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{{Short description|TV station in Philadelphia}}
{{hatnote|For other stations that are also called Fox 29, see ]}}
{{Other uses|Fox 29 (disambiguation){{!}}Fox 29}}
{{Infobox Broadcast |
{{Distinguish|WFXT|WFTX-TV|WXFT-DT}}
call_letters = WTXF-TV|
{{Good article}}
city = |
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
station_logo = ]|
{{Infobox television station
station_slogan = ''The Power to Lead''<br><small>(primary news)</small><br>''The Newscast You Deserve'' <small>(secondary news)</small><br>''So Fox 29'' <small>(general)</small>|
| callsign = WTXF-TV
station_branding = Fox 29 <small>(general)</small><br>Fox 29 News <small>(newscasts)</small>|
| logo = Fts-philadelphia-a.svg
digital = 42 (])<br>]: 29 (])|
| logo_alt = The Fox network logo next to a black numeral 29 in a sans serif typeface. On a line below, the word "Philadelphia" in another sans serif, width-justified.
other_chs = |
| logo_upright = 1
subchannels = 29.1 ]|
| branding = Fox 29
network = |
| digital = 31 (])
founded = |
| virtual = 29
airdate = ]|
location = ]| | repeater = 25 (UHF) ]
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''29.1:''' ]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}}
callsign_meaning = '''T'''V'''X''' and '''T'''a'''F'''t - former owners, partially through former callsign WTAF-TV|
| owner = ]
former_callsigns = WIBF-TV (1965–1969)<br> WTAF-TV (1969–1988)|
| location = ], Pennsylvania
former_channel_numbers = Analog:<br>29 (UHF, 1965–2009)|
| country = United States
owner = ]|
| airdate = {{start date and age|1965|5|16|p=y|br=yes}}
licensee = Fox Television Stations of Philadelphia, Inc.|
| callsign_meaning = <!--No source outright says TVX-->
sister_stations = |
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WIBF-TV (1965–1969)|WTAF-TV (1969–1988)}}
former_affiliations = ] (1965–1986)|
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 29 (UHF, 1965–2009)|'''Digital:''' 42 (UHF, 1998–2019)}}
effective_radiated_power = 1,000 ]|
| former_affiliations = ] (1965–1986)
HAAT = 282.3 m|
| erp = 1,000 ]
class = |
| haat = {{convert|336|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
facility_id = 51568|
| facility_id = 51568
coordinates = {{coord|40|2|26|N|75|14|19|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}|
| coordinates = {{coord|40|2|26|N|75|14|18|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}
homepage = |}}
| licensing_authority = ]
| website = {{URL|www.fox29.com/}}
}}


'''WTXF-TV''', ] 29 (digital channel 42), is an ] station of the ]-owned ], based in ]. The station has its studios located in Center City, Philadelphia and its transmitter is located in the ] section of the city. The station's signal covers the ] area (Pennsylvania, ] and ]). '''WTXF-TV''' (channel 29) is a ] in ], Pennsylvania, United States. ] by the ] network through its ] division, the station maintains studios on ] in ] and a primary transmitter on the ] ], with a secondary transmitter on ] in ].


Channel 29 is the longest continuously operated Philadelphia ] station, since May 16, 1965, as WIBF-TV from studios in the suburb of ]. WIBF-TV was owned by the Fox family alongside ] 103.9. It was the first of three new commercial UHF outlets that year, broadcasting as an ] focusing on community and sports programming. ] purchased channel 29 in 1969 and renamed it WTAF-TV. Under Taft, the station slowly emerged as the leading independent station in the Philadelphia market with popular sports coverage, movies, and syndicated programs. The station was the broadcast outlet for the ] hockey team between 1971 and 1985 and for the ] baseball team from 1983 to 1992. The latter deal came after Taft Broadcasting purchased 47 percent of the team. In early 1986, WTAF-TV began producing a 10 p.m. local newscast. Later that year, it became affiliated with the new Fox television network.
Philadelphia is the largest television market where ] was not awarded to a Fox owned-and-operated station, as the affiliation is with ] (channel 17). As a result, WTXF does not have a secondary affiliation with the network. Along these lines, WTXF is the largest Fox affiliate/station not part of any duopoly.

Ownership of channel 29 shifted to ] in 1987 as part of its purchase of Taft's five large-market independent stations; the call sign was changed to WTXF-TV the next year. The deal left TVX highly leveraged and ultimately led to the station's sale in two parts between 1989 and 1991 to ]. Paramount nearly lost the station's Fox affiliation when Fox tried to buy another Philadelphia station in 1993. That purchase fell through, and Fox ultimately purchased WTXF-TV itself in a deal approved in 1995. Fox expanded the news department, first with a morning show—''Good Day Philadelphia''—and later with additional early evening and other newscasts.


==History== ==History==
In November 1952, the first construction permit for channel 29 in Philadelphia was received by ], then owned by ] department store, as part of a wave of ] (UHF) station applications and assignments following a four-year-long freeze on permit awards.<ref name="Phil521127">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026520/uhf-permit-granted-tv-station-here/|date=November 27, 1952|page=32|title=UHF Permit Granted TV Station Here|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000152/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026520/uhf-permit-granted-tv-station-here/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref>{{cite news|last=Christopher|first=Larry|title=Eight new grants; Philadelphia, other TV cities get CPs.|id={{ProQuest|1401200522}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/52-OCR/BC-1952-12-01-OCR-Page-0057.pdf|work=Broadcasting|page=57|date=December 1, 1952|access-date=December 23, 2018|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921075950/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/52-OCR/BC-1952-12-01-OCR-Page-0057.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> WIP returned the permit in May 1954, finding that building and operating the proposed station would be economically infeasible.<ref name="Phil540526">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026592/wip-turns-back-permit-for-uhf/|date=May 26, 1954|page=33|title=WIP Turns Back Permit for UHF|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000146/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026592/wip-turns-back-permit-for-uhf/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|1285716775}} |title=WIP returns ch. 29 CP to FCC, cites economics |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/54-OCR/1954-05-31-BC-OCR-Page-0088.pdf |work=Broadcasting |page=88 |date=May 31, 1954 |access-date=December 23, 2018 |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921085253/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/54-OCR/1954-05-31-BC-OCR-Page-0088.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
The station signed on the air on May 16, 1965 as ] '''WIBF-TV,''' owned by brothers '''W'''illiam, '''I'''rwin, and '''B'''enjamin '''F'''ox. The Fox brothers had already been operating WIBF-FM (103.9&nbsp;MHz., now ]) for several years. Channel 29's original studio was located in the Fox family's Benson East apartment building on Old York Road in the suburb of ], north of ]. WIBF-TV was the first commercial UHF station in Philadelphia, and the first of three UHF independents in the Philadelphia market to sign-on during 1965, with ] (channel 17) and ] (channel 48) both arriving in September.


===WIBF-TV: Early years===
WIBF-TV struggled at first, in part because it signed on only a year after the ] (FCC) required television manufacturers to include UHF tuning capability. In 1969, the Fox family sold the station to ]-based ].<ref>"$20 million in TV sales approved." '']'', May 12, 1969, pg. 48. </ref> Taft already owned ] (channel 16) in ], a station whose signal overlapped with channel 29 in the ] north of Philadelphia. Taft sought a waiver to keep both stations, since the FCC at that time normally did not allow common ownership of two stations with overlapping coverage areas, even if they were in different markets. The FCC granted the waiver , but later tightened its adjacent-market ownership rules and forced Taft to sell WNEP in late 1973 as a condition of keeping Channel 29.
In August 1962, William Fox, whose family owned ] (103.9) in ] as well as real estate interests there,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fybush.com/site-031009.html |title=Roxborough Tower Farm, Philadelphia PA (part II): Fox Tower |last=Fybush |first=Scott |date=October 9, 2013 |website=Fybush.com |access-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-date=December 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203055549/https://www.fybush.com/site-031009.html |url-status=live }}</ref> received a construction permit from the ] (FCC) to build a new television station on channel 29. The new station would focus on local and regional programming, including news, local sports, and educational shows; it was the second commercial UHF station approved for the Philadelphia area after channel 17 (originally WPCA-TV).<ref name="Phil620816">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026628/tv-roundup-wibf-in-jenkintown-given/|date=August 16, 1962|page=17|title=TV Roundup: WIBF in Jenkintown Given UHF Channel; Emphasis to Be Local|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000152/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026628/tv-roundup-wibf-in-jenkintown-given/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Phil620817">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026674/wibf-logs-extensive-sports-community/|date=August 17, 1962|page=20|title=WIBF Logs Extensive Sports, Community, Educational Programs|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407052947/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026674/wibf-logs-extensive-sports-community/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The construction permit initially specified Jenkintown as the ], but this was changed to Philadelphia in 1963.<ref name="hc">{{Cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/060c97a9-ebbb-c685-bd1d-260b68b66195|title=FCC History Cards for WTXF-TV|publisher=]}}</ref>


In 1965, plans for channel 29 became more definite as the station announced several launch dates: first April 15,<ref name="Phil650203">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026740/two-more-stations-planning-to-operate/|date=February 3, 1965|page=19|title=Two More Stations Planning to Operate On UHF by Autumn|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407055559/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026740/two-more-stations-planning-to-operate/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> then May 1,<ref name="Phil650415">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055546/tv-roundup-philas-newest-station-to/|date=April 15, 1965|page=14|title=TV Roundup: Phila.'s Newest Station to Start May 1|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000153/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055546/tv-roundup-philas-newest-station-to/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> though the station did not start broadcasting until May 16.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1966-TV-Factbook/Television-Factbook-36-1966-OK-VI.pdf#page=42|title=WIBF-TV|work=Television Factbook|date=1966|page=551-b|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407052938/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1966-TV-Factbook/Television-Factbook-36-1966-OK-VI.pdf#page=42|url-status=live}}</ref> It had contracted to air feature films and several British children's shows.<ref name="Phil650210">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026780/live-coverage-of-gemini-flight-to-be/|date=February 10, 1965|page=34|title=Live Coverage Of Gemini Flight To Be 'Pooled'|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407052945/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026780/live-coverage-of-gemini-flight-to-be/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Local programs included the teen show ''Discotheque'',<ref name="Phil650430">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026813/new-uhf-stations-set-target-date/|date=April 30, 1965|page=24|first=Harry|last=Harris|title=New UHF Stations Set Target Date|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407055603/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026813/new-uhf-stations-set-target-date/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> as well as local talk and conversation with former WCAU host Taylor Grant on the station's late newscast.<ref name="Phil650521">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026880/taylor-grant-to-stress-lively-issues-on/|date=May 21, 1965|page=29|title=Taylor Grant to Stress Lively Issues on New Channel 29|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407052942/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122026880/taylor-grant-to-stress-lively-issues-on/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Channel 29 also broadcast network shows that the city's ] affiliate, ], opted not to air. Its attempts to pick up a similarly unaired ] show were rejected because the station could not broadcast it in color.<ref name="Phil650615">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055613/tv-roundup-channel-29-airs-4-abc-shows/|date=June 15, 1965|page=15|title=TV Roundup: Channel 29 Airs 4 ABC Shows WFIL Shunned|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407052948/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055613/tv-roundup-channel-29-airs-4-abc-shows/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref name="Phil650701">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055693/tv-roundup-ill-bet-to-switch-to/|date=July 1, 1965|page=30|title=TV Roundup: 'I'll Bet' to Switch to WFIL-TV|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000149/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055693/tv-roundup-ill-bet-to-switch-to/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->
]
Taft assumed control of channel 29 in mid-1969 and changed the calls to '''WTAF-TV''' (for '''TAF'''t). Under Taft's ownership, WTAF soon established itself as a local powerhouse, and ran programs from Taft's archive, such as ] cartoons, which from 1979 onward were distributed by ] (which Taft had purchased), and later on the ] library. By the start of the 1980s, WTAF had passed WKBS as Philadelphia's leading independent station. From the mid-1970s through the mid-1980s, it was also picked up on several cable systems on the New Jersey side of the ] market, as far north as ].


