1994–1996 United States broadcast television realignment

Television station affiliation switches May 2023 1994–1996 United States broadcast television realignment 1994 5 23 – 1996 9 1 (1994 5 23 1996 9 1) United States Fox outbids CBS for the National Football League (NFL) television contract in December 1993 Fox purchases a 20% equity stake in New World Communications in May 1994 News Corporation acquires New World Communications in July 1996 ABC reaches an affiliation deal with Scripps in June 1994 CBS reaches an affiliation deal with Group W in July 1994 NBC gets an owned-and-operated station in Philadelphia UPN and The WB begin operations in January 1995 NFL returns to CBS in 1998 News Corporation New World Communications Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rupert Murdoch (chairman) Ronald Perelman (CEO) Reed Hundt (chair) thumb|The logo of Fox Broadcasting Company from 1987 to 1993 Between 1994 and 1996, a wide-ranging realignment of television network affiliations took place in the United States as the result of a multimillion-dollar deal between the Fox Broadcasting Company and New World Communications, announced on May 23, 1994. Unprecedented in the broadcast industry, the deal resulted in twelve stations owned by, or in the process of being purchased by New World, switching network affiliations to Fox over the course of a two-year period when existing contracts expired. These stations were long-standing affiliates of the traditional "Big Three" television networks, CBS, NBC, and ABC, in some of the country's largest markets, with the majority having been aligned with CBS individually for over 40 years. The major impetus for the changes was to allow Fox to improve its local affiliate coverage after having successfully outbid CBS for broadcast rights to the National Football Conference (NFC), which the National Football League (NFL) awarded to the fledgling network in December 1993. The alliance started a domino effect of similar deals between the other networks and their affiliates, mainly to shore up existing affiliate bases and, in the case of CBS, to recoup lost affiliates; CBS signed a critical pact with Westinghouse Broadcasting that resulted in Westinghouse's parent company purchasing CBS outright. The switches took place throughout the United States between September 1994 and September 1996, with one additional switch taking place in February 1997, in markets ranging in size from Atlanta, Georgia, to Miles City, Montana. In the case of four markets, CBS and NBC exchanged owned-stations between each other, with one market seeing their CBS- and NBC-owned stations swap both channel positions and transmitters. The complexities of these deals saw the "Big Three" affiliates in two markets, Baltimore and Denver, exchange networks with each other, but the Fox affiliate was unchanged. In total, these constitute some of the most sweeping and expansive changes in American television history. As a result of this realignment, Fox ascended to the status of a major television network, comparable in influence to CBS, NBC, and ABC. Multiple New World–owned stations (which Fox purchased outright in 1996) struggled to adjust to their new affiliations, but many ultimately recovered with news-intensive schedules and were buoyed by Fox's success in prime time, particularly throughout the 2000s. CBS was most impacted among the "Big Three" networks, consigned to UHF stations with high channel numbers in markets like Milwaukee, Detroit and Cleveland, but started to recover in the late 1990s by claiming the American Football Conference (AFC) rights from NBC. Fox Sports, particularly the NFL on Fox, has won acclaim since its 1994 launch for innovations in game presentation, and the network's aggressive bidding in 1993 signaled long-term trends both in American television and professional sports. Television affiliation switches prior to 1994 The traditional "Big Three" television networks horizontal right 115 1971_ABC_logo.svg CBS Eyemark.svg NBC logo.svg ABC center CBS NBC Affiliation switches led by changing fortunes at the major national networks—the traditional "Big Three" of ABC, CBS, and NBC—began in the late 1970s with the rise of ABC, which had traditionally been in third place, to number one in the national ratings. Even though ABC's national coverage alone was not a disadvantage, the quality of affiliates in larger markets was, and the network began a concerted campaign to pry loose stations associated with its competitors.ABC Woos Other Webs' Affiliates: Rating Surge Becomes Lure Variety Larry Michie 1, 67 1401290652 August 25, 1976 From January 1976 to the end of 1978 alone, ABC secured defections from 20 affiliates of the other "Big Three" networks, 11 from CBS and 9 from NBC. By 1983, NBC alone had lost 20 affiliates to ABC, defections that cost the network a full rating point on the NBC Nightly News and resulted in the loss of $9 million in advertising revenue from Nightly and $15 million in prime time.EM860317 Among the defections from NBC were a string of major coups in sizable markets: WRTV in Indianapolis; KGTV in San Diego; WSOC-TV in Charlotte; KSTP-TV in the Twin Cities;https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1978/1978-12-04-BC.pdf 20–21 WRTV Indianapolis latest to heed ABC's siren song 1014698010 December 4, 1978 Broadcasting April 30, 2023 January 31, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230131023938/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1978/1978-12-04-BC.pdf live and WSB-TV in Atlanta.EM850805 However, as NBC became the number-one network in the mid-1980s, it gained the upper hand. One of the last defectors from NBC to ABC was KOTA-TV in Rapid City, South Dakota, which changed in 1984; the reversal in fortune was not what KOTA-TV officials had expected and instead brought them closer with their primary competitor.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36292453/switch-in-network-affiliations-has-put-k/ April 26, 1985 28 Switch in network affiliations has put KOTA and KEVN near parity Rapid City Journal Newspapers.com April 30, 2023 The next year, NBC began a campaign to reverse some of the losses it had experienced.Diane Mermigas Affiliate raids: NBC targets markets for station swaps https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1985-08-05_4_32/mode/2up August 5, 1985 1, 32 Electronic Media Two former NBC affiliates returned to the network after short stints with ABC: WSAV-TV in Savannah, Georgia, returned after three years, as did KCEN-TV in Temple, Texas, after changing in 1984.Switch: Lost NBC affiliate returns to the fold Diane Mermigas Electronic Media https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1985-09-30_4_40/page/n1/mode/2up?q=KXXV September 30, 1985 3 Between then and 1988, NBC upgraded its affiliations in a number of markets, including Omaha, Nebraska; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Jacksonville, Florida. NBC president Pierson Mapes told Electronic Media that NBC was looking for upgrades based on a number of factors: "Mostly it's because the local news product isn't what it should be, the owners don't want to invest in the station to improve its performance or it's a UHF outlet that we want to upgrade."Electronic Media 3, 65 https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1986-03-17_5_11_0/page/n1/mode/2up?q=%22affiliation+switch%22 Affiliate switch to NBC seen as first of several Diane Mermigas March 17, 1986 Many of the stations added to NBC were stronger than their replacements; the Knoxville station, WBIR-TV, was the dominant station there and commanded nearly half of the television audience for its early evening newscast.1, 48 Top Knoxville station dumps CBS in favor of NBC https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1988-06-27_7_26/page/n5/mode/2up?q=WBIR Electronic Media Adam Buckman June 27, 1988 ABC struck back in 1990 with the signing of WHAS-TV in Louisville, Kentucky, the market's number-one station and a CBS outlet for 40 years; this attracted interest on the part of as many as a dozen CBS affiliates in switching to ABC.3, 52 Texas CBS affil may defect to ABC Rich Brown Vicki Sabatini The Hollywood Reporter 2732592314 July 27, 1990 In one of the largest single affiliation switches, six television stations in the Miami and West Palm Beach markets in South Florida changed affiliations on January 1, 1989, when CBS purchased Miami's Fox affiliate WCIX (channel 6) after NBC purchased Miami's CBS affiliate WTVJ (channel 4).Sonsky Steve January 1, 1989 3 million TV viewers affected 1A, 25A The Miami Herald Miami, Florida https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74463186/3-million-tv-viewers-affected/ live April 3, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210412212200/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74463186/3-million-tv-viewers-affected/ April 12, 2021 Newspapers.com Fox launches and pursues the NFL vertical Rupert Murdoch - Flickr - Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer.jpg Barry Diller Shankbone Metropolitan Opera 2009.jpg right 170px Rupert Murdoch Barry Diller The genesis of the Fox Broadcasting Company took place through two 1985 transactions made by News Corporation, headed by Australian publishing magnate Rupert Murdoch. After a failed takeover of Warner Communications, Murdoch purchased a 50% interest in 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation (TCF) on March 20, 1985, for $250 million.Schrage Michael March 21, 1985 Murdoch Agrees to Buy A 50 Percent Share of 20th Century Fox Film The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1985/03/21/murdoch-agrees-to-buy-a-50-percent-share-of-20th-century-fox-film/8862819b-50de-4ad3-aeb5-70ca84f109f1 December 13, 2022Storch Charles March 21, 1985 MURDOCH BUYING HALF OF 20TH CENTURY-FOX Chicago Tribune https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-03-21-8501160118-story.html December 13, 2022 December 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221213024952/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-03-21-8501160118-story.html live Murdoch and TCF minority investor Marvin Davis then announced a $2.5 billion purchase of Metromedia's program syndication unit and six television stations—including WNEW-TV in New York City, KTTV in Los Angeles and WTTG in Washington, D.C.—from John Kluge on May 6, 1985. Murdoch boasted that the Metromedia stations could exploit TCF's film and television library, prompting speculation these stations might form a new "fourth television network" alongside ABC, CBS, and NBC.May 7, 1985 MURDOCH TO BUY & TV STATIONS; COST $2 BILLION The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/07/business/murdoch-to-buy-tv-stations-cost-2-billion.html December 14, 2022 December 14, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221214071830/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/07/business/murdoch-to-buy-tv-stations-cost-2-billion.html live To win regulatory approval for the deal, Murdoch gave up his Australian citizenship and became a naturalized U.S. citizen on September 4, 1985.September 4, 1985 Murdoch Becomes U.S. Citizen, Can Buy TV Network Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-09-04-mn-23112-story.html December 14, 2022 April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429040453/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-09-04-mn-23112-story.html live Davis, who later revealed he declined to participate in the Metromedia purchase, sold his stake in TCF to Murdoch 20 days later.September 24, 1985 MURDOCH WILL BUY OUT DAVIS'S HOLDINGS IN FOX The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1985/09/24/business/murdoch-will-buy-out-davis-s-holdings-in-fox.html December 14, 2022 December 16, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221216124507/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/09/24/business/murdoch-will-buy-out-davis-s-holdings-in-fox.html live September 24, 1985 Davis Sells Murdoch His 20th Century Fox Stake for $325 Million The Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-09-24-fi-18712-story.html December 14, 2022 April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429040455/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-09-24-fi-18712-story.html live The Metromedia deal closed on March 6, 1986, forming Fox Television Stations Group.March 10, 1986 In Brief https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-03-10.pdf Broadcasting 1014725836 110 10 112 April 27, 2023 World Radio History March 8, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210308034627/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-03-10.pdf live After consummation, Fox, which only consisted of president Jamie Kellner and his secretary, began recruiting an executive team.March 24, 1986 Closed Circuit: Four to get ready 1014725157 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-03-24.pdf Broadcasting 110 12 7 April 27, 2023 World Radio History January 31, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230131023814/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-03-24.pdf live In July 1986, syndicated newspaper columnist Gary Deeb reported on the possibility ABC might not renew their broadcast rights to Monday Night Football (MNF), then the league's top-rated program, unless NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle agreed to lower the television rights fee significantly. The previous contract was set in 1981 when the annual inflation was at a substantial 13%, a rate that fell to 3%–4% by 1986, in turn, causing ABC Sports to lose $40 million.Deeb Gary July 12, 1986 'Monday Night Football' may be dumped because of large expense 4:Leisure The Post-Crescent News America Syndicate Appleton, Wisconsin https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-monday-night-football/123605048/ April 26, 2023 Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429040456/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-monday-night-football/123605048/ live ABC had been purchased earlier in 1986 by Capital Cities, owner of some of ABC's most influential affiliates, and was under pressure to cut costs in both their news and sports divisions.Rothenberg Fred July 14, 1986 Networks Tighten Belts Again: CBS-TV cuts costs, eliminates 700 jobs 22:VI Los Angeles Times Associated Press Los Angeles, California https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-networks-tighten-b/123603573/ April 26, 2023 Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429040456/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-networks-tighten-b/123603573/ live By September 1986, CBS, rights-holder for the National Football Conference (NFC), and NBC, rights-holder for the American Football Conference (AFC), declined any interest in MNF, but Fox considered making a bid and even invited former MNF announcer Howard Cosell to be a part of it.Stewart Larry September 5, 1986 The Decline and Fall of Monday Night Football 10:III Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-the-decline-and-fa/123603030/ April 26, 2023 Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429040456/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-the-decline-and-fa/123603030/ live Fox formally launched as a network on October 9, 1986, with the debut of The Late Show with Joan Rivers and was preparing to unveil its first night of prime time programming on April 5, 1987.Kubasik Ben January 15, 1987 Fox Network Wants the NFL 13:II Newsday New York, New York https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-fox-network-wants-the-nfl/123604676/ April 26, 2023 Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429040459/https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-fox-network-wants-the-nfl/123604676/ live The network identified itself as "FBC" in between these two dates before adopting the name "Fox" outright.Schneider Michael April 30, 2010 Retro Friday: The original Fox logo https://variety.com/2010/tv/news/retro-friday-the-original-fox-logo-15867/ May 8, 2023 Variety en-US Against this backdrop, TCF chairman Barry Diller announced in January 1987 that Fox was ready to bid on MNF in an attempt to win legitimacy, telling the Miami Herald, "We would take ABC's (current) contract and sign it today."Sonsky Steve January 18, 1987 Fox's Ambitious Plans a Big Deal 11K Miami Herald Miami, Florida https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-foxs-ambitions-plans-a/123603826/ April 26, 2023 Newspapers.com April 27, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230427033944/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-foxs-ambitions-plans-a/123603826/ live Diller viewed an MNF bid as making a long-term investment, and was prepared for Fox to "lose money in the double-digit eight figures" with such a dealNewsd19870115p13II buoyed by Murdoch's financial resources.MiamiH19870118p11K ABC decided to bid for a renewal based largely on Fox's interest in MNF,Rosenberg Howard April 4, 1987 2 New Fox Series—Plainly No Vanilla 1, 12:VI Los Angeles Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-2-new-fox-seriesp/123605991/ April 26, 2023 Newspapers.com April 27, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230427041455/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-2-new-fox-seriesp/123605991/ live with a fee reduction saving the network approximately $20 million per year and low-rated Sunday and Thursday games moved to ESPN.Deed Gary March 16, 1987 TV and football negotiators are tackling a new contract D4 The San Bernardino County Sun News America Syndicate San Bernardino, California https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-tv-and-foo/123607410/ April 26, 2023 Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429040456/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-tv-and-foo/123607410/ live While Fox bid $7 million per game compared to ABC's $6.5 million per game,Pisetzner Joel March 15, 1987 A limited attack on the Big 3 A27 The Record Hackensack, New Jersey https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-record-a-limited-attack-on-the-big-3/123607564/ April 26, 2023 Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429040457/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-record-a-limited-attack-on-the-big-3/123607564/ live Rozelle was reportedly uninterested in the Fox offer as the network was still unestablished.Carter Bill February 13, 1987 Networks still have inside track on NFL TV coverage 13D The Baltimore Sun Baltimore, Maryland https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-networks-still-have-in/123606550/ April 26, 2023 Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429040457/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-networks-still-have-in/123606550/ live NFL officials also expressed a willingness to remain with ABC and were unsure if Fox would exist in three years, a fate shared by other past attempts at a "fourth network".Raissman Bob March 17, 1987 Blackout for non-cable NFL fans 68 Daily News New York, New York https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-blackout-for-non-cable-nfl-fa/123607008/ April 26, 2023 Newspapers.com April 27, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230427041454/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-blackout-for-non-cable-nfl-fa/123607008/ live In 1993, Fox was the Big Three networks’ bratty half-brother ... capable of simultaneously producing some of the very best and very worst shows on TV. It had The Simpsons and The X-Files. It also had Chevy Chase’s late-night talk show and a sitcom where Henry Winkler played Rush Limbaugh-lite ... That Fox saw the NFL as a way of gaining credibility was ironic. The year before, as part of its strategy of giving the finger to the old networks, Fox had aired an In Living Color special opposite CBS’s Super Bowl halftime show. Now, Rupert Murdoch was saying, he wanted the Super Bowl. Bryan Curtis The Ringercurtis20181213 350px Fox largely catered to the 18–34 demographic with younger-skewing shows and an "irreverent, sometimes sophomoric" styleFeran Tom July 14, 1995 'Growing up' Fox wants to expand audience 1E The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F8084CDD62B2118 subscription May 2, 2023 NewsBank typified by Married... with Children and The Simpsons, the latter the network's first definitive hit.Kleinfield N.R. April 29, 1990 Cashing in on a Hot New Brand Name 1:3 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/29/business/cashing-in-on-a-hot-new-brand-name.html?pagewanted=all live April 15, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20130516160048/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/29/business/cashing-in-on-a-hot-new-brand-name.html?pagewanted=all May 16, 2013 Emphasis was given to Black audiences with shows like The Sinbad Show,Gay Verne May 26, 1993 Fox Gets Into The Ratings Hunt 100:2 Newsday (Nassau Edition) Hempstead, New York https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-nassau-edition-fox-gets-into-t/124567016/ May 13, 2023 Newspapers.com Martin, Living Single and New York Undercover.Stanley T.L. April 8, 1996 Must-flee TV Mediaweek 6 15 9 213644280 Sketch comedy series In Living Color gained national attention for broadcasting a live episode against the Super Bowl XXVI halftime showCarter Bill January 26, 1992 Frito-Lay Sponsors Own Halftime Show: Advertisers play new games with Super Bowl 4:TV The Des Moines Register The New York Times Des Moines, Iowa https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-frito-lay-sponso/124569845/ May 13, 2023 Newspapers.com that was a ratings success.Maksian George January 28, 1992 Ratings are super for game & 'Color' 62 Daily News New York, New York https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-ratings-are-super-for-game/124566636/ May 13, 2023 Newspapers.com The debut season of teen-oriented Beverly Hills, 90210 had a controversial storyline centering around the loss of a character's virginity, unprecedented in network television.Meltzer Marisa December 7, 2006 When Brenda Walsh Was Young: The Revolutionary First Season of Beverly Hills, 90210 https://slate.com/culture/2006/12/the-revolutionary-first-season-of-beverly-hills-90210.html Slate Magazine November 20, 2018 Fox expanded their prime time schedule incrementally, resulting in the network programming seven nights a week by the 1993–94 season.Newsd19930526p100 Entering that season, Fox heavily promoted The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. intending for it to be their next hit show,Carter Alan September 13, 1993 Rookie of the Year: Will the Butler Do It? https://ew.com/article/1993/09/17/tvs-new-stars/ live Entertainment Weekly 188 https://web.archive.org/web/20090421082621/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C307992%2C00.html April 21, 2009 but the show that followed it on Friday night, The X-Files, became a sleeper hit instead.Stevenson Jennifer July 15, 1994 Fox president shoots for the top from the bottom line 6B St. Petersburg Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-fox-president-shoots-for/124569330/ May 13, 2023 Newspapers.com Fox's reputation by 1993 was still largely limited to hits like The SimpsonsHendricks Mike Vockrodt Steve February 10, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs' tax returns provide rare look inside the business of pro football 1B, 6B The Kansas City Star Kansas City, Missouri https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-kansas-city-chiefs/124797333/ May 16, 2023 Newspapers.com along with a string of failed shows that attained similar levels of notoriety.curtis20181213 The network attempted to re-enter late night with The Chevy Chase Show but was cancelled after six weeks amid negative reviews and dismal ratings.Carter Bill October 18, 1993 Chevy Chase's Show Canceled After 6 Weeks en-US 8:B The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/18/arts/chevy-chase-s-show-canceled-after-6-weeks.html May 13, 2023 0362-4331 Securing the NFC rights In 1993, six years after Fox's failed MNF bid, the NFL opened up negotiations for all broadcast contracts, including the NFC and AFC rights. At the same time, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen asserted control over the NFL's broadcasting committee, usurping Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell, who had been a long-time ally of CBS. Murdoch privately called Jones and declared his intent to bid, saying, "Jerry, I think I was a stalking horse last time (in 1990). I'm not going to do that and be just a stalking horse."curtis20181213 When negotiations began on December 7, Murdoch presented to the broadcasting committee a sizzle reel by Sky Sports president David HillWilson Mark January 18, 2019 The secret history of Cleatus, Fox Sports's bizarre football robot Fast Company https://www.fastcompany.com/90293253/the-secret-history-of-cleatus-foxs-enduringly-weird-football-robot April 16, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230416125015/https://www.fastcompany.com/90293253/the-secret-history-of-cleatus-foxs-enduringly-weird-football-robot live proposing Fox could produce NFL games similarly to Sky's soccer coverage, with emphasis on more cameras and in-game natural sounds, and have the network market the league year-round. Jones later said, "I was just mesmerized by their imaginative thinking. They were changing the presentation of the game."curtis20181213 It'll be first class. We want to make the NFL look better than what we've seen. We have the crown jewel of all sports. Lucie Salhany Fox network president, on the network securing a broadcast deal for the NFL's NFC gamesNYT19931221pA1 275px On December 17, 1993, Fox stunned the sports and television worlds by reaching a four-year, $1.58 billion contract with the NFL for NFC regular season and playoff games, effective with the 1994 season.December 18, 1993 Fox nabs NFC rights from CBS 29A The Herald Statesman Associated Press Yonkers, New York https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-statesman-fox-nabs-nfc-rights/123569306/ April 26, 2023 Newspapers.com April 26, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230426212333/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-statesman-fox-nabs-nfc-rights/123569306/ live News of the Fox–NFC deal was first reported on during the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather.Raissman Bob December 18, 1993 Fox scores with NFL pact: Its $300M-a-year deal may end CBS' grid days 3 Daily News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123572123/fox-scores-with-nfl-pact-its-300m-a-ye/ April 26, 2023 Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429040457/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123572123/fox-scores-with-nfl-pact-its/ live As part of the deal, Fox was also awarded broadcast rights to Super Bowl XXXI in 1997.December 19, 1993 After losing NFC rights, CBS scrambling for AFC D3 Akron Beacon Journal Akron, Ohio https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111956606/after-losing-nfc-rights-cbs-scrambling/ live October 25, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221025031853/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111956606/after-losing-nfc-rights-cbs-scrambling/ October 25, 2022 Newspapers.com The NFC package had been owned by CBS since 1956—fourteen years before the AFL–NFL merger and subsequent restructuring into the NFC and the AFC—and had been considered a "cornerstone" for CBS Sports.Dail931218 Fox's deal was regarded as a loss leader;Topol Manny December 18, 1993 Move Over, Homer: Fox outbids CBS for NFC 95 Newsday https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123571676/move-over-homer-fox-outbids-cbs-for-nf/ April 26, 2023 Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429040458/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123571676/move-over-homer-fox-outbids-cbs-for/ live network CEO Chase Carey framed it as one that would not directly make money but instead establish momentum for Fox and elevate it to the "Big Three" networks.Curtis Bryan December 13, 2018 The Great NFL Heist: How Fox Paid for and Changed Football Forever https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2018/12/13/18137938/nfl-fox-deal-rupert-murdoch-1993-john-madden-terry-bradshaw-howie-long-jimmy-johnson-cbs-nbc live https://web.archive.org/web/20181213165558/https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2018/12/13/18137938/nfl-fox-deal-rupert-murdoch-1993-john-madden-terry-bradshaw-howie-long-jimmy-johnson-cbs-nbc December 13, 2018 December 13, 2018 The Ringer Fox had pursued the NFC rights from the beginning as the conference had more teams located in the country's largest broadcast markets.News931218 CBS lost close to $100 million on their prior NFC deal signed in 1990, a situation shared by the NFL's other broadcast partners due to aftereffects of the early 1990s recession.Dail931218 Underestimating the value of the NFC broadcast rights, CBS's chairman Laurence Tisch insisted on offering a bid equal to their 1990 contract,curtis20181213 resulting in Fox exceeding CBS's bid by as much as $1.29 billion (or more than $100 million per year).Dail931218 NBC, which held the AFC broadcast rights since 1970, retained the rights after a last-minute bidding war with CBS, shutting out the network from pro football entirely.December 21, 1993 NBC Gets Final N.F.L. Contract While CBS Gets Its Sundays Off A1 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/21/sports/nbc-gets-final-nfl-contract-while-cbs-gets-its-sundays-off.