View source for WOI-DT

{{Short description|Television station in Ames, Iowa}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = WOI-DT
| logo = WOI Local 5 Tegna.svg
| logo_alt = The word Local, underlined, next to a sans serif numeral 5 on which the ABC logo overlaps in the lower right
| logo_upright = 1
| location = [[Ames, Iowa|Ames]]–[[Des Moines, Iowa]]
| country = United States
| city = Ames, Iowa
| branding = Local 5; ''Local 5 News''
| digital = 5 ([[VHF]])
| virtual = 5
| translators = {{ubl|KCWI-DT 5.5 (23.5 [[UHF]]) Ames|33 (UHF) Des Moines}}
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''5.1:''' [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}}
| owner = [[Tegna Inc.]]
| licensee = Tegna Broadcast Holdings, [[LLC]]
| airdate = {{Start date and age|1950|2|21|p=y|br=yes}}
| callsign_meaning = Taken from [[WOI (AM)|WOI radio]]
| sister_stations = [[KCWI-TV]]
| former_callsigns = WOI-TV (1950–2009)
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 4 (VHF, 1950–1953), 5 (VHF, 1953–2009)|'''Digital:''' 59 ([[UHF]], 2002–2009)}}
| former_affiliations = {{ubl|[[NBC]] (1950–1954)|[[CBS]] (1950–1955)|[[DuMont Television Network|DuMont]] (secondary, 1950–1956)}}
| erp = 13.9 [[kW]]
| haat = {{convert|566|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 8661
| coordinates = {{coord|41|48|33|N|93|36|54|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.weareiowa.com/}}
}}

'''WOI-DT''' (channel 5) is a [[television station]] licensed to [[Ames, Iowa]], United States, serving the [[Des Moines]] area as an affiliate of [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. It is owned by [[Tegna Inc.]] alongside [[The CW|CW]] affiliate [[KCWI-TV]] (channel 23), also licensed to Ames. The two stations share studios on Westown Parkway in [[West Des Moines]]; WOI-DT's [[#Transmission tower|transmitter]] is located in [[Alleman, Iowa]].

WOI-TV was Iowa's second television station and the first TV station owned by an educational institution when it was built by Iowa State College, now [[Iowa State University]] (ISU); it signed on February 21, 1950, on channel 4. It operated from studios on the campus in Ames. The foresight of president [[Charles E. Friley]] to expand Iowa State's long-running [[WOI (AM)|WOI]] radio station into television led to a very early application and allowed the college to beat [[Federal Communications Commission#Freeze of 1948|a years-long freeze]] on new TV stations. While WOI-TV was intended as an educational service and aired college courses, [[agricultural extension]] programs, and the long-running children's show ''[[The Magic Window]]'', the freeze left it the only TV station in central Iowa, and the [[Iowa Board of Regents]] allowed it to accept national network programming and advertising. After the freeze, WOI-TV was moved to channel 5, and two new stations sprang up in Des Moines: [[WHO-TV]] in 1954 and KRNT-TV (now [[KCCI]]) in 1955. These stations took [[NBC]] and [[CBS]] programming, respectively, along with local news viewership and considerable advertising business. While the Board of Regents permitted WOI-TV to accept local advertising in 1955, it did not employ its own advertising sales representatives and purposely throttled the operation to avoid allegations of unfair competition. These and other factors left the station in a very distant third place in central Iowa news ratings for decades.

Debate over the privatization of state government functions renewed the long-touchy question of WOI-TV's operational status in the mid-1980s. In 1987, WOI-TV was placed under separate management within the university and encouraged to turn a profit. The sales force was expanded and some of the news staff moved to Des Moines to improve the station's competitive standing, but ratings failed to meaningfully rise, and increased revenues came in below projections. In 1991, ISU president [[Martin C. Jischke]] recommended WOI-TV be sold, in spite of a down market for commercial TV stations. This was opposed by local residents who felt that WOI-TV was a resource to ISU and a valuable training ground for broadcast professionals. The bidding process was partly mishandled, leading the original winning bidder to withdraw from the process. The regents agreed to a $14 million offer from [[Citadel Communications]] in 1992; Citadel overcame an adverse ruling in court and an attempt by the Iowa legislature to stop the transaction and took control on February 28, 1994. It chose not to rehire 20 employees, canceled ''The Magic Window'', and began migrating station operations and some newscast production to Des Moines. In 1998, the entire station relocated to the present studios in West Des Moines. In spite of multiple rebrands and efforts to improve the news product, WOI continued to find itself a very distant third in the ratings and struggled to change viewers' perceptions of the station.

Citadel sold its Iowa stations to [[Nexstar Broadcasting Group]] in 2013. Under Nexstar, the station rebranded again as ''Local 5'' in 2015. It also gained a duopoly partner when the company closed on its purchase of KCWI-TV in 2016. When Nexstar acquired [[Tribune Media]] in 2019, it opted to retain the higher-rated WHO and sold WOI and KCWI to Tegna.

==Iowa State University ownership==
===Construction and freeze-era operation===
Iowa State College's involvement in broadcasting had dated to the earliest days of the medium. An amateur radio station had been set up in 1914, which turned into a full broadcasting station on November 21, 1921. Known initially as 9YL, it received the call sign [[WOI (AM)|WOI]] in April 1922. Originally part of the electrical engineering department, it became part of the college proper in 1925 and a major source of educational, agricultural, and sports information in the state.<ref name="DesM500220">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/des-moines-tribune-woi-has-been-in-busin/138777010/|date=February 20, 1950|page=26|title=WOI Has Been In Business 36 Years: An Amateur Station First|newspaper=Des Moines Tribune|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424053233/https://www.newspapers.com/article/des-moines-tribune-woi-has-been-in-busin/138777010/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->

Under president [[Charles E. Friley]], in 1944, the college formed a commission to investigate the possibilities in the new medium of television.{{r|DesM940302}} On February 13, 1945, it applied to the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) for a construction permit for a new commercial{{efn|The history cards{{r|hc}} and ''Broadcasting'' magazine on April 9, 1945,<ref>{{cite news|page=32|title=Two AM, Five TV, 23 FM CPs Asked In New Applications Filed With FCC|date=April 9, 1945|id={{ProQuest|1505596884}} }}</ref> list the application as for a commercial station, though some later sources said the station was noncommercial.}} television station to operate on channel 3, 66–72&nbsp;MHz. The commission granted this application on September 19, 1946, by which time that channel had been redesignated channel 4.<ref name="hc">{{Cite web|title=History Cards for WOI-DT|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|url=https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=86603}}</ref>

The timing of events beyond Iowa made the WOI-TV construction permit of extra importance to central Iowa. In October 1948, the FCC declared a freeze on grants for new television stations.<ref>{{cite news|first=Rufus|last=Crater|pages=22A, 57|work=Broadcasting|id={{ProQuest|1040475180}}|title=Television Freeze: FCC Action Halted Pending Definite Policy|date=October 4, 1948}}</ref> Only two permits had been granted in Iowa before the freeze, for WOI-TV and WOC-TV (now [[KWQC-TV]]) in [[Davenport, Iowa|Davenport]].<ref name="DesM481008">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-owners-of-televi/145889076/|date=October 8, 1948|page=24|first=Jack|last=Wilson|title=Owners of Television Sets Needn't Fret Over 'Freeze'|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424053203/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-owners-of-televi/145889076/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Even so, not even "a nickel" had been appropriated to build the station, per a college spokesman as of December 1948.<ref name="Gaze481205">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-television-in-education-sui/145889121/|date=December 5, 1948|page=2:8|title=Television in Education: SUI and ISC Have Plans for Telecasting|newspaper=The Gazette|location=Cedar Rapids, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424053159/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-television-in-education-sui/145889121/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> A major step came in July 1949, when [[WOI-FM]] began broadcasting on 90.1&nbsp;MHz from a new {{convert|580|ft|m|adj=on}} tower.<ref>{{Cite news|title=WOI Starts FM|work=Broadcasting|date=July 11, 1949|page=61|id={{ProQuest|1040496533}} }}</ref> By November, about half the equipment had arrived at the Iowa State College campus and the tower south of campus.<ref name="DesM491120">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-installing-tv-br/145916762/|date=November 20, 1949|page=5-X|title=Installing TV Broadcast Equipment at WOI, Ames|newspaper=The Des Moines Sunday Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424053212/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-installing-tv-br/145916762/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> The first test pattern was broadcast January 24, 1950, as was a film.<ref name="DesM500125">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-report-good-rece/145890257/|date=January 25, 1950|page=17|title=Report Good Reception for WOI-TV Test|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424053218/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-report-good-rece/145890257/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> On February 21, 1950, WOI-TV made its first regular broadcast. It was the first station in Central Iowa, the second in Iowa (after WOC-TV), and the 100th in the United States. Of equal significance, it was the first television station licensed to a college.<ref name="BC500227">{{Cite news|title=WOI-TV Begins: Is Nation's 100th TV Outlet|work=Broadcasting|date=February 27, 1950|page=A14|id={{ProQuest|1401183101}} }}</ref>

