WFTS-TV

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WFTS-TV
Tampa, Florida
Branding	ABC Action News Your ABC Action News Station
Slogan	Taking Action For You
Channels	28 (UHF) analog, 29 (UHF) digital
Affiliations	ABC
Owner	The E. W. Scripps Company
Founded	December 14, 1981
Call letters meaning	W Family Television Station
Former affiliations	Independent, FOX
Website	www.abcactionnews.com

WFTS-TV ("ABC Action News") is the ABC affiliate for the Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida market, owned by the E.W. Scripps Company. It broadcasts its analog signal on UHF channel 28, and its digital signal on UHF channel 29. Its transmitter is located in Riverview, Florida.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Controversy 2 Newscasts 3 News Segments 3.1 Taking Action For You 3.2 Investigators 3.3 Call For Action Attorney 3.4 Dirty Dining 4 Newscast Lineup 4.1 Weekdays 4.2 Saturdays 4.3 Sundays 5 News Personalities 5.1 Current Personalities 5.1.1 News Desk 5.1.2 Accu-Weather Center 5.1.3 Sports 5.1.4 Reporters 5.2 Past Personalities 6 News Music 7 Operation: Newsroom 8 Logo History 9 Local Programming 9.1 Syndicated Programming 9.2 Locally Produced Programming 10 Ownership 11 Slogans 12 Trivia 13 External links

[edit] History

WFTS-TV first went on the air on December 14, 1981 as an independent station. Being a flagship of the locally-based Family Group Broadcasting, the station programmed a family-oriented general entertainment format with cartoons, off-network dramas, old movies, and religious shows. An era of local ownership ended on April 22, 1984, when it was acquired by Capital Cities Communications. It was Capital Cities' first station in Florida, the group's first -- and only -- independent station, and was also the last station acquired by the group prior to its merger with ABC.

Under Capital Cities, the station added more off-network sitcoms and reduced the number of religious shows and dramas on its schedule. In 1986, Capital Cities stunned the world with its purchase of ABC -- the network was 10 times bigger than CapCities was at the time. CapCities owned several ABC affiliates, and 2 CBS affiliates: KFSN-TV in Fresno, California and WTVD in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. The company's combined assets exceeded FCC ownership limits at the time, so CapCities decided to keep its CBS affiliates and change their affiliations to ABC, along with WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and KTRK-TV in Houston, Texas, and sold WFTS and ABC's O&O in Detroit, Michigan, WXYZ-TV, to the E. W. Scripps Company, while selling several other stations to minority-owned firms.

Scripps continued the format on WFTS, running cartoons, sitcoms, movies, and dramas. A 10pm newscast was planned for the station, but did not come to fruition. WFTS picked up the Fox affiliation in 1988 after WTOG dropped it, and the station began to identify on air as "FOX28".

On May 22, 1994, New World Communications came to an agreement with Fox, and most of New World's stations, including WTVT, Tampa Bay's longtime CBS affiliate, were to affiliate with Fox. CBS would also lose longtime affiliates in Detroit and Cleveland, Ohio, and as a result, wooed WXYZ and Cleveland's ABC affiliate that was also owned by Scripps, WEWS-TV (which incidentally was a CBS affiliate in the past), for affiliation. Scripps informed ABC that in order not to lose 2 of its longest standing and strongest affiliates, that ABC would have to affiliate with 4 other stations owned by Scripps: WFTS, KNXV-TV in Phoenix, Arizona (which was also due to lose its Fox affiliation to a New World station), WMAR-TV in Baltimore, Maryland and WCPO-TV in Cincinnati, Ohio -- the latter had to wait until the expiration of ABC's affiliation agreement with WKRC-TV in June 1996 to switch.

As a result, in 1994, WFTS assumed the ABC affiliation from longtime affiliate WTSP, which became the new CBS affiliate, sent the Fox affiliation to WTVT, and sent most of its syndicated programming to WTTA, which would also air Fox Kids. A decade later, WFTS became one of three Florida television stations, and one of the many Scripps-owned ABC affiliates that preempted Saving Private Ryan.

