Misplaced Pages

WFXT: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 11:36, 1 June 2013 editNiceguyedc (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Page movers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers413,304 editsm WPCleaner v1.27 - Repaired 1 link to disambiguation page - (You can help) - Deck the Halls (film)← Previous edit Revision as of 14:57, 1 June 2013 edit undoTvtonightokc (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers69,697 edits Copyedit (major)Next edit →
Line 8: Line 8:
| station_branding = Fox 25 {{small|(general)}}<br>Fox 25 News {{small|(newscasts)}} | station_branding = Fox 25 {{small|(general)}}<br>Fox 25 News {{small|(newscasts)}}
| analog = | analog =
| digital = 31 (])<br>]: 25 (]) | digital = 31 (])<br>]: 25 (])
| subchannels = 25.1 ]<br> 25.2 ] | subchannels = 25.1 ]<br> 25.2 ]
| other_chs = | other_chs =
| affiliations = ] | affiliations = ]
| network =
| founded =
| airdate = October 10, 1977 | airdate = October 10, 1977
| location = ], ] | location = ], ]
Line 25: Line 23:
| effective_radiated_power = 780 kW<ref name="BostonRadio.org Station Info">http://www.bostonradio.org/stations/6463</ref><ref name="AVS Forum Comment from WFXT">http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14649005#post14649005</ref> | effective_radiated_power = 780 kW<ref name="BostonRadio.org Station Info">http://www.bostonradio.org/stations/6463</ref><ref name="AVS Forum Comment from WFXT">http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14649005#post14649005</ref>
| HAAT = 330 m | HAAT = 330 m
| class =
| facility_id = 6463 | facility_id = 6463
| coordinates = {{Coord|42|18|12|N|71|13|8|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}} | coordinates = {{Coord|42|18|12|N|71|13|8|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
Line 32: Line 29:
}} }}


'''WFXT''' is a television station ] (O&O) by the ]-owned ], located in ], ]. The station's studio and office facility is in ], and its transmitter is located in ]. WFXT is one of six Boston television stations seen in Canada by subscribers of the ] satellite service. '''WFXT''', ] 25, is a ] ] ] located in ], ]. The station is owned by the ] subsidiary of the ]. WFXT's studios and office facilities are located in ], and its transmitter is located in ]. WFXT is one of six Boston television stations that are carried in ] by satellite provider ].


==History== ==History==

===WXNE-TV=== ===WXNE-TV===
Channel 25 signed on as '''WXNE-TV''' (for "Christ '''(X)''' in '''N'''ew '''E'''ngland") on October 10, 1977.<ref>{{cite news|last=McLean|first=Robert|title=Television & Radio: Ch. 25 debut awaits cue from FCC|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/1996157412.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+07%2C+1977&author=&pub=Boston+Globe+%281960-1979%29&desc=Television+%26+Radio&pqatl=google|accessdate=31 March 2013|newspaper=]|date=October 7, 1997}} {{closed access}}</ref> The station was originally owned by the ]. The early format consisted of older syndicated reruns which were deemed to be "family-friendly", a healthy dose of religious programming (including CBN's own '']''), and programs of many other ]s. Religious programming ran for about six hours a day during the week, and all day on Sundays. The station also picked up the daily and Sunday ] from the ]. ] consisted of westerns, old movies, family type drama shows, old film shorts, and classic TV shows. By 1980, the religious programming was cut back on Sundays to 6 to 11&nbsp;am and 7&nbsp;pm to midnight, and about four to five hours a day during the week. For several years during the WXNE era of Channel 25, CBN founder ] installed his son, Tim Robertson, as program director. Channel 25 signed on as '''WXNE-TV''' (standing for "Christ <u>(X)</u> in <u>N</u>ew <u>E</u>ngland") on October 10, 1977.<ref>{{cite news|last=McLean|first=Robert|title=Television & Radio: Ch. 25 debut awaits cue from FCC|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/1996157412.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+07%2C+1977&author=&pub=Boston+Globe+%281960-1979%29&desc=Television+%26+Radio&pqatl=google|accessdate=31 March 2013|newspaper=]|date=October 7, 1997}} {{closed access}}</ref> The station was originally owned by the ]. The early format consisted of older syndicated reruns which were deemed to be "family-friendly", a decent amount of religious programming (including the CBN-produced program '']''), and programs of many other ]s. Religious programming ran for about six hours a day during the week, and all day long on Sundays. The station also carried the daily and Sunday ] from the ]. ] consisted of westerns, older movies, family-oriented drama shows, old film shorts, and classic television series. By 1980, the religious programming was reduced on Sundays to 6 to 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. to midnight, and about four to five hours a day during the week. For several years during the WXNE era of Channel 25, CBN founder ] installed his son, Tim Robertson, as program director.


The station began adding more cartoons, made-for-TV movies, and off network sitcoms and family dramas in the early 1980s. Most notably, in 1980, WXNE was able to take over production of ''Candlepins For Cash'', the weekday bowling show which had just been canceled by Boston ] affiliate ] after seven seasons. With new host ], the show now aired out of the now-defunct Wal-Lex Lanes in ] (the show had been aired from bowling lanes built in the basement of WNAC's studios). After only a few months as host, Petrocelli was ousted in favor of returning original WNAC host ], who carried on until ''Candlepins'' ended its run on WXNE in 1983. During this time, the station rebranded itself "Boston 25", in the conversion to being a true independent. While the station was only on cable systems in the ] market, WXNE was a solid third among independent stations, behind the longer-established ] and ], and sixth among commercial television stations. The station also implemented two significant advertising campaigns, in a bid to compete with the other independents: ''Boston turn, New England turn, Everybody turn 25 today/tonight!'' (1983–85), which was followed by ''You Should See Us Now!'' (1985–87, later revived in a rearranged form during the Boston Celtics-ownership era of WFXT, as ''Watch What Happens..Now!''). The station began adding more cartoons, made-for-TV movies, and off-network sitcoms and family dramas in the early 1980s. Most notably, in 1980, WXNE was able to take over production of ''Candlepins For Cash'', the weekday bowling show which had just been canceled by Boston ] affiliate ] after seven seasons. With new host ], the show now aired out of the now-defunct Wal-Lex Lanes in ] (the show had been produced from bowling lanes built in the basement of WNAC's studios). After only a few months as host, Petrocelli was ousted in favor of returning original WNAC host ], who carried on until ''Candlepins'' ended its run on WXNE in 1983. During this time, the station rebranded itself "Boston 25", in the conversion to being a true independent. While the station was only on cable providers in the ] market, WXNE was a solid third place among the area's independent stations, behind the longer-established ] and ], and sixth among the market's commercial television stations. The station also implemented two significant advertising campaigns, in a bid to compete with the other independents: ''Boston turn, New England turn, Everybody turn 25 today/tonight!'' (1983–85), which was followed by ''You Should See Us Now!'' (1985–87, later revived in a rearranged form during the Boston Celtics-ownership era of WFXT, as ''Watch What Happens..Now!'').


In 1986, WXNE was put up for sale along with other CBN stations. That October, ] purchased WXNE,<ref>{{cite news|title=7th TV Outlet For Murdoch|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1986/08/16/business/7th-tv-outlet-for-murdoch.html|accessdate=31 March 2013|newspaper=]|date=August 16, 1986}}</ref> with plans to make the station Boston's affiliate for its new network, ], which had been unable to secure affiliation with WSBK or WLVI. Until the sale was completed, channel 25 did not air what was then the network's lone offering, '']'', Fox's inaugural program and a weeknight show which aired opposite ]'s '']'' on ]. The outgoing CBN ownership believed that the program did not fit its strict content guidelines. Fox instead contracted Boston radio station WMRE (1510 AM, now ]) to carry the audio portion of the ''Late Show'' in the interim. In 1986, WXNE and several other CBN stations were put up for sale. That October, WXNE was purchased by ],<ref>{{cite news|title=7th TV Outlet For Murdoch|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1986/08/16/business/7th-tv-outlet-for-murdoch.html|accessdate=31 March 2013|newspaper=]|date=August 16, 1986}}</ref> with plans to make the station Boston's affiliate for its new network, ], which had been unable to secure an affiliation with WSBK or WLVI. Until the sale was completed, channel 25 did not air what was then the network's lone offering, '']'', Fox's inaugural program and a weeknight show which aired opposite ]'s '']'' on ]. The outgoing CBN ownership believed that the program did not fit its strict content guidelines. Fox instead contracted Boston radio station WMRE (1510 AM, now ]) to carry the audio portion of the ''Late Show'' in the interim.