Iowa State was engaged in the war effort, producing uranium for the [[Manhattan Project]], and received a 5-percent overhead on money used for war research; this money is known to have been a funding source for the station.<ref name="DesM840710">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-isus-role-in-at/145916863/|date=July 10, 1984|page=3B|first=Kenneth|last=Pins|title=ISU's role in atom bomb helped spawn WOI-TV|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424053211/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-isus-role-in-at/145916863/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref name="DesM940302">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-woi-has-lively/145894193/|date=March 2, 1994|pages=1M, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-wois-history-li/145894202/ 5M]|title=WOI has lively, controversial history: The station may owe its existence to some fancy accounting footwork and research for the atomic bomb|first=Jim|last=Pollock|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424053159/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-woi-has-lively/145894193/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> This money also was used to fund the purchase of scientific equipment by the college.<ref name="Iowa510124">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/iowa-city-press-citizen-surplus-research/145890180/|date=January 24, 1951|page=1|first=Jack|last=Erickson|agency=Associated Press|title=Surplus Research Funds, Income From Broadcasts Pay for Iowa State's TV|newspaper=Iowa City Press-Citizen|location=Iowa City, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424053156/https://www.newspapers.com/article/iowa-city-press-citizen-surplus-research/145890180/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
{{Quote box
| quote = No time selling arrangement for WOI-TV should be made with any local company, sponsor, individual or organization within the specific area covered by WOI-TV or in the state of Iowa.
| source = WOI-TV advertising policy, 1951<ref name="Gaze511022">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-woi-tvs-ad-policy-hasnt-be/145943433/|date=October 22, 1951|page=9|first=Robert|last=Hogan|agency=Iowa Daily Press|title=WOI-TV's Ad Policy Hasn't Been Changed|newspaper=The Gazette|location=Cedar Rapids, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424053222/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-woi-tvs-ad-policy-hasnt-be/145943433/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->
| align = left
| width = 250px
| salign = left
}}
From the beginning, WOI-TV was a different kind of venture from the WOI radio stations. State officials believed that the state-owned radio stations should not compete with commercial outlets and thus ran them on a non-commercial basis. However, WOI-TV found itself in an unusual position. The four national television networks—[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], [[CBS]], [[DuMont Television Network|DuMont]], and [[NBC]]—had no other outlet for their programs in Ames or Des Moines, and the station held affiliations with all of them when it launched.{{r|BC500227}} On September 30, 1950, the station began presenting network programs live.<ref name="Chic501001">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-learning-by-tv-proves-re/145943630/|date=October 1, 1950|page=3:2:3|first=William|last=Ames|title=Learning by TV Proves Reality at Iowa State: WOI-TV Is First College Video Station|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|location=Chicago, Illinois|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424053212/https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-learning-by-tv-proves-re/145943630/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> The Iowa state board of education adopted a "semi-commercial" posture to the operation of WOI-TV, initially as a stopgap. It allowed the station to take in revenue from national advertising contained in network programs, but the station was not permitted to sell ad time to Iowa businesses or have local time sales representatives. The concept was to create an income source for additional equipment and improvements for WOI-TV's operation.<ref name="Iowa501226">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/iowa-city-press-citizen-board-of-educati/145889918/|date=December 26, 1950|page=20|title=Board of Education Alters Non-Commercial Broadcasting Policy: Ames TV Station Gets Advertising Revenue|first=Robert|last=Hogan|agency=Iowa Daily Press|newspaper=Iowa City Press-Citizen|location=Iowa City, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424053223/https://www.newspapers.com/article/iowa-city-press-citizen-board-of-educati/145889918/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The station also barred some categories of national advertisers, notably beer and wine;{{r|Chic501001}} dairy farmers protested when it aired [[margarine]] spots.<ref>{{cite news|work=Variety|page=37|title=Iowa Dairy Farmers Protest Margarine Plugs On College-Owned WOI-TV|date=November 7, 1951|id={{ProQuest|1401267842}} }}</ref> At the time the semi-commercial policy was adopted, the posture was that this would last until TV stations were established in Des Moines, at which time WOI-TV would become a non-commercial service like its sister stations.{{r|Chic501001|Iowa501226}} In spite of the restrictions placed on advertising, WOI-TV turned an operating profit in 1951—primarily derived from income from network programming—all of which was offset by capital expenditures.<ref name="Siou520309">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-i-s-cs-tv-station/145890300/|date=March 9, 1952|page=28|title=I. S. C.'s TV Station Has Profit in '51|newspaper=Sioux City Sunday Journal|agency=Associated Press|location=Sioux City, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424053234/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-i-s-cs-tv-station/145890300/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Among these was a studio-transmitter link to connect the transmitter with the Service Building on the Iowa State campus so that equipment could be moved from the transmitter site to the same building as WOI radio.<ref>{{cite news|title=WOI-TV Move Shifts Equipment to Studios|page=73|date=January 22, 1951|work=Broadcasting|id={{ProQuest|1285692589}} }}</ref> The station moved from the Service Building to Exhibit Hall on the Iowa State campus in 1952.<ref name="Ames550223">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/ames-tribune-television-news/145957714/|date=February 23, 1955|page=3|title=Television News|first=Marguerite|last=Theobald|newspaper=Ames Daily Tribune|location=Ames, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424075100/https://www.newspapers.com/article/ames-tribune-television-news/145957714/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

===After the freeze: New channel number, new competition===
The years-long FCC freeze on new station applications ended April 14, 1952, with major changes to television allocations, including the addition of [[ultra high frequency]] (UHF) channels to the existing 12 in the [[very high frequency]] (VHF) band and new station spacing requirements. The FCC's order had two immediate repercussions for WOI-TV. It reaffirmed that the station was a commercial license by failing to reserve the channel for educational broadcasting.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Where VHF Channels Were Added And the Cities That Lost VHF Channels|work=Broadcasting|date=April 15, 1952|page=24|id={{ProQuest|1285696722}} }}</ref> It made a total of 30 changes to the channels of existing stations, including WOI-TV, which would be moved from channel 4 to channel 5.<ref name="BC520415">{{Cite news|date=April 15, 1952|title=Thaw July 1: 617 VHFs, 1436 UHFs in 1291 Markets; Educators Win|work=Broadcasting|pages=23, 67–68|id={{ProQuest|1285696665}} }}</ref> This change was carried out in June 1953. The station left channel 4 after its June 26 broadcasts<ref name="DesM530627">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-woi-tv-shifts-to/145916284/|date=June 27, 1953|page=1|title=WOI-TV Shifts To Channel 5|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424053216/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-woi-tv-shifts-to/145916284/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> with the intention of returning the next day on channel 5 at double the [[effective radiated power]]. Instead, technicians battled unexpected setbacks in the installation of a new antenna, including a broken winch and damage as it was raised to its position atop the tower. In the heat of the Iowa summer,<ref name="Ames530702">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/ames-tribune-television-news/145916564/|date=July 2, 1953|page=6|title=Television News|first=Marguerite|last=Theobald|newspaper=Ames Daily Tribune|location=Ames, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424053212/https://www.newspapers.com/article/ames-tribune-television-news/145916564/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> sightseers jammed local roads to watch the work be done;<ref name="DesM530629">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-viewers-fret-ove/145916334/|date=June 29, 1953|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-tv/145916444/ 3]|title=Viewers Fret Over Delay in WOI-TV Shift: Some Get Telecasts From Kansas City|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424053215/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-viewers-fret-ove/145916334/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> the station returned to the air on June 29.<ref name="Gaze530629">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-ames-tv-off-the-air-sunday/145916512/|date=June 29, 1953|page=2|title=Ames TV, Off the Air Sunday, Is Resuming Operations Today|newspaper=The Gazette|location=Cedar Rapids, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424053155/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-ames-tv-off-the-air-sunday/145916512/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> On January 30, 1954, WOI-TV boosted its power again to the maximum of 100,000 watts.<ref>{{cite news|work=Broadcasting|title=Special Program Marks WOI-TV Boost to 100 Kw|page=54|date=February 8, 1954|id={{ProQuest|1285710174}} }}</ref>