The station is not available on cable in southern Sarasota County due to the presence of WWSB, an ABC station formed after WTSP's coverage of the Sarasota area was insufficient when WTSP was an ABC affiliate.

Tampa-St. Petersburg is the largest market with an ABC affiliate on the UHF dial, and the third largest market with a major network on the UHF dial, while the larger markets with a major network on the UHF dial are Atlanta, Georgia (WGCL-TV, channel 46) and Detroit, Michigan (WWJ-TV, channel 62). Both are CBS affiliates.

[edit] Controversy

On January 7, 2006, outside the Tampa Bay Buccaneers playoff game against the Washington Redskins, WFTS handed out free "Go Bucs" t-shirts, which the National Football League said violated trademark rights. WFTS ignored a cease-and-desist letter by the NFL on the same day. The Buccaneers, after getting the green light from the NFL, refused to allow WFTS to attend a press conference held by coach Jon Gruden, said Bucs spokesman Jeff Kamis. Complicating matters even further, WFLA and The Tampa Tribune have an exclusive coverage partnership with the team. WFTS-TV's studios are outside Raymond James Stadium, the Buccaneers stadium. [1]

[edit] Newscasts

During its days as an independent station and Fox affiliate, WFTS presented hourly newsbreaks and weatherbreaks, featuring a person reading the day's headlines or the current forecast. During the station's first few months on the air, the newsbreaks were provided by WNSI-AM 1380 (now WWMI) in audio only, over a slide that said News Check. Later on, News Checks began to feature newsreaders on camera at WFTS's studios. By the late-1980s, the newsbreaks became 28 Newsbreak or 28 Weatherbreak. These newsbreaks were discontinued in December 1994 after the station became an ABC affiliate and launched a full-scale news operation.

WFTS began airing full-scale newscasts in 1994, under the "28 Tampa Bay News" handle. The newscasts initially originated from Telemation studios in Clearwater, since WFTS's studios on Tampa's east side (at the corner of I-4 and Columbus Drive) didn't have enough room for a full-sized newsroom or set. The station's news operation then moved to its new studios on Himes Avenue across from Raymond James Stadium in 1996. The station gradually added newscasts at 5-7am, 12noon-12:30pm, 5-6:30pm, and 11-11:35pm. Given the fact that many former Fox stations have switched to ABC, NBC or CBS at the time, WFTS did not falter with many stations of such that launched newscasts with no success at competing with long-standing (mostly VHF) news stations (some stations cancelled their newscasts as a result), but rather it competes somewhat well with long standing stations WTVT, WFLA and WTSP, though it continually places fourth.

The newscast title was changed to "28 News" briefly in 2002, before being changed again to "ABC Action News" later that year. The "Action News" all day branding is also shared with sister station KSHB-TV in Kansas City, which is an NBC affiliate.

In fall 2005, the station extended its midday newscast to a full hour, from 12noon-1pm, following the cancellation of ABC's soap Port Charles.

[edit] News Segments

[edit] Taking Action For You

Taking Action reporter Jackie Callaway assists people in the Tampa Bay area with consumer complaints and issues.

[edit] Investigators

The ABC Action News Investigators, led by Matthew Schwartz, uncovers corruption and exposes wrongdoing in the Tampa Bay area.

[edit] Call For Action Attorney

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, legal expert Kellie Lightbourn answers questions concerning consumer rights under the law.

[edit] Dirty Dining

Wendy Ryan exposes local Bay area restaurants that are filled with violations.