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm June 22, 2012 July 12, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150712210040/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/21/sports/nbc-gets-final-nfl-contract-while-cbs-gets-its-sundays-off.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm live Morale at CBS Sports was depicted as "somber and not optimistic", with veteran announcer Pat Summerall saying, "[I]t's a shock. It hurts. It's a big part of my life."AkronB19931219p 41 Murdoch expressed a want to hire Summerall's broadcast partner John Madden,NYT19931221pA1 which happened the following month.WSJ19940124pC16 Most of the NFL on CBS announcing team, including Summerall, Terry Bradshaw and James Brown, also left to join Fox Sports.curtis20181213 Early financial projections for CBS owned-stations and affiliates were grim: network flagship WCBS-TV alone stood to lose $5 million a year without the NFL, with their general manager calling it "a straight drop to the bottom line". The general manager of affiliate KDFW in Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas, who at the time were in a position to lose the games of the Dallas Cowboys, called it "a big financial kick".NYT19931221pA1 Fox upgrades in small markets CBS was saying to the NFL, "If you move (the NFC) rights to Fox, in these 60 [sic] cities there will be no free over-the-air broadcast of the NFL." Mr. Murdoch said, "You got to come to this meeting with the NFL TV committee." Mr. Murdoch did not tell me what he was going to say. We stand up in front of the TV committee, and he says, "Within 60 days, Preston will get a secondary affiliation with some TV station in every one of these 60 markets." I just about wet my pants. Preston Padden Fox president of network distributioncurtis20181213 340px Entering 1994, Fox's 141-station affiliate base remained smaller than ABC, CBS or NBC, which each boasted more than 200 affiliates; this resulted in an approximate six-percent differential in terms of national reach. The network supplied Foxnet for cable systems in smaller markets that did not have a dedicated affiliate.Flint Joe January 10, 1994 Fox uses NFL to woo network affiliates 1014760905 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-01-10.pdf Broadcasting & Cable 124 2 18 April 26, 2023 World Radio History December 6, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221206083442/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-01-10.pdf live Some affiliates still had no local newscasts, with the prior recession resulting in Fox lessening the priority level on affiliates to establish them. One of these affiliates, WOIO in Cleveland, Ohio, initiated plans to launch a news service after seeing success with co-owned WXIX-TV in Cincinnati.Feran Tom March 4, 1994 News at 10 looks like coming thing 4E The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F807C82C6F02EDC live subscription October 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20230110034118/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F807C82C6F02EDC&f=basic January 10, 2023 NewsBank While WUAB already had an established 10 p.m. newscast in the Cleveland market, an unnamed executive told the Akron Beacon Journal in 1992, "they (WOIO) don't have to get ratings, they just have to exist."Dyer Bob February 16, 1992 News wars might get new player: Shaker Square's WOIO hopes to add newscast to its lineup D1, D4 Akron Beacon Journal Akron, Ohio https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111215804/news-wars-might-get-new-player-shaker/ live October 19, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221020053830/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111215804/news-wars-might-get-new-player-shaker/ October 20, 2022 Newspapers.com Scripps-Howard Broadcasting started developing newscasts for two of their three Fox affiliates, KNXV-TV in Phoenix and KSHB-TV in Kansas City. KSHB's newscast launched in August 1993 with an irreverent tone and de-emphasis on sports and weather;Garron Barry July 31, 1993 '41 News' seeks new approach: KSHB hopes fresh ideas, faces catch on E-1, E-2 The Kansas City Star https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117709610/41-news-seeks-new-approach-kshb-hopes/ live February 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230202005217/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117709610/41-news-seeks-new-approach-kshb/ February 2, 2023 Newspapers.comGarron Barry August 11, 1993 'Fresh' newscast needs more seasoning F-1, F-5 The Kansas City Star https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117709650/fresh-newscast-needs-more-seasoning/ live February 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230202005216/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117709650/fresh-newscast-needs-more-seasoning/ February 2, 2023 Newspapers.com likewise, KNXV was assembling their news department with an unconventional style in line with Fox's younger demographics.Chadwell Teena September 17, 1993 Fox station plans newscast 2 Phoenix Business Journal 225095983 WOIO, WXIX, KNXV and KSHB were all UHF stations, which accounted for 85 percent of Fox's affiliate roster.curtis20181213 Fox also lacked coverage in 47 markets where only three or fewer commercial TV stations operated. In these markets, it began discussing secondary affiliations with the local ABC, CBS, and NBC affiliates.BC19940110p18 Though most of the CBS affiliates turned down Fox's overture, a number of small-market ABC affiliates agreed to Fox's terms, which included the carriage of at least six hours a week of Fox prime time programs.One CBS affiliate, KGAN in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, added Fox football due to the distress of the market's Fox affiliate, KOCR. KOCR was unable to construct a broadcast tower that could serve the entire market, and allowed Fox to offer the NFC package to another station.July 23, 1994 KGAN lands 35-game NFC package 1C The Gazette Cedar Rapids, Iowa https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-kgan-lands-35-game-nfc-packa/124200845/ May 7, 2023 Newspapers.com By October 1994, KOCR was forced off-air after being evicted from their facilities and failing to make electrical payments.Neumann Douglas October 7, 1994 KOCR-TV is evicted, but Fox still on cable 1A The Gazette Cedar Rapids, Iowa https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-kocr-tv-is-evicted-but-fox/124201231/ May 7, 2023 Newspapers.com CBS and ABC responded by threatening to withhold 60 Minutes (in the case of CBS) and postseason baseball (in the case of ABC) from affiliates that added Fox programming. CBS president of affiliate relations Tony Malara said that if 60 Minutes did not air nationally at the same time, it would lose value to advertisers.Fox football luring new affils—almost Variety Joe Flint April 18, 1994 1286112461 25–26CBS, Fox Scrimmage Over Affiliates 24 Variety Chicago Sun-Times April 9, 1994 CBS followed through with its threat; KXMB-TV in Bismarck, North Dakota, added Fox football and lost 60 Minutes for the duration of the football season.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88726090/cbs-jerks-60-minutes-in-football-dispu/ September 13, 1994 1A Chris Steinbach CBS jerks '60 Minutes' in football dispute The Bismarck Tribune Newspapers.com April 26, 2023 April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429040458/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88726090/cbs-jerks-60-minutes-in-football/ live WSBT-TV in South Bend, Indiana, also signed up for Fox football and lost 60 Minutes, with CBS offering the show to WHME-TV.Redding Alesia I. April 7, 1994 WSBT: CBS aims to set example by taking away '60 Minutes' C1 South Bend Tribune South Bend, Indiana https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F140843CA4D662148 subscription May 1, 2023 NewsBankTull Becky August 6, 1994 '60 Minutes' taken off WSBT A4 The South Bend Tribune South Bend, Indiana https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F140844405A930E08 subscription May 1, 2023 Dual NBC/ABC affiliate KTEN in Ada–Ardmore, Oklahoma, joined Fox on a tertiary basis to accommodate Dallas Cowboys fans and boasted a "monopoly of football" with Fox, NBC and MNF; as part of the deal, KTEN also aired select Fox prime time shows beginning in July 1994.Dollar Brent May 25, 1994 Area station joins jump to Fox 1 The Paris News Paris, Texas https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-paris-news-power-play-area-station/123893295/ May 1, 2023 Newspapers.com The network began making overtures to group operators like Freedom Newspapers, Stauffer Communications and Brissette Broadcasting about having their stations switch to Fox, mostly to upgrade in markets with UHF affiliates that reached fewer households than their VHF counterparts.BC19940110p18For more, see UHF television broadcasting UHF vs VHF. Led by network distribution president Preston Padden, videotaped pitches asserted Fox affiliates could sell more local ads and generate more revenue.West Don October 17, 1994 Preston Padden: Strategizing to move Fox from underdog to head of the pack 1014752793 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-10-17.pdf Broadcasting & Cable 124 42 18–19, 22, 24, 26 May 7, 2023 World Radio History Several affiliate defections were announced prior to May 1994. The first was ABC affiliate KARD in West Monroe, Louisiana, announced in January 1994 with an April changeover.Madden leaves CBS for football on Fox C16 The Wall Street Journal 398386532 January 24, 1994 In April, Robinson Everett's CBS stations—KECY-TV in El Centro, California, and WJKA-TV in Wilmington, North Carolina—announced they would affiliate with Fox. Several factors motivated the Everett switch, including CBS's insistence that the stations restore previously unsuccessful news operations; a desire for more network compensation in Wilmington; and particularly CBS's refusal to make KECY-TV translator "KDBA" the CBS affiliate of record for Palm Springs, California, because it felt cable coverage of Los Angeles station KCBS-TV was adequate.https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-04-18.pdf#page=18 Broadcasting & Cable April 18, 1994 16 Fox's latest four add up to 96% 225338606 Steve McClellan September 2, 2021 September 26, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210926031713/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-04-18.pdf#page=18 live WJKA, which also supplanted Foxnet in the Myrtle Beach market, switched to Fox under the new WSFX-TV call sign on September 18, 1994.Eddings Toby September 13, 1994 Eye On The Media: If you were mad Sunday ... 4B Sun-News Myrtle Beach, South Carolina https://www.newspapers.com/article/sun-news-eye-on-the-media-if-you-were-m/123899725/ May 1, 2023 Newspapers.com There had previously been two "Big Three" stations to join Fox: WSVN in Miami switched from NBC on January 1, 1989, and KLMG (now KFXK-TV) in Longview, Texas, switched from CBS on April 1, 1991.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47717572/klmg-tv-makes-foxy-plans-april-1/ January 25, 1991 1-D Van Craddock KLMG-TV makes Foxy plans April 1 Longview News-Journal Newspapers.com April 26, 2023 April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429040457/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47717572/klmg-tv-makes-foxy-plans-april-1/ live WSVN's conversion to Fox came under unique circumstances, as it was part of the two-market, six-station South Florida realignment.Miam19890101p1AKelley Bill December 28, 1988 Shifting TV channels confuse many viewers 8A South Florida Sun-Sentinel Fort Lauderdale, Florida https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74535146/shifting-tv-channels-confuse-many/ live April 3, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034453/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74535146/shifting-tv-channels-confuse-many/ February 17, 2022 Newspapers.com Unlike any other Fox affiliate or owned-station, WSVN adopted a news-intensive tabloid formatSonsky Steve September 2, 1988 Channel 7 plans news, news, news 1B, 4B The Miami Herald Miami, Florida https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74517197/channel-7-plans-news-news-news/ live April 2, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034452/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74517197/channel-7-plans-news-news-news/ February 17, 2022 Newspapers.comJicha Tom December 7, 1988 WSVN keeps word to be news-heavy as an independent 5C The Miami News Miami, Florida https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74480227/wsvn-keeps-word-to-be-news-heavy-as-an/ live April 2, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034506/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74480227/wsvn-keeps-word-to-be-news-heavy-as-an/ February 17, 2022 Newspapers.com which shattered conventional wisdom and proved a ratings and financial success.Jicha Tom January 1, 1990 TV switch was 1989's cliffhanger: Last year's shuffle defied predictions 1A, 12A South Florida Sun Sentinel Fort Lauderdale, Florida https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122589689/tv-switch-was-1989s-cliffhanger-last/ live April 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230410191546/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122589689/tv-switch-was-1989s-cliffhanger-last/ April 10, 2023 Newspapers.com WSVN news director Joel Cheatwood briefly worked with Fox on developing a network news service in 1990,Coto Juan Carlos April 8, 1991 URGENT! This just in! ... Joel Cheatwood is back in charge of the Channel 7 News. 1C, 4C The Miami Herald Miami, Florida https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122628175/urgent-this-just-in-joel/ live April 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230410191538/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122628175/urgent-this-just-in-joel/ April 10, 2023 Newspapers.com and by May 1994, Fox network president Lucie Salhany called the station "the future of television".Marin Rick June 23, 1994 If it bleeds, it leads: Miami station's news is notorious 1E, 3E Star Tribune Newsweek Minneapolis, Minnesota https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94630741/if-it-bleeds-it-leads-miami-stations/ live April 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230410191543/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94630741/if-it-bleeds-it-leads-miami-stations/ April 10, 2023 Newspapers.com In Longview, CBS was available on cable from its affiliates in Dallas and Shreveport, Louisiana, which outrated KLMG locally, and there was no Fox affiliate available in the market.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tyler-courier-times-the-ratings-game/134813645/ September 30, 1990 4:3 Tony Floyd The Ratings Game: Competing for Vital Advertising Revenue, TV Stations Battle To Attract East Texas The Tyler Courier-Times–Telegraph Tyler, Texas Newspapers.com November 25, 2023Long910125 Fox had also occasionally changed its affiliate in a given market. Most notably, over the course of 1990, it moved to higher-rated independent stations in Birmingham, Alabama; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee.1, 134 Stations find new life after Fox affiliation Alan Salomon Electronic Media https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1991-01-07_10_2_0/page/n3/mode/2up?q=WXMT January 7, 1991 Consolidation among independents also led to switches such as the Nashville move, in which new affiliate WZTV bought the Fox affiliation and the rights to much of the programming aired by WXMT;https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115206106/ch-17-owner-buys-chunk-of-ch-30/ February 6, 1990 1D Richard Schweid Ch. 17 owner buys chunk of Ch. 30 The Tennessean Nashville, Tennessee Newspapers.com December 29, 2022 December 29, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221229194303/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115206106/ch-17-owner-buys-chunk-of-ch-30/ live the 1990 programming merger of WNYB-TV into WUTV in Buffalo, New York;https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110838574/group-buying-wutv-will-air-sabres-games/ August 29, 1989 B1 Alan Pergament Group buying WUTV will air Sabres games; Religious network eyes team's Channel 49 slot The Buffalo News Newspapers.com March 3, 2023 March 3, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230303083120/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110838574/group-buying-wutv-will-air-sabres/ livehttps://www.newspapers.com/clip/115882358/shuffling-of-channels-29-49-to-result/ June 27, 1990 B-10 Alan Pergament Shuffling of Channels 29, 49 to result in shift of programs The Buffalo News Buffalo, New York Newspapers.com March 3, 2023 January 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230110041234/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115882358/shuffling-of-channels-29-49-to-result/ live the 1991 purchase of KOKH-TV in Oklahoma City by the owners of Fox affiliate KAUT-TV, who moved Fox to KOKH and donated KAUT to OETA;Morrow Darrell August 13, 1991 KOKH, KAUT to Change Operations on Thursday The Journal Record 259340345 and the 1992 purchase of the assets of bankrupt WXGZ-TV serving Green Bay, Wisconsin, by that city's WGBA-TV.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-wxgz-loses-figh/124473396/ February 6, 1992 9 Steve Wideman WXGZ loses fight: Station will go off air Feb. 14 The Oshkosh Northwestern Newspapers.com May 12, 2023 The New World–Fox affiliation pact New World Pictures#New World Communications (1992–1997) +New World stations affected by the Fox affiliation deal Station Market Channel Prior affiliation KDFW Dallas–Fort Worth, TX 4 CBS KSAZ-TV Phoenix, AZ 10 CBS KTBC-TVAustin, TX 7 CBS KTVI St. Louis, MO 2 ABC WAGA-TV Atlanta, GA 5 CBS WBRC-TV Birmingham, AL 6 ABC WDAF-TV Kansas City, MO 4 NBC WGHP Greensboro–Winston-Salem, NC 8 ABC WITI Milwaukee, WI 6 CBS WJBK-TV Detroit, MI 2 CBS WJW-TV Cleveland, OH 8 CBS WTVT Tampa, FL 13 CBS Originally constituted as an independent producer of low-budget feature films, and later as a television studio, New World Pictures was purchased by investor Ronald Perelman in 1989 while in the middle of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring. Under Perelman, New World purchased a majority stake in SCI Television on February 17, 1993, for $100 million and $63 million in newly issued debt.Fabrikant Geraldine February 18, 1993 THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Perelman Agrees to Acquire Control of SCI Television The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/18/business/the-media-business-perelman-agrees-to-acquire-control-of-sci-television.html December 23, 2015 December 27, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151227142310/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/18/business/the-media-business-perelman-agrees-to-acquire-control-of-sci-television.html live SCI contained most of the assets of the former Storer Communications and was itself undergoing a complex debt restructuring;February 17, 1993 Entertainment: Tampa TV Station Sold Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-02-17-fi-131-story.html December 23, 2015 March 6, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160306224729/http://articles.latimes.com/1993-02-17/business/fi-131_1_cbs-stations live as part of the deal, SCI and New World merged to form New World Communications.November 29, 1993 SCI Television and New World Entertainment Mediaweek 3 48 8 A14694589 In May 1994, two major purchases were announced by New World in the span of three days: four stations from Argyle Television Holdings for $717 million and four Great American Communications stations for $350 million and $10 million in share warrants.Foisie Geoffrey May 3, 1993 Times Mirror sells stations, part 1 1014753472 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-05-03.pdf Broadcasting & Cable 123 18 49 April 29, 2023 World Radio History December 6, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221206202428/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-05-03.pdf live May 6, 1994 Company News; Great American Selling Four Television Stations The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/06/business/company-news-great-american-selling-four-television-stations.html December 23, 2015 March 5, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160305150221/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/06/business/company-news-great-american-selling-four-television-stations.html live 225327977 Foisie Geoffrey May 30, 1994 Fox and the New World order https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-05-30.pdf Broadcasting & Cable 124 22 6, 8 April 25, 2013 World Radio History July 25, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200725013818/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-05-30.pdf live On May 23, 1994, Fox purchased a 20% stake in New World Communications in what was a $500 million investment.Dawidziak Mark May 24, 1994 Channel 8 to drop CBS for Fox: 40-year affiliation ends in autumn as Fox owner pays $500 million to station's parent. WJW to regain NFL games, lose Letterman. Channels 19, 43 to fight for CBS A1, A8 Akron Beacon Journal Akron, Ohio https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-channel-8-to-dr/123747776/ April 29, 2023 Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429190117/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-channel-8-to-dr/123747776/ live This deal contained a groupwide multi-year affiliation agreement that would have the majority of stations owned by—or in the process of being acquired by—New World, switch network affiliations to Fox after existing contracts expired per-station.Carter Bill May 24, 1994 Fox Will Sign Up 12 New Stations; Takes 8 from CBS The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/24/us/fox-will-sign-up-12-new-stations-takes-8-from-cbs.html?pagewanted=4 live October 22, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20170625021414/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/24/us/fox-will-sign-up-12-new-stations-takes-8-from-cbs.html?pagewanted=4 June 25, 2017BC940530 Calling the agreement "the largest network affiliation realignment in television history", Murdoch said it would "forever change the competitive landscape of network television".ABJ19940524pA1 thumb|upright=0.8|Ronald Perelman, CEO of New World Communications Several stations were divested by New World in the process: NBC affiliates KNSD in San Diego, California, and WVTM-TV in Birmingham, Alabama, were sold to the network for $425 million on May 22, 1996.Prior to this sale, New World and NBC reached a "shows-for-stations" agreement that extended the affiliations for KNSD and WVTM for 10 years each. In turn, NBC agreed to jointly produce, and took out an equity stake in, a prime access syndicated newsmagazine that would become Access Hollywood.Tobenkin David July 10, 1995 New World, NBC near shows-for-stations deal 1014762592 125 16 Broadcasting & Cable 28 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1995/BC-1995-07-10.pdf May 4, 2023 World Radio History January 31, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230131024423/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1995/BC-1995-07-10.pdf live May 23, 1996 Company News; New World Communications to Sell 2 Stations 4 The New York Times Dow Jones WSBK-TV in Boston, operating as an independent, was excluded due to Fox's repurchase of WFXTJuly 12, 1995 Fox Gets Celtics Station The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/12/business/fox-gets-celtics-station.html September 24, 2015 September 26, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150926062618/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/12/business/fox-gets-celtics-station.html live and was sold to Paramount Stations Group, affiliating with UPN.December 1, 1994 Viacom agrees to purchase WSBK in Boston Bangor Daily News Bangor, Maine Associated Press http://archive.bangordailynews.com/1994/12/01/viacom-agrees-to-purchase-wsbk-in-boston/ September 24, 2015 September 25, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150925140211/http://archive.bangordailynews.com/1994/12/01/viacom-agrees-to-purchase-wsbk-in-boston/ live WVTM-TV's sale was necessitated as WVTM (included as part of the Argyle Television deal) was in the same market as WBRC (which was part of the Great American deal). WBRC and WGHP were placed in a trust and operated by Great American successor CiticastersFoisie Geoffrey Zier Julie A. August 22, 1994 Fox et al. to buy three stations; affiliation shuffle continues 1014747150 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-08-22.pdf April 29, 2023 7 World Radio History Broadcasting & Cable 124 34 January 31, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230131025518/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-08-22.pdf live until April 1995, when operating control for both stations were transferred to Fox Television Stations Group.McAvoy Kim April 10, 1995 Washington Watch 225339956 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1995/BC-1995-04-10.pdf Broadcasting & Cable 125 15 78 April 25, 2013 World Radio History September 1, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200901044454/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1995/BC-1995-04-10.pdf live Fox purchased both WBRC and WGHP on July 22, 1995, in exchange for $130 million in promissory notes.July 24, 1995 In Brief: Fox Television Stations last week closed its deal to acquire WBRC-TV Birmingham 1014760518 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1995/BC-1995-07-24.pdf Broadcasting & Cable 125 30 84–85 April 29, 2023 World Radio History January 31, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230131031023/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1995/BC-1995-07-24.pdf live Two Fox-owned stations displaced by the New World deal were also sold: WATL in Atlanta and KDAF in Dallas–Fort Worth, went to Renaissance Communications for $100 million and joined The WB, with Renaissance concurrently selling KDVR in Denver to Fox for $70 million.Zier Julie A. November 21, 1994 Fox, Renaissance trade markets 225342873 Broadcasting & Cable https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/94-OCR/BC-1994-11-21-Page-0059.pdf live July 19, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20160222103213/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-15893350.html February 22, 2016 World Radio HistoryNovember 16, 1994 Parent Firm Of WTIC-TV To Buy, Sell Hartford Courant https://www.courant.com/1994/11/16/parent-firm-of-wtic-tv-to-buy-sell/ live March 4, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040426/http://articles.courant.com/1994-11-16/business/9411160013_1_fox-affiliated-kdvr-renaissance March 4, 2016Cole Smith Steven June 28, 1995 Don't feel sorry for Channel 33 E1 Fort Worth Star-Telegram https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81875492/ live July 20, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210721062956/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81875492/dont-feel-sorry-for-channel-33/ July 21, 2021 Newspapers.com In total, twelve New World-owned stations were affected by the Fox affiliation pact, eight of which were long-tenured CBS affiliates in some of the nation's largest cities.Meisler Andy August 29, 1994 Murdoch's Raid Brings a Shuffling of TV Stations in Phoenix 2 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/29/business/murdoch-s-raid-brings-a-shuffling-of-tv-stations-in-phoenix.html?pagewanted=1 live October 21, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130613154035/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/29/business/murdoch-s-raid-brings-a-shuffling-of-tv-stations-in-phoenix.html?pagewanted=1 June 13, 2013 WJBK-TV had been with CBS for 46 years,Duffy Mike Gunther Marc May 24, 1994 Channel 2 dumps CBS, joins with Fox 1A, 2A Detroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31849514/channel-2-dumps-cbs-joins-with-fox/ live January 23, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220123190302/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31849514/channel-2-dumps-cbs-joins-with-fox/ January 23, 2022 Newspapers.com KDFW for 45 years,Cole Smith Steven July 2, 1995 TV changes expected to cause a tide of confusion F1, F2, F3 Fort Worth Star-Telegram https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81875655/ live July 20, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210721062955/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81875655/tv-changes-expected-to-cause-a-tide-of/ July 21, 2021 Newspapers.com KTBC-TV and WAGA-TV for 43 years,Kloer Phil May 24, 1994 TV shake-up in Atlanta; Keep your remote control handy this fall A1, A4 The Atlanta Constitution https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31849522/tv-shake-up-in-atlanta-keep-your/ live August 9, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220807060608/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31849522/tv-shake-up-in-atlanta-keep-your/ August 7, 2022 Newspapers.com WJW-TV and KSAZ-TV for 40 yearsFeran Tom September 2, 1994 Touch that dial! TV turnabout begins tomorrow on Channels 8, 19, 43 1A The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F3413A60C43494E live subscription October 21, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20230110034117/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F3413A60C43494E&f=basic January 10, 2023 NewsBankWalker Dave September 10, 