View source for WJAX-TV

{{Short description|Television station in Jacksonville, Florida}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2025}}
{{redirect|WTEV|the former WTEV in New Bedford, Massachusetts|WLNE-TV}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = WJAX-TV
| city = 
| logo = WJAX 2014 alt.svg
| logo_alt = The letters CBS, the CBS eye, and a sans serif numeral 47, all in glossy royal blue with a yellow underline
| logo_size = 220px
| branding = CBS 47; ''CBS 47 Action News Jax''
| digital = 19 ([[UHF]])
| virtual = 47
| translators = 
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''47.1:''' [[CBS]]|''for others, see {{section link||Technical information and subchannels}}''}}
| owner = Hoffman Communications, Inc.
| licensee = 
| operator = [[Cox Media Group]] via [[local marketing agreement|JSA]]; outright sale pending<ref>{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/assignmentDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076f919a75226c019a96e454180007&id=25076f919a75226c019a96e454180007&goBack=N|title=Assignments|work=Licensing and Management System|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|date=November 19, 2025|accessdate=November 20, 2025}}</ref>
| location = [[Jacksonville, Florida]]
| country = United States
| airdate = {{start date|1980|8|1}}
| last_airdate = 
| callsign_meaning = "Jax", a shorthand for Jacksonville
| sister_stations = [[WFOX-TV]]
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WXAO-TV (1980–1983)|WNFT (1983–1996)|WTEV-TV (1996–2014)}}
| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:''' 47 (UHF, 1980–2009)
| former_affiliations = {{ubl|[[Independent station|Independent]] (1980–1995)|[[UPN]] (1995–2002)}}
| erp = 1,000 kW
| haat = {{convert|291|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 35576
| coordinates = {{coord|30|16|51.9|N|81|34|12.2|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline, title}}
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.actionnewsjax.com/}}
}}

'''WJAX-TV''' (channel 47) is a [[television station]] in [[Jacksonville, Florida]], United States, affiliated with [[CBS]]. It is owned by Hoffman Communications, which maintains a [[joint sales agreement]] (JSA) with [[Cox Media Group]], owner of [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate [[WFOX-TV]] (channel 30), for the provision of certain services. The two stations, whose combined news department is known as Action News Jax, share studios on Central Parkway and transmitter facilities on Hogan Road, both on Jacksonville's [[Southside, Jacksonville, Florida|Southside]].

Channel 47 went on the air on August 1, 1980, as WXAO-TV, the first new television station in the city since 1966. It was originally a Christian-oriented [[independent station]] with a mix of religious and family-friendly secular programs. Channel 30 launched as WAWS-TV six months later and remained the higher-rated independent in the Jacksonville market. Beginning in 1982, the station actively shed its religious image and programming, culminating in a call sign change to WNFT in 1983. Despite improvements in programming and facilities, WNFT remained behind WAWS in the ratings. In 1990, Krypton Broadcasting acquired WNFT. The station lost money every year under the firm's ownership, which culminated in a bankruptcy filing in 1993 and the station's operation under a court-appointed [[receivership|receiver]]. RDS Broadcasting won the bankruptcy auction for WNFT, which in 1995 affiliated with the new [[UPN]] network and entered into a local marketing agreement with WAWS and its then-owner, [[Clear Channel Television]]. The call sign was changed to WTEV-TV in March 1996. The stations moved into their present studios, and WAWS's news department was extended to WTEV with the launch of 6:30&nbsp;p.m. and 11&nbsp;a.m. newscasts. Clear Channel acquired WTEV-TV outright in 1999 after the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) permitted [[duopoly (broadcasting)|duopoly]] ownership of TV stations.

In 2002, CBS and its longtime Jacksonville affiliate, [[WJXT]] (channel 4), ended their relationship after 53 years. WTEV-TV became the new Jacksonville CBS affiliate on July 15 of that year; the news department was expanded to produce additional daily newscasts for channel 47. Ratings for CBS network programming were generally unchanged as a result of the switch. Clear Channel sold its stations to [[Newport Television]] in 2007; because WTEV's ratings increase as a CBS affiliate made it one of the four highest-rated stations in the market, Newport was forced to divest the channel 47 license and operate the station under agreement. The stations adopted the ''Action News'' brand for their newscasts in 2009. In 2012, Cox Media Group acquired channel 30; during its ownership, the channel 47 license has been owned by former executives of Cox. In 2014, WAWS and WTEV became WFOX-TV and WJAX-TV as part of a station overhaul; by 2023, ''Action News'' had moved into second place in the local TV news ratings.

==As an independent station and UPN affiliate==
===WXAO: Christian TV for Jacksonville===
In February 1978, Christian Television of Jacksonville, a non-profit corporation, announced it would apply to the [[Federal Communications Commission]] to build a non-commercial television station on channel 47 in [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]]. The group of local businessmen was headed by [[Tom McGehee]] and the second to apply for the channel, after [[Malrite Communications]];<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/religion-oriented-tv-station-planned-duval/fmlwphmxakiyydiswaspbvzrizxdnuub_ip-10-166-46-78_1718902055706|first=Lilla|last=Ross|first2=Stephen W.|last2=Holland|page=B-3|work=The Florida Times-Union|date=February 7, 1978|title=Religion-Oriented TV Station Planned in Duval}}</ref> Malrite had filed for channel 47 when two other groups joined it in filing for channel 30.<ref>{{cite news|title=Story No. 2: City May Get 2 New Stations|first=Dave|last=Montoro|work=The Florida Times-Union|page=B-1|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/story-no-2-city-may-get-2-new-stations/zpzqudszydcqaczfikhnclpzhmmzhiqm_ip-10-166-46-120_1718902020378|date=October 14, 1977}}</ref> 

