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{{Infobox website {{Infobox website
| name = First Coast News | name = First Coast News
| logo = ] | logo = First Coast News WTLV WJXX logo.svg
| logo_alt = The words "FIRST" and "COAST", directly touching, with "FIRST" bolded, in blue. Beneath, the NBC and ABC logos and the word "NEWS" in blue. | logo_alt = The words "FIRST" and "COAST", directly touching, with "FIRST" bolded, in blue. Beneath, the NBC and ABC logos and the word "NEWS" in blue.
| screenshot = FirstCoastNews.comJune2008.png | screenshot = First Coast News webpage screenshot (2024-09-18).png
| screenshot_size = 240px | screenshot_size = 240px
| caption = The ] of First Coast News from June 6, 2008 | caption = The ] of First Coast News from September 18, 2024
| url = {{url|www.firstcoastnews.com}} | url = {{url|www.firstcoastnews.com}}
| commercial = Yes | commercial = Yes
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===Pre-FCN=== ===Pre-FCN===
{{main|WTLV#News operation|WJXX#History}} {{main|WTLV#News operation|WJXX#History}}
When WTLV started as WFGA-TV in 1957, the station's first news director was Harold Baker, who had served in the same position at WSM ] and ] in ]. Baker would anchor the station's 6 p.m. news for 17 years and direct the nascent channel 12 newsroom for 19 years in total, winning the station major national journalism awards.<ref>{{cite news|page=B-1|first=Jessie Lynne|last=Kerr|title=Harold Baker 1916-2009: TV newsman led Jacksonville broadcasting|work=]|date=June 19, 2009}}</ref> It settled in as a consistent second-place finisher to WJXT in local news, though it worked to close the gap, particularly after its acquisition by ] in 1988.<ref name="FTU960711">{{cite news|page=D-1|title=PLEASE STAY TUNED: For Jacksonville's three news stations, the battle to attract viewers never ends|date=July 11, 1996|first=Charlie|last=Patton|work=]}}</ref> When WTLV started as WFGA-TV in 1957, the station's first news director was Harold Baker, who had served in the same position at WSM ] and ] in ]. Baker would anchor the station's 6 p.m. news for 17 years and direct the nascent channel 12 newsroom for 19 years in total, winning the station major national journalism awards.<ref>{{cite news|page=B-1|first=Jessie Lynne|last=Kerr|title=Harold Baker 1916-2009: TV newsman led Jacksonville broadcasting|work=]|date=June 19, 2009}}</ref> It settled in as a consistent second-place finisher to WJXT in local news—except for two brief periods in the early 1960s and 1975<ref name="scrambler">{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/25-years-wtlv-no-2-station-has-reputation-scrambler/zszqyhmiyrqfyviryputybofqmyfeixb_ip-10-166-46-121_1730531456038|work=]|first=Nancy|last=McAlister|pages=1D, |title=25 years at WTLV: No. 2 station has reputation as scrambler|date=August 27, 1982}}</ref>—though it worked to close the gap, particularly after its acquisition by ] in 1988.<ref name="FTU960711">{{cite news|page=D-1|title=PLEASE STAY TUNED: For Jacksonville's three news stations, the battle to attract viewers never ends|date=July 11, 1996|first=Charlie|last=Patton|work=]}}</ref> In the early 1990s, WTLV mounted a strong challenge to WJXT, particularly in late news, only to slip when that station expanded its newscasts and increased its community involvement.<ref name="FTU931223">{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/changing-times-changing-audience-cited-reasons-webbs-departure/owfjgavwqxlsgndpsrxodkzlfbdsjgqu_ip-10-166-46-113_1732213658487|title=Changing times, changing audience cited as reasons for Webb's departure|first=Nancy|last=McAlister|work=The Florida Times-Union|date=December 23, 1993|pages=D-1, }}</ref><ref name="FTU940426">{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/new-tv-4-chief-launched-oprah/cdyrbqhaelwxqlymmzybeyxyebuyrumc_ip-10-166-46-85_1732214711066|pages=C-1, |title=New TV-4 chief launched Oprah: Wasserman joins Houston station|first=Nancy|last=McAlister|work=The Florida Times-Union|date=April 26, 1994}}</ref>


