WBXG-LD


WBXG-LD was a low-power, digital television station licensed to Gainesville, Florida. Owned by L4 Media Group, it broadcast a standard definition digital signal on UHF channel 33 from a transmitter located along SW 8th Avenue in west Gainesville. Formerly a music video station, WBXG-LD later aired Religious programming from the SonLife Broadcasting Network before the station went dark in 2019.

History

WBXG-LD began operations on April 13, 1989, as W31AT, broadcasting on UHF channel 31. The station was originally an affiliate of The Box, a broadcast network where viewers could call-in to request their favorite music video be played, much like a call-in music radio station. The station later changed its call letters to WBXG-LP, which reflected its association with The Box network and the City of Gainesville.
In May 1999, The Box was acquired by MTV Networks division of Viacom and as a result, WBXG-LP became an affiliate of MTV2 when The Box was merged into that network's operations on January 1, 2001. About a year later, WBXG-LP upgraded to Class A service as WBXG-CA and started broadcasting on UHF channel 33.
By the early 2010s, Viacom had gradually sold most of their broadcast affiliates to other parties and in July 2015, WBXG dropped MTV2 and affiliated with Religious broadcaster SonLife.

Digital television

Digital channels

Analog-to-digital conversion

WBXG-CA shut down its analog signal in 2016. The station subsequently converted to a digital signal and changed its call letters to WBXG-LD on August 2, 2016.

Spectrum reallocation

As part of the upcoming Spectrum reallocation, WBXG-LD in 2018 obtained a construction permit to move its digital signal to UHF channel 34. However, it was later canceled along with the station's licence on May 14, 2019.