===WFXT=== ===WFXT===
When the sale to Murdoch was completed on January 19, 1987, Fox renamed the station '''WFXT''' and made a complete overhaul of the station's presentation. At the time this happened, WFXT became the seventh Fox-owned property and the first one not a part of the 1986 ] purchase of television stations which set the foundation for the new network at the time. Also, the new WFXT became the first network owned and operated television station in ]. Besides adding ''The Late Show'' to the schedule, ''The 700 Club'' was demoted to a once-a-day airing, and the daily broadcast of a Roman Catholic Mass was moved to an earlier timeslot. The station changed its graphics to the then-Fox O&O model in ] font. WXNE staff announcer Chris Clausen was let go in favor of the services of Fox affiliate voiceover ], who would remain with both the station and ] for over a decade (Clausen would eventually land on WNEV-TV, now ], as principal announcer that September). The schedule, however, was largely unchanged at the outset, outside of the removal of several older sitcoms that soon resurfaced at WQTV (now ]). On April 5, 1987, the Sunday evening religious programming block was finally discontinued, when the Fox network began programming a Sunday primetime lineup. When the sale to News Corporation was completed on January 19, 1987, Fox changed the station's call letters to '''WFXT''' and made a complete overhaul of the station's on-air presentation. At the time this occurred, WFXT became the seventh Fox-owned property and the first to be acquired separately from Murdoch's 1986 purchase of the ] television station group which served as the foundation for the new network at the time. WFXT also became the first network owned-and-operated television station in ]. Besides adding ''The Late Show'' to the schedule, ''The 700 Club'' was cut to a once-a-day airing, and the daily broadcast of a Roman Catholic Mass was moved to an earlier timeslot. WXNE staff announcer Chris Clausen was let go in favor of the services of Fox affiliate voiceover ], who would remain with both the station and ] for over a decade (Clausen would eventually land on WNEV-TV, now ], as principal announcer that September). The schedule, however, was largely unchanged at the outset, aside from the removal of several older sitcoms that soon resurfaced at WQTV (now ]). On April 5, 1987, the Sunday evening religious programming block was finally discontinued, when the Fox network began carrying a primetime programming lineup on Sundays.


Over the next few years, WFXT was unable to acquire the better programming and continued to only get shows that WSBK, WLVI, and the network affiliates passed on. Most of the shows added to WFXT were low-budget, first-run syndicated shows, cartoons and additional Fox programming. Over the next few years, WFXT was unable to acquire the better syndicated programs and continued to only get shows that WSBK, WLVI and the market's network affiliates passed on. In addition to Fox programming, most of the shows added to WFXT's schedule were low-budget, first-run syndicated shows and cartoons.


In purchasing channel 25, Fox was granted a temporary waiver of a ] (FCC) rule prohibiting the common ownership of a television station and a newspaper in the same market. Fox's parent company, News Corporation, also published the '']''. In 1989, Fox placed WFXT in a trust company; the next year it sold the station outright to the ], who maintained the network affiliation while making WFXT the basketball team's flagship. The station also gained a radio sister station, as the Celtics also purchased ] (then at 590 AM, now ]; now at 850 AM) at the same time.<ref name=nyt-weeipurchase>{{cite news|title=Celtics Plan to Buy a Radio Station|url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0717FD3A5C0C7B8EDDA00894D1484D81|accessdate=February 13, 2011|newspaper=]|date=September 28, 1989}}</ref> The Celtics, however, did not have the financial means to compete as a broadcaster. Still, under the Celtics, WFXT finally began to acquire stronger programming. In purchasing channel 25, Fox was granted a temporary waiver of a ] (FCC) rule prohibiting the common ownership of a television station and a newspaper in the same market as parent company News Corporation had also published the '']''. In 1989, Fox placed WFXT in a trust company; the next year it sold the station outright to the ], who maintained the network affiliation while making WFXT the basketball team's flagship station. The station also gained a radio sister station, as the Celtics also purchased ] (then at 590 AM, now ]; now at 850 AM) at the same time.<ref name=nyt-weeipurchase>{{cite news|title=Celtics Plan to Buy a Radio Station|url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0717FD3A5C0C7B8EDDA00894D1484D81|accessdate=February 13, 2011|newspaper=]|date=September 28, 1989}}</ref> The Celtics, however, did not have the financial means to compete as a broadcaster. Still, under the Celtics, WFXT finally began to acquire stronger programming.


By 1992, WFXT was on many more cable systems in areas of ] where Fox programming was not available. Locally, however, the station was still third (though not as distant as the CBN or early Fox days), behind WSBK and WLVI. Still, for a while under the Celtics' watch, WFXT was perceived to be in danger of losing its Fox affiliation. One of the instances was in the summer of 1994, when ] signed a deal to affiliate all of its stations with ], which caused ] to drop NBC for CBS at the beginning of 1995. Existing CBS affiliate WHDH-TV was thus deciding between NBC and Fox, the latter of which its sister station, ] in Miami had been affiliated with since 1989. However, the Celtics soon began dropping hints about its intention to sell the station, including the shifting of the team's over-the-air telecasts to WSBK in 1993 (though WFXT officially stated that this was due to the difficulty of scheduling telecasts around the Fox lineup);<ref name=bdn-wfxtnoceltics>{{cite news|last=Neff|first=Andrew|title=Channel 38 to televise Celts’ home games|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PPAzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6TgHAAAAIBAJ&dq=wfxt%20celtics&pg=1343%2C1216426|accessdate=February 13, 2011|newspaper=]|date=November 5, 1993}}</ref> furthermore, that October, Fox, as part of a larger deal, obtained an option to repurchase the station.<ref name=tbg-foxoption>{{cite news|last=Bailey|first=Doug|title=Murdoch won't seek Ch. 25 waiver|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8248172.html|accessdate=February 13, 2011|newspaper=]|date=October 5, 1993}} (subscription content preview)</ref> News Corporation sold the ''Boston Herald'' in February 1994, opening the door for Fox to exercise the option in mid-1995. WHDH ultimately signed with NBC (if WHDH had joined Fox, they would have only been allowed to ] ] football games each year, as they are part of the AFC, while Fox has rights to the NFC; WHDH's affiliation with NBC allowed them to carry most Patriots games from 1995–97). By 1992, WFXT was carried on many cable providers in areas of ] where Fox programming was not available. Locally, however, the station was still rated in third place (though not as distant as the CBN or early Fox days), behind WSBK and WLVI. Still, for a while under the Celtics' watch, WFXT was perceived to be in danger of losing its Fox affiliation. One of the instances was in the summer of 1994, when ] signed a deal to affiliate all of its stations with ], which caused ] to drop NBC for CBS at the beginning of 1995. Existing CBS affiliate WHDH-TV was thus deciding between NBC and Fox, the latter of which its Miami sister station ] had been affiliated with since 1989. However, the Celtics soon began dropping hints about its intention to sell the station, including the shifting of the team's over-the-air telecasts to WSBK in 1993 (though WFXT officially stated that this was due to the difficulty of scheduling telecasts around the Fox lineup);<ref name=bdn-wfxtnoceltics>{{cite news|last=Neff|first=Andrew|title=Channel 38 to televise Celts’ home games|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PPAzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6TgHAAAAIBAJ&dq=wfxt%20celtics&pg=1343%2C1216426|accessdate=February 13, 2011|newspaper=]|date=November 5, 1993}}</ref> furthermore, that October, Fox obtained an option to repurchase the station as part of a larger deal.<ref name=tbg-foxoption>{{cite news|last=Bailey|first=Doug|title=Murdoch won't seek Ch. 25 waiver|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8248172.html|accessdate=February 13, 2011|newspaper=]|date=October 5, 1993}} (subscription content preview)</ref> News Corporation sold the ''Boston Herald'' in February 1994, opening the door for Fox to exercise the purchase option in mid-1995. WHDH ultimately signed with NBC (if WHDH had joined Fox, they would have only been allowed to ] ] football games each year, as they are part of the AFC, while Fox has rights to the NFC; WHDH's affiliation with NBC allowed them to carry most Patriots games from 1995–97).


As the 1990s progressed, WFXT began phasing in more talk and reality programs. It continued running weekday cartoons, such as '']'', and evening sitcoms. It was the last station running a morning kids block. WFXT was the television flagship of the ] for the baseball team's 2000 through 2002 seasons (before and after that, WFXT would only carry the Red Sox if the game was being ]). WFXT is the only Boston television station that has never changed its network affiliation, having always been a Fox affiliate since the network's inception. The station launched a new website based on the Fox Television Stations internet division's new ''My Fox'' interface as of May 23, 2006. It became standard on all Fox owned-and-operated station websites in the next few months. However, the new site did not become WFXT's official web address until July 12. As the 1990s progressed, WFXT began phasing in more talk and reality programs. It continued running cartoons each weekday later becoming the last station in the market that had ran a morning kids block – and sitcoms during the evening hours. WFXT was the television flagship of the ] for the baseball team's 2000 through 2002 seasons (before that and since then, WFXT would only carry the Red Sox if the game was being ]). WFXT is the only Boston television station that has never changed its network affiliation, having always been a Fox affiliate since the network's inception.


