WKOF — Mediated Wiki

{{Short description|Television station in Syracuse, New York}} {{Redirect|WTVH|channel 19 in Peoria, Illinois (1953–1965)|WHOI (TV)|the television station in Sapporo, Japan|Television Hokkaido}} {{Use American English|date=December 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox television station | atsc3 = yes | callsign = WKOF | logo = WTVH 5 logo.svg | logo_alt = A black italicized sans serif 5 next to a red CBS eye logo | logo_size = 180px | branding = CBS5; ''CNY Central'' | digital = 15 (UHF) | virtual = 15 | affiliations = {{ubl|'''15.1:''' CBS}} | country = United States | airdate = {{start date|2025|7|22}} | location = Syracuse, New York | callsign_meaning = Joe Koff, former Sinclair executive who died in 2024{{r|Syra251201}} | owner = Sinclair Broadcast Group | licensee = WSTQ Licensee, LLC | sister_stations = WSTM-TV | former_affiliations = Roar (July–November 2025) | erp = 475 kW | haat = {{convert|392.6|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} | facility_id = 776176 | coordinates = {{coord|42|56|41.8|N|76|7|6.2|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}} | licensing_authority = FCC | website = {{URL|https://cnycentral.com/}} }} {{Infobox television station | callsign = WTVH | digital = 18 (UHF) | virtual = 5 | affiliations = {{ubl|'''5.1:''' Roar|'''5.2:''' Charge!}} | airdate = {{start date|1948|12|1}} | location = Syracuse, New York | callsign_meaning = "Television", H has no specific meaning<ref name="Syra930811">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-the-creation-of/161854633/|date=August 11, 1993|pages=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-call-letters-are/161854694/ D3]|first=William|last=LaRue|title=The creation of call letters|newspaper=Syracuse Herald-Journal|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 31, 2024}}</ref> | former_callsigns = {{ubl|WJTV (CP, 1948)|WHEN (1948–1954)|WHEN-TV (1954–1976)}} | former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 8 (VHF, 1948–1961), 5 (VHF, 1961–2009)|'''Digital:''' 47 (UHF, 2002–2020)}} | owner = Deerfield Media<ref name="wtvhsold"/> | licensee = Deerfield Media (Syracuse) Licensee, LLC | operator = Sinclair Broadcast Group | former_affiliations = {{ubl|Independent (1948)|CBS (1949–2025)|DuMont (secondary, 1949–1955)|ABC (secondary, 1949–1962)}} | erp = 109 kW | haat = {{convert|392.6|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} | facility_id = 74151 | coordinates = {{coord|42|56|41.8|N|76|7|6.2|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}} | licensing_authority = FCC }}

'''WKOF''' (channel 15), branded '''CBS5''', is a television station in Syracuse, New York, United States, affiliated with CBS. It is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group alongside WSTM-TV (channel 3), an affiliate of NBC and The CW. The two stations, collectively branded as CNYCentral, share studios on James Street northeast of downtown Syracuse; WKOF's transmitter is located near Sentinel Heights in the town of Onondaga. Prior to December 1, 2025, CBS programming in Syracuse was supplied by '''WTVH''' (channel 5), which is owned by Deerfield Media and managed by Sinclair under a local marketing agreement (LMA).

WTVH began broadcasting as WHEN on December 1, 1948. It was Syracuse's first television station, owned by the Meredith Corporation; it broadcast on channel 8 from 1948 to 1961. Meredith owned WHEN alongside WHEN radio; when it sold the radio station in 1976, channel 5 changed its call sign to WTVH. While WTVH was initially the dominant station in Syracuse television news ratings, the market became more competitive in the 1980s.

Granite Broadcasting acquired WTVH in 1993. WTVH's news ratings continued to decline under Granite ownership. In 2009, amid the Great Recession, Granite entered into a multi-city agreement with Barrington Broadcasting, then-owner of WSTM-TV, to combine operations; 40 employees of WTVH were laid off. Sinclair acquired Barrington in 2013, while Granite retained the WTVH license, among its last assets. After winning the authority to build a new Syracuse TV station at federal auction, Sinclair built WKOF in 2025 and moved WTVH's branding and CBS programming to that station, leaving WTVH to broadcast Roar.