The number of operating commercial UHF stations in the Philadelphia area would go from zero to three in 1965. After WIBF-TV, ] debuted ] (channel 48) on September 1,<ref name="Phil650901">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80515818/2d-uhf-commercial-station-to-bow/|date=September 1, 1965|page=28|title=2d UHF Commercial Station to Bow|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407055557/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80515818/2d-uhf-commercial-station-to-bow/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> and channel 17 returned to the air after three years as ] on September 17.<ref name="Phil650912">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122428097/more-local-stations-mean-more-shows/|date=September 12, 1965|page=Magazine 18|title=More Local Stations Mean More Shows|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407052940/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122428097/more-local-stations-mean-more-shows/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> To increase its coverage area, in 1966, WIBF-TV built a new transmitting tower in the Roxborough area, its transmitter having previously been located at the Fox family's Benson East apartments along with the studio.{{r|hc}}<ref name="Phil660909">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055731/channel-29-tower/|date=September 9, 1966|page=31|title=Channel 29 Tower|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000149/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055731/channel-29-tower/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> In 1967, WIBF-TV debuted ''Market'', a six-hour stock market review program.<ref name="Phil670927">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122428567/fortune-is-fickle-lou-monte-learns/|date=September 27, 1967|page=17|first=Jerry|last=Gaghan|title=Fortune Is Fickle, Lou Monte Learns|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407055554/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122428567/fortune-is-fickle-lou-monte-learns/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
When WKBS left the air in the late summer of 1983, the station placed advertisements in '']'' and local papers reminding Philadelphia viewers that channel 29 was still around and that channel 48's former audience was welcome to sample channel 29. But interestingly, the station passed on picking up any of channel 48's shows, most of which went to WPHL-TV.


===WTAF-TV: The Taft years===
WTAF-TV also became a strong sports station. At various times, it owned the broadcast rights to ]'s ] (Taft also owned a small portion of the team for much of the 1980s), the ]'s ], and the ]'s ]. In the 1980s, the station also aired network shows that ]'s then-affiliate ] and ] station ] preempted in favor of local programming. In the fall of 1986, WTAF-TV became a charter affiliate of the fledgling Fox network.
By late 1968, the Foxes disclosed that their broadcasting operations were operating with a deficit of more than $2&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|2000000|1968}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}} dollars).<ref>{{cite magazine |title=WIBF-FM-TV deficit is over $2 million |id={{ProQuest|1014511476}} |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1968/1968-12-02-BC.pdf#page=43 |magazine=Broadcasting |pages=43–44 |date=December 2, 1968 |access-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308023629/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1968/1968-12-02-BC.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> This would prove to be a major factor in the decision to sell WIBF-TV to ]-based ], a transaction which closed in May 1969 for $4.5&nbsp;million, including assumption of debt (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|4500000|1968}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}} dollars), at the time the most spent for a UHF facility;<ref name="Phil681022">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055754/tv-roundup-taft-broadcasting-co-pays/|date=October 22, 1968|page=10|title=TV Roundup: Taft Broadcasting Co. Pays $4.5 Million for Phila.'s Channel 29|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407052938/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055754/tv-roundup-taft-broadcasting-co-pays/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Station sales market explodes |id={{ProQuest|1016847233}} |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/68-OCR/1968-10-21-BC-OCR-Page-0048.pdf |magazine=Broadcasting |page=48 |date=October 21, 1968 |access-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921071328/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/68-OCR/1968-10-21-BC-OCR-Page-0048.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |id={{ProQuest|1014518345}} |title=FCC approves group purchases |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-05-26-BC.pdf#page=46 |magazine=Broadcasting |pages=46–48 |date=May 26, 1969 |access-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308034537/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1969/1969-05-26-BC.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> an article in ''Variety'' declared of the purchase price, "For many it symbolizes the 'arrival' of UHF in the television scheme of things."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Taft Bets Big on Philly UHF Via Buy Of WIBF-TV for Record $4,500,000|date=October 23, 1968|pages=35, 40|magazine=]|id={{ProQuest|1505851291}} }}</ref> Taft had room for a second UHF station—in addition to ] (channel 16) in ]—because it had sold ] in ], the year before.<ref name="Cinc681017">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122428436/taft-broadcasting-co-to-buy-phila-stat/|date=October 17, 1968|page=44|title=Taft Broadcasting Co. To Buy Phila. Station|newspaper=The Post & Times-Star|location=Cincinnati, Ohio|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408010301/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122428436/taft-broadcasting-co-to-buy-phila/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> However, Taft needed FCC waivers because the company already owned five stations in top-50 markets and because the signals of the two Pennsylvania stations overlapped.<ref name="Trib690523">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122428702/taft-to-buy-6th-station-channel-29-phi/|date=May 23, 1969|page=12|title=Taft to Buy 6th Station: Channel 29, Phila., Costs $1.4 Million|newspaper=The Scranton Tribune|location=Scranton, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000157/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122428702/taft-to-buy-6th-station-channel-29/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->


On October 20, 1969,{{r|hc}} the call letters changed from WIBF-TV—which had represented members of the Fox family—to WTAF-TV, reflecting the new ownership.<ref name="Phil691024">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055815/tv-roundup-smothers-brothers-will-have/|date=October 24, 1969|page=44|title=TV Roundup: Smothers Brothers Will Have Special|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407055601/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055815/tv-roundup-smothers-brothers-will-have/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The call sign change was part of a wider plan to improve every aspect of the station's operation, from programming to facilities.<ref>{{Cite news|id={{ProQuest|963156287}}|work=Back Stage|page=2|date=July 11, 1969|title=WIBF-TV, Maps Overhaul Of Its New Program Structure}}</ref> One early priority was to leave Jenkintown—where the sign on the building still read WIBF<ref name="Phil720309">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122449274/we-have-our-own-howard-hughes/|date=March 9, 1972|page=39|first=Charles|last=Petzold|title=We Have Our Own Howard-Hughes|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000155/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122449274/we-have-our-own-howard-hughes/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->—for more centrally located and accessible studios. While Taft's idea of moving into ] was made infeasible by the financial problems of owner ],<ref name="Phil710228">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122449086/29-has-eye-on-move-from-suburbs-to-city/|date=February 28, 1971|page=TV Week 23|first=Marvin|last=May|title=29 Has Eye on Move From Suburbs to City|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000225/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122449086/29-has-eye-on-move-from-suburbs-to-city/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> the station relocated to its present facilities at 4th and Market streets in December 1972.<ref name="Phil721206">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122449371/tv-roundup-ch-3-dropping-mclean-marci/|date=December 6, 1972|page=24|first=Harry|last=Harris|title=TV Roundup: Ch. 3 Dropping McLean; Marciarose May Step In|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000207/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122449371/tv-roundup-ch-3-dropping-mclean/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
As part of a group deal, all of Taft's independent and Fox-affiliated stations, including WTAF, were sold to the ]-based ] in February 1987. In 1988, the new owners changed the station's call letters to the current '''WTXF-TV'''. The Taft purchase created a large debt load for TVX, and as a result the company sold a number of its smaller stations. ] purchased a minority stake in TVX in 1989. A year later, after calling itself ''TV-29'' for many years, the station changed its on-air branding to ''Fox 29''. In 1991, Paramount acquired the remainder of TVX which it did not own, and the company's name was changed to ''']''', with WTXF as its largest-market station.


]
] gained control of the stations as part of its purchase of Paramount Pictures in March 1994. That summer, Viacom announced plans to create a new network service, the ], which it co-owned with ]. The initial affiliation plans called for WTXF dropping Fox and becoming the Philadelphia outlet for the new network, which launched in January 1995. Signs of the planned switch began showing up at the start of the 1994-95 season, when WTXF began calling itself simply "29". Though Fox received no official notification from Viacom that the affiliation would be canceled, the unofficial signs were enough for Fox to agree in principle to buy WGBS-TV (channel 57, now ]) and move its programming there.
Taft also expanded channel 29's local sports coverage. In 1971, channel 29 began telecasting road games of the ] of the ].<ref>{{Cite news|page=44|date=October 16, 1972|title=Pro hockey pits noncommercial V v. commercial U |id={{ProQuest|1016905395}}|work=Broadcasting|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1972/1972-10-16-BC.pdf|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131025435/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1972/1972-10-16-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The station also telecast the ] of the ],<ref name="Sent720817">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122449964/groat-gets-76ers-post/|date=August 17, 1972|page=14|title=Groat Gets 76ers Post|newspaper=The Evening Sentinel|location=Carlisle, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000210/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122449964/groat-gets-76ers-post/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> ] of ],<ref>{{cite news|page=271|title=Hockey Delays Bow Of Philly TVolley|work=Variety|date=May 8, 1974|id={{ProQuest|963255616}} }}</ref> ] lacrosse,<ref name="BC740610">{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1974/1974-06-10-BC.pdf|id={{ProQuest|1014663619}}|title=UHF: out of the traffic and heading for the open road|pages=35–45|first=Rufus|last=Crater|work=Broadcasting|date=June 10, 1974|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=June 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616213314/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1974/1974-06-10-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and road games of the ] of the short-lived ] in 1975 (the Bell had played on WPHL-TV in 1974).<ref name="Phil740503">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122448082/bell-to-stay-play-at-jfk/|date=May 3, 1974|pages=1-D, |first=Gordon|last=Forbes|title=Bell to Stay, Play at JFK|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref name="Phil750715">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122447934/davis-lives-with-ghosts-of-the-past/|date=July 15, 1975|pages=1-C, |first=Bill|last=Livingston|title=Davis Lives With Ghosts of the Past|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000235/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122447934/davis-lives-with-ghosts-of-the-past/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> On August 29, 1975, the Bell were playing a televised contest against the ] in Anaheim. The game began late at night because of the time difference, and WTAF-TV viewers never got to see the end of the 58-39 Sun victory, as the station signed off before the game was completed.<ref name="Phil750830">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122449500/bell-cracks-under-sun-strokes/|date=August 30, 1975|page=30|first=Michael|last=Sisak|title=Bell Cracks Under Sun Strokes|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000157/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122449500/bell-cracks-under-sun-strokes/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1975/12/01/the-day-the-money-ran-out|title=The Day the Money Ran Out|magazine=]|date=December 1, 1975|access-date=July 25, 2022|archive-date=July 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725221445/https://vault.si.com/vault/1975/12/01/the-day-the-money-ran-out|url-status=dead}}</ref>


WTAF-TV continued to lose money in its first years under Taft, but it slowly improved its ratings and financial position over the decade.{{r|BC740610|Var790523}} In the second half of the 1970s, WTAF-TV emerged as Philadelphia's highest-rated independent station after having previously trailed WPHL and WKBS. Flyers coverage and the strength of the station's nightly movies were cited as particular bright spots in the program lineup.<ref name="Phil760706">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055889/ch-29-finds-the-winning-formula/|date=July 6, 1976|page=5-D|first=Harry|last=Harris|title=Ch. 29 finds the winning formula|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407052943/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055889/ch-29-finds-the-winning-formula/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> It was profitable in each year between 1975 and 1978.<ref name="Var790523">{{Cite news|pages=54, 76|title=Anneke Out As WTAF-TV G.M. In Tiff With Taft|work=Variety|date=May 23, 1979|id={{ProQuest|1401350082}} }}</ref>
<!-- Deleted image removed: ] -->
The planned move coincided with the biggest affiliation shuffle in Philadelphia television history. In the spring of 1994, ] and ], owners of KYW-TV, had entered into a long-term affiliation agreement, which resulted in KYW-TV dropping NBC in favor of CBS. CBS would then sell its longtime owned-and-operated station, ]. Several months earlier, Fox entered into a multi-station, multi-year partnership with ]. New World and NBC emerged as the leading bidders for WCAU, with New World intending to switch WCAU to Fox if it emerged victorious. Fox later canceled its preliminary deal to purchase WGBS and joined the bidding for WCAU, which was eventually sold to NBC. During this time, Viacom/Paramount changed its Philadelphia plans and decided to sell WTXF to Fox. Almost simultaneously, Viacom bought WGBS and made it the market's UPN station. Both transactions involving Viacom and Fox closed on the same day—August 25, 1995. Soon after Fox restored branding the station with the network under the name ''Fox Philadelphia'', with the actual channel 29 number identified sparingly.