Meanwhile, in 1996, ] secured the ABC affiliation for the Jacksonville market from longtime third-rated station ] (channel 17). Originally planned to start in April, the outgoing ABC affiliate's preemptions of more than half of the network's prime time lineup caused Allbritton and the network to throw forward the launch of WJXX by two months to February 9, 1997.<ref>{{cite news|date=February 9, 1997|page=A-1|title=ABC programs to air on new station tonight|work=]|first=Charlie|last=Patton}}</ref> For most of the rest of that year, technical and signal issues dogged the new ABC affiliate, weighing on its public perception. While the station had been airing a local newsmagazine program, it was not until WJXX opened complete studios in south Jacksonville that it began to produce a full local news service on December 15, 1997.<ref name="FTU971215">{{cite news|title=News team launching shows today|page=A-1|date=December 15, 1997|work=]|first=Charlie|last=Patton}}</ref> While ''ABC 25 News'' was hailed as a superior product compared to WJKS, which had aired just two 30-minute newscasts on weekdays,{{r|FTU960711|FTU991117a}} Allbritton faced several overwhelming factors in establishing WJXX: in addition to the technical issues that alienated viewers, the market had historically been an underperformer for the ABC network, and WJXT and WTLV were entrenched in the market.<ref name="FTU991213">{{cite news|title=Changing the channel: Recent sale another chapter in ABC's tumultuous tenure in Jacksonville|url=https://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/121399/bus_1h10TV25.html|first=Charlie|last=Patton|newspaper=The Florida Times-Union|publisher=Morris Communications|date=December 13, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404121312/https://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/121399/bus_1h10TV25.html|access-date=May 20, 2011|archive-date=April 4, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Reality beating up on respected|page=B-1|date=January 22, 2003|work=]|first=Charlie|last=Patton}}</ref> WJKS, which became ] affiliate WJWB, surged past WJXX in the ratings.{{r|FTU991213}} Meanwhile, in 1996, ] secured the ABC affiliation for the Jacksonville market from longtime third-rated station ] (channel 17). Originally planned to start in April, the outgoing ABC affiliate's preemptions of more than half of the network's prime time lineup caused Allbritton and the network to throw forward the launch of WJXX by two months to February 9, 1997.<ref>{{cite news|date=February 9, 1997|page=A-1|title=ABC programs to air on new station tonight|work=]|first=Charlie|last=Patton}}</ref> For most of the rest of that year, technical and signal issues dogged the new ABC affiliate, weighing on its public perception. While the station had been airing a local newsmagazine program, it was not until WJXX opened complete studios in south Jacksonville that it began to produce a full local news service on December 15, 1997.<ref name="FTU971215">{{cite news|title=News team launching shows today|page=A-1|date=December 15, 1997|work=]|first=Charlie|last=Patton}}</ref> While ''ABC 25 News'' was hailed as a superior product compared to WJKS, which had aired just two 30-minute newscasts on weekdays,{{r|FTU960711|FTU991117a}} Allbritton faced several overwhelming factors in establishing WJXX: in addition to the technical issues that alienated viewers, the market had historically been an underperformer for the ABC network, and WJXT and WTLV were entrenched in the market.<ref name="FTU991213">{{cite news|title=Changing the channel: Recent sale another chapter in ABC's tumultuous tenure in Jacksonville|url=https://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/121399/bus_1h10TV25.html|first=Charlie|last=Patton|newspaper=The Florida Times-Union|publisher=Morris Communications|date=December 13, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404121312/https://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/121399/bus_1h10TV25.html|access-date=May 20, 2011|archive-date=April 4, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Reality beating up on respected|page=B-1|date=January 22, 2003|work=]|first=Charlie|last=Patton}}</ref> WJKS, which became ] affiliate WJWB, surged past WJXX in the ratings.{{r|FTU991213}}
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On November 15, 1999, the FCC legalized television station ]—the common ownership of two stations in one market. The next day, November 16, Gannett announced it would purchase WJXX from Allbritton. The deal was initiated after Allbritton approached Gannett about a possible sale and was legal because of WJXX's unusually low ratings for an ABC affiliate.<ref name="FTU991117">{{cite news|title=Gannett buying second Jacksonville station: New rules allow to purchase |page=A-1|first=Mark|last=Basch|date=November 17, 1999|work=]}}</ref> For the next four months, planning was initiated on the eventual consolidation of the WTLV and WJXX news operations, while WJXX continued to produce newscasts and faced a growing exodus of newsroom staffers.<ref name="FTU991117a">{{cite news|date=November 17, 1999|first=Charlie|last=Patton|page=A-1|work=]|title=Affiliates' news staffs likely to merge}}</ref>{{r|FTU991213}} On November 15, 1999, the FCC legalized television station ]—the common ownership of two stations in one market. The next day, November 16, Gannett announced it would purchase WJXX from Allbritton. The deal was initiated after Allbritton approached Gannett about a possible sale and was legal because of WJXX's unusually low ratings for an ABC affiliate.<ref name="FTU991117">{{cite news|title=Gannett buying second Jacksonville station: New rules allow to purchase |page=A-1|first=Mark|last=Basch|date=November 17, 1999|work=]}}</ref> For the next four months, planning was initiated on the eventual consolidation of the WTLV and WJXX news operations, while WJXX continued to produce newscasts and faced a growing exodus of newsroom staffers.<ref name="FTU991117a">{{cite news|date=November 17, 1999|first=Charlie|last=Patton|page=A-1|work=]|title=Affiliates' news staffs likely to merge}}</ref>{{r|FTU991213}}


