View source for WTCL-LD

{{short description|LPTV station in Cleveland}}
{{redirect|WLFM-LP|the Chicago area television station which identified as WLFM-LP from 2006 to 2012|WRME-LD}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = WTCL-LD
| logo = Telemundo CLE.png
| logo_upright = .7
| logo_alt = A large red "T" with "Telemundo Cleveland" in black text underneath.
| location = [[Cleveland]], Ohio
| country = United States
| branding = Telemundo Cleveland
| digital = 20 ([[UHF]])
| virtual = 6, 19, 22
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''6.1:''' [[Telemundo]]{{r|wlfmtelemundo}}|'''19.10:''' [[CBS]]|'''22.1:''' [[Rock Entertainment Sports Network|RESN]]}}
| owner = [[Gray Media]]{{r|wlfmtogray}}
| licensee = Gray Television Licensee, [[LLC]]
| airdate = {{start date and age|1989|11|30|p=y}}
| callsign_meaning = "Telemundo Cleveland"
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|W47BE (1989–1998)|W65DL (1998–2000)|WXOX-LP (2000–2012)|WLFM-LP (2012–2020)|WLFM-LD (2020–2021)|WTCL-LP (2021–2022)}}
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 47 (UHF, 1989–1998), 65 (UHF, 1998–2012), 6 ([[VHF]], 2012–2020)}}
| former_affiliations = {{ubl|[[HSN]] (2002–2009)|[[Dark (broadcasting)|Dark]] (2009–2012)|[[Channel 6 radio stations in the United States|Audio-only]] [[Independent station|independent]] (2012–2020)|[[Jewelry Television|JTV]] (2020–2021)}}
| sister_stations = [[WOIO]], [[WUAB]], WOHZ-CD
| erp = 15 [[kW]]
| haat = {{convert|306.8|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| class = [[Low-power broadcasting#Television|LD]]
| facility_id = 6699
| coordinates = {{coord|41|22|45|N|81|43|11|W|region:US-OH_type:landmark_source:FCC}}
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{URL|https://telemundocleveland.com}}
}}

'''WTCL-LD''' (channel 6) is a [[low-power television station]] in [[Cleveland]], Ohio, United States, affiliated with [[Telemundo]]. It is owned by [[Gray Media]] alongside [[CBS]] affiliate [[WOIO]] (channel 19), [[The CW|CW]] affiliate [[WUAB]] (channel 43) and [[independent station]] [[WOHZ-CD]] (channel 22); WTCL and WOHZ also function as [[ultra high frequency]] (UHF) [[broadcast relay station#Broadcast translators|repeater]]s for WOIO. All four stations have studios at [[Reserve Square]] in [[downtown Cleveland]]; WTCL-LD's transmitter is located in suburban [[Parma, Ohio|Parma]]. WTCL's visibility is extended to the southern part of the Cleveland market via repeaters WOHZ and W28FG-D in [[Akron]]; WOHZ is additionally relayed over WTCL.

Founded as a mostly obscure low-power station in the Cleveland area on UHF channels 47 and 65, this station moved to channel 6 in 2012 after several failed attempts to convert the station for [[digital broadcasting]], enabling it to operate as WLFM-LP, [[Channel 6 radio stations in the United States|a ''de facto'' radio station]] on {{Frequency|87.7|[[FM broadcasting|FM]]}}. After briefly carrying a hybrid [[modern rock]]/[[Talk radio|talk]] format, a lease to [[TSJ Media]] resulted in the installation of a [[Spanish language in the United States|Spanish language]] radio format as "La Mega 87.7", the first such format to operate on a full-time basis in the market. Increasing technical complications and limitations forced WLFM-LP to convert to digital in July 2020. A sale to Gray Television the following year saw the station relaunched as the market's first Telemundo affiliate.