===Taft and the Phillies===
As a Fox owned-and-operated station, WTXF immediately added more first run talk and reality shows to the schedule. Throughout the mid-to-late 1990s, WTXF was available nationally on satellite as the east coast Fox feed, most notably on ].
In 1981, Taft Broadcasting acquired a 47-percent stake in the ] baseball team as part of a group headed by team executive ]. The Phillies had been broadcast on WPHL-TV since 1971; that station's owner, the ], had increased its rights fees for 1979 just so the team could sign free agent ].<ref name="Phil811028">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055967/giles-broadcasting-firm-near-purchase/|date=October 28, 1981|page=1-A, |first=Jayson|last=Stark|author-link=Jayson Stark|title=Giles, broadcasting firm near purchase of Phillies|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000212/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122055967/giles-broadcasting-firm-near-purchase/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Immediately, it was announced that Phillies games would move to channel 29 beginning in 1984, after the existing WPHL-TV contract ended, as part of a new nine-year, $30&nbsp;million deal (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|30000000|1981}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}} dollars);<ref name="Phil811030">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056012/phils-sold-on-changing-channels/|date=October 30, 1981|page=90|first=Rich|last=Hofmann|title=Phils Sold on Changing Channels|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000213/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056012/phils-sold-on-changing-channels/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> this was brought forward a year to 1983 after Taft negotiated a buyout of channel 17's final year on the contract.<ref name="Phil820616">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056072/channel-29-will-televise-phillies-games/|date=June 16, 1982|page=10-D|first=Bill|last=Collins|title=Channel 29 will televise Phillies games beginning next season|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000212/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056072/channel-29-will-televise-phillies-games/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> For Taft, buying a large share of the Phillies and their television rights was as much about programming WTAF-TV as it was a business move: Taft executives pointed out that baseball would provide more hours of content than the entire run of '']'', a popular and long-running series which channel 29 aired in syndication.<ref name="Phil820219">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122450447/investment-in-phillies-looks-like-a-hit/|date=February 19, 1982|page=7-D|first=Craig|last=Stock|title=Investment in Phillies looks like a hit, Taft says|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000153/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122450447/investment-in-phillies-looks-like-a/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->


The Philadelphia independent market contracted in 1983 when WKBS-TV went off the air, a victim of corporate infighting amid the dissolution of ]. However, most of channel 48's former program inventory was purchased by WPHL-TV.<ref name="Phil830722">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122450963/feuding-fields-killed-channel-48/|date=July 22, 1983|page=71|first=Stuart D.|last=Bykofsky|author-link=Stu Bykofsky|title=Feuding Fields Killed Channel 48|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000157/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122450963/feuding-fields-killed-channel-48/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref name="Phil830724">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67763599/why-channel-48-could-not-attract-a-buyer/|date=July 24, 1983|pages=1-A, |first=Andrea|last=Knox|title=Why Channel 48 could not attract a buyer|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000213/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67763599/why-channel-48-could-not-attract-a-buyer/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --><ref name="BC830725">{{Cite news|title=Field to dismantle its Philadelphia station, WKBS-TV|work=Broadcasting|page=89|id={{ProQuest|1014711217}}|date=July 25, 1983}}</ref> Two years later, a third independent was added back to the Philadelphia lineup with the sale of WWSG-TV (channel 57) to ] and its relaunch as ]. The Flyers moved to channel 57 after 15 seasons on channel 29, citing in part the emphasis the station had placed on promoting and broadcasting the Phillies.<ref name="Phil850816">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119211694/tv-weekend-flyers-split-with-channel/|date=August 16, 1985|page=119|first=Kevin|last=Mulligan|title=TV Weekend: Flyers Split with Channel 29, Prepare to Join 57|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032207/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119211694/tv-weekend-flyers-split-with-channel/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
WTXF also aired the ] children's programming block from its inception in 1990 until 2002. At that point, it was replaced with the ] block, which later became 4Kids TV. WTXF ran 4Kids TV until 2008, when 4Kids programming moved to ].


===Fox, TVX, and WTXF===
In 2003 WTXF rebranded back to ''Fox 29'' for the first time since 1994 to avert confusion with ] and create a consistent branding of ''Fox (channel number)'' across all of Fox's O&O stations (besides ], which has continued to identify as ''Fox Chicago'' since the early 1990s). WTXF also underwent a major overhaul of its building and studios in Old City Philadelphia, with a making its debut on June 6, 2005. The "Window of the World" studio was originally intended for ''Good Day Philadelphia.'' On October 1, 2006 the station became the second station in Philadelphia to broadcast its local news programs in high definition.
On October 9, 1986, WTAF-TV became a charter affiliate of the fledgling Fox television network, which initially only offered late-night and weekend prime time programming.<ref>{{Cite news|pages=44–45|title=Fox network begins to take shape|work=Broadcasting|date=August 4, 1986|id={{ProQuest|963254490}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-08-04.pdf|access-date=March 11, 2023|archive-date=January 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127014659/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-08-04.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> It had beaten out WPHL-TV for the affiliation.<ref name="News860630">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122451103/phila-stations-for-sale/|date=June 30, 1986|page=D2|first=Bill|last=Hayden|title=Phila. stations for sale|newspaper=The News Journal|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408010208/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122451103/phila-stations-for-sale/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->


The arrival of Fox to channel 29—announced in early August—was overshadowed later that month when Taft announced it was likely to put its five independent stations up for sale to pay down the large debt its 1985 purchase of Gulf Broadcast Group had generated, fend off activist investors such as ], and concentrate on its portfolio of network affiliates. An appraisal estimated that WTAF-TV alone could sell for $175&nbsp;million and the five stations together for $690&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|175000000|1986}}}} and ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|690000000|1986}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}} dollars).<ref name="Phil860826">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056242/channel-29-sale-studied-by-owner/|date=August 26, 1986|page=1-A, |first=Neill|last=Borowski|title=Channel 29 sale studied by owner|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000240/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056242/channel-29-sale-studied-by-owner/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
== Digital programming ==


The stations fetched far less than that when ] of ], paid $240&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|240000000|1986}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}} dollars) for the package. Taft lost between $45 and $50&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |title=Taft's TV's go to TVX for $240 million |id={{ProQuest|1016914750}} |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/86-OCR/BC-1986-11-24-OCR-Page-0041.pdf |periodical=Broadcasting |page=41 |date=November 24, 1986 |access-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301011854/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/86-OCR/BC-1986-11-24-OCR-Page-0041.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1016919127}} |title=McDonald paints a bright picture for TVX |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/87-OCR/BC-1987-05-11-OCR-Page-0037.pdf |periodical=Broadcasting |page=37 |date=May 11, 1987 |access-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301005211/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/87-OCR/BC-1987-05-11-OCR-Page-0037.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Fort861117">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106285185/taft-broadcasting-sells-channel-21/|date=November 17, 1986|page=A17|first=Stephen|last=Rassenfoss|title=Taft Broadcasting sells Channel 21|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|location=Fort Worth, Texas|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=July 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726215917/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106285185/taft-broadcasting-sells-channel-21/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> Weeks later, Taft exited its stake in the Phillies by selling the 47.5 percent of the club to its other owners for $24.1&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|24100000|1986}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}} dollars).<ref name="Phil861209">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056320/taft-sells-its-share-of-the-phillies/|date=December 9, 1986|page=71|first=Frederick H.|last=Lowe|title=Taft Sells Its Share of the Phillies|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000154/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056320/taft-sells-its-share-of-the-phillies/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Channel
! ]
! ]
! Programming
|-
| 29.1 || ] || ] || Main WTXF-TV programming / FOX
|-
|}


TVX officially closed on the deal on April 9, 1987.<ref name="Phil870402">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120578408/ch-29-switches-ownership-today/|date=April 2, 1987|page= 52|first=Joseph P.|last=Blake|title=Ch. 29 Switches Ownership Today|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023}}</ref><!-- Thu --><ref name="Miam870410">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121661058/channel-6-four-other-stations-sold/|date=April 10, 1987|page=4C|first=Joan|last=Chrissos|title=Channel 6, four other stations sold|newspaper=The Miami Herald|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000214/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121661058/channel-6-four-other-stations-sold/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> While TVX applied for new WTXF-TV call letters at that time as a condition of the sale because of the close association of WTAF-TV with Taft,{{r|Phil870402}}<ref name="Phil880421">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122452352/primary-attraction-local-stations-get-r/|date=April 21, 1988|page=47|first=Robert|last=Strauss|title=Primary attraction: Local stations get ready for Tuesday|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000216/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122452352/primary-attraction-local-stations-get/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> the call sign did not change until June 1, 1988.<ref name="Phil880531">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122452440/vermeil-on-vermeil-im-not-an-actor/|date=May 31, 1988|page=6-C|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Vermeil on Vermeil: 'I'm not an actor'|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000200/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122452440/vermeil-on-vermeil-im-not-an-actor/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
As part of the ], WTXF-TV shut down its analog transmitter on June 12, 2009,<ref name="Analog to Digital">http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf</ref> and continued to broadcast on its pre-transition digital channel 42.<ref name="FCCForm387"></ref> However, through the use of ], digital television receivers display WTXF-TV's ] as 29.


The Taft stations purchase gave TVX five major-market stations, though most were doing poorly, with the chief exception of channel 29.<ref name="WaPo861124">{{Cite news|date=November 24, 1986|pages=WB1, 31|id={{ProQuest|138822885}}|first=Elizabeth|last=Tucker|title=TVX Bucks a Television Tide: Tim McDonald Buys Independent Stations As Others Race to Sell|newspaper=]}}</ref> It left TVX highly leveraged and highly vulnerable. TVX's bankers, ], provided the financing for the acquisition and in return held more than 60 percent of the company.<ref name="DMN870708">{{cite news|title=Broadcaster to focus on trimming costs: Channel 21's new owner 'doing deals'|page=1D|first=Michael|last=Weiss|date=July 8, 1987|work=]}}</ref> The company was to pay Salomon Brothers $200&nbsp;million on January 1, 1988, and missed the first payment deadline, having been unable to lure investors to its ]s even before the ] stock market crash.<ref name="DMN880124">{{cite news|title=Channel 21's latest signals show trouble, possible sale|date=January 24, 1988|work=]|first=Michael|last=Weiss|page=2H}}</ref> While TVX recapitalized by the end of 1988,<ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1016925809}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-12-12.pdf|page=65|date=December 12, 1988|work=Broadcasting|title=Fifth Estate Earnings Reports|access-date=July 26, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151220/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1988/BC-1988-12-12.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Salomon Brothers reached an agreement in principle in January 1989 for ] to acquire options to purchase the investment firm's majority stake.<ref>{{Cite news|id={{ProQuest|1016923501}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-01-23.pdf|pages=70–71|work=Broadcasting|date=January 23, 1989|title=Paramount takes step toward buy of TVX stations|access-date=July 26, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151314/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-01-23.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> This deal was replaced in September with an outright purchase of 79 percent of TVX for $110&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|110000000|1989}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}} dollars).<ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|1285739505}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-09-18.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=September 18, 1989|page=89|title=Paramount buys TVX|access-date=July 26, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108154344/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1989/BC-1989-09-18.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1991, Paramount acquired the remainder of TVX, forming the ].<ref>{{Cite news|pages=57, 61|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1991/BC-1991-03-04.pdf|id={{ProQuest|1014747206}}|title=Paramount acquires TVX Group|work=Broadcasting|date=March 4, 1991|access-date=July 26, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108160308/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1991/BC-1991-03-04.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
WTXF-TV also has plans for a ] feed of subchannel 29.1.<ref>http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=atscmph</ref><ref>http://www.mdtvsignalmap.com/</ref>


The increasing priority and quantity of Fox network programming, as well as pressure from the network as it prepared to expand to seven-night-a-week service,<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 23, 1993|title=Fox buys Philly station, yanks affiliation, sends Paramount into a competitive rage|id={{Gale|A14256344}}|work=Mediaweek}}</ref> led to the end of the station's association with the Phillies. In 1991, the station proposed a joint deal with ] (channel 3) to air the team's broadcast games beginning in 1993.<ref name="Phil910207">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119406452/phils-fans-could-be-seeing-double-in-93/|date=February 7, 1991|page=11-C|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Phils fans could be seeing double in '93|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408010223/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119406452/phils-fans-could-be-seeing-double-in-93/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> However, the Phillies opted to return to WPHL-TV, which had the ability to broadcast more games than WTXF-TV.<ref name="Cour920107">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122452942/phillies-games-back-on-ch-17-for-1993-s/|date=January 7, 1992|page=2C|title=Phillies games back on Ch. 17 for 1993 season|newspaper=Courier-Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000751/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122452942/phillies-games-back-on-ch-17-for-1993/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
==News operation==


===Becoming a Fox-owned outlet===
] (D-]) appears on Good Day Philadelphia on Feb. 2, 2009.]]
{{further|1994–1996 United States broadcast television realignment}}
Combined Broadcasting, owner of WGBS-TV, put its three stations on the market in 1993. Six months later, Combined announced it had a buyer for WGBS-TV: ], which would purchase channel 57 for $70&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|70000000|1993}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}} dollars) and make it the new Fox station for Philadelphia, replacing WTXF-TV.<ref name=v-wgbsfox>{{cite news|last1=Benson|first1=Jim|title=Fox dumps Par affil for indie|url=https://variety.com/1993/film/news/fox-dumps-par-affil-for-indie-109768/|access-date=September 26, 2014|work=]|date=August 19, 1993|archive-date=December 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226000956/http://variety.com/1993/film/news/fox-dumps-par-affil-for-indie-109768/|url-status=live}}</ref> Paramount strongly criticized Fox's plans to pull its affiliation. It warned, "All affiliates of Fox should take note of the level of loyalty and commitment Fox has exhibited. Apparently Fox's loyalty only recognizes the partnership nature of a network affiliate's relationship when it is convenient to Fox's own economic interest."<ref>{{Cite news|title=Hollywood TV war puts static on two Phila. stations |id={{Gale|A14481779}}|date=September 3, 1993|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|first=Andrew W.|last=Lehren|page=5}}</ref>


With a switch that would have taken place in April 1994, at the end of channel 29's Fox affiliation agreement, WGBS-TV was also seen as likely to start a local newsroom, providing the first competition to WTXF's 10 p.m. newscast.<ref name="Phil930820">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119408168/foxs-buying-ch-57-may-mean-news-compet/|date=August 20, 1993|page=F6|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Fox's buying Ch. 57 may mean news competition at 10 o'clock|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032245/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119408168/foxs-buying-ch-57-may-mean-news/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-08-30.pdf|date=August 23, 1993|title=Station up in the air in Philly market|id={{Gale|A14441995}}|page=18|first=Joe|last=Flint|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131024357/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-08-30.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The transaction also fueled existing speculation that Paramount was planning to join with ] to create a new network;<ref name=v-wgbsfox/> when what eventually became the United Paramount Network (]) was announced that October as a ] of the two companies, WTXF was named as its Philadelphia affiliate.<ref name=b&c-wtxfupn>{{cite news|last1=Flint|first1=Joe|title=It's Warner v. Paramount|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-11-01.pdf|access-date=September 26, 2014|work=]|date=November 1, 1993|pages=1, 6|archive-date=January 27, 2016|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20160127135908/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-11-01.pdf|url-status=live|id={{ProQuest|1014759380}}}}</ref>
WTXF broadcasts a total of 42½ hours of local news a week (8½ hours on weekdays, and two hours each on Saturdays and Sundays), currently the most news of any major network affiliate in the Philadelphia market.


