WOPX-TV

{{Infobox television station

| callsign = WOPX-TV

| city = Melbourne, Florida

| branding =

| digital = 14 (UHF)

| virtual = 56

| affiliations = {{ubl|56.1: Ion Television|for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}}}

| airdate = {{start date and age|1986|5|19|p=y}}

| location = Melbourne–Orlando, Florida

| country = United States

| callsign_meaning = Orlando's Pax TV

| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WAYK (1986–1992)|WIRB (1992–1998)}}

| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|Analog: 56 (UHF, 1986–2009)|Digital: 48 (UHF, until 2020)}}

| owner = Ion Media

| licensee = Ion Media License Company, LLC

| former_affiliations = {{ubl|Independent (1985–1990, 1991–1995)|STN (1990–1991)|inTV (1995–1998)}}

| erp = 419 kW

| haat = {{convert|536.6|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

| facility_id = 67602

| coordinates = {{coord|28|16|45.3|N|81|1|24|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}

| licensing_authority = FCC

| website = {{URL|https://iontelevision.com/}}

}}

WOPX-TV (channel 56) is a television station licensed to Melbourne, Florida, United States, broadcasting the Ion Television network to the Orlando area. Owned and operated by the Ion Media subsidiary of the E.{{nbsp}}W. Scripps Company, the station maintains offices on Grand National Drive in Orlando, and its transmitter is located on Nova Road east of St. Cloud.

After its original permittee could not secure funding for construction, channel 56 began broadcasting on May 19, 1986, as WAYK. It was an independent station focusing on the Melbourne and Vero Beach area with an emphasis on sports programs, including baseball. An attempt to boost its viewership by merging with channel 26 in Daytona Beach failed to get the station on cable television systems in the Orlando area. Never financially successful, it filed for bankruptcy reorganization in 1990. During the process, the Daytona Beach station went off the air and was split off in bankruptcy court. Robert Rich, who had already been managing the station, bought it and changed its call sign to WIRB. As WAYK and again as WIRB, the station attempted producing a local newscast for Brevard and Indian River counties.

Christian Network, associated with Paxson Communications Corporation, bought WIRB in 1995 and replaced its programming with infomercials. Like other Paxson stations, it was one of the launch stations for the Pax network—forerunner to today's Ion—in 1998.

History

=WAYK: Construction and early years=

In January 1981, Don Sundquist, owner of Broadcast Production and Management Corporation, announced his plans to apply to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to activate channel 56 in Melbourne. Sundquist proposed a format emphasizing business news programming; he owned a company called Market Report, which was already airing such a show over WKID-TV in Fort Lauderdale.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-2nd-tv-station-for-melbour/149388011/|date=January 17, 1981|page= 1B|title=2nd TV station for Melbourne?|newspaper=Today|first=Cynthia|last=Holmes|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} A second application was filed by a Chattanooga, Tennessee, woman,{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-3-new-tv-stations-f/149388073/|date=March 3, 1982|pages=1-C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-tv/149388132/ 4-C]|first=Peggy|last=McLaughlin|title=3 new TV stations fight to get on air|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} but the FCC held a comparative hearing and awarded Sundquist's group the construction permit in September 1982. At the time, Sundquist declared plans to launch the station in 1983.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-third-tv-station-plans-83/149389029/|date=October 4, 1982|pages= 1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-third-tv-station-plans-83/149389002/ 3B]|first=David|last=Dickerson|title=Third TV station plans '83 air date|newspaper=Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} While the full-power user of channel 56 was being determined, the channel was used by WESH to rebroadcast its signal into southern Brevard County, where reception had sometimes been poor.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-tv-station-focuses-on-clea/149740192/|date=May 5, 1981|page= 2B|title=TV station focuses on clear viewing for South Brevard|newspaper=Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}}

