View source for WPEC

{{Short description|Television station in West Palm Beach, Florida}}
{{For|the airport near Baucau, East Timor, assigned the ICAO code WPEC|Baucau Airport}}
{{Distinguish|text=[[WECP-LD]], the CBS-affiliated television station in Panama City, Florida}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = WPEC
| city = West Palm Beach, Florida
| logo = WPEC CBS12 solid calls.svg
| logo_alt = Two slanted boxes, one red and one thinner and black. In the red box, a white CBS eye and a skewed numeral 12. In the black box, the letters W P E C in an extended sans serif in white.
| logo_upright = 1
| image = WPECStudios .jpg
| image_upright = 1
| caption = The WPEC studios in Mangonia Park
| branding = CBS 12
| digital = 13 ([[VHF]])
| virtual = 12
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''12.1:''' [[CBS]]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}}
| owner = [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]]
| licensee = WPEC Licensee, [[LLC]]
| location = {{ubl|[[West Palm Beach]]–[[Boca Raton]]–|[[Fort Pierce, Florida]]}}
| country = United States
| airdate = {{start date and age|1955|1|1|p=y|br=y}}
| callsign_meaning = "Photo Electronics Corporation"
| sister_stations = [[WTVX]], [[WTCN-CD]], [[WWHB-CD]]
| former_callsigns = WEAT-TV (1955–1974)
| former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:''' 12 (VHF, 1955–2009)
| former_affiliations = [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] (1955–1989)
| erp = 160 kW
| haat = {{convert|309|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 52527
| coordinates = {{Coord|26|35|19.7|N|80|12|28.7|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WPEC}}
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{URL|https://cbs12.com/}}
}}

'''WPEC''' (channel 12) is a [[television station]] in [[West Palm Beach, Florida]], United States, affiliated with [[CBS]]. It is owned by [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] alongside [[Fort Pierce]]–licensed [[The CW|CW]] affiliate [[WTVX]] (channel 34) and two [[low-power broadcasting#Television|low-power]], [[Class A television service|Class A]] stations: [[MyNetworkTV]] affiliate [[WTCN-CD]] (channel 43) and [[WWHB-CD]] (channel 48). The stations share studios on Fairfield Drive in [[Mangonia Park]]; WPEC's transmitter is located southeast of [[Wellington, Florida]].

The third TV station built in West Palm Beach and second-oldest in operation, channel 12 began as WEAT-TV on January 1, 1955. It was the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate under several owners, including [[RKO General]] and land developer [[John D. MacArthur]]. In 1974, the station was acquired by Photo Electronics Corporation, headed by [[Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr.]] The station adopted its current call sign and expanded its news operation, but it continued to remain locked in second place in local news ratings behind [[NBC]] affiliate [[WPTV]].

In order to compensate for an affiliation switch in [[Miami]] that would leave CBS with a coverage shortfall in [[Broward County]], south of the market but within WPEC's signal area, CBS induced WPEC to switch from ABC to CBS in January 1989. While Broward viewers turned to WPEC for CBS programming for a time, the station failed to woo them for news viewership. Dreyfoos sold WPEC in 1995 to [[Freedom Communications]]; it became the company's flagship television property. Freedom sold its stations to Sinclair in 2011; Sinclair simultaneously acquired WTVX and the two low-power stations from Four Points Media Group. Under Sinclair's ownership, the station has slipped from second to third in news ratings.

==History==
===WEAT-TV===
In April 1952, the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) opened to new television station applications after a four-year freeze, with channels 5 and 12 available in West Palm Beach.<ref name="Palm520509">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307563/wjno-to-seek-television-permit-long/|date=May 9, 1952|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307567/wjno-tv/ 3]|title=WJNO To Seek Television Permit: Long Delay Seen|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190253/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307563/wjno-to-seek-television-permit-long/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Applications for channel 12 were taken from radio station WIRK (which later amended its application for channel 21 and ultimately operated [[WIRK-TV]] for two and a half years),<ref name="Tamp520522">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43571799/applications-filed-for-florida-tv/|date=May 22, 1952|page=9|title=Applications Filed For Florida TV Permits|newspaper=The Tampa Tribune|location=Tampa, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190606/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43571799/applications-filed-for-florida-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Palm521120">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43571832/tv-bid-amended/|date=November 20, 1952|page=13|title=TV Bid Amended|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190529/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43571832/tv-bid-amended/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Television Theater of the Palm Beaches,<ref name="Palm520613">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43571816/new-corporation-plans-television/|date=June 13, 1952|page=1|title=New Corporation Plans Television Station In City|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190251/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43571816/new-corporation-plans-television/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> radio station WWPG (Palm Beach Broadcasting),<ref name="Palm520701">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307573/wwpg-applies-for-tv-station/|date=July 1, 1952|page=1|title=WWPG Applies For TV Station|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190644/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307573/wwpg-applies-for-tv-station/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> and—in November 1953—WEAT-TV, Inc.<ref name="Palm531119">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307576/weat-tv-inc-asks-channel-12-grant/|date=November 19, 1953|page=12|title=WEAT-TV, Inc., Asks Channel 12 Grant|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190254/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307576/weat-tv-inc-asks-channel-12-grant/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> This company was associated with radio station [[WFTL|WEAT]] (1490 AM, moved to 850 in 1954), though it did not actually own the station at the time.<ref name="Palm540810">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307587/weat-tv-readies-future-progress/|date=August 10, 1954|page=8|title=WEAT-TV Readies Future Progress|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190256/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307587/weat-tv-readies-future-progress/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

