WPSG
{{good article}}
{{Short description|Television station in Philadelphia}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = WPSG
| atsc3 = yes
| logo = WPSG Philly57 2023.svg
| logo_alt = Black bold letters "PHILLY" next to, and with the Y overlapping, a green numeral 57.
| branding = Philly 57
| digital = 33 (UHF)
| virtual = 57
| affiliations = {{ubl|57.1: Independent|for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}}}
| owner = CBS News and Stations
| licensee = Philadelphia Television Station WPSG, Inc.
| location = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| country = United States
| airdate = {{start date and age|1981|6|15|p=y|br=y}}
| callsign_meaning = Forerunner owner Paramount Stations Group
| sister_stations = KYW-TV
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WWSG-TV (1981–1985)|WGBS-TV (1985–1995)}}
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|Analog: 57 (UHF, 1981–2009)|Digital: 32 (UHF, 2002–2019)}}
| former_affiliations = {{ubl|FNN (1981–1983)|SelecTV (1981–1983)|PRISM (1983–1985)|Independent (1985–1995)|UPN (1995–2006)|The CW (2006–2023)}}
| erp = 1,000 kW
| haat = {{convert|386.7|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 12499
| coordinates = {{coord|40|2|33|N|75|14|32|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority = FCC
| website = {{URL|https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/philly-57/}}
}}
WPSG (channel 57), branded Philly 57, is an independent television station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It is owned by the CBS News and Stations group alongside CBS outlet KYW-TV (channel 3). The two stations share studios on Hamilton Street north of Center City Philadelphia; WPSG's transmitter is located in the city's Roxborough section.
Channel 57 was allocated for commercial use in Philadelphia at the start of the 1970s; it was fought over by two groups who sought to broadcast subscription television (STV) programming to paying customers in the metropolitan area. Radio Broadcasting Company prevailed and launched WWSG-TV on June 15, 1981. It offered limited financial news programming, which was abandoned after 18 months, and a subscription service utilizing programming from SelecTV. Two years later, the station switched to broadcasting PRISM, a premium regional sports and movies service seeking to reach potential subscribers in areas beyond cable coverage, such as the city of Philadelphia.
The Grant Broadcasting System acquired the station and relaunched it in 1985 as general-entertainment independent WGBS-TV, known on air as "Philly 57". The new owners spent millions of dollars on programming and the rights to Philadelphia Flyers hockey and Villanova Wildcats basketball; the station filled the third independent void left when WKBS-TV (channel 48) folded in 1983, and its entrance into the market clipped multiple separate efforts to establish such a station. However, Grant's strategy to build "full-grown" independents with expensive acquisitions drove the company into bankruptcy in December 1986. Grant's three stations were assumed by a consortium of creditors and bondholders known as Combined Broadcasting; management was controlled from Philadelphia. Combined Broadcasting solicited offers on its stations in 1993; a deal was reached to sell to the Fox network, but an objection caused the sale to be delayed and canceled.
In 1995, Paramount Stations Group acquired WGBS-TV, which then became an owned-and-operated station of the United Paramount Network (UPN) under new WPSG call letters. Paramount returned professional sports to the station after an absence of several years; from the late 1990s to the late 2000s, Flyers, Philadelphia 76ers basketball, and Philadelphia Phillies baseball games were broadcast on channel 57. Paramount's corporate parent, Viacom, merged with CBS in 2000, and WPSG's operations were merged with those of KYW-TV. Upon the merger of The WB and UPN into The CW in 2006, channel 57 began broadcasting that network's programming; after CBS sold most of its stake in the network to Nexstar Media Group in 2022, CBS disaffiliated its eight CW stations from the network effective September 1, 2023. Since the CBS merger, there have been several instances of local news programming on the station.
History
=WWSG-TV: The STV years=
Channel 57 had been assigned to Philadelphia as an educational channel, but in 1970, Vue-Metrics, Inc. expressed interest in starting a station in Philadelphia. Its goal was to broadcast over-the-air subscription television (STV) programming on the station—in fact, Vue-Metrics filed the first request to the FCC for regular FCC authorization. It originally filed for channel 23, but the Federal Communications Commission was in the process of redesignating that channel for educational use at Camden, New Jersey, leading to the designation of channel 57 for commercial use in Philadelphia.{{cite news|work=Broadcasting|pages=69–70|title=First bid for pay-TV outlet|date=July 6, 1970|id={{ProQuest|1016851467}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1970/1970-12-14-BC.pdf|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131032929/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1970/1970-12-14-BC.pdf|url-status=live}} Vue-Metrics was not the only company to express interest in channel 57 as a conduit for STV: Radio Broadcasting Company (RBC) applied on December 24, 1971, for the channel.{{Cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/26f994ef-5a6e-2fe4-a9e3-86c59edaa94c|title=FCC History Cards for WPSG|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} The two groups proposed different systems for delivering the STV service. Vue-Metrics specified the use of the Phonevision system by Zenith Electronics, while RBC intended to use equipment made by Blonder-Tongue.{{Cite news|title=Another flick of the flint for pay TV: Blonder-Tongue Labs seeks Newark UHF with plan to set up part-time subscription operation|id={{ProQuest|1505673157}}|pages=50–51|work=Broadcasting|date=March 6, 1972|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1972/1972-03-06-BC.pdf|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131024912/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1972/1972-03-06-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}
A designation of the Vue-Metrics and Radio Broadcasting Company applications for comparative hearing did not come until June 24, 1976; issues to be raised in the hearing primarily centered around the finances of each bidder.{{r|hc}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119208911/notice/|date=August 19, 1976|page=4-D|title=Notice|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032253/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119208911/notice/|url-status=live}} An initial decision from an FCC hearing examiner, favoring Radio Broadcasting Company, was issued in September 1977. By this time, there had been substantial changes in the proposal. Instead of Phonevision, the subscription operation proposed for channel 57 would be a franchisee of ON TV, whose first service in Los Angeles had launched that March, and use equipment developed by one of ON TV's owners, Oak Industries.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119209015/phila-firm-gets-fcc-approval-to/|date=September 16, 1977|page=32|title=Phila. firm gets FCC approval to operate Ch. 57|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032221/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119209015/phila-firm-gets-fcc-approval-to/|url-status=live}} The examiner's initial decision did not represent not an immediate green light to start building. Vue-Metrics, which was now headed by Robert S. Block (whose SelecTV was about to launch), had appealed the examiner's earlier move to dismiss its application as incomplete to the full FCC.{{cite news|pages=63, 80|title=FCC Judge Okays Philly Fee-TV, But Nixed Co. Appeals|work=Variety|id={{ProQuest|1401313077}}|date=September 21, 1977}} The commission upheld the initial decision in October 1978.{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1978/1978-10-23-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|pages=44, 48|title=Media Briefs: STV decision stands|date=October 23, 1978|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131031935/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1978/1978-10-23-BC.pdf|url-status=live|id={{ProQuest|1014703160}}}} Construction began in 1979, with the company opting to begin the process of erecting facilities in the Manayunk area despite Vue-Metrics continuing its appeals in federal court.{{cite news|work=Boxoffice|id={{ProQuest|1401452536}}|title=Eastern News|page=14|date=September 10, 1979}}
