WTXF-TV

{{Short description|Television station in Philadelphia}} {{Other uses|Fox 29 (disambiguation){{!}}Fox 29}} {{Distinguish|WFXT|WFTX-TV|WXFT-DT}} {{Good article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox television station | callsign = WTXF-TV | logo = Fts-philadelphia-a.svg | logo_alt = The Fox network logo next to a black numeral 29 in a sans serif typeface. On a line below, the word "Philadelphia" in another sans serif, width-justified. | logo_upright = 1 | branding = Fox 29 Philadelphia | digital = 31 (UHF) | virtual = 29 | repeater = 25 (UHF) Allentown | affiliations = {{ubl|'''29.1:''' Fox|''for others, see {{section link||Technical information and subchannels}}''}} | owner = Fox Television Stations, LLC | location = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | country = United States | airdate = {{start date|1965|5|16}} | callsign_meaning =  | former_callsigns = {{ubl|WIBF-TV (1965–1969)|WTAF-TV (1969–1988)}} | former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 29 (UHF, 1965–2009)|'''Digital:''' 42 (UHF, 1998–2019)}} | former_affiliations = Independent (1965–1986) | erp = 1,000 kW | haat = {{convert|336|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} | facility_id = 51568 | coordinates = {{coord|40|2|26|N|75|14|18|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}} | licensing_authority = FCC | website = {{URL|www.fox29.com/}} }}

'''WTXF-TV''' (channel 29) is a television station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Owned and operated by the Fox network through its Fox Television Stations division, the station maintains studios on Market Street in Center City and a primary transmitter on the tower farm in Roxborough, with a secondary transmitter on South Mountain in Allentown.

Channel 29 is the longest continuously operated UHF station in Philadelphia, since May 16, 1965, as WIBF-TV from studios in the suburb of Jenkintown. WIBF-TV was owned by the Fox family alongside WIBF-FM 103.9. It was the first of three new commercial UHF outlets that year, broadcasting as an independent station focusing on community and sports programming. Taft Broadcasting purchased channel 29 in 1969 and renamed it WTAF-TV. Under Taft, the station slowly emerged as the leading independent station in the Philadelphia market with popular sports coverage, movies, and syndicated programs. The station was the broadcast outlet for the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team between 1971 and 1985 and for the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team from 1983 to 1992. The latter deal came after Taft Broadcasting purchased 47 percent of the team. In early 1986, WTAF-TV began producing a 10 p.m. local newscast. Later that year, it became affiliated with the new Fox television network.

Ownership of channel 29 shifted to TVX Broadcast Group in 1987 as part of its purchase of Taft's five large-market independent stations; the call sign was changed to WTXF-TV the next year. The deal left TVX highly leveraged and ultimately led to the station's sale in two parts between 1989 and 1991 to Paramount Pictures. Paramount nearly lost the station's Fox affiliation when Fox tried to buy another Philadelphia station in 1993. That purchase fell through, and Fox ultimately purchased WTXF-TV itself in a deal approved in 1995. Fox expanded the news department, first with a morning show—''Good Day Philadelphia''—and later with additional early evening and other newscasts.

==History== In November 1952, the first construction permit for channel 29 in Philadelphia was received by WIP radio, then owned by Gimbels department store, as part of a wave of ultra high frequency (UHF) station applications and assignments following a four-year-long freeze on permit awards.<ref name="Phil521127">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026520/uhf-permit-granted-tv-station-here/|date=November 27, 1952|page=32|title=UHF Permit Granted TV Station Here|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000152/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026520/uhf-permit-granted-tv-station-here/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Christopher|first=Larry|title=Eight new grants; Philadelphia, other TV cities get CPs.|id={{ProQuest|1401200522}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/52-OCR/BC-1952-12-01-OCR-Page-0057.pdf|work=Broadcasting|page=57|date=December 1, 1952|access-date=December 23, 2018|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921075950/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/52-OCR/BC-1952-12-01-OCR-Page-0057.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> WIP returned the permit in May 1954, finding that building and operating the proposed station would be economically infeasible.<ref name="Phil540526">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026592/wip-turns-back-permit-for-uhf/|date=May 26, 1954|page=33|title=WIP Turns Back Permit for UHF|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000146/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026592/wip-turns-back-permit-for-uhf/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|1285716775}} |title=WIP returns ch. 29 CP to FCC, cites economics |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/54-OCR/1954-05-31-BC-OCR-Page-0088.pdf |work=Broadcasting |page=88 |date=May 31, 1954 |access-date=December 23, 2018 |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921085253/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/54-OCR/1954-05-31-BC-OCR-Page-0088.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

===WIBF-TV: Early years=== In August 1962, William Fox, whose family owned WIBF-FM (103.9) in Jenkintown as well as real estate interests there,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fybush.com/site-031009.html |title=Roxborough Tower Farm, Philadelphia PA (part II): Fox Tower |last=Fybush |first=Scott |date=October 9, 2013 |website=Fybush.com |access-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-date=December 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203055549/https://www.fybush.com/site-031009.html |url-status=live }}</ref> received a construction permit from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to build a new television station on channel 29. The new station would focus on local and regional programming, including news, local sports, and educational shows; it was the second commercial UHF station approved for the Philadelphia area after channel 17 (originally WPCA-TV).<ref name="Phil620816">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026628/tv-roundup-wibf-in-jenkintown-given/|date=August 16, 1962|page=17|title=TV Roundup: WIBF in Jenkintown Given UHF Channel; Emphasis to Be Local|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000152/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026628/tv-roundup-wibf-in-jenkintown-given/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Phil620817">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026674/wibf-logs-extensive-sports-community/|date=August 17, 1962|page=20|title=WIBF Logs Extensive Sports, Community, Educational Programs|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407052947/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026674/wibf-logs-extensive-sports-community/|url-status=live}}</ref> The construction permit initially specified Jenkintown as the city of license, but this was changed to Philadelphia in 1963.<ref name="hc">{{Cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/060c97a9-ebbb-c685-bd1d-260b68b66195|title=FCC History Cards for WTXF-TV|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref>

