WALE-LD

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WALE-LD
Channels
BrandingWALE TV; Montgomery Weather Channel
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
WCOV-TV, WIYC
History
FoundedJune 14, 2013
First air date
January 20, 2015 (2015-01-20)
Former call signs
W17DX-D (2013–2015)
Former channel numbers
Digital: 16 (UHF, 2015–2021)
True Crime Network (2015–2022)
Call sign meaning
Whale
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
181989
ClassLD
ERP15 kW
HAAT236.9 m (777 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
32°20′7″N 86°17′16″W / 32.33528°N 86.28778°W / 32.33528; -86.28778
Links
Public license information
LMS
Websitewww.thewale.com

WALE-LD (channel 17) is a low-power television station in Montgomery, Alabama, United States. It is owned by Gray Media alongside NBC affiliate WSFA (channel 12), Fox affiliate WCOV-TV (channel 20), Cozi TV affiliate WIYC (channel 48), and Telemundo affiliate WBXM-CD (channel 18). WALE-LD, WCOV-TV and WIYC share studios on WCOV Avenue in the Normandale section of Montgomery, where WALE-LD's transmitter is also located.

History

On December 15, 2021, it was announced that Allen Media Group, a subsidiary of Los Angeles–based Entertainment Studios, would purchase WALE-LD, WCOV-TV and WIYC from Woods Communications Corporation for $28.5 million;[2] the sale was completed on April 14, 2023.[3]

At some point in 2022, the station dropped True Crime Network from its main channel and switched to a 24-hour local weather format, known as the Montgomery Weather Channel.[4]

On June 1, 2025, amid financial woes and rising debt, Allen Media Group announced that it would explore "strategic options" for the company, such as a sale of its television stations (including WALE-LD, WCOV and WIYC).[5][6] On August 8, 2025, it was announced that AMG would sell 13 of its stations, including WALE-LD, to Gray Media for $171 million;[7] the sale was completed on May 1, 2026.[8]

Subchannels

The station's signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of WALE-LD[9]
Channel Res. Short name Programming
17.1 480iWALE-LDMontgomery Weather Channel (local weather)
17.2 CourtTV[Blank] (4:3)
17.3 WCOVFox (WCOV-TV) in SD
17.5 MoviesMovies!
17.6 H and IHeroes & Icons
17.7 CometComet
  Simulcast of subchannels of another station

References

  1. "Facility Technical Data for WALE-LD". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. "Allen Media Buying Three Montgomery, Ala., Stations For $28.5M". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheckMedia. December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  3. "Notification of Consummation". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  4. Montgomery Weather Channel Livestream on YouTube
  5. Weprin, Alex (June 1, 2025). "Byron Allen Puts His Local TV Stations Up for Sale". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  6. Miller, Mark K. (June 2, 2025). "Allen Media Group Retains Moelis To Sell Its TV Stations". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  7. Miller, Mark K. (August 8, 2025). "Gray Media To Purchase Allen Media Stations In 10 Markets". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  8. "Gray Media & Allen Media Group Close Station Transactions". TVNewsCheck. May 2, 2026. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  9. "RabbitEars TV Query for WALE-LD". RabbitEars. Retrieved December 29, 2025.