WSFL-TV
A South Florida broadcast television station serving the Miami–Fort Lauderdale market.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
WSFL-TV is a broadcast television station serving the Miami–Fort Lauderdale, Florida, market on channel 39. The station is owned by the E. W. Scripps Company and operates alongside Scripps-owned Ion Television station WPXM-TV. Its studios are in Plantation, Florida, and its transmitter is located in Andover, Florida. The station's website is shared with WHDT and has been associated with the South Florida 39 and The Spot branding. The station began broadcasting on October 16, 1982, under the call sign WDZL. It was created as Miami's second major independent station after WCIX-TV, but its launch was weakened by an accident involving the installation of its antenna. The damaged antenna delayed full-power operations and contributed to financial pressure on the original ownership group. Controlling interest was subsequently sold to Odyssey Partners, a New York investment firm. The arrival of WBFS-TV in late 1984 gave Miami another independent outlet and left WDZL competing from a comparatively weak position. Management changes and programming adjustments gradually improved the station's prospects. In the late 1980s, Michael Finkelstein's Renaissance Communications acquired WDZL. The station carried Fox Kids programming during the 1990s and became an affiliate of The WB when that network launched in January 1995. Its call sign changed to WBZL in April 1998 to emphasize the network relationship. During the Tribune era, the station also developed local news programming, initially through a 10 p.m. newscast produced by NBC affiliate WTVJ. Tribune later integrated the station's advertising, promotional, and news-related operations with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel after receiving regulatory permission to combine the businesses. When The WB and UPN were replaced by The CW in 2006, WBZL became a charter Tribune affiliate of The CW and adopted the WSFL-TV call sign. The station experimented with several forms of local programming, including a four-hour morning program launched in 2009, Tribune's Eye Opener format, NewsFix, and the public-affairs program Inside South Florida. The morning show was canceled after approximately 16 months because of low ratings, while Inside South Florida continued as a lifestyle and public-affairs offering. Tribune's broadcasting assets passed to Tribune Media after the company's publishing and broadcasting divisions were separated in 2014. Nexstar Media Group acquired Tribune Media in 2019, with WSFL-TV transferred to Scripps as part of the regulatory structure surrounding that acquisition. Scripps later added WPXM-TV to its Miami portfolio through the acquisition of Ion Media. Scripps considered creating a new WSFL news department but instead arranged for Miami station WPLG to produce weekday morning and 10 p.m. newscasts beginning in 2021. That news contract ended on August 1, 2025. The station's long association with The CW ended in 2024 after Nexstar announced that it would not renew CW affiliations with Scripps-owned stations, including WSFL-TV. WBFS-TV became the Miami-area CW affiliate on September 1, 2024. WSFL-TV consequently shifted away from its prior network-affiliate role and now operates as an independent station. Its current programming profile includes syndicated and lifestyle content, the Inside South Florida program, and Florida Panthers hockey. Scripps Sports began carrying Panthers games on WSFL-TV in the 2024–25 season, giving the station a significant local sports property and extending the team's free-to-air reach across South Florida.
