Editing WMRI-FTV
Your changes will be displayed to readers once an authorized user accepts them. (help) |
Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
The edit can be undone.
Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then save the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
Latest revision | Your text | ||
Line 53: | Line 53: | ||
On January 3, 2005, in a reversal of the 1984 switch, WMRI became an ABC affiliate for the second time to take advantage of the network's stronger programming. In another reversal, NBC was left with WNDI (which had changed its call letters from WPMA in 2003) by default. Ironically, within weeks after the affiliation shift, ABC's ratings overtook those of NBC with WMRI became the sixth strongest ABC affiliate in the United States, ranking up with [[KSTX-FTV]] in San Antonio, Texas, [[WAKT-FTV|WKNX]] in Knoxville, Tennessee, [[WMMR-FTV]] in Madison, Wisconsin, and sister station [[WEAE-FTV|WEAE]] Pittsburgh. By 2014, NBC has since regained the lead over ABC nationally and the NBC affiliation has since moved to WFTW. | On January 3, 2005, in a reversal of the 1984 switch, WMRI became an ABC affiliate for the second time to take advantage of the network's stronger programming. In another reversal, NBC was left with WNDI (which had changed its call letters from WPMA in 2003) by default. Ironically, within weeks after the affiliation shift, ABC's ratings overtook those of NBC with WMRI became the sixth strongest ABC affiliate in the United States, ranking up with [[KSTX-FTV]] in San Antonio, Texas, [[WAKT-FTV|WKNX]] in Knoxville, Tennessee, [[WMMR-FTV]] in Madison, Wisconsin, and sister station [[WEAE-FTV|WEAE]] Pittsburgh. By 2014, NBC has since regained the lead over ABC nationally and the NBC affiliation has since moved to WFTW. | ||
− | A month after rejoining ABC on February 10, 2005, Birky Communications sold WB affiliate WBIO-FTV (channel 51, later a CW and [[wikipedia:MyNetworkTV|MyNetworkTV]] affiliate, now [[wikipedia: | + | A month after rejoining ABC on February 10, 2005, Birky Communications sold WB affiliate WBIO-FTV (channel 51, later a CW and [[wikipedia:MyNetworkTV|MyNetworkTV]] affiliate, now [[wikipedia:Univision|Univision]] affiliate [[WECW-FTV|WECW]]) as well as its Indianapolis sister station WIWB (now [[WICW-FTV|WICW]]) to ATE Media for $85 million, creating a duopoly with WMRI-FTV when the sale was finalized that spring. |
+ | |||
===Sale to ABC Fantasy Television Stations=== | ===Sale to ABC Fantasy Television Stations=== | ||
− | On June 3, 2016, the estate of [[Patrice Rafferty]] signed an agreement to be acquired by ABC Fantasy Television Stations. The deal will result in WMRI becoming an ABC owned-and-operated station and WECW | + | On June 3, 2016, the estate of [[Patrice Rafferty]] signed an agreement to be acquired by ABC Fantasy Television Stations. The deal will result in WMRI becoming an ABC owned-and-operated station and WECW an Univision affiliate.<ref name=tvnc-ateabc>{{cite news|title=ABC-ATE Media: It's A Done Deal|date=June 3, 2016}}</ref> The sale closed on September 2, 2016. With the completion of the deal, WMRI became the second network station in Fort Wayne to become an owned-and-operated station of its associated network after [[WINO-FLD|WINO/WMRN/WORT]] (formerly channels 12/38/58, now channel 7) and also marked WMRI's third ownership change. The sale to ABC ended 62 years of being locally owned by Corithian Broadcasting from 1954 until 1982 and ATE Media from 1982 to 2016. As a result, rival CBS affiliate [[WTOR-FTV|WTOR]] (channel 41) through its ownership of [[NoSirGifts Fantasy Television Stations|NoSirGifts Fantasy Television Division]] became the only locally owned-and-operated station in Fort Wayne. |
Ownership of WMRI became evident as a ABC Fantasy Television Stations unveiled a new logo for WMRI and Atlanta sister station [[WGA-FTV]] on August 6, 2018. | Ownership of WMRI became evident as a ABC Fantasy Television Stations unveiled a new logo for WMRI and Atlanta sister station [[WGA-FTV]] on August 6, 2018. | ||
