Editing WSVN (section)

== The second WCKT (1962–1983) ==
=== Operating under the Ansin family ===
{{Quote box
| quote = I gave some consideration about going to Wall Street but really wanted to be in business with my father.
| author = Edmund Ansin{{r|SFLBiz20010827}}
| align = left
| width = 225px
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[[File:Sidney_and_Edmund_Ansin.jpg|thumb|Sidney and [[Edmund Ansin]]]]
Upon the change in ownership on December 19, 1962,{{r|Miam630614}} Edmund Ansin—who was Sunbeam's treasurer—was installed as the station's executive vice president, while Sidney was named WCKT board chairman.{{r|Miam760731}} Having graduated from the [[Wharton Business School]] in 1957, Edmund began working with his father Sidney's real estate holdings in South Florida as the region continued to enjoy substantial [[post-war]] growth.<ref name="SFLBiz20010827">{{cite news|last=Gale|first=Kevin|date=August 27, 2001|title=Ansin family to keep working until the cows have no home|work=South Florida Business Journal|url=http://southflorida.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2001/08/27/focus5.html|access-date=January 1, 2011|archive-date=September 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100927190817/http://southflorida.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2001/08/27/focus5.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Edmund's addition was the only substantial change made with the license changeover, which was otherwise conducted in such a manner that the new WCKT subsequently claimed the prior WCKT's history as its own.{{r|Miam760731}} Edmund's want to work with his father was his lead reason for joining Sunbeam after briefly considering working on [[Wall Street]].{{r|SFLBiz20010827}} Edmund was the executive vice president for a [[life insurance]] company Sidney co-founded in 1966 which bore the Sunbeam name;<ref name="Miam660715">{{Cite news|last=Bedwell|first=Don|date=July 15, 1966|title=Miamians Form Insurance Firm|page=10C|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95188964/miamians-form-insurance-firm/|access-date=February 17, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217210223/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95188964/miamians-form-insurance-firm/|url-status=live}}</ref> this company was sold off in 1969.<ref name="Palm691220">{{Cite news|date=December 20, 1969|title=Columbia National Life Insurance Co. ...|page=29|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95192295/columbia-national-life-insurance-co/|access-date=February 18, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218020535/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95192295/columbia-national-life-insurance-co/|url-status=live}}</ref> Edmund headed the most significant expansion for Sunbeam's real estate operations: a $1&nbsp;million purchase (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|1000000|1968}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) of {{Convert|637|acre|ha|lk=in|abbr=out}} of land in northeast [[Marion County, Indiana]], on August 21, 1968, at the time the largest [[land sale]] in the county's history.<ref name="Indi680822">{{Cite news |last=Adams |first=James L. |date=August 22, 1968 |title=Northside Land Sale 1 Of County's Biggest |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95215759/northside-land-sale-1-of-countys/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218020534/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95215759/northside-land-sale-1-of-countys/ |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |access-date=February 18, 2022 |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95215828/northside-land-sale-1-of-countys/ 16] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The purchased land was developed into Indianapolis's [[Castleton, Indianapolis|Castleton neighborhood]], helping make Sunbeam one of the largest land developers in Indiana.<ref name="Indi920705">{{Cite news |last=Koenig |first=Bill |date=July 5, 1992 |title=Sunbeam is a land developer that's been growing with Indianapolis |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95217921/sunbeam-is-a-land-developer-thats-been/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218061144/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95217921/sunbeam-is-a-land-developer-thats-been/ |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |access-date=February 18, 2022 |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |pages=C1–[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95218040/sunbeam/ C2] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

Due to the license being a short-term permit similar to the one awarded for WPST-TV replacement [[WPLG|WLBW-TV]], Sunbeam faced another bidding process for a full-time license. Sunbeam's only opposition came from Community Broadcasting Corp., composed of [[advertising executive]] Tally Embry and other Miami-based interests.<ref name="Miam630614">{{Cite news|last=Anderson|first=Jack E.|date=June 14, 1963|title=New Group Bids For Ch. 7 Reins|page=16C|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95237959/new-group-bids-for-ch-7-reins/|access-date=February 18, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218183801/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95237959/new-group-bids-for-ch-7-reins/|url-status=live}}</ref> FCC examiner Thomas Donahue ruled in favor of Sunbeam, saying that even though much of the station's programming output was done so "knowing ... that continued operation of the station was at stake", Sunbeam demonstrated that they knew how to operate WCKT.<ref name="Miam640801">{{Cite news|last=Meyer|first=Philip|date=August 1, 1964|title=Sunbeam License OKd In Channel 7 Dispute|page=7C|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95310934/sunbeam-license-okd-in-channel-7-dispute/|access-date=February 18, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218173653/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95310934/sunbeam-license-okd-in-channel-7-dispute/|url-status=live}}</ref> The FCC's broadcast bureau disagreed with Donahue's findings and with how Sunbeam was given credit for operating the station under pressure of the interim authority. An FCC attorney considered the bidding process to be "very close" but Sunbeam still held an edge.<ref name="Miam650302">{{Cite news|last=Meyer|first=Phil|date=March 2, 1965|title=Fight to Control Channel 7 Close, FCC Lawyer Says|page=2A|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95315574/fight-to-control-channel-7-close-fcc/|access-date=February 18, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218212759/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95315574/fight-to-control-channel-7-close-fcc/|url-status=live}}</ref> The FCC awarded Sunbeam a full-time license on May 15, 1965, by a unanimous 5–0 vote, concluding that they possessed all the necessary qualifications.<ref name="Miam650515">{{Cite news|last=McMullan|first=John|date=May 15, 1965|title=Channel 7 Operators Win License Battle|page=18A|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95312786/channel-7-operators-win-license-battle/|access-date=February 18, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218173645/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95312786/channel-7-operators-win-license-battle/|url-status=live}}</ref> Community Broadcasting Corp. filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, arguing that the FCC's inclusion of Sunbeam's ongoing record maintaining the interim operation was unfair to their bid.<ref name="WCKTAppealsCt1966">{{Cite news |date=July 4, 1966 |title=A tough decade can't be ignored: Court backs FCC ruling that WCKT's record since '57 be part of hearing |volume=71 |page=57 |work=Broadcasting |issue=1 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1966/1966-07-04-BC.pdf |access-date=March 11, 2022 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> The court ruled in favor of Sunbeam and the FCC in June 1966, with judge [[Carl E. McGowan]] noting:

{{Blockquote|text=Where a qualified applicant for a licensee has been compelled, by the moral shortcomings of his original competitors and of public servants themselves, to spend 10 years in the quest... it is perhaps not arbitrary to suggest that, as against the new applicants who have been spared that frustrating and expensive experience, the commission may take note of the fact—for it is nothing more—that the four-months licensee has actually been operating the station.{{r|WCKTAppealsCt1966}}}}