Malrite withdrew in a settlement agreement reached in 1978,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/christian-television-ch-47-bid-gains/rayjnpgcqkjicjefovjdddolenlfciwz_ip-10-166-46-110_1758080020369|first=Dave|last=Montoro|first2=Ken|last2=Cummins|title= Christian Television Ch. 47 bid gains|page=B-1|work=The Florida Times-Union|date=November 7, 1978}}</ref> and Christian Television of Jacksonville was awarded the [[construction permit]] on June 22, 1979.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Lee|last=Stapleton|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/christian-station-gets-fcc-permit/gfblercidelumsvstzlglukxcnzrvzvu_ip-10-166-46-82_1719712372514|work=Times-Union and Journal|page=E-2|date=June 23, 1979|title= Christian station gets FCC permit}}</ref> However, facing financial difficulties as well as lower-than-expected contributions from potential viewers,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/christian-television-plans-go-air-aug-1/thmjdssklsswqfbnzqsuoqrgvigutnfn_ip-10-166-46-123_1758080442307|work=Jacksonville Journal|page=23|first=Nancy|last=McAlister|title=Christian Television Plans To Go On Air Aug. 1|date=May 1, 1980}}</ref> it sold the permit to American Standard Leasing Corporation, a firm owned by Tom McGehee and his brother Frank. The new ownership meant the station would be operated on a commercial instead of noncommercial basis.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/-become-profit-venture/vogmqzotfaqlbtosupowtmzgbtmwqlit_ip-10-166-46-104_1758080414491|first=Dave|last=Montoro|work=The Florida Times-Union|page=D-2|date=May 2, 1980|title=TV-47 to become profit venture}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/christian-tv-channel-47-goes-air-friday/btjdblhevppnbgllddgkoezpzhukmnwn_ip-10-166-46-165_1758080656396|pages=B-5, [https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/christian-tv-station-starts-friday/keamuxmadgrhklpwyvshconjjcuzqncx_ip-10-166-46-70_1758080684574 B-6]|first=Nancy|last=McAlister|work=The Florida Times-Union and Jacksonville Journal|date=July 26, 1980|title=Christian TV Channel 47 goes on air Friday}}</ref>

WXAO began broadcasting on August 1, 1980, as the first new television station in Jacksonville since [[WCWJ|WJKS]] (channel 17) began in 1966.<ref name="FTU800801">{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/city-has-first-new-tv-station-14-years/fozlfzcqpghqxnnqwvikudjqorshnpwx_ip-10-166-46-126_1758080740657|page=C-1|first=Dave|last=Montoro|date=August 1, 1980|work=The Florida Times-Union|title=City has first new TV station in 14 years}}</ref> The station's [[call sign]], WXAO, represented "Christ, the Alpha and the Omega".<ref name="FTU020617">{{Cite news|first=Nancy|last=McAlister|work=The Florida Times-Union|page=First Business 14|url=http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/061702/bus_9675102.html|title=New CBS affiliate has garage-studio roots|date=June 17, 2002}}</ref><ref name="FTU020625">{{cite news |title=New CBS affiliate sets its news anchor lineup |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-new-cbs-affiliat/187116490/ |access-date=December 19, 2025 |newspaper=The Florida Times-Union |date=June 25, 2002 |location=Jacksonville, Florida |page=B-3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> WXAO aired religious programming as well as family-friendly secular series.<ref>{{Cite news|page=S-12|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/newest-tv-station-praises-city-god/hkkkaqoexawslcqdkpqyohmiyjteyrhy_ip-10-166-46-98_1719509006839|title=Newest TV station praises city, God|work=The Florida Times-Union|date=November 26, 1980}}</ref> Its manager, George Ivey, came from the [[Christian Broadcasting Network]]–owned [[WANF|WANX]] in Atlanta.{{r|FTU800801}} Within months, Jacksonville went from having no independent stations to having two, as channel 30—a majority share in the permit having been acquired by Malrite<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/christian-tv-channels-debut-postponed/oaudqtwmbyogxltitebcnljcsptuqcdf_ip-10-166-46-104_1758080330841|date=April 11, 1980|page=D-2|title=Christian TV channel's debut is postponed|first=Dave|last=Montoro|work=The Florida Times-Union}}</ref>—began broadcasting on February 15, 1981, as [[WFOX-TV|WAWS]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/channel-30-rings-old-today/mpdxgxtowlfedqhdbqbzifpncklbmjpq_ip-10-166-46-150_1719508043849|work=Times-Union and Journal|page=Television Magazine 3|title=Channel 30 'rings in the old' today|date=February 15, 1981}}</ref> That station quickly attracted a larger audience from sign-on to sign-off; a May 1981 ratings survey from the [[Nielsen Media Research|Nielsen Company]] measured total-day viewership for WXAO at 5,000 viewers and WAWS at 19,000.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/tv-47-survives-cable-squeeze-and-makes-plans-future/wxjyrgypdakftnvzuuthkkgsqjijisqy_ip-10-166-46-168_1758080930721|pages=C-1, [https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/tv-47-survives-first-year-programming/lluxnhfkkydkchsqlmfiectfaknubizm_ip-10-166-46-165_1758571913755 C-6]|work=The Florida Times-Union|first=Dave|last=Montoro|date=July 23, 1981|title=TV-47 survives cable squeeze and makes plans for future}}</ref> At one point, the station held a wooden nickel contest that awarded prizes to people who received matching sets of WXAO wooden nickels.{{r|FTU890612}}

===WNFT: Second-rated independent===
Jim Kontoleon, a former general manager of [[WTLV]] (channel 12), joined the staff as a consultant at the start of 1982<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/shift-entertainment-programming-helps-tv-47-ratings/xbeumekbkczsymppgxxfdfpiqciwjsfn_ip-10-166-46-153_1758081164261|date=January 4, 1982|first=Dave|last=Montoro|work=The Florida Times-Union|page=C-2|title=Shift to entertainment programming helps TV-47 in ratings}}</ref> before becoming general manager. Under Kontoleon, management consciously began uncoupling channel 47 from its religious image and programming. Christian Television of Jacksonville, which had continued to exist as a producer of religious programming for WXAO, shut down that May.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/christian-television-folds-tv-47-tries-shake-religious-image/zmkpryjbjqkmpnwfficfhicgvabqfwkk_ip-10-166-46-168_1758081324379|page=E-1|date=May 5, 1982|first=Dave|last=Montoro|work=The Florida Times-Union|title=Christian Television folds; TV-47 tries to shake religious image}}</ref> In February 1983, most of the prime time religious programming was removed from the station's lineup, with ''[[The 700 Club]]'' moving into the 10 p.m. hour.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/disc-jockey-team-returning-slot/hdbxtjqipyxfpsaiwcvlshldycnowbjo_ip-10-166-46-142_1719508865998|date=January 24, 1983|title=Disc-jockey team returning to slot|page=C-1|work=The Florida Times-Union|first=Dave|last=Montoro}}</ref> The station added more children's programming, including the syndicated ''[[TV Powww]]'', which moved from WAWS.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/not-worry-kids-coach-and-tv-powww-will-return/mskhjkqzipbgahtoutarlsyjbnwyuzlo_ip-10-166-46-86_1758082299650|page=C-4|first=Dave|last=Montoro|work=The Florida Times-Union|date=January 11, 1983|title=Not to worry, kids... the Coach and TV Powww!' will return}}</ref> On August 8, it adopted a new call sign, WNFT (for North Florida Television).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wape-am-latest-station-approach-new-ownership/mnwmnhmyjoogavylcetfludjljhxoidh_ip-10-166-46-77_1719508988239|page=C-1|first=Dave|last=Montoro|work=The Florida Times-Union|date=August 1, 1983|title=WAPE-AM is latest station to approach new ownership}}</ref> Kontoleon, who was known on-air for frequent editorials, departed WNFT in late 1983 to run [[WHPX-TV|WTWS]] in [[New London, Connecticut]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/jim-kontoleon-run-new-tv-station-new-england/oggdfbjywfarzwjivcpjpphqhscfeiqi_ip-10-166-46-181_1758082794627|page=C-1|title=Jim Kontoleon to run new TV station in New England|first=Dave|last=Montoro|work=The Florida Times-Union|date=September 12, 1983}}</ref>

