WPEC explained

Callsign:WPEC
City:West Palm Beach, Florida
Logo Alt:Two slanted boxes, one red and one thinner and black. In the red box, a white CBS eye and a skewed numeral 12. In the black box, the letters W P E C in an extended sans serif in white.
Logo Upright:.85
Branding:CBS 12
Digital:13 (VHF)
Virtual:12
Owner:Sinclair Broadcast Group
Licensee:WPEC Licensee, LLC
Country:United States
Callsign Meaning:"Photo Electronics Corporation"
Sister Stations:WTVX, WTCN-CD, WWHB-CD
Former Callsigns:WEAT-TV (1955–1974)
Former Channel Numbers:Analog: 12 (VHF, 1955–2009)
Former Affiliations:ABC (1955–1989)
Erp:160 kW
Haat:3090NaN0
Facility Id:52527
Licensing Authority:FCC

WPEC (channel 12) is a television station in West Palm Beach, Florida, United States, affiliated with CBS. It is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group alongside Fort Pierce–licensed CW affiliate WTVX (channel 34) and two low-power, Class A stations: MyNetworkTV affiliate WTCN-CD (channel 43) and WWHB-CD (channel 48). The stations share studios on Fairfield Drive in Mangonia Park (with a West Palm Beach postal address); WPEC's transmitter is located southeast of Wellington, Florida.

The third TV station built in West Palm Beach and second-oldest in operation, channel 12 began as WEAT-TV on January 1, 1955. It was the ABC affiliate under several owners, including RKO General and land developer John D. MacArthur. In 1974, the station was acquired by Photo Electronics Corporation, headed by Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. The station adopted its current call sign and expanded its news operation, but it continued to remain locked in second place in local news ratings behind NBC affiliate WPTV.

In order to compensate for an affiliation switch in Miami that would leave CBS with a coverage shortfall in Broward County, south of the market but within WPEC's signal area, CBS induced WPEC to switch from ABC to CBS in January 1989. While Broward viewers turned to WPEC for CBS programming for a time, the station failed to woo them for news viewership. Dreyfoos sold WPEC in 1995 to Freedom Communications; it became the company's flagship television property. Freedom sold its stations to Sinclair in 2011; Sinclair simultaneously acquired WTVX and the two low-power stations from Four Points Media Group. Under Sinclair's ownership, the station has slipped from second to third in news ratings.

History

WEAT-TV

In April 1952, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opened to new television station applications after a four-year freeze, with channels 5 and 12 available in West Palm Beach.[1] Applications for channel 12 were taken from radio station WIRK (which later amended its application for channel 21 and ultimately operated WIRK-TV for two and a half years),[2] [3] Television Theater of the Palm Beaches,[4] radio station WWPG (Palm Beach Broadcasting),[5] and—in November 1953—WEAT-TV, Inc.[6] This company was associated with radio station WEAT (1490 AM, moved to 850 in 1954), though it did not actually own the station at the time.[7]

The other two applicants each withdrew after WEAT-TV filed, leaving the path clear for WEAT-TV to obtain the channel 12 construction permit.[8] [9] The transmitter site on Congress Avenue was shared with WEAT, which was relocating from 1490 to 850 kHz; one of the three towers in the AM station's array would also hold the antenna for the TV station. While WEAT radio was affiliated with NBC, WEAT-TV would be a primary affiliate of ABC.[10]

WEAT-TV began broadcasting on January 1, 1955.[11] Six months later, the sale of WEAT radio and television to General Teleradio, later reorganized as RKO General, was announced.[12] RKO owned the stations for less than two years before selling them to Rex Rand and Bertram Lebhar Jr., incorporated as Palm Beach Broadcasting, in 1957.[13]