While this occurred, Paramount itself became the subject of rival media companies seeking to purchase it. In September, ] agreed in principle to merge with Paramount.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Foisie|first1=Geoffrey|first2=Christopher|last2=Stern|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-09-20.pdf|title=Viacom, Paramount say 'I do'|id={{Gale|A14418035}}|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=September 20, 1993|pages=14–16|access-date=December 3, 2018|archive-date=September 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901041825/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-09-20.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Not long after that, ]-based home shopping giant ] mounted a competing bid, and the two firms entered into an intense bidding war;<ref>{{Cite news|last=Foisie|first=Geoffrey|title=Paramount: Let the bidding begin|id={{ProQuest|1014755053}}|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=October 4, 1993|pages=14–16|access-date=December 3, 2018|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-10-04.pdf|archive-date=December 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206060201/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-10-04.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Foisie|first=Geoffrey|title=Paramount: Let the bidding begin...again|id={{ProQuest|225343021}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/93-OCR/BC-1993-12-13-Page-0007.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|page=7|date=December 20, 1993|access-date=December 3, 2018|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921083025/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/93-OCR/BC-1993-12-13-Page-0007.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=McClellan|first=Steve|title=QVC, Viacom prepare Paramount bids|id={{ProQuest|225342293}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/93-OCR/BC-1993-12-20-Page-0026.pdf|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=December 20, 1993|access-date=December 3, 2018|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921163729/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/93-OCR/BC-1993-12-20-Page-0026.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Viacom ultimately prevailed in the bidding war in February 1994.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Foisie|first=Geoffrey|title=At long last: Viacom Paramount|id={{ProQuest|225331666}}|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=February 21, 1994|pages=7, 10, 14|access-date=December 3, 2018|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-02-21.pdf|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308024952/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-02-21.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
Throughout the early 1980s, WTAF aired the syndicated ], produced by Tribune-owned ] in New York City. This lasted until 29 began its own in-house news department. In the spring of 1986, Taft Broadcasting opened WTAF-TV's news department with a nightly 10:00 p.m. newscast. It was the second attempt at a primetime newscast in the market, after WKBS-TV ran a short-lived program in the late 1970s. Channel 29's effort has been longest-running, and the most successful. On April 1, 1996, shortly after channel 29 became a Fox-owned station, morning children's programming was dropped in favor of a weekday morning newscast, ''Good Day Philadelphia''.


However, Fox's attempts to buy WGBS-TV ran into opposition largely unrelated to the Philadelphia station. The ] chapter of the ] (NAACP) filed a formal objection to Fox's planned purchase due to concerns about foreign ownership in Fox's ownership structure.<ref name=v-naacpvsfox>{{cite news|last1=Wharton|first1=Dennis|title=NAACP decries Fox's TV station ownership|url=https://variety.com/1993/tv/news/naacp-decries-fox-s-tv-station-ownership-116024/|access-date=September 26, 2014|work=]|date=November 22, 2014|archive-date=December 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226001007/http://variety.com/1993/tv/news/naacp-decries-fox-s-tv-station-ownership-116024/|url-status=live}}</ref> As FCC approval did not come before the planned January 30, 1994, completion of the WGBS-TV deal, Combined walked away from the sale a few weeks later after one extension, preserving WTXF's Fox affiliation.<ref name=v-wgbsnofox>{{cite news|last1=Flint|first1=Joe|title=Delay foils Fox bid for WGBS|url=https://variety.com/1994/tv/news/delay-foils-fox-bid-for-wgbs-118772/|access-date=September 26, 2014|work=]|date=March 1, 1994|archive-date=December 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217001428/http://variety.com/1994/tv/news/delay-foils-fox-bid-for-wgbs-118772/|url-status=live}}</ref> Even while the deal was still pending, however, other opportunities drew Fox's attention. In January, when Fox was rebuffed in a bid to purchase ] (Group W)—which included KYW-TV in Philadelphia—''Mediaweek'' reported that another station executive found Fox lacking "its customary vigor" in trying to close the WGBS-TV deal.<ref>{{Cite news|date=January 31, 1994|first=Eric|last=Schmuckler|id={{Gale|A14773734}}|title=Fox said to eye Group W|work=Mediaweek}}</ref>
In areas of central New Jersey where the Philadelphia and ] markets overlap, WTXF shares resources with New York sister stations ] and ]. The stations share reporters for stories occurring in New Jersey.


When Group W instead entered into a partnership with CBS—resulting in an affiliation switch at KYW-TV and the sale of CBS-owned ] (channel 10)—a second such opportunity emerged.<ref>{{cite news|last=Zier|first=Julie A.|title=CBS, Group W form historic alliance|id={{ProQuest|225329759}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/94-OCR/BC-1994-07-18-Page-0014.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|page=14|date=July 18, 1994|access-date=December 4, 2018|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921073745/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/94-OCR/BC-1994-07-18-Page-0014.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Several months earlier, Fox had entered into a multi-station, multi-year partnership with ].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Foisie|first=Geoffrey|title=Fox and the New World order|id={{ProQuest|225327977}}|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=May 30, 1994|pages=6, 8|access-date=December 4, 2018|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-05-30.pdf|archive-date=July 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725013818/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-05-30.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> New World and NBC emerged as the leading bidders for WCAU, with New World intending to switch WCAU to Fox if it emerged victorious; Fox also joined the bidding for WCAU in case New World's bid failed. However, Paramount/Viacom changed its Philadelphia plans. On August 31, 1994, it announced it would sell WTXF-TV for Fox for more than $200&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|200000000|1994}}}} in {{inflation/year|US}} dollars);<ref name="Phil940901">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119410449/the-fox-network-to-buy-channel-29/|date=September 1, 1994|page=A1, |first=Gail|last=Shister|title=The Fox network to buy Channel 29|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222032251/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119410449/the-fox-network-to-buy-channel-29/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> that transaction gave the company the cash to then turn around and buy two of Combined's stations—WGBS-TV and ] in ]—to become UPN stations.<ref name=b&c-saletoviacom>{{cite news|title=In Brief|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-10-17.pdf|access-date=September 26, 2014|id={{ProQuest|1014758666}}|work=]|date=October 17, 1994|page=80|archive-date=August 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817041159/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1994/BC-1994-10-17.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The FCC approved the deal in August 1995, as well as a waiver for Fox to own WTXF-TV and ] in New York City simultaneously.<ref name="Phil950825">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056705/murdoch-gets-ok-to-own-channel-29-fcc/|date=August 25, 1995|page=5|agency=Associated Press|title=Murdoch gets OK to own Channel 29: FCC: It serves 'public interest'|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000718/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056705/murdoch-gets-ok-to-own-channel-29-fcc/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
On January 22, 2007, WTXF-TV overhauled its on-air look, adopting a logo, graphics & music similar to that of the ]. Many other Fox-owned stations have made similar imaging changes. Channel 29 also expanded its facilities to include a new studio for its newscasts, and started to broadcast its local newscast in ]. With the new imaging, WTXF-TV has also expanded its news coverage.


Fox made major changes. For some time prior to the sale, the station had been looking for newer, larger facilities for its 150 employees.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Channel 29 down to three picks for new location|first=David M.|last=Halbfinger|date=August 5, 1994|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|id={{Gale|A15713931}} }}</ref> In September 1994, the station had settled on a site in ], a suburban move seen as a blow to Center City.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Channel 29, 150 jobs, quitting city for 'burbs'|date=September 16, 1994|first=David M.|last=Halbfinger|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|id={{Gale|A16142645}} }}</ref> Fox dropped the "Fox 29" brand, calling the station "Fox Philadelphia",<ref>{{Cite news|first=Eric|last=Hollreiser|title=TV stations are in titanic fight as 'sweeps' period hits town|id={{ProQuest|198161967}}|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|date=November 3, 1995}}</ref> and instead expanded in the Center City building.<ref name="Phil960219">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122455539/lamay-leads-the-charge-of-channel-29s/|date=February 19, 1996|page=C10|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=LaMay leads the charge of Channel 29's 'Good Day, Philadelphia'|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000752/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122455539/lamay-leads-the-charge-of-channel-29s/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> The station renamed itself "Fox 29" again in 2003; ''Philadelphia Daily News'' columnist ] noted that most people had continued to call it by its channel number anyway.<ref name="Phil030428">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122456368/newsome-twosome-its-all-relative-says/|date=April 28, 2003|page=35|first=Stu|last=Bykofsky|author-link=Stu Bykofsky|title=Newsome twosome? It's all relative, says Georges Perrier|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000701/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122456368/newsome-twosome-its-all-relative/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> Fox began a major renovation of the building in 2005, now occupying all four floors including space once utilized by an insurance agency and a bank.<ref name="Phil050613">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122470368/ch-29-to-take-on-the-big-boys-with-a-5/|date=June 13, 2005|page=D6|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Ch. 29 to take on the big boys with a 5 p.m. newscast|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000719/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122470368/ch-29-to-take-on-the-big-boys-with-a-5/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->
On October 9, 2006, WTXF added a half-hour newscast at 11:00 a.m. On January 22, 2007, a new hour-long program at 5:00 p.m. debuted, enabling channel 29 to go head-to-head with two of the three other network-owned stations. On October 6, 2007, WTXF launched hour-long 6 p.m. newscasts on Saturday and Sunday evenings. From September 1, 2008 and running through November 3, 2008, WTXF aired a 2008 election-themed 11 p.m. newscast, called ''The Last Word'', anchored by 5 p.m. anchor . On September 7, 2009,