WCKT became the first station in the market to broadcast all local programming in [[Color television|color]] on December 27, 1965, through a $500,000 investment in new color cameras and color news film.<ref name="MiamiH19651227p9">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack E. |date=December 27, 1965 |title=WCKT Scores a First: Color Cameras Are In |page=7B |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97432981/wckt-scores-a-first-color-cameras-are/ |access-date=March 12, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> By the end of 1966, station manager Charles Kelly had left WCKT for a similar position at West Palm Beach's [[WEAT-TV]],<ref name="Miam670311">{{Cite news|last=Anderson|first=Jack E.|date=March 11, 1967|title=Ken Taylor, Dick Bate Take Over News Posts|page=11D|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95303354/ken-taylor-dick-bate-take-over-news/|access-date=February 18, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218175205/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95303354/ken-taylor-dick-bate-take-over-news/|url-status=live}}</ref> with Edmund assuming his role as station manager.{{r|Miam760731}} After Sidney Ansin died of a heart attack on October 22, 1971,<ref name="Miam711023">{{Cite news|date=October 23, 1971|title=Sidney Ansin Dies; Owner of Channel 7|page=B1|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95183713/sidney-ansin-dies-owner-of-channel-7/|access-date=February 18, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218171953/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95183713/sidney-ansin-dies-owner-of-channel-7/|url-status=live}}</ref> Edmund succeeded him as Sunbeam's president.{{r|Miam760731}}

=== Investigative journalism ===
[[File:Dr._Peter_Masiko,_Jr._interview_at_the_WCKT_studios.jpg|thumb|275x275px|[[Miami Dade College|Miami Dade Junior College]] president Dr. Peter Masiko Jr. (left) interviewing an unidentified guest for the WCKT show ''Junior College Review'']]
While the news department from the first WCKT carried over directly to the second WCKT, several changes started to take place under Sidney Ansin. This included a gradual increase in the on-air quality of existing local public affairs productions via an increased budget, but Sidney explained, "...it's not enough that they be important and well done: they have to entertain, be of real interest to the viewer. I don't watch a documentary simply because it's important—not even our own—and I'm sure other viewers don't either."<ref name="Fort630505">{{Cite news|last=Bryant|first=Joe|date=May 5, 1963|title=New Face And Look Turn Up At 7 Spot|page=18E|newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95225911/new-face-and-look-turn-up-at-7-spot/|access-date=February 18, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218020536/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95225911/new-face-and-look-turn-up-at-7-spot/|url-status=live}}</ref> Daily on-air [[editorial]]s were instituted, with [[Ann Bishop (journalist)|Harriette Bishop]] presenting the station's viewpoint, largely written by either Sidney or Charles Kelly; ''[[Fort Lauderdale News]]'' critic Joe Bryant praised Bishop for her "crisp, clean, businesslike... strong delivery" that could easily be mistaken for WCKT's news anchors.<ref name="Fort631018">{{Cite news|last=Bryant|first=Joe|date=October 18, 1963|title=Sugarcoated Commentators Just What Doctor Ordered|page=2E|newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95224258/sugarcoated-commentators-just-what/|access-date=February 18, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218020749/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95224258/sugarcoated-commentators-just-what/|url-status=live}}</ref> One December 4, 1963, editorial in advance of a [[special election]] for [[Dade County Sheriff's Office|Dade County sheriff]] attracted controversy when the station called on Republican challenger Fred A. Phillips to withdraw, saying incumbent T. A. Buchanan was "almost certain to win", prompting Phillips to file a compliant with the FCC.<ref name="Miam631207">{{Cite news|last=Anderson|first=Jack|date=December 7, 1963|title=Candidate Lashes Video Editorial|page=3B|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95231086/candidate-lashes-video-editorial/|access-date=February 18, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218061202/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95231086/candidate-lashes-video-editorial/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Miami News'' columnist Rollene Saal criticized the editorials both for taking away time from the newscast itself and the subject matter;<ref name="Miam630918">{{Cite news|last=Saal|first=Rollene|date=September 18, 1963|title=Please, TV Don't Turn To Preaching|page=14A|newspaper=The Miami News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95234466/please-tv-dont-turn-to-preaching/|access-date=February 18, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218175158/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95234466/please-tv-dont-turn-to-preaching/|url-status=live}}</ref> Sidney contended that television had an obligation to editorialize and present dissenting viewpoints in accord with the FCC's [[fairness doctrine]].<ref name="Miam630927">{{Cite news|last=Ansin|first=Sidney|date=September 27, 1963|title=TV Has Obligation To Editorialize (letter to the editor)|page=6A|newspaper=The Miami News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95238057/tv-has-obligation-to-editorialize/|access-date=February 18, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218183548/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95238057/tv-has-obligation-to-editorialize/|url-status=live}}</ref> Bishop hoped her role would lead to females having more substantive on-air roles "a step removed from fashion and recipes" but was fired after 18 months<ref name="Miam760315">{{Cite news|last=Anderson|first=Jack|date=March 15, 1976|title=Ann Bishop Aims to Soften Image on New Show|page=5B|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95163426/ann-bishop-aims-to-soften-image-on-new/|access-date=February 18, 2022|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218032322/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95163426/ann-bishop-aims-to-soften-image-on-new/|url-status=live}}</ref> for trying to land a reporting job at the station, remarking later, "they said I was too ambitious".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nazario |first=Sonia L. |date=September 27, 1985 |title=Miami Co-Anchor Is Rarity: Woman Who Is 'No Beauty Queen' --- Ann Bishop of WPLG-TV Is Overweight, Middle-Aged And Enormously Popular |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |id={{ProQuest|397909959}}}}</ref>

