RogerSimmons.com | Orlando TV News

the news about Orlando TV news

WFTV-9

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, Eyewitness

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 HISTORY IN PICTURES
(click on any image below to see the complete gallery)

WFTV-Channel 9 Pictures

WFTV HISTORY IN VIDEO

9 Responses to WFTV-9

  1. Erik Stone says:
    August 28, 2009 at 4:46 pm

    Would You Like To Put Up The 1987 Video Open Of WFTV-TV’s Channel 9 Eyewitness News At 6 For Me, Please?

  2. Erik Stone says:
    January 7, 2010 at 1:37 pm

    Can You Put Up The Nov. 1985 Video Open Of WFTV-TV’s Channel 9 Eyewitness News At 6, Please?

  3. Erik Stone says:
    January 14, 2010 at 3:17 pm

    Can You Put Up The Jul. 1983 Video Open Of WFTV-TV’s Channel 9 Eyewitness News Tonight For Me, Please?

  4. w.c.wiyda says:
    June 12, 2010 at 5:33 am

    where’s ben?

  5. Eda Lynn Gronli says:
    October 3, 2010 at 8:57 pm

    This is for your sports department. I would like to invite your team to attend the Florida Dart Association’s annual State Team Competition. This year is our 27th year compteting and 24 teams from the state will be vying to win the coveted title of best of Florida. The Central Florida Dart Association (CFDA) has won the last two years and is in strong contention to win a third title this year. This event is being held at the Ramada Celebration Resort October 8th thru the 10th. I would love an email address I can send more information to.

  6. Debbie E. Scott says:
    February 5, 2011 at 4:01 pm

    I am looking for assistance as to my husband’s appearance on The Bozo the Clown Shown on WFTV 9 when he was litte….can you direct me to the appropriate place to stat me search in the archives for the show, the date, and possible film of the program. I am trying to find it for a gift for my husband your help would be appreciated. Thank you Debbie Scott
    4070790-4559

  7. Dennis Beek says:
    April 11, 2011 at 8:07 am

    greetings wftv news , I’ve been watching your news for about 21 years. lately I have found myself turning to other channels news programs because of wftv’s constant coverage of casey anthony. whenever the news comes on now I find myself jumping up for the remote to change the channel to avoid seeing her in the news again. my friends and I cannot understand why wftv devote so much time to her new found fame.

  8. Vickie Limpus says:
    June 13, 2011 at 3:11 pm

    I am over the continued all day media coverage of the Casey Anthony trial. Updates are fine but all day is a LOT too much. Saving money on electric as my TV is off all day until this is over.

  9. Erik Stone says:
    April 6, 2012 at 8:45 pm

    How Would You Like To Post A Video Clip Of WFTV-TV’s Together On Channel 9 Video Promo From Late 1986, Please?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CAPTCHA Image

*

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>