With Kontoleon out, the McGehees invested in new programming and a signal upgrade; the station's antenna had been damaged in May 1982, affecting its signal, but this was not known for more than a year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/tv-47-improving-signal-programming/dawharzazpionvwfgxctgjtnudyhqdod_ip-10-166-46-88_1758082862550|first=Dave|last=Montoro|work=The Florida Times-Union|title=TV-47 improving signal, programming|pages=C-1, [https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/programming-next-step/nuwajlgukompnwbudnhjnejrqfqolxsg_ip-10-166-46-109_1758082902215 C-5]|date=November 2, 1983}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wnft-tv-47s-ratings-wattage-are-increasing/lprwasexrzcbnpbosdvkwaofplcmuycg_ip-10-166-46-88_1758083065714|title=WNFT-TV-47's ratings, wattage are increasing|date=January 13, 1984|page=C-1|first=Dave|last=Montoro|work=The Florida Times-Union}}</ref> The relaunch gave WAWS stiffer competition.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/changes-brought-good-bad-news-tv-viewers/nsgsfjhzhvbyyqbboufyzbdqnslitxgx_ip-10-166-46-106_1731006047414|title=Changes brought good, bad news for TV viewers|work=The Florida Times-Union and Jacksonville Journal|page=G-2|date=December 29, 1985|first=Nancy|last=McAlister}}</ref> However, the gap between the two stations widened again after WAWS became the Jacksonville affiliate of the startup [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] network.{{r|FTU020617}} In 1988, the station increased its [[effective radiated power]] to 5 million watts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/fall-wind-brings-more-power-tv-47-and-takes-cosby-daytime/fnxozsnqjjrulothuxiyaffbtxahlvdd_ip-10-166-46-123_1758083423639|page=G-3|title=Fall wind brings more power to TV-47, and takes Cosby to daytime|work=The Florida Times-Union and Jacksonville Journal|date=October 1, 1988|first=Nancy|last=McAlister}}</ref> In spite of the increase, WNFT continued to struggle to shed the image it had earned in its early years as a "small-time" Christian station, and WAWS continued to lead WNFT in sign-on-to-sign-off ratings.<ref name="FTU890612">{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/independents-fight-tv-viewers/krkkeesndqdqttbegrwohijojelabjuw_ip-10-166-46-187_1758083473357|title=Independents fight for TV viewers|pages=First Business 10, 11, [https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/tv-30-no-longer-sees-movies-big-draw/bzfqgmobemuiuvrxtqnjmphcvavhrpti_ip-10-166-46-153_1758083545811 12]|first=Nancy|last=McAlister|work=The Florida Times-Union|date=June 12, 1989}}</ref>

===Krypton Broadcasting ownership and receivership===
[[File:IndependentLifeJAX.jpg|right|thumb|From 1990 to 1997, WNFT/WTEV-TV had studios in Jacksonville's [[Independent Life Building]].|alt=The Independent Life Building, a downtown skyscraper with signage reading Independent Life]]
On March 30, 1990, McGehee announced that he had agreed to sell WNFT to Krypton Broadcasting of Jacksonville, a subsidiary of{{r|FTU900706}} Krypton International Corporation of [[Palm Beach, Florida|Palm Beach]]. McGehee cited his age at the time;<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/agreement-reached-wnft-sale-palm-beach-company-buy-channel-47/mijlvashabiabnoqomnxiouixowajtjj_ip-10-166-46-137_1758083599052|title=Agreement reached on WNFT sale: Palm Beach company to buy Channel 47|pages=A-12, [https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wnft-tv-47-sale-announced/tvuljkivnhhropveccnftjxbzbtdmiii_ip-10-166-46-184_1758083617178 A-16]|date=March 31, 1990|work=The Florida Times-Union|first=Mark|last=Basch}}</ref> in a 2002 interview, his son Thomas McGehee Jr. noted that the family was glad to have returned to its primary industry, paper.{{r|FTU020617}} The sale price of $3 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|3000000|2018}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) was seen as a bargain by Feltner and other local broadcasters; WAWS had been sold the year before for $8.1&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/3-million-price-tv-47-termed-bargain-buyer/vhamajzytbjcbyezfbjbavnkdwhsgmze_ip-10-166-46-110_1758083660110|page=First Business 4|first=Chuck|last=Springston|work=The Florida Times-Union|title=$3 million price for TV-47 termed a bargain by buyer|date=June 11, 1990}}</ref> Krypton, which also owned a library of motion pictures and the Palm Beach Stingrays of the [[United States Basketball League]], was owned by Elvin Feltner and named for the community in Kentucky where he was born. Feltner intended for WNFT to be the first of up to 12 Krypton-owned stations.<ref name="FTU900706">{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/new-owner-tv-47-planning-changes/xdpefuowxdanuhetadnpcguljvquzjed_ip-10-166-46-153_1758083807851|page=D-2|title=New owner at TV-47 is planning changes|date=July 6, 1990|work=The Florida Times-Union|first=Nancy|last=McAlister}}</ref> Seeking higher visibility, Feltner moved WNFT from its original studios on University Boulevard to facilities in the mezzanine level of downtown Jacksonville's [[Independent Life Building]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wnft-tv-moving-downtown-visibility/raivsfbvwuwupraqjotxlkobdxolorga_ip-10-166-46-181_1758083703028|first=Chuck|last=Springston|title=WNFT-TV moving to downtown for visibility|date=December 21, 1990|page=C-7|work=The Florida Times-Union}}</ref> The move more than doubled the station's rent and equipment costs.<ref name="fuzzy">{{Cite news|pages=First Business 8–9|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/fuzzy-picture-tv-47/twegonzchyqptpggkgxzhtyexozjnrgy_ip-10-166-46-138_1732212612543|first=Mark|last=Basch|work=The Florida Times-Union|title=Fuzzy picture for TV-47|date=May 2, 1994}}</ref>