On June 15, 1981, WWSG-TV—named for RBC owner William S. Gross—took to the air for the first time with the movie The North Avenue Irregulars. Its first program broadcasts were entirely scrambled and seen by next to nobody: there were fewer than 50 installed households, all of them belonging to station employees.{{r|Phil810615}} Even though its STV service used Oak equipment, it utilized movies from SelecTV, Oak's primary competitor. WWSG-TV joined a series of communications-related businesses under the RBC umbrella, including mobile paging, background music, and the distribution of HBO to area multipoint microwave services.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119209365/part-fee-part-free-tv-station-takes-to/|date=June 15, 1981|page=15-D|first=Harry|last=Harris|title=Part-fee, part-free TV station takes to the air|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032149/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119209365/part-fee-part-free-tv-station-takes-to/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30950223/over-air-pay-tv-arrives/|date=June 17, 1981|page=34|first=Jonathan|last=Takiff|title=Over-Air Pay TV Arrives|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032149/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30950223/over-air-pay-tv-arrives/|url-status=live}} Delays in the launch of its daytime commercial program provider, the new Financial News Network, postponed the start of non-STV broadcasts to November 30.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119209662/nov-30-is-new-target-for-free-ch-57/|date=November 4, 1981|page=5-F|first=Harry|last=Harris|title=Nov. 30 is new target for free Ch. 57 shows|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032149/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119209662/nov-30-is-new-target-for-free-ch-57/|url-status=live}} With FNN on air, the station aired financial programming and talk shows from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., when STV service began.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119366848/fcc-deregulates-pay-tv/|date=June 18, 1982|page=17-D|first=Larry|last=Reibstein|agency=Associated Press|title=FCC deregulates pay TV|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032214/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119366848/fcc-deregulates-pay-tv/|url-status=live}}
WWSG-TV's SelecTV was not the only subscription service to enter the Delaware Valley in 1981. Later that year, Wometco Home Theater (WHT) expanded south from its base in New York City by launching on WRBV-TV (channel 65) in Vineland, New Jersey.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84934942/new-tv-stations-are-springing-up/|date=February 19, 1981|first=Jonathan|last=Takiff|pages=25, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84935029/new-stations-arrive-soon/ 32]|title=New TV Stations Are Springing Up|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=September 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908023650/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84934942/new-tv-stations-are-springing-up/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61019282/twocount-emsubscription-stations/|date=July 6, 1981|page=13-D|first=Douglas|last=Keating|title=Two—count 'em—subscription stations get a strong response|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=October 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019151742/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61019282/twocount-emsubscription-stations/|url-status=live}} Even though SelecTV got on the air first, WHT initially took the lead in subscribers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119209823/delay-and-competition-threaten-citys-ga/|date=July 11, 1982|page=1-B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119209782/delay-and-competition-threaten-citys/ 6-B]|first=Ron|last=Wolf|title=Delay and competition threaten city's gains from cable TV|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032149/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119209823/delay-and-competition-threaten-citys/|url-status=live}} By January 1983, WHT had 20,000 subscribers to SelecTV's 12,000.{{r|Phil830113}} After subscription TV was deregulated by the FCC in 1982, removing a rule that stations had to provide 28 hours a week of free programs, WWSG-TV dropped Financial News Network programming and began offering SelecTV around the clock on January 9, 1983.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61491186/usa-cable-added-to-rollins-system/|date=January 23, 1983|pages=F1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61491137/rollins-subscribers-get-usa-cable-early F2]|first=Bill|last=Hayden|title=USA Cable added to Rollins system|newspaper=The News Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032216/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61491186/usa-cable-added-to-rollins-system/|url-status=live}}
1983 was a year of change for channel 57. In January, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that a consortium led by Oak and Ed Snider, owner of the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team, was seeking to buy WWSG-TV from RBC. Their proposal would replace SelecTV with an STV broadcast of regional premium cable service PRISM, which offered feature films and telecasts of home games of the Flyers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Philadelphia Phillies.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30950108/prism-owner-may-buy-ch-57/|date=January 13, 1983|page=1-D, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30950078/snider-group-may-buy-ch-57/ 8-D]|first=Ron|last=Wolf|title=Prism owner may buy Ch. 57|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032149/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30950108/prism-owner-may-buy-ch-57/|url-status=live}} A sale never transpired; in September, RBC reached a two-year deal to begin broadcasting PRISM on October 31, with the goal being to reach the city of Philadelphia, which did not have any cable service at the time.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119209999/prism-closes-deal-to-broadcast-its/|date=September 12, 1983|page=7E|first=Ron|last=Wolf|title=Prism closes deal to broadcast its programs on Channel 57|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032237/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119209999/prism-closes-deal-to-broadcast-its/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119210132/an-actor-and-his-show-will-go-on/|date=October 31, 1983|page=9-C|title=An actor and his show will go on, despite network's weighty offer|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032150/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119210132/an-actor-and-his-show-will-go-on/|url-status=live}} Even though subscribers would pay $3 more per month to watch PRISM than they had for SelecTV,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61019494/76ers-and-flyers-home-games-to-be/|date=September 13, 1983|page=7-C|first=Ron|last=Wolf|title=76ers and Flyers home games to be available on pay-TV|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=May 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524064843/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61019494/76ers-and-flyers-home-games-to-be/|url-status=live}} very few subscribers opted to discontinue service, and the new availability of PRISM's sports coverage led to a surge in interest; a waiting list was necessary because RBC could not procure new decoders fast enough.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30950148/a-long-waiting-list-for-prism-on-ch-57/|date=November 25, 1983|page=C-1|first=Ron|last=Wolf|title=A long waiting list for Prism on Ch. 57|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032201/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30950148/a-long-waiting-list-for-prism-on-ch-57/|url-status=live}}
In its first unscrambled sports telecast in history, the station aired a Flyers telecast on November 15, 1984—Bobby Clarke Night—that was available to non-subscribers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119210321/tv-tonight/|date=November 15, 1984|page=14-C|title=TV tonight|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032203/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119210321/tv-tonight/|url-status=live}} The success of PRISM as a subscription service led Wometco Home Theater to leave the Philadelphia market at the end of November 1984.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84938052/pay-tv-service-to-pull-plug-in-area/|date=November 28, 1984|page=1-G|first=Ron|last=Wolf|title=Pay-TV service to pull plug in area|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=September 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908033332/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84938052/pay-tv-service-to-pull-plug-in-area/|url-status=live}}
=WGBS-TV: The Grant years=
{{Quote box
| quote = We are not out to build a television station. We are out to come on full-grown.