1994 TV switch: Channel 5 to carry CBS today A1, A20 Arizona Republic Phoenix, Arizona https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28879847/tv-switch-channel-5-to-carry-cbs-today/ live November 26, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211126045400/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28879847/tv-switch-channel-5-to-carry-cbs-today/ November 26, 2021 Newspapers.com and WTVT for 39 years.Huntley Helen Stevenson Jennifer L. May 24, 1994 WTVT-Ch. 13 is switching channels to Fox 1A, 6A St. Petersburg Times St. Petersburg, Florida https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31849571/wtvt-ch-13-is-switching-channels-to-fox/ live December 27, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20220205074410/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31849571/wtvt-ch-13-is-switching-channels-to-fox/ February 5, 2022 Newspapers.com Additionally, WDAF-TV had been an NBC affiliate for 45 years.McTavish Brian May 24, 1994 WDAF to leave NBC, join Fox A-1, A-8 The Kansas City Star Kansas City, Missouri https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61708935/wdaf-to-leave-nbc-join-fox/ live February 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230202004736/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61708935/wdaf-to-leave-nbc-join-fox/ February 2, 2023 Newspapers.com The majority of these stations were also located in markets with established NFC teams,Walker Dave May 24, 1994 Channel 10 would leave CBS to go with Fox A1, A11 Arizona Republic Phoenix, Arizona https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28879924/republic-front-page-coverage-of-new/ live December 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211217030852/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28879924/republic-front-page-coverage-of-new/ December 17, 2021 Newspapers.comThis does not include KTVI, which became a "home station" for the St. Louis Rams after that team's relocation from Los Angeles in 1995.March 15, 1995 Rams Still Waiting For N.F.L. Approval The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/15/sports/rams-still-waiting-for-nfl-approval.html December 4, 2012 May 26, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150526143649/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/15/sports/rams-still-waiting-for-nfl-approval.html live which served as "a significant factor" for New World, along with Fox's programming lineup being largely limited to prime time, enabling the stations to sell more local advertising.nytbusinessdigest22 News of the agreement caught CBS's Tony Malara off guard when notified over the phone; as Malara later explained, "I said (to New World CEO William C. Bevins), 'In what market?' ... He said, 'All of them.' I said, 'What the hell are you doing?'"Feran Tom September 23, 1994 CBS enjoying ties with WOIO 7E The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F807D9E77570B8C live subscription October 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20230110034119/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F807D9E77570B8C&f=basic January 10, 2023 NewsBank Management at the New World stations, including WJW-TV general manager Virgil Dominic, were notified of the pending deal five days in advance and sworn to secrecy. Dominic later said, "My mouth fell to my knees. There was five or six seconds of absolute silence after (New World stations president Bob Selwyn) told me. It really was a shock."Feran Tom May 29, 1994 Seismic change 1C The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F807CFD67DE8DD1 subscription April 29, 2023 NewsBank April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429190117/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F807CFD67DE8DD1&f=basic live The Scripps–ABC alliance +The Scripps–ABC affiliation deal at a glance Station Market Channel Prior affiliation WEWS-TV Cleveland, OH 5 ABC WXYZ-TV Detroit, MI 7 ABC KNXV-TV Phoenix, AZ 15 Fox WMAR-TV Baltimore, MD 2 NBC WFTS-TV Tampa, FL 28 Fox Immediately following the Fox–New World announcement, CBS courted Scripps-Howard, owners of WEWS-TV in Cleveland and WXYZ-TV in Detroit, two long-standing ABC affiliates, along with three Fox affiliates impacted by Fox–New World: KNXV-TV, KSHB-TV and WFTS-TV in Tampa. As part of a possible deal leaked to Broadcasting & Cable, CBS would also affiliate with KNXV and WFTS and acquire a minority stake in Scripps's cable channel HGTV.McClellan Steve June 6, 1994 Counterstrike: CBS targets Scripps 225338688 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-06-06.pdf live Broadcasting & Cable 124 23 6, 8 https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151238/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-06-06.pdf November 8, 2021 October 5, 2022 World Radio History In discussions with ABC, Scripps insisted that KNXV-TV and WFTS-TV, along with NBC affiliate WMAR-TV in Baltimore, switch to ABC as a condition of any renewal with WEWS and WXYZZurawik David David Zurawik January 1, 1995 Changing Channels; Get ready, get set, get confused, in TV's big switch in Baltimore 1L, 3L The Baltimore Sun Baltimore, Maryland https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-changing-channels-get/123696603/ April 28, 2023 Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429040959/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-changing-channels-get/123696603/ live Miller William October 29, 1995 Declaration of William Miller https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filing/151886 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210630063726/https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filing/151886 June 30, 2021 March 16, 2021 Comments of Southern Broadcast Corporation of Sarasota Federal Communications Commission16 and threatened to switch both to CBS if KNXV in particular was not included.millerdec 7 KNXV's inclusion came at the expense of KTVK, the market leader for local news and regarded as a model ABC affiliateWalker Dave June 16, 1994 ABC drops Ch. 3 after 40 years A1, A15 Arizona Republic Phoenix, Arizona https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33050851/abc-drops-ch-3-after-40-years/ live December 25, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211226034726/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33050851/abc-drops-ch-3-after-40-years/ December 26, 2021 Newspapers.com but was a standalone family-run station and not part of a larger group.Muller Bill June 30, 1994 Family-owned Ch. 3 outmuscled for prize A1, A7 The Arizona Republic https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-republic-eye-say-channel-5-call/33050928/ March 16, 2021 Newspapers.com The network offered Scripps $25 million as an alternative to KNXV-TV, which was rejected in what ABC executive Bryce Rathbone described as Scripps "[having] a gun to their head".millerdec 16 When KTVK general manager Bill Miller asked Capital Cities/ABC CEO Tom Murphy if there was anything the station could do, Murphy replied, "you should light some candles".millerdec 5 ABC acquiesced to Scripps's demands and announced on June 15, 1994, that KNXV, WFTS and WMAR would join the network, and WEWS and WXYZ would remain affiliates.Stevenson Jennifer L. June 16, 1994 ABC switching channels in bay area 1A, 17A St. Petersburg Times https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68960825/ live January 30, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20220205074413/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68960825/abc-switching-channels-in-bay-area/ February 5, 2022June 17, 1994 COMPANY NEWS; TV Stations Shift to ABC The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/17/business/company-news-tv-stations-shift-to-abc.html October 21, 2012 November 11, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121111215200/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/17/business/company-news-tv-stations-shift-to-abc.html live Scripps's other former Fox affiliate, KSHB, replaced WDAF-TV as Kansas City's NBC affiliate; KSHB was tied to contract renewals for KJRH-TV in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and WPTV-TV in West Palm Beach.McClellan Steve August 1, 1994 Keeping up with the affiliates 225330473 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-08-01.pdf Broadcasting & Cable 124 31 11 May 4, 2023 World Radio History January 31, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230131030057/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-08-01.pdf live The new ABC alliance prompted WFTS-TV to expedite work on establishing a news department,Belcher Walt June 17, 1994 TV stations focus on change 1, 10 Tampa Tribune https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68961076/ live January 30, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20220205074415/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68961076/tv-stations-focus-on-change/ February 5, 2022 with local newscasts launching the day of the switch from facilities formerly used by the Home Shopping Network in a temporary setup.Yant Monica December 9, 1994 This just in: Ch. 28 will have news 1B, 11B St. Petersburg Times https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68964406/ live January 30, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20220205074415/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68964406/this-just-in-ch-28-will-have-news/ February 5, 2022Belcher Walt December 13, 1994 Big switch helps spark the big hype 5 BayLife Tampa Tribune https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68962603/ live January 31, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20220205074411/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68962603/big-switch-helps-spark-the-big-hype/ February 5, 2022 Stripped of the ABC affiliation and failing to land CBS,outmuscledMattern Hal June 30, 1994 Eye say! Channel 5 called up to majors: Homeless CBS picks longtime independent A1, A7 The Arizona Republic https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33050928/eye-say-channel-5-called-up-to-majors/ live March 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210630063710/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33050928/eye-say-channel-5-called-up-to-majors/ June 30, 2021 Newspapers.com KTVK spent the next few months rebuilding itself into a news-intensive independent.Walker Dave January 9, 1996 Channel 3 maintains stronghold despite loss of network affiliation C5 The Arizona Republic https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34044173/ live November 14, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20210630063716/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34044173/channel-3-maintains-stronghold-despite/ June 30, 2021 Newspapers.com Scripps's Cincinnati station, WCPO-TV, also signed a 10-year deal with ABC in September 1995 unrelated to the earlier group deal,Jessell Harry A. September 11, 1995 ABC, Fox change partners again 225333563 125 16 Broadcasting & Cable 37 https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1995/BC-1995-09-11.pdf live December 2, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20200629153747/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1995/BC-1995-09-11.pdf June 29, 2020 World Radio History and switched from CBS on June 3, 1996.Harper Paul June 7, 1996 Trading Places: Diary of WCPO Network Switch 1B, 8B The Cincinnati Post Cincinnati, Ohio https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-post-trading-places-diar/123863332/ May 1, 2023 Newspapers.com May 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230501164146/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-post-trading-places-diar/123863332/ live The CBS–Westinghouse deal +The CBS–Group W affiliation deal at a glance Station Market Channel Prior affiliation KDKA-TV Pittsburgh, PA 2 CBS KPIX-TV San Francisco, CA 5 CBS KYW-TV Philadelphia, PA 3 NBC WBZ-TV Boston, MA 4 NBC WJZ-TV Baltimore, MD 13 ABC thumb|KYW-TV studios in Philadelphia, 2007 Scripps's insistence on WMAR-TV joining ABC came at the expense of WJZ-TV, which had been with ABC since 1948 and was the network's longest-tenured affiliate.Zurawik David David Zurawik June 17, 1994 ABC-TV to switch from WJZ to WMAR 1A, 9A The Baltimore Sun https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121812096/abc-tv-to-switch-from-wjz-to-wmar/ live March 28, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230328170026/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121812096/abc-tv-to-switch-from-wjz-to-wmar/ March 28, 2023 Newspapers.com WJZ-TV owner Westinghouse Broadcasting (Group W) engaged in off-and-on discussions over the past six months with CBS, NBC and Fox over a possible group-wide affiliation deal, which accelerated when the Scripps-ABC agreement was announced.July 11, 1994 THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Group W's Negotiations D8 The New York Times Reuters New York, New York https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/11/business/the-media-business-group-w-s-negotiations.html April 28, 2023 May 2, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180502120327/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/11/business/the-media-business-group-w-s-negotiations.html live Industry trade publications also suggested a possibility of Fox purchasing Group W.Balt940617 On July 14, 1994, Group W and CBS agreed to a group-wide 10-year contract, renewing CBS's existing ties with KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh and KPIX-TV in San Francisco and adding WJZ-TV, WBZ-TV in Boston and KYW-TV in Philadelphia to the network, the latter two stations switching from NBC.Carter Bill July 15, 1994 CBS to Add Three Affiliates in Deal With Westinghouse The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/15/business/the-media-business-cbs-to-add-three-affiliates-in-deal-with-westinghouse.html live July 12, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20141023121452/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/15/business/the-media-business-cbs-to-add-three-affiliates-in-deal-with-westinghouse.html October 23, 2014BC19940718p14 As part of the deal, Group W and CBS formed a joint venture to acquire other television stations and operate a syndication company.Zurawik David David Zurawik July 15, 1994 WJZ to join CBS in 3-station deal 1, 7A The Baltimore Sun Baltimore, Maryland https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-wjz-to-join-cbs-in-3-s/123688156/ April 29, 2023 Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429040958/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-wjz-to-join-cbs-in-3-s/123688156/ live WJZ-TV and WBZ-TV switched to CBS on January 1, 1995,BaltiSun19950101p1L with Baltimore and Boston's existing CBS affiliates, WBAL-TV and WHDH-TV, switching to NBC, the former in a three-way affiliation swap.Zurawik David David Zurawik August 5, 1994 Delaying switches until Jan. annoys WMAR, WBAL 1D, 5D The Baltimore Sun Baltimore, Maryland https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-delaying-switches-unti/123688486/ April 29, 2023 Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429040959/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-delaying-switches-unti/123688486/ live Biddle Frederic M. August 3, 1994 Boston's TV shuffle will put NBC on Ch. 7 1, 8 The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-bostons-tv-shuffle-wil/123688708/ April 29, 2023 Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429040959/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-bostons-tv-shuffle-wil/123688708/ live NBC agreed to pay WHDH-TV owner Sunbeam Television a total of $100 million to $150 million over a ten-year span, coincidentally reuniting Sunbeam with the network that had bypassed their Miami station WSVN five years earlier.Biddle Frederic M. August 4, 1994 NBC pays top dollar to stay on VHF dial 62 The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-nbc-pays-top-dollar-to/123697811/ April 29, 2023 Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429040959/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-nbc-pays-top-dollar-to/123697811/ live NBC–Philadelphia Ownership +NBC's Ownership of Philadelphia at a glance Station Market Channel Prior Affiliation O&O New Affiliation O&O KCNC-TV Denver 4 NBC CBS KUTV Salt Lake City 2 NBC CBS WCAU Philadelphia 10 CBS NBC WCIX Miami–Fort Lauderdale, FL 6 CBS rowspan="2" Channel allocations changed WTVJ 4 NBC thumb|upright=0.8|Bob Wright, president and CEO of NBC, had ownership of Philadelphia part of the network's strategic plan to stay as the highest-rated network. The CBS–Westinghouse affiliation agreement was a severe blow to NBC because they wanted to reclaim ownership of KYW-TV in Philadelphia.Wright 2016 230 NBC had owned the station from 1958 to 1965 when it was WRCV-TV, two years earlier through a trade with Westinghouse Broadcasting in return for NBC's television and radio stations in Cleveland. The FCC reversed the trade in 1965 leading to NBC to regain control of the Cleveland television station. Since then, NBC had done whatever it took to acquire an owned-and-operated station in Philadelphia, especially KYW, which became its weakest major-market affiliate for much of the 1980s.KYW-TV: On the Bottom Looking Up Shister Gail Philadelphia Inquirer April 28, 1983 E1NBC Tries a Quieter Way of Breaking into Cable TV Boyer Peter J. https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/06/business/the-media-business-television-nbc-tries-a-quieter-way-of-breaking-into-cable-tv.html?ref=robertcwright The New York Times June 6, 1988 February 16, 2016 Bob Wright, president and CEO of NBC, had the network's ownership of Philadelphia—and specifically KYW—part of the network owning stations in the largest markets as part of the strategic plan to keep NBC as the highest-rated network.Wright 2016 221-222, 230 The affiliation agreement posed a logistical issue as KYW would replace CBS-owned WCAU-TV; consequently, Fox also made an offer for WCAU-TV, while CBS expressed interest in conducting an asset swap with NBC.Zier Julie A. July 18, 1994 CBS, Group W form historic alliance: affiliations, joint station buying, program deals in prospect 14 Broadcasting & Cable 225329759 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-07-18.pdf live March 28, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230307183829/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-07-18.pdf March 7, 2023 In September 1994, Fox agreed to purchase existing Philadelphia affiliate WTXF-TV.Zier Julie A. September 5, 1994 225325817 Fox buys WTXF Philly for $200 million plus: seller, Viacom-Paramount, rumored to be negotiating for Combined's WGBS-TV and WBFS-TV 12 Broadcasting & Cable https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-09-05.pdf live March 28, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230131031021/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-09-05.pdf January 31, 2023 With NBC remaining as the only bidder for WCAU-TV, talks began in earnest over an swap of stations between the two networks, because NBC didn't want to be relegated to a much weaker UHF station in Philadelphia. An early outline leaked to Mediaweek had NBC offering KCNC-TV in Denver and KUTV in Salt Lake City to CBS, along with the channel 4 signal in Miami.Miles Laureen September 5, 1994 WTXF-Phila. fetches $200 million 5 Mediaweek A15809876 This was largely confirmed on November 21, 1994, with NBC selling KCNC and KUTV to the Group W–CBS joint venture, along with WTVJ's channel 4 license and transmitter site; CBS would sell to NBC both WCAU-TV and WCIX's channel 6 license and transmitter site.Jicha Tom November 22, 1994 CBS, NBC Changing Channels South Florida Sun-Sentinel http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1994-11-22/news/9411210600_1_wcix-nbc-programs-stations https://web.archive.org/web/20110703093638/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1994-11-22/news/9411210600_1_wcix-nbc-programs-stations July 3, 2011Boedeker Hal November 22, 1994 NBC: We're sticking with WTVJ 1C, 3C The Miami Herald Miami, Florida https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121813819/nbc-were-sticking-with-wtvj/ live March 28, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230328170032/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121813819/nbc-were-sticking-with-wtvj/ March 28, 2023 Newspapers.com The transmitter and license swap in Miami would see WCIX "move" to channel 4, renamed WFOR-TV, and WTVJ "move" to channel 6.December 14, 1994 Channel 6 will drop CIX for FOR 1C The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121813880/channel-6-will-drop-cix-for-for/ live March 28, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230328170026/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121813880/channel-6-will-drop-cix-for-for/ March 28, 2023 Newspapers.com In Denver, another three-station affiliation swap took place: NBC-owned KCNC-TV became CBS-owned, outgoing CBS affiliate KMGH-TV joined ABC, and outgoing ABC affiliate KUSA linked with NBC.Mankowski Cal November 22, 1994 CBS, NBC trade some TV stations B10 The Buffalo News Buffalo, New York https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news-cbs-nbc-trade-some-tv/123687752/ April 28, 2023 Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429041001/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news-cbs-nbc-trade-some-tv/123687752/ live KMGH was part of a group-wide deal between ABC and owner McGraw-Hill announced on October 21, 1994,Saunders Dusty October 22, 1994 TV Stations Play Spin the Dial: Channel 7 Quits CBS, Joins ABC, Kicking Off Network Realignment 5A Rocky Mountain News Denver, Colorado https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB4DF0BABA1E319 subscription April 29, 2023 NewsBank April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429041002/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0EB4DF0BABA1E319&f=basic live with McGraw-Hill's other CBS affiliate, KERO-TV in Bakersfield, California,October 24, 1994 Denver's Channel 7 goes from CBS to ABC 11A The Daily Sentinel Associated Press Grand Junction, Colorado https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-sentinel-denvers-channel-7-go/123698311/ April 28, 2023 Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429041001/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-sentinel-denvers-channel-7-go/123698311/ live switching to ABC on March 1, 1996.Newell Maria March 1, 1996 Translator switch won't change much B1–B2 Daily Press Victorville, California https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-translator-switch-wont-chan/123695519/ April 29, 2023 Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429041001/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-translator-switch-wont-chan/123695519/ live Prior to finalizing their trade with Renaissance for KDVR, Fox had been rumored to acquire Tribune's KWGN-TV via a station trade.Saunders Dusty October 22, 1994 Fox Broadcasting could join Denver TV wheeling, dealing 35A Rocky Mountain NewsNovember 7, 1994 At press time: KWGN-TV eyes Fox tie 1 Electronic Media https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1994-11-07_13_45/mode/2up?q=KDVR In Salt Lake City, KSL-TV agreed to switch from CBS to NBC.BuffaloN19941122pB10 Because of the complexity of the NBC-CBS asset swap, the FCC granted approval in August 1995 after weeks of delays, with the Philadelphia, Miami, Denver, and Salt Lake City market affiliation switches all taking place on September 10, 1995.Whitefield Mimi May 22, 1995 Date for channel switch pushed back Business Monday 7 The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121814759/date-for-channel-switch-pushed-back/ live March 28, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230328170028/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121814759/date-for-channel-switch-pushed-back/ March 28, 2023 Newspapers.comDougherty Robin August 18, 1995 TV switcheroo II set for Sept. 10 1A, 17A The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121815112/tv-switcheroo-ii-set-for-sept-10/ live March 28, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230328170024/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121815112/tv-switcheroo-ii-set-for-sept-10/ March 28, 2023 Newspapers.com NBC achieved their goal in owning a station in Philadelphia, even though they owned the station they didn't want to own in the first place.Peacock network has strategy to stay No. 1 Lieberman David November 13, 1995 USA Today 6BLarry Kane's Philadelphia Larry Kane 2000 Philadelphia Temple University Press Larry Kane 144, 147Wright 2016 439CBS to Get 3 Stations In NBC Deal Carter Bill The New York Times November 22, 1994 D21 NBC went after (WCAU) because the network could not afford to accept affiliating with a much weaker UHF station in Philadelphia. This also benefited WCAU because their sister stations would continue to be their O&O in Chicago and flagships in New York and Los Angeles—but for the first time, WCAU would also be co-owned with Washington D.C., achieving another goal of NBC to own a continuous East Coast power corridor from New York to Washington.Wright 2016 230, 439 CBS scrambles for replacement affiliates +Replacement CBS affiliates in New World markets Station Market Channel Prior affiliation KBVO-TV Austin, TX 42 Fox KPHO-TV Phoenix, AZ 5 Independent KTVT Dallas–Fort Worth, TX 11 Independent WDJT-TV Milwaukee, WI 58 Independent WGNX Atlanta, GA 46 Independent WGPR-TV Detroit, MI 62 Independent WOIO Cleveland, OH 19 Fox WTSP Tampa, FL 10 ABC Relegated to the UHF dial in Cleveland, CBS signed former Fox affiliate WOIO,Feran Tom June 30, 1994 Channel 19 likely to be CBS choice 1A The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F807D27A9E464EE live subscription October 5, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221006020656/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F807D27A9E464EE&f=basic October 6, 2022 NewsBank which despite having no news department, committed to launching one by taking over WUAB through a local marketing agreement.Feran Tom August 20, 1994 WOIO fires 8 at TV-43 in takeover 1E The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F807D774E46BD4F live subscription October 5, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221006020657/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F807D774E46BD4F&f=basic October 6, 2022 NewsBank Tampa was equally straightforward, with outgoing ABC affiliate WTSP joining CBS.justin2 CBS signed up KBVO-TVChannel 42, not the current KBVO-TV licensed to Llano, Texas. to fill the void in Austin left by KTBC-TV;BC19941010p96 when that switch took place on July 1, 1995, KBVO was renamed KEYE-TV.Holloway Diane May 31, 1995 In CBS switch, KBVO will be KEYE B1, B5 Austin American-Statesman https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77199766/ May 6, 2021 April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429041003/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77199766/in-cbs-switch-kbvo-will-be-keye/ live Holloway Diane August 17, 1995 News viewers change habits in TV switch https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-news-viewers-c/156983327/ live https://archive.today/20241012095435/https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-news-viewers-c/156983327/ October 12, 2024 October 12, 2024 Austin-American Statesman A1, A10 Newspapers.com Dallas–Fort Worth was also resolved on July 1 via KTVT, a VHF independent owned by Gaylord Broadcasting. As a condition set forth by Gaylord, KSTW in Seattle–Tacoma, Washington, also joined CBS at the expense of long-standing affiliate KIRO-TV.McClellan Steve Zier Julie September 19, 1994 Gaylord gets CBS affiliates in Seattle and Dallas 225325806 124 14 Broadcasting & Cable 38 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-09-19.pdf April 29, 2023 World Radio History March 8, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210308043913/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-09-19.pdf live Both KTVT and KSTW were slated to join The WB, but after that network's launch was delayed, Gaylord sued to void the pending contracts. In turn, The WB sued Gaylord for breach of contract.August 27, 1994 KSTW In Middle In Network Battles The Seattle Times Knight-Ridder News Service Seattle, Washington https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19940827/1927399/kstw-in-middle-in-network-battles April 28, 2013 November 4, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131104091611/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19940827&slug=1927399 live The Seattle switches took place on March 16, 1995, with KIRO-TV joining UPN but maintaining its local news schedule.Taylor Chuck January 15, 1995 The Expanding Network Universe – CBS' Move From KIRO To KSTW Is Just Part of the Channel-Changing That's Shaking Up Seattle's TV The Seattle Times Seattle, Washington https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19950115/2099981/the-expanding-network-universe----cbs-move-from-kiro-to-kstw-is-just-part-of-the-channel-changing-thats-shaking-up-seattles-tv live October 23, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060135/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19950115&slug=2099981 October 23, 2013Taylor Chuck The CBS switch: Questions, answers on tomorrow's big move https://www.newspapers.com/article/seattle-post-intelligencer-the-cbs-switc/208850958/ October 23, 2026 The Seattle Times and Seattle Post-Intelligencer March 12, 1995 Seattle, Washington