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WLVI (channel 56) is a television station licensed to Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, serving the Boston area as an affiliate of The CW. It is owned by Sunbeam Television alongside WHDH (channel 7), an independent station. WLVI and WHDH share studios at Bulfinch Place (near Government Center) in downtown Boston; through a channel sharing agreement, the two stations transmit using WHDH's spectrum from the WHDH-TV tower in Newton, Massachusetts.

Key Information

Channel 56 is Boston's oldest UHF station, with roots dating to 1953 and having been in continuous operation since 1966. In addition to syndicated entertainment programs, the station was notable for producing a variety of local children's and sports programs, and in the late 1960s and between 1984 and 2006, it produced local newscasts.

History

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WTAO-TV

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On December 19, 1952, the Middlesex Broadcasting Company, owners of WTAO (740 AM) and WXHR (96.9 FM), applied for a construction permit to build a new television station in Cambridge, using Boston's allocated channel 56, which would originate from studios and transmitter atop Zion Hill in Woburn. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted the permit on March 11, 1953.[2] After having broadcast a test pattern since August 31, WTAO-TV debuted on September 27, 1953, as Boston's third television outlet and first on the UHF band.[3]

Our situation differs from the case of those who have gone dark before us only in the fact that we should have properly taken this step months ago.

Station president Frank Lyman, Jr.[4]

An affiliate of the DuMont Television Network with occasional ABC programs, the station suffered from its position on the UHF band—as, in the days before the All-Channel Receiver Act, not all TV sets could receive UHF stations. After DuMont eliminated entertainment programming in 1955 and with most ABC output airing on WNAC-TV (channel 7), the small station became reliant on movies and limited local programming to fill its airtime.[5] On March 30, 1956, the station quit telecasting: its last program was a ceremony marking its departure from the air, with Massachusetts lieutenant governor Sumner G. Whittier delivering an address.[6] It was the 58th UHF to fold, with president Frank Lyman, Jr., blaming the intermixture of VHF and UHF stations in the market.[4]

Despite its closure, WTAO-TV retained its construction permit. Harvey Radio Laboratories acquired the radio and television stations in 1959, and in 1962, Harvey loaned the station to the Archdiocese of Boston.[7] The channel broadcast a demonstration program that November 10 of what viewers, particularly clergy, could expect from the Catholic TV Center.[8] The archdiocese later built WIHS-TV channel 38, which began telecasting in 1964. On April 12, 1965, WTAO-TV changed its call letters to WXHR-TV.[2]

The Kaiser and Field years

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In June 1966, Harvey Radio Laboratories sold its entire Boston-area broadcasting operation to Kaiser Broadcasting.[9] Kaiser then sold 50 percent to The Boston Globe.[10]

Kaiser ordered $3 million in new RCA equipment to outfit a new channel 56 on an old construction permit.[11] The new station also made a major push into sports, with away games of the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.[12] The Kaiser-Globe partnership began operating the radio stations in November 1966,[13] and under new WKBG-TV call letters,[2] channel 56 returned to the air on December 21, 1966[14]—two days after the opening ceremonies, because the station was hit with last-minute technical delays due to bad weather.[15][16]

Little except the transmitter site was retained from the prior WTAO-TV.[17] The effective radiated power at launch was 282,000 watts, up from 20,000, and a second boost came months after launch.[2] After briefly operating from temporary quarters[18] at 1050 Commonwealth Avenue in Brookline, the Kaiser-Globe partnership purchased a former supermarket next to the newspaper in Dorchester in 1968 and built a $2.25 million studio facility on the property,[19] which was completed in 1969.[20] This came alongside a move of the transmitter from Woburn to Needham on a tower shared with WSBK-TV (the former WIHS-TV),[21] further expanding the station's signal and filling in gaps to the south and west.[22] Despite all of this investment, WKBG-TV had lost nearly $11 million from its launch to November 1970.[23]

By 1969, WSBK-TV had secured both the Bruins and Celtics; when it had to choose one or the other, WKBG had opted for the Celtics, only for the Bruins to become resurgent on channel 38 and the Celtics to falter. It also aired telecasts of the World Hockey Association's New England Whalers from 1972 to 1974.[24]

After having cut from 50 to 10 percent ownership in 1968,[25] in 1974, the Globe sold its share in WKBG back to Kaiser in exchange for a $500,000 note and $270,000 in advertising credit for the station; the newspaper recorded a $289,000 loss on its broadcasting investment.[26] The call letters were then changed to the current WLVI-TV (reflecting the Roman numeral for 56, LVI) on May 1,[27] in part because WKBG was being confused with other local stations in ratings diaries.[28]

Kaiser Broadcasting merged with Chicago-based Field Communications in 1973 as part of a joint venture between the companies. In 1977, Kaiser sold its interest in the stations to Field for $42.625 million, making Field the sole owner of WLVI.[29] In the late 1970s, Lucie Salhany—later the chair of Fox and one of the creators of UPN—worked as the station's program director.[30]

Gannett ownership

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In case you forgot where I'm from, I was raised on Peking ravioli, 99 Restaurant, channel 56 and the Coffee Coolatta.