The other two applicants each withdrew after WEAT-TV filed, leaving the path clear for WEAT-TV to obtain the channel 12 construction permit.<ref name="Tamp531202">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122566664/firm-withdraws-tv-application/|date=December 2, 1953|page=40|agency=Associated Press|title=Firm Withdraws TV Application|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190637/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122566664/firm-withdraws-tv-application/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref name="Palm540130">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307580/tv-permit-here-clear-decision-due-in/|date=January 30, 1954|page=1|agency=Associated Press|title=TV Permit Here Clear, Decision Due In Week|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190531/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307580/tv-permit-here-clear-decision-due-in/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> The transmitter site on Congress Avenue was shared with WEAT, which was relocating from 1490 to 850&nbsp;kHz; one of the three towers in the AM station's array would also hold the antenna for the TV station.{{r|Palm540810}} While WEAT radio was affiliated with [[NBC]], WEAT-TV would be a primary affiliate of [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]].<ref name="Miam541024">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122566945/weat-tv-begins-test-pattern-dec-15-wes/|date=October 24, 1954|page=1-B|title=WEAT-TV Begins Test Pattern Dec. 15: West Palm TV Station Opens Jan. 1|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042811/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122566945/weat-tv-begins-test-pattern-dec-15/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->

WEAT-TV began broadcasting on January 1, 1955.<ref name="Palm550102">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307602/weat-tv-takes-to-air/|date=January 2, 1955|page=8|title=WEAT-TV Takes To Air|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190639/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307602/weat-tv-takes-to-air/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> It was the second VHF station on the air in West Palm Beach after WJNO-TV (channel 5, known as [[WPTV-TV|WPTV]] after 1956), an [[NBC]] affiliate which started in August 1954.<ref name="Palm540823">{{Cite news |date=August 23, 1954 |title=WJNO-TV Opens; National Figures Aid With Opening |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-wjno-tv-opens-natio/162496252/ |access-date=January 7, 2025 |newspaper=The Palm Beach Post |location=West Palm Beach, Florida |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><!-- Mon --><ref name="Miam5611062">{{Cite news |date=November 6, 1956 |title=West Palm TV Changes Letters |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-news-west-palm-tv-changes-lett/162496454/ |access-date=January 7, 2025 |newspaper=Miami Daily News |location=Miami, Florida |page=13B |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><!-- Tue -->{{efn|WEAT-TV was the third station on the air in West Palm Beach, as both WEAT-TV and WJNO-TV were predated by [[ultra high frequency|UHF]] station [[WIRK-TV]], on air between September 1953 and February 1956.<ref name="Miam530901">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-tv-station-at-west-palm/162497100/|date=September 1, 1953|page=3-C|title=TV Station At West Palm Starts Test|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 7, 2025}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref name="Palm560302">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-wirk-tv-closes-down/43574706/|date=March 2, 1956|page= 1|title=WIRK-TV Closes Down With Blast At FCC|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 7, 2025}}</ref><!-- Fri -->}}

Six months after signing on, the sale of WEAT radio and television to General Teleradio, later reorganized as [[RKO General]], was announced.<ref name="Miam550626">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567091/west-palm-station-sold/|date=June 26, 1955|page=4-B|title=West Palm Station Sold|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190648/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567091/west-palm-station-sold/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> RKO owned the stations for less than two years before selling them to Rex Rand and [[Bertram Lebhar Jr.]], incorporated as Palm Beach Broadcasting, in 1957.<ref name="Palm570319">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307612/weat-tv-am-sale-ok-asked/|date=March 19, 1957|page=8|title=WEAT TV-AM Sale OK Asked|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190609/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122307612/weat-tv-am-sale-ok-asked/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

In 1963, Rand and Lebhar sued [[John D. MacArthur]], claiming the businessman and developer had failed to pursue a stock and loan agreement. However, by September, negotiations were ongoing on an outright sale of the station to MacArthur.<ref name="Palm630910">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567308/macarthur-seeks-radio-tv-stations/|date=September 10, 1963|page=1|title=MacArthur Seeks Radio, TV Stations|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190607/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567308/macarthur-seeks-radio-tv-stations/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The $2.1 million purchase (through Gardens Broadcasting) was confirmed that October, with MacArthur also announcing plans to establish new studios to a site in [[Palm Beach Gardens]].<ref name="Palm631012">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567412/john-macarthur-buying-radio-tv-station/|date=October 12, 1963|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567454/john-macarthur/ 2]|title=John MacArthur Buying Radio, TV Station Here|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190533/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567412/john-macarthur-buying-radio-tv-station/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --><ref name="Fort631015">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567507/2100000-paid-for-weat-and-weat-tv-te/|date=October 15, 1963|page=12A|title=$2,100,000 Paid For WEAT And WEAT-TV: Television, Radio Stations Sold|newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042815/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567507/2100000-paid-for-weat-and-weat-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> Under MacArthur, WEAT-TV began broadcasting local and network programs in color.<ref name="Palm640519">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567577/weat-plans-continuous-broadcasts/|date=May 19, 1964|page=8|title=WEAT Plans Continuous Broadcasts|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190646/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567577/weat-plans-continuous-broadcasts/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> In the 1967–68 season, ABC aired a national game show, ''Treasure Isle'', which originated from MacArthur's Colonnades Beach Hotel in [[Palm Beach Shores]] and once was aired by channel 12 in the 7 p.m. time slot.<ref>{{Cite news|title='Isle's' 7 P.M.er in Fla.|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=February 28, 1968|page=34|id={{ProQuest|1014838719}} }}</ref> MacArthur also expressed interest in teaming with [[Lamar Hunt]] to acquire the ABC network in 1968, having previously purchased video equipment from the failed [[Overmyer Network]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Millionaire Pairs Approach on Buy Refuted by ABC|page=33|id={{ProQuest|1032440707}}|work=Variety|date=February 21, 1968}}</ref>

