WJBK

Infobox_Broadcast
call_letters = WJBK
city =
station_
station_slogan = News that Works for You
station_branding = Fox 2 (general)
Fox 2 News (newscasts)
analog = 2 (VHF)
digital = 58 (UHF)
other_chs =
affiliations = Fox
network =
founded = October 24, 1948
airdate =
location = Detroit, Michigan
callsign_meaning = [http://home.earthlink.net/~nelsonbe/origins.call-list.html Jesus, Be Kind]
former_callsigns = WJBK-TV (1948-1998)
former_channel_numbers =
owner = Fox Television Stations, Inc.
licensee = WJBK License, Inc.
sister_stations =
former_affiliations = Primary:
CBS (1948-1994)
Secondary:
DuMont (1948-1955)
effective_radiated_power = 20 kW (digital)
erp_temporary = 100 kW (analog)
1000 kW (digital)
HAAT = 305 m (analog)
274 m (digital)
class =
facility_id = 73123
coordinates = coord|42|27|38.3|N|83|12|49.2|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|name=WJBK
homepage = [http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/ www.myfoxdetroit.com]

WJBK, channel 2, is the Fox-owned and operated television station in Detroit, Michigan. Its studios and 1003-foot (305.7 m) tower are co-located in Southfield while its signal covers the Metro Detroit area. WJBK's signal can also be picked up as far away as Flint, Toledo, Adrian, Chelsea, and, with transitory severe interference, London, Ontario.

History

The station debuted on October 24, 1948, as a dual CBS-DuMont affiliate owned by Storer Broadcasting (under George B. Storer) along with WJBK-AM 1500 (now WLQV) and WJBK-FM 93.1 (now WDRQ). WJBK became an exclusive CBS affiliate in 1955 after the DuMont network went out of business. In a 1985 corporate deal, the station came under the ownership of KKR. It was then sold as part of a group deal to Gillett Communications in 1987, and then sold to SCI. WJBK was sold to New World Communications in 1993 as part of yet another group deal. In 1992, WJBK chose not to air "CBS This Morning," in favor of showing local news. While WJBK had a history of showing most CBS programming, it began to pre-empt CBS programming a bit more than usual in 1993, around the time New World Communications bought the station. One example of this was when the CBS soap opera "Guiding Light" was moved from its network start time of 3:00pm ET to 10:00am, to allow for syndicated programming.

In 1994, New World agreed to affiliate its stations, including WJBK, to Fox when that network won the contract to carry the NFC football package, which was originally carried on the station as a CBS affiliate. As a result, WJBK dropped the CBS affiliation and along with the other New World stations took on the Fox affiliation. CBS moved to a weak independent station WGPR (which would be sold to CBS and renamed WWJ-TV). Like most other New World stations, WJBK also did not take Fox's children's programming, (Fox Kids/FoxBox/4KidsTV) which remained on the market's former Fox station (and charter UPN affiliate) WKBD (before briefly moving to WADL, and ultimately, to WMYD). As a result of the network change, WJBK's branding switched from 'TV 2' to 'Fox 2 Detroit.' The actual rebranding did not take place until Fall 1995.

Fox bought out New World Communications in 1997, and WJBK became a Fox owned and operated station. The network brought stronger syndicated shows on WJBK. However, the station continued its practice of not running children's programming from the network (which is no longer shown on weekdays, and is now only seen on Sunday mornings on WMYD).

In 2003, WJBK became the broadcast home of the Detroit Red Wings. The station broadcasts up to ten games a season.

For the 2007 MLB season, WJBK became the over-the-air TV broadcaster for the Detroit Tigers (WMYD was the broadcaster for the 2006 season). Tigers games were produced by WJBK's sister cable network, FSN Detroit. As of the 2008 season, only the home opener for the Tigers is aired on WJBK.

