WKCF

{{See|WEFS#Early years on channel 18 and swap to channel 68|WVEN-TV}}

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) assigned channel 68 to Clermont in Lake County in September 1984.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-miami-news-florida-notes/149226756/|date=July 12, 1984|page=12A|title=Florida notes|newspaper=The Miami News|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024}} By May 1985, the FCC had eight applications on file for the channel,{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-fcc-receives-8-appl/149226581/|date=April 5, 1985|page=B-4|first=Ramsey|last=Campbell|title=FCC receives 8 applications for Lake television station|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024}} which the commission awarded to Channel 68 Inc. in October 1986. This group was a 13-investor consortium presided by Clermont councilman Nestor Cole and with Norris Woolfork—publisher of The Orlando Times, the city's Black newspaper—as a partner.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-central-florida-lik/149226816/|date=October 1, 1986|page=B-3|first=Ramsey|last=Campbell|title=Central Florida likely to get 3rd independent TV station|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024}} The group was reported by its own spokesman to be unsure whether it wanted its station to be oriented toward the Tampa or Orlando markets; it would operate as a Spanish-language station in Tampa or a general-entertainment independent station in Orlando.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-investor-group-eyes-florid/149226944/|date=October 9, 1986|page=18C|first=Jim|last=Ash|title=Investor group eyes Florida's TV market|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024}}

In November 1987, Press Broadcasting—a division of the Asbury Park Press newspaper in New Jersey—announced it would purchase the channel 68 construction permit, then bearing the call sign WCLU, from Channel 68 Inc. For Press, acquiring the channel 68 permit was the first step in rectifying the problems it had experienced competing in the Central Florida television market. Press owned WMOD (channel 43) in Melbourne, which it intended to be the second major independent station for Central Florida. In spite of a $7 million outlay on programming, it ran into considerable difficulty because WMOD's transmitter site could not provide adequate full-market coverage;{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-tower-of-power-new/149227362/|date=February 22, 1988|pages=Central Florida Business 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-tv/149227325/ 20], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-tower-of-power-3/149227398/ 21]|first=Susan G.|last=Strother|title=Tower of Power: New independent stations rise to challenge WOFL's supremacy|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 14, 2024|archive-date=June 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614050207/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-tower-of-power-new/149227362/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-swap-shop/149226968/|date=November 6, 1987|page=C-1|title=Swap Shop|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 14, 2024|archive-date=June 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614050240/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-swap-shop/149226968/|url-status=live}} In part, this was because of aviation-related height limitations on its tower.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wmod-will-get-new-t/149359695/|date=February 4, 1987|page=C-1|first=Catherine|last=Hinman|title=WMOD will get new tower: TV station, federal agency work out differences|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024}} This prompted Press Broadcasting to lease 18 hours a day of airtime to the Home Shopping Network, which also received an option to buy the station in 1988.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-home-shopping-netwo/149359763/|date=September 9, 1986|page=D-8|agency=UPI|title=Home Shopping Network signs pact with WMOD-TV|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024}}{{r|Orla880222}} Robert McAllan, the vice president of broadcasting for Press Broadcasting, declared that the channel 68 permit purchase "culminate[d] a two-year search for improved transmission facilities" for WMOD.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/press-journal-press-broadcasting-applies/149227005/|date=November 8, 1987|page=19A|agency=Associated Press|title=Press Broadcasting Applies For Purchase|newspaper=Press Journal|location=Vero Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 14, 2024|archive-date=June 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614050843/https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-journal-press-broadcasting-applies/149227005/|url-status=live}}

The permit acquisition did not represent the entirety of Press's planned upgrade. Two months before acquiring the permit for WCLU, Press announced the acquisition and donation of a non-commercial educational station in Cocoa, WRES (channel 18). This church-owned station was donated to Brevard Community College as part of an agreement that gave the college financial incentives to participate in a channel swap with Press.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-ch-43-donates-educational/149288496/|date=September 11, 1987|page=1B|first=Roni Bea|last=Kayne|title=Ch. 43 donates educational station to BCC|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 14, 2024|archive-date=June 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614050231/https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-ch-43-donates-educational/149288496/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-bcc-may-soon-have-t/149288919/|date=September 12, 1987|page=34|title=BCC may soon have TV station: Agreement with WMOD awaiting FCC approval|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 14, 2024|archive-date=June 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614050232/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-bcc-may-soon-have-t/149288919/|url-status=live}} The deal foresaw that WMOD's channel 43 might not be the one with which WRES switched;{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/asbury-park-press-press-donates-money-to/149288680/|date=September 19, 1987|page=A6|title=Press donates money to college|newspaper=Asbury Park Press|location=Asbury Park, New Jersey|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 14, 2024|archive-date=June 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614050237/https://www.newspapers.com/article/asbury-park-press-press-donates-money-to/149288680/|url-status=live}} with the WCLU acquisition, it became clear that the swap would be between channels 18 and 68.{{r|Orla871106}} To acquire channel 68, Press sold WMOD to HSN.{{r|Orla880222}}