By 1984, Sundquist had given up on building the station and another permit he owned in Key West, Florida. The early 1980s recession had caused a potential financier of the venture to go out of business, television networks were uninterested in offering affiliation, and he could not secure funding from banks. He attempted to sell the station—designated WSCT—to the SFN Companies, which had just acquired Orlando ABC affiliate WFTV and hoped to use it as a satellite station with local news inserts.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-broadcaster-gives-up-permi/149390107/|date=June 24, 1984|page= 1E|first=Phil|last=Williams|title=Broadcaster gives up permit for local station|newspaper=Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} The transaction fell through when ABC denied WFTV permission to rebroadcast its signal.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-wftv-tunes-out-of-deal-to/149740341/|date=July 7, 1984|page= 8C|first=Phil|last=Williams|title=WFTV tunes out of deal to acquire Channel 56|newspaper=Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}}

In 1985, William Varecha assumed control of the channel 56 permit. He planned to focus the station on Brevard and Indian River counties, which he felt were underserved by the nearest television stations.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-beach-area-tv-channel-due/149740379/|date=June 13, 1985|page= 3A|first=Phil|last=Williams|title=Beach area TV channel due this year|newspaper=Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} Construction was delayed multiple times in late 1985 and early 1986 as the venture faced studio construction delays,{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-tv-56-aims-to-start-broadc/149740477/|date=December 13, 1985|page=16C|title=TV 56 aims to start broadcasts Jan. 15|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} short legs on one section of the {{convert|1000|ft|m|adj=on}} tower,{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-wayk-tv-56-debut-postponed/149740888/|date=January 8, 1986|page= 14C|first=Jim|last=Ash|title=WAYK TV-56 debut postponed ... again|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} and a faulty transmission line.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/st-lucie-news-tribune-channel-56-shoots/149740643/|date=May 14, 1986|page=D1|title=Channel 56 shoots for Saturday|newspaper=St. Lucie News Tribune|location=Fort Pierce, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}}

WAYK made its first broadcast on May 19, 1986,{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-wayk-tv-makes-long-awaited/149740688/|date=May 21, 1986|page=16C|first=Brian|last=Bixler|title=WAYK-TV makes long-awaited debut|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} days after WESH discontinued its use of the South Brevard translator.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-channel-2-makes-way-for-wa/149740603/|date=May 13, 1986|page=14C|first=Brian|last=Bixler|title=Channel 2 makes way for WAYK|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} A local news program debuted shortly after the station's first broadcast.{{r|Flor860521}}

Varecha's plans for channel 56 were complicated by Melbourne's other television station, WMOD (channel 43). WMOD, unlike WAYK, sought to penetrate the Orlando television market. In 1985, it won an FCC ruling declaring Brevard County to be part of the Orlando television market. This had a negative effect on WAYK, because it forced the station to compete for programming at higher rates and without the signal coverage that WMOD had.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-new-tv-station-battles/149740364/|date=June 8, 1985|page=1TC|first=Michelle|last=Genz|title=New TV station battles for area foothold|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} WAYK's transmitter, near the Indian River–Brevard line, was further south than that of WMOD.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wayk-channel-56-tak/127546039/|date=September 21, 1986|page=Brevard Weekly 6|first=Catherine|last=Hinman|title=WAYK-Channel 56 takes different focus: Palm Bay station doesn't try to join Orlando market|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} Varecha went as far as petitioning the FCC to reverse the previous FCC ruling.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-melbourne-tv-station-seeks/149740447/|date=October 21, 1985|page=16C|first=Laura Anne|last=Brady|title=Melbourne TV station seeks special market|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} One of the ways WAYK tried to compensate for this difficulty, as well as its lack of presence on Orlando-area cable systems, was by investing in syndicated sports.{{r|Orla860921}} In 1987, the station scheduled telecasts of some 200 Major League Baseball games, as well as several syndicated college sports packages.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-baseball-junkies-sh/149391284/|date=April 6, 1987|page=C-5|first=Bill|last=Marx|title=Baseball junkies should turn to WAYK: Melbourne station will televise whopping 205 major-league|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} While most Orlando-area cable systems, particularly the large CableVision of Central Florida, shunned WAYK, the sports programming got it on the smaller Storer Cable system in southern Seminole County.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-melbourne-sports-st/149741000/|date=July 17, 1987|page=C-2|first=Bill|last=Marx|title=Melbourne sports station makes big move to Storer|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}}