The ] approved the sale on March 16, 2000. Gannett consummated the purchase the next day and immediately implemented a simulcast of WTLV's newscasts on WJXX, while construction began at the WTLV studios on Adams Street—which had been enlarged in 1997—to prepare for a new combined news service under the name First Coast News, which debuted on April 27.<ref>{{cite news|title=Media merger: TV-12 owner may take over TV-25 operations as soon as today|date=March 17, 2000|work=]|first=Nicole|last=Ostrow|page=D-1}}</ref><ref name="MW000515">{{cite news|id={{pq|213613921}}|via=ProQuest|date=May 15, 2000|first=Eileen|last=Davis Hudson|title=Jacksonville|work=Mediaweek|pages=26–36}}</ref> Newscasts continued to be broadcast at the same time on each station, including the WJXX 7 p.m. newscast, which had no competition and was the station's lone successful news program.<ref>{{Cite news|page=20|date=May 24, 1999|work=Mediaweek|first=Megan|last=Larson|title=Counterprogrammed news equals ratings|id={{pq|213626304}}|via=ProQuest}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|page=24|id={{pq|213644529}}|title=WTLV shares news|work=Mediaweek|first=Megan|last=Larson|date=December 13, 1999}}</ref> In total, 36 WJXX employees, including 13 in news, joined the WTLV operation.{{r|MW000515}} The ] approved the sale on March 16, 2000. Gannett consummated the purchase the next day and immediately implemented a simulcast of WTLV's newscasts on WJXX, while construction began at the WTLV studios on Adams Street—which had been enlarged in 1997—to prepare for a new combined news service under the name First Coast News, which debuted on April 27.<ref>{{cite news|title=Media merger: TV-12 owner may take over TV-25 operations as soon as today|date=March 17, 2000|work=]|first=Nicole|last=Ostrow|page=D-1}}</ref><ref name="MW000515">{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|213613921}}|via=ProQuest|date=May 15, 2000|first=Eileen|last=Davis Hudson|title=Jacksonville|work=Mediaweek|pages=26–36}}</ref> Newscasts continued to be broadcast at the same time on each station, including the WJXX 7 p.m. newscast, which had no competition and was the station's lone successful news program.<ref>{{Cite news|page=20|date=May 24, 1999|work=Mediaweek|first=Megan|last=Larson|title=Counterprogrammed news equals ratings|id={{ProQuest|213626304}}|via=ProQuest}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|page=24|id={{ProQuest|213644529}}|title=WTLV shares news|work=Mediaweek|first=Megan|last=Larson|date=December 13, 1999}}</ref> In total, 36 WJXX employees, including 13 in news, joined the WTLV operation.{{r|MW000515}}