M1, M6 Newspapers.com KIRO-TV and KSTW exchanged network affiliations on June 30, 1997, with CBS returning to KIRO-TV and KSTW joining UPN.Taylor Chuck June 12, 1997 KIRO-TV Sets Show Lineup For CBS Return The Seattle Times Seattle, Washington https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19970612/2544209/kiro-tv-sets-show-lineup-for-cbs-return live June 29, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20131213190204/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19970612&slug=2544209 December 13, 2013 A multi-station deal with CBS and Meredith Corporation saw Phoenix independent KPHO-TV replace KSAZ-TV, and WNEM-TV in Bay City, Michigan, switch from NBC to CBS, as part of a renewal with KCTV in Kansas City.Eye say! The Meredith deal resulted in another side deal: after rumors of NBC courting existing ABC affiliate WJRT-TV in Flint, Michigan, Capital Cities/ABC purchased it and WTVG in Toledo, Ohio, from SJL Broadcasting for $155 million in October 1994, converting the latter from NBC to ABC.August 30, 1995 Capital Cities-ABC Completes Buy of Two TV Stations Associated Press News https://apnews.com/0f7931c0a0cab27df0160c2abdd6f6dd April 10, 2015 January 1, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190101145345/https://apnews.com/0f7931c0a0cab27df0160c2abdd6f6dd live Capital Cities/ABC's purchase was made largely to prevent NBC from signing, or purchasing, WJRT as a replacement for WNEM.Pullen Doug September 2, 1994 Channel 5 Adds Weathercaster; Channel 25 Focuses On Health C16, C25 Flint Journal Flint, Michigan https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/channel-5-adds-weathercaster-channel-25-focuses-health/jdtphadztqeswjboraoghcothftdaugf_wma-gateway019_1682709195140 April 29, 2023 GenealogyBank April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429041005/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/channel-5-adds-weathercaster-channel-25-focuses-health/jdtphadztqeswjboraoghcothftdaugf_wma-gateway019_1682709195140 live Zier Julie A. October 10, 1994 ABC, CBS make market moves 225339313 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-10-10.pdf#page=96 Broadcasting & Cable 124 11 96 April 28, 2023 World Radio History January 31, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230131025338/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-10-10.pdf#page=96 live October 16, 1994 Notes: Scramble for affiliates 2 The Journal Times Spectrum Sunday Racine, Wisconsin https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-times-notes-scramble-for-af/123694007/ April 29, 2023 April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429041004/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-times-notes-scramble-for-af/123694007/ live As a result, former CBS affiliate WEYI-TV became Flint–Bay City's NBC affiliate.Pullen Doug https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-flint-journal-the-big-switch-one-ye/171058324/ January 17, 1996 The Big Switch, One Year Later: TV viewers maintain news loyalty but change channels for programs B1 The Flint Journal Flint, Michigan April 25, 2025 Newspapers.com In Detroit, however, outgoing Fox affiliate WKBD-TV and independents WXON-TV and WADL rejected affiliation or purchase offers by CBS,Roush Matt September 26, 1994 WGPR sale means CBS spending jag: Network may spend millions on expansion, hiring 3 Crain's Detroit Business effectively forcing the network to purchase WGPR-TV (channel 62) from the International Free and Accepted Modern Masons for $24 million.Duffy Mike September 23, 1994 CBS purchase may juice up TV landscape: Channel 62 likely to hire big names 1A, 8A Detroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93097575/cbs-purchase-may-juice-up-tv-landscape/ live January 23, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220128163040/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93097575/cbs-purchase-may-juice-up-tv-landscape/ January 28, 2022 Newspapers.com WGPR-TV was the first Black-owned television station in the mainland United StatesKiska Tim January 29, 2016 Black broadcast pioneer WGPR honored in history exhibit en-US Detroit Free Press https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/television/2016/01/29/black-broadcast-pioneer-wgpr-honored-history-exhibit/79518026/ live January 23, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220123194049/https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/television/2016/01/29/black-broadcast-pioneer-wgpr-honored-history-exhibit/79518026/ January 23, 2022 and, up until October 1992, employed an 11-person news department with daily newscasts focused on the city's Black population.Kiska Tim October 12, 1992 Union-busting charged in WGPR firings 5B The Detroit News Despite this, an unnamed CBS executive told The New York Times reporter Bill Carter about WGPR-TV: "[T]his station has no news and no history in the market. It's amazing."Carter Bill September 20, 1994 Most chaotic season ever has begun for network TV 12E The Plain Dealer The New York Times Struggling to secure either WATL or WGNX as a replacement affiliate in Atlanta, CBS made a $22 million purchase offer for WVEU (channel 69) out of desperation in September 1994.Kloer Phil September 24, 1994 Clearing up the local TV picture: Price was right: But will viewers follow CBS to Channel 69? B1 The Atlanta Constitution https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107110760/clearing-up-the-local-tv-picture-price/ live August 7, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220807060608/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107110760/clearing-up-the-local-tv-picture-price/ August 7, 2022 Newspapers.com Even with the pending deal, CBS continued to lobby WATL and WGNX, and reached an affiliation with WGNX on November 16, 1994;Kloer Phil November 16, 1994 Channel surfing: CBS to flip from 69 to 46 A1 The Atlanta Constitution https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107111175/channel-surfing-cbs-to-flip-from-69-to/ live August 7, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220807060618/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107111175/channel-surfing-cbs-to-flip-from-69-to/ August 7, 2022 Newspapers.com the purchase of WVEU and an immediate resale was also made official.Kloer Phil November 17, 1994 The networks go channel surfing F1 The Atlanta Constitution https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107014650/the-networks-go-channel-surfing/ live August 7, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220807060623/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107014650/the-networks-go-channel-surfing/ August 7, 2022 Newspapers.comMcClellan Steve November 21, 1994 CBS signs WGNX Atlanta 1014760601 124 8 Broadcasting & Cable 47 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-11-21.pdf April 29, 2023 World Radio History January 31, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230131032219/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-11-21.pdf live Meanwhile, WVEU rebranded as WUPA and joined UPN. On June 2, 2025, it was announced that WUPA would become a CBS owned-and-operated station on August 16, 2025, replacing WANF, which converted to an independent station.2025-06-02 CBS STRENGTHENS LOCAL FOOTPRINT IN ATLANTA WITH NEW O&O NETWORK HOME, WUPA https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-news-and-stations/shows/stations/releases/?view=111517-cbs-strengthens-local-footprint-in-atlanta-with-new-oo-network-home-wupa/ 2025-06-02 Paramount Press Express en-US The Milwaukee market proved to be the most problematic for CBS. Sinclair Broadcast Group, owner of outgoing Fox affiliate WCGV-TVKirchen Rich October 1, 1994 In CBS' search for a mate, Channel 24 still plays hard to get Milwaukee Business Journal A16335176 and operator of WVTV, turned down all offers made by CBS,Dudek Duane October 11, 1994 Channels 18, 24 next to snub CBS News 5 Milwaukee Sentinel the Wisconsin Voice of Christian Youth turned down a longshot purchase offer for their TV station,Flint Joe October 3, 1994 Nay for Eye on affil buy 168 Variety 1401389916 and Weigel Broadcasting, owner of WDJT-TV (channel 58) ended talks due to CBS's continued pursuit of another station.Dudek Duane October 1, 1994 Channel 58 says CBS is too late: Owners no longer wooing network News 4 Milwaukee Sentinel CBS's situation in Milwaukee was dire to the point the network agreed to supply their owned-stations in Chicago and Green Bay to cable providers in the event no replacement affiliate could be secured.Battaglio Stephen December 2, 1994 CBS ensures Milwaukee feed 3, 50 The Hollywood Reporter 2362015453 Five days before WITI's contract was to lapse, on December 6, 1994, Weigel and CBS reached an agreement to affiliate WDJT-TV in a 10-year deal.Kirchen Rich December 10, 1994 Down-to-the-wire deal kept Milwaukee on CBS' map 2 Milwaukee Business Journal A16541130 222390177 Savoy, Petracom and Blackstar link with Fox +SF Broadcasting, Blackstar and Petracom stations Station Market Channel Prior affiliation Owner KEVN-TV Rapid City, SD 7 NBC Blackstar KHON-TV Honolulu, HI 2 NBC SF Broadcasting WALA-TV Mobile, AL 10 NBC SF Broadcasting WLUK-TV Green Bay, WI 11 NBC SF Broadcasting WTVW Evansville, IN 7 ABC Petracom WVUE New Orleans, LA 8 ABC SF Broadcasting In March 1994, Fox and Savoy Pictures established a venture called SF Broadcasting to acquire and operate additional television stations. Fox held no voting stock in the company—which instead was held entirely by Savoy Pictures chairmen Victor Kaufman and Lewis Korman—but supplied 58% of the original $100 million in capital.March 18, 1994 THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Savoy and Fox TV Venture 15 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/18/business/the-media-business-savoy-and-fox-tv-venture.html February 4, 2017 March 8, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160308074822/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/18/business/the-media-business-savoy-and-fox-tv-venture.html live SF acquired four stations owned by Burnham Broadcasting in two separate deals: WLUK-TV in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on July 29, 1994, for $38 million,July 29, 1994 Company Town Annex Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-07-29-fi-21366-story.html May 9, 2014 May 12, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222802/http://articles.latimes.com/1994-07-29/business/fi-21366_1_fox-television-stations live and WALA-TV in Mobile, Alabama, KHON-TV in Honolulu, Hawaii, and WVUE in New Orleans, Louisiana, one month later on August 25 for $229 million. The deal further upgraded Fox's affiliation base in two additional NFC markets.Andy Meisler August 27, 1994 COMPANY NEWS; Fox Adds 3 Network-Affiliated Stations The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/27/business/company-news-fox-adds-3-network-affiliated-stations.html October 22, 2012 June 3, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210603135107/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/27/business/company-news-fox-adds-3-network-affiliated-stations.html live NBC protested the sale of WLUK before the FCC, alleging SF was a shell created by News Corporation to circumvent FCC limits on the amount of capital that a foreign company can invest in an American television station.September 27, 1994 NBC ASKS FCC TO PUT BRAKES ON FOX'S EXPANSION PLANS The Deseret News Salt Lake City, Utah The New York Times http://www.deseretnews.com/article/378144/NBC-ASKS-FCC-TO-PUT-BRAKES-ON-FOXS-EXPANSION-PLANS.html?pg=all May 9, 2014 May 12, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140512221600/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/378144/NBC-ASKS-FCC-TO-PUT-BRAKES-ON-FOXS-EXPANSION-PLANS.html?pg=all dead This petition was soon followed with another protesting Fox's KDVR purchase and concurrent station sales in Dallas and Atlanta to Renaissance.Flint Joe January 15, 1995 NBC Asks FCC To Nix Fox Bid For KDVR https://variety.com/1995/tv/features/nbc-asks-fcc-to-nix-fox-bid-for-kdvr-99125296/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093637/http://variety.com/1995/tv/features/nbc-asks-fcc-to-nix-fox-bid-for-kdvr-99125296/ March 4, 2016 March 4, 2016 Variety NBC withdrew these and all other petitions against Fox on February 17, 1995.February 20, 1995 NBC drops opposition to Fox 1016944810 7 Broadcasting & Cable https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1995/BC-1995-02-20.pdf live July 20, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210308033455/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1995/BC-1995-02-20.pdf March 8, 2021Carter Bill April 28, 1995 THE MEDIA BUSINESS; F.C.C. Approves Purchase of TV Station by Fox Unit The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/28/business/the-media-business-fcc-approves-purchase-of-tv-station-by-fox-unit.html October 22, 2012 May 12, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140512225901/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/28/business/the-media-business-fcc-approves-purchase-of-tv-station-by-fox-unit.html live Relations between Capital Cities/ABC and Burnham soured after the SF sale, which had forced ABC to change stations in New Orleans. Burnham Broadcasting retained one station: KBAK-TV in Bakersfield, California, an ABC affiliate. After six months of negotiations with CBS affiliate KERO-TV, owned by McGraw-Hill, an affiliation switch was confirmed on August 22, 1995, and KERO-TV switched to ABC and KBAK-TV to CBS on March 1, 1996.7, 16 ABC, CBS affils make a switch in Bakersfield Jonathan Davies The Hollywood Reporter 2467928548 August 23, 1995Newell Maria March 1, 1996 Translator switch won't change much B1–B2 Daily Press Victorville, California https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-translator-switch-wont-chan/123695519/ April 29, 2023 Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429041001/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-translator-switch-wont-chan/123695519/ live I sometimes think there are a lot of people out there who are giving us credit for being a lot smarter than we are. We're simply investing in companies that believe in our business plan and are attracted to affiliations with our network, just like NBC and ABC are out investing in operators who believe in their business plan. Preston Padden defending Fox's investment into LLC Blackstar CommunicationsBC19941017p18 275px Fox also made two other equity investments in broadcasters that converted at least one station to Fox. In October 1994, it agreed to purchase an equity stake in Blackstar Communications, a Black-owned company owned by John Oxendine. Blackstar's three existing stations aired the Home Shopping Network;Fox, Blackstar in affil venture The Hollywood Reporter October 7, 1994 1, 32 Brooks Boliek 2362043760 the company intended to buy as many as 11 VHF stations in mid-sized to smaller markets for conversion. The company made its first station acquisition after the deal in July 1995, when it announced a $20 million deal to purchase the Nebraska Television Network (NTV), a group of ABC affiliates in central and western Nebraska that were already secondary affiliates of Fox, to convert them to Fox.Broadcasting & Cable July 17, 1995 68 1016943761 Elizabeth A. Rathbun Blackstar makes first buy https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1995/BC-1995-07-17.pdf April 29, 2023 January 31, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230131032358/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1995/BC-1995-07-17.pdf liveVariety Dennis Wharton 68 Blackstar deal tests FCC July 17, 1995 1401398829 However, the transaction was delayed, ultimately to the point of being called off, by an FCC petition over a matter unrelated to the possible switch.See KLKN. At the time Blackstar attempted to acquire NTV from Fant Broadcasting, Fant was in dispute with Citadel Communications over television station allocations in Albion, Nebraska. Citadel filed a petition in hopes that it would spur the FCC into investigating an attempt by Fant to pursue the same Albion channel as Citadel. Citadel needed the new Albion channel in order to move what was then KCAN from Albion to Lincoln.https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/ntv-sale-meets-resistance-fcc-review-complaint/yvjvnhlybehjkqgcvygbfflsaiubrspo_wma-gateway019_1672027200479 Renee Ricketts Hansen Grand Island Independent 1-D, 2-D NTV sale meets resistance: FCC to review complaint October 8, 1995 April 29, 2023 April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429160323/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/ntv-sale-meets-resistance-fcc-review-complaint/yvjvnhlybehjkqgcvygbfflsaiubrspo_wma-gateway019_1672027200479 live The deal was then scuttled because Citadel's petition delayed FCC approval.https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/pending-sale-ntv-network-fails/pcwampzfkovpnspmzvivqjbqmjxniflu_wma-gateway019_1672027915787 3-D Pending sale of NTV Network fails Grand Island Independent May 5, 1996 April 29, 2023 April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429160325/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/pending-sale-ntv-network-fails/pcwampzfkovpnspmzvivqjbqmjxniflu_wma-gateway019_1672027915787 live Fant then sold NTV to Pappas Telecasting, which retained the ABC affiliation.Michael Hooper Grand Island Independent NTV sold to California company https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/ntv-sold-california-company/lhpdxrljpemqphghzxzqnypgxescgzhu_wma-gateway017_1672266563812 July 9, 1996 1-A, 2-A April 29, 2023 April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429160332/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/ntv-sold-california-company/lhpdxrljpemqphghzxzqnypgxescgzhu_wma-gateway017_1672266563812 live Blackstar then spent $14 million to purchase KEVN in Rapid City, South Dakota, in September 1995.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123722956/kevn-tv-sold-to-dc-firm/ September 14, 1995 A1, A2 Bill Harlan KEVN TV sold to D.C. firm Rapid City Journal Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429160323/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123722956/kevn-tv-sold-to-dc-firm/ live After the purchase, Blackstar announced it would switch KEVN to Fox,https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123723003/kevn-ready-for-switch-to-fox-more-local/ March 22, 1996 A1, A2 Denise Ross KEVN ready for switch to Fox: More local programming promised after July 17 switch Rapid City Journal Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429160323/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123723003/kevn-ready-for-switch-to-fox-more/ live which took place on July 15, 1996.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47830434/knbn-kevn-ready-for-the-fox-shuffle/ July 12, 1996 B1 Dan Daly KNBN, KEVN ready for the Fox shuffle Rapid City Journal Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429160328/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47830434/knbn-kevn-ready-for-the-fox-shuffle/ live In May 1995, Fox invested $15 million in exchange for 20% of Petracom, which was in the middle of buying four television stations from Banam Broadcasting. Among the four stations were two small-market Fox affiliatesOne of the two Fox affiliates was KARD; the other station, KDEB-TV in Springfield, Missouri, joined Fox in 1987 after ABC terminated its affiliation the year prior.Rubin James H. October 2, 1989 High Court Refuses TV Station Appeal Associated Press https://apnews.com/article/00f357033565398a62e3841eb5a07670 April 8, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034444/https://apnews.com/article/00f357033565398a62e3841eb5a07670 live Petracom also purchased Fox affiliate WQRF-TV in Rockford, Illinois, prior to the Banam deal.BC19950522p77 and ABC affiliate WTVW in Evansville, Indiana, which converted to Fox as part of the deal; rumors of the deal occurring had prompted ABC to sign an affiliation agreement with existing CBS affiliate WEHT.Julie A. Zier 77 Fox buys interest in group owner 1016945437 Broadcasting & Cable May 22, 1995 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1995/BC-1995-05-22.pdf April 29, 2023 January 31, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230131024437/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1995/BC-1995-05-22.pdf livehttps://www.newspapers.com/clip/123721458/affiliate-shuffle-is-beginning-sale-of/ May 19, 1995 12 Sandra Knipe Affiliate shuffle is beginning: Sale of WTVW-Ch. 7 awaits FCC approval Evansville Press Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429160323/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123721458/affiliate-shuffle-is-beginning-sale-of/ live The affiliation switch with those stations and WEVV-TV, which changed from Fox to CBS, took place on December 3, 1995.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123723111/letter-swapping-of-local-stations-due-th/ December 1, 1995 33 Chuck Fields Letter-swapping of local stations due this weekend Evansville Press Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429160329/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123723111/letter-swapping-of-local-stations-due/ live Fox also continued to pursue station purchases on their own. On August 18, 1994, the network purchased ABC affiliate WHBQ-TV in Memphis, Tennessee, from Communications Corporation of America (ComCorp).Meisler Andy August 19, 1994 THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Fox to Buy Memphis ABC Outlet The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/19/business/the-media-business-fox-to-buy-memphis-abc-outlet.html live June 22, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20131220210713/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/19/business/the-media-business-fox-to-buy-memphis-abc-outlet.html December 20, 2013 ComCorp originally bought WHBQ-TV for an estimated $43 million in April, but when two investors backed out, Fox provided the needed financing; following consummation, Fox offered to buy it from ComCorp outright for $80 million, concurrent with their offers for WBRC and WGHP;BC19940822p7 former Fox affiliate WPTY-TV assumed the ABC affiliation on December 1, 1995.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121622956/whbq-wpty-switch-set-to-confuse-memphis/ November 30, 1995 A14 Tom Walter WHBQ-WPTY switch set to confuse Memphis TV The Commercial Appeal Newspapers.com April 29, 2023 March 25, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230325221610/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121622956/whbq-wpty-switch-set-to-confuse-memphis/ live More "Big Three" affiliate defections to Fox took place: Quincy Newspapers's WSJV in Elkhart–South Bend, Indiana, agreed to switch from ABC to Fox in April 1995,April 21, 1995 ABC out, Fox in at WSJV 7F The News-Sentinel Associated Press Fort Wayne, Indiana https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&sort=_rank_%3AD&fld-nav-0=YMD_date&val-nav-0=1995%20-%201995&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=WSJV&docref=news/0EB6CCF4AC9A0534 subscription April 29, 2023 NewsBank May 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230501045232/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/user/login?destination=document-view%3Fp%3DNewsBank%26sort%3D_rank_%253AD%26fld-nav-0%3DYMD_date%26val-nav-0%3D1995%2520-%25201995%26fld-base-0%3Dalltext%26maxresults%3D20%26val-base-0%3DWSJV%26docref%3Dnews/0EB6CCF4AC9A0534 live with ABC pulling their programming off of Quincy's WREX in Rockford, Illinois, in retaliation.Flint Joe May 29, 1995 Affils in Fine Feather at NBC Meet in Hawaii https://variety.com/1995/tv/features/affils-in-fine-feather-at-nbc-meet-in-hawaii-99127220/ April 29, 2023 Variety April 15, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230415050513/https://variety.com/1995/tv/features/affils-in-fine-feather-at-nbc-meet-in-hawaii-99127220/ live The switch took place on October 18, with Weigel Broadcasting signing on W58BT (channel 58)Even with the W58BT call sign, the station was referred to as "WBND-TV" in contemporary news coverage. The WBND-LP calls were officially adopted by the end of the year. as South Bend's new ABC affiliate, having constructed it from the ground up over a seven-week span.October 19, 1995 Rocky Start for New South Bend ABC Affiliate 7A Times-Union Associated Press Warsaw, Indiana https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Rq8_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=01YMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2484,3691678&dq=wsjv+abc&hl=en October 25, 2012 September 25, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150925224144/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Rq8_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=01YMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2484,3691678&dq=wsjv+abc&hl=en live Even the smallest of media markets were affected: KYUS-TV in Miles City, Montana, then operating as a satellite of Billings ABC affiliate KSVI,Smith Doug August 1993 TV News 6 VHF-UHF Digest http://www.wtfda.org/vud90s/1993/08-93vud.pdf live September 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20160227025029/http://www.wtfda.org/vud90s/1993/08-93vud.pdf February 27, 2016 switched to Fox in 1995 after being purchased by The Marks Group, owner of dual NBC/CBS affiliate KXGN-TV in Glendive;March 19, 1995 Glendive may get Fox channel 8B The Billings Gazette https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-glendive-may-get-fo/102194621/ May 4, 2023 Newspapers.com KXGN had previously taken Fox football in 1994 via a tertiary affiliation.Elder Robert K. September 30, 2003 One-man media market 2-1, 2-2 Chicago Tribune Chicago, Illinois https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87649030/one-man-media-market/ live May 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220520074242/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87649030/one-man-media-market/ May 20, 2022 Newspapers.com Station group influence Additional affiliation deals between the traditional "Big Three" networks and station group operators took place between 1994 and 1997: The Outlet Company reached a long-term deal with NBC renewing the network's ties with WJAR-TV and WCMH-TV, while also switching WNCN in the Raleigh–Durham market to NBC. WNCN's inclusion was centered around NBC's long-standing ties with Outlet.Langford Bob November 9, 1994 NBC, WRDC to split 1E, 4E The News and Observer Raleigh, North Carolina https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53018088/nbc-wrdc-to-split/ February 21, 2022 Newspapers.comNovember 7, 1994 1014754436 In Brief: NBC will switch affiliates in 32nd-ranked market Raleigh-Durham, N.C., on Oct. 1, 1995 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-11-07.pdf Broadcasting & Cable 124 45 84 May 7, 2023 World Radio History Prior to WNCN switching, on August 3, 1995, NBC offered to purchase Outlet for $396 million.Marshall Kyle August 4, 1995 WNCN to be part of NBC 9C, 10C The News & Observer Raleigh, North Carolina https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51789995/wncn-to-be-part-of-nbc/ live February 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20200608062512/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51789995/wncn-to-be-part-of-nbc/ June 8, 2020 Newspapers.com River City Broadcasting signed a multi-station deal with ABC that renewed contracts with WSYX and WLOS, while also making former Fox affiliate KDNL-TV St. Louis's new ABC affiliate, replacing KTVI.Jessell Harry A. August 29, 1994 Changing partners in Sacramento 1016944537 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-08-29.pdf live Broadcasting & Cable 124 35 6 https://web.archive.org/web/20230131023942/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-08-29.pdf January 31, 2023 April 30, 2023 World Radio History The Belo Corporation included CBS affiliate KXTV in Sacramento, California, as part of their deal with ABC that renewed affiliations with WFAA in Dallas and WVEC in Hampton–Norfolk, Virginia.Sacr950306 As a result, River City's KOVR switched from ABC to CBS on March 6, 1995.Vierria Dan August 27, 1994 Reset those VCRs—Channel 10, 13 switch networks A1, A22 The Sacramento Bee Sacramento, California https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91159296/reset-those-vcrschannel-10-13/ live August 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220813075008/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91159296/reset-those-vcrschannel-10-13/ August 13, 2022 Newspapers.com Young Broadcasting signed a deal with ABC in September 1994 renewing all six of their affiliates (including Green Bay's WBAY-TV) and later involved the switching of NBC affiliate WTVO in Rockford, Illinois, to ABC; in turn, Capital Cities/ABC made a $25 million investment into Young.VarietyNBCWREX Pulitzer Publishing agreed to extend affiliations with their six NBC affiliates across-the-board despite overtures made by Capital Cities/ABC to convert WDSU and WXII-TV to ABC as replacements for WVUE and WGHP, respectively. WDSU general manager Wayne Barrett said, "My opinion was we should stay home (with NBC). The stations that don't change are the ones that stand to benefit the most."Lorando Mark November 6, 1994 ABC switch to WGNO is in the works F1 The Times-Picayune New Orleans, Louisiana Allbritton Communications, owner of ABC affiliate WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C., signed a 10-year