===2023 license renewal objections===
WTXF added a weekday half-hour 6 p.m. newscast. It is co-anchored by Kerri-Lee Halkett and Thomas Drayton, with John Bolaris forecasting the weather.
In July 2023, at WTXF-TV's routine eight-year license renewal, the Media and Democracy Project filed a petition against the renewal with the FCC, seeking greater scrutiny of the network and Fox Television Stations. Joined by former Fox executive Preston Padden and using evidence brought to light in the '']'' case, the petition sought denial of the license renewal over ]'s alleged misdeeds, citing the station's airing of such national news programs as '']'' and linking them to the ]. In the petition, Padden wrote, "...Fox has undermined our democracy and has radicalized a segment of our population by presenting knowingly false narratives about the legitimacy of the 2020 election. In my opinion, this type of reporting was a significant contributing factor to the riots in the Capitol on January 6, 2021."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=July 6, 2023 |title=Fox Faces FCC License Threat Over False Election Claims & Jan. 6 Attack |language=en-US |work=] |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/donald-trump-fox-fcc-petition-tv-license-false-election-claims-1235431363/ |access-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803182333/https://deadline.com/2023/07/donald-trump-fox-fcc-petition-tv-license-false-election-claims-1235431363/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A second such petition was then filed by ] and former ] president and FCC member ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baragona |first=Justin |date=July 31, 2023 |title=Ex-Fox News Star Bill Kristol Joins Fight to Get FCC to Come Down on Fox |language=en |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/ex-fox-news-pundit-bill-kristol-joins-fight-to-deny-fox-station-broadcast-license |access-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803212046/https://www.thedailybeast.com/ex-fox-news-pundit-bill-kristol-joins-fight-to-deny-fox-station-broadcast-license |url-status=live }}</ref> Later in August, former FCC commissioner ] and ], the architect of the Fox network in the 1980s, also filed informal objections to the renewal: Sikes warned that the FCC had let the requirement to operate in the public interest become "perfunctory" and called for the renewal to be "closely scrutinized in public hearings and courtrooms", while Kellner wrote, "If the character requirement for broadcast licensees is to have any meaning, the FCC must designate the application for a hearing to evaluate the Murdochs'/Fox's character qualifications to operate WTXF on the public airwaves."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Eggerton |first=John |date=August 21, 2023 |title=Former GOP FCC Chair Alfred Sikes Backs Fox License Hearing |language=en |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/former-gop-fcc-chair-alfred-sikes-backs-fox-license-hearing |access-date=August 23, 2023 |archive-date=August 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822155410/https://www.nexttv.com/news/former-gop-fcc-chair-alfred-sikes-backs-fox-license-hearing |url-status=live }}</ref> In an opposition, Fox criticized the relief sought by the petitioners as "a violation of the ]" and emphasized the lack of specific evidence against WTXF-TV itself.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baragona |first=Justin |date=August 3, 2023 |title=Fox Blasts 'Landmark' Effort to Kill Local Station as 'Violation of the First Amendment' |language=en |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/fox-blasts-landmark-bid-to-take-philly-station-off-air-as-violation-of-the-first-amendment |access-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803213801/https://www.thedailybeast.com/fox-blasts-landmark-bid-to-take-philly-station-off-air-as-violation-of-the-first-amendment |url-status=live }}</ref>
On November 13, 2008 ] and NBC Local Media reached news deal in Philadelphia to test a system that will allow Fox-owned stations and NBC-owned stations to pool their news resources ranging from shared video to any aerial video from a helicopter. WTXF and ] were the first affiliates in the nation to undertake the plan as an effective way to deal with the difficulties in costs in news operations.<ref>http://www.philly.com//philly/business/homepage/20081114_Fox__NBC_to_pool_news_video_in_Phila__area.html</ref> ''Good Day Philadelphia'' expanded to five hours on September 7, 2009. The station also announced that former ''Good Day Philadelphia'' co-anchor (and former co-host of '']'') ] would return to the show to anchor from 7 to 10 a.m. starting July 27, 2009. On March 29, 2010, WTXF expanded ''Good Day'' to start at 4:30 a.m. That brings the station's weekdaily news production to 8½ hours a day.


On August 23, the FCC opened a docket for the case and invited further comment.<ref>{{cite news|url-access=subscription|work=Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-23/fcc-invites-comment-on-request-to-deny-fox-tv-license-renewal|date=August 23, 2023|first=Todd|last=Shields|title=FCC Invites Comment on Request to Deny Fox TV License Renewal|access-date=August 23, 2023|archive-date=August 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823232700/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-23/fcc-invites-comment-on-request-to-deny-fox-tv-license-renewal|url-status=live}}</ref> Fox has highlighted letters of support from elected politicians of both parties, including U.S. representatives ] and ] and three members of the ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Eggerton |first=John |date=August 25, 2023 |title=Fox Cites Endorsement Letters in Philadelphia License Defense |language=en |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/fox-cites-endorsement-letters-in-philadelphia-license-defense |access-date=November 4, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Mark |date=October 26, 2023 |title=3 Democratic Philadelphia City Councilmembers Support Renewal Of Fox's WTXF O&O There |language=en |work=TVNewsCheck |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/regulation/article/3-democratic-philadelphia-city-councilmembers-support-renewal-of-foxs-wtxf-oo-there/ |access-date=November 4, 2023}}</ref>
Beginning on September 8, 2010, Anchor Kerri-Lee Halkett went on a personal leave. A WTXF representative said that Halkett would once again return to her job in mid-October. However, on September 23, 2010, it was announced that Halkett had decided to leave the station to move to Connecticut where her husband was living allowing Halkett to accept a job as an anchor for NBC affiliate ] (channel 30) in ]. WTXF replaced Halkett with Lauren Cohn who took over Halkett's co-anchoring jobs with Thomas Drayton at 5, 6 and 10 p.m. on weeknights. Cohn was replaced one year later by freelance reporter Kerry Barrett.


==News operation==
In 2011, WTXF switched its newscasts from the ] picture format to the ] ] format (similar to what has been done recently by ], ] and ]); as a result, both the standard definition and high definition feed feature the newscasts in the 16:9 format. The standard definition channel now has black bars on the top and bottom of the screen while the high definition channel is full-screen.
===''The Ten O'Clock News''===
In late 1985, under Taft Broadcasting, WTAF-TV began to build an in-house news department to prepare a 10 p.m. newscast with a focus on hard news. Roger LaMay was recruited from ] in Los Angeles to run the newsroom, which was set up in a former film library in the basement of the Center City studios,{{r|Phil910216}} and former KYW-TV sports anchor ] was signed as channel 29's first marquee news personality.<ref name="Phil851212">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056145/on-its-way-the-news-at-10/|date=December 12, 1985|page=1-E, , |first=Joe|last=Logan|title=On its way, the news at 10|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000723/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056145/on-its-way-the-news-at-10/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> One reporter was Dan Mechem, son of Taft Broadcasting chairman Charles Mechem.<ref name="Phil860212">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056197/to-boss-son-what-matters-is-if-im-qu/|date=February 12, 1986|page=9-D|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=To boss' son, what matters is 'if I'm qualified'|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000722/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056197/to-boss-son-what-matters-is-if-im/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->


''The Ten O'Clock News'' debuted on February 17, 1986, as the first prime time newscast in Philadelphia since WKBS-TV discontinued its effort in 1970. The half-hour program was anchored by Lee McCarthy, a former NBC network correspondent.<ref name="Phil860216">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056205/dropping-anchor-at-ch-29-lee-mccarthy/|date=February 16, 1986|pages=TV Week 4, |first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Dropping anchor at Ch. 29: Lee McCarthy has left the correspondent's jet-set life.|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000658/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056205/dropping-anchor-at-ch-29-lee-mccarthy/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> That fall, the weeknight-only broadcast expanded to weekends;<ref name="Phil860606">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122451081/only-change-he-sees-is-in-the/|date=June 6, 1986|page=6-C|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Only change he sees is in the competition|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000724/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122451081/only-change-he-sees-is-in-the/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> the program's audience doubled in its first year on air.<ref name="Phil870217">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056337/ch-29-news-celebrates-a-successful/|date=February 17, 1987|pages=1-C, |first=Lee|last=Winfrey|title=Ch. 29 news celebrates a successful first year|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000701/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056337/ch-29-news-celebrates-a-successful/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->


The program was extended to an hour in 1990—delayed by the Paramount acquisition of TVX<ref name="Phil910216">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056519/what-comes-on-at-10-but-is-really-five/|date=February 16, 1991|page=6-C|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=What comes on at 10, but is really five?|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000700/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056519/what-comes-on-at-10-but-is-really-five/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->—with original reporter Jill Chernekoff returning to the station after a year at ] to co-anchor the expanded newscast.<ref name="Phil900304">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80516142/a-news-show-dares-to-grow/|date=March 4, 1990|page=TV Week 4, |first=Gail|last=Shister|title=A news show dares to grow|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=July 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711071609/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80516142/a-news-show-dares-to-grow/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun --> Eskin's contract was not renewed for financial reasons, with his last sportscast coming in June 1990;<ref name="Cour900614">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122467318/howard-eskin-takes-final-bow-on-ch-29/|date=June 14, 1990|page=6C|first=Chuck|last=Darrow|title=Howard Eskin takes final bow on Ch. 29|newspaper=Courier-Post|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000700/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122467318/howard-eskin-takes-final-bow-on-ch-29/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> the station let go of McCarthy in January 1994.<ref name="Phil931006">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056587/channel-29-intends-to-drop-lee-mccarthy/|date=October 6, 1993|page=G4|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Channel 29 intends to drop Lee McCarthy, keep Jill Chernekoff|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000721/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122056587/channel-29-intends-to-drop-lee/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
===On-air staff===
====Current on-air staff====
]
'''Anchors'''
*'''Kerry Barrett''' - weeknights at 5:00, 6:00 and 10:00 p.m.
*'''Thomas Drayton''' - weeknights at 5:00, 6:00 and 10:00 p.m.
*''']''' - weekends at 6:00 and 10:00 p.m.; also weeknight reporter
*''']''' - weekday mornings "Good Day Philadelphia" (4:30-7:00 a.m.)
*''']''' - weekday mornings "Good Day Philadelphia" (7:00-10:00 a.m.)
*'''Sheinelle Jones''' - weekday mornings "Good Day Philadelphia" (7:00-10:00 a.m.) (Maternity Leave)


===Expansion to mornings and beyond===
'''''Fox 29 Weather Authority'''''
] (]-]) appears on ''Good Day Philadelphia'' in February 2009.|alt=Refer to caption]]
*'''Scott Williams''' - chief meteorologist; weeknights at 5:00, 6:00 and 10:00 p.m.
After Fox acquired WTXF-TV, it made major investments in the news operation. It expanded and at long last computerized the newsroom. It assembled a new staff of 32 to launch a morning show, ''Good Day Philadelphia'', consisting of a 6:30 a.m. newscast and two-hour morning show, on April 1, 1996.{{r|Phil960219}}<ref name="Phil960418">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122463052/good-day-philadelphia-an-am-rival/|date=April 18, 1996|pages=C1, |first=Jonathan|last=Storm|title='Good Day Philadelphia': An a.m. rival for the networks|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000700/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122463052/good-day-philadelphia-an-am-rival/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The program was originally hosted by Tracey Matisak and ], former WPVI-TV sports director.{{r|Phil980414}} In addition, WTXF acquired a helicopter for newsgathering purposes.<ref name="Phil961219">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122455619/jones-is-warming-up-to-that-winter-holid/|date=December 19, 1996|page=58|first=Ellen|last=Gray|title=Jones is warming up to that winter holiday|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000756/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122455619/jones-is-warming-up-to-that-winter/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The 6:30 a.m. news was retooled into an hour-long program, ''Fox Morning News'', in 1997.<ref name="Phil971203">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122463260/areas-only-all-female-anchor-team-will/|date=December 3, 1997|page=C8|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Area's only all-female anchor team will debut on Fox's a.m. news|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000725/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122463260/areas-only-all-female-anchor-team-will/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
*'''Sue Serio''' - weather anchor; Good Day Philadelphia" (4:30-10:00 a.m.)
*''']''' - meteorologist; weekends at 6:00 and 10:00 p.m.
*'''Rick Deluca''' - substitute meteorologist
*'''Karen Thomas''' - substitute meteorologist


Tollefson left ''Good Day'' in 1998 to return to sportscasting at the station<ref name="Phil980414">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122469994/tollefson-cherkin-out-at-29-hes-takin/|date=April 14, 1998|page=47|first=Ellen|last=Gray|title=Tollefson, Cherkin out at 29: He's taking over as sports director after two-year morning show stint|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000731/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122469994/tollefson-cherkin-out-at-29-hes/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> and was replaced by ] and then ].<ref name="Phil980814">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122473138/new-good-day-host/|date=August 14, 1998|page=39|first=Ellen|last=Gray|title=New 'Good Day' host|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000726/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122473138/new-good-day-host/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref name="Phil990826">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122473178/another-bite-for-detective-muncha-guest/|date=August 26, 1999|page=D8|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Another bite for Detective Munch—a guest bit on 'The Beat'|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000723/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122473178/another-bite-for-detective-muncha/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Even though local morning shows had been ratings engines for Fox elsewhere in the country, this was not initially the case for WTXF. In 1999, ''Good Day Philadelphia'' was described by Ellen Gray of the ''Philadelphia Daily News'' as "chronically underperforming" in the ratings.<ref name="Phil990528">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122470185/may-sweeps-bombardment-leaves-channel-6/|date=May 28, 1999|page=89|first=Ellen|last=Gray|title=May sweeps bombardment leaves Channel 6 on top|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000707/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122470185/may-sweeps-bombardment-leaves-channel-6/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
'''Sports team'''
*'''John Anderson''' - sports contributor
*'''Mike Missanelli''' - sports contributor
*'''Tom Sredenschek''' - sports executive producer, sports anchor and sports reporter
*'''Joe Staszak''' - sports anchor and reporter


