Editing WSVN (section)

=== Hearings and revocation ===
{{Quote box
| quote = If I had been allied with the ''[Miami] Herald'' and had not disclosed this to the FCC we would have been subject to loss of our licenses... I thought there were very serious implications to the untrue rumor, and I felt that as a member of the FCC, [Richard] Mack should know the facts.
| author = James M. Cox{{r|Tamp600625}}
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| width = 300px
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The FCC decided to reopen the process for the channel 7 license on April 3, 1959, with hearings in Philadelphia on conflict of interests among the commissioners.{{r|Miam590404}}<ref name="Miam600612">{{Cite news|date=June 12, 1960|title=Channel 7 Probe Opens Tomorrow|page=9A|newspaper=The Miami News|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94721335/channel-7-probe-opens-tomorrow/|access-date=February 11, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211201310/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94721335/channel-7-probe-opens-tomorrow/|url-status=live}}</ref> These hearings were conducted Mack had resigned under pressure from President Eisenhower{{r|Miam580222}} and was indicted with Whiteside on charges of [[influence peddling]], fraud and [[Conspiracy (criminal)|conspiracy]] regarding the WPST-TV license.{{r|Tamp600612}} The first trial resulted in a [[hung jury]];<ref name="Miam590711">{{Cite news|date=July 11, 1959|title=Mack Trial In Fall? Lone Juror's Conscience May Mean New Hearing In Miami|page=3A|newspaper=The Miami News|agency=United Press International|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94709870/mack-trial-in-fall-lone-jurors/|access-date=February 11, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214234443/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94709870/mack-trial-in-fall-lone-jurors/|url-status=live}}</ref> while Mack was too ill to be retried, Whiteside was acquitted but committed suicide.<ref name="Miam611117">{{Cite news|last=Dunn|first=Kristine|date=November 17, 1961|title=Goodby Sunday To WPST-TV|page=3B|newspaper=The Miami News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94709964/goodby-sunday-to-wpst-tv/|access-date=February 11, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211061416/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94709964/goodby-sunday-to-wpst-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref> Former [[Pennsylvania Supreme Court]] justice [[Horace Stern]] presided as FCC examiner and scheduled hearings to begin on June 13, 1960.<ref name="Miam600317">{{Cite news|date=March 17, 1960|title=Channel 7 Hearing Set in June|page=2A|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94728126/channel-7-hearing-set-in-june/|access-date=February 11, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214234527/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94728126/channel-7-hearing-set-in-june/|url-status=live}}</ref> Stern was appointed to examine potential misconduct by the FCC surrounding all disputed or contested licenses,<ref name="Fort600727">{{Cite news|date=July 27, 1960|title=Three Firms Deny Channel 7 'Influence'|page=3A|newspaper=[[Fort Lauderdale News]]|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94728762/three-firms-deny-channel-7-influence/|access-date=February 11, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215003632/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94728762/three-firms-deny-channel-7-influence/|url-status=live}}</ref> and said the investigation was "... a matter of public justice".{{r|Miam600317}} Two weeks before the hearings started, Angland suffered a fatal heart attack, but his extant findings and prior testimony were admitted as evidence.{{r|Miam600612}} Under [[oath]], Trammell admitted to speaking multiple times with FCC commissioners but denied exerting [[undue influence]] and stated that the talks were to inform the agency of his resignation from NBC.<ref name="Miam6006142">{{Cite news|last=Engelke|first=C.B.|date=June 14, 1960|title=Trammel Tells Role In Channel 7 Grant|pages=1A–[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94730393/trammel-tells-role-in-channel-7-grant/ 2A]|newspaper=The Miami Herald|agency=United Press International|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94730359/trammel-tells-role-in-channel-7-grant/|access-date=February 11, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215000015/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94730359/trammel-tells-role-in-channel-7-grant/|url-status=live}}</ref> Cox testified to speaking on the phone with Mack in December 1955, regarding rumors of a ''[[sub rosa]]'' arrangement between the ''News'' and ''Herald'' that Cox feared threatened not only the Biscayne bid but the licenses of his other broadcast assets.<ref name="Tamp600625">{{Cite news|date=June 25, 1960|title=Hearing On Miami TV Channel Award Ends|page=9A|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|agency=United Press International|location=St. Petersburg, Florida|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94720294/hearing-on-miami-tv-channel-award-ends/|access-date=February 11, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214234513/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94720294/hearing-on-miami-tv-channel-award-ends/|url-status=live}}</ref>

