First Coast News

Last updated

First Coast News
First Coast News WTLV WJXX logo.svg
First Coast News webpage screenshot (2024-09-18).png
The home page of First Coast News from September 18, 2024
Type of site
 News website
Available inEnglish
Spanish
Owner Tegna Inc.
Created by Gannett Company
URL www.firstcoastnews.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationNo

First Coast News is the newsroom of television stations WTLV (channel 12) and WJXX (channel 25), the NBC and ABC affiliates in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. It is owned with the stations by Tegna Inc.

Contents

The First Coast News brand was first used by the stations on April 27, 2000, in the wake of Gannett's acquisition of WJXX the month before and consequent expansion of what had primarily been WTLV's news department. Immediately upon taking control, WTLV newscasts were simulcast on WJXX. Since the consolidation, First Coast News has generally remained in second place in the market behind WJXT (channel 4), the market news leader.

History

Pre-FCN

When WTLV started as WFGA-TV in 1957, the station's first news director was Harold Baker, who had served in the same position at WSM radio and television in Nashville, Tennessee. Baker would anchor the station's 6 p.m. news for 17 years and direct the nascent channel 12 newsroom for 19 years in total, winning the station major national journalism awards. [1] It became WTLV in 1971, and eventually settled in as a consistent second-place finisher to WJXT in local news, except for two brief periods in the early 1960s and 1975. [2] While it was frequently well behind channel 4, channel 12 worked to close the gap, particularly after its acquisition by Gannett in 1988. [3] In the early 1990s, WTLV mounted a strong challenge to WJXT, particularly in late news, only to slip when that station expanded its newscasts and increased its community involvement. [4] [5]

Meanwhile, in 1996, Allbritton Communications secured the ABC affiliation for the Jacksonville market from longtime third-rated station WJKS (channel 17), which it intended to use on WBSG-TV in Brunswick, Georgia. [6] This station's signal barely reached into Florida. Initial plans for a new WBSG-TV tower at Kingsland, Georgia, were held up by objections, [7] and station management was only able to obtain approval for upgrades to its tower site in Hickox, Georgia, west of Brunswick but not south. [8] [7] This signal did not cover all of Jacksonville, with no coverage south of Interstate 10. [9]

Though WJKS and WBSG originally planned to switch in April 1997, these plans changed in January after the outgoing ABC affiliate unexpectedly began preempting more than half the network's prime-time lineup and any new shows the network offered. As part of its transition to becoming The WB affiliate for the First Coast, WJKS replaced the preempted ABC shows with The WB's programming and syndicated shows. [10] This caused Allbritton and the network to examine more immediate options to bring ABC programs to Jacksonville. Allbritton leased and activated a dormant construction permit for channel 25 in Orange Park, a suburb of Jacksonville, which it built out and signed on as WJXX on February 9, 1997, with WBSG as its semi-satellite. [11] [12] For most of the rest of that year, technical and signal issues dogged the new ABC affiliate, weighing on its public perception. Due to the compressed timetable, WJXX operated from an interim transmitter facility until September; [13] [14] it would not offer a direct feed to the area's cable systems until December. [15]

While the station had been airing a local newsmagazine program, it was not until WJXX opened a permanent studio facility in south Jacksonville that it began to produce a full local news service on December 15, 1997. [15] While ABC 25 News was hailed as a superior product compared to WJKS, which had aired just two 30-minute newscasts on weekdays, [3] [16] Allbritton faced several overwhelming factors in establishing WJXX: in addition to the technical issues that alienated viewers and continued signal deficiencies in some areas, the market had historically been an underperformer for the ABC network, and WJXT and WTLV were entrenched in the market. [17] [18] Channel 17, now WJWB, surged past WJXX in the ratings. [17]

Consolidation

The WTLV-WJXX studios on Adams Street in Jacksonville First Coast News (22564692541).jpg
The WTLV–WJXX studios on Adams Street in Jacksonville

On November 15, 1999, the FCC legalized television station duopolies—the common ownership of two stations in one market. The next day, November 16, Gannett announced it would purchase WJXX from Allbritton. The deal was initiated after Allbritton approached Gannett about a possible sale and was legal because of WJXX's unusually low ratings for an ABC affiliate. [19] For the next four months, planning was initiated on the eventual consolidation of the WTLV and WJXX news operations, while WJXX continued to produce newscasts and faced a growing exodus of newsroom staffers. [16] [17]