In 1965, plans for channel 29 became more definite as the station announced several launch dates: first April 15,<ref name="Phil650203">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026740/two-more-stations-planning-to-operate/|date=February 3, 1965|page=19|title=Two More Stations Planning to Operate On UHF by Autumn|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407055559/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026740/two-more-stations-planning-to-operate/|url-status=live}}</ref> then May 1,<ref name="Phil650415">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055546/tv-roundup-philas-newest-station-to/|date=April 15, 1965|page=14|title=TV Roundup: Phila.'s Newest Station to Start May 1|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000153/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055546/tv-roundup-philas-newest-station-to/|url-status=live}}</ref> though the station did not start broadcasting until May 16.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1966-TV-Factbook/Television-Factbook-36-1966-OK-VI.pdf#page=42|title=WIBF-TV|work=Television Factbook|date=1966|page=551-b|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407052938/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1966-TV-Factbook/Television-Factbook-36-1966-OK-VI.pdf#page=42|url-status=live}}</ref> It had contracted to air feature films and several British children's shows.<ref name="Phil650210">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026780/live-coverage-of-gemini-flight-to-be/|date=February 10, 1965|page=34|title=Live Coverage Of Gemini Flight To Be 'Pooled'|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407052945/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026780/live-coverage-of-gemini-flight-to-be/|url-status=live}}</ref> Local programs included the teen show ''Discotheque'',<ref name="Phil650430">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026813/new-uhf-stations-set-target-date/|date=April 30, 1965|page=24|first=Harry|last=Harris|title=New UHF Stations Set Target Date|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407055603/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026813/new-uhf-stations-set-target-date/|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as local talk and conversation with former WCAU host Taylor Grant on the station's late newscast.<ref name="Phil650521">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026880/taylor-grant-to-stress-lively-issues-on/|date=May 21, 1965|page=29|title=Taylor Grant to Stress Lively Issues on New Channel 29|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407052942/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026880/taylor-grant-to-stress-lively-issues-on/|url-status=live}}</ref> Channel 29 also broadcast network shows that the city's ABC affiliate, WFIL-TV, opted not to air. Its attempts to pick up a similarly unaired NBC show were rejected because the station could not broadcast it in color.<ref name="Phil650615">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055613/tv-roundup-channel-29-airs-4-abc-shows/|date=June 15, 1965|page=15|title=TV Roundup: Channel 29 Airs 4 ABC Shows WFIL Shunned|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407052948/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055613/tv-roundup-channel-29-airs-4-abc-shows/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Phil650701">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055693/tv-roundup-ill-bet-to-switch-to/|date=July 1, 1965|page=30|title=TV Roundup: 'I'll Bet' to Switch to WFIL-TV|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000149/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055693/tv-roundup-ill-bet-to-switch-to/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The number of operating commercial UHF stations in the Philadelphia area would go from zero to three in 1965. After WIBF-TV, Kaiser Broadcasting debuted WKBS-TV (channel 48) on September 1,<ref name="Phil650901">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80515818/2d-uhf-commercial-station-to-bow/|date=September 1, 1965|page=28|title=2d UHF Commercial Station to Bow|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407055557/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80515818/2d-uhf-commercial-station-to-bow/|url-status=live}}</ref> and channel 17 returned to the air after three years as WPHL-TV on September 17.<ref name="Phil650912">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122428097/more-local-stations-mean-more-shows/|date=September 12, 1965|page=Magazine 18|title=More Local Stations Mean More Shows|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407052940/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122428097/more-local-stations-mean-more-shows/|url-status=live}}</ref> To increase its coverage area, in 1966, WIBF-TV built a new transmitting tower in the Roxborough area, its transmitter having previously been located at the Fox family's Benson East apartments along with the studio.{{r|hc}}<ref name="Phil660909">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055731/channel-29-tower/|date=September 9, 1966|page=31|title=Channel 29 Tower|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000149/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055731/channel-29-tower/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1967, WIBF-TV debuted ''Market'', a six-hour stock market review program.<ref name="Phil670927">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122428567/fortune-is-fickle-lou-monte-learns/|date=September 27, 1967|page=17|first=Jerry|last=Gaghan|title=Fortune Is Fickle, Lou Monte Learns|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407055554/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122428567/fortune-is-fickle-lou-monte-learns/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===WTAF-TV: The Taft years=== By late 1968, the Foxes disclosed that their broadcasting operations were operating with a deficit of more than $2 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|2000000|1968}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}} dollars).<ref>{{cite magazine |title=WIBF-FM-TV deficit is over $2 million |id={{ProQuest|1014511476}} |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1968/1968-12-02-BC.pdf#page=43 |magazine=Broadcasting |pages=43–44 |date=December 2, 1968 |access-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308023629/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1968/1968-12-02-BC.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> This would prove to be a major factor in the decision to sell WIBF-TV to Cincinnati-based Taft Broadcasting, a transaction which closed in May 1969 for $4.5 million, including assumption of debt (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|4500000|1968}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}} dollars), at the time the most spent for a UHF facility;<ref name="Phil681022">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055754/tv-roundup-taft-broadcasting-co-pays/|date=October 22, 1968|page=10|title=TV Roundup: Taft Broadcasting Co. Pays $4.5 Million for Phila.'s Channel 29|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407052938/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055754/tv-roundup-taft-broadcasting-co-pays/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Station sales market explodes |id={{ProQuest|1016847233}} |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/68-OCR/1968-10-21-BC-OCR-Page-0048.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting |page=48 |date=October 21, 1968 |access-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921071328/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/68-OCR/1968-10-21-BC-OCR-Page-0048.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |id={{ProQuest|1014518345}} |title=FCC approves group purchases |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-05-26-BC.pdf#page=46 |magazine=Broadcasting |pages=46–48 |date=May 26, 1969 |access-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308034537/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-05-26-BC.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> an article in ''Variety'' declared of the purchase price, "For many it symbolizes the 'arrival' of UHF in the television scheme of things."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Taft Bets Big on Philly UHF Via Buy Of WIBF-TV for Record $4,500,000|date=October 23, 1968|pages=35, 40|magazine=Variety|id={{ProQuest|1505851291}} }}</ref> Taft had room for a second UHF station—in addition to WNEP-TV (channel 16) in Scranton—because it had sold WKYT-TV in Lexington, Kentucky, the year before.<ref name="Cinc681017">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122428436/taft-broadcasting-co-to-buy-phila-stat/|date=October 17, 1968|page=44|title=Taft Broadcasting Co. To Buy Phila. Station|newspaper=The Post & Times-Star|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408010301/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122428436/taft-broadcasting-co-to-buy-phila/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Taft needed FCC waivers because the company already owned five stations in top-50 markets and because the signals of the two Pennsylvania stations overlapped.<ref name="Trib690523">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122428702/taft-to-buy-6th-station-channel-29-phi/|date=May 23, 1969|page=12|title=Taft to Buy 6th Station: Channel 29, Phila., Costs $1.4 Million|newspaper=The Scranton Tribune|location=Scranton, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000157/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122428702/taft-to-buy-6th-station-channel-29/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 20, 1969,{{r|hc}} the call letters changed from WIBF-TV—which had represented members of the Fox family—to WTAF-TV, reflecting the new ownership.<ref name="Phil691024">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055815/tv-roundup-smothers-brothers-will-have/|date=October 24, 1969|page=44|title=TV Roundup: Smothers Brothers Will Have Special|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407055601/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055815/tv-roundup-smothers-brothers-will-have/|url-status=live}}</ref> The call sign change was part of a wider plan to improve every aspect of the station's operation, from programming to facilities.<ref>{{Cite news|id={{ProQuest|963156287}}|work=Back Stage|page=2|date=July 11, 1969|title=WIBF-TV, Maps Overhaul Of Its New Program Structure}}</ref> One early priority was to leave Jenkintown—where the sign on the building still read WIBF<ref name="Phil720309">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122449274/we-have-our-own-howard-hughes/|date=March 9, 1972|page=39|first=Charles|last=Petzold|title=We Have Our Own Howard-Hughes|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000155/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122449274/we-have-our-own-howard-hughes/|url-status=live}}</ref>—for more centrally located and accessible studios. While Taft's idea of moving into 30th Street Station was made infeasible by the financial problems of owner Penn Central,<ref name="Phil710228">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122449086/29-has-eye-on-move-from-suburbs-to-city/|date=February 28, 1971|page=TV Week 23|first=Marvin|last=May|title=29 Has Eye on Move From Suburbs to City|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000225/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122449086/29-has-eye-on-move-from-suburbs-to-city/|url-status=live}}</ref> the station relocated to its present facilities at 4th and Market streets in December 1972.<ref name="Phil721206">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122449371/tv-roundup-ch-3-dropping-mclean-marci/|date=December 6, 1972|page=24|first=Harry|last=Harris|title=TV Roundup: Ch. 3 Dropping McLean; Marciarose May Step In|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000207/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122449371/tv-roundup-ch-3-dropping-mclean/|url-status=live}}</ref>

thumb|alt=A four-story brick building with Fox 29 signage and an electronic news ticker|Channel 29 has operated from this building at the corner of 4th and Market streets since 1972. Taft also expanded channel 29's local sports coverage. In 1971, channel 29 began telecasting road games of the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL.<ref>{{Cite news|page=44|date=October 16, 1972|title=Pro hockey pits noncommercial V v. commercial U |id={{ProQuest|1016905395}}|work=Broadcasting|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1972/1972-10-16-BC.pdf|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131025435/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1972/1972-10-16-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The station also telecast the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA,<ref name="Sent720817">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122449964/groat-gets-76ers-post/|date=August 17, 1972|page=14|title=Groat Gets 76ers Post|newspaper=The Evening Sentinel|location=Carlisle, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000210/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122449964/groat-gets-76ers-post/|url-status=live}}</ref> Philadelphia Freedoms of World TeamTennis,<ref>{{cite news|page=271|title=Hockey Delays Bow Of Philly TVolley|work=Variety|date=May 8, 1974|id={{ProQuest|963255616}} }}</ref> Philadelphia Wings lacrosse,<ref name="BC740610">{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1974/1974-06-10-BC.pdf|id={{ProQuest|1014663619}}|title=UHF: out of the traffic and heading for the open road|pages=35–45|first=Rufus|last=Crater|work=Broadcasting|date=June 10, 1974|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=June 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616213314/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1974/1974-06-10-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and road games of the Philadelphia Bell of the short-lived World Football League in 1975 (the Bell had played on WPHL-TV in 1974).<ref name="Phil740503">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122448082/bell-to-stay-play-at-jfk/|date=May 3, 1974|pages=1-D, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122448116/bell-to-play-at-jfk-8-road-games-on-tv/ 7-D]|first=Gordon|last=Forbes|title=Bell to Stay, Play at JFK|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Phil750715">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122447934/davis-lives-with-ghosts-of-the-past/|date=July 15, 1975|pages=1-C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122447910/davis-cant-avoid-comparisons/ 2-C]|first=Bill|last=Livingston|title=Davis Lives With Ghosts of the Past|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000235/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122447934/davis-lives-with-ghosts-of-the-past/|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 29, 1975, the Bell were playing a televised contest against the Southern California Sun in Anaheim. The game began late at night because of the time difference, and WTAF-TV viewers never got to see the end of the 58-39 Sun victory, as the station signed off before the game was completed.<ref name="Phil750830">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122449500/bell-cracks-under-sun-strokes/|date=August 30, 1975|page=30|first=Michael|last=Sisak|title=Bell Cracks Under Sun Strokes|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000157/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122449500/bell-cracks-under-sun-strokes/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1975/12/01/the-day-the-money-ran-out|title=The Day the Money Ran Out|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=December 1, 1975|access-date=July 25, 2022|archive-date=July 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725221445/https://vault.si.com/vault/1975/12/01/the-day-the-money-ran-out|url-status=dead}}</ref>

