WCFN

Infobox_Broadcast
call_letters = WCFN
city =
station_
station_slogan =
station_branding = MyCFNTV
analog = 49 (UHF)
digital = 53 (UHF)
other_chs =
affiliations = MyNetworkTV
CBS (DT2, simulcast of WCIA)
network =
founded =
airdate = July 9, 1985 (originally low-power W49AA 1967-85)
location = Springfield/Decatur/Champaign/Urbana, Illinois
callsign_meaning = Channel Forty-Nine
former_callsigns =
former_channel_numbers =
owner = Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.
licensee = Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
sister_stations = WCIA
former_affiliations = CBS (1985-2002, as satellite of WCIA)
UPN (2002-2006)
effective_radiated_power = 1750 kW (analog)
1000 kW (digital)
HAAT = 190.5 m (analog)
183 m (digital)
class =
facility_id = 42116
coordinates = coord|39|47|27.4|N|89|30|52.8|W|type:landmark_scale:2000
homepage = [http://www.illinoishomepage.net/ www.illinoishomepage.net]

WCFN is the MyNetworkTV affiliate located in Springfield, Illinois. Owned by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, it is the sister station to WCIA, the CBS affiliate for Champaign, Decatur and Springfield. Both stations operate out of WCIA's studios in downtown Champaign.

History

WCFN signed on in 1967 as W49AA, a low-power translator of WCIA. When WCIA originally signed on in 1953, it planned to build a tower halfway between Champaign and Decatur, on some of the highest ground in central Illinois. However, the owners of WTVP (now WAND) objected to the location, even though it was obvious that Springfield-Decatur and Champaign-Urbana were going to be a single market. As a result, while WCIA decently covers Decatur, it only provides a "rimshot" signal to Springfield.

WCFN became a full-power satellite of WCIA in 1985 under its current calls, and became a separate UPN affiliate in 2002. This is presumably because WCIA's digital signal will provide better coverage of Springfield. However, WCIA is still available on WCFN's digital subcarrier.

In early 2007, WCFN and the IHSA came to an agreement to carry coverage of IHSA tournaments that are televised throughout the state. The Springfield, Decatur, and Champaign-Urbana market had been without an over-the-air flagship station for these kind of events.

News programming

WCFN "Primetime News at Nine" was launched on April 7, 2005 using the news resources WCIA. WCIA/WCFN operates a Springfield bureau located at Spring & Edwards near the Illinois State Capitol.

WCIA nightside anchor Dave Benton anchors the WCFN broadcast from WCIA's Champaign headquarters. Primetime News at Nine is targeted specifically at a Springfield audience.

"myCFN News at 9" airs at 9:00 p.m. every weeknight. The name was altered in 2006 to reflect the MyNetworkTV affiliation.

Personalities

*Dave Benton - News Anchor
*Erin Maloney - Reporter
*Robert Reese - Meteorologist
*Blake Wood - Reporter

News Themes

myCFN News at 9

*"This Is Your News" Gari Communications - Spring 2005-2006
*"The CBS Enforcer Music Collection" Gari Communications - 2006-present

External links

* [http://www.wcfn.tv/ WCFN "MyWCFNTV" Website]
* [http://www.wcia.com/ WCIA Website]
* [http://www.mynetworktv.com/ MyNetworkTV Website]
*TVQ|WCFN
*BIA|WCFN|TV|TV