History
WSFL-TV traces its history to the award and construction of a new Miami-area channel 39 facility in the early 1980s. In 1981, the Federal Communications Commission selected four applications for comparative consideration. Two applicants later withdrew, while the group associated with Susan M. Jaramillo and Howard R. Conant combined with Contemporary Television Broadcasting, whose investors included Irving Pollack and others. The resulting 39 Broadcasting Ltd. launched WDZL on October 16, 1982, from Hollywood, Florida. It was notable as the first television station in the market to place its studios in Broward County. The new station encountered serious technical and financial difficulties. Its original antenna fell during installation and was damaged, forcing WDZL to operate temporarily with an emergency antenna. The delay in reaching full power increased costs and contributed to the original owners' financial problems. In a transaction negotiated in 1983 and completed in 1984, Odyssey Partners acquired 79 percent of the station. Odyssey recruited Big Wilson for a late-night movie presentation and later hired Harvey Cohen, formerly general manager of WCIX-TV, to manage WDZL. Cohen brought two WCIX executives with him, and the station adjusted its schedule toward a stronger movie offering, including uncut films. Competition intensified when WBFS-TV began broadcasting in December 1984. WBFS quickly overtook WDZL in audience performance, leaving channel 39 as the third major independent in Miami. The ownership structure changed again when Michael Finkelstein, who managed Odyssey's television interests, established Renaissance Communications in 1988 with backing from Warburg Pincus. Renaissance acquired WDZL and expanded into television-station ownership elsewhere. WDZL obtained important programming opportunities during the 1990s. WSVN-TV, then Miami's Fox affiliate, declined to carry the Fox Kids weekend block, so WDZL began airing it in 1990 and later signed a five-year agreement to carry the full Fox Kids schedule. After Hurricane Andrew damaged WCIX's transmission facilities, WDZL also simulcast WCIX newscasts for a period. The station was initially associated with plans for the Warner Bros.-backed WB network, but Renaissance briefly pursued an affiliation with the Paramount network instead. When Paramount's proposed ownership relationship with WBFS raised concerns about the competitive position of channel 39, the affiliation plans were reversed. WDZL joined The WB at the network's January 11, 1995 launch, while WBFS became a UPN station. Tribune Broadcasting announced its acquisition of Renaissance Communications in 1996, and the transaction closed in 1997. Because Tribune also owned the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the deal raised newspaper–television cross-ownership concerns. The FCC initially denied a permanent waiver and required Tribune to divest either the station or the newspaper, but later granted a temporary extension while the broader regulatory framework was under review. Tribune ultimately retained both assets. The station's Fox Kids programming was dropped in favor of expanded Kids' WB content, and the call sign changed from WDZL to WBZL on April 27, 1998. Local news became a larger part of the station's identity under Tribune. On January 6, 1997, NBC affiliate WTVJ began producing a 10 p.m. newscast for channel 39. In 2001, the program received a station-specific anchor team. After the FCC removed the hold-separate restrictions in 2002, Tribune integrated portions of WBZL's news, promotion, and advertising operations with the Sun-Sentinel. The newspaper promoted the station's newscast, and its editorial resources were used in channel 39 programming. The 2006 creation of The CW ended The WB. WBZL was selected as one of Tribune's CW affiliates, and on September 18, 2006, it adopted the WSFL-TV call sign. In 2008, Tribune announced a closer operational relationship with the Sun-Sentinel and discontinued the WTVJ-produced 10 p.m. newscast. A four-hour morning show, SouthFlorida.com/Live, launched in April 2009 and was later renamed The Morning Show, but it was canceled in August 2010 after weak ratings. The station subsequently carried Tribune's Eye Opener format with local inserts and maintained the public-affairs and lifestyle program Inside South Florida. It also aired Tribune's NewsFix beginning in 2015. Tribune separated its publishing and broadcasting businesses in 2014. The broadcasting company retained WSFL-TV under the Tribune Media name, while the Sun-Sentinel moved into Tribune Publishing. A proposed 2017 sale of Tribune to Sinclair Broadcast Group would have involved divesting WSFL-TV, but the proposed merger was terminated after regulatory objections and litigation. Nexstar agreed to acquire Tribune Media in 2018, and the transaction closed in 2019 with WSFL-TV sold to Scripps as part of the divestiture arrangements. Scripps considered building a local news department for WSFL-TV in 2020. Instead, it contracted with WPLG to supply local newscasts beginning in June 2021. The agreement was later limited to a weeknight 10 p.m. newscast and ended in August 2025. Meanwhile, Scripps expanded its South Florida television presence through its acquisition of Ion Media, which added WPXM-TV to the company's Miami-area holdings. The CW affiliation ended after Nexstar announced in April 2024 that it would not renew CW agreements with Scripps-owned stations. WBFS-TV became the market's CW affiliate on September 1, 2024, leaving WSFL-TV as an independent station. Scripps Sports also secured rights to televise Florida Panthers games on WSFL-TV from the 2024–25 season. This sports role, together with lifestyle, public-affairs, syndicated, and digital content, forms the station's current programming proposition.