WTAF-TV continued to lose money in its first years under Taft, but it slowly improved its ratings and financial position over the decade.{{r|BC740610|Var790523}} In the second half of the 1970s, WTAF-TV emerged as Philadelphia's highest-rated independent station after having previously trailed WPHL and WKBS. Flyers coverage and the strength of the station's nightly movies were cited as particular bright spots in the program lineup.<ref name="Phil760706">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055889/ch-29-finds-the-winning-formula/|date=July 6, 1976|page=5-D|first=Harry|last=Harris|title=Ch. 29 finds the winning formula|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407052943/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055889/ch-29-finds-the-winning-formula/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was profitable in each year between 1975 and 1978.<ref name="Var790523">{{Cite news|pages=54, 76|title=Anneke Out As WTAF-TV G.M. In Tiff With Taft|work=Variety|date=May 23, 1979|id={{ProQuest|1401350082}} }}</ref>

===Taft and the Phillies=== In 1981, Taft Broadcasting acquired a 47-percent stake in the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team as part of a group headed by team executive Bill Giles. The Phillies had been broadcast on WPHL-TV since 1971; that station's owner, the Providence Journal Company, had increased its rights fees for 1979 just so the team could sign free agent Pete Rose.<ref name="Phil811028">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055967/giles-broadcasting-firm-near-purchase/|date=October 28, 1981|page=1-A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055983/giles-group-draws-near-to-purchase-of-ph/ 2-A]|first=Jayson|last=Stark|author-link=Jayson Stark|title=Giles, broadcasting firm near purchase of Phillies|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000212/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055967/giles-broadcasting-firm-near-purchase/|url-status=live}}</ref> Immediately, it was announced that Phillies games would move to channel 29 beginning in 1984, after the existing WPHL-TV contract ended, as part of a new nine-year, $30 million deal (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|30000000|1981}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}} dollars);<ref name="Phil811030">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056012/phils-sold-on-changing-channels/|date=October 30, 1981|page=90|first=Rich|last=Hofmann|title=Phils Sold on Changing Channels|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000213/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056012/phils-sold-on-changing-channels/|url-status=live}}</ref> this was brought forward a year to 1983 after Taft negotiated a buyout of channel 17's final year on the contract.<ref name="Phil820616">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056072/channel-29-will-televise-phillies-games/|date=June 16, 1982|page=10-D|first=Bill|last=Collins|title=Channel 29 will televise Phillies games beginning next season|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000212/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056072/channel-29-will-televise-phillies-games/|url-status=live}}</ref> For Taft, buying a large share of the Phillies and their television rights was as much about programming WTAF-TV as it was a business move: Taft executives pointed out that baseball would provide more hours of content than the entire run of ''M*A*S*H'', a popular and long-running series which channel 29 aired in syndication.<ref name="Phil820219">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122450447/investment-in-phillies-looks-like-a-hit/|date=February 19, 1982|page=7-D|first=Craig|last=Stock|title=Investment in Phillies looks like a hit, Taft says|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000153/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122450447/investment-in-phillies-looks-like-a/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Philadelphia independent market contracted in 1983 when WKBS-TV went off the air, a victim of corporate infighting amid the dissolution of Field Communications. However, most of channel 48's former program inventory was purchased by WPHL-TV.<ref name="Phil830722">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122450963/feuding-fields-killed-channel-48/|date=July 22, 1983|page=71|first=Stuart D.|last=Bykofsky|author-link=Stu Bykofsky|title=Feuding Fields Killed Channel 48|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000157/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122450963/feuding-fields-killed-channel-48/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Phil830724">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67763599/why-channel-48-could-not-attract-a-buyer/|date=July 24, 1983|pages=1-A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67763753/calling-it-quits-why-channel-48-found/ 13-A]|first=Andrea|last=Knox|title=Why Channel 48 could not attract a buyer|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000213/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67763599/why-channel-48-could-not-attract-a-buyer/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BC830725">{{Cite news|title=Field to dismantle its Philadelphia station, WKBS-TV|work=Broadcasting|page=89|id={{ProQuest|1014711217}}|date=July 25, 1983}}</ref> Two years later, a third independent was added back to the Philadelphia lineup with the sale of WWSG-TV (channel 57) to Milton Grant and its relaunch as WGBS-TV. The Flyers moved to channel 57 after 15 seasons on channel 29, citing in part the emphasis the station had placed on promoting and broadcasting the Phillies.<ref name="Phil850816">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119211694/tv-weekend-flyers-split-with-channel/|date=August 16, 1985|page=119|first=Kevin|last=Mulligan|title=TV Weekend: Flyers Split with Channel 29, Prepare to Join 57|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032207/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119211694/tv-weekend-flyers-split-with-channel/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Fox, TVX, and WTXF=== On October 9, 1986, WTAF-TV became a charter affiliate of the fledgling Fox television network, which initially only offered late-night and weekend prime time programming.<ref>{{Cite news|pages=44–45|title=Fox network begins to take shape|work=Broadcasting|date=August 4, 1986|id={{ProQuest|963254490}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-08-04.pdf|access-date=March 11, 2023|archive-date=January 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127014659/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-08-04.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> It had beaten out WPHL-TV for the affiliation.<ref name="News860630">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122451103/phila-stations-for-sale/|date=June 30, 1986|page=D2|first=Bill|last=Hayden|title=Phila. stations for sale|newspaper=The News Journal|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408010208/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122451103/phila-stations-for-sale/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The arrival of Fox to channel 29—announced in early August—was overshadowed later that month when Taft announced it was likely to put its five independent stations up for sale to pay down the large debt its 1985 purchase of Gulf Broadcast Group had generated, fend off activist investors such as Robert Bass, and concentrate on its portfolio of network affiliates. An appraisal estimated that WTAF-TV alone could sell for $175 million and the five stations together for $690 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|175000000|1986}}}} and ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|690000000|1986}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}} dollars).<ref name="Phil860826">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056242/channel-29-sale-studied-by-owner/|date=August 26, 1986|page=1-A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056259/for-sale-channel-29-taft-seeks-a-price/ 13-A]|first=Neill|last=Borowski|title=Channel 29 sale studied by owner|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000240/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056242/channel-29-sale-studied-by-owner/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The stations fetched far less than that when TVX Broadcast Group of Norfolk, Virginia, paid $240 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|240000000|1986}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}} dollars) for the package. Taft lost between $45 and $50 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=Taft's TV's go to TVX for $240 million |id={{ProQuest|1016914750}} |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/86-OCR/BC-1986-11-24-OCR-Page-0041.pdf |periodical=Broadcasting |page=41 |date=November 24, 1986 |access-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301011854/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/86-OCR/BC-1986-11-24-OCR-Page-0041.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1016919127}} |title=McDonald paints a bright picture for TVX |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/87-OCR/BC-1987-05-11-OCR-Page-0037.pdf |periodical=Broadcasting |page=37 |date=May 11, 1987 |access-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301005211/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/87-OCR/BC-1987-05-11-OCR-Page-0037.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Fort861117">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106285185/taft-broadcasting-sells-channel-21/|date=November 17, 1986|page=A17|first=Stephen|last=Rassenfoss|title=Taft Broadcasting sells Channel 21|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|location=Fort Worth, Texas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=July 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726215917/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106285185/taft-broadcasting-sells-channel-21/|url-status=live}}</ref> Weeks later, Taft exited its stake in the Phillies by selling the 47.5 percent of the club to its other owners for $24.1 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|24100000|1986}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}} dollars).<ref name="Phil861209">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056320/taft-sells-its-share-of-the-phillies/|date=December 9, 1986|page=71|first=Frederick H.|last=Lowe|title=Taft Sells Its Share of the Phillies|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000154/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056320/taft-sells-its-share-of-the-phillies/|url-status=live}}</ref>

