Information and history about WFTV-Channel 9, Orlando’s ABC affiliate

Owner: Cox Television

Slogan: “Coverage you can count on”

News: Eyewitness News

Previous News: Newsline 9, Mid Florida News

Etc.: Became the dominant TV news operation in Central Florida after knocking off Channels 2 and 6, claiming the top-rated newscast in 1978. … Has had the No. 1 early evening newscast ever since — an impressive streak of more than 30 years. … Ratings for its early-evening news are often higher than those of its competitors combined. … First local color TV newscast … Years later, in early 1980s, started the second 5:30 news in the market. … Also started the first 5 p.m. news in market, “Live at 5.” … Added the second station-owned Doppler radar in market, originaly called the “Live Early Warning Doppler 9000 Radar Network” (say that three times fast). … Airs 3-1/2 hours of local news on Saturday mornings and 2-1/2 hours on Sunday mornings. … Former anchors/reporters include Natalie Allen (CNN), Deborah Roberts (wife of Today weatherman Al Roker and formerly of 20/20), Wyatt Andrews (CBS), John Tesh (Entertainment Tonight). … Produces 10 p.m. newscast, Action News at 10, for sister station WRDQ-Channel 27.

Station History: Went on the air in February 1958 as WLOF — the third station in Central Florida behind WDBO-Channel 6 and WESH-Channel 2 … Call letters WLOF (We Love Orlando Florida) were shared with a popular radio station in town. Call letter were changed in 1963 to WFTV (Wonderful Florida Television.) … Long an also-ran among the Central Florida TV stations, the station’s fortunes turned in the late 1970s thanks in part to ABC’s strong ratings as well as a new tranmission tower that boosted the station’s signal … Bob Jordan, who came to WFTV as news director/anchor in the late 1970s, led Eyewitness News’ march to No. 1. Among his innovations was hiring the first female anchor in the market, Carole Nelson, to anchor the noon and co-anchor 6 p.m. news. Also oversaw the move to electronic news gathering equipment from film. … Jordan would leave WFTV, return again as anchor and news director in the 1980s, leave again and then return in the late 1990s to boost the station’s sagging news ratings back to their high levels. … Formed Orlando’s second duopoly when Cox acquired WRDQ-Channel 27. … On June 29, 2006, became the first station in Florida and the 10th in the nation to start broadcasting its local news in high definition.

Digital Subchannel Programming: WFTV airs its Early Warning Doppler 9 HD weather radar and traffic reports on digital channel 9.2. It previously aired ABC News Now, when it was available during its test phase in 2004-05

WFTV Through the Years in Photos

Channel 9 History Video

Recent Videos: Eyewitness News in HD at noon opening Eyewitness News at 11 p.m. promo Classic Videos: 2006 – Eyewitness News at 6 p.m. opening 2006 – Eyewitness News at 6 p.m. anchor intro 2006 – Eyewitness News “on the money” promo 2004 – Eyewitness News at 6 p.m. opening 2004 – Hurricane Charley: 105 mph wind gust (Aug. 13) 2004 – Hurricane Charley: Storm rocks downtown (Aug. 13) 2004 – Hurricane Charley: Power on and off (Aug. 13) 2004 – Hurricane Charley: Weather Center crew (Aug. 13) 2003 – Eyewitness News at 6 p.m. opening 2003 – Eyewitness News at 6 p.m. anchor opening – Opsahl-Salt 2003 – Eyewitness News “Coverage You Can Count On” promo 2003 – Eyewitness News at 6 p.m. anchor opening – Opsahl-Weech 2002 – Eyewitness News at 5:30 p.m. opening 2002 – Eyewitness News at 6 p.m. talent opening 2002 – Eyewitness News “Best Newscast in America” promo

2000 – Eyewitness News at 6 p.m. 1997 – Eyewitness News at 11 p.m. 1997 – 3 Eyewitness News promos, including “SkyZoom” 1991 – Weatherman Danny Treanor on Eyewitness News 1991 – Eyewitness News Brief 1991 – Eyewitness News at 6 p.m. opening 1990 – Eyewitness News Weekend 1990 – Eyewitness News at 5 p.m. promo 1990 – Eyewitness News afternoon News Brief 1989 – Eyewitness News at 11 p.m. opening 1984 – Eyewitness News Advantage promo 1983 – Eyewitness News at Noon With Martie Salt 1982 – Eyewitness News at 6 1982 – Eyewitness News at 5:30 1978 – Eyewitness News at Noon With Carole Nelson 1978 – Eyewitness News at 11 “Classical Gas” opening 1977 – Eyewitness News Weekend close 1977 – Eyewitness News Weekend sports story 1977 – Eyewitness News coverage of NFL draft Part 1 1977 – Eyewitness News coverage of NFL draft Part 2

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