| author = Milton Grant{{r|Phil850516}}
| align = right
| width = 250px
| salign = left
}}
At the start of 1985, rumors began to swirl that WWSG-TV was about to be sold and turned into a full-time ad-supported commercial station. Milton Grant, an independent station builder who had just put WBFS-TV on the air in Miami the year prior, was buying the rights to show various syndicated reruns, such as Dallas and Eight Is Enough, in the Philadelphia market, contingent on the purchase of channel 57.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119210464/sale-of-ch-57-is-hinted-would-be/|date=February 20, 1985|page=1-D|first=Neill|last=Borowski|title=Sale of Ch. 57 is hinted: Would-be buyer gets rerun rights|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032205/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119210464/sale-of-ch-57-is-hinted-would-be/|url-status=live}} In March, the rumors were confirmed: Grant's company, Grant Broadcasting System (GBS), was purchasing WWSG-TV from RBC for $30 million at the same time that the Gross family sought to buy WWAC-TV in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Grant intended not only to convert channel 57 to ad-supported programming but upgrade its underpowered transmitting facility to the UHF maximum of five million watts.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114801074/miami-based-corporation-buys-channel-57/|date=March 20, 1985|page=1-G, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114801081/channel-57-format-to-be-changed/ 7-G]|first=Neill|last=Borowski|title=Miami-based corporation buys Channel 57|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032237/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114801074/miami-based-corporation-buys-channel-57/|url-status=live}} The filing of the application revealed that RBC had lost nearly $750,000 since 1981 on its STV venture.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119210658/new-tv-station-is-scheduled-channel-57/|date=May 16, 1985|page=1-B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119210618/channel-57-plans-to-go-public-soon/ 2-B]|first=Neill|last=Borowski|title=New TV station is scheduled: Channel 57 is planning to go public soon|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032151/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119210658/new-tv-station-is-scheduled-channel-57/|url-status=live}} This compared with the $32.5 million RBC had made the year before by selling its successful paging business to communications conglomerate Metromedia.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119210227/beating-the-giants-of-communications/|date=May 14, 1984|page=3-C|first=Neill|last=Borowski|title=Beating the giants of communications|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032153/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119210227/beating-the-giants-of-communications/|url-status=live}} In the sale, Gross retained lifetime rights to conduct datacasting in the vertical blanking interval of the television station, which he used to start a business transmitting text information to scrolling displays in bars and restaurants.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114801104/looking-to-turn-a-nuisance-into-a/|date=June 3, 1985|page=9-D|first=Neill|last=Borowski|title=Looking to turn a nuisance into a messenger of profits|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032159/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114801104/looking-to-turn-a-nuisance-into-a/|url-status=live}} On October 20, 1985, WWSG-TV became WGBS-TV{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119368946/catching-up-on-fall-season/|date=October 23, 1985|page=6-F|first=Lee|last=Winfrey|title=Catching up on fall season|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032203/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119368946/catching-up-on-fall-season/|url-status=live}}—call letters representing the Grant Broadcasting System{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119369289/storer-cable-of-burlington-county-wont/|page=10B|date=October 18, 1985|first=Chuck|last=Darrow|title=Storer Cable of Burlington County won't carry Channel 57|newspaper=Courier-Post|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032205/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119369289/storer-cable-of-burlington-county-wont/|url-status=live}}—operating from studios on 20th Street{{r|Phil851025}} and branding as Philly 57.{{r|Phil851101}}
Grant promised to "come on full-grown" with his new channel 57, and his company was able to make splashy acquisitions in part because Philadelphia only had two independent stations. The station that had been the third independent in the market, WKBS-TV (channel 48), had been shuttered in 1983 owing to the dissolution of its owner, Field Communications. When Grant inquired who had the rights to air Villanova men's basketball, the answer was nobody: there had been no regular broadcasts of the Philadelphia Big 5 since channel 48 left the air. GBS, seeking to mirror the tentpole sports acquisitions it had made in Miami, signed a three-year deal for at least 20 Villanova basketball games and telecasts of the revived Villanova football team, worth nearly $1 million.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119211580/tv-weekend-new-channel-57-glad-to-ha/|date=May 17, 1985|page=120|first=Kevin|last=Mulligan|title=TV Weekend: 'New' Channel 57' Glad to Have Villanova|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032208/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119211580/tv-weekend-new-channel-57-glad-to/|url-status=live}} Three months later, the Flyers ended a 15-year relationship with WTAF-TV (channel 29) to become the primary sports attraction on channel 57 as part of a $3.3 million contract; the team cited the recent purchase of the Phillies by a group headed by Taft Broadcasting, WTAF-TV's owner.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119211694/tv-weekend-flyers-split-with-channel/|date=August 16, 1985|page=119|first=Kevin|last=Mulligan|title=TV Weekend: Flyers Split with Channel 29, Prepare to Join 57|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032207/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119211694/tv-weekend-flyers-split-with-channel/|url-status=live}} The start of the first season of WGBS-TV was marred by the fact that not all cable systems added it to their lineups in the wake of must-carry regulations being struck down by a federal court earlier that year; this slightly limited the station's reach, particularly compared to its independent competitors.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119412092/flyers-hope-foul-up-will-have-happy-endi/|date=November 1, 1985|page=126|first=Kevin|last=Mulligan|title=Flyers Hope Foul-Up Will Have Happy Ending|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032235/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119412092/flyers-hope-foul-up-will-have-happy/|url-status=live}}