In 1963, Rand and Lebhar sued John D. MacArthur, claiming the businessman and developer had failed to pursue a stock and loan agreement. However, by September, negotiations were ongoing on an outright sale of the station to MacArthur.[14] The $2.1 million purchase (through Gardens Broadcasting) was confirmed that October, with MacArthur also announcing plans to establish new studios to a site in Palm Beach Gardens.[15] [16] Under MacArthur, WEAT-TV began broadcasting local and network programs in color.[17] In the 1967–68 season, ABC aired a national game show, Treasure Isle, which originated from MacArthur's Colonnades Beach Hotel in Palm Beach Shores and once was aired by channel 12 in the 7 p.m. time slot.[18] MacArthur also expressed interest in teaming with Lamar Hunt to acquire the ABC network in 1968, having previously purchased video equipment from the failed Overmyer Network.[19]

WPEC

MacArthur, then 76, announced in April 1973 that he would begin selling off his vast business holdings in Palm Beach County. The first business to be sold was WEAT-TV; the buyer was Photo Electronics Corporation (PEC), a company founded by local entrepreneur Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. and business partner George W. Mergens.[20] Dreyfoos later noted in a 1982 interview for the Palm Beach Daily News that he was attracted to the electronic side of television. It was in technology that PEC had made its money; in 1971, the company had received an Academy Award for technical achievement for its Video Color Negative Analyzer (VCNA), a tool used in photography. The VCNA's success provided the funding to acquire WPEC.[21]

PEC assumed operation of the station on December 1; the station moved to its present studio facilities on Fairfield Drive in Mangonia Park and changed its call sign to WPEC on January 27, 1974.[22] The untangling of WEAT radio with the television station required hiring a mostly new news staff.[23]

Dreyfoos, who had been a hands-off manager in large part because he was actively developing a color laser printer, took active control of WPEC in late 1980, dismissing top-level management and installing his own; Bob Wiegand, the general manager of WKRC-TV in Cincinnati, was attracted to West Palm Beach by Dreyfoos's openness to remaking the station.[24] [25] The studio facilities were expanded, providing dedicated space for the station, which had initially been squeezed into PEC's existing footprint.[26] Mergens died from injuries sustained in a bicycle accident in July 1986.[27]

Affiliation switch to CBS

See also: 1989 South Florida television affiliation switch. On August 6, 1988, WPEC announced that it would become an affiliate of CBS in January 1989, leaving ABC after 34 years. CBS had lured WPEC to the network as part of a deal it was making in the Miami market. Simultaneous with the affiliation news, CBS purchased WCIX (channel 6) from TVX Broadcast Group to become the new CBS affiliate in the Miami market, replacing WTVJ (channel 4). CBS had been represented in the market by WTVX (channel 34), a station licensed to and based in Fort Pierce that had only begun serving Palm Beach County in 1980. For technical reasons, WCIX's transmitter site was much further south than other major television stations in the Miami market and consequently provided little to no signal over most of Broward County, an area outside the West Palm Beach market but covered by the signals of WPEC and WPTV.[28] [29]

The switch to CBS excited Dreyfoos, who was running the station as acting general manager after Wiegand resigned; it came at a time when WPEC's news ratings were sliding because of an unpopular change in anchors and would allow WPEC to get out of the shadow of Miami ABC affiliate WPLG. CBS reportedly paid $5 million over two years to the station, consisting of an increase in network compensation payments; $1 million in capital improvements to the transmitter; and promotion expenses.[30] The switch also put ABC in the position of needing a new affiliate in West Palm Beach; in a move that stunned local broadcasters, it bypassed outgoing CBS affiliate WTVX (and Fox affiliate WFLX) and chose to affiliate with WPBF (channel 25), a station not even on the air, based on its more central location; the track record of one of its owners with another station; and its willingness to pay the first ever reverse compensation affiliation fee to the network.[31] [32] [33]