Sidney was the public face of Sunbeam but remained unfamiliar with television, while Edmund started to assert a larger role. When Sidney began inviting friends to appear on WCKT newscasts, Edmund threatened to quit in support of the news department's [[editorial independence]], prompting Sidney to end the practice.<ref name="Boston19930822p362">{{Cite news |last=Golden |first=Daniel |date=August 22, 1993 |title=Miami Dice |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96153106/miami-dice/ 16], 17, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96153295/miami-dice-p3/ 18], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96153332/miami-dice-p4/ 20], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96153382/miami-dice-p5/ 21], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96153429/miami-dice-p6/ 24], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96153461/miami-dice-p7/ 26], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96153505/miami-dice-p8/ 27], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96153538/miami-dice-p9/ 28], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96153607/miami-dice-p10/ 29]:Globe Magazine |newspaper=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96153260/miami-dice-p2/ |access-date=March 12, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Under news director Gene Strul, the station furthered a reputation for hard-hitting newscasts and [[investigative journalism]], with Strul resisting outside pressure from politicians, community members, and even the station's sales department.{{r|MiamiN19790321p90}} Controversy was courted several times. Carnival operator Newell Taylor sued WCKT and Florida governor [[W. Haydon Burns]] after Burns called Taylor "one of the biggest [[gamblers]] in South Florida" in an interview broadcast over the station.<ref name="MiamiH19660615p65">{{Cite news |date=June 15, 1966 |title=Libel Suit Against Governor Dropped |page=B1 |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97434486/libel-suit-against-governor-dropped/ |access-date=March 12, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="FortLa19660523p11">{{Cite news |date=May 23, 1966 |title=Taylor Files Suit Against WCKT-TV |page=1A |newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97434333/taylor-files-suit-against-wckt-tv/ |access-date=March 12, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Two successive documentaries on [[Extremist Groups|extremist groups]] "Let Freedom Ring" and the [[Ku Klux Klan]] in late 1965 resulted in the former circulating [[play money]] containing anti-WCKT messages, while the latter was accused of [[Defacement (vandalism)|defacing]] one roadside [[billboard]] for the station with the message, "The KKK is watching you."<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 20, 1965 |title=WCKT(TV) in the middle—but unmoved by extremists |volume=69 |page=63 |work=Broadcasting |issue=25 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1965/1965-12-20-BC.pdf |access-date=March 11, 2022 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> A three-part series in November 1968 over a proposed "power and privileges" bill in the [[Parliament of the Bahamas]]—where media outlets accused of [[Misinformation|"false or misleading" information]] would be called to testify before Parliament—led the ''[[The Nassau Guardian|Nassau Guardian-Observer]]'' to publish a front-page editorial rebuking "the meddlesome Miami television crew" and advised WCKT to "go home—and stay there!"<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 23, 1968 |title=Miami TV rebuked for Bahamas series |volume=75 |page=51 |work=Broadcasting |issue=26 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1968/1968-12-23-BC.pdf |access-date=March 11, 2022 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> A citizens committee in [[Broward County]] accused WCKT, WTVJ, and WLBW of engaging in biased reporting regarding education in the state, focusing on WCKT and Sidney's real estate business as a conflict of interest.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 22, 1968 |title=Miami TV's accused of biased reporting |volume=74 |page=50 |work=Broadcasting |issue=17 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1968/1968-04-22-BC.pdf |access-date=March 11, 2022 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> Future NBC reporter [[Brian Ross (journalist)|Brian Ross]] later said of Strul's work, "he goes after the so-called [[Sacred cow (idiom)|sacred cows]]... no one is immune where he is concerned."{{r|MiamiN19790321p90}}

=== Bob Clayton ===
[[File:Bob Clayton, Molly Turner, and Cliff Ferre of Good Morning.jpg|thumb|[[Bob Clayton]] with [[WPST-TV]]'s [[Molly Turner]] and Cliff Ferre, promoting the ABC game show ''Make a Face''|231x231px]]
WCKT's local programming extended beyond newscasts. [[Bob Clayton]] was a charter on-air staffer in 1956 and was teamed with Corine Gustafson to host the early-afternoon talk show ''Your Biscayne Host''.<ref name="MiamiN19560729p20c">{{Cite news |date=July 29, 1956 |title='Biscayne Host' To Star Clayton And Gustafson |page=6B |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97517720/biscayne-host-to-star-clayton-and/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Gustafson left the station in October, prompting a succession of guest co-hosts in an audition process<ref name="MiamiH19561104p150">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack |date=November 4, 1956 |title=TV Party Geared to Gaiety |page=3:Fun in Florida Magazine |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97501455/tv-party-geared-to-gaiety/ |access-date=March 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> before Sue Lawton was chosen as a replacement.<ref name="MiamiN19561218p28">{{Cite news |last=Rau |first=Herb |date=December 18, 1956 |title=Herb Rau: Show Biz |page=8B |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97867164/herb-rau-show-biz/ |access-date=March 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Clayton's duties were not limited to entertainment, as he teamed with newsman Charles Harrison to interview ten [[Hungarians|Hungarian]] refugees following the country's [[Hungarian Revolution of 1956|recent revolution]] for a special half-hour program.<ref name="MiamiH19561222p22">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack |date=December 22, 1956 |title=WTVJ Plans Innovations in Coverage Of Clemson-Colorado Tilt in Bowl |page=22A |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97514266/wtvj-plans-innovations-in-coverage-of/ |access-date=March 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> By May 1957, Clayton began hosting ''Movie 7'', a daily showcase of [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] (MGM) films recently purchased by the station.<ref name="MiamiH19570427p22">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack |date=April 27, 1957 |title=WCKT Challenging in Late Afternoon With Series of First Rate Pictures |page=22A |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98167651/wckt-challenging-in-late-afternoon-with/ |access-date=March 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Competing against [[Chuck Zink]]'s ''[[Popeye Playhouse]]'' on WTVJ and ''[[The Mickey Mouse Club]]'' on WPST-TV,<ref name="MiamiN19570828p24">{{Cite news |last=Grace |first=Arthur |date=August 28, 1957 |title=Commercials Murdering Movie 7 Presentations |page=6B |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98165537/commercials-murdering-movie-7/ |access-date=March 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Clayton's friendly demeanor proved to be a hit among viewers<ref name="MiamiN19570616p78">{{Cite news |last=Roberts |first=Jack |date=June 16, 1957 |title='Take Off' Crowds Major Quiz Shows For Thrills As Boys Win Hawaii Trip |page=13E |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98168209/take-off-crowds-major-quiz-shows-for/ |access-date=March 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and was voted one of the best local TV personalities in a ''Herald'' readers' poll.<ref name="MiamiH19590104p149">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack E. |date=January 4, 1959 |title=Ernie Ford Is Voted TV's 'Star of Year' By Herald Readers |page=9:Fun in Florida Magazine |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97517977/ernie-ford-is-voted-tvs-star-of-year/ |access-date=March 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Clayton also hosted the Sunday night movie ''MGM Theater'' sponsored by a local [[mattress]] company<ref name="MiamiH19570701p36">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack |date=July 1, 1957 |title=What Can Bob Say About Mattress That He Hasn't Said? Want to Help? |page=8B |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97804117/what-can-bob-say-about-mattress-that-he/ |access-date=March 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and acquired rights to the rest of MGM's 300-title film library in April 1958.<ref name="MiamiH19580402p29">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack |date=April 2, 1958 |title=More Top Film For TV Fans |page=11B |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97868589/more-top-film-for-tv-fans/ |access-date=March 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> A popular twice-weekly segment of ''Movie 7'' focused on [[pet adoption]].<ref name="MiamiH19590517p183">{{Cite news |date=May 17, 1959 |title=Crewcut is Dog's Best Pal |page=16:Fun in Florida Magazine |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97866951/crewcut-is-dogs-best-pal/ |access-date=March 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Clayton teamed up with fellow announcer Don Barber for ''The Don and Bob Show'', a late-morning daily comedy show<ref name="MiamiN19591007p19">{{Cite news |last=Keasler |first=John |date=October 7, 1959 |title=Now, An Adult Space Musical... |page=19A |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97804411/now-an-adult-space-musical/ |access-date=March 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> that eventually moved to Saturday [[Late-night talk show|late-nights]], but ended production at the start of 1962 due to low ratings.<ref name="MiamiN19601216p11">{{Cite news |last=Dunn |first=Kristine |date=December 16, 1960 |title=Back to Movies: Don & Bob Show To Fold |page=3B |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97868885/back-to-movies-don-bob-show-to-fold/ |access-date=March 22, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