===WPEC===
MacArthur, then 76, announced in April 1973 that he would begin selling off his vast business holdings in Palm Beach County. The first business to be sold was WEAT-TV; the buyer was Photo Electronics Corporation (PEC), a company founded by local entrepreneur [[Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr.]] and business partner George W. Mergens.<ref name="Palm730406">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567931/macarthur-bowing-out-developer-says-he/|date=April 6, 1973|page=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567986/macarthur-to-sell-area-property/ A10]|first=Norv|last=Roggen|title=MacArthur Bowing Out: Developer Says He'll Sell Holdings in Area|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042819/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567931/macarthur-bowing-out-developer-says/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Dreyfoos later noted in a 1982 interview for the ''[[Palm Beach Daily News]]'' that he was attracted to the electronic side of television.{{r|Palm821024}} It was in technology that PEC had made its money; in 1971, the company had received an [[Academy Award]] for technical achievement for its Video Color Negative Analyzer (VCNA), a tool used in photography. The VCNA's success provided the funding to acquire WEAT-TV.<ref name="Palm860710">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724281/george-w-mergens-dies-from-accident-inj/|date=July 10, 1986|page=1|title=George W. Mergens Dies From Accident Injuries: Funeral Services Are Thursday|newspaper=Palm Beach Daily News|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042754/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724281/george-w-mergens-dies-from-accident/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

PEC assumed operation of the station on December 1; the station moved to its present studio facilities on Fairfield Drive in Mangonia Park and changed its call sign to WPEC on January 27, 1974.<ref name="Palm740124">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567726/channel-12-gets-new-call-letters/|date=January 24, 1974|page=C1|title=Channel 12 Gets New Call Letters|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190534/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567726/channel-12-gets-new-call-letters/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The untangling of WEAT radio with the television station required hiring a mostly new news staff.<ref name="Palm740127">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567844/wpec-tv-begins-operations-new/|date=January 27, 1974|pages=G1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567865/wpec/ G4]|first=Peter|last=Cooke|title=WPEC-TV Begins Operations: New Call-Letters, New Focus on Community|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 9, 2023|archive-date=April 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409190607/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122567844/wpec-tv-begins-operations-new/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->

Dreyfoos, who had been a hands-off manager in large part because he was actively developing a color laser printer,{{r|Palm880924}} took active control of WPEC in late 1980, dismissing top-level management and installing his own; Bob Wiegand, the general manager of [[WKRC-TV]] in [[Cincinnati]], was attracted to West Palm Beach by Dreyfoos's openness to remaking the station.<ref name="Palm801212">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122569041/dreyfoos-takes-channel-12-into-his-own-h/|date=December 12, 1980|page=B4|first=Bob|last=Michals|title=Dreyfoos Takes Channel 12 Into His Own Hands|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref name="Palm810222">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122569166/new-manager-wont-let-wpec-go-down-tubes/|date=February 22, 1981|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/palm-beach-daily-news-wiegand/122569185/ 2]|first=Dorey|last=Finn Scott|title=New Manager Won't Let WPEC Go Down Tubes|newspaper=Palm Beach Daily News|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412063343/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122569166/new-manager-wont-let-wpec-go-down-tubes/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> The studio facilities were expanded, providing dedicated space for the station, which had initially been squeezed into PEC's existing footprint.<ref name="Palm810213">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122569138/wpec-tv-breaks-ground-on-expanded-facili/|date=February 13, 1981|page=D14|first=Bob|last=Rollins|title=WPEC-TV Breaks Ground on Expanded Facility|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042820/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122569138/wpec-tv-breaks-ground-on-expanded/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Mergens died from injuries sustained in a bicycle accident in July 1986.<ref name="Sout860708">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122569687/g-mergens-owned-ch-12-oscar-winner/|date=July 8, 1986|page=6B|title=G. Mergens, owned Ch. 12, Oscar winner|newspaper=South Florida Sun Sentinel|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412063345/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122569687/g-mergens-owned-ch-12-oscar-winner/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