The end of the freeze also meant television stations for Des Moines. The first of these was in the new UHF band: [[KGTV (Iowa)|KGTV]] (channel 17), which debuted on November 15, 1953,<ref name="DesM531115">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-kgtv-to-start-te/138956609/|date=November 15, 1953|page=19|title=KGTV to Start Telecasts Today|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 17, 2024|archive-date=January 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117190510/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-kgtv-to-start-te/138956609/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> as a basic affiliate of ABC plus additional shows from CBS and DuMont.<ref name="DesM531108">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-kgtv-goes-on-air/138761124/|date=November 8, 1953|pages=1-L, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-television/138761105/ 6-L]|title=KGTV Goes On Air Here Wednesday|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 17, 2024|archive-date=January 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117065841/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-kgtv-goes-on-air/138761124/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Its lineup of network shows included some popular offerings that WOI-TV passed on because of its policy of not accepting beer sponsors, such as ''[[Schlitz Playhouse of Stars]]'', ''[[Person to Person]]'', and CBS's Wednesday night boxing coverage.<ref name="DesM540404">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-kgtv-the-new-st/138762791/|date=April 4, 1954|page=TV-1|first=Paul|last=Cotton|title=KGTV, the New Station, and Its Expansion Plan|newspaper=Des Moines Sunday Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 17, 2024|archive-date=January 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117065840/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-kgtv-the-new-st/138762791/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> In April 1954, [[WHO-TV]] (channel 13) signed on as an [[NBC]] affiliate, taking with it the NBC shows WOI-TV had been carrying.<ref name="DesM540425">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-telecasting-debu/138762934/|date=April 25, 1954|pages=4:1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-who-tv/138762888/ 8]|title=Telecasting Debut Today For WHO-TV: Regular Programs Begin at 11 a.m.|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424055204/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-telecasting-debu/138762934/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> KGTV quit airing network programming in March 1955<ref name="DesM550309">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/des-moines-tribune-kgtv-is-off-live-netw/138954431/|date=March 9, 1955|page=1|title=KGTV Is Off Live Networks|newspaper=Des Moines Tribune|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 17, 2024|archive-date=January 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117185003/https://www.newspapers.com/article/des-moines-tribune-kgtv-is-off-live-netw/138954431/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> before going off the air altogether the next month; its owner, Rib Mountain Radio, in part blamed WOI-TV's continued commercial operation.<ref name="DesM550412">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-kgtv-quits-telec/138763138/|date=April 12, 1955|page=1|title=KGTV Quits Telecasting Here Friday|first=Fred|last=Michener|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 17, 2024|archive-date=January 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117185002/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-kgtv-quits-telec/138763138/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The other commercial VHF channel for the city was activated in July 1955 by KRNT-TV (channel 8, now [[KCCI]]); it was a full CBS affiliate, making WOI-TV a full ABC affiliate except for beer-sponsor programs.<ref name="DesM550731">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-shows-shifting-a/145956028/|date=July 31, 1955|page=1-TV|first=Marie|last=Manning|title=Shows Shifting As KRNT Goes on the Air|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424055146/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-shows-shifting-a/145956028/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> The station also retained its affiliation with DuMont,<ref name="DesM550508">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-krnt-tv-to-use-c/145956076/|date=May 8, 1955|page=2:1|title=KRNT-TV To Use CBS Programs|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424055208/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-krnt-tv-to-use-c/145956076/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> which ceased its existence as a network later that year.<ref>{{Cite magazine|id={{ProQuest|1014914488}}|title=DuMont Network To Quit In Telecasting 'Spin-Off'|page=64|magazine=Broadcasting|date=August 15, 1955}}</ref>

With WOI-TV now one of three VHF stations, each with its own network affiliation, serving central Iowa viewers, the [[Iowa Board of Regents]] approved on November 11, 1955, that WOI-TV continue to operate on a commercial basis. Citing the need for a steady income source for the station, the board removed the local advertising restriction but retained the bar on alcoholic beverage sponsors.<ref name="DesM551112">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-commercial-basis/145894138/|date=November 12, 1955|page=14|title=Commercial Basis Kept By WOI-TV|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424055204/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-commercial-basis/145894138/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> The station had been taking advertising from "regional" accounts that included Iowa and other states.<ref name="DesM551113">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-local-ads-ban/145943482/|date=November 13, 1955|page=22|title='Local Ads' Ban Lifted On WOI-TV|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424055201/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-local-ads-ban/145943482/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> The Board of Regents's decision was met poorly by Iowa's private commercial broadcasters. The Iowa Broadcasters Association called on the state to defund WOI-TV,<ref name="Ames551112">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/ames-tribune-broadcasters-call-for-end-o/145952147/|date=November 12, 1955|page=1|agency=United Press|title=Broadcasters Call for End of State Funds for WOI-TV After Station Gets Approval On Advertising|newspaper=Ames Tribune|location=Ames, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424055151/https://www.newspapers.com/article/ames-tribune-broadcasters-call-for-end-o/145952147/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> and the chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party suggested selling WOI-TV to private interests and using the proceeds to build out a state-owned [[educational television]] network.<ref name="DesM551117">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/des-moines-tribune-more-suggests-selling/145894139/|date=November 17, 1955|page=41|title=More Suggests Selling WOI-TV|newspaper=Des Moines Tribune|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424060651/https://www.newspapers.com/article/des-moines-tribune-more-suggests-selling/145894139/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> While WHO-TV and KRNT-TV became major competitors, WOI-TV suffered financially. It lost money in four consecutive fiscal years, further exacerbated by its schedule of educational broadcasts, which did not generate revenue.<ref name="DesM580528">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-hilton-tells-of/145894103/|date=May 28, 1958|page=13|title=Hilton Tells Of Problems Of WOI-TV|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424060700/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-hilton-tells-of/145894103/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref name="Iowa590527">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/iowa-city-press-citizen-audit-shows-55/145890330/|date=May 27, 1959|page=12|agency=Associated Press|title=Audit Shows $55,000 Loss By WOI-TV|newspaper=Iowa City Press-Citizen|location=Iowa City, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424055159/https://www.newspapers.com/article/iowa-city-press-citizen-audit-shows-55/145890330/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Iowa State College was renamed [[Iowa State University]] of Science and Technology (ISU) on July 4, 1959.<ref name="DesM590410">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/des-moines-tribune-o-k-new-name-for-io/145917278/|date=April 10, 1959|page=1|first=Cliff|last=Millen|title=O. K. New Name for Iowa State: Regents Approve 'University'|newspaper=Des Moines Tribune|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424055144/https://www.newspapers.com/article/des-moines-tribune-o-k-new-name-for-io/145917278/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref name="DesM590512">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/des-moines-tribune-college-name-bill-sig/145917354/|date=May 12, 1959|page=1|title=College Name Bill Signed|newspaper=Des Moines Tribune|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424055150/https://www.newspapers.com/article/des-moines-tribune-college-name-bill-sig/145917354/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

===Educational programming on WOI-TV===
As a unit of Iowa State, WOI-TV also served as an educational broadcaster in a role different from many commercial stations. Farm service programming made an appearance as early as the first night, when a demonstration of [[DDT]] was featured.{{r|DesM940302}} Its first live telecast was a [[VEISHEA]] event on the campus.{{r|Ames750212}}

In 1953, college courses for credit debuted; offerings over the first three years ranged from Humanities 111 to Education 555, with as many as 58 students completing each course.<ref name="heath">{{Cite thesis |last=Heath |first=Harry Eugene Jr. |title=College-Level Telecourses for Credit: An Examination of a New Aspect of Adult Education, With Emphasis on the Activities of WOI-TV |date=1956 |access-date=April 24, 2024 |degree=Doctor of Philosophy |publisher=Iowa State College |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/301931825/ |place=Ames, Iowa |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424174732/https://www.proquest.com/docview/301931825/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|59–60}} Non-credit courses on topics such as European history, chemistry, and agricultural extension were also telecast.{{r|heath|p=97}} In 1960, WOI-TV began airing freshman math courses.<ref name="Ames750212">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/ames-tribune-woi-tv-marks-25th-year-in-c/145916987/|date=February 12, 1975|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/ames-tribune-woi/145917063/ 12]|first=Joyce|last=Manchester|title=WOI-tv marks 25th year in central Iowa|newspaper=Ames Daily Tribune|location=Ames, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424174740/https://www.newspapers.com/article/ames-tribune-woi-tv-marks-25th-year-in-c/145916987/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The next year, it assumed a new off-air role as the hub of closed-circuit television instruction at Iowa State University for classes such as mathematics and veterinary anatomy.{{r|case}}

For younger audiences, in 1952, WOI-TV and the Iowa Joint Committee on Educational Television debuted ''Iowa TV Schooltime'', a daily half-hour of educational programming for elementary school students.<ref name="case">{{Cite web |date=July 19, 1974 |title=Iowa State Univ. of Science Tech. v. U.S., 500 F.2d 508 |url=https://casetext.com/case/iowa-state-univ-of-science-tech-v-us |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=casetext.com |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424174734/https://casetext.com/case/iowa-state-univ-of-science-tech-v-us/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="DesM580922">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-high-school-subj/145976600/|date=September 22, 1958|page=11|title=High School Subjects on TV Studied|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424174748/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-high-school-subj/145976600/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> ''Schooltime'' was distributed by [[kinescope]] to other stations beginning in 1956.{{r|hc}} WOI also offered children a non-educational show, ''[[The Magic Window|The House with the Magic Window]]'', which debuted in 1951 and beginning in 1954 was hosted by [[Betty Lou Varnum]]. ''The Magic Window''—which featured cartoons, short films, and crafts—moved from a weekday midday slot, surrounded by [[soap opera]]s, to weekends in 1985.<ref name="DesM850601">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-woi-to-close-its/145890875/|date=June 1, 1985|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-officials-deny-r/145890849/ 8A]|first=Lisa|last=Leff|title=WOI to close its weekday Magic Window|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424182313/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-woi-to-close-its/145890875/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --><ref name="Ames010525">{{cite news|url=https://ames.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011995-12312020&e=woi,capital%20communications&m=between&ord=e1,e2&fn=tribune_usa_iowa_ames_20010525_english_9&df=1&dt=10&cid=2729|title=Ask the Tribune: 'Magic window'|first=Andrew|last=Brodie|work=The Tribune|location=Ames, Iowa|date=May 25, 2001|page=B1}}</ref>

WOI-TV's existence as a commercial broadcaster owned by a state agency caused a long-running feud with the [[Internal Revenue Service]] (IRS). The federal government ruled in 1953 that its income was subject to taxation.<ref name="Brit530923">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-britt-news-tribune-news-from-our-cap/145957001/|date=September 23, 1953|page=2|agency=Iowa Press Association|title=News From Our Capitol|newspaper=The Britt News-Tribune|location=Britt, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424063936/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-britt-news-tribune-news-from-our-cap/145957001/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The Board of Regents contested this maneuver for years, though in the late 1960s it reached an out-of-court settlement by which WOI-TV paid income taxes through 1965 and filed annual tax returns, without paying, for subsequent years.{{r|DesM710328}} In 1974, the [[United States Court of Claims]] found that WOI-TV's income was taxable as an "unrelated business" from which ISU could not deduct expenses of the WOI radio stations.{{r|case}}