After several delays due to weather, channel 68 debuted as WKCF on December 8, 1988.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-tv-time/149302630/|date=December 5, 1988|page=Central Florida Business 2|title=TV time|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 14, 2024|archive-date=June 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614050845/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-tv-time/149302630/|url-status=live}}{{Cite book|chapter=WKCF|title=Television & Cable Factbook|date=2006|page=A-457}} It broadcast from a transmitter in Orange City. The programming lineup included many of the shows that were in WMOD's inventory—a total of $14 million in movies and syndicated shows{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-station-tunes-in-to/149360623/|date=November 7, 1988|page=Central Florida Business25|first=Susan G.|last=Strother|title=Station tunes in to the Magic: New Channel 68 plans to lure viewers with basketball and Disney|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024}}—as well as a key sports attraction: 25 road games of the new Orlando Magic basketball team for five years beginning in 1989.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-new-tv-station-to-g/149360493/|date=September 20, 1988|pages=C-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-tv/149360543/ C-6]|first=Susan G.|last=Strother|title=New TV station to go on the air|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024}}{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-68-wants-viewers-to/149226433/|date=December 1, 1988|page=E-1|first=Greg|last=Dawson|title=68 wants viewers to unplug, tune in|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024}}

Press Broadcasting and Brevard Community College then approached the FCC with the proposal to swap WKCF to channel 18 and WRES to channel 68. Two Orlando stations vehemently opposed the switch: WMFE-TV (channel 24), Orlando's public television station, and WOFL (channel 35), the market's established independent outlet. Both feared that the upgrades planned to channels 18 and 68 in the swap would create issues for them. WMFE feared that an upgraded WRES could become a competing public TV station, vying for viewers and donors with channel 24. WOFL believed Press Broadcasting had illegally controlled the channel 18 permit and that the two facilities did not serve the same area. Also objecting was a low-power TV station on channel 19 in Orlando, fearing displacement from the proposed WKCF facility in the Orlando-market tower farm at Bithlo.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-fuss-over-switching/138851182/|date=June 19, 1989|page=Central Florida Business 5|first=Susan G.|last=Strother|title=Fuss over switching channels: 2 broadcast groups fight plan by Orlando, Cocoa TV stations|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 14, 2024|archive-date=June 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614050712/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-fuss-over-switching/138851182/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-channel-swap-plan-causes-f/149227622/|date=July 10, 1989|pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-channel-plan-causes-flap/149227647/ 2B]|first=Sara-Ellen|last=Amster|title=Channel swap plan causes flap: Orlando public station fears it stands to lose audience|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 14, 2024|archive-date=June 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614050827/https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-channel-swap-plan-causes-f/149227622/|url-status=live}} The FCC approved the proposal in December 1989,{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-going-through-the-p/149227776/|date=December 4, 1989|page=Central Florida Business 5|first=Susan G.|last=Strother|title=Going through the proper channels: FCC approves, but broadcasters may appeal the switch of stations|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 14, 2024|archive-date=June 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614050828/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-going-through-the-p/149227776/|url-status=live}} affirming the decision in October 1990 after further appeals from WOFL. This allowed Press to pay for WRES to relocate to a new tower site.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-wkcf-to-enter-market-with/149227712/|date=October 3, 1990|page=19C|first=Scott|last=Solomon|title=WKCF to enter market with swap|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 14, 2024|archive-date=June 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614050742/https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-wkcf-to-enter-market-with/149227712/|url-status=live}}

