1989 South Florida television affiliation switch

Series of events tied to two Miami television station sales April 2023 September 2026 +Miami–Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach television network affiliate switches on January 1, 19891989 South Florida television affiliation switch at a glance Station Market Channel Affiliation(pre-1989) Affiliation(post-1989) WTVJ Miami–Fort Lauderdale 4 CBS NBC WCIX Miami–Fort Lauderdale 6 Fox CBS WSVN Miami–Fort Lauderdale 7 NBC Fox WPEC West Palm Beach 12 ABC CBS WPBF West Palm Beach 25 Not signed on ABC WTVX West Palm Beach 34 CBS Independent On January 1, 1989, six television stations in the Miami–Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Florida, markets, exchanged network affiliations. The event, referred to in contemporary media coverage as "The Big Switch",FortL19881228 was described as "Miami's own soap opera"Miami19880809-2 and at times compared to Dallas and Dynasty because of the lengthy public disputes between multiple parties that preceded it.Miami19890101-2 Approximately three million television viewers in both markets were affected.Miami19890101 The changes were initiated after NBC's January 1987 purchase of WTVJ (channel 4), the market's CBS affiliate. This was the first time that a television network in the United States had purchased an affiliate of one of its competitors; due to existing contractual obligations, WTVJ was taken over by NBC in September 1987 but operated as a CBS affiliate for nearly 16 months. Miami's existing NBC affiliate, WSVN (channel 7), and owner Sunbeam Television protested this transaction, but after Sunbeam president Edmund Ansin failed to come to an affiliation agreement with CBS, CBS purchased the market's Fox affiliate—WCIX (channel 6)—in August 1988, prompting WSVN to join Fox. Due to WCIX's multiple signal and technical deficiencies that prevented them from servicing much of Broward County with a reliable over-the-air signal, West Palm Beach's ABC affiliate WPEC (channel 12) switched to CBS, with existing CBS affiliate WTVX (channel 34) becoming an independent station and WPBF (channel 25) signing on as the new ABC affiliate. WPBF's agreement to join ABC was the first reverse compensation deal in which a station paid a network to affiliate. The new NBC station, WTVJ, had a mixed ratings performance. On WCIX, CBS struggled in the Miami market for the next six years, with fourth-rated local newscasts despite a major investment in personnel and in additional transmitters to mitigate the coverage issue. Quickly proving to be an influential Fox affiliate, WSVN adopted a tabloid, news-intensive approach that was a ratings success and duplicated in other markets. In West Palm Beach, WPEC picked up many new Broward County viewers for its CBS network programming but failed to lure them to its newscasts or surpass longtime market leader WPTV. WPBF, the new ABC affiliate, found itself a distant third in the news race and ultimately had to renegotiate the payments it had promised to the network. Without a network affiliation, WTVX's value diminished greatly, and its news department folded in August 1989 after months of cutbacks. Overview vertical Mitchell_Wolfson.jpg Sidney and Edmund Ansin.jpg right 230px Mitchell Wolfson, founder of WTVJ Sidney and Edmund Ansin, founders of Sunbeam Television Mitchell Wolfson smiling, posing with and holding a portrait of himself standing behind a Miami-Dade County Community College building. Headshots of both Sidney and Edmund, side by side, in front of a dark background. Prior to January 1, 1989, the "Big Three" network affiliates in the Miami–Fort Lauderdale television market consisted of WTVJ (CBS), WSVN (NBC), and WPLG (ABC), with WCIX as the market's first full-fledged independent and Fox affiliate. WTVJ was the first television station to sign on in Florida, having done so on March 21, 1949, on channel 4.Baggs William C. March 22, 1949 Television's Bow In Miami Is Somewhat Blurred 2A The Miami News https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-news-televisions-bow-in-miami/122804500/ April 13, 2023 Newspapers.com April 13, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230413192534/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-news-televisions-bow-in-miami/122804500/ live As the station signed on after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) imposed a freeze on issuing television station licenses in September 1948,January 27, 1949 Television Broadcasting Tests Slated Here Soon 14A The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-television-broadcasting/122804570/ April 13, 2023 Newspapers.com April 13, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230413192538/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-television-broadcasting/122804570/ liveCrater Rufus October 4, 1948 1040475180 Television Freeze: FCC Action Halted Pending Definite Policy 35 22A, 57 Broadcasting 14 https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1948/1948-10-04-BC.pdf February 6, 2020 World Radio History January 31, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210131072603/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1948/1948-10-04-BC.pdf live October 11, 1948 1285668301 TV Freeze: Generally Approved by Industry 35 28 Broadcasting 15 https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1948/1948-10-11-BC.pdf February 6, 2020 World Radio History January 30, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210130132011/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1948/1948-10-11-BC.pdf live WTVJ was the only station to operate in Miami for nearly four years.April 12, 1952 TV Thaw Due But Long Lag Seen In Miami B1 The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94672179/tv-thaw-due-but-long-lag-seen-in-miami/ live February 10, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220210203551/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94672179/tv-thaw-due-but-long-lag-seen-in-miami/ February 10, 2022 Newspapers.com Owned by Wometco Enterprises, a movie theater chain with diversified interests headed by Mitchell Wolfson,Miami19830129 WTVJ was a primary CBS affiliate but also carried programming from DuMont, ABC, and NBC during this period. Initially, the remaining networks were represented by ultra high frequency (UHF) stations: WITV took the DuMont and ABC affiliationsNovember 8, 1953 ABC-TV Announces WITV Affiliation 20 Fort Lauderdale Daily News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95001848/abc-tv-announces-witv-affiliation/ live February 15, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220215201732/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95001848/abc-tv-announces-witv-affiliation/ February 15, 2022 Newspapers.com and WFTL-TV took the NBC affiliationApril 7, 1953 WFTL-TV Covers Wide Area By Test Pattern Telecast 1 Fort Lauderdale Daily News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95255585/wftl-tv-covers-wide-area-by-test-pattern/ live February 18, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220611042106/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95255585/wftl-tv-covers-wide-area-by-test/ June 11, 2022 Newspapers.com when they signed on in 1953.FortL19531108 WTVJ's first 34 years of broadcasting were characterized by unusual levels of stability, led primarily by Wolfson's stewardship of Wometco; its CBS affiliation; and Ralph Renick, the station's founding news director, lead anchor, and personal friend of Wolfson.Miami19890101-2 At channel 7, WSVN was originally WCKT, which signed on in 1956 as the second full-time NBC affiliate in Miami and owned by Sunbeam Television since 1962.The current WSVN license dates back to Sunbeam being awarded a license to replace the first WCKT, which was revoked by the FCC in 1962;May 10, 1962 FCC Turns Down Channel 7 Appeal 2A The Miami Herald Associated Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95029001/fcc-turns-down-channel-7-appeal/ February 15, 2022 Newspapers.com February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034330/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95029001/fcc-turns-down-channel-7-appeal/ live Sunbeam purchased the assets of the first WCKT and retained all personnel.Anderson Jack November 16, 1962 If Channel 7 Sale Okd: $2 Million Gift Headed for UM? C1 The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74549171/if-channel-7-sale-okd-2-million-gift/ February 15, 2022 Newspapers.com February 15, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220215204919/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74549171/if-channel-7-sale-okd-2-million-gift/ live Sunbeam was founded in 1953 by real estate developer Sidney Ansin and his son Edmund,December 16, 1953 'Television City' Eyed By Channel 7 Applicant 6 The Miami News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94636504/television-city-eyed-by-channel-7/ live February 10, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220210225357/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94636504/television-city-eyed-by-channel-7/ February 10, 2022 Newspapers.com with the family's interest in broadcasting dating back to when Sidney sold land to Wolfson for WTVJ's tower.Miami19870525 Both were heavily involved in WCKT's operations but largely eschewed any meaningful on-air presence.Golden Daniel August 22, 1993 Miami Dice 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29:Globe Magazine The Boston Globe https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96153260/miami-dice-p2/ March 12, 2022 Newspapers.com March 12, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220312030114/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96153260/miami-dice-p2/ live When Sidney died in 1971,October 23, 1971 Sidney Ansin Dies; Owner of Channel 7 B1 The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95183713/sidney-ansin-dies-owner-of-channel-7/ live February 18, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220218171953/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95183713/sidney-ansin-dies-owner-of-channel-7/ February 18, 2022 Newspapers.com Edmund took over as president of Sunbeam;Anderson Jack July 31, 1976 Happy Birthday, Ch. 7; It's Been Twenty Years 4B The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94946943/happy-birthday-ch-7-its-been/ live February 14, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220214231849/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94946943/happy-birthday-ch-7-its-been/ February 14, 2022 Newspapers.com like his father, Edmund asserted himself as a real estate developer, particularly in the Indianapolis metropolitan area.Adams James L. August 22, 1968 Northside Land Sale 1 Of County's Biggest 1, 16 The Indianapolis Star https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95215759/northside-land-sale-1-of-countys/ live February 18, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220218020534/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95215759/northside-land-sale-1-of-countys/ February 18, 2022 Newspapers.comKoenig Bill July 5, 1992 Sunbeam is a land developer that's been growing with Indianapolis C1–C2 The Indianapolis Star https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95217921/sunbeam-is-a-land-developer-thats-been/ live February 18, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220218061144/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95217921/sunbeam-is-a-land-developer-thats-been/ February 18, 2022 Newspapers.com WCKT took the WSVN call sign in June 1983.Jicha Tom June 6, 1983 That new name cost a bundle to WS(e)V(e)N 7A The Miami News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71162512/that-new-name-cost-a-bundle-to/ February 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034333/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71162512/that-new-name-cost-a-bundle-to/ February 17, 2022 Newspapers.com WPLG was the market's third ABC station and the second to operate on channel 10; it signed on as WLBW-TV in 1961, replacing WPST-TV,Schnier Sanford October 9, 1961 High Court Paves Way For Ch. 10 Transfer 1A, 5A The Miami News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103770269/high-court-paves-way-for-ch-10-transfer/ live June 14, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220614235920/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103770269/high-court-paves-way-for-ch-10-transfer/ June 14, 2022 Newspapers.comNovember 20, 1961 WLBW-TV Takes Over Channel 10 1A The Miami News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95858326/wlbw-tv-takes-over-channel-10/ live June 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220617083829/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95858326/wlbw-tv-takes-over-channel-10/ June 17, 2022 Newspapers.com and had been owned by Post-Newsweek Stations since 1969.Kelly Herb November 13, 1969 Channel 10 mails out fat bonuses to 125 4-B The Miami News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96159074/channel-10-mails-out-fat-bonuses-to-125/ live June 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220617083829/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96159074/channel-10-mails-out-fat-bonuses-to-125/ June 17, 2022 Newspapers.com yes 375 325 WTVJ and WCIX's Grade A signal contours as they existed in the early 1990s. WTVJ (red), located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, provided primary coverage from Boca Raton in the north to Goulds in the south. WCIX (blue), to Miami's southwest, did not adequately reach populous areas in Broward County north of Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport.South19940506 The channel 6 allocation in Miami was first proposed by the FCC in 1956,Colbert Haines June 27, 1956 Confused? Here's What Is Planned For TV In Miami 4A The Miami Daily News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121659147/confused-heres-what-is-planned-for-tv/ live March 27, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230327023903/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121659147/confused-heres-what-is-planned-for-tv/ March 27, 2023 Newspapers.com providing a brief reprieve for a struggling WITV, which lost the ABC affiliation to WPST-TVJuly 31, 1957 Channel 6 Shift Asked 1-A The Miami Herald Associated Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121659261/channel-6-shift-asked/ live March 27, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230327023859/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121659261/channel-6-shift-asked/ March 27, 2023 Newspapers.com and folded shortly thereafter.York Ronald May 11, 1958 Last of UHF Stations Here: Channel 17 Gives Up Ghost 1-B The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95002824/last-of-uhf-stations-here-channel-17-gi/ live February 15, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220215201739/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95002824/last-of-uhf-stations-here-channel-17/ February 15, 2022 Newspapers.com The proposal was met with confusion among Miami television officials, as the FCC had already assigned the same channel to Orlando, where it was in use by WDBO-TV.Miami19560627 Channel 6 in Miami had to have a transmitter located much further south than the other stations in order to meet the minimum spacing of 220 mi km from WDBO-TV; its transmitter was located in Homestead, with a limited tower height to accommodate a nearby Air Force base.March 20, 1957 Channel 6 TV Outlet Indicated 1-A The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121659238/channel-6-tv-outlet-indicated/ live March 27, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230327023853/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121659238/channel-6-tv-outlet-indicated/ March 27, 2023 Newspapers.com When WCIX-TV took to the air in September 1967,Nordheimer Jon September 21, 1967 Channel 6 Takes to Air In Bumpy First Flight 1-D The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121725554/channel-6-takes-to-air-in-bumpy-first-fl/ March 27, 2023 Newspapers.com its tower placement resulted in many areas north of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County not receiving an acceptable signal, which the station addressed by signing on UHF translators throughout Broward, Boca Raton, and Hallandale.Anderson Jack E. April 1, 1972 'Mini-Transmitters' Will Help Improve Channel 6's Picture 8-C The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47705776/ March 30, 2020 Newspapers.comPepinski Pete March 15, 1973 WCIX to begin beaming here 11A Boca Raton News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121727387/wcix-to-begin-beaming-here/ live March 27, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230327042230/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121727387/wcix-to-begin-beaming-here/ March 27, 2023 Newspapers.comAugust 7, 1974 Independent Station Is For Sale: $8 Million Price Tag on Ch. 6 6-D The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121660436/independent-station-is-for-sale-8-mill/ March 27, 2023 Newspapers.com General Cinema Corporation purchased WCIX in 1968January 1, 1969 Coral Television Sells Debentures 8-D The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121660325/coral-television-sells-debentures/ live March 27, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230327042235/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121660325/coral-television-sells-debentures/ March 27, 2023 Newspapers.com and became the theater chain's sole broadcast asset to turn a profit.Russell James March 15, 1982 WCIX's profits prompt 'buy' on General Cinema 55:Business/Monday The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121660629/wcixs-profits-prompt-buy-on-general/ live March 27, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230327042226/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121660629/wcixs-profits-prompt-buy-on-general/ March 27, 2023 Newspapers.com Taft Broadcasting acquired the station via a 1982 trade.Fesperman Dan July 30, 1982 WCIX sold for swap plus cash: Taft to pay $70 million 7C The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121660550/wcix-sold-for-swap-plus-cash-taft-to/ live March 27, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230327042229/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121660550/wcix-sold-for-swap-plus-cash-taft-to/ March 27, 2023 Newspapers.com Long the market's only full-time general independent, WCIX was challenged by the emergence of two UHF competitors, WDZL (channel 39) in 1982Burger Frederick October 16, 1982 WDZL-Ch. 39, new UHF station, hits the airwaves 3C The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71155775/wdzl-ch-39-new-uhf-station-hits-the/ live March 27, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230327042234/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71155775/wdzl-ch-39-new-uhf-station-hits-the/ March 27, 2023 Newspapers.com and WBFS-TV (channel 33) in 1984,Kelley Bill December 7, 1984 Station starts up, thinks big 1D, 8D South Florida Sun Sentinel https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100995021/station-starts-up-thinks-big/ May 4, 2022 Newspapers.com with WBFS tying WCIX in local ratings by March 1986.Kelley Bill March 13, 1986 Wrestling, R-flicks and bingo! 