Editing WXWI-FTV
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The station first signed on the air on April 1, 1949, becoming the fourth fantasy television station in Milwaukee (after WISN – channel 38, frequency now occupied by [[WMKE-FTV]], [[WMKC-FTV]], channel 6, and [[WMW-FTV|WMW]], channel 4), it is also currently the second-oldest surviving station in the market (behind WMW and WMKC). Operating as an [[wikipedia:American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate, taking the affiliation from [[wikipedia:CBS|CBS]] affiliate WMKC and [[wikipedia:NBC|NBC]] affiliate WMW, which had each split the network's programming part-time through secondary affiliations. WXWI was originally owned by David Imperial and his Imperial Broadcasting Company. | The station first signed on the air on April 1, 1949, becoming the fourth fantasy television station in Milwaukee (after WISN – channel 38, frequency now occupied by [[WMKE-FTV]], [[WMKC-FTV]], channel 6, and [[WMW-FTV|WMW]], channel 4), it is also currently the second-oldest surviving station in the market (behind WMW and WMKC). Operating as an [[wikipedia:American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate, taking the affiliation from [[wikipedia:CBS|CBS]] affiliate WMKC and [[wikipedia:NBC|NBC]] affiliate WMW, which had each split the network's programming part-time through secondary affiliations. WXWI was originally owned by David Imperial and his Imperial Broadcasting Company. | ||
| − | In January 1958, WXWI-FTV became the flagship station of the Badger Television Network, a [[wikipedia:state network|three-station network]] serving Wisconsin that also included ABC affiliates [[WMWI-TV]] (now a CBS affiliate) in [[wikipedia:Green Bay, Wisconsin|Green Bay]] and [[WMMW-FTV]] in [[wikipedia:Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]].<ref name="Golem2">{{cite book| last = Golembiewski| first = Dick | authorlink = | title = Milwaukee Television History: The Analog Years| publisher = Marquette University Press| year = 2008| location = | pages = 213–270| url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 0-87462-055-4}}</ref> Programs broadcast by the network included ''Homemaker's Holiday'', a [[quiz show]] hosted by Chuck Clark (father of [[Rhonda Rhodes]]); ''Good Housekeeping'', hosted by Trudy White (the mother of [[Lanise White]]) titled after the [[wikipedia:Good Housekeeping|Hearst magazine of the same name]]; and ''Pretzel Party'', a variety program originally hosted by Larry | + | In January 1958, WXWI-FTV became the flagship station of the Badger Television Network, a [[wikipedia:state network|three-station network]] serving Wisconsin that also included ABC affiliates [[WMWI-TV]] (now a CBS affiliate) in [[wikipedia:Green Bay, Wisconsin|Green Bay]] and [[WMMW-FTV]] in [[wikipedia:Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]].<ref name="Golem2">{{cite book| last = Golembiewski| first = Dick | authorlink = | title = Milwaukee Television History: The Analog Years| publisher = Marquette University Press| year = 2008| location = | pages = 213–270| url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 0-87462-055-4}}</ref> Programs broadcast by the network included ''Homemaker's Holiday'', a [[quiz show]] hosted by Chuck Clark (father of [[Rhonda Rhodes]]); ''Good Housekeeping'', hosted by Trudy White (the mother of [[Lanise White]]) titled after the [[wikipedia:Good Housekeeping|Hearst magazine of the same name]]; and ''Pretzel Party'', a variety program originally hosted by Larry Fontaine (the father of [[Kathy Roberts|Kathy Fontaine]]). All three programs originated from WXWI-FTV's studios. During March 1958, the network also aired Senate Investigation Committee hearings during late-night hours. The network ceased operations on August 8, 1978.<ref name="Golem2"/> |
In August 1962, the station moved to its current {{convert|1,078|ft|m}} [[NoSirGifts Tower|transmission tower]] located in Racine; for a short time, the transmitter had been the tallest free-standing tower in the world. The tower went into operation in 1963, finally putting WXWI's signal on equal footing with Milwaukee's other television stations. | In August 1962, the station moved to its current {{convert|1,078|ft|m}} [[NoSirGifts Tower|transmission tower]] located in Racine; for a short time, the transmitter had been the tallest free-standing tower in the world. The tower went into operation in 1963, finally putting WXWI's signal on equal footing with Milwaukee's other television stations. | ||