Beginning in 2006, WTXF-TV began filling out the rest of its broadcast day with newscasts in key time slots as part of a strategy to increase its local news visibility.{{r|Phil050613}} The first to be introduced were an 11 a.m. newscast in October 2006,<ref name="Phil060710">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122463958/rather-on-cnn-disdains-identification/|date=July 10, 2006|page=E5|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Rather, on CNN, disdains identification with CBS|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000725/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122463958/rather-on-cnn-disdains-identification/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> followed by a 5 p.m. newscast in January 2007.<ref name="Phil070213">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122466579/nbc-snags-ex-nfl-star-barber-for-sports/|date=February 13, 2007|page=E6|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=NBC snags ex-NFL star Barber for sports—and more|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000727/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122466579/nbc-snags-ex-nfl-star-barber-for/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> On September 7, 2009, channel 29 expanded its morning and evening news programming: ''Good Day Philadelphia'' was expanded to five hours on that date with the addition of an hour at 9 a.m. and a new half-hour 6 p.m. weeknight newscast.<ref name="Chic090902">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122464147/philly-tv-exec-brings-his-approach-to-ch/|date=September 2, 2009|page=1:28|first=Phil|last=Rosenthal|title=Philly TV exec brings his approach to Chicago: New GM may gives Channels 32 and 50 a needed lift|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000708/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122464147/philly-tv-exec-brings-his-approach-to/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The ''Good Day Philadelphia'' expansion replaced '']''; Jerrick, who had co-hosted that program and also worked at ] after leaving channel 29, returned to WTXF as anchor of the second half of the program.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/blog/fates-fortunes-weekly-round-july-31-2009-122055|title=Fates & Fortunes Weekly Round-Up: July 31, 2009|first=Paige|last=Albiniak|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=June 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620170135/https://www.nexttv.com/blog/fates-fortunes-weekly-round-july-31-2009-122055|url-status=live}}</ref>
'''Reporters'''
*'''Dr. Mike Cirigliano''' - medical contributor
*''']''' - general assignment reporter
*'''Jeff Cole''' - investigative reporter
*'''Stephanie Espositio''' - general assignment reporter
*'''Omari Fleming''' - general assignment reporter
*'''Jennaphr Frederick''' - morning features reporter
*'''Claudia Gomez''' - general assignment reporter
*'''Bruce Gordon''' - general assignment reporter
*'''Steve Keeley''' - morning reporter
*'''Dave Kinchen''' - general assignment reporter
*'''Sarah Madonna''' - general assignment reporter
*'''Chris O'Connell''' - general assignment reporter
*'''Stephanie Salvatore''' - general assignment reporter
*'''Dave Schratwieser''' - general assignment reporter
*'''Sean Tobin''' - general assignment reporter
*'''Shawnette Wilson''' - general assignment reporter


In November 2008, after a trial between WCAU and WTXF, Fox Television Stations and ] entered into an agreement to test a system that would allow stations owned by Fox and NBC to pool news resources ranging from sharing field video to sharing aerial helicopter footage, in an attempt to reduce costs.<ref name="Phil081114">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122468110/fox-nbc-to-pool-news-video-in-phila-an/|date=November 14, 2008|page=D2|first=Michael|last=Klain|title=Fox, NBC to pool news video in Phila. and five other cities|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000728/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122468110/fox-nbc-to-pool-news-video-in-phila/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> Eskin returned to WTXF in 2012, serving as the station's evening sports anchor.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/wtxf-philadelphia-adds-howard-eskin-to-sports/|date=August 8, 2012|title=WTXF Philadelphia Adds Howard Eskin To Sports|work=TVNewsCheck|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000730/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/wtxf-philadelphia-adds-howard-eskin-to-sports/|url-status=live}}</ref>
====Notable former staff====
* ] (now at ])
* ] (now co-host of '']'' on ])
* ] - Main 6 & 10 p.m. anchor (2001–2009)
* ] - Chief Meteorologist (2008–2012)


Weekend morning newscasts were added in 2014,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/77308/fox-stations-beef-up-local-news-in-8-markets|title=Fox Stations Beef Up Local News In 9 Markets|work=TVNewsCheck|date=June 25, 2014}}</ref> while an 11 p.m. newscast debuted in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2016/05/06/fox-29-launching-11pm-newscast.html|first=Jeff|last=Blumenthal|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|title=FOX 29 launching 11 p.m. newscast|date=May 6, 2016|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=December 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207132137/http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2016/05/06/fox-29-launching-11pm-newscast.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2020, the station revamped its 6 p.m. newscast as ''The Six'', which adapted elements from ''Good Day Philadelphia'' and focused on top headlines and feature segments to differentiate it from the other local stations providing news at that hour.<ref>{{cite news|date=January 24, 2020|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2020/01/24/fox-29-scraps-traditional-6-p-m-newscast-for.html|title=Fox 29 scraps traditional 6 p.m. newscast for 'something entirely different'|first=Jeff|last=Blumenthal|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|access-date=July 25, 2022|archive-date=December 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207052258/https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2020/01/24/fox-29-scraps-traditional-6-p-m-newscast-for.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Cable and satellite carriage==
===Out-of-market coverage===
WTXF is carried in central New Jersey in parts of ], ], ], ] and ] counties. It is available to all customers in ] with ] or ].


WTXF overhauled its anchor lineup for its evening newscasts in 2019, with Jason Martinez—last of ] in ]—joining Shaina Humphries on the anchor desk.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2019/06/05/fox-29-night-time-anchor-jason-martinez.html|title=Fox 29 completes night-time anchor overhaul with another new hire|date=June 5, 2019|first=Jeff|last=Blumenthal|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=December 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205151423/http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2019/06/05/fox-29-night-time-anchor-jason-martinez.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Humphries departed in 2022 and joined the startup newsroom at ] in ];<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/cbs-news-detroit-announces-first-anchor-hirings-and-community-impact-ep/|date=July 11, 2022|title=CBS News Detroit Announces First Anchor Hirings And Community Impact EP|work=TVNewsCheck|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711165315/https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/cbs-news-detroit-announces-first-anchor-hirings-and-community-impact-ep/|url-status=live}}</ref> she was replaced at WTXF by Shiba Russell, who had last worked in ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2022/07/07/fox-29-names-new-night-time-news-anchor.html|title=Fox 29 names new evening news anchor to replace Shaina Humphries|date=July 7, 2022|first=Jeff|last=Blumenthal|work=Philadelphia Business Journal|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000725/https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2022/07/07/fox-29-names-new-night-time-news-anchor.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Comcast has announced that it will add WTXF HD to its lineups in Ocean and Southern Middlesex counties on August 17, 2012 as Channel 905. <ref name="Comcast Xfinity Mailing-HD Channels are moving up and new channels and changes are coming soon">http://www.dslreports.com/speak/slideshow/27366485?c=2020602&ret=L2ZvcnVtL3IyNzM2NjQ4NS1Db21jYXN0LUNlbnRyYWwtTkotTWlkZGxlc2V4LUxpbmV1cC13aXRoLVBoaWxseS1IRC1XTE5Z</ref>

A 2023 study conducted by the Lenfest Institute found that, of the four major TV newsrooms in Philadelphia, WTXF gave the most coverage to crime, devoting 69 percent of its news stories to the topic; this surpassed 50 percent for WPVI, 39 percent for KYW, and 31 percent for WCAU.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.phillymag.com/news/2023/03/09/fox-29-steve-keeley-philadelphia-crime/|date=March 9, 2023|first=Victor|last=Fiorillo|work=Philadelphia|title="If It Bleeds It Leads" Is Alive and Well at Fox 29|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=March 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319002910/https://www.phillymag.com/news/2023/03/09/fox-29-steve-keeley-philadelphia-crime/|url-status=live}}</ref> Previously, in 2020, an article in '']'' magazine spotlighted a conservative turn in senior management in news philosophy; the article, based on interviews with 10 current and former WTXF-TV staffers, described a newsroom that was "toxic", "racially offensive", and "socially intimidating".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.phillymag.com/news/2020/07/21/fox-29-philadelphia-fox-news-conservative/|title="Is Fox 29 Turning Into Fox News?" Inside Allegations of an "Extremely Conservative" Newsroom Culture|first=Ernest|last=Owens|date=July 21, 2020|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=October 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005181214/https://www.phillymag.com/news/2020/07/21/fox-29-philadelphia-fox-news-conservative/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In addition to its own newscasts, on July 8, 2013, WTXF began airing ''Chasing New Jersey'', a daily New Jersey-focused ] program. ''Chasing New Jersey'', which was produced by Fairfax Productions (a production company led by WTXF's vice president and general manager) from a studio in ] and hosted by ], was designed to replace the 10&nbsp;p.m. newscast on sister station ]. The program was cancelled in July 2020.<ref name=tvs-chasingnewjersey>{{cite news|last=Knox|first=Merrill|title=WWOR Replacing Evening Newscast With Show on New Jersey Politics, Issues|url=http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/wwor-replacing-evening-newscast-with-show-on-new-jersey-politics-issues_b96370|access-date=July 3, 2013|newspaper=TVSpy|date=July 3, 2013|archive-date=July 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706211712/http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/wwor-replacing-evening-newscast-with-show-on-new-jersey-politics-issues_b96370|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Notable current on-air staff===
* ] – meteorologist<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/kathy-orr-joins-wtxf-as-weather-anchor/|title=Kathy Orr Joins WTXF As Weather Anchor|date=September 16, 2015|first=Mark K.|last=Miller|work=TVNewsCheck|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=December 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201160131/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/kathy-orr-joins-wtxf-as-weather-anchor/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Notable former on-air staff===
* ] – meteorologist, 2007–2011<ref name="Phil120111">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122472380/john-bolaris-out-at-fox29/|date=January 11, 2012|page=C4|first=Tirdad|last=Derakhshani|title=John Bolaris out at Fox29|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000715/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122472380/john-bolaris-out-at-fox29/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
* ] – anchor, 1996–2020<ref name="Phil200811">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122472988/all-pro-joyce-evans-calling-it-quits-at/|date=August 11, 2020|page=A8|first=Ellen|last=Gray|title=All-pro Joyce Evans calling it quits at 29|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000732/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122472988/all-pro-joyce-evans-calling-it-quits-at/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
* ] – reporter, 1998–1999<ref name="Phil991004">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122470290/changing-times-at-ch-29-four-departure/|date=October 4, 1999|page=C8|first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Changing times at Ch. 29; Four departures in last two weeks|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000704/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122470290/changing-times-at-ch-29-four/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->
* ] – reporter/anchor, 2005–2014<ref name="Phil210409">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122470540/jones-today-show-in-philly-on-monday/|date=April 9, 2021|page=21|first=Ellen|last=Gray|title=Jones, 'Today' show in Philly on Monday|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000734/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122470540/jones-today-show-in-philly-on-monday/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->
* ] — ''Good Day Philadelphia'' anchor, 2007<ref name="Phil070108">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105047624/fox-29s-engler-to-consult/|date=January 8, 2007|page=35|first=Dan|last=Gross|title=Fox 29's Engler to consult|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 6, 2022|archive-date=July 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706021817/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105047624/fox-29s-engler-to-consult/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --><ref name="Phil071010">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105048010/clayton-morris-leaving-fox-29/|date=October 10, 2007|page=36|first=Dan|last=Gross|title=Clayton Morris leaving Fox 29|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 6, 2022|archive-date=July 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706021818/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105048010/clayton-morris-leaving-fox-29/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
* ] – anchor, 2001–2009<ref name="Phil011024">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122471215/saved-by-an-angel-kyws-caples-thinks/|date=October 24, 2001|pages=D1, |first=Gail|last=Shister|title=Saved by an 'angel'? KYW's Caples thinks so|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000706/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122471215/saved-by-an-angel-kyws-caples/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --><ref name="Phil091116">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122471140/dawn-stensland-stands-firm-in-the-eye-of/|date=November 16, 2009|page=3, , |first=Regina|last=Medina|title=Dawn Stensland stands firm in the eye of the storm|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|location=|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 7, 2023|archive-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408000729/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122471140/dawn-stensland-stands-firm-in-the-eye/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->

==Technical information==
===Subchannels===
The station's signal is ]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of WTXF-TV<ref>{{cite web|title=Digital TV Market Listing for WTXF|url=http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WTXF#station|website=]|access-date=January 26, 2017|archive-date=March 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307123854/http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WTXF#station|url-status=live}}</ref>
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | ]
! scope="col" | Short name
! scope="col" | Programming
|-
! scope="row" | 29.1
| ] || rowspan=3| ] || WTXFDT || ]
|-
! scope="row" | 29.2
| rowspan="4" | ] || Movies! || ]
|-
! scope="row" | 29.3
| Grio || (Blank)
|-
! scope="row" | 29.4
| ] || BUZZR || ]
|-
! scope="row" | 29.5
|16:9
|Weather
|]
|- style="background-color:#DFEBF6; border-top: 2px solid #003399;"
! scope="row" | ]
| rowspan="2" | 480i || rowspan="2" | 16:9 || Nest || ] (])
|- style="background-color:#DFEBF6;"
! scope="row" | ]
| Confess || Confess (WPSG)
|}
{{legend|#DFEBF6|Broadcast on behalf of another station}}


