WICD (TV)

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WICD

Semi-satellite of WICS, Springfield–Decatur, Illinois
Champaign–Urbana–Danville, Illinois United States
City	Champaign, Illinois
Channels	Digital: 32 (UHF) Virtual: 15
Branding	WICD 15 (general) NewsChannel 20 (newscasts)
Programming
Affiliations	15.1: ABC for others, see § Subchannels
Ownership
Owner	Sinclair Broadcast Group (WICD Licensee, LLC)
Sister stations	WICS, WRSP, WCCU, WBUI
History
First air date	April 23, 1959 (65 years ago) (1959-04-23)
Former call signs	WCHU (1959–1967)
Former channel number(s)	Analog: 33 (UHF, 1959–1967), 15 (UHF, 1967–2009) Digital: 41 (UHF, 2002–2018)
Former affiliations	NBC (1959–2005)
Call sign meaning	WICS Champaign–Danville
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	25684
ERP	1,000 kW
HAAT	396 m (1,299 ft)
Transmitter coordinates	40°4′10″N 87°54′46″W / 40.06944°N 87.91278°W / 40.06944; -87.91278 (WICD)
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Website	newschannel20.com

WICD (channel 15) is a television station licensed to Champaign, Illinois, United States, affiliated with ABC. Owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, the station has studios on South Country Fair Drive in Champaign, and its transmitter is located northeast of Homer, along the Vermilion–Champaign county line.

Although identifying as a separate station in its own right, WICD is considered a semi-satellite of WICS (channel 20) in Springfield–Decatur. As such, it simulcasts all network and syndicated programming as provided through its parent, and the two stations share a website. However, WICD airs separate commercial inserts and legal identifications. Local newscasts, produced by WICS, are simulcast on both stations. WICD serves the eastern half of the Central Illinois market while WICS serves the western portion. The two stations are counted as a single unit for ratings purposes. Although WICD maintains its own facilities, master control and most internal operations are based at WICS' studios on East Cook Street in Springfield's Eastside section.

Through joint sales and shared services agreements (JSA/SSA), Sinclair also provides certain services to the area's Fox affiliate, Springfield-licensed WRSP-TV, channel 55 (and its semi-satellite, Urbana-licensed WCCU, channel 27) as well as Decatur-licensed CW outlet WBUI, channel 23 (all are owned by GOCOM Media, LLC). WRSP and WBUI share studios with WICS but WBUI also maintains an advertising sales office on South Main Street/US 51 in downtown Decatur. WCCU's advertising sales operation is also based out of WICD's studios.