:WXIX-TV
{{good article}}
{{Short description|Television station in Newport, Kentucky}}
{{For|the station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that formerly used this call sign|WVTV}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = WXIX-TV
| city = Newport, Kentucky
| logo = WXIX-TV logo.svg
| logo_size = 150px
| logo_alt = A silver Fox network logo next to a red letter 19 in a sans serif. Below it and to the right, in all caps in black, the word "NOW".
| branding = Fox 19 Now
| digital = 15 (UHF)
| virtual = 19
| affiliations = {{ubl|19.1: Fox|for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}}}
| owner = Gray Media
| licensee = Gray Television Licensee, LLC
| sister_stations = WBQC-LD, WZCD-LD
| location = {{ubl|Newport, Kentucky|Cincinnati, Ohio}}
| country = United States
| airdate = {{start date and age|1968|8|1|p=y|br=yes}}
| callsign_meaning = "XIX" is the Roman numeral for 19
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|Analog: 19 (UHF, 1968–2009)|Digital: 29 (UHF, 2000–2019)}}
| former_affiliations = Independent (1968–1986)
| erp = 235 kW
| haat = {{convert|290|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 39738
| coordinates = {{Coord|39|7|19|N|84|32|52|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority = FCC
| website = {{URL|https://www.fox19.com/}}
}}
WXIX-TV (channel 19) is a television station licensed to Newport, Kentucky, United States, serving the Cincinnati metro as the market's Fox affiliate. It is owned by Gray Media alongside low-power Telemundo affiliate WBQC-LD (channel 25) and 24/7 weather channel WZCD-LD (channel 30). The three stations share studios at 19 Broadcast Plaza on Seventh Street in the Queensgate neighborhood just west of downtown Cincinnati; WXIX-TV's transmitter is located in the South Fairmount neighborhood on the city's northwest side.
Though the construction permit for a fourth television station to serve Cincinnati—originally assigned channel 74—had been obtained by a Newport group in 1953, it took 15 years and two sales before the station was built on channel 19; its facilities have always been in Ohio. A successful independent station under U.S. Communications Corporation, Metromedia, and Malrite Communications Group before the creation of Fox in 1986, the station began producing a local newscast in 1993 and today airs local newscasts in many time slots.
History
=Prior to launch=
On July 9, 1953, Tri-City Broadcasting Company, owner of WNOP (740 AM) in Newport, filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a construction permit to build a television station on channel 74, which had been assigned to Newport.{{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=87036 |title= History Cards for WXIX-TV|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} (Guide to reading History Cards) After Gordon Broadcasting, owner of Cincinnati radio station WSAI, dropped its application for the channel, Tri-City became unopposed,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94070923/tri-city-seeks-channel-74-newport-firm/|date=November 17, 1953|page=14|title=Tri-City Seeks Channel 74; Newport Firm Amends Plea As Gordon Cancels Action|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203041558/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94070923/tri-city-seeks-channel-74-newport-firm/|url-status=live}} and a construction permit for WNOP-TV was granted on December 24, 1953.{{r|hc}} Jim Lang, the former Campbell County sheriff that controlled Tri-City, envisioned the studios being adjoined by an amusement complex, complete with glass-enclosed restaurant, indoor ice rink, and outdoor swimming pool.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94071021/tv-station-de-luxe-upcoming/|date=November 24, 1953|page=14|first=William|last=Collins|title=TV Station De Luxe Upcoming!|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203145346/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94071021/tv-station-de-luxe-upcoming/|url-status=live}}
With Lang noting the tribulations of other UHF television stations around the country, however, Tri-City opted not to build its station right away. In April 1956, Lang told a reporter for The Cincinnati Enquirer that it would only be a "matter of time" until channel 74 went on air.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94071108/greater-cincinnati-to-get-new-tv/|date=April 9, 1956|page=6|first=Dan|last=Baum|title=Greater Cincinnati To Get New TV Station, Says Head Of Corporation That Runs WNOP|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055506/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94071108/greater-cincinnati-to-get-new-tv/|url-status=live}} Some conversation around the construction permit emerged in late 1962, when Lang sold WNOP radio and the WNOP-TV construction permit to television actor Dean Miller in a deal that ultimately fell through;{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94071197/sinatra-lawford-in-wnop-deal-video/|date=December 29, 1962|page=1|first=David|last=Hunter|title=Sinatra, Lawford In WNOP Deal? Video Field Eyed|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203042451/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94071197/sinatra-lawford-in-wnop-deal-video/|url-status=live}} Tri-City had presented to the FCC a proposal to add a lower-power channel 3 station to Cincinnati (between channel 2 in Dayton and channel 3 in Louisville), which Miller also supported, though chances of approval were slim.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94071281/story-confirmed-miller-planning-area/|date=December 30, 1962|page=1|first=Dave|last=Hunter|title=Story Confirmed: Miller Planning Area TV Outlet|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203103125/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94071281/story-confirmed-miller-planning-area/|url-status=live}}