===A consistent second-place=== ===A consistent second-place===
<section begin=posthist />] <section begin=posthist />]
After the merger, continuing a trend already set by WTLV, the gap in viewership between First Coast News and market leader WJXT slowly closed to create tough competition in the Jacksonville market.<ref name="gapclose1">{{cite news|title=Nielsen ratings show WTLV gain|url=http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/1998/06/15/daily19.html?jst=s_cn_hl|newspaper=The Jacksonville Business Journal|publisher=]|date=June 19, 1998|access-date=October 5, 2007|archive-date=July 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706214354/http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/1998/06/15/daily19.html?jst=s_cn_hl|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="gapclose2">{{cite news|title=Verdict's still out on WJXT's move|url=http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/122403/bus_14380853.shtml|author=Mark Basch|newspaper=The Florida Times-Union|publisher=Morris Communications|date=December 24, 2003|access-date=October 5, 2007|archive-date=March 1, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301040550/http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/122403/bus_14380853.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="gapclose3">{{cite news|title=TV news in transition|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2003/06/09/story3.html?page=1|author=Sean McManus|newspaper=The Jacksonville Business Journal|publisher=Advance Publications|date=June 9, 2003|access-date=October 5, 2007|archive-date=May 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526082647/http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2003/06/09/story3.html?page=1|url-status=live}}</ref> The combination of WTLV and WJXX also surpassed WJXT in total revenue.<ref>{{Cite news|date=July 14, 2002|title=The big switch|first=Peter|last=Guinta|work=]|quote=In 2001, WJXT reported revenues of $29.75 million. Its nearest competitor, WTLV-12, reported $22 million and WJXX-25 $12.5 million.}}</ref> After the merger, continuing a trend already set by WTLV, the gap in viewership between First Coast News and market leader WJXT slowly closed to create tough competition in the Jacksonville market.<ref name="gapclose1">{{cite news|title=Nielsen ratings show WTLV gain|url=http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/1998/06/15/daily19.html?jst=s_cn_hl|newspaper=The Jacksonville Business Journal|publisher=]|date=June 19, 1998|access-date=October 5, 2007|archive-date=July 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706214354/http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/1998/06/15/daily19.html?jst=s_cn_hl|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="gapclose2">{{cite news|title=Verdict's still out on WJXT's move|url=http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/122403/bus_14380853.shtml|first=Mark|last=Basch|newspaper=The Florida Times-Union|publisher=Morris Communications|date=December 24, 2003|access-date=October 5, 2007|archive-date=March 1, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301040550/http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/122403/bus_14380853.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="gapclose3">{{cite news|title=TV news in transition|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2003/06/09/story3.html?page=1|first=Sean|last=McManus|newspaper=The Jacksonville Business Journal|publisher=Advance Publications|date=June 9, 2003|access-date=October 5, 2007|archive-date=May 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526082647/http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2003/06/09/story3.html?page=1|url-status=live}}</ref> The combination of WTLV and WJXX also surpassed WJXT in total revenue.<ref>{{Cite news|date=July 14, 2002|title=The big switch|first=Peter|last=Guinta|work=]|quote=In 2001, WJXT reported revenues of $29.75 million. Its nearest competitor, WTLV-12, reported $22 million and WJXX-25 $12.5 million.}}</ref>


