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Wikipedia

WVPX-TV

April 14, 2024

"WAKR-TV" redirects here. Not to be confused with WKAR-TV.

WVPX-TV (channel 23) is a television station licensed to Akron, Ohio, United States, serving the Cleveland area as an affiliate of Ion Television. Owned by Inyo Broadcast Holdings, it is jointly operated with Canton-licensed Bounce TV affiliate WDLI-TV (channel 17), which transmits using WVPX-TV's full-power spectrum via a channel sharing agreement.[1]

WVPX-TV
CityAkron, Ohio
Channels
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
  • Inyo Broadcast Holdings
  • (Inyo Broadcast Licenses LLC)
WDLI-TV
History
First air date
June 7, 1953
(70 years ago) (1953-06-07)
Former call signs
  • WAKR-TV (1953–1986)
  • WAKC-TV (1986–1998)
Former channel number(s)
  • Analog: 49 (UHF, 1953–1967), 23 (UHF, 1967–2009)
  • Digital: 59 (UHF, until 2009), 23 (UHF, 2009–2019)
  • ABC (1953–1997)
  • inTV (1997–1998)
Call sign meaning
Pax TV[2]
Technical information[3]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID70491
ERP950 kW
HAAT290.32 meters (952 ft)
Transmitter coordinates41°3′20″N 81°35′37″W / 41.05556°N 81.59361°W / 41.05556; -81.59361
Links
Public license information
  • Public file
  • LMS
Websiteiontelevision.com

Built and signed on by S. Bernard Berk's Summit Radio Corporation, this station originally was WAKR-TV—the television extension of WAKR—and positioned itself with a focus primarily on Akron even as it also covered the Greater Cleveland television market.[4] From their 1953 establishment until 1996, the station was one of two primary ABC-TV affiliates within the Cleveland market, current primary affiliate WEWS-TV being the other.[5] Denied what would have originally been a VHF license, WAKR-TV's competitiveness was negatively impacted throughout this era by financial shortfalls and continuous ratings issues,[6] even with a move from channel 49 to channel 23 in 1967,[7] and eventual market-wide carriage on cable systems.[8] Becoming WAKC-TV in 1986 after WAKR was sold,[9] the station remained in the hands of the Berk family until 1994, when it was sold to home-shopping broadcast chain ValueVision, but retained the ABC affiliation and local programming.[10] A subsequent sale to Paxson Communications (now Ion Media) resulted in all newscast production ceasing immediately upon consummation on February 28, 1996,[11] and disaffiliation from ABC at years' end;[12] these moves made Akron the largest city in Ohio without a traditional television network affiliate or commercial television newscast.[13]

Renamed WVPX-TV, the station has been an affiliate of Ion Television since it launched under the Pax TV name on August 31, 1998,[14] and was owned and operated by the network until 2021.[15] WKYC owner Gannett operated the station from 2001 until 2005, producing a daily half-hour Akron newscast during this period. WVPX-TV and WDLI-TV currently share studios on Renaissance Parkway in Warrensville Heights and transmitter facilities on Ohio SR 261 in Norton, Ohio.[16]

WAKR-TV (1953–1986) edit

Frozen out of VHF edit

See also: WAKR
 
WAKR-TV's original 120-foot (37 m) transmitter mast was on the roof of the current Huntington Tower (pictured in 2012).[17]

In early December 1947, Summit Radio Corporation, the family-owned business of S. Bernard Berk and owners of WAKR (1590 AM) and WAKR-FM (97.5)—and Allen Simmons, owner of radio station WADC (1350 AM)—filed competing applications with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for what was initially seen as the lone television channel assigned to Akron, originally intended as a VHF license on channel 11.[18] The applications were filed at the same time WEWS-TV had commenced operations as the first television station in Ohio.[19] Both applications remained under review and went before a commission hearing on July 15, 1948,[20] and WAKR had gone so far as to make a purchase order for VHF transmitting equipment from RCA,[21] before the FCC implemented a freeze on any additional television licenses that September 30, while it studied the possibility of adding additional channels via the UHF band.[22]

After the release of the FCC's Sixth Report and Order lifted the freeze in 1952, the Commission reassigned the proposed Akron license from a VHF signal to one of two potential UHF signals,[23] as channel 11 was no longer available in order to protect what would become WTOL in Toledo and WIIC-TV (now WPXI) in Pittsburgh. Moreover, the Commission collapsed both Akron and Canton into the Cleveland market and now limited the combined market to three existing VHF signals—channels 3, 5 and 8 (changed from 4, 5 and 9).[24] Summit Radio was awarded the permit for WAKR-TV on channel 49 by September 4, 1952;[25][26] a coin flip determined the winning bid between Summit and WADC as the other frequency available, channel 65, was not considered operable at the time.[27]

With WAKR already housed at the First Central Tower in the city's downtown,[28][29] a UHF mast was affixed to the top of the building to much fanfare, with onlookers watching from the ground level during the multi-day process,[30] and pictures of the tower installation published on the front page of the Akron Beacon Journal several times.[31][32] Test transmissions began on June 7, 1953 (1953-06-07), that consisted solely of a test pattern card featuring the call sign and an illustration of the tower,[33] while appliance stores in the city ran advertisements promoting either new television sets—or converter equipment to upgrade existing sets—concurrently promoting the station's upcoming launch.[34][35] These signal tests continued on a regular set schedule until WAKR-TV formally signed on the air on July 19, 1953 (1953-07-19).[36]

In contrast to the tower construction, the studio operations at the First Central Tower were temporary, as Summit Radio had acquired the former Copley Theatre as a permanent home for the WAKR stations; the building operated as a theater between March 1947 and October 1952.[37] As part of the renovations of the theater, a second floor was added solely for office space, while one of the two TV studios featured a large steel turntable floor for set changing purposes;[38] at the time, it was the only such turntable custom-built for a television studio.[39] S. Bernard Berk's wife, Viola Berk, drafted the architectural plans for the new studios, scrapping plans drawn by a professional architect as being "pretty, but not practical".[40] Formally opened that December as the "WAKR Television Center",[41] the complex boasted an ultra-modern front lobby and interior designed by Viola Berk,[39] and a second floor viewing room with windows where advertisers could watch programs being produced in the studios below.[42]

Focused on Akron edit

You at WAKR-TV must always realize, that the people will be greatly influenced by your programs... I'm sure you will realize your duties to these people.

The Rev. C. Willard Fetter, on WAKR-TV's opening program[36]

 
Symbolic of the many issues the station would face, a full-page ad for WAKR-TV's launch contained UHF converter installation instructions.

WAKR-TV became an ABC-TV affiliate when they signed on, owing to WAKR radio's existing ABC Radio affiliation; Berk attributed the recent merger with United Paramount Theaters to create American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres as a determining factor for the affiliation.[43][29] At the same time, ABC-TV was in an aggressive push to sign up as many affiliates as possible to compensate for their lack of competitiveness against CBS-TV, NBC-TV and DuMont.[5] When WAKR-TV launched, ABC-TV had only secondary affiliations in the Cleveland market on both WXEL (channel 9; later channel 8), then a primary DuMont affiliate, and WEWS-TV (channel 5), then a primary CBS-TV affiliate. WXEL attained the market's CBS affiliation on March 1, 1955,[44] resulting in WEWS becoming a primary ABC-TV affiliate alongside WAKR-TV.[45]

Due to both the station's permanent studios still being under construction and ABC not yet programming on a full-time basis, WAKR-TV acquired a film package consisting of high-profile Republic Pictures and United Artists releases to fill airtime via a nightly "double-feature" showcase.[46] WAKR-TV itself was able to join ABC officially on September 15, 1953, after Ohio Bell Telephone Company technicians completed the installation of receivers for the Bell System-operated relay network.[47] An additional film package of 20th Century-Fox, Columbia Pictures and David O. Selznick releases was purchased by the station in 1956 and utilized in afternoons and prime time as an early form of counterprogramming against television network fare;[48] owing to WAKR-TV's flexible schedule, these movies usually ran in complete form, with minimal edits for time.[49] Milton F. Komito, a director for WMAL-TV in Washington, D.C., who also had produced and directed programs on NBC-TV and ABC-TV, was hired to direct all local productions for the station.[38][46] Komito left in 1955 for a management role at WTAP-TV in Parkersburg, West Virginia,[50] eventually returning to the WAKR stations in 1963 as sales manager.[51] Robert I. Bostian, who replaced Komito as production director, was promoted to program director two months after having joined;[52] Bostian would remain a part of WAKR-TV and Summit Radio management through the late 1980s as station vice president[53] and once summed up the station's purpose by saying, "Our local programming is geared to giving Akron what it wants—news, advertising, announcements and local shows all about Akron."[12]

 
Jack Fitzgibbons

From the beginning, WAKR-TV eschewed the Cleveland market proper in favor of Akron and Canton, boasting the only television newscast that focused specifically on both cities, sharing resources with WAKR, which had earned the distinction of being one of the first radio stations in the United States to house an active news department at its 1940 establishment.[27] WAKR personalities began appearing on the television side, including long-time radio staffers Jack Fitzgibbons,[54] Bill Murphy and Bob Wylie;[55][56] indeed, the first live programs over WAKR-TV were a local newscast anchored by Bill Murphy, followed by a Bob Wylie-headlined sportscast.[36] Jack Fitzgibbons would become the station's lead anchorman and news director alongside his daily radio news reports,[57] positions he held until leaving broadcasting in 1969 to become Akron's deputy mayor.[58] Future progressive rock radio personality Scott Muni, who was WAKR's evening host from 1956 to 1958, presented the nightly weather report at 6:55 p.m. on WAKR-TV featuring a unique setup allowing him to write the forecast on a pane of glass, then reversed by a mirrored camera, this would directly lead in to his radio program that started at 7:15 pm.[59] Long-time WAKR midday host Jack Ryan—despite having no background in meteorology[60]—later served as WAKR-TV's lead weatherman throughout the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s.[61]

Live events and sports coverage heard on WAKR would find itself shown on WAKR-TV. Six days after the station's launch, the station's first live telecast of an outdoor event occurred with coverage of Akron's Sesquicentennial Parade.[62] The following week, the station broadcast film of the 1953 Beacon Journal Soap Box Derby and All-American Finals in prime time, with Bob Wylie providing play-by-play.[63] Wylie in particular soon became known as the "Voice of the Zips", thanks to the station's broadcasts of Akron Zips football and basketball.[55] WAKR-TV also touted itself as having broken news of the armistice agreement which formally suspended the Korean War well before any of the Cleveland market stations reported the news.[64] Another alliance existed with the Akron Beacon Journal, as publisher Knight Newspapers—a forerunner of Knight Ridder—held a minority stake in Summit Radio from 1946 to 1977.[65][66]

Local music, variety and children's shows edit

In addition to local news and sports, the station tried producing different programs characteristic of the era, continuing to utilize talent from the radio station. WAKR morning host Torey Southwick became the emcee of an early-evening children's television program on WAKR-TV titled The Hinky-Dinks, which debuted on December 14, 1953, as part of an expansion of the station's broadcast day.[67] Placing an emphasis on participation among the youngsters in the studio audience, The Hinky-Dinks featured puppetry, pet parades, birthday parties and a circus act on Fridays,[68] in addition to Santa Claus reading letters throughout the month of December.[69] Eventually with ABC-TV's The Mickey Mouse Club as a lead-in,[70] the program ended on December 16, 1955, when Southwick left Akron to host mornings at KMBC (980 AM) in Kansas City, Missouri;[71] Southwick later presided over similar children's shows in Kansas City on KMBC-TV and KCIT-TV.[72][73]

TV was much more exciting back then—the urgency of it, not knowing what was going to happen... it was live. If you made mistakes, you made mistakes.

"Professor Jack" Bennett[74]

A weekly local music and dance program titled The Hop aired on the station beginning in 1957 with a succession of WAKR air talent as host; this included Scott Muni, Jack Ryan and Rick (Hudak) Shaw.[75][76][77] Originally a cross-promotional vehicle for WAKR's Top 40 format, The Hop became popular with teenage viewers as a local version of American Bandstand, which WAKR-TV also carried;[78] dropped from the schedule at the end of 1961, it was temporarily revived in 1962 thanks to viewer demand.[79] WAKR-TV also launched Akron Tonight—a late-evening variety show featuring local musical acts and Akron news headlines—on March 30, 1959;[80][81] the show was briefly reworked the following February into a weekly program presented by WAKR's Charlie Greer.[82] Greer had previously hosted a limited-run dance program devoted to big band music over WAKR-TV in 1958.[83] One of the more successful local shows on WAKR-TV was another early-evening children's television program hosted by Jack Boigegrain (known on air as Jack Bennett) under the "Professor Jack" persona, which debuted on February 25, 1963.[84] Bennett also presented weather reports in the late evenings, billed as the "Weather Profit".[85] The program ended on April 1, 1966, after Bennett was denied a raise by station management; this followed a potential hiring by KYW-TV as a replacement for Linn Sheldon falling through due to a subsequent court-ordered ownership change.[74]

 
Jerry Healey

Starting with the 1963–64 television season,[86] WAKR-TV began carrying the entire ABC-TV lineup in pattern with occasional deviations for high school sports and Akron Zips sports coverage;[87] this followed a change in FCC policy that also allowed affiliates to preempt or reschedule network shows at their discretion.[88] Following this, much of the station's local productions were curtailed, with one of the last local prime time shows being Bob Lee Playhouse, a limited-run weekly variety show in the spring of 1963 hosted by WAKR's Bob Lee.[84] Carrying the ABC lineup in pattern also resulted in WAKR-TV's broadcast schedule largely mirroring fellow ABC primary affiliate WEWS's schedule, although WEWS more freely preempted or rescheduled weaker offerings from the network.[87] While WEWS had the larger measured audience by a commanding margin throughout, both stations would continue to fight for each other's viewership.[64] One last attempt at a local variety/talk show occurred in the early 1970s with WAKR morning personality and WAKR-TV evening sportscaster Jerry Healey as host.[89][90] The Jerry Healey Show launched on November 27, 1972, at 11 a.m. weekdays[91] and aired until Healey left the stations at the end of 1973;[92] Healey then hosted TGIF Party, a weekly WAKR-TV program on Friday nights throughout the summer of 1974.[93]

Technical issues and move to channel 23 edit

 
 
Two newspaper ads from November 1967 promoting WAKR-TV's move from channel 49 to 23.

In promoting the station's sign-on, UHF signals were touted as not being any different from VHF signals in a technical sense,[23] and S. Bernard Berk provided optimistic words that "about 99.44/100% of the Akron area will receive (WAKR-TV) without difficulty."[94] Such sentiment was supported by a study one month after the station launched, showing almost one-third of television sets in the city had been converted to receive UHF, figures much higher than expected for a market serviced by VHF channels.[95] Despite this initial optimism, the station immediately ran into issues with poor reception, transmission issues relating to inclement weather conditions, and a lack of adequate UHF channel tuners.[96]

Even with passage of the All-Channel Receiver Act, these problems which would not be totally resolved until Summit Radio successfully petitioned the FCC to amend channel allocations between Canton and Akron, allowing WAKR-TV to move to a reassigned channel 23 allocation at higher power.[97] As part of the petition, Summit Radio disclosed that WAKR-TV had amassed a "seven-figure" operating deficit dating back to 1953.[98] This was not exactly new: in a 1961 request to the FCC that Akron should be at the "highest priority" for future potential VHF allocations, Summit Radio declared that channel 49 had "suffered very substantial operating losses" from the beginning.[6] The change from channels 49 to 23 took place on December 1, 1967.[7] Despite the move, WAKR-TV still lost significant amounts of money for the majority of its existence, relying on profits from WAKR to remain solvent.[64] The former channel 49 allocation would be reassigned for educational use as PBS member station WEAO, using the same transmitter equipment on top of the First Central Tower at their launch.[17]

The changes at WAKR-TV were not just technical: founder S. Bernard Berk died on July 11, 1966, at age 69.[99] His widow Viola Berk initially assumed control over Summit Radio[100] then transferred control over in 1970 to son Roger G. Berk,[25] who had been actively involved with the TV station since its establishment.[27]

Geographical disadvantages edit

While WAKR thrived throughout the 1970s and 1980s, WAKR-TV continued to struggle. Even with the move to channel 23, the Akron and Cleveland markets were collapsed into one, forcing the station to operate in the shadows of the three high-profile VHF stations in the Cleveland market.[4] As one of two ABC affiliates broadcasting in the same market, WAKR-TV continued to clear the network's lineup in pattern with next to no deviations.[5] Most notably, this included running Good Morning America in its entirety from the program's 1975 launch;[101] WEWS did not carry GMA until 1978,[102] and until September 1994 only aired the first hour, opting out at 8 a.m. for The Morning Exchange.[103] At the same time, the carriage of ABC's lineup in its entirety was occasionally seen as a liability for channel 23 whenever WEWS opted to preempt lower-rated or weaker programming.[5] WAKR-TV, however, did have success carrying a steady amount of paid local and national religious programming, including The 700 Club, which was added to the schedule in 1975.[104] By 1979, the station aired religious fare for 32 hours every week,[105] Roger G. Berk having chalked it up to viewer demand.[4]

You have to marvel at Fred (Anthony), keeping spirits up down there in the newsroom, with them not being rated... it's an ego thing. He walks down the street, and people recognize him. 'Hey, Fred,' they say. Ever been out to lunch with him? That ego boost, that recognition, is what keeps the team going. It's sheer guts.