The Federal Communications Commission approved the sale on March 16, 2000. Gannett consummated the purchase the next day and immediately implemented a simulcast of WTLV's newscasts on WJXX, while construction began at the WTLV studios on Adams Street—which had been enlarged in 1997—to prepare for a new combined news service under the name First Coast News, which debuted on April 27. [20] [21] Newscasts continued to be broadcast at the same time on each station, including the WJXX 7 p.m. newscast, which had no competition and was the station's lone successful news program. [22] [23] In total, 36 WJXX employees, including 13 in news, joined the WTLV operation. [21]

A consistent second-place

News set used by First Coast News in the 2010s FCNnewset.JPG
News set used by First Coast News in the 2010s

After the merger, continuing a trend already set by WTLV, the gap in viewership between First Coast News and market leader WJXT slowly closed to create tough competition in the Jacksonville market. [24] [25] [26] The combination of WTLV and WJXX also surpassed WJXT in total revenue. [27]

In 2002, the news department of Fox affiliate WAWS (channel 30) expanded to accommodate the move of the CBS affiliation to WTEV-TV (channel 47). The two stations rebranded as WFOX-TV and WJAX-TV and their news as Action News in 2014 as part of a wholesale change which included the firing of the previous main anchors. The Action News revamp improved ratings at the traditional third-place news operation in Jacksonville just as First Coast News remained without a news director for a year, causing a decline in viewership, and several key news personalities defected to Action News. [28] Rob Mennie, who assumed the post of news director in 2014, noted of the newsroom as he encountered it, "This was a station ... I'll just use the word confused. They didn't know who they were. ... They were trying to figure out what makes us tick." [29] In 2023, Action News edged out First Coast News at 11 p.m. in total households but not in viewers 25–54, with both newscasts behind WJXT, which has remained Jacksonville's news leader as an independent station. [30]

Logo for First Coast News from 2017 to 2021 First Coast News logo 2017.png
Logo for First Coast News from 2017 to 2021

Notable staff

* Victor Blackwell – anchor [31]