Krypton, which later bought [[WTVX]] in [[Fort Pierce, Florida|Fort Pierce]], serving [[West Palm Beach, Florida|West Palm Beach]], and [[WABM]] in [[Birmingham, Alabama]], soon found itself in financial trouble. In 1991, WNFT's losses widened over the previous year.{{r|fuzzy}} In January 1992, Krypton missed a payment on a $19 million loan it had received two years prior from Dutch bank [[ING Group|Internationale Nederlanden Bank N.V.]], and in June, the bank sued, seeking its money.<ref name="Palm920616">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105541731/wtvx-owner-sued-accused-of-defaulting-o/|date=June 16, 1992|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105541771/ 16A]|first=Erik|last=Milstone|title=WTVX owner sued, accused of defaulting on $19 million loan|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 13, 2022|archive-date=July 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035035/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105541731/wtvx-owner-sued-accused-of-defaulting/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> While Krypton was attempting to buy a fourth station, [[WQTV]] in [[Boston]], in 1993,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Franklin |first=James L. |date=May 6, 1993 |title=Ch. 68 bidder: All movies, all the time |pages=77, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73921113/ 79] |work=The Boston Globe |location=Boston, Massachusetts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73921108/ch-68-bidder-all-movies-all-the-time/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524080113/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73921108/ch-68-bidder-all-movies-all-the-time/ |archive-date=May 24, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 24, 2021}}</ref> several program suppliers asked a federal court to order WNFT and WTVX into bankruptcy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Franklin |first=James L. |date=May 15, 1993 |title=Creditors move against Ch. 68 suitor |pages=31, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73921151/ 32] |work=The Boston Globe |location=Boston, Massachusetts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73921140/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531175543/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73921140/creditors-move-against-ch-68-suitor/ |archive-date=May 31, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 24, 2021}}</ref> By August 1993, 26 cases had been filed against Feltner for debts owed, ranging from the 1990 loan to $1,300 in condominium association fees.<ref name="Palm930808">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105542090/tv-and-film-moguls-empire-under-siege/|date=August 8, 1993|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105542246/ 10A]|first=Eliot|last=Kleinberg|title=TV and film mogul's empire under siege|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 13, 2022|archive-date=July 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035036/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105542090/tv-and-film-moguls-empire-under-siege/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> WTVX owed $3.3 million to program distributors including [[Sony Pictures Television|Columbia Pictures]], [[Universal Television|MCA Television]], [[Warner Bros. Television|Warner Bros.]], [[Paramount Television]], and [[20th Television|20th Century Fox]], while former WTVX employees recalled that tapes of programs they no longer had rights to air were being shipped from Jacksonville to Fort Pierce to air on that station before the companies obtained an injunction against such activity.{{r|Palm930808}} Also in August, the Alabama station joined its Florida sisters in bankruptcy.<ref name="Palm930825">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105542562/all-feltner-tv-stations-now-seeking-chap/|date=August 25, 1993|page=5B|first=Eliot|last=Kleinberg|title=All Feltner TV stations now seeking Chapter 11|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 13, 2022|archive-date=July 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035059/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105542562/all-feltner-tv-stations-now-seeking/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

In a court-ordered settlement in October 1993, Feltner relinquished all day-to-day control of WTVX and WNFT.<ref name="Palm931015">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105542685/channel-34-boss-gives-up-control/|date=October 15, 1993|page=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105542722/ 3B]|first=Eliot|last=Kleinberg|title=Channel 34 boss gives up control|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 13, 2022|archive-date=July 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035059/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105542685/channel-34-boss-gives-up-control/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> A December report from a federal examiner, Soneet Kapila, suggested turning over their operations to a trustee.<ref name="Palm931229">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105542790/turn-wtvx-over-to-trustee-examiner-says/|date=December 29, 1993|page=2B|first=Eliot|last=Kleinberg|title=Turn WTVX over to trustee, examiner says|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 13, 2022|archive-date=July 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035100/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105542790/turn-wtvx-over-to-trustee-examiner-says/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Kapila noted that Feltner had spurned an offer from [[Paxson Communications Corporation]], which at the time was pursuing an entrance into television, for all three stations. He found that the Krypton stations needed an infusion of new capital and that they could not be sold if Feltner was still involved.<ref name="Palm940119">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97442623/wtvx-finances-questioned/|date=January 19, 1994|page=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97442636/loans-paid-for-stations-wtvx/ 3B]|first=Eliot|last=Kleinberg|title=WTVX finances questioned|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 13, 2022|archive-date=July 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035100/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97442623/wtvx-finances-questioned/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