TVX officially closed on the deal on April 9, 1987.<ref name="Phil870402">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120578408/ch-29-switches-ownership-today/|date=April 2, 1987|page= 52|first=Joseph P.|last=Blake|title=Ch. 29 Switches Ownership Today|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Miam870410">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121661058/channel-6-four-other-stations-sold/|date=April 10, 1987|page=4C|first=Joan|last=Chrissos|title=Channel 6, four other stations sold|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000214/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121661058/channel-6-four-other-stations-sold/|url-status=live}}</ref> While TVX applied for new WTXF-TV call letters at that time as a condition of the sale because of the close association of WTAF-TV with Taft,{{r|Phil870402}}<ref name="Phil880421">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122452352/primary-attraction-local-stations-get-r/|date=April 21, 1988|page=47|first=Robert|last=Strauss|title=Primary attraction: Local stations get ready for Tuesday|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000216/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122452352/primary-attraction-local-stations-get/|url-status=live}}</ref> the call sign did not change until June 1, 1988.<ref name="Phil880531">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122452440/vermeil-on-vermeil-im-not-an-actor/|date=May 31, 1988|page=6-C|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Vermeil on Vermeil: 'I'm not an actor'|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000200/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122452440/vermeil-on-vermeil-im-not-an-actor/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Taft stations purchase gave TVX five major-market stations, though most were doing poorly, with the chief exception of channel 29.<ref name="WaPo861124">{{Cite news|date=November 24, 1986|pages=WB1, 31|id={{ProQuest|138822885}}|first=Elizabeth|last=Tucker|title=TVX Bucks a Television Tide: Tim McDonald Buys Independent Stations As Others Race to Sell|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> It left TVX highly leveraged and highly vulnerable. TVX's bankers, Salomon Brothers, provided the financing for the acquisition and in return held more than 60 percent of the company.<ref name="DMN870708">{{cite news|title=Broadcaster to focus on trimming costs: Channel 21's new owner 'doing deals'|page=1D|first=Michael|last=Weiss|date=July 8, 1987|work=The Dallas Morning News}}</ref> The company was to pay Salomon Brothers $200 million on January 1, 1988, and missed the first payment deadline, having been unable to lure investors to its junk bonds even before the Black Monday stock market crash.<ref name="DMN880124">{{cite news|title=Channel 21's latest signals show trouble, possible sale|date=January 24, 1988|work=The Dallas Morning News|first=Michael|last=Weiss|page=2H}}</ref> While TVX recapitalized by the end of 1988,<ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1016925809}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-12-12.pdf|page=65|date=December 12, 1988|work=Broadcasting|title=Fifth Estate Earnings Reports|access-date=July 26, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151220/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-12-12.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Salomon Brothers reached an agreement in principle in January 1989 for Paramount Pictures to acquire options to purchase the investment firm's majority stake.<ref>{{Cite news|id={{ProQuest|1016923501}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-01-23.pdf|pages=70–71|work=Broadcasting|date=January 23, 1989|title=Paramount takes step toward buy of TVX stations|access-date=July 26, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151314/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-01-23.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> This deal was replaced in September with an outright purchase of 79 percent of TVX for $110 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|110000000|1989}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}} dollars).<ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1285739505}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-09-18.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=September 18, 1989|page=89|title=Paramount buys TVX|access-date=July 26, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108154344/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-09-18.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1991, Paramount acquired the remainder of TVX, forming the Paramount Stations Group.<ref>{{Cite news|pages=57, 61|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1991/BC-1991-03-04.pdf|id={{ProQuest|1014747206}}|title=Paramount acquires TVX Group|work=Broadcasting|date=March 4, 1991|access-date=July 26, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108160308/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1991/BC-1991-03-04.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

The increasing priority and quantity of Fox network programming, as well as pressure from the network as it prepared to expand to seven-night-a-week service,<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 23, 1993|title=Fox buys Philly station, yanks affiliation, sends Paramount into a competitive rage|id={{Gale|A14256344}}|work=Mediaweek}}</ref> led to the end of the station's association with the Phillies. In 1991, the station proposed a joint deal with KYW-TV (channel 3) to air the team's broadcast games beginning in 1993.<ref name="Phil910207">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119406452/phils-fans-could-be-seeing-double-in-93/|date=February 7, 1991|page=11-C|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Phils fans could be seeing double in '93|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408010223/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119406452/phils-fans-could-be-seeing-double-in-93/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the Phillies opted to return to WPHL-TV, which had the ability to broadcast more games than WTXF-TV.<ref name="Cour920107">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122452942/phillies-games-back-on-ch-17-for-1993-s/|date=January 7, 1992|page=2C|title=Phillies games back on Ch. 17 for 1993 season|newspaper=Courier-Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000751/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122452942/phillies-games-back-on-ch-17-for-1993/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Becoming a Fox-owned outlet=== {{further|1994–1996 United States broadcast television realignment}} Combined Broadcasting, owner of WGBS-TV, put its three stations on the market in 1993. Six months later, Combined announced it had a buyer for WGBS-TV: Fox Television Stations, which would purchase channel 57 for $70 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|70000000|1993}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}} dollars) and make it the new Fox station for Philadelphia, replacing WTXF-TV.<ref name=v-wgbsfox>{{cite news|last1=Benson|first1=Jim|title=Fox dumps Par affil for indie|url=https://variety.com/1993/film/news/fox-dumps-par-affil-for-indie-109768/|access-date=September 26, 2014|work=Variety|date=August 19, 1993|archive-date=December 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226000956/http://variety.com/1993/film/news/fox-dumps-par-affil-for-indie-109768/|url-status=live}}</ref> Paramount strongly criticized Fox's plans to pull its affiliation. It warned, "All affiliates of Fox should take note of the level of loyalty and commitment Fox has exhibited. Apparently Fox's loyalty only recognizes the partnership nature of a network affiliate's relationship when it is convenient to Fox's own economic interest."<ref>{{Cite news|title=Hollywood TV war puts static on two Phila. stations |id={{Gale|A14481779}}|date=September 3, 1993|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|first=Andrew W.|last=Lehren|page=5}}</ref>

With a switch that would have taken place in April 1994, at the end of channel 29's Fox affiliation agreement, WGBS-TV was also seen as likely to start a local newsroom, providing the first competition to WTXF's 10 p.m. newscast.<ref name="Phil930820">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119408168/foxs-buying-ch-57-may-mean-news-compet/|date=August 20, 1993|page=F6|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Fox's buying Ch. 57 may mean news competition at 10 o'clock|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032245/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119408168/foxs-buying-ch-57-may-mean-news/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-08-30.pdf|date=August 23, 1993|title=Station up in the air in Philly market|id={{Gale|A14441995}}|page=18|first=Joe|last=Flint|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131024357/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-08-30.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The transaction also fueled existing speculation that Paramount was planning to join with Chris-Craft Industries to create a new network;<ref name=v-wgbsfox/> when what eventually became the United Paramount Network (UPN) was announced that October as a joint venture of the two companies, WTXF was named as its Philadelphia affiliate.<ref name=b&c-wtxfupn>{{cite news|last1=Flint|first1=Joe|title=It's Warner v. Paramount|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-11-01.pdf|access-date=September 26, 2014|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=November 1, 1993|pages=1, 6|archive-date=January 27, 2016|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20160127135908/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-11-01.pdf|url-status=live|id={{ProQuest|1014759380}}}}</ref>

While this occurred, Paramount itself became the subject of rival media companies seeking to purchase it. In September, Viacom agreed in principle to merge with Paramount.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Foisie|first1=Geoffrey|first2=Christopher|last2=Stern|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-09-20.pdf|title=Viacom, Paramount say 'I do'|id={{Gale|A14418035}}|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=September 20, 1993|pages=14–16|access-date=December 3, 2018|archive-date=September 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901041825/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-09-20.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Not long after that, West Chester-based home shopping giant QVC mounted a competing bid, and the two firms entered into an intense bidding war;<ref>{{Cite news|last=Foisie|first=Geoffrey|title=Paramount: Let the bidding begin|id={{ProQuest|1014755053}}|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=October 4, 1993|pages=14–16|access-date=December 3, 2018|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-10-04.pdf|archive-date=December 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206060201/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-10-04.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Foisie|first=Geoffrey|title=Paramount: Let the bidding begin...again|id={{ProQuest|225343021}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/93-OCR/BC-1993-12-13-Page-0007.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|page=7|date=December 20, 1993|access-date=December 3, 2018|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921083025/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/93-OCR/BC-1993-12-13-Page-0007.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=McClellan|first=Steve|title=QVC, Viacom prepare Paramount bids|id={{ProQuest|225342293}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/93-OCR/BC-1993-12-20-Page-0026.pdf|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=December 20, 1993|access-date=December 3, 2018|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921163729/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/93-OCR/BC-1993-12-20-Page-0026.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Viacom ultimately prevailed in the bidding war in February 1994.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Foisie|first=Geoffrey|title=At long last: Viacom Paramount|id={{ProQuest|225331666}}|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=February 21, 1994|pages=7, 10, 14|access-date=December 3, 2018|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-02-21.pdf|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308024952/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-02-21.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