The role of WOI-TV in educational broadcasting progressively diminished. KDPS-TV (channel 11), an educational TV station owned by [[Des Moines Public Schools]], went into service in April 1959.<ref name="DesM590428">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-youths-put-schoo/145977698/|date=April 28, 1959|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-kdps/145977736/ 7]|first=Ogden|last=Dwight|title=Youths Put Schools' TV Into Service|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424174755/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-youths-put-schoo/145977698/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The 1967 Iowa General Assembly created a statewide educational TV network; two years later, KDPS-TV was purchased and renamed KDIN-TV to serve as the key station of the Iowa Educational Broadcasting Services network.<ref name="DesM690330">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-new-call-letters/145977904/|date=March 30, 1969|page=2-TV|title=New call letters for KDPS-TV—KDIN-TV|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424174744/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-new-call-letters/145977904/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> In 1975, an Iowa state representative introduced a bill proposing that WOI-TV be sold and the educational network move from Des Moines to Ames.<ref name="Ames750212a">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/ames-tribune-would-replace-woi-tv-with-i/145917016/|date=February 12, 1975|page=1|title=Would replace WOI-tv with IEBN's operations|newspaper=Ames Tribune|location=Ames, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424174748/https://www.newspapers.com/article/ames-tribune-would-replace-woi-tv-with-i/145917016/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

===New facilities, same problems===
[[File:Communications Building, Iowa State Campus.jpg|right|thumb|alt=A two-story 1960s brick building on a college campus|The Communications Building at ISU was paid for with WOI-TV funds and housed the station from 1964 to 1997.]]
WOI radio and television were scattered across several facilities by the early 1960s, with the art department behind Blackshear Hall, the radio stations still in the Service Building, and WOI-TV still in Exhibit Hall.<ref>{{Cite news|title=New building will consolidate ISU communication facilities|work=Ames Daily Tribune|page=2|date=March 11, 1963|url=https://ames.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011877-12312020&e=woi,communications%20building&m=between&ord=e1,e2&fn=ames_daily_tribune_usa_iowa_ames_19630311_english_1&df=11&dt=20&cid=2729}}</ref> In 1960, the regents approved a contract for architectural plans for a new Communications Building to house the entire WOI operation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ames.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011877-12312020&e=woi,communications%20building&m=between&ord=e1,e2&fn=ames_daily_tribune_usa_iowa_ames_19600311_english_1&df=1&dt=10&cid=2729|page=1|work=Ames Daily Tribune|title=Regents Told: $100 Million Needed For College Buildings|agency=UPI|date=March 11, 1960}}</ref> The structure, financed without state funds<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ames.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011877-12312020&e=woi,communications%20building&m=between&ord=e1,e2&fn=ames_daily_tribune_usa_iowa_ames_19620808_english_1&df=1&dt=10&cid=2729|page=1|date=August 8, 1962|work=Ames Daily Tribune|title=WOI studio bids total $900,000}}</ref> and paid for by WOI-TV profits,<ref name="DesM710328">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-isu-plan-use-en/145943279/|date=March 28, 1971|pages=1-L, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-woi/145943224/ 4-L]|first=Jerry|last=Knight|title=ISU Plan: Use Endowment for TV Tower; Report Buildup of WOI Deficit|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424174744/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-isu-plan-use-en/145943279/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> opened in 1964. In addition to offering 25 percent more floor space than WOI had in its separate facilities, the TV station moved from one small studio to two larger ones.<ref name="Ames641223">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/ames-tribune-isu-broadcasting-enters-its/145956479/|date=December 23, 1964|page=16|title=ISU broadcasting enters its second half-century|newspaper=Ames Daily Tribune|location=Ames, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424174738/https://www.newspapers.com/article/ames-tribune-isu-broadcasting-enters-its/145956479/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> In 1968, the Board of Regents rescinded the ban on beer advertising.<ref name="DesM680412">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-regents-rescind/145957040/|date=April 12, 1968|page=6|first=Dick|last=Doak|title=Regents Rescind Long Ban on Beer Advertising on WOI-TV|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424064023/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-regents-rescind/145957040/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

The station generated losses for tax purposes as a result of the university's adoption of unusual accounting methods—particularly the lack of normal [[depreciation]] of assets—and sharing of expenses with WOI radio. When ISU began planning for a new WOI-TV tower—to be shared with WHO-TV and [[KDIN-TV]]—in 1971, it planned to pay for the tower out of its endowment.{{r|DesM710328}} A 1973 audit of the station, the first conducted by the state, criticized a "lack of internal control ... and deficiencies", to which general manager Robert Mulhall responded by highlighting the incompatibility of accounting principles common to the television industry with those typically used for government agencies.<ref name="Ames730212">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/ames-tribune-audit-critical-of-woi-tv-m/145956445/|date=February 12, 1973|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/ames-tribune-woi-tv/145956437/ 8]|title=Audit critical of WOI-Tv, Mulhall responds|newspaper=Ames Daily Tribune|location=Ames, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424174746/https://www.newspapers.com/article/ames-tribune-audit-critical-of-woi-tv-m/145956445/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->
{{Quote box
| quote = When you are a public institution, and you have an operating arm that is customarily considered to be a private-enterprise mechanism, you always have to be conscious of the criticism that might occur if you become too commercially aggressive.
| author = [[W. Robert Parks]]
| source = president, Iowa State University, on why WOI-TV was underdeveloped in the area of sales
| align = right
| width = 250px
| salign = left
}}
Another issue endemic to WOI-TV's operation—and with a negative impact on its revenue—was that its advertising sales operation was deliberately stunted. In 1971, the station still had no local sales representatives and captured between 12 and 14 percent of the local advertising market—leaving the remainder to the other two local stations.{{r|DesM710328}} By 1983, while it still employed no sales representatives, a national company sold local and regional advertising under contract for the station with two employees in Des Moines. In comparison, WHO-TV had six full-time sales representatives. This arrangement was adopted to mollify private competition and those who felt a state agency should not compete with private enterprise. This caused revenue to lag. KCCI had revenue of $7 million in 1981; WOI-TV only garnered $4 million in that year.<ref name="DesM830227">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-woi-tv-why-the/145890684/|date=February 27, 1983|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-despite-budget-g/145890714/ 7A]|first=Arnold|last=Garson|title=WOI-TV: Why the ear-splitting 'click' as viewers switch it off?|newspaper=Des Moines Sunday Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424174736/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-woi-tv-why-the/145890684/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->

These issues were exacerbated by the poor audience acceptance of WOI-TV's local news and public affairs programming. Even though ABC network shows drew an audience, that audience often departed in droves for WHO or KCCI. WOI-TV operations coordinator Robert Helmers noted, "There's one loud click out there at 10 o'clock, and they're not landing on channel 5."{{r|DesM830227}} The 10 p.m. newscast averaged a share of between 8 and 13 percent of the audience; the 6 p.m. news had been moved to 5 p.m. to avoid competition; and the noon newscast was dropped. Researchers found that high turnover in on-air personnel—possibly bolstered by a national pension plan that gave lump-sum payments to employees who quit before their fifth year—and the perception of WOI-TV as an Ames station in the larger Des Moines metro area were factors in the poor ratings.{{r|DesM830227}} Its benefits to the university were sometimes nebulous. [[KOMU-TV]] in [[Columbia, Missouri]]—the only comparable station to WOI-TV—was much more extensively tied in with its journalism school as a teaching tool than WOI-TV, where the news staff was independent and station staff controlled the hiring of part-time students.<ref name="DesM830228">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-isu-defends-role/145890076/|date=February 28, 1983|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/image/131757903/?clipping_id=145890107&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjEzMTc1NzkwMywiaWF0IjoxNzEzOTgwMjI0LCJleHAiOjE3MTQwNjY2MjR9.cQFHB0lzxCx45KfAnROdnCl8r3JBanW1rIBSE3P40dY 2A]|first=Arnold|last=Garson|title=ISU defends role as WOI-TV owner: others assail programs, urge sale|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424182304/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-isu-defends-role/145890076/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->