In early 1965, channel 74 was no closer to going on the air than it had been a decade prior, but a change in ownership would lead to the foundation being laid to start a new commercial television station in Greater Cincinnati. That March, Tri-City sold the WNOP-TV permit to Daniel H. Overmyer, who was seeking to build a chain of major-market UHF television stations, for $100,000.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94071372/tv-permit-sale-by-land-okd-ny/|date=March 11, 1965|page=2|title=TV Permit Sale By Land O.K.'d: N.Y. Firm Buys|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203115839/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94071372/tv-permit-sale-by-land-okd-ny/|url-status=live}} Two changes were nearly immediate after the purchase closed. On September 14, 1965, the call letters were changed to WSCO-TV; Overmyer's stations all bore the initials of family members, with the new designation representing his wife, Shirley Clark Overmyer.{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1966/1966-05-30-BC.pdf|date=May 30, 1966|work=Broadcasting|title=He's hitched his wagon to a UHF star|id={{ProQuest|1014499462}}|page=93|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151218/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1966/1966-05-30-BC.pdf|url-status=live}} The FCC was in the process of overhauling the UHF table of allocations at the time, which—together with a rulemaking petition from Overmyer{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1965/1965-08-23-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=August 23, 1965|page=94|title=Rulemakings|id={{ProQuest|1014501485}}|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=November 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104213307/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1965/1965-08-23-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}—resulted in the lower channel of 19 being substituted for 74 in 1966.{{r|hc}} Overmyer selected the Bald Knob tower site,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94071513/fourth-tv-outlet-studied/|date=March 11, 1966|page=2|title=Fourth TV Outlet Studied|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203041556/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94071513/fourth-tv-outlet-studied/|url-status=live}} negotiated to lease a studio facility on Eighth Street in the Queensgate neighborhood,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94071755/wsco-tv-picks-site/|date=December 15, 1966|page=28|title=WSCO-TV Picks Site|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203145337/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94071755/wsco-tv-picks-site/|url-status=live}} and announced that the new station would be affiliated with the new Overmyer Network once it started.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94071627/new-uhf-station-to-feature-sports-and/|date=July 13, 1966|page=23|first=Martin|last=Hogan Jr.|title=New UHF Station To Feature Sports And 'Live' Programming|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055506/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94071627/new-uhf-station-to-feature-sports-and/|url-status=live}} Civic leaders in Newport objected, to no avail, to the idea of the station leaving Northern Kentucky.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94801894/newport-battles-to-keep-uhf-tv-station-i/|date=December 11, 1965|page=Television 19|title=Newport Battles To Keep UHF TV Station in Ky.|newspaper=The Cincinnati Post|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 14, 2022|archive-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214042713/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94801894/newport-battles-to-keep-uhf-tv-station/|url-status=live}}
A launch date of February 1, 1967, was initially slated,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94071690/yes-virginia-there-is-a-new-station/|date=November 24, 1966|page=18-A|first=Martin|last=Hogan|title=Yes, Virginia, There Is A New Station|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203115844/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94071690/yes-virginia-there-is-a-new-station/|url-status=live}} but the station did not start on that date. Instead, in April, Overmyer reached a deal to sell 80 percent of his television station group to the American Viscose Corporation (AVC).{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94071790/wsco-tv-sold/|date=April 20, 1967|page=12|title=WSCO-TV Sold|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203041602/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94071790/wsco-tv-sold/|url-status=live}}
=Startup and early years=
The FCC approved the purchase of the Overmyer stations by AVC (which organized its television holdings under the name U.S. Communications Corporation) in December 1967.{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-12-18-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=December 18, 1967|pages=64–65|title=Top-50 policy set for burial|id={{ProQuest|1014509454}}|via=World Radio History|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=November 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104213145/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-12-18-BC.pdf|url-status=live}} The following May, the call letters changed one more time to WXIX-TV, representing the Roman numeral for 19;{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94072019/emmy-takes-a-cue/|date=May 17, 1968|page=24|title=Emmy Takes A Cue|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|first=Martin|last=Hogan Jr.|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203103121/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94072019/emmy-takes-a-cue/|url-status=live}} station manager Doug McLarty also cited possible confusion with WCPO-TV in changing the call sign.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94802410/emmy-awards-are-baffling-to-participants/|date=May 20, 1968|page=18|first=Mary|last=Wood|title=Emmy Awards Are Baffling To Participants|newspaper=The Cincinnati Post|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 14, 2022|archive-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214042713/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94802410/emmy-awards-are-baffling-to-participants/|url-status=live}} From the Overmyer-built transmitter facilities and a studio site within an office suite at 801 West Eighth Street in Cincinnati, WXIX-TV debuted on the afternoon of August 1, 1968.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94072180/19-goes-on-the-air/|date=August 1, 1968|page=8|title=19 Goes On The Air|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055506/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94072180/19-goes-on-the-air/|url-status=live}} The site from which channel 19 went on air was not the one Overmyer had selected; channel 19 was then sued by that property's owners.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94172501/wxix-tv-named-in-contract-suit/|date=December 12, 1968|page=8|title=WXIX-TV Named In Contract Suit|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204061515/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94172501/wxix-tv-named-in-contract-suit/|url-status=live}}