Clayton played a bell captain in the 1960 [[Jerry Lewis]] movie ''[[The Bellboy]]'', filmed at the [[The Fountainbleu Hotel|Fountainbleu Hotel]] in Miami Beach; Lewis [[Casting (performing arts)|cast]] him later that year for the unsold [[television pilot]] ''Permanent Waves''.<ref name="MiamiN19601021p15">{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=Herb |date=October 21, 1960 |title=Bob Clayton Signs For TV Series With Jerry Lewis |page=5B |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97612542/bob-clayton-signs-for-tv-series-with/ |access-date=March 14, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> After a viewer referred Clayton to their daughter—a [[talent agent]] in New York City—Clayton was cast as host for the ABC [[game show]] ''Make a Face'', which WPST-TV carried locally starting on October 2, 1961.<ref name="MiamiN19610816p19">{{Cite news |last=Dunn |first=Kristine |date=August 16, 1961 |title=Bob Gets Network Show |page=3B |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97612279/bob-gets-network-show/ |access-date=March 14, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> It was originally assumed that Clayton would leave Miami for New York, but Clayton arranged to commute between both cites by airplane every two weeks, filming ''Movie 7'' interstitials and commercials in advance.<ref name="MiamiH19610901p24">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack E. |date=September 1, 1961 |title=They've Worked Out A Plan for Clayton |page=10D |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97617013/theyve-worked-out-a-plan-for-clayton/ |access-date=March 14, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> ''Make a Face'' was cancelled the following March when ABC was obligated to honor a financial commitment for another game show, but Clayton kept his WCKT duties.<ref name="MiamiH19620314p55">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack E. |date=March 14, 1962 |title=Bob Clayton's Show Is Canceled by ABC |page=7D |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97614610/bob-claytons-show-is-canceled-by-abc/ |access-date=March 14, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Clayton moved back to Miami in 1963 as Barber's replacement for the station's midday program, which was reformatted to be like NBC's ''[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]''.<ref name="MiamiN19630205p15">{{Cite news |last=Dunn |first=Kristine |date=February 5, 1963 |title=Bob Clayton Comes Home |page=3B |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97613290/bob-clayton-comes-home/ |access-date=March 14, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> By the end of the year, [[Hugh Downs]] recruited Clayton as announcer for the NBC game show ''[[Concentration (game show)|Concentration]]'', which Downs hosted; the two had been friends dating back to when NBC's ''[[Tonight Starring Jack Paar]]'', which Downs announced, originated from Miami Beach.<ref name="MiamiH19681211p33">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack E. |date=December 11, 1968 |title=Clayton Gets Host Job on Concentration |page=7G |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97616143/clayton-gets-host-job-on-concentration/ |access-date=March 14, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Initially resuming the practice of filming interstitials for ''Movie 7'' and the Saturday morning children's show ''Bobsville'' for weeks in advance,<ref name="MiamiH19640322p181">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack E. |date=March 22, 1964 |title=Ten Cats, Ten Cakes, Ten Kids |pages=12–[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97616796/ten-cats-ten-cakes-ten-kids-p2/ 13]:Sunday Magazine |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97616768/ten-cats-ten-cakes-ten-kids/ |access-date=March 14, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> ''Movie 7'' was dropped for ''[[The Mike Douglas Show]]'' by May 1965, and Clayton relinquished ''Bobsville'' by that September.{{r|MiamiH19650830p29}}

=== Charlie Baxter and "Toby the Robot" ===
Charlie Baxter's broadcast career began at age 14 when he joined a [[Toledo, Ohio]]–based radio dramatic group and, like Clayton, joined WCKT at its 1956 launch.<ref name="MiamiN19560729p20a">{{Cite news |date=July 29, 1956 |title=Announcer Charles Baxter Started In Radio At 14 |page=6B |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97509513/announcer-charles-baxter-started-in/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Baxter was initially a booth announcer<ref name="MiamiN19590313p9">{{Cite news |last=Grace |first=Art |date=March 13, 1959 |title=Many Laughs In 'Dungeon' |page=7B |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97517668/many-laughs-in-dungeon/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and filled in for vacationing staff.<ref name="MiamiH19570904p26">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack |date=September 4, 1957 |title=Mike Wallace Inquisitions Appear Bit Inane in Frank Wright Show |page=6B |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97512149/mike-wallace-inquisitions-appear-bit/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Management asked Baxter to create a [[horror host]] character but did not offer any direction, saying, "We need a monster. You're it."<ref name="MiamiN19721125p49">{{Cite news |last=Heinrich |first=Ken |date=November 25, 1972 |title=Charlie Baxter: the unlikely monster |page=3:TV Week |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97516461/charlie-baxter-the-unlikely-monster/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Baxter developed "M. T. Graves" for the Sunday afternoon horror movie showcase titled ''The Dungeon''<ref name="PalmBe19600131p 110">{{Cite news |last=Hulick |first=Budd |date=January 31, 1960 |title=Looking In |page=9:TV Week |newspaper=The Palm Beach Post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97495793/looking-in/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> after improvising with makeup and establishing a design that took 45 minutes to properly apply.<ref name="MiamiN19641206p71">{{Cite news |last=Ash |first=Agnes |date=December 6, 1964 |title=Will The Real Charlie Baxter Please Lie Down And Take It Easy For A Second? |page=14:Miami Magazine |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97500048/will-the-real-charlie-baxter-please-lie/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Baxter crafted a [[backstory]] for "M. T. Graves": born in [[St. Petersburg, Russia]], Graves learned the art of the [[occult]] after being adopted by [[Romani people]], was imprisoned in [[Budapest]] and fled to America, then was trapped in an underground "dungeon" which the WCKT studios were built on top of.<ref name="PalmBe19590823p 95">{{Cite news |last=Fulton |first=Yvonne |date=August 23, 1959 |title=Horror on TV |pages=6–7:TV Week |newspaper=The Palm Beach Post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97495462/horror-on-tv/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="FortLa19590616p 16">{{Cite news |date=June 16, 1959 |title=M. T. Graves To Appear At Florida Tomorrow |page=6B |newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97516695/m-t-graves-to-appear-at-florida/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> ''The Dungeon'' became immediately popular with younger viewers who were drawn to Graves's clown-like antics and jokes,<ref name="MiamiN19590320p14">{{Cite news |last=Grace |first=Arthur |date=March 20, 1959 |title=Lady Likes M. T. Graves |page=4B |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97516529/lady-likes-m-t-graves/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> were unfazed by his appearance or "villain" role, and saw him as a hero.<ref name="FortLa19601023p 18">{{Cite news |date=October 23, 1960 |title=Situation 'Graves' |page=2B |newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97495966/situation-graves/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> After relaying the story of a seven-year-old girl reacting with joy to a phone call from M. T. Graves similar to [[Elvis Presley#Crazed crowds and film debut|teenage Elvis fans]], ''Herald'' critic Jack Anderson mused, "Now, what's that again about TV's scaring the daylights out of the very young? The only thought that lingers with me... is that her taste had better improve."<ref name="MiamiH19590314p12">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack |date=March 14, 1959 |title=Steel Hour Tendered Fans Seldom Seen Comedy Type |page=16A |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97495334/steel-hour-tendered-fans-seldom-seen/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In addition to Graves, Baxter portrayed "M. T. Space" (Graves's [[astronaut]] brother who orbited "[[Ganymede (moon)|the seventh moon of Jupiter]]") for a Saturday morning [[science fiction film]] show, and "Charlie Baxter" (in-character as a young child) for a daily children's show.<ref name="MiamiN19621203p15">{{Cite news |last=Dunn |first=Kristine |date=December 3, 1962 |title=M.T. Space Into Exile |page=3B |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97532393/mt-space-into-exile/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Baxter was still easily recognizable to younger fans as M. T. Graves even without wearing the makeup.<ref name="MiamiN19620805p40">{{Cite news |last=McHale |first=Joan Nielsen |date=August 5, 1962 |title=These 'Baby-Sitters' Are Well-Screened |page=2E |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97498763/these-baby-sitters-are-well-screened/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