1E, 4E South Florida Sun Sentinel https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100995425/wrestling-r-flicks-and-bingo/ May 4, 2022 Newspapers.com WCIX became a charter Fox affiliate in October 1986.August 4, 1986 Fox network begins to take shape 44–45 Broadcasting 963254490 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-08-04.pdf live March 11, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20220127014659/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-08-04.pdf January 27, 2022 Wolfson died of a heart attack on January 28, 1983,January 29, 1983 Mitchell Wolfson, 82, dies of a heart attack 1A, 17A The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75390403/mitchell-wolfson-82-dies-of-a-heart/ April 8, 2021 April 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210416163749/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75390403/mitchell-wolfson-82-dies-of-a-heart/ live which came after two heart attacks the previous FebruarySplichal Tom April 26, 1982 Wometco sees turnaround in TV operation 2:Money The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75395549/wometco-sees-turnaround-in-tv-operation/ April 9, 2021 April 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210416163752/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75395549/wometco-sees-turnaround-in-tv-operation/ live that fueled concern among financial circles about Wometco's financial health.Davis Dick May 3, 1982 Kroger Co. has tenants and analyst's praise 32:Business/Monday The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75395325/kroger-co-has-tenants-and-analysts/ April 8, 2021 April 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210416163758/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75395325/kroger-co-has-tenants-and-analysts/ live Contrary to Wolfson's repeated prior insistence of a "secret plan" so Wometco could never be taken over or sold off,Merzer Martin September 22, 1983 Wometco price tag is $1 billion 1A, 3A The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75396502/wometco-price-tag-is-1-billion/ April 9, 2021 April 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210416163800/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75396502/wometco-price-tag-is-1-billion/ live no such succession plan was ever found or mentioned in his will,Lyons David February 4, 1983 Wometco board names new officers; Wolfson ignored succession in his will 6A The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75392539/wometco-board-names-new-officers/ April 9, 2021 April 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210416163751/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75392539/wometco-board-names-new-officers/ live and no one was designated as a succeeding chairman.Dickerson Brian February 1, 1983 Wometco stock peaks on talk of sale 8D–9D The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75393195/wometco-stock-peaks-on-talk-of-sale/ April 8, 2021 April 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210416163751/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75393195/wometco-stock-peaks-on-talk-of-sale/ live In fact, Wolfson was the largest stockholder in Wometco at the time of his death.Merzer Martin April 26, 1983 Wometco raises its defenses 7D–8D The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75396217/wometco-raises-its-defenses/ April 9, 2021 April 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210416163757/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75396217/wometco-raises-its-defenses/ live Some believed Wolfson intended to have his family decide the company's future, while others felt his "secret plan" was simply never to leave.Merzer Martin February 6, 1983 The Colonel's plan 1F, 6F The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75395859/the-colonels-plan/ April 9, 2021 April 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210416163755/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75395859/the-colonels-plan/ live KKR takes over Wometco and Storer After approving several measures in a shareholders meeting designed to prevent a hostile takeover,Miami19830426 the Wolfson family and Wometco board sold the company to merchant banker Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) on September 21, 1983, in a $1 billion leveraged buyout.Miami19830922-2 At the time, it was both the largest corporate transaction in Florida historySigale Merwin September 22, 1983 Wometco suitor: No shake-up planned 1A, 8A The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75396745/wometco-suitor-no-shake-up-planned/ April 9, 2021 April 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210416163751/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75396745/wometco-suitor-no-shake-up-planned/ live and a record for a leveraged buyout.Sigale Merwin September 24, 1983 Proposed buyer of Wometco is a private giant 1A, 4A The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75397329/proposed-buyer-of-wometco-is-a-private/ April 9, 2021 April 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210416163752/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75397329/proposed-buyer-of-wometco-is-a-private/ live While Wometco still existed after the buyout was completed on April 13, 1984, the company was taken private and split into two entities:Sigale Merwin April 13, 1984 Wometco now in private hands; will sell units but not Seaquarium 8A The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75408503/wometco-now-in-private-hands-will-sell/ April 9, 2021 March 31, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230331185520/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75408503/wometco-now-in-private-hands-will-sell/ live one based around the television station licenses and Wometco Home Theater and the other centered around the theater chain, Miami Seaquarium, bottling, and cable television divisions.Birger Larry March 12, 1984 New Wometco to sell its theaters 5:Business/Monday The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75408637/new-wometco-to-sell-its-theaters/ April 9, 2021 March 31, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230331185529/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75408637/new-wometco-to-sell-its-theaters/ liveRussell James March 15, 1984 Wometco buyout breaks up an institution 14C The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75408556/wometco-buyout-breaks-up-an-institution/ April 9, 2021 March 31, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230331185533/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75408556/wometco-buyout-breaks-up-an-institution/ live The majority of the latter's assets were sold to a Wometco executive, while the bottling operations were sold separately.Birger Larry April 30, 1985 Wometco sells part of chain 4D The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75408383/wometco-sells-part-of-chain/ April 9, 2021 March 31, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230331185523/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75408383/wometco-sells-part-of-chain/ live With the loss of support from Wolfson and having been stripped of most internal managerial power by KKR, Ralph Renick resigned from WTVJ on April 10, 1985, to pursue a bid for governor of Florida;Sonsky Steve April 11, 1985 Ralph Renick resigns after 35 years on TV 1A, 20A The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-ralph-renick-resigns-af/122853362/ April 14, 2023 April 14, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230414201810/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-ralph-renick-resigns-af/122853362/ live Renick's 6 p.m. newscast had been consistently rated number one in the market, often by significant margins, from July 1950 until the November 1984 sweeps.Sonsky Steve February 12, 1985 Are we seeing the end of the Renick reign? 1D–2D The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-are-we-seeing-the-end-o/122864288/ April 14, 2023 April 14, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230414201809/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-are-we-seeing-the-end-o/122864288/ live KKR then acquired Storer Communications in another leveraged buyout engineered to thwart a liquidation of that company by dissatisfied shareholdersLyons David April 29, 1985 Storer shareholders wait for the best offer 7:Business/Monday The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75431827/storer-shareholders-wait-for-the-best/ April 9, 2021 February 19, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220219055450/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75431827/storer-shareholders-wait-for-the-best/ live and to prevent a hostile takeover by Comcast.Stevenson Richard W. July 10, 1985 Storer chairman optimistic over buyout of the company 8A The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75431891/storer-chairman-optimistic-over-buyout/ April 9, 2021 Completed in December 1985, approval by the FCC was contingent on KKR divesting either Storer's cable systems in Miami and Wometco's cable systems in Atlanta, or WTVJ and Storer's WAGA-TV, within 18 months to satisfy cross-ownership rules. While Storer and Wometco remained nominally separate companies, the FCC recognized KKR as the primary owner of both.December 6, 1985 Storer Communications now part of SCI Holdings 10A The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75431657/storer-communications-now-part-of-sci/ April 9, 2021 February 19, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220219055454/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75431657/storer-communications-now-part-of-sci/ live KKR opted on April 25, 1986, to retain the Storer cable system and put WTVJ on the market with a deadline of May 1, 1987, to make a sale.Martin Mary Jicha Tom April 28, 1986 Channel 4: Wometco cites FCC divestiture rules 1A The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75507694/channel-4-wometco-cites-fcc/ April 10, 2021 April 11, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210411012857/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75507694/channel-4-wometco-cites-fcc/ live Wometco's cable systems were also divested.Miami19861023 Attempted sale of WTVJ to Lorimar I wonder if I have to wear cowboy boots to work now... I was totally surprised. I never heard the name Lorimar mentioned around the station. I heard network, and I heard other big broadcasting companies named, but not Lorimar. Alan Mendelson WTVJ reporter, on news of the station's proposed sale to Lorimar-Telepictures (producers of the CBS soap opera Dallas)Miami19860521 300px left left One anonymous Wometco staffer told The Miami Herald that several broadcast networks showed an interest in WTVJ, with a CBS official identifying Miami as one of eight "Sun Belt" markets for future acquisitions. A revision to the Herald story revealed that NBC also made an inquiry about the station, but that network's executives were not available for comment.Owens Dory April 29, 1986 Channel 4 up for sale; CBS may be a bidder 5D The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75437366/channel-4-up-for-sale-cbs-may-be-a/ live April 10, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210411012901/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75437366/channel-4-up-for-sale-cbs-may-be-a/ April 11, 2021 Newspapers.com Owens Dory April 29, 1986 Channel 4 is up for sale; networks may be bidders 5D The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75437230/channel-4-is-up-for-sale-networks-may/ live April 10, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210411012857/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75437230/channel-4-is-up-for-sale-networks-may/ April 11, 2021 Miami's oldest television station, WTVJ-Channel 4, is up for sale and among the dozen companies interested in buying it are NBC and CBS. ... NBC officials could not be reached for comment. Newspapers.com KKR had originally intended to sell off WTVJ by itself and had rejected a $350 million offer by CBS in the process, but it soon fielded inquiries about including some of the Storer stations in a potential sale.Foote, Jr. Cornelius F. May 22, 1986 WTVJ owner expects 'bundle' from sale 15C The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75456993/wtvj-owner-expects-bundle-from/ April 10, 2021 April 11, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210411012859/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75456993/wtvj-owner-expects-bundle-from/ live Television and film production and syndication company Lorimar-Telepictures emerged as the buyer of WTVJ—along with Storer stations WAGA-TV, WITI, WJBK, WJW-TV, WSBK-TV and KCST—in a $1.85 billion group deal announced on May 21, 1986.May 21, 1986 Lorimar Corp. buying WTVJ in deal with Wometco firm 10A The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75457035/lorimar-corp-buying-wtvj-in-deal-with/ April 10, 2021 April 11, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210411012859/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75457035/lorimar-corp-buying-wtvj-in-deal-with/ live WTVJ, including the studio building and surrounding land, was itself sold for $405 million.Chrissos Joan July 1, 1986 Lorimar agrees to buy WTVJ, 6 other stations for $1.85 billion 6D The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75456940/lorimar-agrees-to-buy-wtvj-6-other/ April 10, 2021 April 11, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210411012859/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75456940/lorimar-agrees-to-buy-wtvj-6-other/ live Also included was Storer's program production company, advertising sales division and Washington news bureau.Altaner David May 22, 1986 Lorimar buying WTVJ, 6 other stations D1 South Florida Sun-Sentinel Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75457095/lorimar-buying-wtvj-6-other-stations/ April 10, 2021 April 11, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210411012857/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75457095/lorimar-buying-wtvj-6-other-stations/ live A KKR representative said the firm stood "to make a bundle" and that Lorimar-Telepictures, unlike KKR, had the resources to do more with the stations.Miami19860522 Lorimar-Telepictures was not a stranger to broadcast station ownership, already owning five television stations inherited from predecessor TelepicturesJicha Tom September 24, 1986 Channel 4 buyers get Wall Street Journal scrutiny 5C The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75506723/channel-4-buyers-get-wall-street/ April 12, 2021 April 12, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210412163013/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75506723/channel-4-buyers-get-wall-street/ live and having made concurrent offers to purchase WPGH-TV in Pittsburgh and WTTV in Bloomington, Indiana, serving Indianapolis.Kwitny Jonathan Jonathan Kwitny September 15, 1986 Seeds of Success: Two Lorimar Officials Have Had Ties to Men Of Underworld Repute --- Merv Adelson, Irwin Molasky Relied on Teamster Loans To Build Many Businesses --- Entertaining at La Costa 1 The Wall Street Journal Eastern Edition 397983887 thumb|190x190px|Merv Adelson Lorimar founder Merv Adelson and associate Irwin Molasky found themselves the subject of scrutiny via a September 15, 1986, profile in The Wall Street Journal that detailed their past ties to several organized crime figures including Moe Dalitz, Allard Roen and Allen Dorfman, even though Adelson and Molasky were never implicated in any unlawful behavior.WSJ19860915p1 The deal also faced opposition from both the Cleveland chapter of NABET and a group of minority Wometco shareholders, but Lorimar-Telepictures president Alan Bell expressed confidence those disputes would be resolved.Miami19860924 The June 7, 1986, edition of The Palm Beach Post added another wrinkle: TV critic Bob Michals reported on rumors of a possible affiliation swap between WPEC (channel 12), West Palm Beach's ABC affiliate, and WTVX (channel 34), a UHF station and CBS affiliate based in Fort Pierce.Michals Bob June 7, 1986 TV stations may pull switcheroo F1 The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-tv-stations-may-pull/122778928/ April 13, 2023 Newspapers.com April 13, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230413192546/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-tv-stations-may-pull/122778928/ live WTVX had gone on the air in 1966 and initially primarily covered the Treasure Coast area. However, WTVJ continued to be the CBS affiliate of record for the Palm Beaches for more than a decade after channel 34 signed on; when that station opened a news bureau in West Palm Beach in 1970, 12.4 percent of its audience was said to come from Palm Beach