In the field of entertainment programming, Grant brought its free-spending ways to the Philadelphia market.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119212215/channel-57-pays-plenty-to-get-off-to-a/|date=October 25, 1985|page=1-C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119212102/a-flying-start-for-channel-57/ 6-C]|first=Lee|last=Winfrey|title=Channel 57 pays plenty to get off to a flying start|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032236/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119212215/channel-57-pays-plenty-to-get-off-to-a/|url-status=live}} This would send ripples through several other groups' plans to enter the market. At the time, channel 48 was in the comparative hearing stage for a new licensee, and one company, BCT Communications, withdrew from the contest in November 1985. The company's lawyer told The Inquirer, "I think Milt Grant was doing a pretty good number on tying up whatever programming was available."{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67765176/ny-firm-withdraws-bid-for-channel/|date=November 18, 1985|page=7-D|title=N.Y. firm withdraws bid for Channel 48's license|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128055759/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67765176/ny-firm-withdraws-bid-for-channel/|url-status=live}} In July 1986, WTGI-TV launched from Wilmington, Delaware; channel 57's relaunch eclipsed its original programming plan, and the station switched to a home shopping and later multicultural format.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115482093/tv-station-goes-international/|date=July 8, 1988|page=55|first=Marianne|last=Costantinou|title=TV station goes international|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=December 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231223342/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115482093/tv-station-goes-international/|url-status=live}} Another competitor, WSJT-TV—the former WRBV-TV—took itself out of the running that same year by selling to the Home Shopping Network.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84940213/home-shopping-network-to-buy-channel-65/|date=August 19, 1986|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84940268/channel-65/ 18]|agency=Associated Press|title=Home Shopping Network to buy Channel 65|newspaper=The Daily Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=September 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908044953/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84940213/home-shopping-network-to-buy-channel-65/|url-status=live}}
=Grant bankruptcy and Combined Broadcasting ownership (1986–1993)=
Grant Broadcasting System launched a third major-market independent, WGBO-TV in Chicago, in January 1986 after purchased the former WFBN late in 1985.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107807721/fcc-approves-grant-plans/|date=November 2, 1985|page=II:6 |title=FCC approves Grant plans|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|location=Chicago, Illinois|via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 18, 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=August 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818014310/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107807721/fcc-approves-grant-plans/}}{{Cite news |first=Charles|last=Storch |date=January 1, 1986 |title=Ch. 66 Chief Wants To Program Fresh Start |work=Chicago Tribune |publisher=Tribune Publishing |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/01/01/ch-66-chief-wants-to-program-fresh-start/ |access-date=September 10, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304104737/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1986-01-01/business/8601010156_1_grant-broadcasting-system-milton-grant-program-distributors}} However, a flat advertising market and the high prices paid for syndicated programming combined to fuel substantial losses at GBS. On December 8, 1986, GBS filed for federal bankruptcy protection in Philadelphia, seeking to avoid its creditors forcing it into involuntary bankruptcy.{{Cite news |last=Steve |first= Daley |date=December 11, 1986 |title=Channel 66 Owner Files Chapter 11 Petitions |work=Chicago Tribune |publisher=Tribune Publishing |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/12/11/channel-66-owner-files-chapter-11-petitions/ |access-date=September 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023160423/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1986-12-11/business/8604020608_1_grant-broadcasting-system-stations-sweeps-rating-period |archive-date=October 23, 2015 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119212303/grant-broadcasting-owner-of-channel/|date=December 10, 1986|page=97|title=Grant Broadcasting, owner of Channel 57, files for bankruptcy|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032242/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119212303/grant-broadcasting-owner-of-channel/|url-status=live}} In 1986, WGBS-TV lost $9.72 million, which was more than the $6.54 million lost by WBFS-TV in Miami but less than WGBO-TV's $13.76 million loss for the year; the company as a whole lost $35.96 million.{{Cite news |last=Borowski |first=Neill |date=February 9, 1987 |title=Grant says losses top forecasts: 1986 statement filed with court |page=1-F, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98514671/ 8-F] |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98514467/grant-says-losses-top-forecasts-1986-st/ |access-date=March 27, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327221528/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98514467/grant-says-losses-top-forecasts-1986/ |url-status=live }} The flat market, higher programming costs, and defensive maneuvers by competing broadcasters had prevented Grant from achieving the same success he had with the strategy in the Dallas and Houston markets, where he built KTXA and KTXH and was able to sell them for a significant profit.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119212419/tuning-back-in-after-a-bankruptcy/|date=April 4, 1988|pages=1-D, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119212462/he-lost-3-tv-stations-but-plans-to-buy-o/ 12-D]|first=Anthony Jr.|last=Gnoffo|title=Tuning back in after a bankruptcy|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032222/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119212419/tuning-back-in-after-a-bankruptcy/|url-status=live}}
In a March 1987 bankruptcy court proceeding in Philadelphia, Grant was allowed to continue operating its stations until at least July 1 through cash and accounts receivables to fund operations, denying a motion by the company's creditors to assume control of the stations or force their sale.{{Cite news |date=March 4, 1987 |title=Grant Broadcasting Gets Another Try at Turnaround |work=Chicago Tribune |publisher=Tribune Publishing |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1987/03/04/grant-broadcasting-gets-another-try-at-turnaround/ |access-date=September 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304104145/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1987-03-04/business/8701170812_1_grant-broadcasting-system-stations-philadelphia-and-wbfs |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live}} However, on July 7, Grant agreed to enter into receivership and turn over control of the company and its three stations to its television program suppliers and bondholders under a reorganization plan—which was formally filed on October 13 and approved on March 30, 1988—to repay $420 million in debt from the stations' operations by 1995, at which point the stations would be sold off.{{Cite news |first=Charles|last=Storch |date=July 8, 1987 |title=Creditors To Take Over at Grant Broadcasting |work=Chicago Tribune |publisher=Tribune Publishing |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1987/07/08/creditors-to-take-over-at-grant-broadcasting/ |access-date=September 10, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095926/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1987-07-08/business/8702190858_1_suppliers-and-bondholders-grant-broadcasting-system-milton-grant}}{{Cite news |date=October 14, 1987 |title=Grant Reorganization Would Give Control to Bondholders |work=Chicago Tribune |publisher=Tribune Publishing |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1987/10/14/grant-reorganization-would-give-control-to-bondholders/ |access-date=September 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803053442/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1987-10-14/business/8703170672_1_reorganization-plan-grant-broadcasting-system-bondholders |archive-date=August 3, 2016 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=March 31, 1988 |title=Grant Bankruptcy Plan |work=Chicago Tribune |publisher=Tribune Publishing |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/03/31/grant-bankruptcy-plan/ |access-date=September 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304121702/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1988-03-31/business/8803050306_1_grant-broadcasting-system-bondholders-stations |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live}} In July 1988, Combined Broadcasting, a creditor-controlled company, took over Grant and the three stations.