WJBK is one of the eight network-owned stations in Metro Detroit, the other two are CBS-owned WWJ-TV and CW-affiliate WKBD-TV, both are owned by CBS Corporation. There's also low-power stations WDWO-CA, owned by Tri-State Christian Television and W66BV, owned by the Trinity Broadcasting Network. The last three stations are Windsor-based CBET and French station CBEFT (although operates as a satellite of Ottawa's CBOFT -- which in turn rebroadcasts Toronto's CBLFT), both are owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation -- parent company of CBC Television and lastly, Ann Arbor-based WPXD, owned by ION Media Networks.

Digital Channels

Analog-to-digital transition

After the analog television shutdown and digital conversion, which is tentatively scheduled to take place on February 17, 2009 http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf] , WJBK will abandon both its analog channel 2 and its pre-transition digital channel 58 and move its digital broadcasts to channel 7. [http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101232094&formid=387&fac_num=73123 CDBS Print ] ] However, through the use of PSIP, digital television receivers will display WJBK's virtual channel as 2.

Newscasts

After becoming a Fox affiliate station, WJBK maintained a newscast schedule that is very similar to a CBS, ABC, or NBC affiliated station. Upon the network switch, the station moved its late evening news broadcasts from 11 PM to 10 PM. The station is known in the area for its "Problem Solver" investigative unit that was started in 1998. Since the early 1990s, the station has repeated its 10 PM newscasts at 2 AM the following morning (three hours later).

WJBK's newscasts in the CBS-era were rebroadcasted on WADL under a partnership WJBK had with that station, and continued until 1998. The station also had an Eyewitness News format that was similar to sister station WHBQ-TV in Memphis, thus calling itself "FOX2 Eyewitness News" for sometime before shortening to the current "FOX2 News".

WJBK operates an Aerospatiale AS350BA A-star news helicopter called "Sky Fox".

In 2006, WJBK officially debuted their MyFox website, myfoxdetroit.com (similar sites have also been adopted by all the other News Corporation owned Fox affiliates).

On January 8, 2007, WJBK started simulcasting parts of its weekday morning news on Northern Michigan's Fox affiliate, WFQX-TV, based in Cadillac. On that station, the simulcast ran from 6 to 8 A.M. and was known as "Michigan's Fox News Morning". This arrangement was possible as a result of a cooperative arrangement offering local advertising opportunities to Northern Michigan businesses. From February 5, 2007 to October 31 after the completion of its own 10 P.M. newscast, WFQX simulcasted the second half of WJBK's weeknight 10 o'clock news. It ended when new owners acquired WFQX and CBS affiliate WWTV gained control of the station. This lead to a new 10 P.M. newscast produced by WWTV that limited WJBK's newscasts to air on WFQX in the mornings. On January 14, the WJBK morning news simulcast was dropped as WFQX, on January 7, began airing a two hour long extension of WWTV's morning news at 7 A.M.

On September 24, 2007, WJBK launched its first ever 11pm newscast as a FOX affiliate, using the NewsEdge format originally used by WTVT. On the same day, WJBK redesigned their look to be more in line with other Fox O&O's, with a new set, new graphics, and new music that have also been used on other Fox-owned stations such as sister station KMSP-TV. The new logo, which debuted on the same day, is also similar in design to sister stations KMSP-TV and KDFW. This marks the biggest change to the station's image in ten years.

On April 22, 2008, WJBK joined competing stations WXYZ and WDIV in airing all newscasts in HD.

On September 8, 2008, WJBK became the first Fox O&O station to launch a 4:30a.m. newscast.

portscasts

WJBK televised some Detroit Tigers games in the 2007 season and Detroit Red Wings games during the 2003-2007 seasons, which were produced by sister station, FSN Detroit. In March of 2007, WJBK began showing Red Wings games in High Definition. As of the 2007-2008 season, the only Tigers games aired on WJBK are MLB on FOX telecasts and the home opener for the Tigers (produced by FSN Detroit).

On Sunday night, WJBK airs a sports highlights/discussion show called "SportsWorks". Often there is a round table discussion between the Detroit media and Dan Miller or Woody Woodriffe. The "SportsWorks" brand is also used for other sports related segments during newscasts.