On October 7, 1991, the swap took place. WKCF moved to channel 18. WRES changed to channel 68 and simultaneously adopted the call sign WBCC.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-bcc-station-wkcf-to-swap/149227844/|date=October 5, 1991|page=15C|first=Joyce|last=Harris|title=BCC station, WKCF to swap TV signals Monday|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 14, 2024|archive-date=June 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614051343/https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-bcc-station-wkcf-to-swap/149227844/|url-status=live}} For WKCF, the switch to channel 18 improved its signal coverage in Brevard County.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-get-ready-to-subtra/149227814/|date=September 2, 1991|page=Central Florida Business 20|first=Susan G.|last=Strother|title=Get ready to subtract 50 from 68: Channel swap to move WKCF to Channel 18, past residence of WRES|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024}} Prior to the swap, WKCF had relocated its offices from a facility on Adanson Street to one on Courtland Street, near Interstate 4.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-back-on-the-airwave/149359505/|date=May 13, 1991|page=Central Florida Business 19|first=Susan G.|last=Strother|title=Back on the airwaves: Imagination Station trying to find Central Florida outlet|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024}}{{r|Orla910902}}

WKCF started producing a kids' club program called The Buckaroo Club, hosted by Tim Kincaid as "Ranger Bob", in April 1992.{{Cite web |last=Moyer |first=Matthew |title=Remembering circa-'90s TV horror host the GraveMaster, briefly Orlando's answer to Elvira |date=October 27, 2021 |url=https://www.orlandoweekly.com/arts/remembering-tv-horror-host-the-gravemaster-briefly-orlandos-answer-to-elvira-30203891 |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=Orlando Weekly |language=en}} Kincaid had created the character in 1980 at WUHF in Rochester, New York; WKCF's promotion manager had previously worked at WUHF and lured Kincaid to Orlando. By August, WKCF had 30,000 Central Florida children in its kids' club, more than double its previous size.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-riding-with-ranger/149359945/|date=August 17, 1992|pages=D-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-local-businesses-of/149359972/ D-2]|title=Riding with Ranger Bob: Channel 18's 'Buckaroo Club' can boast a card-carrying posse of 30,000 youngsters|first=Catherine|last=Hinman|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024}} Kincaid also created a late-night monster movie series called Friday Night with the GraveMaster, which aired for several months in 1992.{{r|Orla211027}} Buckaroo Club never attracted high ratings, and after several time changes, it was canceled in 1994.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-what-ever-happened/149360144/|date=March 2, 1997|page=Florida Magazine 5|first=Jim|last=Abbott|title=What ever happened to... Ranger Bob, roundin' up his Buckaroo Club|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024}}

Press Broadcasting expanded its Orlando-market communications interests in 1993 with the acquisition of WWNZ-FM 104.1.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/asbury-park-press-orlando-area-served-p/149304967/|date=January 15, 1993|page=C15|first=John T.|last=Ward|title=Orlando area served: Press unit to buy Florida radio station|newspaper=Asbury Park Press|location=Asbury Park, New Jersey|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024}} The company was never able to expand to a second radio station and sold the station, then known as WTKS-FM, to Paxson Communications Corporation in 1996.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-central-new-jersey-home-news-nj-10/149361834/|date=June 6, 1996|page=C7|first=Raymond|last=Fazzi|title=N.J. 101.5 owner sells Fla. station|newspaper=The Central New Jersey Home News|location=New Brunswick, New Jersey|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024}}

During the early 1990s, WKCF and Press Broadcasting emerged as the primary opposition to the construction of a new independent station in Orlando, WRBW (channel 65), which began airing in June 1994.{{r|Orla950116}} The much-delayed outlet had received a construction permit in 1990, but delays and objections by Press had kept the station off the air. Previously, Rainbow had lobbied against the channel swap.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-broadcasting-brouha/149361010/|date=March 17, 1994|page=B-1, B-6|first=Rene|last=Stutzman|title=Broadcasting brouhaha: Channel 65 nears deadline to hit airwaves|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024}} When WRBW's antenna was installed on the same tower as WKCF, channel 18 refused to leave the air to protect workers on the mast from electromagnetic radiation, and the owner of the tower had to intercede and shut power to the WKCF transmitter.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-2-stations-add-new/149302159/|date=January 16, 1995|page=Central Florida Business 13|first=Rene|last=Stutzman|title=2 stations add new networks to arsenals: Local broadcasters look to WB, UPN to boost market share, revenue|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615073452/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-2-stations-add-new/149302159/|url-status=live}} In 1994, WKCF extended its deal with the Orlando Magic for another 5 years, now covering 30 road games a season.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-magic-wkcf-tv-anno/149361616/|date=August 10, 1994|page=D-2|first=George|last=Diaz|title=Magic, WKCF-TV announce 5-year contact extension|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615073452/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-magic-wkcf-tv-anno/149361616/|url-status=live}}