Mindy Kaling, a native of Cambridge[31]

In 1983, WLVI was sold to the Gannett Company—primarily an owner of network-affiliated stations—as part of a liquidation of Field's television assets. The $47 million winning bid beat out a $44 million offer from a group of investors that included channel 56's general manager.[32] To purchase WLVI, Gannett had to divest itself of one of its two UHF stations; it ended up selling both WPTA in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and WLKY-TV in Louisville, Kentucky, to Pulitzer Publishing.[33] Under Gannett, WLVI continued its general entertainment format. This included a running tradition of children's programming. In the 1970s and 1980s, "Uncle Dale" Dorman (also a popular Boston radio personality) hosted the cartoons via off-screen announcements.[34] A WLVI Kids Club was established in January 1990; by that July, it had 65,000 members across New England and as far as Long Island.[35]

From 1985 to 1990, WLVI again became the carrier of the Boston Celtics road games after it made a five-year, $12.5 million deal with the team.[36] Although it was one of the strongest independent stations in the country, it passed on the Fox affiliation when that network launched in 1986; Fox then purchased WXNE, which became WFXT.[37] After a limited partnership including the Celtics acquired that station in 1989, the team's games moved to channel 25 in 1990.[38] By 1993, with competition from WFXT and WSBK for news in the planning stages and no marquee sports programming, the station was seen as lacking an identity.[39]

WB affiliation and Tribune Company ownership

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Refer to caption
The "Boston's WB" logo remains visible, though beaten by the elements, on a pylon at the former Morrissey Boulevard studios of WLVI in this 2019 photo, along with a Kaiser-era "56" logo on one side of the pylon

In November 1993, Gannett sold the station to the Tribune Company's broadcasting division,[40] which was finalized in early 1994. The day before the sale had been announced, Tribune had revealed the creation of WB Television Network, of which WLVI was announced as an affiliate;[41] the network launched January 11, 1995. The station also served as the default WB affiliate for Providence, Rhode Island—where WLVI had been available on cable for decades—until WLWC signed on in 1997, remaining on Providence's cable system as late as 2003.[42] WLVI's newscasts continued to air on Rhode Island cable as late as 2012.[43]

The station briefly went off the air in August 1998, when a crane that was erecting a nearby studio-to-transmitter link (STL) tower collapsed onto WLVI's studio building. Though no one was injured and the damage was confined to the station's office spaces, the incident resulted in several hundred thousand dollars' worth of damage. The station used a satellite truck for a network programming downlink and studio space at WCVB-TV (channel 5)'s facilities in Needham for its 10 p.m. newscast.[44]

In the late 1990s, WLVI twice attempted to court rights to be the flagship station of the Boston Red Sox. A proposal was put together and initially agreed with Kevin Dunn, who headed a $67 million bid, but investors pulled out, and the Red Sox ended up spending three seasons on WABU (channel 68).[45] Three years later, Kevin Dunn was successful in obtaining the rights through a company known as JCS[46] on a two-year contract.[47] However, the JCS partnership ended in financial failure, and WFXT displaced JCS and WLVI after just one year when JCS could not come up with the full 1999 rights payment.[48]

In the Early 2000s, the station became the home of the New England Revolution starting with the Team's 2001 season, but later lost the rights for the team's telecasts to WSBK during the team's 2006 season.

CW affiliation and Sunbeam purchase

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The CW logo in light green on left next to a 56 in a sans-serif typeface
WLVI logo used from December 18, 2006, until 2013

On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Time Warner's Warner Bros. Entertainment (the division that operated The WB) announced that they would dissolve UPN and The WB, and combine UPN and The WB's most popular programs alongside new series on a newly created network, The CW, which launched September 18, 2006. The network signed 10-year affiliation agreements with 16 of Tribune's 19 WB affiliates, including WLVI, even though CBS owned WSBK.[49][50]

A roadside sign with "Boston's CW" logo and street address, and the WLVI logo pylon visible in the distance
The Morrissey Blvd. studio site showing both the WB and CW branding (2023)

As this was going on, however, Tribune was attempting to improve its balance sheet as part of a "performance improvement plan" that called for $500 million in asset sales.[51] On September 14, 2006, four days prior to the launch of The CW, Tribune Broadcasting announced that WLVI would be sold to Sunbeam Television, owner of then-NBC affiliate WHDH-TV, for $117.3 million.[52] The sale was announced to employees the day some received new "Boston's CW" business cards.[53] The sale received FCC approval in late November 2006, creating the Boston market's third television duopoly (after CBS-owned WBZ-TV and WSBK, and Hearst-owned WCVB-TV and Manchester, New Hampshire-based WMUR-TV). Tribune continued to operate WLVI until December 18, 2006, when the final Tribune-produced newscast aired.[54]

