View source for WOFL

{{Short description|TV station in Orlando, Florida}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = WOFL
| city = Orlando, Florida
| logo = Fts-orlando-a.svg
| logo_upright = 1
| logo_alt = The Fox network logo next to a black numeral 35 in a sans serif typeface. On a line below, the word "Orlando" in another sans serif, width-justified.
| branding = Fox 35 Orlando; ''Fox 35 News''
| digital = 33 ([[UHF]])
| virtual = 35
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''35.1:''' [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]|'''35.2:''' [[Buzzr]]|'''35.3:''' [[Fox Weather]]}}
| owner = [[Fox Television Stations, LLC]]
| location = [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]–[[Daytona Beach]]–[[Melbourne, Florida]]
| country = United States
| airdate = {{start date and age|1974|3|31|p=y}}{{efn|As WSWB-TV. The station left the air on September 30, 1976, and returned to the air as WOFL on October 15, 1979.}}
| callsign_meaning = Orlando, Florida
| sister_stations = [[WOGX]], [[WRBW]]
| former_callsigns = WSWB (1974–1976)
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 35 (UHF, 1974–2009)|'''Digital:''' 22 (UHF, until 2020)}}
| former_affiliations = {{ubl|[[Independent station|Independent]] (1974–1976, 1979–1986)|[[Dark (broadcasting)|Dark]] (1976–1979)}}
| erp = 1,000 kW
| haat = {{Convert|447|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 41225
| coordinates = {{coord|28|36|14|N|81|5|10|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{URL|fox35orlando.com}}
}}
'''WOFL''' (channel 35) is a [[television station]] in [[Orlando, Florida]], United States, serving as the market's [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] network outlet. It is [[owned and operated]] by the network's [[Fox Television Stations]] division alongside [[MyNetworkTV]] station [[WRBW]] (channel 65). The two stations share studios on Skyline Drive in [[Lake Mary, Florida|Lake Mary]]; WOFL's transmitter is located in [[Bithlo, Florida]]. WOFL's local news programming is also broadcast on co-owned [[WOGX]], serving [[Ocala]] and [[Gainesville, Florida|Gainesville]].
Channel 35 in Orlando went on the air as WSWB-TV on March 31, 1974. Built by Sun World Broadcasters, WSWB-TV was Orlando's first [[independent station]]. After facing 19 months of construction delays, it suffered from financial difficulties within months of launching. This culminated in the station's equipment being seized by federal marshals on September 30, 1976. Three years of legal wrangling over a buyer followed. Omega Communications, a company led by former [[Taft Broadcasting]] executive Bud Rogers, beat out [[Ted Turner]] and the [[Christian Broadcasting Network]] and put channel 35 back on the air October 15, 1979, as WOFL. Under Omega and [[Meredith Corporation]], which became its full owner in 1983, the station prospered as the highest-rated and, for some years, the only full-market independent station in rapidly growing Central Florida.
WOFL began airing local newscasts in March 1998, first at 10 p.m. before expanding to mornings. After Meredith traded WOFL to Fox Television Stations in 2002, the news department grew aggressively over the course of the 2000s, with additional hours of morning, early evening, and late evening newscasts.
==WSWB-TV==
Interest in constructing a commercial [[ultra high frequency]] (UHF) television station in Orlando stretched as far back as 1965, when the Connecticut-based Omicron Television Corporation applied for channel 35.<ref name="Orla650715">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-uhf-station-sought/158687689/|date=July 15, 1965|page=15-D|title=UHF Station Sought Here|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The construction permit was awarded in 1966,<ref name="Orla660915">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-omicron-wins-tv-cha/158687753/|date=September 15, 1966|page= 2-A|title=Omicron Wins TV Channel 35|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> but it was vacant by 1970, when Sun World Broadcasters Inc. applied for channel 35.<ref name="Orla700805">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-new-tv-station-seek/158687763/|date=August 5, 1970|page=8-A|title=New TV Station Seeks Okay For Orlando Area|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed --> It was headed by Orlando resident Earl Boyles, who had run television stations in multiple states, and featured stockholders from the Orlando area as well as the state of North Carolina.<ref name="Orla700808">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/orlando-evening-star-frangus-singhaus/158687785/|date=August 8, 1970|page=3-A|title=Frangus, Singhaus: 2 Educators Have Roles In Plans For TV Station|newspaper=Orlando Evening Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --> The [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) approved the construction permit to Sun World on March 21, 1971, and the call sign WSWB-TV two months later.<ref name="hc">{{Cite web|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=86587|title=History Cards for WOFL|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]}}</ref>
Sun World's plans to build the station were delayed 19 months. In April 1972, the company ran newspaper ads promising the station would debut that August.<ref name="Orla720423">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-from-up-here-youll/158687840/|date=April 23, 1972|page=69-F|type=Advertisement|title=From up here you'll get a clear view... starting August '72.|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Construction activities were snarled by a national shortage of building supplies, which delayed work on the studios on Colonial Drive east of Orlando, and difficulties with the land conditions at the tower site in [[Bithlo, Florida|Bithlo]], which a station official called "mucky" and requiring compacted sand to withstand the weight of a {{convert|1500|ft|m|adj=on}} tower. Planned airdates of March, August, and November 1973 were all missed.<ref name="Orla721216">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/orlando-evening-star-tv-channel-35-to-go/53526621/|date=December 16, 1972|page=7-A|first=Charlie|last=Jean|title=TV Channel 35 To Go On Air In March|newspaper=Orlando Evening Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --><ref name="Orla730420">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel-35-looking/158687918/|date=April 20, 1973|page= 11-A|title=Channel 35 Looking To August|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref name="Orla731129">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-new-uhf-station-res/158687973/|date=November 29, 1973|page=16-D|first=Noel|last=Holston|title=New UHF Station Resets 'Air' Date|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