After the switch, Broward viewers made up a much larger portion of WPEC's audience. In 1988, seven percent of channel 12 viewers in total-day ratings and six percent in afternoon and prime time came from Broward. In February 1989, however, those figures surged to 24 percent, 29 percent, and 32 percent, respectively.[34] WPEC courted Broward viewers with enhanced news coverage and special antenna deals.[35] However, the station found that residents of these areas watched primarily for network programs and turned to Miami stations for their local news. In a second switch in 1995, CBS returned to the channel 4 facility; instead, NBC moved to channel 6.[36]

Freedom Communications ownership

After a surge in unsolicited offers for WPEC in the first half of 1995 and seeing interest in possibly buying additional stations dashed by rising prices, Dreyfoos put the television station on the market. For many years, he had received expressions of interest in the station from a variety of suitors, including Generoso Pope Jr., founder of the National Enquirer.[37] [38] He believed that WPEC would be better served in a consolidated media environment being part of a larger station group.[39] [40]

For more than $150 million—including interest, approaching $160 million—Freedom Communications was the winning bidder for WPEC in September 1995. It was the largest transaction in the company's history and made WPEC its flagship television property. Freedom's bid beat out larger suitors such as Meredith Corporation, Clear Channel Communications, The New York Times Company, and Tribune Company, many of whom were surprised at the final sale price; Dreyfoos benefited from a growing frenzy of consolidation and large media purchases during the time the station was on the market, and in the long term, the station had appreciated in value because of extensive population growth in the West Palm Beach market. In the purchase, Freedom acquired the buildings belonging to WPEC and Photo Electronics Corporation itself; the company's remaining business was moving to Seattle.[41] The rise in the station's valuation was a surprise. The Mergens family sued Dreyfoos after the sale, claiming that he had purposefully understated the company's value when he purchased their 38 percent stake in the station in WPEC at a valuation of $38 million.[42]

Sinclair ownership

Freedom announced on November 2, 2011, that it would bow out of television and sell its stations, including WPEC, to the Sinclair Broadcast Group.[43] Sinclair had earlier announced the acquisition of Four Points Media Group, owner of WTVX, and the two purchases resulted in the first full duopoly in West Palm Beach.[44]

WPEC housed the studios for the American Sports Network, a Sinclair-run sports channel and syndication service that operated from 2014 to 2017.[45] News programs for Sinclair-managed WGFL in Gainesville, were presented from the WPEC facilities until their discontinuation on May 12, 2023.[46] [47]

In 2022, WPEC hosted a gubernatorial debate, held at the Sunrise Theater in Fort Pierce, between Ron DeSantis and Charlie Crist.[48]

News operation

Channel 12 only aired a half-hour evening newscast until becoming WPEC; one of Dreyfoos's first programming moves was to extend the station's evening news to a full hour. However, the station was behind WPTV and even Miami's WTVJ locally;[49] MacArthur's general disinvestment in news gave WPTV a significant head start in news coverage.[50] As part of the 1981 shakeup, the station opted for a younger look in news, replacing well-liked anchorwoman Eleanor Schano White with the duo of John Matthews and Laurel Sauer.[51] Reg Miller, who replaced Matthews, and Sauer remained the lead anchors at channel 12 until 1988, when a decision to replace both of them with the younger Steve Wolford and Jacquie Bange was met with pickets and a precipitous ratings decline, leading to Bange's demotion after eight months.[52] [53]

To prepare for the 1989 affiliation switch and to lure viewers in Broward County, 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.[54] A full-time staff of five people was devoted to covering news from Broward. While the station improved its ratings overall, it still found itself in its traditional second place position behind WPTV.[55] [56] With WTVX's news department going under, WPEC also established a news bureau in Stuart, covering the Treasure Coast.[57] [58] After two years, the station abandoned its Broward news quest; it found that the viewers turning to channel 12 for network programs were watching other Miami stations for their local news.[59]