However, Fox's attempts to buy WGBS-TV ran into opposition largely unrelated to the Philadelphia station. The New York City chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) filed a formal objection to Fox's planned purchase due to concerns about foreign ownership in Fox's ownership structure.<ref name=v-naacpvsfox>{{cite news|last1=Wharton|first1=Dennis|title=NAACP decries Fox's TV station ownership|url=https://variety.com/1993/tv/news/naacp-decries-fox-s-tv-station-ownership-116024/|access-date=September 26, 2014|work=Variety|date=November 22, 2014|archive-date=December 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226001007/http://variety.com/1993/tv/news/naacp-decries-fox-s-tv-station-ownership-116024/|url-status=live}}</ref> As FCC approval did not come before the planned January 30, 1994, completion of the WGBS-TV deal, Combined walked away from the sale a few weeks later after one extension, preserving WTXF's Fox affiliation.<ref name=v-wgbsnofox>{{cite news|last1=Flint|first1=Joe|title=Delay foils Fox bid for WGBS|url=https://variety.com/1994/tv/news/delay-foils-fox-bid-for-wgbs-118772/|access-date=September 26, 2014|work=Variety|date=March 1, 1994|archive-date=December 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217001428/http://variety.com/1994/tv/news/delay-foils-fox-bid-for-wgbs-118772/|url-status=live}}</ref> Even while the deal was still pending, however, other opportunities drew Fox's attention. In January, when Fox was rebuffed in a bid to purchase Westinghouse Broadcasting (Group W)—which included KYW-TV in Philadelphia—''Mediaweek'' reported that another station executive found Fox lacking "its customary vigor" in trying to close the WGBS-TV deal.<ref>{{Cite news|date=January 31, 1994|first=Eric|last=Schmuckler|id={{Gale|A14773734}}|title=Fox said to eye Group W|work=Mediaweek}}</ref>

When Group W instead entered into a partnership with CBS—resulting in an affiliation switch at KYW-TV and the sale of CBS-owned WCAU-TV (channel 10)—a second such opportunity emerged.<ref>{{cite news|last=Zier|first=Julie A.|title=CBS, Group W form historic alliance|id={{ProQuest|225329759}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/94-OCR/BC-1994-07-18-Page-0014.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|page=14|date=July 18, 1994|access-date=December 4, 2018|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921073745/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/94-OCR/BC-1994-07-18-Page-0014.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Several months earlier, Fox had entered into a multi-station, multi-year partnership with New World Communications.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Foisie|first=Geoffrey|title=Fox and the New World order|id={{ProQuest|225327977}}|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=May 30, 1994|pages=6, 8|access-date=December 4, 2018|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-05-30.pdf|archive-date=July 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725013818/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-05-30.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> New World and NBC emerged as the leading bidders for WCAU, with New World intending to switch WCAU to Fox if it emerged victorious; Fox also joined the bidding for WCAU in case New World's bid failed. However, Paramount/Viacom changed its Philadelphia plans. On August 31, 1994, it was announced that it would sell WTXF-TV to Fox for more than $200 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|200000000|1994}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}} dollars);<ref name="Phil940901">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119410449/the-fox-network-to-buy-channel-29/|date=September 1, 1994|page=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119410487/fox-network-to-buy-ch-29-ch-10-might/ A17]|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=The Fox network to buy Channel 29|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032251/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119410449/the-fox-network-to-buy-channel-29/|url-status=live}}</ref> that transaction gave the company the cash to then turn around and buy two of Combined's stations—WGBS-TV and WBFS-TV in Miami—to become UPN stations.<ref name=b&c-saletoviacom>{{cite news|title=In Brief|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-10-17.pdf|access-date=September 26, 2014|id={{ProQuest|1014758666}}|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=October 17, 1994|page=80|archive-date=August 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817041159/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-10-17.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The FCC approved the deal in August 1995, as well as a waiver for Fox to own WTXF-TV and WNYW in New York City simultaneously.<ref name="Phil950825">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056705/murdoch-gets-ok-to-own-channel-29-fcc/|date=August 25, 1995|page=5|agency=Associated Press|title=Murdoch gets OK to own Channel 29: FCC: It serves 'public interest'|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000718/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056705/murdoch-gets-ok-to-own-channel-29-fcc/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Fox made major changes. For some time prior to the sale, the station had been looking for newer, larger facilities for its 150 employees.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Channel 29 down to three picks for new location|first=David M.|last=Halbfinger|date=August 5, 1994|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|id={{Gale|A15713931}} }}</ref> In September 1994, the station had settled on a site in Bryn Mawr, a suburban move seen as a blow to Center City.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Channel 29, 150 jobs, quitting city for 'burbs'|date=September 16, 1994|first=David M.|last=Halbfinger|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|id={{Gale|A16142645}} }}</ref> Fox dropped the "Fox 29" brand, calling the station "Fox Philadelphia",<ref>{{Cite news|first=Eric|last=Hollreiser|title=TV stations are in titanic fight as 'sweeps' period hits town|id={{ProQuest|198161967}}|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|date=November 3, 1995}}</ref> and instead expanded in the Center City building.<ref name="Phil960219">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122455539/lamay-leads-the-charge-of-channel-29s/|date=February 19, 1996|page=C10|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=LaMay leads the charge of Channel 29's 'Good Day, Philadelphia'|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000752/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122455539/lamay-leads-the-charge-of-channel-29s/|url-status=live}}</ref> The station renamed itself "Fox 29" again in 2003; ''Philadelphia Daily News'' columnist Stu Bykofsky noted that most people had continued to call it by its channel number anyway.<ref name="Phil030428">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122456368/newsome-twosome-its-all-relative-says/|date=April 28, 2003|page=35|first=Stu|last=Bykofsky|author-link=Stu Bykofsky|title=Newsome twosome? It's all relative, says Georges Perrier|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000701/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122456368/newsome-twosome-its-all-relative/|url-status=live}}</ref> Fox began a major renovation of the building in 2005, now occupying all four floors including space once utilized by an insurance agency and a bank.<ref name="Phil050613">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122470368/ch-29-to-take-on-the-big-boys-with-a-5/|date=June 13, 2005|page=D6|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Ch. 29 to take on the big boys with a 5 p.m. newscast|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000719/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122470368/ch-29-to-take-on-the-big-boys-with-a-5/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2023 license renewal objections=== In July 2023, at WTXF-TV's routine eight-year license renewal, the Media and Democracy Project filed a petition against the renewal with the FCC, seeking greater scrutiny of the network and Fox Television Stations. Joined by former Fox executive Preston Padden and using evidence brought to light in the ''Dominion Voting Systems v. Fox News Network'' case, the petition sought denial of the license renewal over Fox Corporation's alleged misdeeds, citing the station's airing of such national news programs as ''Fox News Sunday'' and linking them to the January 6 United States Capitol attack. In the petition, Padden wrote, "...Fox has undermined our democracy and has radicalized a segment of our population by presenting knowingly false narratives about the legitimacy of the 2020 election. In my opinion, this type of reporting was a significant contributing factor to the riots in the Capitol on January 6, 2021."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=July 6, 2023 |title=Fox Faces FCC License Threat Over False Election Claims & Jan. 6 Attack |language=en-US |work=Deadline |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/donald-trump-fox-fcc-petition-tv-license-false-election-claims-1235431363/ |access-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803182333/https://deadline.com/2023/07/donald-trump-fox-fcc-petition-tv-license-false-election-claims-1235431363/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A second such petition was then filed by Bill Kristol and former PBS president and FCC member Ervin Duggan.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baragona |first=Justin |date=July 31, 2023 |title=Ex-Fox News Star Bill Kristol Joins Fight to Get FCC to Come Down on Fox |language=en |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/ex-fox-news-pundit-bill-kristol-joins-fight-to-deny-fox-station-broadcast-license |access-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803212046/https://www.thedailybeast.com/ex-fox-news-pundit-bill-kristol-joins-fight-to-deny-fox-station-broadcast-license |url-status=live }}</ref> Later in August, former FCC commissioner Alfred C. Sikes and Jamie Kellner, the architect of the Fox network in the 1980s, also filed informal objections to the renewal: Sikes warned that the FCC had let the requirement to operate in the public interest become "perfunctory" and called for the renewal to be "closely scrutinized in public hearings and courtrooms", while Kellner wrote, "If the character requirement for broadcast licensees is to have any meaning, the FCC must designate the application for a hearing to evaluate the Murdochs'/Fox's character qualifications to operate WTXF on the public airwaves."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Eggerton |first=John |date=August 21, 2023 |title=Former GOP FCC Chair Alfred Sikes Backs Fox License Hearing |language=en |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/former-gop-fcc-chair-alfred-sikes-backs-fox-license-hearing |access-date=August 23, 2023 |archive-date=August 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822155410/https://www.nexttv.com/news/former-gop-fcc-chair-alfred-sikes-backs-fox-license-hearing |url-status=live }}</ref> In an opposition, Fox criticized the relief sought by the petitioners as "a violation of the First Amendment" and emphasized the lack of specific evidence against WTXF-TV itself.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baragona |first=Justin |date=August 3, 2023 |title=Fox Blasts 'Landmark' Effort to Kill Local Station as 'Violation of the First Amendment' |language=en |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/fox-blasts-landmark-bid-to-take-philly-station-off-air-as-violation-of-the-first-amendment |access-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803213801/https://www.thedailybeast.com/fox-blasts-landmark-bid-to-take-philly-station-off-air-as-violation-of-the-first-amendment |url-status=live }}</ref>