WSWB-TV began broadcasting on March 31, 1974. It represented an investment of $3.6 million and was a general-entertainment [[independent station]] with movies, sports, reruns, children's shows, and pre-empted network programming. It also featured a local 10:30 p.m. newscast.<ref name="Orla740331">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel-35-goes-on/53526362/|date=March 31, 1974|page=16-A|title=Channel 35 Goes 'On The Air' Today|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sun --> The 10:30 news used national and international footage from [[Television News Inc.]];<ref name="Orla740427">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-tvn-furnishes-news/95900248/|date=April 27, 1974|page= 6-D|first=Noel|last=Holston|title=TVN Furnishes News Alternative|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --> it lasted six months before being scrapped.<ref name="Orla740928">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-new-land-may-prom/158688158/|date=September 28, 1974|page= 8-D|first=Noel|last=Holston|title='New Land' May Prompt Shifts|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --> At the outset, WSWB-TV invested heavily in locally produced programs, which included a midday talk show, ''Florida Lifestyle''; two children's shows, ''[[Romper Room]]'' and ''Uncle Hubie's Children's Playhouse''; a teen dance hour, ''Blue Christie's Rock and Roll Sundance''; and the country music program ''The Gene Thomley Show''.<ref name="Orla740603">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-local-music-series/158688112/|date=June 3, 1974|page=8-D|first=Noel|last=Holston|title=Local Music Series Joins 35's Lineup|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Mon -->
Within months of signing on the air, WSWB-TV began showing signs of financial strain. In November 1974, [[RCA]], a major equipment supplier to the startup station, sued for $2.28 million they alleged they were owed on video tape equipment, which they sought to repossess.<ref name="Orla741107">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-equipment-firm-sues/158688176/|date=November 7, 1974|page=2-B|title=Equipment Firm Sues Channel 35|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Sun World countersued, alleging that RCA had breached its contract and claiming loss of advertising sales and reputation after the RCA suit.<ref name="Orla741119">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-34-million-sought/158688207/|date=November 19, 1974|page=8-A|title=$34 Million Sought In Channel 35 Suit|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The station spent 1975 fighting for its viability. In June, Sun World agreed to sell WSWB-TV to the Martin International Corporation,<ref name="Orla750622">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-agreement-reached-o/53526799/|date=June 22, 1975|page= 11-A|title=Agreement Reached On Sale Of Ch. 35|newspaper= Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sun --> though the transaction was not submitted for FCC approval until December 16.{{r|hc}} Meanwhile July 2, leasing company Continental Credit Corporation moved to seize $200,000 of mostly office furnishings from the studios, though the station continued to broadcast.<ref name="Orla750703">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-troubled-station-st/158688307/|date=July 2, 1975|page=1-B|first=Noel|last=Holston|title=Troubled Station Still On Air|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Continental pushed for the appointment of a receiver for WSWB-TV, to which Martin objected because it believed such a move would jeopardize the station's [[broadcast license]]; as a compromise, the parent of Sun World, not Sun World itself, was put into receivership.<ref name="Orla750710">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel-35-negotiat/158688361/|date=July 10, 1975|page=B-1|title=Channel 35 Negotiators In Accord|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Following the appointment, WSWB-TV canceled its local programs, let go of their hosts,<ref name="Orla750719">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-future-cloudy-for-c/158688393/|date=July 19, 1975|page=8-D|first=Noel|last=Holston|title=Future Cloudy For Channel 35|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --><ref name="Orla750726">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-equal-time-rule-hov/158688406/|date=July 26, 1975|page=8-D|first=Noel|last=Holston|title=Equal Time Rule Hovers|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --> and focused its early evening lineup and movies.<ref name="Orla750830">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel-35s-on-the/158688451/|date=August 30, 1975|page=10-D|first=Noel|last=Holston|title=Channel 35's On The Mov(i)e|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --> In December 1975, Winter Park Federal Savings and Loan and Continental Credit—the two mortgageholders on WSWB-TV properties—moved to auction the station's facilities to satisfy creditors,<ref name="Orla751205">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel-35-on-block/158688551/|date=December 5, 1975|page=B-1|first=Noel|last=Holston|title=Channel 35 On Block Unless Buyer Arrives|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> with the savings and loan winning its own mortgages at auction.<ref name="Orla760122">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-tv-35-facilities-so/53527277/|date=January 22, 1976|page=12-B|title=TV 35 Facilities Sold For Debts|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