- 2024
Florida Panthers broadcasts begin
[1]WSFL-TV became a free-to-air broadcast outlet for Florida Panthers games beginning with the 2024–25 season.
- 2024
The CW affiliation ends
[1]WBFS-TV replaced WSFL-TV as the Miami-area CW affiliate on September 1.
- 2021
WPLG-produced newscasts launch
[1]WPLG began supplying local morning and evening newscasts for WSFL-TV under a Scripps partnership.
- 2019
Scripps ownership begins
[1]The E. W. Scripps Company completed its acquisition of WSFL-TV following Nexstar's acquisition of Tribune Media.
- 2009
SouthFlorida.com/Live launches
[1]WSFL introduced a four-hour local morning program, later renamed The Morning Show.
- 2006
WSFL-TV joins The CW
[1]Following the creation of The CW, the station adopted the WSFL-TV call sign and became a charter affiliate.
- 1998
Call sign changes to WBZL
[1]The station changed its call sign to WBZL on April 27 to highlight its WB affiliation.
- 1995
WDZL joins The WB
[1]WDZL became an affiliate of The WB at the network's launch on January 11.
- 1990
Fox Kids programming begins
[1]WDZL carried Fox Kids programming after WSVN declined the weekend block.
- 1988
Renaissance Communications is formed
[1]Michael Finkelstein established Renaissance Communications with Warburg Pincus backing, eventually bringing WDZL into the company.
Products and positioning
A locally focused independent television station combining syndicated entertainment, lifestyle and public-affairs content, digital programming, and South Florida sports coverage.
Broadcast programming · 1997
Local news and public-affairs programming
WSFL-TV has carried several forms of local news and public-affairs content, including a WTVJ-produced 10 p.m. newscast, the SouthFlorida.com/Live morning program, Eye Opener local inserts, NewsFix, and Inside South Florida. Scripps later used a production agreement with WPLG instead of creating a fully independent newsroom. The WPLG agreement ended in 2025.
Lifestyle and public affairs · 2010
Inside South Florida
Inside South Florida is a station-associated lifestyle and public-affairs program focused on local people, issues, events, and community-oriented subjects. It became part of WSFL-TV's schedule after the cancellation of the station's large-scale morning show and has remained one of the station's identifiable local offerings.
Sports broadcasting · 2024
Florida Panthers broadcasts
Through Scripps Sports, WSFL-TV broadcasts Florida Panthers National Hockey League games to viewers in the Miami–Fort Lauderdale market. The arrangement began with the 2024–25 season and is part of a wider Scripps effort to place regional sports on broadcast television. The Panthers' games are also available through related Scripps outlets in other Florida markets.
Television programming
Syndicated entertainment programming
As an independent station, WSFL-TV schedules acquired entertainment and lifestyle programs alongside local content and sports. The exact lineup changes over time, while the station's broader role is to provide free, over-the-air programming for South Florida viewers outside a national network affiliation.
Brand decisions
2024
Shift from CW affiliation to independent programmingStrategyBackground
Nexstar decided not to renew The CW's affiliations with Scripps-owned stations, including WSFL-TV.
Action taken
The CW affiliation moved to WBFS-TV on September 1, 2024, and WSFL-TV transitioned to an independent-station programming model.
Aftermath
WSFL-TV increased the importance of syndicated, lifestyle, local, digital, and sports programming, including Florida Panthers broadcasts.
2024
Add Florida Panthers game broadcastsProduct launchBackground
Scripps Sports sought to expand free over-the-air sports distribution in Florida while WSFL-TV was preparing for life beyond The CW.