[[File:Charlie_Reads_the_Comics.jpg|thumb|275x275px|Toby the Robot (Charlie Folds) and Charlie Baxter, co-hosts of ''Charlie Reads the Comics'']]
Charlie Folds, who started at WCKT in 1958 as an editor [[Film stock|removing profanities from movies]],{{r|Miam031206}} joined ''The Dungeon'' as sidekick "[[Count Down]] the [[Vampire]]", establishing both a close friendship and partnership with Baxter.<ref name="MiamiH19690807p79">{{Cite news |last=Fay |first=Jack |date=August 7, 1969 |title=Former Vero Resident Now Is Friendly Robot |page=C1 |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97486627/former-vero-resident-now-is-friendly/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In addition to "Count Down", Folds played "Buffo the Clown" on the Sunday morning ''Seven's Circus'' and "Toby the [[Robot]]" for the Saturday morning ''Superheroes'', the latter being in-studio [[Interstitial television show|wraparound segments]] for ''[[The Marvel Super Heroes]]''.<ref name="MiamiH19661127p222">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack E. |date=November 27, 1966 |title=Superheroes And Pies |page=8:TV Preview |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95241886/superheroes-and-pies/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Drawing inspiration from a similar robot character he had portrayed several years earlier,<ref name="FortLa19701127p66">{{Cite news |last=Markus |first=Bette |date=November 27, 1970 |title=Toby Robot Is Really Sensitive TV Actor |pages=12F–[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97538242/toby-robot-is-really-sensitive-tv/ 13F] |newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97538215/toby-robot-is-really-sensitive-tv-actor/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Folds assembled Toby's costume from several [[garbage cans]] and assorted pieces of junk that weighed {{Convert|40|lb|kg|lk=on|abbr=on}}<ref name="SunTat19700221p36">{{Cite news |date=February 21, 1970 |title=Toby, Robot Will Lead Irish Parade |page=18B |newspaper=Hollywood Sun-Tattler |location=Hollywood, Florida |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97525949/toby-robot-will-lead-irish-parade/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and [[Intonation (linguistics)|intoned]] "beep-beep-beep" as the lone method of communication. This became Folds's defining character.{{r|Miam031206}} Success for Charlie Folds came despite substantial [[shyness]] whenever in front of a camera;{{r|FortLa19701127p66}} while performing a skit during a live broadcast, Toby's helmet accidentally fell off revealing Folds's face, which he later deemed as his "worst moment".{{r|Miam031206}} Toby was soon regarded as one of the more popular children's television personalities in Miami,<ref name="FortLa19701106p56">{{Cite news |date=November 6, 1970 |title='Robot' To Emcee Auction |page=6F |newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97525876/robot-to-emcee-auction/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> frequently being booked for public appearances months in advance.{{r|FortLa19701127p66}}

{{Quote box
| quote = I communicate (when playing Toby the Robot) by beeping. By acting inside, I can make the kids laugh or cry. The kids actually know what I'm saying... kids either like a mechanical thing or a clown, if I wasn't a robot, I'd be a clown.
| author = Charlie Folds{{r|FortLa19701127p66}}
| align = left
| width = 250px
| qalign = left
| salign = right
}}