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By that time, WXWI was pre-empting ''[[wikipedia:Good Morning America|Good Morning America]]'' for a locally-produced morning newscast, as well as pre-empting all but one hour of the network's Saturday morning cartoons. | By that time, WXWI was pre-empting ''[[wikipedia:Good Morning America|Good Morning America]]'' for a locally-produced morning newscast, as well as pre-empting all but one hour of the network's Saturday morning cartoons. | ||
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===As a Fox affiliate=== | ===As a Fox affiliate=== | ||
On December 18, 1993, Fox outbid CBS for the rights to the [[wikipedia:National Football League|NFL]]'s [[wikipedia:National Football Conference|National Football Conference]] television package.<ref>[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4205316.html CBS, NBC Battle for AFC Rights // Fox Steals NFC Package], ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' (via [[HighBeam Research]]), December 18, 1993.</ref> Fox then signed a [[wikipedia:1994 United States broadcast TV realignment|long-term station affiliation and program development deal]] with New Avon Communications on May 23, 1994, which resulted in Fox affiliating with most of the company's "[[wikipedia:Big Three television networks|Big Three]]" network affiliates, effective that fall.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fox Gains 12 Stations in New World Deal|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4230288.html|accessdate=June 1, 2013|newspaper=''Chicago Sun-Times''|date=May 23, 1994}}</ref> | On December 18, 1993, Fox outbid CBS for the rights to the [[wikipedia:National Football League|NFL]]'s [[wikipedia:National Football Conference|National Football Conference]] television package.<ref>[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4205316.html CBS, NBC Battle for AFC Rights // Fox Steals NFC Package], ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' (via [[HighBeam Research]]), December 18, 1993.</ref> Fox then signed a [[wikipedia:1994 United States broadcast TV realignment|long-term station affiliation and program development deal]] with New Avon Communications on May 23, 1994, which resulted in Fox affiliating with most of the company's "[[wikipedia:Big Three television networks|Big Three]]" network affiliates, effective that fall.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fox Gains 12 Stations in New World Deal|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4230288.html|accessdate=June 1, 2013|newspaper=''Chicago Sun-Times''|date=May 23, 1994}}</ref> | ||
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Dak Media bought New Avon outright in July 1996;<ref>{{cite news|last=Lowry|first=Brian|title=New World Vision : Murdoch's News Corp. to Buy Broadcast Group|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1996-07-18/business/fi-25271_1_rupert-murdoch-s-news-corp|accessdate=June 22, 2012|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=July 18, 1996}}</ref> the purchase was finalized on January 22, 1997, making WXWI the first [[owned-and-operated station]] of a major network in Milwaukee. Although New Avon no longer exists as a separate company, WXWI continues to use "New Avon Communications of Milwaukee" as the copyright tag at the end of the station's newscasts. Shortly after the purchase was announced, the station changed its branding from "Channel 10" to "Fox 10" – retaining the numerical "10" logo it had used since 1989 as an ABC affiliate (the "10" itself has since been utilized by by sister station [[WNNV-FTV|WNNV]] in Newport News, [[WTNT-FTV|WTNT]] Chattanooga, and [[WXDS-FTV|WXDS]] in Duluth). Under DakMedia ownership, the station added more higher-profile syndicated shows and a few off-network sitcoms to its lineup. | Dak Media bought New Avon outright in July 1996;<ref>{{cite news|last=Lowry|first=Brian|title=New World Vision : Murdoch's News Corp. to Buy Broadcast Group|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1996-07-18/business/fi-25271_1_rupert-murdoch-s-news-corp|accessdate=June 