At one point, the station was "tentatively planning" to air News Corporation-owned and Fox sister network ] from 1 to 3&nbsp;pm on the weekdays if the new network could not find an affiliate in the Boston market. On July 21, 2006, ]-based WZMY (now ]) was announced as Boston's affiliate of MyNetworkTV (which began operations on September 5). WBIN's affiliation with MyNetworkTV ended in September 2011, and WSBK (a CBS-owned station that had shunned the network at its formation, and sister to WBZ-TV) took over the affiliation at that time. Although MyNetworkTV does not air on WFXT, the station has promoted programming for the network during its newscasts. At one point, in 2006, the station was "tentatively planning" to air News Corporation-owned (and Fox sister network) ] weekdays from 1 to 3 p.m. if the new network could not find a Boston area affiliate. On July 21, 2006, ]-based WZMY (now ]) was announced as Boston's affiliate of MyNetworkTV (which began operations on September 5). WBIN's affiliation with MyNetworkTV ended in September 2011, and WSBK (a CBS-owned station that had shunned the network at its formation, and sister to WBZ-TV) took over the affiliation at that time. Although MyNetworkTV does not air on WFXT, the station has promoted programming for the network during its newscasts.


WFXT is the station featured in the 2006 film '']'', which was distributed by News Corporation subsidiary ]. WFXT is the station featured in the 2006 film '']'', which was distributed by News Corporation subsidiary ].


On October 12, 2007, ]'s Fox affiliate, ], invoked the FCC's network non-duplication rule. This resulted in ] blacking out Fox primetime and sports programming from WFXT on its cable systems in ]. This change did not affect the airing of channel 25's syndicated lineup or newscasts. On July 31, 2008, the ] system in ] also became subject to the blackouts; this contributed to its eventual removal from that system on September 23.<ref name="st-charterdrop">{{cite news|url=http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080805/NEWS/808050352/-1/NEWS|title=Charter Communications to cut Fox 25 from Westport lineup|last=Boyd|first=Brian|date=August 5, 2008|work=]|accessdate=December 8, 2008}}</ref> WFXT is also not available on the ] cable system in the area. On October 12, 2007, ]'s Fox affiliate, ], invoked the FCC's network non-duplication rule. This resulted in ] blacking out Fox primetime and sports programming from WFXT on its cable providers in ]. This change did not affect the airing of channel 25's syndicated programs or newscasts. On July 31, 2008, the ] system in ] also became subject to the blackouts; this contributed to its eventual removal from that system on September 23;<ref name="st-charterdrop">{{cite news|url=http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080805/NEWS/808050352/-1/NEWS|title=Charter Communications to cut Fox 25 from Westport lineup|last=Boyd|first=Brian|date=August 5, 2008|work=]|accessdate=December 8, 2008}}</ref> WFXT is also not available on the ] in the Westport area.

WFXT's analog signal began malfunctioning on November 1, 2008 as a result of a failing transmission line, forcing the station to reduce its power. By December 9, the transmission line had deteriorated to the point that the station reduced its power to the point that in most areas, viewers could then only receive the station via cable, satellite, and its digital signal. The station then began to state that the possibility existed that channel 25 could have to cease its analog broadcast ahead of the DTV conversion date, at that time February 17, 2009.<ref name="bg-analogreduction">{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2008/12/17/fox_outlet_may_be_forced_to_drop_analog_early/|title=Fox outlet may be forced to drop analog early|last=Bray|first=Hiawatha|date=December 17, 2008|work=The Boston Globe|accessdate=December 18, 2008}}</ref> In the end, the station's analog service remained on the air even after that date (a result of the transition being delayed to June 12);<ref name="lat-dtvjune">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-digitaltv5-2009feb05,0,2606492.story|title=House votes to delay digital TV transition by four months|author=Alex Pham, Jim Puzzanghera|date=February 5, 2009|work=The Los Angeles Times|accessdate=February 23, 2009}}</ref> however, after the transmission line continued to fail (to the extent that the station estimated the signal was only reaching three percent of its former coverage, with no signal at all at the station's studio), the analog signal was finally shut off on February 27, 2009.<ref name="fcc-analogend">{{cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1298179&Form_id=910&Facility_id=6463|title=Notification of Suspension of Operations|date=February 27, 2009|work=CDBS Public Access|publisher=]|accessdate=March 8, 2009}}</ref>


==Digital television== ==Digital television==
===Digital channels===

=== Digital channel ===
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|- |-
Line 75: Line 68:
| 25.1 || ] || ] || WFXT DT || Main WFXT programming / Fox | 25.1 || ] || ] || WFXT DT || Main WFXT programming / Fox
|- |-
| 25.2 || ] || ] || ||] <small>(Starting May 27, 2013)<ref></ref></small> | 25.2 || ] || ] || || ]<ref></ref></small>
|} |}


=== Analog-to-digital conversion === === Analog-to-digital conversion ===
WFXT's analog signal began malfunctioning on November 1, 2008 as a result of a failing transmission line, forcing the station to reduce its power. By December 9, the transmission line had deteriorated to the point that the station reduced its power to the point that in most areas, viewers could then only receive the station via cable, satellite, and its digital signal. The station then began to state that the possibility existed that channel 25 could have to cease its analog broadcast ahead of the date for U.S. full-power stations to switch to broadcasting only digital signals, at that time February 17, 2009.<ref name="bg-analogreduction">{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2008/12/17/fox_outlet_may_be_forced_to_drop_analog_early/|title=Fox outlet may be forced to drop analog early|last=Bray|first=Hiawatha|date=December 17, 2008|work=The Boston Globe|accessdate=December 18, 2008}}</ref> In the end, the station's analog signal remained on the air even after that date (a result of the transition being delayed to June 12);<ref name="lat-dtvjune">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-digitaltv5-2009feb05,0,2606492.story|title=House votes to delay digital TV transition by four months|author=Alex Pham, Jim Puzzanghera|date=February 5, 2009|work=The Los Angeles Times|accessdate=February 23, 2009}}</ref> however, after the transmission line continued to fail (to the extent that the station estimated the signal was only reaching 3% of its former coverage, with no signal at all at the station's studio facility), the analog signal was finally shut off on February 27, 2009,<ref name="fcc-analogend">{{cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1298179&Form_id=910&Facility_id=6463|title=Notification of Suspension of Operations|date=February 27, 2009|work=CDBS Public Access|publisher=]|accessdate=March 8, 2009}}</ref> becoming the second English-language major network station in Boston to switch to digital-exclusive broadcasts (] ceased analog broadcasting in December 2008) and the only Fox-owned station terminate its analog signal prior to the new June 12 transition date. WFXT's digital signal continued to broadcast on its pre-transition UHF channel 31.<ref name="Analog to Digital"></ref> However, through the use of ], digital television receivers display WFXT's ] as 25.
WFXT ceased broadcasting in analog on February 27, 2009, becoming the second English-language station from the six major networks in Boston to do so after ] ceased analog broadcasting in December 2008, and the only Fox Television station not to terminate on the new June 12 transition date.


Many Boston-area residents had complained about poor reception of WFXT-DT compared to other major local broadcasters. This was due to the transmitter previously operating under a reduced power output of 78–kW<ref name="BostonRadio.org Station Info" /> from an antenna mounted below one of the tines of the Candelabra. Bill Holbrook, V.P. of Engineering for WFXT, stated publicly<ref name="AVS Forum Comment from WFXT" /> that the full power broadcast would not be reached until August 2009, when installation of a new antenna and transmitter would be complete. However completion of the signal upgrades were completed in April 2009, when the new high power transmitter was turned on for the first time,<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-I72VlOokI</ref> giving WFXT a signal considered to be at par with the other high power stations licensed to Boston.<ref>http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2009/090504/nerw.html#ma</ref> The new antenna and transmission feedline had been replaced two weeks earlier. The license to cover, BLCDT-20090422ABH, was filed April 23, 2009.<ref>http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1307795</ref> Many Boston area residents had complained about poor reception of WFXT's digital signal compared to the other major local television stations. This was due to the fact that the transmitter previously operated at a reduced power output of 78 kW<ref name="BostonRadio.org Station Info" /> from an antenna mounted below one of the tines of the ]. WFXT's vice president of engineering Bill Holbrook stated publicly<ref name="AVS Forum Comment from WFXT" /> that the digital signal would not reach full power until August 2009, when installation of a new antenna and transmitter was expected to be completed. However, the signal upgrades were completed in April 2009,<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-I72VlOokI</ref> giving WFXT a signal considered to be at par with the Boston market's other full-power stations.<ref>http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2009/090504/nerw.html#ma</ref> The new antenna and transmission feedline had been replaced two weeks earlier. The license to cover was filed April 23, 2009.<ref>http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1307795</ref>


==News operation== ==News operation==
] ]
WFXT broadcasts a total of 48 hours of local news a week<ref name=wfxt-morningexpansion>http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/fox25-morning-news-team-will-be-adding-90-minutes-of-local-news-coverage-20100901</ref> (eight and a half hours on weekdays, two hours on Saturdays and three and a half hours on Sundays). During weather segments, the station uses live ] ] data, which originates from the Local Forecast Office in ]. WFXT presently broadcasts 48 hours of locally produced newscasts each week<ref name=wfxt-morningexpansion>http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/fox25-morning-news-team-will-be-adding-90-minutes-of-local-news-coverage-20100901</ref> (with hours on weekdays, two hours on Saturdays and hours on Sundays); in regards to the number of hours devoted to locally produced newscasts, it is the largest newscast output of any station in the Boston television market and Massachusetts in general. During weather segments, the station uses live ] ] data, which originates from the Local Forecast Office in ].