== History ==
=== Early history and attempted digital conversion ===
This station signed on as a low-power station on channel 47 on November 30, 1989,<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 30, 1989 |title=Application Search Details: BPTTL-19890310QF |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=125540 |access-date=October 14, 2022 |website=CDBS Public Access |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> using the sequentially assigned W47BE [[call sign]].{{r|hc}} Moving to channel 65 (which had been previously reserved for commercial [[UHF]] broadcasts in the early 1950s which were never built<ref name="AkronB19530619p 38">{{Cite news |date=June 19, 1953 |title=Cleveland's WERE Gets TV Permit |page=38 |newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal |location=Akron, Ohio |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110153651/clevelands-were-gets-tv-permit/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926014210/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110153651/clevelands-were-gets-tv-permit/ |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="Newark19600220p25">{{Cite news |date=February 20, 1960 |title=FCC Acting To Cancel Permits To TV Stations |page=25 |newspaper=The Newark Advocate |agency=Associated Press |location=Newark, Ohio |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110183125/fcc-acting-to-cancel-permits-to-tv/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926014212/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110183125/fcc-acting-to-cancel-permits-to-tv/ |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>) on April 15, 1998,<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 15, 1998 |title=Application Search Details: BPTTL-19960517ZG |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=225868 |access-date=October 14, 2022 |website=CDBS Public Access |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> the calls were changed to W65DL, then adopted the WXOX-LP calls on January 12, 2000.{{r|hc}} In the final years as WXOX, the station was affiliated with the Home Shopping Network ([[HSN]]).

WXOX-LP filed paperwork requesting the station move to channel 44 and increase power to 120&nbsp;kW,<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 6, 2006 |title=Application Search Details: BPTTL-20050927ALC |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1090442 |access-date=October 14, 2022 |website=CDBS Public Access |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> but amended the request for [[digital conversion]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 22, 2009 |title=Application Search Details: BDFCDTL-20080221ACU |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1235639 |access-date=October 14, 2022 |website=CDBS Public Access |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) findings stated channel 44 would cause interference with adjacent [[WNEO]],<ref>{{cite web |date=December 16, 2008 |title=In re: Low Power Television Application of: Venture Technologies Group, LLC; Channel 44, Cleveland, OH; File number: BDFCDTL-20080221ACU; Facility Id No.: 6699 |url=https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=10550 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183011/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=10550 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=February 11, 2010 |website=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> prompting WXOX-LP to request broadcasting over a subchannel of [[WCDN-LP]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Application Search Details |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS_Attachment/getattachment.jsp?appn=101182451&qnum=5120&copynum=1&exhcnum=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606114510/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS_Attachment/getattachment.jsp?appn=101182451&qnum=5120&copynum=1&exhcnum=2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |access-date=January 2, 2014 |website=CDBS Public Access |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> WXOX-LP was then forced off the air on October 27, 2009, when wireless carrier [[Verizon]] purchased the part of the wireless spectrum where the station had been broadcasting.<ref>{{cite web |title=Notification of Suspension of Operations/Request for Silent STA: BLSTA - 20091110AED |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101342041&formid=910&fac_num=6699 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223044727/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101342041&formid=910&fac_num=6699 |archive-date=December 23, 2015 |access-date=December 16, 2015 |website=CDBS Public Access |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> An attempt was made to convert WXOX to a low-power digital station on channel 31,<ref>[http://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS_Attachment/getattachment.jsp?appn=101285477&qnum=5100&copynum=1&exhcnum=1] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301042048/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS_Attachment/getattachment.jsp?appn=101285477&qnum=5100&copynum=1&exhcnum=1|date=March 1, 2012}}</ref> which [[WJW (TV)|WJW]] broadcast from prior to the June 12, 2009, analog shutoff date. Due to potential [[co-channel interference]] issues with [[CITY-DT-2]] in [[Woodstock, Ontario]], which also broadcast on [[RF]] channel 31, the application was abandoned.

