Editing WSVN (section)

=== CBS purchases WCIX ===
After NBC purchased WTVJ, the ''Herald''{{'}}s Steve Sonsky wrote "the simplest thing that could happen" was for CBS to affiliate with WSVN in a two-station exchange.{{r|Miam870210}} By June 1988, Sonsky said a WSVN-CBS affiliation was still possible, "...&nbsp;unless 7 wants to become an independent station and suffer an enormous drop in value".{{r|Miam880609b}} An impasse developed between Ansin and CBS: the network desired to move off of WTVJ as soon as possible, but Ansin insisted a CBS contract take effect on January 1, 1989, when WSVN's NBC contract was set to end.{{r|Miam880427}} Sports broadcasts were the core reason. NBC was committed to carrying the [[1988 Summer Olympics]], the [[1988 World Series]],{{r|Fort880619}} and a majority of [[Miami Dolphins]] football games thanks to [[NFL on NBC|the network's NFL-AFC broadcast rights]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jicha |first=Tom |date=July 4, 1988 |title=Delayed season an opportunity for WSVN compromise |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74525747/delayed-season-an-opportunity-for-wsvn/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034454/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74525747/delayed-season-an-opportunity-for-wsvn/ |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |access-date=April 4, 2021 |newspaper=The Miami News |page=4C |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Tony Malara, president of CBS's affiliate relations division who handled the negotiations, insisted CBS was deeply distressed at having to remain on an NBC-owned station; WSVN general manager Bob Leider countered, saying that such distress was never mentioned by CBS during negotiations,{{r|Miam890101a}} and Ansin insisted CBS agreed to his timeframe early on in the talks, which Malara denied.<ref name="Miam880809a">{{Cite news |last=Sonsky |first=Steve |date=August 9, 1988 |title=Channel 7's Ed Ansin gambled big and lost big. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74976470/channel-7s-ed-ansin-gambled-big-and/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034502/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74976470/channel-7s-ed-ansin-gambled-big-and/ |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |access-date=April 2, 2021 |newspaper=The Miami Herald |pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74976496/channel-7s-ed-ansin-gambled-big-and/ 8C] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Ansin made arrangements to fly to [[New York City]] on April 26 to sign a CBS contract at [[CBS Building|Black Rock]] when Malara called off the meeting, citing that they were reaching out to other parties regarding a purchase or affiliation.{{r|Miam880427}} Malara said to Ansin the trip was pointless if he would not waver off of the January 1 date.{{r|Miam880809a}}

One week after the negotiations broke down,<ref name="Fort880507">{{Cite news |last=Rubinkowski |first=Leslie |date=May 7, 1988 |title=WSVN owner files suit against networks, firm |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74525894/wsvn-owner-files-suit-against-networks/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034441/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74525894/wsvn-owner-files-suit-against-networks/ |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |access-date=April 5, 2021 |newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News |page=7B |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Ansin filed an [[United States antitrust law|antitrust lawsuit]] against NBC, CBS, and the GE subsidiary that held WTVJ's license alleging [[collusion]] between the networks over WTVJ's sale with intent to cause WSVN "irreparable injury".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leigh |first=Catesby |date=May 7, 1988 |title=Channel 4 ridicules Channel 7 suit |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74484106/channel-4-ridicules-channel-7-suit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034441/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74484106/channel-4-ridicules-channel-7-suit/ |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |access-date=April 5, 2021 |newspaper=The Miami News |page=8A |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Ansin sent an additional [[Diplomatic correspondence|letter of protest]] to NBC that claimed WTVJ supplied stories to [[NBC News]] through the network's Miami [[news bureau]], which Ansin alleged violated NBC's existing WSVN contract.