What Weigel Broadcasting Co. does

Weigel Broadcasting Co. is a privately held, family-owned broadcast media company headquartered in Chicago that operates 26 over-the-air television stations and a portfolio of multicast networks, anchored by MeTV (positioned as America's #1 classic entertainment network). The company's core broadcast assets are WCIU-TV (The U / CW26) and WMEU (The U Too) in the Chicago market and WMYS in South Bend, with recent expansion into Atlanta via the WSKC-CD acquisition and Marshfield, MO via K14SH-D. Weigel operates eight multicast sub-brands — MeTV, Heroes & Icons, Catchy Comedy, MeTV Toons, MeTV Plus, Story Television, Dabl, and WEST — each occupying distinct subchannel positions on the WCIU-TV spectrum (26.1 through 26.8), maximizing carriage without requiring additional spectrum.

The underlying technology is traditional over-the-air broadcast infrastructure supplemented by carriage agreements on Comcast/Xfinity, Spectrum, Dish, DirecTV, U-verse, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV, reaching millions of households nationwide. Content is sourced through partnerships — notably an expanded 2026 deal with Hearst Media Production Group supplying 30+ original series from a 6,000-episode library across Start TV, Heroes & Icons, Catchy Comedy, and Dabl — alongside in-house local productions such as 26 N. Halsted, Chicago Food To Go, On The Block, and Sports Edition. The sports portfolio includes exclusive Chicago Sky (WNBA) broadcasts, Chicago White Sox simulcasts via CHSN, Marquee Sports Network Cubs Spring Training, Chicago Fire (MLS), and South Bend Cubs minor league coverage, plus IHSA high school championship coverage.

Revenue is generated primarily through traditional broadcast advertising against a distributed audience, with rates varying by time slot, programming popularity, and market reach. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market is sales-led with an event-driven overlay for sports programming. Customer segments are horizontal — Chicago metropolitan area viewers as the primary audience, supplemented by national MeTV/multicast viewers across the U.S. The company is privately held with no institutional or public ownership indicated; operating legal entity is WCIU-TV Limited Partnership (Illinois).

Name

Weigel Broadcasting Co.

Legal name

WCIU-TV Limited Partnership

Website

https://wciu.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Weigel Broadcasting is a privately held Chicago-based broadcast media company operating 26 TV stations and multicast networks including MeTV, The U (CW26), Heroes & Icons, and Catchy Comedy, monetizing through advertising on free over-the-air broadcasts reaching millions of households.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Broadcast Television

NAICS

Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

Co-Production & Distribution Partnerships (Pre-Sales, Output Deals) (MPABANAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aggregator/Platform Channels & Marketplace Bundles (Channel Stores, Super-Aggregators) (MPABAHAM), Sports OTT Aggregators & Bundling Services (MPAKAOAB), Virtual MVPDs (Live TV Streaming Bundles) (MPABAGAD)

Keywords

• Broadcast television networks
• Multicast channel networks
• Local sports broadcasting
• Classic entertainment programming
• Over-the-air television

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Advertising Revenue: Traditional broadcast advertising model generating revenue from commercial spots aired during programming. The company's multicast networks (MeTV, Start TV, Heroes & Icons, Catchy Comedy, Dabl) reach millions of households across over-the-air, cable, satellite, and streaming platforms, creating advertising inventory.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Weigel Broadcasting Co. operates local over-the-air broadcast television stations and a portfolio of multicast networks, including MeTV (America's #1 classic entertainment network), The U, Heroes & Icons, Catchy Comedy, MeTV Toons, Story, and Dabl. The company delivers local news, sports coverage, syndicated shows, and classic/niche entertainment programming to viewers free over-the-air and via cable, satellite, and streaming platforms. Revenue is generated primarily from selling advertising inventory across its broadcast stations and networks.

Product overview

Weigel Broadcasting Co. operates a multi-channel broadcast television portfolio centered on the Chicago market. The core offering includes The U (WCIU-TV), the main broadcast station serving as the CW26 affiliate, paired with The U Too subchannel for expanded sports coverage. The company owns MeTV, America's #1 classic entertainment network featuring nostalgic programming like The Golden Girls and classic films. Additional multicast sub-brands include Heroes & Icons (action/detective content), Catchy Comedy, MeTV Toons (classic animation), MeTV Plus, Story Television (documentaries), and Dabl (lifestyle programming). Through partnerships, Weigel provides local sports coverage including Chicago White Sox games via CHSN, comprehensive IHSA high school sports tournaments, and regional sports networks. The broadcast portfolio reaches millions of households nationwide across over-the-air, cable, satellite, and streaming platforms. The company also produces local programming including Chicago Food To Go, On The Block, and the drama series 26 N. Halsted.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MeTV: America's #1 classic entertainment television network featuring classic sitcoms and programming
• The U
• Heroes & Icons
• Catchy Comedy
• MeTV Toons
• Story
• Dabl