==Meredith ownership== The Meredith Publishing Company applied on April 22, 1948, to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for permission to build a new television station on channel 8 in Syracuse, New York.<ref name="hc">{{Cite web|url=https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=87016|title=History Cards for WTVH|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> Meredith had also applied for stations in Albany and Rochester. The FCC granted the application on July 12, 1948, as one of three television permits approved for the city of Syracuse and the only one to a group that was not a Syracuse radio station.<ref name="Syra480713">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-3-television-sta/185840664/|date=July 13, 1948|page=4|title=3 Television Stations Here Get Permits|newspaper=Syracuse Herald-Journal|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> The call sign on the permit was originally WJTV but changed to WHEN on November 2.{{r|hc}} From provisional facilities, WHEN began broadcasting on December 1, 1948. It originated from a temporary studio while permanent facilities were being constructed and from a temporary {{convert|120|ft|adj=on}} tower while approval for a taller {{convert|500|ft|m|adj=on}} mast was awaited.<ref name="Post481205">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-when-shatters-tv-build/185840689/|date=December 5, 1948|page=Television 1|title=WHEN Shatters TV Building Records: City's First Video Station Literally 'Burst on Air'|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref>

Programs from networks were added shortly thereafter. WHEN became a CBS affiliate on January 1, 1949.<ref>{{cite news|title=New CBS TV's: Four Affiliates Added|work=Broadcasting|date=January 10, 1949|page=35|id={{pq|1014902809}} }}</ref> The DuMont Television Network followed suit by February.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Over the DuMont Network you can reach 96.7% of the total television audience!|type=Advertisement|work=Broadcasting|date=February 28, 1949|page=20|id={{pq|1040371375}} }}</ref> ABC affiliated with WHEN in May 1949.<ref>{{cite news|title=ABC-TV Adds One: WHEN (TV) Is New Affiliate|work=Broadcasting|page=34|date=May 16, 1949|id={{pq|1014907246}} }}</ref> WHEN-TV was interconnected with live network television service that December.<ref>{{Cite news|page=59|work=Broadcasting|title=WHEN (TV) Anniversary|date=December 5, 1949|id={{pq|1505598920}} }}</ref> The second station, WSYR-TV (channel 5), began in February 1950 as an NBC affiliate.<ref name="Post500216">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-wsyr-tv-opens-limited/185872434/|date=February 16, 1950|page=8|title=WSYR-TV Opens Limited Schedule, Coverage Amazes|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref>{{efn|WSYR-TV moved from channel 5 to channel 3 in 1953.<ref name="Syra530731">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-wsyr-tv-switches/185872679/|date=July 31, 1953|page=16|title=WSYR-TV Switches to Channel 3|newspaper=Syracuse Herald-Journal|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref>}} WHEN moved its transmitter was moved from Court Street to Sentinel Heights, {{convert|9|mi|km}} away, in 1952.<ref>{{Cite news|work=Broadcasting|id={{pq|1285705877}}|title=WHEN (TV) Site: Transmitter Is Moved|date=September 8, 1952|page=80}}</ref> Meredith acquired Syracuse radio station WAGE in 1954. WAGE had held one of the original television permits, for channel 10, but surrendered it in 1949. WAGE changed its call sign to WHEN,<ref>{{Cite news|work=Broadcasting|id={{pq|1285704191}}|title=WAGE Sold to Meredith By Revoir for $200,000|date=January 25, 1954|page=68}}</ref> and the television station became WHEN-TV.{{r|hc}}

WHEN-TV debuted a new children's program—''The Magic Toy Shop'', hosted by Jean Daugherty—in 1955. Daugherty produced and appeared in 6,200 editions of the program, later known as ''Corporation on Location'',<ref name="Post820417">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-duo-helps-landmark-glo/185872211/|date=April 17, 1982|page=A-8|first=Lois|last=Vosburgh|title=Duo Helps Landmark Glow|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> between 1955 and 1982<ref name="Post080407">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-play-lady-local-tv-pi/185871998/|date=April 7, 2008|pages=B-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-daugherty-produced-mor/185872027/ B-6]|first=Meghan|last=Rubado|title=Play Lady, local TV pioneer, dies at 84|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> and served as the station's public affairs director into the 1990s.<ref name="Syra940223">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-fashionable-bene/185872313/|date=February 23, 1994|page=C2|first=Jackie|last=Coley|title=Fashionable benefit: Leukemia Society of America profits from luncheon, fashion show|newspaper=Syracuse Herald-Journal|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref>

In 1961, the FCC authorized a swap of channels 5 and 8 between Syracuse and Rochester. Rochester's channel 5 station, WROC-TV, moved to channel 8, and WHEN-TV moved to channel 5. This facilitated the addition of a third VHF channel allocation to both cities.<ref name="Post610729">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-fcc-allocates-new-tv-c/185847933/|date=July 29, 1961|page=12|title=FCC Allocates New TV Channel|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> The changeover took place on September 9, 1962; WROC-TV and WHEN-TV swapped channels,<ref name="Post620909-WHEN">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-when-is-now-channel-fi/185849410/|date=September 9, 1962|page=23|title=WHEN Is Now Channel Five|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> That same day, channel 9 began service as WNYS-TV, an ABC affiliate.<ref name="Post620909-WNYS">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-wnys-tv-signs-on-at-6/185849454/|date=September 9, 1962|pages=25, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-wnys-tv-signs/185849470/ 29]|title=WNYS-TV Signs on at 6:30 P. M. Today|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref>