County.March 2, 1970 Covering Palm Beach County: Channel 4 Opens Bureau 45 The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105508230/covering-palm-beach-county-channel-4-op/ live July 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714034824/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105508230/covering-palm-beach-county-channel-4/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.com In 1980, WTVX built a new transmitting facility with a more southerly location. Its signal covered Palm Beach County for the first time, and the county's cable systems added WTVX to their lineups.Michals Bob June 2, 1980 Powerful 34: The New Kid On the Dial A13, A16, A17 The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42564213/ live January 21, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714034956/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42564213/powerful-34-the-new-kid-on-the-dial/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.comJune 1, 1980 Cable Drops Sports Programming B2 The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42564169/cable_drops_sports_programming/ live January 21, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714034957/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42564169/cable-drops-sports-programming/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.com WTVX general manager Lynwood Wright asserted no one from either network had been in contact with him, while Michals expressed puzzlement over CBS wanting to risk hurting WTVJ's ratings by having WPEC join the network, saying, "[T]he only question I have with the swap is why?"PalmB19860607 The first CBS–WCIX courtship On October 22, 1986, Lorimar-Telepictures asked to exclude WTVJ from the deal, which KKR agreed to.Sigale Merwin October 23, 1986 WTVJ ownership uncertain after Lorimar exclusion 8A The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75438298/wtvj-ownership-uncertain-after-lorimar/ April 11, 2021 April 11, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210411051521/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75438298/wtvj-ownership-uncertain-after-lorimar/ live This was initially attributed to Lorimar having issues financing the deal,Chrissos Joan October 23, 1986 Sale of Channel 4 falls through 4D The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75457153/sale-of-channel-4-falls-through/ April 11, 2021 April 11, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210411051521/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75457153/sale-of-channel-4-falls-through/ live a weak advertising climate in Miami, and reduced cash flow estimates for WTVJOctober 23, 1986 Lorimar drops deal for WTVJ The Palm Beach Post Reuters Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75457420/lorimar-drops-deal-for-wtvj/ April 11, 2021 April 11, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210411051519/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75457420/lorimar-drops-deal-for-wtvj/ live that would have made it impossible to cover interest serviced on $2 billion in high-yield bonds raised by Adelson.Altaner David October 23, 1986 Channel 4 purchase called off D1 South Florida Sun-Sentinel Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75522747/channel-4-purchase-called-off/ April 11, 2021 April 11, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210411051520/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75522747/channel-4-purchase-called-off/ live The $405 million price was nearly 21 times WTVJ's cash flow while typical station purchase prices were 10 to 14 times cash flow, causing financial markets to believe Lorimar grossly overpaid.Miami19890101-2 A few days later, The Miami Herald reported that Lorimar backed away from WTVJ after learning CBS inquired with Taft Broadcasting about purchasing WCIX for as much as $125 million, which risked forcing WTVJ to become an independent with a drastically reduced valuation.Sonsky Steve October 30, 1986 Is CBS behind collapse of WTVJ sale? 7D–8D The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75443437/is-cbs-behind-collapse-of-wtvj-sale/ April 11, 2011 April 11, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210411051519/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75443437/is-cbs-behind-collapse-of-wtvj-sale/ live CBS's interest in WCIX centered around wanting to purchase a Sun Belt station for a fraction of WTVJ's asking price, even with WCIX's technical deficiencies.Miami19861030 The inquiry ended when Laurence Tisch, who took over as network chairman on September 10, 1986,Meyer Caroline E. September 14, 1986 Tisch may restore CBS prominence 1C The Journal Times The Washington Post Racine, Wisconsin Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-times-tisch-may-restore-cbs/122806609/ April 13, 2023 April 13, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230413200248/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-times-tisch-may-restore-cbs/122806609/ liveSeptember 13, 1986 What's next for embattled CBS? CBS could again become top network under Laurence Tisch's direction 7A Chillicothe Gazette Gannett News Service Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/article/chillicothe-gazette-whats-next-for-emba/122807109/ April 13, 2023 April 13, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230413200304/https://www.newspapers.com/article/chillicothe-gazette-whats-next-for-emba/122807109/ live expressed worry over a station switch depressing the already slumping national ratings of the CBS Evening News.Miami19890101-2Jicha Tom July 2, 1986 All news at CBS, especially in news, is near calamitous 9A The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75570760/all-news-at-cbs-especially-in-news-is/ April 11, 2021 April 11, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210411230209/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75570760/all-news-at-cbs-especially-in-news-is/ live WTVJ general manager Alan Perris later claimed Tisch objected to Lorimar, who produced Dallas, Knots Landing and Falcon Crest for the network,South19861023 wanting to purchase a significant portion of the affiliate base and threatened to disaffiliate all of the CBS stations in the deal.ap Taft, which was itself undergoing a corporate restructuring, sold WCIX along with four other independent stations to the TVX Broadcast Group for a combined $240 million the following month;November 24, 1986 Taft's TV's go to TVX for $240 million 1016914750 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-11-24.pdf live Broadcasting 111 21 41 https://web.archive.org/web/20230131025323/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-11-24.pdf January 31, 2023 December 2, 2018 World Radio HistoryMay 11, 1987 McDonald paints a bright picture for TVX 1016919127 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-05-11.pdf live Broadcasting 112 19 37 https://web.archive.org/web/20210308032432/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1987/BC-1987-05-11.pdf March 8, 2021 December 2, 2018 World Radio History per a report in Electronic Media, CBS was still allowed to make an offer on WCIX while that transaction was taking place.Mermigas Diane November 17, 1986 CBS considers buying Taft's Miami station 1, 70 Electronic Media https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1986-11-17_5_46_0 We had a sign out on our front lawn saying 'We'd like to purchase a TV station in a top 20 market. Please call this number if you have such a station to sell.' The fact one network had never bought another's affiliate in a hundred years was just a function of, well, not doing it. Bob Wright NBC chairmanMiami19890101-2 275px left left Following Lorimar's withdrawal, KKR still valued the station between $250 million and $300 million.Miami19870210 Perris, who was also a WTVJ shareholder, later explained that the station needed to be sold for at least $270 million in order for everyone to break even and that any offer less than that would result in him and the other shareholders owing money to KKR.October 23, 2017 Alan Perris https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/interviews/alan-perris April 11, 2021 Television Academy Interviews en February 19, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220219055448/https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/interviews/alan-perris live CBS's offer to buy WTVJ for $170 million was thus deemed unacceptable; the network claimed that much of the station's profits came from frequently preempting network programming.Miami19870210 KKR then offered WTVJ to both Capital Cities/ABC Inc. and NBC parent company General Electric (GE),Miami19890101-2 under the belief a competing network would not have their bids affected by a CBS disaffiliation threat,ap internally referred to as "that Channel 6 card".Miami19870210 ABC declined the offer, but rumors of interest in WTVJ by NBC quickly emerged.Miami19861030 Negotiations were purposefully kept hidden over the next few weeks in an effort to prevent Laurence Tisch from knowing anything in advance.Miami19890101-2 NBC purchases WTVJ thumb|215x215px|Bob Wright On January 16, 1987, KKR agreed to sell WTVJ to the General Electric Property Management Co. for $270 million, a markdown of $135 million from Lorimar's prior purchase agreement.Miami19870117 Even though a GE holding company was credited as the buyer, it was universally accepted in the media and the industry that NBC was the pending owner.Michals Bob January 17, 1987 Miami's CBS affiliate gets new owner—NBC 1A, 12A The Palm Beach Post Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75064445/miamis-cbs-affiliate-gets-new/ April 4, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034341/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75064445/miamis-cbs-affiliate-gets-new/ live For the first time in the history of North American television, a broadcast network directly purchased an affiliate of a competing network.Miami19870525Croghan Lore Walker Deborah January 17, 1987 Channel 4 sale seen triggering shuffles at Miami TV stations 1A, 6A The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75064211/channel-4-sale-seen-triggering-shuffles/ April 4, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034333/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75064211/channel-4-sale-seen-triggering-shuffles/ live NBC chairman Bob Wright attributed the uniqueness of the purchase to a relaxation in FCC regulations that increased the number of stations one company could own.Miami19890101-2 CBS was conducting a meeting of its board of affiliates in the U.S. Virgin Islands when the news broke, resulting in none of the company's executives being available for comment.Owens Dory Chrissos Joan January 17, 1987 NBC buying Miami's Channel 4; CBS must find new spot on dial 1A, 18A The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75064120/nbc-buying-miamis-channel-4-cbs/ April 4, 2021 April 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210416163750/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75064120/nbc-buying-miamis-channel-4-cbs/ live79–80 Broadcasting 1016911326 CBS board makes Paley, Tisch appointments permanent January 19, 1987 Wright called Tisch, who was playing tennis, to tell him the news, saying, "[H]e was very gracious ... we didn't get into it in any detail, but I think he was surprised."Miami19890101-2 NBC president Raymond Timothy and vice president Pierson Mapes were tasked by Wright to inform Ed Ansin of the WTVJ purchase in what Mapes later regarded as one of the worst moments of his career. Notified shortly before noon,Chrissos Joan May 25, 1987 A private man goes public 1, 12–13:Business/Monday The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75053173/a-private-man-goes-public/ April 4, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034337/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75053173/a-private-man-goes-public/ live Timothy recounted Ansin saying "You Expletive Deleted" at the news but honored a prior invite to lunch at a seafood restaurant on the 79th Street Causeway, picking up the tab.Miami19890101-2 After returning to the WSVN studios, Ansin pointed at a satellite dish used to receive NBC programming and deadpanned to Timothy and Mapes, "Why don't you take it home on the airplane?"Miami19870525 Ansin later described his reaction as "bewilderment", telling Timothy and Mapes it was "bizarre and certainly unprecedented".South19870316 Ed was a perfect gentleman. He was upset, sure, but he's a class act. He said, 'You Expletive Deleted' — with a smile. Ray Timothy NBC president, on when Ed Ansin found out about the network's purchase of CBS affiliate WTVJMiami19890101-2 right 250px left left No formal announcement was made to the WSVN staff that day beyond a terse internal memorandum,Wilker Deborah Walker Adrian January 17, 1987 WSVN employees take news in stride 6A The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75064260/wsvn-employees-take-news-in-stride/ April 4, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034348/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75064260/wsvn-employees-take-news-in-stride/ live with some staffers admitting to checking job openings in Broadcasting magazine amid a combination of anxiety and gallows humor.Sonsky Steve February 10, 1987 Sale turns local market topsy-turvy 1B, 4B The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75073636/sale-turns-local-market-topsy-turvy/ April 4, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034335/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75073636/sale-turns-local-market-topsy-turvy/ live One unidentified WSVN manager described it as a difficult day because they also had to report the story on their evening newscasts.Miami19870117-3 Ansin disclosed in a WSVN interview that GE executives previously made an offer to purchase the station, which he rejected;Kelley Bill January 22, 1987 Local market turning into alphabet soup E1 South Florida Sun-Sentinel Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75075537/local-market-turning-into-alphabet-soup/ April 4, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034334/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75075537/local-market-turning-into-alphabet-soup/ live Mapes told The Miami News that NBC preferred to buy WSVN, but it was not available.Miami19870117-3 The following Monday, Ansin called an internal staff meeting, offering a pep talk and vote of confidence, and told everyone to proceed with "business as usual."Loudis Stephanie January 23, 1987 New 'GMA' host to debut here; Channel 7 staff gets a pep talk 17D The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75064535/new-gma-host-to-debut-here/ April 4, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034335/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75064535/new-gma-host-to-debut-here/ live The situation was anything but usual, as industry and media speculation started over where the CBS affiliation would move to and when it would take place.Miami19870210 NBC signed a two-year contract extension with WSVN until January 1989,Miami19890101-2 15 days before they agreed to purchase WTVJ, while WTVJ's existing contract with CBS ran until April 1988.South19870122 While it was suggested WTVJ could operate as an independent for an interregnum period if CBS were to purchase WCIX and move network programming there,Miami19870210 most speculation revolved around WSVN linking with CBS in a simple exchange between the two stations.Miami19870117-2 NBC committed to honor WSVN's existing contract,Chrissos Joan February 25, 1987 CBS execs cast appraising eye on Channel 6 5B The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75075141/cbs-execs-cast-appraising-eye-on/ April 4, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034335/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75075141/cbs-execs-cast-appraising-eye-on/ live but Ansin voiced concerns NBC could create a competitive disadvantage by owning WTVJ yet operating it as a CBS affiliate for two years,Stieghorst Tom March 11, 1987 Channel 7 fights sale of rival D1 South Florida Sun-Sentinel Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74548791/channel-7-fights-sale-of-rival/ April 4, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034336/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74548791/channel-7-fights-sale-of-rival/ live an arrangement without precedent.Miami19870210 Sunbeam formally protests With WCIX's sale to TVX still pending, CBS expressed renewed interest in the station, telling the Herald they had been "talking to [Taft] for some time", which was interpreted as the network either indicating a WSVN affiliation was not possible or making a threat to pressure Ansin.Miami19870225 During WSVN's 6 p.m. newscast on March 10, 1987, Ansin announced he would protest the WTVJ sale,Miami19870525 citing "anti-competitive overtones ... adverse to the public interest".South19870311 Assisted by former WSVN operations manager and attorney Allen Sternberg,Miami19870525 Ansin retained former FCC commissioner Charles D. Ferris as his lead representationSouth19870316 and reached out to Rep. Dante FascellSouth19870316 and Sen. Lawton ChilesMiami19890101-2 for additional lobbying.Chrissos Joan March 11, 1987 WSVN's owner seeks to block sale of WTVJ 4B The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74548743/wsvns-owner-seeks-to-block-sale-of/ April 4, 2021 February 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220220181439/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74548743/wsvns-owner-seeks-to-block-sale-of/ live Ansin likened the transaction to the extortion-driven 1956 asset swap between NBC and Group W for stations in Cleveland and Philadelphia the commission overturned nine years later.March 16, 1987 WSVN owner contests NBC purchase of WTVJ Miami 1016916591 43, 44 Broadcasting https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/87-OCR/BC-1987-03-16-OCR-Page-0043.pdf April 8, 2021 February 