WHNO Channel 20: The Evolution of Religious Broadcasting in New Orleans
In the vibrant media landscape of New Orleans, Louisiana, WHNO (Channel 20) stands as a prominent voice for faith-based programming. Owned by the Christian Television Network (CTN), the station serves the Gulf Coast region by blending national ministry content with local outreach. From its studios on St. Charles Avenue in downtown New Orleans to its transmitter in the Algiers neighborhood, WHNO has navigated decades of technical transitions and ownership changes to maintain its presence in the community.
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Key Facts
- Current Owner: Christian Television Network (CTN).
- Launch Date: October 20, 1994.
- Digital Channel: 21 (Virtual Channel 20).
- Primary Programming: Christian ministry and religious content.
- Technical Power: Effective Radiated Power (ERP) of 300 kW.
The History of UHF Channel 20
The allocation of UHF channel 20 in New Orleans has a complex history long before WHNO signed on. Originally, the frequency was occupied by WJMR-TV (now WVUE), which served as a primary CBS and secondary ABC affiliate. Between 1955 and 1970, that station shifted frequencies multiple times—moving from channel 61 to 13, then to 12, and finally settling on channel 8—leaving channel 20 open for future use.
The Path to Launch
The construction permit for WHNO dates back to 1988. After a series of legal disputes and comparative hearings involving Tucker Broadcasting, Delta Broadcasting, and Swan Broadcasting, LeSEA Broadcasting (now Family Broadcasting Corporation) eventually purchased the permit in 1991. The station officially began broadcasting on October 20, 1994, offering a mix of Christian programs, family-oriented movies, and syndicated content.
Strategic Programming and Affiliations
Early in its history, WHNO made a conscious decision to decline an affiliation with the United Paramount Network (UPN) at its 1995 launch, as the network's content conflicted with the station's core values. However, the station did maintain a secondary relationship with CBS from 1998 to 2002, airing morning programs like CBS This Morning and The Early Show to fill gaps in the local market's morning news coverage.
Overcoming Adversity: Hurricane Katrina
The resilience of WHNO was tested on August 29, 2005, when Hurricane Katrina struck. The storm's devastating winds and flooding severely damaged the station's studios on Behrman Highway and knocked the transmitter offline. To maintain a presence, LeSEA provided a direct feed of the national World Harvest Television service to local cable and satellite providers, including Cox Communications.
By November 2005, the station returned to the air with World Harvest programming, and by December 3, 2005, WHNO resumed its regular local schedule and advertising operations.
Expansion into Local Sports
Under the leadership of General Manager Dean Powery, appointed in 2007, WHNO expanded its reach beyond religious content. The station sought to become more competitive by integrating local sports into its schedule. In 2010, the station hired veteran journalist Ken Berthelot, who developed a significant sports block covering local high school and college athletics.
The station's sports ambitions grew with the 2011 acquisition of SportsNOLA.com and a 2012 affiliation with the Southland Conference Television Network, which brought games from Southeastern Louisiana University and Nicholls State University to the local audience. This sports-centric era continued until the Southland Conference network dissolved in 2015.
Technical Specifications and Digital Transition
WHNO was a pioneer in the digital transition within the New Orleans market. On January 16, 2009, it shut down its analog signal on channel 20, becoming the second station in the market to do so before the federal deadline. The station now operates on digital channel 21 while maintaining virtual channel 20.
The station utilizes multiplexing—a method of broadcasting multiple subchannels on a single frequency—to offer a variety of content. Following the acquisition of the station by the Christian Television Network in 2018 for $5.7 million, the subchannel lineup was streamlined to focus on CTN's in-house religious and lifestyle offerings.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Virtual Channel | 20 |
| Digital Channel | 21 (UHF) |
| ERP | 300 kW |
| HAAT | 254 m (833 ft) |
| Owner | Christian Television Network |
| Primary Affiliation | CTN |
Current Subchannel Lineup
- 20.1: CTN (1080i HD)
- 20.2: Newsmax2 (480i)
- 20.3: CTNi (CTN International Spanish service)
- 20.4: Buzzr
- 20.5: Biz-TV
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns WHNO Channel 20?
WHNO is owned by the Christian Television Network (CTN), which acquired the station from LeSEA Broadcasting in April 2018.
What happened to WHNO during Hurricane Katrina?
The station's studios and transmitter suffered extensive damage, forcing it off the air. It temporarily provided a national feed via cable and satellite before resuming local broadcasts in December 2005.
Does WHNO still broadcast sports?
While WHNO had a significant period of sports expansion between 2010 and 2015—including high school and Southland Conference games—its current focus under CTN ownership is primarily on religious and ministry programming.
What is the difference between WHNO's digital and virtual channels?
WHNO broadcasts its physical signal on UHF channel 21, but uses a protocol called virtual mapping so that viewers can still find the station on channel 20, maintaining its historical branding.