After the hearings concluded, FCC general counsel proposed revoking WCKT's license and disqualifying Biscayne, South Florida Television and East Coast Television from participating in any subsequent license applications.{{r|Miam600727}} All three companies denied any wrongdoing,{{r|Fort600727}} while Sunbeam requested a specific finding declaring they were "completely innocent" and the other applicants disqualified themselves.<ref name="Miam600727">{{Cite news|date=July 27, 1960|title=Channel 7 Bidders Disclaim Any Wrongdoing|page=4A|newspaper=The Miami Herald|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94739815/channel-7-bidders-disclaim-any/|access-date=February 11, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211201312/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94739815/channel-7-bidders-disclaim-any/|url-status=live}}</ref> Stern issued his ruling on September 14, 1960, agreeing with the general counsel's proposals and affirming them in his recommendations,<ref name="Miam600914a">{{Cite news|date=September 14, 1960|title=Revoke License For Channel 7, U.S. Judge Asks|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94742250/revoke-license-for-channel-7-us/ 8A]|newspaper=The Miami News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94742213/revoke-license-for-channel-7-us/|access-date=February 11, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211201306/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94742213/revoke-license-for-channel-7-us/|url-status=live}}</ref> with Sunbeam the recipient of a new license by default.{{r|Miam870525}} Sidney Ansin was "delighted" at the ruling but unsure if it meant Sunbeam would be awarded a new license outright with no bidding process.<ref name="Miam600914b">{{Cite news|date=September 14, 1960|title=Sunbeam Expected Chance|pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94742311/sunbeam-expected-chance-p2/ 8A]|newspaper=The Miami News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94742283/sunbeam-expected-chance/|access-date=February 11, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211201309/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94742283/sunbeam-expected-chance/|url-status=live}}</ref> The FCC revoked WPST-TV's license on July 14, 1960, and awarded a replacement license to [[WCKY (AM)|WCKY]] owner L.B. Wilson, Inc., the only bidder for the channel 10 license not disqualified, but FCC chairman [[Frederick W. Ford]] said that new license was short-term and meant to ensure uninterrupted broadcasting if another bidding process took place.<ref name="Miam600715">{{Cite news|last=Kraslow|first=David J.|date=July 15, 1960|title=FCC Switches Ch. 10 Permit To Ohio Firm|pages=1A-[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94741699/fcc-switches-ch-10-permit-to-ohio/ 2A]|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94741648/fcc-switches-ch-10-permit-to-ohio-firm/|access-date=February 11, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214234511/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94741648/fcc-switches-ch-10-permit-to-ohio-firm/|url-status=live}}</ref> Following a year-long review, WCKT's license was officially revoked by the FCC on July 26, 1961, but the ruling was held in [[abeyance]] to allow Biscayne an opportunity to appeal.<ref name="Miam610727">{{Cite news|date=July 27, 1961|title=FCC Lifts Channel 7 Franchise|page=1A|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95028165/fcc-lifts-channel-7-franchise/|access-date=February 15, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216043304/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95028165/fcc-lifts-channel-7-franchise/|url-status=live}}</ref> Biscayne's petition for reconsideration was rejected by the FCC, which reaffirmed the ruling on May 10, 1962, via a 5–1 vote.<ref name="Miam620510">{{Cite news|date=May 10, 1962|title=FCC Turns Down Channel 7 Appeal|page=2A|newspaper=The Miami Herald|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95029001/fcc-turns-down-channel-7-appeal/|access-date=February 15, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034330/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95029001/fcc-turns-down-channel-7-appeal/|url-status=live}}</ref> Robert E. Lee, by that point the only remaining commissioner to vote in favor of the Biscayne license in 1956 and 1957,{{r|Miam590404}} was the lone dissenter.{{r|Miam620510}} The FCC's reaffirming stipulated that WCKT's license would remain active for four months but did not provide a definitive date for the Biscayne-Sunbeam changeover.{{r|Miam620510}}

[[File:WCKT_WCKR_studios.jpg|thumb|The "Isle of Dreams" in [[North Bay Village]], home to channel 7's studios and [[WIOD]]'s studios and transmitter towers|275x275px]]
