WTVT

WTVT
source
Station name	WTVT
Location	Tampa, Florida
Brand	Fox 13
Channels	Digital: 12 (VHF)
Affiliations	Fox Broadcasting Company
Owner	Fox Television Stations
Launch date	April 1, 1955

WTVT is a television station located in Tampa, Florida, and is owned by Fox Television Stations. It is affiliated with the Fox Broadcasting Company, and is known for its local news coverage, as well as its broadcast of popular Fox shows such as The Simpsons, Family Guy, and American Idol. WTVT has a long history of serving the Tampa Bay Area, including Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, and Pasco County. The station has been owned by several companies over the years, including Chris-Craft Industries and News Corporation.

● History

WTVT was first launched on April 1, 1955, as an affiliate of the DuMont Television Network. It later became an affiliate of the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in 1956, and remained with the network until 1988, when it switched to the Fox Broadcasting Company. During its time as an ABC affiliate, WTVT broadcast popular shows such as The Brady Bunch, Charlie's Angels, and Monday Night Football. The station has also been owned by several companies over the years, including Chris-Craft Industries and News Corporation, which is now known as Fox Corporation. WTVT has also had a long history of local programming, including shows such as The Roy Rogers Show and The Lawrence Welk Show, which were broadcast on the station in the 1950s and 1960s. The station has also covered many major events in the Tampa Bay Area, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' victory in Super Bowl XXXVII and the 2004 Republican National Convention.

● Programming

WTVT broadcasts a variety of programming, including local news and weather coverage, as well as popular Fox shows such as The Simpsons, Family Guy, and American Idol. The station also broadcasts sports programming, including Tampa Bay Rays games and NFL games featuring the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. WTVT has also broadcast several award shows, including the Emmy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards. In addition to its broadcast of Fox programming, WTVT also airs shows from other networks, including MyNetworkTV and MeTV. The station has also partnered with other companies to broadcast special events, such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade. WTVT has also broadcast several holiday specials, including A Charlie Brown Christmas and It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

● News operation

WTVT has a strong commitment to local news coverage, and broadcasts several newscasts throughout the day. The station's news team includes anchors such as Kelly Ring and Russell Rhodes, as well as meteorologists like Paul Dellegatto and Dave Osterberg. WTVT's news coverage includes reports on local events, such as the Gasparilla Pirate Festival and the Outback Bowl, as well as national and international news. The station has also won several awards for its news coverage, including Emmy Awards and Edward R. Murrow Awards. WTVT has also partnered with other news organizations, such as the Associated Press and CNN, to provide comprehensive coverage of major events. The station's news team has also covered several major stories, including the Hurricane Irma and the 2018 Midterm elections.

● Technical information

WTVT broadcasts on digital channel 12 (VHF), and is available on several cable television systems in the Tampa Bay Area, including Spectrum and Frontier Communications. The station's signal is also available on satellite television systems, such as DirecTV and Dish Network. WTVT has also launched several digital subchannels, including a MeTV affiliate and a Movies! affiliate. The station's transmitter is located in Holiday, Florida, and its studios are located in Tampa, Florida. WTVT has also upgraded its broadcast equipment to include high-definition television (HDTV) and digital video broadcasting (DVB).

● Controversies

WTVT has been involved in several controversies over the years, including a dispute with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over its broadcast of indecent content. The station has also faced criticism for its coverage of certain events, such as the 2004 Republican National Convention and the 2012 Republican National Convention. WTVT has also been sued by several individuals and organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The station has also faced competition from other television stations in the Tampa Bay Area, including WFLA-TV and WFTS-TV. Despite these controversies, WTVT remains a popular and influential television station in the Tampa Bay Area, with a strong commitment to local news and programming. The station has also partnered with other organizations, such as the United Way and the American Red Cross, to support local charities and community events.