One of the few productive moves WFXT made under the Boston Celtics' ownership tenure was commissioning the regional ] channel ] (NECN) to produce a 10&nbsp;pm newscast, which was launched on September 7, 1993.<ref name=tbg-necnversiondebut>{{cite news|last=Bickelhaupt|first=Susan|title=WFXT brings you the news at 10|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8239381.html|accessdate=February 13, 2011|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=August 4, 1993}} (subscription content preview)</ref> ''Fox 25 News at 10'' aired for a half-hour, and was initially anchored by Heather Kahn, with Tim Kelley on weather. Kahn lasted a year and a half in this role before transferring to ] affiliate ]; Lila Orbach replaced her on the newscast. Starting in September 1994, the 10&nbsp;pm newscast was joined by a 12:30&nbsp;pm newscast,<ref name=tbg-middaydebut>{{cite news|last=Biddle|first=Frederick M.|title=Daytime shuffle cuts some talk shows|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8295232.html|accessdate=May 1, 2011|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=September 7, 1994}} (subscription content preview)</ref><ref name=tbg-middaynewstime>{{cite news|last=Biddle|first=Frederick M.|title=Fox news turns to other sources|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8313581.html|accessdate=May 1, 2011|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=January 25, 1995}} (subscription content preview)</ref> which was subsequently canceled. One of the few productive moves that WFXT made under the ownership of the Boston Celtics was entering into a news share agreement with regional ] channel ] (NECN) to produce a 10 p.m. newscast, which debuted on September 7, 1993.<ref name=tbg-necnversiondebut>{{cite news|last=Bickelhaupt|first=Susan|title=WFXT brings you the news at 10|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8239381.html|accessdate=February 13, 2011|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=August 4, 1993}} (subscription content preview)</ref> The half-hour ''Fox 25 News at 10'' was initially anchored by Heather Kahn, with Tim Kelley on weather. Kahn lasted a year and a half in this role before she was hired by ] affiliate ]; Lila Orbach replaced her on the newscast. In September 1994, NECN began to produce midday newscast at 12:30 p.m. for channel 25,<ref name=tbg-middaydebut>{{cite news|last=Biddle|first=Frederick M.|title=Daytime shuffle cuts some talk shows|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8295232.html|accessdate=May 1, 2011|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=September 7, 1994}} (subscription content preview)</ref><ref name=tbg-middaynewstime>{{cite news|last=Biddle|first=Frederick M.|title=Fox news turns to other sources|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8313581.html|accessdate=May 1, 2011|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=January 25, 1995}} (subscription content preview)</ref> which was subsequently canceled.


WFXT opted not to renew its contract with NECN in September 1995, with the final broadcast airing October 1;<ref name="BostonRadio.org Station Info" /> the next day, NECN moved the newscast to WSBK. For the next year, there was no local news on WFXT, and news programming consisted primarily of national '']'' updates that aired during the day. During this time, the station built an in-house news department from scratch, culminating in the September 9, 1996 launch of a new 10&nbsp;pm broadcast, initially branded as ''Fox News Boston''<ref name=nerw-inhousedebut>{{cite news|last=Fybush|first=Scott|authorlink=Scott Fybush|title=More on WROR and WKLB|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-960906.html|accessdate=February 13, 2011|newspaper=New England RadioWatch|date=September 6, 1996}}</ref> before reviving the ''Fox 25 News'' title. It was the second-to-last Fox-owned station to make such a launch. WFXT opted not to renew its contract with NECN in September 1995, with the final broadcast airing on October 1;<ref name="BostonRadio.org Station Info" /> the next day, NECN moved the newscast to WSBK. For the next year, WFXT did not carry any local newscasts, and news programming consisted primarily of national updates supplied by ] that aired during the day. During this time, Fox Television Stations built an in-house news department for the station from scratch, culminating in the September 9, 1996 launch of a new 10 p.m. broadcast, initially branded as ''Fox News Boston''<ref name=nerw-inhousedebut>{{cite news|last=Fybush|first=Scott|authorlink=Scott Fybush|title=More on WROR and WKLB|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-960906.html|accessdate=February 13, 2011|newspaper=New England RadioWatch|date=September 6, 1996}}</ref> before reviving the ''Fox 25 News'' title the following year.
] in Boston.]]
Over the next decade, channel 25 expanded its news operation gradually. On June 4, 2001, WFXT added a 4:30&nbsp;pm, female-targeted newscast anchored by ].<ref name=tbg-4:30debut>{{cite news|last=Jurkowitz|first=Mark|title=Applegate launches Fox's 4:30 newscast|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8649900.html|accessdate=February 13, 2011|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=June 5, 2001}} (subscription content preview)</ref> By fall 2002, the program was moved to 5&nbsp;pm, and on September 22, 2003, it was expanded to an hour and began using the same anchors and a similar format as the 10&nbsp;pm broadcast, as Applegate became co-anchor, along with former WHDH-TV sports director ], of a three-hour weekday morning newscast from 6 to 9&nbsp;am, which launched the same day.<ref name=tbg-morningnewsdebut>{{cite news|last=Ryan|first=Suzzanne C.|title=The morning jolt|url=http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2003/09/18/the_morning_jolt/|accessdate=February 13, 2011|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=September 18, 2003}}</ref> A year later, Applegate left WFXT for sister station ]'s '']''<ref name=b&c-wfxtnoapplegate>{{cite news|title=Applegate Polishes Big Apple|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/154966-Station_Break.php|accessdate=February 13, 2011|newspaper=]|date=October 17, 2004}}</ref> and was replaced by former WHDH and WBZ-TV anchor Kim Carrigan. The station added an hour-long Sunday morning newscast at 9&nbsp;am on September 12, 2004;<ref name=tbg-sundayamdebut>{{cite news|last=Jurkowitz|first=Mark|title=WFXT sets Sunday news show|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7859259.html|accessdate=February 13, 2011|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=August 13, 2004}} (subscription content preview)</ref> it was dropped in July 2009. A Sunday-Friday night 11&nbsp;pm newscast, which immediately follows the 10&nbsp;pm news, was added on November 5, 2007; the weekday morning newscast has also expanded since its launch, and has aired from 4:30 to 10&nbsp;am since September 20, 2010.<ref name=wfxt-morningexpansion/> The 5&nbsp;pm newscast, which consistently placed fourth in its timeslot, was discontinued in favor of a half-hour 6&nbsp;pm newscast on September 14, 2009.<ref>http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2009_06_22_Fox_25_to_drop_5_p_m__news/srvc=home&position=also</ref> The 6&nbsp;pm newscast was expanded to one hour with the launch of an additional half-hour newscast at 6:30&nbsp;pm on March 14, 2011; the new newscast is the only local newscast in Boston at 6:30&nbsp;pm.<ref></ref> Due to the shifts in its early evening newscast schedule, WFXT is the only Fox O&O with a 6&nbsp;pm newscast, but no 5&nbsp;pm newscast. WFXT is also one of only three Fox O&Os without a midday newscast (along with WNYW in New York City and ] in ]). On July 07, 2012, WFXT launched an hour-long 6 p.m. newscasts on Saturday and Sunday evenings, and an additional half-hour (at 4 a.m.) added to the weekday morning newscast, starting on July 9, boosting its news total to six hours each weekday. With the expansion, WFXT offers 47 hours of local news a week.<ref></ref>