=Simulcast with WAYQ=

In December 1987, Varecha's TV 56 Limited agreed to share ownership of WAYK with Life Style Broadcasting, which held a construction permit for channel 26 in Daytona Beach. The two firms formed Beach Television Partners. The combination of channels 26 and 56 was expected by management to create a large signal covering the full Orlando media market.{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/2-tv-stations-apply-form-partnership/tdbmnhgoqrpmyknencqjnhmmtffoepbw_ip-10-166-46-91_1718560856091|page=4C|title=2 TV Stations Apply To Form Partnership|date=December 16, 1987|work=The News-Journal|access-date=June 18, 2024|archive-date=June 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618221926/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/2-tv-stations-apply-form-partnership/tdbmnhgoqrpmyknencqjnhmmtffoepbw_ip-10-166-46-91_1718560856091|url-status=live}} Channel 26 began broadcasting as WAYQ on September 12, 1988.{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/channel-26-set-cable-debut/yftbqwdycntqfuxnxnqyuxvjutahhdwt_ip-10-166-46-137_1718561122332|page=12A|title=Channel 26 set for cable debut|date=October 1, 1988|work=The News-Journal|access-date=June 18, 2024|archive-date=June 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618221816/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/channel-26-set-cable-debut/yftbqwdycntqfuxnxnqyuxvjutahhdwt_ip-10-166-46-137_1718561122332|url-status=live}} Shortly after debuting, Orlando-based independent station WOFL objected to channel 26's license, claiming that advertisers were told the WAYQ signal reached Orlando when it did not.{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/tv-stations-future-air-over-alleged-violations/hqktdahgkvldacbjrtftxcynuefyxoyy_ip-10-166-46-103_1718561096649|page=8B|date=November 8, 1988|title=TV station's future up in the air over alleged violations|work=The News-Journal|access-date=June 18, 2024|archive-date=June 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618222317/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/tv-stations-future-air-over-alleged-violations/hqktdahgkvldacbjrtftxcynuefyxoyy_ip-10-166-46-103_1718561096649|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-competitor-wages-si/149448988/|date=November 7, 1988|page=Central Florida Business 22|first=Susan G.|last=Strother|title=Competitor wages signal challenge: Daytona station accused of violating FCC rule|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 18, 2024|archive-date=June 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618222434/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-competitor-wages-si/149448988/|url-status=live}}

