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WZPX is a television station affiliated with the "i" network (formerly PAX-TV), The WB, and Worship Network. It broadcasts on analog UHF channel 43 and digital channel 44 in the Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Jackson, Michigan markets. The station is licensed to Battle Creek, Michigan and is owned by Paxson Communications.

History

WZPX went on the air on October 11, 1996 under the call letters of WJUE, carrying infomercials. Within a short period of time the station changed call letters to WILV. When the PAX network was launched in August 1998, the station took the call letters WZPX. For a time WZPX also carried programming from UPN, but on August 31, 1999 UPN programming moved to WXSP. On October 6 that year, WZPX added the WB to its programming.

Programming

Both the WB and "i" networks offer prime time programming on weekdays, resulting in a scheduling conflict for WZPX. It carries the "i" programs on the same days and times as other stations, and the WB programs 22 hours later than other WB affiliates. For example, a WB program aired Tuesdays at 8pm in other markets is aired on Wednesdays at 6pm on WZPX; promotional spots for these programs announce their local time slots. The station carries a brief announcement when switching from one network's programming to the other's. In part because the station has the added draw of WB programming, WZPX is one of the "i" network's highest rated affiliates.

WZPX was the last West Michigan television station to air cartoons on weekday afternoons; the daily Kids' WB block ended on December 30, 2005 and has been replaced by repeats of ER and 8 Simple Rules. However, WZPX still airs the Saturday morning Kids' WB.

Lansing and Jackson

Lansing and Jackson are within coverage of two "i" stations: WZPX and Ann Arbor's WPXD-TV, which also serves Detroit. WPXD's transmitter in northwestern Washtenaw County is actually closer to Lansing and Jackson than to Detroit. However, WZPX's transmitter is in western Eaton County, which is within the Lansing broadcast market, and federal "must-carry" rules require Comcast cable systems in Lansing and Jackson to carry WZPX instead of WPXD. (, )

Ownership

WZPX was founded by DP Media. The station was sold in 2000 to Paxson Communications. It is the only network owned-and-operated station in West Michigan.

External links

• WZPX-TV 43
• Template:TVQ

• I network affiliates
• The WB network affiliates