[edit] Newscast Lineup

[edit] Weekdays

• ABC Action News at 5 AM - 5 AM-6 AM

Anchors: Dan Shaffer, Deiah Riley

Weather: Wayne Shattuck

Traffic: Joe Demay

• ABC Action News at 6 AM - 6 AM-7 AM

Anchors: Dan Shaffer, Deiah Riley

Weather: Wayne Shattuck

Traffic: Joe Demay

• ABC Action News at NOON - NOON-1 PM

Anchors: Dan Shaffer, Deiah Riley

Weather: Wayne Shattuck

• ABC Action News at Five - 5 PM-6 PM

Anchors: Walt Maciborski, Linda Hurtado

Weather: Denis Phillips

• ABC Action News at Six - 6 PM-6:30 PM

Anchors: Brendan McLaughlin, Wendy Ryan

Weather: Denis Phillips

Sports: Al Keck

• ABC Action News at Eleven - 11 PM-11:35 PM

Anchors: Brendan McLaughlin, Wendy Ryan

Weather: Denis Phillips

Sports: Al Keck

[edit] Saturdays

• ABC Action News at Six - 6 PM-6:30 PM

Anchors: John Thomas, Sarina Fazan

Weather: Linda Gialanella

Sports: Tom Korun

• ABC Action News at Eleven - 11 PM-11:35 PM

Anchors: John Thomas, Sarina Fazan

Weather: Linda Gialanella

Sports: Tom Korun

[edit] Sundays

• ABC Action News at Six - 6 PM-6:30 PM

Anchors: John Thomas, Sarina Fazan

Weather: Linda Gialanella

Sports: Tom Korun

• ABC Action News at Eleven - 11 PM-11:35 PM

Anchors: John Thomas, Sarina Fazan

Weather: Linda Gialanella

• Sports Zone - 11:35 PM-12:05 AM

Anchors: Al Keck, Tom Korun

[edit] News Personalities

[edit] Current Personalities

[edit] News Desk

• Walt Maciborski, weekday anchor (5-6 PM) (since 2005)
• Linda Hurtado, weekday anchor (5-6 PM) (since 1994)
• Brendan McLaughlin, weekday anchor (6-6:30 PM and 11-11:35PM) (since 1994)
• Wendy Ryan, weekday anchor (6-6:30 PM and 11-11:35PM)
• Dan Shaffer, weekday anchor (5-7 AM and NOON-1 PM) (since 1996)
• Deiah Riley, weekday anchor (5-7 AM and NOON-1 PM) (since 2003)
• Serina Fazan, weekend anchor (6-6:30 PM and 11-11:35 PM)
• John Thomas, weekend anchor (6-6:30 PM and 11-11:35 PM)

[edit] Accu-Weather Center

• Denis Phillips, weekday chief meteorologist (5-6:30 PM and 11-11:35 PM) (since 1994)
• Wayne Shattuck, weekday morning meteorologist (5-7 AM and NOON-1 PM) (since 1994)
• Linda Gialanella, weekend meteorologist (6-6:30 PM and 11-11:35 PM)
• J. Richey, substitute weather forecaster (since 2006)
• Stephanie Roberts, substitute meteorologist (since 2006)

[edit] Sports

• Al Keck, weekday sports anchor/sports director (since 2001)
• Tom Korun, weekend sports anchor

[edit] Reporters

• Jackie Callaway, Taking Action For You reporter (since 2002)
• Matthew Schwartz, investigator (since 2005)
• Kellie Lightbourn, Call For Action Attorney reporter
• Alan "Captain Al" Taylor, Action Air 1 pilot/reporter
• Heidi Kemp, general assignment reporter (since 2005)
• Don Germaise, general assignment reporter (since 1994)
• Bill Logan, Accu-Weather reporter (since 2004)
• Chris Martinez, general assignment reporter (since 2003)
• Lisa Remillard, general assignment reporter (since 2005)
• Rob Spicker, general assignment reporter (since 1997)
• Josh Talkington, general assignment reporter
• Dawn Pellas, general assignment reporter (since 2006)
• Susan Casper, freelance reporter (currently filling in for Deiah Riley in the weekday 5-7 AM and 12-1 PM newscasts.)
• Jack Harris, Action News at 5 Commentary (since 2005)