Typical round table media members, include; Drew Sharp from the Detroit Free Press/WXYT-FM, Sean Baligian from the Detroit News/WDFN, Art Regner from WDFN, Pat Caputo from the Oakland Press/WXYT-FM, Bob Wojnowski from the Detroit News/WDFN and Tony Ortiz from WXYT-FM.

Famous shows

The station aired assorted sci-fi and horror movies on Saturday afternoons, hosted by the humorous personality Sir Graves Ghastly, played by actor Lawson J. Deming. Deming, who played Sir Graves on WJBK from 1967 to 1983 and made personal appearances well into the 1990s, died April 24, 2007, just one day after his 94th birthday. [http://www.sirgravesghastly.com]

"With This Ring" was a religious program produced at the studios of WJBK from approximately the early 1970s through the mid-1990s. Hosted by Roman Catholic priest Raymond Schlinkert, the 15-minute weekly show featured lectures and advice about marriage and family life. The program appeared in syndication on numerous U.S. commercial stations, usually shown immediately following the station's sign-on, or before sign-off, on Sundays.

Notable Personalities

Current On-Air Talent

Anchors
*Kam Carman: Weekday Morning Anchor
*Alan Lee: Weekday Morning Anchor
*Jackie Paige: 4:30a.m. Anchor/Traffic Reporter
*Lila Lazarus: 11a.m. Anchor/Health Reporter
*Sherry Margolis: 11a.m. & 5:30p.m. Anchor
*Murray Feldman 5:30p.m. Anchor/Money Reporter
*Monica Gayle: Weekday Evening Anchor
*Huel Perkins: Weekday Evening Anchor
*Ron Savage: Weekend Evening Anchor/General Assignment Reporter
*Robin Schwartz: Weekend Evening Anchor/General Assignment Reporter
*Deena Centofanti: Weekend Morning Anchor/Health Reporter
*Charles Pugh: Weekend Morning Anchor/General Assignment Reporter

Reporters
*Al Allen: General Assignment Reporter
*Taryn Asher: General Assignment Reporter
*Jason Carr: General Assignment/Feature Reporter
*Brad Edwards: General Assignment Reporter
*Andrea Isom: General Assignment Reporter
*Bill Gallagher: General Assignment Reporter
*Simon Shaykhet: General Assignment Reporter
*Lee Thomas: Entertainment Reporter
*Jay Towers: Weekend Feature Reporter

Problem Solvers Unit
*Amy Lange: "Problem Solvers" Investigative Reporter
*Rob Wolchek: "Problem Solvers" Investigative Reporter/Hall of Shame
*Scott Lewis: "Problem Solvers" Investigative Reporter

Weather Authority
*Rich Luterman: Chief Meteorologist
*Ben Bailey: Morning Meteorologist
*Justin Ryan: 11a.m./Weekend Meteorologist
*Chris Edwards: 11a.m./Weekend Meteorologist

Sportsworks
*Dan Miller: Sports Director
*Woody Woodriffe: Weekend Sports Anchor/Reporter
*Ryan Ermanni: Sports Reporter
*Jennifer Hammond: Sports Reporter