Even though Feltner was able to settle the suit filed by Internationale Nederlanden Bank in March 1994,<ref name="Palm940309">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105543330/owner-settles-station-lawsuit/|date=March 9, 1994|page=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105543392/ 2B]|first=Eliot|last=Kleinberg|title=Owner settles station lawsuit|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 13, 2022|archive-date=July 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035059/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105543330/owner-settles-station-lawsuit/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> and Feltner sued the syndicators alleging a conspiracy to hurt his stations,<ref name="Palm940322">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105543455/owner-of-fort-pierce-station-sues-tv-syn/|date=March 22, 1994|page=1B|first=Eliot|last=Kleinberg|title=Owner of Fort Pierce station sues TV syndicators|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 13, 2022|archive-date=July 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035100/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105543455/owner-of-fort-pierce-station-sues-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> it was not enough. Columbia Pictures won an $8.8 million claim in the WTVX–WNFT case in July, when a federal judge found the stations had committed willful copyright infringement (in 1995, MCA would win a $9 million judgment upheld in 1997<ref name="StLu970318">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105545518/damages-against-wtvx-channel-34-owner-up/|date=March 18, 1997|page=B4|title=Damages against WTVX Channel 34 owner upheld|newspaper=St. Lucie News Tribune|location=Fort Pierce, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 13, 2022|archive-date=July 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035100/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105545518/damages-against-wtvx-channel-34-owner/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->), and in September, the stations were ordered to auction in October.<ref name="Palm940905">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74624931/2-fla-television-stations-to-be/|date=September 5, 1994|page=5B|first=Eliot|last=Kleinberg|title=2 Fla. television stations to be auctioned|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 13, 2022|archive-date=July 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035100/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74624931/2-fla-television-stations-to-be/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->

RDS Broadcasting submitted the highest bid at $10 million and was approved by the bankruptcy judge in October 1994.<ref name="FTU941013">{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wnft-sale-okd/fudimhadcfzqorgkshubymscbixmsqpz_ip-10-166-46-86_1758085235145|page=B-3|date=October 13, 1994|title=WNFT sale OK'd|work=The Florida Times-Union}}</ref> While the sale was pending, WNFT affiliated with [[UPN]], a new national TV network that launched in January 1995.<ref>{{cite news|title=UPN vs. The WB|page=36|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=January 2, 1995|id={{pq|1014754715}} }}</ref> After ten months, the FCC approved RDS's purchase of WNFT on August 23, 1995.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wnft-purchase-approved/xtzfvukvifrgehhunwwnbwofaqkflcwc_ip-10-166-46-181_1758085272828|work=The Florida Times-Union|first=Mark|last=Basch|page=C-8|date=August 25, 1995|title= WNFT purchase approved}}</ref>

===WTEV-TV: UPN affiliation and common operation with WAWS===
RDS Broadcasting from the outset intended to reach a [[joint sales agreement]] with [[Clear Channel Television]], owner of WAWS, to market the two stations jointly. RDS's other station, [[KMYT-TV|KTFO]] in [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]], was similarly operated in tandem with a Clear Channel station there.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/highest-bidder-wnft-faces-fight-owner/gxbvxcfwxwdiuukmluutqqaqswyqaiax_ip-10-166-46-179_1758085148475|pages=B-4, [https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wnft-waws-could-be-marketed-together/emqtcmdvmdribmbouqsndyhmaopaokvj_ip-10-166-46-126_1758085195841 B-7]|title=Highest bidder for WNFT faces fight from owner|work=The Florida Times-Union|first=Mark|last=Basch|date=October 6, 1994}}</ref> Under the agreement, Clear Channel assumed programming and most operational duties of the station, while RDS employed a general manager and chief engineer dedicated to WNFT; 14 employees of channel 47 were fired. The WNFT programming lineup was changed to prevent it from competing with WAWS's higher-rated selections of children's programs and situation comedies.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Charlie|last=Patton|work=The Florida Times-Union|title=WNFT changes hands: Clear Channel to manage station|date=September 28, 1995|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wnft-lineup-will-change/inzngcettgsavhdmmdkeswtcaabmkylf_ip-10-166-46-88_1758513028839|pages=B-4, [https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/wnft-lineup-will-change/inzngcettgsavhdmmdkeswtcaabmkylf_ip-10-166-46-88_1758513028839 B-7]}}</ref> The call sign was changed to WTEV-TV on March 4, 1996;{{r|FCC-LMS-35576}} the new designation, which sounded like "TV" when said out loud, was intended to symbolize a fresh start and emerged from a contest among station employees.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/channel-47-changes-its-call-letters-wnft-wtev/dwwsbuklikqyhbdgnmhncrdqqsydsnct_ip-10-166-46-125_1758512821720|title=Channel 47 changes its call letters from WNFT to WTEV|page=D-3|work=The Florida Times-Union|date=March 26, 1996|first=Charlie|last=Patton}}</ref> 

With the consolidation of WTEV into WAWS and the launch of a local news operation and increased staffing for the latter, Clear Channel needed new studio space.<ref>{{cite news |last=Patton |first=Charlie |title=WAWS, WTEV negotiating for new studios |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-waws-wtev-negot/186321361/ |access-date=December 19, 2025 |newspaper=The Florida Times-Union |date=November 28, 1996 |location=Jacksonville, Florida |page=E-5 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The company purchased a building in the EastPark area of south Jacksonville<ref>{{cite news |last=Brune Mathis |first=Karen |title=Fox station on run to EastPark |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-fox-station-on-r/186369853/ |access-date=December 7, 2025 |newspaper=The Florida Times-Union |date=February 13, 1997 |location=Jacksonville, Florida |pages=C-8, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-clear-channel-se/186369891/ C-11] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and moved operations there in August 1997. The next month, the WAWS news department was extended to WTEV with the launch of ''UPN47 News at 6:30'', inspired by the success of a similar program at [[WNUV]] in [[Baltimore]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Patton |first=Charlie |title=WAWS TV-30 to drop its 11 p.m. local newscast |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-waws-tv-30-to-dr/186370003/ |access-date=December 19, 2025 |newspaper=The Florida Times-Union |date=August 2, 1997 |location=Jacksonville, Florida |page=D-5 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