Cincinnati's first commercial independent station featured a schedule consisting primarily of movies, sports, and syndicated programs, though it also produced a local daytime children's program hosted by puppeteer Larry Smith.{{r|Cinc680801}} The next year, the station debuted "The Cool Ghoul", a host of Scream-In, channel 19's Saturday night science fiction and horror movie played by Dick VonHoene.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23590885/the-cincinnati-enquirer/|date=February 12, 1970|page=18|first=Steve|last=Hoffman|title='Ghoul' Approaches Goal Coolly|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203103122/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23590885/the-cincinnati-enquirer/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title='Ghoul' Approaches Goal Coolly|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23590885/the_cincinnati_enquirer/|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|date=February 12, 1970 |publisher=The Cincinnati Enquirer February 12, 1970|page=18|access-date=September 9, 2018|archive-date=September 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910014729/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23590885/the_cincinnati_enquirer/|url-status=live}} By the start of 1970, an American Research Bureau study had determined WXIX-TV was the number-one UHF independent station in the United States and in the top ten of all independents, VHF or UHF, nationwide.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94075816/tv-radio-briefs-wxix-tv-tops-among-inde/|date=January 27, 1970|page=8|title=TV-Radio Briefs: WXIX-TV Tops Among Independents|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055507/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94075816/tv-radio-briefs-wxix-tv-tops-among/|url-status=live}} In 1970, the station purchased a facility on Taconic Terrace in Woodlawn, Ohio, from the defunct K & S Films for use as a larger studio base.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94076664/channel-19-to-get-larger-quarters/|date=March 10, 1970|page=18|title=Channel 19 To Get Larger Quarters|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055507/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94076664/channel-19-to-get-larger-quarters/|url-status=live}}
=Sale to Metromedia=
Channel 19 was demonstrating success and attracting viewership, which made it an outlier in the U.S. Communications portfolio. In March 1971, the company suspended operations at its stations in Atlanta and San Francisco,{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1971/1971-03-29-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=March 29, 1971|id={{ProQuest|1016858243}}|title=Group mothballs two U's; cites low ad revenues|page=96|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203103120/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1971/1971-03-29-BC.pdf|url-status=live}} and channel 19 had cut back its broadcast day in the second half of 1970.{{r|Cinc710806}} WXIX-TV came close to joining them in silence. On August 5, 1971, The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. Communications had asked the FCC for permission to take channel 19 and WPGH-TV in Pittsburgh off the air.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94077019/19-chief-says-wsj-blackout-story-untru/|date=August 6, 1971|page=8|title='19' Chief Says WSJ Blackout Story Untrue|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055508/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94077019/19-chief-says-wsj-blackout-story/|url-status=live}} The two stations, however, got a reprieve because they had instead attracted potential buyers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94077390/five-buyers-in-field-channel-19-blackou/|date=August 7, 1971|page=1|first=Steve|last=Hoffman|title=Five Buyers In Field: Channel 19 Blackout Canceled|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055508/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94077390/five-buyers-in-field-channel-19/|url-status=live}} It was initially announced that a Washington, D.C., communications law firm, Welch and Morgan, would buy the station,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94077528/washington-lawyers-buy-wxix-tv/|date=August 13, 1971|page=59|title=Washington Lawyers Buy WXIX-TV|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203131006/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94077528/washington-lawyers-buy-wxix-tv/|url-status=live}} but AVC insisted on the buyers endorsing the $2 million in debt associated with channel 19, which caused them to balk at the deal.{{r|Cinc710828}}
By month's end, Metromedia was in negotiations to purchase WXIX-TV,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94077614/sale-talks-on-for-channel-19/|date=August 28, 1971|page=1|first=Steve|last=Hoffman|title=Sale Talks On For Channel 19|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055509/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94077614/sale-talks-on-for-channel-19/|url-status=live}} and a deal was reached in early October to purchase the station for the assumption of $3 million in liabilities.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94077845/19-will-change-under-metromedia/|date=October 5, 1971|page=10|first=Steve|last=Hoffman|title='19' Will Change Under Metromedia|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203105359/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94077845/19-will-change-under-metromedia/|url-status=live}} The FCC approved of the deal in August 1972.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94077992/fcc-approves-wxix-sale/|date=August 10, 1972|page=43|title=FCC Approves WXIX Sale|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055508/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94077992/fcc-approves-wxix-sale/|url-status=live}}
