Its transmitter facilities are at 4 Times Square in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
But, it is not a TV station in the most traditional sense, thanks to a channel-sharing agreement with the owner of another facility — a full-power VHF broadcaster serving the New York metropolitan area.
Now, the owner of that VHF is gaining full control — in the eyes of the FCC– of its channel-sharing partner, affirming a duopoly in the nation’s biggest DMA.
The deal officially unites facilities tied to the New Jersey News Network (NJNN), as WNWT-LD 37 in New York City is being transferred to PMCM TV LLC from its affiliated entity, Press Communications.
Both entities involve Rich Morena, who is the CFO for PMCM.
However, PMCM is a New Hampshire LLC, whereas Press is incorporated in Delaware.
WNWT shares digital channel 51 with WJLP-3, licensed to Middletown Township, N.J.; WNWT is virtual channel 37, while WJLP is virtual channel 3, even though they use the same digital facility.
While operated as a duopoly, the stations were clearly under separate ownership. Thus explains a $300,000 purchase price, agreed upon March 31 by PMCM and Press.
A $225,000 deposit has been made, with the balance due at closing.
WNWT has not been on the air for 12 consecutive months. However, it is today the main outlet for NJNN — an ambitious attempt to offer Garden State-specific news in a televised and online video format. Previously, WWOR-9 in Secaucus, N.J., had been the only commercial TV station with a New Jersey-centric lean in its news. However, that was years ago. Meanwhile, southern New Jersey is dominated by Philadelphia-area TV outlets.
Enter Press Communications, which RBR+TVBR reported in December 2018 entered the Big Apple TV market with its purchase of WBQM-LD in New York from BuenaVisión TV Network, an entity led by Luis Isaias.
This set the stage for the WJLP/WNWT duopoly; WJLP had been a MeTV Network affiliate.
Before then, Press was best-known for its ownership of four radio stations along the Jersey Shore.