Not long after the simulcast began, WAYK—which owned half of WAYQ—began to fail financially. The largest cable system in the Orlando area, CableVision of Central Florida, never added WAYK–WAYQ to its lineup on a full-time basis, straining the station's ability to secure advertising revenue. WAYK president Bill Varecha told Florida Today in July 1990, "We have been unable to act as a conventional television station because we can't disseminate over the entire area. Orlando is the meat and potatoes of the marketplace." In 1989, the news department was discontinued to cut costs;{{r|Flor900715}} interest in channel 56's local news had been low in the Vero Beach area.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-as-station-bows-out-an/149741076/|date=July 18, 1989|page=1B (Treasure Coast)|first=William|last=Labbee|title=As station bows out, another looks to fill void|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} One stockholder in the company, Harry Handley, started the Star Television Network, which proposed to deliver classic TV shows and infomercials to affiliates including WAYK and WAYQ. In the meantime, Beach Television Partners began seeking investors to assist in providing capital to the struggling stations; on the WAYK side, Robert Rich—former owner of KBJR-TV in Duluth, Minnesota—stepped in as a new manager.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-troubled-waters-palm-bay/127546149/|date=July 15, 1990|pages=1E, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-palm-bays-wayk-tv-channel/127546108/ 2E]|first=Scott|last=Solomon|title=Troubled waters: Palm Bay's WAYK Television fights for recognition|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 18, 2024|archive-date=June 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618222322/https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-troubled-waters-palm-bay/127546149/|url-status=live}} After lenders refused to give the company more time to make payments on broadcast equipment, in August 1990, Beach Television Partners filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-independent-tv-stat/149596001/|date=August 11, 1990|pages=C-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-weak-advertising-ha/149596039/ C-6]|first=Susan G.|last=Strother|title=Independent TV stations struggle to work out financial problems|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 18, 2024|archive-date=June 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618222348/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-independent-tv-stat/149596001/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/texas-firm-makes-bid-revive-tv-station/ewalbkqjdafasbfrxyjaessitmhnfivt_ip-10-166-46-167_1718561620051|work=The News-Journal|title=Texas firm makes bid to revive TV station|pages=1B, [https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/tv/evwdryielozlxmdrmaveegbrjuhvvbep_ip-10-166-46-78_1718561689215 2B]|first=Donna|last=Callea|date=April 18, 1992|access-date=June 18, 2024|archive-date=June 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618222426/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/texas-firm-makes-bid-revive-tv-station/ewalbkqjdafasbfrxyjaessitmhnfivt_ip-10-166-46-167_1718561620051|url-status=live}} Two months later, Barnett Bank moved to foreclose on the studios after the Varechas defaulted on a construction loan.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-bank-seeks-foreclosure-on/149741221/|date=October 3, 1990|page=19C|first=Scott|last=Solomon|title=Bank seeks foreclosure on WAYK-TV|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}}

WAYK and WAYQ continued to broadcast while in bankruptcy. During this time, the Star Television Network operated, with the two stations among its few affiliates, before running out of cash and ceasing operations in January 1991.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-tv-network-signs-of/149596130/|date=January 17, 1991|pages=C-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-infomercials-reve/149596227/ C-5]|first=Susan G.|last=Strother|title=TV network signs off — out of cash|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 18, 2024|archive-date=June 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618222317/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-tv-network-signs-of/149596130/|url-status=live}} WAYQ ceased broadcasting on June 26, 1991, when a Grumman A-6 Intruder of the United States Navy clipped its tower.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-navy-plane-topples/149592126/|date=June 29, 1991|pages=1-A, 8-A|first=Kevlin|last=Haire|first2=Craig|last2=Quintana|title=Navy plane topples TV antenna: WAYQ-Channel 26 tower hit during training mission|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 18, 2024|archive-date=June 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618222431/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-navy-plane-topples/149592126/|url-status=live}}

=WIRB=

In August 1991, the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case was converted to a Chapter 7 liquidation.{{r|Dayt920418}} WAYK was allowed to continue telecasting in order to preserve the FCC license, one of its principal assets.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-trustee-seeks-new-o/149642571/|date=October 6, 1991|page=K-1|first=Craig|last=Quintana|title=Trustee seeks new owner for TV station|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} The bankruptcy court appointed a trustee,{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/broken-tower-budget-keep-channel-26-air/bimkwxyjgifoggsfdlkpgzcglvoamxjm_ip-10-166-46-100_1718561491984|title=Broken tower, budget keep Channel 26 off the air|page=1B|work=The News-Journal|first=Donna|last=Callea|date=October 14, 1991|access-date=June 18, 2024|archive-date=June 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618222857/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/broken-tower-budget-keep-channel-26-air/bimkwxyjgifoggsfdlkpgzcglvoamxjm_ip-10-166-46-100_1718561491984|url-status=live}} who moved to separate WAYQ and WAYK.{{r|Dayt920418}}