On August 23, the FCC opened a docket for the case and invited further comment.<ref>{{cite news|url-access=subscription|work=Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-23/fcc-invites-comment-on-request-to-deny-fox-tv-license-renewal|date=August 23, 2023|first=Todd|last=Shields|title=FCC Invites Comment on Request to Deny Fox TV License Renewal|access-date=August 23, 2023|archive-date=August 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823232700/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-23/fcc-invites-comment-on-request-to-deny-fox-tv-license-renewal|url-status=live}}</ref> Fox highlighted letters calling for license renewal from elected officials of both parties, including U.S. representatives Brendan Boyle and Brian Fitzpatrick and three members of the Philadelphia City Council.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Eggerton |first=John |date=August 25, 2023 |title=Fox Cites Endorsement Letters in Philadelphia License Defense |language=en |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/fox-cites-endorsement-letters-in-philadelphia-license-defense |access-date=November 4, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Mark |date=October 26, 2023 |title=3 Democratic Philadelphia City Councilmembers Support Renewal Of Fox's WTXF O&O There |language=en |work=TVNewsCheck |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/regulation/article/3-democratic-philadelphia-city-councilmembers-support-renewal-of-foxs-wtxf-oo-there/ |access-date=November 4, 2023}}</ref> Both of Pennsylvania's U.S. senators later filed a letter calling for WTXF's license to be renewed.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vadala |first=Nick |date=27 February 2024 |title=Pa.’s Democratic senators file letter supporting Fox 29 in FCC broadcast license battle |url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/fox29-fcc-broadcast-license-john-fetterman-bob-casey-20240227.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724210047/https://www.inquirer.com/news/fox29-fcc-broadcast-license-john-fetterman-bob-casey-20240227.html |archive-date=2025-07-24 |access-date=2026-04-16 |work=Philadelphia Inquirer |language=en-US}}</ref> Former FCC officials and a noted First Amendment lawyer, Floyd Abrams, filed comments supporting denial of the renewal.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Mark K. |date=2023-08-21 |title=Former Republican FCC Chair Is The Latest To Call For Hearing Into License Renewal For Fox’s WTXF Philadelphia |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/regulation/article/former-republican-fcc-chair-is-the-latest-to-call-for-hearing-into-license-renewal-for-foxs-wtxf-philadelphia/ |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623155218/https://tvnewscheck.com/regulation/article/former-republican-fcc-chair-is-the-latest-to-call-for-hearing-into-license-renewal-for-foxs-wtxf-philadelphia/ |archive-date=2024-06-23 |access-date=2026-04-13 |work=TVNewsCheck |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jacobson |first=Adam |date=2024-01-23 |title=Noted First Amendment Lawyer Supports WTXF License Nix |url=https://rbr.com/noted-first-amendment-lawyer-supports-wtxf-license-nix/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725023649/https://rbr.com/noted-first-amendment-lawyer-supports-wtxf-license-nix/ |archive-date=2025-07-25 |access-date=2026-04-13 |work=Radio & Television Business Report |language=en-US}}</ref>

On January 16, 2025, in the final days of the Biden administration, FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel dismissed the petition to deny a renewal of the broadcast license for WTXF and renewed the license. She cited defense of the First Amendment as her rationale. Also dismissed were petitions from conservative groups against stations owned by ABC, CBS, and NBC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vadala |first=Nick |date=January 16, 2025 |title=FCC dismisses challenge to Fox 29′s broadcast license |url=https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/tv/fcc-fox29-federal-communications-commission-broadcast-license-20250116.html |access-date=June 2, 2025 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Folkenflik |first=David |date=2025-01-16 |title=As Trump inauguration nears, FCC chief dismisses complaints against TV networks |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/01/16/nx-s1-5262424/fcc-trump-tv-licenses-rosenworcel |access-date=2026-04-13 |work=NPR |language=en}}</ref> Incoming FCC chair Brendan Carr reinstated the complaints against ABC, CBS, and NBC but not the one against WTXF.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-01-22 |last=Winslow |first=George |title=FCC Reinstates Complaints Against 3 Stations |url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/fcc-reinstates-news-distortion-complaints-against-two-stations |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125012521/https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/fcc-reinstates-news-distortion-complaints-against-two-stations |archive-date=2025-01-25 |access-date=2026-04-16 |work=TVTechnology |language=en}}</ref> The Media and Democracy Project appealed the dismissal in February 2025, with no FCC action taken {{as of|March 2026|lc=yes}}.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://communicationsdaily.com/news/2026/03/26/MAD-Pushes-For-FCC-Action-on-Appeal-of-Dismissed-WTXF-Petition-2603250076|work=Communications Daily|url-access=subscription|date=March 26, 2026|title=MAD Pushes For FCC Action on Appeal of Dismissed WTXF Petition}}</ref>

==News operation== ===''The Ten O'Clock News''=== In late 1985, under Taft Broadcasting, WTAF-TV began to build an in-house news department to prepare a 10 p.m. newscast with a focus on hard news. Roger LaMay was recruited from KTTV in Los Angeles to run the newsroom, which was set up in a former film library in the basement of the Center City studios,{{r|Phil910216}} and former KYW-TV sports anchor Howard Eskin was signed as channel 29's first marquee news personality.<ref name="Phil851212">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056145/on-its-way-the-news-at-10/|date=December 12, 1985|page=1-E, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056166/on-its-way-channel-29s/ 6-E], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056175/-the-10-oclock-news/ 7-E]|first=Joe|last=Logan|title=On its way, the news at 10|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000723/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056145/on-its-way-the-news-at-10/|url-status=live}}</ref> One reporter was Dan Mechem, son of Taft Broadcasting chairman Charles Mechem.<ref name="Phil860212">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056197/to-boss-son-what-matters-is-if-im-qu/|date=February 12, 1986|page=9-D|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=To boss' son, what matters is 'if I'm qualified'|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000722/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056197/to-boss-son-what-matters-is-if-im/|url-status=live}}</ref>