''The Dungeon'' ended production on September 7, 1967, after Baxter claimed the station ran out of horror movies to show; during the show's final year, the [[Jungle Jim (serial)|Jungle Jim]] serial was featured.<ref name="MiamiH19670821p14">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack E. |date=August 21, 1967 |title=M. T. Graves Ends Long Stay In Dungeon—No More Films |page=12C |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97534266/m-t-graves-ends-long-stay-in/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> ''Superheroes'' was succeeded by ''Batman-Batkids'': ''[[Batman (TV series)|Batman]]'' reruns with local segments hosted by "Charles Baxter, [[Esquire]]"; these segments reprised several ''Dungeon'' characters, with Folds as Baxter's [[valet]] "The Count".<ref name="MiamiN19680921p5">{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Lois |date=September 21, 1968 |title=Charlie Baxter Hosts New Series |page=5A |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97486403/charlie-baxter-hosts-new-series/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Created by Sidney Ansin, ''Seven's Circus'' had high ratings, a loyal audience and a [[fan club]] boasting 200 members—with Baxter, George DeVries and Bill Barry as successive "[[Ringmaster (circus)|ringmasters]]"—but was cancelled on January 4, 1968, after years of being a [[loss leader]].<ref name="MiamiN19680104p16">{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=Herb |date=January 4, 1968 |title=Ratings High, $$ Low, WCKT Drops '7' Circus' |page=4B |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97536766/ratings-high-low-wckt-drops-7/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> WCKT and the ''Herald'' partnered for ''Charlie Reads The Comics'', a Sunday morning show that launched on July 22, 1969, with Baxter reading the newspaper's [[Comic strip|Sunday comic strips]] to a [[studio audience]] of children and Folds as Toby.<ref name="MiamiH19690614p33">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack E. |date=June 14, 1969 |title=Round-the-Clock TV Coverage Planned for Landing on Moon |page=2C |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97535591/round-the-clock-tv-coverage-planned-for/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="MiamiH19690621p18">{{Cite news |last=Meyer |first=James |date=June 21, 1969 |title=Baxter, Youngsters to Begin Reading Comics on Sunday |page=22A |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97551771/baxter-youngsters-to-begin-reading/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Baxter resigned from the station on April 29, 1970, while on vacation;<ref name="MiamiH19700429p332">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack E. |date=April 29, 1970 |title=Survey of Communes Well Done But In-Depth Study Is Needed |page=5D |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97517691/survey-of-communes-well-done-but/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> later attributing his departure to [[Occupational burnout|burnout]], Baxter eventually revived his "M. T. Graves" character on [[WSCV|WKID]] (channel 51).{{r|MiamiN19721125p49}} Stage actor Wayne Chandler was hired as Baxter's replacement for ''Charlie Reads The Comics'', which was re-titled ''Sunday Funnies''.<ref name="MiamiN19700619p24">{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=Herb |date=June 19, 1970 |title=We'll Sing Along with Mitch in summer |page=6B |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97536349/well-sing-along-with-mitch-in-summer/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="SunTat19700613p15">{{Cite news |date=June 13, 1970 |title=Actor Joins WCKT's Staff |page=15A |newspaper=Hollywood Sun-Tattler |location=Hollywood, Florida |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97536588/actor-joins-wckts-staff/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Even as other locally-produced children's television shows largely ceased during the 1970s due to declines in ratings and advertising,<ref name="MiamiH19790819p409">{{Cite news |last=Earley |first=Sandra |date=August 19, 1979 |title=Kids' TV Has Lost Ads and Audience |page=3BW |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97550927/kids-tv-has-lost-ads-and-audience/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> WCKT kept ''Sunday Funnies'' on the air under the belief it remained an instructional tool for [[literacy]].<ref name="MiamiH19790819p407">{{Cite news |last=Earley |first=Sandra |date=August 19, 1979 |title=Trash Can Man: Why He Wants Your Kids to Love Him |pages=1BW, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97550871/trash-can-man-why-he-wants-your-kids/ 3BW] |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97550803/trash-can-man-why-he-wants-your-kids/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> 

=== Struggles alongside NBC ===
[[File:Fariss Klaas Report.jpg|thumb|270x270px|January 1976 WCKT print ad for ''The Fariss-Klaas Report'', debuting their version of the "[[circle 7 logo]]"]]
Coinciding directly with NBC's adoption of [[NBC logo#Trapezoid N Logo (1976–1979)|an abstract "N" logo]] in January 1976,<ref name="FortLa19760117p 121">{{Cite news |last=Keaton |first=Bob |date=January 17, 1976 |title=What Next—Bionic Children? |page=53D |newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94616949/what-nextbionic-children/ |access-date=March 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> WCKT unveiled an iteration of the [[circle 7 logo]] similar to a design originally created for ABC's [[owned-and-operated station]]s on January 19.<ref name="MiamiN19760316p50">{{Cite news |last=Woods |first=Sherry |date=March 16, 1976 |title=On Channel 2 tonight: Barrett-Browning love unfolds |page=6B |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94616914/on-channel-2-tonight-barrett-browning/ |access-date=March 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> WCKT replaced 6&nbsp;p.m. co-anchor Richard Whitcomb with Larry Klass for ''The Fariss-Klass Report'', with Carmel Cafiero taking over Klass's prior weekend duties and becoming the station's first female news anchor.<ref name="MiamiH19751224p45">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack |date=December 24, 1975 |title=News Staff Assignments Are Changed at Channel 7 |page=9D |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95893215/news-staff-assignments-are-changed-at/ |access-date=March 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Klass's on-air delivery, described as "sedate" in a way that matched WCKT's overall presentation, contrasted with his youthful demeanor and penchant for cynicism.<ref name="MiamiN19770321p43">{{Cite news |last=Woods |first=Sherry |date=March 21, 1977 |title=Off-hours with Larry Klaas |page=B1 |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95239388/off-hours-with-larry-klaas/ |access-date=March 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The station celebrated the [[United States Bicentennial]] on July 4, 1976, with a special taped production recreating news events of July 4, 1776, with anchors Fariss, Klass and Cafiero dressed in period-appropriate attire; news director Gene Strul spent several months with pre-planning and research in advance of the taping.<ref name="MiamiH19760603p37">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack |date=June 3, 1976 |title=Relive July 4, 1776, With Ch. 7 |page=7B |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94989372/relive-july-4-1776-with-ch-7/ |access-date=March 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

By September 1977, Vic Mason replaced Klass as 6&nbsp;p.m. co-anchor after Klass returned to reporting; Cafiero also left WCKT to return to New Orleans but quickly returned.<ref name="MiamiN19771125p19">{{Cite news |last=Woods |first=Sherry |date=November 25, 1977 |title=Channel 7 won't renew Larry Klaas' contract |page=5B |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95238953/channel-7-wont-renew-larry-klaas/ |access-date=March 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Recently promoted to station manager, Robert Leider explained that Mason represented an effort to attract younger viewers, particularly in the 18–34 demographic.{{r|FortLa19780616p 73}} Mason resigned abruptly in October 1978, with Connie Hicks replacing him as co-anchor.<ref name="MiamiH19781111p117">{{Cite news |last=Shister |first=Neil |date=November 11, 1978 |title=Connie Hicks: The Anchorwoman as Everyman, on Ch. 7 |page=11C |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98262925/connie-hicks-the-anchorwoman-as/ |access-date=March 24, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> WPLG was now on a ratings upswing led by anchors Glenn Rinker and Ann Bishop (who went by Harriette while at WCKT).{{r|Miam760315}} By the end of 1977, WPLG challenged WCKT for second place in local news ratings, with WTVJ remaining the market leader;<ref name="MiamiN19771230p79">{{Cite news |last=Woods |first=Sherry |date=December 30, 1977 |title=Ch. 4 slips to third for first time in prime time TV ratings race |page=15D |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95239936/ch-4-slips-to-third-for-first-time-in/ |access-date=March 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> WPLG overtook WCKT for second in 1979.<ref name="FortLa19790729p 150">{{Cite news |last=Bianculli |first=David |date=July 29, 1979 |title=Do We Get Fair Share Of TV News Coverage? |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95885939/do-we-get-fair-share-of-tv-news/ 1H], 6H |newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95886023/do-we-get-fair-share-of-tv-news/ |access-date=March 24, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> WCKT reporters and cameramen, 27 in total, voted to join the [[National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians]] in January 1979 despite past resistance from management in three prior attempts. Reporters were allowed to participate in the vote, as the station also had them also perform camera work and film editing.<ref name="MiamiN19790112p52">{{Cite news |last=Woods |first=Sherry |date=January 12, 1979 |title=With reporters voting, WCKT employees OK union |page=8C |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95002747/with-reporters-voting-wckt-employees/ |access-date=March 24, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