In 2002, the news department of ] affiliate ] (channel 30) expanded to accommodate the move of the ] affiliation to ] (channel 47). The two stations rebranded as WFOX-TV and WJAX-TV in 2014 and their news as ''Action News'' as part of a wholesale change which included the firing of the previous main anchors. The ''Action News'' revamp improved ratings at the traditional third-place news operation in Jacksonville just as First Coast News remained without a news director for a year, causing a decline in viewership, and several key news personalities defected to Action News.<ref name="FTU150328">{{cite news|url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/business/2015/03/29/major-shakeups-jacksonville-tv-news-redefining-financial-landscape/15656693007/#.VRg324DdzLs.twitter|work=]|first=Drew|last=Dixon|title=Major shakeups in Jacksonville TV news redefining financial landscape of broadcasters|date=March 28, 2015|access-date=September 6, 2022|archive-date=September 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906074826/https://www.jacksonville.com/story/business/2015/03/29/major-shakeups-jacksonville-tv-news-redefining-financial-landscape/15656693007/#.VRg324DdzLs.twitter|url-status=live}}</ref> Rob Mennie, who assumed the post of news director in 2014, noted of the newsroom as he encountered it, "This was a station ... I'll just use the word confused. They didn't know who they were. ... They were trying to figure out what makes us tick."<ref>{{cite news|page=A-8|first=Drew|last=Dixon|date=March 29, 2015|title=Team full of familiar faces lacked direction: GM's new news director tasked with changing tone of news reports|work=]}}</ref><section end=posthist /> In 2002, the news department of ] affiliate ] (channel 30) expanded to accommodate the move of the ] affiliation to ] (channel 47). The two stations rebranded as WFOX-TV and WJAX-TV and their news as ''Action News'' in 2014 as part of a wholesale change which included the firing of the previous main anchors. The Action News revamp improved ratings at the traditional third-place news operation in Jacksonville just as First Coast News remained without a news director for a year, causing a decline in viewership, and several key news personalities defected to Action News.<ref name="FTU150328">{{cite news|url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/business/2015/03/29/major-shakeups-jacksonville-tv-news-redefining-financial-landscape/15656693007/#.VRg324DdzLs.twitter|work=]|first=Drew|last=Dixon|title=Major shakeups in Jacksonville TV news redefining financial landscape of broadcasters|date=March 28, 2015|access-date=September 6, 2022|archive-date=September 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906074826/https://www.jacksonville.com/story/business/2015/03/29/major-shakeups-jacksonville-tv-news-redefining-financial-landscape/15656693007/#.VRg324DdzLs.twitter|url-status=live}}</ref> Rob Mennie, who assumed the post of news director in 2014, noted of the newsroom as he encountered it, "This was a station ... I'll just use the word confused. They didn't know who they were. ... They were trying to figure out what makes us tick."<ref>{{cite news|page=A-8|first=Drew|last=Dixon|date=March 29, 2015|title=Team full of familiar faces lacked direction: GM's new news director tasked with changing tone of news reports|work=]}}</ref> In 2023, ''Action News'' edged out ''First Coast News'' at 11 p.m. in total households but not in viewers 25–54, with both newscasts behind WJXT, which has remained Jacksonville's news leader as an independent station.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/local-news-close-up-jacksonville-is-hot-and-were-not-talking-weather|date=August 9, 2023|work=Broadcasting & Cable|title=Local News Close-Up: Jacksonville Is Hot, and We're Not Talking Weather|first=Michael|last=Malone|access-date=November 29, 2024}}</ref><section end=posthist />
] ]