==Privatization==
Calls for the sale of WOI-TV from public officials and other broadcasters had been a constant in station history, including in 1955,{{r|DesM551117}} 1975,{{r|Ames750212a}} 1983,{{r|DesM830228}} and 1985.<ref name="DesM850221">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-senator-wants-to/145890792/|date=February 21, 1985|page=2A|first=Tom|last=Witosky|title=Senator wants to sell WOI-TV by end of year|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424182258/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-senator-wants-to/145890792/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> However, as conversations about the size of Iowa state government rose to the fore, WOI-TV came up more frequently. Des Moines stockbroker David Hinton, suggesting a [[Margaret Thatcher]]–esque privatization push in Iowa, stated, "There are two clear-cut things that, from a philosophical standpoint, no good conservative Republican can have this state be into—and that's WOI-TV and the liquor business" (referring to Iowa's state-run liquor store monopoly).<ref name="DesM851121">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-iowas-liquor-bu/145890517/|date=November 21, 1985|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-border-states-ge/145890483/ 2A]|first1=Tom|last1=Witosky|first2=David|last2=Yepsen|title=Iowa's liquor business a state function some think should be private|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424182326/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-iowas-liquor-bu/145890517/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> In December 1985, Governor [[Terry Branstad]] announced he would ask the legislature to sell WOI-TV as part of sweeping privatization and consolidation efforts in state government.<ref name="Musc851202">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-muscatine-journal-branstad-proposes/145890919/|date=December 2, 1985|page=3A|agency=Associated Press|title=Branstad proposes sweeping changes|newspaper=The Muscatine Journal|location=Muscatine, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424182306/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-muscatine-journal-branstad-proposes/145890919/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> ISU president [[W. Robert Parks]] declared that such a sale would be a "huge and irreparable" mistake, representing the irretrievable loss of a university resource.<ref name="DesM851212">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-parks-enters-bat/145890965/|date=December 12, 1985|page=3A|first=Tom|last=Witosky|title=Parks enters battle to save WOI from sale|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424182327/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-parks-enters-bat/145890965/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Democratic lawmakers opted to shift the burden for determining WOI-TV's future to the Republican-controlled Iowa Board of Regents.<ref name="DesM851213">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-democrats-shift/145891021/|date=December 13, 1985|page=3A|first=David|last=Yepsen|title=Democrats shift fate of WOI-TV onto GOP panels|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424182301/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-democrats-shift/145891021/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The station was still posting a loss, primarily due to a downturn in advertising revenue and a change in national representation, as well as the accounting of some $1 million in cash and services the station provided to ISU. Leaders defended Iowa State as a well-regarded center for training television journalists.<ref name="DesM851217">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-woi-tv-had-bad-y/145891071/|date=December 17, 1985|pages=1M, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-final-decision-o/145891094/ 4M]|first=Tom|last=Witosky|title=WOI-TV had bad year but still healthy — ISU|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424182324/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-woi-tv-had-bad-y/145891071/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref name="Cour851217">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-courier-debate-over-possible-selling/145891056/|date=December 17, 1985|page=A8|agency=Associated Press|title=Debate over possible selling of WOI-TV intensifies|newspaper=The Courier|location=Waterloo, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424182321/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-debate-over-possible-selling/145891056/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> As the controversy continued, Iowa State got a new president: [[Gordon P. Eaton]], who stated it would be his decision whether to sell the station or not.<ref name="DesM860123">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-new-isu-head-hol/145891173/|date=January 23, 1986|page=2A|first=Tom|last=Witosky|title=New ISU head holds WOI fate|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424182309/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-new-isu-head-hol/145891173/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

In February 1986, the Board of Regents approved the creation of an executive committee to make recommendations on WOI-TV and appraise its value.<ref name="DesM860220">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-regents-approve/145891239/|date=February 20, 1986|page=3A|first=Mark|last=Horstmeyer|title=Regents approve panel to study alternatives for future of WOI-TV|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424182257/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-regents-approve/145891239/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> They recommended that ISU continue to own the station but convert it into a separate entity with a strong profit motive, overseen by a separate governing board of directors. If the station could not turn around its finances in a three-year period, it recommended, WOI-TV should be sold.<ref name="DesM861213">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-study-keep-woi/145891315/|date=December 13, 1986|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-small-profit-ear/145891365/ 24A]|first=Linda|last=Lantor|title=Study: Keep WOI-TV at Iowa State|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424182308/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-study-keep-woi/145891315/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> The plan was approved in March 1987.<ref name="Cour870312">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-courier-isu-gets-approval-to-establi/145891438/|date=March 12, 1987|page=D8|agency=Associated Press|title=ISU gets approval to establish WOI-TV subsidiary|newspaper=The Courier|location=Waterloo, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424182315/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-isu-gets-approval-to-establi/145891438/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Under the plan, ISU set up the Iowa State University Equities Corporation, a non-profit company held by university administrators. This entity wholly owned the Iowa State University Broadcasting Corporation, whose board of directors included ISU officials, private-sector individuals, and the general manager of WOI.<ref name="Gaze870421">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-iowa-state-nominates-woi-boa/145891487/|date=April 21, 1987|page=3B|first=Lyle|last=Muller|title=Iowa State nominates WOI board of directors|newspaper=The Gazette|location=Cedar Rapids, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424182317/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-iowa-state-nominates-woi-boa/145891487/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

Following the change, WOI-TV became more aggressive in many areas of programming, promotion, and business operations under new general manager Bob Helmers. Most notable over the period was the shifting of some operations from Ames to Des Moines. In the second half of 1987, the Des Moines office added seven more employees, all in sales and support staff.<ref>{{cite news|first=Marilyn|last=Vaughan|title=Ames TV Station Plans Major Push in Des Moines|work=Business Record|date=December 28, 1987|id={{ProQuest|202584778}} }}</ref> In August 1989, it rolled out a $250,000 rebrand from "5TV" to "Channel 5" alongside the debut of morning and midday newscasts, a new set, and the hiring of six new full-time news staff. The news assignment desk moved from Ames to Des Moines, even though the newscasts were still presented from Ames.<ref name="DesM890827">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-real-changes-thi/145721425/|date=August 27, 1989|page=3-TV|first=Dave|last=Rhein|title=Real changes this time at WOI|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sun -->

It established a satellite division which provided satellite uplink services for news and business clients, as well as the Cyclone Television Network, the official broadcaster of [[Iowa State Cyclones]] athletics and regional distributor of the fishing show ''Outdoor Sportsman''.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jeff|last=Martin|page=C9|title=Special services make WOI-TV unique|date=January 11, 1993|work=The Daily Tribune|location=Ames, Iowa|url=https://ames.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=woi%20%22special%20services%22&i=f&d=01011877-12312020&m=between&ord=k1&fn=daily_tribune_usa_iowa_ames_19930111_english_25&df=1&dt=10&cid=2729}}</ref><!--Mislabeled on page--> In 1988, the Board of Regents received a report stating that WOI-TV was ahead of schedule in operating on an aggressive commercial basis.<ref name="Siou881115">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-woi-operates-as-busin/145891510/|date=November 15, 1988|page=8|title=WOI operates as business|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|location=Sioux City, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024}}</ref><!-- Tue --> In spite of the improved news product and increased cash flow, the station fell short of its goal to provide $1 million in cash a year to ISU, generating $400,000 in budget year 1988 and $500,000 in budget year 1989.<ref name="DesM891212">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-woi-tv-falling-s/145891560/|date=December 12, 1989|page= 3A|first=Linda|last=Lantor|title=WOI-TV falling short of income goals — report|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 24, 2024}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

===Sale process===
In July 1991, Governor Branstad convened a 22-member committee to analyze further budget-trimming measures. Though he ruled out action on WOI-TV,<ref name="Cour910710">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-courier-governor-appoints-budget-cut/145891597/|date=July 10, 1991|page=A10|agency=Associated Press|title=Governor appoints budget-cutting panel|newspaper=The Courier|location=Waterloo, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed --> speculation began to bubble about a new sale attempt. In spite of a down market for television station valuations—said to be at lows not seen since the early 1980s<ref>{{cite news|first=Brett|last=Chase|title=Now Is Not the Time to Buy a TV Station|work=Business Record|date=June 1, 1992|id={{ProQuest|202668976}} }}</ref>—the idea of investing sale proceeds in new technology was floated, and ISU had a new president, [[Martin C. Jischke]].<ref name="DesM910722">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-when-smith-talks/145891878/|date=July 22, 1991|page= 7A|first=David|last=Yepsen|title=When Smith talks, state leaders listen|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Mon --> By this time, a sale of WOI-TV had come to rank among the "sacred cows of Statehouse politics" in Iowa.<ref name="DesM910724">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-budget-panel-is/145891652/|date=July 24, 1991|pages= 1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-branstad-tells-s/145891738/ 12A]|first=David|last=Yepsen|title=Budget panel is told to spare no sacred cows|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

Jischke asked the Iowa Board of Regents on September 16, 1991, for permission to begin talking with brokers who would take bids for WOI-TV. He declared, "I believe the ownership of a commercial television station is not essential to the mission of our university." A consultant's report found that another $2 million in investment to move the station from Ames to Des Moines was required to make the station more competitive.<ref name="DesM910917">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-isu-president-as/145891714/|date=September 17, 1991|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-isus-jischke-as/145891762/ 7A]|first=George III|last=Clifford|title=ISU president asks regents' OK to seek buyers for WOI-TV|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The board unanimously allowed ISU to seek buyers on September 26.<ref name="DesM910927">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-search-okd-for/145892162/|date=September 27, 1991|page=7M|first=George III|last=Clifford|title=Search OK'd for WOI buyer|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Unlike in 1955, when the Iowa Broadcasters Association called for WOI-TV to be sold, this time the broadcasters opposed the sale, noting that WOI had prepared broadcasters for careers in Iowa.<ref name="Gaze911029">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-broadcasters-fight-woi-sale/145892203/|date=October 29, 1991|page=6B|first=John|last=Kirsch|title=Broadcasters fight WOI sale: Say station needed to help students learn|newspaper=The Gazette|location=Cedar Rapids, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

In February 1992, the Iowa Television Group—a partnership of Des Moines lawyer [[David W. Belin]] and Gary Gerlach, publisher of the Ames ''Daily Tribune'' and former publisher of ''The Des Moines Register''—was announced as the winning bidder of seven proposals for $12.5 million. One of their business associates, [[Michael Gartner]], refused to join the group because he was the president of [[NBC News]] and WOI-TV was an ABC affiliate.<ref name="DesM920215">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-belin-gerlach-t/145892301/|date=February 15, 1992|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-gerlach-belin-t/145892320/ 8A]|first=Veronica|last=Fowler|title=Belin, Gerlach to buy WOI-TV: Two central Iowa investors arrange to buy ISU's television station on|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --> From the announcement, the deal was controversial. Belin had as a client Marvin Pomerantz, the president of the Board of Regents.{{r|DesM920215}}