Meredith proposed the construction of a new studio facility for WHEN radio and television in 1960 at 980 James Street. This was less than half a block from the WSYR radio and television facilities at 1030 James Street. At the time, WHEN radio operated from the Loew Building and WHEN-TV from 101 Court Street.<ref name="Post600605">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-tv-firm-seeks-variance/185847920/|date=June 5, 1960|page=27|title=TV Firm Seeks Variance For James Street Studio|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> The facility was completed in 1963.<ref name="Post640510">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-when-hosts-media-with/185873093/|date=May 10, 1964|page=26|title=WHEN Hosts Media With Open House|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref>

In 1976, Meredith sold WHEN radio to Park Broadcasting. This necessitated a change in call sign for WHEN-TV. Meredith originally intended to change to WTVZ, but radio station WEZG-FM objected, leading Meredith to propose WTVH instead.<ref name="Syra760730">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-channel-5-to-cha/185840854/|date=July 30, 1976|page=7|title=Channel 5 To Change Call Letters|newspaper=Syracuse Herald-Journal|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> The change to WTVH took effect on August 16, 1976.<ref name="Syra760815">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-when-becomes-wtv/185840872/|date=August 15, 1976|page=38-M|title=WHEN becomes WTVH|newspaper=Syracuse Herald-Journal|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref>

During most of this time, WTVH was the leading television station in the Syracuse-market news ratings.<ref name="Post800724">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-kirk-leaving-channel-5/185842161/|date=July 24, 1980|page=A-9|first=John|last=Wisniewski|title=Kirk Leaving Channel 5|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> In the mid-1980s, WTVH and WSTM were trading first-place ratings, with different ratings surveys finding one or the other station on top in the important 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. time slots,<ref name="Syra840614">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-who-won-take-yo/185842268/|date=June 14, 1984|page=D-15|title=Who won? Take your pick|newspaper=Syracuse Herald-Journal|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> but by 1986 WTVH had comfortable leads in both.<ref name="Post861217">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-once-again-channel-5/173450067/|date=December 17, 1986|page=C-7|first=Margaret|last=McCormick|title=Once Again, Channel 5 Finishes First|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> WTVH was the second station in the market to debut a local morning newscast, in 1990.<ref name="Syra900719">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-channel-5-plans/185842578/|date=July 19, 1990|page=D6|first=Bob|last=Niedt|title=Channel 5 plans to add newscast in early morning|newspaper=Syracuse Herald-Journal|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref>

==Granite ownership== After nearly 45 years, Meredith sold WTVH and KSEE in Fresno, California, in 1993 to Granite Broadcasting. The $32 million transaction gave Granite stations that it had sought for a year<ref name="Syra930616">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-minority-owned-f/185840997/|date=June 16, 1993|pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-minority-owned-c/185840985/ A13]|first=William|last=LaRue|title=Minority-owned firm buys WTVH: The only owner Channel 5 has had sells to New York City company|newspaper=Syracuse Herald-Journal|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> and saw Meredith sell WTVH, the oldest station the company owned.<ref name="Fres930616">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114998781/ksee-is-sold-to-ny-firm/|date=June 16, 1993|page=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114998796/ksee-granite-buys-fresno-station/ A10]|title=KSEE is sold to N.Y. firm|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=Fresno, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222051129/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114998781/ksee-is-sold-to-ny-firm/|url-status=live}}</ref> After closing on the purchase, Granite and the station's NABET–CWA unionized workforce entered into a labor dispute that at one point saw six employees fired for picketing a nearby advertiser and encouraging them to boycott WTVH.<ref name="Syra941104">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-wtvh-union-end/185841229/|date=November 4, 1994|page=B6|first=William|last=LaRue|title=WTVH, union end bitter labor dispute|newspaper=Syracuse Herald-Journal|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref>

Granite's ownership ushered in the decline of WTVH's news operation. Between 1993 and 1996, the station had four news directors, lost reporters, and made multiple shuffles of its anchor lineup. It had fired Green during maternity leave in 1996, only to rehire her three years later after a brief stint at WIXT.<ref name="Syra961125">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-channel-5-puts-p/185843291/|date=November 25, 1996|pages=B3, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-channel-5-fights/185843316/ B4]|first=William|last=LaRue|title=Channel 5 puts polish on image|newspaper=Syracuse Herald-Journal|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> WIXT first made inroads in the 5:30–6:30 p.m. time slot where it aired its main early evening newscast.<ref name="Post940905">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-channel-5-spruces-up-i/185843046/|date=September 5, 1994|pages=C4, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-batman-marathon-comes/185843103/ C5]|first=William|last=LaRue|title=Channel 5 spruces up its newscast|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref>