The sale to Sunbeam took effect the following day. In buying WLVI, it acquired the license, transmitter facility, and programming rights. Except for a few technicians, the station's staff was laid off; the operations that remained were consolidated with WHDH.[53] The Morrissey Boulevard building has remained vacant since the acquisition; in 2007, a lease on the site was described as a "tough sell".[55] The site was later purchased by car dealer Herb Chambers (who proposed a new car dealership on the site[56]); in 2020 and 2021, plans were proposed for redevelopment of the site and, in future phases, adjacent parcels.[57] As of 2022, a decaying "Boston's CW" sign graces the entrance to the property, while a dilapidated "Boston's WB" sign remains visible atop the pylon on the studio building, a site the Dorchester Reporter community newspaper described as "verging on eyesore status".[58]

News operation

[edit]

Early attempts

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At WTAO-TV's inception, the station aired two fifteen-minute evening newscasts, at 6 and 10:30 pm, branded as United Press News and anchored by Bob Merhmann. These newscasts were canceled within two years.[5]

On December 1, 1969, WKBG-TV debuted a half-hour 10 p.m. newscast, called Ten PM News; the first prime time newscast on a commercial television station in the market. The newscast was anchored by Boston news veteran Arch MacDonald, who was lured away from WBZ-TV, where he had been a news anchor for two decades.[59] It is also notable for being the first on-screen job for Natalie Jacobson, who went on to become lead anchor at WCVB-TV in the 1970s. Despite a loyal audience and ratings that were competitive with the network affiliates,[60] WKBG lost a considerable amount of money on the newscast and shut the news department down in November 1970.[23] MacDonald remained at the station for another year to host a weekday morning interview program; he took a position with the then-new WCVB in 1972.[61]

Return to late news (1984–2006)

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Field Communications started a news department shortly before putting WLVI up for sale. In 1982, it began producing a 10 p.m. weeknight newscast, which initially was a pair of ten-minute locally produced inserts in what otherwise was an hour-long simulcast of CNN Headline News.[62] Rumors of expansion were immediate upon the Gannett expansion;[63] WLVI expanded it into a half-hour broadcast on April 23, 1984, originally on weeknights only. Debuting as The News at Ten, it established itself with top-drawer talent early on with Boston news veteran Jack Hynes as lead anchor and Bill O'Connell handling sports.[60]

During its first three years on the air, The News at Ten was accompanied at 10:30 p.m. by the continuation of cable news service simulcasts. CNN Headline News aired in the timeslot following the local half-hour news, as it did prior to the latter's debut. In January 1986, Headline News was replaced in favor of the nationally syndicated Independent Network News, which was produced by WPIX in New York City.[64] When WLVI's one-year contract with INN expired, the station expanded the weeknight broadcast of The News at Ten to one hour on January 26, 1987; that week, it also began broadcasting hourlong weekend newscasts.[65]

For well over a decade, WLVI was the ratings leader in the 10 p.m. timeslot, with or without news competition in the arena. The only other Boston station producing a newscast in that time period was WGBH-TV; that effort ended in 1991. On February 1, 1993, WLVI rebranded its newscasts as The Ten O'Clock News—a less confusing title that had been used by WGBH.[66] That fall, however, legitimate competition sprang up for The Ten O'Clock News. Fox affiliate WFXT (channel 25) debuted the New England Cable News-produced Fox 25 News at Ten on September 7, 1993, while WSBK-TV introduced the WBZ-produced WBZ News 4 on TV 38 on October 25.[67] The latter stations aggressively marketed their fledgling newscasts, and a three-way race ensued with the stations running close in the ratings.[68]

At the same time, Jack Hynes relegated himself to weekend anchor and commentator/substitute anchor on weekdays, paving the way for future lead anchors Jon Du Pre (1993–95, later of Fox News Channel),[69] and Jeff Barnd (1995–2002). While Barnd developed a strong following with viewers, he also became known for his joking in-between stories and tendencies to ad-lib. One such occurrence of this behavior in September 2001, just days after the September 11 attacks, shocked local media outlets, in which Barnd jumped from his anchor chair and started dancing around the set after presenting the top story. Barnd was subsequently disciplined by station management after the incident.[70] In 2002, the station parted ways with Barnd, seeking a return to a more serious newscast.[71]

Another mainstay of WLVI's newscasts was chief meteorologist Mike Wankum, who first joined the station in 1993.[72] Boston Globe columnist Jon Keller, who joined the same year,[73] was also a fixture for over a decade as the station's political analyst. In 2005, Keller departed WLVI to become the new chief political reporter and analyst for WBZ-TV.[74]

The only time WLVI programmed news outside its established late evening time slot was in June 2000, when it premiered Boston's WB in the Morning. Formatted as a mix of news, talk and lifestyle features, the show aired from 6 to 8 am.[75] The program lasted two years; despite expanding to three hours during its run, it could not hold its own against the other local and national morning news programs, and it was canceled in April 2002,[76] taking with it 17 jobs.[77]

