Sunbeam

[C Block 1611]

32 minutes ago, MediaZone4K said:

Watching WSVN's 10pm Sunday newscast. I'm noticing the anchors tracking multiple packages throughout the newscast. I haven't really seen this on any other station. 

 

From observation a lot of those packages seem to be regional, not local stories. Perhaps this is how they have to do it because Sunbeam only has two stations, so they simply track wire service stories. Moreover, I haven't seen them run many Fox News packages. 

I happened to be watching WHDH last Saturday night and noticed this. Their 10:30 lead was an anchor tracked pkg about a police chase caught on video from Texas that happened several days prior. Wasn’t sure if that was typical for them or not, but I got the sense that maybe it was.

[MediaZone4K 2661]

 

I always get this vibe that WSVN doesn't want to be associated with Fox. Ironically they are the model Fox affiliate. 

 

Looking at their coverage of the Biden press conference they did not have any Fox graphics on their feed compared to my local Nexstar/Mission station which does. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I hardly see them use Fox News packages. Very little reference of the Fox network is made on their channel. 

 

EDIT: To my recollection the only time they took Fox's coverage was 9/11

 

My history based assumption is when Ansin ran it he wanted his stations to have strong independent identities so that if they got into another affiliation battle they could stand on their own. WHDH's success post NBC has proven carving out an identity outside of the network is useful.

Edited July 12, 2024 by MediaZone4K

[nathannah 2792]

A lot of stations get a clean feed, and since it was during local time (Deco Drive), WSVN preferred to do that and stick with it rather than an awkward rejoin of the network at 8. In network time, stations can do what they want, and it wasn't a 'red alert' event requiring taking the network feed. I've seen a lot of stations do it before because they prefer both to make their own calls and not to be left in the lurch if the network doesn't cover it.

[MediaZone4K 2661]

11 minutes ago, mrschimpf said:

A lot of stations get a clean feed, and since it was during local time (Deco Drive), WSVN preferred to do that and stick with it rather than an awkward rejoin of the network at 8. In network time, stations can do what they want, and it wasn't a 'red alert' event requiring taking the network feed. I've seen a lot of stations do it before because they prefer both to make their own calls and not to be left in the lurch if the network doesn't cover it.

Fair points.

 

It is interesting though when stations  completely de-emphasize network branding. It's like they want the benefits of a network affiliation such as primetime programming and live sports, but they want to have the guise of an independent operation.

 

Now for Fox stations, it's obvious why they would want to distance themselves from the brand.

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

On 7/7/2024 at 10:35 PM, MediaZone4K said:

Watching WSVN's 10pm Sunday newscast. I'm noticing the anchors tracking multiple packages throughout the newscast. I haven't really seen this on any other station. 

 

From observation a lot of those packages seem to be regional, not local stories. Perhaps this is how they have to do it because Sunbeam only has two stations, so they simply track wire service stories. Moreover, I haven't seen them run many Fox News packages. 

 

Having watched WSVN 7 as my preferred news station for 19 years now, this is exactly true.

 

Also, they RARELY run FOX News packages from FOX NewsEdge, if ever. And when they do, they make them use custom tagouts so that its 7 News and not FOX News (for example, for Madeline Rivera, a correspondent for FOX News Edge, she would say... in Washington, Madeline Rivera, 7 News. She would never say FOX News on reports sent for WSVN.).

 

And yes, WSVN mainly does their own coverage for national news stories, including the Biden presser from yesterday. They rarely take anything national from FOX News.

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

8 hours ago, MediaZone4K said:

 

I always get this vibe that WSVN doesn't want to be associated with Fox. Ironically they are the model Fox affiliate. 

 

Looking at their coverage of the Biden press conference they did not have any Fox graphics on their feed compared to my local Nexstar/Mission station which does. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I hardly see them use Fox News packages. Very little reference of the Fox network is made on their channel. 