Days after the sale was announced, regents changed their mind, unsure of the financial viability of the Iowa Television Group deal.<ref name="DesM920220">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-more-time-to-exa/145892335/|date=February 20, 1992|page= 2A|first=Mark|last=Siebert|title=More time to examine bids: Decision is delayed on sale of WOI-TV|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Consultants found that the broker hired for ISU might have compromised the process by suggesting the station could go for less than $13.6&nbsp;million and that the university should have simultaneously negotiated with the two highest bidders.<ref name="DesM920311">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-process-compromi/145892409/|date=March 11, 1992|pages= 1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-isus-handling-o/145892381/ 2A]|first=Mark|last=Siebert|title=Process compromised? Analysts criticize ISU handling of WOI sale|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Iowa Television Group complained that a second bidder, [[Citadel Communications]], had improved its offer after an agreed deadline.<ref name="DesM920320">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-would-handle-sal/145892522/|date=March 20, 1992|page= 2A|first=Veronica|last=Fowler|title=Would handle sale differently: Jischke reassesses WOI|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Neil E. Harl, a professor of agriculture and economics at ISU, objected that the deal was not in the public interest, calling it "risky", dangerous to ISU academic and extension programs such as the journalism program and  university's satellite uplink, and overly favorable to the buyers.<ref name="DesM920228">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-why-woi-proposal/145892361/|date=February 28, 1992|page= 9A|first=Neil E.|last=Harl|title=Why WOI proposal is a bad deal: It's a risky venture that doesn't serve the public interest|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

In March, the Board of Regents reopened negotiations with the top six bidders, led by Iowa Television Group and Citadel.<ref name="DesM920312">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-regents-reopen-n/145892420/|date=March 12, 1992|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-woi-tv-bids-are/145892447/ 2A]|first=Mark|last=Siebert|title=Regents reopen negotiations with 6 WOI-TV bidders|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Iowa Television Group did not participate in the second round of bidding, and Citadel presented what was reported as the high offer of $14 million in April. Other offers were received from [[Benedek Broadcasting]], Federal Broadcasting, and [[River City Broadcasting]], as well as a $200 offer from ISU's student-run cable station.<ref name="DesM920411">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-citadel-offers-t/145892533/|date=April 11, 1992|pages=1M, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-citadel-offers/145892495/ 2M]|title=Citadel offers to buy WOI-TV for $14 million in new bidding|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --> The offer was set to be discussed by the regents at their May meeting. On May 11, Jischke said the station should not be sold, this time because the bids from Benedek and Citadel were financed by [[junk bond]]s that he believed put ISU at risk.<ref name="DesM920512">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-isu-president-wi/145892559/|date=May 12, 1992|page= 1A|first=Veronica|last=Fowler|title=ISU president will ask regents not to sell WOI|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Tue --> Citadel increased its bid to $14 million, all cash, and let ISU keep $1.3 million in accounts receivable.<ref name="DesM920516">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-ny-bidder-offe/145892605/|date=May 16, 1992|pages= 1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-ny-bidder-swee/145892592/ 2A]|first=Mark|last=Siebert|title=N.Y. bidder offers cash for WOI-TV|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

Over Jischke's new recommendation, the regents voted 6–3 to approve the new Citadel offer on May 20, 1992, a decision that stunned station supporters in Ames.<ref name="DesM920521">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-14-million-cash/145892684/|date=May 21, 1992|pages= 1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-isus-woi-tv-to/146009778/ 3A]|title=$14 million cash: WOI-TV to be sold to Citadel after all|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Days of whiplash followed. The Iowa Legislature, amid a special session on the budget, swiftly moved to block the sale. The House voted 53–33 and the Senate 33–41 to block the sale,<ref name="DesM920522">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-legislature-halt/145892735/|date=May 22, 1992|page=1A|first1=Thomas A.|last1=Fogarty|first2=Jonathan|last2=Roos|title=Legislature halts WOI sale: Votes to keep ISU TV station|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri --> but Governor Branstad objected to the legislation, which he believed interfered with the business of the Iowa Board of Regents,<ref name="DesM920523">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-veto-not-certain/145892775/|date=May 23, 1992|page= 3A|first1=Jonathan|last1=Roos|first2=Mark|last2=Siebert|title=Veto not certain: Branstad objects to bill blocking sale of WOI-TV|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat --> and vetoed it on June 3.<ref name="Siou920604">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-governor-refuses-to-b/145892812/|date=June 4, 1992|pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-woi-tv-supporters-arg/145892827/ A14]|agency=Associated Press|title=Governor refuses to block WOI sale|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|location=Sioux City, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

As regents approved the purchase agreement with Citadel subsidiary Capital Communications Company, Harl led a group, Iowans for WOI-TV, which challenged the sale in court.<ref name="DesM920618">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-regents-move-ahe/145892864/|date=June 18, 1992|page= 2M|first=Mark|last=Siebert|title=Regents move ahead with sale of WOI; challenge prepared|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> A [[Boone County, Iowa|Boone County]] district judge heard testimony that the sale was already causing "irreparable harm" to ISU's broadcast journalism program, with some students believing the station sale was already final, and to WOI-TV, where employee resignations were ticking up. ISU argued that any action to block the sale might cause Citadel to back out altogether.<ref name="DesM920709">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-injunction-sough/145892944/|date=July 9, 1992|page= 1M|first=Veronica|last=Fowler|title=Injunction sought: Judge told WOI sale is disrupting the station|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The regents approved the contract in late September,<ref name="DesM920924">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-6-1-vote-regent/145893004/|date=September 24, 1992|page= 2A|first=Mark|last=Siebert|title=6-1 vote: Regents approve contract to sell WOI|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu --> but a month later, the judge overruled the sale. Ronald Schechtman found that the regents were careless in following their own rules and treated the transaction "like Captain Ahab's whale".<ref name="DesM921023">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-judge-overrules/145893034/|date=October 23, 1992|pages= 1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-judge-overrules/145893020/ 5A]|first1=Thomas R.|last1=O'Donnell|first2=Mark|last2=Siebert|title=Judge overrules sale of WOI-TV, blasts regents|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

The Iowa Board of Regents moved to appeal the district judge's ruling.<ref name="DesM921028">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-woi-tvs-fate-re/145893065/|date=October 28, 1992|page= 2A|first=Mark|last=Siebert|title=WOI-TV's fate remains up in air|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed --> On November 24, 1993, the [[Iowa Supreme Court]] unanimously ruled in favor of the transaction. In his ruling for the court, justice [[James H. Carter]] called the sale "the type of long-term educational planning decision that the board was empowered to make". The news stunned staff, who also were relieved to have some certainty over the station's future.<ref name="DesM931125">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-a-nice-thanksgi/145893867/|date=November 25, 1993|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-high-court-backs/145893878/ 2A]|first1=Frank|last1=Santiago|first2=Thomas R.|last2=O'Donnell|title='A nice Thanksgiving gift': High court backs sale of WOI-TV|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425084425/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-a-nice-thanksgi/145893867/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The board approved a post-closing agreement with Citadel in February 1994,<ref name="Siou940217">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-regents-close-woi-con/145893906/|date=February 17, 1994|page=A16|agency=Associated Press|title=Regents close WOI controversy|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|location=Sioux City, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425084459/https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-regents-close-woi-con/145893906/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> and though there was a last-ditch loophole in the deal allowing the Iowa Legislature one last shot at blocking it,<ref name="DesM940223">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-loophole-in-reso/145893917/|date=February 23, 1994|page=6M|first=Thomas R.|last=O'Donnell|title=Loophole in resolution: Opponents of WOI sale find potential salvation|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425084446/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-loophole-in-reso/145893917/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> it failed to muster enough votes.{{r|DesM940301}}