Former On-Air Talent

* Kathy Adams - anchor (1983-1991)
* Camille Amiri reporter
* Chuckie Bergeson - news director/host of "Ladies' Day" (1952-1959)
* Kerry Birmingham reporter, anchor
* Bill Bonds - commentator, interviewer
* Otis Buchanan - reporter
* Vic Caputo - anchorman/morning show host (1968-1980)
* Carl Cederberg - station's first news anchor (1960-1974)
* Kenny Cline - news director/longtime booth announcer (1949-1978)
* Mike Collins - reporter and weekend anchor (mid 1990s) - now fill-in anchor at WWJ-AM
* Gary Cubberley former host of PM Magazine/morning anchor (1980s-1992; found dead in his car on August 15, 1992 of an apparent heart attack en route to his shift the previous day)
* Sandy Dickson - anchor/reporter (1974-1983 and 1988-1993)
* Jill Ditmire - morning anchor/reporter (1992-1996)
* Anne Doyle - first female sports reporter in Detroit (1978-1983)
* Lourdes Duarte - Reporter (Now at WGN TV)
* Sonny Eliot - weather anchor (1978-1982, now at WWJ-AM)
* Dana Eubanks - anchor (1988-1992)
* Wyatt Everhart - weekend meteorologist (2004-2007), now news anchor at WMDT-TV
* Richard Fisher - anchor (1990-1997)
* Kenneth Ford - reporter
* Johnny Fossen - sports anchor/reporter (1985-1988)
* Chuck Gaidica - meteorologist (1982-1987, now at WDIV-TV)
* Harry Gallagher - reporter/anchor (1979 until death in 1982)
* David Gare - sports reporter (mid 1980s)
* Sir Graves Ghastly, played by Lawson J. Deming - horror movie host (1967-1983)
* Joseph Glover - anchor (1978-1983 and 1987-1993) - now teaches journalism at the University of South Alabama
* Nicole Grandberry - reporter
* Gerald Harrington - anchor/reporter
* Jerry Hodak - meteorologist (1965-1977), morning anchor (1992-1996); now at WXYZ-TV)
* Jennifer Howe - anchor/reporter (1991-1996, now at WTSP-TV in Tampa)
* Frederick Heumann - sports anchor/reporter (1987-1994, now at WLNS-TV in Lansing, MI)
* Bwana Don Hunt - kids' show host
* Pallas Hupé - reporter/meteorologist (1999-2002, now at KOVR-TV in Sacramento)
* Amy Jacobson - reporter (1994-1996, went to WMAQ-TV in Chicago, resigned following a scandal)
* Monica Jackson - traffic reporter (1998 only, then to WXYZ-TV, now at KVVU in Las Vegas)
* Virg Jacques - sports anchor/reporter/noon news anchor (1982-1993, now at WTTG in Washington, DC)
* Red Jamison - sports director (1975-1976)
* Johnny Kelly - reporter (1965-1972); later at WXYZ-TV
* Bruce Kirk - anchor (1984-1990, currently in the process of moving to WINK-TV in Ft. Myers, FL)
* Stuart Klitenic - sportscaster - now at CNN Headline News
* Thomas Korzeniowski - reporter (1971-1978), semi-retired, working for WLS-TV Chicago.
* Don Lark - anchor/reporter (1974-1976)
* Ray Lane - sports anchor (1961-1982)
* Cathy Leahan - reporter (1986-1996)
* Jac LeGoff - anchor (1953-1959 and 1962-1974)
* Joshua Littman - business reporter (deceased)
* Teddy Lloyd - "Sagebrush Shorty" - kids' show host (1947-1949)
* Kay Lowry - reporter (mid 1990s)
* Michael Lyons (meteorologist, now at West Palm Beach's WPBF-TV)
* Micah Materre (1989-1997, now at WGN-TV in Chicago)
* Jackson McCarthy - anchor/reporter (1966-19xx)and(198x-199x) Retired in Florida
* Nancy McCauley - reporter (1975-2000), now with Ford
* Fred McLeod - sports anchor/reporter (1981-1989, now at FSN Ohio)
* Robert Murphy - daytime host (1955-1967)
* Terry Murphy - anchor/reporter (1974-1976)
* John Noel - reporter (1993-1998, now at WNBC-TV in New York)
* Lucille Noland - anchor (1997-2004; now at KHOU-TV in Houston)
* Kathy O'Brien - former PM Magazine host/morning show host (late '70s-early '80s)
* Van Patrick - sports director (1960-1974)
* Don Paul - meteorologist (1979-1984, now at WIVB-TV in Buffalo)
* Beverly Payne (Draper) - anchor/reporter (1973-1982) First female African-American anchor in Detroit now deceased from ovarian cancer.
* Dr. Everett R. Phelps - meteorologist (1951-1958)
* David Rogers - meteorologist (1987-1991. now at WVIR-TV in Charlottesville, VA)
* Jeff Rossen - reporter (1998-2001, now at WABC-TV in New York)
* Ron Sanders - anchor/reporter/"PM Magazine" co-host (1973-1979, now at WBZ-TV in Boston)
* George Sells - anchor (1983-1986, moved to WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge)
*Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor - news reporter/weather anchor (1978-1981), now a radio & television reporter for the AAA Michigan Brodcast News Network
* Fanchon Stinger - news anchor/reporter (1997-2008); fired for involement in Detroit City Council sludge contract scandal
* Ryan Smith - morning/noon anchor (2001-2007; now at WPVI-TV in Philadelphia)
* Kenneth Thomas - anchor/reporter (1974-1976)
* Lee Thornton - anchor (1982)
* Robbie Timmons - anchor/reporter (1975-1981, now at WXYZ-TV)
* Marilyn Turner - weathercaster (1959-1972), later at WXYZ-TV
* Michael Tsolinas - reporter/morning meteorologist (1984-1989, now at KTNV in Las Vegas)
* Vince Wade - investigative reporter
* Rhonda Walker - morning/noon anchor (1998-2003, now at WDIV-TV)
* Joseph Weaver - anchor/reporter/special projects editor/program director/editorial director/writer/producer (1963-1994), he is still active on several community boards, including the Mental Illness Research Association (MIRA).
* Mark Wilson - sports anchor/reporter (1992-1997)
* David Wittman - anchor/reporter (early 1980s)
* Eli Zaret - sports anchor (1988-1995)

