CBS O&Os will no longer have CW affiliation

May 5, 2023 Off By Eric O'Brien

It could be as early as September 1 when WPCW-TV (19 Jeannette) will no longer be a CW affiliate. CBS Broadcasting announced this morning they are disaffiliating with the network for which they previously co-ventured with Warner Brothers. Nexstar Broadcasting bought a controlling stake in the network in 2022. Whether or not that transaction has anything to do with the decision is unclear.

Locally, this might be an opportunity for Sinclair-owned WPNT-TV (22) to affiliate with the network, though no discussion has been publicly h ad. As WCWB, Channel 22 was affiliated with the WB Network which eventually merged with UPN to become the CW.

As for WPCW, it will become an independent station and will likely remain a spot for KDKA-TV’s overflow newscasts. Perhaps it will be a good outlet for local sports with the impending shutdown of AT&T SportsNet?

(h/t: Rob Owen – Trib)

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2 Comments

  • Joseph Gerard says:
    May 7, 2023 at 8:35 pm

    I imagine a callsign change is coming, too. I think it might be a heritage call–WIIC-TV maybe? I could also see the on-air branding being something like KDKA+ like what’s been done in some other markets.

  • Boomer The Dog says:
    May 11, 2023 at 11:48 pm

    How about changing to WFAT, TV-19?

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