=== As a "Franken-FM" radio station ===
==== ''87.7 Cleveland's Sound'' ====
In May 2011, the station's then-owner, Venture Technologies Group, filed a new FCC request to move the station to channel 6 analog,<ref>{{cite web |title=Application Search Details: BDISTVL-20100408ACE |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1361899 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222124946/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1361899 |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |access-date=December 16, 2015 |website=CDBS Public Access |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> leading to speculation that it could [[Channel 6 radio stations in the United States|carry the audio feed of an FM radio station]] due to analog transmissions on that frequency also being audible over {{Frequency|87.7|[[FM broadcasting|FM]]}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=New 'Franken FM' Preps for Cleveland Launch |url=http://www.rwonline.com/article/new-franken-fm%E2%80%99-preps-for-cleveland-launch/213888 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102201253/http://www.rwonline.com/article/new-franken-fm%E2%80%99-preps-for-cleveland-launch/213888 |archive-date=January 2, 2014 |access-date=September 15, 2012 |website=Radio World}}</ref> After entering into an operating agreement with Murray Hill Broadcasting—headed by former [[WTAM|WWWE]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Cavazos |first=Shaina |date=June 27, 2012 |title=New Cleveland Radio Station to Aim for Hyper-local Approach |work=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |url=http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/06/new_cleveland_radio_station_ai.html |access-date=June 29, 2012 |archive-date=June 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628223843/http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/06/new_cleveland_radio_station_ai.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[WKNR|WRMR]] and [[WDOK]] co-owner Tom Wilson and aligned with Venture executive Paul Koplin{{r|RBR-WLFM}}—Wilson announced the launch of a personality-driven [[alternative rock]]/[[Talk radio|talk]] format,<ref name="Crains877launch">{{Cite web |last=Park |first=Michelle |date=June 21, 2012 |title=Longtime radio exec plans launch of new Cleveland rock station |url=https://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20120625/SUB1/306259976/longtime-radio-exec-plans-launch-of-new-cleveland-rock-station |access-date=October 13, 2022 |website=Crain's Cleveland Business |location=Cleveland, Ohio |language=en |archive-date=October 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013215847/https://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20120625/SUB1/306259976/longtime-radio-exec-plans-launch-of-new-cleveland-rock-station |url-status=live }}</ref> using the WLFM-LP call sign{{r|hc}} which Venture transferred from their [[WRME-LD|low-power channel 6 station]] in Chicago.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Venta |first=Lance |date=June 25, 2012 |title=87.7 WLFM Cleveland To Launch With Rock Format |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/58650/87-7-wlfm-cleveland-to-launch-with-rock-format/ |access-date=October 13, 2022 |website=RadioInsight |language=en-US |archive-date=October 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013215849/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/58650/87-7-wlfm-cleveland-to-launch-with-rock-format/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