 

EDIT: To my recollection the only time they took Fox's coverage was 9/11

 

My history based assumption is when Ansin ran it he wanted his stations to have strong independent identities so that if they got into another affiliation battle they could stand on their own. WHDH's success post NBC has proven carving out an identity outside of the network is useful.

 

Bingo. WSVN wants nothing to do with the FOX branding outside of airing FOX network programming, live sports, and their promos. When it comes to national news coverage, WSVN has always done it themselves, maybe with the exception of the SOTU address every year, and there has been a handful of times where WSVN would rather carry live coverage from CNN (via their affiliation with CNN Newsource) than FOX News Channel (from FOX NewsEdge).

 

6 hours ago, MediaZone4K said:

Fair points.

 

It is interesting though when stations  completely de-emphasize network branding. It's like they want the benefits of a network affiliation such as primetime programming and live sports, but they want to have the guise of an independent operation.

 

Now for Fox stations, it's obvious why they would want to distance themselves from the brand.

 

Bingo. That's how WSVN 7 operates and they want to keep it that way. After all, they're not FOX 7 for a reason. I happen to live in the only media market in Florida where our FOX affiliate doesn't go by your standard typical FOX branding and that's how they look at when it comes to news as well. It won't change anytime soon, y'all, and they probably won't even mention FOX at all outside their new building in Miramar come 2026.

[Rusty Muck 4688]

WSVN is a station atypical of the norm, in every way possible. That's all that needs to be said.

 

That they are a solid #2 among English-language outlets in Miami—in spite of the lack of any synergy opportunities or not being in any larger chain—speaks to how well they read the market and shaped it in a way to also be heavily atypical of the norm. You don't have to be a cheerleader of the station to realize that.

[MediaZone4K 2661]

4 hours ago, Rusty Muck said:

WSVN is a station atypical of the norm, in every way possible. That's all that needs to be said.

 

That they are a solid #2 among English-language outlets in Miami—in spite of the lack of any synergy opportunities or not being in any larger chain—speaks to how well they read the market and shaped it in a way to also be heavily atypical of the norm. You don't have to be a cheerleader of the station to realize that.

I would love to see updated numbers for the Miami market. From last check, 2022 via nexttv (how accurate are they ?) Telemundo 51 averaged as the top station overall. WPLG comes in as the top English language station ranking at either second or third place overall. 

 

https://www.nexttv.com/news/local-news-close-up-south-florida-holds-the-keys-to-successful-local-news

 

It's truly a feat that WSVN was dethroned. From watching, their newscast don't carry the same energy as they used to. Local 10 has incorporated some of WSVN's tabloid penchant for flashy stories and presentation. They also have a good crop of anchors which has stolen my attention from Ch 7. 

 

WTVJ's broadcasts are very standard plain clean and corporate. Better than WFOR but not as energetic as 10 & 7. 

Edited July 12, 2024 by MediaZone4K

[mre29 1967]

16 hours ago, MediaZone4K said:

It's truly a feat that WSVN was dethroned. From watching, their newscast don't carry the same energy as they used to.

 

They lost some of their studio lighting? 

 

(Watch this video and you'll understand. That's a ridiculous number of lighted panels and surfaces.)

 

[SoFloTVClassics 1037]

Construction on WSVN's new building has begun. Set to be completed in 2027.

https://wsvn.com/news/local/broward/1st-wall-goes-up-as-construction-on-wsvns-future-headquarters-gets-underway-in-miramar/

 

( Sent from WSVN )

 

Pics from Craig Stevens Facebook page.

 

 

[l_miro 245]

9 hours ago, SoFloTVClassics said:

Construction on WSVN's new building has begun. Set to be completed in 2027.

https://wsvn.com/news/local/broward/1st-wall-goes-up-as-construction-on-wsvns-future-headquarters-gets-underway-in-miramar/

 

( Sent from WSVN )

 

Pics from Craig Stevens Facebook page.

 

 

 

think these are not the final look

another one from his insta

they're pulling from WHDH for ideas

 

[TVLurker 389]

On 12/6/2025 at 7:36 PM, l_miro said:

 

think these are not the final look

another one from his insta

they're pulling from WHDH for ideas

 

I'm indifferent towards them aping WHDH for ideas. In my opinion, this is going to be the best set South Florida has ever seen.