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220220181427/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/87-OCR/BC-1987-03-16-OCR-Page-0043.pdf live In a subsequent interview, Ansin said his bitterness with NBC was because the network discarded decades of loyalty from WSVN, especially in the late 1970s when NBC was mired in third place.Fields Gregg March 12, 1987 Channel 7's owner attacks NBC's plans 9D The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74545308/channel-7s-owner-attacks-nbcs/ April 4, 2021 February 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220220181456/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74545308/channel-7s-owner-attacks-nbcs/ live Ansin's petition to deny alleged NBC could induce WTVJ to liberally preempt popular CBS shows for lower-rated syndicated programming, disenfranchising Miami television viewers. WTVJ's general manager Alan Perris rejected such a scenario,Ames Joe March 24, 1987 WSVN filing says viewers lose out if Channel 4 sold 10A The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74548870/wsvn-filing-says-viewers-lose-out-if/ April 4, 2021 February 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220220181457/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74548870/wsvn-filing-says-viewers-lose-out-if/ live even though prior to the sale, WTVJ declined to carry CBS News Sunday Morning, which WPLG aired instead.Miami19870210 Even with NBC's commitment to honor the balance of the WSVN contract, Ansin claimed the network damaged WSVN's status among programmers and advertisers to the benefit of WTVJ.Steighorst Tom March 16, 1987 Family-owned station WSVN battles network 4:Weekly Business South Florida Sun-Sentinel Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74545382/family-owned-station-wsvn-battles/ April 4, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034336/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74545382/family-owned-station-wsvn-battles/ live Ansin publicly expressed his want to keep WSVN as a network affiliate under his stewardship, eventually passing control to his children; when asked about the possibility of WSVN becoming an independent station, Ansin replied, "that's not good... I don't think it'll happen."Miami19870312 One Wall Street analyst suggested that Ansin's objections really centered around the risk of losing untold millions of dollars if WSVN failed to secure a network affiliation and had little to do with the sale itself.Miami19870311 When TVX's purchase of WCIX was completed in late March 1987, TVX president Tim McDonald told the News his company was committed to operating WCIX and was not offering it for sale, forcing CBS to negotiate with Ansin by default.Jicha Tom March 30, 1987 Ch. 6's new owner says 'no sale'; CBS pushed toward Ch. 7 4C The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74548989/ch-6s-new-owner-says-no-sale/ April 4, 2021 February 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220220181503/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74548989/ch-6s-new-owner-says-no-sale/ live The FCC also approved the sale of WTVJ to GE on September 17, 1987,Chrissos Joan September 17, 1987 Is the switch on? FCC approves Channel 4 sale 1A, 4A The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74548552/is-the-switch-on-fcc-approves-channel/ April 5, 2021 February 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220220181428/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74548552/is-the-switch-on-fcc-approves-channel/ live even after Sen. Chiles introduced an appropriations bill amendment requesting a full hearing on the sale by the FCC.Miami19890101-2 Ferris also acknowledged he held doubts about the FCC being receptive to Sunbeam's petition.Miami19870312 As WTVJ's CBS affiliation was set to end in April 1988, both networks agreed to extend the CBS contract on a two-week basis for as long as was deemed necessary.Jicha Tom November 1, 1988 FCC approves sale of Channel 6 to CBS 4C The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74535532/fcc-approves-sale-of-channel-6-to-cbs/ April 6, 2021 February 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220220181440/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74535532/fcc-approves-sale-of-channel-6-to-cbs/ live Preemptions and scheduling chaos The horror story I lived through, no one will ever know until I write my memoirs. We couldn't compete in an era when we had to. At the same time, CBS was going into the toilet. Alan Perris former WTVJ general manager, upon his resignationMiami19880524 right 250px left left Despite the FCC's approval, the concern raised in Ansin's petition of NBC using WTVJ to undermine CBS's standing in the market was realized. WTVJ soon began liberal preemptions of the CBS lineup for syndicated shows such as the Stacy Keach miniseries Hemingway, which displaced CBS programming over three consecutive nights in late April 1988.Jicha Tom April 27, 1988 CBS and WSVN are hassling over their wedding date 4C The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74463717/cbs-and-wsvn-are-hassling-over-their/ April 4, 2021 February 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220220181446/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74463717/cbs-and-wsvn-are-hassling-over-their/ live The airing of Hemingway in particular preempted the second half of a two-part Newhart episode and a Hallmark Hall of Fame installment, the latter of which instead aired after the Sunday late news.Jicha Tom April 23, 1988 This week: April 23-30, 1988 3:TV/Cable The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75140702/this-week-april-23-30-1988/ live April 5, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034457/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75140702/this-week-april-23-30-1988/ Also preempted was a remake of I Saw What You Did written by Cuban exile and Miami native Cynthia Cidre in favor of a re-airing of the 1984 TV movie He's Not Your Son; WTVJ's program director claimed that they were unaware of Cidre's local ties until after making the schedule change.Coto Juan Carlos May 19, 1988 Hometown won't see what she did 11A The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75146143/hometown-wont-see-what-she-did/ April 5, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034440/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75146143/hometown-wont-see-what-she-did/ live In turn, CBS initially declined to invite WTVJ general manager Dick Lobo—recently transferred to the station from Chicago's WMAQ-TV after Alan Perris's resignationWelin Joel May 24, 1988 WTVJ president resigns to return to 'first love' 8E South Florida Sun-Sentinel Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75140888/wtvj-president-resigns-to-return-to/ April 5, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034439/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75140888/wtvj-president-resigns-to-return-to/ live—to the network's 1988 affiliate convention; he was invited after three attempts to reach the network directly.Kelley Bill June 19, 1988 CBS snubs WTVJ 1D, 10D Fort Lauderdale News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74526774/cbs-snubs-wtvj/ April 4, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034440/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74526774/cbs-snubs-wtvj/ live The scheduling brinksmanship was not limited to CBS fare; in response to WPLG acquiring the rights to A Current Affair, WTVJ moved Wheel of Fortune to 7:30 p.m. directly opposite Jeopardy! on WPLG for the summer months, taking advantage of a prior contract which did not include a provision that the two King World-distributed game shows could not be scheduled against each other.Jicha Tom June 9, 1988 WTVJ move forces a choice between 'Jeopardy', 'Wheel' 5C The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75141980/wtvj-move-forces-a-choice-between/ April 5, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034443/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75141980/wtvj-move-forces-a-choice-between/ live The sales department for WTVJ poked fun of the situation in a promotional video made for prospective advertisers showing a master control employee drinking from an NBC-branded coffee mug while watching a CBS News broadcast and a zoom-in of the NBC peacock that revealed the CBS eye logo.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LTiAYbLthQ&t=88s WTVJ Sales Presentation Television production en WTVJ 1988 Miami, Florida 1:28 YouTube recording Today, our situation is as unique as our marketplace. For the first time in television history, a station owned by one network carries the programming of another network. WTVJ is an NBC-owned station, but a CBS affiliate until January of 1989. April 5, 2021 May 16, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220516103305/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LTiAYbLthQ&t=88s live Alan Perris defended his stewardship of the station after resigning, calling it a "horror story" in which WTVJ could not compete and CBS's ratings were suffering a downturn nationally.Jicha Tom May 24, 1988 Perris 'resigns' top job at WTVJ; NBC brings in own management 4C The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75156482/perris-resigns-top-job-at-wtvj-nbc/ April 5, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034440/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75156482/perris-resigns-top-job-at-wtvj-nbc/ live The WSVN–CBS impasse We're dealing here with a very unusual situation. A man with strong opinions. Set in his ways. And with a lot of pride. He couldn't get over [the NBC snub]. It was the damndest thing. He'd go on and on about it. He was personally hurt by the whole experience with NBC and couldn't forget it. Tony Malara CBS affiliate relations director, on the network's negotiations with Ed AnsinMiami19880809 280px left left CBS's growing discomfort was compounded by negotiations with Ansin failing to progress, even with conventional wisdom suggesting a WSVN-CBS affiliation was the most likely outcome.Miami19880609 The impasse centered around Ansin's insistence a CBS contract be effective on January 1, when WSVN's NBC contract was to end.Miami19880427 Ansin's unwavering date was due to NBC's commitments with the 1988 Summer Olympics, the 1988 World Series,FortL19880619 and a majority of Miami Dolphins football games because of the network's AFC broadcast rights.Jicha Tom July 4, 1988 Delayed season an opportunity for WSVN compromise 4C The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74525747/delayed-season-an-opportunity-for-wsvn/ April 4, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034454/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74525747/delayed-season-an-opportunity-for-wsvn/ live Tony Malara, CBS's affiliate relations division president, insisted CBS was deeply distressed at having to remain on a station controlled by NBC; WSVN general manager Bob Leider countered such distress was never mentioned by CBS during the negotiations,Miami19890101-2 and Ansin insisted CBS had agreed to his timeframe, which Malara denied.Miami19880809 Ansin made arrangements to fly to New York City on April 26 to sign a CBS contract at Black Rock when Malara called off the meeting, citing that they were reaching out to other parties regarding a purchase or affiliation.Miami19880427 Malara said to Ansin the trip was pointless if he would not waver off of the January 1 date.Miami19880809 One week after the negotiations broke down,Rubinkowski Leslie May 7, 1988 WSVN owner files suit against networks, firm 7B Fort Lauderdale News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74525894/wsvn-owner-files-suit-against-networks/ April 5, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034441/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74525894/wsvn-owner-files-suit-against-networks/ live Ansin filed a United States antitrust lawsuit against NBC, CBS and the GE subsidiary that held WTVJ's license alleging collusion between the networks over WTVJ's sale with intent to cause WSVN "irreparable injury", which Alan Perris dismissed as a mere "fishing expedition."Leigh Catesby May 7, 1988 Channel 4 ridicules Channel 7 suit 8A The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74484106/channel-4-ridicules-channel-7-suit/ April 5, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034441/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74484106/channel-4-ridicules-channel-7-suit/ live An additional letter of protest sent by Ansin to NBC charged that WTVJ was supplying stories to NBC News, with their Miami news bureau dealing exclusively with WTVJ.Miami19880609 Initially bolstered by a verdict that awarded $3.5 million in damages to the owner of a former ABC station in Springfield, Missouri, after Capital Cities/ABC disaffiliated themFortL19880619—which was later thrown out on appealRubin 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—Ansin insisted the lawsuit would not hurt WSVN's chances regarding a network contractFortL19880507 even though talks between him and CBS never resumed.Miami19880609 The uncertainty at WSVN was not limited to the CBS impasse. News director David Choate abruptly resigned in December 1987; his replacement, Joel Cheatwood, came to Miami from WEWS-TV in Cleveland, where he had been that station's assistant news director.Sonsky Steve January 5, 1988 WSVN names news director 7C The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74460559/wsvn-names-news-director/ April 3, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034453/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74460559/wsvn-names-news-director/ live Cheatwood took the job under assurances that WSVN would remain a network affiliate under Sunbeam ownership in what he called a "blood oath" by Ansin.Miami19880809-3 By that March, WSVN's newscasts started to take a more hard-hitting tone, ostensibly to make the station more palatable to a CBS affiliation,Jicha Tom March 21, 1988 WSVN tightening ship while waiting to align with CBS 4C The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74463849/wsvn-tightening-ship-while-waiting-to/ April 3, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034500/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74463849/wsvn-tightening-ship-while-waiting-to/ live while multiple staffers were either dismissed or resigned.Sonsky Steve June 8, 1988 What's going on at Channel 7? 1C, 4C The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74533828/whats-going-on-at-channel-7/ April 3, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034445/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74533828/whats-going-on-at-channel-7/ live Some also left WSVN directly due to the affiliation uncertainty, including both sports director Bret Lewis and weekend sports anchor Doug Vaughn.Hyde Dave June 3, 1988 NCAA invited CBS to Series 8E The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74539176/ncaa-invited-cbs-to-series/ April 5, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034459/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74539176/ncaa-invited-cbs-to-series/ live By happenstance, Lewis and anchor Jill Beach left to take jobs with NBC:Miami19880809 Lewis went to KNBC-TV in Los Angeles, while Beach went to WKYC-TV in Cleveland, which at the time was a higher-ranked market than Miami.Williams Marla August 22, 1988 Broadcast Moves 1D, 4D South Florida Sun-Sentinel Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74534970/broadcast-moves/ April 5, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034445/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74534970/broadcast-moves/ live Lewis's replacement, Jim Berry, took the job assuming WSVN would remain a network affiliate, viewing the distinction as "a sign of privilege" and "like a badge".Rusnak Jeff August 12, 1988 Stations tossed like Lotto balls 10C South Florida Sun-Sentinel Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74535920/stations-tossed-like-lotto-balls/ April 5, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034445/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74535920/stations-tossed-like-lotto-balls/ live Turmoil at TVX TVX Broadcast Group Even with TVX president Tim McDonald's prior insistence WCIX was not for sale,Miami19870330 it and the other Taft independents proved too challenging for a company founded with smaller-market stations at its core.Broad19861124 Salomon Brothers provided financing for the Taft purchase and, in return, held more than 60 percent ownership of the company.Weiss Michael July 8, 1987 Broadcaster to focus on trimming costs: Channel 21's new owner 'doing deals' 1D The Dallas Morning News Moreover, the Taft purchase agreement was made 1986 11 17 1986 12 08 before Grant Broadcasting System, owner of WBFS-TV, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protectionBroad19861124Chrissos Joan December 10, 1986 Channel 33 files for Chapter 11 5B The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100995875/channel-33-files-for-chapter-11/ May 4, 2022 Newspapers.com as the result of excessive spending for syndicated programming and a softening advertising market.Richter Paul November 23, 1986 Economic Picture Goes Dim at Many Independent Television Stations 4, 8:IV The Los Angeles Times https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100995636/economic-picture-goes-dim-at-many-indepe/ May 4, 2022 Newspapers.com With the exception of WTAF-TV in Philadelphia, the other stations were seen as poorly-performing in their respective markets, WCIX included.Tucker Elizabeth November 24, 1986 TVX Bucks a Television Tide: Tim McDonald Buys Independent Stations As Others Race to Sell WB1, 31 The Washington Post 138822885 WTAF-TV and WCIX also became the only stations in TVX's portfolio to have local newscasts.Blake Joseph P. April 2, 1987 Ch. 29 Switches Ownership Today 52 Philadelphia Daily News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120578408/ch-29-switches-ownership-today/ April 7, 