From 1991 to 2010, WPEC produced news programs for Fox affiliate WFLX, beginning with the debut of a 10 p.m. news hour in September 1991. This was the first early late local news in the market since WTVX had briefly aired one in early 1989, after losing CBS but before closing its newsroom.[60] The idea had originated the year before when, at a party, WPEC's general manager told his WFLX counterpart in jest, "I hear you're going into the news business. Why don't you call us, we'll do it for you." The move gave WFLX a newscast, at a time when Fox was encouraging its affiliates to add local news, and allowed WPEC to spread the costs of its news operation across more programming. The program had dedicated anchors but shared most on-air personnel;[61] WPEC received an annual licensing fee and revenue sharing when advertising revenues exceeded a certain amount.[62] In May 2000, the partnership was expanded with an hour-long 7 a.m. newscast, the Fox Morning News, which filled the void created when WPEC had to drop the 7 a.m. hour of its news to air The Early Show.[63] An 8 a.m. hour of the program was introduced in 2006.[64] The deal was unwound at the end of 2010, when WPTV began producing WFLX's news with programs in the same time slots.[65]

The market's news ratings race tightened in the 2000s, when WPBF improved its product as WPEC narrowed the gap with WPTV.[66] However, by 2014, the station's position had diminished to a close third behind WPBF in news ratings and a more distant third in market revenue.[67]

On March 3, 2014, WPEC replaced its 7 p.m. newscast with a new 10 p.m. newscast on WTVX, which was later discontinued.[68] [69] That year, WPEC itself debuted the market's first 3 p.m. newscast, aimed at a female audience and featuring three women as anchors.[70] A 9 a.m. newscast began airing in 2016.[71]

Notable former on-air staff

Technical information

Subchannels

The station's signal is multiplexed:

Channel! scope = "col"
Res.AspectShort nameProgramming
12.1 CBS Main WPEC programming / CBS
12.2 Charge! Charge!
12.3 Comet Comet
12.4 TheNest The Nest

Analog-to-digital conversion

WPEC discontinued regular programming on its analog signal, over VHF channel 12, on June 9, 2009 (three days before the most full-power television stations in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate on June 12).[78] The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition VHF channel 13, using virtual channel 12.[79]