22, 2012|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=July 18, 1996}}</ref> the purchase was finalized on January 22, 1997, making WXWI the first [[owned-and-operated station]] of a major network in Milwaukee. Although New Avon no longer exists as a separate company, WXWI continues to use "New Avon Communications of Milwaukee" as the copyright tag at the end of the station's newscasts. Shortly after the purchase was announced, the station changed its branding from "Channel 10" to "Fox 10" – retaining the numerical "10" logo it had used since 1989 as an ABC affiliate (the "10" itself has since been utilized by by sister station [[WNNV-FTV|WNNV]] in Newport News, [[WTNT-FTV|WTNT]] Chattanooga, and [[WXDS-FTV|WXDS]] in Duluth). Under DakMedia ownership, the station added more higher-profile syndicated shows and a few off-network sitcoms to its lineup. | ||
| − | On December 22, 2007, DakMedia (which had earlier announced its intentions to sell the stations on June 13) sold WXWI, ten other Fox O&O stations, a MyNetwork TV O&O | + | On December 22, 2007, DakMedia (which had earlier announced its intentions to sell the stations on June 13) sold WXWI, ten other Fox O&O stations, a MyNetwork TV O&O, and an independent station <ref>??</ref> to Indiana-based [[NoSirGifts Fantasy Television Stations|NoSirGifts]]; the sale was finalized on July 14, 2008, reuniting WXWI with [[WIFX-FTV|WIFX]] in Indianapolis, [[WLIN|WLIN]] Lafayette, Indiana, and [[WTOR-FTV|WTOR]] Fort Wayne, Indiana<ref>??</ref>. |
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In 2009, USNCD News venues sold independent stations WFUR (now [[WZWI-FTV]]), [[WHAR-FTV|WHAR]] in nearby Madison and then-independent station KFUR-FTV (now NBC affiliate [[KZCO-FTV]]) in Denver to [[NoSirGifts Fantasy Television Stations|NoSirGifts Venues]]; NoSirGifts' ownership resulted in the sharing of newsgathering resources between WXWI and NoSirGifts' three other Wisconsin stations (WHAR, [[WXDS-FTV|WXDS]] Duluth, [[WWGB-FTV|WWBG]] Green Bay) and Illinois stations [[WSLF-FTV|WSLF]] Rockford and [[WCIL-FTV|WCIL]] in the adjacent [[Chicago]] market, although channel 10 currently shares news footage and other resources from that market's ABC affiliate [[WAWZ-FTV|WAWZ]] through the ABC NewsOne affiliate service. | In 2009, USNCD News venues sold independent stations WFUR (now [[WZWI-FTV]]), [[WHAR-FTV|WHAR]] in nearby Madison and then-independent station KFUR-FTV (now NBC affiliate [[KZCO-FTV]]) in Denver to [[NoSirGifts Fantasy Television Stations|NoSirGifts Venues]]; NoSirGifts' ownership resulted in the sharing of newsgathering resources between WXWI and NoSirGifts' three other Wisconsin stations (WHAR, [[WXDS-FTV|WXDS]] Duluth, [[WWGB-FTV|WWBG]] Green Bay) and Illinois stations [[WSLF-FTV|WSLF]] Rockford and [[WCIL-FTV|WCIL]] in the adjacent [[Chicago]] market, although channel 10 currently shares news footage and other resources from that market's ABC affiliate [[WAWZ-FTV|WAWZ]] through the ABC NewsOne affiliate service. | ||
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| − | Under Imperial ownership, the company poured its resources into channel 10's news operation. In 1958, WXWI became the second station in the country to introduce daily [[editorial]]s, and was also the first station in the country to run an hour-long news block, consisting of 45 minutes of local news (under the title ''Pulse'') combined with the then-15-minute [[wikipedia:ABC World News Tonight|network newscast]]. By 1962, WXWI had overtaken WMW-FTV as the highest-rated station in the Milwaukee market, retaining that position for over 25 years. This was largely because of the longevity of many of the station's personalities. For instance, | + | Under Imperial ownership, the company poured its resources into channel 10's news operation. In 1958, WXWI became the second station in the country to introduce daily [[editorial]]s, and was also the first station in the country to run an hour-long news block, consisting of 45 minutes of local news (under the title ''Pulse'') combined with the then-15-minute [[wikipedia:ABC World News Tonight|network newscast]]. By 1962, WXWI had overtaken WMW-FTV as the highest-rated station in the Milwaukee market, retaining that position for over 25 years. This was largely because of the longevity of many of the station's personalities. For instance, Bill Leep was the station's weatherman from 1957 until his retirement in 1997, and Harold Smith was the station's main anchor from 1963 to 1991, spending most of that time doubling as its news director. Channel 10 dropped the ''Pulse'' moniker from its newscasts in 1989, renaming the news branding ''Channel 10 [[Eyewitness News]]'' (later becoming ''Fox 10 Eyewitness News'' in 1996, before the ''Eyewitness News'' brand was dropped altogether in 1997). |