On January 11, 1995, WKCF became Orlando's affiliate of a new television network, The WB.{{r|Orla950116}} Over the course of the early and mid-1990s, WKCF became an increasing factor in the Orlando television market. The 1991 channel swap gave the station a more favorable number, and management negotiated lower channel positions on local cable systems. This dovetailed with an improved syndicated programming inventory and improved on-court performance for the Orlando Magic; even though it was still being beaten by WOFL in the ratings, WKCF was profitable for most of its history to 1996.{{Cite news|date=May 17, 1996|title=Competitors are watching WKCF get better-known|work=Orlando Business Journal|page=19|id={{Gale|A18635193}}|first=Tom|last=Brinkmoeller}} The station also improved its kids lineup and emphasized comedy reruns under programming and promotions director Chris Wolf, who had previously worked at WOFL.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-director-back-as-co/149365001/|date=February 26, 1996|page=Central Florida Business 9|first=Rene|last=Stutzman|title=Director back as competitor: Programming chief molds WKCF success after his WOFL work|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615073453/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-director-back-as-co/149365001/|url-status=live}}

The station's early years as a WB affiliate brought changes in ownership structure as well as a studio relocation. The parent of Press Broadcasting, New Jersey Press, transferred its media properties into a new firm, Press Communications, in June 1997—two months before selling off the Asbury Park Press to Gannett.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-herald-news-gannett-buys-asbury-park/149305060/|date=August 7, 1997|pages=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-news-asbury-gannett-buying-a/149305051/ D4]|first=Josh|last=Rolnick|agency=Associated Press|title=Gannett Buys Asbury Park Press|newspaper=The Herald-News|location=Passaic, New Jersey|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615073455/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-news-gannett-buys-asbury-park/149305060/|url-status=live}} The next year, WKCF relocated to the Orlando suburb of Lake Mary, building a {{convert|17000|ft2|m2|adj=on}} office and studio complex on a property that backed up to Interstate 4 and was adjacent to WOFL, its primary competitor. Only a line of pine trees separated the two stations.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wkcf-to-get-a-close/149304946/|date=March 6, 1998|pages=B-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wkcf-location-is-a/149304955/ B-4]|first=Blake|last=Fontenay|title=WKCF to get a closer look at its broadcast competitor|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615073453/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wkcf-to-get-a-close/149304946/|url-status=live}}

In 1999, WKCF was sold to Emmis Communications for $191.5 million; Emmis noted its interest in WKCF as one of the top affiliates of The WB in a rapidly growing market, while Press cited a desire to focus on radio. Orlando instantly became the largest market in which Emmis owned television stations.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-orlando-tv-station/149305066/|date=June 4, 1999|page=C16|title=Orlando TV station sold to Emmis in cash deal|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|location=Indianapolis, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615073453/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-orlando-tv-station/149305066/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-orlandos-wb-tv-sta/149305075/|date=June 4, 1999|pages=B-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-were-going-to-try/149305070/ B-4]|first=Greg|last=Groeller|title=Orlando's WB TV station sold: New owner to pay $191.5 million|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615073454/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-orlandos-wb-tv-sta/149305075/|url-status=live}} Emmis paid The WB for a 10-year renewal of its affiliation, the third station group to make such a reverse compensation payment to the network.{{Cite news|first=Michael|last=Freeman|title=Emmis Pays WB to Secure Long-Term Deal in Orlando|work=Mediaweek|date=July 15, 1999|id={{Gale|AA55117755}} }} That fall, the Magic moved their games from WKCF to WRBW.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wrbw-sunshine-shar/149363114/|date=September 29, 1999|page=C-3|first=Dave|last=Cunningham|title=WRBW, Sunshine share Magic air|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615074001/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wrbw-sunshine-shar/149363114/|url-status=live}}