Action taken
Scripps Sports placed Florida Panthers games on WSFL-TV beginning with the 2024–25 season.
Aftermath
The Panthers reportedly more than doubled average household delivery per regular-season game in the first season of the Scripps arrangement, although no independent financial figures are provided here.
2020
Use an external news producer instead of launching a standalone newsroomStrategyBackground
Scripps initially considered creating a dedicated WSFL-TV news operation after acquiring the station.
Action taken
Scripps partnered with WPLG to produce WSFL-TV local newscasts beginning in 2021.
Aftermath
The arrangement was later reduced and ended on August 1, 2025, leaving the station without that contracted news service.
2008
Reorganize local programming around a morning-show strategyStrategyBackground
Tribune sought to strengthen WSFL-TV's connection with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and replace the WTVJ-produced 10 p.m. newscast with more extensive locally oriented programming.
Action taken
The station discontinued the WTVJ-produced newscast and prepared a four-hour morning program using local and Sun-Sentinel-related resources.
Aftermath
SouthFlorida.com/Live launched in 2009 and was later renamed The Morning Show, but it was canceled in 2010 because of low ratings.
2006
Transition from The WB to The CWStrategyBackground
CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. announced that UPN and The WB would be discontinued and replaced by The CW.
Action taken
Tribune selected WBZL as one of its CW affiliates, and the station changed its call sign to WSFL-TV.
Aftermath
WSFL-TV carried The CW for nearly two decades before losing the affiliation in 2024.
1995
Join The WB after an affiliation reversalStrategyBackground
Renaissance initially considered a relationship with the Paramount network during a period of competition between proposed national networks. Concerns about WBFS-TV's potential ownership and competitive position contributed to a change in plans.
Action taken
WDZL joined The WB at its January 1995 launch, while WBFS-TV became a UPN affiliate.
Aftermath
The affiliation established channel 39 as a major WB outlet in the Miami market until the network was replaced by The CW in 2006.
Recent events
- 2025
WPLG news-production agreement ends[1]
Other
The contract under which WPLG produced Local 10 News broadcasts for WSFL-TV ended on August 1, 2025.
- 2024
The CW selects WBFS-TV as its new Miami affiliate[1]
Leadership change
Nexstar announced that The CW would not renew its affiliation with WSFL-TV; WBFS-TV assumed the Miami-area affiliation on September 1.
- 2024
Florida Panthers games move to WSFL-TV[1]
Product launch · Other
Scripps Sports announced that WSFL-TV would broadcast Florida Panthers games beginning with the 2024–25 season.
- 2021
WSFL-TV begins WPLG-produced local newscasts[1]
Product launch
Scripps used a news-production agreement with WPLG to provide weekday morning and 10 p.m. newscasts rather than launching a standalone WSFL newsroom.
- 2019
Scripps completes acquisition of WSFL-TV[1]
M&A
WSFL-TV became part of the E. W. Scripps Company after Nexstar acquired Tribune Media and divested selected stations.
- 2009
WSFL-TV launches SouthFlorida.com/Live[1]
Product launch
The station introduced a four-hour weekday morning program built around local content and Sun-Sentinel-related editorial resources.
- 2006
WBZL changes call sign to WSFL-TV[1]
Other
The station adopted the WSFL-TV call sign as it joined The CW after the replacement of The WB and UPN.
- 1997
Tribune completes acquisition of Renaissance Communications[1]
M&A · Regulation
Tribune's acquisition of Renaissance brought WDZL into Tribune Broadcasting's station group and created a regulatory cross-ownership issue involving the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
- 1995
WSFL-TV becomes an affiliate of The WB[1]
Other
WDZL joined The WB when the network launched, following an affiliation realignment involving WDZL and WBFS-TV.
- 1982
WSFL-TV begins broadcasting as WDZL[1]
Other
Channel 39 began operations as WDZL, an independent television station serving South Florida.
Sources3 sources
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