With studios located within the [[Cleveland Agora]],{{r|Crains877LaMega}} what became known as "87.7 Cleveland's Sound" was originally scheduled to launch in July 2012, but did not debut until September 9, 2012.<ref name="RadioInsigh877Debut">{{cite web |last=Venta |first=Lance |title=87.7 Cleveland's Sound Debut |url=http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/70430/87-7-clevelands-sound-debuts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220123039/https://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/70430/87-7-clevelands-sound-debuts/ |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |access-date=September 15, 2012 |website=RadioInsight|date=September 10, 2012 }}</ref> WLFM-LP aired a taped loop of Cleveland-themed sports songs and "[[My Town (Michael Stanley Band song)|My Town]]" as a prolonged [[Stunting (broadcasting)|stunt]],{{r|Crains877launch}} while the TV signal displayed either a loop of slides of local landmarks, or a screensaver for [[Western Digital]].<ref>{{Unbulleted list citebundle|{{Cite AV media |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=J19KtbQ-wSU |title=WLFM-LP Analog 6 Cleveland Slideshow |date=June 13, 2012 |type=YouTube |publisher=General Teeso |access-date=August 20, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013215847/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=J19KtbQ-wSU |archive-date=October 13, 2022}}|{{Cite AV media |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IJZ8hHNo1pk |title=WLFM Cleveland Franken-FM Stunting 8/17/12 3am |date=August 17, 2012 |type=YouTube |publisher=Danny Kewl |access-date=August 19, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013215910/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=IJZ8hHNo1pk |archive-date=October 13, 2022}}}}</ref> A [[casting call]] was conducted for possible air talent, with former [[WKRK-FM]] host Rachel Steele named as afternoon host and former [[WFBQ]] program director Marty Bender assuming like duties.{{r|RadioInsigh877Debut}} Former WMMS personalities Dan Stansbury<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/124083/87-7-fm-cleveland-s-sound-hires-dan-stansbury-for- |title=87.7 FM Cleveland's Sound Hires Dan Stansbury For PM Drive |publisher=AllAccess.com |date=November 6, 2013 |access-date=December 16, 2015 |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222170901/http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/124083/87-7-fm-cleveland-s-sound-hires-dan-stansbury-for- |url-status=live }}</ref> and Chad Zumock were later added to the airstaff.<ref>{{cite web |title=87.7 Cleveland Sound » Proud to Announce "Sunday Nights with Chad Zumock" |url=http://www.877cleveland.com/2013/10/16/proud-to-announce-sunday-nights-with-chad-zumock/ |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202231402/http://www.877cleveland.com/2013/10/16/proud-to-announce-sunday-nights-with-chad-zumock/ |archivedate=December 2, 2013 |accessdate=November 25, 2013 }}</ref>