===Three years off the air===
On October 3, 1975, a federal judge ordered Sun World Broadcasters to turn over RCA's equipment to the company within 28 days. RCA later gave the station until September 28, 1976, to pay what it was owed. The action went unheralded until September 30, 1976, when [[U.S. Marshals]] arrived at the station's studios with a court order and a group of movers and engineers to remove the RCA equipment from the building. At 2:39 p.m., in the middle of ''[[The Mickey Mouse Club]]'' and with no advance warning to viewers, channel 35 left the air.<ref name="Orla761001">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-tv-35-goes-off-as-u/158805494/|date=October 1, 1976|pages=1-A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-plug-pulled-on-ch/158805687/ 7-A]|first=Malcolm|last=Williams|title=TV 35 Goes Off As U.S. Marshals Take Equipment|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Viewers flooded the station's switchboard with calls after the shutdown and as they tuned in for programs throughout the day, asking what had happened. Even the youngest viewers, who watched channel 35's cartoons and children's programs, tried to help, sending letters of encouragement and in one case money from their allowances.<ref name="Orla761014-Camera">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-camera-kids-rally/158688930/|date=October 14, 1976|page=1-F|first=Noel|last=Holston|title=Camera? Kids Rally 'Round Troubled Channel|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
Station officials expressed hope that a new owner could be identified and the station put back on the air. By mid-October, one of these potential buyers had bought the transmitter site: [[Ted Turner]], who owned [[WPCH-TV|WTCG]] in [[Atlanta]] and [[WCNC-TV|WRET]] in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]].<ref name="Orla761014">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel-35-settleme/158688906/|date=October 14, 1976|page=1-B|first=Noel|last=Holston|title=Channel 35 Settlement Due By Noon|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Turner successfully pushed for the appointment of a receiver for Sun World, an action seen as delaying any return to air until the station was sold.<ref name="Orla761028">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel-35-placed-i/158689194/|date=October 28, 1976|page= 2-B|title=Channel 35 Placed In Receivership|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 10, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The still-pending Martin International application was dismissed,{{r|hc}} and instead Sun World tried to sell the station to the [[Christian Broadcasting Network]] (CBN). Turner rejected CBN's offer for the station's real estate; Sun World challenged Turner's actions with the FCC, believing he was attempting to purchase the bankrupt station in the same manner he bought WRET in 1970.<ref name="Orla761110">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-another-crisis-for/158689235/|date=November 10, 1976|page=10-D|first=Noel|last=Holston|title=Another Crisis For Channel 35|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed --> A receiver was formally appointed to protect the broadcast license, which was about to expire,<ref name="Orla761118">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel-35-receiver/53527980/|date=November 18, 1976|page=1-A|title=Channel 35 Receiver Approved|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> and collate the company's assets and claims.<ref name="Orla770128">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel-35-may-be-g/158689310/|date=January 28, 1977|page=1-B|first=Dorothy|last=Madlee|title=Channel 35 May Be Going Back On Air With New Owners|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The receiver tentatively agreed to sell the station to Turner, but his decision was subject to review by circuit court judge Frederick T. Pfeiffer.<ref name="Orla770330">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel-35-awaits-s/158689351/|date=March 30, 1977|page= 1-A|first=Dorothy|last=Madlee|title=Channel 35 awaits sale approval to begin telecasts|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
Even though Turner already owned the transmitter site, the stockholders of Sun World disagreed with the receiver's preferred bidder over the structure of the contract. The Turner bid for $1.1 million called for half to be paid at closing and the other half over 10 years, but Turner had the option to prepay the latter at a 10 percent discount. They preferred a different bid for channel 35: the Omega group, a five-man consortium headed by Lawrence H. "Bud" Rogers, a retired [[Taft Broadcasting]] executive.<ref name="Orla770412">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-stockholders-nix-tu/158689397/|date=April 12, 1977|page=2-C|first=Leonard|last=Navarro|title=Stockholders nix Turner offer to buy Channel 35 operation|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Tue --> Pfeiffer bucked the receiver and his own "first impression" favoring Turner and approved the sale of WSWB-TV to Omega for $1.2 million on April 12, 1977.<ref name="Orla770413">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-judge-awards-channe/158689460/|date=April 13, 1977|pages= 1-A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel-35/158689478/ 4-A]|first=Leonard|last=Novarro|title=Judge awards Channel 35 to Omega five|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Turner refused to back down and promised to appeal Pfeiffer's decision.<ref name="Orla770417">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-rogers-gets-tv-35/158689509/|date=April 17, 1977|page=11-B|first=Leonard|last=Novarro|title=Rogers gets TV 35; Turner not giving in yet|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sun -->
