WGNO
Station Profile
WGNO-TV began broadcasting in 1967 as WWOM (Wonderful World of Movies) and was the first independent station in Louisiana. Back then New Orleans viewers enjoyed old movies, cartoons, and syndicated programs during the eight hour broadcast day. In 1971 the call letters changed to WGNO and in 1996 became the ABC affiliate for New Orleans.
WGNO began local news in March 1996 and has been committed to serving the New Orleans community ever since. WGNO’s “News with a Twist” program launched in January 2011 and airs each day at 5pm, 6pm, and 10pm. “News with a Twist” is an entertaining news program that is focused on the positives of our community as we share stories about our local culture, events, and successes. WGNO is the local leader in our commitment to highlighting the successes of area high school student athletes with our legendary Friday Night franchises. Friday Night Football, Friday Night Sports, and Friday Night Fastball provides the community year-round coverage of local high school sports.
NOLA Marketplace is a daily local business show that offers long-form content marketing to our advertisers. NOLA Music Playlist is a weekly program that highlights the musical culture of New Orleans and its tremendous talent. For the past 24 years, WGNO’s “Coats for Kids” program has donated over 72,000 coats to the needy children of New Orleans. We support coastal restoration through our partnership with the Oyster Festival and we reach into the community with our 3v3 Soccer Tournament and New with A Twist on the Road events.
Market Profile
New Orleans, LA is in the 51st largest DMA in the United States, with a population of approximately 1,545,715 and 672,320 television households, as reported by Nielsen Media.
Cable/ADS penetration in the market is estimated to be 49.8% wired, 31.2% ADS. The city of New Orleans exudes a unique cross-cultural charm making it a favorite tourist spot as well as a proud home to many enjoying its arts, unique entertainment profile, and its French-accented Southern grace. New Orleans has one of the largest and busiest ports in the world, and metropolitan New Orleans is a center of maritime industry. The New Orleans region also accounts for a significant portion of the nation’s oil refining and petrochemical production. Tourism is another staple of the city’s economy. Perhaps more visible than any other sector, New Orleans’ tourist and convention industry is a $5.5 billion juggernaut that accounts for 40 percent of New Orleans’ tax revenues. New Orleans’ professional sports teams include the 2009 Super Bowl XLIV champion New Orleans Saints (NFL), the New Orleans Pelicans (NBA), and the New Orleans Baby Cakes baseball (PCL).
Source: Nielsen Media, tvb.org
Station Contacts
John Cruse, General Manager
Rocky Daigle, Director of Sales
Rick Erbach, News Director
Jeff Funk, Creative Service Director
Rick Barber, Chief Engineer