2023 Newspapers.com thumb|210x210px|Howard Stringer The company was to pay Salomon Brothers $200 million on January 1, 1988, and missed the first payment deadline, having been unable to lure investors to its junk bonds even before the Black Monday stock market crash in October 1987.Weiss Michael January 24, 1988 Channel 21's latest signals show trouble, possible sale 2H The Dallas Morning News McDonald resigned as TVX president in May 1988 and was succeeded by co-founder John Trinder.Gnoffo Anthony Jr. May 3, 1988 President of WTAF-TV parent quits 8C, 10C The Philadelphia Inquirer https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120578493/president-of-wtaf-tv-parent-quits/ live April 8, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230408055741/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120578493/president-of-wtaf-tv-parent-quits/ April 8, 2023 Newspapers.com Shortly thereafter, TVX sold off its stations in Little RockMay 16, 1988 For the Record https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-05-16.pdf live https://web.archive.org/web/20220704113606/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-05-16.pdf July 4, 2022 February 23, 2022 Broadcasting 114 20 69–70 World Radio History 1014726593 and Nashville.Schweid Richard October 18, 1988 Buyer has high hopes for Ch. 30 1D The Tennessean https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115370246/buyer-has-high-hopes-for-ch-30/ live December 29, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221229075124/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115370246/buyer-has-high-hopes-for-ch-30/ December 29, 2022 Newspapers.com With Salomon Brothers pressuring TVX to dispose of additional assets,August 9, 1988 THE MEDIA BUSINESS; CBS to Buy TV Station In Miami The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/09/business/the-media-business-cbs-to-buy-tv-station-in-miami.html April 3, 2021 November 17, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201117210546/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/09/business/the-media-business-cbs-to-buy-tv-station-in-miami.html live Electronic Media reported in late July 1988 that CBS quietly re-entered talks with the banker over WCIX.Loudis Stephanie July 30, 1988 Rumors fly again about chance of Channel 6-CBS tie 7B The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121661146/rumors-fly-again-about-chance-of/ live March 27, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230327064444/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121661146/rumors-fly-again-about-chance-of/ March 27, 2023 Newspapers.com The News reported on August 5 that CBS News president Howard Stringer, recently promoted to president of CBS's owned-stations division, expected a resolution to the Miami affiliation situation "very soon... probably by next week", while Ansin conceded CBS executives had not been in contact with him since April.Jicha Tom August 5, 1988 CBS purchase of Channel 6 likely, chief hints 7A The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74526615/cbs-purchase-of-channel-6-likely-chief/ April 3, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034448/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74526615/cbs-purchase-of-channel-6-likely-chief/ live WCIX's general manager stated that the network already went too far in the process for it to be just a threat aimed at Ansin.Sonsky Steve Owens Dory July 13, 1988 CBS team pays visit to WCIX-Channel 6 4B The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75239834/cbs-team-pays-visit-to-wcix-channel-6/ April 8, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034513/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75239834/cbs-team-pays-visit-to-wcix-channel-6/ live CBS's intention to purchase a station was also financially motivated. After fending off a hostile takeover attempt by Ted Turner in 1985, CBS was induced to sell KMOX-TV in St. Louis to the original iteration of Viacom for $122.5 million as part of a larger asset disposition plan.December 9, 1985 In brief. 120 Broadcasting https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/85-OCR/BC-1985-12-09-OCR-Page-0120.pdf January 15, 2019 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034513/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/85-OCR/BC-1985-12-09-OCR-Page-0120.pdf live With that sale, a tax credit worth "tens of millions of dollars" was claimedOctober 28, 1985 CBS puts KMOX-TV on the block 1014708064 110 Broadcasting https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/85-OCR/BC-1985-10-28-OCR-Page-0110.pdf January 15, 2019 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034452/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/85-OCR/BC-1985-10-28-OCR-Page-0110.pdf live on the condition that CBS purchase another TV station by January 1, 1989; the network made an unsuccessful attempt to buy then-independent KPHO-TV in Phoenix earlier in 1988 from the Meredith Corporation.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33915994/cbs-eye-looking-at-kpho/ November 29, 1988 C5, C10 Bud Wilkinson CBS eye looking at KPHO? Arizona Republic Phoenix, Arizona Newspapers.com June 25, 2023 November 26, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211126075903/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33915994/cbs-eye-looking-at-kpho/ live Network executives later denied this had factored directly into their pursuits within the Miami market.Sonsky Steve January 1, 1989 Swaps' plot twists outdid Dallas 1A, 24A The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74463145/swaps-plot-twists-outdid-dallas/ April 2, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034334/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74463145/swaps-plot-twists-outdid-dallas/ live CBS acquires WCIX Three days after Stringer's interview with the News, CBS finally agreed to acquire WCIX for $59 million on August 8, 1988,Ward Mike Lomartire Paul Anderson Bonnie Jicha Paul August 9, 1988 TV flip-flop 'like Miami's own soap opera' 1A, 7A The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74459567/tv-flip-flop-like-miamis-own-soap/ April 2, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034449/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74459567/tv-flip-flop-like-miamis-own-soap/ liveBroadcasting CBS purchases WCIX(TV) Miami August 15, 1988 January 13, 2019 https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/88-OCR/BC-1988-08-15-OCR-Page-0065.pdf 65, 66 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034451/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/88-OCR/BC-1988-08-15-OCR-Page-0065.pdf live a price far below TVX's $90 million valuation of the station two years earlier.Miami19890101-2 Concurrent with this purchase, the network announced that WPEC would also switch affiliations from ABC to CBS at the same time as WCIX,Kelley Bill December 28, 1988 The Big Switch: Tuning in to South Florida TV 1A, 8A Fort Lauderdale News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74534562/the-big-switch-tuning-in-to-south/ April 2, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034449/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74534562/the-big-switch-tuning-in-to-south/ live effectively conceding WCIX's multiple technical disadvantages in the Miami market.Kelley Bill December 28, 1988 CBS fans might find picture a little fuzzy on Channel 6 8A South Florida Sun-Sentinel Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74534747/cbs-fans-might-find-picture-a-little/ April 3, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034449/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74534747/cbs-fans-might-find-picture-a-little/ live CBS's purchase of WCIX meant that WSVN would become an independent station at the end of 1988; several Wall Street analysts estimated WSVN's market value dropped by as much as $200 million,Miami19890101-2 with one analyst suggesting the station now had one-third of the cash flow it had while an NBC affiliate.Sonsky Steve August 9, 1988 Channel 7's Ed Ansin gambled big and lost big. 1C, 8C The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74976470/channel-7s-ed-ansin-gambled-big-and/ April 2, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034502/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74976470/channel-7s-ed-ansin-gambled-big-and/ live In response, Ansin immediately announced WSVN's news operations would not be contractedMiami19880809 but would instead be expanded.Jicha Tom August 9, 1988 Channel 7 has a lot of getting ready to do 7A The Miami News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74459688/channel-7-has-a-lot-of-getting-ready-to/ live April 2, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034444/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74459688/channel-7-has-a-lot-of-getting-ready-to/ February 17, 2022 Newspapers.com Steve Sonsky of the Miami Herald, critical of Ansin's prior legal battles and continued defiance, wrote: They're not going to become one of those independents that just runs back-to-back sitcom reruns... but that's the way all indie stations operate—because they've found that without the big original network programming as lead-ins and lead-outs, you just can't compete on the same level. His ratings have to drop. And so his revenues will drop. It's a mystery how he'll continue to pay for the news staff necessary to do three hours a night of local news, and how he'll keep his best newsroom talent. If he pulls it off he'll set the industry on its ear. But somehow you get the feeling that maybe, once again, Ed Ansin just might be fooling himself.Miami19880809 A West Palm affiliation shuffle In agreeing to affiliate with West Palm Beach's WPEC in an attempt to offset any network coverage losses in Broward, CBS pulled a second media market into the affiliation switch. ABC was placed in the position of searching for a new affiliate among three stations: outgoing CBS affiliate WTVX, West Palm Beach Fox affiliate WFLX (channel 29), and WPBF (channel 25), a station whose studios were under construction in Palm Beach Gardens and which was projected to sign on as an independent.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68779448/palm-beach-to-get-new-tv-station/ July 27, 1988 1E Palm Beach to get new TV station South Florida Sun Sentinel Newspapers.com March 12, 2022 March 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220313034235/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68779448/palm-beach-to-get-new-tv-station/ live Conventional wisdom when the WPEC switch to CBS was announced gave WTVX a strong chance of emerging with the ABC hookup; WTVX was the only station with an existing newsroom, and it was the most established of the three. Bob Morford, the news director, told his staff in a memo, "The bottom line for WTVX is that we expect we will become the next ABC affiliate for this market."https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105526539/five-tv-stations-poised-for-network/ August 6, 1988 1A, 14A Bob Michals Five TV stations poised for network shuffle The Palm Beach Post Newspapers.com July 13, 2022 July 14, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035000/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105526539/five-tv-stations-poised-for-network/ live In September, officials from the three stations made presentations to ABC executives in New York.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97440891/who-will-win-race-to-be-abc-affiliate-s/ September 8, 1988 1D, 9D Bob Michals Who will win? Race to be ABC affiliate starts The Palm Beach Post Newspapers.com March 12, 2022 March 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220313034201/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97440891/who-will-win-race-to-be-abc-affiliate/ live WTVX was seen as being in the lead, with its existing infrastructure and news operation, but it was not based in West Palm Beach, the largest city in the media market. WFLX had solid ratings and viewership even into Broward County, though it had no news department. WPBF, meanwhile, was cited by media as a "dark horse" and by WPTV's general manager as a "sleeper" because of its proposed technical facilities and the track record of one of its owners, John C. Phipps, in running Tallahassee-area WCTV, one of the most successful television stations in the country.PalmB19880908 In October, ABC handed down its decision: it selected WPBF,https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255708/abc-picks-palm-affiliate-that-is-not/ October 19, 1988 8B ABC picks Palm affiliate that is not yet on the air South Florida Sun Sentinel Newspapers.com March 12, 2022 March 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220313034201/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255708/abc-picks-palm-affiliate-that-is-not/ live which had offered to pay the first-ever fee to affiliate with a network in an industry where networks paid stations.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255728/instant-tv/ December 30, 1988 1A, 12A Instant TV Michael Saunders South Florida Sun Sentinel Newspapers.com March 12, 2022 March 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220313034201/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255728/instant-tv/ live A disappointed Morford believed that ABC preferred a new station in the centrally located, high-growth Palm Beaches area to his existing station in Fort Pierce.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97441277/wtvx-wont-be-abc-affiliate/ October 19, 1988 A1, A6 Tony Burns WTVX won't be ABC affiliate St. Lucie News Tribune Newspapers.com July 13, 2022 March 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220313034201/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97441277/wtvx-wont-be-abc-affiliate/ live The very same officials that just two months prior had stated they had "not even contemplated" life without a network now were left with one prospect: independent status.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105527193/search-for-affiliate-may-not-be-simple-a/ August 9, 1988 B1 Adam Chrzan Search for affiliate may not be simple as ABC St. Lucie News Tribune Newspapers.com July 13, 2022 July 14, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035001/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105527193/search-for-affiliate-may-not-be-simple/ live The decision was likewise received with shock by other local television executives and on the national level. Murray Green, general manager of WFLX, called the decision "ludicrous" for awarding the affiliation to a station that was not even broadcasting yet.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255684/channel-25-will-sign-on-as-abc-affiliate/ October 19, 1988 1A, 13A Bob Michals Channel 25 will sign on as ABC affiliate The Palm Beach Post Newspapers.com March 12, 2022 March 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220313034201/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255684/channel-25-will-sign-on-as-abc-affiliate/ live The precedent-setting reverse compensation deal, which was said to make affiliates of ABC "very nervous",https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1988-10-31_7_44_0/mode/2up?q=WPBF 1, 41 Affiliation sale rattles TV stations Adam Buckman Electronic Media October 31, 1988 was so unusual that it spurred an editorial in Electronic Media calling the idea of selling affiliations to the highest bidder a "dangerously short-sighted move" with the potential to destabilize the industry.https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1988-10-31_7_44_0/page/n11/mode/2up?q=WPBF 12 October 31, 1988 Selling network affiliations Electronic Media WTVX's Morford declared the 35-person news staff would remain and that the station would reinforce its commitment to local news.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105527492/abc-moves-programming-to-palm-beach-stat/ October 19, 1988 2B UPI ABC moves programming to Palm Beach station The Miami Herald Newspapers.com July 13, 2022 July 14, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035032/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105527492/abc-moves-programming-to-palm-beach/ livehttps://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255712/the-news-at-channel-34-is-news-with-stat/ October 20, 1988 161 The news at Channel 34 is news with station losing network ties The Palm Beach Post Newspapers.com July 13, 2022 July 14, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035032/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255712/the-news-at-channel-34-is-news-with/ live Morford noted that, while movies and syndicated shows would be on the new lineup, "the world does not need another movie channel".https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105527687/viewers-will-need-roster-for-tv/ October 30, 1988 1D, 2D David Altaner Viewers will need roster for TV affiliate shuffle South Florida Sun Sentinel Newspapers.com July 13, 2022 July 14, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035032/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105527687/viewers-will-need-roster-for-tv/ live WTVX owner Frank Spain put the station on the market in November 1988, trying to gauge its value without a network affiliation;https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105527807/exec-puts-wtvx-put-up-for-sale/ November 11, 1988 A1, A7 Peter Williams Exec puts WTVX put up for sale St. Lucie News Tribune Newspapers.com July 13, 2022 July 14, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035033/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105527807/exec-puts-wtvx-put-up-for-sale/ live he opted not to take the various offers that ranged from $9 to $24 million—half the $49 million value it had as a CBS affiliate.