===Analog-to-digital conversion===
In Southern Delaware, WTXF (along with ]) is available to ] customers in the ] area. It is also carried in ] as well. There is no satellite coverage outside of the Philadelphia market.
WTXF-TV began digital broadcasting on October 27, 1998.<ref name="Phil981029">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-kyw-to-offer-h/127389752/|date=October 29, 1998|page=A6|first=Reid|last=Kanaley|title=KYW to offer HDTV view of shuttle launch|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 1, 2023|archive-date=July 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701011049/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-kyw-to-offer-h/127389752/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> The station shut down its analog signal, over ] channel 29, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States ] under federal mandate. The station's digital signal continued to broadcast on its pre-transition UHF channel 42, using ] 29.<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>


On December 29, 2014, WTXF-TV announced the launch of their Allentown translator on UHF channel 38 to allow northern tier viewers to better receive and watch Fox 29 and its sub-channels. This translator relocated its signal from channel 38 to channel 25 on December 23, 2018, as a result of the ].
===2010 Cablevision carriage dispute===
On October 16, 2010, WTXF was among the Fox-owned broadcast stations and cable channels that were taken off of ]'s Philadelphia-area system of as the result of a retransmission dispute between Cablevision and Fox's parent company, ] (who also pulled the signal of sister stations ] (channel 5) and MyNetworkTV affiliate ] (channel 9) on Cablevision's metropolitan New York system). In addition News Corporation had pulled ], ] and ] from Cablevision systems in both the Philadelphia and New York markets. The shutdown came the morning the ] were set to begin play in the ], and also affects Fox's regional coverage of ] football games.<ref> ''Multichannel News'' October 16, 2010</ref>


WTXF-TV relocated its signal from channel 42 to channel 31 on January 17, 2020, as a result of the ].<ref name="Repack Table">{{Cite web|url=http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/Transition_Files/Phase_Assignment_Closing_PN.csv|title=FCC TV Spectrum Phase Assignment Table|format=CSV|website=]|date=April 13, 2017|access-date=April 17, 2017|archive-date=April 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417160749/http://data.fcc.gov/download/incentive-auctions/Transition_Files/Phase_Assignment_Closing_PN.csv|url-status=live}}</ref>
The removal of WTXF and the three Fox-owned cable channels was due to an impasse between Fox and Cablevision on a retransmission agreement renewal in which Cablevision claims that News Corporation demanded $150 million a year for access to 12 Fox channels, including those that News Corporation had removed in the dispute. On October 14, 2010 Cablevision said that it was willing to submit to binding arbitration and called on Fox not to pull the plug on the channels, though News Corporation chose to reject Cablevision's call for arbitration, stating that it would "reward Cablevision for refusing to negotiate fairly".<ref>, TVNewsCheck.com, October 16, 2010. Accessed October 17, 2010.</ref> On October 30, 2010, News Corporation and Cablevision reached a deal, ending the dispute and restoring WTXF, WNYW, WWOR, and the three News Corp-owned cable channels to Cablevision's lineup.


== References == ==References==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}


== External links == ==External links==
* * {{Official website|http://www.fox29.com/}}
* *
*
*{{TVQ|WTXF-TV}}
*{{TitanTV|WTXF}}
*


{{Philly TV}} {{Philly TV}}
{{Fox Pennsylvania}} {{Fox Pennsylvania}}
{{TV Stations New Jersey}}
{{News Corporation}}
{{TV Stations Delaware}}
{{Fox Entertainment Group}}
{{Fox (company)}}
{{Major U.S. TV O-O Stations}} {{Major U.S. TV O-O Stations}}


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Latest revision as of 11:00, 4 January 2025

TV station in Philadelphia For other uses, see Fox 29. Not to be confused with WFXT, WFTX-TV, or WXFT-DT.

WTXF-TV
The Fox network logo next to a black numeral 29 in a sans serif typeface. On a line below, the word "Philadelphia" in another sans serif, width-justified.
Channels
BrandingFox 29
Programming
Affiliations
Ownership
OwnerFox Television Stations, LLC
History
First air dateMay 16, 1965
(59 years ago) (1965-05-16)
Former call signs
  • WIBF-TV (1965–1969)
  • WTAF-TV (1969–1988)
Former channel number(s)
  • Analog: 29 (UHF, 1965–2009)
  • Digital: 42 (UHF, 1998–2019)
Former affiliationsIndependent (1965–1986)
Technical information
Licensing authorityFCC
Facility ID51568
ERP1,000 kW
HAAT336 m (1,102 ft)
Transmitter coordinates40°2′26″N 75°14′18″W / 40.04056°N 75.23833°W / 40.04056; -75.23833
Repeater(s)25 (UHF) Allentown
Links
Public license information
Websitewww.fox29.com

WTXF-TV (channel 29) is a television station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Owned and operated by the Fox network through its Fox Television Stations division, the station maintains studios on Market Street in Center City and a primary transmitter on the Roxborough tower farm, with a secondary transmitter on South Mountain in Allentown.

Channel 29 is the longest continuously operated Philadelphia UHF station, since May 16, 1965, as WIBF-TV from studios in the suburb of Jenkintown. WIBF-TV was owned by the Fox family alongside WIBF-FM 103.9. It was the first of three new commercial UHF outlets that year, broadcasting as an independent station focusing on community and sports programming. Taft Broadcasting purchased channel 29 in 1969 and renamed it WTAF-TV. Under Taft, the station slowly emerged as the leading independent station in the Philadelphia market with popular sports coverage, movies, and syndicated programs. The station was the broadcast outlet for the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team between 1971 and 1985 and for the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team from 1983 to 1992. The latter deal came after Taft Broadcasting purchased 47 percent of the team. In early 1986, WTAF-TV began producing a 10 p.m. local newscast. Later that year, it became affiliated with the new Fox television network.

Ownership of channel 29 shifted to TVX Broadcast Group in 1987 as part of its purchase of Taft's five large-market independent stations; the call sign was changed to WTXF-TV the next year. The deal left TVX highly leveraged and ultimately led to the station's sale in two parts between 1989 and 1991 to Paramount Pictures. Paramount nearly lost the station's Fox affiliation when Fox tried to buy another Philadelphia station in 1993. That purchase fell through, and Fox ultimately purchased WTXF-TV itself in a deal approved in 1995. Fox expanded the news department, first with a morning show—Good Day Philadelphia—and later with additional early evening and other newscasts.

History

In November 1952, the first construction permit for channel 29 in Philadelphia was received by WIP radio, then owned by Gimbels department store, as part of a wave of ultra high frequency (UHF) station applications and assignments following a four-year-long freeze on permit awards. WIP returned the permit in May 1954, finding that building and operating the proposed station would be economically infeasible.

WIBF-TV: Early years

In August 1962, William Fox, whose family owned WIBF-FM (103.9) in Jenkintown as well as real estate interests there, received a construction permit from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to build a new television station on channel 29. The new station would focus on local and regional programming, including news, local sports, and educational shows; it was the second commercial UHF station approved for the Philadelphia area after channel 17 (originally WPCA-TV). The construction permit initially specified Jenkintown as the city of license, but this was changed to Philadelphia in 1963.

In 1965, plans for channel 29 became more definite as the station announced several launch dates: first April 15, then May 1, though the station did not start broadcasting until May 16. It had contracted to air feature films and several British children's shows. Local programs included the teen show Discotheque, as well as local talk and conversation with former WCAU host Taylor Grant on the station's late newscast. Channel 29 also broadcast network shows that the city's ABC affiliate, WFIL-TV, opted not to air. Its attempts to pick up a similarly unaired NBC show were rejected because the station could not broadcast it in color.

The number of operating commercial UHF stations in the Philadelphia area would go from zero to three in 1965. After WIBF-TV, Kaiser Broadcasting debuted WKBS-TV (channel 48) on September 1, and channel 17 returned to the air after three years as WPHL-TV on September 17. To increase its coverage area, in 1966, WIBF-TV built a new transmitting tower in the Roxborough area, its transmitter having previously been located at the Fox family's Benson East apartments along with the studio. In 1967, WIBF-TV debuted Market, a six-hour stock market review program.

WTAF-TV: The Taft years

By late 1968, the Foxes disclosed that their broadcasting operations were operating with a deficit of more than $2 million (equivalent to $13.4 million in 2023 dollars). This would prove to be a major factor in the decision to sell WIBF-TV to Cincinnati-based Taft Broadcasting, a transaction which closed in May 1969 for $4.5 million, including assumption of debt (equivalent to $30.1 million in 2023 dollars), at the time the most spent for a UHF facility; an article in Variety declared of the purchase price, "For many it symbolizes the 'arrival' of UHF in the television scheme of things." Taft had room for a second UHF station—in addition to WNEP-TV (channel 16) in Scranton—because it had sold WKYT-TV in Lexington, Kentucky, the year before. However, Taft needed FCC waivers because the company already owned five stations in top-50 markets and because the signals of the two Pennsylvania stations overlapped.

On October 20, 1969, the call letters changed from WIBF-TV—which had represented members of the Fox family—to WTAF-TV, reflecting the new ownership. The call sign change was part of a wider plan to improve every aspect of the station's operation, from programming to facilities. One early priority was to leave Jenkintown—where the sign on the building still read WIBF—for more centrally located and accessible studios. While Taft's idea of moving into 30th Street Station was made infeasible by the financial problems of owner Penn Central, the station relocated to its present facilities at 4th and Market streets in December 1972.

A four-story brick building with Fox 29 signage and an electronic news ticker
Channel 29 has operated from this building at the corner of 4th and Market streets since 1972.

Taft also expanded channel 29's local sports coverage. In 1971, channel 29 began telecasting road games of the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL. The station also telecast the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA, Philadelphia Freedoms of World TeamTennis, Philadelphia Wings lacrosse, and road games of the Philadelphia Bell of the short-lived World Football League in 1975 (the Bell had played on WPHL-TV in 1974). On August 29, 1975, the Bell were playing a televised contest against the Southern California Sun in Anaheim. The game began late at night because of the time difference, and WTAF-TV viewers never got to see the end of the 58-39 Sun victory, as the station signed off before the game was completed.

WTAF-TV continued to lose money in its first years under Taft, but it slowly improved its ratings and financial position over the decade. In the second half of the 1970s, WTAF-TV emerged as Philadelphia's highest-rated independent station after having previously trailed WPHL and WKBS. Flyers coverage and the strength of the station's nightly movies were cited as particular bright spots in the program lineup. It was profitable in each year between 1975 and 1978.

Taft and the Phillies

In 1981, Taft Broadcasting acquired a 47-percent stake in the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team as part of a group headed by team executive Bill Giles. The Phillies had been broadcast on WPHL-TV since 1971; that station's owner, the Providence Journal Company, had increased its rights fees for 1979 just so the team could sign free agent Pete Rose. Immediately, it was announced that Phillies games would move to channel 29 beginning in 1984, after the existing WPHL-TV contract ended, as part of a new nine-year, $30 million deal (equivalent to $85.1 million in 2023 dollars); this was brought forward a year to 1983 after Taft negotiated a buyout of channel 17's final year on the contract. For Taft, buying a large share of the Phillies and their television rights was as much about programming WTAF-TV as it was a business move: Taft executives pointed out that baseball would provide more hours of content than the entire run of M*A*S*H, a popular and long-running series which channel 29 aired in syndication.

The Philadelphia independent market contracted in 1983 when WKBS-TV went off the air, a victim of corporate infighting amid the dissolution of Field Communications. However, most of channel 48's former program inventory was purchased by WPHL-TV. Two years later, a third independent was added back to the Philadelphia lineup with the sale of WWSG-TV (channel 57) to Milton Grant and its relaunch as WGBS-TV. The Flyers moved to channel 57 after 15 seasons on channel 29, citing in part the emphasis the station had placed on promoting and broadcasting the Phillies.

Fox, TVX, and WTXF

On October 9, 1986, WTAF-TV became a charter affiliate of the fledgling Fox television network, which initially only offered late-night and weekend prime time programming. It had beaten out WPHL-TV for the affiliation.

The arrival of Fox to channel 29—announced in early August—was overshadowed later that month when Taft announced it was likely to put its five independent stations up for sale to pay down the large debt its 1985 purchase of Gulf Broadcast Group had generated, fend off activist investors such as Robert Bass, and concentrate on its portfolio of network affiliates. An appraisal estimated that WTAF-TV alone could sell for $175 million and the five stations together for $690 million (equivalent to $413 million and $1.63 billion in 2023 dollars).

The stations fetched far less than that when TVX Broadcast Group of Norfolk, Virginia, paid $240 million (equivalent to $566 million in 2023 dollars) for the package. Taft lost between $45 and $50 million. Weeks later, Taft exited its stake in the Phillies by selling the 47.5 percent of the club to its other owners for $24.1 million (equivalent to $56.8 million in 2023 dollars).