Metromedia was able to stabilize WXIX-TV, increasing its ability to attract quality programming and contributing its own productions. Furthermore, WXIX-TV started a commercial production division; as none of the other stations had entered this specialty, channel 19 was able to corner between 70 and 80 percent of this market in the Cincinnati area.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94926605/just-tape-it/|date=October 19, 1973|page=20|first=Jane|last=Juracek|title=Just tape it|newspaper=The Cincinnati Post|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 14, 2022|archive-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214042714/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94926605/just-tape-it/|url-status=live}} In the late 1970s, the station's local programs included Cincinnati Stingers hockey games{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94078622/something-old-something-new-on-wxix-for/|date=September 8, 1978|page=E-14|first=Steve|last=Hoffman|title=Something Old, Something New On WXIX For Fall|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055509/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94078622/something-old-something-new-on-wxix/|url-status=live}} and a news magazine, In Cincinnati.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94078575/first-in-cincinnati-has-19-on-right-tr/|date=February 1, 1978|page=C-5|first=Steve|last=Hoffman|title=First 'In Cincinnati' Has 19 On Right Track|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055544/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94078575/first-in-cincinnati-has-19-on-right/|url-status=live}} While a second independent station began broadcasting in 1980, WBTI (channel 64) was a part-time subscription television station which had trimmed its ad-supported schedule to a handful of programs by 1983.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61252702/wbti-trades-free-cable-programming-for/|date=June 10, 1983|page=B-2|first=Angie|last=Cannon|title=WBTI Trades Free Cable Programming For Profitable Cable Service|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022023447/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61252702/wbti-trades-free-cable-programming-for/|url-status=live}}
=Malrite ownership and the arrival of Fox=
In 1982, Metromedia entered into an agreement to buy WFLD-TV in Chicago. This $136 million deal—the most expensive purchase of an independent station and far and away the highest sale price of any UHF outlet—required it to divest of one of its two UHF stations, WXIX or KRIV in Houston, under the ownership limits of the day that allowed one company to own as many as five VHF and two additional UHF television stations. It chose to sell the Cincinnati outlet, which was in the smallest market of any in which the firm owned TV properties,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94079154/channel-19-reported-sold-by-metromedia/|date=August 13, 1982|page=B-7|first=Tom|last=Brinkmoeller|title=Channel 19 Reported Sold By Metromedia|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203131011/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94079154/channel-19-reported-sold-by-metromedia/|url-status=live}} and it also sold WTCN-TV in Minneapolis to finance the purchase.{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1982/BC-1982-08-30.pdf|title=Through the roof with Metromedia|id={{ProQuest|962736126}}|pages=25–26|work=Broadcasting|date=August 30, 1982|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203103131/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1982/BC-1982-08-30.pdf|url-status=live}} The buyer was Cleveland-based Malrite Communications Group.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94079231/cleveland-group-buys-channel-19/|date=August 24, 1982|page=B-11|first=Tom|last=Brinkmoeller|title=Cleveland Group Buys Channel 19|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203151143/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94079231/cleveland-group-buys-channel-19/|url-status=live}} The $45 million sale was approved by the FCC in December 1983.{{cite news|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1983/BC-1983-12-05.pdf|access-date=February 2, 2022|id={{ProQuest|1014706070}}|via=World Radio History|work=Broadcasting|date=December 5, 1983|page=72|title=Changing Hands|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203042451/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1983/BC-1983-12-05.pdf|url-status=live}}
Under Malrite, WXIX-TV continued to be the market's leading non-network station, not far behind the network stations in early evening hours and way ahead of WBTI, which had become a full-time ad-supported station again as WIII in 1985.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67226197/ch-64s-outlook-dims/|date=January 19, 1987|page=E-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67226156/wiii-rising-syndicated-programming/ E-6]|first=Jon|last=Newberry|title=Ch. 64's outlook dims|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=January 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112134110/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67226197/ch-64s-outlook-dims/|url-status=live}} One advertising agency president declared it had become "one of the big boys" in local television.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94150974/independent-channel-19-in-same-league-wi/|date=February 16, 1986|page=F-1|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|title=Independent Channel 19 in same league with affiliates|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055510/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94150974/independent-channel-19-in-same-league/|url-status=live}} In the early years under Malrite, the station telecast Xavier Musketeers men's basketball before picking up a multi-year deal to air University of Cincinnati basketball games in 1987.