<ref name="MiamiN19880609p23">{{Cite news|last=Jicha|first=Tom|date=June 9, 1988|title=WTVJ move forces a choice between 'Jeopardy', 'Wheel'|page=5C|newspaper=The Miami News|location=Miami, Florida|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75141980/wtvj-move-forces-a-choice-between/|access-date=April 5, 2021|archive-date=February 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034443/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75141980/wtvj-move-forces-a-choice-between/|url-status=live}}</ref> Initially bolstered by a verdict that awarded $3.5&nbsp;million in damages to the owner of [[KOZL-TV|a former ABC station]] in [[Springfield, Missouri]], after Capital Cities/ABC Inc. disaffiliated them{{r|Fort880619}} (which was later thrown out on [[appeal]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rubin |first=James H. |date=October 2, 1989 |title=High Court Refuses TV Station Appeal |url=https://apnews.com/article/00f357033565398a62e3841eb5a07670 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034444/https://apnews.com/article/00f357033565398a62e3841eb5a07670 |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |access-date=April 8, 2021 |work=Associated Press}}</ref>) Ansin insisted the lawsuit would not hurt WSVN's chances regarding a network contract,{{r|Fort880507}} but talks between him and CBS never resumed.{{r|Miam880609b}}

Meanwhile, TVX was under financial duress by principal creditor [[Salomon Brothers]], which helped finance TVX's purchase of WCIX and four other Taft stations and in turn held more than 60&nbsp;percent ownership of TVX.<ref name="DMN870708">{{cite news |last=Weiss |first=Michael |date=July 8, 1987 |title=Broadcaster to focus on trimming costs: Channel 21's new owner 'doing deals' |work=[[The Dallas Morning News]] |page=1D}}</ref> After a missed payment of $200&nbsp;million to Salomon earlier in 1988,<ref name="DMN880124">{{cite news |last=Weiss |first=Michael |date=January 24, 1988 |title=Channel 21's latest signals show trouble, possible sale |work=[[The Dallas Morning News]] |page=2H}}</ref> the creditor induced TVX to sell off two stations<ref>{{cite magazine |date=May 16, 1988 |title=For the Record |magazine=Broadcasting |volume=114 |issue=20 |pages=69–70 |id={{ProQuest|1014726593}}}}</ref><ref name="Tenn881018">{{Cite news |last=Schweid |first=Richard |date=October 18, 1988 |title=Buyer has high hopes for Ch. 30 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115370246/buyer-has-high-hopes-for-ch-30/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229075124/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115370246/buyer-has-high-hopes-for-ch-30/ |archive-date=December 29, 2022 |access-date=December 29, 2022 |newspaper=The Tennessean |location= |page=1D |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and pressured them to divest further.<ref>{{cite news|date=August 9, 1988|title=THE MEDIA BUSINESS; CBS to Buy TV Station In Miami|newspaper=The New York Times|location=New York, New York|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/09/business/the-media-business-cbs-to-buy-tv-station-in-miami.html|access-date=April 8, 2021|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117210546/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/09/business/the-media-business-cbs-to-buy-tv-station-in-miami.html|url-status=live}}</ref> By July 1988, ''[[Electronic Media]]'' reported CBS quietly was in talks with Salomon to purchase WCIX.<ref name="Miam880730">{{Cite news |last=Loudis |first=Stephanie |date=July 30, 1988 |title=Rumors fly again about chance of Channel 6-CBS tie |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121661146/rumors-fly-again-about-chance-of/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327064444/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121661146/rumors-fly-again-about-chance-of/ |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |access-date=March 27, 2023 |newspaper=The Miami Herald |page=7B |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> [[Howard Stringer]], recently appointed as president for [[CBS News and Stations|CBS's owned-stations division]], told the ''News'' on August 5 he expected a resolution of the Miami affiliation dilemma "... probably by next week".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Jicha|first=Tom|date=August 5, 1988|title=CBS purchase of Channel 6 likely, chief hints|page=7A|newspaper=The Miami News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74526615/cbs-purchase-of-channel-6-likely-chief/|url-status=live|access-date=April 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034448/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74526615/cbs-purchase-of-channel-6-likely-chief/|archive-date=February 17, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> WCIX's general manager said CBS's negotiations with Salomon made it much more than a threat aimed at Ansin.