===Affiliation switch to CBS===
{{Further|1989 South Florida television affiliation switch}}
On August 6, 1988, WPEC announced that it would become an affiliate of CBS in January 1989, leaving ABC after 34 years. CBS had convinced WPEC to join the network as part of a deal it was making in the Miami market. Simultaneous with the affiliation news, CBS purchased [[WFOR-TV|WCIX]] (channel 6) from [[TVX Broadcast Group]] to become the new CBS affiliate in the Miami market, replacing [[WTVJ]] (channel 4). CBS had been represented in the market by [[WTVX]] (channel 34), a station licensed to and based in [[Fort Pierce]] that had only begun serving Palm Beach County in 1980. For technical reasons, WCIX's transmitter site was much further south than other major television stations in the Miami market and consequently provided little to no signal over most of [[Broward County]], an area outside the West Palm Beach market but covered by the signals of WPEC and WPTV.<ref name="Fort880809">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255645/cbs-acquires-channel-6-for-59-million/|date=August 9, 1988|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255650/cbs-purchases-miamis-channel-6-for-59/ 5A]|title=CBS acquires Channel 6 for $59 million|newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News|location=Fort Lauderdale, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 27, 2023|archive-date=March 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313034159/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255645/cbs-acquires-channel-6-for-59-million/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref name="Palm880806">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105526539/five-tv-stations-poised-for-network-shuf/|date=August 6, 1988|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105526581/channel-swap-is-imminent-cbs-exec-say/ 14A]|first=Bob|last=Michals|title=Five TV stations poised for network shuffle|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042757/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105526539/five-tv-stations-poised-for-network/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

The switch to CBS excited Dreyfoos, who was running the station as acting general manager after Wiegand resigned; it came at a time when WPEC's news ratings were sliding because of an unpopular change in anchors and would allow WPEC to get out of the shadow of Miami ABC affiliate [[WPLG]]. CBS reportedly paid $5 million over two years to the station, consisting of an increase in network compensation payments; $1 million in capital improvements to the transmitter; and promotion expenses.<ref name="Palm880924">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570152/switching-channels-channel-12s-change/|date=September 24, 1988|pages=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570168/dreyfoos-is-putting-his-energies-into-im/ 8D]|first=Bob|last=Michals|title=Switching channels: Channel 12's change from ABC to CBS has Dreyfoos smiling|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042821/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570152/switching-channels-channel-12s-change/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> The switch also put ABC in the position of needing a new affiliate in West Palm Beach. In a move that stunned local broadcasters, it bypassed outgoing CBS affiliate WTVX (and [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate [[WFLX]]) and chose to affiliate with [[WPBF]] (channel 25), a station not even on the air, based on its more central location; the track record of one of its owners with another station; and its willingness to pay the first-ever [[reverse compensation]] affiliation fee to the network.<ref name="Sout881019">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255708/abc-picks-palm-affiliate-that-is-not/|date=October 19, 1988|page=8B|title=ABC picks Palm affiliate that is not yet on the air|newspaper=South Florida Sun Sentinel|location=Fort Lauderdale, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 12, 2022|archive-date=March 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313034201/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255708/abc-picks-palm-affiliate-that-is-not/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref name="Sout881230">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255728/instant-tv/|date=December 30, 1988|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97441410/ 12A]|title=Instant TV|newspaper=South Florida Sun Sentinel|location=Fort Lauderdale, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 12, 2022|archive-date=March 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313034201/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35255728/instant-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref>{{cite news|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1988-10-31_7_44_0/mode/2up?q=WPBF|pages=1, 41|title=Affiliation sale rattles TV stations|first=Adam|last=Buckman|work=Electronic Media|date=October 31, 1988}}</ref>

After the switch, Broward viewers made up a much larger portion of WPEC's audience. In 1988, seven percent of channel 12 viewers in total-day ratings and six percent in afternoon and prime time came from Broward. In February 1989, however, those figures surged to 24 percent, 29 percent, and 32 percent, respectively.<ref name="Sout890330">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724788/wpec-gets-signal-to-move-into-broward/|date=March 30, 1989|page=6E|first=Tom|last=Jicha|title=WPEC gets signal to move into Broward|newspaper=South Florida Sun Sentinel|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042758/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724788/wpec-gets-signal-to-move-into-broward/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> WPEC courted Broward viewers with enhanced news coverage and special antenna deals.<ref name="Miam890331">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122769030/cbs-affiliates-do-battle-for-broward/|date=March 31, 1989|pages=1BR, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-cbs-affiliates-compete/122769006/ 4BR]|first=Juan Carlos|last=Coto|title=CBS affiliates do battle for Broward|newspaper=The Miami Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --> However, the station found that residents of these areas watched primarily for network programs and turned to Miami stations for their local news.{{r|Sout910320}} In a second switch in 1995, CBS returned to the channel 4 facility; instead, NBC moved to channel 6.<ref>{{cite news|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47707163/channels-4-and-6-to-switch-positions-on/ 5A]|first=Tom|last=Jicha|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 9, 1995|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47707187/|work=Sun-Sentinel|access-date=March 30, 2020|title=Reprogram the VCRs — channels 4, 6 about to swap}}</ref>