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94158042/xavier-basketball-moves-to-channel-9/|date=May 28, 1987|page=B-8|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|title=Xavier basketball moves to Channel 9|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204061521/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94158042/xavier-basketball-moves-to-channel-9/|url-status=live}} UC basketball had previously aired on the station in the Metromedia era.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94158260/optical-company-settles-out-of-court-on/|date=May 29, 1983|page=B-11|first=Peter|last=King|title=Optical Company Settles Out Of Court On Reds' Billing|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055607/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94158260/optical-company-settles-out-of-court-on/|url-status=live}}
It joined Fox as a charter member in 1986.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94086937/joan-rivers-is-only-tip-of-foxs-iceberg/|date=July 30, 1986|page=C-1|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|title=Joan Rivers is only tip of Fox's iceberg|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055608/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94086937/joan-rivers-is-only-tip-of-foxs-iceberg/|url-status=live}} When Fox made a push into children's programming with the startup of the Fox Children's Network (later known as Fox Kids), WXIX started its own Fox Kids Club; within nine months, channel 19 had 80,000 members, outpacing projections of 50,000 in the first year. It also started a new weekly local children's show, Fridays Are Fun, hosted by Michael Flannery.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94151129/channel-19s-michael-is-hot-with-tots/|date=September 30, 1990|page=E-7|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|title=Channel 19's Michael is hot with tots|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055621/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94151129/channel-19s-michael-is-hot-with-tots/|url-status=live}}
=News startup, studio move, and Raycom purchase=
File:Harriett Beecher Stowe School, Queensgate, Cincinnati, OH (48905230276).jpg
From the Malrite purchase until his death from esophageal cancer in 1992, Bill T. Jenkins was channel 19's general manager; he also served on the first Fox affiliate association board and advised the creation of Fox Kids, and within Malrite, he was named executive vice president of its television station division, securing Fox affiliations for multiple Malrite stations.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94152409/bill-t-jenkins-52-wxix-general-manage/|date=September 24, 1992|page=B-8|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|title=Bill T. Jenkins, 52: WXIX general manager also left mark at WUBE|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055610/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94152409/bill-t-jenkins-52-wxix-general/|url-status=live}} He was replaced by Stu Powell, WFLD's general manager; Stu then hired Greg Caputo, who had overseen the launch of a local newsroom at WFLD in 1987, to do the same in Cincinnati.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94152218/the-news-is-the-news-at-channel-19/|date=July 18, 1993|page=1-F|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|title=The news is the news at Channel 19|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055623/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94152218/the-news-is-the-news-at-channel-19/|url-status=live}}
Launching local news made the Woodlawn site, {{convert|15|mi|km}} from Cincinnati on Interstate 75, a hindrance for news crews. As a result, in 1993, WXIX-TV purchased the former Harriet Beecher Stowe School building in the Queensgate neighborhood, spending $2 million at a sheriff's sale to acquire the former black junior high school which had since been converted into offices. The station converted a third of the structure for its own use, including using the former gymnasium as its primary studio.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94155863/channel-19-plans-move-into-old-stowe-sch/|date=November 2, 1993|page=B5|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|title=Channel 19 plans move into old Stowe School|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055611/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94155863/channel-19-plans-move-into-old-stowe/|url-status=live}} The station moved into what was renamed "19 Broadcast Plaza" in December 1995; at the same time, it dropped its "19XIX" moniker used for a decade and became known as "Fox 19".{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94156258/john-kiesewetter/|date=December 5, 1995|page=E8|title=Channel 19 news|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055610/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94156258/john-kiesewetter/|url-status=live}} Between 1992 and the launch of a morning newscast in 1996, WXIX-TV's staff swelled from 63 to 141 employees.{{r|Cinc960909}}
In 1998, Raycom Media purchased Malrite Communications and its five stations, three of them in Ohio.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94157818/wxix-parent-sells-to-raycom-media/|date=April 7, 1998|page=C1|title=WXIX parent sells to Raycom Media|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055611/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94157818/wxix-parent-sells-to-raycom-media/|url-status=live}} Under Raycom, the station made a series of news expansions and analyzed leaving 19 Broadcast Plaza for a larger building that could be owned rather than leased.{{cite news|work=Cincinnati Business Courier|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/print-edition/2010/10/22/stay-tuned-cincinnatis-wxix-looking.html|title=Stay tuned: Cincinnati's WXIX looking for new space|first=Dan|last=Monk|date=October 22, 2010|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=October 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025074242/http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/print-edition/2010/10/22/stay-tuned-cincinnatis-wxix-looking.html|url-status=live}}