{{Cite news |first=P. J. |last=Bednarski |date=July 1, 1988 |title=Ch. 66 changes name, approach |work=Chicago Sun-Times |publisher=Knight Ridder |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3892714.html |access-date=September 10, 2015 |archive-date=April 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417235149/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3892714.html |via=HighBeam Research}} Combined entered into new agreements that kept the Flyers and Villanova athletics on channel 57. While the company was based in Los Angeles, Philadelphia served as the hub for Combined management.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119407764/wgbs-emerges-from-bankruptcy-plans-flye/|date=July 1, 1988|page=10-C|first=Anthony Jr.|last=Gnoffo|title=WGBS emerges from bankruptcy, plans Flyers, Villanova broadcasts|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032233/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119407764/wgbs-emerges-from-bankruptcy-plans/|url-status=live}}
The Flyers left channel 57 for WPHL-TV in 1991; interest in the team had fallen after missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, and the station was lukewarm about renewal.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119406526/channels-closed-fans-hands-tied-if-six/|date=April 19, 1991|page=108|title=Channels closed: Fans' hands tied if Sixers go to cable|first=Bill|last=Fleischman|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032229/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119406526/channels-closed-fans-hands-tied-if/|url-status=live}} Additionally, the new deal gradually decreased the team's over-the-air inventory.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119406689/more-flyers-games-will-be-seen-on-tv-nex/|date=August 16, 1991|page=1-C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119406717/flyers-get-new-pact-for-tv/ 6-C]|first=Gary|last=Miles|title=More Flyers games will be seen on TV next season—cable TV, that is|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032258/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119406689/more-flyers-games-will-be-seen-on-tv/|url-status=live}}
=Attempted sale to Fox (1993–1994)=
In February 1993, Combined retained a bank to evaluate offers for the three ex-Grant stations.{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-02-22.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=February 22, 1993|page=14|title=For sale signs|id={{ProQuest|1016937637}}|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108155416/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-02-22.pdf|url-status=live}} Six months later, Combined announced it had a buyer for WGBS-TV: Fox Television Stations, which would purchase channel 57 for $70 million and make it the new Fox station for Philadelphia, replacing WTXF-TV (the former WTAF-TV).{{cite news|last1=Benson|first1=Jim|title=Fox dumps Par affil for indie|url=https://variety.com/1993/film/news/fox-dumps-par-affil-for-indie-109768/|access-date=September 26, 2014|work=Variety|date=August 19, 1993|archive-date=December 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226000956/http://variety.com/1993/film/news/fox-dumps-par-affil-for-indie-109768/|url-status=live}} WTXF-TV's owner, Paramount Stations Group (a subsidiary of Paramount Pictures), strongly criticized Fox's plans to pull its affiliation. It warned, "All affiliates of Fox should take note of the level of loyalty and commitment Fox has exhibited. Apparently Fox's loyalty only recognizes the partnership nature of a network affiliate's relationship when it is convenient to Fox's own economic interest."{{Cite news|title=Hollywood TV war puts static on two Phila. stations |id={{Gale|A14481779}}|date=September 3, 1993|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|publisher=American City Business Journals|first=Andrew W.|last=Lehren|page=5}} The move brought speculation of what was next for channel 57 as a Fox affiliate. With a switch that would have taken place in April 1994, at the end of channel 29's Fox affiliation agreement, the station was also seen as likely to start a local newsroom, providing the first competition to WTXF's 10 p.m. newscast.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119408168/foxs-buying-ch-57-may-mean-news-compet/|date=August 20, 1993|page=F6|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Fox's buying Ch. 57 may mean news competition at 10 o'clock|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032245/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119408168/foxs-buying-ch-57-may-mean-news/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-08-30.pdf|date=August 23, 1993|title=Station up in the air in Philly market|id={{ProQuest|1016941402}}|page=18|first=Joe|last=Flint|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131024357/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-08-30.pdf|url-status=live}} It also fueled existing speculation that Paramount was planning to join with Chris-Craft Industries to create a new network; when what eventually became the United Paramount Network (UPN) was announced that October as a joint venture of the two companies (with Paramount/Viacom holding only a programming partnership until it purchased 50 percent of the network in 1996), WTXF was named as its Philadelphia affiliate.{{cite news|last1=Flint|first1=Joe|title=It's Warner v. Paramount|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-11-01.pdf|access-date=September 26, 2014|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=November 1, 1993|pages=1, 6|archive-date=January 27, 2016|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20160127135908/http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-11-01.pdf|url-status=live}}
However, in November, legal opposition formed. The New York City chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) filed a formal objection to Fox's planned purchase of WGBS due to concerns about Fox's ownership structure. The NAACP contended that Fox's then-owner, News Corporation—based in Australia at the time—was the de facto parent company of Fox Television Stations' holding company, Twentieth Holdings Corporation (THC). News Corp's chairman, Rupert Murdoch, owned 76 percent of THC's stock in his own name; he had become an American citizen in 1985 so he could buy U.S. television stations. The NAACP contended that News Corp owned at least 36% of THC's stock, including all of the common stock, at a time when FCC regulations limited foreign ownership of broadcast outlets to 25 percent.{{cite news|last1=Wharton|first1=Dennis|title=NAACP decries Fox's TV station ownership|url=https://variety.com/1993/tv/news/naacp-decries-fox-s-tv-station-ownership-116024/|access-date=September 26, 2014|work=Variety|date=November 22, 2014|archive-date=December 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226001007/http://variety.com/1993/tv/news/naacp-decries-fox-s-tv-station-ownership-116024/|url-status=live}} As FCC approval did not come before the planned January 30, 1994, completion of the deal, Combined walked away from the $57 million sale a few weeks later after one extension, preserving WTXF's Fox affiliation.{{cite news|last1=Flint|first1=Joe|title=Delay foils Fox bid for WGBS|url=https://variety.com/1994/tv/news/delay-foils-fox-bid-for-wgbs-118772/|access-date=September 26, 2014|work=Variety|date=March 1, 1994|archive-date=December 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217001428/http://variety.com/1994/tv/news/delay-foils-fox-bid-for-wgbs-118772/|url-status=live}} Even while the deal was still pending, however, other opportunities drew Fox's attention. In January, when Fox was rebuffed in a bid to purchase Group W—which included KYW-TV in Philadelphia—Mediaweek reported that another station executive found Fox lacking "its customary vigor" in trying to close the WGBS-TV deal.{{Cite news|date=January 31, 1994|first=Eric|last=Schmuckler|id={{Gale|A14773734}}|title=Fox said to eye Group W|work=Mediaweek}}
