Editing WSVN (section)

=== Number-centric call letters ===
{{Quote box
| quote = We first changed all the cosmetic things you can do, even the call letters from WCKT to WSVN. We had to position ourselves to know what we were... We wanted to be looked upon as the 'hometown station,' just as the slogan says, the place where you get everything from your entertainment to your news.
| author = David Choate
| source = WSVN news director{{r|Fort860615}}
| align = right
| width = 275px
| qalign = left
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Sunbeam filed paperwork with the FCC in mid-March 1983 to change WCKT's call sign to WSVN, derived from "seven", while retaining their existing "South Florida 7" slogan.{{r|Miam830606}} Calling it "one of the biggest moves" made by the station in recent years, general manager Robert Leider explained that the Miami market was now more familiar identifying the station by channel number, saying, "if someone asks you if you saw ''[[Hill Street Blues]]'' last night, you say, 'Yeah, I saw it last night on Ch. 7'... you don't say 'on WCKT.'"<ref name="Miam830416">{{Cite news|last=Earley|first=Sandra|date=April 16, 1983|title=Ch. 7 to change call letters|page=4C|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74457590/ch-7-to-change-call-letters/|access-date=February 19, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220181456/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74457590/ch-7-to-change-call-letters/|url-status=live}}</ref> The station was also being placed on different channel positions over area [[Cable television in the United States|cable systems]], in some cases on channels "O" and "D" instead of "7". Leider regarded the "WSVN" name as easier to viewers to remember, thus providing a competitive advantage.<ref name="Miam830418">{{Cite news|last=Jicha|first=Tom|date=April 18, 1983|title='Abortion Clinic' looks at both sides of a sensitive issue|page=5B|newspaper=The Miami News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74457741/abortion-clinic-looks-at-both-sides/|access-date=February 19, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220181454/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74457741/abortion-clinic-looks-at-both-sides/|url-status=live}}</ref> As part of the change, Sunbeam acquired the rights for the WSVN call letters from [[PBS]] member [[WBRA-TV]] in [[Roanoke, Virginia]], which had used them for their [[Norton, Virginia|Norton]]-licensed satellite.{{r|Miam830416}}

Sunbeam invested a total of $150,000 into this change, including $50,000 for the call letter purchase and FCC paperwork, and $100,000 for an extensive marketing campaign.{{r|Miam830606}} The call sign change was effective at 7&nbsp;a.m. on June 7, 1983, with ''News'' radio critic Tom Jicha joking, "...the station should have gone all the way and done it at 7:07 on July 7".{{r|Miam830418}} NBC engaged in [[cross-promotion]] to help the station unveil their new "WSVN" name, mentioning it on-air both ''Today'' and ''The Tonight Show''. Network executives Grant Tinker and [[Steve Sohmer]] both sent congratulatory letters to Leider on the name change, and Sohmer began to advise NBC affiliates on how to stress their respective call letters for future promotions.<ref name="Miam830606">{{Cite news|last=Jicha|first=Tom|date=June 6, 1983|title=That new name cost a bundle to WS(e)V(e)N|page=7A|newspaper=The Miami News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71162512/that-new-name-cost-a-bundle-to/|access-date=February 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034333/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71162512/that-new-name-cost-a-bundle-to/|archive-date=February 17, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Even with the name change, WSVN continued to struggle in the ratings at both 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., often finishing in third place after WTVJ and WPLG. News director David Choate said, "we're not the favorite station for news in Miami... we keep battling [WTVJ] for second place".<ref name="Miam840810a">{{Cite news|last=O'Day|first=Bilie|date=August 10, 1984|title=Rondinaro reports for last time on Channel 7 news|page=9A|newspaper=The Miami News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95582928/rondinaro-reports-for-last-time-on/|access-date=February 20, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220181504/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95582928/rondinaro-reports-for-last-time-on/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Wayne Fariss left the station on January 31, 1984, initially retiring after a 36-year broadcasting career;<ref name="Miam831216">{{Cite news|date=December 16, 1983|title=NBC cancels five, adds six new shows|page=25E|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95641632/nbc-cancels-five-adds-six-new-shows/|access-date=February 20, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220071647/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95641632/nbc-cancels-five-adds-six-new-shows/|url-status=live}}</ref> a brief comeback attempt as vice president of news for [[WZVN-TV|WEVU-TV]] in [[Naples, Florida|Naples]] ended after Fariss suffered a heart attack.