Line 84: | Line 85: | ||
==Programming== | ==Programming== | ||
− | [[wikipedia:Broadcast syndication|Syndicated]] programs broadcast by WMRI include | + | [[wikipedia:Broadcast syndication|Syndicated]] programs broadcast by WMRI include ''[[wikipedia:Entertainment Tonight|Entertainment Tonight]]'' (since its debut in 1981), ''[[wikipedia:Inside Edition|Inside Edition]]'' (since its debut in 1989), ''The Insider'' (since 2007). The former two shows have aired on WMRI since their debuts and is one two ABC-owned stations that have aired them since their debuts{{ndash}}the other is Pittsburgh sister station [[WEAE-FTV|WEAE]]. |
For years, the station produced a syndicated soap operas, ''Fred and Claire Explains It'' (FCEIA) from 1961 until its 2004 cancellation, that aired at 9:00 a.m. The station also produced three syndicated game shows mostly airing on ATE Media stations: the daytime version of ''[[wikipedia:Wheel of Fortune (U.S. game show)|Wheel of Fortune]]'' from 1992 until 2004 (hosted by Ava Zinn and Holly Everman), revivals of ''Scrabble'' (hosted by Season Atkins) from 1993 until 2004 and ''Trivia Trap'' (hosted by Marshall Davidson, and later Laura Bakula) from 1990 until 2004. | For years, the station produced a syndicated soap operas, ''Fred and Claire Explains It'' (FCEIA) from 1961 until its 2004 cancellation, that aired at 9:00 a.m. The station also produced three syndicated game shows mostly airing on ATE Media stations: the daytime version of ''[[wikipedia:Wheel of Fortune (U.S. game show)|Wheel of Fortune]]'' from 1992 until 2004 (hosted by Ava Zinn and Holly Everman), revivals of ''Scrabble'' (hosted by Season Atkins) from 1993 until 2004 and ''Trivia Trap'' (hosted by Marshall Davidson, and later Laura Bakula) from 1990 until 2004. | ||
Line 90: | Line 91: | ||
From 1994 until 2007, WMRI had carried ''[[wikipedia:Jeopardy!|Jeopardy!]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:Wheel of Fortune (U.S. game show)|Wheel of Fortune]]'', acquiring the local rights to Wheel of Fortune from then CBS affiliate WFTW and Jeopardy! from then ABC affiliate WNDI; both game shows moved to Independent station WXXC in 2007 where both game shows have aired in the 7:00 p.m. slot until moving to WTOR in 2016. | From 1994 until 2007, WMRI had carried ''[[wikipedia:Jeopardy!|Jeopardy!]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:Wheel of Fortune (U.S. game show)|Wheel of Fortune]]'', acquiring the local rights to Wheel of Fortune from then CBS affiliate WFTW and Jeopardy! from then ABC affiliate WNDI; both game shows moved to Independent station WXXC in 2007 where both game shows have aired in the 7:00 p.m. slot until moving to WTOR in 2016. | ||
− | When WMRI rejoined ABC in 2005, the station aired the network's daytime schedule out of pattern as the station, like most other ATE Media-owned ABC affiliates in the Eastern Time Zone, aired ''General Hospital'' at 10:00 a.m. instead of the network's recommended 3:00 p.m. time slot. | + | When WMRI rejoined ABC in 2005, the station aired the network's daytime schedule out of pattern as the station, like most other ATE Media-owned ABC affiliates in the Eastern Time Zone, aired ''General Hospital'' at 10:00 a.m. instead of the network's recommended 3:00 p.m. time slot until 2012 when the network returned the 3:00 p.m. slot back to its affiliates. |
− | WMRI clears the ABC network schedule | + | WMRI clears the majority of the ABC network schedule, with exception of ''America This Morning'', the weekend editions of ''Good Morning America'', the weekend editions of the ''ABC World News Tonight'', which instead air on WECW. As time permits, WECW may also take on the responsibility of airing other ABC programs that channel 9 is unable to air due to extended breaking news or severe weather coverage, or special programming; such an example has occurred frequently after the Indianapolis Colts play on ''Monday Night Football'' when WECW aired ''Dancing with the Stars'' while WMRI airs any MNF Indianapolis Colts games. |
