WSJV
WSJV is a television station licensed to Elkhart, Indiana, serving the South Bend area as a Sinclair-owned station affiliated with the Roar digital multicast network.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
WSJV is a full-power television station licensed to Elkhart, Indiana, and serving the South Bend–Elkhart, or Michiana, market. The station broadcasts on virtual channel 28 and is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group alongside WSBT-TV, the market's CBS and Fox affiliate. WSJV and WSBT-TV share studio facilities on East Douglas Avenue in Mishawaka, while their transmission operations are based near Ironwood Road in southern South Bend. The station began broadcasting on March 20, 1954, after Truth Publishing Company, the publisher of The Elkhart Truth and owner of local radio stations, received authorization to construct a UHF station on channel 52. It initially carried programming from ABC, NBC, and the short-lived DuMont Television Network, although NBC programming moved to the newly launched WNDU-TV in 1955. In 1958, WSJV changed from channel 52 to channel 28 as part of a broader FCC reassignment of UHF channels in the region. The move also relocated its transmitter site closer to Mishawaka. WSJV introduced color programming in the 1960s and produced a range of local programs, including children's and puppet shows. Truth Publishing sold the station to Quincy Newspapers in 1974 for $3.2 million. During Quincy ownership, WSJV expanded its local news schedule and developed a stronger identity across the wider South Bend–Elkhart area. The station added an 11 p.m. newscast in 1976, weekend news in 1992, and later morning and early-evening programs. In the mid-1990s, its most consequential programming change occurred when it left ABC for Fox. The switch followed Fox's acquisition of National Football League rights and was completed in October 1995, making WSJV the first full-time Fox affiliate in the South Bend market. Its news operation was reorganized around the Fox schedule, including a prime-time late newscast. WSJV launched a digital signal in 2002 and ended analog broadcasting in 2009. In 2016, Quincy transferred the Fox affiliation to WSBT-TV, where Fox programming became available through a digital subchannel branded Fox Michiana. The move was connected to Quincy's effort to consolidate operations and potentially monetize WSJV's broadcast spectrum during the federal incentive-auction period. WSJV's newsroom closed as part of the transition. The station subsequently carried digital multicast programming, including Heroes & Icons, with a substantially smaller local operation. Gray Television acquired Quincy Media in 2021. Gray obtained regulatory permission to retain WSJV alongside WNDU-TV, despite the stations' presence in the same market, because WSJV was a lower-rated station relative to the market's leading outlets. In 2025, Gray and Sinclair arranged a station exchange involving WSJV and WHOI, resulting in Sinclair's ownership of both the WSJV and WSBT-TV licenses. At the end of 2025, WSJV moved to Sinclair's Roar digital multicast network. The station also serves as the South Bend market's ATSC 3.0 host, transmitting NextGen TV services while partner stations carry selected WSJV services in ATSC 1.0 format.
History
WSJV originated with Truth Publishing Company, the publisher of The Elkhart Truth and operator of WTRC radio. In May 1953, Truth Publishing applied to the Federal Communications Commission for authority to build a UHF television station on channel 52. The FCC approved the construction permit on June 3, 1953, making the planned station the second television outlet in the South Bend–Elkhart area. Construction began later that year at a site southwest of Elkhart. The station was initially expected to launch in March 1954, but an antenna fault forced emergency repairs. Test transmissions were made on March 15 and 16, and regular broadcasting began on March 20. WSJV initially carried programs from ABC, NBC, and DuMont. NBC left the station's schedule after WNDU-TV began operating in 1955, while DuMont soon ceased operations nationally. The station increased its power in 1954 after installing a new transmitter. In 1957, the FCC approved a regional reassignment of UHF channels affecting several stations in Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan. WSJV moved from channel 52 to channel 28 on February 14, 1958, and its tower location shifted from Elkhart to an area near Mishawaka. The station began airing color network programs in 1963, expanded non-network color programming in 1966 after acquiring additional equipment, and had converted its locally produced programs to color by 1968. Early local productions included the children's program Kidsville, U.S.A. and puppet programs featuring DD Donovan. Truth Publishing expanded into broadcasting beyond Elkhart by acquiring radio and television properties in Fort Wayne in 1957. Those assets were later sold, and the television operation was eventually transferred to Quincy Newspapers Inc. in 1974 for $3.2 million. Truth Publishing retained its radio operations for a period. The sale also separated WSJV from a local cable-system ownership structure that had involved the area's