Notes and References

  1. News: WJNO To Seek Television Permit: Long Delay Seen. May 9, 1952. 1, 3. The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida. Newspapers.com. April 9, 2023. April 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190253/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307563/wjno-to-seek-television-permit-long/. live.
  2. News: Applications Filed For Florida TV Permits. May 22, 1952. 9. The Tampa Tribune. Tampa, Florida. Newspapers.com. April 9, 2023. April 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190606/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43571799/applications-filed-for-florida-tv/. live.
  3. News: TV Bid Amended. November 20, 1952. 13. The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida. Newspapers.com. April 9, 2023. April 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190529/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43571832/tv-bid-amended/. live.
  4. News: New Corporation Plans Television Station In City. June 13, 1952. 1. The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida. Newspapers.com. April 9, 2023. April 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190251/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43571816/new-corporation-plans-television/. live.
  5. News: WWPG Applies For TV Station. July 1, 1952. 1. The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida. Newspapers.com. April 9, 2023. April 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190644/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307573/wwpg-applies-for-tv-station/. live.
  6. News: WEAT-TV, Inc., Asks Channel 12 Grant. November 19, 1953. 12. The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida. Newspapers.com. April 9, 2023. April 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190254/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307576/weat-tv-inc-asks-channel-12-grant/. live.
  7. News: WEAT-TV Readies Future Progress. August 10, 1954. 8. The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida. Newspapers.com. April 9, 2023. April 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190256/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307587/weat-tv-readies-future-progress/. live.
  8. News: Firm Withdraws TV Application. December 2, 1953. 40. Associated Press. St. Petersburg Times. Newspapers.com. April 9, 2023. April 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190637/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122566664/firm-withdraws-tv-application/. live.
  9. News: TV Permit Here Clear, Decision Due In Week. January 30, 1954. 1. Associated Press. The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida. Newspapers.com. April 9, 2023. April 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190531/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307580/tv-permit-here-clear-decision-due-in/. live.
  10. News: WEAT-TV Begins Test Pattern Dec. 15: West Palm TV Station Opens Jan. 1. October 24, 1954. 1-B. The Miami Herald. Newspapers.com. April 9, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042811/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122566945/weat-tv-begins-test-pattern-dec-15/. live.
  11. News: WEAT-TV Takes To Air. January 2, 1955. 8. The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida. Newspapers.com. April 9, 2023. April 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190639/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307602/weat-tv-takes-to-air/. live.
  12. News: West Palm Station Sold. June 26, 1955. 4-B. The Miami Herald. Newspapers.com. April 9, 2023. April 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190648/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567091/west-palm-station-sold/. live.
  13. News: WEAT TV-AM Sale OK Asked. March 19, 1957. 8. The Palm Beach Post. Newspapers.com. April 9, 2023. April 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190609/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307612/weat-tv-am-sale-ok-asked/. live.
  14. News: MacArthur Seeks Radio, TV Stations. September 10, 1963. 1. The Palm Beach Post. Newspapers.com. April 9, 2023. April 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190607/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567308/macarthur-seeks-radio-tv-stations/. live.
  15. News: John MacArthur Buying Radio, TV Station Here. October 12, 1963. 1, 2. The Palm Beach Post. Newspapers.com. April 9, 2023. April 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190533/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567412/john-macarthur-buying-radio-tv-station/. live.
  16. News: $2,100,000 Paid For WEAT And WEAT-TV: Television, Radio Stations Sold. October 15, 1963. 12A. Fort Lauderdale News. Newspapers.com. April 9, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042815/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567507/2100000-paid-for-weat-and-weat-tv/. live.
  17. News: WEAT Plans Continuous Broadcasts. May 19, 1964. 8. The Palm Beach Post. Newspapers.com. April 9, 2023. April 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190646/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567577/weat-plans-continuous-broadcasts/. live.
  18. News: 'Isle's' 7 P.M.er in Fla.. Variety. February 28, 1968. 34. .
  19. News: Millionaire Pairs Approach on Buy Refuted by ABC. 33. . Variety. February 21, 1968.