==Notable staff== ==Notable staff==
<section begin=staff />* ] – anchor, later of ]<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 26, 2012 |title=Meet CNN's New Black Anchor |language=en-us |work=The Root |url=https://www.theroot.com/meet-cnns-new-black-anchor-1790892549 |access-date=March 12, 2022 |archive-date=January 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118034548/https://www.theroot.com/meet-cnns-new-black-anchor-1790892549 |url-status=live }}</ref> <section begin=staff />* ] – anchor<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 26, 2012 |title=Meet CNN's New Black Anchor |language=en-us |work=The Root |url=https://www.theroot.com/meet-cnns-new-black-anchor-1790892549 |access-date=March 12, 2022 |archive-date=January 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118034548/https://www.theroot.com/meet-cnns-new-black-anchor-1790892549 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ] – anchor (since {{#ifeq:{{PAGENAME}}|WJXX|2000|1985}})<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-03-18.pdf|date=March 18, 1985|work=Broadcasting|title=Fates & Fortunes|page=109|via=World Radio History|access-date=September 6, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151354/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-03-18.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> * ] – anchor, since {{#ifeq:{{PAGENAME}}|WJXX|2000|1985}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-03-18.pdf|date=March 18, 1985|work=Broadcasting|title=Fates & Fortunes|page=109|via=World Radio History|access-date=September 6, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151354/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-03-18.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ] – anchor ({{#ifeq:{{PAGENAME}}|WJXX|2000|1988}}–2012)<ref>{{cite news|page=A-1|first=Dan|last=Scanlan|work=]|date=June 27, 2012|title=TV anchor Deegan to leave job in August: She will take on larger role in breast cancer research, wellness}}</ref> * ] – anchor, {{#ifeq:{{PAGENAME}}|WJXX|2000|1988}}–2012<ref>{{cite news|page=A-1|first=Dan|last=Scanlan|work=]|date=June 27, 2012|title=TV anchor Deegan to leave job in August: She will take on larger role in breast cancer research, wellness}}</ref>
* ] – morning show contributor and co-host of ''First Coast Living''<ref>{{Cite news|title=Former mascot for Jaguars taking his act to television: Dvorak promises more antics with First Coast News, sans fur|page=B-1|first=Matt|last=Soergel|date=July 17, 2015|work=]}}</ref> * ] – morning show contributor and co-host of ''First Coast Living''<ref>{{Cite news|title=Former mascot for Jaguars taking his act to television: Dvorak promises more antics with First Coast News, sans fur|page=B-1|first=Matt|last=Soergel|date=July 17, 2015|work=]}}</ref>
* ] – anchor ({{#ifeq:{{PAGENAME}}|WJXX|2000|1998}}–2006)<ref name="GionetLeaving2">{{cite web |url=http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=43858 |title=Gionet heading back to Denver |first=Mike|last=Sharkey |access-date=June 15, 2008 |work=Jacksonville Daily Record |archive-date=July 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713091704/http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=43858 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * ] – anchor, {{#ifeq:{{PAGENAME}}|WJXX|2000|1998}}–2006<ref name="GionetLeaving2">{{cite web |url=http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=43858 |title=Gionet heading back to Denver |first=Mike|last=Sharkey |access-date=June 15, 2008 |work=Jacksonville Daily Record |archive-date=July 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713091704/http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=43858 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* ] – sports anchor ({{#ifeq:{{PAGENAME}}|WJXX|2000|1986}}–2013)<ref>{{cite news|title=Longtime anchor Hicken to join TV-47|page=C-1|first=Jeff|last=Elliott|date=May 30, 2013|work=] }}</ref> * ] – sports anchor, {{#ifeq:{{PAGENAME}}|WJXX|2000|1986}}–2013<ref>{{cite news|title=Longtime anchor Hicken to join TV-47|page=C-1|first=Jeff|last=Elliott|date=May 30, 2013|work=] }}</ref>
* ] – co-anchor (2006–2016)<ref name="OgdenComing2">{{cite web |url=http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/041806/met_21642858.shtml |title=New anchor debuts on First Coast News|first=Roger|last=Bull|date=April 18, 2006 |access-date=June 15, 2008 |work=] |archive-date=May 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520015612/http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/041806/met_21642858.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|page=B-4|date=May 14, 2016|title=Ogden leaving First Coast News: Weeknight anchor since 2006 to begin work at Denver station in June|first=Joe|last=Daraskevich|work=] }}</ref><section end=staff /> * ] – co-anchor, 2006–2016<ref name="OgdenComing2">{{cite web |url=http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/041806/met_21642858.shtml |title=New anchor debuts on First Coast News|first=Roger|last=Bull|date=April 18, 2006 |access-date=June 15, 2008 |work=] |archive-date=May 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520015612/http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/041806/met_21642858.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|page=B-4|date=May 14, 2016|title=Ogden leaving First Coast News: Weeknight anchor since 2006 to begin work at Denver station in June|first=Joe|last=Daraskevich|work=] }}</ref><section end=staff />


==References== ==References==
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Latest revision as of 08:32, 29 November 2024

TV newsroom in Jacksonville, Florida For the Jacksonville television stations, see WJXX and WTLV.

First Coast News
The words "FIRST" and "COAST", directly touching, with "FIRST" bolded, in blue. Beneath, the NBC and ABC logos and the word "NEWS" in blue.
The home page of First Coast News from September 18, 2024
Type of siteNews website
Available inEnglish
Spanish
OwnerTegna Inc.
Created byGannett Company
URLwww.firstcoastnews.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationNo

First Coast News is the newsroom of television stations WTLV (channel 12) and WJXX (channel 25), the NBC and ABC affiliates in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. It is owned with the stations by Tegna Inc.

The First Coast News brand was first used by the stations on April 27, 2000, in the wake of Gannett's acquisition of WJXX the month before and consequent expansion of what had primarily been WTLV's news department. Immediately upon taking control, WTLV newscasts were simulcast on WJXX. Since the consolidation, First Coast News has generally remained in second place in the market behind WJXT (channel 4), the market news leader.

History

Pre-FCN

Main articles: WTLV § News operation, and WJXX § History

When WTLV started as WFGA-TV in 1957, the station's first news director was Harold Baker, who had served in the same position at WSM radio and television in Nashville, Tennessee. Baker would anchor the station's 6 p.m. news for 17 years and direct the nascent channel 12 newsroom for 19 years in total, winning the station major national journalism awards. It settled in as a consistent second-place finisher to WJXT in local news—except for two brief periods in the early 1960s and 1975—though it worked to close the gap, particularly after its acquisition by Gannett in 1988. In the early 1990s, WTLV mounted a strong challenge to WJXT, particularly in late news, only to slip when that station expanded its newscasts and increased its community involvement.