MGA Broadcasting, a company owned by Van H. Archer III, acquired WTEV and KTFO from RDS for $825,000.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Changing Hands|id={{pq|1016945616}}|date=March 17, 1997|page=54|work=Broadcasting & Cable}}</ref> In 1999, the FCC legalized [[duopoly (broadcasting)|duopolies]]—the outright ownership of two broadcast licenses in a market<ref>{{Cite news|first=Elizabeth A.|last=Rathbun|id={{ProQuest|225314807}}|pages=4–6|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=November 15, 1999|title=Groups look to lasso LMAs}}</ref>—and Clear Channel acquired WTEV from MGA.<ref>{{Cite news|id={{ProQuest|225323867}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1999/BC-1999-11-22.pdf|date=November 22, 1999|work=Broadcasting & Cable|page=7|title=Who's doing duopolies|access-date=March 25, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131024355/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1999/BC-1999-11-22.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Under general manager Susan Adams Loyd, who arrived at the station in 2000, Clear Channel began to target WTEV toward Jacksonville's [[African American]] community, which it believed to be underserved.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Jacksonville|date=May 15, 2000|work=Mediaweek|pages=26–36|id={{pq|213613921}}|first=Eileen|last=Davis Hudson}}</ref> Clear Channel expanded the EastPark facility between 2000 and 2001 to house its radio stations and its outdoor advertising operation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brune Mathis |first=Karen |title=Clear Channel Jacksonville tuning its holdings into one complex |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-clear-channel-ja/187103762/ |access-date=December 19, 2025 |newspaper=The Florida Times-Union |date=July 4, 2000 |location=Jacksonville, Florida |pages=F-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-mathis-plans-fo/187103816/ F-6] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Basch |first=Mark |title=Fine tuning: Clear Channel in process of putting its vast Jacksonville operations in one building |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-fine-tuning-cle/187105511/ |access-date=December 19, 2025 |newspaper=The Florida Times-Union |date=June 15, 2001 |location=Jacksonville, Florida |pages=C-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-stations-observ/187105726/ C-6] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> An 11 a.m. newscast had been added to WTEV's lineup by 2002,{{r|FTU020423}} and by the 2001–2002 TV season, WTEV was the seventh-highest-rated UPN affiliate in the country.{{r|FTU020617}} Unusually for a UPN affiliate, it attracted a large audience among viewers aged 25–54, older than the target UPN audience.{{r|FTU020617}}<ref>{{Cite news|title=All eyes on WTEV|first=Stuart|last=Devan|work=Jacksonville Business Journal|date=April 26, 2002|id={{pq|233205417}}}}</ref>

==Becoming a CBS affiliate==
Jacksonville's historic [[CBS]] affiliate, [[WJXT]] (channel 4), was one of its strongest affiliates and the market leader. However, [[Post-Newsweek Stations]] and the network entered into a dispute in 2001 over compensation. WJXT renewed its affiliation agreement for one year and increased its purchases of syndicated programming, which observers including managers at competing stations interpreted as preparations for a possible change to independent status.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Test pattern|date=November 16, 2001|work=Jacksonville Business Journal|page=1|first=Devan|last=Stuart|id={{pq|233206314}} }}</ref> Clear Channel Jacksonville president Josh McGraw told ''The Florida Times-Union'', "I would be very surprised if it ever came to be. But you never know."<ref>{{cite news |last=Basch |first=Mark |title=Speculation aside, WJXT plans to stay with CBS |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-speculation-asid/187108807/ |access-date=December 19, 2025 |newspaper=The Florida Times-Union |date=November 20, 2001 |location=Jacksonville, Florida |pages=F-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-wjxt-sides-to-r/187112307/ F-2] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> It came to be on April 3, 2002, when WJXT announced it would no longer be Jacksonville's CBS affiliate.<ref>{{cite news |last=McAlister |first=Nancy |title=CBS dumped by local affiliate: WJXT TV-4 will be independent station |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-cbs-dumped-by-lo/187113473/ |access-date=December 19, 2025 |newspaper=The Florida Times-Union |date=April 4, 2002 |location=Jacksonville, Florida |pages=A-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-cbs-network-hun/187113576/ A-13] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On April 22, WTEV-TV announced it would become the new CBS affiliate on July 15.<ref name="FTU020423">{{cite news |url=http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/042302/met_9216411.html|title=TV-47 to become new CBS affiliate: Switch from TV-4 takes effect July 15|date=April 23, 2002|page=A-1|first=Mark|last=Basch|work=The Florida Times-Union}}</ref> UPN programming moved to a secondary affiliation on WAWS.<ref>{{cite news |last=McAlister |first=Nancy |title=Switch of CBS shows to bump UPN |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-switch-of-cbs-sh/186370346/ |access-date=December 19, 2025 |newspaper=The Florida Times-Union |date=April 23, 2002 |location=Jacksonville, Florida |page=A-9 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

The conversion to CBS brought with it a full schedule of newscasts, airing at 5:30 a.m. (previously seen on WAWS), noon, and 5:30, 6, and 11 p.m. on weeknights as well as weekend evenings. At the outset, newscasts on WTEV had a separate anchor team but shared reporters, weather, and sports with WAWS;{{r|FTU020625}} 17 employees were hired to support the expanded operation. A new dual-purpose news set was built with a skyline and newsroom backdrop for WTEV and a blue background for WAWS.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Boom time in Jacksonville|pages=1, 10|work=[[Electronic Media]]|first=Michele|last=Greppi|date=June 24, 2002|id={{pq|203831224}} }}</ref> After the switch, ratings for CBS programs remained unchanged, unlike in prior affiliation switches.<ref>{{cite news|title=Viewers finding CBS' new home on WTEV|first=Sandy|last=Brown|work=Mediaweek|date=September 16, 2002|page=9|id={{pq|213644345}}}}</ref> WTEV's revenues nearly doubled in 2003 after converting from UPN to CBS, rising to second behind [[WTLV]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Basch |first=Mark |title=TV, radio revenue all over the dial |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-tv-radio-revenu/187116158/ |access-date=December 19, 2025 |newspaper=The Florida Times-Union |date=November 20, 2001 |location=Jacksonville, Florida |pages=D-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-ratings-politic/187116382/ D-2] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Ratings for WTEV's 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts landed in third place with audience shares of 9% at 6 p.m. and 11% at 11 p.m.<ref>{{Cite news|work=Jacksonville Business Journal|first=Sean|last=McManus|title=TV news in transition|date=June 6, 2003|id={{pq|233207718}}}}</ref>

As a CBS affiliate, WTEV became the primary broadcaster of [[Jacksonville Jaguars]] football games. The team's local preseason coverage initially remained with WJXT after the switch, but an out clause in the agreement between WJXT and the Jaguars allowed the team to opt out of the agreement if that station were to lose its affiliation. As a result, the Jaguars moved their preseason games and other programming to WTEV in 2003.<ref>{{cite news |last=Elliott |first=Jeff |title=Changing channels: Jaguars to drop TV-4, near deal with TV-47 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-changing-channel/187116846/ |access-date=December 19, 2025 |newspaper=The Florida Times-Union |date=March 6, 2003 |location=Jacksonville, Florida |page=D-7 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 2007, the station debuted a 5&nbsp;p.m. newscast.<ref>{{cite news|first=Mark|last=Basch|first2=John|last2=Timpe|title=WTEV adding newscast: Clear Channel also to launch digital channel later this month|date=January 24, 2007|work=The Florida Times-Union}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=McAlister |first=Nancy |title=Switch of CBS shows to bump UPN |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-florida-times-union-switch-of-cbs-sh/186370346/ |access-date=December 19, 2025 |newspaper=The Florida Times-Union |date=April 23, 2002 |location=Jacksonville, Florida |page=A-9 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