Under the company Treasure Coast Communications,{{r|Flor920523}} Robert Rich bought WAYK for $100,000.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-daytona-beach-tv-st/149449057/|date=February 18, 1993|page=C-4|first=Rick|last=Oliver|title=Daytona Beach TV station sold for $35,000|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} The station changed call signs to WIRB on May 22, 1992.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-palm-bay-channel-56-sold/149741273/|date=May 23, 1992|page=14C|first=Victoria|last=Reid|title=Palm Bay channel 56 sold; name changes to WIRB-TV|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} The rebranded station continued as an independent outlet, adding several daytime shows local network affiliates did not clear{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-santa-barbara-returns-to/149741364/|date=November 1, 1992|page=54T|first=Lynda|last=Hirsch|title='Santa Barbara' returns to Brevard|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} and a schedule of 52 games of the expansion Florida Marlins baseball team.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-marlins-hand-bat-to-hough/149752628/|date=February 20, 1993|page=6C|first=Bill|last=King|title=Marlins hand bat to Hough|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}}

During this time, WIRB began building toward the resumption of local news programming for Brevard and Indian River counties.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-wirb-puts-spotlight-on-loc/149741400/|date=January 28, 1993|page=1D|first=Colleen|last=Moore|title=WIRB puts spotlight on local newscast|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} An evening newscast debuted in July 1993.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-bird-looks-for-love/149752675/|date=July 8, 1993|page=B-1|first=Allen|last=Rose|title=Bird looks for love in the wrong place|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} It coincided with the return of must-carry laws, which put WIRB on cable systems in Orlando and Kissimmee for the first time and expanded its reach.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-channel-56-to-add-newscast/149741602/|date=June 11, 1993|page=1B|first=Catherine|last=Liden|title=Channel 56 to add newscast: Station also hopes to increase viewers|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}}

=Paxson and Ion ownership=

Christian Network, Inc., announced a $4 million acquisition of WIRB from Rich in January 1995. The news department was laid off on January 18, 1995, in preparation for a transition to the station's new programming: infomercials.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/florida-today-ch-56-trades-news-for-a-r/149742552/|date=January 18, 1995|page=1A|title=Ch. 56 trades news for religion|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} The new owner and programming were closely related. The infomercials came from the Infomall TV network, owned by Paxson Communications Corporation, of which WIRB was the first separately owned affiliate;{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/press-journal-paxson-purchases-station/149742599/|date=February 10, 1995|page=14A|agency=Associated Press|title=Paxson Purchases Station|newspaper=Press Journal|location=Vero Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} Paxson was one of the largest contributors to Christian Network.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-paxson-ropes-radio/149742780/|date=July 14, 1996|pages=H-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-paxsons-rising-cas/149742746/ H-5]|first=Catherine|last=Hinman|title=Paxson ropes radio powerhouse: Investors back eager entrepreneur|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} During this time, WIRB occasionally broke away from infomercials. The cable channel America's Health Network brokered some overnight hours to air its shows; the Orlando-based service lacked cable carriage in its hometown.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-lake-cablevision-pl/149742798/|date=November 4, 1996|page=Central Florida Business 20|first=Rene|last=Stutzman|title=Lake Cablevision plans $15 million upgrade|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} In December 1997, an independently produced local Spanish-language newscast began airing on WIRB.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-news-speaks-residen/149743467/|date=December 14, 1997|page=K-11|first=Lillyana|last=Montañez|title=News speaks residents' language|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}}

In January 1998, WIRB became WOPX-TV as part of a national changeover of dozens of Paxson-owned stations' call signs.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-pax-net-stations-ren/134882099/|date=January 9, 1998|page= 7D|first=Julie|last=Waresh|title=Pax Net stations renamed|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}} Paxson's Infomall TV stations changed programming with the launch of the Pax network on August 31, 1998.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115543090/paxson-could-clean-up-with-g-rated-progr/|date=August 31, 1998|page=42|first=Ellen|last=Gray|title=Paxson could clean up with G-rated programs|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 1, 2023|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110053339/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115543090/paxson-could-clean-up-with-g-rated/|url-status=live}} Beginning in 2002, regional NBC affiliate WESH sold advertising time on WOPX-TV under a joint sales agreement; in addition, WOPX added replays of WESH newscasts to its schedule and began operating out of WESH's studio facilities.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wopx-wesh-strike-j/149752988/|date=February 11, 2002|page=Central Florida Business 3|first=Susan|last=Strother Clarke|title=WOPX, WESH strike joint sales agreement|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 21, 2024}}