+ | With WMRI now an ABC O&O, it remains to be seen that the station will clear the ABC schedule for the first time. | ||
Line 117: | Line 119: | ||
− | From 2005 until 2012, some fringe parts of the market were able to watch the race via affiliates outside the Indianapolis market, including WMRI. Starting with the 2013 race, WMRI joined WHOO and eight other stations to air the race in prime time. This did not sit well with race fans as they were angry that they could no longer were able watch the race live after nearly 30 years, especially with fans that were used to watching the race on WMRI. ATE Media President and CEO Patrice Rafferty imposed the restriction as a condition of WHOO's ABC affiliation contract. On May 25, 2016 with the event sold out, IMS and sister station WHOO announced that it would air the Indianapolis 500 live in the Indianapolis market for the first time as an ABC affiliate.<ref>Blackout Lifted: ABC 24 and ABC Indiana to show Indianapolis 500 Live on Race Day</ref><ref>WHOO to air Indy 500 live</ref> | + | From 2005 until 2012, some fringe parts of the market were able to watch the race via affiliates outside the Indianapolis market, including WMRI. Starting with the 2013 race, WMRI joined WHOO and eight other stations to air the race in prime time. This did not sit well with race fans as they were angry that they could no longer were able watch the race live after nearly 30 years, especially with fans that were used to watching the race on WMRI. ATE Media President and CEO Patrice Rafferty imposed the restriction as a condition of WHOO's ABC affiliation contract. On May 25, 2016 with the event sold out, IMS and sister station WHOO announced that it would air the Indianapolis 500 live in the Indianapolis market for the first time as an ABC affiliate.<ref>Blackout Lifted: ABC 24 and ABC Indiana to show Indianapolis 500 Live on Race Day</ref><ref>WHOO to air Indy 500 live</ref> |
+ | |||
==News operation== | ==News operation== | ||
Line 147: | Line 150: | ||
On January 5, 2015, sister station WHOO debuted a half-hour weekday noon newscast titled ''Indiana News Tonight with Karly Ryder'' (similar to ABC's ''World News Tonight''); the statewide newscast features news stories filed by reporters from all ten ATE Media-owned ABC stations serving Indiana as well as a sports segment produced by WLFY and WHOO, focusing on Indiana University and Purdue University athletics, called ''Hoosier Nation''. The ATE Media Indiana Network stations simulcast the program at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (3:30 p.m. Central) and utilize their own on-air weather staff to provide local weather inserts during the broadcast that target their specific viewing areas (the coverage areas of WOWO/Dayton, WCIN/Cincinnati, WAWZ/Chicago, and WLOK/Louisville inculde several counties in Indiana (two in WOWO's viewing area, three in WCIN's, five in WLOK's, and six in WAWZ's), though WOWO and WCIN primarily serve parts of western Ohio, WAWZ serves parts of northeast Illinois and WLOK also serves parts of northern Kentucky).<ref>ATE Media Launches Statewide Indiana Newscast.</ref> | On January 5, 2015, sister station WHOO debuted a half-hour weekday noon newscast titled ''Indiana News Tonight with Karly Ryder'' (similar to ABC's ''World News Tonight''); the statewide newscast features news stories filed by reporters from all ten ATE Media-owned ABC stations serving Indiana as well as a sports segment produced by WLFY and WHOO, focusing on Indiana University and Purdue University athletics, called ''Hoosier Nation''. The ATE Media Indiana Network stations simulcast the program at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (3:30 p.m. Central) and utilize their own on-air weather staff to provide local weather inserts during the broadcast that target their specific viewing areas (the coverage areas of WOWO/Dayton, WCIN/Cincinnati, WAWZ/Chicago, and WLOK/Louisville inculde several counties in Indiana (two in WOWO's viewing area, three in WCIN's, five in WLOK's, and six in WAWZ's), though WOWO and WCIN primarily serve parts of western Ohio, WAWZ serves parts of northeast Illinois and WLOK also serves parts of northern Kentucky).