===Freedom Communications ownership===
Dreyfoos was interested in acquiring additional TV stations, but after valuations rose in the industry and a surge in unsolicited offers for WPEC in the first half of 1995, he put the station on the market.{{r|Palm950628}} For many years, Dreyfoos had received expressions of interest in the station from a variety of suitors, including [[Generoso Pope Jr.]], founder of the ''[[National Enquirer]]''.<ref name="Palm821024">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122569420/enthusiasm-innovation-mark-man-behind-w/|date=October 24, 1982|pages=A2, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/palm-beach-daily-news-dreyfoos/122569447/ A8]|first=Dorey|last=Finn Scott|title=Enthusiasm, Innovation Mark Man Behind WPEC|newspaper=Palm Beach Daily News|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042800/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122569420/enthusiasm-innovation-mark-man-behind/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --><ref name="Miam831026">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122580925/no-lights-camera-action-for-burt-in-pa/|date=October 26, 1983|page=3D|first=Tim|last=Pallesen|title=No lights, camera, action for Burt in Palm Beach|newspaper=The Miami Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042801/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122580925/no-lights-camera-action-for-burt-in/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> He believed that WPEC would be better served in a consolidated media environment being part of a larger station group.<ref name="Sout951105">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570808/tv-station-sales-picture-bright/|date=November 5, 1995|pages=1G, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570845/tv-stations-seen-as-top-investments-with/ 2G]|first=Vicki|last=McCash|title=TV station sales picture bright|newspaper=South Florida Sun Sentinel|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042814/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570808/tv-station-sales-picture-bright/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --><ref name="Palm950628">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570652/dreyfoos-hopes-wpec-12-will-be-the-one-i/|date=June 28, 1995|pages=5B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570686/television-market-is-nations-45th-large/ 10B]|first=Mitch|last=McKenney|title=Dreyfoos hopes WPEC-12 will be the one investors want to turn to|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042805/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570652/dreyfoos-hopes-wpec-12-will-be-the-one/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

For more than $150 million—including interest, approaching $160 million—[[Freedom Communications]] was the winning bidder for WPEC in September 1995. It was the largest transaction in the company's history and made WPEC its flagship television property. Freedom's bid beat out larger suitors such as [[Meredith Corporation]], [[Clear Channel Communications]], [[The New York Times Company]], and [[Tribune Company]], many of whom were surprised at the final sale price;{{r|Sout951105}} Dreyfoos benefited from a growing frenzy of consolidation and large media purchases during the time the station was on the market, and in the long term, the station had appreciated in value because of extensive population growth in the West Palm Beach market. In the purchase, Freedom acquired the buildings belonging to WPEC and Photo Electronics Corporation itself; the company's remaining business was moving to [[Seattle]].<ref name="Palm950928">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570718/sale-of-wpec-brings-at-least-150-millio/|date=September 28, 1995|pages=5B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570741/wpec-becomes-freedom-flagship/ 10B]|first=Mitch|last=McKenney|title=Sale of WPEC brings at least $150 million|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042822/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570718/sale-of-wpec-brings-at-least-150/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The rise in the station's valuation was a surprise. The Mergens family sued Dreyfoos after the sale, claiming that he had purposefully understated the company's value when he purchased their 38 percent stake in the station in 1994 at a valuation of $38 million.<ref name="Palm960105">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122583483/dreyfoos-sued-by-mergenses/|date=January 5, 1996|page=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122583502/lawsuit/ 7]|title=Dreyfoos sued by Mergenses|newspaper=Palm Beach Daily News|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042830/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122583483/dreyfoos-sued-by-mergenses/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

===Sinclair ownership===
Freedom announced on November 2, 2011, that it would bow out of television and sell its stations, including WPEC, to the [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]].<ref name=ocr-freedomsinclair>{{cite news|last=Milbourn|first=Mary Ann|title=O.C. Register owner sells TV stations|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/sinclair-324997-stations-company.html|access-date=November 2, 2011|newspaper=[[Orange County Register]]|date=November 2, 2011|archive-date=November 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103014937/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/sinclair-324997-stations-company.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Sinclair had earlier announced the acquisition of [[Four Points Media Group]], owner of WTVX as well as low-power stations [[WTCN-CD|WTCN-CA]] and [[WWHB-CD|WWHB-CA]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2011/09/08/53840/sinclair-buys-four-points-media-for-200m|title=Sinclair Buys Four Points Media For $200M|work=TVNewsCheck|date=September 8, 2011|access-date=July 14, 2022|archive-date=July 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035152/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/sinclair-buys-four-points-media-for-200m/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the two purchases resulted in the first full [[duopoly (broadcasting)|duopoly]] in West Palm Beach.<ref name=tvnc-wtvxwpecduopoly>{{cite news|last=Colman|first=Price|title=Sinclair Buying Freedom For $385 Million|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2011/11/02/55148/sinclair-buying-freedom-for-385-million|access-date=November 2, 2011|newspaper=TVNewsCheck|date=November 2, 2011|archive-date=July 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035153/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/sinclair-buying-freedom-for-385-million/|url-status=live}}</ref>