] in Boston.]]
Concurrent with the debut of the morning newscast, WFXT unveiled a {{convert|90000|sqft|m2|sigfig=2}} newsroom similar to that of WHDH, which also serves as the station's news set;<ref name=tbg-morningnewsdebut /> it remains in use to this day. Channel 25 also opened a ] on ] near the state house in downtown Boston, which serves as an interview location for ] lawmakers as well as a home base for weekday morning commentator Doug "V.B." Goudie.<ref name=tbg-morningnewsdebut />
Over the next decade, channel 25 expanded its news operation gradually. On June 4, 2001, WFXT added a 4:30 p.m. newscast (making it the only Fox-owned station to date to have produced a newscast in the 4 p.m. timeslot) that was anchored by ] and was targeted at a female audience.<ref name=tbg-4:30debut>{{cite news|last=Jurkowitz|first=Mark|title=Applegate launches Fox's 4:30 newscast|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8649900.html|accessdate=February 13, 2011|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=June 5, 2001}} (subscription content preview)</ref> By fall 2002, the program was moved to 5 p.m., and on September 22, 2003, it was expanded to an hour and began using the same anchors and a similar format as the 10 p.m. broadcast, as Applegate became co-anchor, along with former WHDH-TV sports director ], of a three-hour weekday morning newscast from 6 to 9 a.m., which launched the same day.<ref name=tbg-morningnewsdebut>{{cite news|last=Ryan|first=Suzzanne C.|title=The morning jolt|url=http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2003/09/18/the_morning_jolt/|accessdate=February 13, 2011|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=September 18, 2003}}</ref> One year later, Applegate left WFXT for ] sister station ] to become co-anchor of '']''<ref name=b&c-wfxtnoapplegate>{{cite news|title=Applegate Polishes Big Apple|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/154966-Station_Break.php|accessdate=February 13, 2011|newspaper=]|date=October 17, 2004}}</ref> and was replaced by former WHDH and WBZ-TV anchor Kim Carrigan. Concurrent with the debut of the morning newscast, WFXT unveiled a {{convert|90000|sqft|m2|sigfig=2}} newsroom similar to that of WHDH, which also serves as the station's news set;<ref name=tbg-morningnewsdebut /> it remains in use to this day. Channel 25 also opened a ] on ] near the state house in downtown Boston, which serves as an interview location for ] lawmakers as well as a home base for weekday morning commentator Doug "V.B." Goudie.<ref name=tbg-morningnewsdebut />


The station added an hour-long Sunday morning newscast at 9 a.m. on September 12, 2004;<ref name=tbg-sundayamdebut>{{cite news|last=Jurkowitz|first=Mark|title=WFXT sets Sunday news show|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7859259.html|accessdate=February 13, 2011|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=August 13, 2004}} (subscription content preview)</ref> it was dropped in July 2009. On May 19, 2009, WFXT and CBS-owned ] WBZ-TV/WSBK-TV entered into a ] agreement. The agreement allows the stations to share local news video, along with a helicopter for traffic reports and breaking news.<ref>Malone, Michael, , ''Broadcasting & Cable'', May 19, 2009</ref> On June 14, 2009, starting with its 10 p.m. newscast, WFXT became the last station in the Boston market to begin broadcasting its newscasts in ].
The station claims its 10&nbsp;pm news is currently the top-rated late newscast in the Boston market. WFXT began using new music, graphics, and "Fox 25" logos (all based on that of its sister cable network, ]) in all newscasts on September 3, 2006; these elements have also been used on the other Fox-owned stations.


A Sunday-Friday night 11 p.m. newscast, which immediately follows the 10 p.m. news, was added on November 5, 2007; the weekday morning newscast has also expanded since its launch, and has aired from 4:30 to 10 a.m. since September 20, 2010.<ref name=wfxt-morningexpansion/> The 5 p.m. newscast, which consistently placed fourth in its timeslot, was discontinued in favor of a half-hour 6 p.m. newscast on September 14, 2009.<ref>http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2009_06_22_Fox_25_to_drop_5_p_m__news/srvc=home&position=also</ref> The 6 p.m. newscast was expanded to one hour with the launch of an additional half-hour newscast at 6:30 p.m. on March 14, 2011; the new newscast is the only local newscast in Boston in the 6:30 p.m. timeslot.<ref></ref> Due to the shifts in its early evening newscast schedule, WFXT is the only Fox O&O that has a 6 p.m. newscast, but does not produce a newscast at 5 p.m. WFXT is also one of only three Fox O&Os without a midday newscast (along with WNYW in New York City and ] in ]). On July 7, 2012, WFXT launched an hour-long 6 p.m. newscasts on Saturday and Sunday evenings, and an additional half-hour (at 4 a.m.) was added to the weekday morning newscast starting on July 9.<ref></ref>
On May 19, 2009, WFXT and CBS ] WBZ-TV/WSBK-TV announced a content sharing agreement between them. The stations will share video for general market news, along with a helicopter for traffic reports and breaking news.<ref>Malone, Michael, , ''Broadcasting & Cable'', May 19, 2009</ref> On June 14, 2009, starting with its 10&nbsp;pm newscast, WFXT became the last station in the Boston market to launch news in ]. The station also adopted a new graphics package, also used by the other Fox-owned stations.


WFXT's newscasts were commonly seen in a fictional sense within the universe of ]'s Boston-set shows '']'', '']'', and '']''. They were all produced by Fox's television production division ]. This was despite ''The Practice'' airing on ABC. WFXT's newscasts were commonly seen in a fictional sense within the universe of ]'s Boston-set shows '']'', '']'', and '']''. They were all produced by Fox's television production division ]. This was despite ''The Practice'' airing on ABC.


===News/station presentation=== ===News/station presentation===

====Newscast titles==== ====Newscast titles====
*''FOX 25 News at 10:00'' (1993–1995) *''Fox 25 News at 10:00'' (1993–1995)
*''FOX News Boston'' (1996–1997) *''Fox News Boston'' (1996–1997)
*''FOX 25 News'' (umbrella title; 1997–present) *''Fox 25 News'' (1997–present)
**''FOX 25 Morning News'' (2003–present)
**''FOX 25 News at 4:30'' (2001–2002)
**''FOX 25 News at 5:00'' (2002–2009)
**''FOX 25 News at 6:00'' (2009–present)
**''FOX 25 News at 6:30'' (2011–present)
**''FOX 25 News at 10:00'' (1997–present)
**''FOX 25 News at 11:00'' (2007–present)


===On-air staff=== ===On-air staff===
====Current on-air staff====
(In alphabetical order)
WFXT's primary news anchors are Sorboni Banerjee (weekday mornings on "Fox 25 Morning News" from 4-10 a.m.); Heather Hegedus (weekends at 6 and 10, and Sundays at 11 p.m.); ] (weekday mornings on "Fox 25 Morning News" from 4-10 a.m.); Shannon Mulaire (weekday mornings on "Fox 25 Morning News" from 4-10 a.m.); Melissa Mahan (weekends at 6 and 10, and Sundays at 11 p.m.); Mark Ockerbloom (weeknights at 6, 10 and 11 p.m.); and Maria Stephanos (weeknights at 6, 10 and 11 p.m.).<ref name="team"></ref>

====Current on-air staff<ref></ref>====
'''Anchors'''
*Sorboni Banerjee - weekday mornings "FOX 25 Morning News" (4:00–10:00 a.m.)
*Heather Hegedus – weekends at 6:00 and 10:00 + Sundays at 11:00 p.m.
*] – weekday mornings "FOX 25 Morning News" (4:00–10:00 a.m.)
*Shannon Mulaire – weekday mornings "FOX 25 Morning News" (4:00–10:00 a.m.)
*Melissa Mahan - weekends at 6:00 and 10:00 + Sundays at 11:00 p.m.
*Mark Ockerbloom – weeknights at 6:00, 10:00 and 11:00 p.m.
*Maria Stephanos – weeknights at 6:00, 10:00 and 11:00 p.m.


The ''Fox 25 Weather'' team includes chief meteorologist Kevin Lemanowicz (] ] Seal of Approval; weeknights at 6, 10 and 11 p.m.); and meteorologists Jon Bellemore<ref>http://www.jb-weather.com</ref> (freelance meteorologist; fill in for all shifts), Shiri Spear (weekday mornings on "Fox 25 Morning News" from 4-10 a.m.) and Sarah Wroblewski (weekends at 6 and 10, and Sundays at 11 p.m.).<ref name="team"/>
'''FOX 25 Weather Team'''
*Jon Bellemore -<ref>http://www.jb-weather.com</ref> freelance meteorologist; fill in for all shifts
*Kevin Lemanowicz (] ] Seal of Approval) – chief meteorologist; weeknights at 6:00, 10:00 and 11:00 p.m.
*Shiri Spear - meteorologist; weekday mornings "FOX 25 Morning News" (4:00–10:00 a.m.)
*Sarah Wroblewski – meteorologist; weekends at 6:00 and 10:00 + Sundays at 11:00 p.m.