By 2002, when Boston's WB in the Morning ended, WLVI's 10 p.m. newscast had slipped to second in the ratings behind WFXT, which had established its own local news service in 1996.[76] After Barnd left, Frank Mallicoat, who had joined the station in 1991 as a weekend sports anchor[78] and would go on to host the morning show before replacing Jack Hynes as weekend anchor,[79] was tapped to replace him on the program.[71] However, WFXT had firmly established itself as the 10 p.m. news leader in Boston.[80] By the time of the Sunbeam sale, due to the increasing popularity of the WFXT newscast and Tribune's closure of news departments at its stations in Philadelphia and San Diego, there were unconfirmed rumors and speculation that Tribune would shut down the WLVI news department and have the newscast outsourced to another station or even canceled altogether.[51]

7 News at 10

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Further information: WHDH (TV) § News operation

If Tribune wanted to sell the station, they should have sold it to someone who was going to maintain it. All Channel 7 is going to do is close it down and 150 people are out of work the week before Christmas.

Jack Hynes, WLVI-TV news anchor from 1984 to 2006, on the Sunbeam purchase[54]

When Sunbeam took over, having not assumed much of WLVI's staff, a 10 p.m. newscast from WHDH began to air on channel 56. In its first sweeps period, it attracted less than a quarter of the viewership of WFXT.[81] However, the program endured. In 2009, the newscast was the first in Boston to have a permanent lineup of two female anchors.[82]

In 2017, when WHDH disaffiliated from NBC, that station also began airing the 10 p.m. newscast. It had previously threatened to do so in 2009 and pre-empt The Jay Leno Show.[83]

Notable former on-air staff

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Technical information

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Subchannels

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WHDH and WLVI broadcast from a tower in Newton, Massachusetts.[1] The stations' signals are multiplexed:

Subchannels of WHDH and WLVI[86]
License Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
WHDH 7.1 1080i 16:9 WHDH Independent
7.2 480i DEFY Defy
WLVI 56.1 1080i WLVI The CW
56.2 480i 4:3 BUZZR Buzzr

Analog-to-digital conversion

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WLVI shut down its analog signal, over UHF channel 56, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. The station's digital signal continued to broadcast on its pre-transition UHF channel 41.[87][88]

Spectrum reallocation

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On February 15, 2017, Sunbeam Television owner Ed Ansin told The Boston Globe that he had sold WLVI's broadcast frequency in the FCC's spectrum auction for an undisclosed amount he described as "a lot of money";[89] this was later revealed by the FCC as a market-high figure of $162.1 million.[90] The station has continued operations on virtual channel 56 through a channel-share arrangement with sister station WHDH, which took effect on January 9, 2018.[91]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

WLVI

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
WLVI, 56 (UHF digital channel 35), is a television station licensed to , , serving the Boston area as an affiliate of network. The station is owned by as part of a duopoly with WHDH (channel 7), with both sharing studios at 7 Bulfinch Place in Boston's Government Center and a transmitter atop a tower in the Needham suburb. WLVI broadcasts a mix of syndicated programming, network shows, and content produced by WHDH, including the weeknight 7News at 10 newscast, which has aired on the station since 2009. Founded on September 27, 1953, as WTAO-TV, WLVI has undergone several changes and ownership transitions over its history. It initially operated as a affiliate with secondary ABC ties before going off the air in 1956 due to financial difficulties, only to relaunch in 1966 as WKBG-TV under Kaiser Broadcasting and (which had acquired the station in 1965 and changed the call sign from WXHR-TV the prior year). Subsequent owners included Field Communications (acquired 1977), Gannett (1983), and (1994), during which it became a affiliate in 1995 and adopted its current WLVI call letters in 1974. In 2006, Tribune sold WLVI to for $113.7 million, forming the duopoly with WHDH and transitioning its affiliation to upon the network's launch that year; the sale was completed on December 18, 2006. (WHDH lost its affiliation and became independent in 2017.) Notable events include a 1998 crane accident that damaged its studios and the discontinuation of standalone local newscasts in 2006, with news operations now integrated with WHDH. WLVI completed its digital transition in February 2007, with analog signals ceasing on June 12, 2009, and remains operational as of 2025, providing entertainment and shared news coverage to viewers.

Overview

Licensing and operations

WLVI is a television station licensed by the to , where it primarily serves the Boston market and surrounding areas. The station operates on virtual channel 56, mapping to physical UHF digital channel 35. WLVI signed on the air for the first time on September 27, 1953, marking it as one of Boston's early UHF outlets. It has maintained a continuous presence since its full relaunch in 1966 after an earlier hiatus and temporary operation in 1962. The station has held an affiliation with network since the network's launch in September 2006, carrying its programming as the Boston market's primary CW affiliate. WLVI's transmitter is situated at the UHF candelabra tower in , approximately 10 miles southwest of . Operating with an of 1000 kW and an antenna height above average terrain of 315 meters (1035 ft), the station's signal provides robust coverage across and extends into southern , eastern , and parts of and . In addition to its standalone operations, WLVI shares and transmission facilities with WHDH under a channel-sharing agreement on physical channel 35, effective as part of the 2017-2020 .