The Lake Mary studios became a key piece of two Emmis strategies. In 2002, Lake Mary became the home of a consolidated master control facility for WKCF and three other Emmis stations: WVUE in New Orleans; WALA-TV in Mobile, Alabama; and WFTX-TV in Fort Myers, Florida.{{cite news|first=Ken|last=Kerschbaumer|title=Emmis share hub|id={{ProQuest|225279797}}|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=April 1, 2002|pages=48–49}} The next year, it acquired a 50-percent stake in the national morning show The Daily Buzz, becoming an equal partner with ACME Communications.{{Cite news|page=10|title=Emmis plugs into a half cut of Acme's The Daily Buzz|work=Mediaweek|first=Katy|last=Bachman|date=November 24, 2003|id={{ProQuest|213652309}} }} Emmis began airing Buzz on WKCF and WBPG in Mobile in December 2003. As part of the venture, The Daily Buzz shifted production from WBDT in Dayton, Ohio, to WKCF's studios in mid-2004.{{Cite news|title=Daily Buzz heads to Orlando's WKCF-TV|page=3|work=Orlando Business Journal|id={{ProQuest|196393532}}|date=December 5, 2003|first=Dennis|last=Hoerig}}{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-mayhem-in-the-am/149305133/|date=April 10, 2005|pages=F1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-it-symbolizes-a-maj/149305125/ F6]|first=Hal|last=Boedeker|title=Mayhem in the A.M.|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615074003/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-mayhem-in-the-am/149305133/|url-status=live}} Moving The Daily Buzz to Lake Mary gave it access to more production capabilities and made it easier to attract quality guests for the program.{{cite news|first=Ken|last=Ibold|title=Breakfast Blend|work=Florida Trend|date=July 1, 2005|id={{ProQuest|212275867}} }}

Emmis secured The CW affiliation for WKCF in March 2006, shortly after the announcement that The WB and UPN would merge for the fall television season. The announcement had been expected; WRBW was by then owned by Fox Television Stations, whose UPN affiliates had all been bypassed by the merged network and which instead started a competitor, MyNetworkTV.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel-18-to-join/149305168/|date=March 2, 2006|page=C3|title=Channel 18 to join the CW|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615074004/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel-18-to-join/149305168/|url-status=live}} By that time, WKCF was on the market; Emmis began exiting television in 2005 and selling its stations.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-9-emmis-tv-outlets/149305147/|date=August 23, 2005|page=C1|first=Erika D.|last=Smith|title=9 Emmis TV outlets are sold: Sales net $681 million; 7 more are on the block|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|location=Indianapolis, Indiana|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615074005/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-9-emmis-tv-outlets/149305147/|url-status=live}}

In May 2006, Emmis announced the sale of WKCF to Hearst-Argyle Television,{{efn|In 2009, the Hearst Corporation acquired Argyle's stake in the venture, took it private, and renamed it Hearst Television.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/hearst-moves-merger-34881|date=June 3, 2009|title=Hearst Moves On Merger|work=Broadcasting & Cable|first=Michael|last=Malone|access-date=July 16, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407011414/https://www.nexttv.com/news/hearst-moves-merger-34881|url-status=live}}}} owner of local NBC affiliate WESH (channel 2), for $217.5 million. Emmis retained the Lake Mary facility and half-ownership of The Daily Buzz in the sale,{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel-2-owner-buy/149305187/|date=May 9, 2006|pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wkcf-will-become-af/149305177/ C3]|first=Chris|last=Cobbs|title=Channel 2 owner buys WB affiliate in Orlando|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615074005/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel-2-owner-buy/149305187/|url-status=live}} and WKCF relocated to WESH's studios in Eatonville, which were renovated to add space for 40 staff associated with channel 18.{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|213626781}}|first=Eileen|last=Davis Hudson|title=Orlando, Fla.|date=July 10, 2006|pages=12–14|work=Mediaweek}} By 2008, WKCF was the highest-rated CW affiliate in the United States.{{cite news|page=26|title=Orlando, Fla.|first=Katy|last=Bachman|work=Mediaweek|date=May 12, 2008|id={{ProQuest|213660883}} }}

