Chicago's Broadcast Beacon: WXFT-DT
An in-depth examination of WXFT-DT, Chicago's UniMás affiliate, exploring its technical framework, historical trajectory, and operational significance.
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Station Overview
Licensing and Market
WXFT-DT is a television station licensed to Aurora, Illinois, serving the expansive Chicago metropolitan area. It operates as the primary outlet for the Spanish-language network UniMás within this major media market.
Network Affiliation
As a key affiliate of UniMás, WXFT-DT broadcasts a programming lineup tailored towards Spanish-speaking audiences, featuring a mix of entertainment, news, and sports content distributed by TelevisaUnivision.
Ownership Structure
The station is owned and operated by TelevisaUnivision, a prominent global media company. It functions in tandem with its sister station, WGBO-DT, the Univision affiliate for the Chicago market, sharing studio facilities and operational resources.
Technical Specifications
Transmission Details
WXFT-DT transmits its digital signal on UHF channel 22. Its virtual channel is designated as 60. The station utilizes a channel sharing agreement with ABC's WLS-TV, broadcasting from a shared antenna atop the Willis Tower.
Signal Parameters
The station's effective radiated power (ERP) is 1,000 kilowatts. Its height above average terrain (HAAT) is 518 meters (1,699 feet), ensuring robust coverage across the Chicago region.
Location and Licensing
Licensed to Aurora, Illinois, the transmitter coordinates are precisely located at 41°52′44″N 87°38′8″W. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversees its licensing, with a facility ID of 60539.
Ownership and Affiliations
Parent Company
TelevisaUnivision, a major global media conglomerate, holds ownership of WXFT-DT through its subsidiary UniMas Chicago LLC. This affiliation places WXFT-DT within a significant network of Spanish-language media properties.
Sister Stations
WXFT-DT operates alongside other TelevisaUnivision properties in the Chicago market, including WGBO-DT (Univision), WOJO (radio), WPPN (radio), and WVIV-FM (radio), forming a comprehensive media cluster.
Studio Operations
The station's operational hub is located in the Streeterville neighborhood of Chicago, sharing studio facilities on Fairbanks Court with its sister station, WGBO-DT.
Historical Evolution
Early Years and Allocations
The channel 60 allocation in Aurora was initially occupied by WLXT-TV from 1969 to 1970. Following a period of inactivity, applications for the frequency reopened in 1978, attracting significant interest, particularly from groups proposing Spanish-language programming.
Timesharing and Network Changes
In 1981, HATCO-60 and Metrowest Corporation agreed to a timeshare arrangement, leading to the launch of WPWR-TV (Metrowest) and WBBS-TV (HATCO-60) in 1982. WBBS-TV became an early affiliate of NetSpan, which later evolved into Telemundo. The station experienced various programming shifts, including the introduction of the subscription service SportsVision.
Ownership Transitions
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the station underwent significant ownership changes. It was acquired by Home Shopping Network (HSN) in 1986, becoming WEHS. Later, USA Broadcasting acquired the station, with plans for a "CityVision" format that were ultimately superseded by Univision Communications' acquisition in 2000.
UniMás Era and Modern Operations
Following Univision's acquisition, the station's call sign changed to WXFT, and it launched as a charter owned-and-operated station of Telefutura (now UniMás) in 2002. The station has since navigated technical upgrades, including a transition to high-definition broadcasting and a spectrum reallocation auction, leading to its current channel-sharing agreement with WLS-TV.
Digital Subchannels
Current Broadcast Streams
WXFT-DT, through its channel sharing agreement with WLS-TV, broadcasts multiple digital subchannels, offering a diverse range of programming to the Chicago audience.
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Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not professional media or broadcast advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation regarding broadcast engineering, media law, or station operations. Always refer to official documentation and consult with qualified professionals for specific needs.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.