WPXL-TV: The History and Evolution of New Orleans' Ion Television Affiliate
WPXL-TV is a prominent television station serving New Orleans, Louisiana. Operating on virtual channel 49, the station serves as a primary outlet for the Ion Television network. Owned by Ion Media, a subsidiary of the E. W. Scripps Company, WPXL-TV has a complex history marked by financial struggles, natural disasters, and a complete transformation of its programming identity.
The station maintains its business offices in Metairie, located on Veterans Memorial Boulevard and Cleary Avenue. Its technical operations are centered around a transmitter situated off Paris Road (LA 47), near the border of Orleans and St. Bernard parishes.
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Key Facts
- Virtual Channel: 49
- Digital Channel: 33 (UHF)
- Primary Affiliation: Ion Television
- Owner: Ion Media (E. W. Scripps Company)
- First Air Date: March 19, 1989
- Effective Radiated Power (ERP): 1,000 kW
- HAAT: 311.2 meters (1,021 ft)
Station History
The WCCL Era and Early Struggles
The station first signed on the air on March 19, 1989, under the call sign WCCL. Originally owned by Barbara Lamont, it launched as an independent station focusing on general entertainment. To supplement its schedule, it aired CBS programs that were preempted by the local CBS affiliate, WWL-TV, such as CBS This Morning.
However, the station faced immediate challenges, including poor ratings and limited cable carriage. Financial instability led to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in late 1989. A dispute with a creditor, Lodestar Towers, over the station's tower site in Algiers—and a failed attempt to build a new tower in Bywater due to neighborhood opposition—eventually forced the station off the air on May 23, 1990.
Return to Air and the Pax TV Transition
After several years of silence and a transition to Chapter 7 liquidation, the license was purchased by Flinn Broadcasting Corporation. The station returned to the air on May 25, 1994, initially serving as an outlet for the Home Shopping Network (HSN).
A major turning point occurred on August 31, 1998, when the station changed its call letters to WPXL-TV and became a charter affiliate of Pax TV (now known as Ion Television). The call sign "WPXL" was chosen to reflect the "Pax Louisiana" branding. During this era, the station entered into various agreements, including a joint sales agreement with Hearst-Argyle Television to manage advertising and marketing.
Hurricane Katrina and Community Support
In September 2005, WPXL-TV played a critical role in local communications following the landfall of Hurricane Katrina. Because the transmitter of NBC affiliate WDSU in Chalmette was damaged by flooding, WPXL partnered with WDSU to simulcast its programming. Additionally, WPXL used its digital signal to carry signals from ABC affiliate WGNO and CW affiliate WNOL-TV, ensuring residents with digital tuners remained informed during the crisis.
By March 2008, the station expanded its digital offerings to include the children's network Qubo and the lifestyle network Ion Life.
Acquisition by Ion Media
The station's ownership shifted in 2007 when Ion Media announced the purchase of WPXL-TV and its sister station WPXX in Memphis from Flinn Broadcasting for $18 million. The sale was finalized on January 2, 2008, making WPXL an owned-and-operated station of Ion Media.
Technical Specifications and Programming
Digital Signal and Multiplexing
WPXL-TV utilizes multiplexing, a process that allows a single digital channel to carry multiple programming streams (subchannels). The station transitioned from analog to digital broadcasting on June 12, 2009, moving its digital signal to UHF channel 50 (and later to channel 33) while maintaining virtual channel 49.
The current subchannel lineup provides a variety of entertainment and shopping content:
| Channel | Resolution | Network | Programming |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49.1 | 720p | ION | Ion Television |
| 49.2 | - | Grit | Grit |
| 49.3 | 480i | CourtTV | Court TV |
| 49.4 | - | IONPLus | Ion Plus |
| 49.5 | - | BUSTED | Busted |
| 49.6 | - | HSN | Home Shopping Network |
| 49.7 | - | QVC | QVC |
| 49.8 | - | HSN2 | HSN2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of the WPXL call sign?
The call sign WPXL was adopted in 1998 to represent "Pax Louisiana," coinciding with the station's affiliation with the Pax TV network.
How did WPXL-TV help during Hurricane Katrina?
WPXL-TV provided a vital service by simulcasting the programming of WDSU after WDSU's transmitter was flooded, and by carrying the signals of WGNO and WNOL-TV on its digital subchannels.
Who currently owns WPXL-TV?
The station is owned by Ion Media, which is a subsidiary of the E. W. Scripps Company.
What was the station's original call sign?
The station first signed on the air in 1989 as WCCL.
What is the difference between the virtual and digital channel?
The virtual channel (49) is the number viewers use to find the station on their remote, while the digital channel (33) is the actual UHF frequency used for transmission.