tation Presentation

WJBK's logos have changed greatly over the years, reflecting different themes and styles, as well as different owners and network affiliations.
CBS From February 24, 1968 edition of TV Guide.
September 9, 1978 issue of TV Guide. The logo lasted from around 1978 to 1983.
Black_and_white_version_of_the_circle 2 logo
WJBK_logo_from_a_1987_Detroit-area_TV Guide. This logo was used from 1983 to 1988.
CBS affiliate.
WJBK_logo_from_1995_to_1998_as_a_result_of_the_rebranding_from_

Coverage

WJBK is carried on most cable systems in Southeast Michigan, Southwestern Ontario, and Northwestern Ohio.

Coverage on cable systems outside the Detroit / Windsor market may be subject to syndex and network blackouts in the United States, and simsubbing in Canada.

News/Station Presentation

Newscast Slogans

*"TV-2 Eyewitness News" (early 1980s-1995)
*"Fox 2 Eyewitness News" (1995-1997)
*"Fox 2 News" (1997-present)

tation Slogans

*1973-1978: "TV-2 is Yours"
*1975-1976: "Catch the Brightest Stars on TV-2" (customized version of the CBS campaign; secondary slogan)
*1980-1982: "Two's the One"
*1981-1982: "Reach for the Stars on TV-2" (localized version of the CBS promotional slogan)
*1983-1985: "We've Got the Touch, You and Channel 2" (customized version of the CBS campaign)
*1986-1988: "Us Viewing You"
*1989-1994: "It takes two, TV-2" (Also WMAR-TV uses the Slogan from 1998)
*1998-present: "News that Works for You"

ee also

*Media in metropolitan Detroit

References

*Inside Fox2: Did You Know That (2003, 2004). " [http://www.fox2detroit.com Fox2Detroit.com] ".
*Kiska, Tim. "From Soupy to Nuts: A History of Detroit Television". 2005. Momentum Books. ISBN# 18790-94703

External links

* [http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/ WJBK]
* [http://www.michiguide.com/dials/tv/wjbk.html Michiguide.com's listing for WJBK]
*TVQ|WJBK
*BIA|WJBK|TV|TV
* [http://www.annedoylestrategies.com/MeetAnne/TVSportsJournalist/SportsJournalistHistory.aspx Anne Doyle - Pioneering Women in Sports Journalism]