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105539599/wtvx-taken-off-market-bids-for-station/ December 23, 1988 14A Art Maier WTVX Taken Off Market: Bids For Station Ranged from $9 Million To $24 Million Vero Beach Press-Journal Newspapers.com July 13, 2022 July 14, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035033/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105539599/wtvx-taken-off-market-bids-for-station/ live Meanwhile, in Palm Beach Gardens, work was accelerated on WPBF. As late as November 10, the studio building was an empty warehouse; equipment had to be ordered and installed and a staff assembled. WPBF's news director started on the job on November 14; he received hundreds of unsolicited audition tapes for anchor and reporter positions.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97441715/infant-ch-25-thrives-on-improvisation/ February 2, 1989 1E, 10E Tom Jicha Infant Ch. 25 thrives on improvisation South Florida Sun Sentinel Newspapers.com March 12, 2022 July 14, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035903/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97441715/infant-ch-25-thrives-on-improvisation/ liveSouth19881230 WSVN's news and Fox gamble It's an interesting and unique opportunity we've been put in... there is no reason why we can't become a WGN or a WTTG. There's a good chance we could become the No. 1 indie in the country. Bob Leider WSVN general managerMiami19880902 right 250px left left After CBS's purchase of WCIX, Ansin and Leider offered Joel Cheatwood an opportunity to leave due to Ansin's "blood oath" not being fulfilled, but Cheatwood decided to stay on advice from his wife.Jicha Tom April 11, 1989 Cheatwood makes best of bad situation E1 South Florida Sun-Sentinel https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74462479/cheatwood-makes-best-of-bad-situation/ live April 2, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034452/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74462479/cheatwood-makes-best-of-bad-situation/ February 17, 2022 Newspapers.com A majority of personnel present at a subsequent staff meeting also committed to stay.Loudis Stephanie August 19, 1988 Channel 7 plans to expand news, add newsmagazine 4C The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75240212/channel-7-plans-to-expand-news-add/ live April 6, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034452/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75240212/channel-7-plans-to-expand-news-add/ February 17, 2022 Newspapers.com By September, WSVN dropped its NewsCenter 7 branding for Channel 7 News and adopted an aggressive pressroom feel, with its early-evening newscasts reformatted into faster-paced, half-hour formats,Sonsky Steve September 2, 1988 Channel 7 plans news, news, news 1B, 4B The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74517197/channel-7-plans-news-news-news/ April 2, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034452/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74517197/channel-7-plans-news-news-news/ live a move Cheatwood considered several months earlier.Miami19880321 The 11 p.m. newscast would be moved to an hour-long 10 p.m. slot,Miami19890101-2 with anchor Rick Sanchez taking an additional role as a "Crime Check" on-scene reporter. Today and NBC Nightly News would be replaced with an expansion of the station's early-morning local newscast, Today in Florida, and the locally produced news magazine Inside Story,Jicha Tom December 7, 1988 WSVN keeps word to be news-heavy as an independent 5C The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74480227/wsvn-keeps-word-to-be-news-heavy-as-an/ April 2, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034506/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74480227/wsvn-keeps-word-to-be-news-heavy-as-an/ live the latter similar in tone to A Current Affair with aspirations to be sold to syndication.South19890411 WSVN also signed up as a CNN affiliate for national and international news coverage, simulcasting Headline News in the overnight hours.Miami19881207 The station committed to producing 7 1 2 hours of local newscasts on weekdays, gambling that its current audience would not defect to other channels.Miami19890101-2 Such reasoning was not entirely unfounded: due to the increasingly convoluted nature of the affiliation swaps that now encompassed six stations in two adjacent markets, informal polling conducted by WTVJ indicated significant confusion among viewers as to on which stations their favorite network programs would soon be broadcast.Kelley Bill December 28, 1988 Shifting TV channels confuse many viewers 8A South Florida Sun-Sentinel Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74535146/shifting-tv-channels-confuse-many/ April 3, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034453/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74535146/shifting-tv-channels-confuse-many/ live This level of news expansion was also attributed to a lack of foresight. Assuming a CBS affiliation was still possible right up to the WCIX sale, WSVN did not acquire a syndicated program inventory comparable to the majority of independent stations,Miami19881207 and its program director resigned when the station's independent status was confirmed.Jicha Tom September 8, 1988 New programmer at Ch. 7 prefers her independence 5C The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74526075/new-programmer-at-ch-7-prefers-her/ April 3, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034453/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74526075/new-programmer-at-ch-7-prefers-her/ live Ansin later explained that WSVN had considered itself an appendage of NBC instead of a network affiliate.Bernstein David S. November 2001 Breaking News http://www.bostonmagazine.com/2006/05/boston-magazine-breaking-news-1/ Boston https://web.archive.org/web/20130929030029/http://www.bostonmagazine.com/2006/05/boston-magazine-breaking-news-1/ September 29, 2013 April 14, 2023 WSVN quickly acquired local broadcast rights to 650 feature films for a nightly prime time movie showcase at 8 p.m., boasting a library of over 750 titles.FortL19881228 Leider noted that over two dozen movie packages meant for over-the-air broadcasters had been previously unclaimed in the market, making the purchases a relatively easy process.Kelley Bill September 13, 1988 Emphasis on news a bold move for Ch. 7 E1 South Florida Sun-Sentinel Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74533497/emphasis-on-news-a-bold-move-for-ch-7/ April 3, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034454/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74533497/emphasis-on-news-a-bold-move-for-ch-7/ live There is a presumption that the only way to program an independent station is with wall-to-wall sitcoms. I don't think that's going to be our approach... we have a tradition and an image we're not going to give up. Edmund AnsinMiami19880809-3 250px left left WSVN agreed to carry The Arsenio Hall Show upon its 1989 debut, briefly complicating affiliation negotiations with Fox as the network filed a lawsuit against show distributor Paramount Television; Hall previously hosted Fox's Late Show for a 13-week period.Miami19880902 When WSVN finally announced an agreement with Fox,Sonsky Steve October 13, 1988 Channel 7, Fox near agreement 8D The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74533686/channel-7-fox-near-agreement/ April 2, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034502/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74533686/channel-7-fox-near-agreement/ live the network only programmed in weekend prime time, allowing the station to bill itself as an independent.Miami19880809-3 In a marked contrast to its weekday schedule, WSVN programmed like a conventional independent on the weekends with a mix of cartoons, syndicated professional wrestling, off-network reruns and movies, in addition to Fox programming and half-hour newscasts at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.Miami19881207 WSVN's plans, unheard of for any television station in the United States, were ridiculed and pilloried in the local media. Conventional wisdom suggested independent stations had to operate with a focus on sitcom reruns and movies because they were unable to compete on the same level with network programming.Miami19880809 Up to the switch, WCIX's news output consisted of a single half-hour 10 p.m. newscastMiami19880809 raising doubts that four full-time English-language television news operations in a market like Miami could be feasible.Miami19890101-2 Historically, stations that were disaffiliated from a network had their news departments culled back if not eliminated altogether: KMSP-TV in Minneapolis–Saint Paul had been the most successful example of a station and news operation that thrived after being downscaled.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123068859/kmsps-loss-of-abc-was-viewers-and-st/ May 8, 1983 1G, 6G Nick Coleman Nick Coleman (columnist) KMSP's loss (of ABC) was viewers' and station's gain Minneapolis Tribune Newspapers.com April 18, 2023 April 19, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230419010418/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123068859/kmsps-loss-of-abc-was-viewers-and/ live The Heralds Steve Sonsky suggested that if WSVN's plans were successful, "a video precedent-shattering event will have taken place here".Miami19890101 Initiating the switches The FCC approved the sale of WCIX to CBS on October 31, 1988,Miami19881101 after The National Black Media Coalition withdrew a legal challenge following a favorable review of TVX's past Equal Employment Opportunity Commission compliance.Jicha Tom October 13, 1988 Activists' objection withdrawn; Ch. 6 sale on clear path 4C The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75157437/activists-objection-withdrawn-ch-6/ April 5, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034455/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75157437/activists-objection-withdrawn-ch-6/ live CBS had to legally wait at least 40 days after FCC approval before assuming operationsMiami19881101 and did not fully take over WCIX until January 3, 1989, preventing them from making a significant on-air promotional campaign.Miami19890101-2 The network did, however, invest in an outdoor billboard campaign; one billboard for Murder, She Wrote on the South Dixie Highway featured a dagger piercing a numeral "4".Sonsky Steve January 1, 1989 3 million TV viewers affected 1A, 25A The Miami Herald 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 Due to the consummation process, the affiliation changes were now slated to take place on January 1, 1989, when WSVN's NBC contract was to end, the date Ansin had preferred and Bob Leider argued made CBS's insistence on an earlier date irrelevant. CBS affiliate relations division president Malara countered by telling the Herald, "... if I had to wait anyway, why should I affiliate with [Ansin]? If I had to wait, screw him. Why not buy an asset?"Miami19890101-2 WSVN started aggressively marketing itself on-air as "your news station".FortL19881228 South19880913 In one instance, the station promoted its future 10 p.m. newscast directly into an L.A. Law episode that aired at 10 p.m. on Thursday nights.December 31, 1988 It's tough to tell who's on first in Miami TV switches 5B Tallahassee Democrat Associated Press Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75160131/its-tough-to-tell-whos-on-first-in/ live April 6, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034455/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75160131/its-tough-to-tell-whos-on-first-in/ WTVJ's $3 million marketing effort was dubbed "Operation Peacock", using NBC's star talentKelley Bill December 28, 1988 'Operation Peacock' has stars strutting for new NBC station 8A Fort Lauderdale News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74535188/operation-peacock-has-stars/ April 6, 2021 April 12, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210412212158/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74535188/operation-peacock-has-stars/ live and centered around a customized recording of the Bobby McFerrin single "Don't Worry, Be Happy".Miami19890101-2 A life-sized cardboard cutout of Bill Cosby was placed in the main lobby of the WTVJ studios.Talla19881231 Both WTVJ and WSVN sent literature to advertising clients focusing on WCIX's weak broadcast signal,FortL19881228 with WSVN's packet stating "WCIX does not deliver" and touting WSVN's new independent status and news department.Jicha Tom December 22, 1988 Other stations paint ugly picture of new CBS-WCIX 4C The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75158079/other-stations-paint-ugly-picture-of/ April 5, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034456/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75158079/other-stations-paint-ugly-picture-of/ live With WSVN, WTVJ, and WCIX all locked into their existing network programming for the rest of 1988, WTVJ picked up NBC's Santa Barbara in advance of the switch; WSVN dropped the soap opera on September 18, 1988, after adding The Judge and Superior Court to its lineup.Miami19881207Sonsky Steve September 8, 1988 Try this one: Is Channel 10 up for grabs? 1C–2C The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75238611/try-this-one-is-channel-10-up-for/ April 8, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034456/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75238611/try-this-one-is-channel-10-up-for/ live WTVJ cleared Santa Barbara at 11 a.m. weekdays which initially sent CBS's The Price Is Right to the overnight hours.Jicha Tom September 16, 1988 Notes and quotes at the conclusion of Nielsen's year 11A The Miami News Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75142111/notes-and-quotes-at-the-conclusion-of/ April 5, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034457/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75142111/notes-and-quotes-at-the-conclusion-of/ live Owing to the string of temporary contracts CBS had for WTVJ since April,Miami19881101 WCIX picked up The Price Is Right,Loudis Stephanie September 30, 1988 Viewers tuning out USA Today, want to tune in Price 18F The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75157991/viewers-tuning-out-usa-today-want-to/ April 8, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034457/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75157991/viewers-tuning-out-usa-today-want-to/ live Card Sharks and CBS News Nightwatch in OctoberLoudis Stephanie October 14, 1988 A new producer for 2's Camera 2 17E The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75157907/a-new-producer-for-2s-camera-2/ April 8, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034517/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75157907/a-new-producer-for-2s-camera-2/ live and Sunday Morning and Face the Nation in December.Loudis Stephanie December 2, 1988 WTVJ goes stereo as it becomes NBC 19D The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75238899/wtvj-goes-stereo-as-it-becomes-nbc/ April 8, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034458/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75238899/wtvj-goes-stereo-as-it-becomes-nbc/ live WSVN also declined to carry Later with Bob Costas when it launched in August; WTVJ ran the program on a tape-delay basis.Miami19880908 The final night of programming prior to the switches had both WSVN and WTVJ broadcasting the King Orange Jamboree Parade; WTVJ's coverage had Sandy Duncan of The Hogan Family as a co-host, while WSVN concurrently ran NBC's coverage, hosted by Joe Garagiola and Marilyn McCoo.Loudis Stephanie December 31, 1988 NBC stars appear on two channels 13A The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75129878/nbc-stars-appear-on-two-channels/ April 8, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034458/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75129878/nbc-stars-appear-on-two-channels/ live Bob Soper co-hosted a lead-in to NBC's parade coverage on WSVN as well as a local New Year's countdown, while WCIX carried CBS's Happy New Year, America after its final night of Fox programming.December 25, 1988 Tonight's Best Bets 63:TV The Miami Herald Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75241096/tonights-best-bets-dec-31-1988/ April 8, 2021 February 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034525/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75241096/tonights-best-bets-dec-31-1988/ live At 3 a.m., WTVJ interrupted the movie Love and Larceny to air a pre-recorded message from general manager Dick Lobo finally welcoming the station to the NBC network.Miami19881231 Ramifications +Sign-on to sign-off ratings comparison year-over-year for theMiami–Fort Lauderdale market, 1988–1989South19900101 Station Arbitron Nielsen Nov. 1988 Nov. 1989 Nov. 1988 Nov. 1989 WTVJ 5 6 6 6 WCIX 2 4 2 4 WSVN 7 5 7 5 WPLG 8 6 8 7 +Prime time ratings comparison year-over-year for theMiami–Fort Lauderdale market, 1988–1989South19900101 Station Arbitron Nielsen Nov. 1988 Nov. 1989 Nov. 1988 Nov. 1989 WTVJ 9 13 9 13 WCIX 4 8 4 8 WSVN 13 8 14 9 WPLG 13 11 14 11 +Sign-on to sign-off ratings comparison year-over-year for theWest Palm Beach market, 1988–1989South19900101 Station Arbitron Nielsen Nov. 1988 Nov. 1989 Nov. 1988 Nov. 1989 WPTV 8 8 9 10 WPEC 5 5 6 7 WPBF 3 3 WTVX 3 1 3 1 +Prime time ratings comparison year-over-year for theWest Palm Beach market, 1988–1989South19900101 Station Arbitron Nielsen Nov. 1988 Nov. 1989 Nov. 1988 Nov. 1989 WPTV 13 16 13 16 WPEC 10 11 11 12 WPBF 7 7 WTVX 5 2 5 2 WTVJ thumb|WTVJ archival news tape, 1989. While WTVJ's marketing campaign for its switch to NBC was centered around the "don't worry, be happy" phrase, South Florida Sun-Sentinel critic Tom Jicha retrospectively wrote, "practically speaking, it was over as soon as it started. The jingle ... never reflected reality ... there has been little to smile about and plenty to fret over."Jicha Tom September 28, 1993 WTVJ does worry—and isn't happy E1 South Florida Sun Sentinel https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122572095/wtvj-does-worryand-isnt-happy/ April 10, 2023 Newspapers.com April 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230410191616/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122572095/wtvj-does-worryand-isnt-happy/ live WTVJ's ratings performance following the switch was largely mixed: despite NBC programming creating a halo effect for WTVJ at 11 p.m.,Jicha Tom January 1, 1990 TV switch was 1989's cliffhanger: Last year's shuffle defied predictions 1A, 12A South Florida Sun Sentinel https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122589689/tv-switch-was-1989s-cliffhanger-last/ April 10, 2023 Newspapers.com April 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230410191546/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122589689/tv-switch-was-1989s-cliffhanger-last/ live the station fell to third place behind WPLG and WSVN in late afternoons,Coto Juan Carlos January 20, 1990 Fox taps Miami executive to launch national news 3B The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122586033/fox-taps-miami-executive-to-launch/ April 10, 2023 Newspapers.com April 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230410191545/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122586033/fox-taps-miami-executive-to-launch/ live and lead anchor John Hambrick left for WCIX at the end of 1989.Coto Juan Carlos February 8, 1990 Channel 4 yet to unveil new plan for news 1F, 4F The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71864623/channel-4-yet-to-unveil-new-plan-for/ April 10, 2023 Newspapers.com April 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230410191545/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71864623/channel-4-yet-to-unveil-new-plan-for/ live Under general manager Dick Lobo's leadership, WTVJ began marketing to the region's Spanish-language communitiesJicha Tom December 9, 1988 WTVJ and NBC plan a Latin blitz for network shift 7A The Miami News https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-news-wtvj-and-nbc-plan-a-latin/122805051/ April 13, 2023 Newspapers.com April 13, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230413192530/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-news-wtvj-and-nbc-plan-a-latin/122805051/ live in efforts Jicha later called "ticklish" and "feverish".South19930928 Miami19900208 Led by meteorologist Bryan Norcross, WTVJ's coverage of Hurricane Andrew attracted local and industry acclaim but failed to translate into long-term ratings growth.Miami19930331 In the February 1993 sweeps, WTVJ's 5 p.m. news ranked behind Geraldo on WCIX in both the Nielsen and Arbitron books.Jicha Tom March 11, 1993 Another month, more of the same ratings 3E South Florida Sun Sentinel https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122585631/another-month-more-of-the-same-ratings/ April 10, 2023 Newspapers.com April 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230410191536/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122585631/another-month-more-of-the-same-ratings/ live WTVJ started emphasizing crime stories and a tabloid presentation, similar to WSVN; the station also experienced frequent turnover in its lead anchor role, a situation that contrasted with Renick's 35-year tenure as its signature personality.Boedeker Hal March 31, 1993 Anchors Away: What's behind the changing faces at Channel 4? 12B–11B The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122585325/anchors-away-whats-behind-the/ April 10, 2023 Newspapers.com April 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230410191536/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122585325/anchors-away-whats-behind-the/ live Lobo resigned in late September 1993.South19930928 WCIX Appraisals of WCIX in the months following the CBS takeover were immediately negative. Laurence Tisch's past concerns of the CBS Evening News rating poorly on WCIX proved correct, as ratings for the Evening News fell by more than half in the first two months.Warren James March 2, 1989 Who crossed J.R.'s signals? Big switch in South Florida alters the FV picture 3:1, 8 Chicago Tribune https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121839928/who-crossed-jrs-signals-big-switch/ live March 28, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230328230916/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121839928/who-crossed-jrs-signals-big-switch/ March 28, 2023 Newspapers.com The station continued to operate a local telephone number for any home reception issues, employed a director of cable and viewer relations,Loudis Stephanie July 8, 1989 Channel 6 expands local evening news 6E The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121776097/channel-6-expands-local-evening-news/ live March 27, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230327225902/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121776097/channel-6-expands-local-evening-news/ March 27, 2023 Newspapers.com and leased a low-power TV station in Pompano Beach to use as a translator later in the year.Coto Juan Carlos April 27, 1989 Channel 6 set for broadcasts on Channel 27 1B The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47708789/ March 30, 2020 Newspapers.com By July 1989, Howard Stringer called WCIX "a disaster" to local media and stated the station could "never be better than third" due to their signal issues; Stringer also said, "if it [the purchase] had happened six months later, I think I might have been able to talk them out of it."July 27, 1989 WCIX ownership 'a disaster' for CBS 8E South Florida Sun Sentinel https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121838453/wcix-ownership-a-disaster-for-cbs/ live March 28, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230328222334/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121838453/wcix-ownership-a-disaster-for-cbs/ March 28, 2023 Newspapers.com Stringer's "disaster" remark, which was covered on the front page of Variety, prompted Tisch to issue a memo in support of the station.Zink Jack Jicha Tom August 2, 1989 CBS damage-controllers jump on Miami 'disaster' 1, 37 Variety 1438499812 The Homestead tower collapsed due to destructive winds from Hurricane Andrew on August 24, 1992,August 26, 1992 Look for WCIX on Channel 27 4E Sun-Sentinel https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47705605/ March 30, 2020 Newspapers.com and was rebuilt over a two-year process.Zbar Jeffery D. June 13, 1994 WCIX ads advise viewers on getting good reception 14:Weekly Business South Florida Sun Sentinel https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47706150/wcix-ads-advise-viewers-on-getting-good/ live March 27, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230327231554/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47706150/wcix-ads-advise-viewers-on-getting-good/ March 27, 2023 Newspapers.com While WCIX operated with reduced power during this period, reception improved dramatically among Broward County residents due to the temporary site being located at the Broward–Dade line, to the extent the rebuilt Homestead tower was considered a technical downgrade.Jicha Tom May 6, 1994 Getting the big picture from Channel 6 4E South Florida Sun Sentinel https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72808215/getting-the-big-picture-from-channel-6/ live March 27, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230327231553/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72808215/getting-the-big-picture-from-channel-6/ March 27, 2023 Newspapers.com Despite significant investment into WCIX's news operation under CBS, WCIX ranked fourth among English-language news operations in Miami following the switch, a position that ultimately never changed.South19890727Boedeker Hal May 10, 1994 Channel 6 news to cut down on crime: WCIX aims to be 'family-sensitive' 1C, 3C The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121825568/channel-6-news-to-cut-down-on-crime-wci/ March 28, 2023 Newspapers.com An attempt by WCIX to de-emphasize crime stories and violent footage in its newscasts was implemented in May 1994Miami19940510 and proved to be a market failure, with ratings falling by 24 percent year-over-year during the first month.Jicha Tom June 1, 1994 WCIX's cleaned-up newscasts take a ratings bath 3E South Florida Sun Sentinel https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121824405/wcixs-cleaned-up-newscasts-take-a-ratin/ March 28, 2023 Newspapers.com WSVN thumb|257x257px|WSVN's newsroom, 2010. The station's success with a news-intensive tabloid format since 1989 has heavily influenced other news departments throughout the United States. As predicted, WSVN's ratings suffered significant declines after losing NBC programming, particularly in prime time.South19900101 It was WSVN's news operation, however, that attracted industry notice: WSVN's late-afternoon newscasts began outdrawing WTVJ, with Inside Story being picked up for syndication in the fall of 1989.South19890411 The Sun-Sentinel Tom Jicha later remarked, "[I]n this case, the conventional wisdom wasn't wise."South19900101 WSVN's success prompted Fox to hire Joel Cheatwood to oversee development of a network news service,Miami19900120 but after Fox put those plans on hold, he returned to WSVN.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 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122628175/urgent-this-just-in-joel/ April 10, 2023 Newspapers.com April 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230410191538/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122628175/urgent-this-just-in-joel/ live When Sunbeam purchased WHDH-TV in Boston in 1993, Cheatwood was transferred there to oversee the adoption of a similar tabloid format.Boedeker Hal August 16, 1993 Ch. 7's Cheatwood prepares for bigger role in TV news 1C, 6C The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94630268/ch-7s-cheatwood-prepares-for-bigger/ April 10, 2023 Newspapers.com April 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230410191547/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94630268/ch-7s-cheatwood-prepares-for-bigger/ live Frank Magid consultant Eric Braun likened WSVN's fast-paced stories, flashing graphics, and emotional anchors to be an updated form of the Eyewitness News and Action News formats 20 years earlierMiami19930816 and akin to Walter Winchell;Rohter Larry April 27, 1993 Here's the news: Pow! Bam! Splat! C6 The Berkshire Eagle The New York Times Pittsfield, Massachusetts https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94629514/heres-the-news-pow-bam-splat/ April 10, 2023 Newspapers.com April 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230410191540/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94629514/heres-the-news-pow-bam-splat/ live Magid also consulted stations on adopting certain elements of the WSVN format.Feran Tom December 18, 1993 Tighter TV-3 News is good news 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%252F0F80799E22C67DE1 April 10, 2023 NewsBank April 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230410191541/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F80799E22C67DE1&f=basic live The phrase "if it bleeds, it leads"This phrase was initially coined in an October 1989 New York article to describe WABC-TV, which had implemented an equally tabloid style.Pooley Eric October 9, 1989 Grins, Gore and Videotape: The trouble with local TV news https://books.google.com/books?id=_OcCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36 New York 22 40 36–44 April 10, 2023 Google Books April 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230410191547/https://books.google.com/books?id=_OcCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36 live came to characterize WSVN and Cheatwood in a 1990 Miami New Times cover story,Mullin Jim February 6, 1997 Farewell, Joel Hello, Marvin https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/farewell-joel-hello-marvin-6360916 April 10, 2023 Miami New Times en May 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220528165817/https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/farewell-joel-hello-marvin-6360916 live a 1994 Newsweek article,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/ April 10, 2023 Newspapers.com April 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230410191543/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94630741/if-it-bleeds-it-leads-miami-stations/ live and a 1993 feature in the New York Times.Berks19930427 WSVN's format—sometimes derisively referred to as "new wave news" or "MTV news"Holsopple Barbara April 26, 1993 Channel 15 to launch Fox's local newscast E6 The Arizona Republic Phoenix, Arizona 245668799—would be copied by other Fox affiliates for their local newscasts and influenced news departments in Sacramento, St. Louis,Mink Eric February 5, 1993 Channel 11 Goes Too Far For Owner 11G St. Louis Post-Dispatch https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115475930/channel-11-goes-too-far-for-owner/ April 10, 2023 Newspapers.com April 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230410191543/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115475930/channel-11-goes-too-far-for-owner/ live Chicago,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 Cleveland,Phillips Stephen April 17, 1994 Rebuilding TV-3 News: Local ratings loser hopes latest retooling attracts viewers 8:Sunday 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%252F0F807CC35A9B28F1 April 10, 2023 NewsBank April 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230410191549/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F807CC35A9B28F1&f=basic live and New York City.Starr Michael February 25, 2000 Dr. Danger to 2 News https://nypost.com/2000/02/25/dr-danger-to-2-news/ April 10, 2023 New York Post en-US April 10, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230410191546/https://nypost.com/2000/02/25/dr-danger-to-2-news/ live By 1994, Fox network president Lucie Salhany hailed WSVN as "the future of television".StarT19940623 When Edmund Ansin died on July 26, 2020, he was remembered by Radio & Television Business Report for having overseen what became a "legendary, revolutionary news-driven station".Jacobson Adam July 27, 2020 A TV News Pioneer Is Remembered, as Ed Ansin Dies https://rbr.com/sunbeam-television-owner-ed-ansin-dies/ limited April 15, 2023 Radio & Television Business Report en-US April 15, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230415125307/https://rbr.com/sunbeam-television-owner-ed-ansin-dies/ live As was Ansin's wishes in 1987,Miami19870312 Sunbeam Television was taken over by sons James and Andy Ansin.Bandell Brian July 27, 2020 Billionaire WSVN owner Edmund Ansin dies https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2020/07/27/billionaire-wsvn-owner-ansin-dies.html limited April 15, 2023 South Florida Business Journal April 19, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230419010428/https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2020/07/27/billionaire-wsvn-owner-ansin-dies.html live WPEC Having joined CBS mainly to address WCIX's over-the-air home reception issues in much of Broward County, CBS reportedly paid $5 million over two years to WPEC, consisting of an increase in network compensation payments, $1 million in capital improvements to the transmitter, and promotion expenses.Michals Bob September 24, 1988 Switching channels: Channel 12's change from ABC to CBS has Dreyfoos smiling 1D, 8D The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570152/switching-channels-channel-12s-change/ live April 12, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042821/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570152/switching-channels-channel-12s-change/ April 13, 2023 Newspapers.com WPEC courted Broward viewers with enhanced news coverage and special antenna deals,Coto Juan Carlos March 31, 1989 CBS affiliates do battle for Broward 1BR, 4BR The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122769030/cbs-affiliates-do-battle-for-broward/ April 13, 2023 Newspapers.com and the station reinforced its news presence in the southern part of its market and beyond, bolstering an existing news bureau in Boca Raton and adding one in Fort Lauderdale.Elich Patricia August 10, 1988 Channel 12 to turn its news lens southward 1B, 2B Boca Raton News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570001/channel-12-to-turn-its-news-lens-southwa/ live April 12, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042756/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570001/channel-12-to-turn-its-news-lens/ April 13, 2023 Newspapers.com A full-time staff of five people was devoted to covering news from Broward.South19890330 WPEC also established a news bureau in Stuart for the Treasure Coast later in 1989 after WTVX's news department folded.Labbee William June 25, 1989 Channel 34 makes more newscast cuts 1B, 2B The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724844/channel-34-makes-more-newscast-cuts/ live April 12, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042803/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724844/channel-34-makes-more-newscast-cuts/ April 13, 2023 Newspapers.comLoMartire Paul May 26, 1995 NBC, WPTV top ratings sweep 5D The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122768805/nbc-wptv-top-ratings-sweep/ live April 13, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042812/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122768805/nbc-wptv-top-ratings-sweep/ April 13, 2023 Newspapers.com WPEC experienced substantial ratings increases in Broward County after the switch. In 1988, seven percent of the station's viewers in total-day ratings, and six percent in afternoon and prime time, came from Broward. By February 1989, those figures jumped to 24 percent, 29 percent, and 32 percent, respectively.Jicha Tom March 30, 1989 WPEC gets signal to move into Broward 6E South Florida Sun Sentinel https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724788/wpec-gets-signal-to-move-into-broward/ live