''The Ten O'Clock News'' debuted on February 17, 1986, as the first prime time newscast in Philadelphia since WKBS-TV discontinued its effort in 1970. The half-hour program was anchored by Lee McCarthy, a former NBC network correspondent.<ref name="Phil860216">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056205/dropping-anchor-at-ch-29-lee-mccarthy/|date=February 16, 1986|pages=TV Week 4, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122461188/cover-storymccarthy/ 67]|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Dropping anchor at Ch. 29: Lee McCarthy has left the correspondent's jet-set life.|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000658/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056205/dropping-anchor-at-ch-29-lee-mccarthy/|url-status=live}}</ref> That fall, the weeknight-only broadcast expanded to weekends;<ref name="Phil860606">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122451081/only-change-he-sees-is-in-the/|date=June 6, 1986|page=6-C|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Only change he sees is in the competition|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000724/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122451081/only-change-he-sees-is-in-the/|url-status=live}}</ref> the program's audience doubled in its first year on air.<ref name="Phil870217">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056337/ch-29-news-celebrates-a-successful/|date=February 17, 1987|pages=1-C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056350/ten-news-celebrates-a-successful-first/ 8-C]|first=Lee|last=Winfrey|title=Ch. 29 news celebrates a successful first year|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000701/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056337/ch-29-news-celebrates-a-successful/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The program was extended to an hour in 1990—delayed by the Paramount acquisition of TVX<ref name="Phil910216">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056519/what-comes-on-at-10-but-is-really-five/|date=February 16, 1991|page=6-C|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=What comes on at 10, but is really five?|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000700/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056519/what-comes-on-at-10-but-is-really-five/|url-status=live}}</ref>—with original reporter Jill Chernekoff returning to the station after a year at Headline News to co-anchor the expanded newscast.<ref name="Phil900304">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80516142/a-news-show-dares-to-grow/|date=March 4, 1990|page=TV Week 4, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80516193/a-news-show-dares-to-grow/ 5]|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=A news show dares to grow|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=July 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711071609/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80516142/a-news-show-dares-to-grow/|url-status=live}}</ref> Eskin's contract was not renewed for financial reasons, with his last sportscast coming in June 1990;<ref name="Cour900614">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122467318/howard-eskin-takes-final-bow-on-ch-29/|date=June 14, 1990|page=6C|first=Chuck|last=Darrow|title=Howard Eskin takes final bow on Ch. 29|newspaper=Courier-Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000700/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122467318/howard-eskin-takes-final-bow-on-ch-29/|url-status=live}}</ref> the station let go of McCarthy in January 1994.<ref name="Phil931006">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056587/channel-29-intends-to-drop-lee-mccarthy/|date=October 6, 1993|page=G4|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Channel 29 intends to drop Lee McCarthy, keep Jill Chernekoff|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000721/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056587/channel-29-intends-to-drop-lee/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Expansion to mornings and beyond=== [[File:Ted Kaufman on Good Day Philadelphia.jpg|right|thumb|Senator Ted Kaufman (D-DE) appears on ''Good Day Philadelphia'' in February 2009.|alt=Refer to caption]] After Fox acquired WTXF-TV, it made major investments in the news operation. It expanded and at long last computerized the newsroom. It assembled a new staff of 32 to launch a morning show, ''Good Day Philadelphia'', consisting of a 6:30 a.m. newscast and two-hour morning show, on April 1, 1996.{{r|Phil960219}}<ref name="Phil960418">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122463052/good-day-philadelphia-an-am-rival/|date=April 18, 1996|pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122463098/good-day-philadelphia-strong-mix-of-l/ C7]|first=Jonathan|last=Storm|title='Good Day Philadelphia': An a.m. rival for the networks|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000700/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122463052/good-day-philadelphia-an-am-rival/|url-status=live}}</ref> The program was originally hosted by Tracey Matisak and Don Tollefson, former WPVI-TV sports director.{{r|Phil980414}} In addition, WTXF acquired a helicopter for newsgathering purposes.<ref name="Phil961219">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122455619/jones-is-warming-up-to-that-winter-holid/|date=December 19, 1996|page=58|first=Ellen|last=Gray|title=Jones is warming up to that winter holiday|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000756/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122455619/jones-is-warming-up-to-that-winter/|url-status=live}}</ref> The 6:30 a.m. news was retooled into an hour-long program, ''Fox Morning News'', in 1997.<ref name="Phil971203">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122463260/areas-only-all-female-anchor-team-will/|date=December 3, 1997|page=C8|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Area's only all-female anchor team will debut on Fox's a.m. news|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000725/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122463260/areas-only-all-female-anchor-team-will/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Tollefson left ''Good Day'' in 1998 to return to sportscasting at the station<ref name="Phil980414">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122469994/tollefson-cherkin-out-at-29-hes-takin/|date=April 14, 1998|page=47|first=Ellen|last=Gray|title=Tollefson, Cherkin out at 29: He's taking over as sports director after two-year morning show stint|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000731/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122469994/tollefson-cherkin-out-at-29-hes/|url-status=live}}</ref> and was replaced by Dave Price and then Mike Jerrick.<ref name="Phil980814">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122473138/new-good-day-host/|date=August 14, 1998|page=39|first=Ellen|last=Gray|title=New 'Good Day' host|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000726/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122473138/new-good-day-host/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Phil990826">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122473178/another-bite-for-detective-muncha-guest/|date=August 26, 1999|page=D8|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Another bite for Detective Munch—a guest bit on 'The Beat'|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000723/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122473178/another-bite-for-detective-muncha/|url-status=live}}</ref> Even though local morning shows had been ratings engines for Fox elsewhere in the country, this was not initially the case for WTXF. In 1999, ''Good Day Philadelphia'' was described by Ellen Gray of the ''Philadelphia Daily News'' as "chronically underperforming" in the ratings.<ref name="Phil990528">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122470185/may-sweeps-bombardment-leaves-channel-6/|date=May 28, 1999|page=89|first=Ellen|last=Gray|title=May sweeps bombardment leaves Channel 6 on top|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000707/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122470185/may-sweeps-bombardment-leaves-channel-6/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Beginning in 2006, WTXF-TV began filling out the rest of its broadcast day with newscasts in key time slots as part of a strategy to increase its local news visibility.{{r|Phil050613}} The first to be introduced were an 11 a.m. newscast in October 2006,<ref name="Phil060710">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122463958/rather-on-cnn-disdains-identification/|date=July 10, 2006|page=E5|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Rather, on CNN, disdains identification with CBS|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000725/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122463958/rather-on-cnn-disdains-identification/|url-status=live}}</ref> followed by a 5 p.m. newscast in January 2007.<ref name="Phil070213">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122466579/nbc-snags-ex-nfl-star-barber-for-sports/|date=February 13, 2007|page=E6|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=NBC snags ex-NFL star Barber for sports—and more|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000727/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122466579/nbc-snags-ex-nfl-star-barber-for/|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 7, 2009, channel 29 expanded its morning and evening news programming: ''Good Day Philadelphia'' was expanded to five hours on that date with the addition of an hour at 9 a.m. and a new half-hour 6 p.m. weeknight newscast.<ref name="Chic090902">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122464147/philly-tv-exec-brings-his-approach-to-ch/|date=September 2, 2009|page=1:28|first=Phil|last=Rosenthal|title=Philly TV exec brings his approach to Chicago: New GM may gives Channels 32 and 50 a needed lift|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000708/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122464147/philly-tv-exec-brings-his-approach-to/|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''Good Day Philadelphia'' expansion replaced the national ''Morning Show with Mike & Juliet''; Jerrick, who had co-hosted that program and also worked at Fox News Channel after leaving channel 29, returned to WTXF as anchor of the second half of the new ''Good Day Philadelphia''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/blog/fates-fortunes-weekly-round-july-31-2009-122055|title=Fates & Fortunes Weekly Round-Up: July 31, 2009|first=Paige|last=Albiniak|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=June 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620170135/https://www.nexttv.com/blog/fates-fortunes-weekly-round-july-31-2009-122055|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2008, after a trial between WCAU and WTXF, Fox Television Stations and NBC Local Media entered into an agreement to test a system that would allow stations owned by Fox and NBC to pool news resources ranging from sharing field video to sharing aerial helicopter footage, in an attempt to reduce costs.<ref name="Phil081114">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122468110/fox-nbc-to-pool-news-video-in-phila-an/|date=November 14, 2008|page=D2|first=Michael|last=Klain|title=Fox, NBC to pool news video in Phila. and five other cities|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000728/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122468110/fox-nbc-to-pool-news-video-in-phila/|url-status=live}}</ref> Eskin returned to WTXF in 2012, serving as the station's evening sports anchor.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/wtxf-philadelphia-adds-howard-eskin-to-sports/|date=August 8, 2012|title=WTXF Philadelphia Adds Howard Eskin To Sports|work=TVNewsCheck|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000730/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/wtxf-philadelphia-adds-howard-eskin-to-sports/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Weekend morning newscasts were added in 2014,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/77308/fox-stations-beef-up-local-news-in-8-markets|title=Fox Stations Beef Up Local News In 9 Markets|work=TVNewsCheck|date=June 25, 2014}}</ref> while an 11 p.m. newscast debuted in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2016/05/06/fox-29-launching-11pm-newscast.html|first=Jeff|last=Blumenthal|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|title=FOX 29 launching 11 p.m. newscast|date=May 6, 2016|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=December 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207132137/http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2016/05/06/fox-29-launching-11pm-newscast.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2020, the station revamped its 6 p.m. newscast as ''The Six'', which adapted elements from ''Good Day Philadelphia'' and focused on top headlines and feature segments to differentiate it from the other local stations providing news at that hour.<ref>{{cite news|date=January 24, 2020|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2020/01/24/fox-29-scraps-traditional-6-p-m-newscast-for.html|title=Fox 29 scraps traditional 6 p.m. newscast for 'something entirely different'|first=Jeff|last=Blumenthal|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|access-date=July 25, 2022|archive-date=December 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207052258/https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2020/01/24/fox-29-scraps-traditional-6-p-m-newscast-for.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

WTXF overhauled its anchor lineup for its evening newscasts in 2019, with Jason Martinez—last of KGTV in San Diego—joining Shaina Humphries on the anchor desk.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2019/06/05/fox-29-night-time-anchor-jason-martinez.html|title=Fox 29 completes night-time anchor overhaul with another new hire|date=June 5, 2019|first=Jeff|last=Blumenthal|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=December 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205151423/http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2019/06/05/fox-29-night-time-anchor-jason-martinez.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Humphries departed in 2022 and joined the startup newsroom at WWJ-TV in Detroit;<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/cbs-news-detroit-announces-first-anchor-hirings-and-community-impact-ep/|date=July 11, 2022|title=CBS News Detroit Announces First Anchor Hirings And Community Impact EP|work=TVNewsCheck|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711165315/https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/cbs-news-detroit-announces-first-anchor-hirings-and-community-impact-ep/|url-status=live}}</ref> she was replaced at WTXF by Shiba Russell, who had last worked in Atlanta.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2022/07/07/fox-29-names-new-night-time-news-anchor.html|title=Fox 29 names new evening news anchor to replace Shaina Humphries|date=July 7, 2022|first=Jeff|last=Blumenthal|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000725/https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2022/07/07/fox-29-names-new-night-time-news-anchor.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

