WBUP and WBKP: A History of Broadcasting in Upper Michigan
The landscape of television in Michigan's Upper Peninsula has evolved through various ownership changes, signal upgrades, and unexpected technical disruptions. Central to this history are WBUP and WBKP, stations that have navigated the transition from low-power translators to full-power regional hubs.
The Evolution of Signal and Branding
The journey began in August 1997 when the original ABC affiliate, WBKP, launched W28BX. This was a translator station—a low-power station that rebroadcasts a signal to extend its reach—on channel 28 to cover the city of Marquette. However, due to the inherent weakness of low-power over-the-air signals, coverage was limited strictly to Marquette and Negaunee.
To resolve these coverage issues, WBKP replaced the translator on January 2, 2003, with the full-time satellite station WBUP. By broadcasting a full-power analog signal on VHF channel 10, the stations expanded their reach significantly and adopted the joint on-air branding "ABC 5&10".
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Ownership Shifts and Network Changes
The early 2000s saw a shift in corporate control. In January 2004, the Scanlan family, who also operated WGTU/WGTQ in the Northern Lower Peninsula, sold WBUP, WBKP, and Alpena's WBKB-TV to Lake Superior Community Broadcasting, a company owned by Stephen Marks of Maryland.
While the stations initially operated together, they diverged in July 2007. WBUP maintained its affiliation with ABC, while WBKP transitioned to a CW affiliate as part of The CW Plus national service.
The 2013 Emergency Alert System Incident
One of the most unusual events in the stations' history occurred on February 11, 2013. At approximately 8:35 p.m., during a broadcast of The Bachelor, WBUP fell victim to a broadcast signal intrusion. An unidentified hacker hijacked the Emergency Alert System (EAS) network to transmit a false message claiming that dead bodies were rising from their graves to attack the living.
The breach occurred because the network was using a default password. The intrusion also affected WNMU-TV locally, as well as KENW in New Mexico and KRTV in Montana. The station issued an on-screen apology shortly after the incident. The perpetrator was arrested several days later and sentenced to six months of probation.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Recent Acquisitions and Modern Integration
In September 2023, The Marks Group announced the sale of its Michigan properties—including WBUP, WBKP, and WBKB-TV, along with radio stations in Iron River and Houghton—to Morgan Murphy Media for $13.375 million. This transaction was finalized on December 4, 2023.
Further consolidation occurred in 2024. In April, Nexstar Media Group sold WJMN-TV (a former CBS affiliate) to Sullivan's Landing, LLC, which then entered into a shared services agreement with Morgan Murphy Media. By September 16, 2024, WJMN became a satellite of WBUP, simulcasting WBUP on channel 3.1 and WBKP on channel 3.2, while moving MyNetworkTV programming to channel 3.3.
Key Facts
- Initial Reach: WBKP originally used translator W28BX to cover Marquette and Negaunee.
- Signal Upgrade: WBUP launched on VHF channel 10 in 2003 to provide full-power coverage.
- Network Split: In 2007, WBUP remained with ABC while WBKP joined The CW Plus.
- Security Breach: A 2013 EAS hack broadcast a false zombie apocalypse warning due to a default password.
- Recent Sale: Morgan Murphy Media acquired the stations in late 2023 for $13.375 million.
| Year | Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Launch of W28BX | Low-power coverage for Marquette/Negaunee |
| 2003 | Launch of WBUP | Full-power analog signal on VHF channel 10 |
| 2004 | Ownership Change | Sold to Lake Superior Community Broadcasting |
| 2007 | Affiliation Split | WBUP (ABC) and WBKP (CW) |
| 2023 | Corporate Sale | Acquired by Morgan Murphy Media for $13.375M |
| 2024 | WJMN Integration | WJMN becomes a satellite of WBUP |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was WBUP created to replace the translator station?
The original translator station, W28BX, had a very weak signal that only reached Marquette and Negaunee. WBUP was launched to provide a full-power analog signal on VHF channel 10 to ensure broader coverage.
What happened during the 2013 signal intrusion?
A hacker used a default password to hijack the Emergency Alert System, broadcasting a fake warning about dead bodies attacking the living during an episode of The Bachelor.
Who currently owns WBUP and WBKP?
The stations are owned by Morgan Murphy Media, which purchased them from The Marks Group in December 2023.
How does WJMN-TV relate to WBUP now?
As of September 16, 2024, WJMN-TV operates as a satellite of WBUP, simulcasting WBUP on 3.1 and WBKP on 3.2.