WPEC housed the studios for the [[American Sports Network]], a Sinclair-run [[sports channel]] and syndication service that operated from 2014 to 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/local-networks/american-sports-network-reportedly-cease-operation-end-month.html|work=Awful Announcing|first=Ken|last=Fang|date=March 10, 2017|title=American Sports Network to reportedly cease operation at the end of this month|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=August 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808012432/https://awfulannouncing.com/local-networks/american-sports-network-reportedly-cease-operation-end-month.html|url-status=live}}</ref> News programs for Sinclair-managed [[WGFL]] in [[Gainesville, Florida|Gainesville]], were presented from the WPEC facilities until their discontinuation on May 12, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.showbizjobs.com/jobs/cbs-4-newscast-director-in-west-palm-beach/jid-d2p9em|title=Newscast Director, CBS-4|website=showbizjobs.com|date=January 23, 2023|quote=WGFL CBS4 (Gainesville Newscast) that is based in West Palm Beach, FL. at WPEC...}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2023/05/02/sinclair-shuts-down-local-gainesville-tv-station-lays-off-employees/70174013007/|work=[[The Gainesville Sun]]|first=Alan|last=Festo|title=Gainesville's CBS4 to cease local broadcasts, staff laid off by Sinclair|date=May 2, 2023|access-date=May 2, 2023}}</ref> In 2022, WPEC hosted a gubernatorial debate, held at the Sunrise Theater in Fort Pierce, between [[Ron DeSantis]] and [[Charlie Crist]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/wpec-west-palm-beach-to-host-florida-gubernatorial-debate/|work=TVNewsCheck|title=WPEC West Palm Beach To Host Florida Gubernatorial Debate|date=September 19, 2022|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=September 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919105537/https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/wpec-west-palm-beach-to-host-florida-gubernatorial-debate/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==News operation==
Channel 12 only aired a half-hour evening newscast until becoming WPEC; one of Dreyfoos's first programming moves was to extend the station's evening news to a full hour.{{r|Palm740127}} However, the station was behind [[WPTV-TV|WPTV]] and even Miami's [[WTVJ]] locally;<ref name="Palm780409">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122775688/skiffs-departure-marks-channel-12-facel/|date=April 9, 1978|page=E3|first=Larry|last=Dorman|title=Skiff's Departure Marks Channel 12 Facelifting|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042825/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122775688/skiffs-departure-marks-channel-12/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> MacArthur's general disinvestment in news gave WPTV a significant head start in news coverage.<ref name="Miam780226">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122775780/bill-gordon-reluctant-institutionafter/|date=February 26, 1978|pages=TV 48, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-wptvwpec/122775759/ 49]|first=Steve|last=Sonsky|title=Bill Gordon: Reluctant Institution—After 17 Years on TV, Palm Beach Anchorman Can Do Without Stardom|newspaper=The Miami Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042755/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122775780/bill-gordon-reluctant/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> After Dreyfoos took a more active hand in managing WPEC in 1981, the station opted for a younger look in news, replacing well-liked anchorwoman [[Eleanor Schano|Eleanor Schano White]] with the duo of John Matthews and Laurel Sauer.<ref name="Boca810522">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122569362/why-was-anchorwoman-replaced/|date=May 22, 1981|page=Televiewer 2|first=Robin|last=Engel|title=Why was anchorwoman replaced?|newspaper=Boca Raton News|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042804/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122569362/why-was-anchorwoman-replaced/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Reg Miller, who replaced Matthews, and Sauer remained the lead anchors at channel 12 until 1988, when management decided to fire Miller and move Sauer to weekends and replace them with the younger Steve Wolford and [[Jackie Bange|Jacquie Bange]].<!--spelled QU in WPB!--> This was met with pickets and a precipitous ratings decline, leading to Bange's demotion after eight months.<ref name="Miam880129">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122569805/outraged-viewers-to-picket-channel-12s/|date=January 29, 1988|page=D1|first=Don|last=Van Natta|title=Outraged viewers to picket Channel 12's change of anchors|newspaper=The Miami Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042811/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122569805/outraged-viewers-to-picket-channel-12s/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref name="Palm880830">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570042/channel-12-demotes-bange-as-ratings-plun/|date=August 30, 1988|pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570079/channel-12-alters-team-lineup-as-ratings/ 4B]|first=Bob|last=Michals|title=Channel 12 demotes Bange as ratings plunge|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042824/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570042/channel-12-demotes-bange-as-ratings/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

To prepare for the 1989 affiliation switch and to lure viewers in Broward County, the station reinforced its news presence in the southern part of its market and beyond, bolstering an existing news bureau in [[Boca Raton]] and adding one in [[Fort Lauderdale]].<ref name="Boca880810">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570001/channel-12-to-turn-its-news-lens-southwa/|date=August 10, 1988|pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570015/news/ 2B]|first=Patricia|last=Elich|title=Channel 12 to turn its news lens southward|newspaper=Boca Raton News|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042756/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122570001/channel-12-to-turn-its-news-lens/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> A full-time staff of five people was devoted to covering news from Broward.{{r|Sout890330}} While the station improved its ratings overall, it still found itself in its traditional second-place position behind WPTV.<ref name="Sout890315">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724761/first-89-nielsens-rate-channel-5-no-1/|date=March 15, 1989|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel-first-89-nie/122724749/ 14A]|first=Tom|last=Jicha|title=First '89 Nielsens rate Channel 5 No. 1 in county|newspaper=South Florida Sun Sentinel|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042804/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724761/first-89-nielsens-rate-channel-5-no-1/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref name="Stua921214">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724731/channel-5-news-rides-high-in-ratings/|date=December 14, 1992|page=1D|first=Bob|last=Betcher|title=Channel 5 news rides high in ratings|newspaper=The Stuart News|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042818/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724731/channel-5-news-rides-high-in-ratings/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> With [[WTVX]]'s news department going under, WPEC also established a news bureau in [[Stuart, Florida|Stuart]], covering the [[Treasure Coast]].<ref name="Miam890625">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724844/channel-34-makes-more-newscast-cuts/|date=June 25, 1989|pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724854/2-palm-beach-stations-expand-local-cover/ 2B]|first=William|last=Labbee|title=Channel 34 makes more newscast cuts|newspaper=The Miami Herald|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042803/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122724844/channel-34-makes-more-newscast-cuts/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --><ref name="Palm950526">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122768805/nbc-wptv-top-ratings-sweep/|date=May 26, 1995|page=5D|first=Paul|last=LoMartire|title=NBC, WPTV top ratings sweep|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042812/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122768805/nbc-wptv-top-ratings-sweep/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> After two years, the station abandoned its Broward news quest; it found that the viewers turning to channel 12 for network programs were watching other Miami stations for their local news.<ref name="Sout910320">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122768923/wpec-gives-up-quest-to-attract-broward-n/|date=March 20, 1991|page=3E|first=Tom|last=Jicha|title=WPEC gives up quest to attract Broward news audience|newspaper=South Florida Sun Sentinel|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042805/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122768923/wpec-gives-up-quest-to-attract-broward/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