In the meantime, the studio building was auctioned. Winter Park Federal Savings and Loan and Turner had each bid, but the winner was another Orlando television station: public station [[WUCF-TV|WMFE-TV]] (channel 24), which had outgrown its existing facilities at the Mid-Florida Technical Institute and sought larger quarters in preparation to start an FM radio station.<ref name="Orla770426-Judge">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-judge-wont-upset-c/53528354/|date=April 26, 1977|page=2-C|title=Judge won't upset Channel 35 ruling|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref name="Orla770426-Bid">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-bid-for-tv-facility/158689596/|date=April 26, 1977|page= 2-C|first=April|last=Kupfer|title=Bid for TV facility accepted|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref name="Orla770916">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel-24-gets-mon/158689703/|date=September 16, 1977|page=2-C|title=Channel 24 gets money to move|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Turner filed his appeal, in the [[Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal]] in [[West Palm Beach, Florida|West Palm Beach]]; industry experts noted that what was at stake was the potential to run the only independent station in the rapidly growing Orlando market at a time when independent outlets were on an upturn.<ref name="Orla770501">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-turner-appeal-to-st/158689574/|date=May 1, 1977|page=9-B|first=Leonard|last=Novarro|title=Turner appeal to stall return for Channel 35|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sun --> The appeals court case, further delayed by the resignation of a judge,<ref name="Orla780511">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-court-of-appeal-ask/158689737/|date=May 11, 1978|page=12-C|first=Leonard|last=Novarro|title=Court of Appeal asks re-run on Channel 35 case|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> ended in June 1978 with a ruling upholding Pfeiffer's April 1977 decision favoring Omega.<ref name="Orla780629">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-court-upholds-sale/158689761/|date=June 29, 1978|page=2-C|first=Larry|last=Lipman|title=Court upholds sale of Channel 35|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The ruling was unsuccessfully appealed to the [[Florida Supreme Court]].<ref name="Orla790620">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-omega-communication/53528645/|date=June 20, 1979|page=10-B|title=Omega Communications receives license to operate Channel 35|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
==WOFL: Omega and Meredith ownership==
===Orlando's leading independent===
On June 15, 1979, the FCC approved the transfer of the channel 35 license to Omega Communications, Inc.{{r|hc}} The station changed its call sign from WSWB-TV to WOFL on August 30,{{r|hc}} and the new owners set to work converting a former bank on Orange Blossom Trail into channel 35's new studios. Lauding WSWB-TV's general manager in 1976, Ray Balsom, for keeping the station afloat and even profitable in the months before it closed, Rogers tapped him to be WOFL's first general manager. WOFL launched on October 15, 1979, again utilizing a typical independent station format.<ref name="Orla791007">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-the-second-coming-o/53528832/|date=October 7, 1979|pages=TV 7, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel-35/53528956/ 46]|first=Noel|last=Holston|title=The second coming of Channel 35|newspaper=Sentinel Star|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sun --><ref name="Flor791017">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-channel-35-is-back-on-the/53529001/|date=October 17, 1979|page= 1D|first=Pam|last=Platt|title=Channel 35 Is Back on the Air|newspaper=[[Florida Today|Today]]|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The [[Meredith Corporation]] of [[Des Moines, Iowa]], had invested in Omega Communications before WOFL went on air{{r|Orla791007}} and held a 40-percent stake as well as a buyout option that it could trigger before 1984. It acquired the remainder of Omega in a 1983 transaction valuing the station at $27.6 million—a substantial return on the $1.2 million Omega had paid to buy the facility out of receivership.<ref name="Orla821130">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel-35-is-sold/158690030/|date=November 30, 1982|pages=D-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel/158690053/ D-2]|first=Dan|last=Tracy|title=Channel 35 is sold: Majority partner agrees to $16 million sale|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref name="Orla830602">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-orlando-television/158689983/|date=June 2, 1983|page=D-1|first=Dick|last=Marlowe|title=Orlando television stations are a good way to get rich quick|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
In the years after its relaunch, WOFL was the primary independent station in its market, with a market share of 8 to 9 percent. In 1982, Central Florida gained its second independent, [[WVEN-TV|WMOD]] (channel 43). Licensed to [[Melbourne, Florida|Melbourne]], it lacked the corporate and programming resources and technical facility of WOFL and only had a market share of 3 percent by late 1984.<ref name="Orla841224">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-independents-fight/149390169/|date=December 24, 1984|page= Central Florida Business 3|first=Julie|last=Reed|title=Independents fight for market share: Channels 35, 43 air plans for attracting dollars|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Mon --><ref name="Orla850622">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-new-jersey-firm-buy/149390338/|date=June 22, 1985|pages=B-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-43/149390392/ B-7]|first=Julia|last=Reed|title=New Jersey firm buys Channel 43|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --> Though stations across Central Florida attempted to compete, only WOFL had a good signal and cable coverage in Orlando, while two other channels allotted to Orlando (27 and 65) were in the hearing phase.