affiliation contract that would either renew or convert their entire station group to ABC, including NBC affiliate WCIV in Charleston, South Carolina.BC19960422p84 Initiating the switches vertical right 250px WJBK studios Southfield Michigan.JPG WAGA studios.JPG KTBCTVAustin.JPG WITI Studios.jpg WLUK-WCWF-studios.jpg WBRC tower Dec 2012.jpg WJBK studios in Southfield, Michigan WAGA studios in Atlanta, Georgia KTBC-TV studios in Austin, Texas WITI studios in Milwaukee, Wisconsin WLUK-TV studios in Green Bay, Wisconsin WBRC studios in Birmingham, Alabama The Cleveland market was the first in the Fox–New World agreement to initiate an affiliation swap on September 3, 1994, between CBS affiliate WJW-TV and Fox affiliate WOIO.CPD19940902p1A As the New World stations had the right to decline carriage of Fox Kids, WBNX-TV in Akron, Ohio, an independent owned by televangelist Ernest Angley, agreed to pick up the children's programming block, finalizing a contract two days beforehand.Feran Tom September 2, 1994 Channel 55 to air Fox children's shows 6E The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F3413A60A260572 live subscription October 21, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20230110034118/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F3413A60A260572&f=basic January 10, 2023 NewsBank CBS expressed confidence with WOIO, with Tony Malara saying, "[W]e got a terrific television station here ... If we have the same kind of experience in every one of our switch markets, it's going to be a lot easier."CPD19940923p7E With the switch, WJW-TV hired multiple personnel and added a local morning show, giving it the largest news staff and news output of any Ohio television station,CPD19940902p1A but notably eschewed directly marketing their incoming Fox affiliation. Days after the Fox–New World agreement was announced, WJW general manager Virgil Dominic told The Plain Dealer, "I guarantee you one thing. We are not going to be 'Fox 8.' There is no way in the world we are going to become 'Fox 8'. We are 'Cleveland's Own' and 'Newscenter 8,' and we intend to stay that way."CPD19940529p1C Conversely, WOIO was tasked with reconciling its youthful, irreverent image with CBS's older-skewing lineup.Feran Tom July 11, 1994 TV shakeout no simple swap 7E The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F807D356B27E8B3 live subscription October 23, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20230110034117/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F807D356B27E8B3&f=basic January 10, 2023 NewsBank The rest of the New World chain switched in a staggered manner. WDAF-TV and KSHB-TV traded affiliations on September 12, 1994,Garron Barry August 11, 1994 TV network shift set for Sept. 12 C-1, C-3 The Kansas City Star https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117708498/tv-network-shift-set-for-sept-12/ live February 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230202004730/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117708498/tv-network-shift-set-for-sept-12/ February 2, 2023 Newspapers.com the same day KSAZ-TV's CBS contract ran out and was picked up by KPHO-TV.Ariz940910 Due to contractual obligations with KNXV-TV, KSAZ operated as an independent for a three-month interregnum until December 12,Walker Dave December 11, 1994 Fox leaping to Ch. 10 in latest network flip A1, A32, A33 Arizona Republic Phoenix, Arizona https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90695807/fox-leaping-to-ch-10-in-latest-network/ live December 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211217030848/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90695807/fox-leaping-to-ch-10-in-latest-network/ December 17, 2021 Newspapers.com when KNXV dropped Fox and picked up all ABC News programming, including World News Tonight and Nightline, while KTVK continued to run ABC's daytime and prime time lineups until January 9, 1995.Walker Dave December 2, 1994 Channel 15 receives good news: Jennings, Koppel moving in early E17 Arizona Republic Phoenix, Arizona https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80525574/channel-15-receives-good-news/ live December 25, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210630063736/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80525574/channel-15-receives-good-news/ June 30, 2021 Newspapers.com Tampa also switched on December 12,justin2 while Detroit,November 18, 1994 CBS, WGPR poised for Dec. 11 switch 3A The Times Herald Associated Press Port Huron, Michigan https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93464330/cbs-wgpr-poised-for-dec-11-switch/ live January 26, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220126002751/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93464330/cbs-wgpr-poised-for-dec-11-switch/ January 26, 2022 Newspapers.com MilwaukeeMBJ941210 and AtlantaDecember 9, 1994 Exchanging channels: Network switch mixes things up 24 The Atlanta Constitution https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250239/exchanging-channels-network-switch-mixe/ live August 9, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081239/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250239/exchanging-channels-network-switch/ August 9, 2022 Newspapers.com all had their affiliation switches the day before. Detroit's changes were the most dramatic largely because of WGPR-TV's prior obscurity: WGPR's ratings for its first night with CBS rose by 11,000 percent compared to its former programming, while CBS's ratings dropped by 25 percent.Gunther Marc December 13, 1994 CBS losses were big, but not unexpected 5D Detroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82635328/cbs-losses-were-big-but-not-unexpected/ live January 23, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220123190306/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82635328/cbs-losses-were-big-but-not-unexpected/ January 23, 2022 Newspapers.com Following the switch, WJBK-TV fielded 10,000 phone calls from viewers over a two-day span.BaltiSun19950101p1L Changes in Dallas and AustinJune 16, 1995 Fox and CBS Pull the Switcheroo: Musical Affiliates The Austin Chronicle Austin, Texas http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/1995-06-16/533652/ live February 6, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20110809041420/http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/1995-06-16/533652/ August 9, 2011 occurred on July 1, 1995. St. Louis followed on August 7; Fox Kids in that market went to KNLC after WB affiliate KPLR-TV turned it down,Pennington Gail August 4, 1995 Power Base: Rice To Televise Children's Shows For Inspiration 1A, 14A St. Louis Post-Dispatch https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74999993/ April 3, 2021 Newspapers.com May 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230501045232/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74999993/power-base-rice-to-televise-childrens/ live only to move to KTVI in September 1996 after multiple incidents involving KNLC's religious ownership that embarrassed Fox, including a campaign to encourage children to protest a planned execution, and complaints over its poor signal.Pennington Gail August 8, 1996 Fox Kids Programming Moves To Channel 2 6G St. Louis Post-Dispatch https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75000167/ April 3, 2021 Newspapers.com May 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230501045224/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75000167/fox-kids-programming-moves-to-channel-2/ live Greensboro–Winston-Salem, North Carolina, switched on September 3, 1995, with Fox affiliate WNRW and satellite WGGT picking up the ABC affiliation vacated by WGHP,WXLV and WGGT also carried UPN on a secondary basis until September 1, 1996, when WGGT was converted to full-time UPN affiliate WUPN.Rowe Jeri August 21, 1996 Trekkie fans' show gets hazy reception B1 News & Record with WNRW renamed WXLV-TV.Pressley Leigh July 20, 1995 Station may change its call letters D3 Greensboro News & Record https://greensboro.com/station-may-change-its-call-letters/article_881b2629-8f9a-53f6-9bf9-1dce3c3a1cd3.html live June 22, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429041003/https://greensboro.com/station-may-change-its-call-letters/article_881b2629-8f9a-53f6-9bf9-1dce3c3a1cd3.html April 29, 2023The renaming was done with the blessing of the widow of former channel 45 staffer William Norbert Rismiller, which inspired the WNRW calls after he was murdered in 1984.https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1984/BC-1984-07-16.pdf 2 1014712318 On June 25, 1984 WJTM-TV became WNRW-TV. Broadcasting July 16, 1984 March 22, 2023 January 31, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230131024711/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1984/BC-1984-07-16.pdf live Ownership established a college scholarship in his name, and a planned newsroom was named in his honor.August 24, 1995 WNRW changes station call letters B2 Leigh Pressley Greensboro News & Record Three days before the Greensboro market switches, WLUK-TV and WGBA-TV exchanged NBC and Fox in Green Bay. WGBA's NBC pickup was seen as a "triumph" for the station, which had previously fought off bankruptcy twice, and with ownership planning local newscasts.Gerds Warren August 27, 1995 The Channel Changes: What do they mean to you? D1 Green Bay Press-Gazette Green Bay, Wisconsin https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14581047/green-bay-press-gazette/ April 30, 2023 Newspapers.com August 11, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220811114517/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14581047/green-bay-press-gazette/ live The three other SF Broadcasting stations switched to Fox on January 1, 1996. In Honolulu and Mobile, former Fox affiliates KHNL and WPMI-TV assumed the dropped NBC affiliations,Moon Troy January 1, 1996 Here's the news: Network switch means more news B1 Pensacola News Journal Pensacola, Florida https://www.newspapers.com/article/pensacola-news-journal-heres-the-news/123800854/ April 30, 2023 Newspapers.com May 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230501045221/https://www.newspapers.com/article/pensacola-news-journal-heres-the-news/123800854/ live Ryan Tim December 28, 1995 It'll be Happy News Year on Hawaii TV stations: An explosion of news programming will hit here on Jan. 1 A1, A10 Honolulu Star-Bulletin Honolulu, Hawaii https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-itll-be-happy-ne/123902857/ May 1, 2023 Newspapers.com but New Orleans saw a three-way swap where ABC affiliate WVUE joined Fox, WB affiliate WGNO took ABC, and Fox affiliate WNOL-TV linked with the WB.Lorando Mark October 11, 1995 Stations uncork plans for switch: Happy New Year: Network affiliations will change on Jan. 1 E-1 The Times-Picayune Birmingham was the last New World market to switch on September 1, 1996, but initiated the most complicated realignment. Despite having completed their purchase of WBRC in July 1995,BC19940822p7 BC19950724p84 Fox honored the balance of WBRC's ABC contract, allowing ABC nearly 15 months to find a replacement. Allbritton acted to buy two CBS affiliates outside of the market:Tuscaloosa and Anniston were annexed from the Birmingham DMA by Arbitron in 1977, and eventually were collapsed back into that market by Nielsen in September 1998.Lafayette Jon December 15, 1997 Birmingham's WBMG-TV cleans house with news staff. 2 Electronic Media https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1997-12-18_16_50/page/n7/mode/2up April 30, 2023 Tuscaloosa's WCFT-TV in November 1995 and Anniston's WJSU-TV in January 1996, the latter after a deal for Gadsden Fox affiliate WNAL-TV fell through.Rathbun Elizabeth January 8, 1996 Allbritton takes another route to Birmingham 225351332 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1996/BC-1996-01-08.pdf live Broadcasting & Cable 126 2 51 https://web.archive.org/web/20230131025159/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1996/BC-1996-01-08.pdf January 31, 2023 April 30, 2023 World Radio History Allbritton announced both stations would be converted to ABC for the Birmingham market,BC19960108p51 this would later become part of Allbritton's 10-year, group-wide contract with ABC.April 22, 1996 1016941173 In Brief: Allbritton Communications Co. and ABC have signed a 10-year affiliation agreement https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1996/BC-1996-04-22.pdf April 30, 2023 84 World Radio History Broadcasting & Cable 126 18 January 31, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230131030351/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1996/BC-1996-04-22.pdf live WCFT and WJSU's operations were consolidated into one identity, "ABC 33/40",Parr Helen August 25, 1996 Stay tuned: Will big-time move end small-town news? 1D, 3D The Anniston Star Anniston, Alabama https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-stay-tuned-will-big-t/99838196/ April 30, 2023 Newspapers.com May 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230501045238/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-stay-tuned-will-big-t/99838196/ live purchasing W58CK (channel 58) as a low-power simulcast in Birmingham proper. WNAL-TV switched to CBS at the same time, but plans to establish a news department with multiple former WJSU staffers were abruptly suspended with no reason;Coe Richard August 14, 1996 No news is bad news: WNAL fires former WJSU hirees; news plans on hold 9A, 11A The Anniston Star Anniston, Alabama https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-no-news-is-bad-news-w/123814465/ April 30, 2023 Newspapers.com May 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230501045222/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-no-news-is-bad-news-w/123814465/ live Burger Frederick September 29, 1996 WJSU news team settling into new lives 1E The Anniston Star Anniston, Alabama https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-wjsu-news-team-settlin/123811912/ April 30, 2023 Newspapers.com May 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230501045242/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-wjsu-news-team-settlin/123811912/ live two weeks after the switch, Paxson Communications purchased WNAL.Rathbun Elizabeth A. September 16, 1996 Paxson picks up CBS affiliate 225362312 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1996/BC-1996-09-16.pdf Broadcasting & Cable 126 39 44 April 30, 2023 World Radio History January 31, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230131030313/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1996/BC-1996-09-16.pdf live Outgoing Fox affiliates WTTO and semi-satellite WDBB became independentsBurger Frederick August 16, 1996 TV officials assure area news won't suffer 11A, 14A The Anniston Star Anniston, Alabama https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-tv-officials-assure-ar/123814743/ April 30, 2023 Newspapers.com May 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230501045349/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-tv-officials-assure-ar/123814743/ live before affiliating with The WB in February 1997 as part of a larger group deal with owner Sinclair Broadcast Group.McClellan Steve July 21, 1997 WB woos and wins Sinclair 127 6, 8 Broadcasting & Cable 30 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1997/BC-1997-07-21.pdf 225341388 April 30, 2023 World Radio History January 11, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210111095533/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1997/BC-1997-07-21.pdf live The Allbritton–ABC agreement would wind up affecting another market, as Allbritton was in the process of purchasing WBSG-TV in Brunswick, Georgia, the WB affiliate for Jacksonville, Florida. Allbritton announced that WBSG would become Jacksonville's ABC affiliate, usurping WJKS;Patton Charlie ABC leaving TV-17 for Georgia station https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-abc-leaving-tv-1/185663799/ November 25, 2025 The Florida Times-Union February 17, 1996 Jacksonville, Florida A-1, A-6 Newspapers.com as WBSG's signal did not cover the entire market, an unbuilt station on channel 25 licensed to Orange Park was acquired.June 27, 1997 Response to Public Notice https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/176070/1 live https://web.archive.org/web/20220906080041/https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs September 6, 2022 May 20, 2011 Electronic Comment Filing System Federal Communications Commission PDF WJKS contested the loss of their ABC contract until giving up in August 1996,Phelps Bob August 7, 1996 TV-17 gives up in ABC fight B-1 The Florida Times-Union but it began aggressively preempting the majority of the network lineup starting in January 1997; this forced WBSG's switch to be moved up from April to February.Patton Charlie January 24, 1997 ABC programs return in 3 weeks A-1 The Florida Times-Union The Orange Park station—taking the WJXX call sign—took to the air as the new Jacksonville ABC affiliate on February 9, 1997, with WBSG acting as a semi-satellite.Patton Charlie ABC programs to air on new station tonight https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-abc-programs-to/185662201/ November 25, 2025 The Florida Times-Union February 9, 1997 Jacksonville, Florida A-1, A-6 Newspapers.com As the Birmingham switches were imminent, News Corporation offered to purchase the remainder of New World for $2.48 billion in stock; once the deal closed on January 22, 1997, Fox's 22 owned-stations (ten of which were from New World) surpassed CBS and Tribune Broadcasting as the largest television station owner in the United States with an estimated 40 percent total market reach.Lowry Brian July 18, 1996 New World Vision: Murdoch's News Corp. to Buy Broadcast Group Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-07-18-fi-25271-story.html live June 22, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20110914122323/http://articles.latimes.com/1996-07-18/business/fi-25271_1_rupert-murdoch-s-news-corp September 14, 2011July 18, 1996 THE MEDIA BUSINESS;Murdoch's News Corp. Buying New World The New York Times Reuters https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/18/business/the-media-business-murdoch-s-news-corp-buying-new-world.html live October 9, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150526164702/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/18/business/the-media-business-murdoch-s-news-corp-buying-new-world.html May 26, 2015Fox sold WJW, KTVI, WDAF-TV, WITI, WBRC and WGHP, along with WHBQ-TV, KDVR and KSTU, to Local TV LLC on December 21, 2007, for $1.1 billion.Kercheval Nancy December 27, 2007 News Corp. to Sell U.S. TV Stations for $1.1 Billion Bloomberg News https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a3tNrZzvfKiM June 22, 2012 November 5, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121105185426/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a3tNrZzvfKiM live WITI was repurchased by Fox in November 2019 as part of a larger transaction involving Nexstar Media Group,Lafayette Jon November 5, 2019 Fox Buys Affiliates in Seattle, Milwaukee From Nexstar Broadcasting & Cable https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/fox-buys-affiliates-in-seattle-milwaukee-from-nexstar January 21, 2020 November 5, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191105235345/https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/fox-buys-affiliates-in-seattle-milwaukee-from-nexstar live Weprin Alex November 5, 2019 Fox to Buy Three Local TV Stations for $350 Million The Hollywood Reporter https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fox-buy-three-local-tv-stations-350-million-1252596 January 21, 2020 November 5, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191105235344/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fox-buy-three-local-tv-stations-350-million-1252596 live which acquired Local TV successor Tribune Broadcasting.Miller Mark K. December 3, 2018 Nexstar Buying Tribune Media For $6.4 Billion https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/226264/nexstar-buying-tribune-media-6-4-billion/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20181204005800/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/226264/nexstar-buying-tribune-media-6-4-billion/ December 4, 2018 January 21, 2020 TVNewsCheck Smith Gerry Ahmed Nabila Newcomer Eric December 3, 2018 Nexstar to buy WGN owner Tribune Media for $4.1 billion https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-nexstar-tribune-media-20181202-story.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20190405053753/https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-nexstar-tribune-media-20181202-story.html April 5, 2019 January 21, 2020 Bloomberg News Chicago Tribune WHBQ-TV, along with WFXT, were traded to Cox Media Group in June 2014 in exchange for San Francisco affiliate KTVU and independent KICU-TV.Malone Michael October 8, 2014 Cox, Fox Swap Closes in Boston, Bay Area, Memphis Broadcasting & Cable http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/cox-fox-swap-closes-boston-bay-area-memphis/134671 live October 8, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141012195538/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/cox-fox-swap-closes-boston-bay-area-memphis/134671 October 12, 2014 June 24, 2014 Fox And Cox To Swap 4 Stations in 3 Markets http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/77286/fox-and-cox-to-swap-4-stations-in-3-markets live https://web.archive.org/web/20140703093454/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/77286/fox-and-cox-to-swap-4-stations-in-3-markets July 3, 2014 June 24, 2014 TVNewsCheck Silver King Communications (then the owned-station group for HSN) acquired Savoy Pictures and SF Broadcasting on November 28, 1995. Headed by former TCF chairman Barry Diller, Silver King's purchase set off industry speculation that Diller could potentially launch another broadcast network backed by the 31-station group.Britt Russ November 28, 1995 Starting off on the ground floor: Diller buying Home Shopping Network, Savoy Pictures B1 Daily News Los Angeles, California https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EF66EF4953A7197 May 1, 2023 May 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230501045236/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0EF66EF4953A7197&f=basic live The four Fox affiliates were ultimately sold to Emmis Communications on April 1, 1998.April 1, 1998 COMPANY NEWS; EMMIS BROADCASTING TO BUY TV STATIONS FOR $397 MILLION The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/01/business/company-news-emmis-broadcasting-to-buy-tv-stations-for-397-million.html June 29, 2015 January 10, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160110155036/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/01/business/company-news-emmis-broadcasting-to-buy-tv-stations-for-397-million.html live As part of Emmis's divestment of their television portfolio, WLUK and WALA were sold to LIN TVAugust 22, 2005 Emmis Agrees to Sell 9 Stations http://www.tvweek.com/in-depth/2005/08/emmis-agrees-to-sell-9-station/ December 23, 2015 TelevisionWeek January 10, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160110155036/http://www.tvweek.com/in-depth/2005/08/emmis-agrees-to-sell-9-station/ live and KHON was sold to Montecito Broadcast Group.September 15, 2015 Emmis sells KHON-TV Pacific Business News http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2005/09/26/daily46.html?full=true December 23, 2015 April 29, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429041006/https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2005/09/26/daily46.html?full=true live May 7, 2012 LIN buying New Vision stations for $342 Million TVNewsCheck NewsCheck Media http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/59232/lin-buying-new-vision-stations-for-342m July 18, 2012 May 9, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130509063248/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/59232/lin-buying-new-vision-stations-for-342m live WVUE's sale was complicated and delayed due to damage sustained by Hurricane Katrina, with New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson purchasing the station in 2008.May 5, 2008 Saints Owner Grabs WVUE http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/news-articles/saints-owner-grabs-wvue/84640 December 23, 2015 Broadcasting & Cable December 27, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151227143329/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/news-articles/saints-owner-grabs-wvue/84640 live May 5, 2008 Tom Benson agrees to buy FOX television station in New Orleans San Antonio Business Journal http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2008/05/05/daily8.html January 24, 2013 January 6, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106203256/http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2008/05/05/daily8.html live + Affiliation switches directly attributed to the Fox–New World agreement and related transactions Market Call sign Channel Affiliationbefore switch Affiliationafter switch Date of switch Atlanta, GA WAGA-TV 5 CBS Fox 1994 12 11Atla941209 WATL 36 Fox The WB WGNX 46 Independent CBS WNEG-TV 32 Independent CBS 1995 10 02Davidson Paul September 16, 1995 WSPA parent to run Georgia TV stations 8B The Greenville News Greenville, South Carolina https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greenville-news-wspa-parent-to-run-g/60713679/ May 1, 2023 Newspapers.com Austin, TX KTBC 7 CBS Fox 1995 07 01Holloway Diane Tonight, the face of Austin TV changes https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-tonight-the-f/175956794/ July 5, 2025 Austin American-Statesman July 1, 1995 Austin, Texas A1, A6 Newspapers.com KBVO 42 Fox CBS Bakersfield, CA KERO-TV 23 CBS ABC 1996 03 01Bentley Rick February 26, 1996 Ted Koppel? But I wanted to watch Dave... D1, D2 The Bakersfield Californian Bakersfield, California https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-feb-26-1996-5524991/ January 17, 2026 NewspaperArchive KBAK-TV 29 ABC CBS Baltimore, MD WMAR-TV 2 NBC ABC 1995 01 02Baltimore Delay WBAL-TV 11 CBS NBC WJZ-TV 13 ABC CBS Binghamton, NY WICZ-TV 40 NBC Fox 1996 04 04Grey Gene April 4, 1996 Fox changeover at hand 1C, 2C, 6C Press & Sun-Bulletin Binghamton, New York https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin-fox-changeover-at/173801063/ June 4, 2025 Newspapers.com Birmingham–Tuscaloosa–Anniston, AL WBRC-TV 6 ABC Fox 1996 09 01Anniston Won't Suffer WDBB 17 Fox Independent WTTO 21 Fox Independent WCFT-TV 33 CBS ABC WJSU-TV 40 CBS ABC WNAL-TV 44 Fox CBS W58CK 58 Independent ABC Boston, MA WBZ-TV 4 NBC CBS 1995 01 02M. Biddle Frederic January 2, 1995 Boston's TV dial spins today: New affiliations for Channels 4, 7 1, 46 The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-bostons-tv-dial-spins/186294977/ December 6, 2025 Newspapers.com WHDH-TV 7 CBS NBC Charleston, SC WCBD-TV 2 ABC NBC 1996 08 19Wooten Frank August 19, 1996 Don't touch that dial ... it's automatic : LET'S MAKE A DEAL: Although WCIV and WCBD are switching network affiliates, syndicated programs won't be affected A1 The Post and Courier WCIV 4 NBC ABC Cincinnati, OH WCPO-TV 9 CBS ABC 1996 06 03WCPO Switch WKRC-TV 12 ABC CBS Cleveland, OH WJW-TV 8 CBS Fox 1994 09 03CPD19940902p1A WOIO 19 Fox CBS Dallas–Fort Worth, TX KDFW-TV 4 CBS Fox 1995 07 01Baker Sandra June 30, 1995 Pitching the big switch: Ad onslaught vies for viewers in TV affiliate swap B1, B2 Fort Worth Star-Telegram Fort Worth, Texas https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-pitching-the-bi/173792575/ June 4, 2025 Newspapers.com KTVT 11 Independent CBS KDAF 33 Fox The WB KXTX-TV 39 The WB Independent Denver, CO KCNC-TV 4 NBC CBS 1995 09 10RockyM19941022p5A KMGH-TV 7 CBS ABC KUSA-TV 9 ABC NBC Detroit, MI WJBK-TV 2 CBS Fox 1994 12 11McFarlin Jim December 10, 1994 Moving daze 1C, 4C The Detroit News and Free Press Detroit, Michigan https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-moving-daze/175944618/ July 4, 2025 Newspapers.com WKBD-TV 50 Fox UPN WGPR-TV 62 Independent CBS Evansville, IN WTVW 7 ABC Fox 1995 12 02Evan951201 WEHT 25 CBS ABC WEVV-TV 44 Fox CBS Fairbanks, AK KATN 2 ABC / NBC ABC 1996 2 26Robertson Heather March 1, 1996 Program lineup shuffle promises local TV feast B-1 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Fairbanks, Alaska https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-mar-01-1996-5525138/ January 17, 2026 NewspaperArchive KTVF 11 CBS / NBC NBC 1996 4 1Fairbanks03011996 K13XD 13 CBS 1996 08 07Co-owned KFXF, the Fox affiliate, aired selected CBS programs in the interim.Jones Patricia August 11, 1996 CBS gets local home B-1, A-8 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Fairbanks, Alaska https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-aug-11-1996-3871386/ January 17, 2026 NewspaperArchive Flint–Bay City–Saginaw, MI WNEM-TV 5 NBC CBS / UPN 1995 01 16Pullen Doug January 16, 1995 Now appearing: 'Giant change' debuts on screens A1, A12 The Flint Journal Flint, Michigan https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-flint-journal-now-appearing-giant/186300781/ December 6, 2025 Newspapers.com WEYI-TV 25 CBS NBC Green Bay–Appleton, WI WLUK-TV 11 NBC Fox 1995 08 28Green Bay Channel Changes WGBA-TV 26 Fox NBC Greensboro–Winston-Salem, NC WGHP 8 ABC Fox 1995 09 3Pressley Leigh September 2, 1995 The big switch: For Channel 45 news team, it's showtime D1, D3 News & Record Greensboro, North Carolina https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-the-big-switch-for-chan/186300887/ December 6, 2025 Newspapers.com WNRW 45 Fox ABC / UPN WGGT 48 Fox ABC / UPN Honolulu, HI KHON-TV 2 NBC Fox 1996 01 01HonoluluS19951228pA1 KHNL 13 Fox NBC Jacksonville, FL WJKS 17 ABC The WB 1997 02 09FlaTU19970209a WBSG 21 The WB ABC WJXX 25 ABC Kansas City, MO WDAF-TV 4 NBC Fox 1994 09 12Kans940811 KSHB-TV 41 Fox NBC Macon, GA WGXA 24 ABC Fox 1996 01 01Clarke Mitch December 31, 1995 A new view: Network-affiliate swap will create considerable confusion for viewers 1A The Macon Telegraph Macon, Georgia https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-telegraph-a-new-view-network/105666540/ December 6, 2025 Newspapers.com WPGA-TV 58 Fox ABC Marquette, MI WBKP 5 ABC 1996 10 30 WLUC-TV 6 ABC / NBC / Fox NBC Memphis, TN WHBQ-TV 13 ABC Fox 1995 12 01Comm951130 WPTY-TV 24 Fox ABC Miami–Fort Lauderdale, FL WCIX 6 colspan="2" rowspan="2" Channel allocations changed 1995 09 10Miam950818 WTVJ 4 Miles City–Glendive, MT KYUS-TV 3 ABC Fox 1995Bill950319 Milwaukee, WI WITI-TV 6 CBS Fox 1994 12 11MBJ941210 WCGV-TV 24 Fox UPN WDJT-TV 58 Independent CBS Mobile, AL WALA-TV 10 NBC Fox 1996 01 01Chunn Sherri Spear Close Susie January 2, 1996 Channel switch irks most callers 1-A, 4-A Mobile Register Mobile, Alabama https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-mobile-register-channel-switch-irks/185374729/ November 21, 2025 Newspapers.com WPMI 15 Fox NBC Monroe, LA–El Dorado, AR KARD 14 ABC Fox 1994 04 17February 25, 1994 Monroe may get KLAX-TV D-2 Alexandria Daily Town Talk Alexandria, Louisiana https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-town-talk-monroe-may-get-klax-tv/175944207/ July 5, 2025 Newspapers.com Myrtle Beach–Florence, SC WGSE 43 The WB Fox 1996 11 10Hunter Jeannine F. Eddings Toby October 31, 1996 WGSE-TV switching to Fox on Nov. 10 1D, 2D The Sun-News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99246055/wgse-tv-switching-to-fox-on-nov-10/ live April 7, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220407055437/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99246055/wgse-tv-switching-to-fox-on-nov-10/ April 7, 2022 New Orleans, LA WVUE-TV 8 ABC Fox 1996 01 01TimesP19951011pE1 WGNO 26 The WB ABC WNOL 38 Fox The WB Philadelphia, PA KYW-TV 3 NBC CBS 1995 09 10Storm Jonathan September 10, 1995 Today's the day of the big switch G12 The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia, Pennsylvania https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-todays-the-da/173791898/ June 4, 2025 Newspapers.com WCAU-TV 10 CBS NBC Phoenix, AZ KTVK 3 ABC The WB 1995 01 09Walker Dave January 8, 1995 Channel hopping takes final turn for Valley viewers A1, A19, A20 The Arizona Republic Phoenix, Arizona https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-channel-hopping-tak/91143734/ December 6, 2025 Newspapers.com KPHO-TV 5 Independent CBS 1994 09 12Ariz940910 KSAZ-TV 10 CBS Independent Independent Fox 1994 12 12Ariz941211 KNXV-TV 15 Fox ABC Pocatello–Idaho Falls, ID KPVI-TV 6 ABC NBC 1996 01 01Crump Steve October 13, 1995 Switching channels: Stay tuned to the changes on the TV dial C1–C2 The Times-News Twin Falls, Idaho https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-news-switching-channels-stay/36620863/ May 1, 2023 Newspapers.com KIFI-TV 8 NBC ABC Providence, RI WLNE-TV 6 CBS ABC 1995 09 10Krieger Elliot September 9, 1995 Channels switch networks tonight A-01 Providence Journal-Bulletin WPRI-TV 12 ABC CBS Raleigh–Durham, NC WNCN 17 The WB NBC 1995 09 10Langford Bob August 18, 1995 Here's news: WNCN going to NBC early 1D, 3D The News & Observer Raleigh, North Carolina https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51790135/heres-news-wncn-going-to-nbc-early/ live February 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20200608062511/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51790135/heres-news-wncn-going-to-nbc-early/ June 8, 2020 Newspapers.com WRDC 28 NBC UPN Rapid City, SD KEVN-TVAnd its satellite, KIVV in Lead, South Dakota. 