The station's sports team includes sports anchor Brendan Fitzgerald (also sports reporter).<ref name="team"/>
'''Sports Team'''
*Brendan Fitzgerald – sports anchor/reporter


The station's general assignment reporters are Brett Connolly; Ted Daniel; Crystal Haynes; Jarrod Hollbrook (freelance reporter); Elizabeth Hopkins (weekday morning contributing reporter; also fill-in anchor); Nicole Jacobs; Catherine Parrotta (weekday morning reporter); Sharman Sacchetti; Sara Underwood (freelance reporter; also fill-in anchor); and Bob Ward (also fill-in anchor). Specialty reporters are Mike Beaudet (investigative reporter; also fill-in anchor) and Doug "V.B." Goudie (weekday morning commentator).<ref name="team"/>
'''Reporters'''
*Mike Beaudet – investigative reporter; fill-in anchor
*Brett Connolly – general assignment reporter
*Ted Daniel – general assignment reporter
*Doug "V.B." Goudie – weekday morning commentator (4:00-10:00 a.m.)
*Crystal Haynes – general assignment reporter
*Jarrod Hollbrook – freelance reporter
*Elizabeth Hopkins – weekday morning contributing reporter (4:00-10:00 a.m.); fill-in anchor
*Nicole Jacobs – general assignment reporter
*Catherine Parrotta - general assignment reporter; weekday morning reports
*Sharman Sacchetti – general assignment reporter
*Sara Underwood – freelance reporter; fill-in anchor
*Bob Ward – general assignment reporter; fill-in anchor


====Former on-air staff==== ====Notable former on-air staff====
*] anchor (2001–2004) * ] - anchor (2001-2004)
*Steve Aveson anchor (2000–2002), now at NECN * Steve Aveson - anchor (2000-2002; now at ])
* ] weatherman (2004–2012) * ] - weather anchor (2004-2012)
*Pete Bouchard meteorologist, now at WHDH-TV * Pete Bouchard - meteorologist (now at WHDH-TV)
*Kim Carrigan morning anchor (2004–2012) * Kim Carrigan - morning anchor (2004-2012)
*Bianca de la Garza anchor, now at WCVB-TV * Bianca de la Garza - anchor (now at WCVB-TV)
*Cindy Fitzgibbon– morning meteorologist; now at WCVB-TV * Cindy Fitzgibbon - morning meteorologist (now at WCVB-TV)
*] reporter * ] - reporter
*Dan Jaehnig - weekend anchor, now at WJAR-TV * Dan Jaehnig - weekend anchor (now at ] in ])
*Anqunette Jamison - now at Fox 2 Detroit * Anqunette Jamison - now at ] in Detroit)
*Frank Mallicoat anchor (2007–2011), now at KPIX-TV * Frank Mallicoat - anchor (2007-2011; now at ] in ])
*Doug Meehan - Traffic reporter * Doug Meehan - traffic reporter
*Adam Pellerin - anchor, now at NESN * Adam Pellerin - anchor (now at ])
*Debbi Rodman reporter (2000–2009)<ref>http://www.bostonherald.com/track/inside_track/view.bg?articleid=1162603</ref> * Debbi Rodman - reporter (2000-2009)<ref>http://www.bostonherald.com/track/inside_track/view.bg?articleid=1162603</ref>
*] sports director (1999–2009)<ref>http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1209984</ref> * ] - sports director (1999-2009)<ref>http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1209984</ref>
*David Wade anchor, now at WBZ-TV * David Wade - anchor (now at WBZ-TV)


==References== ==References==

Revision as of 14:57, 1 June 2013

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "WFXT" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

{{Infobox broadcast}} may refer to:

Topics referred to by the same term This is an unused template to list other templates associated with a similar title or shortcut.
If an internal transclusion led you here, you may wish to change it to point directly to the intended page.

{{Template disambiguation}} should never be transcluded in the main namespace.

WFXT, channel 25, is a Fox owned and operated television station located in Boston, Massachusetts. The station is owned by the Fox Television Stations subsidiary of the News Corporation. WFXT's studios and office facilities are located in Dedham, and its transmitter is located in Needham, Massachusetts. WFXT is one of six Boston television stations that are carried in Canada by satellite provider Bell TV.

History

WXNE-TV

Channel 25 signed on as WXNE-TV (standing for "Christ (X) in New England") on October 10, 1977. The station was originally owned by the Christian Broadcasting Network. The early format consisted of older syndicated reruns which were deemed to be "family-friendly", a decent amount of religious programming (including the CBN-produced program The 700 Club), and programs of many other televangelists. Religious programming ran for about six hours a day during the week, and all day long on Sundays. The station also carried the daily and Sunday Mass from the Boston Catholic Television Center. Secular programming consisted of westerns, older movies, family-oriented drama shows, old film shorts, and classic television series. By 1980, the religious programming was reduced on Sundays to 6 to 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. to midnight, and about four to five hours a day during the week. For several years during the WXNE era of Channel 25, CBN founder Pat Robertson installed his son, Tim Robertson, as program director.

The station began adding more cartoons, made-for-TV movies, and off-network sitcoms and family dramas in the early 1980s. Most notably, in 1980, WXNE was able to take over production of Candlepins For Cash, the weekday bowling show which had just been canceled by Boston CBS affiliate WNAC-TV after seven seasons. With new host Rico Petrocelli, the show now aired out of the now-defunct Wal-Lex Lanes in Waltham (the show had been produced from bowling lanes built in the basement of WNAC's studios). After only a few months as host, Petrocelli was ousted in favor of returning original WNAC host Bob Gamere, who carried on until Candlepins ended its run on WXNE in 1983. During this time, the station rebranded itself "Boston 25", in the conversion to being a true independent. While the station was only on cable providers in the Greater Boston market, WXNE was a solid third place among the area's independent stations, behind the longer-established WSBK-TV and WLVI-TV, and sixth among the market's commercial television stations. The station also implemented two significant advertising campaigns, in a bid to compete with the other independents: Boston turn, New England turn, Everybody turn 25 today/tonight! (1983–85), which was followed by You Should See Us Now! (1985–87, later revived in a rearranged form during the Boston Celtics-ownership era of WFXT, as Watch What Happens..Now!).

In 1986, WXNE and several other CBN stations were put up for sale. That October, WXNE was purchased by News Corporation, with plans to make the station Boston's affiliate for its new network, Fox, which had been unable to secure an affiliation with WSBK or WLVI. Until the sale was completed, channel 25 did not air what was then the network's lone offering, The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers, Fox's inaugural program and a weeknight show which aired opposite Johnny Carson's Tonight Show on NBC. The outgoing CBN ownership believed that the program did not fit its strict content guidelines. Fox instead contracted Boston radio station WMRE (1510 AM, now WUFC) to carry the audio portion of the Late Show in the interim.

WFXT

When the sale to News Corporation was completed on January 19, 1987, Fox changed the station's call letters to WFXT and made a complete overhaul of the station's on-air presentation. At the time this occurred, WFXT became the seventh Fox-owned property and the first to be acquired separately from Murdoch's 1986 purchase of the Metromedia television station group which served as the foundation for the new network at the time. WFXT also became the first network owned-and-operated television station in New England. Besides adding The Late Show to the schedule, The 700 Club was cut to a once-a-day airing, and the daily broadcast of a Roman Catholic Mass was moved to an earlier timeslot. WXNE staff announcer Chris Clausen was let go in favor of the services of Fox affiliate voiceover Beau Weaver, who would remain with both the station and Fox Television Stations for over a decade (Clausen would eventually land on WNEV-TV, now WHDH, as principal announcer that September). The schedule, however, was largely unchanged at the outset, aside from the removal of several older sitcoms that soon resurfaced at WQTV (now WBPX-TV). On April 5, 1987, the Sunday evening religious programming block was finally discontinued, when the Fox network began carrying a primetime programming lineup on Sundays.

Over the next few years, WFXT was unable to acquire the better syndicated programs and continued to only get shows that WSBK, WLVI and the market's network affiliates passed on. In addition to Fox programming, most of the shows added to WFXT's schedule were low-budget, first-run syndicated shows and cartoons.

In purchasing channel 25, Fox was granted a temporary waiver of a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule prohibiting the common ownership of a television station and a newspaper in the same market as parent company News Corporation had also published the Boston Herald. In 1989, Fox placed WFXT in a trust company; the next year it sold the station outright to the Boston Celtics, who maintained the network affiliation while making WFXT the basketball team's flagship station. The station also gained a radio sister station, as the Celtics also purchased WEEI (then at 590 AM, now WEZE; now at 850 AM) at the same time. The Celtics, however, did not have the financial means to compete as a broadcaster. Still, under the Celtics, WFXT finally began to acquire stronger programming.