TVX officially closed on the deal on April 9, 1987. While TVX applied for new WTXF-TV call letters at that time as a condition of the sale because of the close association of WTAF-TV with Taft, the call sign did not change until June 1, 1988.

The Taft stations purchase gave TVX five major-market stations, though most were doing poorly, with the chief exception of channel 29. It left TVX highly leveraged and highly vulnerable. TVX's bankers, Salomon Brothers, provided the financing for the acquisition and in return held more than 60 percent of the company. The company was to pay Salomon Brothers $200 million on January 1, 1988, and missed the first payment deadline, having been unable to lure investors to its junk bonds even before the Black Monday stock market crash. While TVX recapitalized by the end of 1988, Salomon Brothers reached an agreement in principle in January 1989 for Paramount Pictures to acquire options to purchase the investment firm's majority stake. This deal was replaced in September with an outright purchase of 79 percent of TVX for $110 million (equivalent to $235 million in 2023 dollars). In 1991, Paramount acquired the remainder of TVX, forming the Paramount Stations Group.

The increasing priority and quantity of Fox network programming, as well as pressure from the network as it prepared to expand to seven-night-a-week service, led to the end of the station's association with the Phillies. In 1991, the station proposed a joint deal with KYW-TV (channel 3) to air the team's broadcast games beginning in 1993. However, the Phillies opted to return to WPHL-TV, which had the ability to broadcast more games than WTXF-TV.

Becoming a Fox-owned outlet

Further information: 1994–1996 United States broadcast television realignment

Combined Broadcasting, owner of WGBS-TV, put its three stations on the market in 1993. Six months later, Combined announced it had a buyer for WGBS-TV: Fox Television Stations, which would purchase channel 57 for $70 million (equivalent to $133 million in 2023 dollars) and make it the new Fox station for Philadelphia, replacing WTXF-TV. Paramount strongly criticized Fox's plans to pull its affiliation. It warned, "All affiliates of Fox should take note of the level of loyalty and commitment Fox has exhibited. Apparently Fox's loyalty only recognizes the partnership nature of a network affiliate's relationship when it is convenient to Fox's own economic interest."

With a switch that would have taken place in April 1994, at the end of channel 29's Fox affiliation agreement, WGBS-TV was also seen as likely to start a local newsroom, providing the first competition to WTXF's 10 p.m. newscast. The transaction also fueled existing speculation that Paramount was planning to join with Chris-Craft Industries to create a new network; when what eventually became the United Paramount Network (UPN) was announced that October as a joint venture of the two companies, WTXF was named as its Philadelphia affiliate.

While this occurred, Paramount itself became the subject of rival media companies seeking to purchase it. In September, Viacom agreed in principle to merge with Paramount. Not long after that, West Chester-based home shopping giant QVC mounted a competing bid, and the two firms entered into an intense bidding war; Viacom ultimately prevailed in the bidding war in February 1994.

However, Fox's attempts to buy WGBS-TV ran into opposition largely unrelated to the Philadelphia station. The New York City chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) filed a formal objection to Fox's planned purchase due to concerns about foreign ownership in Fox's ownership structure. As FCC approval did not come before the planned January 30, 1994, completion of the WGBS-TV deal, Combined walked away from the sale a few weeks later after one extension, preserving WTXF's Fox affiliation. Even while the deal was still pending, however, other opportunities drew Fox's attention. In January, when Fox was rebuffed in a bid to purchase Westinghouse Broadcasting (Group W)—which included KYW-TV in Philadelphia—Mediaweek reported that another station executive found Fox lacking "its customary vigor" in trying to close the WGBS-TV deal.

When Group W instead entered into a partnership with CBS—resulting in an affiliation switch at KYW-TV and the sale of CBS-owned WCAU-TV (channel 10)—a second such opportunity emerged. Several months earlier, Fox had entered into a multi-station, multi-year partnership with New World Communications. New World and NBC emerged as the leading bidders for WCAU, with New World intending to switch WCAU to Fox if it emerged victorious; Fox also joined the bidding for WCAU in case New World's bid failed. However, Paramount/Viacom changed its Philadelphia plans. On August 31, 1994, it announced it would sell WTXF-TV for Fox for more than $200 million (equivalent to $373 million in 2023 dollars); that transaction gave the company the cash to then turn around and buy two of Combined's stations—WGBS-TV and WBFS-TV in Miami—to become UPN stations. The FCC approved the deal in August 1995, as well as a waiver for Fox to own WTXF-TV and WNYW in New York City simultaneously.

Fox made major changes. For some time prior to the sale, the station had been looking for newer, larger facilities for its 150 employees. In September 1994, the station had settled on a site in Bryn Mawr, a suburban move seen as a blow to Center City. Fox dropped the "Fox 29" brand, calling the station "Fox Philadelphia", and instead expanded in the Center City building. The station renamed itself "Fox 29" again in 2003; Philadelphia Daily News columnist Stu Bykofsky noted that most people had continued to call it by its channel number anyway. Fox began a major renovation of the building in 2005, now occupying all four floors including space once utilized by an insurance agency and a bank.

2023 license renewal objections

In July 2023, at WTXF-TV's routine eight-year license renewal, the Media and Democracy Project filed a petition against the renewal with the FCC, seeking greater scrutiny of the network and Fox Television Stations. Joined by former Fox executive Preston Padden and using evidence brought to light in the Dominion Voting Systems v. Fox News Network case, the petition sought denial of the license renewal over Fox Corporation's alleged misdeeds, citing the station's airing of such national news programs as Fox News Sunday and linking them to the January 6 United States Capitol attack. In the petition, Padden wrote, "...Fox has undermined our democracy and has radicalized a segment of our population by presenting knowingly false narratives about the legitimacy of the 2020 election. In my opinion, this type of reporting was a significant contributing factor to the riots in the Capitol on January 6, 2021." A second such petition was then filed by Bill Kristol and former PBS president and FCC member Ervin Duggan. Later in August, former FCC commissioner Alfred C. Sikes and Jamie Kellner, the architect of the Fox network in the 1980s, also filed informal objections to the renewal: Sikes warned that the FCC had let the requirement to operate in the public interest become "perfunctory" and called for the renewal to be "closely scrutinized in public hearings and courtrooms", while Kellner wrote, "If the character requirement for broadcast licensees is to have any meaning, the FCC must designate the application for a hearing to evaluate the Murdochs'/Fox's character qualifications to operate WTXF on the public airwaves." In an opposition, Fox criticized the relief sought by the petitioners as "a violation of the First Amendment" and emphasized the lack of specific evidence against WTXF-TV itself.

On August 23, the FCC opened a docket for the case and invited further comment. Fox has highlighted letters of support from elected politicians of both parties, including U.S. representatives Brendan Boyle and Brian Fitzpatrick and three members of the Philadelphia City Council.

News operation

The Ten O'Clock News

In late 1985, under Taft Broadcasting, WTAF-TV began to build an in-house news department to prepare a 10 p.m. newscast with a focus on hard news. Roger LaMay was recruited from KTTV in Los Angeles to run the newsroom, which was set up in a former film library in the basement of the Center City studios, and former KYW-TV sports anchor Howard Eskin was signed as channel 29's first marquee news personality. One reporter was Dan Mechem, son of Taft Broadcasting chairman Charles Mechem.

The Ten O'Clock News debuted on February 17, 1986, as the first prime time newscast in Philadelphia since WKBS-TV discontinued its effort in 1970. The half-hour program was anchored by Lee McCarthy, a former NBC network correspondent. That fall, the weeknight-only broadcast expanded to weekends; the program's audience doubled in its first year on air.

The program was extended to an hour in 1990—delayed by the Paramount acquisition of TVX—with original reporter Jill Chernekoff returning to the station after a year at Headline News to co-anchor the expanded newscast. Eskin's contract was not renewed for financial reasons, with his last sportscast coming in June 1990; the station let go of McCarthy in January 1994.

Expansion to mornings and beyond

Refer to caption
Senator Ted Kaufman (D-DE) appears on Good Day Philadelphia in February 2009.

After Fox acquired WTXF-TV, it made major investments in the news operation. It expanded and at long last computerized the newsroom. It assembled a new staff of 32 to launch a morning show, Good Day Philadelphia, consisting of a 6:30 a.m. newscast and two-hour morning show, on April 1, 1996. The program was originally hosted by Tracey Matisak and Don Tollefson, former WPVI-TV sports director. In addition, WTXF acquired a helicopter for newsgathering purposes. The 6:30 a.m. news was retooled into an hour-long program, Fox Morning News, in 1997.

Tollefson left Good Day in 1998 to return to sportscasting at the station and was replaced by Dave Price and then Mike Jerrick. Even though local morning shows had been ratings engines for Fox elsewhere in the country, this was not initially the case for WTXF. In 1999, Good Day Philadelphia was described by Ellen Gray of the Philadelphia Daily News as "chronically underperforming" in the ratings.

Beginning in 2006, WTXF-TV began filling out the rest of its broadcast day with newscasts in key time slots as part of a strategy to increase its local news visibility. The first to be introduced were an 11 a.m. newscast in October 2006, followed by a 5 p.m. newscast in January 2007. On September 7, 2009, channel 29 expanded its morning and evening news programming: Good Day Philadelphia was expanded to five hours on that date with the addition of an hour at 9 a.m. and a new half-hour 6 p.m. weeknight newscast. The Good Day Philadelphia expansion replaced The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet; Jerrick, who had co-hosted that program and also worked at Fox News Channel after leaving channel 29, returned to WTXF as anchor of the second half of the program.

In November 2008, after a trial between WCAU and WTXF, Fox Television Stations and NBC Local Media entered into an agreement to test a system that would allow stations owned by Fox and NBC to pool news resources ranging from sharing field video to sharing aerial helicopter footage, in an attempt to reduce costs. Eskin returned to WTXF in 2012, serving as the station's evening sports anchor.

Weekend morning newscasts were added in 2014, while an 11 p.m. newscast debuted in 2016. In January 2020, the station revamped its 6 p.m. newscast as The Six, which adapted elements from Good Day Philadelphia and focused on top headlines and feature segments to differentiate it from the other local stations providing news at that hour.

WTXF overhauled its anchor lineup for its evening newscasts in 2019, with Jason Martinez—last of KGTV in San Diego—joining Shaina Humphries on the anchor desk. Humphries departed in 2022 and joined the startup newsroom at WWJ-TV in Detroit; she was replaced at WTXF by Shiba Russell, who had last worked in Atlanta.

A 2023 study conducted by the Lenfest Institute found that, of the four major TV newsrooms in Philadelphia, WTXF gave the most coverage to crime, devoting 69 percent of its news stories to the topic; this surpassed 50 percent for WPVI, 39 percent for KYW, and 31 percent for WCAU. Previously, in 2020, an article in Philadelphia magazine spotlighted a conservative turn in senior management in news philosophy; the article, based on interviews with 10 current and former WTXF-TV staffers, described a newsroom that was "toxic", "racially offensive", and "socially intimidating".

In addition to its own newscasts, on July 8, 2013, WTXF began airing Chasing New Jersey, a daily New Jersey-focused public affairs program. Chasing New Jersey, which was produced by Fairfax Productions (a production company led by WTXF's vice president and general manager) from a studio in Trenton and hosted by Bill Spadea, was designed to replace the 10 p.m. newscast on sister station WWOR-TV. The program was cancelled in July 2020.

Notable current on-air staff

Notable former on-air staff

Technical information

Subchannels

The station's signal is multiplexed:

Subchannels of WTXF-TV
Channel Res. Aspect Short name Programming
29.1 720p 16:9 WTXFDT Fox
29.2 480i Movies! Movies!
29.3 Grio (Blank)
29.4 4:3 BUZZR Buzzr
29.5 16:9 Weather Fox Weather
57.2 480i 16:9 Nest The Nest (WPSG)
57.3 Confess Confess (WPSG)
  Broadcast on behalf of another station

Analog-to-digital conversion

WTXF-TV began digital broadcasting on October 27, 1998. The station shut down its analog signal, over UHF channel 29, on June 12, 2009, the official date on which full-power television stations in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. The station's digital signal continued to broadcast on its pre-transition UHF channel 42, using virtual channel 29.

On December 29, 2014, WTXF-TV announced the launch of their Allentown translator on UHF channel 38 to allow northern tier viewers to better receive and watch Fox 29 and its sub-channels. This translator relocated its signal from channel 38 to channel 25 on December 23, 2018, as a result of the 2016 United States wireless spectrum auction.

WTXF-TV relocated its signal from channel 42 to channel 31 on January 17, 2020, as a result of the 2016 United States wireless spectrum auction.

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