Robert Bostian[60]

WAKR-TV's audience was often outranked by WEWS in Arbitron and Nielsen ratings diary reports, even in Summit County. Arbitron estimated in 1976 that one percent of all television sets in Summit County were tuned in to the station's 6 p.m. news.[60] By 1991, the ratings service put the estimate at 3 percent for channel 23's 6 p.m. news, and 1 percent for their 11 p.m. news.[106] Station management and ownership were frequently critical of how the surveys were set up, with Roger G. Berk stating that Arbitron never had given the station a fair share, while WAKR-TV never formally subscribed to the service, preventing Arbitron from more intently measuring the county;[60] Roger's son Roger G. Berk, Jr. would refer to the ratings as "statistically invalid."[106] Station manager Robert Bostian once raised the possibility of Akron viewers confusing WEWS for WAKR-TV based on informal phone surveys,[4] and also claimed that ratings sampling procedures underestimated the station's overall audience;[107] these allegations would persist into the 1990s.[64]

 
1982-83 station identification slide for WAKR-TV

A legitimate geographical disadvantage existed for the station. Summit County accounted for 14 percent of the Cleveland area of dominant influence (ADI)—as defined by Arbitron in 1991—and Summit County and the surrounding four counties accounted for one-third of the Cleveland ADI.[106] Later analysis by Beacon Journal columnist Bob Dyer suggested that the newspaper's five-county circulation area would have resulted in the 50th biggest television market in the country, and the Akron metropolitan statistical area itself could have been the 100th largest television market, on par with El Paso and Savannah's MSAs.[108] The ratings issues for channel 23, in turn, were reflected in advertising rates for the newscasts that were a fraction of what Cleveland stations would charge for.[60] In 1976, a typical commercial spot on channel 23 only cost $150 for an advertiser compared to $300 for the same spot load on a Cleveland station;[4] by the mid-1990s, channel 23 charged $200 while the Cleveland stations charged anywhere between $1,500 to $2,000.[108] Management referred to the revenue disparity that resulted as a "Catch-23," preventing the station from acquiring any high-profile syndicated programming and having to resort to less-desirable off-network reruns like McHale's Navy and I Dream of Jeannie.[109]

The station successfully fought to be excluded from market limitations for syndicated programming in 1974 for two years, and after cable television was introduced to the Akron market in 1974, WAKR-TV was placed at the channel 4 position by Warner Cable, a move later attributed for helping the station turn a profit in 1977.[8] When a report came out in late 1977 that FCC chairman Charles D. Ferris was reconsidering cable television network nonduplication rules if a significantly viewed station were to seek an exemption from blackouts,[110] Roger G. Berk responded with a letter of concern, disclosing that Summit/Group One had invested more than $2 million into WAKR-TV and suffered losses of over $5 million.[111] As the station approached its 25th anniversary in 1978, Robert Bostian told the Beacon Journal that the station would have ceased operations early on had the Berks not absorbed a significant amount of said losses.[4]

Becoming a training ground edit

 
Fred Anthony, Jack Ryan, and Frank DeMarco anchored WAKR-TV's Newswatch in the late 1970s.

Even with the numerous limitations facing the station, local newscast production remained consistent. Fred Anthony joined WAKR as a reporter in 1969, then became news director for both the radio and television stations, and lead anchor for WAKR-TV's 6 p.m. newscast.[112] The station won the 1973 Ohio Associated Press award for best regularly scheduled news program,[113] with Anthony receiving credit for helping instill "a renewed sense of pride" among the staffers.[60] WAKR-TV was able to add an 11 p.m. newscast on September 20, 1976,[114] and while Anthony gradually left his on-air position, he remained active in channel 23's operations into the mid-1980s and at WAKR until 1992.[112] Under Anthony, the news department attained a reputation for hard work and scrappiness, competing against the Cleveland stations with a smaller staff, fewer resources and sometimes equipment shortages;[64] at one point, the news department only had one camera capable of recording sound.[60] Such shortages were not unique. The station ceased telecasting Akron Zips basketball games after the 1968–69 season when their remote unit used for the games—which only functioned in black-and-white—was donated to the university, and a replacement color remote unit was cost-prohibitive.[115]

It was almost like we're sort of in it together ... working for good video [for an audition tape] instead of money.

Mark Nolan[64]

Similar to the reputation WAKR developed in the 1940s and 1950s as a "stepping stone" for future famous radio and television announcers,[99] WAKR-TV became a training ground for future broadcasters. Long-time anchorman Ted Henry began his career as a reporter for both WAKR and WAKR-TV in 1965,[116] as did veteran Cleveland news anchor and reporter Dick Russ in 1976.[117] Future CNN anchor Carol Costello, a Minerva native, got her start at the WAKR stations in 1984 as a reporter, covering the Akron police beat and multiple court trials.[118][64] Sportscaster Jeff Phelps began his broadcast career in 1981 co-hosting a weekly program with Kent State Golden Flashes football coach Ed Chlebek on WAKR-TV, in addition to being a color commentator for Kent State football broadcasts on WAKR.[119] Denny Schreiner was WAKR and WAKR-TV's sports director prior to joining ESPN as lead play-by-play voice for their PBA Tour coverage.[120] Future WKYC meteorologist Mark Nolan and future WEWS chief meteorologist Mark Johnson worked together at the station, with Johnson training Nolan.[64] Eventual lead anchor and news director Mark Williamson started his tenure with channel 23 in 1979; one of the first major stories he covered while doing helicopter-based traffic reports for the WAKR stations was the August 2, 1979, plane crash that killed Thurman Munson.[121]

One bright spot for the TV station came when WAKR personality Billy Soule became a video jockey on WAKR-TV in 1984, first hosting 23 Nite Videos, a Saturday night music video program;[122] this show eventually became 23 Music Magazine, a daily program that aired both in late afternoons via tape and was broadcast live in the prime time access hour of 7 p.m., itself compensating for the station's continued inability to acquire syndicated programming.[109] The weeknight program ended in early 1989,[123] but Soule continued hosting 23 Nite Videos on weekend overnights into the following decade, and won the 1993 Billboard Music Video Award for best pop/adult contemporary regional video program.[124] A screenshot taken from a promo for 23 Music Magazine would later be used at the beginning and end of a music video for The Black Keys' 2019 single "Lo/Hi" in an apparent tribute to the show.[125]

WAKC-TV (1986–1998) edit

Separated from radio edit

You just deliver the news. And you don't tell people how to think. You don't tell them it's an 'awful' murder. Yeah, it's awful that the kid got run over by the steamroller... we don't ask his mother, 'How do you feel?' I don't do that because you know how she feels, for crissakes.

Mark Williamson[126]

Summit Radio sold off WAKR, WONE-FM, and their radio stations in Dayton, Dallas and Denver—held under the "Group One Broadcasting" subsidiary—to DKM Broadcasting for approximately $60–65 million on July 15, 1986.[127] Negotiations between Summit and DKM had been underway for six months prior,[128] and was later attributed as a deal made at the height of the mid-late 1980s junk bond frenzy.[66] WAKR-TV was retained by the Berk family and placed under the "Group One" subsidiary,[129] while Roger G. Berk vowed to take Group One into the field of television production and consulting with their Creative Technologies, Inc. firm.[130] Roger G. Berk would retire in 1988 and was succeeded by his son, Roger G. Berk, Jr.[131] Summit Radio had previously filed a trademark for WAKR (since expired) that was transferred to DKM,[132] resulting in WAKR-TV changing its callsign to WAKC-TV that November 3; Roger Berk, Jr. chose the calls to allude to the previous identity and to recognize "Akron/Canton" as their area of influence.[9]

The terms of the radio station sale called for WAKR and WONE-FM to be moved out of the Copley Road studios, as Summit/Group One retained ownership of the building, both radio stations left the following year.[133] A co-op agreement was also established between the radio stations and WAKC; one WAKR reporter was notably fired due to his displeasure over having to record a video segment for a public affairs program jointly aired on both radio and television.[134] WAKR and WAKC also continued co-production of Civic Forum of the Air in coordination with the Jewish Community Center of Akron;[135] this weekly public affairs program, which aired on Sunday mornings on WAKC throughout this time, debuted on both radio and television on June 4, 1961,[136] and remains on the WAKR schedule to the present day as Forum 360.[137] Staff were eventually separated, however. Tim Daugherty—who had been hired by Summit/Group One as part of WONE-FM's initial airstaff following its conversion from WAEZ on January 1, 1985[138]—was retained by WAKC as their lead weatherman,[139] despite minimal on-camera experience and, like Jack Ryan before him, no meteorological background.[121] Meanwhile, Carol Costello briefly stayed with the radio stations after WAKC did not offer her a substantial on-air position, ultimately leaving the market altogether.[140]

 
Jim Kambrich

While the Berks had initially invested the profits from the radio station divestitures into WAKC,[131] the economic and financial struggles which had impacted the station throughout its existence never improved. WAKC attracted some negative attention for pre-recording their 11 p.m. newscast earlier in the evenings as a cost-saving measure, but that was reversed by 1990.[126] The newscast production never evolved from its "no-frills" approach to journalism and began to be seen as an anachronism compared to flashy graphics, "happy talk" and tabloid journalism elements seen on the Cleveland stations, all of which regularly beat WAKC in the ratings in the Akron area by sizable margins.[141] Some investments had been made, including teleprompters for the studio cameras and an electronic weather map system, but these had already been put into use by the Cleveland stations years earlier.[108] A June 17, 1991, incident later recounted in the Akron Beacon Journal detailed anchor Jim Kambrich—who himself would serve as an anchor at WNYT in Albany, New York, from 1994 to 2020[142]—concluding his 11 p.m. newscast on set, only to find a reporter and two interns in the newsroom instead watching WJW's newscast, which focused on lead anchor Robin Swoboda's departure from that station.[126]

ValueVision ownership edit

In an era when more and more local broadcasters are worshiping at the Shrine of the Tabloid ... the Berk family and its news managers usually have erred on the side of caution. Far more often than not, they have been responsible, conscientious journalists. It is sad to see yet another local, family-owned broadcasting outlet gobbled up by a faceless, out-of-state conglomerate.

Bob Dyer[141]

On November 20, 1993, the Akron Beacon Journal reported that Summit/Group One was in talks to sell off WAKC to a then-undisclosed home shopping network.[143] Three days later, Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based ValueVision announced their $6 million purchase of the station; the deal ended 40 years of continuous ownership by the Berk family.[144] As ValueVision was a company specializing in home shopping programming and infomercials, the sale immediately raised concerns in local media that WAKC would drop their ABC affiliation and potentially cancel its newscasts; prior to the sale, three newsroom staffers told the Beacon Journal "everyone in the newsroom has been making tapes" for other prospective employers.[143] After the sale was announced, ValueVision made a public pledge to keep and expand WAKC's news department,[145] while an ABC affiliate representative said they were not notified of the sale beyond existing newspaper articles and that no effort had been made to communicate with them.[146] Roger G. Berk, Jr. took public exception to the speculation over WAKC's future, saying that ValueVision would be able to retain a news operation because it would own the station, as opposed to affiliates in other markets that had different owners.[147] In addition, city councils in Akron and Barberton approved public resolutions that opposed the sale.[146]

By mid-December, two ValueVision representatives visited the station and made multiple pledges to the staff, including no reduction in newscast output, no layoffs, and that WAKC would not become a 24-hour home shopping channel; other promises even included the establishment of a news bureau in Washington, D.C.[148] Despite the assurances, Beacon Journal TV columnist Bob Dyer questioned the company's motives based on their prospectus, suggesting that WAKC was bought to help get their home shopping programming on cable thanks to the FCC's "must-carry" regulations for full-power television stations that apply to all cable systems.[141] One of those representatives, vice president of broadcast operations Mike Jones, took over as WAKC's vice president and general manager when the deal closed on April 18, 1994;[149] concurrently, ValueVision and ABC came to an agreement on a new affiliate contract for WAKC, effectively keeping the home shopping programming off of the station entirely.[10]

This sudden change again attracted the ire of Bob Dyer, who openly asked in his June 22, 1994, column why their initial plans for WAKC becoming a home shopping outlet of some sort—all of which were publicly announced to investors, the FCC and the Securities and Exchange Commission—had been abandoned with no explanation.[150] It was later revealed that ABC automatically renewed the affiliation once ValueVision took over via a clause in the existing contract, leaving the new owners with little choice but to continue running the station as an ABC affiliate.[151] The ownership change had one definitive casualty: 23 Nite Videos ended production in early June 1994 after ten years, and aired in reruns throughout the summer.[124] Billy Soule later admitted that Nite Videos was cancelled because Mike Jones "did not want me on the air, period", and was reassigned to off-air duties that included public affairs.[152] Likewise, Tim Daugherty left during the transition to return to WONE-FM and WAKR on a full-time basis.[153]

As part of the promised revamp of the news operations, veteran broadcaster Bob Tayek was hired as vice president of news, while existing news director/lead anchor Mark Williamson was also appointed to head a new investigative reporting unit.[149] Rebranded as "The NorthOhio NewsStation" despite retaining a focus on Akron and Canton,[154] WAKC's 6 p.m. newscast was expanded to one hour on October 31, 1994.[155] That change, however, took longer than expected to implement and came at the expense of their weekend 11 p.m. newscasts, which were canceled and never reinstated.[156] Questions still persisted among the staff about the new owners' commitment to news, while Tayek had assumed most of Mark Williamson's administrative duties.[157] Despite the changes, viewership remained minimal and the quality was uneven at best; general manager Mike Jones even sent a memo to the staff calling one August 1995 newscast he had viewed "the worst newscast ever produced in the history of broadcasting."[156] Bob Dyer later likened Jones unfavorably to then-Browns head coach Bill Belichick in his newspaper column, saying that Jones was "the perfect illustration of why people in places like Akron loathe most of what resides inside the Beltway," owing to his weekend commutes to a Washington, D.C., residence.[154]

Paxson takeover edit

Faced with operating a station that they could not use for their own programming, ValueVision announced the sale of WAKC on August 25, 1995, to West Palm Beach, Florida-based Paxson Communications, along with WHAI-TV in Bridgeport, Connecticut, for a combined $40 million in cash;[158] Paxson was already closing in on the purchase of WOAC (channel 67) in Canton,[151] with their chief financial officer having called that station "our entrée to Cleveland."[11] Paxson was another company that specialized in home shopping, albeit of the infomercial variety, and whose founder co-founded the Home Shopping Network, but planned to retain WAKC's local operations and the ABC affiliation.[159] Those intentions had credibility: Paxson had previously acquired WPBF, ABC's West Palm Beach affiliate, and gradually invested into that station's operations[160] while Lowell "Bud" Paxson personally came to the studio promising staffers he would "sink more money" into the station's infrastructure.[161] One month after the Paxson sale was announced, on September 25, 1995, WAKC launched an additional hourlong newscast at 5 p.m. titled Your News, which focused on lifestyle topics and stories with a "news you can use" theme.[156]

News ceases at this moment.

Dean Goodman, Paxson Communications president, to the WAKC newsroom on February 28, 1996[11]

Hours after the transaction closed on February 28, 1996, Paxson Communications president Dean Goodman entered the newsroom at 1:40 p.m. and tersely said to the staff, "News ceases at this moment."[11] Anchor Mark Williamson and videographer Tim Coffey were at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cuyahoga Falls preparing a series on Mormonism;[162] Williamson called the station only to hear an after-hours voicemail greeting, and by the time they returned to the station, fellow employees notified him and Coffey, not the new management.[11] Reporter Steve Litz, later with Dayton's WHIO-TV[163] and Miami's WTVJ,[164] was told by executives while in a hallway, "we're firing you and your co-workers. Go around the place and pass the word to your friends that we won't be needing you people anymore."[161] Earlier in the day, Williamson admitted to attendees at a senior center that "the station was in turmoil" due to the pending ownership change.[165] Dean Goodman later gave a brief interview to other media outlets in the station's lobby, while two armed security guards were already stationed at the entrance, preventing access to the building for any former employees.[11] One videographer who was the station's current "employee of the month" was notified of his firing over the telephone as his 13-month-old daughter was at a hospital being treated for rheumatoid arthritis.[154]

No public on-air notice was given, nor were any newscast promos or "NorthOhio News Station" station identifications removed,[166] resulting in some viewers expressing surprise over the syndicated Today's Health airing in place of the 6 p.m. news.[165] Williamson expressed regret over not being able to break the news of the news department's shutdown, saying, "I was looking at that ugly building with that awful decor and thinking how I've been there almost every day for 17 years. And I was just crying my eyes out because I knew I'd never see it like that again."[167] Williamson's wife, Beacon Journal columnist Mary Ethridge, disclosed that he was one of several employees that was offered a severance package described as "decent" but not extended to all the fired staffers.[168] Then-Akron mayor Don Plusquellic, who subsequently hired Williamson as the communications director for the Akron Public Schools,[169] compared the shuttering of WAKC's news operations to the closure of the O'Neil's department store seven years earlier, musing "people said it was such a shame, and I asked, 'when was the last time you shopped there?'", alluding to the low ratings that had plagued the newscasts throughout.[11][12] Akron's City Council, however, unanimously passed a resolution critical of the firings and the city's loss of local TV newscasts, with one councilman urging a boycott against channel 23.[170]

You never forget, it's like when JFK was shot... Mark Williamson and I were out at The Church of (Jesus Christ of) Latter-Day Saints out in Cuyahoga Falls...we were getting ready to put this three-part series (on Mormonism) together. We literally walked back in the station and they said, "about ten seconds ago, they (Paxson management) said none of us had jobs."

Tim Coffey[162]

The total number of WAKC's 70 employees who were dismissed varied significantly. Paxson management said it was as low as 15, while former staffers said it was between 50 and 60.[11] Later accounts had estimated the firings at 30 on-air and news production people.[160][171] Williamson claimed that the only people left were "the ones that plug the station in in the morning and make sure the batteries didn't die overnight".[166] Among the fired staffers was operations manager Elwood Edwards, who ValueVision promptly rehired as general manager for KVVV-TV in Houston. Edwards' voice was coincidentally starting to become recognizable as the (then uncredited) "You've Got Mail" voice for America Online's email service.[172] Ultimately, five staffers were retained by Paxson to keep the station operational and to continue with any remaining commercial and public affairs productions, with one staffer tasked to remove any signage relating to "WAKC" throughout the building.[121] Billy Soule was also retained and returned to on-camera work fronting a nightly interview program titled Community News, but resigned on June 28, 1996, in order to meet a deadline Paxson had for remaining staffers that wanted a severance package. Soule said about his last day at the station, "After 18 years, there was no one there to say thanks... I felt I had so much more to offer, and nobody wanted it."[152]

Moving out of Akron edit

Dean Goodman and WAKC acting general manager Terry Hanson defended the dissolution of the news department. Hanson said, "we decided this is not the news we want to put on" and were re-evaluating many things[171] but promised more locally produced public affairs shows would air in place of the local newscasts.[166] Goodman stated it would take several months to decide if newscasts could be reinstated, or if WAKC would remain an ABC affiliate.[11] Former viewers called the station and the Beacon Journal to lodge complaints, with one call likening the cancellation of local news to the Cleveland Browns moving to Baltimore.[173] Goodman and Hanson publicly made intentions to move WAKC to "a more modern facility", as the current studios were not deemed proper;[11] subsequent general manager Glenn Schiller described the Copley Road studios as "not nice at all... an old, run-down building."[174] Paxson had consulted Akron officials about replacement sites for both WAKC and WOAC within the city before ultimately filing an application to Warrensville Heights' planning commission on June 21, seeking to rent space next to the studios of WCLV (95.5 FM) in the Cleveland suburb,[174][175] with WCLV's tower being used as a studio-to-transmitter link.[176] Schiller also disclosed with the announcement that Paxson had no plans to revive a news operation for WAKC.[174]

News of the station's move to Warrensville Heights upset residents and business owners in the West Akron neighborhood, with city officials worried about the building's vacancy potentially harming plans for the neighborhood's economic redevelopment.[177] Indeed, the former studios were used as storage; a onetime employee broke in to the building several times throughout 1997 to steal $75,000 worth of equipment once used by the news department for resale, only to be discovered by former colleagues who managed a Tallmadge electronics store.[178] The Good Shepherd Baptist Church purchased the building in 1998 after their prior sanctuary across the street was destroyed in a fire,[179] but moved out in 2014 after prolonged flooding and water damage to the building.[180] Vacant from that point until the building was demolished in April 2022,[121] signage bearing the "WAKC" name was never fully removed and still graced the building's entrance.[181][182] WAKC's news tape archive held a better fate: Schiller arranged for the remaining tapes to be loaned to NBC for conversion to digital, then donated to the Summit County Historical Society at no cost.[183]

In the fall of 1996, the station began branding itself as "ABC 23" and added some additional, newly-purchased syndicated programs to its schedule.[184] Despite this, Paxson decided to end WAKC's affiliation at 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 1997,[185] a decision that even surprised Schiller, who intended to continue operating WAKC as an ABC affiliate from the new Warrensville Heights facility even without local newscasts.[184] The remainder of their general programming inventory was also dropped on December 31 in favor of Paxson's infomercial service inTV (or the Infomall Television Network).[186] WEWS general manager Gary Robinson expressed relief at no longer having to compete against WAKC for the same audience, a distinction no other Cleveland station had even as WAKC's prime time ratings were minimal by comparison.[184] Having become largely superfluous, Paxson sold off managerial control of WOAC to Global Broadcasting Services in April 1997 for $23 million, but the deal was delayed after Global entered bankruptcy and was purchased by Shop at Home Network, who completed the transaction, while WOAC's operations remained in Warrensville Heights.[187]

Bolstered by a Supreme Court decision affirming the "must-carry" FCC regulations, Paxson began developing plans for a network anchored by their chain of UHF stations, including WAKC,[188] announcing the creation of Pax TV on November 18, 1997, following the acquisition of multiple off-network rerun packages.[189] Consequently, WAKC assumed its current WVPX-TV callsign on January 13, 1998, to reinforce the Pax TV branding, while it was also seen as a symbolic severing of the station's last remaining connection to Akron.[2] Positioned as a "family-friendly" network consisting mostly of high-profile off-network reruns, Pax TV launched on August 31, 1998, with WVPX as a charter owned-and-operated station, carrying the network's entire schedule.[14]

WVPX-TV (1998–present) edit

Attempts at local news edit

...in trying to get Channel 23 to put on a local newscast, (Akron) city officials are ignoring some unpleasant realities about the way TV works. First of all, a newscast, no matter how simple, isn't made by elves. Someone has to pay for it.

R.D. Heldenfels[190]

 
Don Plusquellic, mayor of Akron from 1987 to 2015, was one of several community leaders in the city who lobbied for a restoration of television newscasts focused on the city.

While WAKC's operations was the only such television news department wholly based in Akron, WKYC, WEWS and WJW each have maintained staffed news bureaus in the city.[126] WEWS notably entered into a news sharing partnership with the Akron Beacon Journal,[108] invested in a tower camera from the University of Akron's Bulger Hall to assist with skyline shoots in the event of breaking news coverage, and promised to increase staffing in their bureau.[191] Despite this, multiple community and government officials in Akron had repeatedly expressed their public disappointment in the city no longer having a nightly television newscast devoted to the city.[192] Channel 23's closure of local operations and disaffiliation from ABC had given Akron the dubious distinction of being the largest city in Ohio—and one of the largest cities in the United States after Newark, New Jersey—to not have a commercial television newscast or a traditional "Big Three" network affiliate.[13] Conversely, WOIO general manager Tony Ballew likened this newfound demand to "Captain Kangaroo Syndrome" when people complained after CBS canceled the long-running children's television show, while the network had made the move due to low ratings, a fate largely similar to WAKC's newscasts.[108]

Several attempts were made to fill the void. Former channel 23 sports anchor Phil Ferguson attempted a time-brokered Akron-centered nightly sports show on WAKC titled In The Zone;[193] the program only lasted two weeks due to a lack of advertisers.[190] Canal Communications, a for-profit group led by the Rev. Raymond Burgess that consisted solely of volunteers,[194] was established to produce Akron-centered news content on cable-access television with hopes of attaining a low-power television license,[195] but it had little in the way of financial backing.[196] WAOH-LP (channel 29), a low-power television station with a Cleveland simulcast, started rebroadcasting WOIO and co-owned WUAB's newscasts on an hour tape-delay and promised five-minute Akron-centered segments.[197] PBS member stations WNEO/WEAO initially considered starting a nightly newscast but deemed it financially impossible after estimates placed the annual cost for such a venture at a minimum of $1.5 million.[108] WNEO/WEAO instead launched NewsNight Akron, a weekly news and panel discussion program that was subsidized by existing funds provided to the stations;[190] it aired from 1998 to 2013.[198] Former WJW news director and general manager Virgil Dominic even proposed a possible news operation that his Twinsburg-based video production company was willing to produce for broadcast on television or cable, but was solely dependent on securing funding for an extended period.[108] University of Akron Zips football and basketball highlights, however, were still shown over channel 23 via block programming produced by the university's athletic department.[199]

This was our TV station that they packed up and moved out of town, and now they want to climb up on our roof and put an antenna up. I have a problem with that.

Michael Williams, Akron councilman[192]

When Paxson submitted a zoning request to the Akron City Council on November 15, 1999, for a replacement 963-foot (294 m) high-definition television tower for WVPX—and several other FM stations that used an adjacent tower—the council used the request as leverage, and threatened to deny the permit unless news production was reinstated on the station or an investment would be made into a television news product.[192] The existing transmitter for WVPX was nearing the end of its lifespan, with the station having suffered multiple over-the-air signal outages throughout December 1999 and January 2000, at one point having been off-the-air for three times in one week for prolonged periods.[200] The council issued the permit after Paxson agreed to make a one-time only payment of $300,000 to the city for local news and public affairs productions.[201] WVPX used this tower until the FCC's spectrum auction,[182][202] when the station moved to the transmitter of WDLI-TV on September 26, 2018, following the purchase of WDLI-TV's license in a channel sharing agreement.[1]

WKYC alliance and Pax 23 News edit

Further information: WKYC § News operation
 
The United Building in downtown Akron was home to both WKYC's Akron news bureau and the studios for Pax 23 News.

NBC acquired a 32 percent stake in Paxson Communications on September 16, 1999, worth $412 million in convertible stock; the deal was envisioned on a national scale as NBC potentially utilizing Pax TV as a second television network.[203] As part of the deal, NBC began to encourage the owners of their affiliates to enter into management alliances with Pax TV stations;[204] in promoting the new transmission tower for WVPX, Paxson executive Dean Thatcher spoke of a forthcoming agreement between WVPX and WKYC's parent company Gannett, which was initially downplayed by WKYC management.[200] A joint sales agreement was announced between Gannett and Paxson that October 12, the terms of which allowed for WKYC's evening newscasts to be replayed later in the evening, and for WKYC to program an additional hour of airtime for WVPX.[204]

I hope people will see that we tried. We stepped up when nobody was stepping up.

Eric Mansfield[205]

WKYC subsequently announced on March 28, 2001, the launch of a new newscast produced for WVPX by WKYC's news department but focused on Akron stories, and based at an expanded Akron bureau.[206] Launched on June 13, 2001, under the Pax 23 News banner,[205] the program was anchored by WKYC's Akron bureau chief Eric Mansfield, with sports and weather provided by Jim Donovan and Mark Nolan, respectively; both Mansfield and Nolan previously worked at WAKC in the early 1990s.[64] The $300,000 payment provided by Paxson was envisioned by the city of Akron as potential "seed money" for a new television news operation; a seven-member board to manage the funds was considered by Akron mayor Don Plusquellic, but the positions were never filled.[206] However, those funds—along with an additional $200,000 in taxpayer funds from both the city and county governments—were provided by the city of Akron to help finance construction of a new facility for WKYC and Pax 23 News at the United Building in the city's downtown.[13] Former WAKC anchor Mark Williamson, in his position as a spokesperson for the city, likened his involvement on the WKYC alliance to "planning your ex-wife's next wedding."[206] While ratings for the 6:30 p.m. broadcast were relatively small, production of a 10 p.m. newscast began in January 2003,[205] and WKYC general manager Brooke Spectorsky made known at launch that the station was fully committed to Pax 23 News for the long-term.[206]

Paxson formally withdrew the joint sales agreement between WKYC and WVPX on March 25, 2005,[207] ending that June 30.[208] This action came as NBC and Paxson were engaged in litigation against each other, NBC having filed for a redemption of what was now a $549 million investment in Paxson.[209] Pax TV also had reportedly lost approximately $76 million in 2003, and rumors began to surface that the company could be sold.[207] After negotiations between different groups, WKYC reached an agreement with Time Warner Cable to produce the newscasts for the cable company's public access channel, which coincidentally held the "23" position;[210] Time Warner Cable also agreed to provide space for WKYC's WeatherPlus digital subchannel.[208] What became Akron/Canton News aired on the cable system until May 30, 2008, when insufficient ad revenue and low ratings made the newscast cost-prohibitive.[205]

Concurrent with the termination of the joint sales agreement with WKYC, Pax TV was rebranded as i,[208] then as Ion Television the following year,[211] with WVPX carrying the network schedule in pattern with no deviations.

Sale to Scripps and resale to Inyo edit

Further information: Ion Media

Ion Media agreed to be acquired by the E. W. Scripps Company—founding owner of onetime competing ABC affiliate WEWS-TV—in a $2.65 billion deal announced on September 24, 2020, with financing provided by Berkshire Hathaway.[212][213] In order to meet regulatory approval on both local and national levels, Scripps concurrently agreed to spin off WVPX and WDLI-TV to Inyo Broadcast Holdings in a $45 million deal that concluded WVPX's status as an owned-and-operated network station.[214][215] As part of the divestiture agreement, Inyo agreed to continue Ion network affiliations for at least seven years,[216] while Ion was subsequently combined with Scripps' Katz Broadcasting subsidiary of digital multicasting networks.[217] Both the sale to Scripps and divestitures to Inyo were completed on January 7, 2021.[15]

Following the acquisition, Scripps announced the March 1, 2021, closure of several digital multicast networks operated by Ion Media—Ion Plus, Ion Shop and Qubo—in favor of existing Katz Broadcasting networks.[218] On February 27, WVPX's 23.2 and 23.3 subchannels switched from Qubo and Ion Shop to Grit and Ion Mystery (the latter re-mapped to 23.4) and co-owned WDLI-TV concurrently switched from Ion Plus to Court TV; WVPX 23.5 changed from HSN to Defy TV on July 1. WDLI-TV assumed the Bounce TV affiliation on January 1, 2023, in a further subchannel realignment, while Ion Mystery is currently duplicated on WQHS-DT's 61.4 subchannel.[219]

Notable alumni edit

Technical information edit

Subchannels edit

For other channels on this multiplex, see WDLI-TV § Subchannel.

WVPX-TV presents seven subchannels on its multiplexed signal shared with WDLI-TV:

Subchannels of WVPX-TV[219]
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
23.1 720p 16:9 ION Ion Television
23.2 480i CourtTV Court TV
23.3 SCRIPPS Scripps News
23.4 Mystery Ion Mystery
23.5 Jewelry Jewelry TV
23.6 QVC QVC
23.8 HSN HSN
17.1 480i 16:9 Bounce Bounce TV (WDLI-TV)

On April 20, 2010, WVPX started broadcasting Ion Television programming on the station's main channel (23.1) in high definition.

Analog-to-digital conversion edit

WVPX-TV shut down its analog signal, over UHF channel 23, 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 relocated from its pre-transition UHF channel 59, which was among the high band UHF channels (52-69) that were removed from broadcasting use as a result of the transition, to its analog-era UHF channel 23.[221]

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Bibliography edit

  • Price, Mark J. (2015). Lost Akron. Charleston, SC: The History Press. pp. 165–168. ISBN 9781625851079. from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  • Ritchey, David; Miles, Thomas (October 1993). "WAKR Radio: A History" (PDF). School of Communications. The University of Akron. (PDF) from the original on March 4, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2020 – via Education Resources Information Center.
  • United States, Federal Communications Commission (1967). Federal Communications Commission Reports: Decisions and Reports of the Federal Communications Commission of the United States: Volume 4, Second Series, July 1, 1966 to September 30, 1966. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 533–535. from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2020.

Documentaries edit

  • Russo, Cheri (April 1, 2008). (Television production). Athens, Ohio: WOUB-TV. Archived from the original on October 15, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2020.

External links edit

  • Ion Television official website
  •   Media related to WVPX-TV at Wikimedia Commons

April 14, 2024
wvpx, wakr, redirects, here, confused, with, wkar, channel, television, station, licensed, akron, ohio, united, states, serving, cleveland, area, affiliate, television, owned, inyo, broadcast, holdings, jointly, operated, with, canton, licensed, bounce, affili. WAKR TV redirects here Not to be confused with WKAR TV WVPX TV channel 23 is a television station licensed to Akron Ohio United States serving the Cleveland area as an affiliate of Ion Television Owned by Inyo Broadcast Holdings it is jointly operated with Canton licensed Bounce TV affiliate WDLI TV channel 17 which transmits using WVPX TV s full power spectrum via a channel sharing agreement 1 WVPX TVAkron Canton Cleveland OhioUnited StatesCityAkron OhioChannelsDigital 22 UHF shared with WDLI TV 1 Virtual 23ProgrammingAffiliations23 1 Ion Televisionfor others see SubchannelsOwnershipOwnerInyo Broadcast Holdings Inyo Broadcast Licenses LLC Sister stationsWDLI TVHistoryFirst air dateJune 7 1953 70 years ago 1953 06 07 Former call signsWAKR TV 1953 1986 WAKC TV 1986 1998 Former channel number s Analog 49 UHF 1953 1967 23 UHF 1967 2009 Digital 59 UHF until 2009 23 UHF 2009 2019 Former affiliationsABC 1953 1997 inTV 1997 1998 Call sign meaningPax TV 2 Technical information 3 Licensing authorityFCCFacility ID70491ERP950 kWHAAT290 32 meters 952 ft Transmitter coordinates41 3 20 N 81 35 37 W 41 05556 N 81 59361 W 41 05556 81 59361LinksPublic license informationPublic fileLMSWebsiteiontelevision wbr comBuilt and signed on by S Bernard Berk s Summit Radio Corporation this station originally was WAKR TV the television extension of WAKR and positioned itself with a focus primarily on Akron even as it also covered the Greater Cleveland television market 4 From their 1953 establishment until 1996 the station was one of two primary ABC TV affiliates within the Cleveland market current primary affiliate WEWS TV being the other 5 Denied what would have originally been a VHF license WAKR TV s competitiveness was negatively impacted throughout this era by financial shortfalls and continuous ratings issues 6 even with a move from channel 49 to channel 23 in 1967 7 and eventual market wide carriage on cable systems 8 Becoming WAKC TV in 1986 after WAKR was sold 9 the station remained in the hands of the Berk family until 1994 when it was sold to home shopping broadcast chain ValueVision but retained the ABC affiliation and local programming 10 A subsequent sale to Paxson Communications now Ion Media resulted in all newscast production ceasing immediately upon consummation on February 28 1996 11 and disaffiliation from ABC at years end 12 these moves made Akron the largest city in Ohio without a traditional television network affiliate or commercial television newscast 13 Renamed WVPX TV the station has been an affiliate of Ion Television since it launched under the Pax TV name on August 31 1998 14 and was owned and operated by the network until 2021 15 WKYC owner Gannett operated the station from 2001 until 2005 producing a daily half hour Akron newscast during this period WVPX TV and WDLI TV currently share studios on Renaissance Parkway in Warrensville Heights and transmitter facilities on Ohio SR 261 in Norton Ohio 16 Contents 1 WAKR TV 1953 1986 1 1 Frozen out of VHF 1 2 Focused on Akron 1 3 Local music variety and children s shows 1 4 Technical issues and move to channel 23 1 5 Geographical disadvantages 1 6 Becoming a training ground 2 WAKC TV 1986 1998 2 1 Separated from radio 2 2 ValueVision ownership 2 3 Paxson takeover 2 4 Moving out of Akron 3 WVPX TV 1998 present 3 1 Attempts at local news 3 2 WKYC alliance and Pax 23 News 3 3 Sale to Scripps and resale to Inyo 4 Notable alumni 5 Technical information 5 1 Subchannels 5 2 Analog to digital conversion 6 References 7 Bibliography 8 Documentaries 9 External linksWAKR TV 1953 1986 editFrozen out of VHF edit See also WAKR nbsp WAKR TV s original 120 foot 37 m transmitter mast was on the roof of the current Huntington Tower pictured in 2012 17 In early December 1947 Summit Radio Corporation the family owned business of S Bernard Berk and owners of WAKR 1590 AM and WAKR FM 97 5 and Allen Simmons owner of radio station WADC 1350 AM filed competing applications with the Federal Communications Commission FCC for what was initially seen as the lone television channel assigned to Akron originally intended as a VHF license on channel 11 18 The applications were filed at the same time WEWS TV had commenced operations as the first television station in Ohio 19 Both applications remained under review and went before a commission hearing on July 15 1948 20 and WAKR had gone so far as to make a purchase order for VHF transmitting equipment from RCA 21 before the FCC implemented a freeze on any additional television licenses that September 30 while it studied the possibility of adding additional channels via the UHF band 22 After the release of the FCC s Sixth Report and Order lifted the freeze in 1952 the Commission reassigned the proposed Akron license from a VHF signal to one of two potential UHF signals 23 as channel 11 was no longer available in order to protect what would become WTOL in Toledo and WIIC TV now WPXI in Pittsburgh Moreover the Commission collapsed both Akron and Canton into the Cleveland market and now limited the combined market to three existing VHF signals channels 3 5 and 8 changed from 4 5 and 9 24 Summit Radio was awarded the permit for WAKR TV on channel 49 by September 4 1952 25 26 a coin flip determined the winning bid between Summit and WADC as the other frequency available channel 65 was not considered operable at the time 27 With WAKR already housed at the First Central Tower in the city s downtown 28 29 a UHF mast was affixed to the top of the building to much fanfare with onlookers watching from the ground level during the multi day process 30 and pictures of the tower installation published on the front page of the Akron Beacon Journal several times 31 32 Test transmissions began on June 7 1953 1953 06 07 that consisted solely of a test pattern card featuring the call sign and an illustration of the tower 33 while appliance stores in the city ran advertisements promoting either new television sets or converter equipment to upgrade existing sets concurrently promoting the station s upcoming launch 34 35 These signal tests continued on a regular set schedule until WAKR TV formally signed on the air on July 19 1953 1953 07 19 36 In contrast to the tower construction the studio operations at the First Central Tower were temporary as Summit Radio had acquired the former Copley Theatre as a permanent home for the WAKR stations the building operated as a theater between March 1947 and October 1952 37 As part of the renovations of the theater a second floor was added solely for office space while one of the two TV studios featured a large steel turntable floor for set changing purposes 38 at the time it was the only such turntable custom built for a television studio 39 S Bernard Berk s wife Viola Berk drafted the architectural plans for the new studios scrapping plans drawn by a professional architect as being pretty but not practical 40 Formally opened that December as the WAKR Television Center 41 the complex boasted an ultra modern front lobby and interior designed by Viola Berk 39 and a second floor viewing room with windows where advertisers could watch programs being produced in the studios below 42 Focused on Akron edit You at WAKR TV must always realize that the people will be greatly influenced by your programs I m sure you will realize your duties to these people The Rev C Willard Fetter on WAKR TV s opening program 36 nbsp Symbolic of the many issues the station would face a full page ad for WAKR TV s launch contained UHF converter installation instructions WAKR TV became an ABC TV affiliate when they signed on owing to WAKR radio s existing ABC Radio affiliation Berk attributed the recent merger with United Paramount Theaters to create American Broadcasting Paramount Theatres as a determining factor for the affiliation 43 29 At the same time ABC TV was in an aggressive push to sign up as many affiliates as possible to compensate for their lack of competitiveness against CBS TV NBC TV and DuMont 5 When WAKR TV launched ABC TV had only secondary affiliations in the Cleveland market on both WXEL channel 9 later channel 8 then a primary DuMont affiliate and WEWS TV channel 5 then a primary CBS TV affiliate WXEL attained the market s CBS affiliation on March 1 1955 44 resulting in WEWS becoming a primary ABC TV affiliate alongside WAKR TV 45 Due to both the station s permanent studios still being under construction and ABC not yet programming on a full time basis WAKR TV acquired a film package consisting of high profile Republic Pictures and United Artists releases to fill airtime via a nightly double feature showcase 46 WAKR TV itself was able to join ABC officially on September 15 1953 after Ohio Bell Telephone Company technicians completed the installation of receivers for the Bell System operated relay network 47 An additional film package of 20th Century Fox Columbia Pictures and David O Selznick releases was purchased by the station in 1956 and utilized in afternoons and prime time as an early form of counterprogramming against television network fare 48 owing to WAKR TV s flexible schedule these movies usually ran in complete form with minimal edits for time 49 Milton F Komito a director for WMAL TV in Washington D C who also had produced and directed programs on NBC TV and ABC TV was hired to direct all local productions for the station 38 46 Komito left in 1955 for a management role at WTAP TV in Parkersburg West Virginia 50 eventually returning to the WAKR stations in 1963 as sales manager 51 Robert I Bostian who replaced Komito as production director was promoted to program director two months after having joined 52 Bostian would remain a part of WAKR TV and Summit Radio management through the late 1980s as station vice president 53 and once summed up the station s purpose by saying Our local programming is geared to giving Akron what it wants news advertising announcements and local shows all about Akron 12 nbsp Jack FitzgibbonsFrom the beginning WAKR TV eschewed the Cleveland market proper in favor of Akron and Canton boasting the only television newscast that focused specifically on both cities sharing resources with WAKR which had earned the distinction of being one of the first radio stations in the United States to house an active news department at its 1940 establishment 27 WAKR personalities began appearing on the television side including long time radio staffers Jack Fitzgibbons 54 Bill Murphy and Bob Wylie 55 56 indeed the first live programs over WAKR TV were a local newscast anchored by Bill Murphy followed by a Bob Wylie headlined sportscast 36 Jack Fitzgibbons would become the station s lead anchorman and news director alongside his daily radio news reports 57 positions he held until leaving broadcasting in 1969 to become Akron s deputy mayor 58 Future progressive rock radio personality Scott Muni who was WAKR s evening host from 1956 to 1958 presented the nightly weather report at 6 55 p m on WAKR TV featuring a unique setup allowing him to write the forecast on a pane of glass then reversed by a mirrored camera this would directly lead in to his radio program that started at 7 15 pm 59 Long time WAKR midday host Jack Ryan despite having no background in meteorology 60 later served as WAKR TV s lead weatherman throughout the 1960s 1970s and early 1980s 61 Live events and sports coverage heard on WAKR would find itself shown on WAKR TV Six days after the station s launch the station s first live telecast of an outdoor event occurred with coverage of Akron s Sesquicentennial Parade 62 The following week the station broadcast film of the 1953 Beacon Journal Soap Box Derby and All American Finals in prime time with Bob Wylie providing play by play 63 Wylie in particular soon became known as the Voice of the Zips thanks to the station s broadcasts of Akron Zips football and basketball 55 WAKR TV also touted itself as having broken news of the armistice agreement which formally suspended the Korean War well before any of the Cleveland market stations reported the news 64 Another alliance existed with the Akron Beacon Journal as publisher Knight Newspapers a forerunner of Knight Ridder held a minority stake in Summit Radio from 1946 to 1977 65 66 Local music variety and children s shows edit In addition to local news and sports the station tried producing different programs characteristic of the era continuing to utilize talent from the radio station WAKR morning host Torey Southwick became the emcee of an early evening children s television program on WAKR TV titled The Hinky Dinks which debuted on December 14 1953 as part of an expansion of the station s broadcast day 67 Placing an emphasis on participation among the youngsters in the studio audience The Hinky Dinks featured puppetry pet parades birthday parties and a circus act on Fridays 68 in addition to Santa Claus reading letters throughout the month of December 69 Eventually with ABC TV s The Mickey Mouse Club as a lead in 70 the program ended on December 16 1955 when Southwick left Akron to host mornings at KMBC 980 AM in Kansas City Missouri 71 Southwick later presided over similar children s shows in Kansas City on KMBC TV and KCIT TV 72 73 TV was much more exciting back then the urgency of it not knowing what was going to happen it was live If you made mistakes you made mistakes Professor Jack Bennett 74 A weekly local music and dance program titled The Hop aired on the station beginning in 1957 with a succession of WAKR air talent as host this included Scott Muni Jack Ryan and Rick Hudak Shaw 75 76 77 Originally a cross promotional vehicle for WAKR s Top 40 format The Hop became popular with teenage viewers as a local version of American Bandstand which WAKR TV also carried 78 dropped from the schedule at the end of 1961 it was temporarily revived in 1962 thanks to viewer demand 79 WAKR TV also launched Akron Tonight a late evening variety show featuring local musical acts and Akron news headlines on March 30 1959 80 81 the show was briefly reworked the following February into a weekly program presented by WAKR s Charlie Greer 82 Greer had previously hosted a limited run dance program devoted to big band music over WAKR TV in 1958 83 One of the more successful local shows on WAKR TV was another early evening children s television program hosted by Jack Boigegrain known on air as Jack Bennett under the Professor Jack persona which debuted on February 25 1963 84 Bennett also presented weather reports in the late evenings billed as the Weather Profit 85 The program ended on April 1 1966 after Bennett was denied a raise by station management this followed a potential hiring by KYW TV as a replacement for Linn Sheldon falling through due to a subsequent court ordered ownership change 74 nbsp Jerry HealeyStarting with the 1963 64 television season 86 WAKR TV began carrying the entire ABC TV lineup in pattern with occasional deviations for high school sports and Akron Zips sports coverage 87 this followed a change in FCC policy that also allowed affiliates to preempt or reschedule network shows at their discretion 88 Following this much of the station s local productions were curtailed with one of the last local prime time shows being Bob Lee Playhouse a limited run weekly variety show in the spring of 1963 hosted by WAKR s Bob Lee 84 Carrying the ABC lineup in pattern also resulted in WAKR TV s broadcast schedule largely mirroring fellow ABC primary affiliate WEWS s schedule although WEWS more freely preempted or rescheduled weaker offerings from the network 87 While WEWS had the larger measured audience by a commanding margin throughout both stations would continue to fight for each other s viewership 64 One last attempt at a local variety talk show occurred in the early 1970s with WAKR morning personality and WAKR TV evening sportscaster Jerry Healey as host 89 90 The Jerry Healey Show launched on November 27 1972 at 11 a m weekdays 91 and aired until Healey left the stations at the end of 1973 92 Healey then hosted TGIF Party a weekly WAKR TV program on Friday nights throughout the summer of 1974 93 Technical issues and move to channel 23 edit nbsp nbsp Two newspaper ads from November 1967 promoting WAKR TV s move from channel 49 to 23 In promoting the station s sign on UHF signals were touted as not being any different from VHF signals in a technical sense 23 and S Bernard Berk provided optimistic words that about 99 44 100 of the Akron area will receive WAKR TV without difficulty 94 Such sentiment was supported by a study one month after the station launched showing almost one third of television sets in the city had been converted to receive UHF figures much higher than expected for a market serviced by VHF channels 95 Despite this initial optimism the station immediately ran into issues with poor reception transmission issues relating to inclement weather conditions and a lack of adequate UHF channel tuners 96 Even with passage of the All Channel Receiver Act these problems which would not be totally resolved until Summit Radio successfully petitioned the FCC to amend channel allocations between Canton and Akron allowing WAKR TV to move to a reassigned channel 23 allocation at higher power 97 As part of the petition Summit Radio disclosed that WAKR TV had amassed a seven figure operating deficit dating back to 1953 98 This was not exactly new in a 1961 request to the FCC that Akron should be at the highest priority for future potential VHF allocations Summit Radio declared that channel 49 had suffered very substantial operating losses from the beginning 6 The change from channels 49 to 23 took place on December 1 1967 7 Despite the move WAKR TV still lost significant amounts of money for the majority of its existence relying on profits from WAKR to remain solvent 64 The former channel 49 allocation would be reassigned for educational use as PBS member station WEAO using the same transmitter equipment on top of the First Central Tower at their launch 17 The changes at WAKR TV were not just technical founder S Bernard Berk died on July 11 1966 at age 69 99 His widow Viola Berk initially assumed control over Summit Radio 100 then transferred control over in 1970 to son Roger G Berk 25 who had been actively involved with the TV station since its establishment 27 Geographical disadvantages edit While WAKR thrived throughout the 1970s and 1980s WAKR TV continued to struggle Even with the move to channel 23 the Akron and Cleveland markets were collapsed into one forcing the station to operate in the shadows of the three high profile VHF stations in the Cleveland market 4 As one of two ABC affiliates broadcasting in the same market WAKR TV continued to clear the network s lineup in pattern with next to no deviations 5 Most notably this included running Good Morning America in its entirety from the program s 1975 launch 101 WEWS did not carry GMA until 1978 102 and until September 1994 only aired the first hour opting out at 8 a m for The Morning Exchange 103 At the same time the carriage of ABC s lineup in its entirety was occasionally seen as a liability for channel 23 whenever WEWS opted to preempt lower rated or weaker programming 5 WAKR TV however did have success carrying a steady amount of paid local and national religious programming including The 700 Club which was added to the schedule in 1975 104 By 1979 the station aired religious fare for 32 hours every week 105 Roger G Berk having chalked it up to viewer demand 4 You have to marvel at Fred Anthony keeping spirits up down there in the newsroom with them not being rated it s an ego thing He walks down the street and people recognize him Hey Fred they say Ever been out to lunch with him That ego boost that recognition is what keeps the team going It s sheer guts Robert Bostian 60 WAKR TV s audience was often outranked by WEWS in Arbitron and Nielsen ratings diary reports even in Summit County Arbitron estimated in 1976 that one percent of all television sets in Summit County were tuned in to the station s 6 p m news 60 By 1991 the ratings service put the estimate at 3 percent for channel 23 s 6 p m news and 1 percent for their 11 p m news 106 Station management and ownership were frequently critical of how the surveys were set up with Roger G Berk stating that Arbitron never had given the station a fair share while WAKR TV never formally subscribed to the service preventing Arbitron from more intently measuring the county 60 Roger s son Roger G Berk Jr would refer to the ratings as statistically invalid 106 Station manager Robert Bostian once raised the possibility of Akron viewers confusing WEWS for WAKR TV based on informal phone surveys 4 and also claimed that ratings sampling procedures underestimated the station s overall audience 107 these allegations would persist into the 1990s 64 nbsp 1982 83 station identification slide for WAKR TVA legitimate geographical disadvantage existed for the station Summit County accounted for 14 percent of the Cleveland area of dominant influence ADI as defined by Arbitron in 1991 and Summit County and the surrounding four counties accounted for one third of the Cleveland ADI 106 Later analysis by Beacon Journal columnist Bob Dyer suggested that the newspaper s five county circulation area would have resulted in the 50th biggest television market in the country and the Akron metropolitan statistical area itself could have been the 100th largest television market on par with El Paso and Savannah s MSAs 108 The ratings issues for channel 23 in turn were reflected in advertising rates for the newscasts that were a fraction of what Cleveland stations would charge for 60 In 1976 a typical commercial spot on channel 23 only cost 150 for an advertiser compared to 300 for the same spot load on a Cleveland station 4 by the mid 1990s channel 23 charged 200 while the Cleveland stations charged anywhere between 1 500 to 2 000 108 Management referred to the revenue disparity that resulted as a Catch 23 preventing the station from acquiring any high profile syndicated programming and having to resort to less desirable off network reruns like McHale s Navy and I Dream of Jeannie 109 The station successfully fought to be excluded from market limitations for syndicated programming in 1974 for two years and after cable television was introduced to the Akron market in 1974 WAKR TV was placed at the channel 4 position by Warner Cable a move later attributed for helping the station turn a profit in 1977 8 When a report came out in late 1977 that FCC chairman Charles D Ferris was reconsidering cable television network nonduplication rules if a significantly viewed station were to seek an exemption from blackouts 110 Roger G Berk responded with a letter of concern disclosing that Summit Group One had invested more than 2 million into WAKR TV and suffered losses of over 5 million 111 As the station approached its 25th anniversary in 1978 Robert Bostian told the Beacon Journal that the station would have ceased operations early on had the Berks not absorbed a significant amount of said losses 4 Becoming a training ground edit nbsp Fred Anthony Jack Ryan and Frank DeMarco anchored WAKR TV s Newswatch in the late 1970s Even with the numerous limitations facing the station local newscast production remained consistent Fred Anthony joined WAKR as a reporter in 1969 then became news director for both the radio and television stations and lead anchor for WAKR TV s 6 p m newscast 112 The station won the 1973 Ohio Associated Press award for best regularly scheduled news program 113 with Anthony receiving credit for helping instill a renewed sense of pride among the staffers 60 WAKR TV was able to add an 11 p m newscast on September 20 1976 114 and while Anthony gradually left his on air position he remained active in channel 23 s operations into the mid 1980s and at WAKR until 1992 112 Under Anthony the news department attained a reputation for hard work and scrappiness competing against the Cleveland stations with a smaller staff fewer resources and sometimes equipment shortages 64 at one point the news department only had one camera capable of recording sound 60 Such shortages were not unique The station ceased telecasting Akron Zips basketball games after the 1968 69 season when their remote unit used for the games which only functioned in black and white was donated to the university and a replacement color remote unit was cost prohibitive 115 It was almost like we re sort of in it together working for good video for an audition tape instead of money Mark Nolan 64 Similar to the reputation WAKR developed in the 1940s and 1950s as a stepping stone for future famous radio and television announcers 99 WAKR TV became a training ground for future broadcasters Long time anchorman Ted Henry began his career as a reporter for both WAKR and WAKR TV in 1965 116 as did veteran Cleveland news anchor and reporter Dick Russ in 1976 117 Future CNN anchor Carol Costello a Minerva native got her start at the WAKR stations in 1984 as a reporter covering the Akron police beat and multiple court trials 118 64 Sportscaster Jeff Phelps began his broadcast career in 1981 co hosting a weekly program with Kent State Golden Flashes football coach Ed Chlebek on WAKR TV in addition to being a color commentator for Kent State football broadcasts on WAKR 119 Denny Schreiner was WAKR and WAKR TV s sports director prior to joining ESPN as lead play by play voice for their PBA Tour coverage 120 Future WKYC meteorologist Mark Nolan and future WEWS chief meteorologist Mark Johnson worked together at the station with Johnson training Nolan 64 Eventual lead anchor and news director Mark Williamson started his tenure with channel 23 in 1979 one of the first major stories he covered while doing helicopter based traffic reports for the WAKR stations was the August 2 1979 plane crash that killed Thurman Munson 121 One bright spot for the TV station came when WAKR personality Billy Soule became a video jockey on WAKR TV in 1984 first hosting 23 Nite Videos a Saturday night music video program 122 this show eventually became 23 Music Magazine a daily program that aired both in late afternoons via tape and was broadcast live in the prime time access hour of 7 p m itself compensating for the station s continued inability to acquire syndicated programming 109 The weeknight program ended in early 1989 123 but Soule continued hosting 23 Nite Videos on weekend overnights into the following decade and won the 1993 Billboard Music Video Award for best pop adult contemporary regional video program 124 A screenshot taken from a promo for 23 Music Magazine would later be used at the beginning and end of a music video for The Black Keys 2019 single Lo Hi in an apparent tribute to the show 125 WAKC TV 1986 1998 editSeparated from radio edit You just deliver the news And you don t tell people how to think You don t tell them it s an awful murder Yeah it s awful that the kid got run over by the steamroller we don t ask his mother How do you feel I don t do that because you know how she feels for crissakes Mark Williamson 126 Summit Radio sold off WAKR WONE FM and their radio stations in Dayton Dallas and Denver held under the Group One Broadcasting subsidiary to DKM Broadcasting for approximately 60 65 million on July 15 1986 127 Negotiations between Summit and DKM had been underway for six months prior 128 and was later attributed as a deal made at the height of the mid late 1980s junk bond frenzy 66 WAKR TV was retained by the Berk family and placed under the Group One subsidiary 129 while Roger G Berk vowed to take Group One into the field of television production and consulting with their Creative Technologies Inc firm 130 Roger G Berk would retire in 1988 and was succeeded by his son Roger G Berk Jr 131 Summit Radio had previously filed a trademark for WAKR since expired that was transferred to DKM 132 resulting in WAKR TV changing its callsign to WAKC TV that November 3 Roger Berk Jr chose the calls to allude to the previous identity and to recognize Akron Canton as their area of influence 9 The terms of the radio station sale called for WAKR and WONE FM to be moved out of the Copley Road studios as Summit Group One retained ownership of the building both radio stations left the following year 133 A co op agreement was also established between the radio stations and WAKC one WAKR reporter was notably fired due to his displeasure over having to record a video segment for a public affairs program jointly aired on both radio and television 134 WAKR and WAKC also continued co production of Civic Forum of the Air in coordination with the Jewish Community Center of Akron 135 this weekly public affairs program which aired on Sunday mornings on WAKC throughout this time debuted on both radio and television on June 4 1961 136 and remains on the WAKR schedule to the present day as Forum 360 137 Staff were eventually separated however Tim Daugherty who had been hired by Summit Group One as part of WONE FM s initial airstaff following its conversion from WAEZ on January 1 1985 138 was retained by WAKC as their lead weatherman 139 despite minimal on camera experience and like Jack Ryan before him no meteorological background 121 Meanwhile Carol Costello briefly stayed with the radio stations after WAKC did not offer her a substantial on air position ultimately leaving the market altogether 140 nbsp Jim KambrichWhile the Berks had initially invested the profits from the radio station divestitures into WAKC 131 the economic and financial struggles which had impacted the station throughout its existence never improved WAKC attracted some negative attention for pre recording their 11 p m newscast earlier in the evenings as a cost saving measure but that was reversed by 1990 126 The newscast production never evolved from its no frills approach to journalism and began to be seen as an anachronism compared to flashy graphics happy talk and tabloid journalism elements seen on the Cleveland stations all of which regularly beat WAKC in the ratings in the Akron area by sizable margins 141 Some investments had been made including teleprompters for the studio cameras and an electronic weather map system but these had already been put into use by the Cleveland stations years earlier 108 A June 17 1991 incident later recounted in the Akron Beacon Journal detailed anchor Jim Kambrich who himself would serve as an anchor at WNYT in Albany New York from 1994 to 2020 142 concluding his 11 p m newscast on set only to find a reporter and two interns in the newsroom instead watching WJW s newscast which focused on lead anchor Robin Swoboda s departure from that station 126 ValueVision ownership edit In an era when more and more local broadcasters are worshiping at the Shrine of the Tabloid the Berk family and its news managers usually have erred on the side of caution Far more often than not they have been responsible conscientious journalists It is sad to see yet another local family owned broadcasting outlet gobbled up by a faceless out of state conglomerate Bob Dyer 141 On November 20 1993 the Akron Beacon Journal reported that Summit Group One was in talks to sell off WAKC to a then undisclosed home shopping network 143 Three days later Eden Prairie Minnesota based ValueVision announced their 6 million purchase of the station the deal ended 40 years of continuous ownership by the Berk family 144 As ValueVision was a company specializing in home shopping programming and infomercials the sale immediately raised concerns in local media that WAKC would drop their ABC affiliation and potentially cancel its newscasts prior to the sale three newsroom staffers told the Beacon Journal everyone in the newsroom has been making tapes for other prospective employers 143 After the sale was announced ValueVision made a public pledge to keep and expand WAKC s news department 145 while an ABC affiliate representative said they were not notified of the sale beyond existing newspaper articles and that no effort had been made to communicate with them 146 Roger G Berk Jr took public exception to the speculation over WAKC s future saying that ValueVision would be able to retain a news operation because it would own the station as opposed to affiliates in other markets that had different owners 147 In addition city councils in Akron and Barberton approved public resolutions that opposed the sale 146 By mid December two ValueVision representatives visited the station and made multiple pledges to the staff including no reduction in newscast output no layoffs and that WAKC would not become a 24 hour home shopping channel other promises even included the establishment of a news bureau in Washington D C 148 Despite the assurances Beacon Journal TV columnist Bob Dyer questioned the company s motives based on their prospectus suggesting that WAKC was bought to help get their home shopping programming on cable thanks to the FCC s must carry regulations for full power television stations that apply to all cable systems 141 One of those representatives vice president of broadcast operations Mike Jones took over as WAKC s vice president and general manager when the deal closed on April 18 1994 149 concurrently ValueVision and ABC came to an agreement on a new affiliate contract for WAKC effectively keeping the home shopping programming off of the station entirely 10 This sudden change again attracted the ire of Bob Dyer who openly asked in his June 22 1994 column why their initial plans for WAKC becoming a home shopping outlet of some sort all of which were publicly announced to investors the FCC and the Securities and Exchange Commission had been abandoned with no explanation 150 It was later revealed that ABC automatically renewed the affiliation once ValueVision took over via a clause in the existing contract leaving the new owners with little choice but to continue running the station as an ABC affiliate 151 The ownership change had one definitive casualty 23 Nite Videos ended production in early June 1994 after ten years and aired in reruns throughout the summer 124 Billy Soule later admitted that Nite Videos was cancelled because Mike Jones did not want me on the air period and was reassigned to off air duties that included public affairs 152 Likewise Tim Daugherty left during the transition to return to WONE FM and WAKR on a full time basis 153 As part of the promised revamp of the news operations veteran broadcaster Bob Tayek was hired as vice president of news while existing news director lead anchor Mark Williamson was also appointed to head a new investigative reporting unit 149 Rebranded as The NorthOhio NewsStation despite retaining a focus on Akron and Canton 154 WAKC s 6 p m newscast was expanded to one hour on October 31 1994 155 That change however took longer than expected to implement and came at the expense of their weekend 11 p m newscasts which were canceled and never reinstated 156 Questions still persisted among the staff about the new owners commitment to news while Tayek had assumed most of Mark Williamson s administrative duties 157 Despite the changes viewership remained minimal and the quality was uneven at best general manager Mike Jones even sent a memo to the staff calling one August 1995 newscast he had viewed the worst newscast ever produced in the history of broadcasting 156 Bob Dyer later likened Jones unfavorably to then Browns head coach Bill Belichick in his newspaper column saying that Jones was the perfect illustration of why people in places like Akron loathe most of what resides inside the Beltway owing to his weekend commutes to a Washington D C residence 154 Paxson takeover edit Faced with operating a station that they could not use for their own programming ValueVision announced the sale of WAKC on August 25 1995 to West Palm Beach Florida based Paxson Communications along with WHAI TV in Bridgeport Connecticut for a combined 40 million in cash 158 Paxson was already closing in on the purchase of WOAC channel 67 in Canton 151 with their chief financial officer having called that station our entree to Cleveland 11 Paxson was another company that specialized in home shopping albeit of the infomercial variety and whose founder co founded the Home Shopping Network but planned to retain WAKC s local operations and the ABC affiliation 159 Those intentions had credibility Paxson had previously acquired WPBF ABC s West Palm Beach affiliate and gradually invested into that station s operations 160 while Lowell Bud Paxson personally came to the studio promising staffers he would sink more money into the station s infrastructure 161 One month after the Paxson sale was announced on September 25 1995 WAKC launched an additional hourlong newscast at 5 p m titled Your News which focused on lifestyle topics and stories with a news you can use theme 156 News ceases at this moment Dean Goodman Paxson Communications president to the WAKC newsroom on February 28 1996 11 Hours after the transaction closed on February 28 1996 Paxson Communications president Dean Goodman entered the newsroom at 1 40 p m and tersely said to the staff News ceases at this moment 11 Anchor Mark Williamson and videographer Tim Coffey were at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in Cuyahoga Falls preparing a series on Mormonism 162 Williamson called the station only to hear an after hours voicemail greeting and by the time they returned to the station fellow employees notified him and Coffey not the new management 11 Reporter Steve Litz later with Dayton s WHIO TV 163 and Miami s WTVJ 164 was told by executives while in a hallway we re firing you and your co workers Go around the place and pass the word to your friends that we won t be needing you people anymore 161 Earlier in the day Williamson admitted to attendees at a senior center that the station was in turmoil due to the pending ownership change 165 Dean Goodman later gave a brief interview to other media outlets in the station s lobby while two armed security guards were already stationed at the entrance preventing access to the building for any former employees 11 One videographer who was the station s current employee of the month was notified of his firing over the telephone as his 13 month old daughter was at a hospital being treated for rheumatoid arthritis 154 No public on air notice was given nor were any newscast promos or NorthOhio News Station station identifications removed 166 resulting in some viewers expressing surprise over the syndicated Today s Health airing in place of the 6 p m news 165 Williamson expressed regret over not being able to break the news of the news department s shutdown saying I was looking at that ugly building with that awful decor and thinking how I ve been there almost every day for 17 years And I was just crying my eyes out because I knew I d never see it like that again 167 Williamson s wife Beacon Journal columnist Mary Ethridge disclosed that he was one of several employees that was offered a severance package described as decent but not extended to all the fired staffers 168 Then Akron mayor Don Plusquellic who subsequently hired Williamson as the