | Programming[4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56.1 | 480i | 16:9 | Cozi | Cozi TV |
| 56.2 | Retro | Retro TV | ||
| 56.3 | JEWELRY | Jewelry Television | ||
| 56.4 | TBTV | Independent (Throwback Television) | ||
| 56.5 | BUZZR | Buzzr | ||
| 56.6 | SBN | SonLife Broadcasting Network | ||
| 56.7 | CSTV | Corner Store TV (home shopping) | ||
| 56.8 | QVC | QVC | ||
| 56.9 | DRIVEIN | Independent (Drive-In TV, all-movies) | ||
| 56.10 | AMGTV | AMGTV | ||
| 56.11 | NEWSNET | NewsNet | ||
| 56.12 | THIS TV | This TV |
56.4 and 56.9 are locally programmed.
Throwback Television
"Throwback Television" is the brand used for the 56.4 subchannel. It serves as the channel's flagship service, programmed by Ritchie with programming including independent regional pro wrestling, the locally produced science-fiction series Captain Isotope and the Enemy of Space, and an assortment of hosted movie shows, shows and films in the public domain, infomercials, and low-cost/barter syndicated fare.
References
- No byline (June 2, 2014). Law enforcement bids farewell to K9 Officer Steven Ritchie. WIVB-TV. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
- Pergament, Alan (December 30, 2013). Lockport policeman plans new low power TV channels. The Buffalo News. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
- Pergament, Alan (June 4, 2014). Retired Lockport officer's TV station is on the air. The Buffalo News. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
- RabbitEars TV Query for WBXZ-LD