<ref>ATE Media Launches Statewide Indiana Newscast.</ref> | ||
− | |||
===Notable current on-air staff=== | ===Notable current on-air staff=== | ||
Line 153: | Line 155: | ||
'''Anchors'''<ref name="News Team">WMRI News Team</ref> | '''Anchors'''<ref name="News Team">WMRI News Team</ref> | ||
− | *[[Bryant Allen]], anchor seen weeknights at | + | *[[Bryant Allen]], anchor seen weeknights at 5:30 p.m., 10 (WECW), and 11 p.m. |
− | + | *[[Traci Davidson]], main weeknight anchor at 5, 6, 7 (WECW), and 9 (WECW) | |
− | *[[Traci Davidson]], main weeknight anchor at 5, 6, 7 (WECW), and 9 (WECW | + | *Ava Dowling, anchor seen weeknights at 5:30, 10 (WECW), and 11 p.m. |
− | * | + | *[[Rachael Passalt]], main weeknight anchor at 5, 6, 7 (WECW) and 9 p.m. (WECW) |
− | *[[Rachael Passalt]], main | + | *[[Pete Ward]], anchor seen weekdays at 11am (WECW), 12, 4, and 4:30 p.m. (''Indiana News Tonight'') |
− | *[[ | ||
*+[[Karly Ryder]], weekdays at 4:30 p.m. (''Indiana News Tonight'') | *+[[Karly Ryder]], weekdays at 4:30 p.m. (''Indiana News Tonight'') | ||
− | *[[Sonia Young]], anchor seen weekday at 11:00 a.m. (WECW) and noon. | + | *[[Sonia Young]], anchor seen weekday at 11:00 a.m. (WECW) and noon. |
− | *[[Rebecca Ward]], anchor seen weekday mornings (4-7 am on WMRI and 7-9 on WECW | + | *[[Rebecca Ward]], anchor seen weekday mornings (4-7 am on WMRI and 7-9 on WECW,) |
− | *[[Lacy Ward]], anchor seen weekday mornings (4-7 on WMRI and 7-9 on WECW | + | *[[Lacy Ward]], anchor seen weekday mornings (4-7 on WMRI and 7-9 on WECW) |
'''''SkyTrak Doppler 9 Weather Team'''''<ref name="News Team"/> | '''''SkyTrak Doppler 9 Weather Team'''''<ref name="News Team"/> | ||
− | *+ | + | *+TBD, NWA meteorologist seen weekend evenings |
* Craig Shoop - chief meteorologist; weeknights at 5, 6, 7 (WECW), 9 (WECW), 10 (WECW), and 11 p.m. | * Craig Shoop - chief meteorologist; weeknights at 5, 6, 7 (WECW), 9 (WECW), 10 (WECW), and 11 p.m. | ||
− | *+ | + | *+TBA, NWA meteorologist seen weekend mornings (based at sister station WHOO) |
− | + | *[[Breeanna Sorensen|Breeanna Zinn]], meteorologist to be seen weekdays at 11 a.m. (WECW), noon, 4 p.m. (beginning April 2024) and ''Indiana News Tonight'' at 4:30 p.m. | |
− | *[[Breeanna Zinn]], meteorologist seen weekdays at 11 a.m. (WECW), noon, 4 p.m. and ''Indiana News Tonight'' at 4:30 p.m. | ||
'''Sports team'''<ref name="News Team"/> | '''Sports team'''<ref name="News Team"/> | ||
Line 189: | Line 189: | ||
*[[Alexandra Moffitt]] - morning and noon anchor (1990-1999, later at WTOR/WXXC; died on November 29, 2020) | *[[Alexandra Moffitt]] - morning and noon anchor (1990-1999, later at WTOR/WXXC; died on November 29, 2020) | ||
*[[Patrice Rafferty]] - longtime owner of WMRI and founder of ATE Media (1982-2016, deceased) | *[[Patrice Rafferty]] - longtime owner of WMRI and founder of ATE Media (1982-2016, deceased) | ||
− | |||
*Alicia Williams - chief meteorologist 1990-2006 (now at WTOR/WXXC) | *Alicia Williams - chief meteorologist 1990-2006 (now at WTOR/WXXC) | ||
*[[Ava Zinn]] - host of ''Wheel of Fortune'' and 5pm anchor (credited as Franky Zinn, went to WXXC in 1999, now out of the TV business and currently host of ''Vote for the Girls'') | *[[Ava Zinn]] - host of ''Wheel of Fortune'' and 5pm anchor (credited as Franky Zinn, went to WXXC in 1999, now out of the TV business and currently host of ''Vote for the Girls'') |