April 12, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042758/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724788/wpec-gets-signal-to-move-into-broward/ April 13, 2023 Newspapers.com However, the station found that residents of these areas were watching primarily for network programs and turned to Miami stations for local news,South19910320 and channel 12 continued to rank behind WPTV in overall ratings.Jicha Tom March 15, 1989 First '89 Nielsens rate Channel 5 No. 1 in county 1A, 14A South Florida Sun Sentinel https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724761/first-89-nielsens-rate-channel-5-no-1/ live April 12, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042804/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724761/first-89-nielsens-rate-channel-5-no-1/ April 13, 2023 Newspapers.comBetcher Bob December 14, 1992 Channel 5 news rides high in ratings 1D The Stuart News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724731/channel-5-news-rides-high-in-ratings/ live April 12, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042818/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724731/channel-5-news-rides-high-in-ratings/ April 13, 2023 Newspapers.com After two years, WPEC formally abandoned targeting Broward viewers for news coverage.Jicha Tom March 20, 1991 WPEC gives up quest to attract Broward news audience 3E South Florida Sun Sentinel https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122768923/wpec-gives-up-quest-to-attract-broward-n/ live April 13, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042805/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122768923/wpec-gives-up-quest-to-attract-broward/ April 13, 2023 Newspapers.com WPEC owner Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. sold the station to Freedom Communications in 1995.McKenney Mitch September 28, 1995 Sale of WPEC brings at least $150 million 5B, 10B The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570718/sale-of-wpec-brings-at-least-150-millio/ live April 12, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042822/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570718/sale-of-wpec-brings-at-least-150/ April 13, 2023 Newspapers.com WPBF The sudden change in plans for WPBF reflected in the station's performance over its first few years of operation. Newscasts debuted on the station's second day on-airEnos Gary January 2, 1989 Viewers fuzzy on TV switch: Station change leaves some in the dark 1A, 13A South Florida Sun Sentinel https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97441889/viewers-fuzzy-on-tv-switch-station-chan/ live March 12, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035902/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97441889/viewers-fuzzy-on-tv-switch-station/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.com and ranked in third place behind WPEC and WPTV. Efforts were made to expand the news department beginning in late 1989,Elmore Charles November 11, 1989 Lagging Ch. 25 to expand news staff 11B The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97441964/lagging-ch-25-to-expand-news-staff/ live March 12, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035908/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97441964/lagging-ch-25-to-expand-news-staff/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.com but a poor signal in southern Palm Beach County, problems establishing viewer loyalty when some viewers preferred the Miami stations,Kleinman Jeffrey August 9, 1991 Fox affiliate to air news show at 10 1B The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97442115/fox-affiliate-to-air-news-show-at-10/ live March 12, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035859/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97442115/fox-affiliate-to-air-news-show-at-10/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.com and the early 1990s recession resulted in WPBF downsizing nearly 30 percent of its workforce through the latter half of 1991 and receiving forgiveness from ABC on some of the affiliation fees.Kleinberg Eliot October 15, 1991 Debt, recession zap Channel 25; 30% of staff laid off since July 1A, 6A The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97442164/debt-recession-zap-channel-25-30-of-s/ live March 12, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035900/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97442164/debt-recession-zap-channel-25-30-of/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.com WPBF's fortunes stabilized under Paxson Communications, which bought the station in late 1993.Sundich Steven F. January 13, 1994 Network goes shopping for station: Treasure Coast's ABC affiliate WPBF to change hands B1, B6 St. Lucie News Tribune https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97442417/network-goes-shopping-for-station-treas/ live March 12, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035901/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97442417/network-goes-shopping-for-station/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.comMcKenney Mitch October 8, 1995 Paxson puts IN TV on TV 1E, 2E The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97442983/paxson-puts-in-tv-on-tv/ live March 12, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220313034302/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97442983/paxson-puts-in-tv-on-tv/ March 13, 2022 Newspapers.com Since 1997, the station has been owned by Hearst Television.Waresh Julie March 27, 1997 Paxson turns $32 million into $85 million with sale of WPBF 1D, 7D The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97443258/paxson-turns-32-million-into-85/ live July 14, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035902/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97443258/paxson-turns-32-million-into-85/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.com Over the course of the 2000s and early 2010s, WPBF edged past WPEC for second place in the West Palm Beach news ratings.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97443705/channel-25s-extreme-makeover-how-the-a/ June 12, 2006 1D, 5D Kevin D. Thompson Channel 25's Extreme Makeover: How the ABC affiliate has changed its image to face the competition The Palm Beach Post Newspapers.com March 12, 2022 March 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220313034304/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97443705/channel-25s-extreme-makeover-how-the/ livehttps://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-gunning-best-west-134939 Broadcasting & Cable October 20, 2014 Michael Malone Market Eye: Gunning for Best in 'West' March 12, 2022 March 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220313034304/https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-gunning-best-west-134939 live WPBF's reverse compensation deal ultimately heralded the industry trend. The ability of broadcasters to collect retransmission consent payments from cable and satellite providers motivated the networks to seek payment for affiliation, in essence receiving a cut of what stations collected in exchange for providing popular national sports and entertainment programming.Michael Grotticelli Reverse compensation could strain network-affiliate relations Broadcast Engineering August 17, 2011 875657673November 7, 2011 24 'Reverse Retrans' to Grow Eightfold in Four Years Mike Farrell Multichannel News 903210311 By 2012, CBS received an estimated $250 million a year in fees from its affiliates.https://www.nexttv.com/news/nbc-expects-hundreds-millions-retrans-fees-264606 Multichannel News NBC Expects 'Hundreds of Millions' in Retrans Fees September 18, 2011 Mike Farrell April 13, 2023 October 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211017034440/https://www.nexttv.com/news/nbc-expects-hundreds-millions-retrans-fees-264606 live WTVX Unlike WSVN, WTVX's forced independent status proved to be a liability more than an advantage. Without CBS programming, the station's total-day audience fell by two-thirds and its prime time audience by 60 percent.Buckman Adam April 10, 1989 After Miami shakeup, No. 1 stations still on top 28 Electronic Media https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1989-04-10_8_15_0/page/n27/mode/2up WTVX also initially moved its 11 p.m. newscast to 10 p.m.Halbe Bob December 28, 1988 Independent WTVX hopes viewers will stay A1, A2 St. Lucie News Tribune https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105539712/independent-wtvx-hopes-viewers-will-stay/ live July 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035034/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105539712/independent-wtvx-hopes-viewers-will-stay/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.com but programmed less-popular movies as a lead-in,Eyman Scott August 7, 1989 Signing Off 1E, 4E The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255819/signing-off/ live July 14, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035152/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255819/signing-off/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.com while its non-news programs attracted a different audience altogether.O'Connor Brian J. July 18, 1989 Channel 34 drops news, goes all-entertainment 2B The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255797/channel_34_drops_news_goes/ live April 3, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034455/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255797/channel-34-drops-news-goes/ February 17, 2022 Newspapers.com The station quickly began canceling newscast after newscast (ending up with just 5:30, 6, and 11 p.m. newscastsSheets David June 27, 1989 WTVX might eliminate its local news B4 St. Lucie News Tribune https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105540252/wtvx-might-eliminate-its-local-news/ live July 14, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035152/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105540252/wtvx-might-eliminate-its-local-news/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.com), while the news staff dropped from 40 to 16 people.PalmB19890807-2 Many of the staff that remained began to look for jobs elsewhere.Sheets David June 23, 1989 Local TV station cutting away from weekend news B1, B2 St. Lucie News Tribune https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105539952/local-tv-station-cutting-away-from/ live July 14, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035157/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105539952/local-tv-station-cutting-away-from/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.com Weekend newscasts were dropped in June,PalmB19890624 and the news department was eliminated outright on August 4.Eyman Scott August 5, 1989 Channel 34 pulls plugs on news broadcasts B1 The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255806/ live January 21, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034509/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255806/channel-34-pulls-plug-on-news-broadcasts/ February 17, 2022 Newspapers.com The three West Palm Beach stations each bought advertising time on WTVX's final broadcast to promote their newscasts.Dawson Lisa August 7, 1989 Network affiliates buy ads on WTVX to lure viewers Business 15 The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255835/network-affiliates-buy-ads-on-wtvx-to/ live July 14, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20210127015425/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255835/network-affiliates-buy-ads-on-wtvx-to/ January 27, 2021 Newspapers.com WTVX owner Frank Spain encountered similar difficulty in selling off the station. A Maryland real estate developer obtained an option to buy WTVX,Maier Art March 29, 1989 Maryland Developer Has Option To Buy Channel 34 14A Vero Beach Press-Journal https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105539882/maryland-developer-has-option-to-buy-cha/ live July 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035035/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105539882/maryland-developer-has-option-to-buy/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.com but no deal was ever reached, and WTVX came off the market for a second time.Lomartire Paul June 24, 1989 WTVX discontinuing its weekend newscasts 8D The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255792/wtvx-discontinuing-its-weekend-newscasts/ live July 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034454/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255792/wtvx-discontinuing-its-weekend-newscasts/ February 17, 2022 Newspapers.com By April 1990, the station was courting three suitors,Sheets David April 24, 1990 Three suitors court Channel 34 B4, B8 St. Lucie News Tribune https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105540302/three-suitors-court-channel-34/ live July 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035035/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105540302/three-suitors-court-channel-34/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.com and though Frank Spain initially backed out of a planned sale to Krypton Broadcasting,Lucas Guy June 7, 1990 Lawsuit filed against television station owner B4 St. Lucie News Tribune https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105540420/lawsuit-filed-against-television-station/ live July 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035035/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105540420/lawsuit-filed-against-television/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.com the firm agreed to purchase WTVX for $8 million in September 1990.Kleinberg Eliot September 27, 1990 Singer Island man to buy TV-34, hopes to win ABC contract 1A, 12A The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105540508/singer-island-man-to-buy-tv-34-hopes-to/ live July 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035036/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105540508/singer-island-man-to-buy-tv-34-hopes/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.com Krypton's failure to pay a $19 million loan from Dutch bank Internationale Nederlanden Bank N.V.Milstone Erik June 16, 1992 WTVX owner sued, accused of defaulting on $19 million loan 1A, 16A The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105541731/wtvx-owner-sued-accused-of-defaulting-o/ live July 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035035/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105541731/wtvx-owner-sued-accused-of-defaulting/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.com began a series of events culminating with a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 1993,Kleinberg Eliot August 25, 1993 All Feltner TV stations now seeking Chapter 11 5B The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105542562/all-feltner-tv-stations-now-seeking-chap/ live July 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035059/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105542562/all-feltner-tv-stations-now-seeking/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.com with WTVX owing over $3.3 million to various program suppliers.Kleinberg Eliot August 8, 1993 TV and film mogul's empire under siege 1A, 10A The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105542090/tv-and-film-moguls-empire-under-siege/ live July 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035036/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105542090/tv-and-film-moguls-empire-under-siege/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.com Whitehead Media, an affiliate of WPBF owner Paxson Communications, purchased the station in a bankruptcy auction the following year.Kleinberg Eliot October 4, 1994 WTVX sold at auction 1B, 4B The Palm Beach Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97442716/wtvx-sold-at-auction/ live July 13, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035103/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97442716/wtvx-sold-at-auction/ July 14, 2022 Newspapers.com The 1995 WTVJ–WCIX channel "trade" WFOR-TV#Move to channel 4 WTVJ#Move to channel 6 WTVJ and WCIX initiated an equally complicated switch in 1995 as part of a larger asset swap between NBC and CBS. After Fox signed an extensive affiliation pact with New World Communications in May 1994, CBS signed a group-wide affiliation agreement with Westinghouse Broadcasting (Group W) that, in the process, displaced the CBS-owned station in Philadelphia, WCAU-TV.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, 2014Zier Julie A. July 18, 1994 225329759 CBS, Group W form historic alliance: affiliations, joint station buying, program deals in prospect 14 Broadcasting & Cable 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 NBC prevailed in a bidding war for WCAU-TV,Miles Laureen September 5, 1994 WTXF-Phila. fetches $200 million 5 Mediaweek A15809876 with NBC agreeing to sell to the CBS–Group W partnership KCNC-TV in Denver, KUTV in Salt Lake City, and WTVJ's license and transmitter, and CBS selling to NBC both WCAU-TV and WCIX's license and transmitter.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, 2011 When the asset swap took place on September 10, 1995, WCIX "moved" to channel 4 and was renamed WFOR-TV,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 operating on WTVJ's former license, with WTVJ "moving" to channel 6, operating on WCIX's former license.Dougherty 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 See also Media in Miami 1994–1996 United States broadcast television realignment 2001 Vancouver TV realignment 2006 United States broadcast television realignment 2007 Canada broadcast TV realignment ADS (TV station) and SAS (TV station), two Australian stations which conducted a similar affiliation swap in 1987 Notes References Category:1989 in American television Category:January 1989 in the United States Category:1989 in Florida Category:1980s in Miami