WFXG is the Fox-affiliated television station for Augusta, Georgia. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 51 from a transmitter in the Spiderweb section of Beech Island, South Carolina. The station can also be seen on Comcast and Knology channel 11. There is a high definition feed offered on Comcast digital channel 234 and Knology digital channel 905. Owned by Southeastern Media Holdings, WFXG is operated by Raycom Media through a shared services agreement.
| |
| Augusta, Georgia | |
|---|---|
| Branding | FOX 54 (General)
FOX 54 News at Ten (News) |
| Slogan | The Fun Starts Here (General)
More Stories You Won't See Anywhere Else.(News) |
| Channels | Digital: 51 (UHF) |
| Subchannels | 54.1 Fox
54.2 This TV |
| Owner | Southeastern Media Holdings(operated through SSA byRaycom Media) (sale pending) |
| First air date | May 23, 1991 |
| Call letters' meaning | 'FoX'Georgia |
| Sister station(s) | WTVM, WXTX, WCSC-TV,WTOC-TV, WIS, WSFX |
| Former channel number(s) | Analog:
54 (UHF, 1991-2009) |
| Transmitter power | 37 kW |
| Height | 363 m |
| Facility ID | 3228 |
| Transmitter coordinates | 33°25′0.0″N 81°50′0.6″W |
| Website | www.wfxg.com |
Its studios are located on Washington Road (GA 104) in the Lamkin section of Martinez, although WFXG recognizes the area in their legal address as Augusta. Syndicated programming on the station includes: Friends, How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, and The Dr. Oz Show.
History[]
WFXG first signed-on May 23, 1991 replacing underperforming Class A station WBEK-CA as the area's FOX affiliate. It was owned and operated by Pezold Management Associates, Inc., who's owner Jack Pezold operates McDonald's franchises in Columbus, GA. Pezold purchased WFXG's longtime sister station WXTX out of bankruptcy in 1989. Pezold had plans to launch another television station, and chose Augusta. Within a year, WFXG became the FOX network’s Affiliate of the Year for posting the highest sign-on/sign-off share ever for a FOX affiliate.
In 1996, WFXG and WXTX were sold to a newly launched Atlanta-based broadcast group, Galleria Broadcast Group L.P., who purchased the two stations for $40.1 million. Community Newspaper Holdings purchased Galleria stations WFXG, WXTX, and WSFX in December 2003, using the "Southeastern Media Holdings Inc." subsidiary.
Community plans to sell all 4 of its television stations to Thomas Henson in January 2011. Henson, upon approval from the FCC, will operate all 4 stations under a company called "Southeastern Media Acquisitions".[1] WFXG's GM Barry Barth said he couldn't confirm the specifics of the deal but said the request was basically a licensing switch and wouldn't affect the station's operations.[2] As of March 1st, the deal is still awaiting FCC approval.
Since 2003, the station has been honored with four FOX No. 1 Club awards for primetime ratings performance. WFXG just recently added coverage of SEC football and basketball, and periodically airs coverage of certain sporting events from Raycom Sports.
WFXG entertains, informs and serves 18 counties in Georgia and South Carolina with contemporary and highly rated syndicated programs, the best of FOX primetime shows, sports programming, and a commitment to community service and event promotion.
Digital programming[]
WFXG signed off its analog signal on February 17, 2009 in compliance with the digital TV transition. The station had plans to move from channel 51 to channel 31 after the digital TV transition, but now its has petitioned to stay on channel 51.[3]
On WFXG-DT2, Knology digital channel 169, and Comcast digital channel 383 is This TV.
| Channels (physical/virtual) | Programming |
|---|---|
| 51.1/54.1 | main WFXG programming/Fox HD |
| 51.2/54.2 | WFXG-DT2 This TV |
Newscasts[]
News open.
Since its inception, FOX 54 News at Ten has been very successful in its timeslot, being the #1 rated primetime newscast in the area, a title it now holds by default since it has no competition. When it was announced that WJBF was to produce local news for WFXG, local NBC affiliateWAGT decided to launch its own 10pm show in direct competition, launching just days after WFXG's newscast. At first the WAGT-produced newscast aired on independent station WBEK under the title WBEK 16 News at 10, but was soon cancelled due to low ratings. The newscast was retooled and then relaunched on cable-only WBAU, first as WB 23 News at Ten, then subsequently became CW Augusta Now after the WB/UPN merger, and finally became NBC Augusta News at 10 before it was scrapped altogether in April 2008. Since then, WFXG has been the only 10pm newscast in the area.WFXG's studios in Martinez have always been too small to house a local news department, so its newscasts are outsourced and produced by local ABC affiliate WJBF. The only news that currently airs on WFXG is a 10pm newscast, entitled FOX 54 News at Ten. The newscast was launched in 2004, and was the first time a local newscast ever aired on the station.
WFXG's newscast uses different on-air graphics and modifies WJBF's existing set using separate duratrans. The principal set look and on-air graphics have been the same since the newscast launched in 2004. WFXG has also used Gari Media Group's The X Package as its news music package since newscasts launched.
Despite WJBF and WAGT entering into a Local Marketing Agreement in November 2009, WJBF continues to produce WFXG's newscasts.
On-Air Staff[]
Anchors[]
- John Hart - weeknights at 10
- Kimberely Scott - weeknights at 10
- Jillian Benfield - weekends at 10
Weather[]
- George Myers - chief meteorologist, weeknights at 10
- Jenna Lee Thomas - forecaster, weekends at 10
- Matt Monroe - fill-in
Sports[]
- Chris Kane - weeknights at 10
- Merissa Lynn - weekends at 10
Reporters[]
WFXG features additional news personnel from both WJBF and WAGT. See those articles for a complete listing.
Notable Alumni:[]
- Crystal Styles - primary anchor/reporter (2004-2005)
References[]
- ^ Malone, Michael. "Report: Southeastern Media Stations Sold". Broadcasting & Cable. Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
- ^ Zureick, Erin (January 3, 2011). "WFXG awaits OK on acquisition". The Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
- ^ http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0316/DA-11-499A1.pdf