<ref name="Orla880222">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-tower-of-power-new/149227362/|date=February 22, 1988|pages=Central Florida Business 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-tv/149227325/ 20], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-tower-of-power-3/149227398/ 21]|first=Susan G.|last=Strother|title=Tower of Power: New independent stations rise to challenge WOFL's supremacy|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Mon --> In October 1986, WOFL became the Orlando-market affiliate of the new [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] network;<ref name="Orla860917">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wofl-tv-puts-joan-v/158690276/|date=September 17, 1986|pages=D-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wofl/158690241/ D-4]|first=Goldie|last=Blumenstyk|title=WOFL-TV puts Joan vs. Johnny: Battle for late-night viewers starts Oct. 9|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed --> it considered leaving in 1988, when several Fox affiliates dropped the network over its weak Saturday night lineup.<ref>{{cite news|work=Variety|pages=39, 53|title=Unhappy With Saturday Lineup, 3 Fox Affiliates Won't Renew|id={{pq|1438499512}}|date=July 27, 1988}}</ref>
With its prosperity, the station expanded its facilities and attempted to expand its coverage. In 1986, Meredith completed new studios for the station along [[Interstate 4]] in the Orlando suburb of [[Lake Mary, Florida|Lake Mary]], consisting of a $5 million building and $1.5 million in new equipment.<ref name="Orla861208">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-troubles-plaguing-a/158810243/|date=December 8, 1986|page=Central Florida Business 6|first=Jack|last=Snyder|title=Troubles plaguing appraisal industry: Group proposes certification by state boards|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Mon --> The larger studio facility was used not only by WOFL but other production endeavors and even other divisions of Meredith. Parts of the 1988 film ''[[Ernest Saves Christmas]]'' were filmed at channel 35,<ref name="Orla910121">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-making-the-high-tec/129465431/|date=January 21, 1991|pages=C-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-tv-station-building/129465424/ C-3]|first=Chuck|last=Twardy|title=Making the high-tech move: Stations' homes befit their status|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 5, 2023|archive-date=August 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805094221/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-making-the-high-tec/129465431/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> and the Meredith-owned magazine ''Golf for Women'' occupied space that had been designated for a future newsroom.<ref name="Orla970603">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wofl-renews-plans-f/141571567/|date=June 3, 1997|page=B-4|first=Rene|last=Stutzman|title=WOFL renews plans for newscast|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
As early as 1983, a locally owned low-power TV station in [[Crystal River, Florida|Crystal River]], [[WYKE-CD|W49AI]], was on air, rebroadcasting WOFL to a small area in [[Citrus County]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/crystal-river-getting-its-own-stations/odxiaqxgfkuewjsbwxmqczxuydlqdjlt_ip-10-166-46-75_1711488317035|page=6E|first=Keith|last=Morelli|title=Crystal River Getting Its Own Stations|date=February 20, 1983|work=Ocala Star-Banner|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=April 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405072604/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/crystal-river-getting-its-own-stations/odxiaqxgfkuewjsbwxmqczxuydlqdjlt_ip-10-166-46-75_1711488317035|url-status=live}}</ref> Meredith filed in 1986 to build channel 64, licensed to [[Inverness, Florida|Inverness]], as a rebroadcaster of WOFL under the proposed call sign WIFL. The application was contested by [[Ocala, Florida|Ocala]]–based independent station WBSP-TV (channel 51, later [[WOGX]]) and the FCC's own Mass Media Bureau, which noted that multiple other applicants for the channel had sought full-service stations, not repeaters.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/ocala-station-opposes-citrus-tv-tower/xqnbiuhekaxvrcmbqyzrkmtnbqdspmvh_ip-10-166-46-75_1711487606695|page=2B|first=Keith|last=Morelli|date=January 17, 1987|title=Ocala Station Opposes Citrus TV Tower|work=Ocala Star-Banner|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=April 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405072554/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/ocala-station-opposes-citrus-tv-tower/xqnbiuhekaxvrcmbqyzrkmtnbqdspmvh_ip-10-166-46-75_1711487606695|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Tamp870706">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-fcc-tunes-in-on-invern/144797710/|date=July 6, 1987|pages=Citrus/Marion 1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-station/144797721/ 2]|first=Larry|last=Schuster|title=FCC tunes in on Inverness|newspaper=The Tampa Tribune|location=Tampa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=April 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405072430/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-fcc-tunes-in-on-invern/144797710/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> In 1989, WOGX appealed the FCC's award of a construction permit to the full commission.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Inverness could get UHF-TV station|work=Ocala Star-Banner|page=1B|first=Ken|last=Dougherty|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/inverness-could-get-uhf-tv-station/nrgxgusckcvehhpxgeaielsyvirxcvkp_ip-10-166-46-126_1712295018525|date=July 31, 1989|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=April 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405072556/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/inverness-could-get-uhf-tv-station/nrgxgusckcvehhpxgeaielsyvirxcvkp_ip-10-166-46-126_1712295018525|url-status=live}}</ref>