Products and services

• The U (WCIU-TV) Chicago-based over-the-air broadcast television station and primary network, featuring a mix of sports coverage, local programming, syndicated shows, and entertainment content. Channel 26.1 also serves as the CW26 affiliate.
• The U Too (WMEU/WCIU-TV 26.2) Secondary broadcast subchannel offering additional sports coverage including high school games, Missouri Valley Conference basketball, and South Bend Cubs baseball.
• MeTV America's #1 classic entertainment television network, offering classic TV shows, movies, and nostalgic programming. Features acquired content like The Golden Girls and The Wizard of Oz.
• Heroes & Icons (H&I) Multicast network featuring action-adventure series, detective shows, and classic television programming.
• Catchy Comedy Multicast network focused on classic comedy programming from various eras.
• MeTV Toons Multicast network dedicated to classic animated programming and cartoons.
• MeTV Plus Multicast network offering additional classic entertainment programming beyond the main MeTV network.
• Story Television Multicast network focused on documentary and non-fiction storytelling programming.
• WEST (Western Entertainment Series Television) Western-themed multicast network carried on WCIU-TV 26.8.
• Start TV Multicast network featuring dramatic programming, distributed as part of Weigel's multicast portfolio.
• WMEU Channel 48 (The U) Secondary Chicago broadcast station carrying The U (48.1) and MeTV Plus (48.4) across cable, satellite, and streaming platforms.
• WMYS Channel 69 (South Bend) South Bend, Indiana market station carrying The U, available across regional cable, satellite, and fiber providers.

Quantifiable outcome

• MeTV is America's #1 classic entertainment television network
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Chicago Sports Network (CHSN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2026Partnership to simulcast 10 Chicago White Sox games on WCIU-TV during the 2024 season, including games versus Cubs, Yankees, and Dodgers. Additional coverage on cable and streaming platforms after carriage deal with Comcast was finalized.
• Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 January 2026Expanded partnership for 2026 providing programming across Weigel's multicast networks including Start TV, Heroes & Icons, Catchy Comedy, and Dabl. HMPG produces more than 30 original series annually with a library of over 6,000 episodes distributed in 100 countries. Start TV is already airing HMPG series, with Heroes & Icons and Catchy Comedy adding content in April and July 2026.
• Marquee Sports NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2024Collaboration to broadcast Cubs vs. Brewers Spring Training game simulcast on CW26 in Chicago and CW25 in South Bend on March 12, 2024. Part of Marquee's 27 Spring Training games broadcast season.
• Greater Chicago Food DepositoryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partnership for 'Fill a Bag, Fill a Bus' food drive. Station promotes food donations and partners with Greater Chicago Food Depository to distribute food to neighbors facing food insecurity.
• Jewel-OscominorGTM or Marketing PartnerRetail partner for food drive events. Jewel-Osco locations host CTA bus for food donations, with store locations in Oak Lawn and River Forest.
• CTA (Chicago Transit Authority)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTransportation partner for 'Fill a Bag, Fill a Bus' food drive. CTA bus used to collect and transport donated food items to Greater Chicago Food Depository.
• MeTV FMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRadio station partnership for community events including food drives and parades. MeTV FM participates in 'Fill a Bag, Fill a Bus' food drive and Chicago Pride Parade.
• CD One Price CleanersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for annual clothing drive benefiting Cara Collective. CD One Price Cleaners cleans and presses donated business attire for job seekers supported by Cara Collective.
• Cara CollectiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChicago non-profit receiving donated business professional attire from clothing drive. Cara Collective distributes clothes to job seekers who need interview-ready attire.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tegna Inc. Major US TV broadcaster with 60+ stations across 50+ markets. Highly comparable as a local broadcast TV operator focused on news and sports content.
• E.W. Scripps Company: Operates 60+ local TV stations plus national networks (ION, Court TV, Bounce). Comparable as a station operator with owned multicast networks.
• Gray Television: Operates 180+ TV stations across the US, with a strong local news/sports strategy. Comparable mid-size broadcaster with multicast network interests.
• Nexstar Media Group: Largest US TV station operator with 200+ stations. Comparable multi-station, multi-market broadcast business model with national reach and ad-supported revenue.
• Hearst Television: Owns/operates 30+ TV stations and is the parent of Hearst Media Production Group — Weigel's programming partner. Closely comparable broadcaster with overlapping content relationships.
• Cordillera Communications: Privately held operator of 13 TV stations in mid-size markets. Comparable as a smaller, privately-held multi-station broadcast group.
• Sinclair Broadcast Group: Largest US television broadcaster, operating 180+ stations across dozens of markets with significant multicast network portfolio (Comet, Charge!, TBD). Directly comparable to Weigel as a multi-station operator with multicast subchannels.
• Sunbeam Television: Privately held operator of TV stations (WSBK Boston, WDTV Clarksburg, others). Comparable as a family/private broadcast group of similar scale.

Broad incumbents

• FOX Corporation: Operates FOX Broadcasting and owns local stations (via Fox Television Stations) plus FS1/FS2 sports networks. Overlaps with Weigel in regional sports distribution and broadcast.
• Paramount Global: Operates CBS Television Network and owns dozens of local stations plus major cable networks. Broader incumbent in broadcast TV that competes for sports rights and ad dollars.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@WCIUTheU
• Facebookfacebook.com/wciuchicago
• Instagraminstagram.com/theuchicago
• Xx.com/wciu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/weigel-broadcasting

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Weigel Broadcasting Co.