nathannah 2401 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 (edited) Speaking of stations that are strong as independents, we'll see what will happen in Miami now because the bombshell just dropped; WPLG is done with ABC as of August 4th. Meanwhile right after that, we already also have an idea where the network is headed; it's getting subbed to WSVN's second sub; Mods, I think this needs to be broken out to its own thread. Edited March 20 by nathannah 1 1 1 4 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glimmer 281 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 14 minutes ago, nathannah said: Speaking of stations that are strong as independents, we'll see what will happen in Miami now because the bombshell just dropped; WPLG is done with ABC as of August 4th. It will be interesting to see what ABC ends up doing; WSFL? A subchannel on one of the existing stations? Perhaps do they avoid the broadcast game entirely and launch an entirely streaming Miami station? We shall see… …and we have an answer! WSVN will become the new home for ABC 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304436 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRolyPoly 2358 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 BREAKING: WPLG and ABC are breaking up. https://www.local10.com/station/2025/03/20/wplg-tv-parts-ways-with-abc-television-network/ 1 1 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304437 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgie56 3292 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 I assume WPLG wants to become WJXT South with this move. 6 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304438 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mer764KCTV5 148 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 5 minutes ago, TheRolyPoly said: BREAKING: WPLG and ABC are breaking up. https://www.local10.com/station/2025/03/20/wplg-tv-parts-ways-with-abc-television-network/ ... What? 3 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304439 Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.L. Hughes 881 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 (edited) 20 minutes ago, Glimmer said: It will be interesting to see what ABC ends up doing; WSFL? A subchannel on one of the existing stations? Perhaps do they avoid the broadcast game entirely and launch an entirely streaming Miami station? We shall see… This assumes that this isn’t a negotiating tactic on WPLG’s part: walk away knowing ABC has no good options for a replacement affiliate (considering WSVN is most likely locked in with Fox, and six other stations are owned by the parents of the other major English- and Spanish-language networks), so that the network will have no choice but to crawl back and meet its offer, a gamble that’s incredibly risky (they’re dealing with Disney, after all). We know other station owners have been trying to claw back on the reverse compensation model for the same reasons why WPLG said no to ABC’s terms. WSFL is the only option (relying on its existing deal with Scripps, though that would necessitate Scripps building the market’s fifth English news department from scratch), unless Disney/ABC pulls what NBC did in Boston a decade ago and launches an O&O from scratch. If it goes through, none of the major English-language television stations in Miami will have been an affiliate of their network for longer than 36 years, a rarity for a top-20 market. Edited March 20 by T.L. Hughes 4 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304440 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDHIll1980 99 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 (edited) 7 minutes ago, TheRolyPoly said: BREAKING: WPLG and ABC are breaking up. https://www.local10.com/station/2025/03/20/wplg-tv-parts-ways-with-abc-television-network/ Just wow. It seems like April Fool's Day came twelve days early, but this is legit. South Florida has to prepare for another massive network affiliation switch, not counting WSFL dropping CW to go indie. Other than WTVJ, WFOR/WBFS, and obviously the Spanish network O&Os, WSVN and even WSFL have to be in play for the new ABC affiliation. Edited March 20 by SDHIll1980 3 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304441 Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYAZSporty 123 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 WSVN will be the new ABC affiliate carrying it on 7.2 while maintining FOX on the main 7.1 channel. 2 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304442 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickp 337 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 ABC's NBA games, SEC football, everything else all headed to WSVN 3 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304443 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvcg66b3r 100 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 1 minute ago, NYAZSporty said: WSVN will be the new ABC affiliate carrying it on 7.2 while maintining FOX on the main 7.1 channel. We don't know that yet, it's just speculation. We've yet to hear from ABC about where they're going. 2 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304444 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRolyPoly 2358 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 Wow. I am STUNNED. WSVN is gonna carry two networks?! I mean, this is like a nuclear bomb dropping over us! I wonder what WSVN will do in terms of news output. There's no way WSVN will split it. 4 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304445 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mer764KCTV5 148 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 2 minutes ago, NYAZSporty said: WSVN will be the new ABC affiliate carrying it on 7.2 while maintining FOX on the main 7.1 channel. Oh boy... what is going on in South Florida? WSVN having both ABC and FOX at the same time is... interesting. 