Ownership and facilities

Corporation has owned WLVI since December 19, 2006, when it completed the acquisition from for $113.7 million. Prior to Sunbeam's ownership, WLVI changed hands several times:
  • Kaiser Broadcasting, in partnership with , acquired the station in 1965 and held majority control until 1977.
  • Field Communications purchased Kaiser's interest in September 1977 and owned the station outright until 1983.
  • Gannett Company bought WLVI in 1983 for $47 million as part of Field's asset liquidation.
  • acquired it from Gannett in 1994 for approximately $25 million.
WLVI shares master control and news production facilities with sister station WHDH at 7 Bulfinch Place in , a consolidation that began in 2006 following Sunbeam's acquisition of the station. The station's former studios at 75 Morrissey Boulevard in have stood vacant since WLVI's relocation in 2006. The site was acquired by the Companies, which proposed redevelopment plans in 2020 and 2021, including residential towers; local reporting in described the property as empty and in poor shape, verging on eyesore status.

History

Origins as WTAO-TV (1953–1956)

WTAO-TV signed on the air on September 27, 1953, as channel 56, becoming Boston's first UHF television station and the market's third overall outlet after VHF stations and WNAC-TV. Owned by the Middlesex Broadcasting Company—a of Harvey Radio Laboratories—the station shared facilities with its sister properties, WTAO radio (740 AM) and WXHR (96.9 FM), with studios and transmitter located in . It operated as a commercial independent with primary affiliation to the and a secondary tie to ABC, though network programming was limited due to the era's focus on VHF dominance. The station's early schedule featured a mix of older films, syndicated series, travelogues, and local productions, including brief 15-minute newscasts at 6:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. read directly from a studio camera without film support. Notable broadcasts included ABC's NFL football games and DuMont staples like Captain Video, but overall content struggled to attract viewers amid the scarcity of UHF-equipped television sets in the Boston area. By 1955, advertising rates had fallen from $375 to $250 per spot, reflecting poor revenue generation as the station competed unsuccessfully against established VHF competitors. Financial difficulties and the broader challenges of UHF broadcasting—such as signal propagation issues and low set penetration—led to the station's closure. WTAO-TV suspended operations on March 30, 1956, with its final broadcast a ceremonial sign-off attended by Sumner G. Whittier, protesting FCC policies on channel allocations. The license was briefly reactivated later that year as WXHR-TV for a six-month FCC UHF study under the original owners, broadcasting limited test programming from Zion Hill, before returning to dormancy. It remained dormant until acquired by new owners in 1965, with full operations relaunching in 1966.

Kaiser and Field eras (1965–1983)

In 1965, the dormant channel 56 license was acquired by Kaiser Broadcasting in partnership with newspaper, leading to the station's revival as an independent outlet focused on general entertainment programming. The call letters had been changed to WXHR-TV in 1965; upon signing on as WKBG-TV on October 18, 1966, offering a mix of syndicated series, classic films, and local content aimed at competing with established VHF stations in the . Under Kaiser ownership, WKBG-TV emphasized affordable, family-oriented fare, including off-network sitcoms, cartoons, and older movies to build viewership among UHF audiences. A notable program was Creature Double Feature, a Saturday afternoon horror movie showcase hosted by Dale "Uncle Dale" Dorman that aired from 1972 through the 1980s, featuring B-movie classics and drawing strong local interest. The station also ventured into sports broadcasting, securing rights to telecast away games of the Boston Celtics and , which helped establish its presence in the competitive sports scene. On May 1, 1974, following the Globe's sale of its stake back to , the call letters were changed to WLVI-TV, with "LVI" referencing the Roman numeral for 56 to better align with the channel number and avoid confusion with other stations. This coincided with efforts to strengthen the independent format amid growing from cable and other UHF rivals. Broadcasting had entered a with Chicago-based Field Communications in 1973. In 1977, sold its interest to Field, which assumed full control of WLVI while retaining its independent programming strategy. Field's management focused on operational efficiencies and expanded syndicated content, leading to improved financial performance through the early . However, amid broader industry shifts, Field announced the sale of WLVI to Gannett Company in June 1983 for $47 million, marking the end of its independent era under and Field.

Gannett ownership (1983–1993)

In October 1983, the Gannett Company completed its acquisition of WLVI from Field Communications for $47 million, as part of Field's broader of its television holdings. As an serving the , WLVI maintained a general entertainment format under Gannett ownership, emphasizing syndicated programming and local content to appeal to a broad audience. Gannett, primarily known for its network-affiliated television stations and extensive portfolio, shifted WLVI's operations toward increased news and talk programming during this period. This included the introduction of a morning show and expanded slots for popular syndicated series such as Wheel of Fortune. The news department saw significant growth, with the revival of late-night newscasts in 1984—detailed further in the station's news operation history—marking a renewed commitment to local journalism. By 1993, WLVI generated $28 million in annual revenue and employed approximately 125 staff members. In November 1993, Gannett announced the sale of WLVI to , reflecting the company's preference for network-affiliated properties over independents like WLVI. The transaction, valued at $25 million, was finalized in April 1994, allowing Gannett to streamline its broadcasting assets amid a focus on larger-market network stations and its core newspaper operations, including .

