WSNN-LD
A low-power independent television station in Sarasota, Florida, serving the Suncoast through local news, weather, traffic, syndicated programming, and MyNetworkTV programming.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
WSNN-LD is a low-power television station serving Sarasota and the wider Florida Suncoast. Broadcasting on channel 39, the station operates under the Suncoast News Network, or SNN, identity and concentrates on local news and information for the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota metropolitan area, including Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties. Its coverage combines rolling local newscasts, live weather reporting, traffic information, community-focused talk programs, syndicated material, and MyNetworkTV programming in prime time. The operation began in 1995 as a partnership between the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Comcast. Initially conceived as a 24-hour regional news channel, it was announced under the name Sarasota News Now and launched on July 17, 1995. The service was closely linked to the Herald-Tribune, creating an unusual combined print-and-broadcast newsroom. Over the years it used several related identities, including SNN Local News, SNN Local News 6, SNN News 6, and Six News Now, before adopting the Suncoast News Network name. SNN experienced a major ownership and operating transition during the 2008–2009 financial crisis. The Herald-Tribune announced plans to sell the operation and end its broadcasts in late 2008. A proposed investor group led by general manager Linda DesMaris and Doug Barker did not complete the purchase after an investor withdrew. The station then announced that it would cease broadcasting on January 28, 2009. After a four-week interruption, a group associated with Phil Lombardo and LDB Media, LLC restored SNN to the air on February 26, 2009, retaining most of its former on-air staff. The channel gradually expanded beyond its original Comcast distribution. A Verizon FiOS carriage agreement began in September 2012, and additional cable distribution later extended its reach in the Sarasota–Manatee area. In 2014, Citadel Communications acquired a majority interest in the operation and assumed broadcast management. Citadel introduced a new visual identity, graphics, studio set, and weather center, and repositioned the service as SNN – Suncoast News Network. A significant structural change occurred in October 2014, when SNN's operations were combined with Citadel's low-power Sarasota television station WLWN-LD. The station adopted the call sign WSNN-LD while preserving SNN's established programming and cable carriage. The station later added Katz Broadcasting's Grit and Laff services as digital subchannels and developed weather and traffic camera coverage, including a camera positioned in downtown Sarasota. Its digital offering was expanded in 2018 with website livestreams, live newscasts, a weather camera, employment information, calendars, and event listings. Nexstar Media Group announced an agreement to acquire WSNN-LD from Citadel Communications in May 2023. The transaction was completed on July 20, 2023. Nexstar already owned nearby WFLA-TV and WTTA, making WSNN-LD part of a larger Tampa Bay and Sarasota-area broadcast group. After WTTA became the Tampa Bay CW affiliate in September 2023, WSNN-LD began carrying MyNetworkTV programming in prime time. The station remains primarily identified with local Suncoast news and information rather than with a conventional national network affiliation.
History
WSNN-LD traces its roots to a regional television-news venture established by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Comcast. The partners announced their plans on January 24, 1995, and introduced the Sarasota News Now name on May 20 of that year. Broadcasting began on July 17, 1995. The service was designed as a 24-hour local news channel for Sarasota and Charlotte counties and was initially distributed exclusively through Comcast systems. The operation developed a close relationship with the Herald-Tribune. It became one of the early newsrooms to use a combined print-and-broadcast model and was an early adopter of Avid disk-based nonlinear editing. Beginning in 2002, SNN also maintained a content-sharing relationship with Tampa NBC affiliate WFLA-TV and NBC News, replacing an earlier arrangement involving WTVT and CONUS Communications. These relationships gave the station access to regional and national material while preserving its local focus. SNN used multiple names during its early history, including SNN Local News, SNN Local News 6, SNN News 6, and Six News Now. In 2007, the operation received national attention when a live weather report captured chief meteorologist Justin Mosely reacting to a cockroach crawling up his leg. The clip was subsequently circulated widely on video-sharing websites. Mosely had worked at the channel since 2004, left in 2013, and returned in March 2014. In November 2008, the Herald-Tribune announced that it intended to sell SNN and discontinue its broadcasts. The planned end-of-year shutdown was delayed while an investor group led by general manager Linda DesMaris and her husband, Doug Barker, attempted to purchase the service. When one investor withdrew in January 2009, the newspaper announced that SNN would go dark at midnight on January 28. Phil Lombardo, the head of Citadel Communications, later became involved in a new ownership arrangement. After approximately four weeks off the air, SNN resumed operations on February 26 under LDB Media, LLC, with most of its former on-air personnel. Distribution expanded in 2012 when Verizon FiOS added SNN to its Sarasota-area lineup. In January 2014, Lombardo and Citadel acquired a majority interest and took over broadcast operations. Citadel remodeled the studio facilities and introduced new graphics, weather graphics, a blue-wave SNN logo, a main news set, and a weather center. On March 2, the operation formally adopted the SNN – Suncoast News Network identity. Citadel then consolidated SNN with WLWN-LD, its Sarasota low-power station. Announced in September 2014 and implemented on October 15, the combination gave the over-the-air station the WSNN-LD call sign while preserving the SNN service's established programming and cable distribution. In April 2015, the station added Grit and Laff digital subchannels. It also operated a weather and traffic camera installed atop One Sarasota Tower beginning in 2014. Multiplex programming began in 2015, and Verizon FiOS later moved SNN to a different channel position. The Herald-Tribune relocated from its former premises in 2016, and the future of SNN's physical facilities became uncertain as the former newspaper property faced redevelopment plans. In 2018, SNN refreshed its website and added or promoted livestreams of newscasts and its Skycam, together with employment listings, calendars, and event information. Citadel announced the sale of WSNN-LD to Nexstar Media Group on May 19, 2023. The transaction closed on July 20. Nexstar already owned WFLA-TV and WTTA in the broader market. Following WTTA's transition to The CW in September 2023, WSNN-LD began carrying MyNetworkTV programming during prime time. Its core identity remains that of a local Suncoast news operation, with weekday and weekend live newscasts, weather coverage, community programming, and selected syndicated content.