[ABC 7 Denver 1889]

18 minutes ago, TVLurker said:

I'm indifferent towards them aping WHDH for ideas. In my opinion, this is going to be the best set South Florida has ever seen.

 

I'm really not a fan of that 7 light fixture. It's gaudy and wouldn't add that much on camera.

[TVLurker 389]

2 hours ago, ABC 7 Denver said:

 

I'm really not a fan of that 7 light fixture. It's gaudy and wouldn't add that much on camera.

 

Yeah but it looks cool, artistic and historically relevant to the station that went through being a past NBC affiliate, being a Fox Affiliate who set the news blueprint for Fox stations to implement and now, being an ABC affiliate of which is keeping WSVN afloat. It is a testament to Sunbeam leadership as well, especially Ed Ansin.

[Weeters 2173]

Bet you that they partially obscure (if not flat out cover over) that newsroom within a few years of moving in. Pretty bold to be building something that massive in this day and age. There's a reason you see fewer and fewer newsrooms on camera, and that's because they're slowly becoming big rooms with lots of empty desks.

[l_miro 245]

17 hours ago, TVLurker said:

I'm indifferent towards them aping WHDH for ideas. In my opinion, this is going to be the best set South Florida has ever seen.

 

is gonna be yuge! 20K bigger than WTVJ and 10K over WPLG's building, the current plex is barely 2000 sq ft not including the anchor desk area

 

15 hours ago, Weeters said:

Bet you that they partially obscure (if not flat out cover over) that newsroom within a few years of moving in. Pretty bold to be building something that massive in this day and age. There's a reason you see fewer and fewer newsrooms on camera, and that's because they're slowly becoming big rooms with lots of empty desks.

 

unlikely they'll do away with the plex, it's not there to look populated, it's a backdrop and umpteen standup areas for live shots which they see as an advantage to rhythm and pace the newscast vs the competition. They also still have close to or more than 200 people working in the news department. ND/assist ND/ producers are coalesced around the news desk and hang out there when they're live. 

The problem they're debating is the space might be too big for anchors to pop in and out quickly like it's currently possible at the plex. Sounds like everyone will be getting their steps on the regular 

 

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

I haven't seen any article that mentioned the date when the new facility will open. Now we know... January 2027. That will be some six months, though, after WSVN turns 70.

 

https://thedesk.net/2025/12/sunbeam-new-tv-facility-miramar-wsvn/

[l_miro 245]

On 12/12/2025 at 10:19 PM, TheRolyPoly said:

I haven't seen any article that mentioned the date when the new facility will open. Now we know... January 2027. That will be some six months, though, after WSVN turns 70.

 

https://thedesk.net/2025/12/sunbeam-new-tv-facility-miramar-wsvn/

 

May 2027 is the best case for moving in

18-24 months is overall what they're shooting for, assuming no delays

[MediaZone4K 2661]

On 12/6/2025 at 10:36 PM, l_miro said:

 

think these are not the final look

another one from his insta

they're pulling from WHDH for ideas

 

Loving the light fixture. It reminds me of their 2002 intro in my profile pic.

 

Beaides that, meh on the Newsplex renderings. The front desk area looks too flat and barren. It doesn't appear immersed in the newsroom but rather separate. The new renderings also remove the iconic upstairs balcony view (from the front angle).

 

The best was the OG newsplex from the 90s. It had depth and angles, and the lighting wasn't too fluorescent like it is now. The split video monitors were a staple, and IMO  looked better than the seamless. But I suppose they can just create the split monitor effect on the video wall.

Edited December 16, 2025 by MediaZone4K

[l_miro 245]

On 12/15/2025 at 7:45 PM, MediaZone4K said:

Loving the light fixture. It reminds me of their 2002 intro in my profile pic.

