WNOL-TV: The History and Evolution of New Orleans' CW38
In the vibrant media landscape of Louisiana, WNOL-TV (branded as NOLA CW38) stands as a cornerstone of New Orleans broadcasting. Since its debut in the early 1980s, the station has navigated a complex journey of ownership changes, network shifts, and the resilience required to rebuild after one of the greatest natural disasters in American history.
Operating on virtual channel 38, WNOL has evolved from a scrappy independent station into a key part of the Nexstar Media Group portfolio, serving as the local home for The CW.
Key Facts
- First Air Date: March 25, 1984.
- Current Affiliation: The CW (Channel 38.1).
- Current Owner: Nexstar Media Group.
- Sister Station: WGNO.
- Digital Channel: 15 (UHF).
- Transmitter Location: Chalmette, Louisiana.
The Early Years and Independent Beginnings
The road to broadcasting began long before the station actually signed on. As early as 1967, channel 38 was assigned to the New Orleans area, but early attempts to launch—including a 1969 permit held by Rault Petroleum Company—failed to materialize. It wasn't until 1981 that the FCC designated several groups for comparative hearings, eventually granting a construction permit to Cypress Broadcasting.
After transferring the permit to Channel 38 Associates, WNOL-TV officially began broadcasting on March 25, 1984. Launching from studios at 1661 Canal Street, it became the second independent station in the market, following WGNO. Its early programming was a eclectic mix of movies, classic reruns, children's shows, and sports.
Despite a strong start, the station faced internal turmoil and stiff competition from WGNO, which had been acquired by Tribune Broadcasting in 1983. Financial pressures eventually led to the station being sold to the TVX Broadcast Group in late 1985.
Network Transitions: From Fox to The WB
WNOL entered a new era in 1986 when it became the New Orleans affiliate for the newly launched Fox network. This partnership helped the station close the ratings gap with its competitors. However, TVX's own financial struggles led to the sale of the station in 1989 to a group controlled by legendary musician Quincy Jones.
The mid-1990s brought significant shifts in the local market. In 1994, Fox shifted its affiliation in New Orleans to WVUE. Consequently, WNOL transitioned to become the city's affiliate for The WB on January 1, 1996, absorbing several syndicated programs from WGNO in the process.
The Tribune Era and the Impact of Hurricane Katrina
In 1999, the FCC legalized duopolies—the ownership of two stations in a single market. This allowed Tribune Broadcasting to purchase WNOL-TV outright. While the two stations (WNOL and WGNO) initially operated separately, they merged their operations at the New Orleans Centre shopping mall in July 2005.
This consolidation was short-lived. Only a month later, Hurricane Katrina devastated the city, inundating the shopping mall and leaving both stations without permanent facilities for two years. During this recovery period, WNOL began airing a 9 p.m. newscast produced by WGNO, and the station transitioned from The WB to The CW following the merger of those two networks.
By August 2007, the stations officially moved to a new home at The Galleria in Metairie, where they continue to operate today.
Modern Operations and Technical Specifications
In 2019, Nexstar Media Group acquired Tribune, bringing WNOL under its corporate umbrella. Today, the station utilizes a multiplexed signal from its transmitter in Chalmette, offering several digital subchannels to viewers.
| Channel | Programming | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 38.1 | The CW | 1080i |
| 38.2 | Grit | 480i |
| 38.3 | Comet | 480i |
| 54.1 | WUPL (via NextGen TV) | 1080i |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who currently owns WNOL-TV?
WNOL-TV is owned by the Nexstar Media Group, having been part of the company since its acquisition of Tribune Media in 2019.
What is the relationship between WNOL and WGNO?
WNOL and WGNO are sister stations. They are owned by the same parent company and have shared studio facilities at The Galleria in Metairie since 2007.
Why did WNOL change its network affiliations over time?
The station began as an independent, became a Fox affiliate in 1986, switched to The WB in 1996, and finally became a CW affiliate after The WB and UPN merged in 2006.
How did Hurricane Katrina affect the station?
The hurricane flooded the station's studios at the New Orleans Centre shopping mall in 2005, forcing WNOL and WGNO to operate without permanent facilities for two years before moving to Metairie.
What is NextGen TV in relation to WNOL?
As part of the ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) deployment, WNOL-TV broadcasts the 54.1 subchannel of WUPL on behalf of that station.