WEPA leaves air October 25

October 18, 2017 Off By Eric O'Brien

Back in April, with the help of the fine folks at the Post-Gazette, we explained the TV spectrum auction and how it would affect television viewing locally. Most of the stations would remain on the air but would adopt new broadcast channels and viewers would find little or no interruption in service. Over the air viewers would have to rescan their television sets, but the stations would retain their “virtual channel” or that of their analog days.

The one channel that will be leaving us next week, is WEPA-TV broadcasting on digital channel 16. WEPA used to be known as WBGN and was the flagship station for the Bruno Goodworth Network until a few years ago when OTA Broadcasting purchased the group of stations. WBGN has always been considered a low power station on analog channel 59, and required a series of repeater stations around the market. Many of them will be leaving the air as well. Other than WEPA Pittsburgh, OTA loses WEMW Charleroi, WNNB Beaver, WPCP New Castle and WVTX Bridgeport (Wheeling area).

Other notes

We also note that Sarah Arbogast his left her traffic reporters position at KDKA-TV to take on the role of part-time communications director at Serra Catholic High School in McKeesport. Taking her place is Celina Pompeani, the younger daughter of the longtime sports director of the station Bob Pompeani. Although they are not on the air at the same time of day, the family connection may remind some people of the years of “Patti and Daddy” when pioneer broadcaster Bill Burns and his daughter anchored the news together.

(PG)