major commercial television stations. Under Quincy, WSJV continued as an ABC affiliate and developed its local programming. It introduced an 11 p.m. newscast in 1976. The station had historically broadcast only weekday evening news, and in 1992 it added weekend newscasts. That expansion followed the retirement of Don Fuller, a charter employee who had served as general manager since 1965. News director Larry Ford had argued that the limited schedule weakened the station's local profile. Under successor Jim Parisi, WSJV added a morning newscast, a 5 p.m. program using viewer telephone and email feedback, and efforts to reach communities outside Elkhart. The interactive early-evening format was notable for displaying viewer emails during the broadcast. The station's major network change followed Fox's 1993 acquisition of National Football Conference NFL rights. Fox sought new full-power affiliates and identified South Bend as the largest American market without a dedicated Fox outlet. Quincy agreed on April 19, 1995, to move WSJV from ABC to Fox. The full-time affiliation began October 18, although Fox NFL programming was introduced earlier. ABC programming moved to a newly established low-power outlet associated with Weigel Broadcasting. WSJV reorganized its news schedule around the new Fox lineup, moving its late news into prime time and adding or adjusting morning and early-evening programs. Its prime-time late newscast performed better than the station's morning news, which struggled against larger competitors. WSJV began digital transmission in October 2002. It shut down its analog signal on February 17, 2009, and moved its post-transition digital operation to channel 28. In 2016, Quincy transferred the Fox affiliation to WSBT-TV in return for ABC and CW affiliation rights in Peoria. WSBT launched Fox Michiana as a digital subchannel on August 1, with WSJV simulcasting the service during a transition period. The station's newsroom then closed, some employees moved to WSBT or other Quincy stations, and WSJV became a mostly automated multicast outlet, initially carrying Heroes & Icons. Gray Television announced its acquisition of Quincy Media in 2021 and completed the transaction on August 2. Gray received a failing-station waiver that allowed it to retain WSJV while also owning WNDU-TV. In 2025, Gray and Sinclair exchanged stations, transferring WSJV to Sinclair while Sinclair already owned WSBT-TV. WSJV subsequently became the South Bend market's ATSC 3.0 host station, carrying NextGen TV services for the market and supporting ATSC 1.0 distribution through other commercial stations. At the end of 2025, it switched to Sinclair's Roar digital multicast network. Its current role is therefore principally that of a network and transmission platform within a larger station group, rather than an independently operated local-news brand.
- 2025
Transfers to Sinclair and joins Roar
[1]A station exchange transferred WSJV to Sinclair, and the station later adopted Roar programming while serving as the market's ATSC 3.0 host.
- 2021
Gray completes Quincy acquisition
[1]Gray Television completed its acquisition of Quincy Media and retained WSJV under an FCC waiver.
- 2016
Fox affiliation moves to WSBT-TV
[1]Fox programming was consolidated on WSBT-TV's digital subchannel and WSJV's newsroom was closed.
- 2002
Launches digital signal
[1]The station began digital television transmission.
- 1995
Becomes a Fox affiliate
[1]WSJV left ABC and became a full-time Fox affiliate in the South Bend market.
- 1974
Sold to Quincy Newspapers
[1]Truth Publishing sold WSJV to Quincy Newspapers for $3.2 million.
- 1963
Begins color broadcasting
[1]WSJV started broadcasting selected ABC programs in color.
- 1958
Moves to channel 28
[1]The station changed from channel 52 to channel 28 as part of a regional UHF channel reassignment.
- 1954
Regular broadcasting begins
[1]WSJV began regular television broadcasting on March 20 from Elkhart.
- 1953
FCC approves construction permit
[1]The FCC granted Truth Publishing Company authorization to build a UHF television station on channel 52.
Products and positioning
A local broadcast television station serving the Michiana market, with a current emphasis on digital multicast programming and NextGen TV distribution rather than a standalone local-news operation.
Broadcast television station · 1954
WSJV channel 28
WSJV's primary broadcast identity is its full-power channel 28 service licensed to Elkhart and targeted at viewers throughout the South Bend–Elkhart market. Historically it carried major network affiliations and local news; its current role is centered on digital multicast programming and technical distribution.
Digital multicast network affiliation · 2025
Roar
Roar is Sinclair's digital multicast network carried by WSJV after the station's late-2025 programming transition. It represents the station's current primary network relationship following its earlier period as a Heroes & Icons outlet.
NextGen TV transmission platform
ATSC 3.0 service
WSJV operates as the South Bend market's ATSC 3.0 host station. Its transmitter distributes NextGen TV services, while other market stations carry selected services in ATSC 1.0 format through a shared multiplexing arrangement.