WOGX was acquired by Meredith from Wabash Valley Broadcasting in 1995.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wabash-valley-sells-wogx-meredith-corp-buy-fox-51/uquposelslhicjrpzhprtoueedcfsyqy_ip-10-166-46-135_1711487657176|work=Gainesville Sun|agency=Ocala Star-Banner|first=Tyler E.|last=Ward|title=Wabash Valley sells WOGX: Meredith Corp. to buy Fox 51|page=6B|date=March 25, 1995|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=April 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405072933/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wabash-valley-sells-wogx-meredith-corp-buy-fox-51/uquposelslhicjrpzhprtoueedcfsyqy_ip-10-166-46-135_1711487657176|url-status=live}}</ref> When the sale took effect on January 1, 1996,{{r|Orla960129}} WOFL's general manager assumed responsibility for WOGX, and the company set up data links between the two stations.<ref name="Ocal951221">{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/ocalas-fox-51-gets-rid-key-post/ivtegapkrbupvbdtqpqtvugsmnxsosld_ip-10-166-46-160_1712295408281|first=Rima L.|last=Firrone|work=Ocala Star-Banner|page=7C|title=Ocala's Fox 51 gets rid of key post|date=December 21, 1995|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=April 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405073057/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/ocalas-fox-51-gets-rid-key-post/ivtegapkrbupvbdtqpqtvugsmnxsosld_ip-10-166-46-160_1712295408281|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Master control]] for WOGX moved to Lake Mary; of 30 jobs in Ocala, eight to nine were eliminated, and another 11 were transferred to Lake Mary. The combination added 94,000 [[Gainesville, Florida|Gainesville]]-area homes to WOFL's viewing area.<ref name="Orla960129">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-station-takes-over/144797760/|date=January 29, 1996|page=Central Florida Business 4|first=Rene|last=Stutzman|title=Station takes over rival Fox affiliate: Deal puts WOFL in remote control of WOGX|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=April 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405072950/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-station-takes-over/144797760/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->
On January 24, 1997, Meredith announced its acquisition of First Media Television, which owned three stations—including Orlando's [[CBS]] affiliate, [[WKMG-TV|WCPX-TV]] (channel 6).<ref name="wp-saletomeredith">{{cite news |last1=Segal |first1=David |title=Marriott-controlled firm to sell 4 TV stations to Meredith Corp. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1997/01/25/marriott-controlled-firm-to-sell-4-tv-stations-to-meredith-corp/c3115935-7139-4c9d-99b6-e208174dae8b/ |access-date=November 2, 2023 |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |date=January 25, 1997 |archive-date=August 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828224906/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1997/01/25/marriott-controlled-firm-to-sell-4-tv-stations-to-meredith-corp/c3115935-7139-4c9d-99b6-e208174dae8b/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At the time, [[Duopoly (broadcasting)|duopolies]] were not allowed; Meredith had to select a station to keep. Employees at both stations suggested that WOFL would be chosen for sale,<ref name="Orla970125">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-meredith-to-purchas/141564115/|date=January 25, 1997|pages=C-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-employee-wofl-work/141564185/ C-9]|first=Rene|last=Stutzman|title=Meredith to purchase Channel 6|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 25, 2024|archive-date=February 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226070946/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-meredith-to-purchas/141564115/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> but Meredith kept WOFL and instead traded WCPX to [[Graham Media Group|Post-Newsweek Stations]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 2, 1997|title=Meredith trades for Connecticut TV station|url=http://apnews.com/article/a4c7637daa7e6acd9de4a3e537ffc97a/|access-date=August 13, 2021|website=[[Associated Press|AP]]|language=en-US|archive-date=August 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810192802/https://apnews.com/article/a4c7637daa7e6acd9de4a3e537ffc97a/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Fox ownership==
As early as October 2001, speculation emerged of a potential trade between Meredith and the [[Fox Television Stations Group]] that would create [[duopoly (broadcasting)|duopolies]] in Orlando and [[Portland, Oregon]].<ref>{{Cite news|work=Mediaweek|title=Addenda|id={{pq|213624666}}|date=October 8, 2001|page=3}}</ref> Fox had acquired [[WRBW]] (channel 65), then Orlando's [[UPN]] affiliate, as part of its purchase of the [[United Television|Chris-Craft Industries stations]] in July 2001;<ref>{{cite news|id={{pq|213639500}}|date=January 7, 2002|pages=7–10|title=Orlando, Fla.|work=Mediaweek|first=Eileen|last=Davis Hudson}}</ref><ref name="Flor010726">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-fcc-oks-news-corp-acquisi/158816789/|date=July 26, 2001|page=1C|title=FCC OKs News Corp. acquisition of stations|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> in Portland, Meredith owned Fox affiliate [[KPDX]], and Fox had acquired [[KPTV]] from Chris-Craft.<ref name="Oreg020306">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregonian-deregulation-poised-to-lim/158816469/|date=March 6, 2002|pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregonian-carlin-dual-ownership-cou/158816499/ C8]|first=Peter|last=Ames Carlin|author-link=Peter Ames Carlin|title=Deregulation poised to limit Portland TV|newspaper=The Oregonian|location=Portland, Oregon|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The deal, agreed in March 2002 and completed three months later, saw WOFL and WOGX go to Fox while KPTV went to Meredith.<ref>{{Cite news|id={{pq|2467942007}}|page=20|first=Georg|last=Szalai|title=TV station swap to create Fox, Meredith duopolies|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 25, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|page=12|work=Mediaweek|first=Katy|last=Bachman|title=Fox ties knott into duop|id={{pq|213652169}}|date=June 24, 2002}}</ref>