From 1991 to 2010, WPEC produced news programs for Fox affiliate [[WFLX]], beginning with the debut of a 10 p.m. news hour in September 1991. This was the first early late local news in the market since WTVX had briefly aired one in early 1989, after losing CBS but before closing its newsroom.<ref name="Palm910911">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122769923/ch-29-gets-first-word-with-10-pm-news/|date=September 11, 1991|pages=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122769973/channel-29-makes-history-with-10-pm-ne/ 4D]|first=Paul|last=LoMartire|title=Ch. 29 gets first word with 10 p.m. news|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042741/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122769923/ch-29-gets-first-word-with-10-pm-news/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The idea had originated the year before when, at a party, WPEC's general manager told his WFLX counterpart in jest, "I hear you're going into the news business. Why don't you call us, we'll do it for you."{{r|Sout910321}} The move gave WFLX a newscast, at a time when Fox was encouraging its affiliates to add local news, and allowed WPEC to spread the costs of its news operation across more programming. The program had dedicated anchors but shared most on-air personnel;<ref name="Sout910321">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122769448/wflx-to-launch-newscastcompliments-of-w/|date=March 21, 1991|page=3E|first=Tom|last=Jicha|title=WFLX to launch newscast—compliments of WPEC|newspaper=South Florida Sun Sentinel|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042823/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122769448/wflx-to-launch-newscastcompliments/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> WPEC received an annual licensing fee and revenue sharing when advertising revenues exceeded a certain amount.<ref name="Sout910911">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122769787/news-at-10-makes-debut-in-palm-beach/|date=September 11, 1991|page=3E|title=News at 10 makes debut in Palm Beach|newspaper=South Florida Sun Sentinel|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042807/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122769787/news-at-10-makes-debut-in-palm-beach/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> In May 2000, the partnership was expanded with an hour-long 7 a.m. newscast, the ''Fox Morning News'', which filled the void created when WPEC had to drop the 7 a.m. hour of its news to air ''[[The Early Show]]''.<ref name="Stua000429">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122770151/wflxs-morning-news-starts-on-monday/|date=April 29, 2000|page=B7|title=WFLX's morning news starts on Monday|newspaper=The Stuart News|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042822/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122770151/wflxs-morning-news-starts-on-monday/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> An 8 a.m. hour of the program was introduced in 2006.<ref name="Pres060613">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122770284/channel-29-will-add-an-hour-to-morning-n/|date=June 13, 2006|page=E1|first=Melissa E.|last=Holsman|title=Channel 29 will add an hour to morning newscast|newspaper=Press Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2023}}</ref><!-- Tue --> The deal was unwound at the end of 2010, when WPTV began producing WFLX's news with programs in the same time slots.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/wptv-to-produce-news-for-wflx/|date=December 30, 2010|first=Mark K.|last=Miller|work=TVNewsCheck|title=WPTV To Produce News For WFLX|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042758/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/wptv-to-produce-news-for-wflx/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The market's news ratings race tightened in the 2000s, when [[WPBF]]—which had been the third-place station since its 1989 debut—improved its product as WPEC narrowed the gap with WPTV.<ref name="Palm060612">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97443705/channel-25s-extreme-makeover-how-the-a/|date=June 12, 2006|page=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97443719/ 5D]|first=Kevin D.|last=Thompson|title=Channel 25's Extreme Makeover: How the ABC affiliate has changed its image to face the competition|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 12, 2022|archive-date=March 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313034304/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97443705/channel-25s-extreme-makeover-how-the/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> However, by 2014, the station's position had diminished to a close third behind WPBF in West Palm Beach–market news ratings and a more distant third in market revenue.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-gunning-best-west-134939|date=October 20, 2014|first=Michael|last=Malone|title=Market Eye: Gunning for Best in 'West'|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=March 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313034304/https://www.nexttv.com/news/market-eye-gunning-best-west-134939|url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 3, 2014, WPEC replaced its 7 p.m. newscast with a new 10 p.m. newscast on WTVX, which was later discontinued.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/wpec-to-move-700-p-m-newscast-replace-it-with-entertainment-tonight_b100330|title=WPEC To Move 7:00 p.m. Newscast, Replace It with 'Entertainment Tonight'|work=TVSpy|date=August 13, 2013|access-date=July 14, 2022|archive-date=May 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140501104816/http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/wpec-to-move-700-p-m-newscast-replace-it-with-entertainment-tonight_b100330|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/api/manager/download/32be6270-9573-3c81-8b1e-98253b8080b5/08ba266b-027d-4c5d-8820-e662eb895347.pdf|date=July 7, 2022|title=WTVX 2Q 2022 Quarterly Issues Report|access-date=July 13, 2022|archive-date=July 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714043335/https://files.fcc.gov/download/08ba266b-027d-4c5d-8820-e662eb895347.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> That year, WPEC itself debuted the market's first 3 p.m. newscast, aimed at a female audience and featuring three women as anchors.<ref>{{cite news|title=WPEC chasing the news in the afternoon|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2014-08-26/news/fl-wpec-3pm-newscast-20140826_1_p-m-newscast-the-talk-wpec|date=August 26, 2014|newspaper=[[Sun Sentinel]]|first=Johnny|last=Diaz|access-date=September 15, 2014|archive-date=August 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829002625/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2014-08-26/news/fl-wpec-3pm-newscast-20140826_1_p-m-newscast-the-talk-wpec|url-status=dead}}</ref> A 9 a.m. newscast began airing in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|date=January 12, 2016|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/wpec-west-palm-beach-debuts-9-a-m-news/|work=TVNewsCheck|title=WPEC West Palm Beach Debuts 9 A.M. News|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042812/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/wpec-west-palm-beach-debuts-9-a-m-news/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Notable former on-air staff===
* [[Donna Deegan]], anchor, 1980s (known as Donna Clewis while at WPEC)<ref name="Palm881106">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122778467/channel-12-welcomes-nichols-back/|date=November 6, 1988|page=TV Post 8|first=Bob|last=Michals|title=Channel 12 welcomes Nichols back|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042802/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122778467/channel-12-welcomes-nichols-back/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->
* [[Suzy Kolber]], reporter and weekend anchor, 1991–1993<ref name="Palm070519">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122778256/kolbers-next-stop-nascar/|date=May 19, 2007|page=10C|first=Alan|last=Tays|title=Kolber's next stop: NASCAR|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042817/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122778256/kolbers-next-stop-nascar/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->
* [[Alison Kosik]], reporter<ref>{{Cite news|title=Alison Kosik Moves to CNN's New York Bureau|url=https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/alison-kosik-moves-to-cnns-new-york-bureau/316625/|work=TVNewser|first=Chris|last=Ariens|date=January 10, 2017|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=December 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202073818/https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/alison-kosik-moves-to-cnns-new-york-bureau/316625/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Al Terzi]], anchor, 1978–1980<ref name="Palm780709">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122568940/new-faces-on-the-tube-west-palm-station/|date=July 9, 1978|pages=TV1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-new-faces/122568905/ TV2]|first=Alan|last=Jenkins|title=New Faces On the Tube: West Palm Stations Get Fresh Talent|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042746/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122568940/new-faces-on-the-tube-west-palm/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --><ref name="Hart800418">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122772889/terzi-quits-florida-position-for-channel/|date=April 18, 1980|page=2|first=Colin|last=McEnroe|title=Terzi Quits Florida Position for Channel 8|newspaper=Hartford Courant|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042807/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122772889/terzi-quits-florida-position-for/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
* [[Gary Tuchman]], reporter, 1985–1990<ref name="Palm900628">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122738036/at-least-one-police-chief-likes-the-beat/|date=June 28, 1990|page=1D|first=Thom|last=Smith|title=At least one police chief likes the beat of 2 Live Crew|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042805/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122738036/at-least-one-police-chief-likes-the/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