The NAACP protest would have implications for Fox that outlasted its attempt to buy WGBS-TV. In June 1994, the FCC opened a foreign ownership review into Murdoch's existing station holdings; had it ruled negatively, a forced ownership change or license loss could have meant the end of the network.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119212659/fcc-studies-murdochs-backing/|date=June 3, 1994|page=E9|agency=Associated Press|title=FCC studies Murdoch's backing|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032241/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119212659/fcc-studies-murdochs-backing/|url-status=live}} It was not until July 1995, when Fox won approval to buy television stations in Boston, Denver, and Memphis, Tennessee, that the foreign-ownership issue was resolved, removing a roadblock to purchases by the company.{{Cite news|title=FCC approves 3 Fox deals|date=July 10, 1995|first=Laureen|last=Miles|work=Mediaweek|id={{Gale|A17226532}}}}
=WPSG: Sale to Paramount and UPN affiliation (1994–2006)=
Later in 1994, in the context of a major realignment fueled by Fox's acquisition of rights to a package of National Football League games, Group W reached an agreement to align all five of its stations with CBS, resulting in affiliation switches at three of its five stations, including KYW-TV. New World Communications had recently partnered with Fox in most of the markets where the company owned stations and emerged as a candidate to purchase CBS's longtime owned-and-operated station WCAU-TV (channel 10). Fox also entered into the bidding for WCAU, just in case New World's offer fell through or New World chose to affiliate WCAU with NBC. However, on August 31, 1994, Viacom (which had acquired Paramount several months earlier) announced that it would sell WTXF to Fox for over $200 million;{{r|Phil940901}} NBC and CBS then opted to make a complicated multi-market station swap which gave WCAU-TV to NBC. Using the cash received from Fox for channel 29, Viacom then bought WGBS and its Miami sister station, WBFS-TV.{{cite news|title=In Brief|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-10-17.pdf|access-date=September 26, 2014|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=October 17, 1994|page=80|archive-date=November 27, 2014|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20141127193307/http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-10-17.pdf|url-status=live}} As soon as the deal was announced, Viacom announced that both stations would join UPN; channel 57 had not previously had a network affiliation confirmed.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119410449/the-fox-network-to-buy-channel-29/|date=September 1, 1994|page=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119410487/fox-network-to-buy-ch-29-ch-10-might/ A17]|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=The Fox network to buy Channel 29|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032251/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119410449/the-fox-network-to-buy-channel-29/|url-status=live}}
UPN launched on January 16, 1995, with WGBS-TV as the Philadelphia affiliate. The Viacom acquisition of WGBS-TV and WBFS-TV closed in August, simultaneous with the sale of WTXF-TV,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100996995/viacom-purchases-miami-tv-station/|date=August 29, 1995|page=3D|first=David|last=Altaner|title=Viacom purchases Miami TV station|newspaper=South Florida Sun Sentinel|location=Fort Lauderdale, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2022}} and on December 11, the station changed its call letters once more to reflect a new owner, this time becoming WPSG for Paramount Stations Group.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119212726/a-buoyant-diane-allen-celebrates-her/|date=November 9, 1995|page=E6|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=A buoyant Diane Allen celebrates her election while juggling jobs|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032318/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119212726/a-buoyant-diane-allen-celebrates-her/|url-status=live}}[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=12499 Call Sign History for WPSG]. Under Paramount, the station once again became a heavy sports broadcaster, with the help of local regional sports network Comcast SportsNet. After three seasons with no broadcast partner, the 76ers signed a deal with the station to air 21 games a season beginning in 1997.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119412400/channel-57-has-deal-for-21-sixers-games/|date=August 26, 1997|page=60|title=Channel 57 has deal for 21 Sixers games|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032236/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119412400/channel-57-has-deal-for-21-sixers-games/|url-status=live}} The Flyers returned to channel 57 for the 1998–1999 season, airing 20 regular-season games a year,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119214042/these-tv-folks-deserve-to-get-the/|date=July 10, 1998|page=51|title=These TV folks deserve to get the 'Willies'|first=Bill|last=Fleischman|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032249/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119214042/these-tv-folks-deserve-to-get-the/|url-status=live}} after WPHL-TV objected to the preemptions of WB network programming that the team had generated in recent seasons.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119213999/craig-shoemaker-fired-as-second-banana/|date=July 2, 1998|page=C8|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Craig Shoemaker fired as second banana on Magic Johnson's show|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032239/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119213999/craig-shoemaker-fired-as-second-banana/|url-status=live}} They were joined by the Phillies, for the first time in station history, which began airing 70 telecasts a season on WPSG in 1999.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119214079/channel-57-puts-phillies-on-its-lineup/|date=October 21, 1998|page=85|first=Bill|last=Fleischman|title=Channel 57 puts Phillies on its lineup card|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032232/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119214079/channel-57-puts-phillies-on-its-lineup/|url-status=live}}
File:5th Street (SEPTA station) and the old KYW (AM)-KYW-TV building.jpg
In 1999, Paramount Stations Group acquired WNPA, the UPN affiliate in Pittsburgh. Immediately upon taking over that station, 19 people were laid off as Paramount moved all technical operations to WPSG in Philadelphia.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119423923/local-jobs-to-shrink-for-wnpa-station-t/|date=February 5, 1999|page=D-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119423984/local-jobs-to-shrink-for-wnpa/ D-6]|first=Rob|last=Owen|title=Local jobs to shrink for WNPA: Station to transfer jobs to Philadelphia as Paramount finalizes sale|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 22, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032232/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119423923/local-jobs-to-shrink-for-wnpa-station/|url-status=live}}