=Sale to Gray Television=
On June 25, 2018, Atlanta-based Gray Television announced that it had reached an agreement with Raycom to merge their respective broadcasting assets (consisting of Raycom's 63 existing owned-and/or-operated television stations, including WXIX-TV, and Gray's 93 television stations) under Gray's corporate umbrella in a cash-and-stock merger transaction valued at $3.6 billion.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/114556/gray-to-buy-raycom-for-36-billion|title=Gray To Buy Raycom For $3.6 Billion|author=Miller, Mark K.|work=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheckMedia|date=June 25, 2018|access-date=June 25, 2018}}{{cite web|title=Gray Acquiring Raycom For $3.65B, Forming No. 3 Local TV Group|url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/grey-acquiring-raycom-for-3-65-billion-forming-no-3-local-tv-group-1202416667/|author=Dade Hayes|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=June 25, 2018|access-date=September 18, 2018|archive-date=August 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826073827/https://deadline.com/2018/06/grey-acquiring-raycom-for-3-65-billion-forming-no-3-local-tv-group-1202416667/|url-status=live}} The sale was approved on December 20 of that year{{cite news|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/fcc-ok-with-gray-raycom-merger|title=FCC OK with Gray/Raycom Merger|publisher=Broadcasting & Cable|date=December 20, 2018|access-date=July 21, 2019|archive-date=April 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405165927/https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/fcc-ok-with-gray-raycom-merger|url-status=live}} and was completed on January 2, 2019.{{cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/227754/gray-closes-3-6-billion-raycom-merger/|title=Gray Closes On $3.6 Billion Raycom Merger|work=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheckMedia|date=January 2, 2019|access-date=July 21, 2019|archive-date=January 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103060110/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/227754/gray-closes-3-6-billion-raycom-merger/|url-status=live}}
Programming
= Sports programming =
WXIX-TV acquired the rights to air Cincinnati Bengals team programming and up to three preseason games a year in 2024 as part of a multi-year deal with the team. The Bengals had telecast their preseason games on WKRC-TV for 35 of the previous 36 seasons.{{Cite news |last=Kiesewetter |first=John |date=March 11, 2024 |title=WKRC-TV loses Opening Day and Bengals preseason games |url=https://www.wvxu.org/media/2024-03-11/wkrc-tv-loses-opening-day-bengals-preseason-tvkiese |access-date=March 11, 2024 |work=WVXU |language=en}}
In 2025, WXIX agreed to simulcast ten Cincinnati Reds regular season games, including opening day, with FanDuel Sports Network Ohio;{{Cite web |last=K. Miller |first=Mark |date=March 19, 2025 |title=FanDuel Sports Network, Cincinnati Reds Partner With WXIX, Rock Entertainment Sports Network & Gray Media |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/programming/article/fanduel-sports-network-cincinnati-reds-partner-with-wxix-rock-entertainment-sports-network-gray-media/ |access-date=March 19, 2025 |website=TV News Check |language=en-US}} the games would additionally be simulcast over Rock Entertainment Sports Network (RESN) which airs on WXIX-DT3.{{cite web |last=Kiesewetter |first=John |date=March 19, 2025 |title=WXIX-TV gets Opening Day, plus 9 more Reds game telecasts |url=https://www.wvxu.org/media/2025-03-19/wxix-tv-opening-day-reds-games |access-date=March 19, 2025 |website=WVXU}} A joint venture between Gray Media and Rock Entertainment Group, RESN launched over WXIX-DT3 in August 2024, with WXIX's feed set up to carry additional local programming.{{cite news |last=Thomas |first=George M. |date=July 25, 2024 |title=Rock Entertainment, Gray Media partner for Charge, Monsters TV home |url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/pro/2024/07/25/rock-entertainment-gray-media-partner-for-charge-monsters-tv-home/74548394007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726014947/https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/pro/2024/07/25/rock-entertainment-gray-media-partner-for-charge-monsters-tv-home/74548394007/ |archive-date=July 26, 2024 |access-date=January 6, 2025 |work=Akron Beacon Journal}}
= News operation =
While channel 19 studied the introduction of local news in 1978,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94926701/wong-may-open-new-restaurant/|date=November 16, 1979|page=23|first=Dale|last=Stevens|title=Wong may open new restaurant|newspaper=The Cincinnati Post|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 14, 2022|archive-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214042714/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94926701/wong-may-open-new-restaurant/|url-status=live}} began airing prime time news updates in 1985, and entertained expanding its news presence in 1989,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94158438/channel-19-probes-10-pm-newscast/|date=December 20, 1989|page=F-8|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|title=Channel 19 probes 10 p.m. newscast|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055624/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94158438/channel-19-probes-10-pm-newscast/|url-status=live}} it was not until the early 1990s that a full-on local newscast started at WXIX-TV. In 1993, Stu Powell of Chicago's WFLD hired that station's news director, Greg Caputo, to start a local newsroom for WXIX-TV.{{r|Cinc930718}} After a $2 million investment, WXIX's news department—the first new TV newsroom in Cincinnati since 1958{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94069158/wxixs-making-of-a-newscast/|date=October 18, 1993|page=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94069216/wxix-taking-aim-at-viewers-who-turn-in/ C2]|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|title=WXIX's making of a newscast|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055612/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94069158/wxixs-making-of-a-newscast/|url-status=live}}—debuted on October 18, 1993. Initially, channel 19 produced a half-hour Ten O'Clock News and the short-lived Midnight News, an unusual attempt at a late-night local newscast; both programs were originally anchored by Jack Atherton and Phyllis Watson alongside chief meteorologist Rich Apuzzo and sports director Greg Hoard, the latter the only on-air talent poached from another station.