[edit] Past Personalities

• Drew Soicher, sports director (1994-1998) Now at KUSA in Denver.
• Jay Crawford, sports director (1998-2001) Now at ESPN.
• Paul Konrad, meteorologist (1994-1996) Now at WGN in Chicago.
• Bob Kendrick, evening anchor (1994?-2003) Now at KUSA in Denver.
• Angie Moreschi, morning anchor (1996-1999)
• Patrick Emory, morning anchor (2001-2003)
• Robin Guess, investigator (?-2005)
• Martie Salt (formerly Martie Tucker), evening anchor (1994-2003) Now at WFTV in Orlando.
• Lissette Campos, morning anchor (?-2002?)
• Kelly Swoope, weekend anchor (1994-2002) Now at WMAR in Baltimore.
• Barron Johnson, reporter (?-?)
• Laura McElroy, reporter (1994-?)
• Nannette Miranda, reporter (?-2003) Now at KGO in San Francisco.
• Tracy Sievertson, reporter (2001-?)
• Mike Mason, investigator (?-?)
• Peter Bernard, meteorologist (?-2001?) Now at WFLA-TV in Tampa as a reporter.
• Doug Smith, weekend anchor (?-2003) Now at rival WTVT as an investigative reporter.

[edit] News Music

• News One (Used from 1994-2002)
• Elevation (Used in 2002)
• News Matrix (Used from 2002-present)

[edit] Operation: Newsroom

Operation: Newsroom started on November 27th, 2006 during the 5:00 PM newscast. Behind the scenes coverage of ABC Action News could be seen at www.abcactionnews.com.

[edit] Logo History

Early logo first used in 1994. The font used in the "News" portion is similar to the font used in the "Action News" portion of the current logo.

ABC28 logo, used from December 1994 until 2002. The "28" portion dates back to 1990, when it was known as "Fox 28" (the colors, however, were gold on blue).

Present logo used from 2002-present.

[edit] Local Programming

[edit] Syndicated Programming

• The Megan Mullally Show (weekdays 9 AM-10 AM)
• Martha (weekdays 10 AM-11 AM)
• Ellen (weekdays 4 PM-5 PM)
• Inside Edition (weekdays 7 PM-7:30 PM)
• The Insider (weekdays 7:30 PM-8 PM, Saturdays 7:30 PM-8 PM)

[edit] Locally Produced Programming

• Bayview (Mondays 12:05 AM-12:35 AM)

Host: Joy Petit

• Flashpoint (Sundays 11 AM-11:30 AM)

Host: Brendan McLaughlin

• The Cigar Dave Show (Saturdays 11:35 PM-12:05 AM)

[edit] Ownership

• 1981: founded by Ian Wheeler
• 1984: sold to Capital Cities/ABC
• 1986: sold to The E.W. Scripps Company

[edit] Slogans

• "Catch Familyvision on Channel 28" (1981-1982)
• "Tampa Bay's Independent" (1987-1988)
• "Your Fox Television Station" (early-1990s). Coincidentally, this term was trademarked by the actual Fox Television Stations Group which never owned WFTS in the first place (though they now own WTVT).
• "Working Hard To Be Your Favorite" (1994-1995)
• "You Need to Know" (2002)
• "Taking Action for You" (2002-present)

[edit] Trivia

• The first incarnation of channel 28 was to have been WTSS-TV, an affiliate of the DuMont Television Network in the 1950s. [2] It is very likely that that station never made it to air.
• WFTS follows a very similar newscast schedule to its sister station KSHB-TV. The only difference being the different time zones.
• A clip from a WFTS newscast was shown on Jimmy Kimmel Live in early November 2006. In the clip, was reporter Susan Casper.

[edit] External links

• Official site
• Query the FCC's TV station database for WFTS-TV
• mcsittel.com: 1990s DX screengrabs from Tallahassee -- includes WFTS "Fox 28" screengrabs from 1992 and 1993
• "Tampa Bay Live" website used in 2000. Still works a bit.
• 10th Anniversary video from 2004. Includes videos from newscasts in 1994.