Meanwhile, in 1996, Allbritton Communications secured the ABC affiliation for the Jacksonville market from longtime third-rated station WJKS (channel 17). Originally planned to start in April, the outgoing ABC affiliate's preemptions of more than half of the network's prime time lineup caused Allbritton and the network to throw forward the launch of WJXX by two months to February 9, 1997. For most of the rest of that year, technical and signal issues dogged the new ABC affiliate, weighing on its public perception. While the station had been airing a local newsmagazine program, it was not until WJXX opened complete studios in south Jacksonville that it began to produce a full local news service on December 15, 1997. While ABC 25 News was hailed as a superior product compared to WJKS, which had aired just two 30-minute newscasts on weekdays, Allbritton faced several overwhelming factors in establishing WJXX: in addition to the technical issues that alienated viewers, the market had historically been an underperformer for the ABC network, and WJXT and WTLV were entrenched in the market. WJKS, which became The WB affiliate WJWB, surged past WJXX in the ratings.

Consolidation

Main article: WJXX § Duopoly with WTLV
A multi-story building in front of an artificial lake with satellite dishes and communications equipment visible outside. A sign contains the First Coast News logo and logos for WTLV and WJXX.
The WTLV–WJXX studios on Adams Street in Jacksonville

On November 15, 1999, the FCC legalized television station duopolies—the common ownership of two stations in one market. The next day, November 16, Gannett announced it would purchase WJXX from Allbritton. The deal was initiated after Allbritton approached Gannett about a possible sale and was legal because of WJXX's unusually low ratings for an ABC affiliate. For the next four months, planning was initiated on the eventual consolidation of the WTLV and WJXX news operations, while WJXX continued to produce newscasts and faced a growing exodus of newsroom staffers.

The Federal Communications Commission approved the sale on March 16, 2000. Gannett consummated the purchase the next day and immediately implemented a simulcast of WTLV's newscasts on WJXX, while construction began at the WTLV studios on Adams Street—which had been enlarged in 1997—to prepare for a new combined news service under the name First Coast News, which debuted on April 27. Newscasts continued to be broadcast at the same time on each station, including the WJXX 7 p.m. newscast, which had no competition and was the station's lone successful news program. In total, 36 WJXX employees, including 13 in news, joined the WTLV operation.

A consistent second-place

Refer to caption
News set used by First Coast News in the 2010s

After the merger, continuing a trend already set by WTLV, the gap in viewership between First Coast News and market leader WJXT slowly closed to create tough competition in the Jacksonville market. The combination of WTLV and WJXX also surpassed WJXT in total revenue.

In 2002, the news department of Fox affiliate WAWS (channel 30) expanded to accommodate the move of the CBS affiliation to WTEV-TV (channel 47). The two stations rebranded as WFOX-TV and WJAX-TV and their news as Action News in 2014 as part of a wholesale change which included the firing of the previous main anchors. The Action News revamp improved ratings at the traditional third-place news operation in Jacksonville just as First Coast News remained without a news director for a year, causing a decline in viewership, and several key news personalities defected to Action News. Rob Mennie, who assumed the post of news director in 2014, noted of the newsroom as he encountered it, "This was a station ... I'll just use the word confused. They didn't know who they were. ... They were trying to figure out what makes us tick." In 2023, Action News edged out First Coast News at 11 p.m. in total households but not in viewers 25–54, with both newscasts behind WJXT, which has remained Jacksonville's news leader as an independent station.