Tribune ownership and WB affiliation (1993–2006)

In November 1993, Gannett announced the sale of WLVI to for approximately $25 million, a transaction that was finalized on April 7, 1994. This marked 's entry into the , where the station had operated as an independent outlet under previous ownership. , already a major player in television , integrated WLVI into its growing portfolio of stations, leveraging the acquisition to expand its presence in one of the nation's top media markets. Under Tribune's stewardship, WLVI became a charter affiliate of , launching on January 11, 1995, as part of the joint venture between and . The affiliation aligned the station with The WB's strategy to target younger audiences through primetime programming, including youth-oriented dramas and comedies such as , which aired from 1997 to 2001. Complementing the network slate, WLVI's schedule featured syndicated movies during off-peak hours and select local sports broadcasts, notably serving as the flagship station for Boston Red Sox games in 1999 under a contract with Jankowski Communications Systems. These elements helped position WLVI as a vibrant alternative to the major network affiliates in the region. On August 4, 1998, a construction crane collapsed onto the station's Dorchester studios while installing a tower on a neighboring building, piercing the roof and knocking WLVI off the air for several hours; no injuries were reported, but it disrupted operations temporarily. The station's news operation reached its peak during this period, with The Ten O'Clock News serving as the flagship local newscast from 1993 through 2006, produced entirely in-house at WLVI's facilities. This program provided comprehensive coverage of Boston-area events, filling a niche for late-evening local in a competitive market. By the mid-2000s, however, faced mounting financial pressures from debt accumulated during its expansion, prompting a strategic divestiture of non-core assets. On September 14, 2006, Tribune announced the sale of WLVI to for $113.7 million, a move aligned with a broader plan to generate at least $500 million through asset sales to alleviate the company's burden. The transaction, which included only the station's operational assets, was completed on December 19, 2006, ending 's 12-year ownership and marking the conclusion of WLVI's independent era. The final in-house newscast aired the previous evening, transitioning news production responsibilities thereafter.

CW affiliation and Sunbeam acquisition (2006–present)

In January 2006, Time Warner and announced the formation of Television Network through the merger of and , with the new network set to launch on September 18, 2006. As the Boston market's WB affiliate, WLVI transitioned seamlessly to affiliation upon the network's debut, maintaining its programming schedule without interruption or loss of network status. Four days before The CW's launch, on September 14, 2006, Tribune Broadcasting announced the sale of WLVI to Sunbeam Television Corporation—the owner of NBC affiliate WHDH (channel 7)—for $113.7 million, creating Boston's third television duopoly. The Federal Communications Commission approved the transaction in November 2006, and the deal closed on December 19, 2006. Following the acquisition, Sunbeam integrated WLVI's operations with those of WHDH, relocating all production, sales, and administrative functions from WLVI's longtime Dorchester studios to WHDH's facilities at Bulfinch Place in downtown Boston; this shift ended WLVI's independent in-house news production, with most of its staff released as part of the consolidation. Under ownership, WLVI aligned its primetime schedule more closely with The CW's lineup of scripted dramas and reality series, while retaining a selection of syndicated programming such as talk shows and feature films to fill daytime and weekend slots. The station established a news partnership with WHDH, airing a 10 p.m. newscast produced by the . The former WLVI studios at 75 Morrissey Boulevard in were sold by after the relocation, and redevelopment proposals for the site emerged in subsequent years, including a 2012 plan to convert it into an automobile showroom and more recent multifamily housing initiatives. In 2023, the Boston Planning & Development Agency approved a master plan for a featuring lab, office, and residential buildings on the broader Morrissey Boulevard corridor, with detailed filings in 2025 for the first phase—including two 18-story apartment towers with 754 units—advancing without impacting WLVI's ongoing operations, which remain at the shared Bulfinch Place facility. Since the 2006 acquisition, WLVI has maintained stable ownership under , with no further changes in corporate structure or affiliation as of 2025, continuing as Boston's outlet alongside its integrated role in the duopoly.

Programming

Network affiliations

WLVI signed on as WTAO-TV on September 27, 1953, initially affiliated with the alongside a secondary ABC affiliation, though it carried only limited programming from either network during its brief run until January 1956. After a off the air, the station relaunched as WKBG-TV (later WLVI) in and operated as an , with no network ties, through multiple ownership transitions including Broadcasting, Field Communications, and Gannett until 1994. Tribune Broadcasting acquired WLVI in 1994 and aligned it with the launch of The WB Television Network, a between and Tribune Company. The station became Boston's WB affiliate on January 11, 1995, the network's debut date, committing to its primetime lineup of approximately 13 hours weekly across six nights. In January 2006, and announced a merger to form Television Network, a partnership between Warner Bros. Entertainment and . WLVI transitioned to affiliation on September 18, 2006, the network's launch, maintaining its focus on primetime programming now expanded to 14–15 hours weekly while holding no secondary network affiliations.