7 NBC Fox 1996 07 15Rapi960712 KNBN-LP 24 NBC Reno, NV KRXI-TV 11 Fox 1995 12 03Melton Wayne December 2, 1995 KRXI-TV takes to the air Sunday 1A, 7A Reno Gazette-Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/reno-gazette-journal-krxi-tv-takes-to-th/123751659/ May 2, 2023 Newspapers.com KAME-TV 21 Fox UPN Rockford, IL WREX 13 ABC NBC 1995 08 14Lee Edith Changing channels: WREX, WTVO shake up local TV scene by swapping networks https://www.newspapers.com/article/rockford-register-star-changing-channels/192169401/ January 13, 2026 Rockford Register Star August 14, 1995 Rockford, Illinois 1B, 3B Newspapers.com WTVO 17 NBC ABC St. Louis, MO KTVI 2 ABC Fox 1995 08 07August 7, 1995 Switching Channels: 2 Into 30 Will Go 48 St. Louis Post-Dispatch St. Louis, Missouri https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-switching-channe/173800263/ June 4, 2025 Newspapers.com KDNL-TV 30 Fox ABC Sacramento, CA KXTV 10 CBS ABC 1995 03 06Vierria Dan March 6, 1995 Tune into change, confusion as TV network swap starts A1, A10 The Sacramento Bee Sacramento, California https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107498887/tune-into-change-confusion-as-tv-networ/ live August 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220813075008/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107498887/tune-into-change-confusion-as-tv/ August 13, 2022 Newspapers.com KOVR 13 ABC CBS Salt Lake City, UT KUTV 2 NBC CBS 1995 09 10Youngren John September 9, 1995 Finally, an End to the 'Switch' Commercials Is in Sight D5 The Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake City, Utah https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salt-lake-tribune-finally-an-end-to/173800808/ June 4, 2025 Newspapers.com KSL-TV 5 CBS NBC San Antonio, TX KABB 29 Independent Fox 1995 01 16Jakle Jeanne Fox flips to KABB-TV Jan. 16 https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-express-news-fox-flips-to-ka/188845550/ January 13, 2026 San Antonio Express-News January 5, 1995 San Antonio, Texas 2A Newspapers.com KRRT 35 Fox UPN Seattle–Tacoma, WA KIRO-TV 7 CBS UPN 1995 03 13 KSTW 11 Independent CBS South Bend, IN WSJV 28 ABC Fox 1995 10 18Redding Alesia October 17, 1995 TCI, WBND edge closer to agreement A1, A2 South Bend Tribune South Bend, Indiana https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-south-bend-tribune-tci-wbnd-edge-cl/173792136/ June 4, 2025 Newspapers.com W58BT 58 ABC Tampa–St. Petersburg, FL WTSP 10 ABC CBS 1994 12 12justin2 WTVT 13 CBS Fox WFTS-TV 28 Fox ABC Terre Haute, IN WBAK-TV 38 ABC Fox 1995 01 31August 9, 1994 Terre Haute TV station will switch to Fox D2 The Indianapolis Star Indianapolis, Indiana https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-terre-haute-tv-sta/33815789/ May 2, 2023 Newspapers.com Toledo, OH WTVG 13 NBC ABC 1995 10 28Borrelli Christopher TV programs on Channels 13, 24 switched today https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-blade-tv-programs-on-channels-13-24/177184757/ July 21, 2025 The Blade October 28, 1995 Toledo, Ohio 1, 10 Newspapers.com WNWO-TV 24 ABC NBC Tupelo–Columbus–West Point, MS WLOV-TV 27 ABC / Fox Fox 1995 10 10Culpepper Joe September 23, 1995 Greenville's WXVT geared up to air DSU-North Alabama 6C Clarion-Ledger Jackson, Mississippi https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-greenvilles-wxvt-geared/123901059/ May 1, 2023 Newspapers.com Twin Falls, ID KKVI-TV 35 ABC Fox 1996 01 22Turner Denise January 19, 1996 KKVI switches to Fox Monday; Nampa station to carry ABC C1, C2 Times-News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48431185/ April 10, 2020 Newspapers.com Wilmington, NC WJKA-TV 26 CBS Fox 1994 09 18Cantwell Josiah Television: WJKA switches to WSFX, cuts CBS for Fox https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-news-television-wjka-switches-to-w/206984083/ January 13, 2026 Morning Star September 20, 1994 Wilmington, North Carolina 6C Newspapers.com Yuma, AZ–El Centro, CA KECY-TV 9 CBS Fox 1994 09 18September 16, 1994 12, 13 Tony Garcia Everybody's gone surfing, surfing N-F-L The Yuma Daily Sun Yuma, Arizona NewspaperArchive https://newspaperarchive.com/other-articles-clipping-sep-16-1994-5117819/ KSWT 13 ABC CBS Ramifications Distress at CBS, then recovery thumb|215x215px|David Letterman CBS's position entering the 1994–95 television season was particularly dire. The loss of the NFC and multiple tenured affiliates, combined with a long-held strategy of pursuing older, less-desirable audiences in prime time, resulted in the network crashing to last place among the "Big Three".Hofmeister Sallie Hall Jane August 2, 1995 CBS Agrees to Buyout Bid by Westinghouse; Entertainment: $5.4-billion merger would create biggest TV, radio empire. But the deal faces obstacles. Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-08-02-mn-30646-story.html live June 22, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20141217204725/http://articles.latimes.com/1995-08-02/news/mn-30646_1_tv-station December 17, 2014 Upon moving to CBS from NBC in August 1993, David Letterman's Late Show enjoyed a lead over The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in the late-night ratings.3 February 2014 Jay Leno's 6 greatest moments https://nypost.com/2014/02/03/jay-lenos-6-greatest-moments/ 1 May 2024 New York Post With CBS having to move from established affiliates to lesser-known UHF outlets, that lead began to shrink. "You can do a great show, but if it's on Channel 93 in West Tipton, Indiana, it's not going to be easy to find it," Letterman commented on the switches.Carter Bill May 15, 1995 Letterman in London, Seeking Boost at Home The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/15/arts/letterman-in-london-seeking-boost-at-home.html live August 21, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20170822063316/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/15/arts/letterman-in-london-seeking-boost-at-home.html August 22, 2017 Jay Leno's July 1995 interview with actor Hugh Grant following the actor's infamous arrest for lewd conduct resulted in Tonight taking the top spot and remaining there until Leno stepped down in 2009.Hirschberg Lynn May 20, 2009 Heeeeere's... Conan: Can Conan O'Brien's Brand of Humor Work on 'The Tonight Show'? The New York Times Magazine https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/magazine/24Conan-t.html May 1, 2023 April 5, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170405041502/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/magazine/24Conan-t.html live Laurence Tisch began exploring a sale of CBS amid the turmoil, with Westinghouse announcing a $5.4 billion purchase of the network on August 1, 1995.The Westinghouse buyout was announced one month before WPRI-TV in Providence, Rhode Island, which CBS purchased in March 1995 for $80 million,Petrouello Donna March 6, 1995 CBS buys Providence V 1014755470 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1995/BC-1995-03-06.pdf Broadcasting & Cable 125 10 10 May 5, 2023 World Radio History January 31, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230131032103/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1995/BC-1995-03-06.pdf live WPRI SELL-OFF LOOMING https://variety.com/1995/tv/features/wpri-sell-off-looming-99129673/ Joe Flint Variety August 14, 1995 December 28, 2015 March 4, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304234151/http://variety.com/1995/tv/features/wpri-sell-off-looming-99129673/ live was to switch affiliations from ABC to CBS; WPRI was spun off to Clear Channel Communications for $68 million on April 14, 1996.1016940809 April 15, 1996 In Brief https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1996/BC-1996-04-15.pdf Broadcasting & Cable 126 16 116–117 May 5, 2023 World Radio History April 8, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220408000615/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1996/BC-1996-04-15.pdf live Westinghouse CEO Michael H. Jordan credited a growing relationship with Tisch thanks to their joint venture that made the deal possible.Westinghouse-CBSNovember 25, 1995 Westinghouse Completes CBS Acquisition The New York Times Dow Jones https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/25/business/westinghouse-completes-cbs-acquisition.html live September 26, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20150526145354/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/25/business/westinghouse-completes-cbs-acquisition.html May 26, 2015The first iteration of Viacom bought CBS for $36 billion in September 1999, but split into separate entities in December 2005, Viacom and CBS Corporation.Rosenthal Phil Phil Rosenthal (columnist) September 16, 2005 Moonves ready to play hardball in Viacom split Chicago Tribune Chicago, Illinois https://www.chicagotribune.com/2005/09/16/moonves-ready-to-play-hardball-in-viacom-split/ live July 13, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130815051557/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-09-16/business/0509160202_1_leslie-moonves-cbs-and-upn-radio-division-infinity-broadcasting August 15, 2013 CBS Corporation re-merged with Viacom in 2019 to form ViacomCBS,Weprin Alex December 4, 2019 Bob Bakish's Memo to ViacomCBS Staff: Merger "A Historic Moment" https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bob-bakishs-memo-viacomcbs-staff-merger-a-historic-moment-1259584 live https://web.archive.org/web/20200406033606/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bob-bakishs-memo-viacomcbs-staff-merger-a-historic-moment-1259584 April 6, 2020 January 21, 2020 The Hollywood Reporter renamed Paramount Global in 2022. On October 2, 1996, network flagship WCBS-TV fired much of its on-air talent including longtime anchor Michele Marsh, a move meant to address the station's low ratings.Sandomir Richard October 3, 1996 At WCBS-TV, a Big Round Of News Staff Dismissals The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/03/business/at-wcbs-tv-a-big-round-of-news-staff-dismissals.html February 15, 2022 February 16, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220216043550/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/03/business/at-wcbs-tv-a-big-round-of-news-staff-dismissals.html live ... the negative impact was so severe that CBS went to the NFL and said, 'Name your price and we'll pay whatever to get a package.' We lost affiliates, ratings, the male audience and a lot of sports sponsorships. But when CBS got the NFL back (in 1997), everything picked up again. Neal Pilson former CBS Sports presidentreedy20181227 300px CBS attempted to fill the void left by the NFL on Sunday afternoons in 1994 with made-for-TV movie reruns aimed at a female audience.Rich Alan September 27, 1994 Cbs Sunday Afternoon Showcase Treacherous Beauties Variety https://variety.com/1994/tv/reviews/cbs-sunday-afternoon-showcase-treacherous-beauties-1200438365/ August 8, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220808140227/https://variety.com/1994/tv/reviews/cbs-sunday-afternoon-showcase-treacherous-beauties-1200438365/ live Glimpse Jennifer October 23, 1994 Focus : Hallmark Yards: CBS AIMS TO SCORE AGAINST FOX FOOTBALL WITH MORE FILMS TARGETED AT WOMEN Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-10-23-tv-53516-story.html By December 1994, the network announced a contract renewal with the NCAA, particularly for the Division I men's basketball tournament, a franchise CBS had held since 1982.Sandomir Richard December 7, 1994 March Madness Stays on CBS's Calendar B14 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/07/sports/march-madness-stays-on-cbs-s-calendar.html May 2, 2023 December 6, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221206070430/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/07/sports/march-madness-stays-on-cbs-s-calendar.html live CBS Sports also presented a higher emphasis on NASCAR programming including the Winston Cup, Busch Series and Craftsman Truck series,November 21, 1994 NASCAR Craftsman Supertruck Series cruises onto 4 networks http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1994/11/21/Sports-Media/NASCAR-CRAFTSMAN-SUPERTRUCK-SERIES-CRUISES-ONTO-4-NETWORKS.aspx June 23, 2015 Sports Business Daily June 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150624090043/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1994/11/21/Sports-Media/NASCAR-CRAFTSMAN-SUPERTRUCK-SERIES-CRUISES-ONTO-4-NETWORKS.aspx live along with the PGA Tour and US Open.AFCBS In late 1995, CBS was approached by the CFL about a television contract for the league's American teams.Miller Ed November 7, 1995 Birmingham Joins List of Homeless Baltimore Stallions Weighing Options, Too, After Browns Drop Bombshell C4 The Virginian-Pilot Norfolk, Virginia Sean McManus was appointed as president of CBS Sports in November 1996, which was interpreted as the network intending to bid aggressively for the NFL for the next rights deal, as McManus had a reputation for being the "kingpin of big TV negotiations".Nelson John November 6, 1996 CBS Sports president fired: David Kenin will be replaced by IMG negotiator Sean McManus. 16D Dayton Daily News Associated Press Dayton, Ohio https://www.newspapers.com/article/dayton-daily-news-cbs-sports-president-f/123934689/ May 2, 2023 May 3, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230503194946/https://www.newspapers.com/article/dayton-daily-news-cbs-sports-president-f/123934689/ live CBS successfully outbid NBC for the AFC contract on January 13, 1998, signing an eight-year contract worth $4 billion; NBC Sports president Dick Ebersol was told by General Electric officials not to do anything "reckless" and saw the package as third-tier behind the NFC and MNF.Shapiro Leonard January 14, 1998 NBC'S Ebersol unruffled as peacock heads to sideline The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/01/14/nbcs-ebersol-unruffled-as-peacock-heads-to-sideline/9f3fbf43-3b30-48f8-a9d9-3562d0037157/ The return of football was especially seen as a comeback vehicle for Jim Nantz, one of the few high-profile sports announcers that remained with CBS throughout.Kent Milton September 4, 1998 CBS mood positively 'electric' after reconnecting with NFL; Intercepting AFC games caps network's comeback from rights turnover in '94 12E The Baltimore Sun Baltimore, Maryland https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-cbs-mood-positively-e/123934812/ May 2, 2023 Newspapers.com New World stations struggle to adapt It's pretty much a flop in every category. Dave Walker television writer for The Arizona Republic, assessing the aftermath of KSAZ-TV's switch to FoxThe Dallas Morning News June 25, 1995 1C Manuel Mendoza A bad omen for Channel 4? - Six months after switching to Fox, Phoenix station yet to rise from ashes right 250px yes left The New World Fox stations struggled to reconcile their new network programming, which targeted a younger audience, with their older-skewing newscasts. In Phoenix, KSAZ-TV's existing 5, 6, and 10 p.m. newscasts lost half their ratings in the first year of the switch. In dumping the popular syndicated shows Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune because they attracted older viewers, the station lost a valuable lead-in and lead-out around its newscasts. The two shows were then picked up by KTVK, which showed unexpected aggression in buying syndicated programs. KTVK also launched the market's first longform morning newscast, which emerged a winner as KSAZ-TV's effort struggled.DMN950625 It was not until 1997 that the station began to turn around its news ratings by dropping its sputtering 9 p.m. Arizona Prime in favor of Fox 10 News at 9, which featured an emphasis on breaking news and entertainment stories designed to be more compatible with Fox prime time shows.13–14 Sorting a 'train wreck' of affil, channel switches Mediaweek 213621230 July 14, 1997 Brodesser Claude In Cleveland, WJW-TV's issues were fairly pronounced. WJW's switch came with three months notice and altered more than 20 hours of programming per day,Feran Tom September 20, 1995 New TV-8 chief sees 'untapped opportunities' 7E The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F8085A61D781583 subscription May 2, 2023 NewsBank May 3, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230503194948/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F8085A61D781583&f=basic live or 87 percent of the schedule.Feran Tom January 16, 1995 Fox-CBS switch still best, exec says 7E The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F8083F244B897CB subscription May 2, 2023 NewsBank May 3, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230503194949/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F8083F244B897CB&f=basic live Ratings declined in all time slots but especially fell by half for the late-evening news after moving from 11 p.m.—a time slot WJW had won in since 1981—to 10 p.m., but still topped WUAB's newscast.Feran Tom November 3, 1994 TV-8 ratings decline with network switch 5E The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F807DD82E93D407 subscription May 7, 2023 NewsBankLafayette Jon October 30, 1995 Cleveland's WJW starting huge news promotion push 6, 33 Electronic Media https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1995-10-30_14_44/page/n5/mode/2up May 2, 2023 WJW's morning show also failed to retain the audience of its lead-in 6 a.m. news.Feran Tom November 5, 1994 WJW alters morning show to stress news 8E The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F807DDC53B5749D live subscription May 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230503194950/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F807DDC53B5749D&f=basic May 3, 2023 NewsBank Virgil Dominic retired in May 1995 and was replaced by KNXV general manager Bob Rowe;CPD19950920p7E under Rowe, the station rebranded to "Fox is Ei8ht" / "Ei8ht is News" in November 1995,EM19951030p6 a slogan derided among viewers for its continuous on-air repetition.Feran Tom February 15, 1996 TV-8 Chief is all News, News, News 5E The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F808C75A8CFE711 subscription May 2, 2023 NewsBank May 3, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230503194950/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F808C75A8CFE711&f=basic live The morning newscasts were retooled into a three-hour programEM19951030p6 and had its audience double year-over-year during the first month, while WJW saw ratings increases in several dayparts.Feran Tom December 5, 1995 CBS is only loser in local ratings 9E The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80879CF8B7E09E live subscription May 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230503194949/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F80879CF8B7E09E&f=basic May 3, 2023 NewsBank Fox's purchase of New World resulted in WJW rebranding as "Fox 8" in August 1996.Feran Tom August 15, 1996 Changes beginning at 'Fox 8' 6E The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F808D23590EA62F subscription May 2, 2023 NewsBank May 3, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230503194950/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F808D23590EA62F&f=basic live By 1998, WJW was beating WUAB at 10 p.m. by a 2–1 marginBrown Roger March 25, 1998 WUAB doing little to help its nightly news 2G The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80CFB41DE1F271 live subscription October 6, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221006172035/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F80CFB41DE1F271&f=basic October 6, 2022 NewsBank and in 2000 was ranked first sign-on to sign-off in multiple key demographics, besting WEWS.Feran Tom June 19, 2000 WJW, WEWS have viewers advertisers want most 4E The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80DB77771479E9 subscription May 7, 2023 NewsBank In Milwaukee, WITI had been the market's second-rated outlet generally in May 1994.Dudek Duane May 27, 1994 WISN tops in 10 p.m. newscasts 9A Milwaukee Sentinel However, its ratings sank after the affiliation switch, with the 10 p.m. news, which was retained, dropping by roughly half.Dudek Duane January 17, 1995 News ratings loss at Channel 6 called short term Feature 3 Milwaukee Sentinel Initially resisting changes to their CBS-era presentation,MBJ19960817p17 WITI rebranded as "Fox is Six" / "Six is News" in November 1995, parallel to WJW's "Ei8ht" rebranding,EM19951030p6 but kept its long-running "Friend You Can Count On" slogan.Cuspin Tim November 15, 1995 Orphan reports worth watching 3:Cue Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Milwaukee, Wisconsin By 1997, WITI was rebounding in local ratings, but it still fell short of their pre-switch levelsMullins Robert June 6, 1997 Rueppel: 'scary' news not in Fox plans for WITI 14 26 Milwaukee Business Journal 36 A19624057 and remained in third place by 2000.Davis Hudson Eileen January 22, 2001 Milwaukee 20–26 Mediaweek 213636206 Atlanta's WAGA was the number two station leading into the affiliation switches.Kloer Phil December 1, 1994 Channel 2 news anchored at No. 1 D10 The Atlanta Constitution https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-channel-2-news/124136849/ May 6, 2023 Newspapers.com Its new 10 p.m. newscast held most of the viewers of its prior 11 p.m. broadcast, which The Atlanta Journal-Constitution TV critic Phil Kloer attributed to the station's strength and news anchors.Bark Ed June 25, 1995 Riding out the television turbulence 14M The Dallas Morning News The station remained in second place by 2000, though it was a distant second to longtime Atlanta ratings powerhouse WSB-TV, an unchanged ABC affiliate.Davis Hudson Eileen October 2, 2000 Atlanta 20–24 Mediaweek 213662360 WBRC in Birmingham weathered the switches well and by 2000 was the highest-rated Fox-owned station in morning, evening, and late news, as well as prime time. Uniquely, the station initially produced separate half-hour newscasts at 9 and 10 p.m. because it lacked the resources to produce 90 minutes of late news. However, its 5 and 10 p.m. newscasts placed a close second to the new WBMA.213664778 Eileen Davis Hudson Birmingham, Ala. Mediaweek July 10, 2000 16–24 WBMA also benefitted from the immediate acquisition of meteorologist James Spann, who sued to be released from his WBRC contract objecting to Fox programs on moral and religious grounds.Joynt Steve July 12, 1996 Spann gets hot; TV future cloudy B1–B2 Birmingham Post-Herald Birmingham, Alabama https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-spann-gets-hot-t/124162286/ May 6, 2023 Newspapers.com WBRC anchor Brenda Ladun also filed suit against the station seeking a contract releaseAlec Harvey August 3, 1996 Brenda Ladun sues Channel 6, claiming discrimination, harassment 6A–7A Birmingham Post-Herald Birmingham, Alabama https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-brenda-ladun-sues/124162613/ May 6, 2023 Newspapers.com and followed Spann to WBMA.Joynt Steve December 28, 1996 Year of visions, sights: The top 10 events had us cheering or groaning C1, C3 Birmingham Post-Herald Birmingham, Alabama https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-year-of-visions/124163051/ May 6, 2023 Newspapers.com WGHP remained the number-two station in the North Carolina Piedmont in its early evening and morning newscasts, though its 10 p.m. news initially fared poorly in comparison to the 11 p.m. news it aired as an ABC affiliate.https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-newscast-off-to-slow-sta/124136368/ December 16, 1995 B1, B2 Newscast off to slow start in ratings News & Record Newspapers.com May 6, 2023 By 2000, the WGHP 10 p.m. newscast had doubled its audience share from 9 percent in November 1995News951216 to 17 percent, with a higher rating than the 11 p.m. newscasts on market leader WFMY-TV and WXII-TV.Greensboro, N.C. May 29, 2000 Eileen Davis Hudson Mediaweek 28–32 213614145 They probably tried to do too much too fast. John Spinola WJBK general manager, on prior management's intentions to make the station a local form of CNNDetr951117pB1 right 250px yes left In Tampa, WTVT lost its first-place position among the market's local television newscasts to NBC affiliate WFLA-TV, the only station in the market not affected by the switches, whose newscasts had placed second.