Editing WSVN (section)

=== Adjustments, ''Deco Drive'', and continuity ===
{{Quote box
| quote = Already it's hard to remember a time when television news wasn't paced like an action movie, edited like an MTV video, and scored like a horror flick.
| author = Jim Mullin
| source = the ''Miami New Times'', on Joel Cheatwood's departure from Sunbeam{{r|Mullin1997i031}}
| width = 275px
| salign = right
}}

In February 1997, Joel Cheatwood left his role at Sunbeam Television to become news director for Chicago's NBC-owned station, WMAQ-TV.{{r|MiamiH19970129p1}} Cheatwood's tenure at WMAQ lasted 16 months and was punctuated by a short-lived experiment with [[Jerry Springer]] as a commentator;<ref name="Blogs. 2011 k803">{{cite web |last=Rosenthal |first=Phil |date=March 27, 2011 |title=Onetime WMAQ rebel may go rogue with Glenn Beck |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/ct-biz-0327-phil--20110327%2C0%2C7642311.column |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110329131350/https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/ct-biz-0327-phil--20110327,0,7642311.column |archive-date=March 29, 2011 |access-date=March 5, 2024 |website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> he later attempted to implement a tabloid format at WCBS-TV in New York City.<ref name="NYDailyNews2000m714">{{cite web |date=October 25, 2000 |title=New Identity for Ch. 2: Info Network |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2000/10/25/new-identity-for-ch-2-info-network/ |access-date=February 28, 2024 |website=New York Daily News}}</ref> Cheatwood was succeeded as vice president of news by existing news director Alice Jacobs,<ref name="MiamiH19940715p22">{{Cite news |last=Boedeker |first=Hal |date=July 15, 1994 |title=Ch. 7 exec heads to new Iowa job |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-ch-7-exec-heads-to-new/142777407/ |access-date=March 6, 2024 |newspaper=The Miami Herald |page=2B |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="MiamiH19970507p45">{{Cite news |last=Jackson |first=Terry |date=May 7, 1997 |title='Body-bag journalism' rules in broadcast news, study says |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-body-bag-journalism-r/142778213/ |access-date=March 6, 2024 |newspaper=The Miami Herald |pages=1D–[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-body-bag-journalism-r/142778288/ 2D] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> a position she still holds.{{r|BC220622}}

By the end of the 1990s, all English-language stations in Miami–Fort Lauderdale adapted portions of the WSVN format. WHDH news director Bill Pohovey joined WPLG in 1998 as vice president of news;<ref name="Fybush1998u619">{{cite web |last=Fybush |first=Scott |date=May 20, 1998 |title=North East RadioWatch: May 20, 1998 |url=https://bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-980520.html |access-date=March 3, 2024 |website=The Archives @ BostonRadio.org}}</ref> under Pohovey, WPLG remained number one among English-language stations in 1999, emphasizing investigative journalism and human interest stories, combining it with elements of WSVN's tabloid format.<ref name="Parker2000r116">{{cite web |last1=Parker |first1=Danielle |last2=Leavitt |first2=Debra |date=March 1, 2000 |title=Miami Vice No More |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2000/03/01/miami-vice-no-more/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |website=Pew Research Center&#039;s Journalism Project}}</ref> Pohovey remains at WPLG in that position into the present day.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=March 10, 2021 |title=WPLG And WSFL Partner On New Newscasts |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/wplg-and-wsfl-partner-on-new-newscasts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201053/https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/wplg-and-wsfl-partner-on-new-newscasts/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date= |website=TV News Check}}</ref> In 1998, three years after WCIX moved to channel 4 as [[WFOR-TV]],{{Efn|See {{section link|WFOR-TV|Move to channel 4}}.}} that station's newscasts were reformatted to feature bold colors and a news theme with a [[Salsa music|salsa]] feel;<ref name="BC010507">{{Cite news |last=Trigoboff |first=Dan |date=May 7, 2001 |title=News with a salsa beat |magazine=Broadcasting & Cable |volume=131 |issue=20 |page=53 |id={{Gale|A74580820}}}}</ref> by 2004, WFOR and WTVJ employed multiple WSVN alumni.{{r|SunSentinel2004s856}} In response, WSVN began emphasizing breaking news, investigative and consumer stories.{{r|Parker2000r116}} Carmel Cafiero's reports were branded ''Carmel on the Case'' and given priority; a 2010 story on a Broward County [[pill mill]] as part of an ongoing series on the [[opioid crisis]] earned Cafiero and the station an [[Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award]].<ref name="MiamiH20230925pA10">{{Cite news |last=Cohen |first=Howard |date=September 25, 2023 |title=Carmel Cafiero, who exposed corruption in Miami for more than 40 years, dies at 76 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-carmel-cafiero-who-exp/142779200/ |access-date=March 6, 2024 |newspaper=The Miami Herald |page=10A |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

[[File:WSVN outdoor marquee Dec 2011.jpg|thumb|WSVN outdoor marquee promoting meteorologist Phil Ferro|190x190px]]