Syndicated and local programming

During its early years under Kaiser Broadcasting and later Field Communications ownership from 1965 to 1983, WLVI relied heavily on syndicated content to fill its schedule, including cartoons, off-network reruns, classic films, and daytime talk programs. This mix targeted a general audience with affordable, popular fare drawn from national syndicators, emphasizing family-oriented entertainment during non-prime hours. A standout local production during this period was , a Saturday afternoon block that debuted in 1973 and ran through 1983, showcasing back-to-back classic horror and monster movies such as those featuring , often introduced by Dale Dorman as "Uncle Dale." The program became a cultural staple in the area, fostering among viewers for its campy presentation of B-movies from the 1950s and 1960s. Following the shift to Gannett ownership in 1983 and in 1993, WLVI maintained a strong emphasis on syndicated entertainment, incorporating game shows, reality series, and additional off-network sitcoms to complement its affiliation until 2006. After becoming a affiliate in 2006 under , original local programming diminished significantly, with the station prioritizing network feeds and fulfilling FCC educational/informational (E/I) requirements through blocks like on weekend mornings, featuring teen-oriented documentaries on science, health, and adventure. This block, syndicated across stations, airs live-action series such as Made in Hollywood: Teen Edition and The Science of Surfing to meet mandated standards without station-specific production. As of 2025, WLVI's weekday schedule structures syndicated content around network primetime, with mornings dedicated to various talk shows, while afternoons feature court programs and sitcom reruns. Weekends continue the tradition of movies and sports highlights in off-peak slots, rounding out a lineup focused on accessible, non-news entertainment.

News operation

Early and independent news efforts (1969–1983)

In December 1969, during its ownership by Kaiser Broadcasting in partnership with The Boston Globe, WKBG-TV (channel 56) launched its first regular news program, a half-hour 10 p.m. newscast titled Ten PM News. Anchored by veteran Boston broadcaster Arch MacDonald, who had been recruited from WBZ-TV, the program marked the first prime time newscast attempt by an independent station in the Boston market. The newscast struggled with low viewership amid competition from established network affiliates and the challenges faced by UHF stations in gaining audience share. On November 12, 1970, Kaiser Broadcasting suspended news operations across its entire chain of independent stations, including WKBG-TV, leading to the program's cancellation after less than a year on air. This decision was driven by financial pressures and underwhelming ratings, resulting in the elimination of dedicated news departments at most of Kaiser's outlets except WKBD-TV in Detroit. Following the closure, WKBG-TV (which became WLVI in 1974 when The Boston Globe sold its share back to Kaiser Broadcasting) maintained only minimal news-related programming through the and early , prioritizing its independent entertainment format of syndicated shows, movies, and sports. Efforts were limited to occasional public affairs segments, such as brief commentary, produced with a small team focused primarily on weather updates and sports highlights rather than comprehensive reporting. By 1983, as Field prepared to sell the station, these independent news initiatives had effectively ceased, with no regular newscasts in place.

Revival and expansion under Gannett and Tribune (1984–2006)

Under Gannett ownership, WLVI relaunched its primetime newscast on April 23, 1984, as a 30-minute program titled The News at Ten, marking the station's third attempt at production and the first sustained effort in over a . The program debuted with veteran anchor Jack Hynes at the helm, leveraging his prior experience from WGBH-TV's Ten O'Clock News to build viewer familiarity in a competitive dominated by network affiliates. This relaunch included an expanded team of reporters, focusing on local stories to differentiate from established evening broadcasts on channels 4, 5, and 7. In June 2000, WLVI launched a weekday morning newscast titled Boston's WB in the Morning from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m., featuring , talk, and content; it was canceled in spring 2002 due to low ratings. Following Gannett's sale of the station to in 1993 for $47 million, the primetime newscast was rebranded as The Ten O'Clock News and extended to a full hour, positioning it as a direct competitor to network late-night programming. The program emphasized fast-paced reporting and local relevance, airing weeknights at 10 p.m. on the independent-turned-WB affiliate. During the late and early , The Ten O'Clock News achieved notable ratings success, establishing itself as a leading primetime newscast in and outpacing some network competitors in key demographics. For instance, in the May 1990 sweeps period, it garnered a 3.6 rating and 6 share, reflecting steady growth in viewership. This period saw investments in production capabilities to support live field reporting and aerial coverage, enhancing the program's competitive edge. The newscast concluded after 22 years on December 18, 2006, shortly after announced the $113.7 million sale of WLVI to on September 14, 2006, which shifted news production to a partnership model with WHDH. The final broadcast featured reflections from long-time staff, underscoring the operation's role in Boston's media landscape.