 

Beaides that, meh on the Newsplex renderings. The front desk area looks too flat and barren. It doesn't appear immersed in the newsroom but rather separate. The new renderings also remove the iconic upstairs balcony view (from the front angle).

 

The best was the OG newsplex from the 90s. It had depth and angles, and the lighting wasn't too fluorescent like it is now. The split video monitors were a staple, and IMO  looked better than the seamless. But I suppose they can just create the split monitor effect on the video wall.

 

They simulated the CRT TV wall until recently in software. Haven't seem do it since they upgrade to a seameless LED wall. Ditto on the lighting. They all use those LED panels with 7500K light that looks like hospital lighting. Current anchor desk is separate, it only looks like part of the plex on air because you can't see the walls holding the glass panels behind the anchors. 

 

In Render #1 you see the anchor desk sitting in what is called 'News Studio', a ~2700 sq ft area slitghtly bigger than the current WSVN plex. Most/a lot of the standup areas will be in that space, and will probably look 'conventional' with prop sets that aren't physically part of newsroom like the current 'Sattelite Center' is, or the standup area opposite it. Not rendered on the left, is the weather office and green screen. Behind the anchors you see about 2/3 of the 'Newsplex' space (~6400 sq ft or larger), there's another 40ft running down to the right that is filled with desks.

 

In Render #2 you see some that space below. And it is accurate there is no wrap around mezzanine floor like WSVN/WHDH currently have. The LED wall is a divider, behind it you can peak the  6 new anchor offices. That 2nd floor spot is just a careve out from an office space, it's quite a trek from downstairs so it might not make appearance during live newscasts much. There is no direct access to the plex floor like there is now. 

They're moving almost everyone who works on the live show into the plex space with their own desks, including assignment desk.
 

Tldr; there will be a newsplex-like space with a standup at the LED wall, but overall not as we know it at WSVN, or WHDH.

 

 

[l_miro 245]

My artsy drawing of the plex layout on the tablet, mostly accurate. They'll have enough room for a Mercedes and a pony or three

 

Sports will have a hard set again after 30 years. Deco will stay on virtual set most likely. And for the first time, the set pieces will be built by an industry set builder.

 

The 2400 Sq ft space will only hold anchor desk, weather stand up area similar to whdh, Deco/weather cyclorama wall.

 

50-70 people move into the plex space near the 'big ass monitor'.

 

It's 85ft from the sat center to the news desk so employees and the jib cam will be getting a workout

 

6k Sq ft for server room, so they're also probably going automated 

 

The building itself is set, but a lot of other parts appear to be fluid and still changing

 

[l_miro 245]

Google Earth from October 2025 shows the footings of the new building.

The red circle marks the spot where they'll have a ~5000 fq ft circle 7 logo

 

Edited January 7 by l_miro

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

30 years ago tonight, a refurbished and relaunched version of 7:30 began on WSVN 7 with Kelley Mitchell and Jessica Aguirre.

 

I'm not sure if anyone has heard of it but its called... Deco Drive.

 

An entertainment news program that fits South Florida well. I mean, its survived 30 years at this point.

 

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1269520051663057&id=100058152218055

[Megatron81 343]

Congrats on 30 years of Deco Drive surprised that WSVN hasn't tried to put that program statewide of FL or is it too South Floridia for it to be statewide?

[l_miro 245]

On 1/12/2026 at 2:41 PM, Megatron81 said:

Congrats on 30 years of Deco Drive surprised that WSVN hasn't tried to put that program statewide of FL or is it too South Floridia for it to be statewide?

 

They put Deco in Boston on WHDH many years ago, in the late 1990s but it struck out.

I was asked once years ago how I see DecoDrive.com develop, told them it should carve out a niche like Perez Hilton/TMZ but they didn't want to invest in resources. Same as now, they don't really need to expand it, Deco rates better than or on par with Jeopardy/Wheel/ET whatever it was up against, so they've kept it going for little overhead.

It is very South Florida centered, other than Deco news, all of the segments about events and businesses are for Fort Lauderdale/Miami/Miami Beach

Edited January 14 by l_miro