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References

  1. ↑ Kerr, Jessie Lynne (June 19, 2009). "Harold Baker 1916-2009: TV newsman led Jacksonville broadcasting". The Florida Times-Union . p. B-1.
  2. ↑ McAlister, Nancy (August 27, 1982). "25 years at WTLV: No. 2 station has reputation as scrambler". Jacksonville Journal . pp. 1D, 4D.
  3. 1 2 Patton, Charlie (July 11, 1996). "PLEASE STAY TUNED: For Jacksonville's three news stations, the battle to attract viewers never ends". The Florida Times-Union . p. D-1.
  4. ↑ McAlister, Nancy (December 23, 1993). "Changing times, changing audience cited as reasons for Webb's departure". The Florida Times-Union. pp. D-1, D-6.
  5. ↑ McAlister, Nancy (April 26, 1994). "New TV-4 chief launched Oprah: Wasserman joins Houston station". The Florida Times-Union. pp. C-1, C-3.
  6. ↑ Patton, Charlie (February 22, 1996). "Brunswick station officially becomes ABC affiliate Jan. 1". The Florida Times-Union . p. D-3.
  7. 1 2 Patton, Charlie (September 17, 1996). "Jilted TV-17 'bumps back' at fickle ABC". The Florida Times-Union . p. E-5.
  8. ↑ Phelps, Bob (August 7, 1996). "TV-17 gives up in ABC fight". The Florida Times-Union . p. B-1.
  9. ↑ Barton, Susanna P. (September 16, 1996). "WBSG TV scouting city for studio, tower". Jacksonville Business Journal. Archived from the original on September 6, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  10. ↑ Patton, Charlie (January 21, 1997). "TV-17 dropping many ABC shows prior to switch". The Florida Times-Union . pp. A-1, A-7 – via GenealogyBank.
  11. ↑ Patton, Charlie (January 24, 1997). "ABC programs return in 3 weeks". The Florida Times-Union . p. A-1.
  12. ↑ Patton, Charlie (February 9, 1997). "ABC programs to air on new station tonight". The Florida Times-Union . p. A-1.
  13. ↑ Patton, Charlie (September 17, 1997). "WJXX gets antenna OK: Just in time for football". The Florida Times-Union . p. A-1.
  14. ↑ "Tower gets approval... thanks, Tillie?". Jacksonville Business Journal. September 22, 1997. Archived from the original on September 6, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  15. 1 2 Patton, Charlie (December 15, 1997). "News team launching shows today". The Florida Times-Union . p. A-1.
  16. 1 2 Patton, Charlie (November 17, 1999). "Affiliates' news staffs likely to merge". The Florida Times-Union . p. A-1.
  17. 1 2 3 Patton, Charlie (December 13, 1999). "Changing the channel: Recent sale another chapter in ABC's tumultuous tenure in Jacksonville". The Florida Times-Union. Morris Communications. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
  18. ↑ Patton, Charlie (January 22, 2003). "Reality beating up on respected". The Florida Times-Union . p. B-1.
  19. ↑ Basch, Mark (November 17, 1999). "Gannett buying second Jacksonville station: New rules allow to purchase [sic]". The Florida Times-Union . p. A-1.
  20. ↑ Ostrow, Nicole (March 17, 2000). "Media merger: TV-12 owner may take over TV-25 operations as soon as today". The Florida Times-Union . p. D-1.
  21. 1 2 Davis Hudson, Eileen (May 15, 2000). "Jacksonville". Mediaweek. pp. 26–36. ProQuest   213613921 – via ProQuest.
  22. ↑ Larson, Megan (May 24, 1999). "Counterprogrammed news equals ratings". Mediaweek. p. 20. ProQuest   213626304 – via ProQuest.
  23. ↑ Larson, Megan (December 13, 1999). "WTLV shares news". Mediaweek. p. 24. ProQuest   213644529.
  24. ↑ "Nielsen ratings show WTLV gain". The Jacksonville Business Journal. Advance Publications. June 19, 1998. Archived from the original on July 6, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2007.
  25. ↑ Basch, Mark (December 24, 2003). "Verdict's still out on WJXT's move". The Florida Times-Union. Morris Communications. Archived from the original on March 1, 2007. Retrieved October 5, 2007.
  26. ↑ McManus, Sean (June 9, 2003). "TV news in transition". The Jacksonville Business Journal. Advance Publications. Archived from the original on May 26, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2007.
  27. ↑ Guinta, Peter (July 14, 2002). "The big switch". The St. Augustine Record . In 2001, WJXT reported revenues of $29.75 million. Its nearest competitor, WTLV-12, reported $22 million and WJXX-25 $12.5 million.
  28. ↑ Dixon, Drew (March 28, 2015). "Major shakeups in Jacksonville TV news redefining financial landscape of broadcasters". The Florida Times-Union . Archived from the original on September 6, 2022. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  29. ↑ Dixon, Drew (March 29, 2015). "Team full of familiar faces lacked direction: GM's new news director tasked with changing tone of news reports". The Florida Times-Union . p. A-8.
  30. ↑ Malone, Michael (August 9, 2023). "Local News Close-Up: Jacksonville Is Hot, and We're Not Talking Weather". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  31. ↑ "Meet CNN's New Black Anchor". The Root. July 26, 2012. Archived from the original on January 18, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  32. ↑ "Fates & Fortunes" (PDF). Broadcasting. March 18, 1985. p. 109. ProQuest   1014709330. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2022– via World Radio History.
  33. ↑ Scanlan, Dan (June 27, 2012). "TV anchor Deegan to leave job in August: She will take on larger role in breast cancer research, wellness". The Florida Times-Union . p. A-1.
  34. ↑ McTammany, Theresa (August 5, 1990). "Debs attend a 'star'-studded evening gala". The Florida Times-Union . p. G-4 – via GenealogyBank.
  35. ↑ Wells, Judy. "On and off air, she's Donna Deegan now". The Florida Times-Union . p. E-3.
  36. ↑ Soergel, Matt (July 17, 2015). "Former mascot for Jaguars taking his act to television: Dvorak promises more antics with First Coast News, sans fur". The Florida Times-Union . p. B-1.
  37. ↑ Sharkey, Mike. "Gionet heading back to Denver". Jacksonville Daily Record. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
  38. ↑ Elliott, Jeff (May 30, 2013). "Longtime anchor Hicken to join TV-47". The Florida Times-Union . p. C-1.
  39. ↑ Bull, Roger (April 18, 2006). "New anchor debuts on First Coast News". The Florida Times-Union . Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
  40. ↑ Daraskevich, Joe (May 14, 2016). "Ogden leaving First Coast News: Weeknight anchor since 2006 to begin work at Denver station in June". The Florida Times-Union . p. B-4.
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