  20. News: MacArthur Bowing Out: Developer Says He'll Sell Holdings in Area. April 6, 1973. A1, A10. Norv. Roggen. The Palm Beach Post. Newspapers.com. April 9, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042819/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567931/macarthur-bowing-out-developer-says/. live.
  21. News: George W. Mergens Dies From Accident Injuries: Funeral Services Are Thursday. July 10, 1986. 1. Palm Beach Daily News. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042754/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724281/george-w-mergens-dies-from-accident/. live.
  22. News: Channel 12 Gets New Call Letters. January 24, 1974. C1. The Palm Beach Post. Newspapers.com. April 9, 2023. April 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190534/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567726/channel-12-gets-new-call-letters/. live.
  23. News: WPEC-TV Begins Operations: New Call-Letters, New Focus on Community. January 27, 1974. G1, G4. Peter. Cooke. The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida. Newspapers.com. April 9, 2023. April 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190607/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567844/wpec-tv-begins-operations-new/. live.
  24. News: Dreyfoos Takes Channel 12 Into His Own Hands. December 12, 1980. B4. Bob. Michals. The Palm Beach Post. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023.
  25. News: New Manager Won't Let WPEC Go Down Tubes. February 22, 1981. 1, 2. Dorey. Finn Scott. Palm Beach Daily News. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 12, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230412063343/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122569166/new-manager-wont-let-wpec-go-down-tubes/. live.
  26. News: WPEC-TV Breaks Ground on Expanded Facility. February 13, 1981. D14. Bob. Rollins. The Palm Beach Post. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042820/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122569138/wpec-tv-breaks-ground-on-expanded/. live.
  27. News: G. Mergens, owned Ch. 12, Oscar winner. July 8, 1986. 6B. South Florida Sun Sentinel. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 12, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230412063345/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122569687/g-mergens-owned-ch-12-oscar-winner/. live.
  28. News: CBS acquires Channel 6 for $59 million. August 9, 1988. 1A, 5A. Fort Lauderdale News. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Newspapers.com. March 27, 2023. March 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220313034159/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255645/cbs-acquires-channel-6-for-59-million/. live.
  29. News: Five TV stations poised for network shuffle. August 6, 1988. 1A, 14A. Bob. Michals. The Palm Beach Post. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042757/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105526539/five-tv-stations-poised-for-network/. live.
  30. News: Switching channels: Channel 12's change from ABC to CBS has Dreyfoos smiling. September 24, 1988. 1D, 8D. Bob. Michals. The Palm Beach Post. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042821/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570152/switching-channels-channel-12s-change/. live.
  31. News: ABC picks Palm affiliate that is not yet on the air. October 19, 1988. 8B. South Florida Sun Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 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.
  32. News: Instant TV. December 30, 1988. 1A, 12A. South Florida Sun Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Newspapers.com. March 12, 2022. March 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220313034201/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255728/instant-tv/. live.
  33. News: Affiliation sale rattles TV stations. 1, 41. Adam. Buckman. Electronic Media. October 31, 1988.
  34. News: WPEC gets signal to move into Broward. March 30, 1989. 6E. Tom. Jicha. South Florida Sun Sentinel. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042758/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724788/wpec-gets-signal-to-move-into-broward/. live.
  35. News: CBS affiliates do battle for Broward. March 31, 1989. 1BR, 4BR. Juan Carlos. Coto. The Miami Herald. Newspapers.com. April 13, 2023.
  36. News: 1A, 5A. Tom. Jicha. Newspapers.com. September 9, 1995. Reprogram the VCRs — channels 4, 6 about to swap. Sun-Sentinel. March 30, 2020.
  37. News: Enthusiasm, Innovation Mark Man Behind WPEC. October 24, 1982. A2, A8. Dorey. Finn Scott. Palm Beach Daily News. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042800/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122569420/enthusiasm-innovation-mark-man-behind/. live.
  38. News: No lights, camera, action for Burt in Palm Beach. October 26, 1983. 3D. Tim. Pallesen. The Miami Herald. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042801/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122580925/no-lights-camera-action-for-burt-in/. live.
  39. News: TV station sales picture bright. November 5, 1995. 1G, 2G. Vicki. McCash. South Florida Sun Sentinel. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042814/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570808/tv-station-sales-picture-bright/. live.
  40. News: Dreyfoos hopes WPEC-12 will be the one investors want to turn to. June 28, 1995. 5B, 10B. Mitch. McKenney. The Palm Beach Post. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042805/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570652/dreyfoos-hopes-wpec-12-will-be-the-one/. live.
