WVOA-LD

{{Short description|LPTV station in Syracuse, New York}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}

{{for|the former CW affiliate also in Syracuse that was branded as "CW 6" from its cable position|WSTQ-LP}}

{{notconfuse|Voice of America}}

{{More citations needed|date=May 2024}}

{{Infobox television station

| callsign = WVOA-LD

| atsc3 = yes

| city = Westvale, New York

| logo =

| branding =

| digital = 6 (VHF)

| virtual = 6

| translators =

| affiliations = {{ubl|6.1: Independent|for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}}}

| founded = June 30, 1992

| location = Westvale–Syracuse, New York

| country = United States

| callsign_meaning = The Voice of the Arts

| former_callsigns = {{ubl|W60BY (1992–1998)|WMBO-LP (1998–2013)|WVOA-LP (2013–2022)}}

| owner = Craig Fox

| licensee = Metro TV, Inc.

| last_airdate =

| former_affiliations = {{ubl|NASA TV|The Fish (Salem)|Dark (2021–2022)}}

| sister_stations = WFBL, WMBO, WMVN, WOLF, WOLF-FM, WOSW, WSEN, WSIV

| former_channel_numbers = Analog: 60 (UHF, 1997–2009), 6 (VHF, 2009–2022)

| erp = 2.75 kW

| haat = {{Convert|54.1|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

| facility_id = 14319

| class = LD

| coordinates = {{coord|43|3|30|N|76|9|59|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}

| licensing_authority = FCC

| embed_header = Radio station information

| embedded = {{Infobox radio station | child=yes

| branding =

| logo =

| logo_size =

| format =

| frequency = {{frequency|87.75|MHz}}

| class = A

| repeater =

| webcast =

| website =

}}

}}

WVOA-LD (channel 6) is a low-power television station licensed to Westvale, New York, United States, serving the Syracuse area. The station is owned by Metro TV, Inc., one of the numerous holding companies owned or co-owned by Craig Fox. WVOA-LD's transmitter is located on the WOLF radio tower on West Kirkpatrick Street northwest of downtown Syracuse.

Until July 13, 2021, the station operated a brokered religious format known as "Love Radio"; "Love Radio" had previously aired in the Syracuse area on 103.9 FM, now known as WSEN. The then-WVOA-LP operated on analog channel 6, allowing its audio feed to be heard on the FM radio dial at 87.75 MHz. To meet the legal requirements for visual content, the station ran the display from an Atari Video Music machine that the station's audio signal was fed into.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgAxeluxYkY&t=458s|title = Analog TV Stations Still on the Air in 2021|website = YouTube}}

Prior to adopting that format in October 2013,Herbert, Geoff (October 6, 2013). [http://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2013/10/syracuse_radio_holiday_music_christmas_holly_fm.html Syracuse radio station starts playing holiday music 11 weeks before Christmas] Syracuse Post-Standard. Retrieved October 7, 2013. the then-WMBO-LP carried a feed of NASA TV, which it had carried since returning to the air in November 2010.Naughton, Peter (November 22, 2010). [http://www.cnyradio.com/2010/11/22/wmbo-lp-returns-to-airwaves/ WMBO-LP returns to the airwaves] CNYRadio.com. Retrieved October 8, 2013.

WVOA-LP's programming consisted mostly of brokered religious programming from around the United States, with Salem Radio Network's "The Fish" network filling in unsold gaps. A few secular music programs also aired, primarily on weekends.

As part of the FCC's mandated shutdown on low-power analog television stations, the station ended all analog transmissions on July 13, 2021, at 5 p.m. All programs were moved to sister station WSIV.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKxAGLE3ldw|title = Analog TV transmission turned off at 5PM Tuesday July 13, 2021. WVOA 87.7 Syracuse New York|website = YouTube}} The station was licensed to begin digital TV operations effective January 11, 2022, changing its call sign to WVOA-LD.

On July 20, 2023, a FCC "Report and Order" stated that WVOA-LD would be permitted to apply to resume separate audio operations on 87.75 MHz, using a modified version of the ATSC 3.0 "NextGen TV" standard.[https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-23-58A1.pdf "Fifth Report and Order: In the Matter of Amendment of Parts 73 and 74 of the Commission's Rules to Establish Rules for Digital Low Power Television and Television Translator Stations"] (FCC 23-58, MB Docket No. 03-185, Adopted: July 20, 2023, Released: July 20, 2023) It converted to ATSC 3.0 operation on December 15, 2023, and began offering FM6 service under special temporary authority three days later, becoming the fourteenth and final permitted FM6 station. The station simulcasts the programming of WOLF at 87.75 MHz as an ancillary or supplementary analog service of WVOA-LD.{{Cite web|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-1209A1.pdf|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|title=Media Bureau Announces That All LPTV Rules and Filing Requirements Are Now In Effect|date=December 28, 2023|access-date=December 28, 2023}}