<ref name="Miam841208">{{Cite news|date=December 8, 1984|title=2 veteran broadcasters in critical condition|page=1B|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75064888/2-veteran-broadcasters-in-critical/|access-date=February 20, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220181455/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75064888/2-veteran-broadcasters-in-critical/|url-status=live}}</ref> Lead anchor Steve Rondinaro left in August 1984 after declining an offer to return to field reporting, calling wages paid to anchors "[[hazard pay]]" due to their jobs being dependent on ratings.<ref name="Miam840810">{{Cite news|last=Cheakalos|first=Christina|date=August 10, 1984|title=Ch. 7 to replace anchor Rondinaro|page=13C|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95553504/ch-7-to-replace-anchor-rondinaro/|access-date=February 20, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220071649/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95553504/ch-7-to-replace-anchor-rondinaro/|url-status=live}}</ref> Rondinaro's coverage of the [[1984 Democratic National Convention]], praised by local media, occurred after his departure was announced.{{r|Miam840810a}} His replacement was [[CNN Headline News]] anchor [[Peter Shann Ford|Peter Ford]], an [[Australia]]n native.{{r|Miam840810}} WSVN debuted ''Live at Five'', an hour-long lifestyle-centered newscast anchored by Denise White and Frank Robertson, on August 1, 1986.<ref name="Sout870609">{{Cite news|last=Kelley|first=Bill|date=June 9, 1987|title='Live at 5' needs more than a bath|page=E1|newspaper=Sun-Sentinel|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95640384/live-at-5-needs-more-than-a-bath/|access-date=February 20, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220071648/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95640384/live-at-5-needs-more-than-a-bath/|url-status=live}}</ref> While in development for nearly a year with a $2 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|2000000|1986}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) investment, production manager Frank Biancuzzo said, "we're going to be the [[David Letterman]] of the 5 p.m. shows, in that we'll try anything."<ref name="Miam860727">{{Cite news|last=Loudis|first=Stephanie|date=July 27, 1986|title=Channel 7 has high hopes for its new 'Live at 5' team|pages=4–[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95649651/channel-7-has-high-hopes-for-its-new/ 5]:TV|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95649595/channel-7-has-high-hopes-for-its-new/|access-date=February 20, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220071659/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95649595/channel-7-has-high-hopes-for-its-new/|url-status=live}}</ref> WSVN also began a series of remote broadcasts spotlighting the region's history titled ''Celebrating South Florida''<ref name="Miam870501">{{Cite news|last=Loudis|first=Stephanie|date=May 1, 1987|title=Sachs leave Channel 10; 7 spotlights local history|page=11E|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95640732/sachs-leave-channel-10-7-spotlights/|access-date=February 20, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220181500/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95640732/sachs-leave-channel-10-7-spotlights/|url-status=live}}</ref> and billed themselves as "Your Hometown Station".<ref name="Fort860615">{{Cite news|last=Kelley|first=Bill|date=June 15, 1986|title=Ch. 7 team irked at ratings spot|page=11:TV Book|newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74458246/ch-7-team-irked-at-ratings-spot/|access-date=February 20, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220071657/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74458246/ch-7-team-irked-at-ratings-spot/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Quote box
| quote = When a major story breaks in Miami, you don't turn to WSVN... If a major bank failed and a truck carrying pigs overturned on the freeway on the same day, WPLG would lead with the pigs, WTVJ probably would go with the bank and WSVN would miss the stories altogether.