Partnership with WHDH (2006–present)

Following Sunbeam Television's acquisition of WLVI in December 2006, the station entered into a news production with co-owned WHDH, launching 7 News at 10 on December 19 of that year. The newscast was produced entirely by WHDH personnel from the stations' shared studios at 7 Bulfinch Place in , marking the end of WLVI's independent news operations. The program follows a fast-paced format typical of WHDH's style, consisting of a 35-minute broadcast that includes reports, forecasts, and sports updates. It has consistently achieved high viewership, establishing itself as one of Boston's leading 10 p.m. casts and outperforming competitors in key demographics. Subsequent expansions enhanced the partnership's reach, with digital streaming integration implemented after 2010 to accommodate growing online audiences. As of 2025, the arrangement continues without changes to the outsourced model, with 7 News at 10 airing weeknights on WLVI and relying fully on WHDH for production and staffing. A notable recent development occurred on November 4, 2025, when veteran anchor announced her departure from both stations effective at the end of 2025 after 25 years at WHDH, including co-anchoring the WLVI edition since its inception.

Notable on-air staff

WLVI's news operation has featured several notable on-air personalities whose contributions spanned decades and helped define the station's broadcasting legacy in . In the station's early independent years, began her career as a reporter and for WLVI (then WKBG-TV)'s short-lived Ten PM from 1969 to 1970, marking her entry into local television journalism before becoming a pioneering figure at . During the era (1993–2006), Jack Hynes served as the lead for The Ten O'Clock , anchoring the weekday and weekend editions from 1984 until the newscast's cancellation in December 2006 following the sale to . Known for his no-nonsense delivery and longevity in a competitive market, Hynes co-anchored the weekend show as late as 2001, contributing to the program's reputation for reliable late-night coverage. Sports coverage during this period was led by , who joined WLVI as sports director in 1992 and remained until 1997, providing play-by-play and analysis for local teams while also hosting sports radio segments on WEEI-AM. Later in the Tribune years, Mike Ratte anchored sports for nearly nine years, delivering reports through the final broadcast in 2006. Under the WHDH partnership since 2006, has been a cornerstone of WLVI's 7 News at 10, co-anchoring the newscast after helping launch it upon Sunbeam's acquisition of the station. Joining WHDH in 2000, Khazei anchored multiple evening slots across both stations, including 5, 6, 10, and 11 p.m. on WHDH and 10 p.m. on WLVI, amassing over 25 years of service before departing at the end of 2025. Her tenure included coverage of major stories, earning her multiple /New England Emmy Awards, including recognition for anchoring in 2019. She was frequently paired with co-anchor Adam Williams for the WLVI broadcasts.

Technical information

Subchannels

WLVI's primary , 56.1, carries the main feed of network in high definition at 1080i resolution and a 16:9 , a format adopted following the station's full conversion to in 2009. The station's secondary subchannel, 56.2, is affiliated with , a digital multicast network dedicated to classic game shows such as Match Game and . This subchannel airs in standard definition at resolution and a 4:3 . As of November 2025, WLVI operates only these two subchannels, with no additional multicast services; the capability for subchannels was enabled by the 2009 digital transition.

Analog-to-digital transition

The (FCC) required all full-power U.S. television stations to terminate analog broadcasts and fully transition to digital by June 12, 2009, as mandated by the and Public Safety Act of 2005, which delayed an earlier deadline to allow for consumer preparation. WLVI-TV complied with this mandate, signing off its on UHF channel 56 at 11:56 p.m. on , 2009, ending over 55 years of analog transmission from its Needham tower site. The station's , operating on UHF channel 41, had been active since the completion of its permanent facilities in February 2007, building on earlier FCC-mandated digital testing phases that began for many stations in the early 2000s. In preparation for the switchover, the FCC implemented the Analog Nightlight program, allowing select stations to provide temporary low-power analog service for up to 30 days post-transition to educate remaining over-the-air analog viewers on accessing digital signals via converter boxes or new equipment; however, WLVI did not participate in this initiative, opting for a full flash-cut to digital. The transition proceeded smoothly for WLVI, with no major service disruptions reported in the , enabling immediate upgrades to high-definition programming and enhanced signal coverage across and southern . Engineering the shift required substantial investment, with WLVI's equipment upgrades— including new transmitters, antennas, and encoding systems—aligning with industry standards estimating costs at $1–2 million for similar full-power UHF stations. Post-transition, the station introduced additional digital subchannels to expand multicast offerings.

Spectrum reallocation and channel sharing

In the 2016–2017 (FCC) incentive auction, WLVI participated by relinquishing its UHF spectrum on physical channel 41, receiving $162.1 million from the proceeds in April 2017. This auction aimed to repurpose broadcast spectrum for services, with broadcasters like , WLVI's owner, opting to sell to clear 84 MHz nationwide. Following the auction, WLVI entered a channel sharing agreement with WHDH, relocating its operations to WHDH's physical channel 35 by January 2018 as part of the post-auction repacking process. The transition occurred without service interruptions, allowing WLVI to maintain its full market coverage in the area while sharing transmission facilities in . This arrangement reduced operational costs for by eliminating WLVI's separate transmitter expenses. The channel sharing enabled WLVI to continue broadcasting its primary CW-affiliated feed on virtual channel 56.1 and subchannel on 56.2 via the shared facility, preserving programming availability for viewers. As of 2025, the agreement remains stable, with no additional auctions impacting WLVI's operations.

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