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304446 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRolyPoly 2358 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 Here's the WSVN side of the story... ABC Miami on WSVN 7.2. https://wsvn.com/news/local/miami-dade/disney-entertainment-and-sunbeam-television-corporation-announce-new-home-for-the-abc-television-network-in-the-south-florida-market/?FBWSVN&fbclid=IwY2xjawJJTKJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHWIpSNEIDqDVeuvOu1Mk-s7TLKwZlyhOM-bu4kZc4cHaNldzLsPUBiODhQ_aem_B0JyRJKky81ge_aAjP29vg 1 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304447 Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.L. Hughes 881 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 (edited) 9 minutes ago, mvcg66b3r said: We don't know that yet, it's just speculation. We've yet to hear from ABC about where they're going. ABC being relegated to subchannel-only status in Miami of all places sounds like the biggest lateral move ever. Edited March 20 by T.L. Hughes 7 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304449 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glimmer 281 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 12 minutes ago, TheRolyPoly said: Wow. I am STUNNED. WSVN is gonna carry two networks?! I mean, this is like a nuclear bomb dropping over us! I wonder what WSVN will do in terms of news output. There's no way WSVN will split it. I think it’s gonna be almost all simulcasts 1 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304450 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDHIll1980 99 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 4 minutes ago, T.L. Hughes said: ABC being relegated to subchannel-only status in Miami of all places sounds like the biggest lateral move ever. Along those lines, I wonder if ABC did pursue WSFL for an affiliation given the relationship between the Alphabet and Scripps. That said, good for WSVN if they can handle it, but we'll wonder long they'll keep ABC and Fox on their signal. 6 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304451 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GodfreyGR 650 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 3 minutes ago, SDHIll1980 said: I wonder if ABC did pursue WSFL for an affiliation given the relationship between the Alphabet and Scripps. Given the current financial situation at the Lighthouse, I could see Disney steering clear for calmer waters. If Scripps goes down, it's pandora's box who will end up with what. At least with WSVN they know what they are getting into. 5 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304453 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRolyPoly 2358 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 What a big way to venture into WSVN's 70th year. I truly didn't see this on my bingo card for 2025 or for 2026. 4 2 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304454 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDHIll1980 99 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 Just now, GodfreyGR said: Given the current financial situation at the Lighthouse, I could see Disney steering clear for calmer waters. If Scripps goes down, it's pandora's box who will end up with what. At least with WSVN they know what they are getting into. I kinda forget about Scripps' current financial issues, thanks for reminding me. I do agree, it's probably for the best that Disney/ABC looked for something more stabilized, even given the limited standalone options in Miami. 3 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304456 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRolyPoly 2358 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 I do see this... the WPLG and WSFL news arrangement will be off come Aug. 4th since they'll want to move the 10pm news over to WPLG itself and restart the 7-9am block it once had. Add 6:30 news as well, finally bridge the gaps on weekends mornings, and this could be the story that finally gives WSVN a run for their money. I mean, they already have but this will take things to a whole new level. 5 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304457 Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.L. Hughes 881 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 (edited) ABC’s move to WSVN-DT2 will make Miami the largest market with a subchannel-only Big Four network affiliate, which is a weird thing to note considering that Big Four multicast affiliates are typically associated with sub-75 markets with nowhere near the number of stations that South Florida has. CMIIW, I think Atlanta (affected by the 1980 NBC/ABC switches and the New World deal), Baltimore and Denver (both of which saw all of their Big Three stations swap networks in 1995 as a result of the CBS/Westinghouse deal) are currently the only Top 30 markets where none of the Big Three networks has a “legacy” affiliate (i.e., a station that it has been affiliated with prior to 1980). Given that ABC stayed with WPLG during the 1989 switches, making it the only Big Four network not affected then, Miami will now join that list. Edited March 20 by T.L. Hughes 3 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304458 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Action Newsroom 1262 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 I don't pay too much attention about TV affiliates outside of the big 5 (especially Philadelphia) [yes, I know], but this legit shocked me. This network/affiliate relationship is one I know is one of the strongest and longest in the nation, so to see it end after almost 7 decades is pretty crazy. 3 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304459 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickp 337 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 WPLG said they made a generous offer to ABC and if they had to pay more than that it would risk laying off staff 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304460 Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlnews2 590 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 They’ll probably have to lay off staff regardless as ad rates and retrans fees are likely to decline without ABC programming 2 minutes ago, nickp said: WPLG said they made a generous offer to ABC and if they had to pay more than that it would risk laying off staff 4 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304461 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRolyPoly 2358 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 Here's another thing... WPLG will fill up ABC programming with news. WSVN will have to decide which simulcasts will go on 7.2 and which will be exclusive. Get ready for the cable/satellite paperwork that'll be discussed to find out where ABC will be located while WPLG stays on 10 more likely. 2 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/21677-wplg-abc-parting-ways/#findComment-304464 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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