''7:30'' was relaunched on January 8, 1996, as ''[[Deco Drive]]'', a Miami-centric newsmagazine with Jessica Aguirre and Kelly Mitchell as hosts; WHDH also carried the program.<ref name="MiamiH19951117p125">{{Cite news |last=Whitefield |first=Mimi |date=November 17, 1995 |title=Sunbeam show stars S. Fla. ritz and glitz |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-sunbeam-show-stars-s-f/142646960/ |access-date=March 4, 2024 |newspaper=The Miami Herald |pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-sunbeam-show-stars-s-f/142646985/ 3C] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Along with the relaunch came a significant influx of personnel: while ''7:30'' operated with a staff of five people, ''Deco Drive'' debuted with a staff of 28. WHDH cancelled ''Deco'' after five months due to low ratings,{{r|MiaNT970508}} but the program continues to air on WSVN into the present day.{{r|Malone2021w244}} ''Deco'' initially met with moderate ratings in Miami but started to decline after several months, resulting in a format change that featured fast-paced reports mostly aggregated from WSVN's satellite feeds. Mitchell left the show in April 1996, followed by Aguirre in February 1997; Belkys Nerey replaced Aguirre as co-host.<ref name="MiaNT970508">{{Cite web |last=Semple |first=Kirk |date=May 8, 1997 |title=That's Infotainment! |url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/thats-infotainment-6360714 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034523/http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/thats-infotainment-6360714 |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |access-date=March 8, 2016 |website=Miami New Times}}</ref> Lynn Martinez, who has co-hosted ''Deco Drive'' since the summer of 1996, continues in that role.<ref name="Malone2021w244">{{cite web |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=January 8, 2021 |title=WSVN Miami's 'Deco Drive' Turns 25 |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/wsvn-miamis-deco-drive-turns-25 |access-date=March 5, 2024 |website=Broadcasting & Cable}}</ref>

Rick Sanchez left WSVN in April 2001 for a role at [[MSNBC]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Eggerton |first=John |date=April 11, 2001 |title=MSNBC signs Sanchez |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/138219-MSNBC_signs_Sanchez.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002174421/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/138219-MSNBC_signs_Sanchez.php |archive-date=October 2, 2013 |access-date=October 1, 2010 |newspaper=Broadcasting & Cable}}</ref>{{r|MiamiH20190526pA1}} His replacement was anchor-reporter Craig Stevens, who was paired with Nerey in August 2003 following the departure of Laurie Jennings. Stevens and Nerey continue to be the station's lead anchor team in the present day, praised for having a "dynamic" on-air chemistry between the two<ref name="Diaz2017l892">{{cite web |last=Diaz |first=Johnny |date=August 11, 2017 |title=Belkys Nerey, Craig Stevens look back on 14 years together as WSVN's lead anchor team |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2017/08/11/belkys-nerey-craig-stevens-look-back-on-14-years-together-as-wsvns-lead-anchor-team/ |access-date=March 1, 2024 |website=Sun Sentinel}}</ref> and strong knowledge of the region.<ref name="BC220622">{{cite news |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=June 22, 2022 |title=Local News Close-Up: South Florida Holds the Keys to Successful Local News |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/local-news-close-up-south-florida-holds-the-keys-to-successful-local-news |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703062220/https://www.nexttv.com/news/local-news-close-up-south-florida-holds-the-keys-to-successful-local-news |archive-date=July 3, 2022 |access-date=March 28, 2023 |work=Broadcasting & Cable}}</ref> Joining WSVN in 1994 as a reporter,<ref name="Kamph2012o746">{{cite web |last=Kamph |first=Stefan |date=November 22, 2012 |title=Belkys Nerey: Anchoring Miami |url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/belkys-nerey-anchoring-miami-6389903 |access-date=March 1, 2024 |website=Miami New Times}}</ref> Nerey became interested in TV news by watching [[Molly Turner]]'s consumer reports on WPLG.<ref name="Bosch2016t243">{{cite news|last=Bosch |first=Peter Andrew |date=July 22, 2016 |title=Florida's first female TV news anchor Molly Turner dies at 93 |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/obituaries/article91274367.html |access-date=March 3, 2024 |work=The Miami Herald}}</ref> The continuity has extended beyond the anchor desk: Steve Shapiro joined WSVN in 1997 as sports director and host of ''Sports Xtra'' on Sunday nights, duties he held until retiring at the end of 2020.<ref name="MiamiH20201230pA18">{{Cite news |last=Jackson |first=Barry |date=December 30, 2020 |title=Retiring Shapiro reflects on longest TV sportscast career in SoFla |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-retiring-shapiro-reflec/121857688/ |access-date=March 1, 2024 |newspaper=The Miami Herald |page=A18 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> [[Josh Moser]] was named as Shapiro's successor,<ref name="n594">{{cite news |last=Jackson |first=Barry |date=November 27, 2020 |title=WSVN-7 hires replacement for retiring Steve Shapiro. And NFL takes on college football |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article247433610.html |access-date=March 25, 2025 |work=The Miami Herald}}</ref> a role he continues to hold.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 20, 2023 |title=Best TV Sports Anchor – Josh Moser |url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/best-of/2023/arts-and-entertainment/best-tv-sports-anchor-17198814 |access-date=February 22, 2025 |website=Miami New Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name="b963">{{cite web |last=Chamberlain |first=Gene |date=June 24, 2024 |title=Drew Rosenhaus Advertises His Duo; Are Bears Listening? |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/bears/drew-rosenhaus-advertises-his-duo-are-bears-listening |access-date=March 25, 2025 |website=Chicago Bears On SI}}</ref> Since 1998, Patrick Fraser has hosted ''Help Me Howard'', a consumer advocacy/legal advice segment with former Broward County public defender [[Howard Finkelstein]];<ref name="Diaz2018j698">{{cite web |last=Diaz |first=Johnny |date=January 8, 2018 |title='Help Me Howard' turns 20 on WSVN-Ch. 7 |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2018/01/08/help-me-howard-turns-20-on-wsvn-ch-7/ |access-date=March 2, 2024 |website=Sun Sentinel}}</ref> Finkelstein also serves as WSVN's legal analyst.<ref name="Olmeda2020e932">{{cite web |last=Olmeda |first=Rafael |date=December 27, 2020 |title=What's next for 'Help Me Howard' Finkelstein? |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2020/12/27/whats-next-for-help-me-howard-finkelstein/ |access-date=March 3, 2024 |website=Sun Sentinel}}</ref> Carmel Cafiero retired in July 2016 after a 43-year run at channel 7; her retirement was regarded as the end of an era given her journalistic background and longevity.{{r|Farzan2016d648}} [[Marilyn Mitzel]] was the station's health reporter from 1988 until 2005, when the station dismissed her. Mitzel subsequently filed an [[age discrimination]] lawsuit against WSVN,<ref name="MiamiH20070812p4">{{Cite news |last=Fleischman |first=Joan |date=August 12, 2007 |title=Suit: Firing unhealthy for 50-plus health anchor |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-suit-firing-unhealthy/142646077/ |access-date=March 4, 2024 |newspaper=The Miami Herald |page=4A |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> initially prevailing in court; the ruling was overturned on appeal.<ref name="MiamiH20100814p26">{{Cite news |last=House |first=Kelly |date=August 14, 2010 |title=Former Ch. 7 reporter 'vindicated' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-former-ch-7-reporter/142646249/ |access-date=March 4, 2024 |newspaper=The Miami Herald |pages=1C–[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-former-ch-7-reporter/142646263/ 2C] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="MiamiH20120119pB8">{{Cite news |last=Garvin |first=Glenn |date=January 19, 2012 |title=Reporter's age-bias win reversed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-reporters-age-bias-win/142646333/ |access-date=March 4, 2024 |newspaper=The Miami Herald |page=8B |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