Readers of ''[[Cleveland Scene]]'' awarded WLFM-LP as "Best Local Radio Station" in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bolden |first=Chris |date=April 10, 2013 |title=Best of Cleveland 2013: People & Places |url=http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/BestOf?category=1392950&feature=&year=2013 |access-date=December 16, 2015 |website=Cleveland Scene |location=Cleveland, Ohio |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222170109/http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/BestOf?category=1392950&feature=&year=2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> The station also featured area local music show ''Inner Sanctum'' but the program was cancelled in September 2013; host Pat Johnson said the station "was hoping for a big summer and that hasn't translated into sales yet".<ref>{{cite web |last=Niesel |first=Jeff |date=September 27, 2013 |title=87.7 pulls the plug on local music show Inner Sanctum |url=http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2013/09/27/877-pulls-the-plug-on-local-music-show-inner-sanctum |access-date=September 27, 2013 |work=Cleveland Scene |location=Cleveland, Ohio |archive-date=September 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929192149/http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2013/09/27/877-pulls-the-plug-on-local-music-show-inner-sanctum |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== ''La Mega 87.7'' ====
[[File:WLFM-LP logo.png|thumb|Logo as "La Mega 87.7", playing off of the station's aural transmissions being audible at {{Frequency|87.7|FM}}.|left]]
Murray Hill Broadcasting announced a [[local marketing agreement]] (LMA) with [[Cincinnati]]-based [[TSJ Media]] on December 11, 2013, effectively changing WLFM-LP to a [[Spanish language in the United States|Spanish language]] radio format, ''de facto'' becoming the first full-time Hispanic radio station in Cleveland proper. Tom Wilson viewed Murray Hill's LMA with TSJ Media as "a significant upgrade of an opportunity... sometimes you just don't realize what opportunity is there until somebody presents it to you. It's really the way to go".<ref name="Crains877LaMega">{{cite web |last=Lazette |first=Michelle Park |date=December 10, 2013 |title=Cleveland FM station 87.7 to ditch alternative rock for Hispanic format |url=http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20131211/FREE/131219936 |access-date=December 16, 2015 |website=Crain's Cleveland Business |location=Cleveland, Ohio}}</ref> When the LMA took effect on January 1, 2014,<ref>{{cite web |last=Grzegorek |first=Vince |date=December 11, 2013 |title=87.7 Sold, Will Switch to Latin Music Programming on January 1, 2014 &#124; Scene and Heard: Scene's News Blog |url=http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2013/12/11/877-to-switch-to-latin-music-programming-on-january-1-2014 |access-date=December 16, 2015 |website=Cleveland Scene |location=Cleveland, Ohio |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222135642/http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2013/12/11/877-to-switch-to-latin-music-programming-on-january-1-2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> WLFM-LP was renamed "La Mega 87.7: Latino and Proud", boasting an airstaff that included several area disc jockeys.<ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Robert L. |date=January 9, 2014 |title=Wepa! La Mega brings Spanish music, news and excitement to Cleveland airwaves |url=http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2014/01/wepa_la_mega_brings_spanish_mu.html |access-date=January 10, 2014 |work=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |archive-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110141128/http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2014/01/wepa_la_mega_brings_spanish_mu.html |url-status=live }}</ref> TSJ Media would later be acquired by [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]-based La Mega Media, Inc., on April 16, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Caproni |first=Erin |date=April 16, 2019 |title=Cincinnati media firm sells |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2019/04/16/minority-owned-cincinnati-firm-sells.html |access-date=October 13, 2022 |website=Cincinnati Business Courier |location=Cincinnati, Ohio |archive-date=October 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013215848/https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2019/04/16/minority-owned-cincinnati-firm-sells.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Beginning with the [[2014–15 NBA season]], WLFM-LP carried Spanish-language broadcasts of the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]], then added Spanish-language broadcasts of the [[Cleveland Browns]] in 2018; Rafael Hernandez Brito served as [[play-by-play announcer]] for both teams.<ref name="Cavs Crain's">{{cite web |last=Kleps |first=Kevin |date=October 16, 2014 |title=Cleveland Cavs games will be broadcast in Spanish on 87.7 FM La Mega |url=http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20141016/FREE/141019847/cleveland-cavs-games-will-be-broadcast-in-spanish-on-87-7-fm-la-mega |access-date=October 16, 2014 |work=Crain's Cleveland Business |location=Cleveland, Ohio |archive-date=July 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705005519/http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20141016/FREE/141019847/cleveland-cavs-games-will-be-broadcast-in-spanish-on-87-7-fm-la-mega |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/media/radio|title=Cleveland Browns|access-date=August 29, 2018|archive-date=August 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809184143/https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/media/radio|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Conversion to digital ===