Biscayne president Niles Trammell filed an appeal with the [[United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit|U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington]], citing the station's Peabody Award and industrial acclaim.<ref name="Miam620608">{{Cite news|last=Dunn|first=Kristine|date=June 8, 1962|title=Ch. 7 Appeals FCC Decision|page=8B|newspaper=The Miami News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95033131/ch-7-appeals-fcc-decision/|access-date=February 15, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215204915/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95033131/ch-7-appeals-fcc-decision/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the May 21, 1962, issue of ''[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]'' reported Biscayne proposed donating WCKT's license and assets to the [[University of Miami]], which would be leased back to Sunbeam; Sunbeam regarded the FCC ruling as a new license outright.<ref>{{Cite news|date=May 21, 1962|title=Closed Circuit: Miami's ch. 7 status|volume=62|page=5|work=Broadcasting|issue=21|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1962/1962-05-21-BC.pdf|access-date=February 15, 2021|via=World Radio History|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308041143/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1962/1962-05-21-BC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Sidney Ansin confirmed that the proposal was suggested two months earlier but was rejected amid plans to construct a separate transmitter tower and studios.<ref name="Miam620523">{{Cite news|last=Anderson|first=Jack|date=May 23, 1962|title=Ch. 7 Transfer To UM Proposed|page=18A|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95033276/ch-7-transfer-to-um-proposed/|access-date=February 15, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215204923/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95033276/ch-7-transfer-to-um-proposed/|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the court appeal still being on file, Trammell announced on November 14, 1962, that Biscayne agreed to sell off WCKT's non-license assets to Sunbeam, while WCKR was resold back to the Cox family.<ref name="Miam621115">{{Cite news|last=Anderson|first=Jack E.|date=November 15, 1962|title=Channel 7 Sale Is Proposed|pages=1A–[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95032847/channel-7-sale-is-proposed-p2/ 2A]|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95032813/channel-7-sale-is-proposed/|access-date=February 15, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217034334/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95032813/channel-7-sale-is-proposed/|url-status=live}}</ref> As part of the agreement, [[James M. Cox Jr.]] and John S. Knight pledged their share of the proceeds to the University of Miami, with an initial $400,000 [[down payment]] and an additional $1.4&nbsp;million over several years; university president [[Henry King Stanford]] announced the funds would help bolster its scientific education and research programs.<ref name="Miam621220">{{Cite news|last=Mann|first=Pete|date=December 20, 1962|title=University Windfall Going to Research|page=C1|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95033589/university-windfall-going-to-research/|access-date=February 15, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215204921/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95033589/university-windfall-going-to-research/|url-status=live}}</ref> The $3.4&nbsp;million sale was approved on December 5, 1962, with Biscayne dropping all remaining challenges and appeals.<ref name="Miam621206">{{Cite news|last=Anderson|first=Jack|date=December 6, 1962|title=Sale of TV Channel 7 Gets Approval of FCC|page=10B|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74589415/sale-of-tv-channel-7-gets-approval-of/|access-date=February 15, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216055338/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74589415/sale-of-tv-channel-7-gets-approval-of/|url-status=live}}</ref> Ansin retained all on- and off-air personnel, including existing station manager Charles Kelly, and re-used the WCKT call sign for the new license.<ref name="Miam621116">{{Cite news|last=Anderson|first=Jack|date=November 16, 1962|title=If Channel 7 Sale Okd: $2 Million Gift Headed for UM?|page=C1|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74549171/if-channel-7-sale-okd-2-million-gift/|access-date=February 15, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215204919/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74549171/if-channel-7-sale-okd-2-million-gift/|url-status=live}}</ref> Ownership of the island was partitioned between WCKT and WCKR, with shared parking, a [[security guard]] booth and an agreement not to build anything else on the island without the other owner's consent.<ref name="Miam080424">{{Cite news|last=Fraga|first=Lazaro|date=April 24, 2008|title=Local TV station fights high rise|page=4:Neighbors|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95035421/local-tv-station-fights-high-rise/|access-date=February 15, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215222933/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95035421/local-tv-station-fights-high-rise/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BizJor20210310">{{Cite web|last=Bandell|first=Brian|date=March 10, 2021|title=WSVN owner Sunbeam buys neighboring property for $29M|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2021/03/10/wsvn-owner-buys-north-bay-village-property.html|access-date=February 15, 2022|website=South Florida Business Journal|archive-date=March 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310160109/https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2021/03/10/wsvn-owner-buys-north-bay-village-property.html|url-status=live}}</ref>