[[File:Sportscaster Josh Moser.jpg|thumb|WSVN sports anchor [[Josh Moser]] in 2024|alt=Josh Moser, wearing a Miami Heat press credential and reporting from a basketball arena and holding a microphone with the WSVN mic flag]]
News production has steadily increased, including the debut of a daily 4&nbsp;p.m. newscast in 2006,<ref name="Bandell2006y523">{{cite news|last=Bandell|first=Brian|date=September 4, 2006|title=More news is good news for WSVN Channel 7|work=South Florida Business Journal|url=http://southflorida.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2006/09/04/story4.html|access-date=April 8, 2021|archive-date=February 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034500/https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2006/09/04/story4.html|url-status=live}}</ref> additional news on the weekends,<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2010 |title=WSVN Adding More Weekend News |url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/43152/wsvn-adding-more-weekend-news?nocookies |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603124308/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/43152/wsvn-adding-more-weekend-news?nocookies |archive-date=June 3, 2012 |access-date=October 19, 2010 |website=TVNewsCheck}}</ref> and a 2011 expansion of ''Today in Florida'' to five hours.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 9, 2011 |title=WSVN Miami Expands Morning News Block |url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2011/08/09/53130/wsvn-miami-expands-morning-news-block |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034517/https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/wsvn-miami-expands-morning-news-block/ |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |access-date=March 3, 2024 |website=TVNewsCheck}}</ref> In March 2015, the "Newsplex" newsroom/newscast set was given a $500,000 upgrade to allow for more graphical elements to be displayed on-air.<ref name="SoFloBJ2015s477">{{cite web |last=Bandell |first=Brian |date=March 6, 2015 |title=WSVN to unveil pricy redesign of studio |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2015/03/06/wsvn-to-unveil-pricy-redesign-of-studio-slideshow.html |access-date=March 1, 2024 |website=South Florida Business Journal}}</ref> The newscast expansions and investment came against increased competition from the Internet and other technologies.{{r|Bandell2006y523}} Since 2010, viewership for all television stations in the Miami–Fort Lauderdale market, including WSVN, have declined per data from Nielsen Media, attributed to the growth of [[video on demand]] services and [[free ad-supported streaming television]].{{r|Farzan2016d648}} In local news ratings for the first half of 2022, WSVN placed second in nearly every timeslot among Miami's English-language stations.{{r|BC220622}}

As of 2022, WSVN produced 68 hours of local news every week.{{r|BC220622}}