{{r|Cinc931018}} In addition, Tricia Macke was brought on as a contributor—later going full-time after the station requested she stop her other modeling job—and Kevin Frazier, now the co-host of Entertainment Tonight, was the weekend sports anchor.{{Cite web|date=October 18, 2018|title=Celebrating 25 Years Of WXIX News With Tricia Macke|url=https://www.wvxu.org/media/2018-10-18/celebrating-25-years-of-wxix-news-with-tricia-macke|access-date=January 3, 2022|website=WVXU|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|language=en|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055613/https://www.wvxu.org/media/2018-10-18/celebrating-25-years-of-wxix-news-with-tricia-macke|url-status=live}}
After channel 19 moved into the former Stowe School, several expansions of news at WXIX were carried out. The first was the extension of the 10 p.m. news to a full hour in January 1996.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94157037/channel-19-expands-ten-oclock-news/|date=January 22, 1996|page=C1|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|title=Channel 19 expands 'Ten-O'Clock News'|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055612/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94157037/channel-19-expands-ten-oclock-news/|url-status=live}} That fall, 19 in the Morning, a three-hour morning news program, debuted.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94157162/19-in-the-morning-shooting-for-long-ru/|date=September 9, 1996|page=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94157243/ C2]|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|title='19 in the Morning' shooting for long run|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055617/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94157162/19-in-the-morning-shooting-for-long/|url-status=live}} 19 News Midday, a half-hour at 11:30 a.m., followed in May 1997.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94157367/john-kiesewetter/|date=May 16, 1997|page=D8|title=WXIX-TV news|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055615/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94157367/john-kiesewetter/|url-status=live}} Even though the morning shows were still gaining an audience, the Ten O'Clock News was among the highest-rated in the United States.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94157696/its-time-for-more-tv-news/|date=July 13, 1997|page=E1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94157658/news-stations-find-more-news-yields/ E11]|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|title=It's time for more TV news|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055613/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94157696/its-time-for-more-tv-news/|url-status=live}} After seeing success with a 10 p.m. newscast, the station expanded further into morning news, adding a 6 a.m. hour in 1998, and ratings increased when it promoted Macke to full-time 10 p.m. anchor and hired Sheila Gray to anchor Fox 19 in the Morning in 1999.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94159157/the-little-newscast-that-could/|date=October 26, 2008|page=I1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94159119/channel-19-slowly-builds-a-competitive/ I4]|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|title=The little newscast that could|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055616/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94159157/the-little-newscast-that-could/|url-status=live}}
File:US Navy 070831-N-7163S-001 U.S. Joint Forces Command Chief of Staff, Rear Adm. Ben Wachendorf, appears on WXIX-TV's morning news program, Fox 19 In The Morning, with local television hostess Sheila Gray.jpg Rear Admiral Miles B. Wachendorf (left) on Fox 19 in the Morning.|alt=Refer to caption]]
After nearly a decade, news expansions began again in 2008 with the launch of the Fox 19 Evening News, a 6:30 p.m. local newscast.{{r|Cinc081026}} In 2010, 2011, and 2012, extensions to the morning newscast brought its total length at its peak to seven hours, from 4 to 11 a.m.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94159913/new-faces-in-news-at-fox-19/|date=September 5, 2010|page=D2|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|title=New faces in news at Fox 19|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055615/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94159913/new-faces-in-news-at-fox-19/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/wxix-launching-half-hour-of-weather-at-4-a-m/|work=TVNewsCheck|title=WXIX Launching Half-Hour Of Weather At 4 A.M.|date=July 7, 2011|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055626/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/wxix-launching-half-hour-of-weather-at-4-a-m/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/wxix-adding-an-hour-to-its-morning-news/|date=August 2, 2012|work=TVNewsCheck|title=WXIX Adding An Hour To Its Morning News|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055620/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/wxix-adding-an-hour-to-its-morning-news/|url-status=live}} The station would also debut weekend morning newscasts in 2012.{{cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/wxix-adding-weekend-morning-news/|date=July 18, 2012|title=WXIX Adding Weekend Morning News|work=TVNewsCheck|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055622/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/wxix-adding-weekend-morning-news/|url-status=live}} In the 2010s, WXIX also had news sharing partnerships with WLW radio{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94160810/deal-gives-ch-19-fireworks-wlw-tie-in/|date=April 1, 2010|page=B6, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94160859/ B10]|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|title=Deal gives Ch. 19 fireworks, WLW tie-in|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055617/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94160810/deal-gives-ch-19-fireworks-wlw-tie-in/|url-status=live}} and The Cincinnati Enquirer.{{cite news|url=https://www.wvxu.org/media/2016-09-15/enquirer-wxix-tv-news-sharing-agreement-finalized|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|date=September 15, 2016|work=WVXU|title=Enquirer-WXIX-TV News Sharing Agreement Finalized|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055618/https://www.wvxu.org/media/2016-09-15/enquirer-wxix-tv-news-sharing-agreement-finalized|url-status=live}}