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-february-sweeps-help-c/124136187/ March 4, 1995 BayLife 6 Walt Belcher February sweeps help Channel 8, NBC clean up The Tampa Tribune Newspapers.com May 6, 2023 It was the first time since 1989 that WFLA-TV had swept the ratings.https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-channel-8-sweeps-in-news/124136193/ March 19, 1995 2B Monica Yant Channel 8 sweeps in news wars St. Petersburg Times Newspapers.com May 6, 2023 WFLA also became the market's number-one station in total viewing in every sweeps period until November 1998, when WTVT surpassed it.https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-november-sweeps-channel/124136303/ December 1, 1998 2B Eric Deggan November sweeps Channel 13 to No. 1 spot in the bay area St. Petersburg Times Newspapers.com May 6, 2023 WJBK in Detroit was a third-rated station before the switch, attracting just over half of the audience as primary competitors WDIV-TV and WXYZ-TV.https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-wdiv-tv-virtually-tie/124136949/ October 28, 1994 5F Marc Gunther WDIV-TV virtually ties WXYZ in news ratings Detroit Free Press Newspapers.com May 6, 2023 While its 10 p.m. news surpassed incumbent WKBD-TV, the 6 p.m. newscast was beaten by entertainment programming on that station.Carrie Beylus Detroit 213638239 Mediaweek October 16, 2000 26–34 WJBK returned to the 11 p.m. news race in May 1995 with Bonds Tonight, hosted by former WXYZ anchor Bill Bonds,Johnson L.A. May 28, 1995 Battling the news-at-11 habit: Bonds struggles to find a niche 1G, 4G Detroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-battling-the-news-at/124161632/ May 6, 2023 Newspapers.com but was moved to 6:30 p.m. in September and canceled by mid-November due to low ratings. WJBK's overall poor ratings performance following the switch also saw its 4 p.m. news eliminated and multiple staffers laid off.Duffy Mike Smyntek John November 17, 1995 Bonds loses his show: Channel 2 cuts back on news in schedule shakeup B1 Detroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-bonds-loses-his-show/124163276/ May 6, 2023 Newspapers.com In Austin, KTBC's news ratings slumped significantly in the years after the Fox affiliation switch, while third-place KXAN-TV there began a climb to the top; KEYE-TV even outdrew KTBC in assorted dayparts.Holloway Diane June 11, 1998 KXAN overtakes KVUE in local evening newscasts E10 Austin American-Statesman https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-kxan-overtakes/123947664/ live May 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230503195003/https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-kxan-overtakes/123947664/ May 3, 2023 Newspapers.comHolloway Diane March 24, 1999 KVUE edges KXAN in Nielsen news ratings E8 Austin American-Statesman https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-kvue-edges-kxa/123947590/ live May 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230503194951/https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-kvue-edges-kxa/123947590/ May 3, 2023 Newspapers.com KDFW was the third-rated news outlet in Dallas–Fort Worth prior to the switches.https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-channel-8-wins/124136485/ March 4, 1995 17A Steven Cole Smith Channel 8 wins 'sweeps', but dominance weakens Fort Worth Star-Telegram Newspapers.com May 6, 2023 It saw immediate year-over-year declines in the viewership for its 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts; KDFW, which retained its 10 p.m. news in addition to a 9 p.m. news hour, saw notable late news declines because the prior newscast was a poorer lead-in than CBS entertainment programming.https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-swaps-sweeps/123948037/ August 4, 1995 7A Steven Cole Smith Swaps & sweeps: Or, how local TV stations fared in the ratings after the affiliation switch Fort Worth Star-Telegram Newspapers.com May 6, 2023 By 2000, KTVT had pulled into a dead heat with KDFW for third place.https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-kxas-challenges/124136560/ March 3, 2000 1A, 18A KXAS challenges WFAA for No.1 TV news station title: Channel 8 sees ratings for its newscasts shrink Fort Worth Star-Telegram Newspapers.com May 6, 2023 WDAF-TV, a third-rated station in local news in its last years as an NBC affiliate, remained in third but saw significant declines in news viewing in the aftermath of its switch and doubling of weekday news output. Its 10 p.m. news went from attracting 23 percent of TV viewers at that hour to 13 percent, and the station's new morning news attracted just over half the audience share of The Today Show, which it replaced.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-ratings-have-surpri/117921416/ October 29, 1994 E-1, E-2 Barry Garron Ratings have surprise 'winner': 'Big switch' leaves KSMO in best shape The Kansas City Star Newspapers.com May 6, 2023 In prime time, however, WDAF largely outperformed the national average for Fox affiliates.Garron Barry March 4, 1995 NBC wins February sweeps, but not in KC E3 The Kansas City Star Kansas City, Missouri https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-nbc-wins-february-s/124021763/ May 2, 2023 Newspapers.comBarnhart Aaron March 1, 1997 NBC's national sweeps win streak fails to pick up its local affiliate E8 The Kansas City Star Kansas City, Missouri https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-nbcs-national-swee/124021979/ May 2, 2023 Newspapers.com WDAF maintained their NBC-era "Newschannel 4" branding until being renamed "Fox 4" in 1997 after Fox assumed ownership.Barnhart Aaron January 23, 1997 WDAF to become 'Fox 4' in wake of network takeover E6 The Kansas City Star Kansas City, Missouri https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-wdaf-to-become-fox/124019702/ May 3, 2023 Newspapers.com It was still in third place at the end of the decade.Kansas City 213626692 Eileen Davis Hudson Mediaweek 18–24 February 7, 2000 KTVI also remained a third-rated news outlet in St. Louis.https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-channel-2-trims/124137150/ February 4, 1994 9D Babette Morgan Jerry Berger Channel 2 Trims Staff, Shuffles Weekend Lineup St. Louis Post-Dispatch Newspapers.com May 6, 2023 It did not introduce a 9 p.m. newscast until August 1997https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-radio-picture-cl/124137191/ July 9, 1997 8D Dan Caesar Radio Picture Clearing Up For Rams St. Louis Post-Dispatch Newspapers.com May 6, 2023 and remained third in its market by 2000.https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-channel-5-news-i/124137137/ December 7, 2000 57 Channel 5 news increases its lead in latest ratings St. Louis Post-Dispatch Newspapers.com May 6, 2023 thumb|295x295px|A WHBQ-TV ENG van parked next to a van for WMC-TV. WHBQ's competitiveness improved with Fox's investments, but the station could not surpass market leaders WMC-TV or WREG-TV. Though not owned by New World, WHBQ-TV in Memphis was in a similar position. Prior to the switch, it was only producing half-hour newscasts at 6 and 10 p.m.Walter Tom September 30, 1995 Stations' switch to 'make' news C1, C2 The Commercial Appeal https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121620668/stations-switch-to-make-news/ live March 25, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230325221608/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121620668/stations-switch-to-make-news/ March 25, 2023 Newspapers.com Coinciding with the switch, its weekday news output quadrupled with the introduction of a two-hour morning newscast, Mornings on Fox, and the reinstatement of a noon newscast after nearly three years; the early evening news was moved to 5 p.m. and the late news to 9 p.m., both an hour in length.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-news-debuts-for-st/121620891/ December 4, 1995 C2 Tom Walter News debuts for stations offered rocky contrasts The Commercial Appeal Newspapers.com May 9, 2023https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-channel-24-has-now/124186086/ April 13, 1996 C4 Channel 24 has nowhere to go but up in news lists The Commercial Appeal Newspapers.com May 9, 2023 However, WHBQ-TV continued to rank third in Memphis behind WMC-TV and WREG-TV, the traditional first- and second-place news outlets in Memphis.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-wreg-gains-but-tra/117801626/ March 8, 2005 M5 Tom Walter WREG gains but trails WMC late newscast The Commercial Appeal Newspapers.com May 9, 2023 A cultural conflict largely existed between the New World stations and Fox. Stations like KSAZ, WJW, WDAF and WITI continued news presentations similar to their "Big Three" affiliations, which analysts saw as unsustainable with younger-skewing Fox shows like Party of Five as lead-ins.MW19970714 Fox Entertainment president John Matoian told The Plain Dealer in July 1995 that the network was planning to expand beyond their original target 18–34 demographic, which was partly based on stations like WJW refusing to identify with the network.CPD19950714p1E By the time Fox purchased New World, the stations were seen as underperformers, largely attributed to station managers unwilling to embrace their new affiliations.Lafayette Jon January 20, 1997 Change looms for Fox's New World. 32–33 Electronic Media WITI news director Jill Geisler was known for stressing a "fair, concerned, balanced position" at the station,MBJ19960817p17 while Virgil Dominic was seen as "avuncular" in his stewardship of WJW.CPD19960215p5E One financial analyst suggested incoming Fox management would drastically overhaul the stations and "obviously make 'em full-blown Fox monsters".Kirchen Rich August 17, 1996 Fox at the door: WITI awaits Murdoch era. 13 17+ Milwaukee Business Journal 46 A18673945 Fox chairman Chase Carey said, "Without question, the [New World] stations could be performing better than they are today."Rathbun Elizabeth A. Littleton Cynthia July 7, 1996 225354584 Murdoch claims New World: News Corp's $3 billion play creates largest station group, surpasses Westinghouse/CBS https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1996/BC-1996-07-22.pdf Broadcasting & Cable 126 31 6–7 May 2, 2023 World Radio History January 31, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230131032603/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1996/BC-1996-07-22.pdf live The local news production boom thumb|An interview segment at KHON-TV. A former "Big Three" affiliate that switched to Fox in 1996, KHON invested heavily into a news-intensive operation.|315x315pxThe New World stations all committed to increased local news production when they switched to Fox. This was partly out of necessity, as Fox only programmed a two-hour prime time program block, but also because the stations stood to generate more revenue selling local advertising.TBJM19970606 While with CBS, WJW could only sell two minutes of local ads during the 10 p.m. hour, which increased to 16 minutes after their late news moved to that hour.CPD19950116p7E Industry analysts cited WSVN's success with a news-intensive format: having more control over programming and advertising, WSVN generated more revenue than it ever had with NBC.Feran Tom May 24, 1994 Profits aren't only pluses 9A The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F807CF6220AF1A3 subscription May 4, 2023 NewsBank Precedent also existed: when a dispute over revenue compensation emerged between CBS and the affiliate body in 1992, WAGA and WJBK dropped CBS This Morning in favor of local morning shows.Carter Bill September 14, 1992 THE MEDIA BUSINESS; CBS's Ruptured Ties To Affiliates The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/14/business/the-media-business-cbs-s-ruptured-ties-to-affiliates.html live July 18, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160819224809/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/14/business/the-media-business-cbs-s-ruptured-ties-to-affiliates.html August 19, 2016Duffy Mike October 14, 1992 'Missile Crisis' chronicles a chilling Cold War tale 6D Detroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93399708/missile-crisis-chronicles-a-chilling/ live January 25, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220125030907/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93399708/missile-crisis-chronicles-a-chilling/ January 25, 2022 Newspapers.com When CBS debuted the Late Show in 1993, WJW delayed it to midnight in favor of Murphy Brown rerunsDyer Bob September 12, 1993 Plenty of new syndicated shows joining old favorites this season 47–48 Akron Beacon Journal Channels Akron, Ohio https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102829534/plenty-of-new-syndicated-shows-joining/ live October 25, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221025031846/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102829534/plenty-of-new-syndicated-shows-joining/ October 25, 2022 Newspapers.com and later the New World-produced Valley of the Dolls—shows during which they could sell additional local advertising—to the network's chagrin; CBS president of affiliate relations Tony Malara later said, "The fact of the matter is, it ain't exactly chopped liver we're offering."Feran Tom July 8, 1994 CBS plans to join Channel 19 by Aug. 29 1A The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F807D316A1C8DD3 live subscription October 5, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221006020656/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F807D316A1C8DD3&f=basic October 6, 2022 NewsBankKMEG in Sioux City, Iowa, also refused to carry the show at first after due to the ratings and financial success of their syndicated fare in late nightMiller Bruce R. August 6, 1993 KMEG won't carry new Letterman show A1 Sioux City Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-wont-carry-new/123943122/ live May 3, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081757/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-kmeg-wont-carry-new/123943122/ May 3, 2023 Newspapers.com but cleared it live the following year.Lalley Patrick July 27, 1994 Letterman show on its way here A14 Sioux City Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-letterman-show-on-its/123943409/ live May 3, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230503081834/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-letterman-show-on-its/123943409/ May 3, 2023 Newspapers.com By June 1994, Fox was still in the planning stages for a network news service,The creation of Fox News was formally announced on January 30, 1996,Williams Scott January 31, 1996 Murdoch taps Ailes for new network; Former CNBC chief set to direct 24-hour news channel, take on CNN 6 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Associated Press https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&t=country%3AUSA%21USA&sort=YMD_date%3AD&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=Murdoch%20taps%20Ailes%20for%20new%20network%3B%20Former%20CNBC%20chief%20set%20to%20direct%2024-hour%20news%20channel%2C%20take%20on%20CNN%22&docref=news/0EB8296FA53CDCD2 subscription October 17, 2019 NewsBank and the cable channel was launched on October 7, 1996.King Angela G. October 7, 1996 Fox hunts TV news niche with channel debut today 44 Daily News New York, New York https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-fox-hunts-tv-news-niche-with/124067999/ May 4, 2023 Newspapers.com Fox News Sunday debuted over the Fox network on April 28, 1996.Shister Gail April 9, 1996 Fox news show just wants a chance 60 The Boston Globe Knight-Ridder Service Boston, Massachusetts https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-fox-news-show-just-want/124069105/ May 4, 2023 Newspapers.com but Rupert Murdoch dismissed the idea of a nightly evening newscast similar to the "Big Three" networks airing over Fox, saying, "I don't think people watch them very much. People prefer watching a newscast edited and customized for them in their communities."Feran Tom July 14, 1994 Fox's boss expects more shake-ups 8E The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F807D3BCE03B26C subscription May 4, 2023 NewsBank The New World stations gained access to a news sharing service among Fox owned-stations and affiliates while also retaining existing CNN Newsource affiliations,Feran Tom May 24, 1994 Channel 8 jumps from CBS to Fox: Surprise deal realigns 12 stations across U.S. 1A The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F807CF638C88937 subscription May 4, 2023 NewsBank simulcasting CNN in the event of breaking news.Feran Tom November 10, 1994 TV little help shifting swill from election 6E The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F807DE2B8320E63 subscription May 4, 2023 NewsBank WDAF, WJBK, KTBC and KHON launched nightly half-hour newscasts with emphasis on national and international coverage, but produced locally.Barnhart Aaron January 4, 1997 Channel 4 kills 'national' newscast, shuffles programs E5 The Kansas City Star Kansas City, Missouri https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-channel-4-kills-na/124021953/ May 4, 2023 Newspapers.comDuffy Mike August 20, 1994 WJBK plans pre-Fox changes 2A Detroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-wjbk-plans-pre-fox-ch/124070631/ May 4, 2023 Newspapers.comHonoluluS19951228pA1 Most of the New World stations moved their late-evening newscasts by an hour and extended them to 60 minutes in length (due to Fox only programming for two hours), or in the cases of WDAF and WITI, created a 90-minute long newscast.Kans941029 TBJM19970606 WBRC initially had separate half-hour newscasts at 9 and 10.MW000710 KTVI and KTBC were exceptions: KTVI moved their late-evening news from 10 to 9 p.m. in 1997,StLo970709 while KTBC did the same in 2002; for the latter, the newscasts replaced sitcom reruns in the 9 p.m. hour.Dinges Gary June 28, 2014 Fox 7 to debut 10 p.m. newscast B7–B8 Austin American-Statesman Austin, Texas https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-fox-7-to-debut/124070942/ May 4, 2023 Newspapers.com KHON maintained a late-evening newscast at 10 p.m. until September 2014, when a 9 p.m. newscast was launched.Engle Erika July 30, 2014 Dashefsky returns to KHON to anchor 9 p.m. newscast B6 Honolulu Star-Advertiser Honolulu, Hawaii https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-advertiser-dashefsky-retur/124071658/ May 4, 2023 Newspapers.com A number of people thought we'd fall off the face of the earth. But we've proven them wrong. As far as WAGA is concerned, we'll continue to grow. We wouldn't add people if we didn't believe in what WAGA is doing. There will be no slowing down; we'll continue to grow and grow and grow. Budd McEntee WAGA-TV news directorNiemanSp1996p13 300px An unprecedented level of hiring took place among both the New World stations and the replacement "Big Three" affiliates to account for the overall increase in local news, with as many as 1,500 to 2,000 jobs being created during this period.NiemanSp1996p13 In Cleveland, WJW boasted a news staff of over 120 people,CPD19940902p1A while WOIO used WUAB's news department as the foundation for their own, moving both stations to new facilities at Reserve Square.Feran Tom February 5, 1995 '19 News' debuts: Station promises 'most exciting' broadcast in city 1J The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F341526129202DD live subscription October 6, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221006172033/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F341526129202DD&f=basic October 6, 2022 NewsBank Kansas City saw KSHB add 54 people to create a workforce of 72, while WDAF doubled their news staff for a total of 110. WNCN hired 68 full-time staffers in 1995 as they prepared to take the NBC affiliation, WGNX increased their headcount to 50 after linking with CBS, and WHBQ bolstered their staffing from 28 to 55 under Fox ownership.Papper Bob Spring 1996 Hiring explosion at television stations. Nieman Reports 50 1 13+ A18178483 Technical advancements were also made with the increased manpower. WBMA boasted all-digital equipment when their news room launched, with Allbritton executive John Hillis saying, "We had the luxury of a clean sheet on paper."Dickson Glen September 2, 1996 Allbritton goes all-digital in Alabama https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1996/BC-1996-09-02.pdf Broadcasting & Cable 126 37 60 May 9, 2023 World Radio History Spurned by ABC, KTVK invested heavily into syndicated programming and newsroom staffing and broke ground on new studios to house their expanded operations.stronghold Among unchanged Fox affiliates, Sacramento's KTXL began hiring staff and extended their late-evening news to an hour,NiemanSp1996p13 and KOKH-TV in Oklahoma City began assembling a news staff for a 1996 launch.October 15, 1995 KOKH-TV Planning 9 p.m. Newscast 5 The Oklahoman TV News Oklahoma City, Oklahoma https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman-kokh-tv-planning-9-p/124372764/ May 10, 2023 Newspapers.com KOKH's entry was a complete reversal from June 1994, when general manager Harlan Reams publicly expressed no desire to do local news, saying, "From a business standpoint, if you want to watch news, hey, watch 4, 5 and 9, watch CNN, read the newspaper. But I'm here to entertain."Stafford Jim June 5, 1994 Fox Won't Join Anchor Wars; No News Good News at KOKH 1C–2C The Oklahoman Oklahoma City, Oklahoma https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman-fox-wont-join-ancho/124372506/ May 10, 2023 Newspapers.com "Big Three" affiliates in unchanged markets like KVBC in Las Vegas and KIVI-TV in Boise, Idaho, also saw their news output increased with additional staffing. Ball State University professor Bob Papper estimated in 1996 that several thousand more jobs could be created if other older Fox affiliates started local news, or expanded their output to match up with the New World stations.NiemanSp1996p13 Ratings headwinds for new news operations Many of the new "Big Three" affiliates, which had been either former Fox affiliates or independents on the UHF dial with no news presence, found difficulty garnering ratings traction against their traditional VHF competitors. While most of these replacement affiliates have maintained local news production, with some even experiencing gradual ratings growth, some stations eventually cancelled or outsourced operations outright. Among CBS's replacement affiliates, WGPR-TV (renamed WWJ-TVParry Dale July 25, 1995 CBS gets OK at Channel 62 4E Detroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93097731/cbs-gets-ok-at-channel-62/ live January 23, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220123204740/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93097731/cbs-gets-ok-at-channel-62/ January 23, 2022 Newspapers.com) proved to be the network's biggest challenge.Flint Joe September 25, 1995 Black Rock socked by affils' ills 1, 109 Variety 1286155255 A $1 million promotional blitz saw the network's star talent make fun of the station's embarrassingly high channel number,Gabriel Larry December 1, 1994 CBS unveils ad campaign for its switch to 62 1E, 4E Detroit Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93442440/cbs-unveils-ad-campaign-for-its-switch/ January 25, 2022 Newspapers.com January 25, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220125203322/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93442440/cbs-unveils-ad-campaign-for-its-switch/ liveLafayette Jon December 5, 1994 5 markets prepare for affiliate swaps 13 2, 69 Electronic Media 49 https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1994-12-05_13_49/page/n1/mode/2up January 25, 2022 but ratings for network programming in Detroit fell 46 percent year-over-year following the switch.August 17, 1995 CBS says its toughest job is reviving Channel 62 1E, 4E The Detroit News Detroit, Michigan https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93294916/cbs-says-its-toughest-job-is-reviving-ch/ live January 23, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220128050401/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93294916/cbs-says-its-toughest-job-is-reviving/ January 28, 2022 Newspapers.com CBS announced plans to establish a news department in Detroit in late 1995,Lafayette Jon October 30, 1995 Detroit station building news division, carving new identity 6, 37 Electronic Media https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1995-10-30_14_44/page/n5/ only to withdraw them entirely after several months.January 17, 1996 The poop on Shatner and BIG 62 news 6F Detroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93097812/the-poop-on-shatner-and-big-62-news/ live January 23, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220123210947/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93097812/the-poop-on-shatner-and-big-62-news/ January 23, 2022 Newspapers.com Two attempts at local news in 2001 and 2009 failedSmyntek John February 15, 2001 Detroit CBS station to launch newscast 6E Detroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93301274/detroit-cbs-station-to-launch-newscast/ live January 23, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220123223349/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93301274/detroit-cbs-station-to-launch-newscast/ January 23, 2022 Newspapers.comBachman Katy March 30, 2009 CBS TV's Detroit O&O Adds Local Newscast Mediaweek http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/content_display/news/local-broadcast/e3i98c46e6d8374a9506b63621f3be284c8 dead March 30, 2009 https://archive.today/20130128111653/http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/content_display/news/local-broadcast/e3i98c46e6d8374a9506b63621f3be284c8 January 28, 2013 before the station launched its third and ongoing news operation in January 2023.Hinds Julie January 23, 2023 CBS News Detroit to debut 2 local weeknight newscasts, with plans for more en-US Detroit Free Press https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/television/2023/01/23/detroits-cbs-affiliate-wwj-tv-news-broadcasts/69830403007/ live January 23, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230123165325/https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/television/2023/01/23/detroits-cbs-affiliate-wwj-tv-news-broadcasts/69830403007/ January 23, 2023 Unlike WWJ-TV, WOIO, WGNX and WDJT-TV were all successful in debuting local news after linking with CBS, but still struggled against established competition. Until relaunching with a tabloid format in 2002, WOIO was beset by continued talent instability and dismal ratings.Francis Thomas March 1, 2001 Satan or Savior? https://www.clevescene.com/news/satan-or-savior-1476345 live https://web.archive.org/web/20221025163335/https://www.clevescene.com/news/satan-or-savior-1476345 October 25, 2022 October 25, 2022 Cleveland Scene en Cleveland, Ohio This distinction was shared by WGNX despite a 1998 sale to Meredith,August 24, 1998 Meredith to buy WGNX in station exchange Atlanta Business Chronicle American City Business Journals https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/1998/08/24/daily2.html live September 22, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081300/https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/1998/08/24/daily2.html August 9, 2022 a renaming to WGCL-TV in 2000,Kloer Phil June 10, 2000 CBS affiliate to switch call letters on July 4 F4 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250739/cbs-affiliate-to-switch-call-letters-on/ live August 9, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081301/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250739/cbs-affiliate-to-switch-call-letters-on/ August 9, 2022 Newspapers.com multiple rebrands, and continual executive upheaval.Ho Rodney November 22, 2021 Latest CBS46 departures: anchor/reporter Ashley Thompson and news director Matt King The Atlanta Journal-Constitution https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/latest-cbs46-departures-anchorreporter-ashley-thompson-and-news-director-matt-king/ZGBHWCMDZVHF5L56EARQSDN4P4/ live August 9, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220614053813/https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/latest-cbs46-departures-anchorreporter-ashley-thompson-and-news-director-matt-king/ZGBHWCMDZVHF5L56EARQSDN4P4/ June 14, 2022 When succeeding owner Gray Television relaunched WGCL as WANF in 2022, for Atlanta News First, management conceded the station had no brand at all.Greeley Paul October 3, 2022 Gray Launches 'Atlanta News First' Brand, Changes Call Letters TVNewsCheck https://marketshare.tvnewscheck.com/2022/10/03/gray-launches-atlanta-news-first-brand-changes-call-letters/ live October 3, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221003201422/https://marketshare.tvnewscheck.com/2022/10/03/gray-launches-atlanta-news-first-brand-changes-call-letters/ October 3, 2022 WDJT-TV's fortunes have been mixed: the station has thrived in prime time since picking up Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune as a lead-in,Kirchen Rich September 25, 2005 Fortunes shifting in local TV The Business Journal of Milwaukee http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2005/09/26/newscolumn1.html?page=all live March 22, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150402210152/http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2005/09/26/newscolumn1.html?page=all April 2, 2015 but its news operation continues to trail the competition.Kirchen Rich April 27, 2001 Channel 58 wishes for more welcome homes Milwaukee Business Journal A75508605 ...in St. Louis, the landscape for news is always treacherous, especially for a station like KDNL. News viewership here is deeply entrenched, with television watchers overwhelmingly choosing KSDK and KMOV. Read a ratings report from 10 years ago, or even 20, and the substance is very much the same: Channel 5 in first place, and Channel 4 battling to go ahead but never quite managing. Gail Pennington St. Louis Post-DispatchPostD20010930pC1 325px Replacement ABC affiliates KDNL-TV and WXLV-TV experienced severe difficulty establishing a news presence and had their efforts shut down by owner Sinclair Broadcast Group. KDNL's newscasts, which debuted prior to the switch,Pennington Gail August 1, 1995 For Some Viewers, 2 Doesn't Go Into 30 6D St. Louis Post-Dispatch https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-for-some-viewers/75000078/ live May 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230503194950/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-for-some-viewers/75000078/ May 3, 2023 Newspapers.com struggled to gain viewership