WLFM-LP suspended operations on February 26, 2019, when [[WOUC-TV]] in [[Cambridge, Ohio]], moved to RF channel 6 during the repacking of broadcast spectrum initiated by the FCC's [[2016 United States wireless spectrum auction|2016 auction]];<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2019 |title=Suspension of Operations of an Analog LPTV Station Application- File Number: 0000068413 |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff36940edf0016959d6ccc51072&id=25076ff36940edf0016959d6ccc51072 |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=Licensing and Management System |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016172338/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff36940edf0016959d6ccc51072&id=25076ff36940edf0016959d6ccc51072 |url-status=live }}</ref> WLFM-LP returned to the air several days later with a power reduction to 3 [[watt]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2019 |title=Analog LPTV Engineering STA Application- File Number: 0000068414 |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff36917750201692736ffd30740&id=25076ff36917750201692736ffd30740 |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=Licensing and Management System |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> While low-power television stations operating as "Franken-FMs", including WLFM-LP, had deadlines for digital conversion extended multiple times by the FCC,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Venta |first=Lance |date=October 10, 2014 |title=Franken-FM's To Get Temporary Stay; Potentially Permanent One |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/90444/franken-fms-to-get-temporary-stay-potentially-permanent-one/ |access-date=October 13, 2022 |website=RadioInsight |language=en-US |archive-date=October 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013215917/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/90444/franken-fms-to-get-temporary-stay-potentially-permanent-one/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the spectrum repack forced the station to convert to digital broadcasting on RF channel 20. Thus, WLFM-LP discontinued analog broadcasting on June 30, 2020, with the "La Mega 87.7" format moved to an internet-only platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Venta |first=Lance |date=June 23, 2020 |title=TV Repack Sends Mega 87.7 Cleveland To Go Online Only |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/189406/tv-repack-sends-mega-87-7-cleveland-to-go-online-only/ |access-date=October 13, 2022 |website=RadioInsight |language=en-US |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913070237/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/189406/tv-repack-sends-mega-87-7-cleveland-to-go-online-only/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On July 29, 2020, the renamed WLFM-LD launched, carrying [[Jewelry Television]] as a temporary affiliation.<ref name="RBR-WLFM">{{Cite web |last=Jacobson |first=Adam |date=July 29, 2021 |title=Gray Gains a Cleveland LPTV Property |url=https://www.rbr.com/gray-gains-a-cleveland-lptv-property/ |access-date=October 13, 2022 |website=Radio & Television Business Report |language=en-US |archive-date=October 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013215849/https://www.rbr.com/gray-gains-a-cleveland-lptv-property/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Sale to Gray and Telemundo affiliation ===
Murray Hill Broadcasting sold WLFM-LD to [[WOIO]] and [[WUAB]] owner [[Gray Television]] on July 29, 2021, for $1.65 million,{{r|RBR-WLFM}} which the FCC approved on September 13.<ref name="wlfmtogray">{{Cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/assignmentDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076f9179edc3d1017a1b2f01b55374&id=25076f9179edc3d1017a1b2f01b55374&goBack=N|title=Assignments|work=Licensing and Management System|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|date=July 29, 2021|accessdate=July 30, 2021|archive-date=October 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013215849/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/assignmentDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076f9179edc3d1017a1b2f01b55374&id=25076f9179edc3d1017a1b2f01b55374&goBack=N|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, Gray announced WLFM-LD would adopt the WTCL call sign and join [[Telemundo]] on January 1, 2022; prior to this, Cleveland was the largest market in the United States not to have a dedicated Telemundo affiliate.{{r|wlfmtelemundo}} The new station would also have evening newscasts in Spanish produced by WOIO, the first such newscasts to be broadcast in the Cleveland market, as [[Univision Communications|Univision]]-owned [[WQHS-DT]] only carries remotely-produced news briefs.<ref name="wlfmtelemundo">{{cite web |date=September 22, 2021 |title=WOIO-TV will launch new Telemundo station in Cleveland |url=https://www.cleveland19.com/2021/09/22/woio-tv-will-launch-new-telemundo-station-cleveland/ |accessdate=September 22, 2021 |website=Cleveland19.com |location=Cleveland, Ohio |archive-date=September 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922205902/https://www.cleveland19.com/2021/09/22/woio-tv-will-launch-new-telemundo-station-cleveland/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Palmer |first=Kim |date=February 20, 2022 |title=Telemundo Cleveland rolls out Spanish-language station |work=Crain's Cleveland Business |location=Cleveland, Ohio |url=https://www.crainscleveland.com/media/telemundo-cleveland-rolls-out-spanish-language-station |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916042553/https://www.crainscleveland.com/media/telemundo-cleveland-rolls-out-spanish-language-station |archive-date=September 16, 2022}}</ref> WOIO previously produced a daily Spanish-language newscast, ''Al Día'', for their website, social media and [[Over-the-top media service|OTT]] services, but was suspended due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio|COVID-19 pandemic]]; WOIO retained both ''Al Día'' reporters and planned to hire two additional [[bilingual]] reporters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barron |first=Alicia |date=October 14, 2021 |title=Building a Telemundo affiliate from scratch |url=https://cronkitenewslab.com/broadcast/2021/10/14/building-cleveland-telemundo-affiliate-from-scratch/ |access-date=October 14, 2022 |website=Cronkite News Lab |language=en-US |archive-date=October 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014212659/https://cronkitenewslab.com/broadcast/2021/10/14/building-cleveland-telemundo-affiliate-from-scratch/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