After changing its name to i: Independent Television in 2005 (when the JSA with WESH was terminated), the network became known as Ion Television in 2007.{{cite news|work=Multichannel News|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/i-now-ion-television-131692|title=i Is Now ION Television|date=January 24, 2007|access-date=August 1, 2022|archive-date=August 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801202538/https://www.nexttv.com/news/i-now-ion-television-131692|url-status=live}} The E. W. Scripps Company acquired Ion Media for $2.65 billion in 2020.{{cite news |last1=Cimilluca |first1=Dana |work=The Wall Street Journal |title=E.W. Scripps Agrees to Buy ION Media for $2.65 billion in Berkshire-Backed Deal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/e-w-scripps-nears-2-65-billion-takeover-of-ion-media-in-berkshire-backed-deal-11600937323?mod=hp_lead_pos4 |access-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-date=April 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412110502/https://www.wsj.com/articles/e-w-scripps-nears-2-65-billion-takeover-of-ion-media-in-berkshire-backed-deal-11600937323?mod=hp_lead_pos4 |url-status=live }}

Technical information

=Subchannels=

The station's signal is multiplexed:

class="wikitable" \|+Subchannels of WOPX-TV{{Cite web \|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WOPX \|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WOPX \|access-date=March 28, 2023 \|website=RabbitEars}} ! scope = "col" \| Channel ! scope = "col" \| Res. ! scope = "col" \| Aspect ! scope = "col" \| Short name ! scope = "col" \| Programming
scope = "row" \| 56.1 \| rowspan=2\| 720p \|\| rowspan=8\| 16:9 \|\| ION \|\| Ion Television
scope = "row" \| 56.2 \| Bounce \|\| Bounce TV
scope = "row" \| 56.3 \| rowspan=6\| 480i \|\| Grit \|\| Grit
scope = "row" \| 56.4 \| IONPlus \|\| Ion Plus
scope = "row" \| 56.5 \| Laff \|\| {{ubl\|Laff\|→ Busted (eff. 3/1/2025)}}
scope = "row" \| 56.6 \| GameSho \|\| Game Show Central
scope = "row" \| 56.7 \| QVC \|\| QVC
scope = "row" \| 56.8 \| HSN \|\| HSN

class="wikitable"

|+Subchannels of WOPX-TV{{Cite web |title=RabbitEars TV Query for WOPX |url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WOPX |access-date=March 28, 2023 |website=RabbitEars}}

! scope = "col" | Channel

! scope = "col" | Res.

! scope = "col" | Aspect

! scope = "col" | Short name

! scope = "col" | Programming

scope = "row" | 56.1

| rowspan=2| 720p || rowspan=8| 16:9 || ION || Ion Television

scope = "row" | 56.2

| Bounce || Bounce TV

scope = "row" | 56.3

| rowspan=6| 480i || Grit || Grit

scope = "row" | 56.4

| IONPlus || Ion Plus

scope = "row" | 56.5

| Laff || {{ubl|Laff|→ Busted (eff. 3/1/2025)}}

scope = "row" | 56.6

| GameSho || Game Show Central

scope = "row" | 56.7

| QVC || QVC

scope = "row" | 56.8

| HSN || HSN

=Analog-to-digital conversion=

WOPX-TV shut down its analog signal, over UHF channel 56, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate.{{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}} The station's digital signal continued to broadcast on its pre-transition UHF channel 48, using virtual channel 56.{{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}}

References

External links

{{Official website|https://iontelevision.com/}}

Category:1986 establishments in Florida

Category:Bounce TV affiliates

Category:E. W. Scripps Company television stations

Category:Grit (TV network) affiliates

Category:Ion Plus affiliates

Category:Ion Television affiliates

Category:Laff (TV network) affiliates

Category:Melbourne, Florida

Category:Television channels and stations established in 1986

OPX-TV