==News operation==
WOFL general manager Norris Reichel announced in July 1996 that the station planned to debut a "fast-paced" 10 p.m. local newscast seven nights a week in early 1997. The only local station airing news at 10 was [[WKCF]] (channel 18), which offered a WCPX-produced newscast.<ref name="Orla960725">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel-35-promises/158690388/|date=July 25, 1996|page=A-2|first=Rene|last=Stutzman|title=Channel 35 promises 'fast-paced' newscast|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The plans were put on hold temporarily while Meredith decided which of WCPX or WOFL to divest, but when it decided to keep channel 35, the news department plans were cleared to launch.{{r|Orla970603}} The 10 p.m. news debuted as a half-hour broadcast on March 1, 1998, targeting a younger audience in line with Fox network programming; the main news anchors were in their early 30s, and the station had a fleet of [[Ford Mustang]]s as news vehicles. The original plans also included a 6 p.m. newscast for WOGX focusing on Ocala and Gainesville news,<ref name="Orla980228">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wofl-takes-aim-at-n/144798080/|date=February 28, 1998|pages=E-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-expect-bold-graphic/144798091/ E-8]|first=Jim|last=Abbott|title=WOFL takes aim at news market: Fox affiliate hopes to hook viewers with 'cool news'|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --><ref name="Orla980302">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wofl-jazzes-up-10-o/144798086/|date=March 2, 1998|page=78|title=WOFL jazzes up 10 o'clock news to lure young Fox watchers|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=April 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405074118/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wofl-jazzes-up-10-o/144798086/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --><ref>{{cite news|first=Janine|last=Young Sikes|title=Fox 51 News' debut to increase area competition|date=February 28, 1998|work=Gainesville Sun}}</ref> but this failed to meet ratings and demographic targets and was discontinued after nine months.<ref>{{cite news|first=Bob|last=Arndorfer|title=Local TV station dropping newscast|work=Gainesville Sun|date=November 5, 1998}}</ref> The prime time news expanded to a full hour in September 1999.<ref name="Orla990913">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-revamped-gma-deb/158812447/|date=September 13, 1999|page=B-8|first=Jim|last=Abbott|title=Revamped 'GMA,' debut of 'Martin Short'|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Mon -->
In 2000, WOFL expanded its news operation to mornings with the launch of ''Good Day Orlando'', originally a two-hour program running from 7 to 9 a.m. against the national network morning newscasts. The news department was expanded by 13 employees and the station's video production unit closed to make way for the new newscast.<ref name="Orla000630">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-good-day-orlando/142100457/|date=June 30, 2000|page=E-4|title='Good Day Orlando' will dawn on Fox 35|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref name="Orla000915">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-on-the-way-new-mor/158690568/|date=September 15, 2000|page=E4|first=Jim|last=Abbott|title=On the way: New morning show and sports report|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> After the Fox acquisition, this program expanded to three hours from 6 to 9 a.m. in September 2002 and was relaunched as the more news-oriented ''Fox 35 Morning News''.<ref name="Orla021004">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-news-rivalries-beco/158812673/|date=October 4, 2002|pages=E1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-channel-9-suffers-f/158812647/ E3]|first=Hal|last=Boedeker|title=News rivalries become a bit more intense|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> It had grown again to four hours, from 5 to 9 a.m., by 2005.<ref name="Orla050907">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-solar-power-local/158818768/|date=September 7, 2005|pages=E1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-stations-vie-for-be/158818739/ E3]|title=Solar power: Local stations and networks are tapping into the energy of the morning-news hours|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
Beginning in 2006, WOFL expanded its news operation outside of mornings and late night news. A 5 p.m. newscast debuted on March 6, 2006, originally with a format inspired by morning newscasts;<ref name="Orla060207">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wofl-to-start-5-pm/158692035/|date=February 7, 2006|page=C3|first=Hal|last=Boedeker|title=WOFL to start 5 p.m. newscast|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Tue --> encouraged by a strong early performance among viewers aged 25–54, the station expanded it to weekends five months later, bringing the total news output to 34 hours weekly.<ref name="Orla060826">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wofl-tackles-5-pm/158692089/|date=August 26, 2006|page=D9|first=Hal|last=Boedeker|title=WOFL tackles 5 p.m. news on weekends|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --> An expansion to 6 p.m. followed in 2007,<ref name="Orla070828">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-nose-for-news-expe/158692134/|date=August 28, 2007|pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-new-6-pm-newscast/158692152/ C2]|first=Hal|last=Boedeker|title=Nose for news? Expect more on Channel 35|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Tue --> as did a newscast at 11 p.m. in 2008.<ref name="Orla080229">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wftv-newscasts-whip/158818194/|date=February 29, 2008|pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wftv-newscasts-win/158818233/ C2]|first=Hal|last=Boedeker|title=WFTV newscasts whip rivals in latest sweeps|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