==Citadel era==
Citadel took control of WOI-TV on February 28, 1994. It did not assume the employment contracts of the station's workers with ISU; it opted not to rehire 20 employees. Among them was Betty Lou Varnum;<ref name="DesM940301">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-monday-massacre/145894180/|date=March 1, 1994|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-new-owner-fires/145894163/ 8A]|first=Thomas R.|last=O'Donnell|title='Monday massacre': Capital fires WOI workers as bid to block the sale fails|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425084417/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-monday-massacre/145894180/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> ''The Magic Window'' was canceled, ending its run after nearly 43 years on the air.<ref name="DesM940304">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-blames-isu-woi/145894223/|date=March 4, 1994|page=18|title=Blames ISU: WOI-TV's new boss explains firings|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425084420/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-blames-isu-woi/145894223/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref name="DesM940305">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-the-magic-windo/145894231/|date=March 5, 1994|page=2A|first=Thomas R.|last=O'Donnell|title=The 'Magic Window' closes: Generation of children grew up with WOI wonderland|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425084419/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-the-magic-windo/145894231/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> Another casualty of the purchase was the "CityCast" segment seen by Ames-area cable viewers during the 10 p.m. newscast.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Roger Riley has a nose for news|date=September 16, 1991|work=The Daily Tribune|page=C4|location=Ames, Iowa|first=Dennis|last=Waller|url=https://ames.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=newscast&i=f&d=01011877-12312020&e=woi&m=between&ord=e1,k1&fn=daily_tribune_usa_iowa_ames_19910916_english_20&df=11&dt=20&cid=2729|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425084426/https://ames.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=newscast&i=f&d=01011877-12312020&e=woi&m=between&ord=e1,k1&fn=daily_tribune_usa_iowa_ames_19910916_english_20&df=11&dt=20&cid=2729|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|page=A2|first=Jeffrey|last=Bruner|work=The Daily Tribune|date=September 15, 1994|title=Despite changes, WOI a distant third in news ratings|url=https://ames.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=newscast&i=f&d=01011877-12312020&e=woi&m=between&ord=e1,k1&fn=daily_tribune_usa_iowa_ames_19940915_english_2&df=1&dt=10&cid=2729}}</ref> Citadel's dramatic first-day action was expected by some, especially those who had lived through the company's 1985 acquisition of KCAU-TV, in which 22 employees were fired immediately,<ref name="Siou851119">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102615377/no-more-canyon-kid-kcau-ousts-22-in/|date=November 19, 1985|page=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102615403/ A12]|first=Betsy|last=Burkhard|title=No more 'Canyon Kid': KCAU ousts 22 in purge|newspaper=Sioux City Journal|location=Sioux City, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 27, 2022|archive-date=May 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527014851/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102615377/no-more-canyon-kid-kcau-ousts-22-in/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> and knew Citadel as a lean operator there and at [[WHBF-TV]] in [[Rock Island, Illinois]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Harsh reputation shadows Citadel: Company known for improving profits by cutting staff, programs|first=Jeffrey|last=Bruner|work=The Daily Tribune|url=https://ames.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=newscast&i=f&d=01011877-12312020&e=woi&m=between&ord=e1,k1&fn=daily_tribune_usa_iowa_ames_19920613_english_1&df=1&dt=10&cid=2729|date=June 13, 1992|pages=A1, A3}}</ref> Final legal action over the transfer stretched into 1995,<ref name="DesM950213">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-wois-owners-we/145894014/|date=February 13, 1995|pages=1M, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-some-concerns-ab/145894023/ 4M]|first=Thomas R.|last=O'Donnell|title=WOI's owners: We still have ties to ISU; Lawsuit to block sale not settled yet|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Mon --> as Iowans for WOI-TV challenged the overlap of WOI-TV and KCAU-TV, but one last appeals court decision that February put an end to the battle.<ref name="DesM950228">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-court-ruling-iss/145894021/|date=February 28, 1995|page=8M|title=Court ruling issued: Sale of WOI-TV looks to be final|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425084739/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-court-ruling-iss/145894021/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

With the station in private ownership for the first time in its 44-year history, Citadel faced the challenge of revitalizing a station that had been a consistent doormat in central Iowa TV news. WOI had never had more than a 15-percent share of the audience for local news and sat at 7 percent in the May 1994 Nielsen sweeps; in comparison, KCCI and WHO-TV were vying for the lead with shares of 40 and 38 percent. Viewers saw WOI-TV as an Ames-focused station and a workshop for university students, both of which hurt its image.<ref name="DesM940627">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-eternal-last-pla/145894001/|date=June 27, 1994|page=1T|first=Janis D.|last=Froelich|title=Eternal last place?|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425084816/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-eternal-last-pla/145894001/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> Its coverage of the [[Great Flood of 1993]] was particularly panned in hindsight as poor, even though WOI's Ames location should have meant at the time that flooding impacted the station less than its rivals.<ref name="BR061009">{{Cite news|title=New look, new name, new beginning|first=Jason|last=Hancock|date=October 9, 2006|id={{ProQuest|202656963}}|work=Business Record}}</ref> Citadel worked quickly to fix these issues. In June 1994, it leased a facility in Des Moines at 300 E. Locust Street, which was far larger than its previous office and offered room for a studio in addition to many of WOI's business offices.<ref name="DesM940616">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-woi-tv-leases-d/145893989/|date=June 16, 1994|page=3M|first=Janis D.|last=Froelich|title=WOI-TV leases D.M. building|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425084739/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-woi-tv-leases-d/145893989/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> In November, the news department was split: the evening newscasts moved to Des Moines, but morning and midday newscasts as well as weather forecasts continued to originate from Ames, where WOI-TV had a four-year lease on the Communications Building but began relinquishing space.<ref name="DesM940922">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-station-working/145956514/|date=September 22, 1994|page=3M|first=Janis D.|last=Froelich|title=Station working on new studio: WOI plans to split its personalities|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425084818/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-station-working/145956514/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->{{efn|The space was then occupied by university departments such as University Relations.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Jeffrey|last=Bruner|work=Ames Tribune|title=He's back on the air now|date=January 13, 1996|page=A6|url=https://ames.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011877-12312020&e=woi,communications%20building&m=between&ord=e1,e2&fn=daily_tribune_usa_iowa_ames_19960113_english_6&df=1&dt=10&cid=2729|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425084724/https://ames.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?i=f&d=01011877-12312020&e=woi,communications%20building&m=between&ord=e1,e2&fn=daily_tribune_usa_iowa_ames_19960113_english_6&df=1&dt=10&cid=2729|url-status=live}}</ref>}} The station hoped to make the continued connection with Ames a competitive advantage to distinguish it from its competitors.{{r|DesM940922|BR950109}} WOI provided a natural fit for Citadel's other stations serving parts of Iowa—KCAU-TV and WHBF-TV in the two-state [[Quad Cities]] market—which, along with the independently owned [[KCRG-TV]] in [[Cedar Rapids]], formed a statewide news network.<ref name="BR950109">{{Cite news|first=Andrew|last=Daughton|title=The rebuilding of Channel 5: WOI must overcome its 45-year-old reputation as the doormat of central Iowa TV|date=January 9, 1995|work=Business Record|id={{ProQuest|202646103}} }}</ref>

The Locust facility was not large enough to move [[master control]] from Ames to Des Moines, and Citadel could not find a site in the city that met its needs. In 1997, WOI-TV selected a former [[US West]] office in [[West Des Moines]], with nearly {{convert|23000|ft2|m2}} of space.<ref name="DesM970927">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-woi-tv-moving-to/145894029/|date=September 27, 1997|page=1M|first=Andrew D.|last=Blechman|title=WOI-TV moving to site in W.D.M.|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425084806/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-woi-tv-moving-to/145894029/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> The new facilities offered two studios instead of one and removed technological complexity from the operation, but the station's news ratings continued to be a very distant third behind KCCI and WHO, whose news shares were among the highest in the nation.<ref name="BR980330">{{cite news|title=Changes herald a new channel 5|first=Bill|last=Day|work=Business Record|date=March 30, 1998|id={{ProQuest|202664916}}}}</ref> The newscasts relied on one-person photojournalist-reporters and straightforward presentation. On-air personalities received lower salaries than at KCCI or WHO. Mark Baden, a former meteorologist, noted that the station lacked the sort of community and advertising presence that its competitors had cultivated.<ref name="DesM980525">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-not-ready-for-pr/145894046/|date=May 25, 1998|pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-longevity-is-pro/145894053/ 8B], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-ex-reporter-says/145894064/ 9B]|first=Tom|last=Pollock|title=Not ready for prime time?|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425084736/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-not-ready-for-pr/145894046/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> Among the bright spots was the station's high school sports coverage, considered the most comprehensive in the market.{{r|BR980330}}

It took years for WOI-TV to shed past perceptions. In 2002, operations director Randy Shelton opined that a call sign change in 1994 might have helped people think the station was no longer connected to the university. Al Sandubrae, who oversaw news across the four-station Citadel portfolio, admitted that in spite of changes and improvements in the area of news, "[W]e are swimming upstream against the tide of history."<ref name="BR020805">{{Cite news|first=Beth|last=Dalbey|title=Underdog WOI carving out a new image|work=Business Record|id={{ProQuest|202657417}}|date=August 5, 2002}}</ref> That October, WOI began broadcasting a digital signal, WOI-DT on channel 59.<ref>{{cite book|page=A-866|chapter=WOI-DT|title=Television and Cable Factbook|date=2006}}</ref> Though the introduction of a second early evening newscast at 6 p.m. was contemplated as early as 2002,{{r|BR020805}} it did not take place until 2005.<ref name="BR050829">{{Cite news|title=WOI-TV will join in the fray for 6 o'clock news ratings|id={{ProQuest|202661735}}|date=August 29, 2005|first=Beth|last=Dalbey|work=Business Record}}</ref> It was the first time the station had aired news at 6 since 1997 and the first time it had 5 and 6 p.m. broadcasts at the same time.<ref name="DesM050913">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-woi-tv-resumes-6/146020774/|date=September 13, 2005|page=1E|first=Jeffrey|last=Bruner|title=WOI-TV resumes 6 p.m. newscast|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Tue --> Citadel made another major relaunch attempt in 2006: the station rebranded as "ABC 5".{{r|BR061009}}

WOI-TV shut down its analog signal, over [[VHF]] channel 5, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States [[Digital television transition in the United States|transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts]] under federal mandate. The station's digital signal relocated from its pre-transition [[UHF]] channel 59, which was among the high band UHF channels (52-69) that were removed from broadcasting use as a result of the transition, to its analog-era VHF channel 5.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds |access-date=March 24, 2012 |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 }}</ref>