Marketing campaigns
- 1995Fox affiliation launch
South Bend–Elkhart · Michiana
WSJV and Quincy promoted the station's transition from ABC to Fox as the arrival of a full-time Fox service for the South Bend market, including access to Fox's NFL broadcasts.
Outcome. WSJV became the market's first full-time Fox affiliate, while ABC programming moved to a newly launched low-power station.
- 1992Expanded local-news initiative
Michiana
The station expanded beyond weekday evening news by adding weekend coverage, a morning program, and an interactive early-evening format using viewer telephone calls and email.
Outcome. The initiative sought to improve WSJV's local standing and reduce the perception that it served only Elkhart.
Brand decisions
2025
Station exchange with SinclairM&ABackground
Gray and Sinclair arranged an exchange involving WSJV and WHOI.
Action taken
The transaction transferred WSJV to Sinclair, which also owns WSBT-TV in the South Bend market.
Aftermath
WSJV became part of Sinclair's local station group and later adopted the Roar multicast network.
2021
Retention of WSJV after the Quincy acquisitionM&ABackground
Gray Television's acquisition of Quincy Media created a same-market ownership issue because Gray already owned WNDU-TV.
Action taken
Gray sought and received a failing-station waiver that allowed it to retain WSJV alongside WNDU-TV.
Aftermath
WSJV remained in the Gray station portfolio until a 2025 exchange transferred it to Sinclair.
2016
Consolidation of Fox programming on WSBT-TVStrategyBackground
Quincy considered the value of WSJV's spectrum and the operating efficiency of consolidating the Fox service on another station in the market.
Action taken
Quincy transferred Fox affiliation rights to WSBT-TV, which launched Fox Michiana as a digital subchannel. WSJV simulcast the service temporarily before becoming a multicast outlet.
Aftermath
WSJV's newsroom closed, some staff moved to WSBT-TV or other Quincy stations, and the station's news archive was donated to Indiana University Libraries.
1995
Switch from ABC to FoxStrategyBackground
Fox's acquisition of NFL rights increased its importance as a national network and created demand for full-power affiliates in markets without a dedicated Fox station.
Action taken
Quincy signed an agreement to move WSJV to Fox, with the full-time affiliation beginning in October 1995.
Aftermath
ABC secured a new low-power outlet in the market, while WSJV reorganized its schedule and news operation around Fox programming.
- ABC — ABC moved its South Bend affiliation to a Weigel-associated low-power station after losing WSJV.
- WSBT-TV — WSBT-TV had previously carried Fox programming and Chicago Bears games, but did not switch affiliations when WSJV accepted Fox.
Recent events
- 2025
WSJV ownership transfers to Sinclair[1]
M&A
Gray and Sinclair arranged a station trade involving WSJV and WHOI, leaving Sinclair with both WSJV and WSBT-TV in the South Bend market.
- 2025
WSJV joins the Roar digital multicast network[1]
Product launch · Product generation
At the end of 2025, WSJV switched its primary digital multicast programming to Sinclair's Roar network.
- 2021
Gray Television completes acquisition of Quincy Media[1]
M&A · Regulation
Gray completed its acquisition of Quincy Media after securing regulatory permission to retain WSJV alongside WNDU-TV.
- 2016
Fox affiliation moves from WSJV to WSBT-TV[1]
Product generation · Leadership change
Quincy transferred Fox programming rights to WSBT-TV, where the service became the Fox Michiana digital subchannel. WSJV's newsroom closed during the transition.
- 2009
WSJV ends analog broadcasting[1]
Product generation · Regulation
WSJV shut down its analog signal and continued as a digital television station on channel 28.
- 2002
WSJV launches digital television service[1]
Product launch
The station began digital broadcasting, an important step toward its later role in multicast and ATSC 3.0 distribution.
- 1995
WSJV moves from ABC to Fox[1]
Product generation · Other
Quincy Newspapers signed an agreement for WSJV to become a full-time Fox affiliate, with the change taking effect in October and Fox NFL programming beginning earlier.
- 1988
WSJV tower partially toppled by windstorm[1]
Other
A severe windstorm partially destroyed the station's tower. WSJV operated at reduced power until a replacement mast entered service later that year.
- 1958
WSJV changes from channel 52 to channel 28[1]
Other
The station changed channel assignments under an FCC-approved regional UHF reallocation and moved its transmission site toward Mishawaka.
- 1954
WSJV begins broadcasting in Elkhart[1]
Other
The station launched on March 20 after construction and antenna-repair delays, initially carrying ABC, NBC, and DuMont programming.
Sources2 sources
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