{{see|WESH#News operation}}

In 1991, WKCF began carrying a 10 p.m. newscast produced by WCPX (channel 6). The WCPX newscast had been started the year before for air on local cable systems.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-a-10-pm-broadcast/142092808/|date=May 9, 1990|page=E-1|first=Greg|last=Dawson|title=A 10 p.m. broadcast: News without snooze?|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 25, 2024|archive-date=February 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226070632/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-a-10-pm-broadcast/142092808/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-northern-exposure/142093012/|date=June 5, 1991|page=E-1|first=Greg|last=Dawson|title='Northern Exposure': Good news, bad news|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 25, 2024|archive-date=February 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225223818/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-northern-exposure/142093012/|url-status=live}} Over time, the program evolved; in response to confusion from viewers, the WKCF newscast was given a separate look and feel, down to separate identifying microphone flags. By 1997, the arrangement saw WKCF sell six of the 11 advertising minutes and pay the news anchors, while WCPX sold the remainder and handled production.{{cite news|title=Newscast-for-Hire in Orlando: Cox's ABC affiliate to produce 10 p.m. show for indie WRBW|date=February 17, 1997|work=Mediaweek|page=8|id={{ProQuest|213628729}} }}

WKCF's newscast went from the only local 10{{nbsp}}p.m. news program in the market to one of three in the span of a year. In March 1997, WFTV debuted a 10 p.m. newscast for WRBW,{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wrbw-starting-10-p/149364220/|date=March 21, 1997|page=A-2|first=Jim|last=Abbott|title=WRBW starting 10 p.m. newscast with some help from Channel 9|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615074005/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wrbw-starting-10-p/149364220/|url-status=live}} and in March 1998, WOFL debuted its own 10 p.m. news offering.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wofl-jazzes-up-10-o/144798086/|date=March 2, 1998|page=78|title=WOFL jazzes up 10 o'clock news to lure young Fox watchers|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=April 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405074118/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wofl-jazzes-up-10-o/144798086/|url-status=live}} The WKCF newscast began to promote itself as "The Original 10 O'Clock News".{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-film-at-10-a-look/149364181/|date=April 2, 1998|pages=E-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-self-promotion-plag/149364187/ E-2]|first=Hal|last=Boedeker|title=Film at 10: A look at the early late news|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615074007/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-film-at-10-a-look/149364181/|url-status=live}}

WESH took over news production for WKCF on January 1, 2001,{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-winds-of-change-at/142093160/|date=January 6, 2001|page=E12|first=Jim|last=Abbott|title=Winds of change at WKMG—Gale leaves anchor position|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 25, 2024|archive-date=February 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226080623/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-winds-of-change-at/142093160/|url-status=live}} a change made in hopes of using the higher-rated WESH news department as a platform to boost ratings. Bud Hedinger continued to anchor, with WESH news presenters joining him.{{Cite news|first=Eileen|last=Davis Hudson|title=Orlando, Fla.|pages=13–16|date=January 1, 2001|work=Mediaweek|id={{ProQuest|213636484}}}} WKCF retained all of the advertising time in the new arrangement.{{Cite news|page=15|date=October 27, 2000|title=Hedinger, Stebbins pair on newscast|work=Orlando Business Journal|first=Bob|last=Mervine|id={{ProQuest|196383984}} }} The newscast lasted less than two years before being canceled in September 2002.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-original-1000-new/149305311/|date=September 16, 2002|pages=E1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-station-manager-pre/149305306/ E2]|first=Hal|last=Boedeker|title='Original 10:00 Newscast' signs off: TV veteran Bud Hedinger has a sentimental evening as Seinfeld|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615074008/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-original-1000-new/149305311/|url-status=live}} Wayne Spracklin, WKCF's general manager, explained to Mediaweek that it had become too costly, was losing ratings ground to WOFL, and was mismatched with the younger viewers tuning in for WB prime time programming.{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|213661845}}|date=January 6, 2003|work=Mediaweek|first=Tony|last=Case|title=Orlando, Fla.|pages=10–19}}