The news product was rebranded several times during this period. In 1998, WTVH renamed its newscasts ''Eyewitness News'' in a bid to promote the station's coverage of breaking news.<ref name="Syra981102">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-channel-5-news-i/185847199/|date=November 2, 1998|page=C4|title=Channel 5 news is now 'Eyewitness News'|newspaper=Syracuse Herald-Journal|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> By 2000, the station was third in every news time slot except noon.<ref name="Syra000328">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-wtvh-slips-in-lo/185847262/|date=March 28, 2000|pages=B-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-cny-audiences-st/185847277/ B-3]|first=William|last=LaRue|title=WTVH slips in local Nielsen TV ratings|newspaper=Syracuse Herald-Journal|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref>

In 2000, longtime anchorman Ron Curtis—who had anchored the 6 p.m. news from 1966 to 1999 before moving over to noon—retired from WTVH after a 41-year career.<ref name="Syra001202">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-newsmans-farewe/185847378/|date=December 2, 2000|pages=A5, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-notables-salute/185847393/ A12]|first=William|last=LaRue|title=Newsman's Farewell Top News: WTVH's Ron Curtis anchors final show after 41 years|newspaper=Syracuse Herald-Journal|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> Curtis died of cancer the next year and was remembered by employees and civic figures.<ref name="Post011130">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-ch-5s-ron-curtis-die/185847451/|date=November 30, 2001|pages=A-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-newsman-served-wtvh-fo/185847436/ A-2]|first=Jennifer|last=Jacobs|title=Ch. 5's Ron Curtis dies|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> Though Curtis's retirement was not the cause of WTVH's ratings decline, it was the most visible symbol of it.<ref name="Post041031">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-wtvh-tvs-new-manager/185847502/|date=October 31, 2004|page=TV Week 2|first=William|last=LaRue|title=WTVH-TV's new manager looks to improve its newscasts|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref><ref name="Post090304">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-channel-5-never-the-sa/185841646/|date=March 4, 2009|pages=B-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-curtis-was-a-rock-at/185841686/ B-2]|first=Sean|last=Kirst|title=Channel 5 never the same without Curtis|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> Dow Smith, a professor at Siena College, noted in 2009, "[T]hey never figured out what they were going to do after Ron Curtis."{{r|Post090303}}

WTVH dropped the ''Eyewitness News'' moniker in 2003 and rebranded as "5 On Your Side". Alongside the new name came a replacement for the 5 p.m. news, a news and talk show called ''Central New York Live!''<ref name="Post030129">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-station-tries-somethin/185847325/|date=January 29, 2003|page=E-4|first=William|last=LaRue|title=Station Tries Something New: WTVH-TV attempts to boost ratings with different format|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> The show was a lifestyle program that included sponsored segments paid for by advertisers, which were not initially fully disclosed to viewers. ''Live!'' was a ratings failure and was canceled in May 2004.<ref name="Post040516">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-wtvh-says-live-migh/185847510/|date=May 16, 2004|page=TV Week 2|first=William|last=LaRue|title=WTVH says 'Live!' might have succeeded at different time|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> In 2005, the newscasts were reformatted once again and retitled ''CBS 5 News''.<ref name="Post050522">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-frank-kracher-team-an/185841514/|date=May 22, 2005|pages=H-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-cops-son-chooses-tv-n/185841498/ H-4]|first=William|last=LaRue|title=Frank Kracher, team anchor: News director brings different take on what will make WTVH broadcast|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> Long-tenured news personalities including Maureen Green (fired in 2007 after 22 years), Matt Mulcahy (contract not renewed in 2004 after seven years), and Liz Ayers (moved to public station WCNY-TV in 2005 after 19 years<ref name="Post051014">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-ayers-it-was-time-to/185847644/|date=October 14, 2005|page=E-4|first=William|last=LaRue|title=Ayers: 'It was time to try something new'|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref>) departed as Granite lowered salaries, with younger, more inexperienced employees.{{r|Post090303}}

The changes did not stem the decline in WTVH's news viewership. Between 1996 and 2003, WTVH lost half the audience for its 6 p.m. news and slipped from second to third place.<ref name="Post031118">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-the-battle-over-tv-new/185841438/|date=November 18, 2003|pages=E-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-competition-raises-sta/185841359/ E-2]|first=William|last=LaRue|title=The battle over TV news: It's tougher than ever not to be a casualty|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> By 2005, WTVH had fewer viewers from 5 to 6 p.m. than reruns of ''Judge Judy'' on WSYT,<ref name="Post050401">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-ratings-keep-slipping/185847583/|date=April 1, 2005|page=E-3|first=William|last=LaRue|title=Ratings Keep Slipping at WTVH: February 'sweeps' good news for WSYT, WIXT|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> and by 2006, the only time period in which a WTVH newscast was not in third place or worse was at noon.<ref name="Post060824">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-central-new-york-is-tu/185847626/|date=August 24, 2006|page=E-4|first=William|last=LaRue|title=Central New York is tuned into 'CSI,' CBS|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref>