By 1992, WFXT was carried on many cable providers in areas of New England where Fox programming was not available. Locally, however, the station was still rated in third place (though not as distant as the CBN or early Fox days), behind WSBK and WLVI. Still, for a while under the Celtics' watch, WFXT was perceived to be in danger of losing its Fox affiliation. One of the instances was in the summer of 1994, when Westinghouse Broadcasting signed a deal to affiliate all of its stations with CBS, which caused WBZ-TV to drop NBC for CBS at the beginning of 1995. Existing CBS affiliate WHDH-TV was thus deciding between NBC and Fox, the latter of which its Miami sister station WSVN had been affiliated with since 1989. However, the Celtics soon began dropping hints about its intention to sell the station, including the shifting of the team's over-the-air telecasts to WSBK in 1993 (though WFXT officially stated that this was due to the difficulty of scheduling telecasts around the Fox lineup); furthermore, that October, Fox obtained an option to repurchase the station as part of a larger deal. News Corporation sold the Boston Herald in February 1994, opening the door for Fox to exercise the purchase option in mid-1995. WHDH ultimately signed with NBC (if WHDH had joined Fox, they would have only been allowed to carry up to two New England Patriots football games each year, as they are part of the AFC, while Fox has rights to the NFC; WHDH's affiliation with NBC allowed them to carry most Patriots games from 1995–97).

As the 1990s progressed, WFXT began phasing in more talk and reality programs. It continued running cartoons each weekday – later becoming the last station in the market that had ran a morning kids block – and sitcoms during the evening hours. WFXT was the television flagship of the Boston Red Sox for the baseball team's 2000 through 2002 seasons (before that and since then, WFXT would only carry the Red Sox if the game was being televised by Fox). WFXT is the only Boston television station that has never changed its network affiliation, having always been a Fox affiliate since the network's inception.

At one point, in 2006, the station was "tentatively planning" to air News Corporation-owned (and Fox sister network) MyNetworkTV weekdays from 1 to 3 p.m. if the new network could not find a Boston area affiliate. On July 21, 2006, Derry, New Hampshire-based WZMY (now WBIN-TV) was announced as Boston's affiliate of MyNetworkTV (which began operations on September 5). WBIN's affiliation with MyNetworkTV ended in September 2011, and WSBK (a CBS-owned station that had shunned the network at its formation, and sister to WBZ-TV) took over the affiliation at that time. Although MyNetworkTV does not air on WFXT, the station has promoted programming for the network during its newscasts.

WFXT is the station featured in the 2006 film Deck the Halls, which was distributed by News Corporation subsidiary 20th Century Fox.

On October 12, 2007, Providence, Rhode Island's Fox affiliate, WNAC-TV, invoked the FCC's network non-duplication rule. This resulted in Comcast blacking out Fox primetime and sports programming from WFXT on its cable providers in Bristol County, Massachusetts. This change did not affect the airing of channel 25's syndicated programs or newscasts. On July 31, 2008, the Charter system in Westport also became subject to the blackouts; this contributed to its eventual removal from that system on September 23; WFXT is also not available on the Verizon FiOS in the Westport area.

Digital television

Digital channels

Channel Video Aspect PSIP Short Name Programming
25.1 720p 16:9 WFXT DT Main WFXT programming / Fox
25.2 480i 16:9 Movies!

Analog-to-digital conversion

WFXT's analog signal began malfunctioning on November 1, 2008 as a result of a failing transmission line, forcing the station to reduce its power. By December 9, the transmission line had deteriorated to the point that the station reduced its power to the point that in most areas, viewers could then only receive the station via cable, satellite, and its digital signal. The station then began to state that the possibility existed that channel 25 could have to cease its analog broadcast ahead of the date for U.S. full-power stations to switch to broadcasting only digital signals, at that time February 17, 2009. In the end, the station's analog signal remained on the air even after that date (a result of the transition being delayed to June 12); however, after the transmission line continued to fail (to the extent that the station estimated the signal was only reaching 3% of its former coverage, with no signal at all at the station's studio facility), the analog signal was finally shut off on February 27, 2009, becoming the second English-language major network station in Boston to switch to digital-exclusive broadcasts (WZMY-TV ceased analog broadcasting in December 2008) and the only Fox-owned station terminate its analog signal prior to the new June 12 transition date. WFXT's digital signal continued to broadcast on its pre-transition UHF channel 31. However, through the use of PSIP, digital television receivers display WFXT's virtual channel as 25.

Many Boston area residents had complained about poor reception of WFXT's digital signal compared to the other major local television stations. This was due to the fact that the transmitter previously operated at a reduced power output of 78 kW from an antenna mounted below one of the tines of the Candelabra. WFXT's vice president of engineering Bill Holbrook stated publicly that the digital signal would not reach full power until August 2009, when installation of a new antenna and transmitter was expected to be completed. However, the signal upgrades were completed in April 2009, giving WFXT a signal considered to be at par with the Boston market's other full-power stations. The new antenna and transmission feedline had been replaced two weeks earlier. The license to cover was filed April 23, 2009.

News operation

File:Wfxt open.png
Formerly WFXT's news open title card. Generally played over a live swoop of the station's newsroom.

WFXT presently broadcasts 48 hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with 8½ hours on weekdays, two hours on Saturdays and 3½ hours on Sundays); in regards to the number of hours devoted to locally produced newscasts, it is the largest newscast output of any station in the Boston television market and Massachusetts in general. During weather segments, the station uses live National Weather Service radar data, which originates from the Local Forecast Office in Taunton.

One of the few productive moves that WFXT made under the ownership of the Boston Celtics was entering into a news share agreement with regional cable news channel New England Cable News (NECN) to produce a 10 p.m. newscast, which debuted on September 7, 1993. The half-hour Fox 25 News at 10 was initially anchored by Heather Kahn, with Tim Kelley on weather. Kahn lasted a year and a half in this role before she was hired by ABC affiliate WCVB-TV; Lila Orbach replaced her on the newscast. In September 1994, NECN began to produce midday newscast at 12:30 p.m. for channel 25, which was subsequently canceled.

WFXT opted not to renew its contract with NECN in September 1995, with the final broadcast airing on October 1; the next day, NECN moved the newscast to WSBK. For the next year, WFXT did not carry any local newscasts, and news programming consisted primarily of national updates supplied by Fox News that aired during the day. During this time, Fox Television Stations built an in-house news department for the station from scratch, culminating in the September 9, 1996 launch of a new 10 p.m. broadcast, initially branded as Fox News Boston before reviving the Fox 25 News title the following year.

WFXT's news bureau located near the Massachusetts State House in Boston.

Over the next decade, channel 25 expanded its news operation gradually. On June 4, 2001, WFXT added a 4:30 p.m. newscast (making it the only Fox-owned station to date to have produced a newscast in the 4 p.m. timeslot) that was anchored by Jodi Applegate and was targeted at a female audience. By fall 2002, the program was moved to 5 p.m., and on September 22, 2003, it was expanded to an hour and began using the same anchors and a similar format as the 10 p.m. broadcast, as Applegate became co-anchor, along with former WHDH-TV sports director Gene Lavanchy, of a three-hour weekday morning newscast from 6 to 9 a.m., which launched the same day. One year later, Applegate left WFXT for New York City sister station WNYW to become co-anchor of Good Day New York and was replaced by former WHDH and WBZ-TV anchor Kim Carrigan. Concurrent with the debut of the morning newscast, WFXT unveiled a 90,000 square feet (8,400 m) newsroom similar to that of WHDH, which also serves as the station's news set; it remains in use to this day. Channel 25 also opened a news bureau on Beacon Hill near the state house in downtown Boston, which serves as an interview location for Massachusetts lawmakers as well as a home base for weekday morning commentator Doug "V.B." Goudie.

The station added an hour-long Sunday morning newscast at 9 a.m. on September 12, 2004; it was dropped in July 2009. On May 19, 2009, WFXT and CBS-owned duopoly WBZ-TV/WSBK-TV entered into a Local News Service agreement. The agreement allows the stations to share local news video, along with a helicopter for traffic reports and breaking news. On June 14, 2009, starting with its 10 p.m. newscast, WFXT became the last station in the Boston market to begin broadcasting its newscasts in high definition.

