Viewers in most Upper Midwest TV markets have seen at least one channel change in the last week or so as one new network launched and another converted to a new name, with its old name and programming going to a different new network.
Weigel’s MeTV Toons launched on June 25. Meanwhile, on July 1, Scripps’ three-year-old Defy network switched to Ion Plus, with the previous Defy logo and schedule moving over to a newly-launched network that had previously been promoted as “Dare.”
So far, the new version of Defy, operated by Free TV Networks, does not list any full-power affiliates in the Upper Midwest but is carried on a number of low-power stations.
Here is a summary of the changes in each regional market, according to the networks’ official affiliate lists and/or confirmed over-the-air reception:
Bismarck-Minot:
KBMY/17.5 and KMCY/14.5 switched from Defy to Ion Plus
Cedar Rapids-Waterloo:
KWWL/7.6 launched MeTV Toons
K17MH-D/17.3 and KFKZ-LD/35.7 switched to the new version of Defy
KPXR/48.5 switched from Defy to Ion Plus
Des Moines:
KAJR-LD/36.1 and KCYM-LD/44.4 switched to the new version of Defy
KFPX/39.2 switched from Defy to Ion Plus
KDIT-CD/45.4 switched to MeTV Toons
Duluth:
WDIO/10.4 switched from Defy to Ion Plus
KCWV launched Buzzr on 27.6 and GodTV on 27.8
Eau Claire:
WEAU/13.5 switched from Defy to Ion Plus
WQOW/18.3 switched from ThisTV to MeTV Toons
W23FC-D/53.4 switched to the new version of Defy
Fargo:
WDAY-TV/6.5 and WDAZ/8.5 switched from Defy to Ion Plus
K15MR-D/51.6 switched to the new version of Defy
Green Bay:
WGBA/26.2 switched from Defy to Ion Plus
New station WMEI signed on carrying MeTV on 31.1, MeTV Toons on 31.2, Story TV on 31.3, MeTV+ on 31.4, and Movies! on 31.5
La Crosse:
WXOW/19.3 switched from ThisTV to MeTV Toons
Lincoln:
KLKN/8.5 switched from Defy to Ion Plus
KIUA-LD/15.1 switched to the new version of Defy
Madison:
WZCK-LD/8.6 and W23BW-D/23.3 switched to the new version of Defy
WKOW/27.3 switched from ThisTV to MeTV Toons
WIFS/57.6 switched from Defy to Ion Plus
Minneapolis-St. Paul:
KSTP-TV/5.8 is carrying Ion Plus (updated channel number based on viewer reports); the station had previously carried old Defy on 5.5
KSTC-TV/5.6 will carry MeTV Toons with an anticipated launch date of July 9. The channel had previously carried This TV.
The new version of Defy will be carried on KWJM-LD/15.2, KJNK-LD/25.6, K28PQ-D/38.5, and KMBD-LD/43.2.
Milwaukee:
WTSJ-LD/38.9 switched to the new version of Defy
WBME-CD/49.5 launched MeTV Toons
WPXE/55.5 switched from Defy to Ion Plus
Omaha:
KETV/7.4 switched from Defy to Ion Plus
KQMK-LD/25.4 and KAJS-LD/33.2 switched to the new version of Defy
Rochester, MN:
KAAL/6.3 switched from Defy to Ion Plus
KXLT/47.3 switched from Laff to MeTV Toons
Sioux Falls:
KTTW/7.7 and KTTM/12.7 switched from Defy to Ion Plus
KSFY-TV/13.6 launched MeTV Toons
Wausau:
WAOW/9.3 and WMOW/4.3 switched from ThisTV to MeTV Toons
WTPX/46.6 switched from Defy to Ion Plus
Please email jonellis@northpine.com with any additions or updates to this list!
Disclosure: Jon Ellis is an employee of Gray Media Group. The statements and views expressed in this posting are his own and do not reflect those of Gray Media Group.