In 2000, WTVH replaced WSTM-TV as the news provider for Fox affiliate WSYT (channel 68)'s 10 p.m. newscast. Unlike the previous newscast channel 68 aired, it entirely used WTVH anchors and reporters. Management hoped that offering a newscast on WSYT would draw viewers to WTVH's other newscasts.<ref name="Post000429">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-fox-68-news-announces/185847307/|date=April 29, 2000|page=B-5|first=William|last=LaRue|title=Fox 68 News Announces Deal with WTVH: Channel 5 now to provide 10 p.m. newscast|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> Ratings for the WTVH-produced newscasts were initially higher than for the ones WSTM had produced.<ref name="Post010831">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-cny-tv-viewers-like-th/185847484/|date=August 31, 2001|pages=D-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-local-newscasts-fight/185847470/ D-2]|first=William|last=LaRue|title=CNY TV viewers like their NASCAR racing and baseball|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> The partnership expanded in January 2005, when WTVH began producing ''Fox Eyewitness News at 7 a.m.'' for channel 68.<ref name="Post041104">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-wsyt-tv-to-launch-loca/185851928/|date=November 4, 2004|page=E1|title=WSYT-TV to launch local early weekday newscast|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> The newscasts aired for nearly six years in total before WTVH opted to end the arrangement effective April 21, 2006, to focus on its own newscasts.<ref name="Post060421">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-wsyts-local-news-ends/185847635/|date=April 21, 2006|page=E-4|first=William|last=LaRue|title=WSYT's local news ends today|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref>

WTVH began broadcasting a digital signal on UHF channel 47 on January 29, 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |website=NorthEast Radio Watch |first= Scott |last= Fybush |url=https://www.fybush.com/NERW/2004/040202/nerw.html |access-date=November 29, 2025 |title=WSNJ-FM Signs Off|date=February 2, 2004}}</ref> It ceased analog broadcasting with the digital television transition on June 12, 2009.<ref name="Post090611">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-digital-deadline-what/185885306/|date=June 11, 2009|page=C1|first=Mark|last=Bialczak|title=Digital deadline: What to expect when TV's analog signal officially ends Friday|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref>

==Consolidation with WSTM-TV== On March 3, 2009, Granite and WSTM-TV owner Barrington Broadcasting entered into a two-city contract by which the companies' stations in Syracuse and Peoria, Illinois, would share news departments and other resources. In Syracuse, WSTM-TV assumed operational control of WTVH under joint sales and shared services agreements, and about 40 employees of WTVH were immediately fired. WTVH continued to have dedicated newscasts; under the new model, WTVH had its own managing editor, but reports would be shared, as would weather and sports personnel.<ref name="Post090303">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-wtvh-ends-news-operati/185841580/|date=March 3, 2009|pages=A-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-owners-deal-also-merg/185841560/ A-4]|first=Michelle|last=Breidenbach|title=WTVH ends news operation: Owners' agreement means Channel 3 staff will produce news for both stations|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}} The article in calculating Green's tenure includes the three years (1993–96) she spent away from WTVH.</ref> Former WTVH anchor David Muir, who had interned at the station before being hired, wrote in ''The Post-Standard'' that the news of WTVH's newsroom shutting down left him "broken", recalling how he had idolized Ron Curtis.{{r|Post090312}} For six months, WSTM produced newscasts from the WTVH studios using a transitional team and weather and other content originating from the WSTM studios.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://syracusepressclub.org/joomla/index.php?view=article&catid=14%3Aindustry-news&id=194%3Awtvh-move-to-wstm-studios-final-on-monday&option=com_content&Itemid=45 |title=WTVH Move to WSTM Studios Final on Monday |access-date=April 12, 2015 |archive-date=April 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412104602/http://syracusepressclub.org/joomla/index.php?view=article&catid=14%3Aindustry-news&id=194%3Awtvh-move-to-wstm-studios-final-on-monday&option=com_content&Itemid=45 |url-status=dead |website=Syracuse Press Club }}</ref> Office equipment and other belongings from the WTVH studios were auctioned in September 2009,<ref name="Post090916">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-wtvh-tv-auctions-off-o/185842097/|date=September 16, 2009|page=A-4|title=WTVH-TV auctions off old equipment, memories|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> while the building was still vacant in 2016, when it was sold to a developer for conversion into offices.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.syracuse.com/business-news/index.ssf/2016/11/wtvh-tvs_former_studio_in_syracuse_to_be_turned_into_offices.html|last=Moriarty|first=Rick|title=WTVH-TV's former studio in Syracuse to be turned into offices|work=The Post-Standard|date=November 21, 2016|access-date=November 21, 2016}}</ref>

Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired Barrington Broadcasting's stations in 2013.<ref name=b&c-saletosinclair>{{cite news|last=Malone|first=Michael|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303183000/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/492113-Sinclair_s_Chesapeake_TV_Acquires_Barrington_Stations_for_370M.php|archive-date=March 3, 2013|title=Sinclair's Chesapeake TV Acquires Barrington Stations For $370M|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/492113-Sinclair_s_Chesapeake_TV_Acquires_Barrington_Stations.php|access-date=March 1, 2013|newspaper=Broadcasting & Cable|date=February 28, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release|url=http://www.sbgi.net/site_mgr/temp/Barrington%20Closes.pdf |title=Sinclair Broadcast Group Closes on Acquisition of Barrington Stations|date=November 25, 2013 |access-date=November 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203013631/http://www.sbgi.net/site_mgr/temp/Barrington%20Closes.pdf |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |publisher=Sinclair Broadcast Group }}</ref> Under Sinclair, WTVH received dedicated morning and noon newscasts in 2015, and a weeknight meteorologist was dedicated to the WTVH evening newscasts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=1185612|date=April 1, 2015|website=CNYCentral|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305003055/http://cnycentral.com/news/local/cbs5-news-expands-with-brand-new-morning-and-noon-news?id=1185612|archive-date=March 5, 2017|title=CBS5 News expands with brand new morning and noon news|access-date=September 12, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=April 1, 2015|website=CNYCentral|url=http://www.cnycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=1185625|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305003059/http://cnycentral.com/news/local/cbs5-welcomes-veteran-meteorologist-to-evening-newscasts?id=1185625|archive-date=March 5, 2017|title=CBS5 welcomes veteran meteorologist to evening newscasts|access-date=September 12, 2023}}</ref>

WTVH was the CBS affiliate of record in much of the Utica market for decades. In 1983, CBS denied affiliation with a new Utica station, WTUV, on the grounds that it would not attract enough new viewers from WTVH to be worth it.<ref name=tdp-wtuvnocbs>{{cite news|last1=Carroll|first1=Doug|title=Third local TV station still needs a network|url=http://fultonhistory.com/Process%20Small/Newspapers/Utica%20NY%20Daily%20Press/Utica%20NY%20Daily%20Press%201983.pdf/Utica%20NY%20Daily%20Press%201983%20-%200778.pdf#xml=http://fultonhistory.com/dtSearch/dtisapi6.dll?cmd=getpdfhits&u=2b84467a&DocId=11932625&Index=Z%3a%5cIndex%20O%2dG%2dT%2dS&HitCount=10&hits=9+13+68f+6a7+6ee+72c+7f7+83a+83e+844+&SearchForm=C%3a%5cinetpub%5cwwwroot%5cFulton%5fNew%5fform%2ehtml&.pdf|access-date=August 19, 2015|work=The Daily Press|date=February 2, 1983|page=1}}</ref> That status ended in 2015, when Utica NBC affiliate, WKTV, launched a CBS-affiliated subchannel.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wktv.com/news/WKTV_bringing_CBS_affiliation_to_Utica.html |title=WKTV bringing CBS affiliation to Utica |access-date=October 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027135050/http://www.wktv.com/news/WKTV_bringing_CBS_affiliation_to_Utica.html |archive-date=October 27, 2015 |url-status=dead |website=WKTV }}</ref>

===From WTVH to WKOF=== In 2022, Sinclair Television Group, Inc., placed the winning bid on a full-power TV station permit in Syracuse, paying $3.137 million.<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 23, 2022|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-659A2.pdf|title=Full Power Television Auction ID 112: Winning Bids|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> The permit, for channel 15, took the call sign WKOF, and the station began broadcasting on July 22, 2025. Broadcasting as an ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) station from the start, it aired Roar, a Sinclair-owned digital multicast television network, on its own transmitter with an ATSC 1.0 simulcast from WTVH, which already offered Roar as a subchannel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff39819f0d00198478fb8473311&id=25076ff39819f0d00198478fb8473311&goBack=N|title=#275772 Modification of a License for DTV Application|date=July 29, 2025|website=Licensing and Management System|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> A Sinclair representative stated that the WKOF call sign honored former Sinclair and Ring of Honor executive Joe Koff, who died in 2024.<ref name="Syra251201">{{Cite web |last=Herbert |first=Geoff |date=December 1, 2025 |title=Can't watch CBS? Syracuse TV station disrupted by change in channel position |url=https://www.syracuse.com/news/2025/12/syracuse-tv-station-disrupted-by-change-in-call-letters-channel-position.html |access-date=December 2, 2025 |website=The Post-Standard |language=en}}</ref>

On December 1, 2025, CBS 5 programming moved from WTVH to WKOF, which was described in a station release as a call sign and major channel change (from 5.1 to 15.1), with Roar moving to WTVH 5.1.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saffer |first=Matt |date=November 19, 2025 |title=WTVH CBS5 changing call letters to WKOF CBS5 |url=https://cnycentral.com/news/local/wtvh-cbs5-changing-call-letters-to-wkof-cbs5 |access-date=November 29, 2025 |website=CNYCentral |language=en}}</ref> Granite filed to sell WTVH to Deerfield Media on December 18.<ref name="wtvhsold">{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/assignmentDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076f919ae6557c019b0e8bbc1030d3&id=25076f919ae6557c019b0e8bbc1030d3&goBack=N|title=Assignments|work=Licensing and Management System|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|date=December 17, 2025|accessdate=January 14, 2026}}</ref> The sale was consummated on February 13, 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/consummationDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff39bdbd079019c00cb86013abd&id=25076ff39bdbd079019c00cb86013abd&goBack=N|title=Notification of Consummation|work=Licensing and Management System|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|date=February 13, 2026|access-date=February 13, 2026}}</ref>