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Sonsky|first1=Steve|last2=Owens|first2=Dory|date=July 13, 1988|title=CBS team pays visit to WCIX-Channel 6|page=4B|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75239834/cbs-team-pays-visit-to-wcix-channel-6/|url-status=live|access-date=April 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034513/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75239834/cbs-team-pays-visit-to-wcix-channel-6/|archive-date=February 17, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On August 8, 1988, CBS announced their purchase of WCIX for $59&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|59000000|1988}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}),<ref name="MiamN880809p1">{{Cite news|last1=Ward|first1=Mike|last2=Lomartire|first2=Paul|last3=Anderson|first3=Bonnie|last4=Jicha|first4=Paul|date=August 9, 1988|title=TV flip-flop 'like Miami's own soap opera'|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74459633/tv-flip-flop-like-miamis-own-soap/ 7A]|newspaper=The Miami News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74459567/tv-flip-flop-like-miamis-own-soap/|url-status=live|access-date=April 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034449/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74459567/tv-flip-flop-like-miamis-own-soap/|archive-date=February 17, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> a price far below TVX's $90&nbsp;million valuation of the station two years earlier.{{r|Miam890101a}} Several Wall Street analysts estimated WSVN's market value dropped by as much as $200&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|200000000|1988}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) after CBS's announcement,<ref name="Miam890101b">{{Cite news|last=Sonsky|first=Steve|date=January 1, 1989|title=3 million TV viewers affected|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74463579/3-million-tv-viewers-affected-p2/ 25A]|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74463186/3-million-tv-viewers-affected/|url-status=live|access-date=April 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412212200/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74463186/3-million-tv-viewers-affected/|archive-date=April 12, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> with one analyst suggesting the station now had one-third of the [[cash flow]] it had while an NBC affiliate.{{r|Miam880809a}}

CBS simultaneously announced a new affiliation agreement was reached with West Palm Beach's ABC affiliate [[WPEC]]<ref name="Palm880806">{{Cite news |last=Michals |first=Bob |date=August 6, 1988 |title=Five TV stations poised for network shuffle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105526539/five-tv-stations-poised-for-network/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714035000/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105526539/five-tv-stations-poised-for-network/ |archive-date=July 14, 2022 |access-date=July 13, 2022 |newspaper=The Palm Beach Post |location=West Palm Beach, Florida |page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105526581/ 14A] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> that addressed WCIX's technical disadvantages for over-the-air television viewers in the Miami market.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kelley|first=Bill|date=December 28, 1988|title=CBS fans might find picture a little fuzzy on Channel 6|page=8A|newspaper=Sun-Sentinel|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74534747/cbs-fans-might-find-picture-a-little/|url-status=live|access-date=April 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034449/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74534747/cbs-fans-might-find-picture-a-little/|archive-date=February 17, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The WPEC-CBS deal pulled a second media market into the affiliation switches that now involved, in both Miami and West Palm Beach, six stations and three million television viewers.<ref name="Fort881228a">{{Cite news|last=Kelley|first=Bill|date=December 28, 1988|title=The Big Switch: Tuning in to South Florida TV|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74534707/the-big-switch-tuning-in-to-south/ 8A]|newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74534562/the-big-switch-tuning-in-to-south/|url-status=live|access-date=April 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034449/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74534562/the-big-switch-tuning-in-to-south/|archive-date=February 17, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>{{r|Miam890101b}}<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kelley|first=Bill|date=December 28, 1988|title=Shifting TV channels confuse many viewers|page=8A|newspaper=Sun-Sentinel|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74535146/shifting-tv-channels-confuse-many/|url-status=live|access-date=April 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034453/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74535146/shifting-tv-channels-confuse-many/|archive-date=February 17, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>