In 2018, WXIX added 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts, the latter the first competition to network affiliates in that time slot in Cincinnati TV history.{{cite news|url=https://www.wvxu.org/media/2018-08-02/wxix-tv-adding-4-p-m-and-11-p-m-news|work=WVXU|date=August 2, 2018|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|title=WXIX-TV Adding 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. News|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055619/https://www.wvxu.org/media/2018-08-02/wxix-tv-adding-4-p-m-and-11-p-m-news|url-status=live}} This was followed in January 2020 by 90 further daily minutes of news from 5 to 6:30 p.m.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wvxu.org/media/2020-01-02/wxix-tv-names-anchor-teams-for-5-6-30-p-m-newscasts|work=WVXU|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|title=WXIX-TV Names Anchor Teams For 5-6:30 p.m. Newscasts|date=January 2, 2020|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055617/https://www.wvxu.org/media/2020-01-02/wxix-tv-names-anchor-teams-for-5-6-30-p-m-newscasts|url-status=live}} and in 2021 by an hour of news at 3 p.m.{{cite news|url=https://www.wvxu.org/media/2021-06-10/wxix-tv-expanding-local-news-to-fill-judge-judy-3-p-m-slot-this-fall|work=WVXU|first=John|last=Kiesewetter|title=WXIX-TV Expanding Local News To Fill 'Judge Judy' 3 p.m. Slot This Fall|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=September 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908232118/https://www.wvxu.org/media/2021-06-10/wxix-tv-expanding-local-news-to-fill-judge-judy-3-p-m-slot-this-fall|url-status=live}} As of 2024, WXIX produces {{frac|71|1|2}} hours of local newscasts each week.
= Notable alumni =
- Dan Hoard – radio and TV sportscaster for the Cincinnati Bengals and Cincinnati Bearcats football and basketball{{r|macke25}}
- Maria LaRosa – meteorologist{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/fates-fortunes-103334|work=Broadcasting & Cable|title=Fates & Fortunes|date=May 30, 2004|access-date=February 5, 2022|archive-date=March 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303094518/https://www.nexttv.com/news/fates-fortunes-103334|url-status=live}}
- Chris Rose – sportscaster{{r|macke25}}
- Ben Swann – anchor and reporter, 2010–2013{{cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/anchor-ben-swann-leaving-wxix-cincinnati/|date=April 3, 2013|title=Anchor Ben Swann Leaving WXIX Cincinnati|work=TVNewsCheck|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055622/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/anchor-ben-swann-leaving-wxix-cincinnati/|url-status=live}}
Technical information
=Subchannels=
The station's signal is multiplexed:
| class=wikitable
|+ Subchannels of WXIX-TV{{cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WXIX#station|website=RabbitEars.info|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WXIX|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203145335/https://rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WXIX#station|url-status=live}} | |||
| scope = "col" | Channel
! scope = "col" | Res. ! scope = "col" | Aspect ! scope = "col" | Short name ! scope = "col" | Programming | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| scope = "row" | 19.1 | |||
| scope = "row" | 19.2
| rowspan= 5 | 480i || H&I || Heroes & Icons | |||
| scope = "row" | 19.3
| RSN || Rock Entertainment Sports Network | |||
| scope = "row" | 19.4
| Grit || Grit | |||
| scope = "row" | 19.5
| ION || Ion Television | |||
| scope = "row" | 19.6
| TruCrim || True Crime Network | |||
| style="background-color:#DFEBF6; border-top: 2px solid #003399;"
! scope = "row" | 64.4 | 480i | 16:9 | TBD | TBD (WSTR-TV) |
{{legend|#DFEBF6|Broadcast on behalf of another station}}
WXIX's main subchannel is carried on the ATSC 3.0 (Next Gen TV) multiplex of WSTR-TV, which launched in 2021; in exchange, WXIX hosts one of WSTR's subchannels.{{cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/tech/article/five-stations-launch-nextgen-tv-in-cincinnati/|date=September 14, 2021|title=Five Stations Launch NextGen TV In Cincinnati|work=TVNewsCheck|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204055618/https://tvnewscheck.com/tech/article/five-stations-launch-nextgen-tv-in-cincinnati/|url-status=live}}
=Analog-to-digital conversion=
WXIX-TV ended regular programming on its analog signal, over UHF channel 19, on June 12, 2009, as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television.{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 29 until being repacked to channel 15 in 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.rbr.com/repack-reset-and-reveling-a-successful-spectrum-shift/|work=RBR|title=Repack, Reset and Reveling: A Successful Spectrum Shift|first=Adam|last=Jacobson|date=October 29, 2019|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=April 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415135119/https://www.rbr.com/repack-reset-and-reveling-a-successful-spectrum-shift/|url-status=live}}
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
External links
- [https://www.fox19.com/ Official website]
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Category:1968 establishments in Ohio
Category:Fox Broadcasting Company affiliates
Category:Grit (TV network) affiliates
Category:Heroes & Icons affiliates
Category:Ion Television affiliates
Category:Television channels and stations established in 1968