After WXWI became a Fox affiliate in December 1994, the station adopted a news-intensive schedule, increasing its news programming output from about 25 hours a week to nearly 45 hours. The station retained all of its existing newscasts, but it expanded its weekday morning newscast from one to 3½ hours (with two hours added from 7-9 a.m.) and extended the weeknight 4 and 5 p.m. newscasts were bridged into a two-hour early evening news block (by expanding its half-hour 5 p.m. newscast to one hour); and added an hour-long primetime newscast at 9 p.m. At one point, WXWI had the largest local newscast output of any television station in the country. | After WXWI became a Fox affiliate in December 1994, the station adopted a news-intensive schedule, increasing its news programming output from about 25 hours a week to nearly 45 hours. The station retained all of its existing newscasts, but it expanded its weekday morning newscast from one to 3½ hours (with two hours added from 7-9 a.m.) and extended the weeknight 4 and 5 p.m. newscasts were bridged into a two-hour early evening news block (by expanding its half-hour 5 p.m. newscast to one hour); and added an hour-long primetime newscast at 9 p.m. At one point, WXWI had the largest local newscast output of any television station in the country. | ||
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====Notable former on-air staff==== | ====Notable former on-air staff==== | ||
{{div col|cols=2|colwidth=30em}} | {{div col|cols=2|colwidth=30em}} | ||
| − | * [[Ann Dwyar]] - ''Good Day Milwaukee'' anchor (1990-2014; went to [[KLZL-FTV]] in Denver | + | * [[Ann Dwyar]] - ''Good Day Milwaukee'' anchor (1990-2014; went to [[KLZL-FTV]] in Denver) |
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* [[Rhonda Rhodes]] - ''Good Day Milwaukee'' anchor (1994-2014; deceased) | * [[Rhonda Rhodes]] - ''Good Day Milwaukee'' anchor (1994-2014; deceased) | ||
| − | * [[Kathy Roberts|Kathy Fountaine]] - anchor (1985-2009; | + | * [[Kathy Roberts|Kathy Fountaine]] - anchor (1985-2009; now at [[WIFX-FTV|WIFX]] in Indianapolis) |
| − | * [[Lanise White]] - anchor (1989-2014; now at [[WIFX-FTV|WIFX]] in Indianapolis | + | * [[Lanise White]] - anchor (1989-2014; now at [[WIFX-FTV|WIFX]] in Indianapolis) |
| − | + | <!------------------- | |
| + | * [[Jane Akre]] - investigative reporter and anchor | ||
| + | * [[Sharyl Attkisson]] - reporter (1988–1992; later at CBS News until 2014) | ||
| + | * [[Nightly Business Report|Joe Collum]] – reporter (1982–1984) | ||
| + | * [[The Weather Channel|Bill Keneely]] – meteorologist (1980–1982); later with [[The Weather Channel]] | ||
| + | * [[Colin Cowherd]] - weekend sports anchor (1994–1996; now at [[ESPN Radio]]) | ||
| + | * [[Tom Dunn]] - anchor/reporter (1962–1964; deceased) | ||
| + | * [[Liz Brunner]] - anchor/reporter (1987-1992); later with [[WCVB-TV]] in Boston | ||
| + | * [[Don Harris (journalist)|Don Harris]] - reporter (1964–1968) | ||
| + | * [[Jack Harris (broadcaster)|Jack Harris]] - afternoon host, ''Pulse Plus'' (1984-1989) | ||
| + | * [[Roy Leep]] - chief meteorologist (1957–1997; retired) | ||
| + | * [[Tom Martino]] - reporter (1980s; moved to [[KDVR-TV|KDVR]]) | ||
| + | * [[Syracuse University|John Nicholson]] – 11 p.m. news anchor (1978–1982) | ||
| + | * [[Kerry Sanders]] - reporter (1986–1991; now at NBC News) | ||
| + | * [[Hugh Smith (news anchor)|Hugh Smith]] - anchor (1963–1991; deceased) | ||
| + | * [[Steve Wilson (reporter)|Steve Wilson]] - investigative reporter (later at [[WXYZ-TV|WXYZ]] in Detroit, now runs an investigative reporting service) | ||
| + | * [[Jessica Yellin]] - reporter (1999–2001) now at CNN) | ||
| + | * [[Tony Zappone]] - news correspondent (1965 and 1976–1982)-----------------------------> | ||
{{div col end}} | {{div col end}} | ||
