WLFT-CD is a low-powerUHF television outlet, located on channel 30, broadcasting four channels from a tower in Baton Rouge located at 30º22’55.6” N 91º03’16.6” W, which is off Interstate 10 near Siegen Lane across from TopGolf. The station originates at its studios at 13567 Plank Road in Baker, Louisiana.
History
WLFT started as Cox cable channel 4, with programming from the Pax network in 1998. It also broadcast local religious programming on cable channel 17 and over the air on channel 52, as "WLFT/2". The call sign LFT originally stood for Lifeline Family Television after Bethany's flagship program and was later extended to mean Louisiana Family Television and later Local Free TV until 2019 when it stop using a slogan. In 2002, WLFT converted to all-religious programming and Pax was moved to cable channel 14, as a direct network feed. The station also aired some programming from FamilyNet. In November of that year, WLFT-CA launched its new tower, allowing the station to increase its signal strength and reach more homes in communities like Hammond, Gonzales, New Roads and St. Francisville. In fall 2005, WLFT-CA would relocate from channel 52 to channel 30. In July 2011, the station converted to digital and began to carry programming from MeTV during the late-afternoon through early morning hours. In the fall of 2011, the station launched a second HD subchannel, 30.2, which carried MeTV's entire lineup. WLFT launched a third subchannel on October 3, 2012, which carried The Country Network. One year later, on October 2, 2013, Zuus Country was removed in favor of TV Scout. TV Scout was removed in July 2014 in favor of GetTV, which remained on channel 30.3 until late June 2017 before being replaced with the Home Shopping Network on July 1, 2017. On January 1, 2019, the Home Shopping Network was removed, and WLFT became a charter affiliate for NewsNet, airing the network on this subchannel. In August 2013, the station added the African-American centered Soul of the South Network to its fourth subchannel. On September 14, 2016, WLFT brought Antenna TV programming to Baton Rouge on channel 30.4. As of 2017, channel 30.1 primarily airs MeTV, some religious programming and infomercials scattered throughout the day, and select programs from Antenna TV during primetime and NewsNet from 6:30 AM to 8 AM every weekday with local news segments every half hour. As of 2018, channel 30.1 began carrying more original, local programming, especially a Thursday night lined up of original shows: A Better Life, Black & White, Let's Talk About Dogs, Kel's Cars and Colorado Xtreme.
Today
WLFT 30 over-air broadcasts 4 channels: ⋅ Channel 30.1, WLFT broadcasts MeTV when not broadcasting its own original, local programming. 30.1 is also carried by Cox Cable in greater Baton Rouge on 117, Eatel in Ascension and Livingston on 130, and Eatel in Plaquemine on 35. The station also airs some Antenna TV programming in primetime and NewsNet from 6:30 AM to 8 AM every weekday morning with local news cut ins. ⋅ Channel 30.2 is full time MeTV, retro television series. ⋅ Channel 30.3 is full time NewsNet, the first 24/7 over-the-air news network. ⋅ Channel 30.4 is full time Antenna TV, retro television series. WLFT also maintains a web site at as well as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram accounts.