In 2009, WOFL launched ''Good Day'', a morning news and features program.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=2009-09-02 |title=WHBQ, WOFL Add Morning News |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/whbq-wofl-add-morning-news-35392 |access-date=2024-11-11 |work=Broadcasting & Cable |language=en}}</ref> It combined with the existing ''Fox 35 Morning News'' to create a five-hour local block in the morning. At the same time, the station purchased and installed its own weather radar, located near [[Christmas, Florida|Christmas]].<ref name="Orla090828">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wofl-says-its-radar/158817536/|date=August 28, 2009|pages=B5, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wofl/158817513/ B6]|first=Hal|last=Boedeker|title=WOFL says its radar will be the best on TV|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> An 8 p.m. newscast on WRBW was added in 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Boedeker |first=Hal |date=2019-08-30 |title=Fox 35 to rebrand sister station, add prime-time newscast |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2019/08/30/fox-35-to-rebrand-sister-station-add-prime-time-newscast/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |work=Orlando Sentinel |language=en-US}}</ref>
WOFL provides the East Coast operations for the Fox local stations' streaming news channel, [[LiveNow from Fox]], originating the channel in the morning hours before [[KSAZ-TV]] in [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]] takes over.<ref name="BC210913">{{Cite news |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=2021-09-13 |title=Local News: Sweltering Orlando Heats Up |url=https://www.nexttv.com/features/local-news-sweltering-orlando-heats-up |access-date=2024-11-11 |work=Broadcasting & Cable |language=en}}</ref>
==Technical information==
The station's signal is [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of WOFL<ref name=rei>{{cite web|title=Digital TV Market Listing for WOFL|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WOFL#station|website=[[RabbitEars]]|access-date=January 26, 2017|language=en}}</ref>
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" | Short name
! scope = "col" | Programming
|-
! scope = "row" | 35.1
| [[720p]] || rowspan=3| [[16:9]] || WOFL || [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 35.2
| rowspan=2| [[480i]] || Buzzr || [[Buzzr]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 35.3
| FOX WX || [[Fox Weather]]
|- style="background-color:#DFEBF6; border-top: 2px solid #003399;"
! scope = "row" | [[WRBW|65.1]]
| 720p|| 16:9 || WRBW || [[MyNetworkTV]] ([[WRBW]])
|}
{{legend|#DFEBF6|Broadcast on behalf of another station}}
WOFL was the first television station in the Orlando market to broadcast its digital signal in February 2000, on channel 22.<ref name="Orla000204">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-wofl-adds-digital-s/158818455/|date=February 4, 2000|page=B-1|title=WOFL adds digital signal|newspaper=The Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The analog signal was shut down on the [[Digital television transition in the United States|digital transition]] date of June 12, 2009.<ref name="Flor090611">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-ready-or-not-d-day-is-n/129481088/|date=June 11, 2009|pages=8C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-networks-push-to-notify-vi/129481060/ 7C]|first=Keilani|last=Best|title=Ready or not, 'D' day is near: Unprepared viewers to be left in the dark as TV switches to digital Friday|newspaper=Florida Today|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 5, 2023|archive-date=August 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805173023/https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-ready-or-not-d-day-is-n/129481088/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> WOFL continued to use channel 22 for digital broadcasts<ref name="Analog to Digital">{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> until being repacked to channel 33 on January 17, 2020, as a result of the [[2016 United States wireless spectrum auction]].<ref name="Repack Table">{{Cite web|url=http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/Transition_Files/Phase_Assignment_Closing_PN.csv|title=FCC TV Spectrum Phase Assignment Table|format=CSV|website=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|date=April 13, 2017|access-date=April 17, 2017|archive-date=April 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417160749/http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/Transition_Files/Phase_Assignment_Closing_PN.csv|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.fox35orlando.com/}}
{{Orlando TV}}
{{Metro Orlando}}
{{Fox Florida}}
{{Fox (company)}}
{{Major U.S. TV O-O Stations}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wofl}}
[[Category:1974 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:Buzzr affiliates]]
[[Category:Fox Broadcasting Company affiliates]]
[[Category:Fox Television Stations]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1974]]
[[Category:Television stations in Orlando, Florida|OFL]]
[[Category:Former Meredith Corporation subsidiaries]]