A Sunday-Friday night 11 p.m. newscast, which immediately follows the 10 p.m. news, was added on November 5, 2007; the weekday morning newscast has also expanded since its launch, and has aired from 4:30 to 10 a.m. since September 20, 2010. The 5 p.m. newscast, which consistently placed fourth in its timeslot, was discontinued in favor of a half-hour 6 p.m. newscast on September 14, 2009. The 6 p.m. newscast was expanded to one hour with the launch of an additional half-hour newscast at 6:30 p.m. on March 14, 2011; the new newscast is the only local newscast in Boston in the 6:30 p.m. timeslot. Due to the shifts in its early evening newscast schedule, WFXT is the only Fox O&O that has a 6 p.m. newscast, but does not produce a newscast at 5 p.m. WFXT is also one of only three Fox O&Os without a midday newscast (along with WNYW in New York City and WOFL in Orlando). On July 7, 2012, WFXT launched an hour-long 6 p.m. newscasts on Saturday and Sunday evenings, and an additional half-hour (at 4 a.m.) was added to the weekday morning newscast starting on July 9.

WFXT's newscasts were commonly seen in a fictional sense within the universe of David E. Kelley's Boston-set shows Ally McBeal, Boston Public, and The Practice. They were all produced by Fox's television production division 20th Century Fox Television. This was despite The Practice airing on ABC.

News/station presentation

Newscast titles

  • Fox 25 News at 10:00 (1993–1995)
  • Fox News Boston (1996–1997)
  • Fox 25 News (1997–present)

On-air staff

Current on-air staff

WFXT's primary news anchors are Sorboni Banerjee (weekday mornings on "Fox 25 Morning News" from 4-10 a.m.); Heather Hegedus (weekends at 6 and 10, and Sundays at 11 p.m.); Gene Lavanchy (weekday mornings on "Fox 25 Morning News" from 4-10 a.m.); Shannon Mulaire (weekday mornings on "Fox 25 Morning News" from 4-10 a.m.); Melissa Mahan (weekends at 6 and 10, and Sundays at 11 p.m.); Mark Ockerbloom (weeknights at 6, 10 and 11 p.m.); and Maria Stephanos (weeknights at 6, 10 and 11 p.m.).

The Fox 25 Weather team includes chief meteorologist Kevin Lemanowicz (AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal of Approval; weeknights at 6, 10 and 11 p.m.); and meteorologists Jon Bellemore (freelance meteorologist; fill in for all shifts), Shiri Spear (weekday mornings on "Fox 25 Morning News" from 4-10 a.m.) and Sarah Wroblewski (weekends at 6 and 10, and Sundays at 11 p.m.).

The station's sports team includes sports anchor Brendan Fitzgerald (also sports reporter).

The station's general assignment reporters are Brett Connolly; Ted Daniel; Crystal Haynes; Jarrod Hollbrook (freelance reporter); Elizabeth Hopkins (weekday morning contributing reporter; also fill-in anchor); Nicole Jacobs; Catherine Parrotta (weekday morning reporter); Sharman Sacchetti; Sara Underwood (freelance reporter; also fill-in anchor); and Bob Ward (also fill-in anchor). Specialty reporters are Mike Beaudet (investigative reporter; also fill-in anchor) and Doug "V.B." Goudie (weekday morning commentator).

Notable former on-air staff

References

  1. McLean, Robert (October 7, 1997). "Television & Radio: Ch. 25 debut awaits cue from FCC". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 31, 2013. Closed access icon
  2. "7th TV Outlet For Murdoch". The New York Times. August 16, 1986. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  3. "Celtics Plan to Buy a Radio Station". The New York Times. September 28, 1989. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  4. Neff, Andrew (November 5, 1993). "Channel 38 to televise Celts' home games". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  5. Bailey, Doug (October 5, 1993). "Murdoch won't seek Ch. 25 waiver". The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 13, 2011. (subscription content preview)
  6. Boyd, Brian (August 5, 2008). "Charter Communications to cut Fox 25 from Westport lineup". The Standard-Times. Retrieved December 8, 2008.
  7. Movies!: Where to Watch
  8. Bray, Hiawatha (December 17, 2008). "Fox outlet may be forced to drop analog early". The Boston Globe. Retrieved December 18, 2008.
  9. Alex Pham, Jim Puzzanghera (February 5, 2009). "House votes to delay digital TV transition by four months". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
  10. "Notification of Suspension of Operations". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. February 27, 2009. Retrieved March 8, 2009.
  11. List of Digital Full-Power Stations
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference BostonRadio.org Station Info was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. Cite error: The named reference AVS Forum Comment from WFXT was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-I72VlOokI
  15. http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2009/090504/nerw.html#ma
  16. http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1307795
  17. ^ http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/fox25-morning-news-team-will-be-adding-90-minutes-of-local-news-coverage-20100901
  18. Bickelhaupt, Susan (August 4, 1993). "WFXT brings you the news at 10". The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 13, 2011. (subscription content preview)
  19. Biddle, Frederick M. (September 7, 1994). "Daytime shuffle cuts some talk shows". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 1, 2011. (subscription content preview)
  20. Biddle, Frederick M. (January 25, 1995). "Fox news turns to other sources". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 1, 2011. (subscription content preview)
  21. Fybush, Scott (September 6, 1996). "More on WROR and WKLB". New England RadioWatch. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  22. Jurkowitz, Mark (June 5, 2001). "Applegate launches Fox's 4:30 newscast". The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 13, 2011. (subscription content preview)
  23. ^ Ryan, Suzzanne C. (September 18, 2003). "The morning jolt". The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  24. "Applegate Polishes Big Apple". Broadcasting & Cable. October 17, 2004. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  25. Jurkowitz, Mark (August 13, 2004). "WFXT sets Sunday news show". The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 13, 2011. (subscription content preview)
  26. Malone, Michael, "WFXT, WBZ to Share in Boston: Fox and CBS do a deal in No. 7 DMA", Broadcasting & Cable, May 19, 2009
  27. http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2009_06_22_Fox_25_to_drop_5_p_m__news/srvc=home&position=also
  28. FOX 25 to Launch 6:30 PM News
  29. WFXT Expands Morning, Weekend Newscasts
  30. ^ About Us
  31. http://www.jb-weather.com
  32. http://www.bostonherald.com/track/inside_track/view.bg?articleid=1162603
  33. http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1209984

External links

Broadcast television in Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire
This region includes the following cities: Boston/Cambridge/Worcester/Lawrence, MA
Manchester/Nashua/Concord, NH
Reception may vary by location and some stations may only be viewable with cable television
Full-power
Low-power
Outlying areas
ATSC 3.0
Cable
Streaming
Defunct
  • Nominally a low-power station; shares spectrum with full-power WGBX-TV.
    Nominally a low-power station; shares spectrum with full-power WGBH-TV.
Adjacent areas
Albany–Schenectady–Troy, NY
Burlington, VT–Plattsburgh, NY
Hartford–New Haven, CT
Portland–Augusta, ME
Providence, RI–New Bedford, MA
Springfield–Holyoke, MA
Fox network affiliates serving New England
Connecticut
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Vermont
See also
ABC
CBS
CW
Fox
Ion
MyNetworkTV
NBC
PBS
Other stations in New England
News Corp
Sister company: Fox Corporation
Dow Jones & Company
National consumer products
Enterprise products
HarperCollins
United States
United Kingdom
Australia
Christian
Canada
News Corp Australia
Newspapers
Metropolitan
Regional
Queensland
Other
News Corp Australia community newspapers
NewsLocal (NSW)
Messenger (SA)
Quest (Qld)
Victoria
Television
Sky News Australia
Channels
Active
Defunct
Programming
Sky News Australia programming
Current
Daytime
Primetime
Former
Daytime
Primetime
Magazines
Other
Former
holdings
News UK
Newspapers
Daily
Former Daily
Sunday
Former Sunday
Regional
Magazine
Radio
News Broadcasting (2016)
Streaming
Other assets
The Walt Disney Company
Company
officials
Key
Board of
directors
Entertainment
Studios
General
Entertainment
Disney Branded
Television
ABC Entertainment
Group
FX Networks
National Geographic
Global Networks
Production studios
Other units
Streaming
Distribution
International
ABC TV Stations
Other assets
Experiences
Parks and
resorts
Experiences
Consumer
Products
ESPN Inc. (80%)
Other assets
Former/defunct
units and
predecessors
Related
Owned and/or operated stations of the major television networks in the United States
ABC
(Walt Disney Co.)
CBS
(Paramount)
Fox
(Fox Corporation)
NBC
(Comcast)
Telemundo
(Comcast)
The CW
(Nexstar Media Group,
Paramount Global
and Warner Bros. Discovery
)
Nexstar
Paramount
Univision
(TelevisaUnivision)
These stations are owned by Mission Broadcasting but operated by Nexstar under an LMA.
These stations are owned by Londen Media Group but operated by Nexstar under a TBA.
Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery still own a combined 25 percent stake in The CW, however the network is operated entirely by Nexstar.
These stations are owned by Vaughan Media but operated by Nexstar under an LMA.
TelevisaUnivision owns the licenses to these stations but the stations themselves are operated by Entravision Communications (of which the company owns a 10 percent stake) under an LMA.
Categories: