WRDC: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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===Switch from NBC to UPN===

ByIn theMarch mid-1990s1994, evenFSF withsold thechannel network28 stillto capitalizing[[Communications on the successCorporation of its [[Must-See TVAmerica]] campaign, NBC's patience with WRDC was exhausted after over a quarter-century of mediocrity at best on channel 28. The station's lackluster ratings in the Triangle were a particular embarrassment for NBC;headed by then,Tom the Triangle had become one of the fastest-growing markets in the country, yet the station's ratings had not grown along with the growth of the region. Continuing preemptions and Brissette's all-but-nonexistent commitment to local news did not help matters, nor did local press calling it "the worst NBC affiliate in the country".Galloway<ref>{{cite news |last1=LangfordMarshall |first1=BobKyle |title=WillWRDC newowners ownerOK fix WRDC?sale |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8741644487405933/willwrdc-newowners-ownerok-fix-wrdcsale/ |access-date=October 3120, 2021 |work=The News and& Observer |date=March 1610, 1994 |location=Raleigh, NC |pagespage=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92405144/ 7D]8C |language=English |archive-date=NovemberOctober 120, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/2021110101302820211020055649/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8741644487405933/willwrdc-newowners-ownerok-fix-wrdcsale/ |url-status=live }}</ref> NBCDespite beganhopes tothat lookGalloway towould movedo its programmingsomething to anotherfix stationwhat at''[[The theNews end& ofObserver|(Raleigh) itsNews affiliation& agreementObserver]]'' withmedia channelcritic 28.Bob UnlikeLangford incalled "the 1970s,worst itNBC hadaffiliate optionsin thisthe timecountry," aroundthe toownership gochange elsewherewould andnot getbe aenough betterto arrangement,save thankschannel in28's noaffiliation smallwith partNBC.<ref toname="Fix"/> cableBy levelingthis thetime, playingNBC's fieldpatience betweenwith VHFWRDC andhad UHFbeen outletsexhausted andafter over a deregulatoryquarter-mindedcentury FCCof ceasingmediocrity activeat promotionbest ofon thechannel development28. ofIt UHF,had leavingperennially itbeen toone marketof forces.NBC's Whenweakest [[WNCN]]affiliates (channeleven 17,during formerlyits WYED-TV),nationwide licensedratings todominance. GoldsboroThe butstation's locatedlackluster just outside Raleighratings in [[Clayton,what Northhad Carolina|Clayton]],become boostedone itsof signalthe tofastest-growing 5markets millionin wattsthe tocountry providewere greatera coverageparticular toembarrassment thefor Trianglea market,network NBCstill finallycapitalizing sawon anthe opportunity.success WNCN'sof new owner,the [[OutletMust Communications]],See had very good relations with NBC; it owned [[WJAR-TV]] incampaign. [[Providence,Continuing Rhode Island]]preemptions and [[WCMHBrissette's all-TV]]but-nonexistent incommitment [[Columbus,to Ohio]],local whichnews weredid twonot ofhelp NBC's strongest and longest-standing affiliatesmatters.<ref name="News940817Fix">{{Citecite news |last1=Langford |first1=Bob |title=Will new owner fix WRDC? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8741601387416444/will-nbcnew-jumpowner-tofix-wyedwrdc/ |access-date=AugustOctober 1731, 19942021 |pagework=41|title=WillThe NBCNews jumpand toObserver WYED?|newspaperdate=TheMarch News16, and1994 Observer|location=Raleigh, NorthNC Carolina|viapages=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 121D, 2022}}<[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92405144/ref><!-- Wed7D] -->|language=English Although WNCN had just affiliated with the new [[The WB|WB Television Network]], NBC quickly cut a deal with Outlet to move its Triangle affiliation to WNCN on Octoberarchive-date=November 1, 1995,2021 the day channel 28's affiliation agreement expired.<ref name="News941109">{{Cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101013028/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5301808887416444/nbcwill-wrdcnew-toowner-splitfix-wrdc/|date=November 9, 1994|page=43|title=NBC, WRDC to split|newspaper=The News and Observer|location=Raleigh, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|accessurl-datestatus=Januarylive 12, 2022}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

NBC began to look to move its programming to another station at the end of its affiliation agreement with channel 28. Unlike in the 1970s, it had options this time around to go elsewhere and get a better arrangement, thanks in no small part to cable leveling the playing field between VHF and UHF outlets and a deregulatory-minded FCC ceasing active promotion of the development of UHF, leaving it to market forces. It believed it had found a replacement [[WNCN]] (channel 17, formerly WYED-TV), licensed to Goldsboro but located just outside Raleigh in [[Clayton, North Carolina|Clayton]]. WNCN had recently boosted its signal to 5 million watts to provide greater coverage to the Triangle. Additionally, channel 17's new owner, [[Outlet Communications]], had very good relations with NBC; it owned [[WJAR-TV]] in [[Providence, Rhode Island]] and [[WCMH-TV]] in [[Columbus, Ohio]], which were two of NBC's strongest and longest-standing affiliates.<ref name="News940817">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87416013/will-nbc-jump-to-wyed/|date=August 17, 1994|page=41|title=Will NBC jump to WYED?|newspaper=The News and Observer|location=Raleigh, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 12, 2022}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Although WNCN had just affiliated with the new [[The WB|WB Television Network]], NBC quickly cut a deal with Outlet to move its Triangle affiliation to WNCN on October 1, 1995, the day channel 28's affiliation agreement expired.<ref name="News941109">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53018088/nbc-wrdc-to-split/|date=November 9, 1994|page=43|title=NBC, WRDC to split|newspaper=The News and Observer|location=Raleigh, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 12, 2022}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

The switchover took place on September 10, 1995—a month earlier than planned, by mutual agreement between the two stations, ending a 27-year partnership between channel 28 and NBC under three different owners. WNCN became the sole NBC affiliate in the Triangle, while WRDC became an exclusive UPN affiliate<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51790135/heres-news-wncn-going-to-nbc-early/|title=Here's news: WNCN going to NBC early|date=August 18, 1995|access-date=June 7, 2020|work=The News & Observer|first=Bob|last=Langford|pages=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53017758/ 3D]|archive-date=June 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608062511/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51790135/heres-news-wncn-going-to-nbc-early/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the local affiliation for The WB intended for WNCN went to Capitol Broadcasting's newly-launched [[WRAZ (TV)|WRAZ]] (channel 50) that fall with the understanding that the new station would switch affiliations with WLFL three years later.<ref name="WLFL/WRAZ affiliation switch of 1998">{{cite news |last1=Eisenstadt |first1=Steven |title=WRAZ to become Fox affiliate in the Triangle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87414636/wraz-to-become-fox-affiliate-in-triangle/ |access-date=October 31, 2021 |work=The News and Observer |date=December 21, 1995 |location=Raleigh, NC |page=9C |language=English |archive-date=November 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101013034/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87414636/wraz-to-become-fox-affiliate-in-triangle/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Even before then, however, the station had started branding itself as "UPN 28" and all but stopped promoting NBC programming; it also delayed UPN's Monday and Tuesday night slates to air on Friday and Saturday nights instead of NBC's weak prime time lineup,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51789835/tangled-nets-trap-trekkies/|title=Tangled nets trap Trekkies|date=January 18, 1995|page=1E|first=Bob|last=Langford|work=The News & Observer|access-date=June 7, 2020|archive-date=June 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608062512/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51789835/tangled-nets-trap-trekkies/|url-status=live}}</ref> which WNCN aired on those nights until September.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51789995/wncn-to-be-part-of-nbc/|title=WNCN to be part of NBC|work=The News & Observer|first=Kyle|last=Marshall|date=August 4, 1995|pages=9C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53017699/ 10C]|access-date=June 7, 2020|archive-date=June 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608062512/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51789995/wncn-to-be-part-of-nbc/|url-status=live}}</ref>

WithThe WRDCswitchover nowtook aplace full-timeon UPNSeptember affiliate10, it1995—a nomonth longerearlier hadthan aplanned, decentby amountmutual ofagreement programmingbetween tothe preempttwo stations, solvingending thata long27-standingyear problem.partnership UPNbetween onlychannel programmed on Monday28 and TuesdayNBC nightsunder atthree thedifferent time, and would never air any programming on weekendsowners. WRDCWNCN alsobecame pickedthe upsole severalNBC syndicatedaffiliate showsin thatthe WNCNTriangle, no longer had time to air. This leftwhile WRDC withbecame mostlyan talkexclusive showsUPN on its daytime lineup.affiliate<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pollak |first1=Lisa |title=Talk, talk, talk |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8740964251790135/talkheres-news-wncn-going-to-talknbc-talkearly/|title=Here's news: WNCN going to NBC early|date=August 18, 1995|access-date=OctoberJune 207, 2021 2020|work=The News & Observer |datefirst=September 18, 1995 Bob|locationlast=Raleigh, NC Langford|pages=1C1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8741266353017758/ 7C3D] |language=English |archive-date=OctoberJune 208, 2021 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/2021102005564920200608062511/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8740964251790135/talkheres-talknews-talkwncn-going-to-nbc-early/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Meanwhile,and the change in networklocal affiliation wasfor notThe theWB onlyintended onefor atWNCN WRDCwent into 1994Capitol andBroadcasting's 1995.newly-launched Brissette[[WRAZ sold(TV)|WRAZ]] (channel 2850) tothat [[Communicationsfall Corporationwith ofthe America]];understanding that the new station would switch affiliations with WLFL three years later.<ref name="WLFL/WRAZ affiliation switch of 1998">{{cite news |last1=MarshallEisenstadt |first1=KyleSteven |title=WRDCWRAZ ownersto OKbecome Fox affiliate in the saleTriangle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8740593387414636/wrdcwraz-ownersto-okbecome-salefox-affiliate-in-triangle/ |access-date=October 2031, 2021 |work=The News &and Observer |date=MarchDecember 1021, 19941995 |location=Raleigh, NC |page=8C9C |language=English |archive-date=OctoberNovember 201, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/2021102005564920211101013034/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8740593387414636/wrdcwraz-ownersto-okbecome-fox-affiliate-in-saletriangle/ |url-status=live }}</ref> thatAlthough firmWRDC thenhad contractedtaken on a secondary affiliation with SinclairUPN Broadcastwhen Group,that whichnetwork waslaunched purchasingin WLFLJanuary, toit combinebegan thebranding twoitself as "UPN 28" and all but stopped promoting NBC programming; it also delayed stationsUPN's operationsMonday underand aTuesday [[localnight marketingslates agreement]]to inair theon WRDCFriday building.and Saturday nights instead of NBC's weak prime time lineup,<ref name="News940930">{{Citecite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5301803951789835/viewtangled-fromnets-thetrap-cellar-at-wrdctrekkies/|title=Tangled nets trap Trekkies|date=SeptemberJanuary 3018, 19941995|page=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87414834/view-from-the-cellar-at-wrdc-part-2/ 5D]1E|first=Bob|last=Langford|titlework=ViewThe fromNews the& cellar at WRDCObserver|newspaperaccess-date=TheJune News7, and Observer2020|locationarchive-date=RaleighJune 8, North Carolina2020|viaarchive-url=Newspapershttps://web.archive.org/web/20200608062512/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51789835/tangled-nets-trap-trekkies/|accessurl-datestatus=January 12, 2022live}}</ref><!-- Friwhich -->WNCN aired WRDCon wasthose thennights solduntil to Glencairn Ltd. Glencairn was nominally headed by former Sinclair executive Edwin Edwards. However, the Smith family, founders and owners of Sinclair, held 97% of Glencairn's stock; for all intents and purposes, Sinclair now owned both stations. Similar arrangements were in place at Glencairn's other eight stations, leading to allegations that Sinclair was using Glencairn to make an end-run around FCC rules forbidding television station [[duopoly (broadcasting)|duopolies]]. The FCC eventually fined Sinclair $40,000 for its illegal control of Glencairn but approved its direct acquisition of the Glencairn stations in 2001, after duopolies were legalizedSeptember.<ref>{{Citecite news |dateurl=December 23, 2000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51789995/wncn-to-be-part-of-nbc/|title=Sinclair'sWNCN slapto onbe thepart wristof NBC|work=MilwaukeeThe BusinessNews Journal& Observer|urlfirst=Kyle|last=Marshall|date=August 4, 1995|pages=9C, [https://www.bizjournalsnewspapers.com/milwaukeeclip/stories53017699/2001/12/24/editorial1.html 10C]|access-date=2022-01-12June 7, 2020|archive-date=DecemberJune 48, 2003 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/2003120413350820200608062512/httphttps://www.bizjournalsnewspapers.com/milwaukeeclip/stories51789995/2001/12wncn-to-be-part-of-nbc/24/editorial1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

With WRDC now a full-time UPN affiliate, it no longer had a decent amount of programming to preempt, solving that long-standing problem. UPN only programmed on Monday and Tuesday nights at the time, and would never air any programming on weekends. WRDC also picked up several syndicated shows that WNCN no longer had time to air. This left WRDC with mostly talk shows on its daytime lineup.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pollak |first1=Lisa |title=Talk, talk, talk |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87409642/talk-talk-talk/ |access-date=October 20, 2021 |work=The News & Observer |date=September 18, 1995 |location=Raleigh, NC |pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87412663/ 7C] |language=English |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020055649/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87409642/talk-talk-talk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>By then, Communications Corporation of America had contracted with Sinclair Broadcast Group, which was purchasing WLFL, to combine the two stations' operations under a [[local marketing agreement]]. Although WLFL was the senior partner in the LMA, the merged operation was housed at the former WRDC facility.<ref name="News940930">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53018039/view-from-the-cellar-at-wrdc/|date=September 30, 1994|page=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87414834/view-from-the-cellar-at-wrdc-part-2/ 5D]|first=Bob|last=Langford|title=View from the cellar at WRDC|newspaper=The News and Observer|location=Raleigh, North Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 12, 2022}}</ref><!-- Fri --> WRDC was then sold to Glencairn Ltd. Glencairn was nominally headed by former Sinclair executive Edwin Edwards. However, the Smith family, founders and owners of Sinclair, held 97% of Glencairn's stock; for all intents and purposes, Sinclair now owned both stations. Similar arrangements were in place at Glencairn's other eight stations, leading to allegations that Sinclair was using Glencairn to make an end-run around FCC rules forbidding television station [[duopoly (broadcasting)|duopolies]]. Ties between WRDC and Sinclair were apparent even before the sale to Glencairn; Sinclair had put up 98 percent of the money Communications Corporation of America had used to buy WRDC. The FCC eventually fined Sinclair $40,000 for its illegal control of Glencairn but approved its direct acquisition of the Glencairn stations in 2001, after duopolies were legalized.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 23, 2000 |title=Sinclair's slap on the wrist |work=Milwaukee Business Journal |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2001/12/24/editorial1.html |access-date=2022-01-12 |archive-date=December 4, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031204133508/http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2001/12/24/editorial1.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="News940930"/>

===As a MyNetworkTV affiliate===