communications director for the Akron Public Schools 169 compared the shuttering of WAKC s news operations to the closure of the O Neil s department store seven years earlier musing people said it was such a shame and I asked when was the last time you shopped there alluding to the low ratings that had plagued the newscasts throughout 11 12 Akron s City Council however unanimously passed a resolution critical of the firings and the city s loss of local TV newscasts with one councilman urging a boycott against channel 23 170 You never forget it s like when JFK was shot Mark Williamson and I were out at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints out in Cuyahoga Falls we were getting ready to put this three part series on Mormonism together We literally walked back in the station and they said about ten seconds ago they Paxson management said none of us had jobs Tim Coffey 162 The total number of WAKC s 70 employees who were dismissed varied significantly Paxson management said it was as low as 15 while former staffers said it was between 50 and 60 11 Later accounts had estimated the firings at 30 on air and news production people 160 171 Williamson claimed that the only people left were the ones that plug the station in in the morning and make sure the batteries didn t die overnight 166 Among the fired staffers was operations manager Elwood Edwards who ValueVision promptly rehired as general manager for KVVV TV in Houston Edwards voice was coincidentally starting to become recognizable as the then uncredited You ve Got Mail voice for America Online s email service 172 Ultimately five staffers were retained by Paxson to keep the station operational and to continue with any remaining commercial and public affairs productions with one staffer tasked to remove any signage relating to WAKC throughout the building 121 Billy Soule was also retained and returned to on camera work fronting a nightly interview program titled Community News but resigned on June 28 1996 in order to meet a deadline Paxson had for remaining staffers that wanted a severance package Soule said about his last day at the station After 18 years there was no one there to say thanks I felt I had so much more to offer and nobody wanted it 152 Moving out of Akron edit Dean Goodman and WAKC acting general manager Terry Hanson defended the dissolution of the news department Hanson said we decided this is not the news we want to put on and were re evaluating many things 171 but promised more locally produced public affairs shows would air in place of the local newscasts 166 Goodman stated it would take several months to decide if newscasts could be reinstated or if WAKC would remain an ABC affiliate 11 Former viewers called the station and the Beacon Journal to lodge complaints with one call likening the cancellation of local news to the Cleveland Browns moving to Baltimore 173 Goodman and Hanson publicly made intentions to move WAKC to a more modern facility as the current studios were not deemed proper 11 subsequent general manager Glenn Schiller described the Copley Road studios as not nice at all an old run down building 174 Paxson had consulted Akron officials about replacement sites for both WAKC and WOAC within the city before ultimately filing an application to Warrensville Heights planning commission on June 21 seeking to rent space next to the studios of WCLV 95 5 FM in the Cleveland suburb 174 175 with WCLV s tower being used as a studio to transmitter link 176 Schiller also disclosed with the announcement that Paxson had no plans to revive a news operation for WAKC 174 News of the station s move to Warrensville Heights upset residents and business owners in the West Akron neighborhood with city officials worried about the building s vacancy potentially harming plans for the neighborhood s economic redevelopment 177 Indeed the former studios were used as storage a onetime employee broke in to the building several times throughout 1997 to steal 75 000 worth of equipment once used by the news department for resale only to be discovered by former colleagues who managed a Tallmadge electronics store 178 The Good Shepherd Baptist Church purchased the building in 1998 after their prior sanctuary across the street was destroyed in a fire 179 but moved out in 2014 after prolonged flooding and water damage to the building 180 Vacant from that point until the building was demolished in April 2022 121 signage bearing the WAKC name was never fully removed and still graced the building s entrance 181 182 WAKC s news tape archive held a better fate Schiller arranged for the remaining tapes to be loaned to NBC for conversion to digital then donated to the Summit County Historical Society at no cost 183 In the fall of 1996 the station began branding itself as ABC 23 and added some additional newly purchased syndicated programs to its schedule 184 Despite this Paxson decided to end WAKC s affiliation at 12 01 a m on January 1 1997 185 a decision that even surprised Schiller who intended to continue operating WAKC as an ABC affiliate from the new Warrensville Heights facility even without local newscasts 184 The remainder of their general programming inventory was also dropped on December 31 in favor of Paxson s infomercial service inTV or the Infomall Television Network 186 WEWS general manager Gary Robinson expressed relief at no longer having to compete against WAKC for the same audience a distinction no other Cleveland station had even as WAKC s prime time ratings were minimal by comparison 184 Having become largely superfluous Paxson sold off managerial control of WOAC to Global Broadcasting Services in April 1997 for 23 million but the deal was delayed after Global entered bankruptcy and was purchased by Shop at Home Network who completed the transaction while WOAC s operations remained in Warrensville Heights 187 Bolstered by a Supreme Court decision affirming the must carry FCC regulations Paxson began developing plans for a network anchored by their chain of UHF stations including WAKC 188 announcing the creation of Pax TV on November 18 1997 following the acquisition of multiple off network rerun packages 189 Consequently WAKC assumed its current WVPX TV callsign on January 13 1998 to reinforce the Pax TV branding while it was also seen as a symbolic severing of the station s last remaining connection to Akron 2 Positioned as a family friendly network consisting mostly of high profile off network reruns Pax TV launched on August 31 1998 with WVPX as a charter owned and operated station carrying the network s entire schedule 14 WVPX TV 1998 present editAttempts at local news edit in trying to get Channel 23 to put on a local newscast Akron city officials are ignoring some unpleasant realities about the way TV works First of all a newscast no matter how simple isn t made by elves Someone has to pay for it R D Heldenfels 190 nbsp Don Plusquellic mayor of Akron from 1987 to 2015 was one of several community leaders in the city who lobbied for a restoration of television newscasts focused on the city While WAKC s operations was the only such television news department wholly based in Akron WKYC WEWS and WJW each have maintained staffed news bureaus in the city 126 WEWS notably entered into a news sharing partnership with the Akron Beacon Journal 108 invested in a tower camera from the University of Akron s Bulger Hall to assist with skyline shoots in the event of breaking news coverage and promised to increase staffing in their bureau 191 Despite this multiple community and government officials in Akron had repeatedly expressed their public disappointment in the city no longer having a nightly television newscast devoted to the city 192 Channel 23 s closure of local operations and disaffiliation from ABC had given Akron the dubious distinction of being the largest city in Ohio and one of the largest cities in the United States after Newark New Jersey to not have a commercial television newscast or a traditional Big Three network affiliate 13 Conversely WOIO general manager Tony Ballew likened this newfound demand to Captain Kangaroo Syndrome when people complained after CBS canceled the long running children s television show while the network had made the move due to low ratings a fate largely similar to WAKC s newscasts 108 Several attempts were made to fill the void Former channel 23 sports anchor Phil Ferguson attempted a time brokered Akron centered nightly sports show on WAKC titled In The Zone 193 the program only lasted two weeks due to a lack of advertisers 190 Canal Communications a for profit group led by the Rev Raymond Burgess that consisted solely of volunteers 194 was established to produce Akron centered news content on cable access television with hopes of attaining a low power television license 195 but it had little in the way of financial backing 196 WAOH LP channel 29 a low power television station with a Cleveland simulcast started rebroadcasting WOIO and co owned WUAB s newscasts on an hour tape delay and promised five minute Akron centered segments 197 PBS member stations WNEO WEAO initially considered starting a nightly newscast but deemed it financially impossible after estimates placed the annual cost for such a venture at a minimum of 1 5 million 108 WNEO WEAO instead launched NewsNight Akron a weekly news and panel discussion program that was subsidized by existing funds provided to the stations 190 it aired from 1998 to 2013 198 Former WJW news director and general manager Virgil Dominic even proposed a possible news operation that his Twinsburg based video production company was willing to produce for broadcast on television or cable but was solely dependent on securing funding for an extended period 108 University of Akron Zips football and basketball highlights however were still shown over channel 23 via block programming produced by the university s athletic department 199 This was our TV station that they packed up and moved out of town and now they want to climb up on our roof and put an antenna up I have a problem with that Michael Williams Akron councilman 192 When Paxson submitted a zoning request to the Akron City Council on November 15 1999 for a replacement 963 foot 294 m high definition television tower for WVPX and several other FM stations that used an adjacent tower the council used the request as leverage and threatened to deny the permit unless news production was reinstated on the station or an investment would be made into a television news product 192 The existing transmitter for WVPX was nearing the end of its lifespan with the station having suffered multiple over the air signal outages throughout December 1999 and January 2000 at one point having been off the air for three times in one week for prolonged periods 200 The council issued the permit after Paxson agreed to make a one time only payment of 300 000 to the city for local news and public affairs productions 201 WVPX used this tower until the FCC s spectrum auction 182 202 when the station moved to the transmitter of WDLI TV on September 26 2018 following the purchase of WDLI TV s license in a channel sharing agreement 1 WKYC alliance and Pax 23 News edit Further information WKYC News operation nbsp The United Building in downtown Akron was home to both WKYC s Akron news bureau and the studios for Pax 23 News NBC acquired a 32 percent stake in Paxson Communications on September 16 1999 worth 412 million in convertible stock the deal was envisioned on a national scale as NBC potentially utilizing Pax TV as a second television network 203 As part of the deal NBC began to encourage the owners of their affiliates to enter into management alliances with Pax TV stations 204 in promoting the new transmission tower for WVPX Paxson executive Dean Thatcher spoke of a forthcoming agreement between WVPX and WKYC s parent company Gannett which was initially downplayed by WKYC management 200 A joint sales agreement was announced between Gannett and Paxson that October 12 the terms of which allowed for WKYC s evening newscasts to be replayed later in the evening and for WKYC to program an additional hour of airtime for WVPX 204 I hope people will see that we tried We stepped up when nobody was stepping up Eric Mansfield 205 WKYC subsequently announced on March 28 2001 the launch of a new newscast produced for WVPX by WKYC s news department but focused on Akron stories and based at an expanded Akron bureau 206 Launched on June 13 2001 under the Pax 23 News banner 205 the program was anchored by WKYC s Akron bureau chief Eric Mansfield with sports and weather provided by Jim Donovan and Mark Nolan respectively both Mansfield and Nolan previously worked at WAKC in the early 1990s 64 The 300 000 payment provided by Paxson was envisioned by the city of Akron as potential seed money for a new television news operation a seven member board to manage the funds was considered by Akron mayor Don Plusquellic but the positions were never filled 206 However those funds along with an additional 200 000 in taxpayer funds from both the city and county governments were provided by the city of Akron to help finance construction of a new facility for WKYC and Pax 23 News at the United Building in the city s downtown 13 Former WAKC anchor Mark Williamson in his position as a spokesperson for the city likened his involvement on the WKYC alliance to planning your ex wife s next wedding 206 While ratings for the 6 30 p m broadcast were relatively small production of a 10 p m newscast began in January 2003 205 and WKYC general manager Brooke Spectorsky made known at launch that the station was fully committed to Pax 23 News for the long term 206 Paxson formally withdrew the joint sales agreement between WKYC and WVPX on March 25 2005 207 ending that June 30 208 This action came as NBC and Paxson were engaged in litigation against each other NBC having filed for a redemption of what was now a 549 million investment in Paxson 209 Pax TV also had reportedly lost approximately 76 million in 2003 and rumors began to surface that the company could be sold 207 After negotiations between different groups WKYC reached an agreement with Time Warner Cable to produce the newscasts for the cable company s public access channel which coincidentally held the 23 position 210 Time Warner Cable also agreed to provide space for WKYC s WeatherPlus digital subchannel 208 What became Akron Canton News aired on the cable system until May 30 2008 when insufficient ad revenue and low ratings made the newscast cost prohibitive 205 Concurrent with the termination of the joint sales agreement with WKYC Pax TV was rebranded as i 208 then as Ion Television the following year 211 with WVPX carrying the network schedule in pattern with no deviations Sale to Scripps and resale to Inyo edit Further information Ion Media Ion Media agreed to be acquired by the E W Scripps Company founding owner of onetime competing ABC affiliate WEWS TV in a 2 65 billion deal announced on September 24 2020 with financing provided by Berkshire Hathaway 212 213 In order to meet regulatory approval on both local and national levels Scripps concurrently agreed to spin off WVPX and WDLI TV to Inyo Broadcast Holdings in a 45 million deal that concluded WVPX s status as an owned and operated network station 214 215 As part of the divestiture agreement Inyo agreed to continue Ion network affiliations for at least seven years 216 while Ion was subsequently combined with Scripps Katz Broadcasting subsidiary of digital multicasting networks 217 Both the sale to Scripps and divestitures to Inyo were completed on January 7 2021 15 Following the acquisition Scripps announced the March 1 2021 closure of several digital multicast networks operated by Ion Media Ion Plus Ion Shop and Qubo in favor of existing Katz Broadcasting networks 218 On February 27 WVPX s 23 2 and 23 3 subchannels switched from Qubo and Ion Shop to Grit and Ion Mystery the latter re mapped to 23 4 and co owned WDLI TV concurrently switched from Ion Plus to Court TV WVPX 23 5 changed from HSN to Defy TV on July 1 WDLI TV assumed the Bounce TV affiliation on January 1 2023 in a further subchannel realignment while Ion Mystery is currently duplicated on WQHS DT s 61 4 subchannel 219 Notable alumni editCarol Costello 118 Elwood Edwards 172 Lauren Glassberg 220 Ted Henry 116 Scott Muni 75 59 Jeff Phelps 119 Technical information editSubchannels edit For other channels on this multiplex see WDLI TV Subchannel WVPX TV presents seven subchannels on its multiplexed signal shared with WDLI TV Subchannels of WVPX TV 219 Channel Res Aspect Short name Programming23 1 720p 16 9 ION Ion Television23 2 480i CourtTV Court TV23 3 SCRIPPS Scripps News23 4 Mystery Ion Mystery23 5 Jewelry Jewelry TV23 6 QVC QVC23 8 HSN HSN17 1 480i 16 9 Bounce Bounce TV WDLI TV On April 20 2010 WVPX started broadcasting Ion Television programming on the station s main channel 23 1 in high definition Analog to digital conversion edit WVPX TV shut down its analog signal over UHF channel 23 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 relocated from its pre transition UHF channel 59 which was among the high band UHF channels 52 69 that were removed from broadcasting use as a result of the transition to its analog era UHF channel 23 221 References edit a b c Consummation Notice CDBS Public Access Federal Communications Commission September 25 2018 Archived from the original on October 1 2018 Retrieved October 1 2018 Modification of a Licensed Facility for DTV Application Archived from the original on January 20 2018 Retrieved January 20 2018 a b Channel 23 to change call letters to WVPX Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio January 9 1998 p A1 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 28 2020 via Newspapers com Facility Technical Data for WVPX TV Licensing and Management System Federal Communications Commission a b c d e f Coleman Gerri April 16 1978 In the shadow of the monster to the north Akron Beacon Journal TV Preview Akron Ohio pp 4 6 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved January 1 2021 via Newspapers com a b c d Dyer Bob September 8 1991 Area TV viewers get an ABC choice Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p D2 Archived from the original on July 9 2021 Retrieved December 31 2020 via Newspapers com a b Shippy Dick August 3 1961 VHF For Akron 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owner pulls plug fires at least 15 decision on resuming show is months away ABC affiliation under review Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p A1 Retrieved February 3 2022 via NewsBank a b c Heldenfels Rich September 10 2000 Akron TV station withers in Cleveland s shadow Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p L6 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved February 12 2020 via Newspapers com a b c Our opinion And now the news Editorial Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio March 30 2001 p A14 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 30 2020 via Newspapers com a b Heldenfels R D August 14 1998 Family of TV channels about to increase Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp C1 C2 Archived from the original on July 9 2021 Retrieved December 28 2020 via Newspapers com a b Balderston Michael January 7 2021 Scripps Finalizes Ion Media Acquisition TVTechnology Future US Inc Archived from the original on January 7 2021 Retrieved January 16 2021 Stations Sharing This Tower ASRN 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the original on March 8 2021 Retrieved December 3 2020 via World Radio History a b FCC History Cards for WVPX TV PDF Federal Communications Commission The New Grantees Commencement Target Dates PDF Broadcasting Vol 43 no 20 November 17 1952 p 72 ProQuest 1285707215 Archived PDF from the original on January 30 2021 Retrieved February 6 2020 via World Radio History a b c Profile The low visibility of a highly involved broadcaster Roger Berk PDF Broadcasting Vol 86 no 8 February 25 1974 p 73 Archived PDF from the original on December 1 2020 Retrieved February 7 2020 via World Radio History Price 2015 p 165 a b Roundup of Post Thaw Television 80 Stations Now In Business PDF Broadcasting Vol 44 no 26 June 29 1953 p 72 ProQuest 1285699613 Archived PDF from the original on January 29 2021 Retrieved February 7 2020 via World Radio History Bird Plane Nope TV Show 487 Feet in Air Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio June 7 1953 p 2 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 27 2020 via Newspapers com MacLeod Hope Schlemmer William D May 31 1953 TV Rigs Adds 157 Feet To 1st National Tower Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp 1 2 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 27 2020 via Newspapers com Way Up Here Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio June 7 1953 p 1 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 27 2020 via Newspapers com He Snaps A Picture From WAKR TV Tower Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio June 7 1953 p 1 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 27 2020 via Newspapers com WAKR TV Begins Telecasting Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio June 14 1953 p 12D Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 27 2020 via Newspapers com O Neil s Akron s First Big Television Show that will explain all about UHF Advertisement Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio June 25 1953 p 15 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 27 2020 via Newspapers com Sun Radio Television For Better TV Reception in Akron Better See Motorola TV Advertisement Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio March 8 1953 p 19D Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 27 2020 via Newspapers com a b c Cullison Art July 20 1953 Excellent Reception Highlights WAKR TV Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp 1 2 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 27 2020 via Newspapers com Copley Theater Bought For WAKR TV Center Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio February 22 1953 p 1 A Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved February 14 2020 via Newspapers com At Deadline WAKR TV Buys Theatre PDF Broadcasting Vol 44 no 8 February 23 1953 p 11 ProQuest 1285706267 Archived PDF from the original on January 31 2021 Retrieved February 7 2020 via World Radio History Copley Theatre Akron OH CinemaTour Cinemas Around the World Archived from the original on February 7 2020 Retrieved February 7 2020 Copley Theatre in Akron OH Cinema Treasures Archived from the original on March 13 2020 Retrieved February 7 2020 Gala Premiere Opening Copley Theatre Advertisement Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio March 27 1947 p 24 Archived from the original on February 7 2020 Retrieved February 6 2020 via Newspapers com a b Cullison Art July 12 1953 Next Sunday Is Akron s TV Day Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 20B Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 27 2020 via Newspapers com a b Jaycox Betty November 30 1953 Mask And Wig Club Presents 66th Annual Show Tues Dec 29 Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 10 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved February 9 2021 via Newspapers com Nichols Kenneth February 25 1953 The Town Crier Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 22 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 27 2020 via Newspapers com Nichols Kenneth December 7 1953 Town Crier TV Hour Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 22 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved February 9 2021 via 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1953 p 25 Archived from the original on February 13 2021 Retrieved February 8 2021 via Newspapers com Cullison Art November 11 1956 Early Evening Movies WAKR Buys Some Topflight Films Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 6D Archived from the original on January 29 2021 Retrieved January 23 2021 via Newspapers com Cullison Art February 27 1957 TV Film Men Keep Busy Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 18 Archived from the original on January 31 2021 Retrieved January 23 2021 via Newspapers com Cullison Art May 18 1955 Fine Musical Moments Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 17 Archived from the original on January 30 2021 Retrieved January 23 2021 via Newspapers com Nichols Kenneth August 13 1963 Stilled Voice On TV Scene Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 24 Archived from the original on January 30 2021 Retrieved January 23 2021 via Newspapers com Cullison Art October 19 1955 Show Titles Confuse Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 28 Archived from the original on January 30 2021 Retrieved January 23 2021 via Newspapers com Art Fleming 27 others join Akron Radio Hall of Fame Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio September 20 1986 p A7 Archived from the original on June 28 2022 Retrieved January 23 2021 via Newspapers com Jack Fitzgibbons Obituary Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio August 12 2002 p B7 Archived from the original on February 7 2020 Retrieved February 7 2020 via Newspapers com a b Shippy Dick September 30 1979 The legend That s what Bob Wylie s become Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 3 Archived from the original on February 7 2020 Retrieved February 7 2020 via Newspapers com Price 2015 p 166 Cullison Art August 25 1954 Radio And TV News Differs Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 16 Archived from the original on January 29 2021 Retrieved January 23 2021 via Newspapers com WAKR s Fitzgibbons Named Mayor s Aide Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio February 11 1969 p B1 Archived from the original on January 29 2021 Retrieved January 23 2021 via Newspapers com a b Cullison Art July 9 1957 Muni s Weather Magic WAKR Man Uses No Mirrors Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 45 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved February 12 2020 via Newspapers com a b c d e f g Clary Mike June 20 1976 Good Evening Is Anybody Out There Watching Akron Beacon Journal Beacon Magazine Akron Ohio pp 6 7 8 9 14 15 16 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved January 1 2021 via Newspapers com John F Mulcahey Obituary Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio January 28 2018 p B8 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved February 20 2020 via Newspapers com Gov Lausche Leads Sesqui Fete Tonight Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio July 25 1953 p 1 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 27 2020 via Newspapers com Cullison Art July 23 1953 WAKR TV To Cover The Derby Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 22 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 27 2020 via Newspapers com a b c d e f g h i Heldenfels Rich February 26 2016 A fade to black Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p A1 A4 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved February 14 2020 via Newspapers com John S Knight Buys 45 Interest in WAKR PDF Broadcasting Vol 30 no 15 April 15 1946 p 30 Archived PDF from the original on June 21 2020 Retrieved January 31 2020 via World Radio History Closed Circuit Monomedium PDF Broadcasting Vol 92 no 18 May 2 1977 p 7 Archived PDF from the original on September 19 2020 Retrieved February 8 2020 via World Radio History a b Dyer Bob October 14 1990 WAKR has 50 years under its belt Will past outshine future Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p F1 F5 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved February 9 2020 via Newspapers com Cullison Art December 13 1953 TV Show Invites The Kids Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 36D Archived from the original on January 31 2021 Retrieved January 23 2021 via Newspapers com Samaras Bill April 25 1954 The Hinky Dinks Akron Beacon Journal Roto Magazine Akron Ohio pp 1 2 4 6 Archived from the original on January 30 2021 Retrieved January 23 2021 via Newspapers com Cullison Art November 28 1954 TV Makes Song A Hit Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 18D Retrieved January 23 2021 via Newspapers com Cullison Art September 23 1955 WAKR Extends Telecast Day Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 42 Archived from the original on January 31 2021 Retrieved January 23 2021 via Newspapers com Nichols Kenneth November 16 1955 Town Crier Once Over Lightly Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 30 Archived from the original on January 31 2021 Retrieved January 23 2021 via Newspapers com Give a Light Delightful Concert Kansas City Times The Kansas City Star Company December 16 1963 p 16 Archived from the original on January 30 2021 Retrieved January 23 2021 via Newspapers com See what you ve been missing on KCIT TV Channel 50 Advertisement Kansas City Times The Kansas City Star Company November 2 1969 p 10G Archived from the original on January 30 2021 Retrieved September 26 2020 via Newspapers com a b Price Mark J March 5 2000 This Place This Time Professor Jack Akron Beacon Journal Sunday Beacon Magazine Akron Ohio p 19 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved January 1 2021 via Newspapers com a b Torre Marie April 11 1958 Capt Video Grounded Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 28 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved February 12 2020 via Newspapers com Shippy Dick November 6 1959 The Radio TV Mailbag Don t Rap Those Great Singers Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 24 Archived from the original on January 30 2021 Retrieved January 23 2021 via Newspapers com On Your TV Tonight Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio February 8 1962 p 28 Archived from the original on January 29 2021 Retrieved January 23 2021 via Newspapers com Lake Richard February 18 1962 Turn On Rock n Head For Cover Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp 2F 3F Archived from the original on January 30 2021 Retrieved January 23 2021 via Newspapers com Shippy Dick January 3 1962 The Radio Television Mailbag In Which We Give Hope To The Hopless Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 36 Archived from the original on January 30 2021 Retrieved January 23 2021 via Newspapers com Michelson Herb March 23 1959 Akron s TV Livens Up Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 20 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved January 1 2021 via Newspapers com Michelson Herb March 31 1959 Tonight Bows With Class Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 22 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved January 1 2021 via Newspapers com Shippy Dick February 12 1960 Studio Night Clubbing That s Format For Akron Tonight Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 28 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved January 1 2021 via Newspapers com Adults Get Own Tv Record Hop PDF Broadcasting Vol 55 no 15 October 13 1958 p 130 Archived PDF from the original on February 1 2021 Retrieved January 31 2020 via World Radio History a b Shippy Dick February 22 1963 Meet Professor Jack Boris Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 22 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved January 1 2021 via Newspapers com Professor s Profit Now Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio February 28 1965 p G17 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved January 1 2021 via Newspapers com TV Treats of the Week Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio September 15 1963 p 4F Archived from the original on July 9 2021 Retrieved January 19 2021 via Newspapers com a b Shippy Dick October 22 1963 Breaking A Viewing Pattern Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 12 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved January 19 2021 via Newspapers com Stoyer Lloyd August 25 1963 OK So What Else Is New Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 15F Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved January 19 2021 via Newspapers com Nichols Kenneth November 24 1972 Town Crier Just Like Being In Hollywood Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p B26 Archived from the original on January 31 2021 Retrieved January 25 2021 via Newspapers com Jaycox Betty December 28 1972 About Town Our Judi Is Wearing A Ring Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p A 14 Archived from the original on January 20 2022 Retrieved February 9 2020 via Newspapers com What s Doing In Daytime Akron Beacon Journal TV Preview Akron Ohio November 26 1972 p 7 Archived from the original on January 31 2021 Retrieved January 25 2021 via Newspapers com Jerry Healey Is Leaving WAKR Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio November 5 1973 p B 1 Archived from the original on January 20 2022 Retrieved February 10 2020 via Newspapers com Jerry Healey s Back Sam and Serena invite you to his TGIF PARTY Advertisement Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio May 31 1974 p B24 Archived from the original on January 20 2022 Retrieved February 8 2020 via Newspapers com Tonight s TV Highlights Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio August 16 1974 p D5 Archived from the original on January 31 2021 Retrieved January 25 2021 via Newspapers com 61 TELEVISION STATIONS PLAN OPERATING STARTS BEFORE FALL PDF Broadcasting Vol 44 no 25 June 22 1953 p 48 Archived PDF from the original on January 30 2021 Retrieved February 7 2020 via World Radio History Cullison Art August 23 1953 30 Of TV Sets Here Converted Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 18B Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 27 2020 via Newspapers com Price 2015 p 167 FCC 1966 p 535 FCC 1966 p 534 a b Nichols Kenneth July 11 1966 WAKR s S Bernard Berk Dies Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp A 1 A 2 Archived from the original on January 20 2022 Retrieved February 9 2020 via Newspapers com Broadcaster Viola Berk dies Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio April 26 1977 p B1 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved February 7 2020 via Newspapers com Pick of the Programs Monday Akron Beacon Journal TV Preview Akron Ohio November 2 1975 p 8 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 31 2020 via Newspapers com Daytime doings for the week Akron Beacon Journal TV Preview Akron Ohio March 5 1978 p 25 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 31 2020 via Newspapers com Heldenfels R D August 26 1994 Morning Exchange moving Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p D26 Archived from the original on July 9 2021 Retrieved December 31 2020 via Newspapers com 3 Religious Programs On WAKR Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio December 19 1974 p H10 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved January 1 2021 Geiger Peter November 3 1979 Religious report raps Akron area TV radio stations Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p D1 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved January 2 2021 via Newspapers com a b c Dyer Bob July 7 1991 WAKC questions validity of ratings Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p D7 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 27 2020 via Newspapers com Bianculli David September 30 1981 Reader Ch 23 official object to Ch 3 bureau slams Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p B7 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved January 1 2021 via Newspapers com a b c d e f g Dyer Bob June 13 1999 Life after WAKC Akron Beacon Journal Magazine Akron Ohio pp 4 5 6 7 8 9 12 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved February 9 2020 via Newspapers com a b Gilbow Sean August 26 1985 Look out MTV here s music video for all Daily Kent Stater Kent State Student Media pp 15 16 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved February 6 2020 Ferris thinks nonduplication rule for cable makes FCC look ridiculous PDF Broadcasting Vol 93 no 25 December 19 1977 pp 23 25 ProQuest 1016896430 Archived PDF from the original on November 26 2020 Retrieved February 11 2020 via World Radio History Cablecasting Akron letter causes dust up in Washington PDF Broadcasting Vol 94 no 4 January 23 1978 p 60 ProQuest 1014707013 Archived PDF from the original on December 1 2020 Retrieved February 11 2020 via World Radio History a b Dyer Bob March 13 2004 Broadcast great Fred Anthony dies Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp A1 A7 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved January 2 2021 via Newspapers com WAKR TV WHBC Cited Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio May 1 1973 p A15 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved January 2 2021 via Newspapers com WAKR TV adding 11 p m newscast Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio September 17 1976 p F1 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved January 2 2021 via Newspapers com Ocker Sheldon March 20 1979 TV could help fans remember Akron U basketball Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p D1 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved January 2 2021 via Newspapers com a b Henry Ted April 29 2009 People Always Ask Me Ted s Blog Archived from the original on February 6 2020 Retrieved February 6 2020 This is something I discovered during my first serious job when I worked at WAKR TV and Radio in Akron I spent three years there and loved the fact that the sense of discovery with my job changed every day as the news would change Henry s career Spoke Archived from the original on February 6 2020 Retrieved February 6 2020 Channel 8 gets WAKR s Russ for noon news Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio November 27 1979 p C1 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved January 1 2021 via Newspapers com a b Carney Jim February 27 2006 CNN anchor got her start in Akron area Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp B1 B6 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved February 12 2020 via Newspapers com a b WAKR to carry some Kent games Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio June 23 1981 p D2 Archived from the original on February 17 2020 Retrieved February 17 2020 via Newspapers com WAKR TV to air Kent grid show Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio September 8 1981 p D3 Archived from the original on February 17 2020 Retrieved February 17 2020 via Newspapers com Seaburn John September 18 1981 Kent State Akron to keep WAKR sportscasters busy Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p C5 Archived from the original on February 17 2020 Retrieved February 17 2020 via Newspapers com Phelps leaving WAKR radio Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio October 24 1982 p E13 Archived from the original on February 17 2020 Retrieved February 17 2020 via Newspapers com Jeff Phelps 92 3 The Fan February 24 2018 Archived from the original on January 9 2019 Retrieved February 9 2020 Thom Dan May 29 2020 Schreiner leaves WAKR to do bowling for ESPN Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp C1 C5 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved February 10 2020 via Newspapers com a b c d Bhatia Kabir February 28 2021 WAKC Alumni Look Back Decades After TV News Left Town WKSU Kent State University Archived from the original on February 28 2021 Retrieved March 1 2021 Roteman Jeff KQV Billy Soule Page Jeff Roteman s KQV Page Archived from the original on February 7 2020 Retrieved February 7 2020 Haferd Laura May 13 1989 Christian rock video show to debut Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp B1 B3 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 27 2020 via Newspapers com a b Russell Deborah July 9 1994 The Eye VH 1 s Honorable Effort TV 23 In Limbo In Akron PDF Billboard Vol 106 no 28 p 37 ProQuest 227032065 Archived PDF from the original on January 21 2021 Retrieved February 12 2021 via World Radio History Abram Malcolm X March 8 2019 Black Keys release first tune since 2014 Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp A1 A6 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved May 22 2019 via Newspapers com a b c d Dyer Bob July 7 1991 The aches of Akron s TV 23 Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp D1 D7 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 26 2020 via Newspapers com Changing Hands Proposed PDF Broadcasting Vol 111 no 3 July 21 1986 p 62 ProQuest 963279920 Archived PDF from the original on January 29 2021 Retrieved January 29 2020 via World Radio History Dyer Bob Roane Marilyn Miller July 16 1986 Ga firm to buy WAKR WONE Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp A1 A12 Archived from the original on January 20 2022 Retrieved February 9 2020 via Newspapers com Warner Stuart July 24 1986 Warner s Corner However you spell it a new name is needed Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p C 1 Archived from the original on January 20 2022 Retrieved February 9 2020 via Newspapers com DKM Acquires Eight Group One Stations PDF Radio amp Records No 644 July 18 1986 pp 1 8 Archived PDF from the original on January 30 2021 Retrieved February 9 2020 via World Radio History a b Ritchey amp Miles 1993 pp 45 WAKR Trademark Registration Number 1374236 Serial Number 73540909 trademarks justia com Justia Trademarks Archived from the original on February 21 2020 Retrieved February 17 2020 Dyer Bob April 3 1987 WAKR and WONE radio will move this summer Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p B9 Archived from the original on February 15 2020 Retrieved February 15 2020 via Newspapers com Dyer Bob August 29 1987 No room for missing a beat Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp A1 A5 Archived from the original on February 17 2020 Retrieved February 17 2020 via Newspapers com Dyer Bob December 1 1987 WAKR fires reporter Dean Griffin Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p C12 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 26 2020 via Newspapers com Dyer Bob January 24 1992 WUAB sportscaster to add intergalactic responsibilities Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p D2 Archived from the original on February 16 2020 Retrieved February 16 2020 via Newspapers com Shippy Dick June 4 1961 That Export Image Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p 7D Archived from the original on February 16 2020 Retrieved February 15 2020 via Newspapers com Civic Forum Marks Anniversary Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio June 9 1963 p 11F Archived from the original on February 16 2020 Retrieved February 16 2020 via Newspapers com WAKR AM Station Profile FCC Public Inspection Files publicfiles fcc gov Federal Communications Commission Archived from the original on January 20 2022 Retrieved February 14 2020 Forum 360 Fun Month in January www jewishakron org Jewish Community Center of Akron January 28 2020 Archived from the original on May 22 2020 Retrieved February 14 2020 Kelly Nathan March 2010 Rock Solid Akron Life digital ipcprintservices com Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved February 6 2020 Network castoffs lead sitcom pack in Nielsen ratings Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio February 9 1987 p B4 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 27 2020 via Newspapers com Dyer Bob March 22 1987 Less news is bad news for WSLR employees Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p D2 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 7 2020 via Newspapers com a b c Dyer Bob November 28 1993 No news would be bad news after Channel 23 sale Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p D2 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 25 2020 via Newspapers com Barlette Kristi Gustafson November 14 2020 Jim Kambrich leaving WNYT Times Union Archived from the original on December 15 2020 Retrieved December 26 2020 a b Dyer Bob November 20 1993 Is Akron s WAKC switching to home shopping Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp C1 C4 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 25 2020 via Newspapers com Dyer Bob November 24 1993 Channel 23 is going shopping Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp A1 A14 Archived from the original on July 9 2021 Retrieved December 25 2020 via Newspapers com Allen Dale November 28 1993 With sale of WAKC airwaves are even more airhead friendly Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p B3 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 25 2020 via Newspapers com a b Dyer Bob December 19 1993 WAKC s future not simple as ABC Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp E1 E6 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 25 2020 via Newspapers com Allen Dale December 12 1993 Pending sale of WAKC shows up slim offerings in broadcast news Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p H3 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 25 2020 via Newspapers com Dyer Bob December 15 1993 Saving the local news on WAKC Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp D1 D4 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 25 2020 via Newspapers com a b Channel 23 fills positions in revamped news operation Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio June 2 1994 p B9 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 25 2020 via Newspapers com Dyer Bob June 22 1994 Channel 23 baffle you Join crowd Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p D3 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 25 2020 via Newspapers com a b McEnaney Maura August 26 1995 Sale won t change WAKC programs Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp A1 A4 Archived from the original on July 9 2021 Retrieved December 25 2020 via Newspapers com a b Heldenfels R D July 3 1996 WAKC loses heart and Soule Longtime channel 23 personality signals goodbye believing he had reached dead end Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p C1 Retrieved February 3 2022 via NewsBank TV weatherman Daugherty going to radio station Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio April 23 1994 p C6 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 27 2020 via Newspapers com a b c Dyer Bob March 1 1996 Channel 23 News Debacle Not All Bad Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p D3 Retrieved February 4 2022 via NewsBank WAKC news is expanding to an hour starting tonight Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio October 31 1994 p C15 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 25 2020 via Newspapers com a b c Heldenfels R D September 21 1995 WAKC adding an hour of news you can use Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp C11 C13 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 25 2020 via Newspapers com Heldenfels R D October 18 1994 Channel 23 subtracts adds news Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp B1 B4 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 25 2020 via Newspapers com Briefs ValueVision International Inc Star Tribune Minneapolis Minnesota March 1 1996 p D3 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 25 2020 via Newspapers com Paxson sees bargain at WAKC TV Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio October 2 1995 p D2 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 25 2020 via Newspapers com a b McKenney Mitch March 3 1996 Paxson stock gets a boost in wake of telecom laws The Palm Beach Post West Palm Beach Florida p E1 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 25 2020 via Newspapers com a b Williamson Mark Warner Stuart December 5 2021 Caught in A Catch 23 The end of local TV News in Akron An excerpt from Akron s Daily Miracle copyright 2020 by the University of Akron Press Stuart Warner The Write Coach Retrieved June 28 2022 a b Russo Cheri April 1 2008 Akron Ohio The City Where Commercial Television News Went to Black YouTube recording from WNEO WEAO Television production Athens Ohio WOUB TV Event occurs at 14 09 Archived from the original on December 22 2021 Hopkins Tom April 26 1996 Channel 2 tops competitors in Emmy nominations Dayton Daily News Dayton Ohio p 11B Retrieved June 28 2022 via Newspapers com Linz Julien Ronni June 1 2014 Miami Stories Hard work earns family grand rewards The Miami Herald Miami Florida p 14ND Retrieved June 28 2022 via Newspapers com a b Quinn Jim Hoiles Robert February 29 1996 WAKC gives viewers no word of change Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p A9 Retrieved February 3 2022 via NewsBank a b c Oblander Terry February 29 1996 WAKC s new owners fires entire news staff The Plain Dealer Cleveland Ohio p 1A Retrieved February 3 2022 via NewsBank Quinn Jim March 1 1996 Longtime news anchor denied one last scoop Mark Williamson off the air after 17 year career New jobs will come but now he ll be home at night Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p A4 Archived from the original on February 4 2022 Retrieved February 3 2022 via NewsBank Ethridge Mary March 2 1996 Dealing with losing your job Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p B1 Archived from the original on February 4 2022 Retrieved February 3 2022 via NewsBank Rosenberg Arnie April 27 1996 Newsman drops his anchor at City Hall Mayor recruits a new communications director formerly with WAKC Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p C1 Archived from the original on February 4 2022 Retrieved February 3 2022 via NewsBank Council urges boycott of WAKC over firings Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio March 5 1996 p C4 Archived from the original on February 4 2022 Retrieved February 3 2022 via NewsBank a b WAKC TV axes news department The Times Reporter Dover Ohio Associated Press March 1 1996 p A 2 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 26 2020 via NewspaperArchive a b Gamboa Glenn November 10 1997 If you ve got mail this guy lets you know Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp A1 A6 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 26 2020 via Newspapers com Heldenfels R D March 1 1996 Who fills news void created by WAKC Big stations concentrate on region not just Akron Other channels are short on cash to do news properly Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p A1 Archived from the original on February 4 2022 Retrieved February 4 2022 via NewsBank a b c WAKC offices to leave Akron The Times Reporter Dover Ohio Associated Press June 22 1996 p A 2 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 26 2020 via NewspaperArchive Ohio Digest WAKC applies to move out of Akron The Newark Advocate Newark Ohio June 22 1996 p 3A Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 26 2020 via Newspapers com Gamboa Glenn January 15 1998 OmniAmerica buys WCLV land Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp C7 C11 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 28 2020 via Newspapers com Turnbull Lornet August 9 1996 Station s move a blow to area TV 23 headquarters building has been an anchor in Copley Road neighborhood for more than 40 years Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p B1 Archived from the original on June 28 2022 Retrieved February 4 2022 via NewsBank Meyer Ed April 3 1998 Former channel 23 employee charged with equipment theft Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p C5 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 28 2020 via Newspapers com Carney Jim December 26 1998 Building on Faith Akron church settles into home more than two years after fire Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp A1 A9 Archived from the original on February 12 2021 Retrieved February 9 2021 via Newspapers com Jenkins Colette M September 5 2015 Faith communities form congregation Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp B1 B3 Archived from the original on February 14 2021 Retrieved February 9 2021 via Newspapers com Gintert Charlotte September 16 2020 Vintage Structures WAKR TV The Devil Strip Archived from the original on October 29 2020 Retrieved December 26 2020 a b Fybush Scott May 8 2015 Site of the Week 5 8 15 From Cleveland to Akron Fybush com Archived from the original on September 23 2020 Retrieved December 26 2020 via RadioBB Dyer Bob December 6 1996 Consolation prize Summit gets TV tapes Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p B3 Retrieved February 4 2022 via NewsBank a b c Heldenfels R D November 14 1996 WAKC to change format drop ABC shows Infomercials religious programs likely to replace network lineup at end of year Florida firm s decision surprises Channel 23 manager pleases Cleveland station Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p D4 Archived from the original on February 4 2022 Retrieved February 4 2022 via NewsBank Feran Tom November 14 1996 Channel 23 will cancel affiliation with ABC TV The Plain Dealer Cleveland Ohio p 11B Archived from the original on February 4 2022 Retrieved February 4 2022 via NewsBank Tuesday Evening Wednesday Afternoon The News Messenger TV Week Gannett December 27 1996 pp 17 18 Archived from the original on January 20 2022 Retrieved February 9 2021 via Newspapers com Heldenfels R D March 31 1998 Channel 67 is bought but it will still sell Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p C6 C10 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 28 2020 via Newspapers com Wilson Catherine July 6 1997 Court ruling spawns networks Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio Associated Press pp E1 E3 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 28 2020 via Newspapers com Heldenfels R D November 7 1997 New networks gearing up to get piece of TV pie Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp C1 C8 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 28 2020 via Newspapers com a b c Heldenfels R D November 17 1999 Akron newscast is no cheap feat Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp B8 B12 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 28 2020 via Newspapers com Heldenfels R D April 23 1998 Akron skyline to go on news broadcasts Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p B6 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 28 2020 via Newspapers com a b c Korte Gregory November 16 1999 Channel 23 wants OK for new tower Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p C2 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 28 2020 via Newspapers com Heldenfels R D March 27 1996 Proposal a boost to local sports Ferguson wants to return to Channel 23 with weekly half hour show Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p B1 Archived from the original on February 4 2022 Retrieved February 3 2022 via NewsBank Heldenfels R D August 9 1997 TV sports director goes new direction Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p E2 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 28 2020 via Newspapers com Heldenfels R D August 7 1997 Local newscast due in Sept Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p C2 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 28 2020 via Newspapers com Heldenfels R D January 15 1998 TV neophytes have big dreams little money Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp E1 E2 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 28 2020 via Newspapers com Heldenfels R D March 2 1996 Channel 29 tries to fill Akron s local news slot after WAKC TV drops news WAOH makes deal to rebroadcast programs from Cleveland stations Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p C1 Archived from the original on February 4 2022 Retrieved February 3 2022 via NewsBank NewsNite PBS Western Reserve Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 29 2020 Pluto Terry August 24 1997 What were these teams thinking Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p C2 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 28 2020 via Newspapers com a b Heldenfels R D January 29 2020 Transmitter problems plague local station Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p C6 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 28 2020 via Newspapers com Korte Gregory December 7 1999 City approves Paxson tower Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp B1 B2 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 28 2020 via Newspapers com Stations Sharing This Tower ASRN 1047963 RabbitEars Info Archived from the original on August 12 2017 Retrieved February 18 2020 Carter Bill September 17 1999 THE MEDIA BUSINESS NBC Completes Acquisition Of 32 Stake in Paxson The New York Times New York New York p C 6 Archived from the original on January 4 2014 Retrieved October 15 2012 a b Heldenfels R D October 13 2000 Channel 3 boosts its ties with 23 Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p C9 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 30 2020 via Newspapers com a b c d Heldenfels Rich May 30 2008 Final hour for newscast Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp A1 A3 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 30 2020 via Newspapers com a b c d Heldenfels R D Korte Gregory March 29 2001 Akron to get local TV newscast Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp B1 B2 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 30 2020 via Newspapers com a b Heldenfels R D March 26 2005 Akron newscast may be in trouble Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp D1 D2 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 30 2020 via Newspapers com a b c Heldenfels R D July 1 2005 Newscast off air on cable Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio p A1 A8 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 30 2020 via Newspapers com Carter Bill August 23 2004 MEDIA NBC Universal And Paxson An Odd Dance To a Divorce The New York Times New York New York Archived from the original on April 10 2014 Retrieved October 15 2012 Heldenfels R D July 7 2005 Newscast off air and on Time Warner Cable Akron Beacon Journal 77 South Akron Ohio p 6 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 30 2020 via Newspapers com Name change Paxson becomes Ion Media Networks South Florida Business Journal American City Business Journals February 28 2006 Archived from the original on April 2 2015 Retrieved October 15 2012 Scripps creates national television networks business with acquisition of ION Media E W Scripps Company September 24 2020 Archived from the original on January 17 2021 Retrieved December 25 2020 Cimilluca Dana Lombardo Cara September 24 2020 E W Scripps nears 2 65B takeover of ION Media in Berkshire backed deal The Wall Street Journal Archived from the original on January 1 2021 Retrieved December 25 2020 via Fox Business Jacobson Adam December 16 2020 Ion Scripps Fourth Amendment TV Trio Not Going To INYO Radio amp Television Business Report Archived from the original on January 3 2021 Retrieved January 3 2021 Miller Mark October 20 2020 Station Trading Roundup 2 Deals 45 450 000 TV News Check Archived from the original on June 11 2021 Retrieved January 3 2021 Ellis Jon October 14 2020 Scripps May Divest Minneapolis Station as Part of ION Purchase NorthPine com Archived from the original on October 20 2020 Retrieved October 17 2020 Lafayette Jon November 16 2020 Burgess Ponders What He ll Do After Selling Ion Media Broadcasting amp Cable Archived from the original on January 28 2021 Retrieved January 3 2021 Watkins Steve January 19 2021 Scripps lays off more than 100 in wake of acquisition Cincinnati Business Courier American City Business Journals Archived from the original on January 20 2021 Retrieved February 25 2021 a b RabbitEars TV Query for WVPX Archived from the original on December 20 2016 Retrieved September 22 2013 Dyer Bob February 28 1993 Akron zoo curator has visit with Mr Rogers p2 Akron Beacon Journal Akron Ohio pp D1 D4 Retrieved June 28 2022 via Newspapers com DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds PDF Archived from the original PDF on August 29 2013 Retrieved March 24 2012 Bibliography editPrice Mark J 2015 Lost Akron Charleston SC The History Press pp 165 168 ISBN 9781625851079 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 25 2020 Ritchey David Miles Thomas October 1993 WAKR Radio A History PDF School of Communications The University of Akron Archived PDF from the original on March 4 2017 Retrieved February 7 2020 via Education Resources Information Center United States Federal Communications Commission 1967 Federal Communications Commission Reports Decisions and Reports of the Federal Communications Commission of the United States Volume 4 Second Series July 1 1966 to September 30 1966 Washington D C U S Government Printing Office pp 533 535 Archived from the original on January 21 2022 Retrieved December 25 2020 Documentaries editRusso Cheri April 1 2008 Akron Ohio The City Where Commercial Television News Went to Black Television production Athens Ohio WOUB TV Archived from the original on October 15 2008 Retrieved February 13 2020 External links editIon Television official website nbsp Media related to WVPX TV at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title WVPX TV amp oldid 1218453808, 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