WLFM-LD was renamed WTCL-LP on October 15, 2021, and adopted the -LD suffix on August 5, 2022.<ref name="hc">{{Cite web |date=October 15, 2021 |title=WTCL-LD: Call Sign History |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=6699&Callsign=WTCL-LD |access-date=October 15, 2021 |website=CDBS Public Access |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref>

== Technical information ==
=== Subchannels ===
WTCL-LD is simulcast full-time over [[WOHZ-CD]], licensed to [[Canton, Ohio]], and W28FG-D, licensed to [[Akron, Ohio]]. All three stations carry the same [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]] signal:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of WTCL-LD, WOHZ-CD, and W28FG-D<ref name="re">{{cite web |title=Digital TV Market Listing for WTCL |url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WTCL |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223001817/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WTCL |archive-date=December 23, 2021 |access-date=October 9, 2022 |website=[[RabbitEars]]}}</ref><ref name="re-wohz">{{cite web |title=RabbitEars TV Query for WOHZ-CD |url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WOHZ-CD |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010034523/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WOHZ-CD |archive-date=October 10, 2022 |access-date=May 4, 2021 |website=[[RabbitEars]]}}</ref><ref name="re-w28fg">{{cite web |title=Digital TV Market Listing for W28FG-D |url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=W28FG-D |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250106190029/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=W28FG-D |archive-date=January 6, 2025 |access-date=January 6, 2025 |website=[[RabbitEars]]}}</ref>
|-
! scope="col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope="col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope="col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope="col" | Short name
! scope="col" | Programming
|-
! scope="row" | 6.1
| [[1080i]] || rowspan="3" | [[16:9]] || TLMD || [[Telemundo]]
|- style="background-color: #E6FFF7;"
! scope="row" | [[WOIO|19.10]]
| 1080i || WOIOHD || [[CBS]] (WOIO)
|-
! scope="row" | 22.1
| 720p || RESN || [[Rock Entertainment Sports Network]]
|}
{{legend|#E6FFF7|Simulcast of subchannels of another station}}

=== Translators ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Translators of WTCL-LD
! scope = "col" | Call sign
! scope = "col" | City of license
! scope = "col" | Channel
! scope = "col" | [[effective radiated power|ERP]]
! scope = "col" | [[HAAT]]
! scope = "col" | [[Facility ID]]
! scope = "col" | Transmitter coordinates
|-
! scope = "row" | {{FCC-LMS-Facility|41892|3=WOHZ-CD}}
| [[Canton, Ohio|Canton]] || 34 || 15&nbsp;kW || {{convert|252.9|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 41892 || {{coord|40|53|24|N|81|16|11|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WOHZ-CD}}
|-
! scope = "row" | {{FCC-LMS-Facility|184642|3=W28FG-D}}
| [[Akron]] || 28 || 15&nbsp;kW || {{convert|564.2|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} || 184642 || {{coord|41|3|52.7|N|81|34|58.3|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=W28FG-D}}
|}
{{Maplink|frame=yes|frame-width=450|frame-align=left|frame-height=450|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/WTCL and WOHZ}}|text={{ubl|Grade A signal contours for WTCL-LD, WOHZ-CD and translator W28FG-D.|{{legend-col |{{legend|#243746|WTCL-LD}} |{{legend|#0000ff|WOHZ-CD}} |{{legend|#ff4500|W28FG-D}} }}}}}}{{clear}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
*{{Official website|www.telemundocleveland.com}}

{{Ohio TV}}
{{Cleveland TV}}
{{Gray TV}}

[[Category:1989 establishments in Ohio]]
[[Category:CBS affiliates]]
[[Category:Defunct radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Gray Media]]
[[Category:Low-power television stations in Ohio|TCL-LD]]
[[Category:Spanish-language mass media in Ohio]]
[[Category:Telemundo affiliates]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1989]]
[[Category:Television stations in Cleveland|TCL-LD]]