[[Johnny Carson]] accused both WCKT and [[Dallas]]–[[Fort Worth]]'s [[KXAS-TV]] of 'clipping' portions of ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson|The Tonight Show]]'' during the program's July 26, 1978, installment, citing a viewer letter claiming WCKT joined ''Tonight'' in the middle of Carson's monologue after playing extra commercials.<ref name="MiamiH19780729p25">{{Cite news |last=Shister |first=Neil |date=July 29, 1978 |title=Say You're Sorry; Ch. 7 Tells Johnny Carson |page=7B |newspaper=The Miami Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98179923/say-youre-sorry-ch-7-tells-johnny/ |access-date=March 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Two years earlier, [[West Palm Beach]] station [[WTVX]] was accused of the same practice, prompting the FCC's Broadcast Bureau to hold hearings over their license.<ref name="PalmBe19780621p 101">{{Cite news |last=Tierney |first=Mary Jo |date=June 21, 1978 |title=Co-Owner of WTVX Admits Clipping |page=B2 |newspaper=Palm Beach Post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42563487/co-owner-of-wtvx-admits-clipping/ |access-date=March 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Edmund Ansin denied the accusations, citing timing failure from a [[master control]] clock that ran 30 seconds behind throughout the newscast that preceded the program.{{r|MiamiH19780729p25}} Carson later offered a written apology to Ansin, explaining his stance was based solely on the viewer letter and was not verified prior to going on air.<ref name="MiamiN19780825p49">{{Cite news |date=August 25, 1978 |title=Briefly: Carson apologizes to WCKT for remark on 'clipping' |page=5A |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98179886/briefly-carson-apologizes-to-wckt-for/ |access-date=March 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> ''Tonight'' was, in fact, one of the few bright spots on NBC's entire lineup, which was experiencing [[History of NBC#1970s doldrums|a prolonged and substantial ratings downturn]] starting in the middle of the decade.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 14, 1979 |title=Television: Struggling to Leave the Cellar |volume=113 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |issue=20 |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,916805,00.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 1, 2007}}</ref> Consequently, by 1978, WCKT declined to air specific network shows more often than WTVJ or WPLG did with their respective networks, with Leider noting the substituted programs generally performed better and NBC rarely commented on them.<ref name="FortLa19780616p 73">{{Cite news |last=Bianculli |first=David |date=June 16, 1978 |title=The Men Who Control TV |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95886527/the-men-who-control-tv/ 3S], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95886675/the-men-who-control-tv-p2/ 4S], 5S, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95886845/the-men-who-control-tv-p4/ 6S] |newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95886759/the-men-who-control-tv-p3/ |access-date=March 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In late 1977, WCKT aired ''[[The Devil's Brigade (film)|The Devil's Brigade]]'' and ''[[Anchors Aweigh (film)|Anchors Aweigh]]'' in place of NBC's ''[[Black Sheep Squadron]]''. This led [[Robert Conrad]]—the star of ''Black Sheep''—to personally contact WCKT operations manager Allen Sternberg along with NBC executives, and protest the move on ''The Tonight Show''. Sternberg cited the show's Wednesday night slot as consistently one of the network's weakest-performing timeslots.<ref name="MiamiN19771212p71">{{Cite news |last=Woods |first=Sherry |date=December 12, 1977 |title=Conrad goes to war to get 'Black Sheep' shown in Miami |page=7B |newspaper=The Miami News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95159659/conrad-goes-to-war-to-get-black-sheep/ |access-date=March 23, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

=== Revamping under Leider ===
{{Quote box
| quote = He is unique among news directors. He is a [[Spartan]], an individual totally immersed in his profession. He almost has blinders on that shield him from outside Involvements and personal contacts within the community. He is an inside operator.
| author = Ralph Renick
| source = on Gene Strul{{r|MiamiN19790321p90}}
| align = right
| width = 275px
| qalign = left
| salign = right
}}

Edmund Ansin relinquished his general manager duties in June 1979 to devote more time to Sunbeam's real estate holdings, with incumbent station manager Robert Leider taking over the position.<ref name="FortLa19790610p 103">{{Cite news |last=Bianculli |first=David |date=June 10, 1979 |title=WTVJ Signs For 'Magazine'; Anson (sic) Steps Down At WCKT |page=15F |newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95390970/wtvj-signs-for-magazine-anson-sic/ |access-date=February 21, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> News director Gene Strul resigned after the May 1979 sweeps period showed ''The Fariss-Hicks Report'' at 6&nbsp;p.m. tied for third place in local ratings alongside ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek]]'' reruns on [[WFOR-TV|WCIX]],<ref name="MiamiN19790713p10">{{Cite news|last=Woods|first=Sherry|date=July 13, 1979|title=Fatal ratings: Numbers sank Skipper Chuck, then it was Gene Strul's turn|page=10A|newspaper=The Miami News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95885413/fatal-ratings-numbers-sank-skipper/|access-date=February 21, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> along with an overall decline in the station's ratings.{{r|FortLa19790610p 103}} While credited for channel 7 having won over 200 regional and national journalism awards,{{r|MiamiN19790713p10}} Strul was also criticized for not adding flair to the newscasts or allowing them to be more feature-driven.<ref name="MiamiN19790321p90">{{Cite news |last=Woods |first=Sherry |date=March 21, 1979 |title=TV hard-hitting loner, Gene Strul, up against news styles gone soft |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96044231/tv-hard-hitting-loner-gene-strul-up/ |access-date=February 21, 2022 |newspaper=The Miami News |page=6C |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Granted complete control over the station's management, Leider was tasked with hiring Strul's replacement, telling the ''Fort Lauderdale News'' he sought someone whose views were "in harmony with mine".<ref name="FortLa19790616p 162">{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=Bill |date=June 16, 1979 |title=All Eyes Focused On WCKT As News Team Gets Shuffle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95391663/all-eyes-focused-on-wckt-as-news-team/ |access-date=February 21, 2022 |newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News |page=74D |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