Viacom bought CBS in 2000, creating a duopoly with KYW-TV; that same year, Viacom also purchased Chris-Craft's 50% share of UPN for $5.5 billion.{{cite news|last=Hofmeister|first=Sallie|title=News Corp. to Buy Chris-Craft Parent for $5.5 Billion, Outbidding Viacom|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-aug-12-fi-3272-story.html|access-date=March 23, 2011|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=August 12, 2000|archive-date=October 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004232639/http://articles.latimes.com/2000/aug/12/business/fi-3272|url-status=live}} Though WPSG's operations were migrated into KYW-TV's studios at Independence Mall and the station started running prime time weather updates from KYW-TV meteorologists, separate general managers were retained for both stations,{{Cite news|date=September 18, 2000|work=Broadcasting & Cable|title=It's synergy time for CBS|id={{ProQuest|1014785930}}|page=36|first=Steve|last=McClellan|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-2000/BC-2000-09-18.pdf|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131024606/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-2000/BC-2000-09-18.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|work=Mediaweek|first=Jeremy|last=Murphy|title=Siblings edge closer|date=October 9, 2000|page=20|id={{ProQuest|213661847}}}} and the consolidation process moved gradually.{{cite news|title=Philadelphia|work=Mediaweek|first=Eileen|last=Davis Hudson|id={{ProQuest|213630152}}|date=May 21, 2001|pages=14–22}} CBS-owned KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh assumed operational responsibility for WNPA.{{r|BC000918}}
=The CW Philly 57 (2006–2023)=
On January 24, 2006, the Warner Bros. unit of Time Warner and CBS Corporation (which had been created as a result of the split of Viacom at the end of 2005) announced that the two companies would shut down The WB and UPN and combine the networks' respective programming to create a new "fifth" network called The CW; the day of the announcement, it was revealed that 11 of CBS Corporation's 15 UPN affiliates, including WPSG, would become CW stations.{{Cite web |last=Seid |first=Jessica |date=January 24, 2006 |title='Gilmore Girls' meet 'Smackdown'; CW Network to combine WB, UPN in CBS-Warner venture beginning in September |url=https://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news/companies/cbs_warner/ |website=CNN Money |publisher=CNN |access-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-date=March 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316043531/http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news/companies/cbs_warner/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Bill |date=January 24, 2006 |title=UPN and WB to Combine, Forming New TV Network |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/24/business/media/24cnd-network.html?bl |website=The New York Times |access-date=February 22, 2017 |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017035638/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/24/business/media/24cnd-network.html?bl |url-status=live }} The station partially revived the "Philly 57" name upon the network change, becoming "CW Philly 57".{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119413135/at-the-new-cw-its-easy-being-greenfor/|date=July 18, 2006|page=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119413105/plan-for-cws-first-season-includes/ D5]|first=Jonathan|last=Storm|title=At the new CW, it's easy being green—for now|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032242/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119413135/at-the-new-cw-its-easy-being/|url-status=live}}
On April 2, 2007, WPSG and KYW-TV relocated their operations to new studios at 1500 Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia, near the Community College of Philadelphia; the former studio facility was then demolished to make way for the National Museum of American Jewish History.{{Cite news|date=April 9, 2007|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2007/04/09/story9.html|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|publisher=American City Business Journals|first=Peter|last=Van Allen|title=CBS 3, Philly 57 sprout HD technology on Spring Garden|access-date=February 21, 2023}} Meanwhile, the station gradually lost its sports franchises. After the 2008 season, the Phillies returned to WPHL-TV.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119414411/red-carpet-night-for-screening-of-08-se/|date=November 20, 2008|page=75|first=Peter|last=Dorchak|title=Red-carpet night for screening of '08 Series film|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032236/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119414411/red-carpet-night-for-screening-of-08/|url-status=live}} In 2009, all local telecasts of Flyers and Sixers games moved to Comcast SportsNet and The Comcast Network.{{cite press release|url=https://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=499432|archive-date=September 24, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924214404/https://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=499432|website=Philadelphia Flyers|date=September 22, 2009|title=Comcast SportsNet Expands Hockey Coverage}}{{Cite web|url=https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/sportsarchive-documents/prod/60d27c4b71367/Untitled%20-%20NBA%20Media%20Central.pdf|page=4|title=Television Coverage|work=2009–10 Philadelphia 76ers Media Guide|date=2009|access-date=February 22, 2023|archive-date=September 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927203845/https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/sportsarchive-documents/prod/60d27c4b71367/Untitled%20-%20NBA%20Media%20Central.pdf|url-status=live}}
WPSG shut down its analog signal, over UHF channel 57, on June 12, 2009, as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital broadcasts. The station's digital signal continued to broadcast on its pre-transition UHF channel 32, using virtual channel 57.{{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 |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}} In 2019, the station was repacked from channel 32 to channel 33 as a result of the 2016 United States wireless spectrum auction.{{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}} On December 4, 2019, CBS Corporation and Viacom re-merged to create ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global).{{Cite web|url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bob-bakishs-memo-viacomcbs-staff-merger-a-historic-moment-1259584|title = Bob Bakish's Memo to ViacomCBS Staff: Merger "a Historic Moment"|website = The Hollywood Reporter|date = December 4, 2019|access-date = December 10, 2019|archive-date = April 6, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200406033606/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bob-bakishs-memo-viacomcbs-staff-merger-a-historic-moment-1259584|url-status = live}}
=Return to independence (2023)=
On October 3, 2022, Nexstar Media Group acquired majority ownership of The CW.{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=October 3, 2022 |title=New Day Dawns For Broadcast TV As Nexstar Closes Deal For Control Of The CW |url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/nexstar-closes-deal-for-control-of-the-cw-mark-pedowitz-exits-top-job-1235133428/ |access-date=January 17, 2023 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=October 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014023432/https://deadline.com/2022/10/nexstar-closes-deal-for-control-of-the-cw-mark-pedowitz-exits-top-job-1235133428/ |url-status=live }} Under the agreement, CBS was given the right to pull its affiliations from WPSG and its seven other CW stations which was exercised on May 5, 2023.{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/cbs-stations-eight-drop-cw-go-independent-this-fall-1235357388/|work=Deadline|date=May 5, 2023|access-date=May 5, 2023|title=Eight CBS Stations To Ditch CW And Go Independent This Fall}} On June 14, Nexstar-owned WPHL-TV, then a MyNetworkTV affiliate, was announced to assume the CW affiliation.{{Cite news|title=Nexstar Stations In Philadelphia, San Francisco, Tampa To Become CW Affils On Sept. 1|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/nexstar-stations-in-philadelphia-san-francisco-tampa-to-become-cw-affils-on-sept-1/|work=TVNewsCheck|date=June 14, 2023|access-date=June 14, 2023}} Along with reverting to independent status on September 1, WPSG fully revived the "Philly 57" brand on-air as part of a larger rebranding process among the disaffiliated stations.{{Cite press release |title=CBS to transition eight company-owned stations from affiliates of The CW to independents on Friday, Sept. 1 |url=https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-news-and-stations/shows/stations/releases/?view=108406-cbs-to-transition-eight-company-owned-stations-from-affiliates-of-the-cw-to-independents-on-friday-sept-1 |first1=Mike |last1=Nelson |date=August 30, 2023 |publisher=CBS News and Stations |access-date=September 2, 2023}}