WESH restored a news presence on WKCF in January 2007, when it debuted a two-hour morning news extension at 7 a.m.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-morning-news-compet/149305342/|date=January 12, 2007|page=C12|title=Morning news competition is heating up|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 15, 2024|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615074010/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-morning-news-compet/149305342/|url-status=live}} On August 31, 2009, WKCF resumed a nightly 10{{nbsp}}p.m. newscast.{{Cite web |url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/08/martha-sugalski-jim-payne-to-anchor-10-pm-news-on-channel-18.html |title=Martha Sugalski, Jim Payne to anchor 10 p.m. news on Channel 18 |access-date=August 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020041558/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2009/08/martha-sugalski-jim-payne-to-anchor-10-pm-news-on-channel-18.html |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |url-status=dead }} The program, initially a half-hour, expanded to a full hour in 2016.{{Cite news|page=A2|title=WESH expands news, shifts anchors|work=Orlando Sentinel|first=Hal|last=Boedeker|date=December 31, 2015|id={{ProQuest|1752582857}} }}

During the George Zimmerman trial in 2013, WKCF's second subchannel was used to carry WESH's normal daytime lineup so WESH could air trial coverage.{{cite news|last=Boedeker|first=Hal|title=George Zimmerman trial to rearrange daytime lineup|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/blogs/tv-guy/os-george-zimmerman-trial-to-rearrange-daytime-20130621,0,3627724.post|access-date=June 26, 2013|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=June 21, 2013|archive-date=June 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627084942/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/blogs/tv-guy/os-george-zimmerman-trial-to-rearrange-daytime-20130621,0,3627724.post|url-status=live}}

The station's signal is multiplexed:

{{legend|#DFEBF6|Broadcast on behalf of another station}}

WKCF is a participant in Orlando's ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) deployment, which rolled out on July 1, 2021.{{Cite news |last=Lafayette |first=Jon |date=July 1, 2021 |title=Orlando Stations Broadcasting Using New ATSC 3.0 Signal |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/orlando-stations-broadcasting-using-new-atsc-30-signal |access-date=February 26, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=November 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126120546/https://www.nexttv.com/news/orlando-stations-broadcasting-using-new-atsc-30-signal |url-status=live }}

WKCF began airing a digital signal on June 1, 2002.{{Cite book|chapter=WKCF-DT|date=2006|title=Television & Cable Factbook|page=A-458}} It ended regular programming on its analog signal, on UHF channel 18, on June 12, 2009, as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-ready-or-not-d-day-is-n/129481088/|date=June 11, 2009|pages=8C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-networks-push-to-notify-vi/129481060/ 7C]|first=Keilani|last=Best|title=Ready or not, 'D' day is near: Unprepared viewers to be left in the dark as TV switches to digital Friday|newspaper=Florida Today|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 5, 2023|archive-date=August 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805173023/https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-ready-or-not-d-day-is-n/129481088/|url-status=live}} it continued to broadcast in digital on UHF channel 17, using virtual channel 18.{{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}}

WKCF was one of three stations in the Orlando area (along with WKMG-TV and WOFL) to participate in the "Analog Nightlight" program, which lasted until WKCF's analog transmitter was shut down permanently on July 12, 2009.{{cite web|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-291375A1.pdf|title=UPDATED List of Participants in the Analog Nightlight Program|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|date=June 12, 2009|access-date=June 3, 2024}}

WKCF was repacked to channel 23 on January 16, 2020, as a result of the 2016 United States wireless spectrum auction.{{Cite news |last=Boedeker |first=Hal |date=January 13, 2020 |title=Viewers who watch by antenna: Time to rescan |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2020/01/13/viewers-who-watch-by-antenna-time-to-rescan/ |access-date=June 15, 2024 |work=Orlando Sentinel |language=en-US |archive-date=June 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615074513/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2020/01/13/viewers-who-watch-by-antenna-time-to-rescan/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/Transition_Files/Phase_Assignment_Closing_PN.csv|title=FCC TV Spectrum Phase Assignment Table|format=CSV|website=Federal Communications Commission|date=April 13, 2017|access-date=April 17, 2017|archive-date=April 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417160749/http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/Transition_Files/Phase_Assignment_Closing_PN.csv|url-status=live}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.wesh.com/cw18}}
• [http://www.estrellatvorlando.com/ EstrellaTVOrlando.com] - Estrella TV Orlando website

{{Orlando TV}}

{{CW Florida}}

{{Florida Spanish Stations}}

{{Hearst}}

{{Metro Orlando}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wkcf}}

Category:1988 establishments in Florida

Category:The CW affiliates

Category:Estrella TV affiliates

Category:Hearst Television

Category:Television channels and stations established in 1988

KCF

Category:True Crime Network affiliates