David Choate rejoined WCKT as Strul's replacement following a brief stint at NBC News's Miami bureau.<ref name="MiamiH19790804p28">{{Cite news|date=August 4, 1979|title=Channel 7 Regains a News Director|page=2B|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95973075/channel-7-regains-a-news-director/|access-date=February 21, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Choate initiated multiple changes that included adopting the ''NewsCenter 7'' brand—already in use among several of NBC's owned-and-operated stations<ref name="MiamiH19800205p32">{{Cite news|last=Reddicliffe|first=Steven|date=February 5, 1980|title='Love' Wheezes Its Last, Corny Gasp After 28 Years|page=4C|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95254957/love-wheezes-its-last-corny-gasp/|access-date=February 21, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>—and replacing lead anchors Connie Hicks and Wayne Fariss with Steve Rondinaro<ref name="MiamiN19800715p21">{{Cite news|last=Woods|first=Sherry|date=July 15, 1980|title=Fariss' reassignment bungled by Channel 7|page=5B|newspaper=The Miami News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74605525/fariss-reassignment-bungled-by/|access-date=February 21, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and [[Donna Hanover]],<ref name="MiamiN19800712p8">{{Cite news|last=Woods|first=Sherry|date=July 12, 1980|title=Fariss definitely out, WCKT confirms|page=8A|newspaper=The Miami News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74605226/fariss-definitely-out-wckt-confirms/|access-date=February 21, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> respectively. Fariss's removal was criticized for its abrupt nature that ''News'' critic Sherry Woods deemed "bungled" given his years of service to the station and status as the only anchor to have successfully competed against Ralph Renick.{{r|MiamiN19800715p21}} At the same time, the revamped newscasts met positive reviews for better pacing and a more visually appealing set.<ref name="MiamiH19800220p27">{{Cite news|last=Reddicliffe|first=Steven|date=February 20, 1980|title='NewsCenter 7': Welcome Changes in Critic, Setting|page=5B|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95889175/newscenter-7-welcome-changes-in/|access-date=February 21, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> WCKT also made headlines by assisting [[Miami Beach Police Department|Miami Beach police]] with an [[Undercover operation|undercover]] [[surveillance]] team that arrested a [[postman]] for selling [[quaaludes]]; footage taken by WCKT of the arrest was used as [[admissible evidence]] in court. WCIX and WPLG management criticized WCKT's participation for going against journalism ethics and compromising the station's ability to cover police-related stories objectively.<ref name="MiamiH19800421p131">{{Cite news|last1=Buchanan|first1=Edna|last2=Fleischman|first2=Joan|date=April 21, 1980|title=TV News Crew Criticized for Aiding Police|pages=1B–[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74631246/tv-news-crew-criticized-for-aiding/ 2B]|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74631190/tv-news-crew-criticized-for-aiding/|access-date=February 21, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

After a seven-month hiatus, Wayne Fariss returned to anchor duty on February 2, 1981, to co-anchor the noon newscast with Connie Eng; in addition, Fariss joined WKAT radio as a newscaster.<ref name="MiamiH19810113p32">{{Cite news|date=January 13, 1981|title=Wayne Fariss joins WKAT radio news|page=4C|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95641432/wayne-fariss-joins-wkat-radio-news/|access-date=February 21, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Despite the changes, ''NewsCenter 7'' remained in third place in evening ratings; Hanover left WCKT in May 1982 to marry [[U.S. Justice Department|Justice Department]] attorney [[Rudy Giuliani]].<ref name="FortLa19820415p 64">{{Cite news |last=Kelley |first=Bill |date=April 15, 1982 |title=Most limited run series fail their 'spring tryouts' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96022472/most-limited-run-series-fail-their/ |access-date=February 21, 2022 |newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News |page=8E |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="nyt120195">{{Cite news|last=Bumiller|first=Elisabeth|author-link=Elisabeth Bumiller|date=December 1, 1995|title=Clash of Careers For First Lady; Donna Hanover's 2 roles are not always separate|page=B1|newspaper=The New York Times|location=New York, New York|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/01/nyregion/clash-of-careers-for-first-lady-donna-hanover-s-2-roles-are-not-always-separate.html?pagewanted=print|access-date=December 3, 2007}}</ref> Sally Fitz, who anchored local news updates during ''Today''{{r|Fort860615}} along with general reporting duties, was Hanover's replacement.<ref name="MiamiN19820512p26">{{Cite news|last=Jicha|first=Tom|date=May 12, 1982|title=Fitz is new anchor to follow Hanover on WCKT nightly|page=4C|newspaper=The Miami News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96034211/fitz-is-new-anchor-to-follow-hanover-on/|access-date=February 21, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Sandra Easely of the ''Herald'' said of the switch, "Fitz is 29 and has short, dark hair. Hanover is 32 and blond. And that's all about there is to say about the changeover in female anchors at Ch. 7."<ref name="MiamiH19820602p92">{{Cite news|last=Earley|first=Sandra|date=June 2, 1982|title=Changing anchors doesn't mean a change|page=12A|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96038729/changing-anchors-doesnt-mean-a-change/|access-date=February 21, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Discrepancies also began to emerge between [[Nielsen Media Research|Arbitron and Nielsen ratings]] for the Miami market: both placed WCKT's 6&nbsp;p.m. news at third during July 1982 surveys, but Arbitron had it 10 points behind WPLG, while Nielsen showed the race as closer.<ref name="MiamiH19811101p257">{{Cite news|last=Cosford|first=Bill|date=November 1, 1981|title=Playing the numbers|pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95888817/playing-the-numbers/ 4], 5, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95889043/playing-the-numbers-p3/ 6]:TV|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95888858/playing-the-numbers-p2/|access-date=February 21, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Still, station officials were optimistic about NBC's prospects entering the [[1982–83 United States network television schedule|1982–83 television season]], with Edmund Ansin calling newly installed network chairman [[Grant Tinker]] "superb" and "the best management team they've had in 20 years".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Harmetz|first=Aljean|date=May 19, 1982|title=NBC's affiliates optimistic on network's future|page=C26|newspaper=The New York Times|id={{ProQuest|424344925}}}}</ref> [[Rick Sanchez (journalist)|Rick Sanchez]], a Cuban exile<ref name="MiamiH20190526pA1">{{Cite news|last=Robertson|first=Linda|date=May 26, 2019|title=How Rick Sanchez, raised to hate the Soviets, ended up working for Russian TV|pages=1A–[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94632670/how-rick-sanchez-raised-to-hate-the/ 2A]|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94632638/how-rick-sanchez-raised-to-hate-the/|access-date=February 22, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> who joined the station in 1982, produced the five-part series ''Why I Left Cuba'' that November<ref name="MiamiH19821105p58">{{Cite news|last=Earley|first=Sandra|date=November 5, 1982|title=With ratings under way, stations vie for viewers|page=16D|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96091696/with-ratings-under-way-stations-vie/|access-date=February 22, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and was part of the station's coverage of President [[Ronald Reagan]]'s visit to [[Little Havana]] the following May.<ref name="MiamiH19830521p54">{{Cite news|last=Earley|first=Sandra|date=May 21, 1983|title=Big news on local TV: Reagan visit, May 'sweeps'|page=8D|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96092977/big-news-on-local-tv-reagan-visit-may/|access-date=February 22, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> WCKT also aligned with the [[Satellite News Channel]], an ABC/[[Westinghouse Broadcasting]] joint venture, providing hourly local news updates; in announcing the affiliation, Leider said, "we have to become the news information center for South Florida. That's where our future lies."<ref name="MiamiH19820506p433">{{Cite news|last=Burger|first=Frederick|date=May 6, 1982|title=WCKT hooks up to ABC's cable news service|page=27C|newspaper=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96039270/wckt-hooks-up-to-abcs-cable-news/|access-date=February 21, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>