Clear Channel announced the sale of its television station portfolio to [[Newport Television]], controlled by [[Providence Equity Partners]], for $1.2&nbsp;billion (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|1200000000|2007}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) on April 20, 2007. The sale was made so Clear Channel could refocus around its radio, outdoor advertising and live event units.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 20, 2007 |title=Providence Buys Clear Channel TV for $1.2B |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/providence-buys-clear-channel-tv-for-1-2b/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307024830/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/providence-buys-clear-channel-tv-for-1-2b/ |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |access-date=December 4, 2017 |website=TVNewsCheck}}</ref><ref name="cc-newport">{{cite press release|title=Clear Channel Agrees to Sell Television Station Group to Providence Equity Partners|url=http://www.clearchannel.com/Corporate/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=1943|publisher=[[Clear Channel Communications]]|date=April 20, 2007|access-date=November 15, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070425161056/http://www.clearchannel.com/Corporate/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=1943|archive-date=April 25, 2007}}</ref> The sale received FCC approval on December 1, 2007; after settlement of a lawsuit filed by Clear Channel owners [[Thomas H. Lee Partners]] and [[Bain Capital]] against Providence to force the deal's completion, consummation took place on March 14, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dunbar |first=John |date=December 2, 2007 |title=FCC OKs Clear Channel TV sale with changes |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=3942156&page=1 |access-date=December 4, 2017 |via=ABC News |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=December 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202053227/http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=3942156&page=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Davies |first=Megan |date=March 14, 2008 |title=Clear Channel says completes TV sale for $1.1 bln |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-clearchannel/clear-channel-says-completes-tv-sale-for-1-1-bln-idUSN1444375720080315 |access-date=December 4, 2017 |archive-date=December 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202152935/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-clearchannel/clear-channel-says-completes-tv-sale-for-1-1-bln-idUSN1444375720080315 |url-status=live }}</ref> When the FCC approved the transaction, it forced Newport to immediately divest itself of one of WAWS or WTEV within six months of completing the purchase. Though their ownership had previously been permissible, now they were both among the four highest-rated TV stations in the Jacksonville market and could not be sold to the same buyer. The FCC at the time did not permit the common ownership of "top four" stations.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Mark|last=Basch|work=The Florida Times-Union|title=TV stations may get new bosses CBS, Fox affiliates eyed by new owner, but FCC would mandate 1 more move|date=December 1, 2007|page=D-1}}</ref> WTEV-TV and five other stations which Newport could not own, in some cases because of Providence Equity Partners's stake in the Spanish-language network [[Univision]], were sold to High Plains Broadcasting, owned by Jim Martin, though Newport continued to control station operations through agreements.<ref name="Fres080516">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-bee-fresnos-kgpe-has-new-own/181708094/|date=May 16, 2008|page=C1|first=Rick|last=Bentley|title=Fresno's KGPE has new owner: Execs of current owner will operate CBS affiliate|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|location=Fresno, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 24, 2025}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

On April 13, 2009, the news operation of WAWS and WTEV was restructured to bring all newscasts under the common brand of ''[[Action News]]''. Coinciding with the changes, news anchor assignments were reorganized so that one anchor team—Paige Kelton and Mark Spain—served as the main anchors of all weeknight ''Action News'' broadcasts across WAWS and WTEV. The use of a common news brand for two stations had precedent in Jacksonville, as WTLV and [[WJXX]] (channel 25) had shared newscasts known as ''[[First Coast News]]'' since 2000.<ref>{{Cite news|page=E-3|first=Mark|last=Basch|title=2 stations, 1 Action News label|work=The Florida Times-Union}}</ref> By 2012, WTEV had the number-one 11 p.m. local newscast in the market.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Room at the Top|first=Michael|last=Malone|id={{pq|921024381}}|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=February 6, 2012|page=25}}</ref>

===Cox Media Group operation===
In March 2012, Providence Equity Partners announced it was seeking a buyer for the Newport Television stations. Four months later, it announced the sale of most of the stations, with [[Cox Media Group]] acquiring WAWS and WTEV as well as Newport's stations in Tulsa.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 19, 2012 |title=Newport Sells 22 Stations For $1 Billion |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/newport-sells-22-stations-for-1-billion/ |access-date=September 24, 2025 |website=TVNewsCheck |language=en-US}}</ref> Unable to own the WTEV-TV license outright, Cox assigned it to Bayshore Television, owned by Bruce Baker, a former Cox Television president, but continued to program the station.<ref name="RBR180228">{{Cite news|url=https://rbr.com/cmg-jax-wjax47/|title=Cox Sells, But Will Still Operate, JAX's CBS Affiliate|date=February 28, 2018|first=Adam|last=Jacobson|work=Radio + Television Business Report}}</ref>
[[File:CBS47_News_logo_2014.svg|thumb|The WJAX-TV Action News logo.]]
''Action News'' was aggressively overhauled in 2014 with the non-renewal of the contracts of five anchors, including Kelton—who stayed on in another capacity—and [[Mike Barz]]. Twenty positions were added, mostly in the newsroom; weekend early morning newscasts were launched; and the news product was reoriented around a faster pace.<ref name="JDR150327">{{Cite news|first=Karen|last=Brune Mathis|title=After letting four anchors go, Action News has taken a new direction|work=Jacksonville Daily Record|date=March 27, 2015|url=https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2015/mar/27/after-letting-four-anchors-go-action-news-has-taken-new-direction/}}</ref> New main news anchors, John Bachman and Tenikka Smith-Hughes, were hired from other Cox stations in [[Atlanta]] and [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]].{{r|ftu-wtevtowjaxdate}} The relaunch also included changes in call sign for WAWS and WTEV. On August 26, 2014, Cox announced their intention to change WTEV's call sign to WJAX-TV, contingent on FCC approval, through a request made in July. In an email to ''[[The Florida Times-Union]]'', general manager Jim Zerwekh stated that the change would better associate the station with Jacksonville.{{r|ftu-wtevtowjaxdate}} The WJAX call sign had previously been used in Jacksonville on [[WKTZ (AM)|1220 AM]], owned by [[Jones College (Jacksonville)|Jones College]].<ref name="ftu-wtevtowjaxdate">{{cite news|last1=Dixon|first1=Drew|title=Jacksonville's Action News stations WAWS and WTEV change call letters Sunday.|url=http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2014-09-03/story/jacksonvilles-action-news-stations-waws-and-wtev-change-call-letters|access-date=September 4, 2014|work=[[The Florida Times-Union]]|date=September 3, 2014}}</ref> Concurrently with the change to WJAX-TV, sister station WAWS was renamed WFOX-TV.<ref name="ftu-wtevtowjax">{{cite news|last1=Dixon|first1=Drew|title=Home to Jacksonville's Action News, WTEV & WAWS will soon change call letters|url=http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2014-08-26/story/home-jacksonvilles-action-news-wtev-waws-will-soon-change-call-letters|access-date=August 26, 2014|work=[[The Florida Times-Union]]|date=August 26, 2014}}</ref> The change took effect on September 7, 2014.{{r|ftu-wtevtowjaxdate}} 