  41. News: Sale of WPEC brings at least $150 million. September 28, 1995. 5B, 10B. Mitch. McKenney. The Palm Beach Post. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042822/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570718/sale-of-wpec-brings-at-least-150/. live.
  42. News: Dreyfoos sued by Mergenses. January 5, 1996. 1, 7. Palm Beach Daily News. Newspapers.com. April 13, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042830/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122583483/dreyfoos-sued-by-mergenses/. live.
  43. News: Milbourn. Mary Ann. O.C. Register owner sells TV stations. November 2, 2011. Orange County Register. November 2, 2011. November 3, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111103014937/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/sinclair-324997-stations-company.html. live.
  44. News: Colman. Price. Sinclair Buying Freedom For $385 Million. November 2, 2011. TVNewsCheck. November 2, 2011. July 14, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035153/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/sinclair-buying-freedom-for-385-million/. live.
  45. News: American Sports Network to reportedly cease operation at the end of this month. Awful Announcing. Ken. Fang. March 10, 2017. April 13, 2023. August 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220808012432/https://awfulannouncing.com/local-networks/american-sports-network-reportedly-cease-operation-end-month.html. live.
  46. Web site: Newscast Director, CBS-4. showbizjobs.com. January 23, 2023. WGFL CBS4 (Gainesville Newscast) that is based in West Palm Beach, FL. at WPEC....
  47. News: Gainesville's CBS4 to cease local broadcasts, staff laid off by Sinclair. The Gainesville Sun. Alan. Festo. May 2, 2023. May 2, 2023.
  48. News: WPEC West Palm Beach To Host Florida Gubernatorial Debate. TVNewsCheck. September 19, 2022. April 13, 2023. September 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220919105537/https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/wpec-west-palm-beach-to-host-florida-gubernatorial-debate/. live.
  49. News: Skiff's Departure Marks Channel 12 Facelifting. April 9, 1978. E3. Larry. Dorman. The Palm Beach Post. Newspapers.com. April 13, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042825/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122775688/skiffs-departure-marks-channel-12/. live.
  50. News: Bill Gordon: Reluctant Institution—After 17 Years on TV, Palm Beach Anchorman Can Do Without Stardom. February 26, 1978. TV 48, 49. Steve. Sonsky. The Miami Herald. Newspapers.com. April 13, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042755/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122775780/bill-gordon-reluctant/. live.
  51. News: Why was anchorwoman replaced?. May 22, 1981. Televiewer 2. Robin. Engel. Boca Raton News. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042804/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122569362/why-was-anchorwoman-replaced/. live.
  52. News: Outraged viewers to picket Channel 12's change of anchors. January 29, 1988. D1. Don. Van Natta. The Miami Herald. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042811/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122569805/outraged-viewers-to-picket-channel-12s/. live.
  53. News: Channel 12 demotes Bange as ratings plunge. August 30, 1988. 1B, 4B. Bob. Michals. The Palm Beach Post. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042824/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570042/channel-12-demotes-bange-as-ratings/. live.
  54. News: Channel 12 to turn its news lens southward. August 10, 1988. 1B, 2B. Patricia. Elich. Boca Raton News. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042756/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570001/channel-12-to-turn-its-news-lens/. live.
  55. News: First '89 Nielsens rate Channel 5 No. 1 in county. March 15, 1989. 1A, 14A. Tom. Jicha. South Florida Sun Sentinel. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042804/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724761/first-89-nielsens-rate-channel-5-no-1/. live.
  56. News: Channel 5 news rides high in ratings. December 14, 1992. 1D. Bob. Betcher. The Stuart News. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042818/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724731/channel-5-news-rides-high-in-ratings/. live.
  57. News: Channel 34 makes more newscast cuts. June 25, 1989. 1B, 2B. William. Labbee. The Miami Herald. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042803/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724844/channel-34-makes-more-newscast-cuts/. live.
  58. News: NBC, WPTV top ratings sweep. May 26, 1995. 5D. Paul. LoMartire. The Palm Beach Post. Newspapers.com. April 13, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042812/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122768805/nbc-wptv-top-ratings-sweep/. live.
  59. News: WPEC gives up quest to attract Broward news audience. March 20, 1991. 3E. Tom. Jicha. South Florida Sun Sentinel. Newspapers.com. April 13, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042805/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122768923/wpec-gives-up-quest-to-attract-broward/. live.