==After Citadel==
===Nexstar ownership===
On September 16, 2013, Citadel announced that it would sell WOI-DT, along with KCAU-TV and WHBF-TV, to [[Nexstar Broadcasting Group]] for $88 million. Nexstar immediately took over the stations' operations through a [[Local marketing agreement|time brokerage agreement]].<ref name=b&c-saletonexstar>{{cite news|last=Malone|first=Michael|title=Nexstar to Acquire Citadel's Iowa Stations for $88 Million|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/495521-Nexstar_to_Acquire_Citadel_s_Iowa_Stations_for_88_Million.php|access-date=September 16, 2013|newspaper=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=September 16, 2013|archive-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921205431/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/495521-Nexstar_to_Acquire_Citadel_s_Iowa_Stations_for_88_Million.php|url-status=live}}</ref> The deal followed Citadel founder and CEO Phil Lombardo's decision to "slow down" as well as a desire by Lynch Entertainment to divest its investments in WOI and WHBF.<ref name=dmr-nexstardeal>{{cite news|last=Hicks|first=Lynn|title=Nexstar buys WOI, other Citadel TV stations in Iowa|url=http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2013/09/16/nexstar-buys-woi-other-citadel-tv-stations-in-iowa/article|access-date=September 16, 2013|newspaper=[[Des Moines Register]]|date=September 16, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130916223551/http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2013/09/16/nexstar-buys-woi-other-citadel-tv-stations-in-iowa/article|archive-date=September 16, 2013}}</ref> The sale was completed on March 13, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1629756&Service=DT&Form_id=905&Facility_id=11265|title=Consummation Notice|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=March 17, 2014|archive-date=March 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323053327/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1629756&Service=DT&Form_id=905&Facility_id=11265|url-status=live}}</ref> Nexstar soon grew its holdings in Des Moines by announcing the purchase of [[The CW|CW]] affiliate [[KCWI]] from the liquidating trust of [[Pappas Telecasting]] for $3.5 million, a deal announced that November<ref name=b&c-kcwisalelawsuit>{{cite news|last=Malone|first=Michael|title=Pappas Files Suit to Block KCWI Des Moines Sale|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/pappas-files-suit-block-kcwi-des-moines-sale/135785|access-date=November 21, 2014|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=November 19, 2014|archive-date=November 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141122175611/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/pappas-files-suit-block-kcwi-des-moines-sale/135785|url-status=live}}</ref> and finalized in March 2016.<ref name=dmr-kcwiwdm>{{cite news|last=Meinch|first=Timothy|title=KCWI-TV has new owner, morning show changes planned|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2016/03/20/kcwi-tv-changes-hands-loses-morning-show/82017610/|access-date=March 25, 2016|work=[[The Des Moines Register]]|date=March 21, 2016}}</ref>
[[File:Secretary Pompeo Participates in an WOI TV Interview (47278611581).jpg|thumb|right|Secretary of State [[Mike Pompeo]] is interviewed by WOI's Sabrina Ahmed in March 2019.|alt=Refer to caption]]
WOI re-launched on January 5, 2015, as ''Local 5'' with newscasts titled ''Local 5 News'' and a revamped morning newscast, ''Good Morning Iowa''. The rebrand accompanied renewed investment by Nexstar, which added eight newsroom positions to the budget and updated WOI's set and equipment.<ref name=dmr-local5>{{cite news|title=WOI to overhaul broadcast next month|first=Joel|last=Aschbrenner|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2014/12/16/biz-buzz-woi-revamped-broadcast/20458049/|access-date=January 7, 2015|work=The Des Moines Register|date=December 16, 2014}}</ref>

=== Sale to Tegna Inc. ===
Nexstar agreed to acquire [[Tribune Media]]—owner of WHO-DT—for $6.4 billion in cash and debt.<ref>{{cite web|title=Acquisition of Tribune Media Company|url=https://www.nexstar.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Nexstar-Tribune-Investor-Presentation-FINAL-12-3-18.pdf|website=[[Nexstar Media Group]]|date=December 3, 2018|access-date=December 4, 2018|archive-date=December 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203202723/https://www.nexstar.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Nexstar-Tribune-Investor-Presentation-FINAL-12-3-18.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nexstar Buying Tribune Media For $6.4 Billion|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/226264/nexstar-buying-tribune-media-6-4-billion/|first=Mark K.|last=Miller|website=TVNewsCheck|date=December 3, 2018|access-date=December 4, 2018|archive-date=December 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204005800/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/226264/nexstar-buying-tribune-media-6-4-billion/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nexstar could not keep both of WOI and WHO; it opted to retain WHO and sold WOI and KCWI to [[Tegna Inc.]] as part of an 11-station, $740-million divestiture package.<ref name="tvnc-nexstarspinoffs">{{cite web|title=Nexstar Selling 19 TVs In 15 Markets For 1.32B|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/232391/nexstar-selling-19-tvs-in-15-markets-for-1-32b/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320194359/https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/232391/nexstar-selling-19-tvs-in-15-markets-for-1-32b/|archive-date=March 20, 2019|website=TVNewsCheck|publisher=NewsCheckMedia|date=March 20, 2019|access-date=March 20, 2019}}</ref>

==Notable former on-air staff==
* [[Vince DeMentri]] – anchor, 1989{{r|DesM890827}}
* [[Chris Flanagan (broadcaster)|Chris Flanagan]] – anchor, 2004–2009<ref name="DesM090129">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-woi-tv-anchor-ge/145915431/|date=January 29, 2009|page=11B|title=WOI-TV anchor gets Dallas job|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
* [[Curt Menefee]] – sports anchor, 1987–1988<ref name="Capi900815">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-menefee-to-leave-chann/159489425/|date=August 15, 1990|page=1B|first=Howard|last=Thomas|title=Menefee to leave Channel 3|newspaper=The Capital Times|location=Madison, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 21, 2024}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
* [[Tom Pettit]]<ref name="DesM800415">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/des-moines-tribune-news-anchors-may-come/146022318/|date=April 15, 1980|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/des-moines-tribune-news-anchors-dont/146022326/ 11]|first=Walter E.|last=Shotwell|title=News anchors may come and go, but not at KCCI|newspaper=Des Moines Tribune|location=Des Moines, Iowa|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425085046/https://www.newspapers.com/article/des-moines-tribune-news-anchors-may-come/146022318/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
* [[Steve Bell (news anchor)|Steve Bell]] – anchor, 1959–1961<ref name="Phil870208">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-steve-bell-tak/146022381/|date=February 8, 1987|pages=TV Week 4, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-cover-storyst/146022333/ 62]|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Steve Bell takes on a new(s) challenge|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425085107/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-steve-bell-tak/146022381/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->

==Technical information==
[[Image:WOI-tower-Alleman-IA.jpg|thumb|right|The tower used by WOI-TV in Alleman, Iowa|alt=A view from the base of a very tall red-and-white guyed lattice tower]]

===Subchannels===
The station's signal is [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of WOI-DT<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WOI#station|website=[[RabbitEars.info]]|title=Digital TV Market Listing for WOI|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=July 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716014254/https://rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WOI#station|url-status=live}}</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" | 5.1 
| [[720p]] || rowspan="8" | [[16:9]] || WOI-HD || [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 5.2 
| rowspan="7" | [[480i]] || Crime || [[True Crime Network]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 5.3 
| Grit || [[Grit (TV network)|Grit]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 5.4 
| NEST || [[The Nest (TV network)|The Nest]] 
|-
! scope = "row" | 5.6 
| CONFESS || Confess
|-
! scope = "row" | 5.7 
| rowspan=3|OPEN || rowspan=3|[Blank]
|-
! scope = "row" | 5.8 
|-
! scope = "row" | 5.9 
|}

There is no subchannel 5.5 from the WOI-DT transmitter. Since February 2020, it is broadcast from KCWI-TV as a simulcast of 5.1 to aid viewers with trouble tuning in the low-VHF signal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 26, 2020 |title=Improved signal requires rescan for some of Local 5's antenna viewers |url=https://www.weareiowa.com/article/about-us/tv-listings/local-5-improves-signal-to-fix-issues-for-antenna-viewers-of-woi-tv-and-abc-program/524-64ad5c6e-6006-4454-af98-33a886ff4530 |access-date=April 25, 2024 |website=weareiowa.com |language=en-US |archive-date=December 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209210346/https://www.weareiowa.com/article/about-us/tv-listings/local-5-improves-signal-to-fix-issues-for-antenna-viewers-of-woi-tv-and-abc-program/524-64ad5c6e-6006-4454-af98-33a886ff4530 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KCWI#station|website=[[RabbitEars.info]]|title=Digital TV Market Listing for KCWI|access-date=April 25, 2024|archive-date=March 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321170354/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KCWI#station|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Jeff Stein, ''Making Waves: The People and Places of Iowa Broadcasting.'' Cedar Rapids, Iowa: WDG Communications, 2004.

==External links==
*[http://www.desmoinesbroadcasting.com/woi-tv/woi-tv-main.html WOI-TV historical artifacts] from DesMoinesBroadcasting.com
*[http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=80 Coverage map] from TVFool.com
*{{Structurae|id=20013986|title=WOI Television Tower}}
*{{ASR|key=606732|number=1043707}}

{{Des Moines TV}}
{{ABC Iowa}}
{{Tegna}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Woi-Dt}}
[[Category:1950 establishments in Iowa]]
[[Category:American Broadcasting Company affiliates]]
[[Category:Ames, Iowa]]
[[Category:Grit (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Iowa State University]]
[[Category:The Nest (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Tegna Inc.]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1950]]
[[Category:Television stations in Des Moines, Iowa]]
[[Category:True Crime Network affiliates]]