The Big Switch: Channel 9's Unexpected Rebirth on Your Dial

Well, would you look at that? Hold onto your remotes, folks, because come November 2025, a familiar face on your television — WWOR-TV, you know, MyNetworkTV Channel 9 — is about to pull a pretty significant disappearing act, only to reappear as something entirely new. And honestly, it’s quite the shake-up in the local broadcasting world, especially here in the New York-New Jersey metro area.

For what feels like ages, Channel 9 has been the home of MyNetworkTV, bringing us all sorts of programming, some perhaps a bit niche, some truly memorable. But, as the saying goes, all good things… or at least, all current affiliations… must eventually evolve. In this case, the Secaucus, New Jersey-based station is set to shed its MyNetworkTV skin and embrace a whole new identity: The CW.

Now, this isn't just a minor tweak, no, it's a genuine rebranding, a network hand-off that speaks volumes about the shifting sands of local television. The big player here, you could say, is Nexstar Media Group. They own The CW, and they've been strategically moving pieces on the chessboard, aiming to bolster the network's reach in crucial markets. It's a smart business move, absolutely, but for us viewers, it means change is afoot.

For years, WPIX 11 in New York City held the CW banner, carrying shows like the immensely popular 'All American' and the action-packed 'Walker.' But that partnership, that long-standing bond, is nearing its end. So, where do those beloved shows go? Straight to Channel 9, come late 2025, which, let's be frank, is a pretty big win for WWOR-TV in terms of potentially drawing in a new audience.

It’s always a bit strange, isn't it, when a channel you've known for ages suddenly shifts its identity? You build habits, you associate certain programs with certain numbers, and then — poof! — a whole new lineup. Yet, that's the nature of broadcast television these days, constantly adapting, trying to stay relevant in an ever-fragmented media landscape. While the network changes, one hopes that Channel 9’s commitment to some semblance of local news or community-focused content remains intact. Still, the primary story here, the headline, if you will, is the bold leap into The CW affiliation. Get ready to adjust those channel presets, or at least, your mental map of what's where. It's going to be interesting to watch this unfold.