- 2023
Nexstar acquisition closes
[1]Nexstar Media Group completed its purchase of WSNN-LD from Citadel Communications on July 20.
- 2018
Website receives a major refresh
[1]The station expanded its online service with livestreams, Skycam access, newscast coverage, jobs, calendars, and event information.
- 2015
Digital multiplexing expands
[1]WSNN launched additional digital programming, including Grit and Laff subchannels.
- 2014
Citadel refreshes SNN
[1]Citadel assumed broadcast operations and introduced a new logo, graphics package, studio set, and weather center.
- 2014
WLWN-LD becomes WSNN-LD
[1]SNN was merged with Citadel's low-power Sarasota station, which adopted the WSNN-LD call sign.
- 2012
Verizon FiOS carriage begins
[1]FiOS added SNN to its Sarasota-area lineup, broadening distribution.
- 2009
SNN resumes broadcasting
[1]After a planned shutdown and four-week hiatus, the service returned under LDB Media management.
- 2007
Weather-report video attracts national attention
[1]A live reaction by meteorologist Justin Mosely to a cockroach became widely circulated online.
- 2002
Content-sharing relationship with WFLA-TV begins
[1]SNN began sharing content with WFLA-TV and NBC News, strengthening its regional and national news supply.
- 1995
Sarasota News Now is established
[1]The Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Comcast formed a partnership for a regional 24-hour news service, which launched on July 17.
Products and positioning
A locally focused Suncoast news and information station, combining continuous regional coverage with independent, syndicated, and network-supplied programming.
Local television news · 1995
SNN local news
The station's principal offering is locally produced news for Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties. SNN provides extended weekday newscasts, shorter weekend coverage, breaking-news interruptions, and live reporting focused on the North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota region.
Broadcast information service
Weather and traffic coverage
SNN supplies live weather updates during morning and evening programming, with more frequent reporting during severe weather. The operation also maintains weather and traffic camera coverage, including its branded Skycam service.
Community affairs program
Suncoast FYI
Hosted by Nancy O'Neil, Suncoast FYI features nonprofit and volunteer leaders from the Sarasota area and discusses local events, services, and community programs.
Public-affairs talk program
Suncoast POV
Hosted by Craig Burdick, Suncoast POV interviews civic, political, and business figures about current issues affecting the local community.
Network television programming · 2023
MyNetworkTV prime-time programming
Since September 2023, WSNN-LD has carried MyNetworkTV programming in prime time after related station WTTA assumed The CW affiliation in the Tampa Bay market.
Digital subchannels · 2015
Grit and Laff
WSNN added digital subchannels from Katz Broadcasting's Grit and Laff services, expanding its over-the-air programming beyond the main SNN service.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Digital local-information expansion
Sarasota area
SNN revamped its website to emphasize live newscasts, Skycam streaming, employment listings, calendars, and local events.
Outcome. The station broadened its local service beyond linear television into web-based live and community information.
- 2014SNN – Suncoast News Network rebrand
Sarasota · Manatee County · Charlotte County
Citadel introduced a new SNN wordmark with a blue wave, updated graphics, a remodeled news set, and a redesigned weather center as part of a broader visual and operational refresh.
Outcome. The operation adopted the Suncoast News Network identity and continued its existing local-news schedule and distribution.
Brand decisions
2023
Nexstar acquires WSNN-LDM&ABackground
Citadel Communications agreed to sell WSNN-LD to Nexstar Media Group, which already owned WFLA-TV and WTTA in the regional market.
Action taken
Nexstar purchased the station for $1 million, with the transaction closing on July 20, 2023.
Aftermath
WSNN-LD became part of Nexstar's regional station group and later began carrying MyNetworkTV programming in prime time.
Acquisition price. $1 million (Announced May 19, 2023; completed July 20, 2023)
2014
Citadel consolidates SNN with WLWN-LDStrategyBackground
Citadel operated both the SNN news service and the Sarasota low-power station WLWN-LD.
Action taken
The operations were merged on October 15, and WLWN-LD changed its call sign to WSNN-LD while retaining SNN programming.
Aftermath
The SNN brand gained an over-the-air station identity while preserving its cable carriage and local-news format.
2008
Herald-Tribune announces planned sale and shutdownStrategyBackground
The newspaper announced that it intended to sell SNN and end its broadcasts, prompting an investor-led effort to preserve the operation.
Action taken
The planned shutdown was temporarily extended while prospective investors negotiated a purchase, but the initial transaction did not close.
Aftermath
SNN ultimately went off the air on January 28, 2009, before returning under LDB Media management approximately four weeks later.
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