A 2023 study conducted by the Lenfest Institute found that, of the four major TV newsrooms in Philadelphia, WTXF gave the most coverage to crime, devoting 69 percent of its news stories to the topic; this surpassed 50 percent for WPVI, 39 percent for KYW, and 31 percent for WCAU.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.phillymag.com/news/2023/03/09/fox-29-steve-keeley-philadelphia-crime/|date=March 9, 2023|first=Victor|last=Fiorillo|work=Philadelphia|title="If It Bleeds It Leads" Is Alive and Well at Fox 29|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=March 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319002910/https://www.phillymag.com/news/2023/03/09/fox-29-steve-keeley-philadelphia-crime/|url-status=live}}</ref> Previously, in 2020, an article in ''Philadelphia'' magazine spotlighted a conservative turn in senior management in news philosophy; the article, based on interviews with 10 current and former WTXF-TV staffers, described a newsroom that was "toxic", "racially offensive", and "socially intimidating".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.phillymag.com/news/2020/07/21/fox-29-philadelphia-fox-news-conservative/|title="Is Fox 29 Turning Into Fox News?" Inside Allegations of an "Extremely Conservative" Newsroom Culture|first=Ernest|last=Owens|date=July 21, 2020|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=October 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005181214/https://www.phillymag.com/news/2020/07/21/fox-29-philadelphia-fox-news-conservative/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In addition to its own newscasts, on July 8, 2013, WTXF began airing ''Chasing New Jersey'', a daily New Jersey-focused public affairs program. ''Chasing New Jersey'', which was produced by Fairfax Productions (a production company led by WTXF's vice president and general manager) from a studio in Trenton and hosted by Bill Spadea, was designed to replace the 10 p.m. newscast on sister station WWOR-TV. The program was cancelled in July 2020.<ref name=tvs-chasingnewjersey>{{cite news|last=Knox|first=Merrill|title=WWOR Replacing Evening Newscast With Show on New Jersey Politics, Issues|url=https://www.adweek.com/tvspy/wwor-replacing-evening-newscast-with-show-on-new-jersey-politics-issues/|access-date=July 3, 2013|newspaper=TVSpy|date=July 3, 2013|archive-date=July 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706211712/http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/wwor-replacing-evening-newscast-with-show-on-new-jersey-politics-issues_b96370|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Notable current on-air staff===

* Mike Jerrick – ''Good Day Philadelphia'' anchor<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-04-30 |title=Mike Jerrick |url=https://www.fox29.com/person/j/mike-jerrick |access-date=2026-04-14 |website=FOX 29 Philadelphia |language=en-US}}</ref> * Devan Kaney – sports anchor and reporter<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-18 |title=Devan Kaney |url=https://www.fox29.com/person/k/devan-kaney |access-date=2026-04-14 |website=FOX 29 Philadelphia |language=en-US}}</ref> * Kathy Orr – meteorologist<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/kathy-orr-joins-wtxf-as-weather-anchor/|title=Kathy Orr Joins WTXF As Weather Anchor|date=September 16, 2015|first=Mark K.|last=Miller|work=TVNewsCheck|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=December 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201160131/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/kathy-orr-joins-wtxf-as-weather-anchor/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Notable former on-air staff=== * John Bolaris – meteorologist, 2007–2011<ref name="Phil120111">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122472380/john-bolaris-out-at-fox29/|date=January 11, 2012|page=C4|first=Tirdad|last=Derakhshani|title=John Bolaris out at Fox29|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000715/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122472380/john-bolaris-out-at-fox29/|url-status=live}}</ref> * Joyce Evans – anchor, 1996–2020<ref name="Phil200811">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122472988/all-pro-joyce-evans-calling-it-quits-at/|date=August 11, 2020|page=A8|first=Ellen|last=Gray|title=All-pro Joyce Evans calling it quits at 29|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000732/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122472988/all-pro-joyce-evans-calling-it-quits-at/|url-status=live}}</ref> * Kendis Gibson – reporter, 1998–1999<ref name="Phil991004">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122470290/changing-times-at-ch-29-four-departure/|date=October 4, 1999|page=C8|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Changing times at Ch. 29; Four departures in last two weeks|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000704/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122470290/changing-times-at-ch-29-four/|url-status=live}}</ref> * Sheinelle Jones – reporter/anchor, 2005–2014<ref name="Phil210409">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122470540/jones-today-show-in-philly-on-monday/|date=April 9, 2021|page=21|first=Ellen|last=Gray|title=Jones, 'Today' show in Philly on Monday|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000734/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122470540/jones-today-show-in-philly-on-monday/|url-status=live}}</ref> * Clayton Morris – ''Good Day Philadelphia'' anchor, 2007<ref name="Phil070108">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105047624/fox-29s-engler-to-consult/|date=January 8, 2007|page=35|first=Dan|last=Gross|title=Fox 29's Engler to consult|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 6, 2022|archive-date=July 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706021817/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105047624/fox-29s-engler-to-consult/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Phil071010">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105048010/clayton-morris-leaving-fox-29/|date=October 10, 2007|page=36|first=Dan|last=Gross|title=Clayton Morris leaving Fox 29|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 6, 2022|archive-date=July 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706021818/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105048010/clayton-morris-leaving-fox-29/|url-status=live}}</ref> * Dawn Stensland – anchor, 2001–2009<ref name="Phil011024">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122471215/saved-by-an-angel-kyws-caples-thinks/|date=October 24, 2001|pages=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122456460/caples-calls-ex-colleague-an-angel/ D8]|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Saved by an 'angel'? KYW's Caples thinks so|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000706/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122471215/saved-by-an-angel-kyws-caples/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Phil091116">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122471140/dawn-stensland-stands-firm-in-the-eye-of/|date=November 16, 2009|page=3, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122471116/stensland/4], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122471092/stensland/ 30]|first=Regina|last=Medina|title=Dawn Stensland stands firm in the eye of the storm|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000729/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122471140/dawn-stensland-stands-firm-in-the-eye/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Technical information and subchannels== WTXF's primary transmitter is located in Roxborough, with a secondary transmitter on South Mountain in Allentown.{{r|FCC-LMS-51568}} The station's signal is multiplexed: {| class="wikitable" |+Subchannels of WTXF-TV<ref>{{cite web|title=Digital TV Market Listing for WTXF|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WTXF#station|website=RabbitEars|access-date=January 26, 2017|archive-date=March 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307123854/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WTXF#station|url-status=live}}</ref> ! scope="col" | Channel ! scope="col" | Res. ! scope="col" | Short name ! scope="col" | Programming |- ! scope="row" | 29.1 | 720p || WTXFDT || Fox |- ! scope="row" | 29.2 | rowspan="4" | 480i || Movies! || Movies! |- ! scope="row" | 29.3 | QVC2 || QVC2 |- ! scope="row" | 29.4 | BUZZR || Buzzr |- ! scope="row" | 29.5 |Weather |Fox Weather |- style="background-color:#DFEBF6; border-top: 2px solid #003399;" ! scope="row" | 57.2 | rowspan="2" | 480i || Nest || The Nest (WPSG) |- style="background-color:#DFEBF6;" ! scope="row" | 57.3 | Confess || Confess by Nosey (WPSG) |} {{legend|#DFEBF6|Broadcast on behalf of another station}}

===Analog-to-digital conversion=== WTXF-TV began digital broadcasting on October 27, 1998.<ref name="Phil981029">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-kyw-to-offer-h/127389752/|date=October 29, 1998|page=A6|first=Reid|last=Kanaley|title=KYW to offer HDTV view of shuttle launch|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 1, 2023|archive-date=July 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701011049/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-kyw-to-offer-h/127389752/|url-status=live}}</ref> The station shut down its analog signal, over UHF channel 29, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. The station's digital signal continued to broadcast on its pre-transition UHF channel 42, using virtual channel 29.<ref name="Analog to Digital">{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref>

On December 29, 2014, WTXF-TV announced the launch of their Allentown translator on UHF channel 38 to allow northern tier viewers to better receive and watch Fox 29 and its sub-channels. This translator relocated its signal from channel 38 to channel 25 on December 23, 2018, as a result of the 2016 United States wireless spectrum auction.

WTXF-TV relocated its signal from channel 42 to channel 31 on January 17, 2020, as a result of the 2016 United States wireless spectrum auction.<ref name="Repack Table">{{Cite web|url=http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/Transition_Files/Phase_Assignment_Closing_PN.csv|title=FCC TV Spectrum Phase Assignment Table|format=CSV|website=Federal Communications Commission|date=April 13, 2017|access-date=April 17, 2017|archive-date=April 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417160749/http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/Transition_Files/Phase_Assignment_Closing_PN.csv|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.fox29.com/}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wtxf-Tv}} Category:1965 establishments in Pennsylvania Category:Buzzr affiliates Category:Fox Broadcasting Company affiliates Category:Fox Television Stations Category:Movies! affiliates Category:Paramount Stations Group Category:Taft Broadcasting Category:Television channels and stations established in 1965 TXF-TV Category:TVX Broadcast Group Category:Former Viacom subsidiaries