Logo for First Coast News from 2017 to 2021

Notable staff

References

  1. Kerr, Jessie Lynne (June 19, 2009). "Harold Baker 1916-2009: TV newsman led Jacksonville broadcasting". The Florida Times-Union. p. B-1.
  2. McAlister, Nancy (August 27, 1982). "25 years at WTLV: No. 2 station has reputation as scrambler". Jacksonville Journal. pp. 1D, 4D.
  3. ^ Patton, Charlie (July 11, 1996). "PLEASE STAY TUNED: For Jacksonville's three news stations, the battle to attract viewers never ends". The Florida Times-Union. p. D-1.
  4. McAlister, Nancy (December 23, 1993). "Changing times, changing audience cited as reasons for Webb's departure". The Florida Times-Union. pp. D-1, D-6.
  5. McAlister, Nancy (April 26, 1994). "New TV-4 chief launched Oprah: Wasserman joins Houston station". The Florida Times-Union. pp. C-1, C-3.
  6. Patton, Charlie (February 9, 1997). "ABC programs to air on new station tonight". The Florida Times-Union. p. A-1.
  7. Patton, Charlie (December 15, 1997). "News team launching shows today". The Florida Times-Union. p. A-1.
  8. ^ Patton, Charlie (November 17, 1999). "Affiliates' news staffs likely to merge". The Florida Times-Union. p. A-1.
  9. ^ Patton, Charlie (December 13, 1999). "Changing the channel: Recent sale another chapter in ABC's tumultuous tenure in Jacksonville". The Florida Times-Union. Morris Communications. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
  10. Patton, Charlie (January 22, 2003). "Reality beating up on respected". The Florida Times-Union. p. B-1.
  11. Basch, Mark (November 17, 1999). "Gannett buying second Jacksonville station: New rules allow to purchase ". The Florida Times-Union. p. A-1.
  12. Ostrow, Nicole (March 17, 2000). "Media merger: TV-12 owner may take over TV-25 operations as soon as today". The Florida Times-Union. p. D-1.
  13. ^ Davis Hudson, Eileen (May 15, 2000). "Jacksonville". Mediaweek. pp. 26–36. ProQuest 213613921 – via ProQuest.
  14. Larson, Megan (May 24, 1999). "Counterprogrammed news equals ratings". Mediaweek. p. 20. ProQuest 213626304 – via ProQuest.
  15. Larson, Megan (December 13, 1999). "WTLV shares news". Mediaweek. p. 24. ProQuest 213644529.
  16. "Nielsen ratings show WTLV gain". The Jacksonville Business Journal. Advance Publications. June 19, 1998. Archived from the original on July 6, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2007.
  17. Basch, Mark (December 24, 2003). "Verdict's still out on WJXT's move". The Florida Times-Union. Morris Communications. Archived from the original on March 1, 2007. Retrieved October 5, 2007.
  18. McManus, Sean (June 9, 2003). "TV news in transition". The Jacksonville Business Journal. Advance Publications. Archived from the original on May 26, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2007.
  19. Guinta, Peter (July 14, 2002). "The big switch". The St. Augustine Record. In 2001, WJXT reported revenues of $29.75 million. Its nearest competitor, WTLV-12, reported $22 million and WJXX-25 $12.5 million.
  20. Dixon, Drew (March 28, 2015). "Major shakeups in Jacksonville TV news redefining financial landscape of broadcasters". The Florida Times-Union. Archived from the original on September 6, 2022. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  21. Dixon, Drew (March 29, 2015). "Team full of familiar faces lacked direction: GM's new news director tasked with changing tone of news reports". The Florida Times-Union. p. A-8.
  22. Malone, Michael (August 9, 2023). "Local News Close-Up: Jacksonville Is Hot, and We're Not Talking Weather". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  23. "Meet CNN's New Black Anchor". The Root. July 26, 2012. Archived from the original on January 18, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  24. "Fates & Fortunes" (PDF). Broadcasting. March 18, 1985. p. 109. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2022 – via World Radio History.
  25. Scanlan, Dan (June 27, 2012). "TV anchor Deegan to leave job in August: She will take on larger role in breast cancer research, wellness". The Florida Times-Union. p. A-1.
  26. Soergel, Matt (July 17, 2015). "Former mascot for Jaguars taking his act to television: Dvorak promises more antics with First Coast News, sans fur". The Florida Times-Union. p. B-1.
  27. Sharkey, Mike. "Gionet heading back to Denver". Jacksonville Daily Record. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
  28. Elliott, Jeff (May 30, 2013). "Longtime anchor Hicken to join TV-47". The Florida Times-Union. p. C-1.
  29. Bull, Roger (April 18, 2006). "New anchor debuts on First Coast News". The Florida Times-Union. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
  30. Daraskevich, Joe (May 14, 2016). "Ogden leaving First Coast News: Weeknight anchor since 2006 to begin work at Denver station in June". The Florida Times-Union. p. B-4.

External links

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