==Notable on-air staff== {{Multiple image | direction = horizontal | align = right | width = | image1 = Al Roker by Gage Skidmore.jpg | alt1 = Headshot of Al Roker | caption1 = Al Roker | image2 = G7I0537 (53672376161) (cropped).jpg | alt2 = Headshot of Mike Tirico | caption2 = Mike Tirico | image3 = David Muir (cropped).jpg | alt3 = Headshot of David Muir | caption3 = David Muir | caption_align = center }} Al Roker, then a student at SUNY Oswego, was hired by WHEN-TV in 1974 as the station's weekend weatherman, paid $10 for each of the four weather reports he gave each weekend. The next year, the weeknight weatherman was fired after an on-air gaffe, and Roker was promoted to the weeknight newscasts.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Herbert |first=Geoff |date=February 27, 2013 |title=Al Roker recalls his 'first big break' going from SUNY Oswego to a Syracuse TV station |url=https://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/2013/02/al_roker_break_suny_oswego_syracuse_tv.html |access-date=November 29, 2025 |website=The Post-Standard |language=en}}</ref> In 1976, he left WTVH to work at WTTG in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{Cite news|work=Broadcasting|title=Fates & Fortunes|page=79|id={{pq|1014690373}}|date=January 3, 1977}}</ref>

In 1987, WTVH hired Mike Tirico, then still a junior at Syracuse University, as a weekend sports anchor.<ref name="Post870505">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-waer-alumnus-wont-for/181168919/|date=May 5, 1987|page=C-1|first=Frank|last=Brieaddy|title=WAER Alumnus Won't Forgive Eggers for '83 Takeover|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> In 1990, Tirico was promoted to sports director.<ref name="Syra900302">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-tirico-eves-swa/185842475/|date=March 2, 1990|page=D3|first=Kevin|last=Hyland|title=Tirico, Eves swap duties at WTVH-5|newspaper=Syracuse Herald-Journal|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> He departed the next year for a position at ESPN,<ref name="Syra910624">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-senior-games-att/181169171/|date=June 24, 1991|page=B6|first=Bob|last=Niedt|title=Senior Games attract networks to Syracuse|newspaper=Syracuse Herald-Journal|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> where he remained until moving to NBC Sports in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Brent |last=Axe |date=May 9, 2016 |title=Mike Tirico officially joins NBC; Syracuse grad leaves ESPN after 25 years |url=https://www.syracuse.com/axeman/2016/05/mike_tirico_officially_joins_nbc_sports_syracuse_grad_leaves_espn.html |access-date=November 29, 2025 |website=The Post-Standard |language=en}}</ref>

David Muir began as a junior summer intern at the station in 1987.<ref name="Post090312">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-muirs-memories-wtvh/185841737/|date=March 12, 2009|page=A-13|first=David|last=Muir|author-link=David Muir|title=Muir's Memories: WTVH newsroom gave kid intern an education in journalism, class|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> He was hired in 1995 as an anchor and departed in 2000 for WCVB-TV in Boston;<ref name="Post000503">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-muir-to-leave-channel/181168770/|date=May 3, 2000|page=C-4|title=Muir to leave Channel 5 for Boston's ABC affiliate|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> three years later, he joined ABC News,<ref name="Post050908">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-overwhelmed-by-disaste/181168806/|date=September 8, 2005|page=E-2|first=William|last=LaRue|title=Overwhelmed by Disaster: Ex-Syracuse reporter experiences horrors of hurricane firsthand|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> which named him anchor of ''ABC World News Tonight'' in 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carter |first=Bill |date=June 25, 2014 |title=ABC Anchor Shift Signals Morning's Triumph |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/26/business/media/david-muir-to-succeed-diane-sawyer-as-world-news-anchor.html |access-date=November 29, 2025 |work=The New York Times |language=en}}</ref>

