WTVW Evansville Becomes Latest CW Affil

Mission Broadcasting announced today that it entered into an exclusive affiliation agreement with The CW Television Network for it previously independent station, WTVW Evansville, Ind. (DMA 104), for which Nexstar Broadcasting Group provides services. The network’s previous home in the market, low-power WAZE, went dark earlier this month.

In addition to The CW’s popular daily and primetime programming, TriState viewers will also have access to live, interactive content through the Tristatehomepage.com and Tristate on the Go community Web portals.

Beginning Jan. 31, WTVW will air The CW’s primetime programming Monday through Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. Immediately following The CW’s lineup, Local 7 Eyewitness News will air at 9 p.m. weekdays. The station’s “Late Night Entertainment” package begins at 10 and will feature syndicated comedy programming including The Simpsons, The Big Bang Theory and Rules of Engagement. Additionally, WTVW will air The CW’s The Bill Cunningham Show weekdays at 3-4 p.m.

In conjunction with the new CW affiliation agreement the e-Media team at Tristatehomepage.com is expanding its digital platform with a new interactive section exclusively for CW fans. The special interactive features will allow CW fans to access unique content for their favorite CW shows and connect with each other via social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

Commenting on the agreement, Mission Broadcasting President-COO Dennis P. Thatcher said: “When Mission acquired WTVW 14 months ago, we made a commitment to offer TriState viewers the very best local programming, news and information — and feedback from the community confirms we have delivered on that goal.

”We are delighted to announce this relationship with CW as we will now also bring local Tristate viewers what they have been asking for since CW went off the air earlier this month. The CW has a powerhouse lineup of primetime programming including hits such as The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, Nikita, and The Carrie Diaries and much more.

“Our affiliation with CW, combined with our station’s Local 7 Eyewitness News and unique community-focused programming, allows us to deliver the market’s best mix of great entertainment and information to our viewers.”

Elizabeth Tumulty, CW’s EVP of distribution, said: “We are thrilled to partner with WTVW Local 7 and look forward to bringing CW’s popular primetime programming back to the TriState region. Mission Broadcasting and Local 7 have a proven track record for providing local viewers with outstanding local news and programming as well as unparalleled community service. We are confident that their strong local presence and interactive web-platform will strengthen CW’s footprint in the TriState market.”

The station also plans to launch a “Simpsons Saturdays” block after the current high school and college basketball seasons end. And WTVW Sunday staples such as Oakland City Academic Challenge, My Hometown, The Big Bang Theory and Rules of Engagement will also continue to air as currently scheduled.