  60. News: Ch. 29 gets first word with 10 p.m. news. September 11, 1991. 1D, 4D. Paul. LoMartire. The Palm Beach Post. Newspapers.com. April 13, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042741/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122769923/ch-29-gets-first-word-with-10-pm-news/. live.
  61. News: WFLX to launch newscast—compliments of WPEC. March 21, 1991. 3E. Tom. Jicha. South Florida Sun Sentinel. Newspapers.com. April 13, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042823/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122769448/wflx-to-launch-newscastcompliments/. live.
  62. News: News at 10 makes debut in Palm Beach. September 11, 1991. 3E. South Florida Sun Sentinel. Newspapers.com. April 13, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042807/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122769787/news-at-10-makes-debut-in-palm-beach/. live.
  63. News: WFLX's morning news starts on Monday. April 29, 2000. B7. The Stuart News. Newspapers.com. April 13, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042822/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122770151/wflxs-morning-news-starts-on-monday/. live.
  64. News: Channel 29 will add an hour to morning newscast. June 13, 2006. E1. Melissa E.. Holsman. Press Journal. Newspapers.com. April 13, 2023.
  65. News: WPTV To Produce News For WFLX. December 30, 2010. Mark K.. Miller. TVNewsCheck. April 13, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042758/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/wptv-to-produce-news-for-wflx/. live.
  66. News: Channel 25's Extreme Makeover: How the ABC affiliate has changed its image to face the competition. June 12, 2006. 1D, 5D. Kevin D.. Thompson. The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida. 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/. live.
  67. News: Market Eye: Gunning for Best in 'West'. October 20, 2014. Michael. Malone. Broadcasting & Cable. April 13, 2023. March 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220313034304/https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-gunning-best-west-134939. live.
  68. News: WPEC To Move 7:00 p.m. Newscast, Replace It with 'Entertainment Tonight'. TVSpy. August 13, 2013. July 14, 2022. May 1, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140501104816/http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/wpec-to-move-700-p-m-newscast-replace-it-with-entertainment-tonight_b100330. live.
  69. Web site: WTVX 2Q 2022 Quarterly Issues Report. July 7, 2022. July 13, 2022. July 14, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220714043335/https://files.fcc.gov/download/08ba266b-027d-4c5d-8820-e662eb895347.pdf. live.
  70. News: WPEC chasing the news in the afternoon. August 26, 2014. Sun Sentinel. Johnny. Diaz. September 15, 2014. August 29, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140829002625/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2014-08-26/news/fl-wpec-3pm-newscast-20140826_1_p-m-newscast-the-talk-wpec. live.
  71. News: January 12, 2016. WPEC West Palm Beach Debuts 9 A.M. News. TVNewsCheck. April 13, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042812/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/wpec-west-palm-beach-debuts-9-a-m-news/. live.
  72. News: Channel 12 welcomes Nichols back. November 6, 1988. TV Post 8. Bob. Michals. The Palm Beach Post. Newspapers.com. April 13, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042802/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122778467/channel-12-welcomes-nichols-back/. live.
  73. News: Kolber's next stop: NASCAR. May 19, 2007. 10C. Alan. Tays. The Palm Beach Post. Newspapers.com. April 13, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042817/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122778256/kolbers-next-stop-nascar/. live.
  74. News: Alison Kosik Moves to CNN's New York Bureau. TVNewser. Chris. Ariens. January 10, 2017. April 13, 2023. December 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221202073818/https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/alison-kosik-moves-to-cnns-new-york-bureau/316625/. live.
  75. News: New Faces On the Tube: West Palm Stations Get Fresh Talent. July 9, 1978. TV1, TV2. Alan. Jenkins. The Palm Beach Post. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042746/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122568940/new-faces-on-the-tube-west-palm/. live.
  76. News: Terzi Quits Florida Position for Channel 8. April 18, 1980. 2. Colin. McEnroe. Hartford Courant. Newspapers.com. April 13, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042807/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122772889/terzi-quits-florida-position-for/. live.
  77. News: At least one police chief likes the beat of 2 Live Crew. June 28, 1990. 1D. Thom. Smith. The Palm Beach Post. Newspapers.com. April 12, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042805/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122738036/at-least-one-police-chief-likes-the/. live.
  78. News: WPEC turns off its analog signal, other stations to do digital-only by Friday. June 10, 2009. A4. Jim. Turner. Press Journal. Newspapers.com. April 13, 2023. April 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042808/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122774145/wpec-turns-off-its-analog-signal-other/. live.
  79. Web site: May 23, 2006 . DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf . August 29, 2013 . August 29, 2021 . Federal Communications Commission.