==Technical information==
===Subchannels===
The station's signal is [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of WPEC<ref>{{Cite web|website=RabbitEars|url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WPEC#station|title=RabbitEars TV Query for WPEC|access-date=August 3, 2023|archive-date=October 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026054119/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WPEC#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" | 12.1 
| [[1080i]] || rowspan="4" | [[16:9]] || CBS || [[CBS]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 12.2 
| rowspan="3" | [[480i]] || Charge! ||[[Charge! (TV network)|Charge!]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 12.3 
| Comet ||[[Comet (TV network)|Comet]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 12.4 
| TheNest ||[[The Nest (TV network)|The Nest]]
|}

===Analog-to-digital conversion===
WPEC discontinued regular programming on its analog signal, over [[VHF]] channel 12, on June 9, 2009 (three days before the most full-power television stations in the United States [[Digital television transition in the United States|transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts]] under federal mandate on June 12).<ref name="Pres090610">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122774145/wpec-turns-off-its-analog-signal-other/|date=June 10, 2009|page=A4|first=Jim|last=Turner|title=WPEC turns off its analog signal, other stations to do digital-only by Friday|newspaper=Press Journal|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=April 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042808/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122774145/wpec-turns-off-its-analog-signal-other/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The station's digital signal remained on its pre-transition VHF channel 13, using [[virtual channel]] 12.<ref name="Analog to Digital">{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and Second Rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|https://cbs12.com/}}
*{{Official website|https://cbs12sports.com/|Sports department website}}

{{WPB TV}}
{{CBS Florida}}
{{SBGI}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wpec}}
[[Category:Television stations in West Palm Beach, Florida|PEC]]
[[Category:CBS affiliates]]
[[Category:Charge! (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Comet (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:The Nest (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1955]]
[[Category:RKO General]]
[[Category:Sinclair Broadcast Group]]
[[Category:1955 establishments in Florida]]