* Jim Barach – morning meteorologist, {{circa}} 2003<ref name="Post030309">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-rise-and-shine-channe/185847559/|date=March 9, 2003|pages=H1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-early-bird-catches-the/185847540/ H4]|first=William|last=LaRue|title=Rise and Shine: Channel 9's Rick Gary brings levity to morning newcast [sic]|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> * Katherine Creag – reporter, 1998–2000<ref name="creag">{{cite news|title=Former Syracuse TV reporter Katherine Creag dies suddenly at 47|url=https://www.syracuse.com/tv/2021/02/former-syracuse-tv-reporter-katherine-creag-dies-suddenly.html|first=Geoff|last=Herbert|date=February 11, 2021|access-date=February 11, 2021|newspaper=The Post-Standard}}</ref> * Tracy Davidson – anchor, 1987–1996<ref name="Post960120">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-davidson-heads-to-phil/185880239/|date=January 20, 1996|page=C1|title=Davidson heads to Philadelphia|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> * Lee Goldberg – meteorologist, 1994–1996<ref name="Syra940620">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-wtvh-hires-forec/185870212/|date=June 20, 1994|page=C8|title=WTVH hires forecaster|newspaper=Syracuse Herald-Journal|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> * Maureen Green – anchor, 1983–1993<ref name="Post851003">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-green-co-anchor-at-6-p/185842353/|date=October 3, 1985|page=B-8|title=Green Co-anchor At 6 p.m.|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref><ref name="Post930729">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-channel-5-chief-to-lea/185874054/|date=July 29, 1993|page=B-2|title=Channel 5 Chief to Leave after Takeover|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> and 1995–2007{{r|Syra961125}} * Dan Hoard – sports reporter and anchor, 1991–1995<ref name="Syra910801">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-wtvh-hires-new-s/181169149/|date=August 1, 1991|page=C3|first=Bob|last=Niedt|title=WTVH hires new sports chief|newspaper=Syracuse Herald-Journal|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref><ref name="Syra951107">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-hoards-dedicati/185850525/|date=November 7, 1995|pages=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal-dan-hoard-wooed/185850514/ D8]|first=David|last=Ramsey|title=Hoard's dedication, wit will be missed|newspaper=Syracuse Herald-Journal|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> * Scott MacFarlane – reporter<ref>{{Cite web |website=Paramount Press Express |title=Scott MacFarlane |url=https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-news-and-stations/talent/?view=scott-macfarlane |access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> * Don Morrow – announcer, 1948<ref name="Post650911">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-ex-star-at-when-given/185880833/|date=September 11, 1965|page=9|title=Ex-Star at WHEN Given NBC Show|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> * Kathy Orr – meteorologist, 1992–1998<ref name="Post980805">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-kathy-orr-quits-wtvh-t/185880165/|date=August 5, 1998|page=C5|first=William|last=LaRue|title=Kathy Orr quits WTVH-TV|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> * Bob Van Dillen – meteorologist, {{circa}} 1998<ref name="Post980602">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard-tv-alerts-took-storms/185879829/|date=June 2, 1998|page=A-8|first=William|last=LaRue|title=TV Alerts Took Storms Seriously|newspaper=The Post-Standard|location=Syracuse, New York|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref> * Adam Zucker – sports anchor and reporter, 1998–1999<ref name="Time991222">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-leader-recent-grad-to-air-spor/185880588/|date=December 22, 1999|page=2A|title=Recent grad to air sports on Channel 28|newspaper=The Times Leader|location=Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 29, 2025}}</ref>

==Technical information== WKOF and WTVH have co-sited transmission facilities near Sentinel Heights in the town of Onondaga, south of Syracuse.{{r|FCC-LMS-776176|FCC-LMS-74151}} WTVH serves as the ATSC 1.0 host station for WSTM-TV and WKOF, which both broadcast in 3.0 format:

{| class="wikitable" |+Subchannels of WTVH<ref name="re-5">{{Cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WTVH#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WTVH|website=RabbitEars|accessdate=July 3, 2025}}</ref> ! scope = "col" | Channel ! scope = "col" | Res. ! scope = "col" | Aspect ! scope = "col" | Short name ! scope = "col" | Programming |- ! scope = "row" | 5.1 | rowspan=2|480i || rowspan=2| 16:9 || ROAR || Roar |- ! scope = "row" | 5.2 | Charge! || Charge! |- style="background-color:#DFEBF6; border-top: 2px solid #003399;" ! scope = "row" | 3.1 | 1080i || rowspan=3|16:9 || WSTMNBC || NBC (WSTM-TV) |- style="background-color:#DFEBF6;" ! scope = "row" | 3.3 | 480i || Comet || Comet (WSTM-TV) |- style="background-color:#DFEBF6;" ! scope = "row" | 15.1 | 1080i || WKOFCBS || CBS (WKOF) |} {{legend|#DFEBF6|Broadcast on behalf of another station}}

{| class="wikitable" |+Subchannel of WKOF (ATSC 3.0)<ref name="re-15">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WKOF|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WKOF|website=RabbitEars|accessdate=December 1, 2025}}</ref> ! style="background-color: #bdbdff" scope = "col" | Channel ! style="background-color: #bdbdff" scope = "col" | Res. ! style="background-color: #bdbdff" scope = "col" | Short name ! style="background-color: #bdbdff" scope = "col" | Programming |- ! scope = "row" | 15.1 | 1080p || WKOF || CBS |}

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wkof}} Category:2025 establishments in New York (state) Category:CBS affiliates Category:Sinclair Broadcast Group Category:Television channels and stations established in 2025 KOF