amid repeated changes in management, on-air talent and news sets, with ABC network programming equally underperforming.Pennington Gail September 30, 2001 Dominant foes KO'd newscasts on KDNL C1, C6 St. Louis Post-Dispatch St. Louis, Missouri https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-dominant-foes-ko/124075910/ May 4, 2023 Newspapers.com Barry Baker, chief executive of former owner River City Broadcasting, held an option to sell their St. Louis holdings and sold it to Emmis Communications in June 1999,Pennington Gail June 26, 1999 Emmis buys KDNL-TV, 6 radio outlets 24OT St. Louis Post-Dispatch St. Louis, Missouri https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-emmis-buys-kdnl/121103633/ May 4, 2023 sparking a year-long lawsuit between Sinclair and Emmis.Pennington Gail September 29, 2001 Channel 30 will drop its local news broadcasts 14 St. Louis Post-Dispatch St. Louis, Missouri https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-channel-30-will/124074883/ May 4, 2023 Newspapers.comThe sale also included Sinclair's six St. Louis radio stations also inherited from River City; as part of a court settlement, Sinclair divested these radio stations to Emmis and retained KDNL.Toroian Diane June 23, 2000 Owners swap 7 local radio stations: Three-way deal gives Emmis an L.A. station C1, C7 St. Louis Post-Dispatch St. Louis, Missouri https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-owners-swap-7-lo/121103665/ May 4, 2023 Newspapers.com The lawsuit forced KDNL onto an austerity budget cancelling the 5 p.m. news, while a failing transmitter repeatedly forced the station off-air.PostD20010930pC1 The 5 p.m. news was restored in October 2000 but failed to register any measurable audience, while the 10 p.m. news drew half the ratings as Friends reruns on KPLR,Pennington Gail October 12, 2001 After tonight's shows, it's lights out for Channel 30 news; 47 lose their jobs B1, B4 St. Louis Post-Dispatch St. Louis, Missouri https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-after-tonights/110563773/ May 4, 2023 Newspapers.com resulting in the news department's disbanding on October 12, 2001.PostD20010929p14 WXLV-TV, which frequently failed to make progress in area ratings against the more established WFMY-TV, WGHP and WXII-TV,Pressley Leigh December 16, 1995 Newscast off to slow start in ratings B1 Greensboro News & RecordClodfelter Tim November 18, 2000 WXLV ends some news shows, lays off 10 people B3 Winston-Salem Journal had its morning and weekend newscasts cancelled in late 2000Rowe Jeri November 16, 2000 WXLV lays off 10 employees, axes two newscasts: The Triad's ABC affiliate gets smaller to attract a bigger news audience B1 Greensboro News & Record and ultimately shuttered outright on January 11, 2002.Kritzer Jamie January 3, 2002 WXLV to pull plug on newscast: The ABC affiliate has consistently had the smallest audience among the area's four network affiliates during the past six years A1 Greensboro News & RecordBiesecker Michael January 3, 2002 ABC 45 will end its news shows: Official says station was unable to make broadcasts profitable B1 Winston-Salem Journal Utilizing Sinclair's hybrid News Central format, an 11 p.m. newscast ran from 2004 to 2005, when it was again scrapped due to poor ratings.Clodfelter Tim July 29, 2005 WXLV and WUPN will end newscasts: News programs lagged far behind in ratings - 22 people to lose jobs B2 Winston-Salem Journal In February 2012, Spectrum News 1 North Carolina (then known as News 14 Carolina) began producing daily newscasts for WXLV as part of a retransmission consent dispute settlement between Time Warner Cable and Sinclair.Marszalek Diana February 21, 2012 WXLV, TWC Share (and Share) News Alike TVNewsCheck http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/57597/wxlv-twc-share-and-share-news-alike live June 22, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130609081431/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/57597/wxlv-twc-share-and-share-news-alike June 9, 2013 Spectrum News newscasts continued to air on WXLV until 2019, then resumed local newscasts in January 2021, albeit produced by KABB in San Antonio.Avila-Garcia Candice December 30, 2023 Fox San Antonio anchor Camilla Rambaldi announces departure https://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/article/camilla-rambaldi-fox-18580489.php May 2, 2024 MySA en-USMalone Michael January 3, 2024 KABB San Antonio Anchor Camilla Rambaldi To Step Down https://www.nexttv.com/news/camilla-rambaldi-kabb-san-antonio-anchor-stepping-down May 2, 2024 Broadcasting & Cable en-US This was not limited to new CBS, NBC, or ABC affiliates in New World markets. KHNL in Honolulu began airing newscasts on April 12, 1995, more than eight months before switching to NBC.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-khnls-new-newsc/124607596/ April 12, 1995 C1, C7 KHNL's new newscast is ready to roll The Honolulu Advertiser Newspapers.com May 13, 2023 The station's newscasts, however, failed to find ratings success in spite of NBC's strength in entertainment programming in the late 1990s, as well as the hiring of several notable personalities in the market.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-khnl-struggles-i/45448358/ December 1, 1997 C1, C2 Dan Nakaso KHNL struggles in the ratings war The Honolulu Advertiser Newspapers.com May 14, 2023https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-news-8-found-plen/124592639/ April 3, 1995 B-3 Tim Ryan News 8 found plenty of talent at local stations Honolulu Star-Bulletin Newspapers.com May 14, 2023 WPTY-TV's news department was hastily assembled to make the deadline for their Fox-ABC switch,Walter Tom October 25, 1995 WPTY-TV picks talent mix to launch news broadcasts A10 The Commercial Appeal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-wpty-tv-picks-tale/124185095/ May 7, 2023 Newspapers.comComm950930 with multiple technical gaffes and on-air talent misidentifying area landmarks plaguing their debut.Comm951204 The weeknight anchor lineup changed within two weeks,Walter Tom December 14, 1995 It's musical chairs at WPTY while trying to 'find right mix' D7 The Commercial Appeal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-its-musical-chair/121622797/ May 7, 2023 Newspapers.com and the news director was fired after a year.Walter Tom May 16, 1998 Alan fired as news director at WPTY-TV C2 The Commercial Appeal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-alan-fired-as-news/121626143/ May 7, 2023 Newspapers.com Low ratings continued to plague the stationComm050308Lollar Michael December 1, 2007 WREG news back on top at 10 p.m. M5 The Commercial Appeal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-wreg-news-back-on/121626666/ May 7, 2023 Newspapers.com through a 2013 relaunch as WATN-TV under Nexstar ownership; the station was later sold to Tegna Inc. in 2019.May 30, 2013 Nexstar Readies Major Memphis Overhaul TVNewsCheck http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/67898/nexstar-readies-major-memphis-overhaul/page/1 live May 30, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131211121423/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/67898/nexstar-readies-major-memphis-overhaul/page/1 December 11, 2013Nexstar to Sell Stations to Tegna, Scripps for $1.32 Billion https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-20/nexstar-to-sell-19-stations-to-tegna-scripps-for-1-32-billion Nabila Ahmed Anousha Sakoui Bloomberg News Bloomberg, L.P. March 20, 2019 May 2, 2024 April 13, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190413200225/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-20/nexstar-to-sell-19-stations-to-tegna-scripps-for-1-32-billion live New NBC affiliate WGBA-TV in Green Bay, Wisconsin, did not begin producing newscasts until July 1, 1996; it had doubled its payroll and expanded its studios in order to accommodate its news operation.https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-wgba-has-news-fo/124473736/ June 30, 1996 E-1 Tom Murphy WGBA has news for you: Revenue, NBC link spur shot at newscasts Green Bay Press-Gazette Newspapers.com May 12, 2023 Its newscasts lagged the other three local stations in the ratings, and turnover of on-air talent was high.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-wgba-cuts-anchor-mark/124473830/ November 28, 2002 B-1 Eric Klister WGBA cuts anchor Mark Leland as it prepares for a change The Post-Crescent Newspapers.com May 12, 2023 WNWO-TV had a single daily newscast at 6 p.m. when it switched to NBC in September 1995;Turco Sharon October 26, 1995 Toledo TV all shook up: Channels 13, 11 [sic] move on TV dial https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/toledo-tv-all-shook-channels-13-11-sic-move-tv-dial/mprwjjktkdogysdckpciktetqewosyvt_ip-10-166-46-75_1711424531983 live https://web.archive.org/web/20240403082316/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/toledo-tv-all-shook-channels-13-11-sic-move-tv-dial/mprwjjktkdogysdckpciktetqewosyvt_ip-10-166-46-75_1711424531983 April 3, 2024 April 3, 2024 Morning Journal B1 the following year, Malrite Communications purchased the station and began investing in the news department,Borrelli Christopher October 16, 1997 Today's the day Ch. 24 enters the news race https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/todays-day-ch-24-enters-news-race/pyvmvfmgidhdqesfzucoypepbwqctamq_ip-10-166-46-73_1711417425541 live https://web.archive.org/web/20240403082356/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/todays-day-ch-24-enters-news-race/pyvmvfmgidhdqesfzucoypepbwqctamq_ip-10-166-46-73_1711417425541 April 3, 2024 April 3, 2024 The Blade Peach 5Borrelli Chris October 20, 1997 Counting down to a successful launch on Toledo's Channel 24 https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/counting-down-successful-launch-toledos-channel-24/bikobvtogmuzaqnpcbftzhzjstzyjjnd_ip-10-166-46-123_1713148594586 The Blade Peach 5 but it failed to reap any windfall from NBC's highly rated prime time lineup.Baird Kirk February 28, 2010 Reshaping Toledo's Channel 24: Despite battling low ratings, the station is determined to succeed https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/reshaping-toledos-channel-24-despite-battling-low-ratings-station-determined-succeed/knxgcuxpulwcgnowftsybrymwlbgapne_ip-10-166-46-142_1711427950781 live https://web.archive.org/web/20240403082411/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/reshaping-toledos-channel-24-despite-battling-low-ratings-station-determined-succeed/knxgcuxpulwcgnowftsybrymwlbgapne_ip-10-166-46-142_1711427950781 April 3, 2024 April 3, 2024 The Blade E1, E2 WNWO continued to experience ownership changes, poor ratings and staff turnover before newscast production was outsourced to WSBT-TV in 2017Baird Kirk November 29, 2016 WNWO Channel 24 to outsource local news, lay off employees http://www.toledoblade.com/TV-Radio/2016/11/29/WNWO-Channel-24-to-oursource-local-news-layoff-employees.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20161130155823/http://www.toledoblade.com/TV-Radio/2016/11/29/WNWO-Channel-24-to-oursource-local-news-layoff-employees.html November 30, 2016 November 29, 2016 The Blade and eliminated altogether in 2023.Channel 24, WNWO-TV to end newscasts in May https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/tv-radio/2023/04/27/channel-24-wnwo-tv-ends-newscasts-may/stories/20230427116 live https://web.archive.org/web/20230428191439/https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/tv-radio/2023/04/27/channel-24-wnwo-tv-ends-newscasts-may/stories/20230427116 April 28, 2023 April 29, 2023 The Blade en WEVV-TV in Evansville, Indiana, which switched from Fox to CBS, shut down their news department in July 2001 amid poor ratings;Boxell Bob November 7, 2011 The Big Switch http://www.evansvilleliving.com/articles/the-big-switch live https://web.archive.org/web/20150924004242/http://www.evansvilleliving.com/articles/the-big-switch September 24, 2015 September 24, 2015 Evansville Living after the station was sold to Bayou City Broadcasting, WEVV (which reclaimed the Fox affiliation on a digital subchannel in 2011) relaunched local newscasts.Orr Susan December 9, 2014 WEVV to add local news programming Evansville Courier & Press Evansville, Indiana http://www.courierpress.com/business/local/wevv-to-add-local-news-programming_10858384 September 1, 2015 September 23, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210741/http://www.courierpress.com/business/local/wevv-to-add-local-news-programming_10858384 live Evans Zach July 24, 2015 WEVV readying young news team for Tri-State Evansville Courier & Press Evansville, Indiana http://www.courierpress.com/news/local-news/wevv-readying-young-news-team-for-tristate_40372311 live September 1, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150727003445/http://www.courierpress.com/news/local-news/wevv-readying-young-news-team-for-tristate_40372311 July 27, 2015 In South Bend, Indiana, replacement ABC affiliate WBND-LP did not offer local news until 2008, albeit produced by WDJT,Blasko Erin December 11, 2010 WBND-TV banking on area B1, B2 The South Bend Tribune https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116971489/wbnd-tv-banking-on-area/ live January 22, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230122031139/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116971489/wbnd-tv-banking-on-area/ January 22, 2023 Newspapers.com and established a staffed newsroom in April 2011.Marszalek Diana November 30, 2010 Weigel Makes Bold News Move In South Bend http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/47353/weigel-makes-bold-news-move-in-south-bend live https://web.archive.org/web/20140714212737/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/47353/weigel-makes-bold-news-move-in-south-bend July 14, 2014 December 26, 2015 TVNewsCheck Because of its competitive and technical weakness, Weigel tried to sell WBND-LP, WCWW-LP and WMYS-LP to WSBT-TV owner Schurz Communications in 2008, but the deal was abandoned in August 2009.Malone Michael Eggerton John August 24, 2009 WSBT South Bend Deal Fizzles Absent FCC Action Broadcasting & Cable http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/328731-WSBT_South_Bend_Deal_Fizzles_Absent_FCC_Action.php August 25, 2009 August 30, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090830125915/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/328731-WSBT_South_Bend_Deal_Fizzles_Absent_FCC_Action.php live Effects in Mexico and Canada Fox's acquisition of football rights brought the number of Fox affiliates broadcasting from Mexico from one to three. It also resulted in changes in Canadian cable regulations. In San Diego, UPN affiliate KUSI-TV tried unsuccessfully to take the Fox affiliation away from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico-licensed XETV, citing FCC regulations preventing any foreign station from airing live programming from the United States to U.S. audiences without an FCC-approved permit. Fox was eventually granted the permit allowing XETV to carry the games.Shiver Jube August 17, 1994 Fox's live NFL telecasts may violate FCC trade rules Los Angeles Times https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/6360755.html?dids=6360755:6360755&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+17%2C+1994&author=Shiver%2C+Jube+Jr&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Fox%27s+live+NFL+telecasts+may+violate+FCC+trade+rules&pqatl=google https://archive.today/20130411160953/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/6360755.html?dids=6360755:6360755&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+17,+1994&author=Shiver,+Jube+Jr&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Fox's+live+NFL+telecasts+may+violate+FCC+trade+rules&pqatl=google dead April 11, 2013 February 6, 2013 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-monitor-mexican-fox-affiliate-wins-f/32871251/ States News Service The Monitor Newspapers.com Mexican Fox affiliate wins FCC's OK Lisa Richwine 1A, 12A October 29, 1994 XETV lost its affiliation to CW affiliate KSWB-TV in 2008 through a deal with Tribune Broadcasting; in turn, XETV assumed the CW affiliation.Malone Michael July 27, 2008 San Diego Stations Switch Affiliations; Longtime Fox affiliate XETV becomes a CW outlet on Aug. 1 as KSWB goes from CW to Fox. Broadcasting & Cable http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/san-diego-stations-switch-affiliations/32937 live January 21, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20141031003114/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/san-diego-stations-switch-affiliations/32937 October 31, 2014 Peterson Karla July 3, 2008 Fox and CW changing channels U-T San Diego http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080703/news_1m3tvswitch.html dead September 24, 2015 https://archive.today/20130202103148/http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080703/news_1m3tvswitch.html February 2, 2013 Peterson Karla August 25, 2008 'Fox 5': First the bad news and now the good news? U-T San Diego http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080825/news_1c25karla.html dead September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20080916230108/http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080825/news_1c25karla.html September 16, 2008 The permit to carry live programming also benefited two stations set up by Televisa with Fox programming: XHFOX-TV in Matamoros/Reynosa (serving the Harlingen–Brownsville–McAllen market) and XHFTX-TV in Nuevo Laredo (serving the Laredo market). However, these stations continued to have to "bicycle" tapes of programming across the border.Pauza Rick LTC holds off complaint on television signal quality https://www.newspapers.com/article/laredo-morning-times-ltc-holds-off-compl/196857637/ May 4, 2026 Laredo Morning Times June 13, 1997 Laredo, Texas 1A, 16A Newspapers.com These stations dropped their Fox affiliations on February 28, 2002, due to increased reverse compensation fees with Fox and high costs of local news production. Both stations became affiliates of Televisa's Canal de las Estrellas.Martinez Susan December 22, 2001 Valley station will end Fox affiliation http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/local/valley-station-will-end-fox-affiliation/article_9c8abd68-ebac-5e8c-92e4-9ae9f3ff302c.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20171221035211/http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/local/valley-station-will-end-fox-affiliation/article_9c8abd68-ebac-5e8c-92e4-9ae9f3ff302c.html December 21, 2017 September 19, 2019 The Brownsville Herald While the NFL signed Canadian rights agreements for both the NFC and AFC packages on television in Canada with the CanWest Global System and Western International Communications,2362043302 CanWest nabs exclusive TV rights to NFL Etan Vlessing 7 The Hollywood Reporter July 15, 1994 the switches led to increased interest by Canadian cable companies in adding a U.S. Fox station to their lineups. However, since 1978, the availability of U.S. network affiliates on Canadian cable had been governed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)'s "3 plus 1" rule, allowing the carriage of three American network affiliates plus a PBS station,August 2, 1978 45 Variety Limit U.S. Channels for Canada Cablers 1286039507 with frequent exemptions for border towns where additional stations were receivable over-the-air. In June 1994, the CRTC stated it was unwilling to modify the rule;Wishing on a deathstar (Inset: "A FOX in the CRTC's henhouse") Michael Jenkinson Alberta Report / Newsmagazine 31–32 June 6, 1994 9406237731 the next month, a group of 48 Canadian cable systems, many belonging to major operators, petitioned the CRTC to allow them to add Fox programming.1, 16 Canadians go on Fox hunt Etan Vlessing The Hollywood Reporter July 20, 1994 2362043161 Canadian broadcasters lobbied against any change, fearing that the addition of Fox would "Americanize the system further" and occupy channel capacity needed to provide new Canadian services.THR940720 External pressure led the CRTC to reverse course by September, allowing Canadian cable providers to pick up a Fox affiliate without having to drop a "Big Three" affiliate.Canadian cablecos to do the FOX trot Alberta Report / Newsmagazine 43 September 12, 1994 9410267636 Impact on Fox Kids Fox Kids Fox Kids, which had been created as a joint venture between Fox and the affiliates in 1990,Freeh John February 13, 1990 Television stations woo kids for their loyalty, buying power https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F173D9D2372831378 subscription live https://web.archive.org/web/20221006020655/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/173D9D2372831378&f=basic October 6, 2022 October 5, 2022 The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio NewsBank continued after the realignment with a roster of affiliates considerably different from the main Fox network. WBNX-TV and KSMO-TV saw their profiles boosted with the addition of Fox Kids: KSMO experienced dramatic viewership increases in the early afternoon,Kans941029 while WBNX became Cleveland's WB affiliate in 1997 owing to their success with Fox Kids.Feran Tom July 3, 1997 Channel 55 to become WB outlet https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80C85FA715BCBE subscription live https://web.archive.org/web/20221006172035/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F80C85FA715BCBE&f=basic October 6, 2022 October 6, 2022 The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio 4E NewsBank Facing increased competition from basic cable channels along with Kids' WB and UPN Kids,Feran Tom July 29, 1995 WB, UPN find their TV niche https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F8084E42EA427CA subscription live https://web.archive.org/web/20221006172031/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F8084E42EA427CA&f=basic October 6, 2022 October 6, 2022 The Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio 8E NewsBank Fox Kids merged their in-house production arm with Saban Entertainment (who produced Mighty Morphin Power Rangers for the program block) to form Fox Kids Worldwide in 1996,Bruck Connie May 10, 2010 The Influencer https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/05/10/the-influencer May 15, 2023 The New Yorker purchased The Family Channel the following year and relaunched it as Fox Family Channel.Katz Richard July 10, 1998 Fox Family squeezes 'Club' in youthful sked https://variety.com/1998/tv/news/fox-family-squeezes-club-in-youthful-sked-1117478323/ August 13, 2009 Variety By 1998, Fox Kids affiliates sold their ownership interests back to Fox in a deal where Fox affiliates would pay a combined $50 million per year for Fox's renewed NFC contract.July 28, 1998 Coates pleads innocent to domestic assault https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-coates-pleads-inno/124665784/ May 14, 2023 The News and Observer Raleigh, North Carolina 6C Newspapers.com Fox Family Channel struggled to find viewership and lost money, and Fox–Saban sold Fox Kids Worldwide to The Walt Disney Company in 2001.DiOrio Carl October 24, 2001 Fox Family costs Mouse less cheese in final deal https://variety.com/2001/tv/news/fox-family-costs-mouse-less-cheese-in-final-deal-1117854788/ August 13, 2009 Variety Fox Kids' operations were reassigned to the network properSchneider Michael Grego Melissa September 9, 2001 Fox Kids net adopted by Fox TV Ent. https://variety.com/2001/tv/news/fox-kids-net-adopted-by-fox-tv-ent-1117852436/ August 13, 2009 Variety and were ultimately replaced with a program block from 4Kids Entertainment in 2002.Paula Bernstein January 18, 2002 4Kids buys 4 hours from Fox Kids https://variety.com/2002/tv/news/4kids-buys-4-hours-from-fox-kids-1117858752/ August 13, 2009 Variety The ascendance of Fox Sports Fox Sports (United States) NFL on Fox Fox NFL Sunday thumb|235x235px|The Fox NFL Sunday hosts, 2009 Fox Sports has been cited as one of the fastest start-ups in modern television history, and the most successful. Aided by a number of off- and on-air personnel that defected from CBS Sports, David Hill—who was transferred as Sky Sports president to like duties for Fox—assembled the division in less than eight months.Reedy Joe December 27, 2018 How Fox's 25 seasons of covering the NFL changed the game en-US Associated Press https://apnews.com/9816ca0d0b3546ac92353c655d40cab8 December 27, 2018 April 17, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230417095812/https://apnews.com/9816ca0d0b3546ac92353c655d40cab8 live John Madden jokingly mused upon joining Fox Sports that the "s" should be removed from the name, "... because the only sport ... we had at Fox was football, NFL football".https://30for30podcasts.com/episodes/maddens-game/ Madden's Game 30 for 30 Podcasts ESPN Wheaton Wil September 19, 2020 Adopting the slogan of "same game, new attitude", the NFL on Fox's centerpiece program was an hour-long pregame show, Fox NFL Sunday, incorporating comedy and entertainment with co-host Terry Bradshaw quickly becoming a breakout star.curtis20181213 NFL Sundays success demonstrated viewers held an appetite for football that extended beyond the game itself.reedy20181227 Along with a theme song composed by Scott Schreer that has since become symbolic of the entire network,Koblin John January 31, 2014 Batman On Steroids: How The NFL On Fox Theme Song Was Born http://deadspin.com/batman-on-steroids-how-the-nfl-on-fox-theme-song-was-b-1481367234# March 24, 2015 Deadspin technical innovations included the "Fox Box" displaying the clock and score continuously (Hill perfected a similar on-screen bug for Sky's soccer coverage) and the use of parabolic microphones for in-game sound.curtis20181213 NFL on Fox also provided a launching pad for other established announcers including Kenny Albert, Kevin Harlan and Joe Buck.reedy20181227 The affiliation switches helped elevate Fox to major network status, on par with its older, established competitors.curtis20181213 The growth of Fox Sports was as quick as its founding: on September 9, 1994, Fox secured rights to the National Hockey League from 1995 to 1999, again outbidding CBS.Sandomir Richard Richard Sandomir September 10, 1994 Fox Outbids CBS for N.H.L. Games The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/10/sports/hockey-fox-outbids-cbs-for-nhl-games.html?sq=National+Hockey+League+Fox&scp=4&st=nyt March 20, 2008 July 26, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180726234334/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/10/sports/hockey-fox-outbids-cbs-for-nhl-games.html?sq=National+Hockey+League+Fox&scp=4&st=nyt live Major League Baseball followed on November 7, 1995, initially via a shared arrangement with NBC.Stewart Larry November 6, 1995 Fox Gets Baseball; NBC Is Part of Deal The Los Angeles Times C1, C12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-fox-gets-baseball/124505857/ May 12, 2023 Newspapers.com Fox Sports extended into regional sports networks beginning in 1996 through a joint venture with TCI's Liberty Media, creating Fox Sports Net from the former Prime Sports and SportsChannel networks.Flint Joe December 11, 1995 Cabler FX considers sporting new image https://variety.com/1995/tv/features/cabler-fx-considers-sporting-new-image-99130301/ February 12, 2023 Variety en-USHirsley Michael June 24, 1997 Murdoch's move puts Fox in place to mount challenge 4:4 Chicago Tribune https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-murdochs-move-puts-fox/124505559/ May 12, 2023 Newspapers.com NASCAR coverage was added in 2001, including the Daytona 500, plus the Winston Cup and Busch Series.Penelope Patsuris October 7, 2003 NASCAR Pulls Into Prime Time Forbes https://www.forbes.com/2003/10/07/cx_pp_1007nascar.html Along with the NFL, NASCAR on Fox and the MLB on Fox remain cornerstones of Fox Sports into the present day.NASCAR and FOX Sports Media Group Reach Expansive Multi-Year, Multi-Platform Rights Agreement October 15, 2012 Fox Sports Media Group http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom//binary/2012/10/15/FOX_NASCAR_Rights_Deal1350308921237.pdf November 20, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121021041337/http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/binary/2012/10/15/FOX_NASCAR_Rights_Deal1350308921237.pdf October 21, 2012 dead FOX Secures MLB Rights Through 2021 October 2, 2012 Fox Sports Media Group http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/binary/2012/10/02/FOX_MLB_Agreement1349194799783.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20121113183517/http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/binary/2012/10/02/FOX_MLB_Agreement1349194799783.pdf November 13, 2012 dead See also 1989 South Florida television affiliation switch 1994 in American television 2006 United States broadcast television realignment 2001 Vancouver TV realignment 2007 Canadian broadcast television realignment Notes References Bibliography The Wright stuff: from NBC to Autism Speaks Bob Wright Bob Wright 2016 New York RosettaBooks External links Category:1994 in American television Category:1995 in American television Category:1996 in American television Category:1997 in American television Category:1994 in economic history Category:CBS Category:E. W. Scripps Company Category:Fox Broadcasting Company Category:History of NFL broadcasting Category:History of television in the United States Category:NFL on television Category:News Corporation Category:Westinghouse Broadcasting