WTEV lost the Jaguars preseason rights to WJXT in 2014<ref>{{cite news|title=Ben Carter testing value of his half of St. Johns Town Center|work=Jacksonville Daily Record|first=Karen|last=Brune Mathis|date=March 20, 2014}}</ref> but regained them in 2017 as part of a package involving both Action News Jax stations.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Stations tout preseason Jaguars rights, new programs|page=C-1|first=Drew|last=Dixon|work=The Florida Times-Union|date=April 21, 2017}}</ref>

In 2018, Bayshore sold the WJAX-TV license to Bill Hoffman of [[Vero Beach, Florida|Vero Beach]], a retired president of Cox Media Group, for $12.17&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|12170000|2018}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).{{r|RBR180228}} The change in ownership did not affect station operations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2018/apr/05/former-cox-media-group-executive-buying-wjax-tv-47/|first=Mark|last=Basch|title=Former Cox Media Group executive buying WJAX TV-47|date=April 5, 2018|work=Jacksonville Daily Record}}</ref> Cox Media Group was acquired in 2019 by [[Apollo Global Management]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/182425/apollo-global-management-closes-on-its-acquisition-of-cox-media-group/|title=Apollo Global Management Closes On Its Acquisition Of Cox Media Group|last=Venta|first=Lance|work=RadioInsight|date=December 17, 2019|access-date=December 17, 2019}}</ref> In 2023, ''Action News'' edged out ''First Coast News'' at 11 p.m. in total households but not in viewers 25–54, with both newscasts behind WJXT, which has remained Jacksonville's news leader as an independent station.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/local-news-close-up-jacksonville-is-hot-and-were-not-talking-weather|date=August 9, 2023|work=Broadcasting & Cable|title=Local News Close-Up: Jacksonville Is Hot, and We're Not Talking Weather|first=Michael|last=Malone|access-date=November 29, 2024}}</ref>

==Notable on-air staff==
===Current===
* [[Mike Buresh]] – chief meteorologist, since 2002<ref>{{Cite news |last=Woods |first=Mark |date=May 28, 2025 |title=Tim Deegan is retiring, but he'll still be looking at the clouds, forecasting weather |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/columns/mark-woods/2025/05/28/tim-deegan-retires-after-43-years-as-first-coast-news-meteorologist/83734975007/ |access-date=September 25, 2025 |work=[[The Florida Times-Union]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Former===
* [[Mike Barz]] – anchor, 2010<ref name="Feder">{{cite web |title=Happy landing for ex-Fox Chicago anchor Mike Barz |first=Robert|last=Feder|author-link=Robert Feder |website=Vocalo|url=http://blogs.vocalo.org/feder/2010/07/happy-landing-for-ex-fox-chicago-anchor-mike-barz/29913 |accessdate=July 15, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100716201358/http://blogs.vocalo.org/feder/2010/07/happy-landing-for-ex-fox-chicago-anchor-mike-barz/29913 |archivedate=July 16, 2010}}</ref>–2014{{r|JDR150327}}

==Technical information and subchannels==
WJAX-TV's transmitter facility is located on Hogan Road on Jacksonville's Southside.{{r|FCC-LMS-35576}} The station's signal is [[multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of WJAX-TV<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WJAX#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WJAX|website=[[RabbitEars]]|accessdate=April 19, 2025}}</ref>
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" | Short name
! scope = "col" | Programming
|-
! scope = "row" | 47.1
| [[1080i]] || rowspan=4| [[16:9]] || WJAX-HD || [[CBS]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 47.2
| rowspan=3| [[480i]] || WJAX-CZ || [[Cozi TV]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 47.3
| WJAX-CC || [[Catchy Comedy]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 47.4
| WJAX_TN || [[MeTV Toons]]
|}

===Analog-to-digital conversion===
WTEV-TV began providing a digital, high-definition signal on October 29, 2002, on channel 19.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Television & Cable Factbook|volume=74|chapter=WTEV-DT|page=A-487|date=2006|isbn=1-57696-058-7|publisher=Warren Communications News}}</ref> The station ceased analog programming on June 12, 2009, as part of the [[Digital television transition in the United States|digital television transition]].<ref>{{Cite news|page=C-12|first=Mark|last=Basch|title=Digital switch goes smoothly: "The whole industry has prepared so well," a station manager says|work=The Florida Times-Union|date=June 13, 2009}}</ref> The digital signal remained on channel 19, using [[virtual channel]] 47.<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>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.actionnewsjax.com/}}

{{Jacksonville TV}}
{{CBS Florida}}
{{CBS Georgia}}
{{COXMG}}
{{Jacksonville}}

[[Category:1980 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:Catchy Comedy affiliates]]
[[Category:CBS affiliates]]
[[Category:Cox Media Group]]
[[Category:Cozi TV affiliates]]
[[Category:MeTV Toons affiliates]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1980]]
[[Category:Television stations in Jacksonville, Florida|JAX-TV]]