| author = Tom Jicha
| source = ''Miami News'' columnist<ref name="Channels198806p26">{{Cite magazine |last=Behrens |first=Steve |date=June 1988 |title=Miami Braces for a Jolt |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Channels-of-Communication/Channels-1988-06.pdf |magazine=Channels |pages=26–27 |volume=8 |issue=6}}</ref>
| width = 275px
| salign = right
}}

''Live at Five'' struggled in the ratings; the May 1987 sweeps book showed minimal improvement over ''[[Quincy, M.E.]]'' reruns that it replaced, with ''[[Sun-Sentinel]]'' critic Bill Kelley saying, "the way I look at it, if you're determined to keep that ailing family dog that everyone in town has been telling you to put to sleep, you do more for him than give him a bath."{{r|Sout870609}} Rick Sanchez, who was in consideration to co-host ''Live at Five'', was suspended in March 1986 after revelations of ties to [[influence peddling|influence peddler]] Alberto San Pedro came to light.<ref name="MiamiH19860326p23">{{Cite news|last1=Leen|first1=Jeff|last2=Ducassi|first2=Jay|date=March 26, 1986|title=Police, politicians call San Pedro's allegations big lies|page=3B|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96085672/police-politicians-call-san-pedros/|access-date=February 22, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="MiamiH19860423p20">{{Cite news|last1=Leen|first1=Jay|last2=Melouza|first2=Lourdes|last3=Santiago|first3=Fabiola|last4=Viglucci|first4=Andres|last5=Ducassi|first5=Jay|date=April 23, 1986|title=Tapes depict San Pedro as a political manipulator|page=4B|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96086438/tapes-depict-san-pedro-as-a-political/|access-date=February 22, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> While not directly implicated in any criminal activity, Sanchez left the Miami market to take a reporting job with Houston's [[KHOU]].<ref name="MiamiN19860702p9">{{Cite news|last=Jicha|first=Tom|date=July 2, 1986|title=Sanchez gets Houston job|page=9A|newspaper=The Miami News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96087856/sanchez-gets-houston-job/|access-date=February 22, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Choate expressed frustration at continued perception of WSVN as a "perennial third-place station" while critics noted the newscasts had improved substantially since Fariss's 1980 removal from evenings.{{r|Fort860615}} The station even made the news on October 17, 1985, when an [[electrical fire]] broke out in the studio during the 11 p.m. newscast, temporarily forcing the station off the air.<ref name="Miam851018">{{Cite news|last=Miller|first=Maurice|date=October 18, 1985|title=Channel 7 blaze puts news anchor in midst of story|page=10A|newspaper=The Miami News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74456060/channel-7-blaze-puts-news-anchor-in/|access-date=February 20, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220181436/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74456060/channel-7-blaze-puts-news-anchor-in/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Veteran weatherman Wayne Chandler suffered a severe head injury in a [[vehicular collision]] on December 7, 1984.<ref name="Miam060815">{{Cite news|last=Pease|first=Shannon|date=August 15, 2006|title=Wayne Chandler, 65: Former weatherman at WSVN-Channel 7|page=5B|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94632480/wayne-chandler-65-former-weatherman/|access-date=February 20, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220071704/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94632480/wayne-chandler-65-former-weatherman/|url-status=live}}</ref> By coincidence, Chandler's hospitalization occurred hours after Wayne Fariss was hospitalized for his heart attack.{{r|Miam841208}} Chandler's ''Sunday Funnies'' co-host Toby the Robot previously "retired" on April 1, 1984, when Charlie Folds accepted a full-time role as WSVN's public relations director.<ref name="Miam840309">{{Cite news|last=Easley|first=Sandra|date=March 9, 1984|title=After 21 years, Toby the Robot retires from TV|page=5B|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75064687/after-21-years-toby-the-robot-retires/|access-date=February 20, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220071705/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75064687/after-21-years-toby-the-robot-retires/|url-status=live}}</ref> Folds later said of his last day playing the robot, "when I put on that costume, I ''became'' Toby."<ref name="Miam031206">{{Cite news|last=Garvin|first=Glenn|date=December 6, 2003|title=Charlie Folds, public face of WSVN, to retire|page=4A|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94632164/charlie-folds-public-face-of-wsvn-to/|access-date=February 20, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220071707/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94632164/charlie-folds-public-face-of-wsvn-to/|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite hopes of an on-air return, Chandler never fully recovered from his injuries and was forced to retire.{{r|Miam060815}} Folds (as himself) took over as host of ''Sunday Funnies'',<ref name="Miam841223">{{Cite news|last=Gemoules|first=Craig|date=December 23, 1984|title=Newsman Fariss recuperating; Chandler still in hospital|page=2D|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75064802/newsman-fariss-recuperating-chandler/|access-date=February 20, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220071659/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75064802/newsman-fariss-recuperating-chandler/|url-status=live}}</ref> which continued production through 1986. Long-running public affairs shows ''Impacto'', ''Perspectives'' and ''Florida Forum'', which operations manager Dave Bieber called "holdovers from a significant number of years ago", were all cancelled at the end of 1986 in advance of NBC's planned spring 1987 launch of ''[[Weekend Today|Sunday Today]]''.<ref name="Miam861219">{{Cite news|last=Jicha|first=Tom|date=December 19, 1986|title=Channel 7 cancels public-affairs shows; 'Stingray' returning|page=9A|newspaper=The Miami News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75065154/channel-7-cancels-public-affairs-shows/|access-date=February 20, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220181444/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75065154/channel-7-cancels-public-affairs-shows/|url-status=live}}</ref> The presence of ''Live at Five'' as a daily program that already covered similar topics to those shows was regarded as an upgrade.{{r|Sout870316}}