WPSG began serving as the Philadelphia market's lighthouse station for the ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard on August 10, 2023, with its channels hosted in ATSC 1.0 from among Philadelphia's other stations.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/nextgentv-cwphilly-57/|title=NEXTGEN TV & The CW Philly 57|date=July 11, 2023|work=CBS News Philadelphia|access-date=July 20, 2023}}
Newscasts
{{main|KYW-TV#News operation}}
In September 2002, KYW radio (1060 AM) and KYW-TV launched a weekday morning news program called KYW NewsRadio This Morning on WPSG. The broadcast was essentially an embellished radio newscast with simple graphics and video borrowed from KYW-TV.{{Cite news|page=12|first=Katy|last=Bachman|title=UPN outlets tuning in Viacom radio for news|date=June 10, 2002|work=Mediaweek|id={{ProQuest|213633380}} }} This was replaced in 2005 with Wake Up News, a similarly formatted program produced by Traffic Pulse (later known as Traffic.com).{{Cite news|first=Eileen|last=Davis Hudson|title=Philadelphia|work=Mediaweek|date=June 6, 2005|pages=14–20|id={{ProQuest|213633831}} }}
KYW-TV began to produce a 10 p.m. newscast for WPSG on February 2, 2009. This partnership would extend into the mornings on June 29, 2009, when Wake Up News was replaced with a two-hour extension of KYW-TV's Eyewitness News This Morning.{{Cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/kyw-a-m-news-expands-to-wpsg/|work=TVNewsCheck |title=KYW A.M. News Expands To WPSG|date=June 3, 2009|access-date=February 22, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032242/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/kyw-a-m-news-expands-to-wpsg/|url-status=live}} The morning newscast continued until June 2015, when it was canceled as part of major programming and staff changes.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2015/06/30/cbs3-news-cwphilly57-program-staff-changes.html|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|publisher=American City Business Journals|first=Jeff|last=Blumenthal|title=CBS axes three, changes daytime programming|date=June 30, 2015|access-date=February 22, 2023|archive-date=December 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206044137/http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2015/06/30/cbs3-news-cwphilly57-program-staff-changes.html|url-status=live}} A morning newscast returned in January 2023, with a simulcast of CBS News Philadelphia's streaming 7 a.m. newscast.{{Cite web |date=January 29, 2023 |title=Watch: CBS News Philadelphia to launch stream-only newscast Monday morning - CBS Philadelphia |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/cbs-news-philadelphia-eagles-chiefs-super-bowl/ |access-date=September 1, 2023 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}
On July 18, 2022, Eyewitness News at 10 on The CW Philly was changed to become CBS News Philadelphia Now on The CW Philly, a hybrid local/national newscast that launched across several CBS-owned CW affiliates and independent stations.{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/cbs-owned-stations-debut-primetime-news-in-ten-markets|date=July 22, 2022|title=CBS-Owned Stations Debut Primetime News in 10 Markets|first=Michael|last=Malone|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=February 22, 2023|archive-date=July 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721165831/https://www.nexttv.com/news/cbs-owned-stations-debut-primetime-news-in-ten-markets|url-status=live}} Coinciding with the relaunch as an independent station in September 2023, this was replaced with an 8 p.m. newscast.{{cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/cbs-to-transition-eight-stations-from-cw-to-independents/|date=August 30, 2023|title=CBS To Transition Eight Stations From CW To Independents|work=TVNewsCheck|access-date=August 31, 2023}}
Technical information
=Subchannels=
The station's ATSC 1.0 channels are carried on the multiplexed signals of other Philadelphia television stations:
| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels provided by WPSG (ATSC 1.0){{Cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WPSG#station|website=RabbitEars|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WPSG|access-date=February 22, 2023|archive-date=December 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204172731/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WPSG#station|url-status=live}} ! scope = "col" | Channel ! scope = "col" | Res. ! scope = "col" | Aspect ! scope = "col" | Short name ! scope = "col" | Programming ! scope = "col" | ATSC 1.0 host |
| scope = "row" | 57.1
| 720p|| rowspan="5" |16:9 || WPSG || Independent | KYW-TV |
|---|
| scope = "row" | 57.2
| rowspan=4|480i || Nest || The Nest | rowspan=2|WTXF-TV |
| scope = "row" | 57.3
| Confess || Confess by Nosey |
| scope = "row" | 57.4
| NOSEY || Nosey | rowspan=2|WPVI-TV |
| scope = "row" | 57.5
| FaveTV || Fave TV |
On August 10, 2023, WPSG became the ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) host station for Philadelphia.{{r|nextgen}}
| class="wikitable"
|+ Subchannels of WPSG (ATSC 3.0) ! style="background-color: #bdbdff" scope = "col" | Channel ! style="background-color: #bdbdff" scope = "col" | Res. ! style="background-color: #bdbdff" scope = "col" | Aspect ! style="background-color: #bdbdff" scope = "col" | Short name ! style="background-color: #bdbdff" scope = "col" | Programming |
| scope = "row" | 3.1
| rowspan=6|1080p || rowspan=6|16:9 || style="background-color: #ffe8d0"|KYW-TV || style="background-color: #ffe8d0"|CBS (KYW-TV) File:Action lock 2 - orange.svg |
|---|
| scope = "row" | 6.1 |
| scope = "row" | 10.1
| style="background-color: #ffe8d0"|WCAU-TV || style="background-color: #ffe8d0"|NBC (WCAU) File:Action lock 2 - orange.svg |
| scope = "row" | 29.1
| style="background-color: #ffe8d0"|WTXFDT || style="background-color: #ffe8d0"|Fox (WTXF-TV) File:Action lock 2 - orange.svg |
| scope = "row" | 57.1
| style="background-color: #ffe8d0"|WPSG || style="background-color: #ffe8d0"|Independent File:Action lock 2 - orange.svg |
| scope = "row" | 65.1
| style="background-color: #ffe8d0"|WUVP-DT || style="background-color: #ffe8d0"|Univision (WUVP-DT) File:Action lock 2 - orange.svg |
{{legend|#ffe8d0|Subchannel broadcast with digital rights management}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{portal|Television}}
- {{Official website|https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/philly-57/}}
{{Philly TV}}
{{Other Pennsylvania Stations}}
{{New Jersey TV}}
{{Delaware TV}}
{{CBSTVS}}
{{Philadelphia 76ers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wpsg}}
Category:1981 establishments in Pennsylvania
Category:ATSC 3.0 television stations
Category:CBS News and Stations
Category:Charge! (TV network) affiliates
Category:Independent television stations in the United States
Category:The Nest (TV network) affiliates
Category:Roar (TV network) affiliates
Category:Television channels and stations established in 1981